Journals
2026 EN
Willis Kathryn · Shakespeare Royce · Chandrasekaran Lakshmi
+16 more
Abstract Aims To explore attitudes of people living with diabetes (PLD) and healthcare professionals (HCP) towards the use of automated retinal image analysis systems using artificial intelligence (AI) in NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) and how these perceptions vary by sociodemographic subgroups. Methods Two anonymous online surveys (28 questions for PLD and 21 for HCP) were developed to assess attitudes towards AI. Data were collected from four English DESPs, diabetes charities and patient groups between September and December 2023. Likert‐scale responses were analysed using regression to examine subgroup differences. Results A total of 1577 PLD and 262 HCP participated. Fifty‐eight per cent of PLD believed AI would perform equally well in all subgroups, compared with 32% of HCP. Seventy‐one per cent of HCP disagreed that AI could replace human grading, and 81% of PLD felt humans should remain responsible for screening outcomes. Both groups supported AI's efficiency but had concerns about data security, trust, job security and who would be responsible for AI errors. Linear regression of Likert scores showed women were less accepting of AI; PLD of Black and Asian ethnicities were more cautious of data security and impact on screening experience. HCP of Asian ethnicity generally held more negative views across themes. Those using more online applications had more positive views towards AI. Conclusions While both PLD and HCP recognise AI's potential benefits, concerns regarding security, job impact and errors highlight the need for targeted outreach based on sociodemographic factors.
Journals
2026 EN
Morsli Madjid · Magnan Chloé · Salipante Florian
+6 more
Abstract Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFOM) is a serious medical condition that necessitates robust diagnostic tools for effective clinical management. Conventional diagnostic methods for DFOM rely heavily on bacterial culture, which is time‐consuming and may fail to capture the full microbial diversity present in infections. This pilot study explored the utility of metagenomics next‐generation sequencing (mNGS) as a complementary diagnostic tool for DFOM. We retrospectively analysed ten bone biopsies from nine diabetic persons using both routine microbiological culture and mNGS. Routine culture identified 11 bacterial species across seven biopsies, while mNGS detected 84 species, including all those found by culture. High microbial diversity (Shannon index = 1.10) was associated with severe osteomyelitis, leading to amputation in three of seven DFOM cases. Interestingly, one culture‐negative biopsy revealed high bacterial diversity by mNGS and progressed to a severe infection within 7 days. mNGS also identified resistance genes, providing additional insights for targeted therapy. Integrating mNGS into routine clinical microbiology may serve as a complementary method to conventional diagnostics, particularly for distinguishing infection from colonization and predicting clinical outcomes. However, challenges such as human DNA contamination and limited sequencing depth must be addressed to optimize its clinical application. These findings support the integration of mNGS into diagnostic workflows for bone biopsies for improved management of DFOM.
Journals
2026 EN
Riveline JeanPierre · Julla JeanBaptiste · Bonnemaison Elisabeth
+20 more
Abstract Aims A nationwide observational study was conducted to assess the 12‐month effectiveness of AID systems in the routine care of people with Type 1 diabetes (PwT1D). Methods All PwT1D, adults, and children, who initiated AID between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, were included across 79 centres. Clinical data, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) parameters, acute severe events in the last year, and HbA1c levels were collected at AID initiation, and after 3, 6, and 12 months of AID treatment. Median values [interquartile range, IQR] and % PwT1D with acute severe events were reported. The primary outcome was the change in time in range (TIR; 3.9–10 mmol/L) after 1 year with AID. Results A total of 2741 PwT1D were included: 44.4% male, age 38 years [29], BMI 24.5 kg/m 2 [6.7], diabetes duration 19 years [20]. AID systems were MiniMed 780G in 49.7%, Tandem Control‐IQ in 49.3%, others in 1%. After 12 months, TIR increased from 58.0 [21] to 70.1% [14] while HbA1c levels decreased from 7.6 [1.2] to 7.0% [0.8]. Percent PwT1D experiencing severe hypoglycaemia (SH) decreased from 4.1 to 0.9%, and ketoacidosis from 1.2 to 0.6%. All improvements were observed after 3 months, sustained through 12 months, and statistically significant ( p < 0.05). Only 2.8% of PwT1D discontinued AID. Conclusions Twelve months of AID use in routine care improved glucose control in PwT1D, among whom there was less experienced SH and a minor discontinuation.
Journals
2026 EN
Georgiou Catherine · Fassas Athanasios P.
ABSTRACT Predicting returns is a timeless and important economic topic. Fundamental analysts see identifying time‐varying predictive factors as a key goal in asset pricing. This paper provides strong evidence of time‐varying return predictability of the S&P 500 Index from 1929 to 2020, by proposing the construction of altered versions of the classical dividend‐price (dp) and earnings‐price (ep). Our study's primary objectives are to introduce a cyclical adjustment to the simple dp and ep, which would smooth dividends and earnings, to compare the predictive dynamics of these new ratios with their simple counterparts and to modify all ratios based on long‐run equilibrium relationships that arise between the examined variables. We provide solid evidence that the cyclically‐adjusted ratios perform better than the simple predictors in all forecasting horizons, both in and out of sample, and the modified variables capture more predictive components in returns. Through certain robustness checks including multivariate regression settings and evidence on excess and real return predictability, we thoroughly present the predictive components identified in our data set.
Journals
2026 EN
Puranik Chaitanya · Katebzadeh Shahbaz · ReyesNguyen Paloma
+1 more
ABSTRACT Cemental tear (CeT) is a rare clinical finding characterized by a partial or complete detachment of a portion of the cementum from the root surface. CeT is a well‐documented condition in the adult population, particularly among older individuals with periodontal disease, occlusal stress, or traumatic dental injuries (TDI). The prevalence of CeT in adults ranges from 0.9% to 2%. However, CeT has not been previously reported in the pediatric population. Approximately, one in three children experiences TDI, which subjects the teeth to a magnitude of force that can lead to cemental separation in both mature and immature anterior teeth. The clinical and radiographic features of CeT overlap with those of endodontic‐periodontal lesions. Hence, it is assumed that CeT is seldom encountered in children, leading to missed or delayed diagnosis and treatment. This case series provides reports of a 13‐year‐old male and a 10‐year‐old female with CeT following TDI affecting maxillary central incisors. The clinical examination showed signs of TDI, while radiographs demonstrated a detached cemental fragment without pulpal involvement. The location of the finding warranted conservative management. This report reviews incidence, clinico‐radiographic diagnosis, and management of CeT. This report also provides a novel radiographic classification of CeT secondary to TDI for early diagnosis and treatment to prevent sequelae and maintain long‐term tooth function.
Journals
2026 EN
Saltzman Julia · Hlavin John · Martin Christine
+2 more
ABSTRACT Commensal foraging is a positive interaction which occurs when one species benefits another's foraging activity without affecting their own. Though commensal relationships are widely recognized as ecologically important, instances of predator–predator commensalism remain relatively under documented in marine systems. Here, we report a predator–predator commensal foraging relationship between cobia ( Rachycentron canadum ), a pelagic marine ray‐finned fish, and southern stingray ( Hypanus americanus ), a benthic whiptail stingray. While similar relationships have been documented between other teleost species and rays, there are few documented observations between cobia and southern stingrays. We observed this interaction during aerial drone surveys in a shallow, sandy‐bottom habitat in Biscayne Bay, Florida, an atypical foraging environment for the offshore‐associated cobia. Over the continuous 7‐min and 13‐s aerial observation, the cobia followed the stingray for > 90% of the time, closely tracking its position and shifting behavior based on the ray's activity. Notably, the cobia was observed consuming small prey items displaced but not consumed during stingray foraging. To assess whether similar associations have been observed elsewhere, we conducted a semi‐structured Internet‐based survey that compiled 14 additional observations of cobia‐ray commensalism from public web sources. This behavioral evidence suggests that commensal foraging may represent an understudied foraging strategy for cobia in nearshore habitats and highlights the ecological importance of positive interspecific interactions in marine predator communities.
Journals
2026 EN
Thomas Frédéric · Dujon Antoine M. · Vaiman Daniel
+7 more
ABSTRACT Pathological processes are often conceptualized as localized phenomena anchored in a primary tumor, a focal lesion, or a single organ. However, growing evidence indicates that many diseases persist and progress as complex distributed systems, maintained by interactions among multiple sites. Building on the emerging framework of selection for function, which can be applied to understand the evolutionary persistence of both replicating and non‐replicating entities, we propose that metastases, amyloidoses, fibroses, autoimmune syndromes, granulomatous diseases, and multifocal reproductive disorders can all be understood as complex evolving pathological systems within individuals. In these contexts, local units such as metastatic nodules, amyloid plaques, or fibrotic foci act as semi‐autonomous entities, yet achieve collective persistence through systemic flows, feedback loops, and network‐level interactions, where local structuration gives rise to systemic effects. At certain points, lesions that produce mediators can trigger systemic alterations that, in turn, favor the emergence and persistence of additional lesions. This creates a vicious cycle in which local and systemic dynamics reinforce one another, helping these specific pathological networks to overcome host defense mechanisms and persist (i.e., be ‘selected’ via differential persistence). This perspective unifies seemingly disparate conditions under the principle of system persistence, reframing pathology as an emergent organizational property of a pathological system rather than as isolated local breakdowns of organismal components. It also carries important implications for evolutionary medicine, suggesting a taxonomy of diseases that distinguishes localized from distributed functional pathologies. Clinically, it underscores the need to go beyond focal interventions, advocating instead for therapies that disrupt pathological connectivity, destabilize network coherence, and monitor systemic biomarkers of disease persistence. Recognizing the role of selection for function in the emergence and persistence of complex pathological systems opens new avenues for both theoretical integration and therapeutic innovation in evolutionary medicine.
Journals
2026 EN
Locklear Kya · Ka'apu Kristi · O'Connor Catherine E.
+2 more
ABSTRACT The impact of the COVID‐19 virus disproportionately affected U.S. Indigenous peoples, who experienced the highest infection and death rates in comparison with non‐Indigenous peoples. In this article, we use the framework of historical oppression, resilience, and transcendence (FHORT) to understand how Southeastern Indigenous peoples in the United States navigated hardships associated with the COVID‐19 global pandemic. This culturally congruent framework contextualizes imbalances found at individual, family, and community ecological levels, illustrating a direct correlation to sociopolitical, historical, and cultural oppression. This research assessed interconnections of structural inequity and associated disruptions to Indigenous wholistic wellness amid the pandemic. Thirty‐one community‐based, critical ethnographic interviews were conducted following an Indigenous toolkit for ethical and culturally sensitive research to understand quantitative risk factors associated with participant responses to COVID‐19. The following themes emerged: (a) racism, sexism, and discrimination; (b) increased trauma, financial stress, and violence; (c) physical symptoms; (d) impaired unity; and (e) disintegrated support and kinship networks. Risk factors associated with COVID‐19 emerged in large part from systemic inequity, incongruence between Indigenous family values and physical distancing protocols, and impaired collectivism. Future crisis interventions should promote traditional protective factors to offset the impact of historical oppression, consistent with the FHORT.
Journals
2026 EN
Dupuy Alain · Fougerousse AnneClaire · Bécherel PierreAndré
+8 more
ABSTRACT Background Dupilumab is reimbursed in France for adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis ( AD ), in cases of failure, intolerance or contraindication to cyclosporin A (CsA). The French National Authority for Health requested collection of data on dupilumab‐treated patients' characteristics and prior systemic treatments to examine conformity with the reimbursement scope. Objectives This study aimed to describe characteristics of adult patients initiating dupilumab for AD and their prior lines of systemic treatments with a focus on CsA. Methods Our dual approach combined information from two databases: the SNDS database allowing access to nationwide prescriptions for dupilumab (DUPIXAM study) and data collected by a sponsor‐initiated multicentre, cross‐sectional, observational study on patients initiating dupilumab for AD (MOVE study). Results From December 2019 to May 2021, 594 eligible patients were included in the MOVE study. In parallel, from March 2019 to December 2020, 3216 adult patients with presumed indications of moderate‐to‐severe AD were extracted from SNDS. Patients' characteristics were quite similar: median age was > 34 years old and they were gender balanced. More than 69% of MOVE patients had severe AD and 82.8% had at least one atopic comorbidities. Previous systemic treatments were used by over 62.8% of patients, of whom over 75.0% had received CsA. Among the 25.0% without previous CsA, the indirect combinatory approach made it possible to estimate an unbiased proportion of CsA contraindications in 71.0% of patients. Conclusion This joint analysis provided a detailed view of real‐world conditions of dupilumab use in France through the completeness of data, and constitutes a proof of concept that could be extended to address other health‐related questions.
Journals
2026 EN
Hernández Liz · Paris Théo · Demou Maria
+11 more
S100 proteins are highly versatile calcium‐binding proteins from vertebrates. Following extracellular release, they become essential in immune and antimicrobial defenses, initiating the inflammatory response through receptor signaling and providing direct control of bacterial invaders via nutritional immunity. While mammalian S100s have been extensively studied, very little is known about the more recently discovered S100 proteins from teleost fish, including those with no strict orthologs in mammals. Comparable functioning between both clades would allow us to expand their study into the highly popular zebrafish model, which is particularly suited for live imaging and mechanistic exploration of immune and inflammatory processes. To fill the gap of knowledge on teleost S100s, we here provide detailed structural and biochemical characterization of S100i1 and S100i2 from Danio rerio , two teleost‐specific S100s absent in mammals. We demonstrate that they nevertheless share conserved tertiary and quaternary organization with mammalian S100s. In addition, they exhibit comparable calcium binding properties and undergo a similar calcium‐dependent activation mechanism. Furthermore, they display analogous expression patterns, being enriched in tissues highly exposed to the environment such as gills and skin, the latter constituting an important reservoir of S100 proteins in mammals. Finally, our results show, for the very first time, that s100i2 / i2 gene expression is differentially modulated in sterile disease conditions associated with sustained inflammation or a high hypoxic state. Altogether, these findings he strong parallelism existing between mammalian and teleost‐specific S100 proteins despite their divergent evolution, opening up new avenues to explore their biology in the zebrafish model.