Frozen potential: embryo research at the crossroads of ethics, regulation and scientific opportunity.

In an era of expanding reproductive possibilities, the human embryo has come to represent both immense potential and profound constraint. Advances in medically assisted reproduction (MAR) have led to the cryopreservation of hundreds of thousands of embryos each year, yet many remain unused and are ultimately discarded. Meanwhile, studies aimed at understanding infertility, early human development and preventing miscarriage continue to face significant barriers, with only a small fraction of embryos ever donated to research.

A Unique LHCE Light-Harvesting protein Family is involved in Photosystem I and II Far-Red Absorption in Euglena gracilis.

Photosynthetic organisms have evolved diverse strategies to adapt to fluctuating light conditions, balancing efficient light capture with photoprotection. In green algae and land plants, this involves specialized light-harvesting complexes (LHCs), non-photochemical quenching, and state transitions driven by dynamic remodeling of antenna proteins associated with Photosystems (PS) I and II. Euglena gracilis, a flagellate with a secondary green plastid, represents a distantly related lineage whose light-harvesting regulation remains poorly understood.

Cardiovascular outcomes and aortic growth in pregnant women with Turner syndrome: data from the ESC EORP Registry Of Pregnancy And Cardiac disease (ROPAC) III.

Background And Aims: Data on cardiovascular outcomes and aortic growth in pregnant women with Turner syndrome is limited. We examine the cardiovascular and pregnancy outcomes in these women and analyze aortic growth throughout pregnancy.

Methods: The ROPAC III is a global, prospective, observational registry that enrolled pregnancies of women pre-pregnancy known with Turner syndrome from 2018 to 2023.

Physical activity and mortality: towards healthspan-oriented metrics and outcomes. A Scientific Statement from the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) of the ESC.

The current guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention by the European Society of Cardiology highlight the undisputable benefits of exercise and a physically active lifestyle for cardiovascular risk reduction. In addition to the health benefits of physical activity, observational data suggests that regular physical activity lowers all-cause mortality. However, this was not confirmed by Mendelian randomization studies and randomized controlled trials.

Finerenone according to insulin resistance in heart failure: Insights from the FINEARTS-HF trial.

Aims: The estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) is a simple, non-invasive measure of insulin resistance. In this exploratory analysis of FINEARTS-HF, we evaluated whether lower eGDR, reflecting greater insulin resistance, is associated with adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: The eGDR was calculated at baseline using waist circumference, glycated haemoglobin, and hypertension status.

Dopamine DR availability after discontinuation of antipsychotic treatment: a [C]raclopride PET study in remitted first-episode psychosis patients.

Background: After remission of a first-episode psychosis (FEP), antipsychotic discontinuation is associated with an increased risk of relapse compared to maintenance treatment. We studied short and longer-term effects of discontinuation of D receptor (DR) antagonist and partial agonist antipsychotics on striatal dopamine DR availability in FEP patients.

Methods: Remitted FEP patients underwent two [C]raclopride PET scans to measure striatal DR availability: 1 week after antipsychotic discontinuation (n = 16 antagonist users, n = 6 partial agonist users) and after being medication free for 6-8 weeks (n = 8 antagonist users, n = 5 partial agonist users).

Intergenerational continuity of depressive symptoms: genetic and environmental pathways.

Background: Depression runs in families, with both genetic and environmental mechanisms contributing to intergenerational continuity, though these mechanisms have often been studied separately. This study examined the interplay between genetic and environmental influences in the intergenerational continuity of depressive symptoms from parents to offspring.

Methods: Using data from the Dutch TRAILS cohort ( = 2201), a prospective, genetically informed, multiple-generation study, we examined the association between parents' self-reported depressive symptoms (reported at mean age of 41 years) and offspring depressive symptoms, self-reported nearly two decades later, in adulthood (mean age: 29 years).

A different lens on diagnosis: value of the CFI in asylum seekers' psychiatric diagnostic assessment.

Background: Asylum seekers face significant mental health challenges but underutilise mental health services and are at increased risk of misdiagnosis. The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) could be helpful by introducing individuals' culture and context to psychiatric evaluation. However, its impact on the diagnostic process for asylum seekers remains underexplored.

Omics-driven insights into the molecular pathways driving osteoarthritis pathogenesis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial, mechano-inflammatory joint disorder characterized by cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, and subchondral bone remodeling. Despite its high prevalence and significant impact on quality of life, no disease-modifying treatments have been approved. In many other disease areas, advanced omics technologies are impacting the development of advanced therapies.

European Bioanalysis Forum recommendation on embracing a context-of-use-driven scientific validation for chromatographic assays in the light of ICH M10.

The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use M10 guideline provides a global framework for bioanalytical method validation in studies intended for regulatory submission. While its structure ensures consistency and data reliability, the guideline also acknowledges that not all studies require the same level of validation. This paper examines where full compliance is essential and where scientific judgment allows for leaner, context-driven validation, such as in early-stage development, for additional matrices, metabolites, nonstandard biological matrices or studies intended for internal decision-making.

Nondisclosure of use of antiretroviral medications in Canadian blood donors.

Introduction: Donors are deferred if they are on antiretroviral medications (ARV) as post-exposure or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP or PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We assessed donor compliance by measuring ARV levels in selected anonymized donor samples collected from September 22, 2022 to December 31, 2024, almost all after the introduction of sexual risk behavior screening.

Methods: EDTA plasma samples collected at the time of donation (retention samples) were retrieved, frozen, and shipped for measurement of tenofovir and emtricitabine.

Extracellular Vesicles From Schistosoma mansoni Adult Worms Stimulate IL-10 Release by B Cells.

Schistosome parasites are known to modulate host immune responses, which is achieved in part through the release of excretory/secretory (ES) products, including extracellular vesicles (EVs). During chronic schistosomiasis, increased regulatory responses are found, which include enhanced IL-10 production by B (Breg) cells. ES products from schistosome eggs are able to induce IL-10 production by B cells.

A new adenovirus isolated from a western lowland gorilla held in captivity.

Many adenovirus (AdV) species have been isolated from human and non-human primates. Here we describe the isolation of a new AdV from a western lowland gorilla held captive in a zoo. Analysis of the genome sequence demonstrated that this virus is a member of the Mastadenovirus genus, but markedly distinct from all previously described species.

The association between intrinsic capacity and functional ability in older adults - exploring the role of the physical environment.

Background: Ageing in place has been promoted in the Netherlands to encourage optimal functional ability (FA) and independent living among older adults. FA is likely dependent on intrinsic capacity (IC), a composite measure of an individual's mental and physical capacities-and its interaction with the physical environment in which people live. This study aimed to examine the association between IC and FA, as well as to explore how the physical environment may modify this relationship in older adults.

Immunopeptidomics analysis of human atherosclerosis plaques identifies antigenic drivers of atherosclerosis.

Background And Aim: Atherosclerosis has an auto-immune component driven by self-reactive T and B cells. Identifying their antigenic drivers may lead to new diagnosis and treatment approaches. Here, we aim to identify immunogenic T cell epitopes derived from atherosclerosis-relevant proteins such as ApoB100 by studying the repertoire of peptides presented by HLA in human plaques.

Safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of the Shingrix vaccine in immunocompromised varicella zoster virus naïve pediatric patients.

Background: Pediatric patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases often require immunosuppressive therapy, which increases their susceptibility to infections, including varicella-zoster virus (VZV). While the live attenuated varicella vaccine is contraindicated in most immunocompromised children, the recombinant subunit vaccine, Shingrix, may offer an alternative preventive strategy. However, data on its safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in pediatric VZV-naïve patients remain limited.

Management of pregnancy and childbirth in Glanzmann thrombasthenia: A case series and review.

To illustrate the challenges in the management of women with Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) planning a pregnancy, we conducted a literature review and present a case series of eight women giving detailed descriptions of reproductive health problems, platelet alloimmunisation, treatment to prevent post-partum haemorrhage and neonatal outcomes. ART, assisted reproductive therapy; PPH, post-partum haemorrhage; rFVIIa, recombinant activated factor VII.

Structured oral clinical assessment for pharmacotherapy competencies in medical education: a study of validity and reliability analyses of seven domains.

Purpose: To develop and validate a structured oral clinical assessment (SOCA) tool to evaluate pharmacotherapy competencies among medical students during clinical clerkships.

Methods: The instrument was designed around seven core pharmacotherapy domains. A total of 30 pharmacology experts participated in the face and content validity assessments.

A uniform approach to determine measurement uncertainty in routine chemical forensic casework.

In routine forensic chemical casework where measurements are performed on reference materials, determination of measurement uncertainty is described in several guidelines. The proposed methods often have the drawback that they are not derived from a statistical framework and may lead to conservative confidence intervals. Furthermore, the formulas involved may vary considerably for different types of reference material.

Widely Distributed Pigeon Paramyxovirus Sub-Genotypes Pose a Risk to Immunocompromised Humans.

Introduction: Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) is an antigenic variant of Avian Orthoavulavirus 1 (AOAV-1) (Newcastle disease virus) with a global distribution that causes lethal infections in pigeon and dove species. AOAV-1's infecting humans normally cause mild, self-limiting conjunctivitis, but since 2003, PPMV-1 has been associated with an increased number of severe and lethal respiratory and neurological infections in immunocompromised persons in the Netherlands, the USA, France, China and Australia.

Methods: PPMV-1's isolated from free-living pigeons and doves across South Africa from 2012 to 2024 were sequenced using conventional or next generation technologies.

Attitudes and perceptions of biomedical journal editors in chief towards the use of artificial intelligence chatbots in the scholarly publishing process: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Artificial intelligence chatbots (AICs) are designed to mimic human conversations through text or speech, offering both opportunities and challenges in scholarly publishing. While journal policies of AICs are becoming more defined, there is still a limited understanding of how Editors in chief (EiCs) of biomedical journals' view these tools. This survey examined EiCs' attitudes and perceptions, highlighting positive aspects, such as language and grammar support, and concerns regarding setup time, training requirements, and ethical considerations towards the use of AICs in the scholarly publishing process.

Association between overweight/obesity and oral health in adults aged 55 and older: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity among the elderly has significant implications for oral health due to shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Despite its importance, comprehensive reviews on this topic remain limited. This study investigates the association between overweight/obesity and oral health outcomes in adults aged 55 and older.

ASAS recommendations on reporting axial spondyloarthritis clinical trials.

Objectives: This study aims to develop recommendations on reporting baseline features and outcomes from axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) clinical trials based on the recently updated instrument set of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) core outcome set (COS).

Methods: A steering group (SG) convened a workgroup (WG), consisting of 13 ASAS members including rheumatologists, methodologists, epidemiologists, and 2 Young ASAS members. Recommendations on reporting axSpA trials baseline features and outcomes were developed in 3 steps: (1) the SG identified relevant baseline features from key axSpA clinical trials and formulated a proposal on how outcomes related to the instruments in the ASAS COS should be presented.