The identification of a SARs-CoV2 S2 protein-derived peptide with super-antigen-like stimulatory properties on T-cells.

Severe COVID-19 can trigger a cytokine storm, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with similarities to superantigen-induced toxic shock syndrome. An outstanding question is whether SARS-CoV-2 protein sequences can directly induce inflammatory responses. In this study, we identify a region in the SARS-CoV-2 S2 spike protein with sequence homology to bacterial super-antigens (termed P3).

Anti-PTHrP blockade limits CD8+ T-cell exhaustion in anti-cancer immunotherapy.

Cancer is a major global health concern, with immune suppression hindering treatment. Immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint blockage on T cells, has revolutionized cancer treatment. T-cell exhaustion is an abnormal activation state that develops when continuous exposure to antigens, like cancer.

Bacterial allelopathy: an approach for biological control of weeds.

Weed infestation is one of the most damaging biotic factors to limit crop production by competing with the crop for space, water, and nutrients. Different conventional approaches are being used to cope with weed infestation, including labor intensive manual removal and the use of soil-degrading, crop-damaging, and environment-deteriorating chemical herbicides. The use of chemicals for weed control has increased 2-fold after the green revolution and their non-judicious use is posing serious threats to mankind, animals, and biodiversity.

Influence of Post-Heat Treatment on Corrosion Behaviour of Additively Manufactured CuSn10 by Laser Powder Bed Fusion.

This study investigates the influence of heat treatments on the corrosion behaviour of CuSn10 tin bronze, additively manufactured using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). LPBF enables the creation of finely structured, anisotropic microstructures, whose corrosion behaviour is not yet well understood. After production, specimens were heat-treated at 320 °C, 650 °C, and in a two-stage treatment at 800 °C and 400 °C, followed by hardness and microstructure analysis.

Microfluidic Immunoarray for Point-of-Care Detection of Cytokines in COVID-19 Patients.

The "cytokine storm" often induced in COVID-19 patients contributes to the onset of "acute respiratory distress syndrome" (ARDS) accompanied by lung infection and damage, multiorgan failure, and even death. This large increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in blood may be related to severity. Rapid, on-demand cytokine analyses can thus be critical to inform treatment plans and improve survival rates.