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Daily briefing: These immune cells go out with a bang

Sustainable indoor air quality via plant-based biofiltration evaluating benzene and toluene removal efficiency and health risk reduction in pharmaceutical laboratories

Abstract Chemical risks represent a significant concern in laboratory environments, especially in organic laboratories where hazardous substances such as benzene and toluene are commonly used. This study evaluates the potential health risks associated with exposure to these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among laboratory staff and students and examines the effectiveness of plant-based biofilters (PBBFs) in improving indoor air quality (IAQ). Measurements of total VOCs, CO, CO 2 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10 were conducted in an operational pharmaceutical laboratory using a Henan Oceanus OC-1000 multi-gas detector under both control conditions and after the introduction of indoor plants. Four ornamental species Cordyline fruticosa , Syngonium podophyllum , Epipremnum aureum , and Chlorophytum comosum were selected based on their phytoremediation potential and evaluated for their impact on IAQ. The four tested species demonstrated substantial pollutant removal, with Cordyline fruticosa achieving the highest VOC (87.5%) and CO (88.2%) reductions, Syngonium podophyllum achieving up to 100% reduction under controlled experimental laboratory conditions of PM 2.5 and PM 10 , and all species showing measurable reductions in CO 2 (20?37%). Health risk assessment confirmed that at benzene (0.3 mg/m 3 ) and toluene (4 mg/m 3 ) exposure levels, both cancer and non-cancer risks for staff and students remained within the U.S. EPA?s acceptable threshold (??1.0?×?10 ?6 for cancer risk; hazard quotient?<?1 for non-cancer risk), indicating that plant-based biofilters effectively mitigate laboratory air pollution while maintaining safe exposure conditions.

LG-Transformer: learned-graph transformer framework enabling diverse physicochemical properties prediction toward fuel design

Abstract Green fuels are essential for decarbonizing transportation sectors, requiring accurate prediction of different physicochemical properties to optimize engine performance and emissions. Although artificial intelligence-based models demonstrate significant potential to accelerate fuel design, most existing methods cannot utilize the internal and external information within and between fuel molecules with interpretability, limiting their generalizability for diverse properties prediction. To address these challenges, a deep learning framework, the learned graph feature fusion Transformer (LG-Transformer), is proposed. Unlike conventional graph neural networks (GNNs) that operate on atom-bond molecular graphs, LG-Transformer employs contrastive learning to construct an inter-molecular relationship graph guided by topological descriptors and property similarity, enabling property-aware feature propagation through Transformer layers for various property prediction. Supporting this effort, a comprehensive fuel property database is developed, containing 1850 diverse molecules across 26 chemical classes, each annotated with 17 key physicochemical properties relevant to engine performance. Here we show that LG-Transformer achieves superior predictive performance with an average R 2 of 0.900, significantly outperforming other GNN and deep learning baselines. Additionally, interpretability analyses via integrated gradients reveal underlying molecular structure-property relationships.

Identification and prediction of patients eligible for augmented rehabilitation in emergency gastrointestinal surgery (RAUCisable): A protocol for a single-centre, retrospective, observational study

Introduction Conditions requiring emergency gastrointestinal surgery pose substantial challenges to healthcare systems and patient outcomes. For emergency gastrointestinal surgery, the mortality rate is higher than after other types of surgery, and 30-day readmission rates can exceed 30%. Unlike elective surgery (for which the application of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) procedures has led to demonstrably better recovery), emergency surgery patients are still managed in an ad hoc manner. The Réhabilitation Augmentée pour les Urgences Chirurgicales (RAUC) multi-faceted research program has been designed to transform the care of patients undergoing emergency gastrointestinal surgery [7]. The ancillary RAUCisable study will develop a classification model that can automatically flag up RAUC-eligible patients early in their visit to the emergency department (ED). The study’s secondary objectives include the identification of key features and the prediction of time to surgery. Method RAUCisable is single-centre, retrospective, observational cohort study of electronic health records in the ED and digestive surgery department at Amiens-Picardie University Hospital (Amiens, France). All adult patients having attended the ED between January 1st, 2021, and December 31st, 2024, will be considered for inclusion. The primary classification outcome is eligibility for the RAUC pathway. Expected results We expect to identify ~2,400 RAUC-eligible patients from among ~250,000–300,000 ED visits over a 4-year period. These patients are likely to be significantly older than non-surgical ED patients (e.g., more over-65s), with a higher proportion of acute abdominal conditions (e.g., ~ 24% with appendicitis, ~ 13% with bowel obstruction, ~ 10% with peritonitis, etc.), and greater disease acuity on triage. Discussion The RAUCisable study’s findings will directly guide a concomitant, prospective, controlled study (RAUC-AMIENS) of the augmented recovery pathway, including ERAS elements and remote monitoring. Conclusion The RAUCisable study is a pivotal step toward digitally enhanced emergency surgical care. By learning from past data, we are seeking to improve the future management of emergency surgery patients through timely identification and targeted care pathways. This protocol article details our methodological approach for ensuring rigor and reproducibility. Trial registration NCT07037719

A maize gene that coordinates flowering aids drought resistance

Influence mechanisms of rock mass discontinuity density on mining-induced land subsidence

Streptomyces sesquiterpenes elicit 10-HCA secretion and recruit disease-suppressive microbiota to enhance banana Fusarium wilt resistance

Abstract Plant-beneficial microbe interactions are vital for enhancing soil-borne disease resistance, largely through the assembly of a disease-suppressive microbiome. However, the mechanisms governing these interactions remain elusive. Here, we establish an interaction model between banana and Streptomyces yongxingensis sp. nov. 2-11. We demonstrate that strain Sy2-11 suppresses banana Fusarium wilt (BFW) by recruiting a protective rhizosphere microbiome. Furthermore, we identify sesquiterpenes (aristolene and ledene), produced by strain Sy2-11, as key signaling molecules that trigger banana roots to biosynthesize 10-hydroxycapric acid (10-HCA). Interestingly, 10-HCA specifically enriches beneficial Bacillus spp., which is essential for the suppression of BFW. This effect is validated by synthetic communities (SynComs) and chemotaxis-deficient mutants of Bacillus velezensis . Our findings reveal a previously unreported mechanism that differs from conventional plant-microbe interactions, whereby Streptomyces , acting as a beneficial elicitor, releases sesquiterpene signals to trigger 10-HCA secretion in banana plants, thereby orchestrating the assembly of a rhizosphere microbiome that suppresses BFW. These findings provide a promising strategy for rhizosphere micro-ecological regulation and sustainable soil-borne disease control, with significant potential for advancing sustainable agriculture.

MAVS is important for antiviral defense against influenza A virus in a human respiratory epithelium model

The respiratory epithelium is an important immunological barrier and the first line of defense against influenza A virus (IAV). In mice and in various cellular systems, induction of type I interferons (IFNα/β) during IAV infections is known to depend on cytosolic RNA sensors retinoic acid-induced gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-association gene 5 (MDA5) and their common adaptor protein mitochondrial antiviral-signaling adaptor protein (MAVS). Until now, it has not been possible to directly assess the importance of MAVS for induction of IFNs and for resistance to IAV infection in primary human respiratory epithelium. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to establish MAVS-deficient cultures of primary human respiratory epithelium using the air-liquid interphase culture system. Using this setup, we show that MAVS is indeed required for the induction of type I and type III IFNs and subsequently for the induction of IFN-stimulated genes in response to IAV infection in this respiratory epithelium model. Finally, we demonstrate that MAVS is important for restricting viral replication in this model. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MAVS plays a non-redundant protective role during IAV infection in primary human respiratory epithelium.

True reactivation versus transient viremia: a retrospective analysis of HBV reactivation in resolved infection

Non-coding structural variants disrupt FOXG1 transcriptional regulation in early neurodevelopment

The river meeting the sea: A qualitative exploration of the healthcare transition experiences of adolescents and young adults living with rare renal disorders and their parents

Background Rare renal disorders are a group of complex conditions that can lead to progressive kidney failure and lifelong multi-system complications. Upon reaching young adulthood, adolescents and young adults must navigate the healthcare transition between paediatric and adult services. This process serves to bridge the gap between health services and provide adolescents and young adults with developmentally appropriate support to manage adult life with their condition. However, this process can prove challenging for adolescents and young adults with rare renal disorders, a research area that is currently under explored. Aim To explore the experiences of adolescents and young adults and parents living with a rare renal disorder and undergoing healthcare transition. Design Qualitative descriptive study, using reflexive thematic analysis. Results reported according to the COnsolidated Criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. Methods Twenty eight in-depth interviews were conducted, with 17 parents and 11 adolescents and young adults with rare renal disorders. Results Five themes were developed: 1. the complex and ever-changing nature of rare renal disorders, 2. preparing to move on, 3. understanding the person, 4. building support networks, and 5. care coordination, consistency, and communication. Adolescents and young adults and their parents recognised the need for individualised, collaborative, and holistic approaches to healthcare transition, emphasising the need for comprehensive support that acknowledges other areas of adolescents and young adults lives, including educational transitions, peer connection and psychological support. Conclusion This study emphasises the dynamic interplay between health and social systems when planning healthcare transition. This study offers valuable insights into healthcare transition in rare renal disorders. Findings provide a foundation for future research and can inform practice, policy and the development of future healthcare transition interventions. Patient or Public Contribution Two adolescents and one parent from a rare-disease advisory group provided input on the study materials.

Integrated numerical–physical modeling for optimizing riverbed dredging in Mixed Pumped-Storage Power Stations: a case study of Lianghekou project

Ice-phase optothermal tweezers

Roflumilast prevented tissue damage caused by lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis via anti-inflammatory action

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulated immune response leading to multiple organ dysfunction. Despite the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, recovery remains limited. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria, is widely used to mimic sepsis-like conditions in animals. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of Roflumilast at two doses (1.5 and 3 mg/kg) in a single-dose LPS-induced sepsis model. Sepsis was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (30 mg/kg), and Roflumilast was administered for 10 days. Liver and kidney injury were evaluated by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were measured using ELISA. Histopathological damage and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) expression were assessed in major organs. LPS significantly increased biochemical and cytokine markers, causing severe tissue damage. While 1.5 mg/kg Roflumilast showed no protective effects, 3 mg/kg markedly reduced inflammatory and injury markers, improved tissue architecture, and decreased KIM-1 expression. These findings suggest that a higher dose of Roflumilast effectively mitigates LPS-induced systemic inflammation and organ injury, supporting its potential as a therapeutic option for sepsis.

Integrated molecular, microRNA, and biochemical profiling reveals oxidative stress–driven degeneration of the ligamentum flavum in lumbar spinal stenosis

Elp3 uses a conserved molecular tunnel to transport acetate between distant active sites and catalyze tRNA wobble base modification

Abstract The radical SAM enzyme Elp3 and eukaryotic Elongator complex catalyze formation of a key intermediate transfer RNA (tRNA) modification, 5-carboxymethyluridine (cm 5 U), in the anticodons of tRNAs across all domains of life. cm 5 U-derived modifications are important for fine tuning codon-anticodon interactions and efficient protein translation, and defects in this modification are linked to development of neurodegenerative disease in humans. Here we reconstitute tRNA modification activity with a model Elp3 enzyme and combine structural analyses, enzymology, and isotope incorporation experiments to show Elp3 harbors a conserved molecular tunnel that shuttles free acetate molecules from the acetyl-CoA binding domain to the radical SAM active site over 20 Å away, where acetate undergoes radical-mediated reaction and addition to tRNA U34. Our model explains how Elp3 bridges a large distance between active sites to catalyze tRNA carboxymethylation and illustrates a unique mechanism for intermediate transport in radical SAM enzymes.

The interplay of economic shocks and cultural practices in child marriage: Comparative evidence from India and Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Child marriage is a critical issue in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to economic instability. This study examines the impact of the pandemic on child marriage rates in India and Zambia, focusing specifically on socio-cultural and economic influences. We collected quantitative and qualitative data from adolescent girls aged 13–18 years in India ( n  = 3,049) and 15–19 years in Zambia ( n  = 1,615) between February and September 2022. Multi-variable linear probability regression analyses were applied to assess the pandemic’s effect on child marriage and how it was affected by cultural marriage practices of bride price (Zambia) and dowry (India). While we found no significant increase related to pandemic-induced economic strains in Zambia, we observed a significant increase in child marriage rates related to the pandemic circumstances in India. In-depth analysis of qualitative data indicated that reduced dowry demands and lower wedding costs, resulting from restrictions on guest numbers, drove families to prepone weddings and marry off their daughters during the pandemic. Our findings suggest that economic or health shocks affect child marriage practices differently based on local socio-cultural context.

Retraction Note: An experimental investigation of unique high stepup boost converter for electric vehicle and solar photovoltaic

Improving crystal material property prediction with multi-view geometric graph transformer

A compact quad-element serrated boundary fractal planar antenna for multi-band mmWave 5G/6G wireless applications

This paper proposes a compact serrated boundary fractal planar quad-element MIMO antenna engineered for multi-band millimeter-wave (mmWave) 5G/6G systems. The structure is designed and developed on 30 × 30 mm 2 size rogers’ material of thickness 0.8 mm. The proposed design evolves progressively through three stages, from a conventional rectangular patch to a compact, fractal-inspired geometry featuring embedded slots and symmetrical serrated arrow-shaped protrusions. This structural evolution significantly enhances electromagnetic coupling, current path diversity, and multi-band resonance behaviour. The antenna resonates at four distinct mmWave frequency bands 24.5 GHz, 33.5 GHz, 38.0 GHz, and 44.0 GHz, covering key portions of the 5G spectrum. The compact quad-element layout exhibits high isolation, notable peak gain, and favourable diversity metrics, including ECC (Sim ≤ 0.00008, Mea ≤ 0.00010), DG (Sim ≤ 10 dB, Mea ≤ 10 dB), TARC (Sim ≤ −10 dB, Mea ≤ −9 dB), CCL (Sim ≤ 0.005 bits/s/Hz, Mea ≤ 0.010 bits/s/Hz), and MEG (Sim ≤ −3 dB, Mea ≤ −3 dB), all within ITU-recommended limits, collectively contributing to robust MIMO performance. Its compact size, structural symmetry, and multiband performance make it an excellent candidate for low-latency, and interference-resilient wireless applications in next-generation vehicular and IoT communication systems.