Browse Articles

Plasma proteomic profiles of Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration in African cohorts

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) represents a growing public health burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Yet, most studies focus on Non-Hispanic white (NHW) populations from high-income countries. This study investigates plasma proteomic signatures associated with amyloid pathology in African populations. Nigerian older adults from the VALIANT study and participants from a Tanzanian study, with available biomarker quantification in plasma are employed. For proteomic comparison, participants from the Canadian TRIAD cohort are included, capturing a distinct population. Here, we show that multiple proteins are differentially abundant in the plasma of p-tau217-positive individuals and in the different cognitive groups, with findings largely consistent amongst African cohorts. Comorbidities are significantly associated with protein levels and differences in plasma biomarkers levels are found between sexes. Lastly, VALIANT and TRIAD show both shared and unique protein profiles in relation to amyloid-pathology. These findings support the utility of fluid biomarkers in ADRD in African populations.

Steering from C ₁ to C ₂ Products from the Photocatalytic CO ₂ Conversion over Correlated Single-Atom Pairs

Study on mechanical and energy properties of rock-like specimens under the effect of loading rate

To investigate the effects of loading rate on the strength evolution, failure mechanism and energy properties of rock-like materials, rock-like specimens were prepared using similar materials, and tests under variable loading rate were conducted through uniaxial compression. Standard cylindrical specimens were fabricated with a fixed sand-binder ratio of 1:9 and three cement-gypsum ratios (1:9, 5:5 and 9:1), using river sand as aggregate and ordinary Portland cement and building gypsum as cementitious materials. The tests were conducted under two loading modes: displacement loading and force loading. The results show that the density of rock-like specimens increases linearly with the rise of cement-gypsum ratio; the stress-strain curves of specimens with different mix ratios all exhibit four stages, namely compaction, elasticity, yield and failure. The uniaxial compressive strength, elastic modulus and deformation modulus increase in the form of logarithmic function with the increase of loading rate, while the peak strain decreases logarithmically; all specimens present columnar splitting failure, and the stress concentration effect induced by force loading is more significant, resulting in a higher degree of failure compared with displacement loading. Moreover, the higher the loading rate, the more fully developed the fractures and the poorer the integrity of specimens. In terms of energy conversion, the lower the loading rate, the smaller the percentage of releasable elastic energy in the absorbed energy (the value of U e / U is greater than 70%), and the larger the percentage of dissipated energy in the absorbed energy (the value of U d / U is less than 30%). As the loading rate increases, U e / U increases as a logarithmic function, while U d / U exhibits an opposite trend. The findings of this study can provide a reference for support design and stability control in deep soft rock engineering.

Suppression of Ammonia Slip by Smart Reductants in Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides

ABSTRACT Ammonia (NH 3 )‐based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is a mainstream flue gas denitration technology for stationary and mobile sources, but NH 3 slip remains a critical challenge from mismatches between stoichiometric reaction requirements and fluctuating nitrogen oxides (NO x ) concentrations. Herein, we show organic amines (e.g., n ‐butylamine, n ‐B) act as smart reductants for SCR systems. Unlike NH 3 , n ‐B reacts stoichiometrically with NO x and undergoes NO‐accelerated self‐elimination when overdosed over TiO 2 ‐supported VO x catalysts. Mechanistic studies reveal Ti─OH sites on the catalyst facilitate n ‐B adsorption and activation, with the *NH 3 intermediate driving NO x reduction. *NH 2 from excess n ‐B oxidizes to nitrites and NO 2 under NO+O 2 , which further react with *NH 3 via an internal SCR pathway, avoiding free NH 3 formation and slip. We propose a hybrid reductants system (NH 3 + n ‐B) enabling efficient NH 3 slip suppression over a reductant/NO x molar ratio of 1.2, providing a promising strategy without modifying existing SCR hardware or structures.

Dynamic O-GlcNAcylation of Sec23-interacting protein regulates COPII function

Author Correction: Charge transfer in triphenylamine–tetrazine covalent organic frameworks for solar-driven hydrogen peroxide production

Chemical Engineering of Altermagnetism in Two-Dimensional Metal–Organic Frameworks

Social vulnerability and spatial patterns of COVID-19 mortality: Global implications for respiratory health equity

Background The pandemic highlighted geographic inequities in COVID-19 mortality worldwide, reflecting structural and social vulnerabilities that exacerbated respiratory disease outcomes. The primary aim of this study was to examine the spatial relationship between COVID-19 mortality and communities characterized by greater social disadvantage in North Carolina. This application highlights the value of spatial analytic approaches when considering inequities in respiratory mortality. Methods This study analyzed 25,051 COVID-19 deaths occurring in North Carolina from March 2020 through April 2022 using state vital statistics data and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Social Vulnerability Index data. SaTScan™ was used to identify mortality hot spots, and Moran’s I in ArcGIS Pro was used to assess spatial autocorrelation at the ZIP-Code Tabulation Area level. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to assess differences in social vulnerability index scores in mortality hot spots areas and non-hot spots areas. Results Local bivariate analysis identified moderate spatial clustering characterized by high–high (mortality–vulnerability) hot spots and spatial outliers. In non-parametric testing, COVID-19 mortality hot spot areas had significantly higher, but modestly elevated, median overall social vulnerability index scores compared with non–hot spot areas (0.58 vs. 0.45; p  < 0.001). Conclusions Social vulnerability partially explains the observed spatial heterogeneity in COVID-19 mortality (2020–2022), with statistically significant spatial clustering consistently concentrated in areas of higher social vulnerability. This study highlights how pre-existing inequities in healthcare access and social conditions intensified mortality disparities during the pandemic.

Quantitative FRET FLIM imaging reveals multiple interactions between proteins of the ESYT, ORP, and VAP families at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane

Coexistence of percolative and quantum-confined charge orders in marginally twisted TiSe2/NbSe2 heterostructure

Upcycling Commodity Polymers into Semiconductors by Sequential Grafting of Aromatic Units through Regioselective Iodination and Living Suzuki–Miyaura Catalyst-Transfer Polymerization

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GUANKE alleviates Zearalenone-induced intestinal dysfunction by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation

Aims This study evaluated L. plantarum GUANKE’s protective effects on ZEN-induced intestinal dysfunction and explored its molecular mechanisms. Methods In vitro, IPEC-J2 cells were divided into control, ZEN (40 μM), GUANKE (20 MOI), and ZEN+GUANKE groups (24 h treatment). Cell viability (CCK-8), oxidative stress indicators (LDH, ROS, T-SOD, GSH, MDA), and inflammatory cytokine mRNAs ( IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10 ) were detected. In vivo, Balb/c mice were randomized into five groups (control, ZEN, GUANKE, ZEN + LG, ZEN + HG) for 28 days of intervention. Jejunum histology (H&E staining), oxidative stress/inflammatory factors (kits/ELISA), serum intestinal function indices (D-xylose, D-lactate, DAO), and transcriptomic analysis were performed. Results L. plantarum GUANKE significantly improved IPEC-J2 cell viability, reduced LDH release ( P  < 0.01) and ROS accumulation (P  < 0.001), restored T-SOD/GSH activities (P  < 0.05), decreased MDA ( P  < 0.05), suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α ; P  < 0.05), and upregulated IL-10 ( P  < 0.05). In mice , L. plantarum GUANKE increased villus height/crypt depth ratio ( P  < 0.01), restored antioxidant status ( P  < 0.05), and rebalanced cytokine expression ( P  < 0.05 for pro-inflammatory; P  < 0.01 for IL-10). Transcriptomic analysis suggested that ZEN activated the NF-κB pathway, while L. plantarum GUANKE treatment was associated with reduced pathway activity.

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Radical-omics reveals the hydrogen-abstraction pathway of isoprene oxidation

Interplay of Noncovalent Interactions in Phase Separation Mediated by Tyrosine-Rich and Arginine-Rich Polypeptides

From catwalk to kitchen: A qualitative study of luxury fashion companies’ diversification into hospitality and restaurant sector

This study examines the strategic diversification of luxury fashion brands into the hospitality and restaurant industry, with a particular focus on sustainability. The objective is to explore the motivations behind this cross-industry expansion, the strategies employed and the sustainable practices integrated into such ventures. A qualitative research design is applied, drawing on semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from leading luxury fashion companies. This approach allows for an in-depth understanding of how experiential branding, strategic decision-making and sustainability are embedded within hospitality initiatives. The findings reveal that luxury brands enter the hospitality sector to enrich the brand experience, strengthen customer engagement and foster innovation in sustainability. Sustainable practices are identified both in operational management and in customer-facing activities, though the extent of integration varied across cases. The results underscore the dynamic relationship between experiential branding and sustainability, highlighting opportunities for competitive differentiation as well as challenges in aligning brand identity with new industry practices. This research contributes to the growing literature on luxury brand management and diversification by demonstrating how sustainability influences experiential strategies in cross-industry contexts. The originality of this paper lies in its integrated view of luxury branding, diversification and sustainability, showing how fashion companies leverage hospitality ventures to reinforce brand value and connect with socially conscious consumers.

Ebola at 50 — Lessons for Outbreak Response and Preparedness

The transcriptional repressor PheR regulates uptake and catabolism of phenanthrene in Sphingobium sp. SHPJ-2

Nuclear-specific reductive carboxylation of alpha-ketoglutarate fuels histone acetylation to induce chromatin accessibility and gene activation

Abstract Mitochondria remain at the core of cell metabolism, whereas the nucleus integrates cellular and environmental signals to activate genes. However, the mechanisms that directly link cellular metabolism to gene regulation are not well understood. Here we show, a metabolic pathway in the nucleus controls acetylation of histones by nuclear localization of mitochondrial enzymes aconitase (ACO2) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH2). Metabolic tracing studies show that IDH2 and ACO2 catalyze reductive carboxylation of α-ketoglutarate to rapidly synthesize citrate to increase nuclear acetyl-CoA pool. Genetic and proteomic analyses reveal nuclear IDH2 and ACO2 form a complex with KAT2A/GCN5 for acetylation of histones to increase chromatin accessibility and activation of proliferative genes. Robust nuclear expressions of ACO2 and IDH2 drive aggressive tumors indicating the tumorigenic potential of IDH2-ACO2-KAT2A axis. Altogether, our work reveals a paradigm coupling a nuclear metabolic pathway with histone acetylation to control of gene expression that accentuates hyperproliferative phenotype in tumors.

Functional data analysis of college students’ sleep patterns and their relationships with academic performance and social networks: A four-year longitudinal study

Background College students are subject to insufficient sleep and irregular sleep patterns. Most existing studies regarding sleep behaviors have relied on static measures or discrete time points for analyzing sleep data, potentially missing the dynamic and continuous nature of sleep behavior. Objectives To examine sleep pattern evolution and their relationships with academic performance and social networks among college students using functional data analysis. Methods This study introduces functional data analysis to examine sleep patterns and their relationships with academic performance and social networks among college students throughout their four-year undergraduate experience. Using data from the NetHealth Project, we analyzed daily sleep records from Fitbit devices worn by 76 undergraduate students, along with their academic records and social network data, comprising 61,225 daily observations. We employed functional regression to model time-varying relationships between sleep and GPA, and functional t-tests to compare sleep patterns between students with different social activity levels. Results Sleep duration increased significantly across the undergraduate years, with pronounced seasonal fluctuations corresponding to academic cycles. The relationship between sleep and academic performance remained consistently positive throughout college, with each GPA point associated with 27.4 additional minutes of sleep on average. This relationship exhibited a U-shaped temporal pattern, strongest during freshman year (54 minutes/GPA point), weakest during junior year (5 minutes/GPA point), and recovering during senior year (48 minutes/GPA point). Social network characteristics showed no statistically significant associations with sleep patterns, though students with larger networks consistently slept slightly less than those with smaller networks. Conclusions This study demonstrates the utility of functional data analysis in sleep research, revealing dynamic patterns in sleep behavior and time-varying relationships with academic performance that traditional discrete-time analyses would not capture. The consistently positive association between sleep duration and academic performance was maintained throughout the four-year undergraduate experience, with temporal variations suggesting the relationship is strongest during freshman and senior years. These findings provide longitudinal evidence about sleep patterns and their correlates among college students, with potential implications for the timing of sleep-related support services.