Abstract:

ReGEN Health Series — Paper II. Significance: Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among adolescents, with nearly 90% of youth suicidal behaviors attributable to adverse childhood experiences. Yet current trauma treatments fail 30–50% of patients, with dropout rates reaching 26–40%. This review addresses a critical gap by quantifying treatment failure and proposing a paradigm shift beyond cognitive-only approaches. Unlike previous reviews that examine individual modalities in isolation, this paper integrates evidence across biological, psychological, and noetic domains to argue for fundamentally reconceptualizing how we approach trauma healing—with direct implications for clinical practice, training curricula, and research priorities affecting millions of treatment-resistant survivors worldwide. Background: We have come a long way in treating trauma. And yet. Between a quarter and nearly half of patients walk away from first-line PTSD therapies before they finish. Medication brings full remission to barely thirty percent. Here is what troubles me most: somewhere between half and seventy percent of trauma therapists themselves carry signs of vicarious traumatization—which inevitably bleeds into the care they provide. Our training programs barely touch body-based approaches, even though the research keeps telling us trauma lives in the body as much as the mind. What I am arguing for here is what I call a psycho-somatic-noetic paradigm—treatment that works across body (the biological), soul (the psychological), and spirit (the noetic). Objective: This review is part of my ReGEN Health Series. I wanted to do something specific: identify and actually quantify seven gaps in how we treat trauma and train therapists. Then I looked at what might fill those gaps—established approaches like EMDR, contemplative practices, and neurofeedback, alongside newer cellular-level work including photobiomodulation, PEMF, and Somatic Experiencing. The thread connecting them? Restoring what I call tripartite coherence. Methods: I searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and Web of Science for work published between 2017 and 2024, plus grey literature and clinical guidelines. Let me be clear: this is a critical narrative review, not a formal systematic review. I used structured synthesis, but the solution mapping relies on mechanistic reasoning and clinical judgment. Gaps needed support from at least two independent sources. Evidence ratings align conceptually with GRADE, though I did not conduct formal GRADE assessment. Results: Seven gaps kept emerging. Treatment-resistant populations (thirty to fifty percent non-response). The mismatch between cognitive interventions and somatic reality. Pre-verbal trauma that talk therapy cannot reach. Dropout rates that should alarm us (25.6% on average; CPT hits 40.1%, PE hits 34.7%). Training that ignores the body. Therapist burnout (seventy percent of UK trauma therapists score high-risk). And the complete absence of cellular-level targeting. The established interventions work: EMDR gets 77–90% remission in single-trauma cases; contemplative practices show d = 1.07 with 52% no longer meeting diagnostic criteria; neurofeedback meta-analyses report SMD of −1.76 with 79.3% remission. Emerging approaches show promise too—Somatic Experiencing at d = 0.94–1.26 with 44% remission, PBM with significant effects across 11 RCTs. But the evidence is uneven. The ELATED-3 trial found nothing for low-dose PBM. fMRI-neurofeedback with proper sham controls has come up empty. Conclusions: I think current approaches fail certain patients not because the treatments do not work, but because they work at the wrong level—mismatched to where trauma actually lives in the body. EMDR and contemplative practices already bridge multiple domains. Cellular interventions offer something different: direct access to biological roots. The path forward combines them. EMDR as established first-line. Contemplative practices for accessibility and low dropout. Phased cellular preparation for the treatment-resistant cases. This demands collaboration—psychologists, somatic therapists, neuroscientists, bioengineers—building protocols none of us could design alone.

Abstract: Mushrooms have long been economically and nutritionally important crops, and recent advances in digital agriculture have increased interest in automating phenotypic evaluation. Due to the limitation of traditional phenotype assessment, various artificial intelligence (AI) models including YOLOv8 have been introduced to evaluate mushroom phenotypes non-destructively and efficiently. However, unlike previous models, few studies of mushroom phenotype assessment with YOLOv11 were published. In this study, using Pleurotus ostreatus and Flammulina velutipes, comparison of mushroom phenotype analysis between YOLOv8 and YOLOv11 was processed. All images were captured under controlled conditions and conducted to be preprocessed for the model evaluation. The results demonstrated that YOLOv11 achieved segmentation accuracy comparable to YOLOv8 (ΔmAP50–95 < 0.01) while substantially improving computational efficiency with a reduction of approximately 15–20%. In validation with the physical measurements of mushroom phenotype, both models showed biologically meaningful and moderate correlations across phenotypic traits (r ≈ 0.2–0.44; R² ≈ 0.72–0.83), confirming that YOLO-derived measurements captured essential dimensional variation. Inter-model comparisons revealed strong consistency (r ≥ 0.94, R² ≥ 0.96, MAE ≤ 0.40), indicating that YOLOv11 maintained the predictive reliability of YOLOv8 while operating with superior computational efficiency. This study establishes YOLOv11 as a robust foundation for AI-assisted digital breeding and automated quality monitoring systems in fungal research and precision agriculture.

Abstract: The localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has become a crucial dimension of urban sustainability, with local governments increasingly recognized as key agents in shaping socially inclusive and context-sensitive implementation strategies. This review explores how academic literature from 2018 to 2025 has conceptualized and evaluated the intersection of local governance, social evolution, and SDG localization. Drawing on 143 peer-reviewed studies indexed in Web of Science, the research applies a hybrid methodology combining bibliometric mapping (VOSviewer) with qualitative content analysis (NVivo) structured around the UN SDG framework. Four thematic clusters are identified: (i) institutional governance and multi-level coordination; (ii) urban sustainability planning; (iii) performance measurement and accountability; and (iv) social participation and digital innovation. The analysis reveals a growing emphasis on participatory governance, social equity, and performance-based monitoring-especially through Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). However, significant gaps remain, including the limited inclusion of marginalized urban communities and inconsistent attention to SDGs related to gender, equity, and justice. This study contributes a structured, multidimensional synthesis of how local governments engage with SDGs in both theory and practice. It emphasizes the need for soci-ally responsive planning, inclusive indicators, and more critical engagement with the political and ethical implications of data-driven governance. The findings are particularly relevant to scholars and practitioners interested in the social dynamics of urban transformation and the co-production of sustainable futures.

Abstract: Micronutrient status is recognized to influence host susceptibility to viral infections, yet its impact on Zika virus (ZIKV) pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. We investigated the effects of dietary selenium and combined selenium plus vitamin E deficiency on ZIKV infection outcomes in a murine model. Mice maintained on deficient diets exhibited significantly lower neutralizing antibody titers and reduced levels of key antiviral cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-12p70, CCL5) compared to controls. Correspondingly, higher viral RNA loads were detected in the brains of double-deficient mice, which also experienced greater weight loss and increased mortality. Deep sequencing revealed no major differences in overall viral genome diversity across diet groups; however, specific mutations, including V330L and D67E in the E gene, and V360I in the NS3 gene, were enriched or detected in nutritionally deficient animals. These findings suggest that antioxidant micronutrient deficiency impairs both humoral and cellular immune responses to ZIKV potentially facilitating enhanced neuroinvasion. While the functional consequences of the identified mutations warrant further investigation, our results underscore the importance of adequate micronutrient intake for optimal antiviral defense. Further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiological significance of these observations.

Abstract: This work introduces a novel reformulation of mathematical divergence, inspired by Erdős’ classical harmonic conjecture, through the lens of the Viscous Time Theory (VTT). We propose that the traditional view of divergence as an unbounded arithmetic summation can be reinterpreted as an emergent property of informational coherence fields governed by the IRSVT (Informational Residue in Suspended Viscous Time) framework. At the core of this formulation lies the concept that divergence is not only the accumulation of magnitude, but the persistence of logical connectivity within an informational structure. In this approach, the discrete series ∑ 1/ais associated with a coherent density field ρ_i (x), defined over a discrete topological structure on the integers, and divergence occurs when informational coherence paths Φ_α between adjacent nodes maintain non-vanishing probability. In other words, the growth of partial sums corresponds to sustained coherence rather than unbounded addition. The paper establishes the IRSVT Divergence Theorem, which defines divergence in terms of the continuity of Φ_α – tunnel probabilities and minimal coherence – gradient separation ΔC. This yields a general principle: if no irreversible collapse in informational flow occurs across the series, the system diverges not in quantity alone, but through the extension of topological coherence. This reframing of divergence leads to potential consequences in both mathematics and engineering. Mathematically, it suggests a class of divergence results linked to Φ_α – connectivity and coherence – field geometry, with potential implications for questions such as prime-gap distribution and density fluctuation patterns. In engineering and artificial intelligence, the approach provides a predictive framework for coherence stability, informing the design of adaptive metamaterials, load distribution in AI-pilot systems, and resilience architecture in complex sensor networks.

Abstract: Hepatocellular syndrome represents a pathological process with a broad etiological spectrum, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, or intoxications. Clinicians must identify the potential cause using both anamnestic data and available paraclinical examinations. We present the case of a 55-year-old female patient, admitted to the Internal Medicine 1 Department at the Clinical County Emergency Hospital Bihor, Oradea, Romania. The patient exhibited nonspecific complaints and insignificant pathological antecedents, but from a biochemical perspective, substantial changes in liver transaminase levels were evident. To establish differential diagnoses, a series of biochemical and immunological tests were performed, along with a thorough medical history. It was concluded that the patient regularly consumes herbal infusions, specifically Laurus Nobilis leaves, commonly known as Bay Laurel. Although this might be easily overlooked at first glance, a closer examination could explain the current clinical picture. In April 2024, a 55-year-old female patient with no history of liver pathology was admitted. She complained of asthenofatigue, anorexia, mixed dyspeptic symptoms, diffuse abdominal pain, and a weight loss of 12 kg. The pathology had insidiously started approximately 3 months prior. On examination, the patient had altered general status, anorexia, and was overweight. Biochemically, elevated liver transaminase values (AST = 196 U/L / ALT = 357 U/L) that continued to rise during hospitalization, despite hepatoprotective treatment. Various paraclinical examinations were performed to exclude other potential causes of hepatic aggression, being excluded ordinary causes. Consequently, a liver biopsy was performed, and the histopathological examination leaned toward a toxic hepatitis etiology. Application of the RUCAM scale yielded a score of 8 points (“probable” HILI). Clinical and biochemical improvement was observed after complete cessation of bay leaf tea consumption. This case highlights the potential hepatotoxicity of commonly used culinary herbs when consumed in large quantities or as concentrated infusions and emphasizes the importance of detailed anamnesis regarding herbal product use.

Abstract: This study presents a passive mechanical filter designed to enhance sub-Hertz Venusquake detection by shaping the seismic transfer path with a tunable, high-Q pendulum mounted inside a cylindrical enclosure on a three-ring gimbal. The gimbal provides self-leveling on uneven terrain, while the housing–gimbal assembly remains broadband-stiff (<1–1000 Hz), limiting platform-induced motion and preventing spurious high-frequency amplification. Unlike approaches that rely on broadband digitization followed by digital filtering, which require large dynamic range, high bandwidth, and thermally stable electronics yet not feasible on Venus, the proposed mechanism performs pre-filtering at the mechanical level that can be energy-saving, reducing the required analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) range while amplifying the target band. Response spectrum analysis shows a clear low-pass behavior with peak sensitivity in the 0.5–0.8 Hz range. When tuned to 50-55 mm pendulum length and assumed undamping, the pendulum-mount mechanism improves detectability at best by 10-100 relative to a bare sensor for moderate magnitude (M_s = 3-6) in a 12-h observation window, with signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of 3, and amplitude spectrum density (ASD) of 10⁻⁸ m/s²/√Hz. Furthermore, we extrapolate that the predicted minimum detectable event rates follow Nmmin∝(SNR)^1.2(ASD)^1.2f_s^0.6, where f_s is the quake wave frequency. A limitation is the quasi-static regime (0.05 Hz or below), where rigid-body motion overrides the benefit. Overall, the passive, power-free architecture offers a robust alternative to existing Venus Lander designs, enabling sub-Hz detection even during short-duration surface operations while adhering to mission constraints.

Abstract: Against a backdrop of increasingly frequent external shocks and deepening cross-sectoral coupling, traditional national risk assessments centred on ‘industry/sector’ units often struggle to explain why seemingly localised disturbances rapidly evolve into systemic instability. This paper proposes an integrated ‘Dependency Network–Knowledge Graph (DN-KG)’ framework tailored for intelligence research and academic discourse. This framework abstracts Cambodia's macroeconomic, financial, real estate, fuel and power supply, border security, climate agriculture, tourism services, and governance regulatory systems into node sets. It integrates cross-system constraints and operationalises the DN-KG framework to: DN-KG)‘ framework for intelligence research and academic discourse. This framework abstracts Cambodia's macroeconomic, financial, real estate, fuel and power supply, border security, climate-agriculture, tourism services, and governance-regulation sectors into node sets, while cross-system constraints and transmission relationships are abstracted into edge sets. ’High-betweenness dependency edges" serve as the core indicator for identifying systemic vulnerabilities. Building upon verifiable OSINT data, this paper constructs a reproducible node-edge inventory and cascade mechanism model. This enables evidence-anchored causal chain interpretation and scenario simulation for short-term trigger points (fuel channels and supply chains), medium-term structural vulnerabilities (US export concentration—employment—household debt—financial asset quality), and risk amplifiers (property correction—collateral — non-performing exposures—credit supply contraction). Research indicates that Cambodia's most critical vulnerability lies not in the weakness of any single sector, but in the cascading structure formed by the combined effects of ‘disruptability × cross-sector spillover × recovery difficulty’ along a few high-degree dependency edges. Therefore, resilience-building priorities should shift from ‘sectoral blood transfusions’ to ‘alternative pathways for critical dependency edges, inventory buffers, and institutional stabilisers’. Furthermore, strictly refraining from providing operational coordination or violence optimisation recommendations, this paper proposes a ‘compliant, auditable, reversible, humanitarian exception’ economic action portfolio for Thailand to adopt in the context of conflict spillover. This aims to reduce regional systemic risk and create conditions for de-escalation negotiations.

Abstract: This study examines the impact of social media on family bonds in the Global South, with a particular focus on Bangladesh. Building on Putnam’s ‘bowling alone’ thesis, the research reframes social fragmentation in collectivist contexts as a process unfolding primarily within households rather than civic institutions. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the study combines a nationally stratified household survey (n = 1,200) with in-depth interviews and family focus group discussions.Quantitative findings reveal a significant negative association between intensive social media use and family cohesion, mediated in part by reduced shared family time. Passive social media consumption is found to be more corrosive to family interaction than active, relational use. Qualitative evidence contextualizes these patterns, highlighting mechanisms such as attentional displacement, erosion of everyday family rituals, emotional withdrawal, and gendered burdens of emotional labor. Generational differences further reveal a normalization of fragmented interaction among youth, alongside parental concern over declining intimacy.The study contributes theoretically by extending social capital theory to the digital era in the Global South, emphasizing the vulnerability of bonding social capital under algorithmic attention economies. Policy implications underscore the need for family-centered digital literacy, education-based interventions, and platform accountability frameworks that prioritize relational well-being. By centering family life as a critical site of digital impact, this research advances a human-centered perspective on digital transformation in Bangladesh and comparable contexts.

Abstract: Potato virus Y (PVY) and potato leafroll virus (PLRV) are the most damaging viruses for potato production worldwide. Mixed infections not only result in additive detrimental ef-fects on plant growth and tuber yield but also complicate the development of durable and broad-spectrum viral resistance. Heterologous protection against PVY can be achieved through the expression of the CP protein of lettuce mosaic virus (CPLMV) conferring re-sistance via a capsid protein-mediated mechanism. On the other hand, we have previ-ously demonstrated that transgenic lines expressing the PLRV ORF2 (RepPLRV) exhibit resistance to different PLRV isolates. In this study, potato transgenic lines of cv. Kennebec expressing CPLMV and RepPLRV were developed to confer dual virus resistance. Trans-genic and non-transgenic control plants were molecularly and phenotypically character-ized in greenhouse and field conditions. Across multiple growing seasons, two selected transgenic lines consistently display robust resistance to both mayor viruses, without ex-hibiting yield penalties or noticeable phenotypic alterations. These results constitute a significant advancement, demonstrating that dual resistance to PVY and PLRV can be achieved while preserving the original agronomic performance of the cultivar. This breakthrough not only contributes to long-term crop productivity but also provides a more sustainable strategy for managing viral diseases in potato production.

Abstract: Water stress compromises morphological and physiological aspects of pepper plants (Capsicum spp.), affecting their development. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used to simulate drought conditions in vitro, making it possible to assess crop tolerance to water restriction and assist in the selection of more resilient varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro germination, initial growth, and stomatal characteristics of ornamental pepper accessions subjected to different levels of water stress induced by PEG 6000. The study assessed seven pepper accessions and five concentrations of PEG 6000 (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) in Murashigue and Skoog media. Under PEG-induced water deficit conditions, no germination occurred at concentrations above 5%, unlike other studies observed with Capsicum. This result highlights the effect of genotype on tolerance to PEG levels. Water deficit resulted in a 13.1% reduction in germination compared to the control (p<0.05), in addition to significantly affecting the percentage of dry matter in the shoot and roots. A decrease in stomatal density (51.6 to 35.4 stomata mm⁻²) and in the width of the stomatal midpoint (from 14.16 µm to 12.62 µm) was also observed. Among the genotypes evaluated, accessions CPCE 020, CPCE 018, and CPCE 011 showed better performance under stress, demonstrating greater tolerance to water deficit.

Abstract: The relationships between rodents and oak species are affected by a multitude of factors. Therefore, we have researched each pair of species separately, as each relationship has peculiarities that define it and make it different from others. We began by considering the rodent-acorn relationship to be simply predation. We then found that some of the acorns were stored and buried, while others were partially consumed, preserving the embryo so that they could germinate. The relationship was thus interpreted in terms of the rodents' collaboration in dissemination. In this study, we included a new factor. What happens when we include a third species in the relationship between rodents and oak trees: the predator of the acorn predator? To answer this question, we designed an experiment in which we placed four specimens of four species of rodents individually in semi-wild enclosures. Inside, we have given them the option of feeding on acorns placed under trees free of nocturnal birds of prey and trees with nocturnal birds of prey. We have studied the behaviour of four species of rodents and have found that three of them alter their foraging behaviour when they are under trees with nocturnal birds of prey. Algerian mouse (Mus spretus), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), and garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) do not participate in the dissemination of acorns when nocturnal birds of prey are lurking, as they do not enter to collect acorns under the canopy occupied by birds of prey. Common vole (Microtus arvalis) does not change its behaviour when nocturnal birds of prey are present in trees. This species does not participate in seed dispersal either, as it does not transport acorns but consumes them in-situ.

Abstract: Classical real analysis rigorously defines convergence via ε − N criteria, yet it frequently regards the specific entry index N as a mere artifact of proof rather than an intrinsic property. This paper fills this quantitative void by developing a radius of convergence framework for the sequence space Seq(R). We define an index-based radius ρ_a(ε) alongside a rescaled geometric radius ρ∗_a (ε); the latter maps the unbounded index domain to a finite interval, establishing a structural analogy with spatial radii familiar in analytic function theory. We systematically analyze these radii within a seven-block partition of the sequence space, linking them to liminf-limsup profiles and establishing their stability under algebraic operations like sums, products, and finite modifications. The framework’s practical power is illustrated through explicit asymptotic inversions for sequences such as Fibonacci ratios, prime number distributions, and factorial growth. By transforming the speed of convergence into a geometric descriptor, this approach bridges the gap between asymptotic limit theory and constructive analysis, offering a unified, fine-grained measure for both convergent and divergent behaviors.

Abstract: An infinite-horizon H_∞ linear-quadratic control problem is considered. This problem has the following features: (i) the quadratic form of the control in the integrand of the cost functional is with a positive small multiplier (small parameter), meaning that the control cost is much smaller than the state cost; (ii) the current cost of the fast state variable in the cost functional is a positive semi-definite (but non-zero) quadratic form. These features require developing a significantly novel approach to asymptotic solution of the matrix Riccati algebraic equation associated with the considered H_∞ problem by solvability conditions. Using this solution, an asymptotic analysis of the H_∞ problem is carried out. This analysis yields parameter-free solvability conditions for this problem and a simplified controller solving this problem. An illustrative example is presented.

Abstract: The undeniable scientific fact is that time is information about the numerical order of changes that occur in the time-invariant space that we experience as the Now. Nothing could have happened in some distant physical past because it doesn't exist. We do not have single experimental evidence that time is a dimension in which the universe exists. That’s why the origin of the universe in some distant past is a philosophical-religious research topic. Appropriate scientific research methodology is how the universe we observe works. Astronomical observations confirm that SMBHs in the centre of galaxies throw into intergalactic space fresh energy for the formation of new stars in the form of astrophysical jets. SMBHs are rejuvenating systems of the universe. Evidence-based cosmology research methodology is superior to the Big Bang cosmology research methodology because it has no theoretical assumptions and is strictly empirical. It confirms that the observable universe rejuvenates itself.

Abstract: The creation of a specific culture medium for colorectal organoids in 2011 opened a new era in human primary cultures by enabling the indefinite expansion of normal and pathological epithelial organoids. The original formula has been used ever since, with only minor, lab-specific modifications. The goal of culturing organoids from dif-ferent tissues has relied on saving and propagating the pluripotent stem cell. The "magic bullet" and all its subsequent derivatives have pursued this goal. Consequently, agonist and antagonist signals are chronically activated in the organoid medium, forcing organoid cells (as well as any other co-cultured cellular model) into con-strained signaling pathways. This extremely artificial condition is often overlooked in experimental approaches and may bias the results. Furthermore, some molecules in the organoid medium have unpredictable off-target effects that significantly impact the behavior and maturation of certain cell populations. In this short review, we will ex-amine the components of the colorectal organoid medium, describing their activity and necessity for organoid culture. We will also discuss the expected biases in specific experimental settings. While the original organoid medium formula is the gold stand-ard for propagating organoids in vitro, more focused, reliable conditions are necessary for specific organoid-based tests.

Abstract: Trogocytosis is the process of engulfment of a portion of a cell's membrane by another cell. This process is characterized by the transfer of membrane fragments and proteins between adjacent cells without their complete fusion or phagocytosis, which distinguishes it from classical cellular uptake pathways. In the immune system, the initiating signal for trogocytosis is antigen presentation or the interaction of the Fc receptor with an antibody bound to the cell. During trogocytosis, T cells transfer not only the MHC molecule with the antigenic peptide, but also the costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, OX-40 and others. As a result of trogocytosis, cells can transfer various surface molecules, acquire new immunological properties, and modulate each other's activity. This review examines the basic mechanisms of trogocytosis, the involvement of T2-mediated immunity components in trogocytosis, and its possible role in allergies.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a 12-week blood flow restriction (BFR) resistance training (BFRRT) program in enhancing anaerobic power. Changes in anaerobic power were compared following 12 weeks of resistance training using three approaches: low-load resistance training with BFRRT at 30% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), traditional high-load resistance training (HRT) at 80% of 1RM, and traditional low-load resistance training (LRT) at 30% of 1RM. Twenty-one male college students were randomly assigned to the BFRRT (n = 7), HRT (n = 7), or LRT (n = 7) groups. The BFR for BFRRT was applied to the proximal femur at 100–130 mmHg. Each group exercised three times per week for 12 weeks. Anaerobic power and metabolic fatigue levels were evaluated using the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) every 3 weeks, with blood lactate concentrations measured before and after each session. Outcomes included peak power, mean power, fatigue rate, and time to peak power, analyzed via two-way mixed-model analysis of variance. Results showed no significant differences across groups except for an interaction between training periods and group with respect to peak power. Post-hoc analysis revealed that BFRRT improved peak power by Week 6, HRT by Week 9, and LRT showed no improvements. BFRRT significantly enhanced anaerobic power in a shorter duration compared with HRT, despite utilizing lower loads and normal-speed exercises. These findings suggest that BFRRT is an effective and safe method for improving anaerobic power while reducing the risk of injury associated with HRT.

Abstract: Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a multisystemic complex imprinting disorder. Prenatal diagnosis of PWS is still a challenge with non-specific ultrasound markers and limitations for diagnosis with non-invasive screening methods. Prenatal suspicion and early postnatal diagnosis are mandatory for promoting healthy growth and development, preventing complications, and providing health care professionals and families with the necessary support and resources for effective management. Presentation: We report two PWS cases caused by maternal uniparental disomy, who presented with IUGR, specifically reduced fetal abdominal circumference (AC) during the second and early third trimesters against the background of reduced fetal move-ments, normal Doppler indicators and oligohydramnios. They were diagnosed in the early neonatal period with no prenatal suspicion but with similar ultrasound markers of the developing pregnancies, analyzed retrospectively. Aim: The aim of this study is to emphasise the need to raise awareness among specialists about genetic syndromes such as Prader–Willi syndrome, in order to improve the information provided to couples regarding the limitations of current prenatal screening methods, as well as to ensure that, in cases of prenatal suspicion, appropriate genetic testing can be initiated. A confirmed diagnosis would allow timely and adequate measures to be taken, given the complications of the postnatal period in these patients and their need for specialised care and management Conclusions: The presence of the aforementioned prenatal characteristics may raise suspicion for PWS. In such cases, invasive diagnostic procedures and methylation testing may be indicated, enabling earlier diagnosis and timely management, which can ultimately improve the quality of life of affected individuals and their families.

Abstract:

Autophagy is a conserved cellular degradation process involving ATG proteins, with ATG4 proteases essential for processing ATG8 family proteins during autophagosome formation. In Trichomonas vaginalis, the role of autophagin proteases in processing autophagy markers TvAtg8a and TvAtg8b has not been fully characterized. In this study, we expressed and purified recombinant TvAtg4.4 and demonstrated its cysteine protease activity in vitro. TvAtg4.4 rapidly processed TvAtg8aGST and, to a lesser extent, TvAtg8bGST. Enzymatic assays confirmed substrate specificity and inhibition by cysteine protease inhibitors. TvAtg4.4 mRNA expression increased under glucose restriction, and immunolocalization showed its presence in autophagic vesicles, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, lysosomes, hydrogenosomes, and nucleus. Colocalization with TvAtg8a and TvAtg8b supports its functional role in autophagy. The localization of TvAtg4.4 in T. vaginalis autophagosomes and ER suggests its involvement in the cleavage of TvAtg8a and TvAtg8b after synthesis and in the delipidation or deconjugation of these proteins from the autophagosome outer membrane before autophagosome-lysosome fusion. These findings clarify the enzymatic function and cellular localization of TvAtg4.4, provide insight into autophagy mechanisms in T. vaginalis, and suggest potential novel roles for this protease in parasite biology.