bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Study on Uniform Passive Cooling Configurations for Photovoltaic Modules in Hot Climatic Conditions
Authors: Ahmed Ishtiaq , Farhin Hossain Azmain , Haque Md Azazul , Miah Md. Abdul Karim , Heme Saziea Afrin , Rahman Md. Hamidur , Srirattayawong Sutthinan
Published: January 2025

The reduction in efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) modules when operating at high temperatures is a challenge that demands effective and economical cooling solutions. As such, aluminum heat sinks provide a passive and carbon-neutral cooling method. This study aims to find the performances of five different geometries of aluminum heat sinks to be used for cooling PV modules, where a comparative analysis of their relative performances under controlled environmental variables is performed under steady-state condition. The results show that an arrangement of solid T-shaped aluminum fins as heat sinks provides a 3.14% further reduction in PV module temperature compared to its perforated counterpart. The variation of the average PV module temperature has been compared in terms of solar radiation, ambient temperature, as well as the convection heat transfer coefficients for each heat sink geometry, where the relationship between each pair of data has been identified. The analysis reveals that performance differences may be better observed at lower values for the convection coefficient and higher values for the ambient temperatures. The methodology followed in this study provides a base model for comparing the relative performances of the chosen heat sink geometries, thus providing scopes of continuation of this work.
Design, Modeling, and Testing of a Novel Elastohydrodynamic Seal for Supercritical CO2 Power Cycles
Authors: Hassan Mohammad Fuad , Cesmeci Sevki , Lyathakula Karthik Reddy , Xu Hanping
Published: January 2025

Effective sealing is a critical challenge in achieving the full potential of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power generation. Leakages from sCO2 cycles can reduce efficiency by up to 0.65%, underscoring the need for advanced sealing solutions. This study explores an elastohydrodynamic (EHD) seal as a promising option, designed to minimize leakage and wear under sCO2 conditions. A fluid–solid coupling model, based on finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics, was developed and experimentally validated. Proof-of-concept tests were conducted on a 2-in. static shaft seal with pressures up to 1.2 MPa, using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as the seal material. Both simulations and experiments revealed a quadratic leakage trend: leakage initially increased with pressure, peaked at about 6 g/s, and then declined to approximately 1.5 g/s at maximum pressure. The model proved efficient, converging in just 2 s, while providing insights into leakage rates, seal deformation, clearance pressure, and stress. In addition, a modified model was provided, which converged in less than 20 s with added accuracy. A parametric analysis further demonstrated the impact of key design factors on leakage, with results aligning with physical expectations. The proposed models could serve as a valuable design tool for EHD seals.
Effect of magnetic field on capacitively coupled plasma modulated by electron beam injection
Authors: Yan Minghan , Zhang Tianxiang , Peng Yanli , Wu Hao , Yang Shali
Published: January 2025

The magnetic field can effectively affect the properties of capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) modulated by electron beam injection, leading to improved discharge performance. In this study, a one-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision model is used to simulate electron beam injected CCP under various magnetic fields. At a pressure of 20 mTorr, increasing the magnetic field from 0 to 50 G initially caused the plasma density to increase and then fall, with a peak density observed at 20 G. This is because the gyroradius of the injected electrons in the magnetic field is comparable to the electrode gap. When the pressure is increased, this effect is significantly weakened due to the disruption of the electrons’ gyration. Additionally, the electron energy distribution is significantly impacted by increasing the magnetic field. An increase in the magnetic field reduces the maximum ion energy and significantly enhances ion flux at the powered electrode. At the grounded electrode, when the maximum cyclotron radius of the injected electrons is comparable to the electrode spacing, the ion flux reaches its maximum. Further increasing the magnetic field results in a decrease in ion flux. This is crucial for semiconductor etching processes aiming to reduce electrode damage and improve etching efficiency. It also provides new insights for plasma research.
Simulation investigation on the pulse/analog dual-mode electron multiplier with discrete arc-shaped dynodes
Authors: Liu Li , Li Jie , Liu Biye , Wang Teng , Liu Hulin , Yun Xintuan , Wu Shengli , Hu Wenbo
Published: January 2025

To satisfy the demand of mass spectrometers for high sensitivity and high resolution ion detection, a type of pulse/analog dual-mode, arc-shaped, discrete-dynode electron multiplier (DM-ADD-EM) with 20-stage dynode structure was proposed, and its gain and time characteristics were investigated by three-dimensional numerical simulation. Each of the 2nd–20th dynodes has an arc-shaped substrate consisting of a long arc segment and a short arc segment, attached with a pair of side baffles. The simulation results indicate that the two side baffles play a role in focusing the electron beam to the central regions between them, reducing the number of secondary electrons escaping from the dynode array and, therefore, raising the electron collection efficiency of dynodes. As the radius (R) of arc-shaped substrates increases, the device gain rises. In the case of the 3.6-mm R, there is an optimum long-arc-segment center angle (α = 79°) at which the DM-ADD-EM reaches relatively high analog gain and pulse gain together with preferable time response, and its dynodes in the pulse section can be better protected from electron impact in analog output mode. In addition, the long-arc-segment center angle of the 12th–17th dynodes was further optimized to 84° for suppressing ion feedback. A dynode-configuration-optimized DM-ADD-EM with SiO2-doped MgO–Au secondary electron emission film achieves a pulse gain of 7.2 × 108, an analog gain of 1.3 × 104, a pulse rise time of 3.8 ns, and a pulse width of 9.2 ns under the analog-section/pulse-section voltages of −1800 V/1000 V, exhibiting significantly improved pulse gain and better time response. These results provide a basis for the design and fabrication of high-performance EMs.
Direct photoreception by pituitary endocrine cells regulates hormone release and pigmentation
Authors: Fukuda Ayaka , Sato Keita , Fujimori Chika , Yamashita Takahiro , Takeuchi Atsuko , Ohuchi Hideyo , Umatani Chie , Kanda Shinji
Published: January 2025

The recent discovery of nonvisual photoreceptors in various organs has raised expectations for uncovering their roles and underlying mechanisms. In this work, we identified a previously unrecognized hormone-releasing mechanism in the pituitary of the Japanese rice fish (medaka) induced by light. Ca
2+
imaging analysis revealed that melanotrophs, a type of pituitary endocrine cell that secretes melanocyte-stimulating hormone, robustly increase the concentration of intracellular Ca
2+
during short-wavelength light exposure. Moreover, we identified Opn5m as the key molecule that drives this response. Knocking out
opn5m
attenuated melanogenesis by reducing
tyrosinase
expression in the skin. Our findings suggest a mechanism in which direct reception of short-wavelength light by pituitary melanotrophs triggers a pathway that might contribute to protection from ultraviolet radiation in medaka.
Ancient structural variants control sex-specific flowering time morphs in walnuts and hickories
Authors: Groh Jeffrey S. , Vik Diane C. , Davis Matthew , Monroe J. Grey , Stevens Kristian A. , Brown Patrick J. , Langley Charles H. , Coop Graham
Published: January 2025

Balanced mating type polymorphisms offer a distinct window into the forces shaping sexual reproduction strategies. Multiple hermaphroditic genera in Juglandaceae, including walnuts (
Juglans
) and hickories (
Carya
), show a 1:1 genetic dimorphism for male versus female flowering order (heterodichogamy). We map two distinct Mendelian inheritance mechanisms to ancient (>37 million years old) genus-wide structural DNA polymorphisms. The dominant haplotype for female-first flowering in
Juglans
contains tandem repeats of the 3′ untranslated region of a gene putatively involved in trehalose-6-phosphate metabolism and is associated with increased
cis
gene expression in developing male flowers, possibly mediated by small RNAs. The
Carya
locus contains ~20 syntenic genes and shows molecular signatures of sex chromosome–like evolution. Inheritance mechanisms for heterodichogamy are deeply conserved, yet may occasionally turn over, as in sex determination.
Landscape profiling of PET depolymerases using a natural sequence cluster framework
Authors: Seo Hogyun , Hong Hwaseok , Park Jiyoung , Lee Seul Hoo , Ki Dongwoo , Ryu Aejin , Sagong Hye-Young , Kim Kyung-Jin
Published: January 2025

Enzymes capable of breaking down polymers have been identified from natural sources and developed for industrial use in plastic recycling. However, there are many potential starting points for enzyme optimization that remain unexplored. We generated a landscape of 170 lineages of 1894 polyethylene terephthalate depolymerase (PETase) candidates and performed profiling using sampling approaches with features associated with PET-degrading capabilities. We identified three promising yet unexplored PETase lineages and two potent PETases, Mipa-P and Kubu-P. An engineered variant of Kubu-P outperformed benchmarks in terms of PET depolymerization in harsh environments, such as those with high substrate load and ethylene glycol as the solvent.
Protective antibodies target cryptic epitope unmasked by cleavage of malaria sporozoite protein
Authors: Dacon Cherrelle , Moskovitz Re’em , Swearingen Kristian , Da Silva Pereira Lais , Flores-Garcia Yevel , Aleshnick Maya , Kanatani Sachie , Flynn Barbara , Molina-Cruz Alvaro , Wollenberg Kurt , Traver Maria , Kirtley Payton , Purser Lauren , Dillon Marlon , Bonilla Brian , Franco Adriano , Petros Samantha , Kritzberg Jake , Tucker Courtney , Paez Gonzalo Gonzalez , Gupta Priya , Shears Melanie J. , Pazzi Joseph , Edgar Joshua M. , Teng Andy A. , Belmonte Arnel , Oda Kyosuke , Doumbo Safiatou , Krymskaya Ludmila , Skinner Jeff , Li Shanping , Ghosal Suman , Kayentao Kassoum , Ongoiba Aissata , Vaughan Ashley , Campo Joseph J. , Traore Boubacar , Barillas-Mury Carolina , Wijayalath Wathsala , Idris Azza , Crompton Peter D. , Sinnis Photini , Wilder Brandon K. , Zavala Fidel , Seder Robert A. , Wilson Ian A. , Tan Joshua
Published: January 2025

The most advanced monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines against malaria target the central repeat region or closely related sequences within the
Plasmodium falciparum
circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). Here, using an antigen-agnostic strategy to investigate human antibody responses to whole sporozoites, we identified a class of mAbs that target a cryptic PfCSP epitope that is only exposed after cleavage and subsequent pyroglutamylation (pGlu) of the newly formed N terminus. This pGlu-CSP epitope is not targeted by current anti-PfCSP mAbs and is not included in the licensed malaria vaccines. MAD21-101, the most potent mAb in this class, confers sterile protection against
Pf
infection in a human liver–chimeric mouse model. These findings reveal a site of vulnerability on the sporozoite surface that can be targeted by next-generation antimalarial interventions.
Beyond misalignment of science in the news and in schools
Authors: Erduran Sibel
Published: January 2025

Almost 40 years ago, the American astronomer, planetary scientist, and science communicator, Carl Sagan, reflected on the role of mass media in science communication.
“How much science and technology do you see in the mass media? Every newspaper has a daily astrology column. How many have even a weekly science column?”
he asked, lamenting the limited science coverage in newspapers. The world has since advanced to a new technological age in which social media, not just newspapers, increasingly act as sources of news, and

science journalism
has become a considerable platform in communicating scientific research.
Steady going in 2025
Authors: Thorp H. Holden , Vinson Valda , Kmec Lauren
Published: January 2025

As the calendar turns to 2025, the unflagging pace of advancement in science and technology promises to break new ground in areas as profound as humanity’s relationship with artificial intelligence (AI), gene editing in medicine and agriculture, climate change mitigation, and more. Meanwhile, as research across all fields becomes more complex, the challenge of maintaining research integrity and the reliability of scientific findings becomes more important than ever for informing public policies and bolstering trust in science. All organizations in the scientific enterprise have a responsibility to ensure that sound practices and ethical standards are at the heart of their operations and missions. This includes scientific journals.
In Other Journals
Authors: Jiang Di , Lopez Bianca , Ross Sarah H. , Stajic Jelena , Smith Jesse , Funk Michael A. , Ash Caroline
Published: January 2025

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
After abandonment
Authors: Charles Dan
Published: January 2025

When farmers leave their land, what version of nature takes over?
Learning from a pandemic many are forgetting
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: January 2025

Five years after COVID-19 surfaced, scientists reflect and look ahead to the next threat
Can war-torn Syria rebuild its scientific community?
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: January 2025

Syrian researchers around the world begin to plan for the nation’s future, including fixing “miserable” universities
A new exceptionally preserved fauna from a lowest Silurian black shale: Insights into the recovery of deep-water ecosystems after the Late Ordovician mass extinction
Authors: Zong Ruiwen , Liu Yilong , Liu Qi , Ma Juan , Liu Shibo
Published: January 2025

After two pulses of mass extinction during the Late Ordovician, a continuous rise in sea level led to the formation of anoxic black shale deposits in deep-water areas in various regions of the world. These deposits usually contain only graptolite fossil assemblages. The discovery of sponge-dominated assemblages in graptolitic shale of the Ordovician−Silurian transition in South China has increased the known biodiversity within these strata. Here we document a new exceptionally preserved fauna, the Huangshi Fauna, in Rhuddanian (lower Silurian) black graptolitic shale of South China. The fauna is composed primarily of sponges, with additional representatives including cephalopods, arthropods, and some enigmatic carbon film fossils. Although this fauna exhibits less diversity compared to other early Paleozoic exceptionally preserved biotas in shallow-water facies, it provides new data on the biological assemblage of deep-water ecosystems after the first mass extinction. This sponge-dominated fauna not only enhances insight into the spatial and temporal distribution of sponges during the Ordovician−Silurian transition in South China but also implies that the depositional environment of the widespread lowest Silurian black shale was not entirely anoxic, indicating periods of intermittent oxygenation at the seafloor.
Stability and Bifurcation Analysis of a Predator–Prey Model with Allee Effect and Predator Harvesting
Authors: He Tengxin , Zhang Yue
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we investigate a predator–prey model with Holling-II functional response, Allee effect and constant-yield predator harvesting, by comparing the differences between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the harvesting rate of predators. For system without harvesting, the Allee effect leads to population extinction. The system has at most one positive equilibrium and has a supercritical Hopf bifurcation which depends on the natural mortality rate of predators. Besides, by using normal form theory, we show that the system with [Formula: see text] reveals rich dynamic properties, including saddle–node bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation and Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation, where numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation of codimension 2 with a limit cycle and a homoclinic cycle. The system can generate up to two positive equilibria with the changes of [Formula: see text], which indicates that appropriate predator harvesting can assist in regulating the ecosystem. We then give the optimal harvesting strategy by using Pontryagin’s maximum principle. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to validate the functions of Allee effect and harvesting. Theoretical studies and numerical simulations demonstrate that the Allee effect can lead to species extinction and highlight the role of appropriate harvesting in controlling the stability of the system.
Is War in Decline?
Authors: Fazal Tanisha M.
Published: January 2025

The claim that war is in decline has gained considerable traction among analysts and policy makers. This review surveys the empirical data as well as the theoretical arguments for a decline of war. It concludes that, while great power wars have declined since 1945, war in general is not necessarily in decline. Critiques of the claim that war is in decline range from the statistical to the anthropological. While war is not necessarily in decline, though, it has changed. Specifically, a major driver of the putative decline of war—international norms, laws, and institutions—has done more to change how war is discussed and presented than whether it is prosecuted. Stronger theories of change are needed in international relations to understand whether these somewhat superficial changes could deepen in ways that produce a true decline in war.
Cardiac MRI Evaluation of Determinants and Prognostic Implications of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Aortic Regurgitation
Authors: Malahfji Maan , Bhugra Priyanka , Nguyen Duc T. , Crudo Valentina , Saeed Mujtaba , Reardon Michael , Nagueh Sherif F. , Zoghbi William A. , Graviss Edward A. , Shah Dipan J.
Published: January 2025

Right ventricular dysfunction at cardiac MRI in patients with aortic regurgitation was associated with coexisting mitral regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction and helped independently predict all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, and perioperative mortality.
Modeling Structured Electrodes and Graded Porosity for Improving Discharge Rate Capability in Ultra-Thick Graphite|LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 Batteries
Authors: Hung Chih-Hsuan , Allu Srikanth , Cobb Corie L.
Published: January 2025

Long-range electric vehicles (EVs) require high-energy-density batteries that also meet the power demands of high current charge and discharge. Ultra-thick (>100 μm) Lithium-ion battery electrodes are critical to enable this need, but slow ion transport in conventional uniform electrodes (UEs) reduces battery capacity at increasing charge/discharge rates. We present a 3D computational analysis on the impact of structured electrode (SE) and graded electrode (GE) geometries on the discharge rate capability of ultra-thick graphite|LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC-622) battery cells based on the footprint of a commercial EV pouch cell. SE cathodes with either a “grid” or “line” geometry and GEs with two layers of porosity were modeled. Based on the results of 230 models, we found that the electrolyte volume fraction is a key parameter that impacts capacity improvements in UEs, GEs, and SEs at 2 C–6 C discharge rates. SEs have the greatest discharge rate capability, outperforming GEs and UEs due to reduced Lithium-ion concentration gradients across the electrode thickness, which mitigates electrolyte depletion at high rates. The best SE model has a “grid” geometry with gravimetric and volumetric energy density improvements of 0.9%–4% at C/2–2 C and 18%–24% at 4 C–6 C relative to UEs.
Towards Rest Period based Li-Ion Battery Analysis: Estimating Solid Phase Diffusivity
Authors: Bharathraj Sagar , Adiga Shashishekar P. , Mayya K. Subramanya
Published: January 2025

Accurate estimation of solid phase diffusivity, a rate-limiting step in Li-Ion batteries, is extremely important for battery management system (BMS) algorithms for precise state estimations and safe, stable battery operation. The present state-of-the-art diffusivity estimation methods give erroneous results, due to inherent limitations and invalid assumptions. Here, a new method is proposed, diffusivity estimation from long-term voltage relaxation technique (DELVRT), to estimate solid diffusivity using battery rest period voltage relaxation. As solid phase diffusion dominates rest period voltage relaxation, the derivation of the spatio-temporal evolution of the concentration profile is derived and used to demonstrate accurate estimation of diffusivity. For times greater than the diffusion time scale, the temporal voltage variation is directly proportional to the diffusivity, leading to an analytical expression for estimating diffusivity. The validation for this model is performed for various different conditions, with data generated using the Pseudo-2D electrochemical-thermal model. It is demonstrated that the diffusivity estimation using DELVRT is significantly more accurate compared to the widely used galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), especially where GITT performed poorly owing to high non-linearity in the open circuit potential-state of charge relationship of the active material.
Electrical Simulation and Optimization of Multi-Junction Solar Cells Based on Novel Quaternary Chalcogenide Ag2MgSnSe4
Authors: Haji Rim , Jlidi Oussama Taleb , Hammami Mohamed Iheb , Melliti Adnen
Published: January 2025

This study presents our findings from the simulation analysis and design optimization of tandem solar cells utilizing a new, cost-effective chalcogenide absorber: Ag2MgSnSe4. We found that the most effective bottom cell includes a zinc back contact, a back surface field of p+-Ag2MgSnSe4, a p-Ag2MgSnSe4 absorber layer, and a n-SnS2 buffer layer, while the optimal top cell consists of a p+-Sb2S3 back surface field, a Sb2S3 absorber layer, and a CdS buffer layer. This tandem structure led to an efficiency of 32.84% and bottom and top absorber layers optimal thicknesses of 0.5 and 0.38 μm, respectively, significantly better than the values reported in the previous works. Finally, we analysed the series, shunt resistances and temperature impact on the tandem cell performance. This study was finished with a thermalization losses evaluation in both single Ag2MgSnSe4 cell and the Sb2S3/Ag2MgSnSe4 tandem cell using the rigorous coupled wave analysis method, revealing a remarkable 29% reduction in thermalization loss facilitated by the tandem structure.
Design and Analysis of a Highly Sensitive Terahertz Biosensor for Early Cancer Detection Using Silver Surface Plasmon Resonance Metasurfaces and Elastic Reflection Starling Murmuration Equivariant Quantum Decision Networks
Authors: Murugan K. , Dhivya R. , Sangeetha C. N. , Alagarsamy Manjunathan
Published: January 2025

Terahertz (THz) biosensors have emerged as a promising technology for medical diagnostics, particularly for cancer detection, due to their unique capability to interact with biological tissues at the molecular level. This research presents a novel THz biosensor design that combines silver-based surface plasmon resonance metasurfaces with a sophisticated neural network architecture, termed as elastic reflection starling murmuration equivariant quantum decision network. By leveraging reflection equivariant quantum neural networks and integrating them with an elastic decision transformer, this design enhances the sensitivity and specificity of cancer detection by capturing subtle biomolecular interactions. The starling murmuration optimizer extends this process, tweaking the tuning parameters to avoid as many false alarms as possible and to obtain exactly the correct resonant shift for each biomarker change. Its high sensitivity, combined with a quantum-inspired decision process, makes this biosensor a platform for increasing the early diagnostics of tumors compared to traditional approaches. The model also delivers early cancer classifying sensitivity of approximately 99.8%. The suggested structure’s sensitivity can be enhanced up to 275 GHz RIU−1 with the FOM of 3.05 RIU−1 and Q factor of 11.85. The proposed architecture shows potential for scalable applications in clinical settings, aiding in timely diagnosis and potentially improving patient outcomes.
Review—Cancer Biosensing Using Plasmonic Metal Doped Graphene-Based Materials
Authors: Pourmadadi Mehrab , Ahmadi Iman , Taromi Parsa , Rahdar Abbas , Fathikarkan Sonia , Bradley Zoe , Ganguly Abhijit , Bhalla Nikhil
Published: January 2025

This review investigates plasmonic metal doped graphene-based materials used in biosensors for cancer detection. Plasmonic metals and graphene-based materials are known for their electrical conductivity, high surface area, and biocompatibility, which offer transformative potential in biosensing technologies. Essentially, we discuss synthesis methods of various plasmonic metal doped graphene materials, including gold, silver, platinum, and iron, each imparting unique characteristics that enhance biosensor performance. We also discuss the integration of the plasmonic doped graphene materials with biological receptors, such as antibodies, aptamers, enzymes, and DNA. We discuss how doping graphene-based nanomaterials with plasmonic metals, improved sensitivity, selectivity, and functionality is achieved for the detection of cancer biomarkers at ultra-low concentrations. Finally, the challenges associated with metal-doped graphene in cancer biosensing, including reproducibility, stability, and integration with existing diagnostic platforms, have been highlighted.
Advanced Photothermal Spectroscopy for Trace PFAS Detection
Authors: Zhao Yaoli , Jannabhatla N. K. , Thundat Thomas
Published: January 2025

The widespread industrial and consumer use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has led to their persistent presence in the environment, driven by their robust carbon-fluorine bonds and bioaccumulative properties. This contamination poses serious health and ecological risks, making real-time, selective, and sensitive detection of PFAS critical for effective mitigation. We demonstrate a selective and sensitive detection of vapor-phase PFAS using photothermal cantilever deflection spectroscopy (PCDS), achieving a detection limit of ∼30 pg. This method eliminates the need for chemically selective coatings, relying instead on the physisorption of PFAS molecules onto a bi-material microcantilever. By leveraging mid-infrared absorption and monitoring both cantilever bending and resonance frequency, PCDS enables simultaneous chemical identification and mass quantification. The technique demonstrates high selectivity in the mid-infrared fingerprint region and rapid desorption of analytes, offering significant advantages for real-time environmental monitoring and public health protection.
Bone marrow-derived NGFR-positive dendritic cells regulate arterial remodeling
Authors: Takashima Shinichiro , Usui Soichiro , Matsuura Shintaro , Goten Chiaki , Inoue Oto , Takeda Yusuke , Yamaguchi Kosei , Hashimuko Daiki , Shinjo Yusuke , Sugita Mitsuhiro , Ohtani Keisuke , Kubota Koji , Sakai Yoshio , Sakata Kenji , Takamura Masayuki
Published: January 2025

We propose a new concept of arterial remodeling after injury in which bone marrow-derived NGFR+ dendritic cells inhibit neointimal progression mediated by apoptosis. NGFR+ dendritic cells promote anti-inflammatory MRC1+ M2 macrophage accumulation and production of interleukin-10, inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation within the neointima. In a clinical study, insufficient mobilization of NGFR+ peripheral mononuclear cells in acute coronary syndrome was an independent risk factor for 9-mo nontargeted coronary intimal progression.
Kir5.1 regulates Kir4.2 expression and is a key component of the 50-pS inwardly rectifying potassium channel in basolateral membrane of mouse proximal tubules
Authors: Zhang Cheng-Biao , Ding Zheng , Duan Xin-Peng , Chowdhury Tanzina , Wang Wen-Hui , Lin Dao-Hong
Published: January 2025

Our study provides direct evidence for the notion that Kir5.1 is a key component of a 50–60 pS inwardly-rectifying-K+ channel, a main type K+ channel in the basolateral-membrane of PT. Also, we demonstrate that deletion of Kir5.1 decreased Kir4.2 protein expression including the basolateral-membrane in PT. Finally, depolarization of PT-membrane- potential in Kir5.1-knockout mice suggests that Kir4.2 alone is not able to sustain basolateral K+ conductance of the PT in the absence of Kir5.1.
A Phase I Clinical Trial Adding OX40 Agonism to In Situ Therapeutic Cancer Vaccination in Patients with Low-Grade B-cell Lymphoma Highlights Challenges in Translation from Mouse to Human Studies
Authors: Shree Tanaya , Czerwinski Debra , Haebe Sarah , Sathe Anuja , Grimes Sue , Martin Brock , Ozawa Michael , Hoppe Richard , Ji Hanlee , Levy Ronald
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

Activating T-cell costimulatory receptors is a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy. In preclinical work, adding an OX40 agonist to in situ vaccination with SD101, a TLR9 agonist, was curative in a mouse model of lymphoma. We sought to test this combination in a phase I clinical trial for patients with low-grade B-cell lymphoma.

Patients and Methods:

We treated 14 patients with low-dose radiation, intratumoral SD101, and intratumoral and intravenous BMS986178, an agonistic anti-OX40 antibody. The primary outcome was safety. Secondary outcomes included overall response rate and progression-free survival.

Results:

Adverse events were consistent with prior experience with low-dose radiation and SD101. No synergistic or dose-limiting toxicities were observed. One patient had a partial response, and nine patients had stable disease, a result inferior to our experience with TLR9 agonism and low-dose radiation alone. Flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing of serial tumor biopsies revealed that T and NK cells were activated after treatment. However, high baseline OX40 expression in T follicular helper and T regulatory type 1 cells, as well as high posttreatment soluble OX40, shed from these T cells upon activation, associated with progression-free survival of less than 6 months.

Conclusions:

Clinical results of T-cell costimulatory receptor agonism have now repeatedly been inferior to the motivating preclinical results. Our study highlights potential barriers to clinical translation, particularly differences in preclinical and clinical reagents and the complex biology of these coreceptors in heterogeneous T cell subpopulations, some of which may antagonize immunotherapy.
Supplementary Figure S2 from N-Linked Fucosylated Glycans Are Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer with a Neuroendocrine and Metastatic Phenotype
Authors: Ippolito Joseph E. , Hartig Jordan P. , Bejar Kaitlyn , Nakhoul Hani , Sehn Jennifer K. , Weimholt Cody , Grimsley Grace , Nunez Elena , Trikalinos Nikolaos A. , Chatterjee Deyali , Kim Eric H. , Mehta Anand S. , Angel Peggi M. , Troyer Dean A. , Leach Robin J. , Corey Eva , Wu Jennifer D. , Drake Richard R.
Published: January 2025

Figure S2. Enrichment of glycans in specimens with small cell versus adenocarcinoma histology.
Table S6 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Frequency of SBS subtypes
Table S10 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Mutation frequencies in genic or intergenic regions and heterochromatin or euchromatin targets
Innovation of a Neonatal Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter to Expand Dialysis Capabilities for Critically Ill Neonates in Low Resource Settings
Authors: Ruiz Vega Sergio , Russell lll Carl , Zhang Siting , McCulloch Mignon , Lottes Aaron , Lee Hyowon , Soranno Danielle E.
Published: January 2025

Introduction: The lack of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters designed explicitly for neonates creates significant challenges in the provision of neonatal peritoneal dialysis. High resource settings can circumvent this limitation by resorting to alternative extracorporeal dialysis methods. However, low resource settings (LRS), PD remains the preferred dialysis modality, and the use of off-label catheters for PD results in complications such as omental wrapping and occlusion. This study introduces a novel catheter design featuring a multi-diameter side port configuration and a helical geometry. Methods: We employed numerical simulations to identify an optimal multi-diameter side port configuration, to address fluid dynamic issues that lead to catheter occlusion and omental wrapping. Following the simulations, we experimentally evaluated the catheter’s performance in a series of benchtop tests designed to simulate physiological conditions encountered in neonatal peritoneal dialysis. Results: Our experimental evaluations demonstrated that the helical catheter outperforms commonly utilized pigtail catheters with same-sized diameter side ports by consistently achieving superior drainage efficiency during fibrin clot occlusion and omental wrapping tests. Conclusions: The catheter is intended to be placed at the bedside to perform renal replacement therapy (RRT) for neonates in low-resourced settings.
Performance of new race-free eGFR equations for predicting complications in chronic kidney disease: From the KNOW-CKD study
Authors: Koh Jaehee , Yang Jihyun , Lee Kyu-Beck , Kim Jayoun , Jeong Jong Cheol , Kim Yaeni , Yoo Tae-Hyun , Oh Kook-Hwan , Hyun Young Youl
Published: January 2025

Background
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) developed new race-free eGFR equations and recommended using these new equations in 2021. However, clinical implication of these new equations is not determined in Korean adults. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate performances of these new race-free eGFR equations in predicting complications in Korean chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Methods
This study analyzed 1,727 participants from the KNOW-CKD cohort. We selected anemia, hyperkalemia, acidosis, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperparathyroidism as five complications of CKD. We determined cross-sectional associations between complications and four eGFR equations. These eGFRs were calculated from 2009 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) Ceatinine equation (2009 eGFRCr), 2012 CKD-EPI Creatinine-Cystatin C equation (2012 eGFRCrCys), 2021 CKD-EPI Creatinine equation (2021 eGFRCr), and 2021 CKD-EPI Creatinine-Cystatin C equation (2021 eGFRCrCys).

Results
All associations between complications as continuous variables and eGFR by four equations were similar. All associations between complications as dichotomous variable and eGFR values form four equations were similar. For example, C-statistics (95% CI) of the logistic model for anemia and eGFRs were 0.826 (0.806-0.845), 0.827 (0.806-0.846), 0.838 (0.819-0.857) and 0.839 (0.820-0.858) for 2009 eGFRCr, 2012 eGFRCrCys, 2021 eGFRCr and 2021 eGFRCrCys, respectively. In addition, cross-validated areas under the curve for ROC analysis after predictive modeling for all complications were not significant different according to different eGFR equations.

Conclusion
New race-free eGFR equations showed similar performances to existing equations for predicting complications in Korean patients with CKD.
The Prevalence of CYP2C19 Polymorphism in Patients with Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis
Authors: Kittipanprayoon Songchai , Vorasayan Pongpat , Chutinet Aurauma , Chariyavilaskul Pajaree , Suwanwela Nijasri C.
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Clopidogrel and aspirin were proved to have benefit in symptomatic intracranial stenosis. CYP2C19 polymorphism (CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3, and CYP2C19*17 alleles) affects efficacy of clopidogrel. Epidemiologic study of CYP2C19 polymorphism has been conducted in Thai population. There was no data showed the frequency of allelic variants of CYP2C19 in Thai symptomatic intracranial stenosis patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CYP2C19 polymorphism in symptomatic intracranial stenosis patients. Methods: The study group included 100 Thai symptomatic intracranial stenosis patients. Genotyping of CYP2C19 alleles (CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3, and CYP2C19*17 alleles) was carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) technique. Results: The allele frequency of CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3, and CYP2C19*17 were 70.5%, 26%, 2.5%, and 1%, respectively. The result showed that 53% of symptomatic intracranial stenosis patients are normal metabolizers, while intermediate and poor metabolizer were 36 and 10 percent, respectively. Conclusion: Almost one-half of Thai symptomatic intracranial stenosis patients were intermediate or poor metabolizers. Usage of combination of aspirin and clopidogrel might not be effective in this group of patients.
Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis
Authors: Song Jeong Yoon , Kwon Sun U.
Published: January 2025

Background: Ischemic stroke is a significant global health problem associated with mortality and disability. Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a leading cause of stroke and contributes to recurrent stroke, especially in the Asian population. ICAS should be distinguished from extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ECAS) due to differences in pathophysiology. Understanding the mechanisms of ICAS is crucial for stroke prevention in the Asian population. Traditional vascular risk factors and the degree of the stenosis play an important role in predicting stroke occurrence. Summary: In East Asia, non-atherosclerotic vasculopathies are also often observed in ischemic stroke patients caused by large artery disease, highlighting the importance of identifying the specific etiologies of intracranial artery stenosis. Advances in diagnostic neuroimaging, such as high-resolution MRI (HR-MRI), can be helpful in distinguishing between them. For stroke prevention in patients with both asymptomatic and symptomatic ICAS, intensive management, including strict control of modifiable risk factors and appropriate antiplatelet therapies, is essential. There are no clear guidelines regarding the duration and combination of antiplatelet therapies. However, current recommendations suggest short-term dual antiplatelet therapies for 90 days to reduce the recurrence of stroke in symptomatic severe ICAS (70–99%). Cilostazol is also proposed as a good second-line treatment option, following clopidogrel, which remains the most widely used. In addition, endovascular or surgical interventions could be considered alternatives for a limited subset of symptomatic severe ICAS cases that are hemodynamically unstable. Key Messages: The key messages are as follows: (1) ICAS is a major cause of ischemic stroke, especially in Asian populations. Its distinct pathophysiology, compared to ECAS, requires different treatment strategies for secondary prevention; (2) differentiation of intracranial artery stenosis etiology is essential, and HR-MRI would be a valuable diagnostic tool; (3) stroke prevention includes strict vascular risk factor control and the use of antiplatelet therapies, with short-term DAPT recommended for symptomatic severe ICAS; (4) cilostazol may serve as an effective second-line option for preventing ischemic stroke, while endovascular or surgical interventions may be limited to hemodynamically unstable cases.
Exploring Differentially Methylated Genes amongst Preterm birth and Full-term birth
Authors: Razzaq Aleem , ElKahlout Razan , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Ibrahim Faisal E. , Samara Muthanna , Zayed Hatem , Abdulrouf Palli Valapila , Al-Jurf Rana , Najjar Ahmed , Farrell Thomas , Qoronfleh M. Walid , Rifai Hilal Al , Al-Dewik Nader
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Preterm birth (PTB) is associated with newborn morbidity and mortality. DNA methylation plays an important role in the development of fetus, thus can also serve as an epigenetic biomarker. Limited epigenetic studies were conducted in regard to PTB. Thus, this study aims to determine whether there are any epigenetic changes amongst PTB vs. term birth (TB).
Methods: In the current study, a total 218 cord blood samples from three different PTB studies have been carried out to explore differentially methylated sites (DMS) and regions (DMRs) associated with PTB. The differential methylation analysis was done after controlling for multiple covariates like age, gender, and disease status. The DMRs (genes and promoters) and DMS (CpG) were investigated in PTB compared to TB infants.
Results: In PTB infants, genes like RNASE3, HGF, CLEC5A, LIPN, NXF1, and CCDC12 showed hypermethylation (p < 0.05) while the MUC20 and IFNL4 genes showed hypomethylation (p < 0.05) along with other significantly identified genes in this analysis. The eForge analysis of hypermethylated (p < 0.05) CpG sites exhibited enrichment in different fetal tissues like small and large intestine, adrenal gland, fetal heart, lungs, and kidney while hypomethylated CpGs showed no significant enrichment. The GO enrichment analysis of these genes revealed pathways associated with the regulation of immune response. Interestingly, the analysis also observed S100A9 and S100A8 genes, along with their associated CpG sites exhibited hypermethylation (p < 0.05) in PTB infants which plays a crucial role in developing neonatal sepsis.
Conclusion: Overall, this study revealed differential methylation in immune-related genes related to PTB that could be used as potential epigenetics biomarkers. These findings not only enhance our understanding of PTB pathogenesis but also pave the way for developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
High-Density Lipoprotein Lipid and Protein Cargo and Cholesterol Efflux Capacity Before and After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Zahid Sohail , Schlamp Florencia , Gildea Michael A. , Lin Bing-Xue , Chaloemtoem Ariya , Falis Marcin , Parikh Manish , Fisher Edward A. , Hornemann Thorsten , Vaisar Tomas , Heffron Sean P.
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is inversely associated with incident cardiovascular events, independent of HDL cholesterol. Obesity is characterized by low HDL cholesterol and impaired HDL function, such as CEC. Bariatric surgery, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), broadly leads to improved cardiovascular outcomes, but impacts on risk factors differ by procedure, with greater improvements in weight loss, blood pressure, and glycemic control after RYGB, but greater improvements in HDL cholesterol and CEC levels after SG. This study sought to determine effects of RYGB and SG on HDL protein and lipid cargo and investigate associations with CEC changes.

METHODS:

We prospectively studied nondiabetic, premenopausal Hispanic women with severe obesity not using lipid medications undergoing RYGB (n=31) or SG (n=36). Anthropometric measurements and blood sampling were obtained before and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. HDL was isolated from plasma, and quantitative proteomic and lipidomic assessments were performed with LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry). CEC was assessed ex vivo using apoB-depleted serum.

RESULTS:

Participants experienced similar, significant weight loss over 12 months following bariatric surgery (38.0±10.4 kg) regardless of the procedure. Relative quantities of 47 proteins (34 increased, 13 decreased) and 150 lipids (71 increased, 79 decreased) carried on HDL were significantly altered following either surgical procedure. Proteins with similar aggregate response patterns were clustered into 15 groups (5 increased, 5 decreased, 5 minimal change) and lipids with similar aggregate responses into 25 groups (7 increased, 11 decreased, 7 minimal change). Network mediation analyses suggested that changes in 4 protein and 2 lipid clusters mediated changes in ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) CEC and that 1 lipid cluster mediated changes in non-ABCA1 CEC. The protein and lipid clusters that mediated changes in CEC were distinct between SG and RYGB.

CONCLUSIONS:

Bariatric surgery produces substantial changes in HDL lipid and protein cargo, and specific changes may mediate changes in HDL function in CEC. Further study of these mechanisms may lead to improved interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with obesity.
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Leading to Air Travel-Induced Thrombosis
Authors: Tourn Julie , Crescence Lydie , Bruzzese Laurie , Panicot-Dubois Laurence , Dubois Christophe
Published: January 2025

Venous thromboembolism, characterized by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is the third cardiovascular disease in the world. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in areas of impaired blood flow, and it is significantly affected by environmental factors. Local hypoxia, caused by venous stasis, plays a critical role in deep vein thrombosis under normal conditions, and this effect is intensified when the P
o
2
decreases, such as during air travel or high-altitude exposure. The lower oxygen levels and reduced pressure at high altitudes further contribute to deep vein thrombosis development. These conditions increase the pro-coagulant activity of neutrophils, platelets, and red blood cells, which interact on the surface of activated endothelial cells, promoting clot formation. Understanding the mechanisms involved in thrombus formation when P
o
2
is reduced, with or without pressure reduction, is crucial for preventing the development of venous thromboembolisms in such conditions and identifying innovative therapeutic targets. This literature review explores the mechanisms involved in thrombus formation related to high-altitude conditions and discusses the pro-coagulant consequences induced by environmental disturbances.
Hierarchical modelling of crossing fibres in the white matter
Authors: Rafipoor Hossein , Lange Frederik J. , Arthofer Christoph , Cottaar Michiel , Jbabdi Saad
Published: January 2025

While diffusion MRI is typically used to estimate microstructural properties of tissue in volumetric elements (voxels), more specificity can be obtained by separately modelling the properties of individual fibre populations within a voxel. In the context of cross-subjects modelling, these fixel-based analyses are usually performed in two stages. Crossing fibre modelling is first performed in each subject to produce fixels, and these are subsequently modelled across subjects following registration and fibre population reassignment. Here, we introduce a new hierarchical framework for fitting crossing fibre models to diffusion MRI data in a population of subjects. This hierarchical setup guarantees that the crossing fibres are consistent by construction and, therefore, comparable across subjects. We propose an expectation-maximisation algorithm to fit the model, which can scale to large number of subjects. This approach produces a template for crossing fibre populations in the white matter which can be used to estimate fibre-specific parameters that are consistent across subjects, hence providing data that are by construction suitable for fixel-based statistical analyses.