bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food insecurity in children and young people in Scotland
Authors: Chambers Stephanie , Machray Kathryn , Fergie Gillian
Published: January 2024

The aim of this review is to highlight the key issues in relation to food insecurity among children and young people living in Scotland. It provides an overview of the current context of food insecurity more generally within the UK and specifically in Scotland. Food insecurity has risen in Scotland evidenced through responses to national surveys and the dramatic increase in households relying on emergency food provision. Food insecurity is highest among young people, single parent families and single men. The key drivers of food insecurity include insufficient income, welfare reform, food inflation and geo-political events. Evidence suggests that food insecurity is negatively related to sufficient nutritional intake, and the implications for physical and mental health are profound. Policy actions implemented to mitigate the impact of food insecurity on children and young people include the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, food voucher schemes, free school meals, and holiday food provision. Further evidence is required to evaluate the success of these policies in reducing or mitigating food insecurity. The review concludes by considering the ways in which a rights-based approach to food might benefit children and young people living in Scotland, and argues that wider systemic change is required.
Triarchic traits as risk versus protective factors for ADHD symptomatology: A prospective longitudinal investigation
Authors: Chan Elizabeth S. M. , Perkins Emily R. , Bertoldi Bridget M. , Lowman Kelsey L. , Soto Elia F. , Tuvblad Catherine , Oskarsson Sofi , Baker Laura A. , Patrick Christopher J.
Published: January 2024

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are associated with myriad adverse outcomes, including interpersonal difficulties, but factors that moderate the developmental course and functional impact of ADHD over time are not well understood. The present study evaluated developmental contributions of the triarchic neurobehavioral traits (boldness, meanness, and disinhibition) to ADHD symptomatology and its subdimensions from adolescence to young adulthood. Participants were twins and triplets assessed at ages 14, 17, and 19 (initial N = 1,185, 51.2% female). Path analyses using negative binomial regression revealed that boldness at age 14 was associated with more ADHD symptoms cross-sectionally (especially hyperactivity/impulsivity), but fewer symptoms (especially inattention) at age 19 in the prospective analysis. Notably, inclusion of interpersonal problems at ages 14 and 17 as covariates reduced the latter effect to nonsignificant. Disinhibition concurrently and prospectively predicted higher levels of ADHD symptoms, including both subdimensions, and the prospective effects were partially mediated by greater social impairment at age 17. Meanness prospectively (but not concurrently) predicted higher levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Sex moderated certain associations of meanness and disinhibition with ADHD symptoms. These findings highlight how fundamental neurobehavioral traits shape both psychopathology and adaptive outcomes in the developmental course of ADHD.
Lee Ufan's ambivalent otherness and art historiography
Authors: Park Sohyun
Published: January 2024

This article aims to reexamine the relationship between the artist Lee Ufan and nationalist art history through his idea of “ambivalent otherness,” which he defined as both “suffering” and “power.” Traditional art history is established upon a nationalist framework that emphasizes the artists' nationality, leading to the marginalization of national others at the border. As a zainichi Korean, Lee has undergone the “suffering” of being excluded by the art world and art historiography. However, he transformed it into his source of “power” to challenge art historiography based on nationality. This study analyzes the art criticism of “Japanese Contemporary Art History” written by Minemura Toshiaki and Chiba Shigeo in the 1970s and 1980s and highlights the ruptures that the artist's in-between identity wrought on nationalist art history. This shows how both the Mono-ha movement and the artist were marginalized in the construction of “Japanese Contemporary Art History.” Furthermore, this study scrutinizes how Lee attempted to rewrite art history using Mono-ha art theory and a perspective committed to “overcoming coloniality” from the postcolonial in-between position, by reinterpreting Lee's article on Chosŏn minhwa, written amidst an aesthetic controversy across the border between Japan and Korea.
Managed competition in Colombia: convergence of public and private insurance and delivery
Authors: Castano Ramon , Prada Sergio I. , Maldonado Norman , Soto Victoria
Published: January 2024

The Colombian health system has made a deep transition into managed competition since a major reform in 1993. A market for insurers was created, the consumer has free choice of insurer and a national-level equalisation fund distributes revenues via a per-capita payment. Fully subsidised insurance for the poor and informal, and a comprehensive standardised benefit package for subsidised and contributory schemes (both schemes covering 98 per cent of the population), has led to a low level of out-of-pocket expenses and high financial protection, as well as to reduced gaps in equity in access. The preconditions for managed competition are largely met, but improving health care providers' organisation towards integrated care, to enable them to deliver more value, is a necessary step to achieve the expected results of managed competition in terms of efficiency and quality. Although the current system is likely to be reformed in the coming months, the nature and extent of those reforms are not defined yet, so our analysis is based on the current system.
Energy efficient microwave curing of carbon fiber reinforced polymer via metamaterial matching and advanced electromagnetic exposure control
Authors: Alekajbaf Yasin , Murali Suraj , Dancila Dragos
Published: January 2024

This study proposed an effective and sustainable technique for the curing of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) using microwaves. The method involves applying a metallic resonance coating layer to envelop the CFRP composite’s surface. Next, the composite is positioned within a multi-mode cavity, which is used as an applicator, and is powered by four 250 W solid-state power amplifiers. To ensure precise control over the heating pattern and achieve uniform heating of the composite, a sophisticated control algorithm is developed. This algorithm can independently regulate the phase, power level, and frequency of each power amplifier. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of this proposed approach in achieving precise control over the microwave-based curing process for CFRPs.
Composition of Photosynthetic Gas Bubbles From Submerged Macrophytes
Authors: Shikhani Muhammed , Reinschke Lena , Aurich Patrick , Waldemer Carolin , Koschorreck Matthias , Boehrer Bertram
Published: January 2024

Dissolved oxygen plays a central role for all organisms dwelling in water. However, the flux of oxygen by ebullition has not received much attention in environmental science. For a better quantitative understanding of the oxygen flux due to ebullition, we conducted a series of laboratory experiments, where we forced macrophytes to produce photosynthetic gas bubbles. Raising the CO2 concentration in the water greatly increased bubble formation. Depth was varied to compare the results with theoretically predicted composition of photosynthetic bubbles forming at minimum required gas pressure. Oxygen concentrations lay between this theoretical line as lower boundary (ca. 21% O2 at 0.3 m depth and 45% of O2 at 4.5 m) and 45% of oxygen as the purely empirical upper limit for all depths. As a consequence, no bubble formation was observed at depths below 4.5 m.
Magnetic Signatures of the Interaction Between Europa and Jupiter's Magnetosphere During the Juno Flyby
Authors: Addison Peter , Haynes C. Michael , Stahl Aaron M. , Liuzzo Lucas , Simon Sven
Published: January 2024

Based on a hybrid model of Europa's magnetospheric interaction, we provide context for the magnetic field perturbations observed by the Juno spacecraft during its only close flyby of the moon in September 2022. By systematically varying the incident flow conditions and the density profile of Europa's atmosphere, we demonstrate that the observed, large‐scale signatures of magnetic field draping are consistent with a dawn‐dusk asymmetry in the moon's neutral envelope. During the flyby, such an asymmetry would have enhanced the magnetic perturbations in Europa's anti‐Jovian hemisphere, explaining why the spacecraft already detected strong field line draping while still several moon radii away. Conversely, a reduced neutral density in the sub‐Jovian hemisphere can explain why the perturbations in the flow‐aligned field component remained nearly constant as Juno approached Europa. While a dawn‐dusk asymmetry in Europa's atmosphere has been predicted by theoretical work, our results provide the first in situ hints of its presence.
A Closer Look-Sea at the Ocean’s Carbon Cycle
Authors: Micalizio Caryl-Sue
Published: January 2024

In the February issue of Eos, we dive deep to better understand opportunities, challenges, and ongoing mysteries posed by carbon's role in marine environments.
Preneoplastic cells switch to Warburg metabolism from their inception exposing multiple vulnerabilities for targeted elimination
Authors: Myllymäki Henna , Kelly Lisa , Elliot Abigail M. , Carter Roderick N. , Johansson Jeanette Astorga , Chang Kai Yee , Cholewa-Waclaw Justyna , Morton Nicholas M. , Feng Yi
Published: January 2024

Otto Warburg described tumour cells as displaying enhanced aerobic glycolysis whilst maintaining defective oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for energy production almost 100 years ago [1, 2]. Since then, the ‘Warburg effect’ has been widely accepted as a key feature of rapidly proliferating cancer cells [3–5]. What is not clear is how early “Warburg metabolism” initiates in cancer and whether changes in energy metabolism might influence tumour progression ab initio. We set out to investigate energy metabolism in the HRASG12V driven preneoplastic cell (PNC) at inception, in a zebrafish skin PNC model. We find that, within 24 h of HRASG12V induction, PNCs upregulate glycolysis and blocking glycolysis reduces PNC proliferation, whilst increasing available glucose enhances PNC proliferation and reduces apoptosis. Impaired OXPHOS accompanies enhanced glycolysis in PNCs, and a mild complex I inhibitor, metformin, selectively suppresses expansion of PNCs. Enhanced mitochondrial fragmentation might be underlining impaired OXPHOS and blocking mitochondrial fragmentation triggers PNC apoptosis. Our data indicate that altered energy metabolism is one of the earliest events upon oncogene activation in somatic cells, which allows a targeted and effective PNC elimination.
Rescue nasopharyngeal tube for preterm infants non-responsive to initial ventilation after birth
Authors: Belting Carina , Rüegger Christoph M. , Waldmann Andreas D. , Bassler Dirk , Gaertner Vincent D.
Published: January 2024

Background

Physiological changes during the insertion of a rescue nasopharyngeal tube (NPT) after birth are unclear.

Methods

Observational study of very preterm infants in the delivery room. Data were extracted at predefined timepoints starting with first facemask placement after birth until 5 min after insertion of NPT. End-expiratory lung impedance (EELI), heart rate (HR) and SpO2/FiO2-ratio were analysed over time. Changes during the same time span of NIPPV via facemask and NIPPV via NPT were compared.

Results

Overall, 1154 inflations in 15 infants were analysed. After NPT insertion, EELI increased significantly [0.33 AU/kg (0.19–0.57), p < 0.001]. Compared with the mask period, changes in EELI were not significantly larger during the NPT period [median difference (IQR) = 0.14 AU/kg (−0.14–0.53); p = 0.12]. Insertion of the NPT was associated with significant improvement in HR [52 (33–96); p = 0.001] and SpO2/FiO2-ratio [161 (69–169); p < 0.001] not observed during the mask period.

Conclusions

In very preterm infants non-responsive to initial facemask ventilation after birth, insertion of an NPT resulted in a considerable increase in EELI. This additional gain in lung volume was associated with an immediate improvement in clinical parameters. The use of a NPT may prevent intubation in selected non-responsive infants.

Impact

After birth, a nasopharyngeal tube may be considered as a rescue airway in newborn infants non-responsive to initial positive pressure ventilation via facemask. Although it is widely used among clinicians, its effect on lung volumes and physiological parameters remains unclear.

Insertion of a rescue NPT resulted in a considerable increase in lung volume but this was not significantly larger than during facemask ventilation. However, insertion of a rescue NPT was associated with a significant and clinically important improvement in heart rate and oxygenation.

This study highlights the importance of individual strategies in preterm resuscitation and introduces the NPT as a valid option.
Bi- and Tri-specific antibodies in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: current data and perspectives
Authors: Abou Dalle Iman , Dulery Remy , Moukalled Nour , Ricard Laure , Stocker Nicolas , El-Cheikh Jean , Mohty Mohamad , Bazarbachi Ali
Published: January 2024

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are a new group of targeted therapies that are revolutionizing the treatment landscape of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (B-NHL). In the relapsed/refractory setting, salvage chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation are capable of curing 50% of patients, whereas the other half will have a dismal outcome with a median overall survival of less than 12 months. This unmet need reinforced the importance of innovative therapies like the BsAbs and CAR-T cell therapies. In this review, we delve into BsAbs in B-NHL from the preclinical development to clinical data in both refractory and frontline settings, and then discuss future perspectives.
Large-scale genomic rearrangements boost SCRaMbLE in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Cheng Li , Zhao Shijun , Li Tianyi , Hou Sha , Luo Zhouqing , Xu Jinsheng , Yu Wenfei , Jiang Shuangying , Monti Marco , Schindler Daniel , Zhang Weimin , Hou Chunhui , Ma Yingxin , Cai Yizhi , Boeke Jef D. , Dai Junbiao
Published: January 2024

Synthetic Chromosome Rearrangement and Modification by LoxP-mediated Evolution (SCRaMbLE) is a promising tool to study genomic rearrangements. However, the potential of SCRaMbLE to study genomic rearrangements is currently hindered, because a strain containing all 16 synthetic chromosomes is not yet available. Here, we construct SparLox83R, a yeast strain containing 83 loxPsym sites distributed across all 16 chromosomes. SCRaMbLE of SparLox83R produces versatile genome-wide genomic rearrangements, including inter-chromosomal events. Moreover, when combined with synthetic chromosomes, SCRaMbLE of hetero-diploids with SparLox83R leads to increased diversity of genomic rearrangements and relatively faster evolution of traits compared to hetero-diploids only with wild-type chromosomes. Analysis of the SCRaMbLEd strain with increased tolerance to nocodazole demonstrates that genomic rearrangements can perturb the transcriptome and 3D genome structure and consequently impact phenotypes. In summary, a genome with sparsely distributed loxPsym sites can serve as a powerful tool for studying the consequence of genomic rearrangements and accelerating strain engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Electrostatic catalysis of a click reaction in a microfluidic cell
Authors: Sevim Semih , Sanchis-Gual Roger , Franco Carlos , Aragonès Albert C. , Darwish Nadim , Kim Donghoon , Picca Rosaria Anna , Nelson Bradley J. , Ruiz Eliseo , Pané Salvador , Díez-Pérez Ismael , Puigmartí-Luis Josep
Published: January 2024

Electric fields have been highlighted as a smart reagent in nature’s enzymatic machinery, as they can directly trigger or accelerate chemical processes with stereo- and regio-specificity. In enzymatic catalysis, controlled mass transport of chemical species is also key in facilitating the availability of reactants in the active reaction site. However, recent progress in developing a clean catalysis that profits from oriented electric fields is limited to theoretical and experimental studies at the single molecule level, where both the control over mass transport and scalability cannot be tested. Here, we quantify the electrostatic catalysis of a prototypical Huisgen cycloaddition in a large-area electrode surface and directly compare its performance to the conventional Cu(I) catalysis. Our custom-built microfluidic cell enhances reagent transport towards the electrified reactive interface. This continuous-flow microfluidic electrostatic reactor is an example of an electric-field driven platform where clean large-scale electrostatic catalytic processes can be efficiently implemented and regulated.
Down-selection of biomolecules to assemble “reverse micelle” with perovskites
Authors: Wu Haodong , Hou Yuchen , Yoon Jungjin , Knoepfel Abbey Marie , Zheng Luyao , Yang Dong , Wang Ke , Qian Jin , Priya Shashank , Wang Kai
Published: January 2024

Biological molecule-semiconductor interfacing has triggered numerous opportunities in applied physics such as bio-assisted data storage and computation, brain-computer interface, and advanced distributed bio-sensing. The introduction of electronics into biological embodiment is being quickly developed as it has great potential in providing adaptivity and improving functionality. Reciprocally, introducing biomaterials into semiconductors to manifest bio-mimetic functionality is impactful in triggering new enhanced mechanisms. In this study, we utilize the vulnerable perovskite semiconductors as a platform to understand if certain types of biomolecules can regulate the lattice and endow a unique mechanism for stabilizing the metastable perovskite lattice. Three tiers of biomolecules have been systematically tested and the results reveal a fundamental mechanism for the formation of a “reverse-micelle” structure. Systematic exploration of a large set of biomolecules led to the discovery of guiding principle for down-selection of biomolecules which extends the classic emulsion theory to this hybrid systems. Results demonstrate that by introducing biomaterials into semiconductors, natural phenomena typically observed in biological systems can also be incorporated into semiconducting crystals, providing a new perspective to engineer existing synthetic materials.
Stable and efficient pure blue quantum-dot LEDs enabled by inserting an anti-oxidation layer
Authors: Zhang Wenjing , Li Bo , Chang Chun , Chen Fei , Zhang Qin , Lin Qingli , Wang Lei , Yan Jinhang , Wang Fangfang , Chong Yihua , Du Zuliang , Fan Fengjia , Shen Huaibin
Published: January 2024

The efficiency and stability of red and green quantum-dot light-emitting diodes have already met the requirements for commercialization in displays. However, the poor stability of the blue ones, particularly pure blue color, is hindering the commercialization of full-color quantum-dot light-emitting diode technology. Severe hole accumulation at the blue quantum-dot/hole-transport layer interface makes the hole-transport layer prone to oxidation, limiting the device operational lifetime. Here, we propose inserting an anti-oxidation layer (poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole)) between this interface to take in some holes from the hole-transport layer, which mitigates the oxidation-induced device degradation, enabling a T50 (time for the luminance decreasing by 50%) of more than 41,000 h with an initial brightness of 100 cd m−2 in pure blue devices. Meanwhile, the inserted transition layer facilitates hole injection and helps reduce electron leakage, leading to a peak external quantum efficiency of 23%.
Toward grouped-reservoir computing: organic neuromorphic vertical transistor with distributed reservoir states for efficient recognition and prediction
Authors: Gao Changsong , Liu Di , Xu Chenhui , Xie Weidong , Zhang Xianghong , Bai Junhua , Lin Zhixian , Zhang Cheng , Hu Yuanyuan , Guo Tailiang , Chen Huipeng
Published: January 2024

Reservoir computing has attracted considerable attention due to its low training cost. However, existing neuromorphic hardware, focusing mainly on shallow-reservoir computing, faces challenges in providing adequate spatial and temporal scales characteristic for effective computing. Here, we report an ultra-short channel organic neuromorphic vertical transistor with distributed reservoir states. The carrier dynamics used to map signals are enriched by coupled multivariate physics mechanisms, while the vertical architecture employed greatly increases the feedback intensity of the device. Consequently, the device as a reservoir, effectively mapping sequential signals into distributed reservoir state space with 1152 reservoir states, and the range ratio of temporal and spatial characteristics can simultaneously reach 2640 and 650, respectively. The grouped-reservoir computing based on the device can simultaneously adapt to different spatiotemporal task, achieving recognition accuracy over 94% and prediction correlation over 95%. This work proposes a new strategy for developing high-performance reservoir computing networks.
A multiplexed, confinable CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive can propagate in caged Aedes aegypti populations
Authors: Anderson Michelle A. E. , Gonzalez Estela , Edgington Matthew P. , Ang Joshua X. D. , Purusothaman Deepak-Kumar , Shackleford Lewis , Nevard Katherine , Verkuijl Sebald A. N. , Harvey-Samuel Timothy , Leftwich Philip T. , Esvelt Kevin , Alphey Luke
Published: January 2024

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of several major pathogens including dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. Classical mosquito control strategies utilizing insecticides are threatened by rising resistance. This has stimulated interest in new genetic systems such as gene drivesHere, we test the regulatory sequences from the Ae. aegypti benign gonial cell neoplasm (bgcn) homolog to express Cas9 and a separate multiplexing sgRNA-expressing cassette inserted into the Ae. aegypti kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (kmo) gene. When combined, these two elements provide highly effective germline cutting at the kmo locus and act as a gene drive. Our target genetic element drives through a cage trial population such that carrier frequency of the element increases from 50% to up to 89% of the population despite significant fitness costs to kmo insertions. Deep sequencing suggests that the multiplexing design could mitigate resistance allele formation in our gene drive system.
Longitudinal plasma proteomics reveals biomarkers of alveolar-capillary barrier disruption in critically ill COVID-19 patients
Authors: Duijvelaar Erik , Gisby Jack , Peters James E. , Bogaard Harm Jan , Aman Jurjan
Published: January 2024

The pathobiology of respiratory failure in COVID-19 consists of a complex interplay between viral cytopathic effects and a dysregulated host immune response. In critically ill patients, imatinib treatment demonstrated potential for reducing invasive ventilation duration and mortality. Here, we perform longitudinal profiling of 6385 plasma proteins in 318 hospitalised patients to investigate the biological processes involved in critical COVID-19, and assess the effects of imatinib treatment. Nine proteins measured at hospital admission accurately predict critical illness development. Next to dysregulation of inflammation, critical illness is characterised by pathways involving cellular adhesion, extracellular matrix turnover and tissue remodelling. Imatinib treatment attenuates protein perturbations associated with inflammation and extracellular matrix turnover. These proteomic alterations are contextualised using external pulmonary RNA-sequencing data of deceased COVID-19 patients and imatinib-treated Syrian hamsters. Together, we show that alveolar capillary barrier disruption in critical COVID-19 is reflected in the plasma proteome, and is attenuated with imatinib treatment. This study comprises a secondary analysis of both clinical data and plasma samples derived from a clinical trial that was registered with the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT 2020–001236–10, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2020-001236-10/NL) and Netherlands Trial Register (NL8491, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8491).
Uncovering supramolecular chirality codes for the design of tunable biomaterials
Authors: Klawa Stephen J. , Lee Michelle , Riker Kyle D. , Jian Tengyue , Wang Qunzhao , Gao Yuan , Daly Margaret L. , Bhonge Shreeya , Childers W. Seth , Omosun Tolulope O. , Mehta Anil K. , Lynn David G. , Freeman Ronit
Published: January 2024

In neurodegenerative diseases, polymorphism and supramolecular assembly of β-sheet amyloids are implicated in many different etiologies and may adopt either a left- or right-handed supramolecular chirality. Yet, the underlying principles of how sequence regulates supramolecular chirality remains unknown. Here, we characterize the sequence specificity of the central core of amyloid-β 42 and design derivatives which enable chirality inversion at biologically relevant temperatures. We further find that C-terminal modifications can tune the energy barrier of a left-to-right chiral inversion. Leveraging this design principle, we demonstrate how temperature-triggered chiral inversion of peptides hosting therapeutic payloads modulates the dosed release of an anticancer drug. These results suggest a generalizable approach for fine-tuning supramolecular chirality that can be applied in developing treatments to regulate amyloid morphology in neurodegeneration as well as in other disease states.
Identification of differentially recognized T cell epitopes in the spectrum of tuberculosis infection
Authors: Panda Sudhasini , Morgan Jeffrey , Cheng Catherine , Saito Mayuko , Gilman Robert H. , Ciobanu Nelly , Crudu Valeriu , Catanzaro Donald G. , Catanzaro Antonino , Rodwell Timothy , Perera Judy S. B. , Chathuranga Teshan , Gunasena Bandu , DeSilva Aruna D. , Peters Bjoern , Sette Alessandro , Lindestam Arlehamn Cecilia S.
Published: January 2024

There is still incomplete knowledge of which Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens can trigger distinct T cell responses at different stages of infection. Here, a proteome-wide screen of 20,610 Mtb-derived peptides in 21 patients mid-treatment for active tuberculosis (ATB) reveals IFNγ-specific T cell responses against 137 unique epitopes. Of these, 16% are recognized by two or more participants and predominantly derived from cell wall and cell processes antigens. There is differential recognition of antigens, including TB vaccine candidate antigens, between ATB participants and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA + /−) individuals. We developed an ATB-specific peptide pool (ATB116) consisting of epitopes exclusively recognized by ATB participants. This pool can distinguish patients with pulmonary ATB from IGRA + /− individuals from various geographical locations, with a sensitivity of over 60% and a specificity exceeding 80%. This proteome-wide screen of T cell reactivity identified infection stage-specific epitopes and antigens for potential use in diagnostics and measuring Mtb-specific immune responses.
Aqueous amine enables sustainable monosaccharide, monophenol, and pyridine base coproduction in lignocellulosic biorefineries
Authors: Xu Li , Cao Meifang , Zhou Jiefeng , Pang Yuxia , Li Zhixian , Yang Dongjie , Leu Shao-Yuan , Lou Hongming , Pan Xuejun , Qiu Xueqing
Published: January 2024

Thought-out utilization of entire lignocellulose is of great importance to achieving sustainable and cost-effective biorefineries. However, there is a trade-off between efficient carbohydrate utilization and lignin-to-chemical conversion yield. Here, we fractionate corn stover into a carbohydrate fraction with high enzymatic digestibility and reactive lignin with satisfactory catalytic depolymerization activity using a mild high-solid process with aqueous diethylamine (DEA). During the fractionation, in situ amination of lignin achieves extensive delignification, effective lignin stabilization, and dramatically reduced nonproductive adsorption of cellulase on the substrate. Furthermore, by designing a tandem fractionation-hydrogenolysis strategy, the dissolved lignin is depolymerized and aminated simultaneously to co-produce monophenolics and pyridine bases. The process represents the viable scheme of transforming real lignin into pyridine bases in high yield, resulting from the reactions between cleaved lignin side chains and amines. This work opens a promising approach to the efficient valorization of lignocellulose.
Intraocular liver spheroids for non-invasive high-resolution in vivo monitoring of liver cell function
Authors: Lazzeri-Barcelo Francesca , Oliva-Vilarnau Nuria , Baniol Marion , Leibiger Barbara , Bergmann Olaf , Lauschke Volker M. , Leibiger Ingo B. , Moruzzi Noah , Berggren Per-Olof
Published: January 2024

Longitudinal monitoring of liver function in vivo is hindered by the lack of high-resolution non-invasive imaging techniques. Using the anterior chamber of the mouse eye as a transplantation site, we have established a platform for longitudinal in vivo imaging of liver spheroids at cellular resolution. Transplanted liver spheroids engraft on the iris, become vascularized and innervated, retain hepatocyte-specific and liver-like features and can be studied by in vivo confocal microscopy. Employing fluorescent probes administered intravenously or spheroids formed from reporter mice, we showcase the potential use of this platform for monitoring hepatocyte cell cycle activity, bile secretion and lipoprotein uptake. Moreover, we show that hepatic lipid accumulation during diet-induced hepatosteatosis is mirrored in intraocular in vivo grafts. Here, we show a new technology which provides a crucial and unique tool to study liver physiology and disease progression in pre-clinical and basic research.
MVA-based vaccine candidates encoding the native or prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike reveal differential immunogenicity in humans
Authors: Mayer Leonie , Weskamm Leonie M. , Fathi Anahita , Kono Maya , Heidepriem Jasmin , Krähling Verena , Mellinghoff Sibylle C. , Ly My Linh , Friedrich Monika , Hardtke Svenja , Borregaard Saskia , Hesterkamp Thomas , Loeffler Felix F. , Volz Asisa , Sutter Gerd , Becker Stephan , Dahlke Christine , Addo Marylyn M.
Published: January 2024

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple vaccines were developed using platforms such as viral vectors and mRNA technology. Here, we report humoral and cellular immunogenicity data from human phase 1 clinical trials investigating two recombinant Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara vaccine candidates, MVA-SARS-2-S and MVA-SARS-2-ST, encoding the native and the prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, respectively. MVA-SARS-2-ST was more immunogenic than MVA-SARS-2-S, but both were less immunogenic compared to licensed mRNA- and ChAd-based vaccines in SARS-CoV-2 naïve individuals. In heterologous vaccination, previous MVA-SARS-2-S vaccination enhanced T cell functionality and MVA-SARS-2-ST boosted the frequency of T cells and S1-specific IgG levels when used as a third vaccination. While the vaccine candidate containing the prefusion-stabilized spike elicited predominantly S1-specific responses, immunity to the candidate with the native spike was skewed towards S2-specific responses. These data demonstrate how the spike antigen conformation, using the same viral vector, directly affects vaccine immunogenicity in humans.
Semi-automated sequence curation for reliable reference datasets in ITS2 vascular plant DNA (meta-)barcoding
Authors: Quaresma Andreia , Ankenbrand Markus J. , Garcia Carlos Ariel Yadró , Rufino José , Honrado Mónica , Amaral Joana , Brodschneider Robert , Brusbardis Valters , Gratzer Kristina , Hatjina Fani , Kilpinen Ole , Pietropaoli Marco , Roessink Ivo , van der Steen Jozef , Vejsnæs Flemming , Pinto M. Alice , Keller Alexander
Published: January 2024

One of the most critical steps for accurate taxonomic identification in DNA (meta)-barcoding is to have an accurate DNA reference sequence dataset for the marker of choice. Therefore, developing such a dataset has been a long-term ambition, especially in the Viridiplantae kingdom. Typically, reference datasets are constructed with sequences downloaded from general public databases, which can carry taxonomic and other relevant errors. Herein, we constructed a curated (i) global dataset, (ii) European crop dataset, and (iii) 27 datasets for the EU countries for the ITS2 barcoding marker of vascular plants. To that end, we first developed a pipeline script that entails (i) an automated curation stage comprising five filters, (ii) manual taxonomic correction for misclassified taxa, and (iii) manual addition of newly sequenced species. The pipeline allows easy updating of the curated datasets. With this approach, 13% of the sequences, corresponding to 7% of species originally imported from GenBank, were discarded. Further, 259 sequences were manually added to the curated global dataset, which now comprises 307,977 sequences of 111,382 plant species.
Rapid measurement of epidermal thickness in OCT images of skin
Authors: Lin Chieh-Hsi , Lukas Brandon E , Rajabi-Estarabadi Ali , May Julia Rome , Pang Yanzhen , Puyana Carolina , Tsoukas Maria , Avanaki Kamran
Published: January 2024

Epidermal thickness (ET) changes are associated with several skin diseases. To measure ET, segmentation of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images is essential; manual segmentation is very time-consuming and requires training and some understanding of how to interpret OCT images. Fast results are important in order to analyze ET over different regions of skin in rapid succession to complete a clinical examination and enable the physician to discuss results with the patient in real time. The well-known CNN-graph search (CNN-GS) methodology delivers highly accurate results, but at a high computational cost. Our objective was to build a computational core, based on CNN-GS, able to accurately segment OCT skin images in real time. We accomplished this by fine-tuning the hyperparameters, testing a range of speed-up algorithms including pruning and quantization, designing a novel pixel-skipping process, and implementing the final product with efficient use of core and threads on a multicore central processing unit (CPU). We name this product CNN-GS-skin. The method identifies two defined boundaries on OCT skin images in order to measure ET. We applied CNN-GS-skin to OCT skin images, taken from various body sites of 63 healthy individuals. Compared with CNN-GS, our described method reduced computation time by 130 $$\times$$
×
with minimal reduction in ET determination accuracy (from 96.38 to 94.67%).
Composition and vertical distribution of organic matter in Central Indian Ocean sediment cores
Authors: Thalayappil Sruthi , Mullungal Muhammed Nayeem , Peediyakkathodi Sajna , C. S. Ratheesh Kumar , Panikkaveettil Resmi , P. M. Salas , C. H. Sujatha
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to investigate the quality and quantity of organic matter (OM) using biochemical components (protein, carbohydrate and lipids) in the sediment cores collected from the Central Indian Ocean (CIOB) under the program Equatorial Indian Ocean Process Study Dynamics and Biogeochemistry (EIOPS). Total organic carbon (TOC) and biochemical parameters (carbohydrate, lipid, protein, Tannin and lignin) were determined in core I and core II, respectively. Total carbohydrates varied from 4.66 to 2557.32 mg/kg (average 459.31 mg/kg) and 142.23 to 821.56 mg/kg (average 380.01 mg/kg) in core I and II, respectively. In core I, PRT varied from 70.95 to 107.05 mg/kg, and the minimum and maximum content of CHO was 143.23 and 822.56 mg/kg. The maximum and minimum concentrations of BPC in core II were 786.32 and 381.07 at 0–10 cm depth, respectively, which corresponded to the concentrations of PRT, CHO, LPD, and Tannin. The results showed that PRT was statistically significant with the TOC and negatively correlated with the LPD and CHO, while LPD was highly significant with clay and silt grains. In most of the samples, the ratio of LPD to CHO ratio was > 1, which indicated higher productivity of benthic organisms inhabiting the CIOB.
Dietary patterns, untargeted metabolite profiles and their association with colorectal cancer risk
Authors: Bodén Stina , Zheng Rui , Ribbenstedt Anton , Landberg Rikard , Harlid Sophia , Vidman Linda , Gunter Marc J. , Winkvist Anna , Johansson Ingegerd , Van Guelpen Bethany , Brunius Carl
Published: January 2024

We investigated data-driven and hypothesis-driven dietary patterns and their association to plasma metabolite profiles and subsequent colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in 680 CRC cases and individually matched controls. Dietary patterns were identified from combined exploratory/confirmatory factor analysis. We assessed association to LC–MS metabolic profiles by random forest regression and to CRC risk by multivariable conditional logistic regression. Principal component analysis was used on metabolite features selected to reflect dietary exposures. Component scores were associated to CRC risk and dietary exposures using partial Spearman correlation. We identified 12 data-driven dietary patterns, of which a breakfast food pattern showed an inverse association with CRC risk (OR per standard deviation increase 0.89, 95% CI 0.80–1.00, p = 0.04). This pattern was also inversely associated with risk of distal colon cancer (0.75, 0.61–0.96, p = 0.01) and was more pronounced in women (0.69, 0.49–0.96, p = 0.03). Associations between meat, fast-food, fruit soup/rice patterns and CRC risk were modified by tumor location in women. Alcohol as well as fruit and vegetables associated with metabolite profiles (Q2 0.22 and 0.26, respectively). One metabolite reflecting alcohol intake associated with increased CRC risk, whereas three metabolites reflecting fiber, wholegrain, and fruit and vegetables associated with decreased CRC risk.
Alkyl deoxyglycoside-polymyxin combinations against critical priority carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria
Authors: de Matos Ana M. , Calado Patrícia , Miranda Mónica , Almeida Rita , Rauter Amélia P. , Oliveira M. Conceição , Manageiro Vera , Caniça Manuela
Published: January 2024

The escalating antimicrobial resistance crisis urges the development of new antibacterial treatments with innovative mechanisms of action, particularly against the critical priority carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) and Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Membrane-disrupting dodecyl deoxyglycosides have been reported for their interesting phosphatidylethanolamine-associated bactericidal activity against Gram-positive strains; however, their inability to penetrate the Gram-negative outer membrane (OM) renders them useless against the most challenging pathogens. Aiming to repurpose alkyl deoxyglycosides against Gram-negative bacteria, this study investigates the antimicrobial effects of five reference compounds with different deoxygenation patterns or anomeric configurations in combination with polymyxins as adjuvants for enhanced OM permeability. The generation of the lead 4,6-dideoxy scaffold was optimized through a simultaneous dideoxygenation step and applied to the synthesis of a novel alkyl 4,6-dideoxy C-glycoside 5, herein reported for the first time. When combined with subtherapeutic colistin concentrations, most glycosides demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against several multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of CRAB, CRE and CRPA exhibiting distinct carbapenem resistance mechanisms, together with acceptable cytotoxicity against human HEK-293T and Caco-2 cells. The novel 4,6-dideoxy C-glycoside 5 emerged as the most promising prototype structure for further development (MIC 3.1 μg/mL when combined with colistin 0.5 μg/mL against CRPA or 0.25 μg/mL against several CRE and CRAB strains), highlighting the potential of C-glycosylation for an improved bioactive profile. This study is the first to show the potential of IM-targeting carbohydrate-based compounds for the treatment of infections caused by MDR Gram-negative pathogens of clinical importance.
Aircraft observations in a tropical supercluster over the equatorial Indian Ocean during MISO-BOB field campaign
Authors: Phadtare Jayesh , Fernando Harindra J. S. , Black Garrett , McLaughlin Kaitlyn , Dehart Jeremy , Krishnamurthy Raghavendra , Bhat G. S. , Shroyer Emily , Tandon Amit , Pérez Valentín Jaynise M. , Jinadasa S. U. P.
Published: January 2024

The Monsoon Intra-Seasonal Oscillations in the Bay of Bengal (MISO-BOB) field campaign was conducted in the Indian Ocean during the 2018 and 2019 summer monsoon seasons. WC-130J aircraft of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the US Air Force participated in the campaign in June 2018. The dropsonde observations across a tropical supercluster showed zonal wind variations in association with the structure of the convectively coupled Kelvin wave (CCKW). Within the supercluster, easterlies (westerlies) were observed in the upper (lower) troposphere; this transformation occurred just below the 0$$^{\circ }$$

∘

C level. The cold pool had an easterly component throughout, and it was coldest (by 2.5$$^{\circ }$$

∘

C) at the center of the supercluster, deepest ($$\sim$$
∼
$$1000\,\hbox {m}$$

1000

m

) at its rear/western end, and shallowest ($$\sim$$
∼
300 m) at the front/eastern end. The level of free convection (LFC) at the front end was at $$897\,\hbox {m}$$

897

m

altitude. At the eastern flank of the supercluster, zonal convergence in the lower troposphere occurred between 500-1500 m levels above the surface between the westerlies within the supercluster and opposing ambient easterlies. Thus, the uplifting of conditionally unstable air parcels above LFC to the east of the supercluster was likely to occur due to this convergence rather than the cold pool influence. Conversely, the western flank of the supercluster had low-level zonal divergence. These observations support the notion of ‘self-similarity’ among the mesoscale convective systems and large-scale waves.
Response of skin temperature, blood ammonia and lactate during incremental exercise until exhaustion in elite athletes
Authors: Korman Paweł , Kusy Krzysztof , Straburzyńska-Lupa Anna , Kantanista Adam , Quintana Manuel Sillero , Zieliński Jacek
Published: January 2024

The study aimed to evaluate the lower limb skin temperature (Tsk) and blood concentrations of lactate (LA) and ammonia (NH3) during exercise and recovery. Eleven elite sprint athletes (25 ± 3.4 yrs) and 11 elite endurance athletes (24.45 ± 5.4 yrs) performed an incremental running test until exhaustion. Body composition was estimated using the DXA method. Thermograms of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lower limbs were recorded at rest, before each test stage (every 3 min, starting from 10 km h−1 and increasing by 2 km h−1), and in the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, and 30th minute of recovery. Endurance athletes had a higher maximum oxygen uptake than sprint athletes (5.0 ± 0.7 vs 4.3 ± 0.4 l·kg−1, p = 0.018), lower percentage of lean content (79 ± 2 vs 83 ± 2%, p < 0.001), and a higher percentage of fat content in the lower limbs (17 ± 2 vs 12 ± 2%, p < 0.001). In both groups, a significant decrease in Tsk was observed compared to resting value (endurance athletes—31.5 ± 0.6 °C; sprint athletes—32.3 ± 0.6 °C), during exercise (p < 0.001) and rewarming during recovery (p < 0.001). However, endurance athletes had a lower Tsk than sprint athletes at the exhaustion point (30.0 ± 1.1 vs 31.6 ± 0.8 °C, p < 0.05) and the pattern of change in Tsk differed between groups (p < 0.001). Tsk in the endurance athletes group decreased throughout the exercise protocol and returned more rapidly to initial values during recovery, while Tsk in the sprint group stabilised between moderate intensity and exhaustion, recovering more slowly after exercise. Both LA (endurance athletes—max 10.2 ± 1.5; sprint athletes—max 10.1 ± 1.4 mmol⋅L−1, p < 0.001) and NH3 (endurance athletes—max 75.6 ± 11.5; sprint athletes—max 76.7 ± 9.0 mmol⋅L−1, p < 0.001) increased during exercise and decreased during recovery (p < 0.001). During exercise, lower levels and slower increases in LA were observed during exercise in the endurance athletes’ group (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was revealed between Tsk and fat percentage (r = −0.43 to −0.71, p < 0.05). Tsk was positively correlated with LA during recovery (r = 0.43 to 0.48, p < 0.05), and negatively during recovery (r = −0.45 to −0.54, p < 0.05). Differences between groups in maximum aerobic capacity, the pattern of change in Tsk, and the correlation between Tsk and LA suggest that individuals who decrease less Tsk during exercise and higher Tsk during recovery are those with better aerobic capacity. In addition, athletes with less body fat dissipate heat from their tissues more efficiently.
Potholes and traffic signs detection by classifier with vision transformers
Authors: Satti Satish Kumar , Rajareddy Goluguri N. V. , Mishra Kaushik , Gandomi Amir H.
Published: January 2024

Detecting potholes and traffic signs is crucial for driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles, emphasizing real-time and accurate recognition. In India, approximately 2500 fatalities occur annually due to accidents linked to hidden potholes and overlooked traffic signs. Existing methods often overlook water-filled and illuminated potholes, as well as those shaded by trees. Additionally, they neglect the perspective and illuminated (nighttime) traffic signs. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel approach employing a cascade classifier along with a vision transformer. A cascade classifier identifies patterns associated with these elements, and Vision Transformers conducts detailed analysis and classification. The proposed approach undergoes training and evaluation on ICTS, GTSRDB, KAGGLE, and CCSAD datasets. Model performance is assessed using precision, recall, and mean Average Precision (mAP) metrics. Compared to state-of-the-art techniques like YOLOv3, YOLOv4, Faster RCNN, and SSD, the method achieves impressive recognition with a mAP of 97.14% for traffic sign detection and 98.27% for pothole detection.
Multi-omics reveals the role of ENO1 in bladder cancer and constructs an epithelial-related prognostic model to predict prognosis and efficacy
Authors: Su Zhixiong , You Lijie , He Yufang , Chen Jingbo , Zhang Guifeng , Liu Zhenhua
Published: January 2024

α-Enolase (ENO1) is a crucial molecular target for tumor therapy and has emerged as a research hotspot in recent decades. Here, we aimed to explore the role of ENO1 in bladder cancer (BLCA) and then construct a signature to predict the prognosis and treatment response of BLCA. Firstly, we found ENO1 was highly expressed in BLCA tissues, as verified by IHC, and was associated with poor prognosis. The analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment by bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq showed that ENO1 was associated with CD8+ T-cell exhaustion. Additionally, the results in vitro showed that ENO1 could promote the proliferation and invasion of BLCA cells. Then, the analysis of epithelial cells (ECs) revealed that ENO1 might promote BLCA progression by metabolism, the cell cycle and some carcinogenic pathways. A total of 249 hub genes were obtained from differentially expressed genes between ENO1-related ECs, and we used LASSO analysis to construct a novel signature that not only accurately predicted the prognosis of BLCA patients but also predicted the response to treatment for BLCA. Finally, we constructed a nomogram to better guide clinical application. In conclusion, through multi-omics analysis, we found that ENO1 was overexpressed in bladder cancer and associated with poor prognosis, CD8+ T-cell exhaustion and epithelial heterogeneity. Moreover, the prognosis and treatment of patients can be well predicted by constructing an epithelial-related prognostic signature.