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Protein trafficking and synaptic demand configure complex and dynamic synaptome architectures of individual neurons

Abstract Excitatory synapses are the most abundant synapse type in the brain. Being essential for behaviour and implicated in hundreds of brain disorders, these synapses exhibit striking structural and functional diversity. Synaptome mapping at single-synapse resolution reveals that synaptic protein diversity is spatially organised along the dendritic tree of individual neurons and varies with age and cell type. However, the cell biological mechanisms underlying the generation of these complex spatial synaptic patterns remain poorly understood. Potential mechanisms include somatic and dendritic protein synthesis, protein trafficking, and local regulatory mechanisms such as activity-dependent degradation. Here we developed computational models to test how combinations of these processes account for empirical synaptome data. We found that a combination of molecular transport mechanisms and local synaptic demand for proteins was sufficient to explain very complex profiles of synaptic protein distributions observed in young, mature and old mice and in different cell types. Our findings suggest the highly complex and dynamic synaptome architecture of the brain is an emergent property of a minimal set of cell biological processes. Our model sets the stage for simulations of brain tissue incorporating molecularly diverse neuronal and synaptic types in a synaptome and connectome architecture.

Correction: Range-wide assessment of habitat suitability for jaguars using multiscale species distribution modelling

From Phenols to Proteins: One‐Pot Biosynthesis and Genetic Encoding of Chalcogen‐Containing Tyrosine Analogues

ABSTRACT Expanding the genetic code with unnatural amino acids (UAAs) offers powerful opportunities to engineer proteins with novel redox and catalytic functions, but is often limited by the need for multistep UAA synthesis and inefficient cellular uptake. Here, we report an integrated biosynthetic–genetic incorporation strategy for chalcogen‐containing proteins from the respective phenols. Structure‐guided engineering of tyrosine phenol lyase (TPL) enabled the enzymatic production of 3‐methoxy‐, 3‐methylthio‐, and 3‐methylseleno‐L‐tyrosine (MeSeY) directly in living cells. Using evolved orthogonal aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases, these analogues were site‐specifically incorporated into green fluorescent protein (GFP), as confirmed by fluorescence assays, spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. We further established a one‐pot in vivo system that unifies analogue biosynthesis with translation, reducing precursor requirements and cellular toxicity. This work introduces selenium as a genetically encoded handle for protein engineering and establishes a scalable strategy that couples biocatalysis with genetic code expansion to access redox‐active designer proteins. Importantly, installation of MeSeY at the GFP chromophore residue Tyr66 provides redox‐responsive fluorescence. In a circularly permuted GFP (cpGFP) scaffold, improved chromophore accessibility enables reversible redox switching under H 2 O 2 /thiol cycling.

“Short-term effects of a single kangaroo mother care session on urinary allantoin and maternal–infant bonding in preterm neonates: a quasi-randomized controlled trial”

Abstract Preterm birth is a leading contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality, often necessitating neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. The resulting separation of mother-infant dyads may escalate physiological stress and impair early bonding. While Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a well-established intervention, evidence regarding the immediate physiological and affective impact of an isolated, short-duration session remains sparse. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a single one-hour KMC session on oxidative stress and maternal–infant bonding in preterm neonates. This quasi-randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care facility in Lahore, Pakistan (February–July 2024). Forty preterm neonate–mother dyads were allocated based on medical record numbers to receive either a single 60 minute KMC session ( n = 20) or standard incubator care ( n = 20). Primary and secondary outcomes included urinary allantoin (measured via ELISA) and Mother–Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) scores, respectively, assessed at baseline and one hour after the intervention. Data were analysed using paired t-tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Baseline groups were comparable (p>0.05). Post-intervention, KMC significantly reduced allantoin levels compared to controls (Adjusted Mean Difference [AMD]: −26.18 µmol/mmol; 95% CI: -36.88 to −15.48; p <0.001; partial η 2 =0.399). MIBS scores also improved significantly in the KMC group (AMD: −13.99; 95% CI: −14.84 to −13.14; p <0.001; partial η 2 =0.967). A single one-hour session of Kangaroo Mother Care is associated with reduction in oxidative stress biomarkers and a significant short-term improvement in maternal–infant bonding. These findings suggest that even brief sessions of skin-to-skin contact may serve as potentially effective acute physiological and psychological stabilizer in the NICU setting. However, these immediate effects should be viewed as acute triggers rather than definitive markers of long-term clinical or developmental outcomes. Trial registration : ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 06338410. Registered 29 March 2024, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06338410 .

Visualising backward information propagation in deep reinforcement learning from a variational data assimilation perspective

A multi-task deep learning and radiomics framework for fetal anatomical structure detection and classification in ultrasound imaging

Phosphorus‐Induced Charge Redistribution and Lattice Self‐Regulation in Cu ₃ PSe ₄ Enables Low <i>N</i> / <i>P</i> Ratio and Durable Zn–I ₂ Batteries

ABSTRACT Zn–I 2 batteries is a promising large‐scale energy storage technology, yet conventional Zn metal anode faces challenges including corrosion, dendrite growth, and side reactions, hindering its practical application. Zn 2+ host anodes, leveraging the rocking‐chair mechanism and inherent polyiodide inertness, offer a potential solution to these issues. However, existing host anodes suffer from sluggish Zn 2+ kinetics and low capacity, limiting their compatibility with cathodes. Herein, we report a unique charge and lattice self‐regulation mechanism in Cu 3 PSe 4 that drives expedited Zn 2+ transport and high‐capacity performance. In this configuration, Cu 3 PSe 4 in situ decomposes to P and Cu 2 Se during initial cycling and Cu 2 Se provide subsequent capacity. Importantly, phosphorus modulates the Cu 2 Se lattice, inducing a transition from conventional contraction to expansion during Zn 2+ insertion, thereby enhancing ion transport kinetics and capacity simultaneously. Theoretical calculations reveal that P reconfigures the charge distribution and spatial configuration in Cu 2 Se, reducing Zn 2+ diffusion barrier. Consequently, the optimized Cu 3 PSe 4 anode delivers 150.5 mAh g −1 at 20 A g −1 , and the assembled Cu 3 PSe 4 ||I 2 cell achieves an exceptional lifespan of 30,000 cycles at 9 mg cm −2 with a low N/P ratio of 1.1, demonstrating superior stability. This work provides a novel system of corrosion‐resistant anode for high‐performance and metal‐zinc‐free zinc–iodine batteries.

Retraction Note: Comparing ANI-2x, ANI-1ccx neural networks, force field, and DFT methods for predicting conformational potential energy of organic molecules

Molecular Electrocatalyst Enables Direct Electrochemical Capture and Conversion of CO ₂ up to Atmospheric Concentration

ABSTRACT The conversion of low‐concentration CO 2 streams into fuel is highly desirable for industrial applications, avoiding energy‐intensive CO 2 capture and concentration. Here, we report a highly active molecular electrocatalyst, fac ‐[Mn(CO) 3 (bis‐MeNHC)(MeCN)] + ( 1‐MeCN + ), which enables the direct electrochemical reduction of near‐atmospheric CO 2 concentrations to CO with up to 100% Faradaic efficiency. Voltammetric analysis at varying CO 2 concentrations reveals a clear transition between distinct kinetic regimes, shifting from pure kinetic control to a regime dominated by CO 2 depletion. Kinetic analysis in the 5%–100% CO 2 range reveals a first‐order dependence on substrate concentration. Infrared spectroelectrochemistry confirms that the electrogenerated anionic catalyst remains active under extremely diluted CO 2 conditions. Computational modeling further supports that the CO 2 ‐to‐CO conversion mediated by the doubly reduced species is kinetically accessible at atmospheric CO 2 levels. This work demonstrates molecular electrocatalysis even at CO 2 concentrations as low as 420 ppm (i.e. atmospheric CO 2 partial pressure).

iGraphCTC: an inter-connected graph convolutional network for comprehensive clinical trial collaborations

Abstract Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly expanding their global presence by engaging in collaborative clinical research to meet the growing demand for effective chronic disease treatments. However, identifying suitable affiliations and collaboration networks remains a significant challenge. To tackle this, we propose iGraphCTC, a novel framework for clinical trial collaboration that utilizes an adapted Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) to streamline the identification of potential collaborators. The key contribution lies in its ability to integrate multidimensional clinical data (geographical and intervention attributes) into the recommendation process. Based on both geographical and intervention datasets, iGraphCTC achieves maximum improvements of 16.08% (AUC), 14.28% (F1-Score), and 6.68-17.44% (Accuracy@K). These results highlight its capability to enhance recommendation accuracy by addressing limitations of previous models and integrating clinical insights into the recommendation process. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of graph-oriented approaches in identifying collaborative activities and pinpointing potential collaborators, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of the pharmaceutical industry’s collaborative landscape.

Biocatalytic Regioselective C‐Formylation of Resorcinol Derivatives

ABSTRACT Although aromatic formylation reactions are highly valuable from a synthetic perspective, a biocatalytic version has not yet been reported. Here, the cofactor‐independent multimeric three‐component acyltransferase from Chromobacterium sphagni ( Cs ATase) was identified to enable the nonnatural promiscuous regioselective C‐formylation of polyphenolic substrates, especially resorcinol derivatives, and thus extending the reaction scope of acyltransferases. Formylation of 4‐ and 5‐substituted resorcinol derivatives gave access to regioselectively mono‐formylated products with up to 99% conversion and up to 74% isolated yield. Formylation of phloroglucinol led to the di‐formylated product with 99% conversion, outperforming chemical methods. Structural analysis of Cs ATase by X‐ray crystallography provided insights into its active site.

Types identification, patterns characterize and pathway optimization of synergistic development between urbanization and pollution control in Chinese urban agglomerations

Enhanced optical and electrical properties of polyvinyl alcohol polyethylene oxide nanocomposite films incorporating hybrid carbon nanofillers

Upcycling of atmospheric CO2 to self-healing recyclable polymers under ambient conditions

Abstract The polymer industry is confronting an urgent sustainability trilemma: accelerating plastic pollution, substantial CO 2 emissions from production processes, and dependence on diminishing fossil resources. Upcycling CO 2 into polymers presents a promising solution to these interconnected issues; however, existing CO 2 -to-polymer technologies face significant challenges: dependence on concentrated CO 2 sources rather than direct air capture (DAC), reliance on complex catalysts and energy-intensive conditions (elevated temperatures/pressures), and generation of polymers with limited self-healing and recyclability. Herein, we propose a catalyst-free strategy of converting atmospheric CO 2 into carbonate ions (CO 3 2- ) as intermediates for the synthesis of dynamic covalent polymers. This approach is based on a dynamic bond system, termed the CO 3 2- -bridged dynamic covalent bond, enabling catalyst-free synthesis of polymers from ambient air at room temperature and pressure. The resultant polymers show excellent mechanical properties, rapid self-healing, and versatile circularity through three distinct pathways: thermal reprocessing, closed-loop chemical recycling via acid-triggered depolymerization at room temperature, and upcycling of mixed CO 2 -derived polymers into hybrid materials with enhanced properties. This study provides a platform for both low-energy-consuming CO 2 valorization and the development of sustainable polymers.

3DViT-GAT: a unified atlas-based 3D vision transformer and graph learning framework for major depressive disorder detection using structural MRI data

Rab14 restricts pathogens by promoting V-ATPase lysosomal delivery to drive lysosomal acidification

Construction of Agonistic Bivalent Double‐Stranded Aptamers Targeting c‐MET

ABSTRACT Aptamers, single‐stranded oligonucleotides selected via SELEX technology, exhibit high‐affinity and selective binding to target molecules by folding into specific intramolecular tertiary structures. Importantly, aptamers can inhibit target biological functions when their binding disrupts the interaction between the target and its natural ligand. However, aptamers capable of activating target molecule functions remain rare. In this study, we performed molecular engineering on the c‐MET aptamer HF3‐58, previously identified as biologically inert. Through rational design, we successfully developed a series of bivalent double‐stranded aptamers (BVDSApts) with enhanced c‐MET binding, while their single‐stranded counterparts failed to bind c‐MET. By optimizing the central duplex length to 18, 20 and 22 base pairs (bp), these aptamers potently induced c‐MET dimerization, phosphorylation, and downstream protein phosphorylation, while significantly enhancing cell migration and dispersion. The process of reconstructing biologically inert aptamers to obtain those with agonistic activity demonstrates that, with a thorough understanding of the binding mechanisms, it is possible to design new aptamers with novel functions through sequence engineering. Additionally, the BVDSApts obtained provide precursor molecules for the further development of HGF substitutes.

Exceptional Two‐ to Five‐Photon Absorption at Mono/Bis(Donor)‐Porphyrin‐Mono/Bis(Donor) Triads and Pentads

Abstract Porphyrins are key components of biologically‐active molecules involved in oxygen transport, light harvesting, and electron transfer; their photophysical properties are consequently of considerable fundamental interest. We herein report that certain donor‐porphyrin‐donor triads and bis(donor)‐porphyrin‐bis(donor) pentads exhibit nonlinear optical activity toward femtosecond pulsed radiation over the spectral range 800–2150 nm. We show that these triads and pentads exhibit unusually strong molecular quadratic optical nonlinearity, two‐photon absorption, and three‐photon absorption, and represent a new molecular motif exhibiting four‐photon absorption. We also report the first porphyrins, and therefore a new class of molecule, to exhibit five‐photon absorption. The two‐, three‐, four‐, and five‐photon absorption maxima are found close to the corresponding multiples of intense linear absorption bands that time‐dependent density functional theory assigns as admixtures of porphyrin‐localized π* ← π and donors‐to‐porphyrin charge‐transfer transitions in the case of the donor‐porphyrin‐donor triads.

A large-effect locus underlies migration timing in North American Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Abstract The timing of migration often aligns with predictable seasonal or environmental cues, allowing populations to maximise fitness by moving between habitats at optimal times. However, rapid environmental change is disrupting this predictability, leading to mismatches between expected and observed conditions with potential demographic consequences. Atlantic salmon are long-distance migrators that travel between freshwater and oceanic habitats and are experiencing widespread declines across their range. Our understanding of the genetic basis of run timing in Atlantic salmon has been limited to European populations, or at a coarse population level. We combine whole-genome sequencing of 498 individuals from seven North American populations with individual migration timing data to explore the genomic basis of adult return timing. We identify a large-effect region on chromosome 17 associated with migration timing (unimodal or bi-model), with ppfia2 explaining a substantial proportion of the variation, as well as an underlying polygenic basis to this complex life-history trait. These findings demonstrate a clear genomic basis for migration timing in Atlantic salmon, with the associated ppfia2 gene also playing a role in other long-distance migratory vertebrates. This suggests a potentially conserved evolutionary mechanism underlying migration timing across species and highlights the importance of genetic insights for understanding population resilience and declines in Atlantic salmon.

Measurement of ion acceleration and diffusion in a laser-driven magnetized plasma

Abstract Here we present results from an experiment performed at the GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research. A mono-energetic beam of chromium ions with initial energies of  ~ 450 MeV was fired through a magnetized interaction region formed by the collision of two counter-propagating laser-ablated plasma jets. While laser interferometry revealed the absence of strong fluid-scale turbulence, acceleration and diffusion of the beam ions was driven by wave-particle interactions. A possible mechanism is particle acceleration by electrostatic, short scale length kinetic turbulence, such as the lower-hybrid drift instability.