Browse Articles

Fresnel reflection coefficients in the Fourier domain for a planar surface in uniform motion parallel to its interface

Abstract The optical reflection coefficient of a medium moving uniformly in the plane spanned by its surface is rigorously calculated using classical electrodynamics and special relativity, and expressed in the Fourier domain, as a function of the incident frequency and wavevector, valid in both the far- and near-field regimes. It is found that cross-polarisation appears as a consequence of the motion, except when it is directed along the plane of incidence. As an example, using a Drude model for the permittivity of the surface at rest, the dispersion relation of its surface modes is calculated. A tilting of the dispersion relation is observed, leading to movement-induced surface plasmon unidirectionality and non-reciprocity.

Prognostic nutritional index predicts staging and mortality in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome

Background Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM) is a multisystem disorder involving cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases, associated with high mortality risk. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), reflecting nutritional and immune status, predicts outcomes in various diseases. This study evaluates PNI’s association with CKM stages and mortality. Methods Data from 10,448 CKM patients in the 1999–2018 NHANES cohort were analyzed. Weighted logistic regression assessed PNI’s relation to CKM stages. Nonlinear relationships were explored via restricted cubic spline and two-piecewise linear regression. Kaplan-Meier and Cox models examined PNI’s association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Subgroup analyses explored interactions with demographic and clinical factors. Significance was set at P  < 0.05. Results PNI was highest in CKM stage 0 and lowest in stage 4 (53.52 ± 0.16 vs. 51.54 ± 0.25, P  < 0.001). Notably, an inverted U-shaped relationship was identified for early stages (0–1), while an inverse association was observed for stage 4 and advanced CKM. Over a median 123-month follow-up, the highest PNI quartile had superior survival for all-cause (83.63% vs. 52.58%, P  < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (95.69% vs. 88.18%, P  < 0.001). PNI was inversely correlated with mortality risk, with specific thresholds observed at 50 for all-cause mortality and 51 for cardiovascular mortality. This association was modified by gender, race, and BMI. Conclusion PNI is significantly associated with both early and advanced stages of CKM. PNI serves as an independent predictor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in CKM patients.

Prognostic value of premaintenance FDG PET/CT response in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma from the CASSIOPEIA trial

Abstract The CASSIOPEIA trial demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) with the addition of daratumumab to bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (D-VTd) induction/consolidation, and with daratumumab maintenance vs observation in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). The companion study, CASSIOPET, assessed the prognostic value of premaintenance (PM) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) response, based on the standardized Deauville score on PFS and overall survival (OS), in addition to bone marrow (BM) minimal residual disease (MRD) detection by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) at 10–5 level. PM PET/CT was available for 225 patients: 112 patients treated with daratumumab after D-VTd (59) or bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTd; 53), and 113 patients followed by observation after D-VTd (56) or VTd (57). At PM, 92% of the 175 baseline PET-positive patients achieved PET negativity, with a longer PFS in univariate analysis (P = .019) and a major trend of prolonged OS (P = .056). In univariate analysis, patients who achieved both PET and MFC negativity were found to have a better PFS (P < .0001) than those who had at least 1 positive result. In daratumumab-treated patients, PM PET negativity was associated with prolonged PFS and OS in univariate analysis (P = .0023 and P = .033, respectively), and double MFC and PET negativity was independently associated with PFS by multivariate analysis (P = .0006). This study confirms the prognostic relevance of a PM PET response in patients with NDMM treated with daratumumab in addition to MRD detection by MFC at the BM level. This trial was registered at ww.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02541383.

Laser spectroscopy and CP-violation sensitivity of actinium monofluoride

H2AK119ub dynamics control hair follicle stem cell quiescence

Correction: NT-I7, a novel long-acting interleukin-7, promotes anti-PD-1 efficacy in an autologous humanized melanoma model

Contribution of women’s preference to the overuse of caesarean sections: A propensity score matching analysis based on a multi-country cross-sectional survey, as part of the QUALI-DEC project

Introduction Maternal request for caesarean section has often been cited to justify the increasing caesarean section rates worldwide. However, we lack evidence on the impact of women’s preference for caesarean section on this dramatic tendency. Given the need to develop appropriate strategies to reduce unnecessary caesarean section, the objective of this study was to assess the association between women’s preference for caesarean section and its actual use, and to estimate the proportion of caesarean section associated with women’s preference for caesarean section in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand and Viet Nam. Methods A cross-sectional hospital-based survey among postpartum women was conducted in 32 hospitals (8 per country) between 2020 and 2022. We selected women with no potential medical indication for caesarean section among a random sample of women who delivered in participating facilities during the data collection period. We chose a propensity score matching approach, to compare the probability of giving birth by caesarean section between women who, late in pregnancy, preferred caesarean section and those who preferred vaginal birth. Results A total of 1,827 low-risk women were included, of whom 10.4% preferred a caesarean section and the average caesarean section rate was 24.5%. The results show that, on average, preference for caesarean section increased the probability of having a caesarean section by 32% (CI 95% [0.23–0.41]; p < 0.001). The relative risk was estimated at 2.69 (CI 95%: 2.43; 2.95) and the fraction of caesarean section associated with women’s preference was estimated at 15% (CI 95%: 12.9% − 16.9%). Conclusion Although women’s preference plays a role in the use of caesarean section in the participating hospitals, it likely accounts for only a small proportion of the caesarean section performed, highlighting the need for multidimensional, context-specific strategies to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections (providing women with evidence-based information, improving clinicians’ adherence to guidelines and shared decision-making, addressing systemic factors…).

An immunostimulatory CELMoD combination overcomes resistance to T-cell engagers caused by a high multiple myeloma burden

Abstract Bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs) targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and CD3, induce deep hematologic responses in ∼60% of heavily pretreated patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We and others found that high tumor burden leads to resistance to TCE and novel strategies are urgently needed to improve responses in this setting. Ikaros degraders, including immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) and cereblon E3 ligase modulatory drugs (CELMoDs), represent logical partners for TCEs due to their direct anti-MM effects and additional immune-stimulatory activity; however, it is unclear how to optimally combine them with TCEs. Taking advantage of the immunocompetent IMiD-sensitive Vk∗MYChCRBN murine model of MM, we optimized strategies to overcome primary resistance to BCMA-TCEs and achieve sustained remission, while maintaining a manageable safety profile. The addition of anti–programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and pomalidomide reduced the T-cell exhaustion that occurs in response to TCEs in high tumor burden settings. This allowed for a higher degree of T-cell activation and significant improvement in response rates but also increased risk of lethal cytokine release syndrome (CRS). To moderate the response and prevent CRS, we evaluated Ikaros degraders and dexamethasone (DEX) with step-up–dosed TCEs. Pretreatment with iberdomide and DEX reshaped the bone marrow T-cell compartment, promoted infiltration of naïve T cells, and generated 100% response rates and the longest survival in subjects with high tumor burden. This was accompanied by more favorable T-cell profiling, with limited expansion of regulatory T cells and exhaustion. Overall, administering a TCE after DEX and iberdomide treatments provided deeper and more durable responses with a reduced risk of CRS.

A long-necked early dinosaur from a newly discovered Upper Triassic basin in the Andes

Motion-corrected eye tracking improves gaze accuracy during visual fMRI experiments

Abstract Human eye movements are essential for understanding cognition, yet achieving high-precision eye tracking in functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) remains challenging. Even slight head shifts from the initial calibration position can introduce drift in eye tracking data, leading to substantial gaze inaccuracies. To address this, we present Motion-Corrected Eye Tracking (MoCET), which corrects drift using head motion parameters derived from fMRI preprocessing. MoCET requires no additional hardware and can be applied retrospectively to existing datasets. We show that it outperforms conventional detrending methods with respect to accuracy of gaze estimation and offers higher spatial and temporal precision compared to magnetic resonance-based eye tracking approaches. By overcoming a key limitation in integrating eye tracking with fMRI, MoCET enables precise investigations of naturalistic vision and cognition in fMRI research.

Incorporating defects and moisture in MOE evaluation for automated timber grading

Expression of Concern: Risk assessment of shoulder dystocia via the difference between transverse abdominal and biparietal diameters: A retrospective observational cohort study

<i>LEF1</i> intragenic deletions: is Wnt’er coming for T-ALL?

A small periplasmic protein governs broad physiological adaptations in Vibrio cholerae via regulation of the DbfRS two-component system

Abstract Two-component signaling pathways allow bacteria to sense and respond to environmental changes, yet the sensory mechanisms of many remain poorly understood. In the pathogen Vibrio cholerae , the DbfRS two-component system controls the biofilm lifecycle, a critical process for environmental persistence and host colonization. Here, we identified DbfQ, a small periplasmic protein encoded adjacent to dbfRS , as a direct modulator of pathway activity. DbfQ directly binds the sensory domain of the histidine kinase DbfS, shifting it toward phosphatase activity and promoting biofilm dispersal. In contrast, outer membrane perturbations, caused by mutations in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis genes or membrane-damaging antimicrobials, activate phosphorylation of the response regulator DbfR. Transcriptomic analyses reveal that DbfR phosphorylation leads to broad transcriptional changes spanning genes involved in biofilm formation, central metabolism, and cellular stress responses. Constitutive DbfR phosphorylation imposes severe fitness costs in an infection model, highlighting this pathway as a potential target for anti-infective therapeutics. We find that dbfQRS -like genetic modules are widely present across bacterial phyla, underscoring their broad relevance in bacterial physiology. Collectively, these findings establish DbfQ as a new class of periplasmic regulator that influences two-component signaling and bacterial adaptation.

Accurate prediction of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia using machine learning in critically ill patients

Editorial Note: Short treatment with antalarmin alters adrenal gland receptors in the rat model of endometriosis

MECOM is a master repressor of myeloid differentiation through dose control of <i>CEBPA</i> in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract The transcription factor MECOM, located at 3q26, is essential for hematopoietic stem cells in healthy individuals. Enhancer translocations, due to 3q26 rearrangements, drive out-of-context MECOM expression in one of the most aggressive subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Aberrantly expressed MECOM is essential for the survival and immature phenotype of these leukemia cells. Direct depletion of MECOM using an endogenous auxin-inducible degron immediately upregulates expression of CEBPA, which encodes a transcription factor required for neutrophil development and is frequently mutated in other AML subtypes. MECOM depletion is accompanied by a severe loss of CD34 and gain of mature myeloid cell surface marker CD15. MECOM exerts its inhibitory effect on differentiation by binding to the +42-kilobase CEBPA enhancer. This is partially dependent on the interaction between MECOM and its corepressor CTBP2. We demonstrate that CEBPA overexpression can bypass the MECOM-mediated block of differentiation. In addition, patients with AML with MECOM overexpression through enhancer hijacking show significantly reduced CEBPA levels. Our study directly connects 2 major players in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, MECOM and CEBPA, and unveils how MECOM maintains self-renewal by repressing CEBPA-induced differentiation.

Molecular insights into ligand recognition and signaling of OXGR1

Risk stratification for postoperative complications after CRS and HIPEC in recurrent ovarian cancer patients: a comparative analysis of logistic regression and machine learning models

Abstract Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is associated with improved survival in recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) but carries a high risk of postoperative complications. Accurate perioperative risk stratification remains an unmet need. To develop and internally validate a perioperative risk model for postoperative complications in ROC patients using information available by the end of surgery (pre- and intra-operative data), and to compare logistic regression (LR) and artificial neural networks (ANN) as possible predictive models. A retrospective analysis of 71 patients treated with CRS and HIPEC between 2011 and 2022 was performed. Clinical, surgical, and perioperative variables were analysed. Predictors were restricted to variables available at or before the end of the index operation, which prevents information leakage by using only data available at prediction time. LR and ANN models were developed and assessed with cross-validation. Performance reporting followed TRIPOD (Type b) and TRIPOD + AI, with Brier score, and calibration slope/intercept from out‑of‑fold (OOF) predictions. Thresholded metrics (accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, AUC) were summarised at a prespecified probability cut-off. Exploratory univariate odds ratio analyses with Holm-adjusted p-values were used to explore procedure–complication associations. Postoperative complications occurred in 45% of patients. LR identified blood loss ( p  = 0.005) and number of procedures ( p  = 0.042) as significant predictors of complications. The LR model achieved an accuracy of 66.2%, precision of 64.3%, recall of 56.2%, F1 score of 60.0%, and AUC of 0.700. The ANN model achieved an accuracy of 97.2%, precision of 94.3%, recall of 100%, F1 score of 97.1%, and AUC of 0.967. Hysterectomy with adnexa (OR = 11.67, p  = 0.035) and metastasectomy (OR = 7.42, p  = 0.042) were significantly associated with higher postoperative complication rates. ANN demonstrated superior predictive performance compared to LR in identifying postoperative complications after CRS and HIPEC, as indicated by ROC analysis. Combining traditional statistical modelling with modern machine learning may enhance ROC for perioperative risk stratification after CRS with HIPEC. A well-calibrated, interpretable LR model together with a highly discriminative ANN could enable more tailored allocation of intensive care resources and earlier identification of high-risk patients, potentially improving the safety of this demanding but beneficial treatment. However, external multicentre validation is required before clinical implementation.

Association between handgrip strength and quality of life among adults with asthma: Findings from a nationally representative Korean population

Asthma is a prevalent chronic disease worldwide, and individuals with asthma often experience reduced quality of life (QOL) due to symptoms such as dyspnea and impaired physical function. Given the vulnerability of this population, identifying strategies to maintain or improve QOL is essential. Asthma-related physical inactivity and muscle weakness may increase the risk of sarcopenia, which can further deteriorate QOL. This study aimed to examine the association between handgrip strength and health-related QOL in Korean adults with asthma. We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2014 and 2019. A total of 867 adults aged ≥19 years who reported a physician diagnosis of asthma and completed handgrip strength and EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) assessments were included. Participants were categorized into high- and low-handgrip-strength groups based on sex-specific thresholds (28.9 kg for men and 16.8 kg for women). The EQ-5D index was used to classify patients into low-, middle-, and high-QOL groups. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between handgrip strength and QOL, adjusting for age, sex, household income, education, smoking status, high-risk alcohol use, resistance exercise, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and depression. Participants with higher handgrip strength were more likely to be in the high-QOL group than those with lower handgrip strength (adjusted OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.22–4.16). In the subgroup analyses, the association was significant in women (adjusted OR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.32–6.29), but not in men. A significant association was also observed in participants with as-needed medication use, but not in those with daily medication use. Higher handgrip strength was associated with better QOL in adults with asthma, particularly among women and those with less severe disease. Interventions aimed at improving muscle strength may contribute to enhanced QOL in this population.