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Changes in the pulmonary surfactant in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19

Introduction Changes in the pulmonary surfactant have been seen in severe COVID-19, but data on mild to moderate COVID-19 is scarce. The aim of this study was to explore the protein and phospholipid profiles in the small airways in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Methods 29 cases with COVID-19 and 17 healthy controls were examined at baseline. 22 cases were re-examined at follow-up after recovery from COVID-19. Airwave oscillometry was performed and the biological material from the respiratory tract lining fluid was collected with the PExA (Particles in Exhaled Air) method. SOMAscan was used for the analysis of proteins, and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for phospholipids. Results 95 lipid species belonging to 8 lipid classes, and 46 proteins were analysed. Relative amounts of 13 lipid species differed between cases and controls at baseline, and of 24 lipid species at follow-up. At follow-up, the phosphatidylethanolamine class (PE) was significantly lower in cases at than in controls, and a significant decrease in PE, as well as a change in 20 lipid species from baseline to follow-up in cases was seen. The protein profile did not differ between cases and controls either at baseline or follow-up, or between repeated measurements in cases. Conclusions The observed alterations in the surfactant phospholipids in the RTLF indicate that surfactant homeostasis is affected already in mild to moderate COVID-19, and these changes appear to persist over time.

Daratumumab for High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma

Passive electroculture using copper rods does not improve yield in home container vegetable gardening

Electroculture, or the practice of applying electric fields or current to plants, has been explored for nearly three hundred years. Recently, home gardeners on social media have adopted the term electroculture to describe inserting copper-wrapped dowels into root soil as a cost-effective means of improving crop yield in small garden spaces. Given the renewed interest, big box stores have begun stocking copper-wrapped dowels as a means of improving plant growth in urban container gardens, yet whether such passive electroculture is sufficiently beneficial to plant growth to justify the cost and materials, particularly of copper, remains debated. It is likely that copper rods produce too little voltage to affect plant physiology. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that 1) inserting copper-wrapped dowel rods into the soil will not improve plant growth, photosynthesis, or yield, and 2) if copper-wrapped dowel rods improve plant growth, it is due to copper fertilization rather than electrical conductance. We tested these hypotheses on two leafy green vegetables, mustard greens and kale, and two root vegetables, beets and turnips, to determine if plant life history was an important factor in the efficacy of passive electroculture. We found no consistent evidence that passive electroculture is beneficial to crop growth or yield in container gardens. Although we documented statistically significant effects of buried copper on the above- and belowground biomass of turnips, it is unlikely that improved turnip yield was due to copper fertilization because plants grown with exposed copper rods did not show the same effect. While crop production could potentially be enhanced by the application of active electrical fields, the voltages required exceed what is produced by copper-wrapped wooden dowels. We therefore suggest that both the production and purchase of such products would waste both financial and natural resources.

Gasping for Strength

Association between albumin infusion and sepsis risk of patients with acute pancreatitis

Objective To investigate whether early administration of serum albumin infusion in the acute pancreatitis (AP) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) reduces the risk of sepsis. Methods Data were collected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III and IV databases for this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was the occurrence of sepsis in AP patients. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate the association between albumin infusion and sepsis risk of AP patients. Additional subgroup analysis by stratification to serum albumin were also performed. Results The study included 779 patients with AP. They were divided into a sepsis group (83 patients) and a non-sepsis group (696 patients) according to whether they developed sepsis, and the prevalence of sepsis was approximately 10.65%. Multivariate logistic regression model indicated that albumin infusion was associated with decreased risk of sepsis in the AP patients [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.13–0.88]. Subgroup analysis showed a negative association between the albumin infusion and sepsis risk in the AP patients with serum albumin ≤ 3.5g/L (adjusted OR=0.29, 95%CI = 0.08–0.77). Conclusion In this study, we found an association between albumin administration and a lower risk of sepsis in AP patients, which persisted after multivariate adjustment. This suggests that albumin infusion may have unique potential benefits for this population.

Neonatal Fc Receptor — Biology and Therapeutics

Interactions between TTYH2 and APOE facilitate endosomal lipid transfer

Abstract The Tweety homologues (TTYHs) constitute a family of eukaryotic membrane proteins that, on the basis of structural features, were recently proposed to contribute to lipid transfer between soluble carriers and cellular membranes1. However, in the absence of supporting data, this function was hypothetical. Here through pull-down of endogenous proteins, we identify APOE as the interaction partner of human TTYH2. Subcellular fractionation and immunocytochemistry assays showed that both proteins colocalize in endosomal compartments. Characterization of the specific interaction between APOE and TTYH2 through binding assays and structural studies enabled us to identify an epitope in an extended domain of TTYH2 that faces the endosomal lumen. Structures of complexes with APOE-containing lipoprotein particles revealed a binding mode that places lipids in a suitable position to facilitate their diffusion into the membrane. Moreover, in vitro studies revealed that lipid transfer is accelerated by TTYH2. Collectively, our findings indicate that TTYH2 has a role in the unloading of APOE-containing lipoproteins after they are endocytosed. These results define a new protein class that facilitates the extraction of lipids from and their insertion into cellular membranes. Although ubiquitous, this process could be of particular relevance in the brain, where APOE is involved in the transfer of lipids between astrocytes and neurons.

Metacontrast masking of symmetric stimuli

This study investigated whether symmetry perception is vulnerable to metacontrast masking and whether such masking selectively disrupts feedback-dependent visual processes. Across four experiments, we employed a metacontrast paradigm with briefly presented targets (20 ms) followed by masks at varying stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs), manipulating both target–mask configuration and task demands. All experiments produced the classic U-shaped accuracy-by-SOA curve associated with Type B masking, where performance is lowest at intermediate SOAs. Critically, performance at 0 ms SOA varied depending on the perceptual compatibility of the stimuli. In Experiments 1 and 2, the target and mask were spatially complementary and could be perceptually grouped into a unified figure. Under these conditions, performance at 0 ms SOA exceeded the no-mask baseline, reflecting facilitation due to perceptual integration. In contrast, in Experiments 3 and 4—where the stimuli and mask had no complementary shape and could not be integrated into a coherent object—performance at 0 ms SOA was slightly suppressed, indicating that integration failed to occur. These findings suggest that facilitation at short SOAs depends on the rapid formation of a coherent perceptual object, whereas symmetry detection—requiring temporally extended, feedback-supported integration—is more susceptible to early interruption by masking. Together, these results support both dual-channel and recurrent models of visual masking. Type B suppression reflects interactions between fast feedforward and slower feedback signals, while the presence or absence of early facilitation serves as an index of perceptual organization. These findings underscore how stimulus structure and task context affect the temporal dynamics of shape perception.

Restoring the Infant Mortality Rate as a Measure of Societal Health and Well-Being

Characterization of depth perception information inferred from neuronal activity in primary visual cortex

Depth perception is crucial for spatial awareness, enabling animals to interpret three-dimensional environments. Although the primary visual cortex (V1) is known to process depth information, the specific contributions of V1 neurons to various aspects of depth perception remain underexplored. In this study, we investigated how V1 neurons engage in both passive and active depth-related tasks, examining whether distinct neuronal populations support different aspects of depth processing. Using in vivo calcium imaging in freely moving mice, we observed that specific groups of V1 neurons are selectively active in passive (visual cliff) and active (depth discrimination) tasks, suggesting functional segregation within V1. Additionally, neurons in the primary visual cortex prefer encoding objective positions rather than egocentric distances in non-depth-based tasks. Moreover, egocentric distance discrimination, as reflected by the primary visual cortex, appears to be more prospective. These findings provide insight into V1’s versatility, highlighting its potential role in spatial navigation and decision-making.

Vepdegestrant, a PROTAC Estrogen Receptor Degrader, in Advanced Breast Cancer

Inconclusive proof of ferroelectricity in peptide-VDF ribbons

Mental health-related, existential, and biological factors are associated with the desire to hasten death in Mexican cancer patients undergoing palliative care: A single-center study

Introduction The wish to hasten death (WTHD) is a clinically significant phenomenon that arises from complex suffering. It has been predominantly studied in Caucasian populations, emphasizing the importance of gaining more diverse cultural perspectives. This study explores the factors associated with the WTHD in Mexican cancer patients receiving palliative care from one academic center, with a specific focus on its connection to dignity.“. Patients and methods The study, a cross-sectional research conducted between October 12, 2023, and August 30, 2024, involved patients with confirmed cancer diagnoses who were attending a palliative care service. Patients had applied the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), Schedule of Attitudes Toward Hastened Death (SAHD), Brief Edinburgh Depression Scale (BEDS), EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL to assess health-related quality of life, Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPSS) to assess functional capacity, and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System. A PDI score ≥55 indicated a fractured sense of dignity (DPD), while a SAHD score ≥1 indicated the WTHD. Factors associated with the WTHD were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis. The study was approved by the IRB. Results The study included 302 primarily middle-aged (54.5 [45–64]) females (225 [74.5%]), with 9 years of education. They reported high severity of well-being (7 [1–7]) and tiredness (3 [0–6]). Their median KPSS score showed independence (80 [70–80]), despite impacts across all EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL dimensions. DPD was noted in 110 patients (36.5%). The most frequent diagnoses were breast cancer (114 [38%]), lung cancer (33 [11%]), and gastrointestinal cancer (28 [9%]). The WTHD was found in 94 patients (31.1%). Factors significantly associated included tiredness score (OR: 1.147, 95% CI: 1.044–1.261, p = 0.004), BEDS score (1.181, 1.085–1.284, p ≤ 0.001) and a DPD (1.979, 1.038–3.772, p = 0.04). Conclusions The WTHD was found in one out of every three Mexican cancer patients receiving palliative care and was linked to biological-, mental health-, and existential-related factors.

Malaria

Measurement of the development level of tea tourism integration, spatiotemporal evolution and obstacle factors in China

Based on panel data from 18 major tea-producing provinces in China from 2013 to 2022, this study constructs an evaluation index system for tea tourism integration. it employs the entropy method, kernel density estimation, Markov chain, and obstacle model to analyze integration levels, spatiotemporal evolution patterns, and obstacle factors. The results show that: (1) China tea tourism integration shows an upward trend nationally, with four tea regions exhibiting a “Jiangnan> South China> Southwest> Jiangbei” developmental hierarchy, where the Southwest region demonstrates the fastest growth. (2) Interregional development disparities are widening, coupled with intraregional imbalances. Provincial development displays “club convergence” characteristics, with low-level areas exhibiting significant spatial spillover effects from neighboring high-level regions. (3) Common obstacle factors prevail across provinces, particularly industrial economic conversion efficiency, constituting the key constraint for integration development.

Enhanced CAR T-Cell Therapy for Relapsed Lymphoma

Equivalence and endothelial safety of temporary intracoronary shunt device: Insights from preclinical porcine and rabbit models

Background This preclinical investigation evaluated the operational equivalence of a temporary intracoronary shunt (TICS) device while documenting patterns of endothelial repair during the perioperative period. Methods Porcine coronary bypass models were established using off-pump (OPCAB) and on-pump beating-heart surgical approaches. Through a triple randomization design, test devices and predicate counterparts were deployed in left/right coronary arteries. Equivalence was determined at postoperative day 7 through tripartite analysis: 1) sequential laboratory measurements (preoperative to 7-day follow-up), 2) histopathological evaluation of vascular specimens, and 3) angiographic assessment. Extreme-sized device validation employed rabbit carotid arteries (small-caliber vascular bed) and abdominal aortae (large-caliber model), with equivalence criteria encompassing hemodynamic stability (flow velocity, trans-device pressure differentials) and microarchitectural preservation (endothelial integrity, internal elastic lamina continuity). Results In the conventional device cohort (12 target vessels), no perioperative type 5 myocardial infarction occurred. Postoperative CTA confirmed patent lumens and unobstructed distal flow in all vessels. Cardiac biomarkers (troponin, CK-MB, myoglobin) showed no significant differences at preoperative, 4h, 8h, 24h, 72h, or 7-day timepoints (P ≥ 0.05). For extreme-sized devices, hemodynamic parameters (mean proximal/distal pressure: test vs. predicate, P ≥ 0.05) and endothelial outcomes, including elastic lamina injury scores, demonstrated equivalence between test and predicate devices. Conclusion Functional parity between TICS and predicate devices was established in both porcine and lagomorph models, with observed endothelial alterations demonstrating transient characteristics limited to the acute perioperative window.

Ciprofloxacin versus Aminoglycoside–Ciprofloxacin for Bubonic Plague

Kinetic turbulence drives MHD equilibrium change via 3D reconnection

Spatiotemporal, environmental, and behavioral predictors of Varroa mite intensity in managed honey bee apiaries

Honey bees contribute substantially to the world economy through pollination services and honey production. In the U.S. alone, honey bee pollination is estimated to contribute at least $11 billion annually, primarily through the pollination of specialty crops. However, beekeepers lose about half of their hives every season due to disease, insecticides, and other environmental factors. Here, we explore and validate a spatiotemporal statistical model of Varroa destructor mite burden (in mites/300 bees) in managed honey bee colonies, exploring the impact of both environmental factors and beekeeper behaviors. We examine risk factors for Varroa infestation using apiary inspection data collected across the state of Illinois over 2018–2019, and we test the models using inspection data from 2020–2021. After accounting for spatial and temporal trends, we find that most environmental factors (e.g., floral quality, insecticide load) are not predictive of Varroa intensity, while lower numbers of nearby apiaries and several beekeeper behaviors (e.g., supplemental feeding and mite monitoring/treatment) are protective against Varroa. Interestingly, while monitoring and treating for Varroa is protective, treating without monitoring is no more effective than not treating at all. This is an important result supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches.