Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by differences in social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviors, yet converging evidence also points to altered neural timing, synchronization, and large-scale coordination despite largely preserved gross neuroanatomy. Parallel observations across non-neural systems, including functional gastrointestinal disturbances, minor anomalies in neural crest–derived tissues, and variation in epithelial patterning outcomes, raise the possibility of a broader vulnerability in coordination-dependent biological processes. Here, we propose a framework in which developmental systems distinguish between spatial patterning mechanisms that establish tissue geometry and a calcium-dependent execution layer that stabilizes coordinated behavior across time. Patterning systems, including planar cell polarity signaling, morphogen gradients, and neural crest guidance cues, specify directional organization and spatial relationships among cells. Their realization, however, requires intracellular processes capable of synchronizing cytoskeletal remodeling, adhesion dynamics, excitability, and metabolic coupling across cells and networks. Within this framework, intracellular Ca²+ signaling – and particularly endoplasmic reticulum Ca²+ release mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (ITPRs) – represents a candidate mechanism for stabilizing coordinated execution across biological systems. Partial disruption of this coordination layer could degrade synchronization, propagation, and temporal integration without abolishing underlying structural organization. This perspective provides a potential basis for linking altered cortical synchronization with coordination-dependent processes in enteric function, neural crest development, and epithelial patterning outcomes observed in ASD.This framework is not proposed as a universal explanation for ASD, but as a testable organizing model for coordination-related phenotypes across systems. By distinguishing spatial developmental instruction from the mechanisms that stabilize coordinated execution, this perspective generates experimentally tractable predictions across cellular, organoid, and systems-level models and offers a unifying framework for investigating coordination-dependent biology in ASD.
Case Report: Delirium and complications resulting from the abuse of compound liquorice tablets
BackgroundCompound liquorice tablets is a cough-suppressing compound formulation containing opium powder and liquorice. With the strict regulation of traditional opioids, this medication has emerged as a novel alternative for substance abuse due to its easy accessibility and low cost; however, its addiction potential and severe adverse complications remain underrecognized and insufficiently addressed in clinical practice.Case summaryThe patient is a 29-year-old male who began self-medicating with compound liquorice tablets for a dry cough after COVID-19 infection. His daily dosage gradually escalated to 200–600 tablets within two years, resulting in established drug dependence. Two days after discontinuing the medication, he developed delirium manifested as confusion, disorientation, visual hallucinations and psychomotor agitation, accompanied by palpitations, hypertension, tremors, rhinorrhea, vomiting, severe hypokalemia, and bilateral lower limb edema. Organic brain diseases were excluded by systematic examinations. According to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria, he was diagnosed with opioid-induced mental and behavioral disorders, hypokalemia and hypertension. We implemented a benzodiazepine tapering regimen to control delirium and sympathetic excitation associated with withdrawal symptoms, combined with antidepressants and antipsychotics to improve mood, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms, Under the guidance of a cardiologist, we actively managing hypertension and correcting internal environmental disturbances. Following comprehensive management, the patient’s withdrawal symptoms and delirium resolved, with stable emotional state and blood pressure, resulting in successful withdrawal.ConclusionThis is the first reported case of delirium caused by withdrawal from compound liquorice tablets. It provides preliminary insights for clinical identification, diagnosis, and multidisciplinary management of dependence on compound liquorice tablets, as well as related withdrawal symptoms and complications. This case also alerts to the emerging risk of abuse associated with new substances such as compound liquorice tablets and underscores the need for stricter prescription controls and patient education regarding the risks of abuse.
Neurophysiological effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation combined with multidisciplinary rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease
IntroductionMotor impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD) often becomes inadequately controlled as the disease progresses. Rehabilitation therapy combined with noninvasive neuromodulation has shown benefits, yet the neural mechanisms underlying this remain unclear. This study aimed to identify neurophysiological and brain network features associated with motor improvement following high-intensity transcranial alternating current stimulation (Hi-tACS) combined with multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation therapy (MIRT).MethodsThis secondary analysis was based on a randomized controlled trial (ChiCTR2300071969). Thirty patients receiving Hi-tACS combined with MIRT were included. Responders were defined as patients achieving a minimal clinically important difference improvement greater than 3.25 points on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III. Electroencephalographic spectral analysis, resting-state functional connectivity, and dynamic brain states assessed using hidden Markov modeling were performed. Partial correlation analyses were conducted for group-differentiating measures, controlling for age and disease duration.ResultsCompared with non-responders, responders showed increased temporal high beta frequencies relative power (95%CI 0.85(0.01–1.66), P = 0.047), reduced connectivity between the default mode and sensorimotor networks (95%CI -0.89(-1.71–0.05), P = 0.038), and decreased fractional occupancy of state 3 (95%CI 0.03(0.00–0.28), P = 0.033) and 6 (95%CI 0.02(0.00–0.35), P = 0.038). After Bonferroni correction, only changes in temporal high beta frequencies relative power were negatively correlated with changes in total UPDRS part III scores (R = -0.59, PBON = 0.012) and rigidity subscores (R = -0.74, PBON < 0.001).DiscussionThese results suggest that motor improvement following combined Hi-tACS and MIRT in PD patients is associated with alterations in brain oscillations and network connectivity, particularly in high-beta frequencies. The findings contribute to understanding the neural mechanisms underlying rehabilitation and neuromodulation in PD. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of this intervention and its applicability in larger, more diverse populations. Moreover, exploring additional biomarkers may help identify individuals who are most likely to respond to this treatment.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://www.chictr.org.cn, identifer ChiCTR2300071969.
Preliminary testing of a prespecified liability architecture for autism: theory-guided pathogenetic triad models outperform strength-matched alternatives
BackgroundNeuropsychiatric conditions are heterogeneous and mechanistically diverse, yet predictive modeling studies commonly aggregate features without evaluating prespecified liability architectures. The Pathogenetic Triad (PT) is a multilevel framework proposing that diagnostic outcomes reflect the joint configuration of a trait-related domain, cognitive capacity (CC), and neuropathological burden (NB). In autism, the trait-related domain corresponds to autistic personality (AP). We evaluated this framework using out-of-sample prediction as a structured empirical test of architectural coherence rather than as a purely data-driven exercise in classification.MethodsWe analyzed a case–comparison cohort (n = 42, 21 autistic) with dense multimodal characterization, including behavioral phenotyping, psychometric measures, autonomic physiology, structural MRI morphometry, and magnetoencephalographic indices. AP was indexed by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, CC by Wechsler’s scales of intelligence, and NB by heart-rate variability as a proxy indicator. This multimodal structure enabled direct comparison of theory-constrained PT models with strength-matched, domain-restricted atheoretical combinations. Predictive discrimination was evaluated using leakage-free nested cross-validation with permutation inference.ResultsAcross multiverse specifications, low-dimensional PT models ranked among the strongest models of comparable size and achieved discrimination broadly comparable to higher-dimensional models within this dataset. Matched comparisons indicated that including all three PT domains was associated with systematic advantages relative to alternatives with similar univariate input strength, consistent with complementary configurational information relating to case status.ConclusionsThese findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the Pathogenetic Triad as a multilevel architecture of autism liability. Although based on a small and demographically restricted cohort, this densely characterized dataset permitted explicit comparison of theory-guided and atheoretical model spaces. The results illustrate how prespecified multilevel frameworks can be operationalized and empirically evaluated in neuropsychiatric samples.
Mental health stigma among nursing students: current status and intervention strategies— an integrative review
ObjectiveAims to synthesize the current evidence on the prevalence of mental health stigma among nursing students and to summarize the interventions that have been developed and evaluated to reduce such stigma.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases for peer-reviewed studies published in English between January 2018 and June 2024.ResultsA total of 25 studies were included. The prevalence of mental health stigma among nursing students was found to be moderate to high. Stigma manifested in various forms, including negative attitudes toward patients, internalized shame, and public stigma directed at nursing students themselves. Interventions such as mental health training, empathy enhancement programs, and clinical internships demonstrated varying degrees of effectiveness in reducing stigma, with multi-component interventions showing the most promise.ConclusionMental health stigma among nursing students is a persistent and multifaceted issue that requires targeted strategies to address. Enhancing mental health education, increasing clinical exposure, and implementing comprehensive intervention programs are essential steps to reduce stigma and support the development of compassionate, skilled nursing professionals.
Author Correction: Sustained nitric oxide production by engineered E. coli remodels the tumor microenvironment and potentiates immunotherapy
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 06 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03247-5
Author Correction: Sustained nitric oxide production by engineered E. coli remodels the tumor microenvironment and potentiates immunotherapy
Quantum computing in transition
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 06 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03233-x
Hybrid quantum–classical computers will achieve quantum advantage in biotechnology, bridging the time until a full quantum computer becomes available.
Data rights are the missing pillar for modernizing consent in medicine
Nature Medicine, Published online: 06 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04506-3
Data rights are the missing pillar for modernizing consent in medicine
Author Correction: Teclistamab-based induction treatment in transplant-eligible, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a phase 2 trial
Nature Medicine, Published online: 06 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04551-y
Author Correction: Teclistamab-based induction treatment in transplant-eligible, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a phase 2 trial
The race for an Ebola therapy begins
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Hope you got to relax this weekend. Here’s my favorite July Fourth video. (It’s loud.)