Deciphering state-dependent immune features from multi-layer omics data at single-cell resolution.

Current molecular quantitative trait locus catalogs are mostly at bulk resolution and centered on Europeans. Here, we constructed an immune cell atlas with single-cell transcriptomics of >1.5 million peripheral blood mononuclear cells, host genetics, plasma proteomics and gut metagenomics from 235 Japanese persons, including patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and healthy individuals.

A Conversational Robot for Cognitively Impaired Older People Who Live Alone: An Exploratory Feasibility Study.

Background: Social isolation and loneliness are significant risk factors for poor mental health in older adults, particularly those living alone with cognitive impairment. Socially assistive robots (SARs) offer a promising approach to enhance social connection and emotional well-being in this population. This study aimed to examine the feasibility, acceptability and potential psychosocial impact of a 16-week, home-based use of a conversational SAR in cognitively impaired older adults living alone.

Sumanene-Conjugated Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer for the Detection of Metal Cations in Aqueous Solution.

Chemistry and applications of sumanene derivatives as molecular receptors of cations have been an area of interest in applied supramolecular chemistry of this buckybowl. Notably, creating sumanene-based receptors enabling the detection of alkali metals in purely aqueous solutions has been a vital challenge. This work reports the design of sumanene conjugate with poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM; generation 2.

Vasoprotective effects of lysophosphatidic acid inhibit vascular injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Vasculitis and vascular injury are induced in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, suggesting an association between multi-organ failure and sequelae. Vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) disrupts vascular barrier function, activates coagulation pathways, and induces extravasation of inflammatory cells. In addition to employing standard anti-inflammatory and antiviral agents, using treatments that stabilize and protect blood vessels following SARS-CoV-2 infection is a potentially effective strategy to relieve COVID-19 severity.

Identifying genetic variations in 89 associated with severe invasive infections.

causes mild human infections as well as life-threatening invasive diseases. Since the mutations known to enhance virulence to date account for only half of the severe invasive infections, additional mechanisms/mutations need to be identified. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study of 89 strains to comprehensively identify pathology-related bacterial genetic factors (single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs], indels, genes, or k-mers).

Modulating Immunogenicity and Reactogenicity in mRNA-Lipid Nanoparticle Vaccines through Lipid Component Optimization.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines effectively induce antibody production and T cell responses. However, adverse reactions, such as fatigue and fever, following administration remain a key challenge. To modulate the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of mRNA vaccines, the optimization of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations has been attempted, particularly by screening ionizable lipids.

HP1-Mediated Silencing of the Gene for Female Determination in the Crustacean .

The crustacean produces genetically identical females and males by parthenogenesis. Males are produced in response to environmental cues including crowding and lack of food. For male development, the DM-domain containing transcription factor Doublesex1 (DSX1) is expressed spatiotemporally in male-specific traits and orchestrates male trait formation in both somatic and gonadal tissues.

Insight into Interparticle Hydrogen Spillover Driven by Remote Metal Oxides.

Hydrogen spillover is a dynamic phenomenon that involves the generation of atomic hydrogen from H via H-H dissociation at a metal site, followed by rapid diffusion of the H/e pairs over the solid support surface. Although intraparticle hydrogen spillover on a single metal oxide support that has metal sites to initiate H dissociation has been extensively investigated, the study of interparticle hydrogen spillover, where atomic hydrogen diffuses to another metal oxide support at the interface, has lagged behind, despite the unique catalytic performance observed. Herein, the interparticle hydrogen spillover phenomenon from a hydrogen donor specimen to a hydrogen acceptor specimen was systematically examined using H-temperature-programmed reduction (H-TPR), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT).

OTUD3 prevents ulcerative colitis by inhibiting microbiota-mediated STING activation.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) develops through a complicated interaction between the host and microbiota. Intestinal fibroblasts are believed to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of UC, but the influence of the host-microbiota interaction on the pathophysiology of intestinal fibroblasts remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that OTU deubiquitinase 3 (OTUD3) suppresses pathologic activation of fibroblasts exposed to microbial cyclic GMP-AMP (3'3'-cGAMP) in the colon by deubiquitinating stimulator of interferon genes (STING).

Enhancing online interaction through avatar-based dialogue systems utilizing the approaching movement.

The rise in online interactions has introduced multiple challenges, including confusion during virtual meetings and fatigue associated with prolonged video conferencing. To address these issues, this study advocates using computer graphics (CG) avatars in dialogue systems that do not rely on camera feeds. Avatars have the potential to diminish gaze-related misunderstandings and reduce dissatisfaction arising from viewing oneself in video calls.

Therapeutic efficacy of molecular-targeted drugs for enthesitis in patients with PsA: a network meta-analysis.

Objectives: Enthesitis plays a key role in the pathogenesis of PsA. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of molecular-targeted therapies for enthesitis in patients with PsA.

Methods: In this network meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024590257), studies published up to April 2025 were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.

Downregulation of due to loss of TDP-43 function exacerbates motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is of particular interest in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It has been speculated that loss of nuclear TDP-43 and its cytoplasmic aggregation contributes to neurodegeneration. Although considerable attention has been paid to RNA metabolism in TDP-43 function, TDP-43 is also known to act as a transcription factor.

Electroretinogram as an Early Diagnostic Biomarker for Acute Retinal Necrosis: A Multicenter Comparative Study.

Purpose: Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a rare but severe ocular condition that often results in significant visual impairment or blindness. We aimed to determine whether ARN exhibits a distinct electroretinogram (ERG) waveform compared with other infectious and non-infectious uveitis forms.

Methods: This retrospective observational multicenter study included a total of 73 patients; 21 with ARN, 9 with bacterial endophthalmitis, 16 with other types of infectious uveitis, and 27 with non-infectious uveitis.

Isolation of a Tissierellaceae Bacterium Exhibiting a High Reduction Potential for Insoluble Indigo Dyes.

In traditional indigo dyeing, water-insoluble indigo is anaerobically converted into soluble leuco-indigo via microbial reduction in alkaline dye suspensions, allowing its use as a fabric dye. Although various indigo-reducing bacteria have been isolated to date, culture-independent microbial community ana-lyses have suggested that bacteria belonging to uncultured clades also contribute to indigo reduction. Therefore, we aimed to isolate previously overlooked indigo-reducing bacteria using an unconventional culture method.

Unveiled open-shell nature of an antiaromatic molecule by surface-molecule interaction: a concept suggestion by spin-projected density functional theory.

Research on the physical properties of antiaromatic molecules lags behind that of aromatic molecules, despite their unique electronic structures. We propose to control the electronic states of antiaromatic molecules through surface adsorption. Ferro/antiferromagnetism can be induced by surface adsorption on cyclobutadiene, a nonmagnetic molecule in the gas phase.

Oncolytic adenovirus serotype 35 mediated tumor growth suppression efficient activation of antitumor immunity.

Background: Oncolytic adenoviruses (OAds) mediate superior antitumor effects both by inducing direct oncolysis and activating antitumor immunity. Previously, we developed a novel OAd fully composed of human adenovirus serotype 35 (OAd35). OAd35 efficiently killed a variety of human tumor cells; however, OAd35-mediated activation of antitumor immunity remains to be evaluated.

Characterizing the tumor immune environment in thymic epithelial tumors using T-cell receptor repertoire analysis and gene expression profiling.

Objectives: A thymoma is a functional thymic epithelial tumor wherein tumorigenic thymic epithelial cells possess T-cell differentiation and maturation potential. The tumor immune environment exhibits heterogeneous tumor immunity. The tumor immune environment of thymoma is characterized by its distinctive and complex immunological functions, requiring an analysis of the various factors involved.

Increasing stiffness and thermal response behavior of collagen/metal nanoparticle composite hydrogels fabricated through radiochemical reduction.

Metal nanoparticle/hydrogel composites have attracted attention in the fields of materials science and applied chemistry. In this study, collagen/transition-metal nanoparticle (Col-TMNP) hydrogels are fabricated through radiochemical reduction on collagen-transition metal (Col-TM) gels, which we previously reported. Co γ-ray irradiation of Col-Au and Col-Pt gels enables the uniform formation of metal nanoparticles within the collagen matrix, eliminating the need for chemical reducing agents.

Tough Hydrogels Designed for a Stretch-Induced Decrease in Electrical Resistance Using Tandem Host-Guest and Ionic Cross-Linking.

Developing hydrogels that simultaneously exhibit mechanical toughness, interfacial adhesion, and a stretch-induced decline in electrical resistance remains a key challenge for soft and stretchable devices. Here, we present a supramolecular hydrogel system based on a tandem cross-linking strategy, formed through host-guest complexation between β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and hydrophobic anions (TFSI or NFO), followed by sequential ionic interactions between anions and imidazolium polycations. The supramolecular hydrogels formed stable networks with enhanced mechanical strength, moderate swelling, and tunable adhesion, governed by the alkyl chain length of polycations, counteranions, and matrix polymers.

Verifying the efficient functional N species of metal-free N-doped carbons for CO-to-CO electrochemical conversion using zeolite-templated carbons with N species tuned by a recarbonization treatment.

The electrochemical reduction reaction of carbon dioxide is expected as a potential solution to reducing CO emission and providing value-added chemicals. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a fundamental chemical precursor for industrially important reactions. Therefore, metal-free heteroatom-doped carbon materials have attracted increasing attention as electrocatalysts for CO-to-CO conversion.

Codon-deoptimized single-round infectious virus for therapeutic and vaccine applications.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a major cause of myocarditis and acute pancreatitis, particularly in neonates, in whom infections result in severe symptoms and high mortality rates. Despite the urgent need for effective preventive strategies, no vaccines or therapeutic agents have been developed. Live-attenuated vaccines hold promise for combating viral infections; however, their pathogenicity must be carefully regulated without compromising immunogenicity.

Long-term prognosis of punctate inner choroidopathy lesions in pathologic myopia and their relationship to lacquer cracks.

We investigated eyes with pathological myopic (PM) with punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC), a rare inflammatory disease, and focused on the association between PIC lesions and lacquer cracks (LCs). We retrospectively reviewed 36 myopic eyes diagnosed with PIC from 2001 to 2020 and followed for at least 3 years. Clinical characteristics were compared between the PM and non-PM eyes and between the PIC lesions with/without a coincident LC course.

Recovery of centralities in medial prefrontal and sensory-related cortices associated with social behavior improvements in an autism mouse model.

Anti-epileptics and diuretics, used for unapproved purposes, have been reported to ameliorate social deficits in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we explored the effects of bumetanide, clonazepam, and phenytoin, all with clinically reported properties for improving social deficits, in a prenatal valproic acid exposure male mouse model.

Detecting existence of a hidden mediator between a pair of individual time series.

Collective behaviors in groups emerge from complex webs of direct and indirect interactions among individuals. While pairwise interactions are fundamental to understanding group dynamics, each agent's historical trajectory confounds causal inference, making it challenging to disentangle direct interactions from those mediated by hidden intermediaries. Here, we address the question: given observational tracking data from only a single pair of agents, can we determine whether their interaction is direct or mediated by an unseen third agent? We propose a framework based on modified transfer entropy analysis across delay times to detect the presence of a hidden intermediary.

Enhanced cytotoxicity against cancer cells by acetylation of a planar catechin analog.

Catechin is a major antioxidant and also shows anti-cancer effect. We have synthesized a catechin analog possessing a planar structure, planar catechin, which has 10-fold larger radical-scavenging activity than the parental (+)-catechin, and demonstrated that the planar catechin showed a significant cytotoxicity in cancer cells. However, the planar catechin has a possibility to lose the innate activity before reaching target cells, because of the higher reactivity with other biological molecules.