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Integrated application of humic acid, urea, and microalgal biostimulant enhances drought tolerance in pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Electron-ion equilibration in superheated gold
Abstract Electron-ion equilibration dynamics in samples driven into superheated states with multi-eV electron temperatures represent a fundamental process in nonequilibrium physics. A clear picture of the evolving ion temperature is essential for understanding the strength of the electron-ion coupling. However, direct, model-independent measurements of the ion temperature in laser-irradiated samples have remained experimentally elusive. Using inelastic X-ray scattering with meV-resolution in gold samples, the ion response to ultrafast heating by the hot electrons can be resolved, quantifying the electron-ion equilibration dynamics. We report measurements revealing a strongly enhanced energy transfer rate compared to that in weakly excited gold. Moreover, we obtain a quasi-constant electron-ion coupling at the highly elevated electron temperatures. These results place new constraints on electron-ion energy transfer in warm dense matter and establish a path toward quantitative benchmarking of models for nonequilibrium dynamics.
Pathogenic role of serpin B3-positive neutrophils in reinforcing thrombus stiffening during ischemic stroke
Abstract The contribution of immune cells to thrombus architecture and mechanical properties in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains poorly understood. Using 3-dimensional imaging and multiplex staining, we mapped immune cells in human stroke thrombi and identified neutrophils as the dominant population. Analysis of 19 thrombi confirmed their positive correlation with collagen, increased stiffness, and poorer clinical outcomes. To preserve spatial context, we developed a laser capture–based proteomic workflow and analyzed thrombus neutrophils from 34 patients with AIS stratified by 90-day outcomes, followed by validation in an independent cohort of 22 patients. Proteomic analysis revealed serpin B3 as a neutrophil-enriched protein strongly correlated with poor prognosis. In murine models of ferric chloride–induced carotid artery thrombosis and middle cerebral artery occlusion, experiments using wild-type, neutrophil-depleted, and Serpinb3a knockout mice demonstrated that neutrophil-derived serpin B3 promotes early thrombus formation, enhances collagen deposition, and contributes to progressive thrombus stiffening. Mechanistically, serpin B3 secreted by neutrophils amplifies thrombus stiffness through upregulation of transforming growth factor β1, neutrophil extracellular traps, and COL1A1. Targeted Serpinb3a knockdown delayed vascular occlusion, improved thrombolysis efficiency, and resulted in better neurological recovery. Collectively, these findings identify a neutrophil-driven mechanism underlying thrombus stiffening and establish SERPINB3 as both a prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target in AIS. This project has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registration Platform (https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html) and has successfully passed the review process (registration number: ChiCTR2300077911).
Design and simulation of a hybrid PLC–AI automotive control module for adaptive lighting and honking
Why are so many young people getting cancer? What researchers do and don’t know
Sub-femtosecond figure-of-merit millimeter-wave switches via solution-processed MoS2 for 6G radio-frequency front-ends
Signal AML stem cells to home: written and sent by METTL1
Abdominal fat distribution phenotypes and metabolic risk in premenopausal Asian women: insights beyond general adiposity measures
Programmable microwave cluster states via Josephson metamaterials
Abstract Cluster states are a fundamental resource for continuous-variable quantum computing, enabling measurement-based protocols that can scale beyond the limitations of qubit-based architectures. Here, we demonstrate on-demand generation of multimode entangled microwave cluster states using a programmable Josephson Traveling-Wave Parametric Amplifier (JTWPA) operated in the three-wave mixing regime. By injecting a tailored, non-equidistant set of pump tones via an arbitrary waveform generator, we engineer frequency-specific nonlinear couplings between multiple frequency modes. The entanglement structure is verified via frequency-resolved heterodyne detection of quadrature nullifiers, confirming the target graph topology of the cluster state. Our approach allows reconfigurability through the pumps spectrum and supports scalability by leveraging the wide bandwidth and spatial homogeneity of the JTWPA. This platform opens new avenues for scalable measurement-based quantum information processing in the microwave domain, compatible with superconducting circuit architectures.
Immune-mediated side effects of cancer immunotherapies
Abstract Immunotherapies, such as allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and infusion of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have significantly extended our therapeutic armamentarium against several hematologic malignancies. Blocking negative regulators of immunity with immune checkpoint inhibitors has significantly improved the survival of patients with mainly solid tumors. Despite their beneficial effects, these therapies are also associated with severe, immune-mediated side effects. Here, we discuss biological similarities and differences of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome, immune effector cell–associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis–like syndrome, immune effector cell–associated hematotoxicity, local immune effector cell–associated toxicity syndrome, and immune-related adverse events after immune checkpoint inhibition (irAEs). Recent data have led to a better understanding of the role of myeloid cells and T cells, including tissue-resident T cells, in the pathophysiology of GVHD, CAR T-cell–associated immunotoxicities, and irAEs. Furthermore, we summarize approved, currently evaluated, and potential future therapies for immune-mediated toxicities of cancer immunotherapies. This review will help to understand how therapeutic strategies target communalities of different side effects to overcome immune-mediated side effects of cancer immunotherapies.
Physics-informed convolutional neural networks for fluid flow through porous media
Abstract Accurate simulation of fluid flow in porous media is a challenging task due to the complexity of pore-space geometries and the computational cost of solving the Navier–Stokes equations. Traditional numerical solvers rely on carefully constructed meshes, often requiring manual intervention, and typically exhibit slow convergence. This difficulty is particularly pronounced in porous media, where the diffusive nature of momentum transport is hindered by intricate solid boundaries. These challenges limit the efficiency of numerical simulations, particularly when repeated evaluations are required. We present a neural-network-based framework for predicting pore-scale velocity fields directly from sample geometry. The method is based on a convolutional encoder–decoder architecture with skip connections, designed to preserve fine-grained structural information. Physical consistency is encouraged through a custom loss function composed of multiple terms: incompressibility, no-flow conditions within solids, periodicity constraints, and agreement with the global tortuosity index. We systematically analyze the influence of weight selection for these loss terms, quantifying their individual contributions to prediction accuracy. Several architectural variants inspired by computer vision are evaluated to identify one providing the best performance and robustness. The generalization ability of the trained network is assessed on samples outside the training distribution, including variations in boundary conditions, obstacle geometry, and porosity. Finally, we demonstrate additional practical applications in which network predictions are used to initialize the Lattice–Boltzmann simulations, a standard fluid dynamics solver, often used in complex boundary problems like porous media and used by us to train the network. We have used network-generated velocity field as a starting point and found that this significantly accelerates LBM solver convergence, achieving improvements in over 90% of cases.
A Bacillales-specific tubular scaffold essential for NADH dehydrogenase activity
Abstract Respiratory type II NADH:quinone oxidoreductases (NDH-II) are typically monotopic flavoproteins that make direct contact with the membrane to access the quinone pool. Here, we show that in Bacillus subtilis , one NDH-II, termed Ndh, assembles with the helical membrane plugin (HMP) protein YjlC and forms supramolecular fibers. Genetic and biochemical analyses demonstrate that Ndh and YjlC proteins are essential for NADH oxidation. Cryo-EM analysis reveals that YjlC forms a tubular scaffold onto which multiple Ndh subunits are regularly docked via their C-terminal domain, repurposed from its classical role in direct membrane binding. These fibers can extend up to ~1000 Å, creating a continuous hydrophobic tunnel filled with lipids and quinones, thereby mimicking the membrane environment. Comparative genomics unveils that this partnership arose exclusively within Bacillales through the recruitment of an ancestral HMP originally associated with sulfide:quinone reductases. Together, our findings uncover a lineage-specific structural adaptation in which NDH-II enzymes depend on an HMP scaffold, expanding their functional diversity beyond the classical monotopic paradigm.
The clot stiffens: neutrophil serpin B3 in ischemic stroke
Author Correction: Predicting biomass global warming potential with FT-NIR spectroscopy
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate metabolism shapes microbial ecology and physiological adaptation during the austral winter in Southern Ocean sea ice and seawater
Abstract Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a highly abundant marine organosulfur compound, with important roles in stress protection and climate-cooling gases production. Polar regions, particularly seawater and sea ice interfaces, are critical yet understudied DMSP cycling hotspots. Here, we reveal up to 38-fold higher DMSP concentrations in Southern Ocean sea ice versus seawaters, identifying sea ice as a concentrated reservoir of DMSP with implications for microbial stress tolerance and sulfur recycling. Eukaryotic algae harboring DSYB and DSYE genes were predicted to dominate DMSP production, but diverse and previously unidentified bacterial producers were also detected. This elevated abundance of algal biosynthetic genes likely underpins the higher DMSP concentrations in sea ice. Notably, DMSP catabolism, particularly the dmdA demethylase and dddD and dddK lyase genes, were more abundant than biosynthesis genes. Taken together, these findings reveal the widespread metabolism for DMSP cycling and underscore a dynamic reservoir and transformation hub influencing polar climate-cooling sulfur fluxes.
Expanded antigen-specific donor regulatory T cells for GVHD prevention
Minor histocompatibility antigen (mHAg)-specific alloreactive donor T cells cause graft vs. host disease (GVHD) in matched related donor allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In a phase I trial, we expanded and infused (on day -2) mHAg-specific donor regulatory T cells (Treg) together with sirolimus-based pharmacologic prophylaxis to examine safety and preliminary efficacy of this GVHD prevention approach. We employed a 3+3 phase I design escalating Treg dose in 4 levels: 0.5 x 105/kg, 1 x 105/kg, 2 x 105/kg, and 4 x 105/kg. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) included grade 4-5 related infusion reaction, grade 4-5 unexpected organ toxicity, grade III-IV acute GVHD, or treatment-related death. Secondary and exploratory measures examined acute and chronic GVHD, survival outcomes, and Treg clone (TCR-Seq) expansion in culture, and in-vivo longevity and expansion post-HCT. 15 subjects were included (N=3 each per dose levels 1-3, and N=6 in dose level 4). No DLT were observed, and 4 x 105/kg Treg was identified as MTD. Median follow up for survivors was 41.7 months (range 14.5-72.8). The day 100 cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 13% (95% CI 2-35%). NIH moderate/severe chronic GVHD by 1 year was 6.7% (95% CI 0.36-27%) and by 3 years was 20% (95%CI 4.4-44%). Overall survival was 73% (95% CI 54-100%). Treg clones expanded in culture, and demonstrated post-HCT lineage fidelity, persistence, and in-vivo expansion. This translational trial supports mHAg-specific expanded donor Treg as a novel GVHD prevention strategy, and demonstrates expanded donor Treg clones can persist and expand through one-year post-HCT. NCT01795573
Blockchain-enabled data management system of internet of medical things
Strong yet highly conductive liquid metal composite film constructed via friction induced in-situ synthesis
Gonadal function and fertility after Hodgkin lymphoma treatment with nivolumab-AVD in the phase 2 GHSG NIVAHL trial
Abstract In 82 patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma, stable gonadal hormone levels were observed up to 24 months after nivolumab in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (N-AVD) first-line treatment. These findings suggest preserved gonadal function and fertility after 4×N-AVD. The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03004833.