Introduction The incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in youth is increasing and in-utero exposure to maternal diabetes is a known risk factor, with higher risk associated with pregestational T2D exposure compared to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) exposure. We hypothesize this differential risk is reflected in DNA methylation (DNAm) changes induced by differential timing of in-utero exposure to maternal diabetes, and that exposure to diabetes throughout pregnancy (T2D) compared to exposure later in development (GDM), induces different DNAm signatures and different T2D risk to offspring. This study presents an epigenome-wide investigation of DNAm alterations associated with in-utero exposure to either maternal pregestational T2D or GDM, to determine if the timing of prenatal diabetes exposure differentially alters DNAm. Methods We performed an epigenome-wide analysis on cord blood from 99 newborns exposed to pregestational T2D, 70 newborns exposed to GDM, and 41 unexposed to diabetes in-utero from the Next Generation birth cohort. Associations were tested using multiple linear regression models while adjusting for sex, maternal age, BMI, smoking status, gestational age, cord blood cell type proportions and batch effects. Results We identified 27 differentially methylated sites associated with exposure to GDM, 27 sites associated with exposure to T2D, and 9 common sites associated with exposure to either GDM or T2D (adjusted p value < 0.05 and effect size estimate > 0.01). One site at CLDN15 and two unannotated sites were previously reported as associated with obesity. We also identified 87 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with in-utero exposure to GDM and 69 DMRs associated with in-utero exposure to T2D. We identified 23 DMR sites that were previously associated with obesity, three with T2D and five with in-utero exposure to GDM. Furthermore, we identified six CpG sites in the PTPRN2 gene, a gene previously associated with DNAm differences in blood of youth with T2D from the same population. Conclusion Our findings support that in-utero exposure to maternal diabetes is associated with DNAm alterations in offspring. Moreover, the timing of maternal diabetes in-utero exposure (GDM or T2D) produces overlapping but distinct DNAm patterns, suggesting that the window of exposure to maternal diabetes produces different molecular modifications and may reflect, at least in part, the difference in risk for youth-onset T2D in offspring. We also identified sites in this study that have been previously associated with T2D or obesity, which may serve as potential early-life biomarkers of exposure and/or risk, warranting further investigation in longitudinal studies.

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Ethiopia, located at the intersection of Africa and Eurasia, is a hub of human genetic diversity and cultural richness. Its proximity to the Middle East ha

Background Ocean warming and marine heatwaves have contributed to a global decline in kelp canopy cover, threatening the persistence of important kelp forest ecosystems in many locations. Kelp populations at the warm edge of their range can become more resilient to extreme temperatures through local thermal adaptation, but such adaptation has not occurred in some regions. In this study, five populations of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera from the northern and southern edges of the species’ range in Aotearoa New Zealand were exposed to simulated 22-day marine heatwaves. Juvenile sporophytes were exposed to either 18 °C or 22 °C heatwaves, or a 14 °C control. The experiment also assessed whether the long-term storage of gametophytes under red light, a technique that is commonly used to create germ banks, could affect sporophyte performance. Results It was found that the 22 °C heatwave treatment caused 64% mortality and a significant reduction in blade growth rates across all kelp cultures, whereas all cultures were comparatively resistant to the 18 °C treatment, with just 23% mortality during the heatwave. Chemical composition of sporophytes was altered in both heatwave treatments, with total carbon content, carbon:nitrogen ratio, and δ15N values increasing significantly. There was little evidence that long-term storage of kelp gametophytes under red light impacts sporophyte survival or growth. Although survival rates and chemical composition differed between some populations, there was no consistent evidence overall for significant differences in thermal tolerance between northern and southern M. pyrifera cultures. Conclusions Based on these findings, there is little evidence for local thermal adaptation among M. pyrifera sporophytes in New Zealand, and recent thermal history and acclimatisation may contribute more towards thermal tolerance than long-term adaptation. Genetic connectivity between kelp populations might also erode local adaptation. If marine heatwave intensities continue to increase as the oceans warm, the survival, growth, and recruitment of juvenile sporophytes are likely to be reduced in M. pyrifera populations throughout New Zealand, especially in regions such as Fiordland that are exposed to very high temperature anomalies and cumulative stress. We recommend that future studies of thermal tolerance in M. pyrifera focus on within-population variability in thermal resilience and assess the potential effectiveness of thermal priming for vulnerable populations.

Advancing our collective understanding of fungicide development is crucial in addressing the growing challenges posed by plant pathogens and agricultural ...

EvoDevo becomes Developmental Biology Advances in 2026 We are pleased to announce that, starting 1 January 2026, EvoDevo has changed its title ...

Background Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by sensory perception distortions, including altered body image perception and distortions of shape, size, motion, color, and speed. Migraine and infectious diseases are among the most common etiologies of AIWS. However, it has not been studied in individuals with persistent headache after COVID-19. Methods This cross-sectional study included a subset of individuals with AIWS symptoms derived from a survey conducted in Latin America to identify adults with persistent headache after COVID-19. For data analysis, AIWS individuals were characterized by sex and analyzed using univariable tests. Subsequently, the entire study cohort was stratified into two groups: the AIWS group and the non-AIWS group. Binomial logistic regression using the backward stepwise selection method was performed to identify the factors associated with AIWS after COVID-19. Results Out of 421 participants with persistent headache after COVID-19, 106 (25.2%) reported at least one AIWS symptom. The AIWS group was significantly younger (median age 36 vs. 39 years, p = 0.011) and had a higher proportion of pre-existing migraine (40.6% vs. 29.5%, p = 0.035) compared to the non-AIWS group. The most common post-COVID-19 AIWS symptoms were time distortion (32.1%), derealization/depersonalization (24.5%), and hyperchromatopsia (20.8%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that experiencing any AIWS symptom during acute COVID-19 was the strongest predictor for post-acute AIWS (OR = 9.937, 95% CI = 5.603–17.62, p <0.001). Other significant predictors included phonophobia (OR = 2.322, 95% CI = 1.288–4.185, p = 0.005) and depressive symptoms (OR = 1.937, 95% CI = 1.099–3.413, p = 0.022) during acute COVID-19. Conclusion In this cohort, AIWS was a notable feature in adults with persistent headache after COVID-19, particularly in younger individuals with a history of migraine. Experiencing AIWS symptoms during acute infection increased the odds of post-acute AIWS symptoms nearly tenfold, suggesting SARS-CoV-2 may be a potent trigger. Clinicians should be aware of this association and screen for perceptual disturbances in patients with post-COVID-19 neurological sequelae.

Background It has been shown that neopterin levels in various body fluids can help predict the diagnosis of different malignancies. Although many studies have investigated the roles of serum neopterin concentrations, tryptophan metabolism, and the dietary inflammation index (DII) in various cancers, the connection between these factors and prostate cancer (PC) remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive and prognostic roles of serum neopterin, and kynurenine levels, along with the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio (KTR) and DII in prostate cancer. Methods This study was conducted with 57 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients, 55 benign prostate hyperplasia patients, and 56 healthy male individuals in the control group, all aged 40 years and older. Participants had specific anthropometric measurements taken, and three-day food records were kept. DII was calculated based on data for thirty-four available nutrients by using food records. Serum levels of neopterin, kynurenine, tryptophan, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results Serum neopterin (11.79 ± 6.09), kynurenine (1655.48 ± 1122.04), TNF-α (221.59 ± 232.06) and IFN-γ (137.68 ± 107.11) levels were higher in the malignant group than in both the control (2.72 ± 0.76, 352.40 ± 69.33, 223.94 ± 226.67, and 23.03 ± 7.28, respectively) and benign groups (3.17 ± 0.74, 377.94 ± 109.05, 179.61 ± 224.36, and 25.63 ± 7.50, respectively) (p < 0.05). Another result of our study is that in the malignant group, serum neopterin levels exhibited significant positive correlations with serum kynurenine (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001), IFN-γ (r = 0.86, p < 0.0001) and TNF-α levels (r = -0.27, p = 0.0453) and DII (r = 0.30, p = 0.0229), while they exhibited weak correlations with serum PSA, and other diet parameters. Additionally, kynurenine was the only parameter showing significant differences in mean values concerning surgical margins (p < 0.05). Conclusions The findings of this study support the hypothesis that serum neopterin and specific tryptophan catabolites (e.g., kynurenine), could serve as predictive and prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis. However, our results do not support the hypothesis that DII and certain dietary factors play a direct role in the development or diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Background Cetacean morbillivirus, herpesvirus, avian influenza virus (AIV) and Brucella spp. have been linked to numerous cetacean strandings in the Northeast (NE) Atlantic. Yet, their prevalence in free-living cetaceans remains insufficiently investigated, particularly in northern regions. Methods Between 2016 and 2025, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and, opportunistically, fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and a long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), were sampled in two foraging grounds in northern Norway (Skjervøy and Andenes), in Iceland and in Cape Verde. Blow samples (n = 76), skin biopsies (n = 45), and organ samples from one stranded pilot whale were collected and screened for cetacean morbillivirus, herpesvirus, AIV and Brucella spp, via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results In northern Norway, cetacean morbillivirus, identified as the dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) strain, was detected in the blows of two asymptomatic groups of humpback whales, in the blow of one sperm whale in poor health and in the kidney of a stranded pilot whale. An alphaherpesvirus was detected in the blows of five humpback whale groups sampled in Norway, Iceland, and Cape Verde, while a gammaherpesvirus was detected in one humpback whale skin biopsy, sampled in Norway. No other samples tested positive to any of the pathogens, including AIV or Brucella spp. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that minimally invasive sampling, particularly blow sampling, can be used for pathogen surveillance in free-ranging cetaceans. They also provide new insights into the circulation of cetacean morbillivirus and herpesviruses in cetaceans from the NE Atlantic. Continuous monitoring of pathogen exposure, alongside other stressors, will be crucial to assess the cumulative health implications for these cetaceans.

Background The phylogenetic relationships of fossil birds near the origin of the avian crown group remain debated, in part due to a limited amount of character evidence from incomplete fossils. The avian lower jaw provides a potentially rich source of additional character data, yet fusion of the individual bony elements composing the avian post-dentary complex has impeded efforts to explore its phylogenetic signal. Here, we use high-resolution µCT-scanning to separate the individual bony elements of the mandibles of several immature crown birds and key fossil taxa, and use those data to assess support for alternative phylogenetic hypotheses for fossils near the origin of crown birds. Results We find that evidence from Asteriornis fails to support interpretations of derived mandibular similarities with palaeognaths, and instead strongly favours galloanseran, and specifically galliform, affinities. Our results also illustrate striking similarities in the architecture of the lower jaws between the toothed ornithurine Ichthyornis, Pelagornithidae and Vegavis, which, in addition to the absence of derived features linking them to Galloanserae, highlights questions regarding the phylogenetic position of these perennially controversial taxa. Conclusions Our data reveal new insight into patterns of morphological evolution near the origin of the avian crown group while raising new phylogenetic questions, emphasising the potential untapped value of detailed comparative investigations of morphological complexes such as the post-dentary complex of the mandible for informing the early evolutionary history of crown birds.

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex immune-mediated disease with a strong female predominance. This sex bias may be linked to the presence of two X chromosomes, which are not always adequately dosage compensated by X chromosome inactivation (XCI). Disruption in X-linked transcriptome expression may contribute to altered immune function and increased susceptibility to autoimmunity. Methods To investigate the role of X-linked gene expression in SLE, we performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of 27 immune cell types from 125 female SLE patients and 66 healthy controls. We further applied a multivariate approach to integrate X-linked gene expression across all immune cell types and classify SLE patients. Additionally, we extended these models to other chromosomes and explored the correlation between autosome disease markers, including members of the XIST-interactome, and X-linked expression. Results We observed a significant increase in X-linked gene expression in T cells, B cells and plasmablasts, while monocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells exhibited the opposite trend. Multivariate models based solely on X-linked expression were highly accurate and highlighted key disease-associated markers. Interestingly, autosome-based models relied on markers highly correlated with X-linked gene expression and components of the XIST-interactome, which regulates XCI. Notably, we found that XIST lncRNA was consistently downregulated across multiple cell types, particularly in monocytes and Th1 cells. Such downregulation correlated with increased expression of SLE-associated genes, interferon signalling, and epigenetic regulators like KMT2D. Further analysis revealed extensive dysregulation of the XIST-interactome in SLE, predicting X-linked transcriptome alterations in a cell-type-specific manner. Conclusions Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of X-linked gene expression across immune cells in SLE. Our study highlights the complexity of X-linked transcriptional changes, with distinct patterns observed across both innate and adaptive immune cell types. These findings offer novel insights into the role of the X-transcriptome in sex-biased autoimmune susceptibility and may support future efforts to identify molecular targets relevant to SLE pathogenesis.

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Food security is a key facet of a sustainable society, while some threats, such as climate change and food riots may unsettle any society. Some aspects of food security such as food production and distribution are inherently spatial, thus requiring spatialized methods to study it. In this study, we introduce Discrete Ecosystem Evolution Rules (DEER), which is a spatial generalization of the EDEN framework developed in environmental sciences. Based on extensive expert knowledge and literature, we developed both spatially implicit and explicit models to assess the impacts of climate change on food security dynamics in a complex West-African social-ecological system (Dano, Burkina Faso). Comparing these two models allowed highlighting the role of spatial structure on food security degradation and recovery over the long term. Results showed that the impacts of climate change on food security were mediated by water availability and soil degradation. The spatial model provided a finer understanding of food security dynamics by highlighting unexpected sequences of events. These insights highlight the relevance of a spatial modeling framework to get a proper understanding of food security and, more generally, of social-ecological dynamics.

Background This study aimed to explore associations between the Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet and the risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and arrhythmias, together with comparing to three other pre-existing diet quality indices. Methods A prospective analysis was conducted using the UK Biobank. MIND diet score, Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), Recommended Food Score (RFS), and Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI) were computed using the Oxford WebQ. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results 193,983 participants were included in the CVD analyses, and 190,529 for arrhythmias. Compared with participants in the lowest quartile of MIND diet score, participants in the highest quartile had a lower risk of CVD (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.81–0.91), ischemic heart disease (0.92; 0.85–0.98), stroke (0.86; 0.75–0.97), heart failure (0.79; 0.71–0.88), and total arrhythmias (0.93; 0.88–0.99), after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle, and chronic conditions. With further adjustment for metabolic profiles, the associations remain significant for CVD and its subtypes but become non-significant for arrhythmias. Strengths of association varied across diet scores, with associations for MEDAS (CVD and arrhythmias) and MIND (CVD subtypes). The associations with CVD were linear for MIND and MEDAS and non-linear for RFS. The association between MEDAS and arrhythmias was non-linear. We observed significant interactions by age and obesity for CVD. Conclusions The MIND diet was associated with CVD and arrhythmias, relying on a single day of dietary data to derive dietary patterns. The findings suggest that following the MIND diet was associated with a lower risk of CVD, heart failure specifically, and arrhythmias.

In this blog, we share a selection of Springer Nature journal articles, collections, ISRCTN clinical studies, books, and blogs to commemorate World Cancer Day 2026.

Dietary patterns rich in plant-based foods, fish, and healthier fats are reportedly beneficial for fertility, but forming generalizable recommendations has

Background The presence and role of endogenous digoxin-like cardiotonic steroids (CTS) in humans is controversial. This study utilises a novel pipeline to quantify CTS and examines their interaction with digoxin within a randomised trial. Methods The RAte control Therapy Evaluation in permanent Atrial Fibrillation (RATE-AF) trial randomised patients with permanent AF and symptoms of heart failure to low-dose digoxin or beta-blocker therapy; https://bit.ly/4rNWCc3 NCT02391337. Circulating CTS were detected and quantified using a new ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) pipeline. Results All 160 participants of the RATE-AF trial were included, with mean age 76 years (SD 8) and 46% women. Endogenous CTS detected and quantified in baseline samples included digoxigenin and digitoxigenin, plus low or unquantifiable levels of ouabain, telocinobufagin, cinobufagin, marinobufagenin, bufalin, cinobufotalin, dihydroouabain, and ouabagenin. Compared to beta-blockers, patients randomised to digoxin had better functional outcomes at 12 months for heart failure (− 0.57 New York Heart Association class, 95% CI − 0.82 to − 0.32; p < 0.001) and atrial fibrillation (odds ratio 2.24 for a two-class improvement in modified European Heart Rhythm Association class, 95% CI 1.43–3.84; p < 0.001), with lower NT-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (geometric mean ratio 0.78, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.99; p = 0.006). No interactions were observed for any baseline CTS with each outcome. Digoxin was associated with fewer adverse events (odds ratio 0.16, 95% CI 0.07–0.34; p < 0.001), again without any interaction from circulating CTS. Digoxin levels by LC–MS/MS were strongly correlated with measurement by a clinical immunoassay (r = 0.87; p < 0.001), and treatment with digoxin did not affect CTS concentrations at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions A range of CTS are detected in the circulation of patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Within this randomised trial but limited by low circulating levels, CTS do not appear to interact with the ability of digoxin to improve wellbeing compared to conventional first-line treatment with beta-blockers. Graphical Abstract

Background Elevated serum cholesterol levels are linked to an increased risk of colorectal adenomas and colorectal cancer (CRC), yet the role of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in CRC development remains unclear. This study explores the impact of cholesterol on tumor growth and the potential therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus and Simvastatin. Methods We utilized a cecal tumor xenograft mouse model with Ldlr−/− mice to assess the effects of high cholesterol levels on tumor growth. Additionally, the role of gut microbiota remodeling and cholesterol-lowering strategies was investigated using Lactobacillus supplementation and Simvastatin treatment. Results Ldlr−/− mice on a high-cholesterol diet developed significantly larger tumors (P < 0.05) and exhibited exacerbated malignancy, as indicated by HE and Ki-67 staining. Lactobacillus supplementation reduced tumor growth (P < 0.05), lowered serum cholesterol levels, and altered the gut microbiota composition, increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial taxa. Simvastatin treatment reduced PD-L1 expression in CRC cells by lowering cholesterol levels, which was associated with decreased CRC proliferation, reduced serum LDL levels, and enhanced T cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion Elevated serum cholesterol promotes CRC progression, while gut microbiota remodeling through Lactobacillus supplementation and cholesterol-lowering interventions, such as Simvastatin, show potential in mitigating tumor growth and enhancing antitumor immune responses. These findings highlight the importance of cholesterol management in CRC treatment strategies.