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Solution-processed aqueous-insensitive transparent conductors for bio-optoelectronics

Detection of Coxsackievirus A24v during an acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreak in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, January-February 2024

Background In January 2024, an outbreak of acute viral conjunctivitis was declared in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, following initial case clusters reported in December 2023 and continuing through February. Patients presented with red, itchy, and burning eyes, eyelid swelling, photophobia, and eye discharges. As the responsible pathogen had not been laboratory-identified, this study aimed to detect and characterize potential viral agents of the outbreak through an urgent outbreak response investigation. Methods Conjunctival swabs were collected from 25 suspected cases using a convenience sampling approach. Bacterial culture was performed on MacConkey and blood agar. Viral detection used a multiplex real-time RT-PCR targeting adenovirus, metapneumovirus, enterovirus (EV), and parainfluenza virus. All enterovirus-positive samples with a Ct value <30 (four samples) were selected for genomic sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis was conducted with IQ-TREE. Results Nine of 25 samples (36%) were positive for enterovirus (EV) by real-time reverse transcription PCR. Genomic sequencing of the four eligible samples (Ct < 30) detected Coxsackievirus A24 variant (CVA24v) in two of four sequenced samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Tanzanian outbreak sequences formed a clade with CVA24v strains from a concurrent 2024 outbreak in France/Mayotte and were closely related to recent sequences from East Africa and South America. Bacterial culture yielded no significant pathogens. Conclusion We detected enterovirus (EV) during an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Tanzania. Of nine EV-positive samples, CVA24v genomes were reconstructed from genomic sequencing in two samples, with phylogenetic analysis placing Tanzania sequencences within a clade with sequences from France (Mayotte), Mexico, Brazil, and Uganda strains consistent with regional circulation. Given that sequencing was performed on only two samples, a causal role for CVA24v in this outbreak cannot be definitively established; however, these findings provide the first genomic evidence of CVA24v circulation in Tanzania and demonstrate the value of rapid genomic epidemiology for outbreak pathogen detection in resource-limited settings.

Iron overload damages mitochondria and induces metabolic rewiring of hematopoietic stem cells toward glycolysis

Abstract Iron is an essential element for most cellular processes, and recent evidence highlighted its role in regulating the function of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Abnormal iron levels affect HSC quiescence and self-renewal; however, the mechanism by which iron overload (IO) influences HSC function is still unknown. Here, we show that intracellular IO impairs mitochondrial fitness and bioenergetics, inducing metabolic rewiring. In thalassemic mice, as a model of chronic IO, HSCs accumulate elevated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), low mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial defects are confirmed in 2 other models of IO, sickle cell disease and iron-loaded wild-type mice, and in vivo iron reduction rescues HSC mitochondria. IO HSCs are highly proliferating and, in the presence of damaged mitochondria, rely on glycolysis for energy production. Notably, restoration of mitochondrial function by targeting in vivo mtROS improved the quiescence and self-renewal of IO HSCs. Our results unravel the critical interplay between iron, ROS, and mitochondrial activity in HSCs, revealing that IO shapes HSC metabolic programs.

Network pharmacology and experimental analysis of Paeoniae radix Rubra and moutan cortex for SLE treatment

Three immunoregulatory signatures define non-productive HIV infection in stem cell memory CD4+ T cells

Influence of fruit maturity and variety on seasonal postharvest fungal diseases and vascular streaking in California Avocados

This study evaluated the avocado varieties ‘Hass’, ‘GEM’, ‘Luna UCR’, ‘Eugenin’, ‘Flavia’, I27EG, I55B, I49LB, I54J, and I73WL to determine seasonal dry matter (DM) patterns and assess how harvest timing, storage duration, and variety influenced stem-end rot, body rot, vascular streaking, and fruit susceptibility. Fungal pathogens associated with postharvest decay were identified using morphological characterization and multilocus phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, tub2, tef1-α, GAPDH, and MAT1–2 regions. Four Neofusicoccum species ( N. australe , N. luteum , N. nonquaesitum , and N. parvum ), one Colletotrichum species ( C. perseae ), and two Diaporthe species ( D. baccae and D. foeniculina ) were identified from decayed avocado fruits. Susceptibility tests confirmed that N. nonquaesitum was the most aggressive pathogen on avocado fruit, followed by C. perseae and D. foeniculina . The diversity of pathogens causing postharvest rot highlighted the complexity involved in managing stem-end rot and body rot in avocado fruits. Seasonal patterns of dry matter (DM) accumulation were identified for new varieties, aiding in establishing these standards. The study explored the seasonal variation in DM percentages across different avocado varieties and their correlation with disease severity. Results showed that this parameter can help prevent fungal disorders in some varieties. This finding emphasized the importance of adhering to both minimum and potentially maximum maturity standards to minimize fruit diseases and disorders and optimize postharvest performance. Additionally, the seasonality of stem-end and body rots in California avocados appears to be more associated with the inherent susceptibility of the fruits at harvest time than with environmental factors. Overall, general seasonal patterns were difficult to determine, as final postharvest disease intensity depended on the variety and the disease.

Integrated remote sensing and aeromagnetic datasets for mapping iron mineralization potential in the El-Bahariya depression in the Western Desert of Egypt

Abstract The El-Bahariya depression in the Western Desert of Egypt is well-known for its iron ore deposits, with mineralization recorded in five well-known locations. This study is the first integration of hyperspectral PRISMA and aeromagnetic analysis for the Bahariya iron ore deposits. Automated lithological mapping of the study area was performed using machine learning algorithms (MLA) such as Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), applied to stacked (ASTER + Sentinel-2) data, achieving an overall accuracy of up to 91.73%, Kappa accuracy of 89.99%, and F1-score of 93.98%. Hyperspectral PRISMA data analysis identified diagnostic absorption features (1.95–2.3 μm) associated with hematite, goethite, and limonite. Advanced spectral methods, including Pixel Purity Index (PPI) and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), successfully discriminated between hematite and limonite concentrations, as validated by field surveys, an ASD spectroradiometer, and USGS laboratory spectra. Results revealed ferruginous sandstone distributions, iron-rich zones, and previously undetected high-potential mineralization targets. Complementary high-resolution aeromagnetic data, processed using edge detection filters and CET techniques (CET-GA, CET-PA), resolved structural controls on mineralization. Major NE-SW and NW-SE trending lineaments, alongside minor N-S and E-W structures, were identified as fluid conduits for hydrothermal iron oxide emplacement. Euler deconvolution constrained magnetic sources to shallow depths (< 2 km), aligning with surface-derived anomalies. High magnetic susceptibility zones correlated strongly with remote sensing-identified iron-rich areas, including known mines, and highlighted unexplored anomalies in the northwestern and central regions. Geochemically, we identified economic ore-grade ironstones distinct (FeO t = 26–46 wt%, MnO < 0.11 wt%, P₂O₅ 0.45–0.84 wt%) from non-economic Mn-rich carbonate lenses (MnO 4.85–7.76 wt%) and barren siliceous rocks. The integration of spectral and magnetic datasets confirmed the spatial coherence of mineralization signals, along with the detection of new high-potential zones for iron mineralization, demonstrating the synergistic utility of these datasets in defining exploration targets. The proposed methods were highly effective in mapping iron oxide deposits within the four major zones: Nasser, Gabal-Ghurabi, El-Gadidah, and El-Harrah.

Temperate wetlands lose climate-cooling capacity under warming

Tracking the narrative: A data-driven analysis of media coverage of Russia and Ukraine 2013–2024

This study addresses the lack of global, long-term analyses of media narratives on Russia and Ukraine by examining their evolution from 2013 to 2024. Based on 22.2 million article titles from 14,622 sources operating in 194 countries and covering up to 74 languages, this study employs a hybrid human-AI approach combining multilingual clustering, cluster linking, manual annotation, entity analysis, and analysis of the language distribution of articles by Russian sources. We show that media coverage increased sharply around key geopolitical events, including the Euromaidan protests (2013–2014), the annexation of Crimea (2014), and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine (2022). Multilingual clustering, in combination with manual annotation, identifies recurring patterns in coverage, including geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, energy security, and disinformation campaigns. Cluster linking reveals how these patterns evolved over time in response to major events: clusters in 2013–2014 focused on the Russia–Ukraine gas dispute, the Euromaidan protests, and Crimea, while those in 2021–2022 centred on the full-scale invasion and its global repercussions. Entity analysis shows that media attention consistently concentrated on a small set of political figures, including Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Donald Trump, whose prominence varied across different phases of the conflict and key political events. Analysis of Russian media further indicates sustained publication in foreign languages, with increases during key geopolitical moments and differences in how the conflict is contextualised across language groups. Despite uneven regional and linguistic coverage, this study provides a large-scale, long-term, and multilingual overview of media coverage. Future research could extend this work through cross-country comparisons, linking narrative shifts to external variables, such as public opinion data or electoral outcomes, and applying the methodology to other large-scale datasets.

Optimizing DNA and mRNA vaccine against Human metapneumovirus structural proteins based on rationally designed multi-epitope construct

Forced changes in a Tibetan lake ecosystem over the past millennium

Abstract Aquatic ecosystems have changed dramatically, but the relative roles of external forcings and internal atmospheric variability remain unclear. Here, using Tibetan lake ecological reconstructions and Earth system simulations, we reveal how shared external forcings shaped Tibetan Plateau limnoecology over the past millennium through two distinct pathways. In the temperature-centric pathway, cooling episodes driven by volcanic activity and internal variability likely regulated preindustrial lake conditions. This baseline was disrupted as recent forced warming has shortened lake ice-cover and increased meltwater input, altering lake resources and triggering unprecedented diatom shifts. In the freshening-centric pathway, salinity-tolerant diatoms tracked monsoon-driven precipitation changes and lake freshening, both governed by shifts in the intertropical convergence zone. Preindustrial shifts likely reflected hemispherically asymmetric orbital and volcanic forcings, whereas modern changes have been altered remarkably by Northern Hemisphere industrial aerosol fluctuations and warming-induced meltwater. As multifaceted stressors intensify, Tibetan lake ecosystems may continue diverging from their natural variability.

Regional VRE surveillance using routine centralised, multicentre whole genome sequencing

Objective Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is increasingly used to support infection prevention and control. However, its application for routine regional surveillance of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) across multiple healthcare facilities is still evolving. This study describes the implementation of routine centralised multicenter WGS surveillance of VREfm and explores its utility for detecting clusters and investigating transmission within and between healthcare institutions in a regional healthcare network. Methods VREfm isolates identified from patient samples (clinical and screening) in five different hospitals in the Netherlands during a one-year period were whole genome sequenced and typed using core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). Sequence data were correlated with admission data of the year prior to the first positive VREfm culture of the respective patients. By combining epidemiological and sequence data within and between hospital transmission events were identified. Results 57 VREfm isolates were detected during the study period. 38/57 (66.7%) isolates clustered with at least one other isolate. Based on our definitions, intrahospital transmission could be demonstrated in 37 of 38 cases and interhospital transmission in 3 of 38 cases. Using this approach, a multicenter outbreak and two local outbreaks were detected. Conclusions Routine whole genome sequencing of VREfm is a powerful tool for detecting, tracing and delineating outbreaks. When integrated into a centralised surveillance system spanning collaborative healthcare networks, it becomes an essential tool for unraveling the complex transmission dynamics of VRE within and between hospitals, ultimately strengthening infection control strategies.

Purkinje cell development and degeneration in the spastic Han-Wistar rat model of ataxia

Abstract Hereditary ataxia is a neurodegenerative disorder notable for its early onset, with symptoms appearing in patients as young as two years old. Although affected individuals exhibit severe motor deficits and early mortality rates, the timeline of Purkinje cell loss remains unclear. To address this gap, we used the spastic Han-Wistar rat model, which harbors an unknown homozygous recessive variant that causes Purkinje cell loss. Here, we determined the onset and temporal progression of Purkinje neuronal loss in the spastic Han-Wistar model. To achieve this, we employed immunohistochemistry, Hematoxylin and Eosin histology, and neuronal density quantification. Behavioral testing demonstrated early-onset, progressive motor impairment in mutant rats, with motor deficits emerging around P45, following Purkinje cell loss detectable as early as P15. Additionally, guided by pedigree analysis indicating autosomal recessive inheritance for this ataxia, we performed whole-genome shotgun sequencing of a parent-offspring trio to identify amino acid-changing mutations consistent with this pattern. Sanger sequencing excluded Sbf2 as a causal variant, and whole-genome sequencing identified 273 candidate genes consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance. Together, our findings provide new insights into the onset and genetic complexity of ataxia, refining the value of the spastic Han-Wistar rat as a model for investigating mechanisms underlying hereditary ataxia.

Second-level fast sintering enables high-brightness light source for visible light communication

Enhanced IGFL1 translation in response to IL-1β is controlled by distinct 3’UTR elements

Translation is a crucial regulatory mechanism involved in several diseases, including cancer, where pro-inflammatory conditions within the microenvironment have been shown to modulate the translation of specific mRNAs. In the present study, we focused on the regulation of insulin growth factor-like family member 1 ( IGFL1 ) in MCF7 breast cancer cells in response to pro-inflammatory IL-1β and observed an induction of both transcription and translation. We characterized the 3’ untranslated region as regulatory hub for the post-transcriptional regulation and identified a distinct G-rich region to confer the IL-1β-dependent translational increase. Our study therefore provides new insights into the translation regulation of IGFL1 in the context of an inflammatory tumor microenvironment.

Intravenous megadose sodium ascorbate normalises elevations in intracranial pressure and restores pressor responsiveness to norepinephrine in ovine Gram-negative sepsis

Conjugation-induced π-electron modulation in pyridazine-integrated covalent organic frameworks for SO2 capture and upcycling

Isoginkgetin increases the expression of metal responsive transcripts but inhibits their translation

Isoginkgetin (IGG) is a natural bioflavonoid isolated initially from leaf extracts of Gingko biloba trees used in traditional Chinese medicine. We previously reported that IGG strongly inhibits nascent protein synthesis by activating the shared ATF4-dependent branches of the integrated stress response (ISR) and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Here we sought to characterize an ATF4-independent response to IGG that leads to increased expression of mRNAs encoding metallothionines (MTs) and a zinc transporter (ZnT1). We confirm that IGG induces MT1F, MT1X, MT2A and ZnT1 mRNAs in several independent cell lines. We also find that siRNA-mediated knockdown of the metal regulatory transcription factor 1 (MTF-1) reduced basal and IGG-induced levels of these mRNAs. Curiously, we did not detect increased expression of these proteins following exposure to IGG. To study the dissociation between transcription and translation of metal responsive mRNAs, we created a stable cell line expressing a luciferase reporter gene under control of five metal response elements. Our positive control (ZnSO 4 ) increased luciferase activity as expected but IGG reduced luciferase activity. Importantly, IGG, and other inhibitors of translation, prevented the increase in luciferase activity when combined with ZnSO 4 without affecting the ZnSO 4 -induced increase in luciferase mRNA levels. We propose that IGG activates ATF4- and MTF-1-dependent transcriptional responses but that IGG simultaneously impairs nascent protein synthesis and masks the metal response at the protein level.

Perceptions of womanhood, dysmenorrhea, and menstrual symptom severity: A cross-sectional study

Optimizing reversible solid oxide cell technology for long-term energy storage in Europe’s decarbonized frameworks

Abstract Energy storage is crucial for enhancing energy security. In this study, we explore the indispensable roles of both long-term and short-term energy storage solutions, demonstrating their combined benefits. By achieving 60% round-trip efficiency of long-term storage through reversible solid oxide cells (rSOC) technology, we affirm rSOC’s immediate environmental and economic advantages and challenge its perception as merely a future-oriented technology within the current European energy framework. Looking forward to Europe’s 2050 energy landscape, our findings indicate substantial variability in storage capacity requirements for various countries, ranging from 54 to 680 kWh/kW for the proposed rSOC system. The use of rSOC as a unique storage technology achieves a minimum levelized cost of storage (LCOS) of 0.88 €/kWh, whereas battery systems reach a lower minimum value of 0.67 €/kWh but exhibit a much broader cost range depending on country and energy context. We demonstrate that hybrid strategies emerge as the most economically viable, reducing costs by up to 78% and, in some cases, to as low as 0.19 €/kWh. These findings support hybrid energy storage strategies as a future-oriented solution.