bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of Enhanced Vegetation Index for assessing access to different types of green space in epidemiological studies
Authors: Mizen Amy , Thompson Daniel A. , Watkins Alan , Akbari Ashley , Garrett Joanne K. , Geary Rebecca , Lovell Rebecca , Lyons Ronan A. , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark , Parker Sarah C. , Rowney Francis M. , Song Jiao , Stratton Gareth , Wheeler Benedict W. , White James , White Mathew P. , Williams Sue , Rodgers Sarah E. , Fry Richard
Published: February 2024

Background

Exposure to green space can protect against poor health through a variety of mechanisms. However, there is heterogeneity in methodological approaches to exposure assessments which makes creating effective policy recommendations challenging.

Objective

Critically evaluate the use of a satellite-derived exposure metric, the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), for assessing access to different types of green space in epidemiological studies.

Methods

We used Landsat 5–8 (30 m resolution) to calculate average EVI for a 300 m radius surrounding 1.4 million households in Wales, UK for 2018. We calculated two additional measures using topographic vector data to represent access to green spaces within 300 m of household locations. The two topographic vector-based measures were total green space area stratified by type and average private garden size. We used linear regression models to test whether EVI could discriminate between publicly accessible and private green space and Pearson correlation to test associations between EVI and green space types.

Results

Mean EVI for a 300 m radius surrounding households in Wales was 0.28 (IQR = 0.12). Total green space area and average private garden size were significantly positively associated with corresponding EVI measures (β = < 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.0000, 0.0000; β = 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.0001 respectively). In urban areas, as average garden size increases by 1 m2, EVI increases by 0.0002. Therefore, in urban areas, to see a 0.1 unit increase in EVI index score, garden size would need to increase by 500 m2. The very small β values represent no ‘measurable real-world’ associations. When stratified by type, we observed no strong associations between greenspace and EVI.

Impact

It is a widely implemented assumption in epidiological studies that an increase in EVI is equivalent to an increase in greenness and/or green space.

We used linear regression models to test associations between EVI and potential sources of green reflectance at a neighbourhood level using satellite imagery from 2018.

We compared EVI measures with a ‘gold standard’ vector-based dataset that defines publicly accessible and private green spaces.

We found that EVI should be interpreted with care as a greater EVI score does not necessarily mean greater access to publicly available green spaces in the hyperlocal environment.
Increasing in-person medical interpreter utilization in the NICU through a bundle of interventions
Authors: Feister John , Razdan Sheila , Sharp Danielle , Punjabi Shamita , Blecharczyk Elizabeth , Escobar Veronica , Gay Paw Mar , Scala Melissa , Bonifacio Sonia
Published: February 2024

Background

In-person medical interpretation improves communication with patients who have preferred language other than English (PLOE). Multi-dimensional barriers to use of medical interpreters limit their use in the NICU.

Local problem

Medical teams in our NICU were not consistently using in-person medical interpreters, leading to ineffective communication with families with PLOE.

Methods/Interventions

Interventions included staff educational sessions and grand rounds regarding equitable language access, distribution of interpreter request cards to families, and allocation of dedicated in-person interpreters for NICU rounds. Interpreter utilization was calculated by total requests per Spanish-speaking person day in the NICU.

Results

Interpreter utilization increased five-fold during the intervention period (from 0.2 to 1.0 requests per Spanish-speaking person day).

Conclusions

We substantially increased our unit in-person interpreter utilization through a bundle of multifaceted interventions, many of which were low-cost. NICUs should regard dedicated medical interpreters as a critical part of the care team.
Hyper spectral resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy with amplified fs pulse bursts
Authors: Hu Hongtao , Flöry Tobias , Stummer Vinzenz , Pugzlys Audrius , Zeiler Markus , Xie Xinhua , Zheltikov Aleksei , Baltuška Andrius
Published: February 2024

We present a novel approach for Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) spectroscopy in which a hyper spectral resolution and high-speed spectral acquisition are achieved by employing amplified offset-phase controlled fs-pulse bursts. We investigate the method by solving the coupled non-linear Schrödinger equations and validate it by numerically characterizing SRS in molecular nitrogen as a model compound. The spectral resolution of the method is found to be determined by the inverse product of the number of pulses in the burst and the intraburst pulse separation. The SRS spectrum is obtained through a motion-free scanning of the offset phase that results in a sweep of the Raman-shift frequency. Due to high spectral resolution and fast motion-free scanning the technique is beneficial for a number SRS-based applications such as gas sensing and chemical analysis.
Liquid lens based holographic camera for real 3D scene hologram acquisition using end-to-end physical model-driven network
Authors: Wang Di , Li Zhao-Song , Zheng Yi , Zhao You-Ran , Liu Chao , Xu Jin-Bo , Zheng Yi-Wei , Huang Qian , Chang Chen-Liang , Zhang Da-Wei , Zhuang Song-Lin , Wang Qiong-Hua
Published: February 2024

With the development of artificial intelligence, neural network provides unique opportunities for holography, such as high fidelity and dynamic calculation. How to obtain real 3D scene and generate high fidelity hologram in real time is an urgent problem. Here, we propose a liquid lens based holographic camera for real 3D scene hologram acquisition using an end-to-end physical model-driven network (EEPMD-Net). As the core component of the liquid camera, the first 10 mm large aperture electrowetting-based liquid lens is proposed by using specially fabricated solution. The design of the liquid camera ensures that the multi-layers of the real 3D scene can be obtained quickly and with great imaging performance. The EEPMD-Net takes the information of real 3D scene as the input, and uses two new structures of encoder and decoder networks to realize low-noise phase generation. By comparing the intensity information between the reconstructed image after depth fusion and the target scene, the composite loss function is constructed for phase optimization, and the high-fidelity training of hologram with true depth of the 3D scene is realized for the first time. The holographic camera achieves the high-fidelity and fast generation of the hologram of the real 3D scene, and the reconstructed experiment proves that the holographic image has the advantage of low noise. The proposed holographic camera is unique and can be used in 3D display, measurement, encryption and other fields.
Effects of high-protein diets on the cardiometabolic factors and reproductive hormones of women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Fang , Dou Pan , Wei Wei , Liu Peng Ju
Published: February 2024

The optimal dietary regimen for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has not been identified. High-protein diets (HPDs) are effective for weight control in individuals with metabolic abnormalities, but no systematic meta-analyses have yet summarised the effects of HPDs on PCOS. Seven electronic databases were searched from inception to 30 April 2023, and studies comparing the effects of HPDs and other diets on the anthropometrics, metabolic factors, and hormonal profiles for PCOS were identified. Data were pooled using random-effects models and expressed as weighted mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. The risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane Collaboration tool. Eight trials involving 300 women with PCOS were included. Compared with isocaloric balanced diets (BDs), HPDs significantly reduced fasting insulin (−2.69 μIU/mL, 95% CI [−3.81, −1.57], P < 0.0001, I2 = 46%) and homoeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR−0.41, 95% CI [−0.80, −0.02], P = 0.04, I2 = 94%) in women with PCOS. However, HPDs and BDs had comparable effects on weight loss, abdominal adiposity, lipid profiles, and reproductive hormones (all P ≥ 0.05). HPDs may benefit women with PCOS in terms of improving insulin resistance, supporting for their use as one of the dietary management options for PCOS, however further RCTs in larger and broader settings are required to confirm these observations and investigate the mechanism behind it.
Progesterone receptor potentiates macropinocytosis through CDC42 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liao Ying-Na , Gai Yan-Zhi , Qian Li-Heng , Pan Hong , Zhang Yi-Fan , Li Pin , Guo Ying , Li Shu-Xin , Nie Hui-Zhen
Published: February 2024

Endocrine receptors play an essential role in tumor metabolic reprogramming and represent a promising therapeutic avenue in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDAC is characterized by a nutrient-deprived microenvironment. To meet their ascendant energy demands, cancer cells can internalize extracellular proteins via macropinocytosis. However, the roles of endocrine receptors in macropinocytosis are not clear. In this study, we found that progesterone receptor (PGR), a steroid-responsive nuclear receptor, is highly expressed in PDAC tissues obtained from both patients and transgenic LSL-KrasG12D/+; LSL-Trp53R172H/+; PDX1-cre (KPC) mice. Moreover, PGR knockdown restrained PDAC cell survival and tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. Genetic and pharmacological PGR inhibition resulted in a marked attenuation of macropinocytosis in PDAC cells and subcutaneous tumor models, indicating the involvement of this receptor in macropinocytosis regulation. Mechanistically, PGR upregulated CDC42, a critical regulator in macropinocytosis, through PGR-mediated transcriptional activation. These data deepen the understanding of how the endocrine system influences tumor progression via a non-classical pathway and provide a novel therapeutic option for patients with PDAC.
A DNA tetrahedron-based ferroptosis-suppressing nanoparticle: superior delivery of curcumin and alleviation of diabetic osteoporosis
Authors: Li Yong , Cai Zhengwen , Ma Wenjuan , Bai Long , Luo En , Lin Yunfeng
Published: February 2024

Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) is a significant complication that poses continuous threat to the bone health of patients with diabetes; however, currently, there are no effective treatment strategies. In patients with diabetes, the increased levels of ferroptosis affect the osteogenic commitment and differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), leading to significant skeletal changes. To address this issue, we aimed to target ferroptosis and propose a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of DOP. We synthesized ferroptosis-suppressing nanoparticles, which could deliver curcumin, a natural compound, to the bone marrow using tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA). This delivery system demonstrated excellent curcumin bioavailability and stability, as well as synergistic properties with tFNA. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that nanoparticles could enhance mitochondrial function by activating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway, inhibiting ferroptosis, promoting the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in the diabetic microenvironment, reducing trabecular loss, and increasing bone formation. These findings suggest that curcumin-containing DNA tetrahedron-based ferroptosis-suppressing nanoparticles have a promising potential for the treatment of DOP and other ferroptosis-related diseases.
Redefining cancer research for therapeutic breakthroughs
Authors: Yuzhalin Arseniy E.
Published: February 2024

Cancer research has played a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes. However, despite the significant investment in fundamental cancer research over the past few decades, the translation of funding into substantial advancements in cancer treatment has been limited. This perspective article employs a detailed analysis to outline strategies for promoting innovation and facilitating discoveries within the field of cancer research.
Global conservation status of the jawed vertebrate Tree of Life
Authors: Gumbs Rikki , Scott Oenone , Bates Ryan , Böhm Monika , Forest Félix , Gray Claudia L. , Hoffmann Michael , Kane Daniel , Low Christopher , Pearse William D. , Pipins Sebastian , Tapley Benjamin , Turvey Samuel T. , Jetz Walter , Owen Nisha R. , Rosindell James
Published: February 2024

Human-driven extinction threatens entire lineages across the Tree of Life. Here we assess the conservation status of jawed vertebrate evolutionary history, using three policy-relevant approaches. First, we calculate an index of threat to overall evolutionary history, showing that we expect to lose 86–150 billion years (11–19%) of jawed vertebrate evolutionary history over the next 50–500 years. Second, we rank jawed vertebrate species by their EDGE scores to identify the highest priorities for species-focused conservation of evolutionary history, finding that chondrichthyans, ray-finned fish and testudines rank highest of all jawed vertebrates. Third, we assess the conservation status of jawed vertebrate families. We found that species within monotypic families are more likely to be threatened and more likely to be in decline than other species. We provide a baseline for the status of families at risk of extinction to catalyse conservation action. This work continues a trend of highlighting neglected groups—such as testudines, crocodylians, amphibians and chondrichthyans—as conservation priorities from a phylogenetic perspective.
General alkyl fluoride functionalization via short-lived carbocation-organozincate ion pairs
Authors: Lucas Kane D. , Figula Bryan C. , Balaraman Kaluvu , Bertke Jeffery A. , Wolf Christian
Published: February 2024

Fluorinated organic compounds are frequently used across the chemical and life sciences. Although a large, structurally diverse pool of alkyl fluorides is nowadays available, synthetic applications trail behind the widely accepted utility of other halides. We envisioned that C(sp2)-C(sp3) cross-coupling reactions of alkyl fluorides with fluorophilic organozinc compounds should be possible through a heterolytic mechanism that involves short-lived ion pairs and uses the stability of the Zn-F bond as the thermodynamic driving force. This would be mechanistically different from previously reported radical reactions and overcome long-standing limitations of organometallic cross-coupling methodology, including competing β-hydride elimination, homodimerization and hydrodefluorination. Here, we show a practical Csp3-F bond functionalization method that expands the currently restricted synthetic space of unactivated primary, secondary and tertiary C(sp3)-F bonds but also uses benzylic, propargylic and acyl fluorides. Many functional groups and sterically demanding substrates are tolerated, which allows practical carbon-carbon bond formation and late-stage functionalization.
MYC induces CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance by promoting pRB1 degradation
Authors: Ma Jian , Li Lei , Ma Bohan , Liu Tianjie , Wang Zixi , Ye Qi , Peng Yunhua , Wang Bin , Chen Yule , Xu Shan , Wang Ke , Dang Fabin , Wang Xinyang , Zeng Zixuan , Jian Yanlin , Ren Zhihua , Fan Yizeng , Li Xudong , Liu Jing , Gao Yang , Wei Wenyi , Li Lei
Published: February 2024

CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) show anticancer activity in certain human malignancies, such as breast cancer. However, their application to other tumor types and intrinsic resistance mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that MYC amplification confers resistance to CDK4/6i in bladder, prostate and breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, MYC binds to the promoter of the E3 ubiquitin ligase KLHL42 and enhances its transcription, leading to RB1 deficiency by inducing both phosphorylated and total pRB1 ubiquitination and degradation. We identify a compound that degrades MYC, A80.2HCl, which induces MYC degradation at nanomolar concentrations, restores pRB1 protein levels and re-establish sensitivity of MYC high-expressing cancer cells to CDK4/6i. The combination of CDK4/6i and A80.2HCl result in marked regression in tumor growth in vivo. Altogether, these results reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying MYC-induced resistance to CDK4/6i and suggest the utilization of the MYC degrading molecule A80.2HCl to potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of CDK4/6i.
Diagnosis and management of subarachnoid haemorrhage
Authors: Thilak Suneesh , Brown Poppy , Whitehouse Tony , Gautam Nandan , Lawrence Errin , Ahmed Zubair , Veenith Tonny
Published: February 2024

Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) presents a challenge to clinicians because of its multisystem effects. Advancements in computed tomography (CT), endovascular treatments, and neurocritical care have contributed to declining mortality rates. The critical care of aSAH prioritises cerebral perfusion, early aneurysm securement, and the prevention of secondary brain injury and systemic complications. Early interventions to mitigate cardiopulmonary complications, dyselectrolytemia and treatment of culprit aneurysm require a multidisciplinary approach. Standardised neurological assessments, transcranial doppler (TCD), and advanced imaging, along with hypertensive and invasive therapies, are vital in reducing delayed cerebral ischemia and poor outcomes. Health care disparities, particularly in the resource allocation for SAH treatment, affect outcomes significantly, with telemedicine and novel technologies proposed to address this health inequalities. This article underscores the necessity for comprehensive multidisciplinary care and the urgent need for large-scale studies to validate standardised treatment protocols for improved SAH outcomes.
OrthoID: profiling dynamic proteomes through time and space using mutually orthogonal chemical tools
Authors: Lee Ara , Sung Gihyun , Shin Sanghee , Lee Song-Yi , Sim Jaehwan , Nhung Truong Thi My , Nghi Tran Diem , Park Sang Ki , Sathieshkumar Ponnusamy Pon , Kang Imkyeung , Mun Ji Young , Kim Jong-Seo , Rhee Hyun-Woo , Park Kyeng Min , Kim Kimoon
Published: February 2024

Identifying proteins at organelle contact sites, such as mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAM), is essential for understanding vital cellular processes, yet challenging due to their dynamic nature. Here we report “OrthoID”, a proteomic method utilizing engineered enzymes, TurboID and APEX2, for the biotinylation (Bt) and adamantylation (Ad) of proteins close to the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), respectively, in conjunction with high-affinity binding pairs, streptavidin-biotin (SA-Bt) and cucurbit[7]uril-adamantane (CB[7]-Ad), for selective orthogonal enrichment of Bt- and Ad-labeled proteins. This approach effectively identifies protein candidates associated with the ER-mitochondria contact, including LRC59, whose roles at the contact site were—to the best of our knowledge—previously unknown, and tracks multiple protein sets undergoing structural and locational changes at MAM during mitophagy. These findings demonstrate that OrthoID could be a powerful proteomics tool for the identification and analysis of spatiotemporal proteins at organelle contact sites and revealing their dynamic behaviors in vital cellular processes.
Altered receptor binding, antibody evasion and retention of T cell recognition by the SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 spike protein
Authors: Mannar Dhiraj , Saville James W. , Poloni Chad , Zhu Xing , Bezeruk Alison , Tidey Keith , Ahmed Sana , Tuttle Katharine S. , Vahdatihassani Faezeh , Cholak Spencer , Cook Laura , Steiner Theodore S. , Subramaniam Sriram
Published: February 2024

The XBB.1.5 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly achieved global dominance and exhibits a high growth advantage over previous variants. Preliminary reports suggest that the success of XBB.1.5 stems from mutations within its spike glycoprotein, causing immune evasion and enhanced receptor binding. We present receptor binding studies that demonstrate retention of binding contacts with the human ACE2 receptor and a striking decrease in binding to mouse ACE2 due to the revertant R493Q mutation. Despite extensive evasion of antibody binding, we highlight a region on the XBB.1.5 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) that is recognized by serum antibodies from a donor with hybrid immunity, collected prior to the emergence of the XBB.1.5 variant. T cell assays reveal high frequencies of XBB.1.5 spike-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells amongst donors with hybrid immunity, with the CD4+ T cells skewed towards a Th1 cell phenotype and having attenuated effector cytokine secretion as compared to ancestral spike protein-specific cells. Thus, while the XBB.1.5 variant has retained efficient human receptor binding and gained antigenic alterations, it remains susceptible to recognition by T cells induced via vaccination and previous infection.
Effect of gut microbiome modulation on muscle function and cognition: the PROMOTe randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ni Lochlainn Mary , Bowyer Ruth C. E. , Moll Janne Marie , García María Paz , Wadge Samuel , Baleanu Andrei-Florin , Nessa Ayrun , Sheedy Alyce , Akdag Gulsah , Hart Deborah , Raffaele Giulia , Seed Paul T. , Murphy Caroline , Harridge Stephen D. R. , Welch Ailsa A. , Greig Carolyn , Whelan Kevin , Steves Claire J.
Published: February 2024

Studies suggest that inducing gut microbiota changes may alter both muscle physiology and cognitive behaviour. Gut microbiota may play a role in both anabolic resistance of older muscle, and cognition. In this placebo controlled double blinded randomised controlled trial of 36 twin pairs (72 individuals), aged ≥60, each twin pair are block randomised to receive either placebo or prebiotic daily for 12 weeks. Resistance exercise and branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation is prescribed to all participants. Outcomes are physical function and cognition. The trial is carried out remotely using video visits, online questionnaires and cognitive testing, and posting of equipment and biological samples. The prebiotic supplement is well tolerated and results in a changed gut microbiome [e.g., increased relative Bifidobacterium abundance]. There is no significant difference between prebiotic and placebo for the primary outcome of chair rise time (β = 0.579; 95% CI −1.080-2.239 p = 0.494). The prebiotic improves cognition (factor score versus placebo (β = −0.482; 95% CI,−0.813, −0.141; p = 0.014)). Our results demonstrate that cheap and readily available gut microbiome interventions may improve cognition in our ageing population. We illustrate the feasibility of remotely delivered trials for older people, which could reduce under-representation of older people in clinical trials. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT04309292.
Electrofreezing of liquid water at ambient conditions
Authors: Cassone Giuseppe , Martelli Fausto
Published: February 2024

Water is routinely exposed to external electric fields. Whether, for example, at physiological conditions, in contact with biological systems, or at the interface of polar surfaces in countless technological settings, water responds to fields on the order of a few V Å−1 in a manner that is under intense investigation. Dating back to the 19th century, the possibility of solidifying water upon applying electric fields – a process known as electrofreezing – is an alluring promise that has canalized major efforts since, with uncertain outcomes. Here, we perform long (up to 500 ps per field strength) ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of water at ambient conditions under external electric fields. We show that fields of 0.10 − 0.15 V Å−1 induce electrofreezing to a ferroelectric amorphous phase which we term f-GW (ferroelectric glassy water). The transition occurs after ~ 150 ps for a field of 0.15 V Å−1 and after ~ 200 ps for a field of 0.10 V Å−1 and is signaled by a structural and dynamic arrest and the suppression of the fluctuations of the hydrogen bond network. Our work reports evidence of electrofreezing of bulk liquid water at ambient conditions and therefore impacts several fields, from fundamental chemical physics to biology and catalysis.
Emergent constraints on carbon budgets as a function of global warming
Authors: Cox Peter M. , Williamson Mark S. , Friedlingstein Pierre , Jones Chris D. , Raoult Nina , Rogelj Joeri , Varney Rebecca M.
Published: February 2024

Earth System Models (ESMs) continue to diagnose a wide range of carbon budgets for each level of global warming. Here, we present emergent constraints on the carbon budget as a function of global warming, which combine the available ESM historical simulations and future projections for a range of scenarios, with observational estimates of global warming and anthropogenic CO2 emissions to the present day. We estimate mean and likely ranges for cumulative carbon budgets for the Paris targets of 1.5 °C and 2 °C of global warming of 812 [691, 933] PgC and 1048 [881, 1216] PgC, which are more than 10% larger than the ensemble mean values from the CMIP6 models. The linearity between cumulative emissions and global warming is found to be maintained at least until 4 °C, and is consistent with an effective Transient Climate Response to Emissions (eTCRE) of 2.1 [1.8, 2.6] °C/1000PgC, from a global warming of 1.2 °C onwards.
Scalable production of structurally colored composite films by shearing supramolecular composites of polymers and colloids
Authors: Li Miaomiao , Peng Bolun , Lyu Quanqian , Chen Xiaodong , Hu Zhen , Zhang Xiujuan , Xiong Bijin , Zhang Lianbin , Zhu Jintao
Published: February 2024

Structurally colored composite films, composed of orderly arranged colloids in polymeric matrix, are emerging flexible optical materials, but their production is bottlenecked by time-consuming procedures and limited material choices. Here, we present a mild approach to producing large-scale structurally colored composite films by shearing supramolecular composites composed of polymers and colloids with supramolecular interactions. Leveraging dynamic connection and dissociation of supramolecular interactions, shearing force stretches the polymer chains and drags colloids to migrate directionally within the polymeric matrix with reduced viscous resistance. We show that meter-scale structurally colored composite films with iridescence color can be produced within several minutes at room temperature. Significantly, the tunability and diversity of supramolecular interactions allow this shearing approach extendable to various commonly-used polymers. This study overcomes the traditional material limitations of manufacturing structurally colored composite films by shearing method and opens an avenue for mildly producing ordered composites with commonly-available materials via supramolecular strategies.
Sleep disorders in Parkinson’s disease, an early and multiple problem
Authors: Dodet Pauline , Houot Marion , Leu-Semenescu Smaranda , Corvol Jean-Christophe , Lehéricy Stéphane , Mangone Graziella , Vidailhet Marie , Roze Emmanuel , Arnulf Isabelle
Published: February 2024

In Parkinson’s disease (PD), it remains unclear whether sleep disorders including insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), restless legs syndrome (RLS) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), are isolated or combined, interact with each other and are associated with clinical factors. We sought to determine the prevalence and combinations of the main sleep disorders, and their clinical and polysomnographic associations in early stage PD. Sleep disorders were systematically diagnosed after medical interview and video-polysomnography in 162 participants with early stage PD and 58 healthy controls from the baseline of the longitudinal ICEBERG cohort. Demographic, clinical (motor, cognitive, autonomic, psychological and sensory tests), therapeutic and polysomnographic associations of sleep disorders were investigated. Sleep disorders were frequent (71%) and combined in half of the patients. The number of sleep disorders increased with disease duration and dysautonomia. Insomnia was the most common (41%), followed by definite RBD (25%), EDS (25%), and RLS (16%). These disorders were more frequent than in controls whereas SDB was rare, moderate and similar in both groups. In patients, insomnia (mainly difficulties maintaining sleep) was associated with female gender, shorter sleep time and RLS, but not with motor or psychological symptoms. RBD was associated with dysautonomia and advanced age, but not with motor and cognitive measures. EDS was associated with psychiatric and motor symptoms as well as the sedative effects of dopamine agonists but not with other sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances are frequent and combined in early patients with PD. Their determinants and markers are more organic than psychological.
Analyzing variational quantum landscapes with information content
Authors: Pérez-Salinas Adrián , Wang Hao , Bonet-Monroig Xavier
Published: February 2024

The parameters of the quantum circuit in a variational quantum algorithm induce a landscape that contains the relevant information regarding its optimization hardness. In this work, we investigate such landscapes through the lens of information content, a measure of the variability between points in parameter space. Our major contribution connects the information content to the average norm of the gradient, for which we provide robust analytical bounds on its estimators. This result holds for any (classical or quantum) variational landscape. We validate the analytical understating by numerically studying the scaling of the gradient in an instance of the barren plateau problem. In such instance, we are able to estimate the scaling pre-factors in the gradient. Our work provides a way to analyze variational quantum algorithms in a data-driven fashion well-suited for near-term quantum computers.
Immune persistence after different polio sequential immunization schedules in Chinese infants
Authors: Zhao Ting , Li Jing , Huang Teng , Ying Zhi-Fang , Che Yan-Chun , Zhao Zhi-Mei , Fu Yu-Ting , Tao Jun-Hui , Yang Qing-Hai , Wei Ding-Kai , Li Guo-Liang , Yi Li , Zhao Yu-Ping , Chen Hong-Bo , Wang Jian-Feng , Jiang Rui-Ju , Yu Lei , Cai Wei , Yang Wei , Xie Ming-Xue , Yin Qiong-Zhou , Pu Jing , Shi Li , Hong Chao , Deng Yan , Cai Lu-Kui , Zhou Jian , Wen Yu , Li Hong-Sen , Huang Wei , Mo Zhao-Jun , Li Chang-Gui , Li Qi-Han , Yang Jing-Si
Published: February 2024

Trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (tOPV) has been withdrawn and instead an inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and bivalent type 1 and type 3 OPV (bOPV) sequential immunization schedule has been implemented since 2016, but no immune persistence data are available for this polio vaccination strategy. This study aimed to assess immune persistence following different polio sequential immunization schedules. Venous blood was collected at 24, 36, and 48 months of age from participants who had completed sequential schedules of combined IPV and OPV in phase III clinical trials. The serum neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus were determined, and the poliovirus-specific antibody-positive rates were evaluated. A total of 1104 participants were enrolled in this study. The positive rates of poliovirus type 1- and type 3-specific antibodies among the sequential immunization groups showed no significant difference at 24, 36, or 48 months of age. The positive rates of poliovirus type 2-specific antibody in the IPV-IPV-tOPV group at all time points were nearly 100%, which was significantly higher than the corresponding rates in other immunization groups (IPV-bOPV-bOPV and IPV-IPV-bOPV). Immunization schedules involving one or two doses of IPV followed by bOPV failed to maintain a high positive rate for poliovirus type 2-specific antibody.
Leuven-Haifa High-Resolution Fundus Image Dataset for Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation and Glaucoma Diagnosis
Authors: Van Eijgen Jan , Fhima Jonathan , Billen Moulin-Romsée Marie-Isaline , Behar Joachim A. , Christinaki Eirini , Stalmans Ingeborg
Published: February 2024

The Leuven-Haifa dataset contains 240 disc-centered fundus images of 224 unique patients (75 patients with normal tension glaucoma, 63 patients with high tension glaucoma, 30 patients with other eye diseases and 56 healthy controls) from the University Hospitals of Leuven. The arterioles and venules of these images were both annotated by master students in medicine and corrected by a senior annotator. All senior segmentation corrections are provided as well as the junior segmentations of the test set. An open-source toolbox for the parametrization of segmentations was developed. Diagnosis, age, sex, vascular parameters as well as a quality score are provided as metadata. Potential reuse is envisioned as the development or external validation of blood vessels segmentation algorithms or study of the vasculature in glaucoma and the development of glaucoma diagnosis algorithms. The dataset is available on theKU Leuven Research Data Repository(RDR).
Unveiling of climate change-driven decline of suitable habitat for Himalayan bumblebees
Authors: Singh Amar Paul , De Kritish , Uniyal Virendra Prasad , Sathyakumar Sambandam
Published: February 2024

Insect pollinators, especially bumblebees are rapidly declining from their natural habitat in the mountain and temperate regions of the world due to climate change and other anthropogenic activities. We still lack reliable information about the current and future habitat conditions of bumblebees in the Himalaya. In this study, we used the maximum entropy algorithm for SDM to look at current and future (in 2050 and 2070) suitable habitats for bumblebees in the Himalaya. We found that the habitat conditions in the Himalayan mountain range do not have a very promising future as suitable habitat for most species will decrease over the next 50 years. By 2050, less than 10% of the Himalayan area will remain a suitable habitat for about 72% of species, and by 2070 this number will be raised to 75%. During this time period, the existing suitable habitat of bumblebees will be declined but some species will find new suitable habitat which clearly indicates possibility of habitat range shift by Himalayan bumblebees. Overall, about 15% of the Himalayan region is currently highly suitable for bumblebees, which should be considered as priority areas for the conservation of these pollinators. Since suitable habitats for bumblebees lie between several countries, nations that share international borders in the Himalayan region should have international agreements for comprehensive pollinator diversity conservation to protect these indispensable ecosystem service providers.
Transcriptomics of temperature-sensitive R gene-mediated resistance identifies a WAKL10 protein interaction network
Authors: Noel Katherine , Wolf Ivan R. , Hughes David , Valente Guilherme T. , Qi Aiming , Huang Yong-Ju , Fitt Bruce D. L. , Stotz Henrik U.
Published: February 2024

Understanding temperature-sensitivity of R gene-mediated resistance against apoplastic pathogens is important for sustainable food production in the face of global warming. Here, we show that resistance of Brassica napus cotyledons against Leptosphaeria maculans was temperature-sensitive in introgression line Topas-Rlm7 but temperature-resilient in Topas-Rlm4. A set of 1,646 host genes was differentially expressed in Topas-Rlm4 and Topas-Rlm7 in response to temperature. Amongst these were three WAKL10 genes, including BnaA07g20220D, representing the temperature-sensitive Rlm7-1 allele and Rlm4. Network analysis identified a WAKL10 protein interaction cluster specifically for Topas-Rlm7 at 25 °C. Diffusion analysis of the Topas-Rlm4 network identified WRKY22 as a putative regulatory target of the ESCRT-III complex-associated protein VPS60.1, which belongs to the WAKL10 protein interaction community. Combined enrichment analysis of gene ontology terms considering gene expression and network data linked vesicle-mediated transport to defence. Thus, dysregulation of effector-triggered defence in Topas-Rlm7 disrupts vesicle-associated resistance against the apoplastic pathogen L. maculans.
The relation between apomictic seed production and morpho-physiological characteristics in a world collection of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.)
Authors: Setayeshnasab Maedeh , Sabzalian Mohammad R. , Rahimmalek Mehdi
Published: February 2024

Ricinus communis is one of the most important oilseed plants with many medicinal and industrial applications. Variation in 30 genotypes of castor bean collected from different regions of the world was evaluated for two consecutive years and the difference in seed production with two different reproductive modes (including apomixis and open-pollination) was compared based on yield components, agronomic traits, and phytochemical properties. Results of data analysis demonstrated that castor bean has the ability for a wide range of apomixis for seed production and the highest percentages of apomixis ability in the first and second years were 86.3% and 92.31%, respectively. Apomixis ability had a high positive correlation with yield components, seed oil content, and the amount of leaf rutin. Two genotypes from Brazil and Syria revealed the highest phenolic content in the first and second years, respectively. In addition, the Afghanistan genotype in two modes of apomixis and open-pollination in the first year and the Syria and Yazd genotypes in apomixis and open-pollination modes, respectively, in the second year showed the highest content of seed fatty acids. It is possible to maintain superior genotypes of castor bean in terms of phytochemical traits, yield, and oil quality through apomixis reproduction.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings performance mainly affected by soil nitrate nitrogen under the stress of polyvinyl chloride microplastics
Authors: Zhang Ke , Wang Mengge , Li Yi , Zhang Xu , Xiao Kangqinglin , Ma Chuang , Zhang Xiaojing , Zhang Hongzhong , Chen Yongle
Published: February 2024

Microplastics are exotic pollutants and are increasingly detected in soil, but it remains poorly understood how microplastics impact soil and plant systematically. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) on wheat seedlings performance and soil properties. Under the stress of PVC-MPs, no new substance and functional groups were generated in soil by X-ray diffraction and the fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses, whereas the diffraction and characteristic peaks and of soil was affected by PVC-MPs. Wheat seedlings shoot biomass and soil nitrate nitrogen were significantly inhibited by PVC-MPs. Chlorophylls were not significant affected by PVC-MPs. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase activities in wheat seedlings increased, while malondialdehyde and proline contents decreased significantly. Redundancy analysis displayed that wheat seedlings traits can be largely explained by soil nitrate nitrogen. Our results indicate that PVC-MPs have more significant influence on soil structure than on soil substance composition. Moreover, even though antioxidant enzyme activities were improved to respond the stress of PVC-MPs, wheat seedlings are not severely impacted by PVC-MPs. Besides, soil nitrate nitrogen is the main factor on wheat seedlings performance and wheat seedlings are prone to ensure the root growth under the stress of PVC-MPs.
Empirical assessment of ChatGPT’s answering capabilities in natural science and engineering
Authors: Schulze Balhorn Lukas , Weber Jana M. , Buijsman Stefan , Hildebrandt Julian R. , Ziefle Martina , Schweidtmann Artur M.
Published: February 2024

ChatGPT is a powerful language model from OpenAI that is arguably able to comprehend and generate text. ChatGPT is expected to greatly impact society, research, and education. An essential step to understand ChatGPT’s expected impact is to study its domain-specific answering capabilities. Here, we perform a systematic empirical assessment of its abilities to answer questions across the natural science and engineering domains. We collected 594 questions on natural science and engineering topics from 198 faculty members across five faculties at Delft University of Technology. After collecting the answers from ChatGPT, the participants assessed the quality of the answers using a systematic scheme. Our results show that the answers from ChatGPT are, on average, perceived as “mostly correct”. Two major trends are that the rating of the ChatGPT answers significantly decreases (i) as the educational level of the question increases and (ii) as we evaluate skills beyond scientific knowledge, e.g., critical attitude.
Prefrontal theta—gamma transcranial alternating current stimulation improves non-declarative visuomotor learning in older adults
Authors: Diedrich Lukas , Kolhoff Hannah I. , Chakalov Ivan , Vékony Teodóra , Németh Dezső , Antal Andrea
Published: February 2024

The rise in the global population of older adults underscores the significance to investigate age-related cognitive disorders and develop early treatment modalities. Previous research suggests that non-invasive transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) can moderately improve cognitive decline in older adults. However, non-declarative cognition has received relatively less attention. This study investigates whether repeated (16-day) bilateral theta—gamma cross-frequency tACS targeting the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) enhances non-declarative memory. Computerized cognitive training was applied alongside stimulation to control for the state-of-the-brain. The Alternating Serial Reaction Time (ASRT) task was employed to assess non-declarative functions such as visuomotor skill and probabilistic sequence learning. Results from 35 participants aged 55–82 indicated that active tACS led to more substantial improvements in visuomotor skills immediately after treatment, which persisted 3 months later, compared to sham tACS. Treatment benefit was more pronounced in older adults of younger age and those with pre-existing cognitive decline. However, neither intervention group exhibited modulation of probabilistic sequence learning. These results suggest that repeated theta—gamma tACS can selectively improve distinct non-declarative cognitive aspects when targeting the DLPFC. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of tACS in addressing deficits in learning and retaining general skills, which could have a positive impact on the quality of life for cognitively impaired older individuals by preserving independence in daily activities.
End-to-end multimodal 3D imaging and machine learning workflow for non-destructive phenotyping of grapevine trunk internal structure
Authors: Fernandez Romain , Le Cunff Loïc , Mérigeaud Samuel , Verdeil Jean-Luc , Perry Julie , Larignon Philippe , Spilmont Anne-Sophie , Chatelet Philippe , Cardoso Maïda , Goze-Bac Christophe , Moisy Cédric
Published: February 2024

Quantifying healthy and degraded inner tissues in plants is of great interest in agronomy, for example, to assess plant health and quality and monitor physiological traits or diseases. However, detecting functional and degraded plant tissues in-vivo without harming the plant is extremely challenging. New solutions are needed in ligneous and perennial species, for which the sustainability of plantations is crucial. To tackle this challenge, we developed a novel approach based on multimodal 3D imaging and artificial intelligence-based image processing that allowed a non-destructive diagnosis of inner tissues in living plants. The method was successfully applied to the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Vineyard’s sustainability is threatened by trunk diseases, while the sanitary status of vines cannot be ascertained without injuring the plants. By combining MRI and X-ray CT 3D imaging with an automatic voxel classification, we could discriminate intact, degraded, and white rot tissues with a mean global accuracy of over 91%. Each imaging modality contribution to tissue detection was evaluated, and we identified quantitative structural and physiological markers characterizing wood degradation steps. The combined study of inner tissue distribution versus external foliar symptom history demonstrated that white rot and intact tissue contents are key-measurements in evaluating vines’ sanitary status. We finally proposed a model for an accurate trunk disease diagnosis in grapevine. This work opens new routes for precision agriculture and in-situ monitoring of tissue quality and plant health across plant species.
IFN-γ decreases PD-1 in T lymphocytes from convalescent COVID-19 patients via the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway
Authors: Song Meijuan , Liu Xiangqun , Shen Weiyu , Wang Zhengxia , Wu Jingjing , Jiang Jingxian , Liu Yanan , Xu Tingting , Bian Tao , Zhang Mingshun , Sun Wei , Huang Mao , Ji Ningfei
Published: February 2024

Post-COVID-19 syndrome may be associated with the abnormal immune status. Compared with the unexposed age-matched elder group, PD-1 in the CD8+ T cells from recovered COVID-19 patients was significantly lower. IFN-γ in the plasma of COVID-19 convalescent patients was increased, which inhibited PD-1 expression in CD8+ T cells from COVID-19 convalescent patients. scRNA-seq bioinformatics analysis revealed that AKT/GSK3β may regulate the INF-γ/PD-1 axis in CD8+ T cells from COVID-19 convalescent patients. In parallel, an IFN-γ neutralizing antibody reduced AKT and increased GSK3β in PBMCs. An AKT agonist (SC79) significantly decreased p-GSK3β. Moreover, AKT decreased PD-1 on CD8+ T cells, and GSK3β increased PD-1 on CD8+ T cells according to flow cytometry analysis. Collectively, we demonstrated that recovered COVID-19 patients may develop long COVID. Increased IFN-γ in the plasma of recovered Wuhan COVID-19 patients contributed to PD-1 downregulation on CD8+ T cells by regulating the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway.
Venetoclax efficacy on acute myeloid leukemia is enhanced by the combination with butyrate
Authors: Kawakatsu Renshi , Tadagaki Kenjiro , Yamasaki Kenta , Yoshida Tatsushi
Published: February 2024

Venetoclax has been approved recently for treatment of Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Venetoclax is a BH3-mimetic and induces apoptosis via Bcl-2 inhibition. However, venetoclax’s effect is still restrictive and a novel strategy is needed. In the present study, we demonstrate that sodium butyrate (NaB) facilitates the venetoclax’s efficacy of cell death in AML cells. As a single agent, NaB or venetoclax exerted just a weak effect on cell death induction for AML cell line KG-1. The combination with NaB and venetoclax drastically induced cell death. NaB upregulated pro-apoptotic factors, Bax and Bak, indicating the synergistic effect by the collaboration with Bcl-2 inhibition by venetoclax. The combined treatment with NaB and venetoclax strongly cleaved a caspase substrate poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and a potent pan-caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPh almost completely blocked the cell death induced by the combination, meaning that the combination mainly induced apoptosis. The combination with NaB and venetoclax also strongly induced cell death in another AML cell line SKNO-1 but did not affect chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line K562, indicating that the effect was specific for AML cells. Our results provide a novel strategy to strengthen the effect of venetoclax for AML treatment.