Browse Articles

Author Correction: Molecular discernment and histopathological features of oncogenic Marek’s disease virus among different farmed avian species in Egypt

Crystal structure of <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> polysaccharide lyase RbmB bound to <i>Vibrio</i> polysaccharide (VPS) fragments provides insights into substrate recognition and cleavage

Exopolysaccharides are carbohydrate polymers secreted by bacteria to perform various roles including adhesion to surfaces, protection from environmental stressors, and as key components in the production of biofilms. The human pathogen Vibrio cholerae produces an exopolysaccharide called VPS, which is essential for the formation of its biofilm matrix through crosslinking interactions with a series of secreted accessory proteins. VPS consists of a repeating tetrasaccharide unit consisting of a uniquely modified α-L-gulose moiety (with N-acetyl, O-acetyl, and amide-linked glycine modifications). Encoded within the cluster containing the biofilm-production genes is a glycoside lyase called RbmB, which cleaves VPS and has been implicated in biofilm dispersal. Here we describe the ~2 Å X-ray structure of RbmB bound to tetrameric and octameric fragments of VPS representing 10 total monosaccharides of an enzyme–product complex. The structure, along with molecular dynamics simulations and complementary functional analyses of mutant proteins in vitro and in vivo, illustrates how recognition and cleavage of VPS relies on salt-bridging interactions between arginine residues in RbmB and the amide-linked glycine moiety uniquely found on the VPS L-gulose and a ~30° bend near the cleavage site that strains the scissile bond. We further present results regarding the localization of RbmB in V. cholerae cells, suggesting that cleavage of VPS by RbmB likely takes place in the periplasm. Sequence conservation suggests that homologous biofilm systems found in many Vibrio species likely utilize a similar VPS cleavage mechanism suggesting that RbmB could be an effective tool for dispersing biofilms across the Vibrio genus and beyond.

Estimation of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-attributable hospitalizations among older adults in Japan between 2015 and 2018: An administrative health claims database analysis

We estimated the incidence rates (IRs) of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related hospitalizations among adults aged ≥60 years in Japan from 2015 to 2018, using a time-series model-based approach to better understand the disease burden. We obtained hospitalization data from the Medical Data Vision (MDV) database, restricted to Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) hospitals. We estimated the annual age-specific RSV-attributable IR of hospitalizations for five cardiorespiratory outcomes based on selected ICD-10 codes employing a quasi-Poisson regression model. We projected our results to all DPC hospitals in Japan and also to all Japanese hospitals. In adults aged ≥60 years, the annual IR of RSV-attributable cardiorespiratory hospitalizations at DPC hospitals was estimated at between 100 and 124 per 100,000 person-years, projecting to 134–229 cardiorespiratory hospitalizations per 100,000 person-years at all hospitals. For respiratory hospitalizations at DPC hospitals, the annual IR was from 69 to 85 per 100,000 person-years (projecting to 96–157 hospitalizations per 100,000 person-years at all hospitals). IRs for all outcomes were consistently higher among adults aged ≥80 years than those 60–79 years. Our results indicate a high burden of RSV-attributable hospitalizations in older adults in Japan, highlighting the need to implement effective RSV prevention strategies.

Sustainable regional corn yield prediction for the United States through interpretable machine learning approach

Abstract Considering crop yield prediction as critical to optimizing agricultural practices and food security, this question is critical to U.S. agricultural planning and regional food security; relevant research on corn, one of the essential crops, must focus on the accurate methods for predicting this crop. It has been discussed that yield prediction models generally rely on simplistic approaches, which fail to capture complex, non-linear relationships in agricultural data. This work fills the knowledge gap by making use of advanced machine-learning techniques to improve the accuracy of corn yield prediction. This study focuses on county-level regional forecasting(U.S) to support agricultural policy and supply chain planning rather than field-specific management decisions. The methodology is in line with the Special Section on Sustainable Computing for Next-Generation Low-Carbon Agricultural Consumer Electronics by designing a data-efficient algorithm that focuses on the Random Forest Classifier, Gradient Boosting Classifier, and Ensemble Voting Classifier. The development of this model entailed the pre-processing of historical data concerning corn yield, defining pertinent attributes, and assessing the confusion matrix, ROC curve, and SHAP values for explainability. This work proposes an ensemble model which has achieved remarkable accuracy and robustness, excelling in performance relative to the existing approaches. The model has also made solid predictions, with a precision, recall, and F1-score of 0.92 and a training accuracy of 0.97. The SHAP further enhances transparency into the features that drive predictions, hence making the model more interpretable. This is of great importance to agricultural planning; this would most probably offer a sound instrument to predict corn yield and optimize resources in agricultural consumer practices. This paper strongly advocates energy-efficient algorithm design, intelligent applications, sustainable computing, efficiency, environmental impact, and resource recycling to drive toward sustainable and efficient corn yield prediction.

Mixed-mobility supported lipid bilayers uncover the role of immobilized ICAM1 on T cell activation and immune synapse organization

The immunological synapse (IS) integrates antigen recognition and adhesion to control T cell activation and effector functions. Reductionist systems have been instrumental in dissecting IS organization, but conventional systems constrain all ligands to be either mobile or immobile, unlike antigen-presenting cells where intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) is cytoskeletally anchored while T cell receptor (TCR) ligands remain mobile. Here, we establish mixed-mobility supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) that simultaneously present mobile TCR agonists and immobile ICAM1. Selective immobilization of ICAM1 disrupts centripetal F-actin flow, prevents centralization of TCR microclusters and shifts signaling to peripheral microclusters. This attenuates TCR downregulation through ectocytosis while maintaining recycling, and enhances integrin mechanotransduction, reflected in increased phosphorylation of Focal Adhesion Kinase, Paxillin, and the stretch-sensitive adaptor CasL. Functionally, immobilized ICAM1 augments T cell activation, degranulation, Perforin release, and cytotoxicity. Importantly, these findings were recapitulated in a cell–cell system engineered to express either full-length, cytoskeleton-anchored ICAM1 or a truncated form lacking cytoskeletal association, with full-length ICAM1 consistently promoting stronger effector responses. These findings identify ligand mobility as a key biophysical parameter that shapes IS organization and T cell effector responses and establish mixed-mobility SLBs as a powerful tool for probing receptor mechanics in immunity.

Distribution and evolution of the LysR-type transcriptional regulators of the Salmonella genus

LysR-type transcriptional regulators (LTTRs) are one of the most abundant transcriptional regulators in nature and are involved in multiple essential biological process in bacteria. In this work we show that LTTRs are highly abundant in Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovars able to infect humans ( S. Typhi), whereas the number of LTTRs decreases substantially in reptile commensals ( Salmonella enterica subspecies arizonae , diarizonae , houtenae , indica, salamae and Salmonella bongori ). In addition, it is also reported the presence of a Salmonella LTTR core, LTTRs exclusive to the Salmonella genus and LTTRs like CysB that is widely distributed in the Enterobacteriales order and their orthologous sequences separate clades at the genus level, suggesting that CysB has evolved in parallel with the corresponding lineage. Therefore, there are LTTRs that evolved as part of the core of microorganisms that provide essential genetic functions to the cell, as well as a LTTR accessory pool that provides different capabilities to specific microorganisms for survival in nature and in different environments of the host.

A comparative analysis of crossovers in genetic algorithms for route optimization: case studies from Astana and Shymkent, Kazakhstan

The membrane-associated ubiquitin ligase MARCHF8 degrades MHC-I in HPV-positive head and neck cancer for immune evasion

The loss of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules has been proposed as a mechanism for cancer immune evasion. Nevertheless, the mechanism is poorly understood. We report here that membrane-associated RING-CH-type finger 8 (MARCHF8), upregulated by human papillomavirus (HPV), ubiquitinates and degrades MHC-I in HPV-positive head and neck cancer (HPV+ HNC). Inhibiting MARCHF8 restores MHC-I levels on HPV+ HNC cells, suppresses tumor growth, and increases the infiltration of natural killer (NK) and T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, Marchf8 knockout markedly increases cross talk between cytotoxic NK cells and CD8 + T cells with macrophages and enhances the tumor-killing activity of CD8 + T cells. Interestingly, Marchf8 knockout, in combination with anti-PD-1 treatment, further enhances tumor suppression and increases NK and T cell infiltration in mice bearing immune checkpoint inhibitor–refractory tumors. Our findings suggest that MARCHF8 could be a promising target for immunotherapy for HPV+ HNC patients.

Expression of Concern: Ezrin interacts with the tumor suppressor CHL1 and promotes neuronal differentiation of human neuroblastoma

A computational microscope for fluctuations: Bringing crystal nucleation into focus

Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic bacteriuria in community-dwelling Korean adults

The clinical characteristics of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in community-dwelling Asian adults remain underexplored. We aimed to identify the potential risk factors for ASB in an Asian population. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 8,508 participants. Urinary bacteria were quantified using urine flow cytometry and semi-quantitatively reported on a scale from negative to 3 + . For this epidemiologic analysis, bacteriuria was operationally defined as a flow cytometry result of ≥1 + , rather than by culture-based criteria. ASB was defined as bacteriuria accompanied by a self-reported negative answer to the question: “Have you recently experienced any sudden and frequent need to urinate?” The overall prevalence of ASB was 4.6%, with rates of 5.9% in women and 1.0% in men under 50, and 9.5% in women and 1.6% in men over 50. Older age, women, and diabetes were associated with increased odds of having ASB, whereas high physical activity and serum albumin levels were associated with decreased odds. Regardless of age, diabetes status, and physical activity and serum albumin levels, women showed higher odds of ASB than did men. Men and women with high physical activity and serum albumin levels showed lower odds of ASB than those without high levels. Age, sex, diabetes, physical activity, and serum albumin levels were independently associated with ASB among community-dwelling Korean adults. Future studies need to confirm the potential beneficial association of high physical activity and serum albumin levels with ASB in men and women.

A wireless sweat sensing with a pH-based correlation model for continuous glucose monitoring and diabetes management during exercise

In situ monitoring of sweat glucose during exercise can provide a real-time and continuous assessment of blood glucose dynamics. However, the relatively poor correlation between sweat and blood glucose concentrations during exercise makes it challenging for blood glucose management (BGM) during exercise therapy for diabetes, along with training for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. This work presents a flexible wireless sweat glucose and pH sensing platform integrated with a pH-based correlation model to accurately predict the continuous changes in blood glucose. The pH-based correlation model calibrates enzyme activity changes in glucose oxidase and accounts for the effects of sweat dilution and filtering during paracellular transport of glucose from interstitial fluid and plasma to sweat during exercise. The correlation model has been validated in both healthy individuals and diabetic patients, revealing distinct blood glucose dynamic patterns between the two cohorts. The observed different glucose fluctuations after the intake of various nutritive foods further facilitate the management of diabetes and allow for the identification of hypo-/hyperglycemic risks during training or fitness exercise. The exercise-based device platform combines continuous blood glucose monitoring with diabetes management through effective treatment evaluation and can also provide early prevention for the at-risk population and reduce or even reverse diabetes.

Effects of the incorporation of honey from Apis mellifera from the Amazon savanna on the technological and sensory properties of yogurt during refrigerated storage

The development of new yogurt formulations that provide additional health benefits has gained prominence in recent years. The objective of this study was to characterize the physicochemical, antioxidant, technological, microstructural and sensory properties of the honey of Apis mellifera bees from the Amazon savanna and evaluate its inclusion at different concentrations (8%, 12%, 16% and 20%) of yogurt during 28 days of refrigerated storage. The results showed that honey is within the recommended quality parameters for this product. The amount of added honey had positive effects on the color characteristics, water holding capacity and total solids content (P &lt; 0.05), increasing the nutritional value of the yogurt. The highest concentrations of honey (16% and 20%) presented relatively high antioxidant activity (measured via the DPPH method) and were the most sensorially accepted (P &lt; 0.05) by consumers. In addition, the highest concentration of honey (20%) favored the stability of syneresis and resulted in higher levels of total polyphenol compounds (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of honey from Apis mellifera from the Amazon savanna to yogurt formulation proved to be an effective strategy to improve the quality and acceptability of the final product. In addition to standing out as a promising ingredient for the development of functional foods, its incorporation represents a relevant innovation for the local food sector, with new perspectives for the creation of differentiated products aligned with the contemporary demands for healthy and sustainable foods.

Psoriasis-like disease prevents squamous skin tumor development by neutrophil-driven inflammation

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Although growing evidence links chronic inflammation with increased cancer risk, the association between psoriasis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is still elusive. Using cell transplantation and chemical-induced models of cSCC combined with inducible genetically engineered mouse models of psoriasis, we investigated how chronic skin and systemic inflammation affects squamous skin tumor initiation and progression. Here we show that in the context of severe psoriasis-like disease, neutrophil-dependent inflammation prevents squamous skin tumor development. Cellular and molecular analyses of psoriasis-like skin at the tumor initiation stage revealed a marked infiltration of CD54–expressing neutrophils, associated with the release of cytotoxic granules and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), as well as enhanced senescence and the expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype in keratinocytes. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrated that inflammatory N1-like neutrophils mediate reprogramming of the cell–cell communication networks, while keratinocytes displayed diminished responsiveness to mitogenic signals, including epidermal growth factor and Wnt/β-catenin. Importantly, neutrophil depletion ameliorated psoriasis-like inflammation, abolished the senescence-like phenotype in keratinocytes and restored tumor growth. We propose that the release of neutrophil granules and NETs in psoriasis-like skin eliminate tumor cells and/or mediate oxidative and inflammatory stress-induced senescence in keratinocytes, thereby preventing tumor growth. Taken together, we have defined an innate control of skin tumorigenesis in psoriasis-like disease, which will be relevant for developing cancer prevention strategies.

The role of physical activity in modulating six-minute walk distance in adolescents

Purpose The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is one of the most widely utilized submaximal tests to assess cardiorespiratory fitness in both healthy and clinical populations. The present study aims to provide 6MWT reference values for Italian adolescents (11–18 years) and to identify key variables influencing the six-minute walk distance (6MWD). Methods Data were collected from 3276 Italian adolescents (48% males). Participants provided self-reported age, height, weight, and weekly practice of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). 6MWT was performed to assess participants’ cardiorespiratory fitness. Results Average distances of 730.0 (IQR: 674.0–788.0) and 675.0 (IQR: 624.0–720.0) meters were walked in the 6MWT by male and female adolescents, respectively. Multiple linear regression models, used to investigate whether demographics, anthropometrics, and MVPA predicted the 6MWD, revealed statistically significant results in both males ( p  &lt; .001, F = 28.94, adjusted R 2  = 0.11) and females ( p  &lt; .001, F = 23.00, adjusted R 2  = 0.09). In male adolescents, MVPA and age positively predicted the 6MWD, whereas BMI negatively predicted the 6MWD. In female adolescents, MVPA positively predicted 6MWD, whereas age and BMI negatively predicted 6MWD. No interaction effects were found. Conclusion The reference percentiles of distance walked, classified by sex and age, reported in the present study can be used as a practical tool to assess adolescents’ cardiorespiratory fitness. This study also highlights the importance of PA engagement in this population, as it was considerably associated with the average distance walked. Consequently, in addition to anthropometric and demographic variables, future studies should pay particular attention to the amount of MVPA practiced.

Banana aroma is a result of acetohydroxyacid synthase and isopropylmalate synthase alternative isoforms that bypass feedback inhibition

The distinctive aroma of banana fruit ( Musa spp.) results from the upregulation of a pathway that is, paradoxically, understood to be feedback limited. The primary character impact compounds in banana are branched-chain esters with 3-methylbutyl moieties. Recent work has established that these esters, as well as prominent “fruity” 2-methylpropyl and butyl esters, are derived from the ripening-dependent de novo synthesis of the branched-chain amino acids valine and leucine, and their respective α-ketoacid precursors. The biosynthetic pathway possesses two sequential, rate-limiting, and feedback-inhibited enzymes: acetohydroxyacid synthase and isopropylmalate synthase. We found these enzymes to be alternatively spliced in ripening banana fruit pulp. Unripe fruit and nonfruit tissues had only trace levels of alternative splicing. Revealingly, the domains corresponding to the allosteric inhibitory binding of valine and/or leucine were truncated in the altered isoforms. During ripening, the expression and frequency of the shorter splice forms increased concomitantly with production of branched-chain esters and accumulation of their α-ketoacid precursors. Purified proteins of the modified isoforms were active but relieved of feedback inhibition. Transient expression of the shortened isoforms in Nicotiana benthamiana led to a greater accumulation of iso -branched-chain metabolites than the full-length isoforms. Results indicate that a developmentally dependent and simultaneous dysregulation in two sequential steps of the branched-chain amino acid synthetic pathway enables the biosynthesis of banana fruit’s unique character-impact esters.

Retraction: Drivers of domestic migration in Vietnam: The characteristics of the households and their heads, environmental factors and living conditions

Ambient-pressure 151-K superconductivity in HgBa ₂ Ca ₂ Cu ₃ O _8+δ via pressure quench

Superconductivity has been a vigorously researched topic since its discovery in 1911. Raising the superconducting transition temperature (T c ) has been the main driving force behind such long-sustained efforts due to its potential for impacting humanity and the fundamental knowledge gained from understanding this macroscopic coherent quantum state at high temperatures. The successful development of high-T c superconductivity will make possible extraordinarily efficient generation, delivery, and utilization of energy and could also enable the development of controlled fusion while impacting other burgeoning fields like quantum computation and quantum electronics. However, progress has been hindered by a longstanding plateau in the record ambient-pressure T c , unchanged since 1993. Subsequent significant advancements in T c have been achieved only under high pressures, preventing the realization of superconductivity’s full potential. To directly address this challenge, we developed a pressure-quench protocol (PQP) to stabilize pressure-induced/-enhanced superconducting states at ambient pressure. Here, we achieve a record ambient-pressure T c of 151 K in the cuprate HgBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 8+δ via PQP. The experimental results are further supported by synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements and phonon and electronic structure calculations. This breakthrough opens avenues for stabilizing and exploring ambient-pressure high-T c superconducting states and other quantum states that have been previously only accessible under pressure, paving the way for deeper understanding and practical applications of high-T c superconductivity and beyond.

Explaining urban street perception inequities between residents and tourists using interpretable machine learning

Understanding how different social groups perceive urban streets is essential for inclusive and sustainable urban design. This study proposes an interpretable and scalable machine learning framework that integrates Street View Images with subjective evaluations to examine perceptual differences between residents and tourists. Using data from Xi’an’s historic Mingcheng District, we collected perception ratings across five dimensions-safety, comfort, convenience, pleasure, and sociability-and analyzed how visual and environmental features shape these perceptions. The framework combines predictive modeling and explainable analysis to uncover both linear and nonlinear drivers of perception. The results show that tourists are more responsive to symbolic and aesthetic cues, while residents emphasize functional and comfort-related features. Key visual elements such as vegetation, building facades, and spatial openness exert different effects on the two groups. By revealing these perceptual disparities, the study provides actionable insights for perception-informed and equitable street design strategies that better address the needs of diverse urban users.

Prevalence and associations of trachoma before interventions in six departments of the Colombian Amazon and Orinoquía

Background Between 2011 and 2012, trachoma was identified as a public health problem in the department of Vaupés, Amazon region, Colombia. Given the existence of an epidemiological link and shared risk factors, we conducted prevalence surveys in six further departments: Amazonas, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo, Caquetá and Vichada in 2015 and 2016. Objective The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in individuals aged ≥15 years, and to identify factors associated with TF. Methodology In each department, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a two-stage cluster sampling design. Data entry was undertaken directly into mobile devices, in accordance with the processes of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP). Based on the sampling frame obtained from the Colombian political-administrative division (Divipola), a representative sample of the rural areas of the departments was applied, randomly selecting clusters (communities) and households within clusters. In these households, all residents aged ≥1 year were examined for signs of trachoma using the definitions of the World Health Organization (WHO) simplified grading system. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with presence of TF, and the geospatial distribution of this sign was represented through maps. Results The prevalence of TF in children aged 1–9 years exceeded the 5% threshold in four departments (Guainía, Vichada, Amazonas, and Guaviare), and TT prevalence was higher than 0.2% ≥ 15 years old in only one (Guainía) highlighting the need to implement the SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement) strategy. Conclusions Trachoma is a public health problem in several areas of the Colombian Amazon and Orinoquía regions. Our data indicate a need to implement comprehensive interventions in accordance with WHO recommendations.