IntroductionPrevious research demonstrates that individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP) exhibit changes of gait patterns. However, the neural mechanisms responsible for these adverse events remain unelucidated. In this study, we used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate cortical activities during cognitive and walking tasks to provide evidence of the central mechanisms responsible for changes of gait patterns in individuals with CNSLBP.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 18 individuals with CNSLBP (the CNSLBP group) and 18 healthy controls (the HC group) under three specific conditions: Task 1 (a single walking task), Task 2 (a single cognitive task) and Task 3 (a cognitive-walking dual task). Cortical activities were measured using fNIRS, including the bilateral premotor cortex and supplementary motor area (PMC/SMA), primary motor cortex (M1), somatosensory association cortex (SAC), and primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Gait parameters, including step duration, step length, stride length, velocity, cadence, swing power, and cycle, were measured using a three-dimensional gait analysis system.ResultsIn Task 1, the CNSLBP group exhibited a significantly lower velocity (p = 0.029) and higher activation in the left SAC (p = 0.001) and right S1 (p = 0.018) than that of the HC group. In Task 2, the CNSLBP group exhibited higher activation in the left SAC (p = 0.028), right SAC (p = 0.033), and left S1 (p = 0.032). In Task 3, the CNSLBP group exhibited significantly lower step length (p = 0.031), stride length (p = 0.041), velocity (p = 0.016), and swing power (p = 0.047). Correlation analysis in Task 1 revealed stronger associations between parameters in the CNSLBP group.ConclusionOur findings suggest that individuals with CNSLBP exhibit distinct patterns of cortical activities and gait performance. The SAC and S1 were involved in walking, and central sensitization was observed in individuals with CNSLBP in daily cognitive and walking tasks. These findings could contribute to the recovery and rehabilitation of CNSLBP.
Intracerebroventricular diphtheria toxin causes off-target toxicity in CD11b-DTR and wild-type mice, revealing limitations of DTR-based depletion studies
Diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)–based depletion models are widely used to study microglial and macrophage function, yet the extent to which diphtheria toxin (DT) produces off-target effects remains incompletely defined. Here, we examined tolerability, behavioural outcomes, and cellular responses following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) DT administration in wild-type (WT) and CD11b-DTR mice. Mice received bilateral i.c.v. infusions of DT or vehicle over a 10-day period and were assessed for survival, motor and cognitive behaviour, myeloid cell changes, and neuropathology. Unexpectedly, DT induced dose-dependent mortality in WT mice, demonstrating that toxicity can occur independently of DTR expression. CD11b-DTR mice exhibited greater susceptibility, with reduced survival and the emergence of illness at lower DT doses. Behavioural testing revealed significant dose-dependent impairments in rotarod performance and Y-maze spontaneous alternation in both genotypes, while open-field mobility was largely preserved among animals. Region-specific analysis of myeloid cells in CD11b-DTR mice showed robust depletion in the midbrain at higher DT doses, whereas hippocampal cell numbers remained unchanged with marked morphological signs of activation. These findings indicate that DT-mediated myeloid cell responses vary across brain regions, potentially reflecting differential toxin exposure following ventricular delivery. Consistent with this, focal abnormalities in the brain—including ventriculitis, meningoencephalitis and spongiotic changes—were observed in a subset of clinically affected DT-treated animals, whereas peripheral organs were largely unremarkable and haematological changes were infrequent. Together, these data demonstrate that i.c.v. DT administration can induce mortality, behavioural dysfunction, and focal CNS pathology in both WT and CD11b-DTR mice, with transgene expression amplifying susceptibility. Our findings highlight the need for careful dose optimisation, appropriate DT-treated controls, and cautious interpretation of behavioural phenotypes when employing this model.
Psychological function in the context of protracted stress during war: a multi-sample, multivariate longitudinal study
Continuous traumatic stress has wide-ranging implications for important life outcomes across multiple domains. We present the design protocol from the first waves of one of the most comprehensive studies of the impact of one pervasive continuous traumatic stress context—war—on individuals. In this ongoing project we have been collecting quantitative and qualitative data on psychological function, risk, and resilience at different levels of influence and at various junctures during the ongoing 2023–2025 Hamas-Israel war from three samples (total N = 16,330). We present this large-scale, multi-sample, multivariate, mixed-method, longitudinal study, and showcase select, preliminary findings at different levels of analysis and in different samples (e.g., concerning war exposure, trust in institutions, and well-being). We document the design, scope, and future trajectory of the project, encouraging interdisciplinary, cross-border collaborations among researchers across diverse fields. This is important not only for understanding responses to the current conflict, but also for understanding risk and resilience in other conflict-affected regions and among populations facing continuous traumatic stress more broadly.
Association between the geriatric nutritional risk index and postoperative delirium: a meta-analysis
BackgroundMalnutrition has been suggested as an important contributor to postoperative delirium (POD). The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), a simple indicator based on serum albumin and body weight, has been increasingly evaluated in surgical patients. This meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between GNRI and the risk of POD.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for observational studies evaluating the association between categorized GNRI and POD. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models accounting for heterogeneity.ResultsTwelve cohort studies involving 12,332 surgical patients were included. Overall, low GNRI was associated with a significantly increased risk of POD (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.34–1.96; I² = 27%). Subgroup analyses showed a stronger association in studies with mean patient age > 74 years compared to ≤ 74 years (p for subgroup difference = 0.02) and in those using GNRI cutoffs < 98 compared to ≥ 98 (p = 0.04). The association was weaker in studies using multivariate analyses compared with univariate analyses (p = 0.01). Meta-regression indicated that GNRI cutoff values significantly influenced the pooled effect (p = 0.04). The funnel plot showed mild asymmetry, whereas Egger’s test was not significant (p = 0.11), and trim-and-fill analysis produced a similar pooled estimate (RR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.26–1.87).ConclusionsLow GNRI is associated with an increased risk of POD in surgical patients, suggesting that preoperative nutritional assessment may help identify individuals at higher risk for this complication.Systematic Review RegistrationThe study protocol was registered prospectively in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD420261335609).
Auditory processing and communication in autism: exploring verbal abilities and vocal affective cues
This study examined the role of auditory processing in autism spectrum disorder, focusing on its association with verbal and non-verbal vocal communication skills in children and adolescents. A total of 97 English-speaking autistic participants (ages 7.9–17.4 years, mean = 12.3) and 44 neurotypical peers (ages 8.4-16.8, mean= 12.3) completed assessments of auditory processing and communication skills. We analyzed the relationships between scores on the SCAN-3 Tests for Auditory Processing Disorders time-compressed sentences, auditory figure-ground (+ 8dB), gap detection, and competing words-free recall subtests, the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Fifth Edition (CELF-5) expressive and receptive language indices, the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation-3rd Edition (GFTA-3) Sounds-In-Words subtest, and the Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy-2nd Edition (DANVA-2) paralanguage subtests. Measures of auditory processing were associated with both verbal and non-verbal communication skills in the autistic participants. Specifically, we found that SCAN-3 time-compressed sentence and gap detection scores were associated with expressive and receptive language skills, receptive vocabulary scores, and ability to recognize vocal emotional cues. Gap detection abilities additionally correlated positively with expressive and receptive language skills, while auditory figure-ground task performance was related to articulation. In conclusion, this study suggests specific aspects of auditory processing may be important for development of specific aspects of auditory communication skills in children on the spectrum. Specifically, spectral aspects of auditory processing abilities were associated with articulation accuracy whereas temporal components of auditory processing may impact broader verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of these associations and potential directions of causality to inform development of interventions that target auditory processing and auditory communication skills in ASD.
Appearance-related attentional bias is associated with dysmorphic appearance concern in individuals with jaw deformity: an eye-tracking study
IntroductionAppearance-related attentional bias has been body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and in individuals with elevated concern; however, it remains unclear whether similar attentional are observed in individuals with objectively verifiable jaw deformities. Appearance-related attentional bias has been observed across clinical populations with elevated appearance concern, highlighting its relevance as a general perceptual-cognitive mechanism associated with appearance monitoring.MethodsSixty patients with jaw deformities and 40 age-matched completed the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), a validated measure of dysmorphic appearance concern, and underwent eye-while viewing photographs of self and others’ faces. Gaze duration analyzed across six regions (forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, jaw, and Associations between gaze patterns and BICI scores were examined.ResultsPatients exhibited significantly higher BICI scores than controls. both self- and other-face viewing, patients showed prolonged gaze region. Furthermore, exploratory correlation analyses showed that gaze positively associated with BICI scores within the patient group and other’s faces.DiscussionIndividuals with jaw deformities exhibit elevated dysmorphic appearance concern and increased attention to perceptually salient features. These findings characterize appearance-related attentional individuals with jaw deformities and provide insight into perceptual-processes associated with dysmorphic appearance concern.
Cyclothymic and anxious affective temperament in perinatal depression: findings from an exploratory cross-sectional study
IntroductionThe perinatal period represents a vulnerable period in which women may experience high psychic distress due to psychological, biological and social changes. The prevalence of perinatal depression (PND) is estimated around 15%-20% during pregnancy and 16%-18% after childbirth. Although several risk factors have been investigated in the PND development, few studies explored the role of affective temperaments, well known to exert a role in any mood disorders. The aim of our study was to explore which is the most represented affective temperamental profile in PND as well as which is its role in the development and severity of depressive symptoms during perinatal period.MethodsAll pregnant women admitted at the Perinatal Mental Health Outpatient Service, Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital of Marche, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy, between April 2021 and July 2025, were screened for PND through Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a semi-structured clinical interview (SCID-5-CV). Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-M) was administered to all pregnant women. ResultsThe PND prevalence was 33.1%. PND was significantly associated with higher cyclothymic (B = 0.356, p = 0.001) and anxious TEMPS-M scores (B = 0.247, p = 0.026) and a positive psychiatric history (B = 5.245, p < 0.001) (R = 0.6, R2 = 0.36, F(3,129) = 24.189, p < 0.001). Logistic regression indicated that cyclothymic (Exp(B)=1.118, p=0.008), hyperthymic (Exp(B)=0.911, p=0.049), anxious temperaments (Exp(B)=1.109, p=0.029), presence of medical comorbidities (Exp(B)=0.224, p=0.003) and psychiatric history (Exp(B)=5.144, p=0.001) were independent predictors of PND.DiscussionAffective temperaments, particularly cyclothymic and anxious profiles, and prior psychiatric history are predictors of perinatal depression. Incorporating temperament assessment alongside standard screening tools such as the EPDS may improve early identification of women at risk, supporting tailored preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Genome editing of phylogenetically distinct bacteria using cross-species retron-mediated recombineering
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 23 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03076-6
Retron-based systems for genome editing are functional across bacterial species.
High-fidelity intravital imaging of biological dynamics with latent-space-enhanced digital adaptive optics
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 23 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03107-2
Intravital imaging is improved by applying deep learning to wave-optics modeling.
Africa’s moment for health security
Nature Medicine, Published online: 23 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04330-9
Advancing pandemic readiness to secure Africa’s health sovereignty.