bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gallium‐Based Liquid Metals in Rechargeable Batteries: From Properties to Applications
Authors: Zeng Ziyue , Wang Chenyang , Zeng Mengqi , Fu Lei
Published: January 2024

Gallium‐based (Ga‐based) liquid metals have attracted considerable interest due to their low melting points, enabling them to feature both liquid properties and metallic properties at room temperature. In light of this, Ga‐based liquid metals also possess excellent deformability, high electrical and thermal conductivity, superior metal affinity, and unique self‐limited surface oxide, making them popular functional materials in energy storage. This provides a possibility to construct high‐performance rechargeable batteries that are deformable, free of dendrite growth, and so on. This review primarily starts with the property of Ga‐based liquid metal, and then focuses on the potential applications in rechargeable batteries by exploiting these advantages, aiming to construct the correlation between properties and structures. The glorious applications contain interface protection, self‐healing electrode construction, thermal management, and flexible batteries. Finally, the opportunities and obstacles for the applications of liquid metal in batteries are presented.
Augmenting Light‐to‐Heat Conversion Through 3D Scalable Palm Fiber for Energy Efficient Photothermal Solar Steam Generation
Authors: Lim Kok‐Loong , Liow Jo‐Ey , Ong Wee‐Jun , Khiew Poi Sim , Jani Nur Aimi , Chiu Wee Siong , Tan Swee‐Tiam , Haw Choon‐Yian
Published: January 2024

Tackling water scarcity is a pressing challenge, propelling recent advancements in solar steam generation (SSG). Recently, 3D photoabsorbers have outperformed their 2D counterparts in recovering light and minimizing heat losses, enabling a surge in exploring 3D materials and designs. Herein, 3D structures are fabricated using polydopamine (PDA) functionalized carbonized palm fibers (PDA c‐fiber) to shed light on the degree of improvement in SSG efficiency compared to their 2D counterpart. Specifically, two 3D models, a cone, and a cylindrical cup, are chosen for their inherent features, including a hollow cavity, circular base, and curved surface. These architectural elements play a crucial role in trapping light, facilitating reflections, and efficiently converting solar energy to heat through the photothermal effect. Scaling palm fibers from 2D to 3D significantly boosts SSG efficiency, from 67.9% to 103.7%, with water evaporation rate enhanced from 1.171 kg m−2 h−1 to 1.869 kg m−2 h−1. Substantially, the 3D cup demonstrates superior photothermal performance primarily attributed to its heat recovery feature of the cup wall structure and circular basal area, enabling prolonged light‐to‐heat conversion. These findings provide valuable insights and foundation for developing efficient solar‐driven 3D upcycled photoabsorbers in the future.
Science for our children: Othermothering leadership within an elementary science network
Authors: Marshall Stefanie L. , Forrester Jessica , Tilsen Jenny
Published: January 2024

Transformational equity‐centered science education requires the fields of science education and school leadership to critically consider the limited preparation elementary principals are offered to lead for science education. Thus far, little effort has been made to foster a transdisciplinary curricula beyond traditional organizational theories related to school culture and climate; learning sciences; and supervision. School leadership programs are currently inadequately preparing elementary leaders in rigorous pedagogies involving science education. Although the role of principals is often not discussed concerning science implementation in elementary education, principals play a critical role in science decision‐making. In this study, the authors present a case study of one elementary principal who also served as an othermother. Othermothers have been described as those who share mothering responsibilities in Black communities. Through interview transcripts, field notes, and social network data, the authors examine how this othermother cared for her students and community by advocating for science instruction. By strategically navigating the socio‐political and policy climate and drawing on her authentic relationships, this othermother was critical in implementing a science agenda for elementary science. Three themes that emerged from the data analysis are, (1) othermothers view science as a potential means to transform lives and fulfill the needs of the local community, (2) science policies (i.e., federal, state, and local) can limit the potential of the vision of science an othermother has for the community, (3) othermothers draw on their community to guide equitable science instruction. Overall, othermothers have visions for what science can do. However, they cannot counter the status quo individually. Collective action among educators in various roles is one means of moving an equity agenda concerning science education forward.
Area Day‐Ahead Photovoltaic Energy Generation Forecasting by Auto‐Encoder Inputting Images of Multiple Meteorological Elements
Authors: Mori Yusuke , Wakao Shinji , Ohtake Hideaki , Takamatsu Takahiro , Oozeki Takashi
Published: January 2024

Photovoltaics (PV), which is one of variable renewable energies, have been installed largely. In the environment of largely installed PV, the output fluctuates of PV influences on the operation of power gird network adversely. Therefore, PV energy generation forecasting is valid for power grid operation and management and needs the reduction of large forecast error as well as average error. Due to a day‐ahead forecast of the total PV energy generation in the power grid area, we developed the forecasting method by using meteorological forecast data of many points in the target area. In order to forecast the regional PV energy generation, the proposed method uses auto‐encoder and convolutional neural network (CNN) for extracting requirements and valid data, and forecast with neural network (NN) by means of extracted information. In this paper, we improved the forecasting error by using multiple meteorological elements as input data. As a result, we indicated that using both of global horizontal irradiance and low cloud cover is required for the reginal PV energy generation forecasting, and large forecasting error can be reduced by adding either dew point depression, or cumulative precipitation as input data. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Arecoline promotes Akt‐c‐Myc‐driven aerobic glycolysis in esophageal epithelial cells
Authors: Han Shuangze , Chen Yingji , Huang Yu , Jin Longyu , Ma Yuchao
Published: January 2024

Aerobic glycolysis is a typical metabolic rearrangement for tumorigenesis. Arecoline is of explicit carcinogenicity, numerous works demonstrate its mutagenicity, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity. However, the effects of arecoline on aerobic glycolysis of esophageal epithelial cells remain unclear. In the present study, 5 μM arecoline efficiently increased HK2 expression to induce aerobic glycolysis in Het‐1A‐Are and NE2‐Are cells. The mechanistic analysis showed that arecoline activated the Akt‐c‐Myc signaling pathway and reduced the GSK3β‐mediated phosphorylation of c‐Myc on Thr58 to prevent its ubiquitination and destruction, subsequently promoting HK2 transcription and expression. Taken together, these results suggest that arecoline can induce aerobic glycolysis of esophageal epithelial cells and further confirm that arecoline is a carcinogen harmful to human health.
The quintuplet annihilation spectrum
Authors: Baumgart Matthew , Rodd Nicholas L. , Slatyer Tracy R. , Vaidya Varun
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We extend the Effective Field Theory of Heavy Dark Matter to arbitrary odd representations of SU(2) and incorporate the effects of bound states. This formalism is then deployed to compute the gamma-ray spectrum for a 5 of SU(2): quintuplet dark matter. Except at isolated values of the quintuplet mass, the bound state contribution to hard photons with energy near the dark-matter mass is at the level of a few percent compared to that from direct annihilation. Further, compared to smaller representations, such as the triplet wino, the quintuplet can exhibit a strong variation in the shape of the spectrum as a function of mass. Using our results, we forecast the fate of the thermal quintuplet, which has a mass of ~13.6 TeV. We find that existing H.E.S.S. data should be able to significantly test the scenario, however, the final word on this canonical model of minimal dark matter will likely be left to the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).
Effective field theories of axion, ALP and dark photon
Authors: Song Huayang , Sun Hao , Yu Jiang-Hao
Published: January 2024

Abstract

With the help of Young tensor technique, we enumerate the complete and independent set of effective operators up to dim-8 for the extension of the standard model with a Goldstone boson by further imposing the Adler’s zero condition in the soft momentum limit. Such basis can be reduced to describe the axion or majoron effective Lagrangian if further (symmetry) constraints are imposed. Then reformulating dark photon as combination of Goldstone boson and transverse gauge boson, the effective operators of the Goldstone boson can be extended to effective chiral Lagrangian description of the dark photon. For the first time we obtain 0 (0), 6 (44), 1 (1), 44 (356), 32 (520) operators in Goldstone effective field theory, and 9 (49), 0 (0), 108 (676), 10 (426), 1904 (40783) operators in dark photon effective field theory at the dimension 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 for one (three) generation of fermions.
The Higgs branch of heterotic ALE instantons
Authors: Del Zotto Michele , Fazzi Marco , Giri Suvendu
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We begin a study of the Higgs branch of six-dimensional (1, 0) little string theories governing the worldvolumes of heterotic ALE instantons. We give a description of this space by constructing the corresponding magnetic quiver. The latter is a three-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 quiver gauge theory that flows in the infrared to a fixed point whose quantum corrected Coulomb branches is the Higgs branch of the six-dimensional theory of interest. We present results for both types of heterotic strings, and mostly for ℂ2/ℤk ALE spaces. Our analysis is valid both in the absence and in the presence of small instantons. Along the way, we also describe small SO(32) instanton transitions in terms of the corresponding magnetic quiver, which parallels a similar treatment of the small E8 instanton transitions in the context of the E8 × E8 heterotic string.
Traumatic brain injury-induced disruption of the circadian clock
Authors: Kuo Lu-Ting , Lu Hsueh-Yi , Chen Yi-Hsing
Published: January 2024

Disturbances in the circadian rhythm have been reported in patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the rhythmic expression of circadian genes in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) following TBI has not yet been studied. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of period 1 (Per1), Per2, Per3, cryptochrome 1 (Cry1), Cry2, brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like 1 (Bmal1), and circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (Clock) was quantified in PBLs from sham-operated rats and rats with acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) over a 48-h period. The rectal temperature of the animals was measured every 4 h over 2 days. The mesor, rhythm, amplitude, and acrophase were estimated using cosinor analysis. Cosinor analysis revealed that Per2, Cry1, and Bmal1 mRNAs were rhythmically expressed in the PBLs of sham-operated rats. In contrast, fluctuations in rhythmic expression were not observed following ASDH. The rectal temperature of sham-operated rats also exhibited rhythmicity. ASDH rats had a disrupted rectal temperature rhythm, a diminished amplitude, and an acrophase shift. TBI with ASDH results in dysregulated expression of some circadian genes and changes in body temperature rhythm. Further research is required to understand the pathophysiology of altered circadian networks following TBI.

Key messages

First to investigate the mRNA expression of circadian genes in PBLs of ASDH rats.

ASDH rats had disrupted rhythmicity of Per2, Cry1, and Bmal1 mRNA expression.

Cosinor analysis showed that ASDH rats had a disrupted rectal temperature rhythm.
Evidence for alterations in lipid profiles and biophysical properties of lipid rafts from spinal cord in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Díaz Mario , Fabelo Noemí , Martín M. Virginia , Santos Guido , Ferrer Isidre
Published: January 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem whose etiopathogenesis remains unclear. Recent studies have linked major neurodegenerative diseases with altered function of multimolecular lipid-protein complexes named lipid rafts. In the present study, we have isolated lipid rafts from the anterior horn of the spinal cords of controls and ALS individuals and analysed their lipid composition. We found that ALS affects levels of different fatty acids, lipid classes and related ratios and indexes. The most significant changes affected the contents of n-9/n-7 monounsaturated fatty acids and arachidonic acid, the main n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA), which were higher in ALS lipid rafts. Paralleling these findings, ALS lipid rafts lower saturates-to-unsaturates ratio compared to controls. Further, levels of cholesteryl ester (SE) and anionic-to-zwitterionic phospholipids ratio were augmented in ALS lipid rafts, while sulfatide contents were reduced. Further, regression analyses revealed augmented SE esterification to (mono)unsaturated fatty acids in ALS, but to saturates in controls. Overall, these changes indicate that lipid rafts from ALS spinal cord undergo destabilization of the lipid structure, which might impact their biophysical properties, likely leading to more fluid membranes. Indeed, estimations of membrane microviscosity confirmed less viscous membranes in ALS, as well as more mobile yet smaller lipid rafts compared to surrounding membranes. Overall, these results demonstrate that the changes in ALS lipid rafts are unrelated to oxidative stress, but to anomalies in lipid metabolism and/or lipid raft membrane biogenesis in motor neurons.

Key messages

The lipid matrix of multimolecular membrane complexes named lipid rafts are altered in human spinal cord in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Lipid rafts from ALS spinal cord contain higher levels of n-6 LCPUFA (but not n-3 LCPUFA), n-7/n-9 monounsaturates and lower saturates-to-unsaturates ratio.

ALS lipid rafts display increased contents of cholesteryl esters, anomalous anionic-to-zwitterionic phospholipids and phospholipid remodelling and reduced sulphated and total sphingolipid levels, compared to control lipid rafts.

Destabilization of the lipid structure of lipid raft affects their biophysical properties and leads to more fluid, less viscous membrane microdomains.

The changes in ALS lipid rafts are unlikely related to increased oxidative stress, but to anomalies in lipid metabolism and/or raft membrane biogenesis in motor neurons.
Molecular signatures of angiogenesis inhibitors: a single-embryo untargeted metabolomics approach in zebrafish
Authors: Wilhelmi Pia , Haake Volker , Zickgraf Franziska M. , Giri Varun , Ternes Philipp , Driemert Peter , Nöth Julia , Scholz Stefan , Barenys Marta , Flick Burkhard , Birk Barbara , Kamp Hennicke , Landsiedel Robert , Funk-Weyer Dorothee
Published: January 2024

Angiogenesis is a key process in embryonic development, a disruption of this process can lead to severe developmental defects, such as limb malformations. The identification of molecular perturbations representative of antiangiogenesis in zebrafish embryo (ZFE) may guide the assessment of developmental toxicity from an endpoint- to a mechanism-based approach, thereby improving the extrapolation of findings to humans. Thus, the aim of the study was to discover molecular changes characteristic of antiangiogenesis and developmental toxicity. We exposed ZFEs to two antiangiogenic drugs (SU4312, sorafenib) and two developmental toxicants (methotrexate, rotenone) with putative antiangiogenic action. Molecular changes were measured by performing untargeted metabolomics in single embryos. The metabolome response was accompanied by the occurrence of morphological alterations. Two distinct metabolic effect patterns were observed. The first pattern comprised common effects of two specific angiogenesis inhibitors and the known teratogen methotrexate, strongly suggesting a shared mode of action of antiangiogenesis and developmental toxicity. The second pattern involved joint effects of methotrexate and rotenone, likely related to disturbances in energy metabolism. The metabolites of the first pattern, such as phosphatidylserines, pterines, retinol, or coenzyme Q precursors, represented potential links to antiangiogenesis and related developmental toxicity. The metabolic effect pattern can contribute to biomarker identification for a mechanism-based toxicological testing.
Adult consequences of repeated nicotine and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vapor inhalation in adolescent rats
Authors: Gutierrez Arnold , Creehan Kevin M. , Grant Yanabel , Taffe Michael A.
Published: January 2024

Rationale

Use of electronic drug delivery systems (EDDS, “e-cigarettes”) to ingest nicotine and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has surged in adolescents in the USA; five times as many high-school seniors vape nicotine daily using tobacco. At the same time, 19.5% of seniors use cannabis at least monthly, with 12% using EDDS to deliver it.

Objectives

This study was conducted to examine the impact of repeated adolescent vapor inhalation of nicotine and THC in rats.

Methods

Female Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to 30-min sessions of vapor inhalation, twice daily, from post-natal day (PND) 31 to PND 40. Conditions included vapor from the propylene glycol (PG) vehicle, nicotine (60 mg/mL in the PG), THC (100 mg/mL in the PG), or the combination of nicotine (60 mg/mL) and THC (100 mg/mL). Rats were assessed on wheel activity, heroin anti-nociception and nicotine and heroin vapor volitional exposure during adulthood.

Results

Nicotine-exposed rats exhibited few differences as adults, but were less sensitive to anti-nociceptive effects of heroin (1 mg/kg, s.c.). THC- and THC + nicotine–exposed rats were less spontaneously active, and obtained fewer nicotine vapor deliveries as adults. In contrast, THC-exposed rats obtained volitional heroin vapor at rates indistinguishable from the non-THC-exposed groups. Repeated THC exposure also caused tolerance to temperature-disrupting effects of THC (5 mg/kg, i.p.).

Conclusions

These studies further confirm that the effects of repeated vapor exposure to THC in adolescence last into early to middle adulthood, including decreased volitional consumption of nicotine. Effects of repeated nicotine in adolescence were comparatively minor.
Analysis of diversity and function of epiphytic bacterial communities associated with macrophytes using a metagenomic approach
Authors: Wang Xin , Liu Yi , Qing Chun , Zeng Jin , Dong Jixing , Xia Pinhua
Published: January 2024

Epiphytic bacteria constitute a vital component of aquatic ecosystems, pivotal in regulating elemental cycling. Despite their significance, the diversity and functions of epiphytic bacterial communities adhering to various submerged macrophytes remain largely unexplored. In this study, we employed a metagenomic approach to investigate the diversity and function of epiphytic bacterial communities associated with six submerged macrophytes: Ceratophyllum demersum, Hydrilla verticillata, Myriophyllum verticillatum, Potamogeton lucens, Stuckenia pectinata, and Najas marina. The results revealed that the predominant epiphytic bacterial species for each plant type included Pseudomonas spp., Microbacterium spp., and Stenotrophomonas rhizophila. Multiple comparisons and linear discriminant analysis effect size indicated a significant divergence in the community composition of epiphytic bacteria among the six submerged macrophytes, with 0.3–1% of species uniquely identified. Epiphytic bacterial richness associated with S. pectinata significantly differed from that of both C. demersum and H. verticillata, although no significant differences were observed in diversity and evenness. Functionally, notable variations were observed in the relative abundances of genes associated with carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling within epiphytic bacterial communities on the submerged macrophyte hosts. Among these communities, H. verticillata exhibited enrichment in genes related to the 3-hydroxypropionate bicycle and nitrogen assimilation, translocation, and denitrification. Conversely, M. verticillatum showcased enrichment in genes linked to the reductive citric acid cycle (Arnon-Buchanan cycle), reductive pentose phosphate cycle (Calvin cycle), polyphosphate degradation, and organic nitrogen metabolism. In summary, our findings offer valuable insights into the diversity and function of epiphytic bacteria on submerged macrophyte leaves, shedding light on their roles in lake ecosystems.
Who you live with and what you duet for: a review of the function of primate duets in relation to their social organization
Authors: De Gregorio Chiara , Valente Daria , Ferrario Valeria , Carugati Filippo , Cristiano Walter , Raimondi Teresa , Torti Valeria , Giacoma Cristina , Gamba Marco
Published: January 2024

Duets are one of the most fascinating displays in animal vocal communication, where two animals fine-tune the timing of their emissions to create a coordinated signal. Duetting behavior is widespread in the animal kingdom and is present in insects, birds, and mammals. Duets are essential to regulate activities within and between social units. Few studies assessed the functions of these vocal emissions experimentally, and for many species, there is still no consensus on what duets are used for. Here, we reviewed the literature on the function of duets in non-human primates, investigating a possible link between the social organization of the species and the function of its duetting behavior. In primates and birds, social conditions characterized by higher promiscuity might relate to the emergence of duetting behavior. We considered both quantitative and qualitative studies, which led us to hypothesize that the shift in the social organization from pair living to a mixed social organization might have led to the emergence of mate defense and mate guarding as critical functions of duetting behavior. Territory/resource ownership and defense functions are more critical in obligate pair-living species. Finally, we encourage future experimental research on this topic to allow the formulation of empirically testable predictions.
A meta-analysis of melanoma risk in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy patients
Authors: Luo Rui , Xia Dan , Yu Siyang
Published: January 2024

Background

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) is a group of chronic acquired autoimmune diseases. The association between IIM and malignancies has been observed for decades. No meta-analysis has been conducted to summarize the relationship between IIM and melanoma. Herein, we specifically wanted to investigate whether IIM is associated with a higher incidence of melanoma.

Methods

We searched both Chinese and English databases (CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) for studies on IIM related to melanoma published up to October 2023. Two independent authors reviewed all literature to identify studies according to predefined selection criteria. Fixed effects models were applied to pool the risk. Publication bias was also evaluated and sensitivity analysis performed.

Results

A total of 1660 articles were initially identified but only four cohort studies met the criteria. Thus, 4239 IIM patients were followed up. The pooled overall risk ratio/hazard ratio was 3.08 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79–5.37) and the standardized incidence ratio was 6.30 (95% CI 1.59–11.02).

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis suggests that IIM patients are at a significantly higher risk of developing melanoma.
Cognitive reserve, depressive symptoms, obesity, and change in employment status predict mental processing speed and executive function after COVID-19
Authors: Ariza Mar , Béjar Javier , Barrué Cristian , Cano Neus , Segura Bàrbara ,   NAUTILUS Project Collaborative Group, Bernia Jose A , Arauzo Vanesa , Balague-Marmaña Marta , Pérez-Pellejero Cristian , Cañizares Silvia , Muñoz Jose Antonio Lopez , Caballero Jesús , Carnes-Vendrell Anna , Piñol-Ripoll Gerard , Gonzalez-Aguado Ester , Riera-Pagespetit Mar , Forcadell-Ferreres Eva , Reverte-Vilarroya Silvia , Forné Susanna , Muñoz-Padros Jordina , Bartes-Plan Anna , Muñoz-Moreno Jose A. , Prats-Paris Anna , Pons Inmaculada Rico , Molina Judit Martínez , Casas-Henanz Laura , Castejon Judith , Mas Maria José Ciudad , Jodrà Anna Ferré , Lozano Manuela , Garzon Tamar , Cullell Marta , Vega Sonia , Alsina Sílvia , Maldonado-Belmonte Maria J. , Vazquez-Rivera Susana , García-Cabello Eloy , Molina Yaiza , Navarro Sandra , Baillès Eva , Cortés Claudio Ulises , Junqué Carme , Garolera Maite
Published: January 2024

The risk factors for post-COVID-19 cognitive impairment have been poorly described. This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics that characterize a group of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) participants with neuropsychological impairment. The study sample included 426 participants with PCC who underwent a neurobehavioral evaluation. We selected seven mental speed processing and executive function variables to obtain a data-driven partition. Clustering algorithms were applied, including K-means, bisecting K-means, and Gaussian mixture models. Different machine learning algorithms were then used to obtain a classifier able to separate the two clusters according to the demographic, clinical, emotional, and lifestyle variables, including logistic regression with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) (L1) and Ridge (L2) regularization, support vector machines (linear/quadratic/radial basis function kernels), and decision tree ensembles (random forest/gradient boosting trees). All clustering quality measures were in agreement in detecting only two clusters in the data based solely on cognitive performance. A model with four variables (cognitive reserve, depressive symptoms, obesity, and change in work situation) obtained with logistic regression with LASSO regularization was able to classify between good and poor cognitive performers with an accuracy and a weighted averaged precision of 72%, a recall of 73%, and an area under the curve of 0.72. PCC individuals with a lower cognitive reserve, more depressive symptoms, obesity, and a change in employment status were at greater risk for poor performance on tasks requiring mental processing speed and executive function. Study registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05307575.
Osteosarcoma neutrophil extracellular trap network-associated gene recurrence and metastasis model
Authors: Tang Hao , Xie Jiang , Du Yu-Xuan , Tan Ze-Jiu , Liang Zhuo-Tao
Published: January 2024

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common malignancy in children and adolescents and has a high probability of recurrence and metastasis. A growing number of studies have shown that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are strongly associated with cancer metastasis, but in osteosarcoma, genes associated with NETs that promote osteosarcoma recurrence and metastasis remain to be explored. We systematically investigated the gene expression patterns of NETs in OS samples from the GEO database. NETs molecular typing was evaluated based on NETs expression profiles, and the association between NETs molecular subtypes and immune microenvironment and metastatic features were explored. Ultimately, we constructed a signature model and column line graph associated with metastasis prediction and screened possible potential drugs for metastatic osteosarcoma. We established two different molecular subtypes of NETs, which showed significant differences in metastatic status, metastasis time, tumor immune microenvironment, and biological effects. We also constructed a NETs-related gene metastasis signature(NRGMS) to assess the expression pattern of NETs in patients to predict metastatic recurrence in osteosarcoma patients. We screened for TOMM40 and FH associated with metastatic recurrence in osteosarcoma patients. Overall, this study constructs a predictive model for osteosarcoma metastasis of NETs-related genes, which is expected to provide new insights into the metastasis of osteosarcoma.
Exploring the expression and clinical significance of the miR-140-3p-HOXA9 axis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Cui Wei , Bai Xueliang , Bai Zhongyuan , Chen Fengxin , Xu Jing , Bai Wenqi , Xi Yanfeng
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the expression patterns and clinical significance of miR-140-3p and homeobox A9 (HOXA9) in colorectal cancer (CRC) selected by bioinformatic study, while elucidating their potential interplay.

Methods

The microRNA expression profiles of paired colorectal cancer and matched normal tissues were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus Database. Differentially expressed microRNAs and microRNA candidates were filtered and subjected to further analysis. Clinicopathological data, along with paraffin-embedded samples of colorectal tumor tissues were collected to facilitate comprehensive analysis. Expression levels of miR-140-3p and HOXA9 were quantified using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Survival rates were determined using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the COX regression model was utilized to identify independent prognostic factors that impact the overall prognosis.

Results

MiR-140-3p was significantly downregulated in colorectal tumors compared to normal tissue, and HOXA9 was identified as a previously unreported potential downstream target. HOXA9 expression was elevated in tumors compared to normal tissues. Reduced miR-140-3p expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, while high HOXA9 expression correlated with both lymph node metastasis and lympho-vascular invasion. Patients with low miR-140-3p and high HOXA9 expression had a poorer prognosis. HOXA9 was identified as an independent risk factor for CRC patient survival.

Conclusion

The miR-140-3p-HOXA9 signaling disruption is closely linked to lymph node metastasis and unfavorable prognosis in CRC. This axis shows promise as a clinical biomarker for predicting the CRC patient survival and a potential therapeutic target.
Screening copy number variations in 35 unsolved inherited retinal disease families
Authors: Liu Xiaozhen , Dai Hehua , Li Genlin , Jia Ruixuan , Meng Xiang , Yu Shicheng , Yang Liping , Hong Jing
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this study was to screen Copy Number Variations (CNVs) in 35 unsolved Inherited Retinal Dystrophy (IRD) families. Initially, next generation sequencing, including a specific Hereditary Eye Disease Enrichment Panel or Whole exome sequencing, was employed to screen (likely) pathogenic Single-nucleotide Variants (SNVs) and small Insertions and Deletions (indels) for these cases. All available SNVs and indels were further validated and co-segregation analyses were performed in available family members by Sanger sequencing. If not, after excluding deep intronic variants, Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF-PCR) and Sanger sequencing were employed to screen CNVs. We determined that 18 probands who had heterozygous SNVs/indels or whose parents were not consanguineous but had homozygous SNVs/indels in autosomal recessive IRDs genes had CNVs in another allele of these genes, 11 families had disease-causing hemizygous CNVs in X-linked IRD genes, 6 families had (likely) pathogenic heterozygous CNVs in PRPF31 gene. Of 35 families, 33 different CNVs in 16 IRD-associated genes were detected, with PRPF31, EYS and USH2A the most common disease-causing gene in CNVs. Twenty-six and 7 of them were deletion and duplication CNVs, respectively. Among them, 14 CNVs were first reported in this study. Our research indicates that CNVs contribute a lot to IRDs, and screening of CNVs substantially increases the diagnostic rate of IRD. Our results emphasize that MLPA and QF-PCR are ideal methods to validate CNVs, and the novel CNVs reported herein expand the mutational spectrums of IRDs.
EXPANSIN15 is involved in flower and fruit development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bernal-Gallardo Judith Jazmin , González-Aguilera Karla L. , de Folter Stefan
Published: January 2024

Key message

EXPANSIN15 is involved in petal cell morphology and size, the fusion of the medial tissues in the gynoecium and expansion of fruit valve cells. It genetically interacts with SPATULA and FRUITFULL.

Cell expansion is fundamental for the formation of plant tissues and organs, contributing to their final shape and size during development. To better understand this process in flower and fruit development, we have studied the EXPANSIN15 (EXPA15) gene, which showed expression in petals and in the gynoecium. By analyzing expa15 mutant alleles, we found that EXPA15 is involved in petal shape and size determination, by affecting cell morphology and number. EXPA15 also has a function in fruit size, by affecting cell size and number. Furthermore, EXPA15 promotes fusion of the medial tissues in the gynoecium. In addition, we observed genetic interactions with the transcription factors SPATULA (SPT) and FRUITFULL (FUL) in gynoecium medial tissue fusion, style and stigma development and fruit development in Arabidopsis. These findings contribute to the importance of EXPANSINS in floral and fruit development in Arabidopsis.
Fischdurchgängigkeit mittels innovativer Buhnen in kombinierten skalierten und ethoyhdraulischen 1:1-Modellversuchen am Beispiel des Wienflusses
Authors: Sindelar Christine , Lasinger Nora , Buchinger Matthias , Leutgöb Elena , Habersack Helmut
Published: January 2024

Der Wienfluss ist im Stadtgebiet von Wien über weite Strecken ein künstliches Gerinne mit gepflasterter Sohle und monotonem Querprofil. Geringe Wassertiefen und hohe Geschwindigkeiten bei niedrigen Abflüssen sorgen dafür, dass der Wienfluss an vielen Stellen nicht fischpassierbar ist. In einem skalierten physikalischen 1:8-Modell wurde eine optimale Buhnenvariante durch Variation verschiedener Buhnenparameter entwickelt, die im 4 km langen Projektgebiet ab der Kennedybrücke die Fischdurchgängigkeit wiederherstellen kann. Die Lösungsvariante besteht aus wechselseitig angeordneten inklinanten Buhnen mit einer Höhe von 0,2 m, einer Länge von 4 m, einem Winkel von 70 Grad und einem Buhnenabstand von 6 m. Die Möglichkeiten des neuen BOKU-Wasserbaulabors wurden genutzt, um einen Abschnitt des Wienflusses samt den Buhnen im Naturmaßstab 1:1 aufzubauen. In ethohydraulischen Versuchen wurde überprüft, ob die Leitfischarten des Wienflusses – Aitel, Gründling und Schmerle – bei den Durchflüssen Q330 und MQ die Buhnenstrecke durchwandern können. Dieser Nachweis konnte für den Aitel und den Gründling erbracht werden. Die nacht- und dämmerungsaktiven Schmerlen konnten in der Nacht nicht beobachtet werden, konnten sich aber problemlos in der Buhnenstrecke aufhalten, ohne abzudriften. Naturähnliche 1:1-Versuche im BOKU-Wasserbaulabor ermöglichen es, das volle Spektrum an klein- und großskaligen Strukturen in turbulenten Strömungen abzubilden und durch die Verwendung von Donauwasser Wasserqualitätsprobleme auszuschließen, was für (etho-)hydraulische Fragestellungen einen entscheidenden Vorteil darstellt.
Comparisons of assessment pathways after abnormal mammography screening in Denmark, Norway, and Spain
Authors: Jørgensen Susanne Fogh , Sagstad Silje , Louro Javier , Román Marta , Castells Xavier , Hofvind Solveig , Njor Sisse
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To ensure high-quality screening programmes and effective utilization of resources, it is important to monitor how cancer detection is affected by different strategies performed at recall assessment. This study aimed to describe procedures performed at recall assessment and compare and evaluate the performance of the assessment in Denmark, Norway, and Spain in terms of screen-detected cancer (SDC) and interval cancer (IC) rates.

Methods

We included women aged 50–69 years from Denmark, Norway, and Spain, who were recalled for assessment after screening mammography, and recorded all procedures performed during six months after diagnosis, and the timing of the procedures. Women were followed for two years and screen-detected and interval cancer, and sensitivity of recall was calculated and compared.

Results

In total, data from 24,645 Danish, 30,050 Norwegian, and 41,809 Spanish women were included in the study. Most of the women had some assessment within 2 months in all three countries. SDC rates were higher in Denmark (0.57) and Norway (0.60) compared to Spain (0.38), as were the IC rates, i.e. 0.25 and 0.18 vs. 0.12, respectively. The sensitivity of the diagnostic follow-up was somewhat higher in Denmark (98.3%) and Norway (98.2%), compared to Spain (95.4%), but when excluding non-invasive assessment pathways, the sensitivities were comparable.

Conclusion

This comparison study showed variation in the assessment procedures used in the three countries as well as the SDC and IC rates and the sensitivity of recall.
Glass eels at the continental edge of Europe: revisiting catchment recruitment at the international River Minho/Miño
Authors: Stratoudakis Yorgos , Domingos Isabel , Antunes Carlos
Published: January 2024

The glass eel catch from the international River Minho, western Iberian Peninsula, forms the southernmost Atlantic series in the composite index outside the North Sea assessing European eel recruitment. Here, new experimental yield data from the lower estuary (1981–2022) and fishers´ daily records (1990–2022) were modelled to describe and compare seasonal and interannual trends. Seasonality matched river discharge climatology, possibly a more general feature in the southern range of the species distribution, with the difference between high and low season becoming less marked in recent periods of lower abundance. Glass eel yield showed a sharp decline during the 1980s, in line with the recruitment index outside the North Sea and with total Minho catch, but not with recent local estimates of catch per unit effort. This decline is corroborated by trends in fishers´ daily records, suggesting that the reduction in effort in the Minho was the consequence of a gradual adjustment to recruitment in the catchment mediated by progressively tighter local management measures. The inefficiency of fisheries regulatory measures to guarantee stock recovery alone calls for more comprehensive measures to reverse anthropogenic impacts on continental eel populations, but the task seems Herculean.
Antibacterial properties of marine algae incorporated polylactide acid membranes as an alternative to clinically applied different collagen membranes
Authors: Weitkamp Jan-Tobias , El Hajjami Soumaya , Acil Yahya , Spille Johannes , Sayin Selin , Okudan Emine Sükran , Saygili Eyüp Ilker , Veziroglu Salih , Flörke Christian , Behrendt Peter , Wiltfang Jörg , Aktas Oral Cenk , Gülses Aydin
Published: January 2024

The reconstruction of bony defects in the alveolar crest poses challenges in dental practice. Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) and guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedures utilize barriers to promote bone regeneration and prevent epithelial growth. This study focuses on evaluating the antibacterial properties of marine algae-polylactic acid (PLA) composite membranes compared to commercially available collagen membranes. Marine algae (Corallina elongata, Galaxaura oblongata, Cystoseira compressa, Saragassum vulgare, and Stypopodium schimperi) were processed into powders and blended with PLA to fabricate composite membranes. Cytocompatibility assays using human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (n = 3) were performed to evaluate biocompatibility. Antibacterial effects were assessed through colony-forming units (CFU) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of bacterial colonization on the membranes. The cytocompatibility assays demonstrated suitable biocompatibility of all marine algae-PLA composite membranes with human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. Antibacterial assessment revealed that Sargassum vulgare-PLA membranes exhibited the highest resistance to bacterial colonization, followed by Galaxaura oblongata-PLA and Cystoseira compressa-PLA membranes. SEM analysis confirmed these findings and revealed smooth surface textures for the marine algae-PLA membranes compared to the fibrous and porous structures of collagen membranes. Marine algae-PLA composite membranes show promising antibacterial properties and cytocompatibility for guided bone and tissue regeneration applications. Sargassum vulgare-PLA membranes demonstrated the highest resistance against bacterial colonization. These findings suggest that marine algae-PLA composite membranes could serve as effective biomaterials for infection control and tissue regeneration. Further in vivo validation and investigation of biodegradation properties are necessary to explore their clinical potential.

Graphical Abstract
Economic effects of air quality on housing prices: evidence from Beijing, China
Authors: Cai Yuanyuan , Smit Martijn J. , Helbich Marco
Published: January 2024

Air pollution is a major environmental urban issue, particularly in fast-growing cities in developing countries. Reducing air pollution is thus a challenge while evaluating the economic value of air quality is crucial for environmental policies made. However, few studies accurately estimate this value as they neglect the possible endogeneity issues, as well as the dynamic and heterogeneous effects of air pollution. Under the hedonic framework, we therefore assess the economic effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on housing prices in Beijing, China. We construct a panel based on resale apartment transactions matched with average quarterly PM2.5 data between 2013 and 2019. To reduce the risk of an estimation bias, we apply an instrumental variable (IV) approach. Our results show that PM2.5 is negatively associated with housing prices. Households were willing to pay an extra 0.0852% per housing unit price for an average quarterly reduction in PM2.5 of 1 µg/m3. Furthermore, we argue that high-income dwellers tend to pay more for clean air. The negative effects of PM2.5 across regions are significant and different. Compared with that in the basic year 2013, the negative effect increases in the first 3 years and then decreases in the last 3 years. Our findings enhance our comprehension of the economic impact of air quality and make a valuable contribution to the nuanced understanding of willingness to pay for air quality, which is beneficial in assessing and optimizing environmental regulations.
Variational Structures Beyond Gradient Flows: a Macroscopic Fluctuation-Theory Perspective
Authors: Patterson Robert I. A. , Renger D. R. Michiel , Sharma Upanshu
Published: January 2024

Macroscopic equations arising out of stochastic particle systems in detailed balance (called dissipative systems or gradient flows) have a natural variational structure, which can be derived from the large-deviation rate functional for the density of the particle system. While large deviations can be studied in considerable generality, these variational structures are often restricted to systems in detailed balance. Using insights from macroscopic fluctuation theory, in this work we aim to generalise this variational connection beyond dissipative systems by augmenting densities with fluxes, which encode non-dissipative effects. Our main contribution is an abstract theory, which for a given flux-density cost and a quasipotential, provides a decomposition into dissipative and non-dissipative components and a generalised orthogonality relation between them. We then apply this abstract theory to various stochastic particle systems—independent copies of jump processes, zero-range processes, chemical-reaction networks in complex balance and lattice-gas models—without assuming detailed balance. For macroscopic equations arising out of these particle systems, we derive new variational formulations that generalise the classical gradient-flow formulation.
Biogenic harmony of biocompatible silver nanoplatforms using chamomile extract and apigenin-7-glucoside for solid tumor therapy
Authors: Selim Adli A. , Abdelmonem Islam M. , Amin Mohamed A. , Essa Basma M.
Published: January 2024

This study focuses on tumor therapy using two biocompatible silver nanoplatforms of chamomile extract and its active ingredient apigenin-7-glucoside. Chamomile silver nanoparticles (Ch-AgNPs) and apigenin 7- glucoside silver nanoparticles (Ap-AgNPs) were synthesized and characterized using different analytical techniques. On a stable nanoplatform with spherical nanoparticles in a narrow size range, both Ch-AgNP and Ap-AgNP exhibit potent cytotoxic effects against two different cell lines (HepG2 and MCF7). The synthesized NPs were radiolabeled with 131I giving high radiochemical purity. Biodistribution studies in tumor-bearing Albino mice showed higher accumulation in tumor sites compared to normal muscle. In conclusion, after further preclinical studies, both chamomile silver nanoparticles (Ch-AgNPs) and apigenin-7-glucoside silver nanoparticles (Ap-AgNPs) can be used as potential drugs for tumor theranostics.
School Connectedness and Risk for Sexual Intercourse and Nonconsensual Sex in Adolescence
Authors: Miller Chelsea R. , Gajos Jamie M. , Cropsey Karen L.
Published: January 2024

The CDC reports that 30% of high school students have engaged in sexual intercourse. Evidence suggests biological, personal, peer, societal, and family variables affect when a child will initiate sex. The school environment plays an important role in a child’s development. Evidence suggests that greater attachment to the school community can modify sexual risk-taking activity in adolescents. Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) comprises a cohort of approximately 4,700 families of children born in the U.S. between 1998–2000, over-sampled for non-marital births in large U.S. cities. Adolescents (N = 3,444 of 4,663 eligible) completed the wave six teen survey at approximately age 15. School connectedness was self-reported with four items measuring inclusiveness, closeness, happiness, and safety felt by the adolescent in their school environment. Sexual intercourse and nonconsensual sex were self-reported by the adolescent. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted examining sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sex, risk factors, and school connectedness. In this sample of adolescents (48% female, 49% Black, 25% Hispanic, ages 14–19), school connectedness appears to reduce boys’ risk of nonconsensual sex (OR = 0.29, p < 0.01), and reduce girls’ risk of engaging in sexual intercourse (OR = 0.55, p < 0.01). Findings suggest gender differences in the association between school connectedness and sexual practices in adolescents. School connectedness may confer protection for boys’ risk of nonconsensual sex, and for girls’ risk of engaging in sexual intercourse. Further exploration of the relationship between school connectedness may allow for recommendations into preventative measures for teenage sexual behaviors.