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Fluorine-19 MRI signal phenotype in solid tumor following in situ perfluorocarbon cell labeling
Abstract Cell tracking with perfluorocarbon (PFC) nanoemulsion (NE) and ¹⁹F MRI has been used in numerous inflammation models, including tumors. After intravenous injection, phagocytic immune cells endocytose NE droplets, producing background-free ¹⁹F images where signal foci quantify inflammation. Histology confirms tracer uptake mainly in myeloid-lineage cells. Myeloid cells - granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages - play major roles in cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which can comprise up to 60% of tumor mass, promote angiogenesis, metastasis, and immunosuppression. High TAM burden correlates with poor prognosis in several cancers and reduced responsiveness to immunotherapies. In this study, we characterize ¹⁹F MRI signals, following in situ NE labeling, in a syngeneic breast cancer model. Our goal is to validate the cell phenotype responsible for the 19 F signals observed in the tumor microenvironment. We quantified ¹⁹F signal contributions from myeloid subsets using flow cytometry and ¹⁹F NMR and mapped intratumoral distributions via cryo-fluorescence tomography. These results demonstrate selective NE uptake by myeloid cells and support ¹⁹F MRI as a noninvasive biomarker for TAM burden in cancer.
Uncovering latent urban mobility patterns via smart-card and survey data fusion
Comparing the safety and efficacy of sodium valproate, levetiracetam, and phenytoin in attenuating the severity of agitation in patients with post-traumatic brain injury: An observational study
Objective The present study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of sodium valproate, levetiracetam, and phenytoin in agitation control. Methods and Material This prospective observational study included 189 adult patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) receiving sodium valproate, phenytoin, and levetiracetam. Agitation was monitored using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) at baseline and serially over seven days. The study evaluated the percentage of patients who experienced agitation-relief (A-R) following antiepileptic drugs, along with pattern of adverse events among the three groups. Results Sodium valproate (sod.v) demonstrated better efficacy with 85.7% of patients achieving A-R compared to 63.5% in levetiracetam (P = 0.016). The median time to achieve A-R was 3 days in sod.v and significantly lesser compared to 4 days in phenytoin (P = 0.04) and 5 days in levetiracetam (P = 0.0001). By day 4, 72% of patients in the sod.v achieved A-R, in contrast to 50% in the phenytoin and 31.7% in the levetiracetam group. The safety profile of sod.v and levetiracetam was more favorable with lesser occurrence of adverse events compared to phenytoin (P = 0.017). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first pivotal evidence to compare antiepileptics for agitation control in post-traumatic brain injury patients. Our study demonstrated that patients receiving sodium valproate showed relatively greater and earlier improvement in agitation control, with an acceptable safety profile. The study proves the dual benefits of sod.v in post-TBI improving patient outcomes and alleviating mental strain on patients, and their families.
Cold-induced peptide signalling secures pollen resilience and crop yield
A comprehensive investigation of energy consumption and carbon emissions for a new type of cold mix asphalt technology
Abstract Cold mix asphalt (CMA) offers promising potential for reducing the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with traditional hot mix asphalt (HMA). This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with a newly developed CMA technology (New-CMA) incorporating a hydroxylated cycloalkane-based polymer additive, which improves workability at ambient temperatures. Energy consumption and carbon emissions were quantified across the whole production stages, using energy consumption method and emission factor method recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The results demonstrate that the New-CMA achieves a 48% reduction in total energy consumption and a 40% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional HMA. Significant reductions were observed particularly in the mixture production stage, where energy use and carbon emissions decreased by 97.6% and 93.6%, respectively, due to the elimination of aggregate heating. Compared to traditional CMA, the New-CMA shows reductions of 9% in energy use and 10% in carbon emissions. These improvements are primarily attributed to the elimination of aggregate heating, lower mixing temperatures, and enhanced mixing efficiency. The technology is particularly suitable for preventive maintenance and structural layers in low-to-medium traffic roads. This study provides a comprehensive environmental evaluation and offers guidance for promoting sustainable pavement practices in urban construction.
Sign language narrative reveals universal and modality-specific features of cortical timescale hierarchy
Recovery of plastic from mixed waste boosts recycling rates but affects quality
Design of a multi-epitope Staphylococcus aureus vaccine integrating a protein A variant, α-hemolysin, and fibronectin-binding protein A through reverse vaccinology
Microbial autotrophy driven by extracellular electrons generated from mechanical forces via flexoelectricity
Book of Cron Job
Kinematic analysis of multisensory integration and sensory load induced fatigue in migraine
Diversity-driven biochemical survey reveals widespread dimerization throughout the rubisco superfamily
Abstract Rubisco is the entry point of nearly all organic carbon into the biosphere and is present in all domains of life. Despite its global importance, biochemical studies of this enzyme superfamily have been limited to a relatively narrow set of subclades. Recent advances in metagenomics have dramatically reshaped our understanding of both microbial and rubisco diversity; however, biochemical characterization of these sequences has not kept pace with the exponential growth in sequence data. To better survey the functional and structural diversity of rubisco, we systematically sample and synthesize a library of diverse rubisco sequences with an emphasis on clades that are sparsely represented in the biochemical literature. Our updated phylogenetic analysis reveals that many deep‑branching rubiscos assemble as dimers, supporting a dimeric origin for the superfamily — in contrast to the ecologically dominant hexadecameric form I. Additionally, we discover and structurally characterize an unusually large catalytic subunit among characterized rubiscos, originating from a early-branching subclade with secondary structural elements not present in canonical rubisco architectures.
LASER couples damage sensing to ESCRT assembly for lysosome repair
Abstract Lysosomal membrane integrity is essential for cell survival, but how damage sensing is spatiotemporally coupled to repair remains poorly understood. Recruitment and assembly of endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) I–III rapidly counteracts membrane damage, but it is unclear how ESCRT-I recognizes defective lysosomal membranes. Here, leveraging genome-wide CRISPRi screens in a damage-sensitized genetic background, we identified LC3/GABARAP-assisted stimulator for ESCRT recruitment (LASER), a multicomponent protein assembly that forms rapidly upon calcium release from damaged lysosomes and couples sensing of lysosomal membrane damage to ESCRT-dependent repair. At the core of LASER is TFG, an endoplasmic reticulum exit-site-resident protein that translocates to damaged lysosomes by binding to ATG8 family proteins (LC3 and GABARAP) conjugated to lysosomal phospholipids. ATG8-bound TFG forms oligomeric assemblies that directly recruit the essential ESCRT-I subunit TSG101 via conserved motif recognition enhanced by avidity-driven interactions. TFG binding to TSG101 stimulates sequential ESCRT-I–II–III polymerization and promotes membrane repair. TFG mutations that drive hereditary spastic paraplegia disrupt its oligomerization and impair lysosomal ESCRT recruitment and membrane resealing, implicating defective repair as a driver of TFG-associated neurodegeneration. Thus, LASER promotes ESCRT polymerization at damaged lysosomes and couples damage sensing to membrane repair.
A LSTM-based model predictive control method for unlocking the potential of building energy flexibility in Malaysian commercial buildings
Implementation determinants of rapid diagnostics tests for fever management in sub-Saharan Africa: a mixed-studies systematic review
Abstract Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have the potential to improve fever management in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, fulfilling this potential can be hindered by factors beyond test performance, impacting their successful implementation. The Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework offers a structured approach to exploring such determinants and underlying mechanisms. In this mixed-studies systematic review, we searched 8 electronic databases for studies to map and synthesise evidence on implementation determinants of RDTs use in SSA. Two authors independently conducted study selection and data extraction. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (v2018), and the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for systematic reviews and research syntheses. We applied a framework synthesis guided by the NASSS framework. This review included 48 publications covering 33 countries in SSA and revealed several themes and complexities, whose interdependencies show variation in the adoption and long-term use of RDTs in SSA. The synthesis identified 35 higher-order themes, with the majority of evidence concentrated on adoption and peri-implementation rather than long-term adaptation. Across settings, sustained RDT uptake was constrained by: increased health worker workload, limited integration into existing clinical workflows, misalignment between test results and clinical judgement, and unreliable supply chains. Evidence on how these barriers were addressed over time was sparse, revealing a gap in implementation research. Furthermore, the single-disease focus of RDTs was found to limit their utility, given that patients often present with undifferentiated fever or multiple conditions. To optimise future implementation of RDTs, their design and health system adoption need to be informed by clinical need and integrated into care pathways, including the development of RDTs that address multiple diagnoses.
Design synthesis and evaluation of a novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivative as a potent anticancer and antibacterial agent supported by electronic property analysis and simulation studies
The mannosyltransferase DPM1 regulates the activity of ER-stress sensor IRE1 in colorectal cancer
The quality and content of cerebral aneurysm related short videos on Douyin: a cross-sectional observational study
Abstract Cerebral aneurysm is a common cerebrovascular disease with a poor prognosis after rupture. This highlights the critical importance of early detection and risk factor management. Douyin has become an important channel for disseminating medical information, but the quality of video content on such platforms remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the content, quality, and reliability of short videos related to cerebral aneurysm on Douyin. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 100 short videos related to cerebral aneurysm on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). Video characteristics, content, uploader type, and interaction data (likes, comments, favorites, and shares) were extracted. Video quality and reliability were assessed using the Global Quality Score (GQS) and modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) tools. Videos were classified by content and emotional tone, and engagement metrics and quality scores were compared across different categories. Correlation analysis was performed between video metrics and quality scores. Videos were generally short (median: 77 s), but user engagement was high. Most videos were uploaded by cerebrovascular specialists. Educational videos scored better on GQS than case-sharing videos, but no significant difference was found in mDISCERN scores. Regarding interaction data, case-sharing videos had significantly more favorites than educational videos, but no differences were observed in other engagement metrics. Videos were further categorized by emotional tone (positive, negative, neutral), and no differences were found in quality scores or engagement metrics across these categories. Meanwhile, positive correlations were observed among engagement metrics (likes, favorites, comments, and shares). Douyin videos related to cerebral aneurysm show high engagement but slightly insufficient reliability in content. Improving video quality is essential to enhance the educational value of health information shared on the Douyin platform.
An efficient mid-infrared computational spectrometer based on synergistic microcavity-coupled photonic crystal waveguides
Abstract The mid-infrared spectral region holds substantial promise for telecommunications, chemical sensing, and biomedical diagnostics applications. These fields increasingly demand high-resolution, miniaturized, and portable spectrometers. Leveraging recent advances in silicon photonics and computational reconstruction techniques, on-chip spectrometers offer a compact and lightweight solution. This paper presents a distinctive photonic spectrometer prototype based on microcavity-coupled photonic crystal waveguide (MPCW) architecture, operating at the mid-infrared region. The device achieves uniquely defined spectral responses by synergistically integrating non-uniform microcavity resonances with sharp photonics crystal band edges. Benefiting from the slow-light effect, titanium microheaters provide efficient thermal tuning, facilitating further precise spectral response control. The alternating optimization approach for spectral reconstruction eliminates the need for exhaustive parameter searches and substantially alleviates the computational burden. Thus, our MPCW spectrometer can retrieve an unknown spectrum with a resolution of 0.5 nm over a 100 nm bandwidth within several seconds, demonstrating high performance and robustness. Furthermore, the scalable nature of photonic crystal designs permits straightforward adaptation to other wavelength regimes by tailoring the MPCW dimensions.