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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has generated widespread uncertainty, leading to an overabundance of information and fuelling public fear and confusion. Concerns regarding the transmissibility and long-term effects of the virus on survivors have exacerbated societal stigma towards those who have recovered from COVID-19. This study analyses Chinese media coverage to explore the ways in which COVID-19 survivors are portrayed and how these portrayals may contribute to the broader narrative of stigmatisation. Methods This study employs content analysis of 440 news articles from four major Chinese media outlets, spanning the period from January 2020 to March 2023. The sample includes two state-sponsored outlets, People’s Daily and Global Times , and two market-oriented outlets, Caixin Weekly and Sanlian Lifeweek . By comparing media coverage across these outlets, the research investigates how representations of COVID-19 survivors varied across different media outlets. Results Disparities in media portrayals of COVID-19 survivors were found. State-sponsored media, such as People’s Daily and Global Times , generally depicted COVID-19 as less severe, downplaying fear and emphasising positive developments. In contrast, both Caixin Weekly and Sanlian Lifeweek frequently reported on cases of recovered individuals testing positive again, with Caixin Weekly offering more in-depth discussions on the potential for survivors to remain contagious. While the negative impacts of COVID-19 on survivors’ labour and social capacities were not a major focus in most outlets, these impacts were still present, particularly in People’s Daily and Sanlian Lifeweek , which reported more significant negative effects on survivors’ social functions. Across both state-sponsored and market-oriented outlets, mixed messages emerged regarding the social acceptance of survivors, with articles simultaneously advocating for social distancing while promoting reintegration. These findings underscore the complexity of media portrayals, revealing a diverse reporting landscape characterised by mixed messages. Conclusion This study reveals the presence of conflicting media narratives, which have potentially contributed to the societal stigma surrounding COVID-19 survivors. The mixed messages—simultaneously promoting both fear and acceptance—have exacerbated public confusion and misconceptions. The findings underscore the critical need for clear, consistent, and evidence-based reporting during public health crises to mitigate stigma and enhance the public’s understanding of health-related information.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey) is known for its rich saponin compounds and tonic effects. To better utilize the medicinal value of ginseng, this study investigated the extraction process, components, free radical scavenging ability, and immunomodulatory activity of total saponins of ginseng fibrous roots. The response surface methodology was employed to optimize the extraction process of total saponins, and Q-Orbitrap high-resolution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to identify the chemical constituents in the total saponins extract of ginseng fibrous roots (GRS). The results showed that the optimal extraction process was achieved with an ethanol concentration of 68%, a material–solvent ratio of 1:25 mL/g, and an extraction time of 20 min, yielding a total saponin content of 6.34% under these conditions. The extract contained four terpenoid compounds and four polyphenolic compounds. GRS exhibited considerable scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals, with IC50 values of 0.893 and 0.210 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, GRS restored immune suppression in mice by increasing white blood cell, red blood cell, and neutrophil counts, and improving the lymphocyte. It also promoted immune system recovery, as evidenced by elevated serum levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β in mice. GRS is a natural compound with promising potential for developing antioxidants and immunomodulatory foods.

Sustainable developments of nanotechnology necessitate the exploration of structure-activity relationships (SARs) at nano-bio interfaces. While ferroptosis may contribute in the developments of some severe diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, stroke and tumors), the cellular pathways and nano-SARs are rarely explored in diseases elicited by nano-sized ferroptosis inducers. Here we find that WS 2 and MoS 2 nanosheets induce an iron-dependent cell death, ferroptosis in epithelial (BEAS-2B) and macrophage (THP-1) cells, evidenced by the suppression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), oxygen radical generation and lipid peroxidation. Notably, nano-SAR analysis of 20 transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) disclosures the decisive role of surface vacancy in ferroptosis. We therefore develop methanol and sulfide passivation as safe design approaches for TMD nanosheets. These findings are validated in animal lungs by oropharyngeal aspiration of TMD nanosheets. Overall, our study highlights the key cellular events as well as nano-SARs in TMD-induced ferroptosis, which may facilitate the safe design of nanoproducts. It is unclear whether 2D metal dichalcogenides (TMD) alone can cause ferroptotic cell death. Here, the authors show TMD nanosheets induced ferroptosis in mammalian cell lines and in a mouse model after aspiration of TMD materials into lungs, causing ferroptotic cell death.

While hypoxia promotes carcinogenesis, tumour aggressiveness, metastasis, and resistance to oncological treatments, the impacts of hyperoxia on tumours are rarely explored because providing a long-lasting oxygen supply in vivo is a major challenge. Herein, we construct micro oxygen factories, namely, photosynthesis microcapsules (PMCs), by encapsulation of acquired cyanobacteria and upconversion nanoparticles in alginate microcapsules. This system enables a long-lasting oxygen supply through the conversion of external radiation into red-wavelength emissions for photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. PMC treatment suppresses the NF-kB pathway, HIF-1α production and cancer cell proliferation. Hyperoxic microenvironment created by an in vivo PMC implant inhibits hepatocarcinoma growth and metastasis and has synergistic effects together with anti-PD-1 in breast cancer. The engineering oxygen factories offer potential for tumour biology studies in hyperoxic microenvironments and inspire the exploration of oncological treatments. Tumour hypoxia is an important factor in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy. Here, the authors present a micro oxygenation factory, capable of providing an oxygen supply through photosynthesis, and demonstrate its utility in cancer therapy.

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite can measure sea surface winds under tropical cyclone (TC) conditions with its L-band microwave radiometer, without being affected by rainfall or signal saturation. Through the statistical analysis of SMAP data, this study aims to develop radial wind profile models for the TC outer area whose distance from TC center is larger than the radius of maximum wind (Rm). A total of 196 TC cases observed by SMAP were collected between 2015 and 2020, and their intensities range from tropical storm to category 5. Based on the wind and radius data, the key model parameters α and β were fitted through the Rankine vortex model and the tangential wind profile (TWP) Gaussian model, respectively. α and β control the rate of change of the tangential wind speed with radius. Subsequently, for the parametric representation of α and β, we extracted some TC wind filed parameters, such as maximum wind speed (Um), Rm, the average wind speed at Rm (Uma), and the average radius of 17 m/s (R17) and examined the relationship between Uma and Um, the relationship between Rm and R17, the relationship between α, Um and Rm, and the relationship between β, Um and Rm. According to the results, the new radial wind profile models were proposed, i.e., SMAP Rankine Model-4 (SRM-4), SMAP Rankine Model-5 (SRM-5), and SMAP Gaussian Model-1 (SGM-1). A significant advantage of these models is that they can simulate average wind distribution through the conversion from Um to Uma. Finally, comparisons were made between the new models and existing SRM-1, SRM-2, and SRM-3, according to the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR-2) measurements of 126 TC cases. The results demonstrate that the SRM-4 simulated the radial wind profile best overall, with the lowest root mean-square error (RMSE) of 5.57 m/s, due to replacing the parameter Um with Uma, using Rankine vortex for α parameterization and modeling with adequate data. Moreover, the models outperform in the Atlantic Ocean, with a RMSE of 5.37 m/s. The new models have the potential to make a contribution to the study of ocean surface dynamics and be used for forcing numerical models under TC conditions.

With the continuous development of high-performance copper alloys in modern industries, it becomes increasingly challenging to further enhance their conductivities. The key bottleneck is the existence of an upper limit on the amount of precipitation, leading to inadequate purification of the copper matrix. Here we demonstrate a phenomenon of significant conductivity enhancement in a Cu-Be alloy through undercooling. It shows that lots of spherical Be-rich clusters can spontaneously form in the deeply undercooled alloy. These clusters survive after subsequent solution treatment and are independent from the normal precipitates during aging, thereby leading to additional purification of the copper matrix. Under peak aging, the electrical conductivity of the undercooled alloy reaches up to 80% International Annealed Cu Standard, which is 30% higher than that of the same component alloy prepared in a conventional way, while its strength remains high. Our study provides an alternative way to address the long-standing strength-conductivity trade-off in copper alloys. Copper alloys with high strength and conductivity are essential for modern industries. Here, the authors find an approach to enhance the conductivity of Cu-Be alloys by inducing spherical Be-rich clusters through deep undercooling.

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are derived early from embryonic precursors, such as haemogenic endothelial cells and pre-haematopoietic stem cells (pre-HSCs), the molecular identity of which still remains elusive. Here we use potent surface markers to capture the nascent pre-HSCs at high purity, as rigorously validated by single-cell-initiated serial transplantation. Then we apply single-cell RNA sequencing to analyse endothelial cells, CD45 − and CD45 + pre-HSCs in the aorta–gonad–mesonephros region, and HSCs in fetal liver. Pre-HSCs show unique features in transcriptional machinery, arterial signature, metabolism state, signalling pathway, and transcription factor network. Functionally, activation of mechanistic targets of rapamycin (mTOR) is shown to be indispensable for the emergence of HSCs but not haematopoietic progenitors. Transcriptome data-based functional analysis reveals remarkable heterogeneity in cell-cycle status of pre-HSCs. Finally, the core molecular signature of pre-HSCs is identified. Collectively, our work paves the way for dissection of complex molecular mechanisms regulating stepwise generation of HSCs in vivo , informing future efforts to engineer HSCs for clinical applications. Successful identification of mouse embryonic pre-haematopoietic stem cells at single-cell resolution. Haematopoietic stem cell formation dissected Fuchou Tang and colleagues have isolated the earliest haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) precursors — rare CD45-negative pre-HSCs — from developing mouse embryos using a combination of surface marker expression and single-cell-based transplantation assays, assessing blood-forming capacity. Single-cell RNA-seq was used to analyse the transcriptomes for five types of cells related to HSC formation, revealing a role for mTOR activation in the emergence of HSCs but not haematopoietic progenitors.

A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has the capability to observe ocean surface winds with a high spatial resolution, even under extreme conditions. The purpose of this work was to develop a new method for wind speed retrieval with the combination of SAR dual-polarized signals. In this study, we collected 28 tropical cyclone imageries observed using the Sentinel-1 dual-polarization mode. These imageries were collocated with radiometer wind speed measurements and reanalysis of wind vector products. In the new method, the wind speed was set as the output. VV-polarized (vertical transmitting–vertical receiving polarized) normalized radar cross section (NRCS), incident angle, VH-polarized (vertical transmitting–horizontal receiving polarized) NRCS, and wind direction were set as the inputs. Based on different output combinations, wind retrieval models were developed with multiple linear regression (MLR). According to the validation and comparison, the proposed models performed better than the traditional piecewise VH-polarization geophysical model functions (GMFs). The impact of thermal noise on the retrieval of low wind speeds (<10 m/s) could be partially reduced. The input of wind direction is unnecessary if the combination of VV- and VH-polarized imageries has been utilized. These results suggest that the use of MLR and the dual-polarization combination can improve SAR wind retrieval accuracy. Compared with SMAP measurements, our SAR retrievals can provide fine structures of TC wind fields.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a globally prevalent metabolic disorder with a high average worldwide prevalence. It occurs more frequently in men than in women, and its incidence increases with age. MASLD can progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma, while also elevating the risk of cardiovascular, renal, and other systemic diseases. Its pathological progression is closely associated with dysregulation of the hepatic immune microenvironment, in which aberrant crosstalk between Macrophages (Mø) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) serves as a central driving mechanism. Under physiological conditions, liver-resident Macrophages (Kupffer cells, KCs) and Tregs maintain immune homeostasis through a “complementary origin–spatial co-localization-molecular crosstalk” mechanism. In MASLD, KCs numbers decline while monocyte-derived Macrophages (MDMs) are abnormally recruited, giving rise to Macrophages with distinct phenotypes. Tregs influence the classical phenotypic differentiation of Macrophages. However, dynamic alterations in Treg abundance exhibit a “double-edged sword” effect. The disrupted crosstalk between KCs and Tregs involves dysregulated chemokine networks [e.g., c-x-c motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), c-c motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2)], cytokine interactions [e.g., interleukin-1β (IL-1β), transforming growth factor- Beta (TGF-β)], and signaling pathways such as beta-catenin (β-catenin) and notch homolog 1 (Notch1). Collectively, these alterations drive disease progression from steatosis to hepatitis and fibrosis. This review systematically summarizes the physiological mechanisms underlying Macrophages -Tregs crosstalk, its pathological dysregulation in MASLD, and the associated molecular networks, while proposing targeted therapeutic strategies based on disease stage.

Salix babylonica L. is a species of willow tree that is widely cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant, but its medicinal resources have not yet been reasonably developed or utilized. Herein, we extracted and purified the total flavonoids from willow buds (PTFW) for component analysis in order to evaluate their in vitro anti-tumor and hypoglycemic activities. Through Q-Orbitrap LC-MS/MS analysis, a total of 10 flavonoid compounds were identified (including flavones, flavan-3-ols, and flavonols). The inhibitory effects of PTFW on the proliferation of cervical cancer HeLa cells, colon cancer HT-29 cells, and breast cancer MCF7 cells were evaluated using an MTT assay. Moreover, the hypoglycemic activity of PTFW was determined by investigating the inhibitory effects of PTFW on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The results indicated that PTFW significantly suppressed the proliferation of HeLa cells, HT-29 cells, and MCF7 cells, with IC50 values of 1.432, 0.3476, and 2.297 mg/mL, respectively. PTFW, at different concentrations, had certain inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with IC50 values of 2.94 mg/mL and 1.87 mg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, PTFW at different doses exhibits anti-proliferation effects on all three types of cancer cells, particularly on HT-29 cells, and also shows significant hypoglycemic effects. Willow buds have the potential to be used in functional food and pharmaceutical industries.