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A recently developed pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 bursting in Wuhan, China, has quickly spread across the world. We report the clinical characteristics of 82 cases of death from COVID-19 in a single center. Clinical data on 82 death cases laboratory-confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 infection were obtained from a Wuhan local hospital's electronic medical records according to previously designed standardized data collection forms. All patients were local residents of Wuhan, and a large proportion of them were diagnosed with severe illness when admitted. Due to the overwhelming of our system, a total of 14 patients (17.1%) were treated in the ICU, 83% of deaths never received Critical Care Support, only 40% had mechanical ventilation support despite 100% needing oxygen and the leading cause of death being pulmonary. Most of the patients who died were male (65.9%). More than half of the patients who died were older than 60 years (80.5%), and the median age was 72.5 years. The bulk of the patients who died had comorbidities (76.8%), including hypertension (56.1%), heart disease (20.7%), diabetes (18.3%), cerebrovascular disease (12.2%), and cancer (7.3%). Respiratory failure remained the leading cause of death (69.5%), followed by sepsis/MOF (28.0%), cardiac failure (14.6%), hemorrhage (6.1%), and renal failure (3.7%). Furthermore, respiratory, cardiac, hemorrhagic, hepatic, and renal damage were found in 100%, 89%, 80.5%, 78.0%, and 31.7% of patients, respectively. On admission, lymphopenia (89.2%), neutrophilia (74.3%), and thrombocytopenia (24.3%) were usually observed. Most patients had a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio of >5 (94.5%), high systemic immune-inflammation index of >500 (89.2%), and increased C-reactive protein (100%), lactate dehydrogenase (93.2%), and D-dimer (97.1%) levels. A high level of IL-6 (>10 pg/ml) was observed in all detected patients. The median time from initial symptoms to death was 15 days (IQR 11-20), and a significant association between aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.002), alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.037) and time from initial symptoms to death was remarkably observed. Older males with comorbidities are more likely to develop severe disease and even die from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Respiratory failure is the main cause of COVID-19, but the virus itself and cytokine release syndrome-mediated damage to other organs, including cardiac, renal, hepatic, and hemorrhagic damage, should be taken seriously as well.

We propose a new type of spin-valley locking (SVL), named C- paired SVL, in antiferromagnetic systems, which directly connects the spin/valley space with the real space, and hence enables both static and dynamical controls of spin and valley to realize a multifunctional antiferromagnetic material. The new emergent quantum degree of freedom in the C- paired SVL is comprised of spin-polarized valleys related by a crystal symmetry instead of the time-reversal symmetry. Thus, both spin and valley can be accessed by simply breaking the corresponding crystal symmetry. Typically, one can use a strain field to induce a large net valley polarization/magnetization and use a charge current to generate a large noncollinear spin current. We predict the realization of the C -paired SVL in monolayer V 2 Se 2 O, which indeed exhibits giant piezomagnetism and can generate a large transverse spin current. Our findings provide unprecedented opportunities to integrate various controls of spin and valley with nonvolatile information storage in a single material, which is highly desirable for versatile fundamental research and device applications. Quantum degrees of freedom, such as spin or valleys, lie at the basis of many intriguing phenomena. In this theory work, the authors present a new type of spin-valley locking enabled by a crystalline symmetry, which allows for the generation of valley polarizations and net magnetization via strain, and non-collinear spin currents via charge currents.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are crucial for the immune defense of many organisms, serving as a potent mechanism for neutrophils to capture and eliminate extracellular pathogens. While NETosis and its antimicrobial mechanisms have been well studied in mammals, research on NETs formation in teleost fish remains limited. In this study, we used the large yellow croaker ( Larimichthys crocea ) as the study model to investigate NETosis and its role in pathogen defense. Our results showed that infection with Pseudomonas plecoglossicida could induce NETosis. To further explore the underlying mechanism, we performed transcriptome analysis and western blotting, which revealed that P. plecoglossicida triggers NETosis through activation of the autophagy pathway. Inhibition of autophagy significantly reduced NET production, highlighting its critical role in this process. Furthermore, our studies demonstrated that NETs exert a bacteriostatic effect, significantly suppressing the growth of P. plecoglossicida . Taken together, our findings reveal that autophagy regulates NETosis in large yellow croaker and underscore the essential role of NETs in bacterial defense, providing new insights into immune responses in teleost fish.

Following the first experimental realization of graphene, other ultrathin materials with unprecedented electronic properties have been explored, with particular attention given to the heavy group-IV elements Si, Ge and Sn. Two-dimensional buckled Si-based silicene has been recently realized by molecular beam epitaxy growth, whereas Ge-based germanene was obtained by molecular beam epitaxy and mechanical exfoliation. However, the synthesis of Sn-based stanene has proved challenging so far. Here, we report the successful fabrication of 2D stanene by molecular beam epitaxy, confirmed by atomic and electronic characterization using scanning tunnelling microscopy and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, in combination with first-principles calculations. The synthesis of stanene and its derivatives will stimulate further experimental investigation of their theoretically predicted properties, such as a 2D topological insulating behaviour with a very large bandgap, and the capability to support enhanced thermoelectric performance, topological superconductivity and the near-room-temperature quantum anomalous Hall effect. The growth of stanene on bismuth telluride has been achieved using molecular beam epitaxy. Photoemission spectroscopy and theoretical calculations are used to investigate the effects of the substrate on the electronic properties of the Sn layers.

Soil-borne fungal pathogens that cause crop disease are major threats to agriculture worldwide. Here, we identified a secretory polysaccharide deacetylase (PDA1) from the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae , the most notorious plant pathogen of the Verticillium genus, that facilitates virulence through direct deacetylation of chitin oligomers whose N -acetyl group contributes to host lysine motif (LysM)-containing receptor perception for ligand-triggered immunity. Polysaccharide deacetylases are widely present in fungi, bacteria, insects and marine invertebrates and have been reported to possess diverse functions in developmental processes rather than virulence. A phylogenetics analysis of more than 5,000 fungal proteins with conserved polysaccharide deacetylase domains showed that the V. dahliae PDA1-containing subtree includes a large number of proteins from the Verticillium genus as well as the Fusarium genus, another group of characterized soil-borne fungal pathogens, suggesting that soil-borne fungal pathogens have adopted chitin deacetylation as a major virulence strategy. We showed that a Fusarium PDA1 is required for virulence in cotton plants. This study reveals a substantial virulence function role of polysaccharide deacetylases in pathogenic fungi and demonstrates a subtle mechanism whereby deacetylation of chitin oligomers converts them to ligand-inactive chitosan, representing a common strategy of preventing chitin-triggered host immunity by soil-borne fungal pathogens. Chitin oligomers from fungal cell walls induce plant immunity. Genetic evidence shows that chitin deacetylation by a secreted fungal enzyme hides the presence of the pathogen from the immune recognition system and is essential for host colonization.

Preparatory reading—the phase between a translator’s initial reading of the source text and the production of the first word of the target text—remains underexplored despite its crucial role in both sight (SiT) and written translation (WT). This study examined preparatory reading patterns of 32 student translators, focusing on the effects of translation mode (SiT vs. WT) and direction (L1-to-L2 vs. L2-to-L1). Translators’ attention allocation, cognitive effort, and reading speed were measured using preparatory reading duration, average fixation duration, and fixation rate (i.e., number of fixations per second) as key indicators. Using linear mixed-effect models, we quantified the effects of translation mode and direction on each measure. We then synthesized all three measures by employing unsupervised machine learning algorithms (i.e. k -means cluster analysis) to identify distinct reading patterns. These quantitative findings were further complemented by expert qualitative categorization of reading patterns, achieved through subjective coding of scanpaths and Translation Process Graphs. We found that translation mode played a primary role in shaping preparatory reading styles, with SiT consistently requiring greater cognitive effort, more attention, and slower reading speeds than WT—particularly under the L1-to-L2 condition. Translation direction further modulated these effects in nuanced ways. Specifically, L2-to-L1 was associated with increased attention allocation in WT, but with less cognitive effort and faster reading in SiT. Additionally, we found three distinct preparatory reading patterns: Fast Surface-level Preparatory Reading, Systematic Deep-level Preparatory Reading, and Extended Iterative Preparatory Reading, each reflecting a distinct combination of cognitive investment and reading speed. These findings could advance our understanding of translators’ preparatory reading behaviors and underscore the need to equip them with adaptable, task-sensitive reading strategies that align with the cognitive demands of different translation modes and directions.

Monolayer iron selenide grown on SrTiO 3 has recently gained attention due to suggestive evidence it superconducts at high temperature. In situ electrical transport measurements now reveal a transition temperature above 100 K. Recent experiments on FeSe films grown on SrTiO 3 (STO) suggest that interface effects can be used as a means to reach superconducting critical temperatures ( T c ) of up to 80 K (ref.  1 ). This is nearly ten times the T c of bulk FeSe and higher than the record value of 56 K for known bulk Fe-based superconductors 2 . Together with recent studies of superconductivity at oxide heterostructure interfaces 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , these results rekindle the long-standing idea that electron pairing at interfaces between two different materials can be tailored to achieve high-temperature superconductivity 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 . Subsequent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements of the FeSe/STO system revealed an electronic structure distinct from bulk FeSe (refs  13 , 14 ), with an energy gap vanishing at around 65 K. However, ex situ electrical transport measurements 1 , 15 have so far detected zero resistance—the key experimental signature of superconductivity—only below 30 K. Here, we report the observation of superconductivity with T c above 100 K in the FeSe/STO system by means of in situ four-point probe electrical transport measurements. This finding confirms FeSe/STO as an ideal material for studying high- T c superconductivity.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and persistent inflammatory skin disease characterized by eczematous lesions and itching, and it has become a serious health problem. However, the common clinical treatments provide limited relief and are accompanied by adverse effects. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel and effective therapies to treat AD. Neferine is a small molecule compound isolated from the green embryo of the mature seeds of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). It has a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid structure. Relevant studies have shown that neferine has many pharmacological and biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-diabetic activities. However, there are very few studies on neferine in the skin, especially the related effects on inflammatory skin diseases. In this study, we proved that it has the potential to be used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Through in vitro studies, we found that neferine inhibited the expression of cytokines and chemokines in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells, and it reduced the phosphorylation of MAPK and the NF-κB signaling pathway. Through in vivo experiments, we used 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to induce atopic dermatitis-like skin inflammation in a mouse model. Our results show that neferine significantly decreased the skin barrier damage, scratching responses, and epidermal hyperplasia induced by DNCB. It significantly decreased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, blood flow, and ear thickness and increased surface skin hydration. Moreover, it also inhibited the expression of cytokines and the activation of signaling pathways. These results indicate that neferine has good potential as an alternative medicine for the treatment of atopic dermatitis or other skin-related inflammatory diseases.

We study the scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) from a chiral scalar–tensor theory of gravity. The parity-violating (PV) Lagrangian contains the Chern–Simons (CS) term and PV scalar–tensor terms, which are built of the quadratic Riemann tensor term and first-order derivatives of a scalar field. We consider SIGWs in two cases, in which the semi-analytic expression to calculate SIGWs can be obtained. Then, we calculate the fractional energy density of SIGWs with a monochromatic power spectrum for the curvature perturbation. We find that the SIGWs in chiral scalar–tensor gravity behave differently from those in GR before and after the peak frequency, which results in a large degree of circular polarization.

Sepsis is a prevalent disease that has alarmingly high mortality rates and, for several survivors, long-term morbidity. The modern definition of sepsis is an aberrant host response to infection followed by a life-threatening organ dysfunction. Sepsis has a complicated pathophysiology and involves multiple immune and non-immune mediators. It is now believed that in the initial stages of sepsis, excessive immune system activation and cascading inflammation are usually accompanied by immunosuppression. During the pathophysiology of severe sepsis, neutrophils are crucial. Recent researches have demonstrated a clear link between the process of neutrophil cell death and the emergence of organ dysfunction in sepsis. During sepsis, spontaneous apoptosis of neutrophils is inhibited and neutrophils may undergo some other types of cell death. In this review, we describe various types of neutrophil cell death, including necrosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, NETosis, and autophagy, to reveal their known effects in the development and progression of sepsis. However, the exact role and mechanisms of neutrophil cell death in sepsis have not been fully elucidated, and this remains a major challenge for future neutrophil research. We hope that this review will provide hints for researches regarding neutrophil cell death in sepsis and provide insights for clinical practitioners.