Recent Publications

Blood. 2026 Jan 29:blood.2025031266. doi: 10.1182/blood.2025031266. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex hematological malignancy with multiple disease sub-groups defined by somatic mutations and heterogeneous outcomes. Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a small number of common genetic variants influencing AML risk, the heritable component of this disease outside of familial susceptibility remains largely undefined. Here we perform a meta-analysis of four published GWAS plus two new GWAS, totalling 4710 AML cases and 12938 controls. We identify a new genome-wide significant risk locus for pan-AML at 2p23.3 (rs4665765; P=1.35x10-8; EFR3B, POMC, DNMT3A, DNAJC27) which also significantly associates with patient survival (P=6.09x10-3). Our analysis also identifies three new genome-wide significant risk loci for disease sub-groups, including AML with deletions of chromosome 5 and/or 7 at 1q23.3 (rs12078864; P=7.0x10-10; DUSP23) and cytogenetically complex AML at 2q33.3 (rs12988876; P=3.28x10-8; PARD3B) and 2p21 (rs79918355; P=1.60x10-9; EPCAM). We also investigated loci previously associated with risk of clonal hematopoiesis (CH) or clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and identified several variants associated with risk of AML. Our results further inform on AML etiology and demonstrate the existence of disease sub-group specific risk loci.

PMID:41610418 | DOI:10.1182/blood.2025031266

Nat Commun. 2026 Jan 28;17(1):605. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-67787-1.

ABSTRACT

A discrete time crystal (DTC) is an out-of-equilibrium phase of matter that spontaneously breaks discrete time-translation symmetry. Previous studies have been limited to a set of models with Ising-like couplings - and mostly only in one dimension - thus precluding our understanding of the existence (or not) of DTCs in models with more realistic interactions. In this work, by combining the latest generation of IBM quantum processors with state-of-the-art tensor network methods, we demonstrate the existence of a DTC in a two-dimensional system governed by anisotropic Heisenberg interactions. We uncover a rich phase diagram encompassing spin-glass, ergodic, and time-crystalline phases, and identify the interplay of initialization, interaction anisotropy, and driving protocols in stabilizing the DTC phase. By extending the study of Floquet matter beyond simplified models, we lay the groundwork for exploring how driven systems bridge the gap between quantum coherence and emergent non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

PMID:41605888 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-67787-1

PLoS One. 2026 Jan 28;21(1):e0328745. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328745. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide, with cases rising at an alarming rate. While the causes of cancer are complex and varied, certain risk factors - such as exposure to environmental pollutants and specific lifestyle choices - are modifiable and can be addressed. A case-control study was conducted in Bangladesh from 25 August 2023 to 18 April 2024 to examine the association between cancer risk and a range of lifestyle and environmental factors. The study specifically focused on six common cancer types: breast, hematological, oral, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. This study identified several lifestyle and environmental factors positively associated with cancer risk. Individuals using wood or kerosene for cooking had higher odds of cancer compared to those using supplied gas (AOR = 3.886). Consumption of overcooked or poorly cooked food was associated with an increased risk of cancer compared to the consumption of well-cooked food (AOR = 2.478). Oral hygiene also showed a relationship, with participants brushing their teeth only 2-3 times a week having a higher chance of cancer compared to those who brush regularly (AOR = 3.103). In addition, frequent exposure to mosquito repellent was positively associated with cancer risk (AOR = 1.569), and exposure to inorganic dust showed a similar association (AOR = 1.673). These findings highlight modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors that could inform future cancer prevention strategies in Bangladesh.

PMID:41604443 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0328745

Ann Bot. 2026 Jan 28:mcag013. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcag013. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primed acclimation (PA) is a phenomenon where an abiotic stressor early in a plant's vegetative stage primes defense pathways to the same stressor at later developmental stages. Similarly, cross-stress tolerance is a response where an exposure to one abiotic stressor creates a 'stress memory' that can more quickly respond to a later, different abiotic stressor. Cross-priming is a phenomenon where an early abiotic stressor confers defense to a late season biotic stressor. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), an economically important crop in the United States, has exhibited beneficial primed acclimation responses in previous studies. Sclerotium rolfsii, the causal agent of southern blight, can inflict significant economic damage to peanut operations. The purpose of this study was therefore to test for cross-priming against southern blight in two peanut cultivars.

METHODS: In this factorial greenhouse study, we instituted four sequential treatments each with two levels: (1) cv. Florun 331/cv. Georgia-06G, (2) Primary Water Stress (P-50FC)/Primary Well-Watered (P-100FC), (3) Inoculated/Control, and (4) Secondary Water Stress (S-0FC)/Secondary Well-Watered (S-100FC), yielding a total of 16 treatments. The primary water stress (PWS) consisted of irrigating plants to 50% field capacity for 35 days and the secondary water stress (SWS) was the withholding of any water for seven days.

KEY RESULTS: We documented the absence of a beneficial cross-priming result as we did not see reduced southern blight progression among plants exposed to the PWS. Crucially, we observed a three-way interaction between cultivar, PWS, and SWS in inoculated plants, whereby the treatment combinations "Georgia-06G→P-50FC→S-0FC" and "Florun331→P-50FC→S-100FC" had substantially greater disease severity than their P-100FC counterparts. Serendipitously, we observed reduced secondary transmission of southern blight in P-50FC treated plants. Overall, our results caution that drought acclimation may not only fail to deliver crop production benefits but could even have an adverse influence on peanut yields and disease severity.

PMID:41601275 | DOI:10.1093/aob/mcag013

Diagnostics (Basel). 2026 Jan 21;16(2):338. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics16020338.

ABSTRACT

Background/Objectives: Stool-based GeneXpert testing has become a useful approach for diagnosing pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). This study compared two stool-processing methods, centrifugation-based processing (CBP) and simple one-step (SOS), for detecting PTB in children using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra). Methods: Children with presumptive PTB were screened cross-sectionally, and stool samples were collected and tested with Ultra using the CBP method from March 2022 to December 2024 across seven divisions of Bangladesh. A subset of stool samples (n = 281) that tested positive (n = 191) and negative (n = 90) by the CBP method were re-tested again with the same sample by Ultra using the SOS method. The results of the Ultra with SOS-processed stool were compared with the CBP method to evaluate overall agreement and detection efficiency across different bacterial burdens. Results: The SOS method detected 97 of 191 CBP-positive samples, resulting in a positive percentage agreement of 50.8% (95% CI: 43.5-58.1). All 90 Ultra-negative stool were also negative by the SOS method, yielding a negative percentage agreement of 100% (95% CI: 96.0-100.0). Overall agreement between the methods was 66.6% (Kappa: 0.398). The SOS method detected 100% of high- (4/4) and medium- (7/7), 97.3% (36/37) of low-, and 83.3% (35/42) of very-low-bacterial-burden samples, but only 14.9% (15/101) of the trace-detected samples that were identified by the CBP method. Conclusions: Stool testing with Ultra using the SOS processing method missed a significant number of the most prevalent form of child TB-the 'trace-detected' category identified by the CBP method. For increased detection of childhood TB nationwide, the national program should prioritize the use of Ultra on stool samples processed by the CBP method.

PMID:41594314 | DOI:10.3390/diagnostics16020338

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2026 Jan 22:S1078-5884(26)00065-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2026.01.029. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Simultaneous treatment of tributaries alongside saphenous trunk ablation is considered the standard practice for managing symptomatic varicose disease. Nevertheless, uncertainty persists regarding the optimal timing of tributary treatment. This study aimed to compare early outcomes of concomitant vs. staged tributary treatment performed as an adjunct to saphenous trunk endovenous laser ablation (EVLA).

METHODS: This was a multicentre, non-blinded, parallel arm, randomised controlled trial (NCT04774939). Patients with symptomatic varicose disease and great, small, or anterior saphenous vein reflux requiring treatment were randomised to isolated laser ablation (ILA) or laser ablation with foam sclerotherapy (LA+FS). Patients randomised to ILA received isolated EVLA of the saphenous trunk, and those randomised to LA+FS received saphenous trunk EVLA with concomitant ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) of tributaries. The primary outcome was the need for additional tributary intervention at 3 months, as determined by the patient. A power analysis, set to detect a 29.8% difference in additional intervention rates, allowing a 14% dropout rate (α = 0.05, β = 0.20), indicated a required sample size of 66 patients.

RESULTS: At 3 months, 20.7% of patients post ILA compared with 0.0% post LA+FS pursued additional UGFS of tributaries (p < .001). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) procedure time was shorter for ILA compared with LA+FS (median 46 minutes [IQR 41, 55] vs. 55 minutes [49, 63]; p < .001), with a higher 3 month Venous Clinical Severity Score following ILA (median 2.0 [IQR 1.0, 3.0] vs. 1.0 [IQR 0.0, 2.0]; p <.001). Complication rates and 3 month quality of life were similar across the groups.

CONCLUSION: Despite some early clinical advantages seen with concomitant tributary treatment, isolated EVLA met the main therapeutic objectives in most patients, thereby representing an acceptable but slightly less effective alternative to concomitant tributary treatment in the short term. Extended follow up is needed to assess the durability of these results.

PMID:41580273 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejvs.2026.01.029

Bioconjug Chem. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5c00519. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cell-surface conjugation has enormous therapeutic and research potential. Existing technologies for cell-surface modification are usually reversible, nonspecific, or rely on genetic editing of target cells. Here, we present the NanoBondy, a nanobody modified for covalent ligation to an unmodified protein target at the cell surface. The NanoBondy utilizes the 20 naturally occurring amino acids, harnessing NeissLock chemistry engineered from Neisseria meningitidis. We evaluated the binding and specificity of a panel of nanobodies to CD45, a long-lived surface marker of nucleated hematopoietic cells. We demonstrated the conversion of existing nanobodies to covalently reacting NanoBondies using a disulfide clamp to position the self-processing module of FrpA close to the nanobody antigen-binding site. The addition of calcium induces anhydride formation at the NanoBondy C-terminus, enabling proximity-directed ligation to surface amines on CD45. We optimized the NanoBondy reaction by fine-tuning linkers and disulfide clamp sites to modulate anhydride positioning. Tandem mass spectrometry mapped reaction sites between NanoBondy and CD45. NanoBondy ligation was robust to buffer, pH, and temperature and was detected within 2 minutes. We established the reaction specificity of NanoBondies to endogenous CD45 at the surface of NK cells and T cells. NanoBondy technology provides a modular approach for targeted, inducible, and covalent cell-surface modification of immune cells without their genetic modification.

PMID:41578972 | DOI:10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5c00519

Reprod Health. 2026 Jan 20. doi: 10.1186/s12978-026-02266-4. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41559775 | DOI:10.1186/s12978-026-02266-4

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 20. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-35791-0. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41559126 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-35791-0

Brain Spine. 2025 Dec 19;6:105904. doi: 10.1016/j.bas.2025.105904. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Clustering techniques can reveal patterns in complex datasets and enable further statistical analysis, but outcomes may vary based on variable selection.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does the choice of input variables affect clustering results in patients undergoing surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD)?

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hierarchical clustering was applied using two variable sets: C16 (16 variables including demographic, radiographic and quality-of-life metrics) and C12 (12 primarily radiographic variables).

RESULTS: Data from 784 patients were analyzed. Both C16 and C12 identified three clusters. In Cluster 1, C16 included younger idiopathic scoliosis patients (age 29.42 ± 11.69 years), while C12 grouped slightly older patients (35.77 ± 15.44 years) with similar sagittal alignment and Cobb angles, but C16 had better quality of life (inverse ODI: 82.24 ± 11.90 vs 74.50 ± 16.90). Cluster 2 included patients with sagittal malalignment and moderate disability, showing similar demographics and ODI, but differing in radiographic features such as Cobb angle (41.39° vs 36.40°), coronal balance (22.12 mm vs 18.66 mm), and lumbar lordosis index (0.77 vs 0.71). Cluster 3 captured patients with severe sagittal malalignment and greater disability. Here, C12 showed more pronounced malalignment (global tilt: 47.45° vs 39.81°), but better quality of life (inverse ODI: 45.94 vs 41.41). The PCA revealed that clustering was driven by quality-of-life metrics in C16 and by radiological parameters in C12.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: both algorithms identified similar cluster numbers and profiles, but the dominant clustering variables differed, highlighting the need to align variable selection with specific study goals.

PMID:41551870 | PMC:PMC12810330 | DOI:10.1016/j.bas.2025.105904

Cureus. 2025 Dec 8;17(12):e98689. doi: 10.7759/cureus.98689. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

Multiple myeloma (MM) can have an insidious onset, particularly in its early stages, which may contribute to delays in diagnosis. Acute encephalopathy is a rare and atypical manifestation of MM that can further complicate timely recognition and management. We present the case of a 57-year-old woman who initially reported fatigue, back pain, recurrent falls, and significant unintentional weight loss and was found to have hypercalcemia, anemia, acute renal dysfunction, and bone lesions. Her clinical course rapidly evolved into profound encephalopathy, characterized by a change in mentation from her baseline, agitation, and eventual unresponsiveness requiring intubation. Extensive investigation, including a bone biopsy, revealed elevated IgA lambda paraproteins consistent with MM. She also had borderline serum hyperviscosity, mildly elevated ammonia levels, and diffuse microhemorrhages on brain MRI. Despite interventions, including plasmapheresis and high-dose steroids, her encephalopathy persisted until initiation of bortezomib-based chemotherapy, resulting in neurological improvement. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing MM as a potential cause of unexplained encephalopathy and highlights the complexity of its neurological manifestations, underscoring the need for prompt hematologic evaluation and interdisciplinary management.

PMID:41510463 | PMC:PMC12776540 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.98689

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 8. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-35196-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in mission-critical operations has intensified the need for efficient, scalable, and adaptive clustering in Flying Ad Hoc Networks (FANETs). This paper presents a clustering optimization framework based on the Secretary Bird Optimization Algorithm (SBOA), a bio-inspired metaheuristic that simulates the strategic hunting behavior of the secretary bird. Compared to the Fire Hawk Optimization Algorithm (FHOA), the Portia Spider Optimization Algorithm (PSOA), and multi-objective optimization algorithm based on sperm fertilization procedure (MOSFP), SBOA results in a balanced exploration-exploitation trade-off that facilitates dynamic and energy-efficient cluster head (CH) selection in high-mobility 3D UAV networks. It is modeled as a multi-objective optimization problem with the aim of minimizing intra-cluster distance, maximizing residual energy, and load balancing. The population of UAVs ranges from 30 to 160 nodes, the communication range from 100 to 900 m, and the 3D grid scale. It emerges that SBOA outperforms all its counterparts in terms of up to 15% higher optimization fitness, 10% higher cluster density, and 40% reduced load imbalance. SBOA's superiority with respect to convergence stability, cluster uniformity, and CH workload distribution is further validated using several visualization tools like heatmaps, t-SNE projections, and statistical plots. SBOA has also been able to achieve over 85% optimal fitness even in highly sparse environments to establish its scalability and robustness. Statistical validation confirmed that SBOA significantly outperformed FHOA, PSOA, and MOSFP to achieve as high as 0.15 higher fitness, with p < 0.001, reduced the convergence time by almost four frames, with p = 0.003, provided 40% lower load imbalance, with p < 0.001, with consistently tighter cluster stability distributions to validate its robustness for large-scale real-time FANET deployments. Such findings make SBOA a viable and high-performance clustering solution for next-generation, real-time, energy-constrained FANET deployments in critical and dynamic environments. SBOA may be extended to incorporate mobility prediction and energy-aware routing to enhance real-time scalability in larger and more dynamic FANET scenarios using a hybrid approach.

PMID:41507307 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-35196-z

Eur Spine J. 2026 Jan 8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-025-09734-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Technical case report.

INTRODUCTION: Severe thoracic hyperkyphosis caused by multiple osteoporotic fractures can lead to significant disability. When deformities are rigid, surgical correction may be required. This report describes a rare case of four-level pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) to address a fixed deformity, with focus on technique, outcomes, and complications.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old female with Scheuermann's disease developed progressive thoracic hyperkyphosis due to osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Radiographs showed a rigid kyphosis of 130.3°. The patient underwent a two-stage surgery: cement-augmented instrumentation (T2-L3), followed by contiguous PSOs from T6 to T9. Neurophysiological monitoring was used throughout.

RESULTS: Kyphosis was corrected from 130.3° to 48°. Postoperatively, the patient developed progressive lower limb weakness due to spinal cord kinking. Revision surgery allowed neurological recovery. At two years, radiological parameters remained stable, and the patient reported reduced pain, improved mobility, and restored quality of life.

CONCLUSION: Four-level PSO can be an effective treatment for severe rigid thoracic hyperkyphosis in osteoporotic patients. Although technically demanding and associated with potential complications, careful planning and staged correction can result in successful outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV (Case Report).

PMID:41501208 | DOI:10.1007/s00586-025-09734-8

JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Jan 7;15:e79022. doi: 10.2196/79022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) recognizes the dynamic nature of individuals' states and contexts, predicts support needs, and sends tailored support at more opportune, actionable times.

OBJECTIVE: This paper outlines the application architecture and protocol for the pilot "Walking With Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions" (WWJ) study, which uses a JITAI approach to improve walking behavior-duration, speed, and distance-and reduce stationary time, defined as idle sitting or standing.

METHODS: This study targets 20 adults who are physically inactive and leverages the Apple Watch to deliver fully automated tailored intervention notifications to "walk faster," "walk longer," or "stand up and move around" based on real-time data and contextual factors, including time-of-day activity patterns, geographic locations (eg, home, work, park, and gymnasium), weather conditions (eg, precipitation, wind speed, and humidity), and receptiveness. The protocol involves a preintervention assessment of demographics, behavior change constructs, anthropometrics, and resting vital signs; a 2-week observation period to establish walking behavior and stationary time baselines; a 2-week just-in-time learning period to evaluate receptiveness to untailored prompts at all applicable times; the 2-week JITAI intervention phase; and a postintervention assessment. Feasibility will be evaluated through protocol fidelity, participant adherence, Apple Watch wear-time compliance, user burden, acceptability ratings, and perceptions of benefits and preferences.

RESULTS: The WWJ architecture development began in spring 2021 and concluded in fall 2022. Participant recruitment and enrollment began in fall 2022. A total of 18 participants were recruited. Upon completion of the analyses, the results of this study are expected to be submitted for publication.

CONCLUSIONS: Distinctively, the WWJ just-in-time learning period aims to train the learner based on user receptiveness within contexts by sending interventions whenever a participant meets the predetermined thresholds regardless of the likelihood that the user will be receptive to the notification to prune out nonopportune or "nonactionable" times. This approach may allow for greater customization during the JITAI period.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/79022.

PMID:41499773 | DOI:10.2196/79022

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2025 Dec 24;279:113016. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.113016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Evidence on the association between tobacco/nicotine and other substance use (TOSU) and adolescent nicotine pouch (NP) awareness and use is lacking but vital for policy and prevention planning.

METHODS: The sample was drawn from the 2023 Monitoring the Future study, a nationally representative survey of U.S. adolescents (8th, 10th, 12th graders). One-third of participants were randomly selected to complete questions on NP awareness and use (lifetime, past 12-month, past 12-month frequency) and past 30-day TOSU measures (yes/no). We estimated risk ratios (RRs) and incident rate ratios (IRRs) to examine the associations between TOSU and NP awareness and use.

RESULTS: Overall (n = 6958; 53.4 % female), 35.4 % reported NP awareness, 2.5 % reported lifetime use, and 1.8 % reported past 12-month use. Past 30-day use of tobacco/nicotine products was each positively associated with NP awareness (RRs:1.42-1.70), lifetime (RRs:7.14-20.40), and past 12-month (RRs:5.84-22.44) use, with the strong associations for youth with vs. without smokeless tobacco use. Cannabis, alcohol, and other drug past 30-day use were each associated with NP awareness (RRs:1.49-1.68), lifetime (RRs:3.47-10.49), and past 12-month (RRs:4.70-15.70) use.

CONCLUSIONS: NP awareness and use prevalence were disproportionately high among adolescents with various forms of TOSU in 2023, especially smokeless tobacco. These findings suggest the importance of monitoring NP use among youth with TOSU while recognizing that awareness may also reflect broader marketing, product availability, or incidental exposure. Policy and prevention efforts should address NP use alongside TOSU with established health risks.

PMID:41494224 | DOI:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.113016

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 5. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-34262-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Colon cancer continues to be a major contributor to cancer-related deaths worldwide, highlighting the critical need for reliable and early detection methods. In response, this research introduces an advanced deep learning framework for the automated identification of colon cancer through histopathological image analysis. The framework integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with Bayesian optimization to efficiently fine-tune hyperparameters, enhancing classification accuracy while minimizing overfitting. The model was trained and tested using a publicly accessible dataset that merges data from Kaggle and the Kaggle Cancer Data Portal (KCDP), covering nine distinct tissue types: Normal, Tumor, Stroma, Lympho, Complex, Debris, Mucosa, Adipose, and Background. The optimized CNN demonstrated strong performance, achieving an accuracy of 96.84%, a precision of 97.02%, a recall of 96.50%, and an F1-score of 96.71%. Additionally, the model attained an AUC (Area Under Curve) of 0.97, indicating high discriminative capability. Compared to baseline CNN and ResNet architectures, the proposed method demonstrated superior robustness and generalization due to effective data augmentation and stain normalization techniques. These findings suggest that the model offers substantial promise as a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) tool to assist pathologists in clinical decision-making, and can be extended to other cancer types through transfer learning and model adaptation. While the framework demonstrates strong within-dataset performance, external validation on independent, multi-institutional cohorts is required before clinical deployment.

PMID:41492074 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-34262-2

J Nutr. 2025 Dec 31:101309. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.101309. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A new generation of standard reference diets (SRDs) is essential to enhance the integrity of research associated with the use of laboratory animal models in the study of human disease. Support for the value of this fundamental facet of experimental methodology is provided via an historical overview, an assessment of current status, and the advancements and opportunities that will be realized through further development and routine use. An outline of the extensive investment in animal nutrition research by NIH during the past 30 years is presented with specific reference to rodent animal models and standardization in dietary methodology. Timely recommendations for renewed action that revitalize and expand the use of SRDs in rodents and other models, such as zebrafish, are provided with the aim of achieving more rigor, transparency, replicability, interpretability, and integrity in pre-clinical and translational animal model-based research. Ultimately, benefits of these efforts will be fulfilled through expeditious development of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches for human diseases.

PMID:41482233 | DOI:10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.101309

J Chem Phys. 2025 Dec 28;163(24):244708. doi: 10.1063/5.0291158.

ABSTRACT

The temperature-dependent structural dynamics of Si dimers on the reconstructed Si(001) surface are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations with a newly developed machine learned interatomic potential trained on a database derived from density functional theory-based calculations. We find a finite probability of dimers occupying the higher energy symmetric configurations (associated with metallic behavior) even at temperatures as low as 300 K and that this probability continues to grow with increasing temperature as the lower energy asymmetric dimers flip rapidly with rates ranging from 106 to 109 s-1. Furthermore, above 700 K, some dimers are found to dissociate, leading to the presence of Si adatoms on the surface. These results are in accord with the experimental observations of metallicity on Si(001) with an onset around 400 K, which increases with increasing temperature followed by an abrupt rise around 700 K. By capturing the dynamics of dimer flipping, which on average reflect a domination of the symmetric configuration over the ground state asymmetric geometry, these simulations provide a rationale for the origin of the observed metallicity.

PMID:41467679 | DOI:10.1063/5.0291158

Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 27. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-32520-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Reliable identification of agricultural pests and beneficial insects is crucial for sustainable crop protection and ecological balance, yet most vision-based models remain black boxes and require high-dimensional features. This paper proposes an explainable hybrid insect-classification framework that combines convolutional neural network (CNN) feature extraction with a dual-XAI feature selection strategy. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Permutation Feature Importance (PFI) are applied in parallel to rank handcrafted and CNN-derived features, and their intersection yields a compact, biologically meaningful subset for final classification. The selected features are evaluated using lightweight classifiers and a hybrid ensemble, enabling accurate inference under field variability. Experiments on a curated, balanced dataset of four classes (Colorado potato beetle, green peach aphid, seven-spot ladybird, and healthy leaves) collected under diverse lighting and background conditions achieve 96.7% overall accuracy, with precision, recall, and F1-scores all above 96%. Importantly, performance remains stable when reducing dimensionality, retaining ≥90% accuracy using only the top 11 hybrid-selected features. These results demonstrate that integrating SHAP and PFI improves both robustness and interpretability, supporting practical deployment for automated pest monitoring and precision agriculture.

PMID:41455740 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-32520-x

JACS Au. 2025 Nov 14;5(12):5917-5923. doi: 10.1021/jacsau.5c01209. eCollection 2025 Dec 22.

ABSTRACT

DNA nanotechnology has emerged as a promising field for biomedical applications, in both the therapeutic and diagnostic domains. The ability of DNA nanostructures to carry cargos in precise numbers and orientations makes them competitive candidates for drug delivery, biosensors, or imaging agents. Two of the main challenges for translating DNA nanostructures from the laboratory to the clinic are achieving cost-effective large-scale production and establishing comprehensive safety profiles. Having the ability to reliably and efficiently purify functionalized DNA nanostructures is key to both challenges and an open question in the field of DNA nanotechnology. Here we present a scalable method for the fast and efficient purification of a high concentration of peptide- or protein-functionalized DNA nanostructures. We use a gravity-driven size exclusion chromatography approach that has the potential to purify DNA nanostructures within 10 min in yields of up to 93% with purities of over 99.9% and is appropriate for both protein and peptide conjugates.

PMID:41450627 | PMC:PMC12728597 | DOI:10.1021/jacsau.5c01209