Browse Articles

Prognostic impact of variant allele frequency in intensively treated patients with NPM1-mutated AML: a PETHEMA study

NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is genetically well-defined, but clinical outcomes remain heterogeneous, suggesting that quantitative clonal features may refine current risk stratification. We analyzed 688 intensively treated NPM1-mutated AML integrating variant allele frequency (VAF), mutation order, and clonal architecture inferred by PyClone and ClonEvol. Co-mutations were present in 97% of patients (median = 3 per case), dominated by DNMT3A (49%), FLT3-ITD (46%), TET2 (22%), and IDH2 (20%). Prognostic modelling of NPM1 VAF identified an optimal cut-off of 31.44%, defining NPM1high and NPM1low groups. NPM1low correlated with splicing-related alterations and independently predicted inferior overall (HR = 1.46; p = 0.037) and relapse-free survival (HR = 1.40; p = 0.036). Gene-specific VAF analyses revealed divergent effects across partners, high DNMT3A, FLT3-OTHER, KRAS, and PTPN11 burdens were adverse, whereas high IDH2 VAF was protective. Combined models showed that patients with NPM1high and favorable co-mutation VAFs had the best outcomes, while dual unfavorable burdens conferred the poorest survival. Mutation ordering inferred from VAFs positioned NPM1 after epigenetic and splicing lesions but before signaling and transcription-factor mutations. Non-canonical orders, such as early FLT3-OTHER/TKD or WT1 prior to NPM1, significantly stratified outcomes. Clonal reconstruction revealed predominantly linear evolutionary trajectories (84.3%), with increased mutational burden and clonal diversity associating with inferior survival. Notably, intra-clonal co-localization of NPM1 with IDH1 or TET2 was associated with improved outcomes, whereas co-localization with WT1 predicted dismal prognosis. These results demonstrate that quantitative and structural dimensions of clonality refine the biological and prognostic landscape of NPM1-mutated AML beyond mutational status alone.

Spurious effects in random-intercept cross-lagged panel models: Results from simulations and reanalyses of data on self-esteem and problematic eating behaviors used by Beckers et al. (2023)

The random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) is an extension of the traditional cross-lagged panel model. The RI-CPLM specifically addresses prospective effects within individuals. In the present simulations, we found that the RI-CLPM is susceptible to spurious findings when observed scores on the two variables are affected by common auto-correlated state factors. In reanalyses of empirical data, we found contradictory decreasing, increasing, and null prospective effects between within-individual levels of self-esteem and problematic eating behaviors among Dutch teenagers ( N  = 1856). These contradictory findings indicated that previously reported prospective effects may have been statistical artifacts. Caution is advised when using the RI-CLPM, as it may produce misleading results. Researchers are recommended to validate findings using alternative analyses, e.g., by examining person-mean centered scores.

Electrical spin injection into a normal modulation-doped AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure with a CoFe spin source

We demonstrated electrical spin injection from a CoFe spin source into a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel formed in an AlGaAs/GaAs-based normal modulation-doped structure through the observation of spin-valve signals at 5 K. Although a 15-nm-thick AlGaAs layer with a Si δ-doping existed between the CoFe and 2DEG channels, the spin polarization of the injector and detector electrodes was slightly larger than that in the structure without the AlGaAs layer. We experimentally found that the magnitude of spin-valve signals was strongly dependent on the detector bias current Id in both the 2DEG channel and bulk n-GaAs channel, whose dominant factor is the modulation of the spin diffusion length with Id through drift transport in the case of the 2DEG channel and the modulation of the spin polarization at the detector/GaAs interface with Id through the biasing of the detector junction in the case of the bulk n-GaAs channel. These findings will provide valuable insights for developing future 2DEG-based spintronic devices.

Sub-millimeter quantification of alveolar bone loss using automated 40 MHz high-frequency ultrasound: A proof-of-concept ex vivo validation study

This proof-of-concept study evaluated the performance of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS, 40 MHz) for monitoring changes in alveolar bone loss and determining its detection capability and measurement precision. The study aimed to quantify system error, minimum detectable change, and agreement with a photographic ground truth measurement. An ex vivo model was used in which controlled bone loss increments were created and measured using both manual and automated HFUS methods. Measurements were compared to calibrated photographic measurements as the reference standard. System error was calculated using repeated baseline measurements, and detection capability was assessed using sensitivity analysis across incremental bone loss values. Agreement between methods was evaluated using Bland–Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The system error ranged from 77 µm for automated image-registration measurements to 113 µm for manual measurements. The minimum detectable bone loss increment was experimentally determined to be approximately 138 µm. Detection sensitivity ranged from 79% to 100%, depending on the measurement method and increment size. Automated ultrasound measurements showed strong agreement for longitudinal change tracking, with a best-case bias of −18 µm, corresponds to less than 10% error relative to a typical 200 µm bone change increment and excellent reliability (ICC = 0.89–0.99). No significant systematic bias was observed compared with photographic measurements ( P  > 0.05), indicating good agreement between methods. High-frequency ultrasound demonstrated the ability to detect small longitudinal changes in alveolar bone loss and to track bone loss progression over time with high measurement precision. The main contribution of this study is demonstrating that HFUS can be used as a radiation-free method for monitoring longitudinal changes in alveolar bone loss rather than relying solely on absolute measurement accuracy.

Probing optical and acoustic phonons in heated nano-Si/epoxy composites

Understanding thermal response of optical and acoustic phonons is crucial for designing functional polymer nanocomposites. We study silicon nanoparticle–epoxy composites with filler contents of 0.02–2 wt. % using combined Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy under local laser-induced and global stage-controlled heating. Raman spectra reveal localized terahertz silicon–silicon optical phonon softening and spectral broadening in silicon fillers under local heating, indicating nanoscale hot spots and interfacial scattering. Brillouin data track propagating gigahertz longitudinal acoustic phonons in the effective polymer–filler medium, showing temperature- and concentration-dependent thermoelastic response and acoustic damping. Comparing the two heating methods reveals silicon loading thresholds for isolated thermal absorbers, thermal crosstalk, acoustic attenuation and elastic homogenization. Local heating induces greater phonon softening and damping than global heating, with this disparity amplified at higher loadings by thermal gradients and interfacial dissipation. Raman thermometry combined with finite element opto-thermal modeling shows that silicon nanoparticle loading improves thermal conductive performance compared with previously reported silicon carbide nanowire–epoxy composites at 2 wt. %. Our results establish silicon nanoparticle–epoxy composites as interface-engineered phonon-damping materials with tunable thermal conductivity and demonstrate multimodal spectroscopy's power to resolve thermo-phononic processes relevant to vibration damping and thermal management.

Biochemical and antidiabetic properties of Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume: In vitro, In vivo, and In silico insights

Diabetes poses an utmost threat to human health; significant progress in the discovery of antidiabetic drugs has been made, but their side effects cannot be ignored. As a plant-based alternative, this study explored the pharmacological potential of Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume (Rudraksha), emphasizing its antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, supported by in silico analysis. Phytochemical screening of the methanol bark extract confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, and phenols. The extract exhibited high total phenolic and flavonoid contents (182.73 ± 0.001 mg GAE/g and 48.78 ± 0.06 mg QE/g, respectively). The LC–MS analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction identified thirteen phytoconstituents, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. The ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated significant antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 1.47 ± 0.37 µg/mL), outperforming quercetin (IC₅₀ = 4.87 ± 0.16 µg/mL). Enzyme inhibition assays revealed methanol extract has strong α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 0.79 ± 0.13 µg/mL) and α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 3.48 ± 0.00 µg/mL) inhibitory effects, comparable to acarbose (IC₅₀ = 13.51 ± 0.22 µg/mL and IC₅₀ = 25.30 ± 0.85 µg/mL), respectively. In a 28-day in vivo study, oral administration of the methanol bark extract significantly (p < 0.01) reduced fasting serum glucose levels and improved lipid profiles, with decreases in triglycerides (5%) and total cholesterol (2%), and an increase in HDL (5%) compared with baseline. The extract-treated group also showed higher hepatic glycogen content (14.06 ± 0.002 mg/mL) than the Gliclazide-treated group (12.82 ± 0.002 mg/mL). In silico molecular docking identified Corilagin exhibiting the highest binding affinity (−10.3 kcal/mol), stable interaction (RMSD = 1.469 ± 0.133 Å), and favorable binding free energy (ΔG BFE  = −27.48 ± 3.15) with α-amylase, suggesting that it may act as a competitive inhibitor of an enzyme’s active site. Overall, these findings highlight that E. angustifolius bark significantly inhibits glucose absorption and improves dyslipidemia to some extent, while in silico analysis suggests that Corilagin has potential as an inhibitory activity against type-2 diabetes.

Inverse spin Hall photocurrent in thin-film WSe2

At room temperature, spin-dependent photocurrents were observed near the electrodes of few-layer WSe2 samples under circularly polarized light excitation. The spin photocurrent exhibits a bipolar distribution with opposite signs on the two sides of the same electrode. This phenomenon is attributed to the inverse spin Hall effect originating from photoexcited spin-polarized carriers. By tuning the parameters associated with spin-polarized carrier generation, the magnitude of the spin photocurrent can be effectively modulated. Our research shows that external field control significantly influences spin transport, providing a quantitative basis for the design of spin-photovoltaic and opto-spintronic devices based on two-dimensional materials.

Transperineal ultrasonography assisted examination improves maternal and neonatal outcomes of forceps delivery: a propensity-score-matched analysis

Trends in HPV vaccination initiation and completion among U.S. adolescents aged 13–17 years, 2021–2023: Findings from the National Immunization Survey–Teen

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a key strategy for preventing HPV-related cancers, yet series completion among U.S. adolescents remains below national public health goals. This study analyzed nationally representative data from the 2021–2023 National Immunization Survey–Teen (NIS-Teen) to describe recent patterns in HPV vaccination initiation and completion among adolescents aged 13–17 years. Complex survey–weighted analyses estimated the proportion of adolescents who had not initiated HPV vaccination, had initiated but not completed the series, or had completed the series based on provider-verified vaccination records and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) age-specific dose recommendations. The analytic sample included 126,226 adolescents. Weighted estimates indicated that 39.8% were aged 13–14 years and 60.2% were aged 15–17 years; 51.2% were male and 48.8% female. HPV vaccine series completion remained stable across survey years, with completion estimates of 62.4% in 2021, 63.9% in 2022, and 62.5% in 2023. Initiation without completion ranged from 14.4% to 15.2%, while non-initiation ranged from 21.7% to 22.9%. Across all years, completion was consistently higher among older adolescents and females compared with younger adolescents and males. Despite modest gains in initiation, HPV vaccination coverage remained relatively stable during the study period. This stability, observed during the COVID-19 recovery period, may reflect preservation of uptake rather than true stagnation. These findings highlight the need for strategies emphasizing early vaccination, strong provider recommendations, and reminder-based follow-up to improve series completion and advance national immunization targets.

Deep-learning-assisted sound control: High-degree-of-freedom metalens design

Designing acoustic metalenses capable of customized beam control holds great potential for applications in focusing, imaging, and energy harvesting. However, conventional design methods often result in metalenses with limited functionality and poor adaptability due to the lack of structural adjustability freedom. Here, we propose a deep-learning-based design framework (DLDF) that enables rapid generation of high-degree-of-freedom lens structures with controllable sound emission patterns. The metalens is a pixelated structure in water with 50% of its pixels randomly occupied by cross-shaped scatterers. By integrating three neural network models—an autoencoder emission feature extraction, a variational autoencoder for structural representation encoding, and a deep neural network for latent-space mapping and optimization, the DLDF allows for a high-fidelity bidirectional mapping between the structural configuration and the resulting sound emission profile. Numerical simulations show that this approach can achieve metalenses with desired functionalities, including focusing, beam collimation, and emission angle control. Our work provides a scalable and generalizable strategy for the intelligent metalens design, stimulating related investigations and applications in other wave systems.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of endometrial tissue associated with uterine fibroids and endometrial polyps

Abstract Uterine fibroids (UFs) and endometrial polyps (EPs) are common benign gynecological conditions with distinct anatomical origins. However, their molecular impact on endometrial function remains poorly understood. This study aimed to descriptively explore shared and condition‑associated transcriptomic patterns within endometrial tissue by analyzing pathological endometrial tissue (PET) and adjacent macroscopically normal endometrial tissue (NET), sampled from areas without visible lesions in uteri affected by UFs or EPs. Paired PET and NET samples were collected during hysteroscopy from women diagnosed with UFs or EPs, with RNA‑sequencing performed on samples derived from premenopausal and perimenopausal patients. RNA sequencing and differential gene expression analysis were performed using DESeq2, followed by functional enrichment via GO and Reactome databases. Only nine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified when comparing NET samples associated with UFs and EPs. In contrast, comparison of PET samples between UFs and EPs revealed 398 DEGs. Furthermore, PET versus NET comparisons demonstrated a pronounced quantitative difference between conditions, with 3163 DEGs identified in EPs and only 77 DEGs in UFs. EP-associated DEGs were enriched in immune activation, epithelial remodeling, and hormonal signaling pathways, while UF-associated DEGs reflected localized changes in inflammation, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix remodeling. A small subset of genes ( FOSB , DPP4 , TM4SF4 , DNER , AOX1 , and PAEP ) was consistently dysregulated across both conditions, suggesting shared transcriptional patterns associated with altered tissue contexts. This exploratory study provides insights into transcriptomic features of endometrial tissue associated with UFs and EPs. The findings highlight both shared and context‑dependent transcriptional patterns and identify candidate genes that warrant further investigation in future, independent studies aimed at elucidating endometrial responses to benign uterine pathology.

Association of the planetary health diet score with obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and cardiometabolic risk markers: Using data from the 2016–2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) remain the leading cause of death worldwide, with unhealthy diets and insufficient physical activity as major contributing factors. The Planetary Health Diet is a sustainable dietary pattern linked to chronic diseases, but studies in Asian populations remain limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the Planetary Health Diet score and cardiometabolic risk factors among Korean adults. We used KNHANES 2016–2020 data (n = 25,336), and the Planetary Health Diet score was calculated in accordance with the Lancet Commission guidelines. Participants were categorized into quartiles according to the Planetary Health Diet score, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations with obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, an elevated triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, impaired fasting glucose, and an elevated HbA1c level. A higher Planetary Health Diet score was significantly associated with lower odds of hypercholesterolemia in women and was related to reduced prevalence of abdominal obesity, hypertension, low HDL-cholesterolemia, and elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) depending on age group. No significant associations were observed in men. These findings suggest that higher Planetary Health Diet scores may be associated with selected cardiometabolic markers among Korean women. Further research is warranted to confirm the applicability of the Planetary Health Diet score in Korean dietary contexts.

Investigating the impact of gate stacks on ALD IGZO transistors via source/drain contact characterization

Achieving co-optimization of performance and bias stability is crucial for enabling broader applications of indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO) transistors in next-generation electronics. In this work, back-gate IGZO transistors with different gate stacks are systematically characterized to elucidate the role of interfacial layers (ILs) between the IGZO channel and the HfO2 insulator in device performance and bias stability. The transistor with the HfO2/ZrO2 stack exhibits a near-zero threshold voltage of −0.02 V and a low subthreshold swing of 75.2 mV/dec, outperforming counterparts with HfO2 or Al2O3 ILs. Driven by the larger chemical potential gradient at the IGZO/HfO2 interface, the IGZO film deposited on the HfO2 stack contains the highest concentration of oxygen vacancies (OVs). A large fraction of induced OVs structurally relax into deep-level traps that pin the Fermi level (EF) and impede electron injection at source/drain (S/D) contacts. In contrast, the IGZO films on ZrO2 and Al2O3 ILs exhibit substantially lower OV concentration and thus weaker EF pinning, resulting in reduced S/D contact barriers. Bias stress stability measurements further highlight the critical importance of both robust gate stacks and stable IGZO/high-k interfaces. Ultimately, this gate stack engineering offers a feasible pathway to fabricate high-performance and reliable IGZO transistors for advanced applications.

Deep SVDD-based anomaly detection of machine sound signals using active signal refinement

Modeling the effects of meteorological factors and media-driven public awareness on seasonal influenza outbreaks

Seasonal influenza remains a significant public health challenge in China, with its transmission dynamics influenced by both environmental conditions and media-driven public awareness. In this study, we developed a compartmental model that incorporates media-induced public awareness and meteorological factors to investigate the complex transmission mechanisms of influenza across different provinces in China. We conducted theoretical analyses to characterize the model’s dynamical behavior, including conditions for disease eradication and persistence. Model parameters were estimated based on provincial data on influenza cases, Baidu search indices, and ERA5 reanalysis meteorological data through MCMC methods, providing province-specific parameters and corresponding time-varying effective reproduction numbers. Our results indicate that both low temperatures and reduced precipitation significantly facilitate influenza transmission, while media-driven public awareness plays a critical role in reducing transmission risk. A decline in media influence tends to increase the epidemic peak intensity. We observed considerable regional heterogeneity in the responses to media influence and climate variables: provinces like Zhejiang, Sichuan, Henan and Anhui are more sensitive to media influence, whereas regions like Xinjiang, Gansu, and Chongqing show limited responses. Overall, temperature was found to exert a stronger regulatory effect on influenza transmission than total precipitation. However, in northwestern provinces such as Gansu and Xinjiang, the influence of temperature on influenza transmission is relatively weaker during the winter season, while the effect of precipitation becomes more pronounced. Finally, we projected influenza trends for the first half of 2025. Forecasts show an increasing trend in influenza activity in most provinces, with model predictions closely matching observed data.

Manipulation of magnetism and electronic structure of graphene nanoribbons via porphyrin serration

We use first-principles calculations to systematically investigate the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of porphyrin-serrated zigzag graphene nanoribbons with 3d transition metal atoms (M = Sc–Zn). Our results reveal that the magnetic ground state and band dispersion near the Fermi level are predominantly governed by the d-electron configuration of the metal centers, whereas the ribbon dimensionality (both width and length) offers an additional degree of freedom for tuning the bandgap and magnetic order. For V-centered systems, the switching between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ground states is fundamentally determined by the electronic structure of the exchange pathway bridging adjacent V centers. In contrast, Mn-, Fe-, and Co-centered nanoribbons exhibit distinct responses to structural modifications. These findings demonstrate that rational selection of the metal center, in combination with dimensional engineering, enables programmable design and precise control over the magnetoelectric properties of these systems.

Accelerated distributed scheduling of integrated community energy systems considering electricity-heat sharing

Association between hypnotic medication use and in-hospital falls among older adults: A multicenter landmark analysis

Background Hypnotics are frequently prescribed to hospitalized older adults, but comparative evidence on fall risk across hypnotic classes remains inconsistent, partly due to confounding by indication and inadequate consideration of time at risk during hospitalization. Methods We conducted a retrospective multicenter landmark analysis using administrative claims and electronic medical records from two acute-care hospitals in Japan (2018–2024). A day-7 landmark was defined, including patients aged ≥65 years who remained hospitalized and fall-free through hospital day 7. Sustained hypnotic exposure during hospital days 4–7 (≥2 days) was categorized as no sustained use, benzodiazepines/Z-drugs (BZ/Zs) alone, orexin receptor antagonists or ramelteon (ORA/Ram) alone, or combination therapy. The primary outcome was time to first in-hospital fall during hospital days 8–37. Cox proportional hazards models with multiple imputation were used. Competing-risk analyses and propensity score–matched comparisons between single-class users were conducted as sensitivity analyses. Results Among 61,663 patients, 3,884 (6.3%) experienced an in-hospital fall after the landmark. Compared with no sustained hypnotic use, adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for falls were 1.42 (95% CI, 1.24–1.64) for BZ/Zs, 1.46 (95% CI, 1.25–1.70) for ORA/Ram, and 1.42 (95% CI, 1.05–1.91) for combination therapy. Results were consistent in competing-risk analyses. In propensity score–matched analyses restricted to single-class users, fall risk did not differ significantly between BZ/Zs and ORA/Ram (adjusted HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.75–1.28). Conclusions Sustained hypnotic use during hospitalization was associated with a higher incidence of in-hospital falls among older adults. After adjustment for measured clinical factors and treatment selection, no significant difference in fall risk was observed between BZ/Zs and ORA/Ram.

Direct measurement of osmotic pressure and interparticle interactions in colloidal dispersions

Colloidal dispersions are widely found in systems ranging from natural environments to industrial materials. Their macroscopic properties such as viscosity and light scattering depend on their dispersibility, which is characterized by interparticle interactions. Osmotic pressure is induced in a solution with a concentration gradient, in which dispersity is one of the major factors governing the behavior of solutes. Thus, examining the relationship between the interparticle interactions and osmotic pressure may reveal colloidal dispersive properties. Although measuring the osmotic pressure is useful to understand dispersion systems, osmotic pressure is usually extremely low, and only limited experimental methods are available. In this study, we demonstrate that both osmotic pressure and interparticle interactions can be measured within the same experimental system, an optical tweezer system. The directly measured pressure is consistent with both the Brownian dynamics simulation and theoretical results based on the effective hard-sphere model, both of which were calculated using the interparticle interactions directly measured in the experiment. This agreement demonstrates the applicability of the proposed technique for investigating dispersive properties based on particle-level interactions. The proposed technique enables bottom-up design of colloidal materials through particle-level modifications.

Plantaris tendon morphology in Papio anubis: a comparative anatomical study