Explore the vast range of titles available.

Modern active distribution networks are increasingly characterized by high complexity, uncertainty, and distributed clustering, posing challenges for traditional model-based simulations in capturing nonlinear dynamics and stochastic variations. This study develops a data–model hybrid-driven simulation architecture that integrates a Federated Evolutionary Monte Carlo Optimization (FEMCO) algorithm for distribution network optimization. The model-driven module employs spectral clustering to decompose the network into multiple autonomous subsystems and performs distributed reconstruction through gradient descent. The data-driven module, built upon Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, learns temporal dependencies between load curves and operational parameters to enhance predictive accuracy. These two modules are fused via a Random Forest ensemble, while FEMCO jointly leverages Monte Carlo global sampling, Federated Learning-based distributed training, and Genetic Algorithm-driven evolutionary optimization. Simulation studies on the IEEE 33 bus distribution system demonstrate that the proposed framework reduces power losses by 25–45% and voltage deviations by 75–85% compared with conventional Genetic Algorithm and Monte Carlo approaches. The results confirm that the proposed hybrid architecture effectively improves convergence stability, optimization precision, and adaptability, providing a scalable solution for the intelligent operation and distributed control of modern power distribution systems.

Key messageHost resistance conferred by Pm genes provides an effective strategy to control powdery mildew. The study of Pm genes helps modern breeding develop toward more intelligent and customized.Powdery mildew of wheat is one of the most destructive diseases seriously threatening the crop yield and quality worldwide. The genetic research on powdery mildew (Pm) resistance has entered a new era. Many Pm genes from wheat and its wild and domesticated relatives have been mined and cloned. Meanwhile, modern breeding strategies based on high-throughput sequencing and genome editing are emerging and developing toward more intelligent and customized. This review highlights mining and cloning of Pm genes, molecular mechanism studies on the resistance and avirulence genes, and prospects for genomic-assisted breeding for powdery mildew resistance in wheat.

Background Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection can lead to a range of adverse outcomes. The majority of cCMV neonates with clinical symptoms are infected postnatally; however, established cases of intrauterine infection are uncommon, resulting in a paucity of reports on clinical findings and lymphocytes expression in CMV-infected neonates. Case presentation We followed a neonate with cCMV infection from the onset of hospitalization to several months of follow-up. This infant was intrauterine CMV-positive in the amniotic fluid of the mother at 21 weeks’ gestation and received intravenous ganciclovir infusion and sequential oral valganciclovir after birth. The typical clinical signs manifested in the nervous system, liver, and peripheral blood and were documented during the hospitalizaion period and up to the follow-up visit. Flow cytometry was employed to examine the expression of T cells, their subsets, and the associated cytokines in peripheral blood samples at various time points. The flow data for the cCMV neonate were compared with those of the controls at each time point. Following treatment, clinical symptoms improved and the infant became CMV negative. However, developmental delays occurred later in life. The proportion of CD8 + CD28 − Tregs in the peripheral blood of the neonate with congenital CMV infection was higher than that in the controls at the three time points. The expression levels of perforin and granzyme B secreted by γδ T cells (Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cells), increased during the course of hospitalization until follow-up and were higher than those in the controls at the three time points. Conclusions Despite the alleviation of clinical symptoms, developmental delay in later life remains inevitable in this intrauterine cCMV neonate. CD8 + CD28 − Tregs and Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cells secreting perforin and granzyme B may be involved in congenital CMV infection, although this hypothesis requires validation in a larger study. This report may contribute to our understanding of the effect of current treatment and the immune status of intrauterine cCMV-infected neonates.

Rituximab has become an important therapeutic option for nephrotic syndrome (NS), and its adverse event profile is generally well characterized. However, reports of acute hypokalemia specifically occurring in the post-infusion period remain rare. We aimed to present and analyze cases of this distinct timing of electrolyte disturbance. This case series describes two adult patients with NS who developed acute, severe hypokalemia in the hours immediately following a rituximab infusion. Case 1: A 20-year-old male with steroid-dependent minimal change disease developed progressive quadriceps weakness and severe hypokalemia (potassium 1.79 mmol/L) several hours after his fifth rituximab infusion. His previous four infusions had been uneventful. Case 2: A 46-year-old male with membranous nephropathy presented with marked mental fatigue and severe hypokalemia (potassium 2.34 mmol/L) shortly after his sixth cumulative rituximab infusion, following five prior tolerated infusions. Common precipitants of hypokalemia were absent. Both patients responded promptly to potassium supplementation, with full symptomatic recovery and normalization of serum potassium. Severe hypokalemia can occur acutely after rituximab infusion in NS, even after prior uneventful exposures. Presentations may be delayed and nonspecific. Clinicians should monitor serum potassium before and after rituximab administration to enable timely recognition and management of this rare complication.

The quasi-static and low cycle fatigue tests of extruded 7075 Al alloy (Φ200 mm) were investigated in three directions: the extrusion direction (ED), the radial direction (RD), and 45° with ED (45°). Grain morphology analysis, texture measurement, and fatigue fracture characterization were conducted to discuss the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties. The experimental results showed that the ED specimen had higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and low cycle fatigue (LCF) properties, which were mainly attributed to the following three causes. First, the grain boundaries (GBs) had an obvious effect on the crack growth. The number of GBs in the three directions was different due to the shape of the grains elongated along the ED. Second, the sharp texture and the small Schmidt factor along the ED explained the higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the ED specimens. Third, fatigue fracture observation showed that the ED specimen had a narrow fatigue striation spacing, which indicated that the plastic deformation of the ED specimen was the smallest in each cycle. In addition, two fatigue prediction models were established to predict the LCF life of extruded 7075 Al alloy, based on the life response behavior of the three directions under different strains.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify genes and transcription factors underlying functional differences in neonatal versus adult peripheral blood monocytes, elucidating mechanisms of severe Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in neonates. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in neonatal and adult peripheral blood monocytes were detected via RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq), followed by assay for transposase‐accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC‐seq) to characterize differentially accessible region (DAR)–associated genes. Integrated analyses of RNA‐seq and ATAC‐seq pinpointed candidate genes and transcription factors. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) validated the mRNA expression of common genes and transcription factors. Results: RNA‐seq profiling of neonatal and adult peripheral monocytes identified 669 overexpressed and 440 underexpressed genes in neonates, with overexpressed genes enriched in bacterial response pathways and underexpressed genes in cytokine production and cell killing pathways. Chromatin accessibility analysis revealed 36,782 differential peaks (21,192 gained, 15,590 lost) in neonatal peripheral monocytes. Integrated RNA‐seq and ATAC‐seq analysis pinpointed 30 overlapping genes among DEGs, DAR‐associated genes, and immunologically relevant genes (IRGs). qRT‐PCR validated higher expression of CEBPB , JUN , BATF , PTK2B , and ITGAV and lower ADA2 and RORA expression in neonatal peripheral monocytes compared to that in adults. Conclusions: The study revealed distinct differences in the transcriptome and chromatin accessibility between neonatal and adult peripheral monocytes, identifying potential genes linked to GBS infection vulnerability of neonates. These findings advance our understanding of neonatal immune dysfunction in severe GBS disease, informing future therapeutic targets.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a 3000 years' history of human use. A literature survey addressing traditional evidence from human studies was done, with key result that top 10 TCM herb ingredients including Poria cocos, Radix polygalae, Radix glycyrrhizae, Radix angelica sinensis, and Radix rehmanniae were prioritized for highest potential benefit to dementia intervention, related to the highest frequency of use in 236 formulae collected from 29 ancient Pharmacopoeias, ancient formula books, or historical archives on ancient renowned TCM doctors, over the past 10 centuries. Based on the history of use, there was strong clinical support that Radix polygalae is memory improving. Pharmacological investigation also indicated that all the five ingredients mentioned above can elicit memory-improving effects in vivo and in vitro via multiple mechanisms of action, covering estrogen-like, cholinergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, neurogenetic, and anti-Aβ activities. Furthermore, 11 active principles were identified, including sinapic acid, tenuifolin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritigenin, glabridin, ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, N-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide, coniferyl ferulate and 11-angeloylsenkyunolide F, and catalpol. It can be concluded that TCM has a potential for complementary and alternative role in treating senile dementia. The scientific evidence is being continuously mined to back up the traditional medical wisdom.

BackgroundRituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is an established treatment for primary membranous nephropathy (PMN). While generally well-tolerated, its recognized adverse effects include infusion-related reactions and immediate hypersensitivity. Particularly severe manifestations occurring >24 h post-infusion remain rarely reported.Case PresentationA 52-year-old male with a 7-year history of biopsy-proven PMN achieved complete remission after two uneventful courses of rituximab (1 g each) in 2018. He presented in August 2025 with nephrotic syndrome relapse. A third 1 g rituximab infusion was administered without immediate complications. Approximately 24 h post-infusion, he developed generalized urticaria, fever (38 °C), dysphagia, and arthralgia, progressing to hypotension (95/55 mmHg). Examination revealed diffuse, evanescent wheals. Laboratory findings showed elevated C-reactive protein, eosinophilia, and immunoglobulin E. Esophageal CT indicated localized wall edema, while infection was excluded. A diagnosis of severe hypersensitivity reaction (anaphylactic shock, acute urticaria, and angioedema) was made, consistent with Brown grade IV severity. He responded rapidly to intravenous methylprednisolone, antihistamines, and supportive care.ConclusionThis report highlights the potential for life-threatening hypersensitivity upon rituximab re-challenge, even with a remote history of uneventful use. It emphasizes the need for prolonged post-infusion observation, patient education regarding delayed symptoms, and preparedness for immediate management of severe allergic phenomena. Further studies are warranted to elucidate risk factors and mechanisms underlying these rare but serious events.

This study proposed a rotary back extrusion (RBE) process for an open punch, which is used to produce high-performance 7075 aluminum alloy cup-shaped piece. The RBE experiment was carried out on the Gleeble-3500 testing machine at 400 °C and compared with the conventional back extrusion (CBE). The microstructure was analyzed by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and DEFORM-3D simulation software. The results shown that compared with CBE, RBE can significantly increase the equivalent strain value and deformation uniformity of 7075 aluminum alloy cup-shape pieces. RBE deformation increases the accumulated strain of the piece, and the rotation of the die causes the piece to produce shear strain, which increases the overall strain of the cup-shape piece. The proportion of dynamic recrystallization increases, and the grain refinement was obvious. The micro-hardness value of the RBE sample is higher than that of the CBE sample, which could be the result of grain refinement strengthening. What is more, RBE and CBE have different metal flow laws.

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 2 (IRAK2) is essential for the Myddosome complex formation downstream of Toll-like receptors. We identify twelve patients with a homozygous loss-of-function copy number variant in IRAK2, designated IRAK2-∆ex2. Most patients present with recurrent infections, autoantibody production, and gastrointestinal ulceration. Two patients were clinically diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency, while the majority fulfill diagnostic criteria for autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases. The IRAK2-∆ex2 protein fails to interact with IRAK4, leading to impaired activation of nuclear factor kappa B signaling via the Myddosome complex. An elevated type I interferon signature is observed in the patients, which is confirmed in bone marrow-derived macrophages from knock-in mice and knockout cell lines. Mechanistically, our data are consistent with engagement of a TRIF-dependent interferon pathway. Baricitinib attenuates the elevated interferon signature in patient-derived cells ex vivo and cell lines. Here, we show IRAK2 deficiency as a monogenic immune dysregulation disorder.