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Abstract Epigenetic readers frequently affect gene regulation, correlate with disease prognosis, and hold significant potential as therapeutic targets for cancer. Zinc finger MYND-type containing 11 (ZMYND11) is notably recognized for reading the epigenetic marker H3.3K36me3; however, its broader functions and mechanisms of action in cancer remain underexplored. Here, we report that ZMYND11 downregulation is prevalent across various cancers and profoundly correlates with poorer outcomes in prostate cancer patients. Depletion of ZMYND11 promotes tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as tumor formation and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, we discover that ZMYND11 exhibits tumor suppressive roles by recognizing arginine-194-methylated HNRNPA1 dependent on its MYND domain, thereby retaining HNRNPA1 in the nucleus and preventing the formation of stress granules in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, ZMYND11 counteracts the HNRNPA1-driven increase in the PKM2/PKM1 ratio, thus mitigating the aggressive tumor phenotype promoted by PKM2. Remarkably, ZMYND11 recognition of HNRNPA1 can be disrupted by pharmaceutical inhibition of the arginine methyltransferase PRMT5. Tumors with low ZMYND11 expression show sensitivity to PRMT5 inhibitors. Taken together, our findings uncover a previously unexplored noncanonical role of ZMYND11 as a nonhistone methylation reader and underscore the critical importance of arginine methylation in the ZMYND11-HNRNPA1 interaction for restraining tumor progression, thereby proposing novel therapeutic targets and potential biomarkers for cancer treatment.

Abstract In photonic crystal systems, topologically protected edge states and corner states can be achieved by breaking spatial inversion symmetry, which is expected to be applied to topologically protected lasers, optical communication and integrated photonics. However, designing ultrabroadband topological photonic crystals is still a challenge. In this work, we propose a valley photonic crystal composed of dendritic structures, which can realize valley transmission with a relative bandwidth up to 59.65%. Compared with the previously reported two-dimensional broadband photonic crystals with 32.02% bandwidth, the relative bandwidth of the proposed valley transmission is increased by almost 100%. Theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and experimental measurement all confirm flexible manipulation of electromagnetic wave propagation paths. Ultrabroadband topological waveguides with the zigzag and armchair interface are demonstrated, which can achieve experimentally 58.71% and 36.78% relative bandwidth, respectively. In addition, several topological channel intersections are designed. Finally, two types of corner states with valley switchability and selectivity are demonstrated.

This research developes an innovative thermodynamic coupling model for gas-bearing coal, improving temperature change simulations during coalbed methane desorption. The model distinctively integrates adsorption/desorption heat effects, free gas expansion, dynamic diffusion, the Klinkenberg effect, and moisture influence, offering a more comprehensive perspective of thermodynamic behavior. Comparisons with empirical data and previous models demonstrate that the predicted temperature changes closely match experimental results, indicating superior accuracy. The investigation finds a 23.51 % increase in desorption temperature as gas pressure rises from 0.4 MPa to 1.2 MPa, with temperature changes following the sequence CO2 > CH4 > N2, in the ratio ΔT(CO2): ΔT(CH4): ΔT(N2) = 1.76: 1.35: 1. Adsorbed gas desorption and free gas expansion are recognized as the primary drivers, especially near 0.5 MPa, where adsorbed gas contributes nearly 70 %. Sensitivity to variables such as gas pressure, adsorption heat, and permeability diminishes over time, with moisture exerting minimal impact. The study highlights a close thermodynamic connection between temperature changes and gas outbursts, proposing temperature variation as an reliable indicator for predicting and evaluating outburst risks. These findings enhance understanding of coalbed methane desorption and provide new theoretical foundations for efficient resource development and disaster prevention.

Abstract Metasurfaces are 2D artificial nanostructures that exhibit fascinating optical phenomena and flexible capabilities. Multi-optical-parameter metasurfaces have advantages over single-function or single-dimensional metasurfaces, especially in practical applications like holography, sub-diffraction imaging, and vectorial fields. However, achieving multi-optical-parameter control is challenging due to a lack of design strategy, limited manipulation channels, and signal-to-noise ratio problems. Exceptional points (EPs) possess inherent polarization decoupling properties and allow for amplitude and wavelength modulation, opening up research prospects for multi-optical-parameter electromagnetic field modulation and developing compact integrated devices. Leveraging deep learning, we observe topological charge conservation and utilize the topologically protected optical parameter distribution around scattered EPs. Based on these, we introduce amplitude-phase multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing devices. Our work allows rapid and precise discovery of EPs topology, offers a powerful tool for digging related physics, and provides a paradigm for multi-optical parametric manipulation with high performance and less crosstalk, which is critical for imaging, encryption, and information storage applications.

Abstract Background Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked recessive hereditary neuromuscular disorder caused by the expanded trinucleotide repeat in the androgen receptors gene. The major clinical manifestations of SBMA consist of weakness in the bulbar and limb muscles, fasciculations, tremors, cramps, sensory impairment, and gynecomastia. However, atypical SBMA cases may lead to misdiagnosis. Muscular fatigue and decremental responses to repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS), despite being observed in some SBMA patients, are usually occurred in MG patients, and patient with the symptom of mastication fatigue was rarely reported. In addition, cardiological investigations have been performed in SBMA patients and several ECG alterations were identified. Here we report an SBMA patient presenting with a rare onset symptom of mastication fatigue, who has been detected with a positive titin antibody in the serum and showed a WPW pattern electrocardiogram. Case presentation The patient showed mildly progressive fatigue in the muscles of mastication over 3 years. Neurological examination showed facial muscle weakness and a wasting tongue with fasciculations, but the weakness, wasting, or fasciculations were not obvious in the limbs. 3-Hz RNS showed a decremental response in bilateral orbicularis oculi. The test of titin antibody was positive in the serum, and the electrocardiogram showed a WPW pattern ECG. Genetic analysis revealed an increased number (39 repeats) of tandem CAG repeats in the AR gene, which confirmed the diagnosis of SBMA. The fatigue symptom was significantly improved after oral pyridostigmine bromide treatment. Conclusion This case calls for more attention to muscular fatigue as the onset symptoms of Kennedy’s disease. ECG screening is of importance in SBMA patients and further studies are needed to investigate the titin antibody in SBMA patients as well as other neurogenic disorders.

Abstract As a unique two-dimensional atomic material, graphene offers excellent mechanical properties, dynamically tunable surface conductivity, ultra-high carrier mobility, and optical transparency, making it great potential for novel electromagnetic devices. However, dynamic manipulation of microwave polarization has not been experimentally realized in a graphene-assisted metasurface. In this paper, we present a general strategy for designing graphene-based active meta-device for achieving dynamic polarization control at microwave frequencies. When illuminated by a linear-polarized incident wave, the polarization angle of the reflected wave can be dynamically controlled by shifting the bias voltage applied to graphene. The simulated and measured results reveal that the proposed graphene-based meta-device offers a novel approach to the manipulation of microwave polarization and has potential applications in antenna, sensing, and communications.

Abstract Background Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can remain lifelong in the latent state in ganglionic neurons and adrenal glands after the initial infection. However, it can be reactivated anytime and can trigger several severe neurological manifestations such as encephalitis, meningitis, Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, cerebellitis, myelitis, and stroke. In addition, due to the diversity of clinical manifestations, clinical diagnosis of VZV can be difficult, especially in the absence of varicella. Here, we describe the case of a 52-year-old male who presented with symptoms of acute myelitis as well as polycranial neuritis, and was finally diagnosed with VZV infection through metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Case presentation A 52-year-old male came to our hospital with complaint of headache, fever, weakness of right lower limb, abdominal distension, and hearing loss. T2-weighted MRI revealed a hyperintense lesion in the spinal cord extending from T8 to T11. In addition, enhanced MRI showed small patches and strips hyperintensities in both the spinal cord and meninges. Plain abdominal radiographs and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan displayed air-fluid levels and incomplete bowel obstruction. Moreover, electrophysiological evaluation of the peripheral neuropathy in the extremities was found to be normal. Finally, by using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) we found that the copy number of VZV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was significantly increased and IgG antibody against VZV in CSF was also noted to be positive. Hence, VZV infection was identified in patient’s central neuron system. Finally, after a few days of low dose steroid treatment, the patient's symptoms were found to be significantly improved. Conclusions The findings indicate that we should pay proper attention to the various symptoms caused by VZV infection due to the clinical heterogeneity, especially in the absence of cutaneous lesions.

To solve the ghosting artifacts problem in dynamic scene multi-scale exposure fusion, an improved multi-exposure fusion method has been proposed without ghosting based on the exposure fusion framework and the color dissimilarity feature of this study. This fusion method can be further applied to power system monitoring and unmanned aerial vehicle monitoring. In this study, first, an improved exposure fusion framework based on the camera response model was applied to preprocess the input image sequence. Second, the initial weight map was estimated by multiplying four weight items. In removing the ghosting weight term, an improved color dissimilarity feature was used to detect the object motion features in dynamic scenes. Finally, the improved pyramid model as adopted to retain detailed information about the poor exposure areas. Experimental results indicated that the proposed method improves the performance of images in terms of sharpness, detail processing, and ghosting artifacts removal and is superior to the five existing multi-exposure image fusion (MEF) methods in quality evaluation.

Steroid 5α-reductase 2 (SRD5A2), a testosterone metabolism enzyme, is implicated in human disease. Structural and biochemical analyses of PbSRD5A, a bacterial homolog, reveal SRD5A2 substrate binding pocket and provide framework for the design of new drugs targeting this enzyme.

Introduction: Propionic acidemia is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder and the patients with adult onset are very rare.Methods: Two PCCB mutations were identified. Clinical data were collected from a patient, and metabolic screening and clinical exome sequencing analysis were performed.Results: Two novel mutations were identified in the PCCB gene: M1:c.404_406del:p.G135del and M2:c.632C>T:p.T211I.Conclusion: Late-onset propionic acidemia should be taken into account, and metabolic screening as well as gene analysis should be performed to make a definite diagnosis timely.

Secret sharing is an advanced encryption method that distributes the secret information into multiple participants and only the predesigned subsets of authorized participants can recover the secret by gathering their independent subinformation. Herein, the security level of secret sharing using electromagnetic manners is further expanded and a simple platform for the realization and direct observation of secret sharing encryption using metasurface hologram is presented. As a proof of concept, a polarization‐assisted secret sharing phase encoding method by integrating visual secret sharing scheme with phase encoding technology using orthogonally polarization‐multiplexing metasurface is experimentally presented. The method achieves its encryption security and decryption simplicity by hiding the secret information into a pair of orthogonal polarization channels ensuring that the secret information is direct decryption as the two channels participate simultaneously while fully concealed in single channel. This scheme may pave a new route for future information encryption, hiding, and authentication.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of which the underlying etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. Numerous data indicate an important role of the immune system and mitochondrial function in the disease. Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. Patients with PBC develop innate and adaptive immune reactions against mitochondrial antigens. Therefore, common mechanisms could exist in both diseases. We present two cases of ALS with PBC to explore the relationship between the two diseases from the immunological and mitochondrial aspects. Further attention should be given to immune-modulating therapy in ALS patients.

Prostate cancer is driven by androgen stimulation of the androgen receptor (AR). The next-generation AR antagonist, enzalutamide, prolongs survival, but resistance and lethal disease eventually prevail. Emerging data suggest that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is upregulated in this context, stimulating expression of AR-target genes that permit continued growth despite AR blockade. However, countering this mechanism by administration of GR antagonists is problematic because GR is essential for life. We show that enzalutamide treatment in human models of prostate cancer and patient tissues is accompanied by a ubiquitin E3-ligase, AMFR, mediating loss of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (11β-HSD2), which otherwise inactivates cortisol, sustaining tumor cortisol concentrations to stimulate GR and enzalutamide resistance. Remarkably, reinstatement of 11β-HSD2 expression, or AMFR loss, reverses enzalutamide resistance in mouse xenograft tumors. Together, these findings reveal a surprising metabolic mechanism of enzalutamide resistance that may be targeted with a strategy that circumvents a requirement for systemic GR ablation.