Browse Articles

Automated quantification of lens epithelial cell density using deep learning: validation and large-scale clinical application

VKORC1L1–mediated vitamin K recycling counters ferroptosis to promote endothelial repair

Abstract Vitamin K is classically known for hepatic γ-carboxylation via VKORC1, yet accumulating evidence suggests broader redox-regulatory roles. Here, we characterize the VKORC1 paralogue VKORC1L1 as an anti-oxidative enzyme that couples the vitamin K cycle to ferroptosis defense in the endothelium. In human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC), menaquinone-7 (Vitamin K2, MK-7) increased viability and attenuated RSL3-induced lipid peroxidation, ferroptosis, and NF-κB-dependent inflammatory activation. In vivo, a MK-7 enriched diet accelerated reendothelialization after electric carotid injury in C57BL/6J mice without altering hemostasis. Silencing VKORC1L1, but not the coagulation-linked VKORC1, diminished HCAEC proliferation, raised reactive oxygen species, and triggered NF-κB activation. Importantly, MK-7 failed to rescue these effects in VKORC1L1-deficient cells, supporting a functional requirement for VKORC1L1 in vitamin K-mediated cytoprotection. Transcriptomics of VKORC1L1-deficient cells revealed a lipid peroxide/NF-κB/TNF pathway that amplified oxidative inflammation. This signaling axis was blocked by the lipid-radical scavenger ferrostatin-1 or by inhibiting TNF shedding. Collectively, these data identify VKORC1L1 as a redox-responsive component of the endothelial vitamin K cycle that limits lipid peroxides, suppresses ferroptosis, restrains TNF-driven inflammation, and promotes vascular repair.

Domain-robust vision transformer with hierarchical swin encoding for explainable low-latency driver drowsiness detection

Perforator artery analysis and salvage procedure of propeller flaps on the reconstruciton of distal lower extremity

SecureTrust-FL: trust-aware privacy-preserving federated learning for network intrusion detection

Seasonal water quality index prediction in Guilin karst water system: an explainable machine learning approach

Spatiotemporal dynamics of population change in flood risk zones of the Pearl River Delta (1985–2024)

Repurposing trifluridine as an anti-Staphylococcus aureus agent targeting virulence factor staphyloxanthin and attachment genes

Mathematical modeling and optimization of a three-echelon supply chain management by incorporating circular consumption, cooperative advertisement cost, and selling price decisions

A pilot study of the effect of 3D-Schwann-like cells derived from human adipose-derived stem cells on surgery-induced neurogenic bladder

Hydrochemical characterization and irrigation suitability mapping of groundwater in Pashupathihal subwatershed, karnataka

Spatiotemporal information fusion for photon-level dynamic imaging

Risk of cardiovascular events and death following retinal arterial occlusion and transient monocular visual loss

Abstract Acute retinal ischaemic events, ranging from central retinal artery occlusions (CRAO) and branch retinal artery occlusions (BRAO) to transient ischaemic monocular vision loss (TMVL), cause sudden and often severe vision loss, yet their broader implications for systemic vascular health are not well defined. To investigate this, we conducted a large, propensity-matched cohort study including a total of 566 patients at an academic ophthalmic hospital in London, United Kingdom, linking ophthalmic diagnoses to national records of cardiovascular events and mortality. Our findings reveal that patients experiencing a CRAO have a nearly threefold increased risk of a subsequent ischaemic stroke or myocardial infarction, when compared to matched controls. This elevated risk, however, was not apparent in individuals who suffered a BRAO or TMVL, suggesting a distinct risk profile for CRAO. Systemic comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes were prevalent in all groups. Atrial fibrillation was newly diagnosed in 6% of patients with CRAO within one year. Patients with BRAO were more likely to undergo carotid endarterectomy than those with CRAO. The substantial risk of serious cardiovascular morbidity following retinal arterial ischaemia highlights the need to ensure such patients benefit from early treatment and prolonged cardiac monitoring and rigorous implementation of secondary prevention in RAO and suspected embolic TMVL.

Predictability of sleep slow oscillation emergence and spatial extent from pre-onset neural dynamics

Based on artificial intelligence-assisted generation and in-depth in-silico evaluation of potential inhibitors targeting Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1)

Attention-enhanced deep temporal fusion network for cloud-IIoT prognostics of EV induction motors under dynamic loads

A novel asymmetric thirteen level inverter for medium voltage applications

The biology of jumbo phages

Abstract Jumbo bacteriophages are bacterial viruses with double-stranded DNA genomes exceeding 200 kb. These viral giants feature exceptionally large virions, expansive genetic repertoires, and in some cases, remarkable eukaryotic-like traits. Jumbo phages challenge long-standing notions of phage simplicity, redefining the boundaries of what a phage can be. In this Review, we examine the biology of jumbo bacteriophages, highlighting their diversity, evolutionary origins, distinctive morphologies and lifecycles, complex interactions with bacterial hosts, and their potential for biotechnology and therapy, with a focus on, but not limited to, the Chimalliviridae phages.

Biomass to bio-CNG from sorghum varieties for biogas production, energy recovery, and emission mitigation

Isolation and reactivity of an alkyl-substituted germanium(I) radical anion

Abstract The isolation of low-valent main group radical species remains a fundamental challenge in synthetic chemistry due to their intrinsic instability. Herein, we report the successful isolation and full characterization of an alkyl-substituted germanium(I) radical anion predominantly stabilized by steric protection with minimal electronic perturbation. This radical anion exhibits thermal stability in both the solid state and in solution at ambient temperature, enabling thorough structural, spectroscopic and reactivity investigations. EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations consistently verify predominant localization of the unpaired electron at the germanium center. Furthermore, the Ge(I) radical anion presents unique radical reactivity patterns demonstrating by its reactivity investigation. This work represents a rare example of an isolable low-valent group 14 radical species.