Browse Articles

Local mapping of the nanoscale viscoelastic properties of fluid membranes by AFM nanorheology

Abstract Biological membranes are intrinsically dynamic entities that continually adapt their biophysical properties and molecular organisation to support cellular function. Current microscopy techniques can derive high-resolution structural information of labelled molecules but quantifying the associated viscoelastic behaviour with nanometre precision remains challenging. Here, we develop an approach based on atomic force microscopy in conjunction with fast nano-actuators to map the viscoelastic response of unlabelled supported membranes with nanometre spatial resolution. On fluid membranes, we show that the method can quantify local variations in the molecular mobility of the lipids and derive a diffusion coefficient. We confirm our experimental approach with molecular dynamics simulations, also highlighting the role played by the water at the interface with the membrane on the measurement. Probing ternary model bilayers reveals spatial correlations in the local diffusion over distances of ≈20 nm within liquid disordered domains. This lateral correlation is enhanced in native bovine lens membranes, where the inclusion of protein-rich domains induces four-fold variations in the diffusion coefficient across < 100 nm of the fluid regions, consistent with biological function. Our findings suggest that diffusion is highly localised in fluid biomembranes.

Modification of photocatalytic activity and antibacterial properties of Mn2O3 by Zn ions doping

Abstract This study focuses on the fabrication of zinc-doped manganese oxide (Mn2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) to unleash their potential as high-performance photocatalysts. Zn-doped Mn2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared via a precipitation method, with fine adjustment of Zn content (3%, 5%, and 10%). The structural evolution from cubic Mn2O3 to tetragonal ZnMn2O4 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the smooth Zn incorporation, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and FESEM revealed the transformative effect of Zn on the particle size and shape. Optical characterizations showed impressive results:UV-Vis DRS revealed a significant reduction in the band gap from 2.26 eV to 1.89 eV, enhancing light absorption. Meanwhile, the photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed vibrant emission peaks at 425, 466, 563, and 623 nm, with the intensity increasing along with the zinc content. The optical prowess of these nanoparticles was validated by the nearly complete degradation of methyl green (MG) dye under visible light. Also, Zn-doped Mn2O3 samples were evaluated against harmful pathogens such as S. aureus, E. faecalis, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and C. albicans.

Three ways to cool Earth by pulling carbon from the sky

Quantifying the trade-offs between renewable energy visibility and system costs

Abstract Visual landscape impacts on scenic and populated places are among significant factors affecting local acceptance of large-scale renewable energy projects. Through the combination of large-scale reverse viewshed and techno-economic energy system analyses, we assess their potential impacts for nationwide energy systems. In our case study of Germany, moderate consideration of visual impact by placing renewables out of sight of the most scenic and densely populated areas does not have a significant impact on future energy system costs and design. In contrast, in scenarios assuming high sensitivity to visual impacts, annual energy system costs would increase by up to 38% in 2045. The energy system’s resilience would also be compromised due to the increasing reliance on green hydrogen imports and the uncertain mass adoption of rooftop photovoltaics. Our analytical framework facilitates careful planning that considers the visual impact of renewable energy infrastructure, thus enabling socially acceptable deployment while understanding the implications for system costs and transformation pathways.

A novel knockout mouse model to assess the impact of one-copy loss of Hnrnpk in CD4 + T cells in chronically inflamed skin as a prelude to CTCL

Fluctuation-driven topological Hall effect in room-temperature itinerant helimagnet Fe3Ga4

Evaluating the impact of disability support services on healthcare utilization in individuals with disabilities and hypertension in Korea

Abstract People with disabilities often face heightened barriers to accessing healthcare services, resulting in unmet medical needs and increased prevalence of chronic conditions such as hypertension. In response, the Korean government expanded the Personal Assistance Service (PAS) program to enhance healthcare accessibility and support daily living needs for individuals with disabilities. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the PAS program expansion on healthcare utilization, specifically focusing on hospital visits for hypertension management among people with severe disabilities. We used sample cohort data from the National Health Insurance System. The difference-in-differences approach was used to estimate differences in hospital utilization between the treatment and control groups before and after the intervention period. The expansion of PAS program was associated with an increase in hypertension total visits increase of 0.128. Specifically, the number of outpatient visits increased by 0.132. The increase in hospital visits was more pronounced in unclassified disability types. Seasonal variations and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores were positively associated with increased hospital visits. The results reveal that expanding enrollment in programs for people with disabilities was linked to an increase in outpatient visits among people with severe disabilities. This study is noteworthy because the expansion of services could potentially help bridge health disparities.

An interpretable approach to estimate the self-motion in fish-like robots using mode decomposition analysis

Abstract The artificial lateral line system, composed of velocity and pressure sensors, is the sensing system for fish-like robots by mimicking the lateral line system of aquatic organisms. However, accurately estimating the self-motion of the fish-like robot remains challenging due to the complex flow field generated by its movement. In this study, we employ the mode decomposition method to estimate the motion states based on artificial lateral lines for the fish-like robot. We find that primary decomposed modes are strongly correlated with the velocity components and can be interpreted through Lighthill’s theoretical pressure model. Moreover, our decomposition analysis indicates the redundancy of the sensor array design, which is verified by further synthetic analysis and explained by flow visualization. Finally, we demonstrate the generalizability of our method by accurately estimating the self-states of the fish-like robot under varying oscillation parameters, analyzing three-dimensional pressure data from the computational fluid dynamics simulations of boxfish (Ostracion cubicus) and eel-like (Anguilla anguilla) models, and robustly estimating the self-velocity in complex flows with vortices caused by a neighboring robot. Our interpretable and generalizable data-driven pipeline could be beneficial in generating hydrodynamic sensing hypotheses in biofluids and enhancing artificial-lateral-line-based perception in autonomous underwater robotics.

Variational mode directed deep learning framework for breast lesion classification using ultrasound imaging

IDH status dictates oHSV mediated metabolic reprogramming affecting anti-tumor immunity

Abstract Identification of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations has uncovered the crucial role of metabolism in gliomagenesis. Oncolytic herpes virus (oHSV) initiates direct tumor debulking by tumor lysis and activates anti-tumor immunity, however, little is known about the role of glioma metabolism in determining oHSV efficacy. Here we identify that oHSV rewires central carbon metabolism increasing glucose utilization towards oxidative phosphorylation and shuttling glutamine towards reductive carboxylation in IDH wildtype glioma. The switch in metabolism results in increased lipid synthesis and cellular ROS. PKC induces ACSL4 in oHSV treated cells leading to lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is critical to launch an anti-tumor immune response which is important for viral efficacy. Mutant IDH (IDHR132H) gliomas are incapable of reductive carboxylation and hence ferroptosis. Pharmacological blockade of IDHR132H induces ferroptosis and anti-tumor immunity. This study provides a rationale to use an IDHR132H inhibitor to treat high grade IDH-mutant glioma patients undergoing oHSV treatment.

Competitive enzyme linked aptamer based assay for salivary melatonin detection

Author Correction: Cortical representations of affective pain shape empathic fear in male mice

ZFP36 regulates the osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in osteoporosis by mediating KLF3 mRNA degradation

Shapeshifting origami material shrinks when twisted

Conformational changes in the motor ATPase CpaF facilitate a rotary mechanism of Tad pilus assembly

Abstract The type IV pilus family uses PilT/VirB11-like ATPases to rapidly assemble and disassemble pilin subunits. Among these, the tight adherence (Tad) pilus performs both functions using a single bifunctional ATPase, CpaF. Here, we determine three conformationally distinct structures of CpaF hexamers with varying nucleotide occupancies by cryo-electron microscopy. Analysis of these structures suggest ATP binding and hydrolysis expand and rotate the hexamer pore clockwise while subsequent ADP release contracts the ATPase. Truncation of the intrinsically disordered region of CpaF in Caulobacter crescentus equally reduces pilus extension and retraction events observed using fluorescence microscopy, but does not reduce ATPase activity. AlphaFold3 modeling suggests that CpaF and other motors of the type IV filament superfamily employ conserved secondary structural features to engage their respective platform proteins. From these data, we propose that CpaF uses a clockwise, rotary mechanism of catalysis to assemble a right-handed, helical Tad pilus, a process broadly applicable to other single motor systems.

Enhanced detection of glioblastoma vasculature with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and MRI

Abstract Detecting glioblastoma infiltration in the brain is challenging due to limited MRI contrast beyond the enhancing tumour core. This study aims to investigate the potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as contrast agents for improved detection of diffuse brain cancer. We examine the distribution and pharmacokinetics of SPIONs in glioblastoma models with intact and disrupted blood-brain barriers. Using MRI, we imaged RN1-luc and U87MG mice injected with Gadovist and SPIONs, observing differences in blood-brain barrier permeability. Peripheral imaging showed strong uptake of nanoparticles in the liver and spleen, while vascular and renal signals were transient. Susceptibility gradient mapping enabled positive nanoparticle contrast within tumours and provided additional information on tumour angiogenesis. This approach offers a novel method for detecting diffuse brain cancer. Our findings demonstrate that SPIONs enhance glioblastoma detection beyond conventional MRI, providing insights into tumour angiogenesis and opening new avenues for early diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies.

Cancer vaccine momentum builds, but US funding cuts raise concerns

DHODH modulates immune evasion of cancer cells via CDP-Choline dependent regulation of phospholipid metabolism and ferroptosis

Musical note recognition based on the upper adjacent harmonics without the presence of the fundamental frequency

Functional impact of splicing variants in the elaboration of complex traits in cattle

Abstract GWAS conducted directly on imputed whole genome sequence have led to the identification of numerous genetic variants associated with agronomic traits in cattle. However, such variants are often simply markers in linkage disequilibrium with the actual causal variants, which is a limiting factor for the development of accurate genomic predictions. It is possible to identify causal variants by integrating information on how variants impact gene expression into GWAS output. RNA splicing plays a major role in regulating gene expression. Thus, assessing the effect of variants on RNA splicing may explain their function. Here, we use a high-throughput strategy to functionally analyse putative splice-disrupting variants in the bovine genome. Using GWAS, massively parallel reporter assay and deep learning algorithms designed to predict splice-disrupting variants, we identify 38 splice-disrupting variants associated with complex traits in cattle, three of which could be classified as causal. Our results indicate that splice-disrupting variants are widely found in the quantitative trait loci related to these phenotypes. Using our combined approach, we also assess the validity of splicing predictors originally developed to analyse human variants in the context of the bovine genome.