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Structuring light with flows
A lattice-integrated AES framework for ultra-secure biometric protection on resource-constrained edge devices
Template-in-template assembly nanostructured microspheres for high performance chromatography
Abstract Concurrent precision architecture of morphology and nanostructure in mesoporous microspheres is pivotal for high performance separations. Herein, we develop a template-in-template assembly nanostructuring (TiTAN) strategy to precisely synthesize monodisperse microspheres with ordered mesoporous nanostructure. Microfluidic droplet templating ensures uniform particle morphology (CV = 3%), while structure-directing agents within droplets enable tailored pore configurations, including 2D hexagonal, body-centered cubic, face-centered cubic, and cubic double gyroidal mesostructures. Through regulating hydrothermal conditions, structural parameters can be fined-tuned with 2 Å spatial resolution. By extending this manufacturing capability to a variety of material chemistries, chromatographic materials can now be de novo architectured with rationales, with the performance demonstrated by the solution of a classical separation challenge: resolving critical pairs (whose selectivity, α, infinitely approaching to 1), and with the shortest possible time. Beyond separation medium, the TiTAN strategy also suggests a route towards general synthesis of porous material with precision macroscopic morphology and microscopic nanostructure.
3D heterotypic models of glioblastoma reveal the impact of microglia on cellular organization and the production of a distinct secretome
Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly brain tumor with a very poor prognosis. Development of new therapeutics is hindered by the lack of appropriate preclinical models that reflect the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, especially the crucial role of microglia. In this study, we investigated the impact of microglia on GBM models using humanized 3D spheroids. Homotypic and heterotypic spheroids were created out of a GBM-derived cell line (DKMG) or patient-derived glioma stem cells (GB22-13), along with a microglia cell line (HMC3). Heterotypic glioma-HMC3 spheroids exhibited increased proliferation and greater drug resistance to chemotherapy drug Temozolomide compared with homotypic spheroids. Heterotypic spheroids also grew larger, developed multinucleated structures within 7 days, and had a greater invasive potential. Additionally, a distinct core-shell structure emerged in the heterotypic spheroids, with glioma cells concentrated in the core and a surrounding layer of microglia forming a protective shell that appeared to hinder drug penetration to the tumor core. Further, heterotypic cells were able to induce migration and polarization of peripheral blood monocytes (THP-1) towards M2 phenotypes, increasing immune evasion. These findings highlight the critical role of microglia in GBM development and progression, demonstrating their contribution to both reduced drug diffusion and increased tumor growth.
Mutation in HER1 enhances stigma exsertion and hybrid seed production in rice
A multifunctional graphene oxide–ZnO nanohybrid for rapid and highly efficient malachite green adsorption and strong broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
Viral mimicry acts as a tumor suppressor in colitis
Impact of vitamin D deficiency on clinical outcomes in non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: A single-center prospective cohort study
Abstract There is growing evidence that neuroinflammation and systemic inflammatory response following SAH have a major effect on patients’ outcomes. We hypothesized that due to the immunomodulating and neuroprotective properties, Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to unfavorable outcome in SAH patients. Consecutive patients admitted with acute non-traumatic SAH were prospectively included. Within 24 h of admission, serum 25(OH)vitamin D levels were measured. During the first 21 days after SAH, inflammatory markers were closely monitored, the development of any infectious complication was noted, and the onset of cerebral vasospasm was evaluated using transcranial color-coded Doppler. New ischemic lesions on follow-up computed tomography imaging were also documented. Patients’ outcomes were assessed according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the Barthel’s Index on days 14, 30, and 90. Onehundred fifteen patients were included, of whom 61 were vitamin D deficient (VDD, serum vitamin D < 50 nmol/L) and 54 were vitamin D sufficient (VDS, serum vitamin D ≧ 50 nmol/L). The incidence of new ischemic lesions was significantly higher in the VDD group (VDD: 68.63% vs. VDS: 40.74%, p = 0.008). The VDD group also had higher peaks in inflammatory markers and a tendency of higher incidence of infections (VDD: 42.62% vs. VDS: 24.07%, p = 0.057). A poor outcome, as defined by the mRS, was significantly more frequent among VDD patients (on day 90: VDD, 61.02% vs. VDS, 35.19%, p = 0.011). Our findings raise the potential harmful effects of D hypovitaminosis among patients with SAH. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to greater inflammatory response and increased risk of secondary ischemia, infections, and poor clinical outcomes. Further studies will show whether low vitamin D levels measured at admission are the consequence of SAH severity or whether pre-ictus hypovitaminosis also plays a role in determining the worse prognosis.
Global impacts of transportation infrastructure on forest degradation and loss
Evaluating flood peak attenuation effectiveness of levee management strategies in braided river reaches: a case study of the lower Yellow River
Decoding efficacy and resistance space at a drug binding site
Abstract Assessing and understanding the impacts of all possible mutations at a drug binding site remain challenging. Here we use multiplex oligo targeting for mutational profiling, and computational modelling, to decode efficacy and resistance space at the otherwise native binding site for an anti-trypanosomal proteasome inhibitor. We saturation-edit twenty codons in the Trypanosoma brucei proteasome and subject the resulting libraries to stepwise drug selection and codon variant scoring, yielding dose-response profiles for >100 resistance-conferring mutants. Codon variant scores are predictive of relative resistance observed using a bespoke set of mutants, while fitness profiling reveals otherwise extensive constraints on mutational fitness and resistance space. The resistance profile is predictive of routes to spontaneous drug resistance observed within ‘accessible’, single nucleotide mutational space, while in silico predictions are closely aligned with impacts on drug resistance observed in cellulo. Thus, multiplex oligo targeting facilitates assessment of all possible mutations at a drug binding site.
Comparison of choroidal hypertransmission and retinal pigment epithelium loss for quantification of geographic atrophy across commonly used SD-OCT devices
Sensory encoding and memory retrieval are coordinated with propagating waves in the human brain
Warming trends and shortened growing seasons: integrating four decades of observations and model simulations to develop wheat adaptation strategies in semi-arid Pakistan
Abstract Climate change is increasingly affecting wheat phenology and productivity in semi-arid regions. This study assessed the impact of long-term climate warming on wheat developmental stages, yield, and management options in rainfed systems of Pakistan. Fourty one years (1980–2020) of phenological (days to anthesis and maturity), yield, and meteorological data (minimum and maximum temperature, and rainfall) were analyzed for two locations: Islamabad (33.67° N, 73.12° E) and Chakwal (32.93° N, 72.86° E). Growing degree days (GDD) were calculated using cardinal temperatures of 4 °C (base), 13.2 °C (optimum), and 35 °C (ceiling). Cumulative GDD ranged from 1,679 to 2,637 °C-days at Chakwal and 2,000–2,500 °C-days at Islamabad. Increasing mean temperatures (18.0 °C at Chakwal and 17.8 °C at Islamabad) were associated with accelerated crop development, reducing days to anthesis (from 127 to 70 days at Chakwal and 133 to 74 days at Islamabad) and maturity (from 155 to 85 days at Chakwal and 163 to 93 days at Islamabad). Consequently, grain yield declined from 2.0 to 1.5 t ha⁻¹ at Chakwal and from 2.3 to 1.4 t ha⁻¹ at Islamabad. Simulated sowing date scenarios showed that early sowing avoided heat stress, whereas delayed sowing caused yield losses of up to 27% at Islamabad and 25% at Chakwal. The results indicate that advancing sowing to 1–15 October and adopting climate-resilient wheat cultivars informed by process-based models can help mitigate warming-induced yield losses.
Deep learning drives autonomous molecular reactions with single-bond selectivity in tetra-brominated porphyrins on Au(111)
Effects of debunking interventions on endorsement of alternative medicine: a randomized controlled experiment in Peru
Abstract Debunking interventions to tackle misconceptions related to scientific issues have gained momentum, especially in the context of health care. In this randomized controlled experiment, we assessed the effectiveness of tailored (i.e., contrarian information addressing participants’ specific motives with an affirmation of their psychological profile) and non-tailored (i.e., general contrarian information regardless of participants’ psychological profile) debunking interventions in a sample of 167 Peruvian participants with positive attitudes toward egg cleanse, a popular local alternative medicine treatment. Our debunking interventions did not significantly correct attitudinal variables related to egg cleanse, such as belief in effectiveness, future use, and preference over conventional medicine. However, exploratory analyses showed significant reductions in endorsement of usage reasons within both the tailored debunk ( d = 0.50) and non-tailored debunk ( d = 0.62) groups. Moreover, a comparison between the two debunking groups indicated that participants who received a tailored debunk were more satisfied with the interaction with the physician than those who received a non-tailored debunk ( d = 0.73). These results suggest that debunking interventions on misinformed health beliefs could have an impact also in the Peruvian cultural context and for alternative medicine, even though more direct attitudinal variables are particularly resistant to change. Strengths and weaknesses of tailored and non-tailored approaches to health misinformation, as well as future research pathways to shed light on the impact and pitfalls of debunking interventions, are discussed.