Search Results (687)

Countermovement jump (CMJ) testing is widely used to monitor neuromuscular function, but trial-to-trial reliability depends on the population and testing ecology. Previous reliability prescriptions have often been derived from male cohorts, risking misapplication to female athletes, whose anthropometry, movement strategies, and testing environments differ. This study applied Generalizability Theory (G-Theory) to quantify the within-session reliability of CMJ metrics in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball, softball, soccer, and lacrosse, aiming to isolate the measurement precision independent of day-to-day biological variance. A fully crossed person × trial G-Theory analysis was performed, with the G-study phase estimating variance components and the D-study phase determining the number of trials required to reach actionable dependability (Φ ≥ 0.80). Force–time data from 103 athletes across 282 jumps were analyzed for 14 commonly monitored metrics. Results show that six concentric and takeoff indices, including force at zero velocity, phase-1 concentric impulse, total concentric impulse, jump height, takeoff velocity, and scaled power, achieved Φ ≥ 0.80 from a single trial across all sports. Second-tier variables, such as eccentric duration, phase-2 impulse, and the modified reactive strength index, stabilized within two to three trials, whereas braking impulse, countermovement depth, and deceleration RFD asymmetry required impractical sampling and were deemed fragile (i.e., requiring a greater number of trials to reach acceptable reliability). Compared with the male data, women exhibited larger between-subject variance and higher single-trial dependability for 11 of the 14 studied metrics. Findings support concise, sex-specific trial prescriptions that prioritize stable metrics and minimize unnecessary testing. Full article

Background: Understanding the genetic and metabolic profiles of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is important for clarifying the biological characteristics of this complex disorder. Objectives: Given the limited data available for the Lebanese population, this case–control study aimed to investigate the association between common MTHFR variants and ASD risk and to examine differences in homocysteine metabolism between Lebanese individuals with ASD and neurotypical controls. Methods: From June 2022 to June 2023, 86 individuals with ASD and 86 controls matched for age and sex were recruited. Genotyping of the rs1801133 and rs1801131 variants and biochemical measurements were performed, followed by comparative statistical analyses. Results: Our results showed no significant association between the rs1801133 or rs1801131 variants and ASD risk (p > 0.05). However, the sample size was not sufficient to rule out small genetic effects. Metabolic analyses revealed significantly higher homocysteine concentrations and lower vitamin B9 levels in the ASD group (p < 0.0001), while vitamin B12, fasting glucose, and lipid profiles did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). Among individuals with ASD, the TT genotype of rs1801133 was associated with elevated homocysteine concentrations (OR = 9.10, p = 0.014), whereas neither MTHFR variant was associated with vitamin B12 or B9 levels in ASD or control participants. Conclusions: Future research directions could focus on exploring the role of key enzymes associated with hyperhomocysteinemia in individuals with ASD and on replicating these preliminary findings in larger, adequately powered cohorts. Full article

The current WHO grading of central nervous system tumors relies exclusively on histopathological criteria for diagnosing lower-grade, IDH-mutant astrocytomas (LGIMAs), overlooking genetic features. The TP53 R273C mutation, frequently observed in brain tumors, may influence LGIMA biology and aggressiveness. We analyzed 14 TP53-mutant LGIMAs using NGS. Five tumors (33.3%) carried the R273C mutation; these were mostly of grade 2 and all from female patients. Ki-67 levels in R273C-mutant tumors were higher compared with those in other TP53-mutant grade 2 tumors but lower than those in grade 3 tumors, which may suggest that R273C defines a more aggressive grade 2 profile. This mutation was linked to loss of the wild-type allele, supporting a loss-of-function mechanism. Its frequency was found to be potentially higher in women, and this sex-based difference reached statistical significance when incorporating TCGA LGIMA data. Overall, the R273C mutation, although mechanistically unclear, is more prevalent than other TP53 variants and defines a distinct biological subset of LGIMAs, marked by increased Ki-67 and female predominance. Incorporating TP53 and broader genetic profiling via NGS could improve our understanding of LGIMAs and support a refined classification system, enhancing diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Relative age differences within the same school year may influence adolescents’ physiological adaptations to physical activity programs. While biological maturity (maturity offset, MO) is often considered a more relevant indicator than chronological age (CA), empirical evidence from school-based interventions remains limited. This study aimed to compare the predictive value of CA and MO in explaining health-related adaptations to an eight-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program delivered during physical education classes. Methods: A total of 256 adolescents (112 boys and 144 girls) participated in HIIT protocols integrated into regular lessons. Health-related outcomes included maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), body fat percentage (BFP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. Maturity offset (MO) was estimated using Moore’s method. Statistical analyses included MANOVA/ANOVA, linear regression, and dominance analysis, all stratified by sex. Results: Chronological age explained more variance in the studied outcomes than MO, particularly for BFP and VO₂max among girls. In boys, a significant CA × MO interaction predicted SBP, indicating interdependence between both age indicators. Dominance analysis confirmed the overall predominance of CA as a predictor across most outcomes. Conclusions: Chronological age proved to be a stronger predictor of adaptation to school-based HIIT than biological maturity, suggesting that calendar age better reflects cumulative behavioral and environmental influences. These findings highlight the need for age-sensitive and personalized approaches when designing physical education interventions to optimize health-related outcomes in adolescents. Full article

Background/Objectives: Determination of the biological profile, particularly sex and stature, constitutes an essential component for individual identification in forensic and archaeological anthropology; however, validation of anthropometric equations remains inadequately implemented in contemporary research. This study addresses two limitations: the isolated development of sex and stature estimation methods and the lack of rigorous validation using independent samples. Methods: In this research, we analyzed 400 well-preserved scapulae from a Northeastern Thai population divided into training (n = 300: 150 male scapulae, 150 female scapulae) and validation (n = 100: 50 male scapulae, 50 female scapulae) groups. Eight standardized measurements were used for both sex and stature estimation. Results: All measurements demonstrated significant sexual dimorphism, with males exhibiting larger dimensions. For sex estimation, a multivariate model incorporating the maximum scapular height, maximum length of the spine, and scapula weight achieved 96.3% accuracy in the training samples and maintained 95.0% accuracy in independent validation. For stature estimation, a three-variable equation combining scapula weight, longitudinal scapular length, and maximum scapular breadth was strongly correlated (R = 0.769, SEE = 5.32 cm) with consistent performance across validation samples. Conclusions: Validation testing confirmed the high accuracy, reliability, and stability of both equations when applied to independent samples, with no significant differences in performance metrics between training and validation groups. These validated equations provide reliable standards for forensic practitioners analyzing scapular remains in practical applications within the northeastern Thai population. Full article

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are emerging environmental pollutants that are known to the disrsupt hormonal system of many vertebrates. Amphibians, with their aquatic larval stages and high sensitivity to waterborne contaminants, are especially vulnerable to EDC exposure. Despite increasing concerns over EDC pollution, systematic monitoring of these compounds in surface waters remains limited in many regions, including the European Union. This study investigates the effects of water from the Warta River, one of the largest rivers in Central Europe, an urban waterway subjected to significant anthropogenic pressure and known to contain EDCs on body condition, digit ratio, and gonadal development in two brown frog species: the common frog Rana temporaria and the moor frog Rana arvalis. We propose DR as a potential biomarker of endocrine disruption, as it is linked to hormonal impact in the early development of vertebrates. In this study, tadpoles were reared in the semi-open experimental setup with tanks containing river or potable tap water as a control. Contrary to expectations, no significant differences were observed in body condition, digit ratio, or gonadal structure, suggesting that EDC concentrations in the river water may not have been high enough to induce detectable effects. However, a consistent relation between DR and sex was observed in both species, underscoring its potential as a biologically meaningful trait. Notably, the potable tap water used as a control exhibited contamination levels comparable to the river water, raising concerns about the efficacy of current water treatment methods and highlighting the challenges of establishing true reference conditions in environmental studies. Full article

Background: Advances in diagnosis and treatment have led to a growing population of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Despite increasing life expectancy, their clinical needs—especially in older age—remain poorly defined. Cardiac and non-cardiac comorbidities are prevalent, and emerging evidence suggests accelerated biological aging compared to the general population. However, data on older patients and geriatric patients with CHD are limited. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize patients with CHD aged ≥50 years, focusing on functional status, comorbidities, sex-specific differences, and therapeutic patterns. Methods: The PATHFINDER-CHD Registry is a prospective, observational, multicenter registry enrolling patients with CHD with manifest heart failure (HF), HF history, or high HF risk. Data include anatomy, prior treatments, comorbidities, and medication use. Results: Among 1935 patients, 297 were ≥50 years old. Most had acyanotic CHD (62%); Tetralogy of Fallot (21%) was the most frequent diagnosis. A morphologic right systemic ventricle was present in 12%, and 5% had univentricular hearts. HF was manifest in 21%; 44% were classified as ACC/AHA stage B, 51% as stage C, yet 77% were in Perloff class I/II. Common cardiovascular comorbidities included aortopathy (55%), hypertension (37%), and arrhythmia (33%). Non-cardiac comorbidities included thyroid dysfunction (25%), renal impairment (18%), and neurological disease (13%). Sex-specific differences were observed. Despite HF burden, SGLT2 inhibitors and ARNIs were used in only 17% and 8.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Older patients with CHD represent a clinically complex cohort with high comorbidity burden. The findings support the concept of accelerated aging and emphasize the need for tailored interdisciplinary care strategies. Full article

We compared the results of brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) segmentation across a longitudinal dataset spanning mouse adulthood using an atlas-based approach and deep learning. Our results demonstrate that deep learning performs similarly yet faster than more established segmentation methods, even when computational resources are limited. Both methods enabled the large-scale analysis of a cohort of C57Bl6/J healthy mice, revealing sex-dependent morphological differences in the aging brain. These findings highlight the potential use of deep learning for high-throughput, longitudinal neuroimaging studies and underscore the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in preclinical brain research. Full article

Recent studies suggest that immune response to pathogens may vary depending on changes in hormone levels. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the key components of the innate immune system and play a crucial role in HIV infection. Given the significant genetic diversity of HIV-1, this study examined the effect of female sex hormones on the several TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBLs) isolated from different female donors and infected with different variants of HIV-1 subtypes A6 and B. Thus, high doses of hormones upregulated the TLR2 and TLR9 expression in PBLs infected only with v1.A6, which also correlated with an increased viral load: by 3.8 times (p = 0.0033) when cells were treated with estradiol and by 4.4 times (p = 0.006) when treated with progesterone. Hormones did not modulate TLRs expression in the cells infected with subtype B, with the exception of one donor. In PBLs from this donor infected with the v1.B variant, hormones upregulated TLRs expression, which also correlated with the increased viral load (1.3-fold increase (p = 0.0036)). Hence, it was shown that gonadal steroids can play an important role in HIV-1 replication and immune response to a pathogen. Moreover, it was shown that different isolates of the same subtype may have distinct biological properties. The detected diversity in the TLRs expression in infected PBLs from different donors indicates that host genetics may also play an important role in HIV susceptibility. Full article

Background: The edible gonads of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus are highly valued, yet sex cannot be determined externally, limiting selective harvest and quality control. Objective: We aimed to test whether headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with chemometrics can discriminate sex from gonadal volatilomes. Methods: Gonads from 29 individuals (21 females, 8 males) were profiled by this technique. Spectral data were modeled with Partial Least Squares–Linear Discriminant Analysis (PLS–LDA), Variable Importance in Projection scores highlighted key features, and Mann–Whitney tests assessed univariate differences. Tentative identifications were assigned by library match and curated for potential environmental artifacts. Results: Chemometric modeling yielded a clear female–male separation. Female gonads were enriched in low-odor-threshold oxygenates—aldehydes (hexanal, heptanal) and alcohols (1-penten-3-ol, 1-octen-3-ol)—together with diet-linked monoterpenes (e.g., D-limonene), consistent with PUFA LOX/HPL pathways and macroalgal inputs. Male gonads were dominated by saturated/branched hydrocarbons and long-chain alcohols with limited direct odor impact. Minor aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., styrene; 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-benzene) were retained as environmental/artifact markers and excluded from biological interpretation. Conclusions: HS-SPME gas chromatography–mass spectrometry volatilomics coupled with PLS–LDA effectively distinguishes the sex of P. lividus gonads and rationalizes reported sensory differences. The marker set offers a basis for future non-destructive sexing workflows, pending confirmation with retention indices, authentic standards, and GC-olfactometry. Full article

Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased globally, particularly in developed countries. UPFs are energy-dense and nutrient-poor, and they often contain additives that can disrupt gut flora and increase intestinal permeability. There is evidence to suggest that processed foods may contribute to the onset of IBD and also impact its progression and response to treatment. This study investigated whether children with IBD consume more UPFs than healthy controls and examined the association between UPF intake and disease activity. Methods: This pilot cross-sectional case–control study recruited children with IBD from the Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic at the Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute in Budapest, Hungary, between December 2023 and February 2025. Age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were also enrolled. Dietary intake was assessed using two days of 24 h recalls. UPF intake was categorized using the NOVA system and expressed as a percentage of total daily energy intake. Results: A total of 47 children with IBD were matched with HCs. There was no difference in total energy intake between the two groups. Children with UC had a significantly higher intake of UPFs than HCs (MD: 10.5%, p = 0.02), whereas no difference was observed in children with CD after excluding oral nutritional support. No difference in UPF intake was observed between children with active or inactive disease. However, children receiving biological therapy consumed significantly fewer UPFs than those receiving other treatments (MD: 8%, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Children with IBD consume more UPFs compared to HC. The UPF intake of children with CD was not lower than healthy children despite the recommended Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED). Full article

Brazil is recognized for its rich biodiversity, including aromatic species of economic importance, among which Baccharis dracunculifolia De Candole (1836) stands out. The essential oil distilled from this species exhibits biological and therapeutic activities. Despite its relevance, studies addressing the chemodiversity of this species on a broad scale remain scarce. This study aimed to map and characterize the chemical and physicochemical profiles of B. dracunculifolia essential oils from different regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro, considering the influence of geographic factors and plant sex. Fifty georeferenced accessions of B. dracunculifolia were collected in 2023 and 2025, and dried leaves were subjected to hydrodistillation. The essential oils were characterized through physicochemical analyses and chemically analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Essential oil yields ranged from 0.34 to 2.17%, relative density from 0.89 to 0.96 g/cm³, refractive index from 1.485 to 1.497 n^D, and specific optical rotation from −12.56° to +6.80°. Sixty-two compounds were identified, predominantly oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with E-nerolidol (16.8–51.0%), spathulenol, bicyclogermacrene, and germacrene D as the main compounds. Multivariate analysis revealed five chemical profiles, all containing E-nerolidol as the major compound, indicating moderate to low chemical diversity. No significant differences were observed between the essential oils from female and male plants. However, variation in the chemical profile of the essential oil was observed as a function of year and altitude. Full article

Biological neural networks undergo dynamic structural and functional changes during development, yet how their controllability evolves across different life stages remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigate the neural network of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a fully mapped model organism, to examine changes in network controllability from larval stages to adulthood. Using structural controllability and target control frameworks, we show that while global neural controllability progressively increases with developmental complexity, muscle-target controllability declines after early larval stages, indicating a functional shift in control priorities. Furthermore, a comparative analysis between hermaphroditic and male adults reveals that overall controllability remains similar despite substantial differences in neural architecture, with hermaphrodites exhibiting slightly higher efficiency. These findings highlight fundamental principles of how neural circuits reorganize during maturation and suggest that controllability analysis can provide valuable insights into neural function, sex-specific behaviors, and potential applications in modeling developmental and degenerative disorders. Full article

Anastatus orientalis, a prominent egg parasitoid of Lycorma delicatula, demonstrates considerable potential for biological control. A. orientalis is dependent on host volatiles to identify and locate appropriate hosts for reproduction, with its olfactory system playing a vital role in volatile detection. There is little known about the chemosensory genes in A. orientalis. Therefore, here, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of the males and females from A. orientalis. Overall, 24 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 4 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 26 odorant receptors (ORs), 3 gustatory receptors (GRs), 3 ionotropic receptors (IRs), and 2 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) were identified by transcriptome analysis. The values for fragments per kilobase per million (FPKM) indicated that the chemosensory protein gene families in A. orientalis exhibit different expression levels in male and female adults, with some genes showing significant differences and displaying sex-biased expression. Furthermore, RACE technology, phylogenetic analysis, and expression analysis were used to investigate the role that AoOBP8 plays in olfaction in A. orientalis. AoOBP8 was highly expressed in females and the heads of adults, indicating that the gene has a crucial role to play in the search for hosts and in oviposition in female adults, while the head is crucial in recognizing chemical information. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the functions of chemosensory protein gene families in A. orientalis and offer a reference for developing biocontrol methods for forestry pests. Full article

Maternal tobacco smoke exposure is associated with impaired fetal growth and long-term disease risk (DOHaD, Developmental Origins of Health and Disease). Whether placental steroid hormones are independently altered remains a matter of debate. We quantified six placental steroids (estradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone, testosterone, and pregnanediol) using HPLC–Corona CAD in 70 deliveries (C = 30; PS = 20; AS = 20). Distributional differences were assessed with Kruskal–Wallis and pairwise Mann–Whitney tests with Benjamini–Hochberg (BH) control. Adjusted associations used log-linear OLS with HC3 robust SE: Model A (gestational age, maternal BMI, newborn sex) and Model B (Model A + birth weight), reported as percent change vs. controls, computed as (exp(β) − 1) × 100 with 95% CI. Secondary analyses tested (i) multiclass logistic classification of C/PS/AS from the steroid panel (5-fold stratified CV) and (ii) prediction of birth weight (OLS and 2-component PLS). All six steroids differed by group (BH-adjusted p ranging from 9.18 × 10⁻¹² to 6.66 × 10⁻⁸). In Model A, AS vs. C showed lower estrogens/progestins (estradiol, −46.2%; estriol, −24.7%; estrone, −25.9%; progesterone, −28.2%; pregnanediol, −31.4%) and higher testosterone (+40.8%); these effects persisted in Model B after adjusting for birth weight. The panel classified C/PS/AS with 0.900 cross-validated accuracy (weighted OvR AUC 0.994). Hormones poorly predicted birth weight (PLS CV R² = −0.777). Maternal active and passive smoking is associated with a coherent and independent disruption of placental steroidogenesis. A targeted placental steroid panel offers biologically meaningful early markers relevant to DOHaD. Full article