bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Living in the Present’ mindfulness for parents of children with skin conditions: a single group case series
Authors: Hughes Olivia , Shelton Katherine H. , Penny Helen , Thompson Andrew R.
Published: September 2024

Background:

Parents of children with skin conditions can experience stress from the additional responsibilities of care. However, there is a lack of psychological interventions for families affected by a dermatological diagnosis.

Aims:

To investigate (1) whether delivering the ‘Living in the Present’ mindfulness curriculum to parents of children with skin conditions reduced stress and increased both parental/child quality of life (QoL), and (2) determine intervention acceptability.

Method:

Ten parents of children with eczema, ectodermal dysplasia, ichthyosis, and alopecia took part in a mindfulness-based intervention. Using mixed methods, a single-group experimental case design (SCED) was conducted and supplemented by thematic analysis of exit interviews. Parents completed idiographic measures of parenting stress, standardised measures of QoL, stress, mindfulness, and took part in exit interviews. Children also completed QoL measures.

Results:

Tau-U analysis of idiographic measures revealed three parents showed some significant improvements in positive targets, and five parents showed some significant improvements in negative targets. Assessment of reliable change demonstrated that: one parent showed improvement in mindful parenting, three parents showed improvement in parenting stress, seven parents showed improvement in anxiety, three parents showed improvements in depression, six parents showed improvement in QoL, and four children showed improvement in QoL. However, two parents showed increased anxiety. Thematic analysis revealed positive changes to mood following mindfulness, although challenges were highlighted, including sustaining home practice.

Conclusion:

Findings suggest this specific form of mindfulness intervention could be effective for parents of children with skin conditions; however, further robust studies are needed.
Development and psychometric properties of the Health Anxiety Behavior Inventory (HABI)
Authors: Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Björkander Daniel , Andersson Erik , Axelsson Erland
Published: September 2024

Background:

Mainstream cognitive behavioural theory stipulates that clinically significant health anxiety persists over time at least partially due to negatively reinforced health-related behaviours, but there exists no broad and psychometrically valid measure of such behaviours.

Aims:

To draft and evaluate a new self-report scale – the Health Anxiety Behavior Inventory (HABI) – for the measurement of negatively reinforced health anxiety behaviours.

Method:

We drafted the HABI from a pool of 20 candidate items administered in a clinical trial at screening, and before and after cognitive behaviour therapy (n=204). A psychometric evaluation focused on factor structure, internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, test–retest reliability, and sensitivity to change.

Results:

Based on factor analysis, the HABI was completed as a 12-item instrument with a four-dimensional factor structure corresponding to the following scales: (i) bodily preoccupation and checking, (ii) information- and reassurance-seeking, (iii) prevention and planning, and (iv) overt avoidance. Factor inter-correlations were modest. The internal consistency (α=.73–.87) and 2-week test–retest reliability (r=.75–.90) of the scales was adequate. The bodily preoccupation and checking, and information- and reassurance-seeking scales were most strongly correlated with the cognitive and emotional components of health anxiety (r=0.41, 0.48), and to a lower extent correlated to depressive symptoms and disability. Change scores in all HABI scales correlated with improvement in the cognitive and emotional components of health anxiety during cognitive behaviour therapy.

Conclusions:

The HABI appears to reliably measure negatively reinforced behaviours commonly seen in clinically significant health anxiety, and might be clinically useful in the treatment of health anxiety.
Hans Morgenthau, Peaceful Change, and the Origins of American Realism
Authors: Imlay Talbot
Published: September 2024

This article examines Morgenthau's switch from international law to international politics, arguing that it was fundamental to his emergence as a founder of postwar realism in the United States. More precisely, it sets this switch in the context of a far-reaching but largely overlooked debate among American jurists during the 1930s on the question of peaceful change: of how to revise an international order or major aspects of it by means other than war. This debate provided Morgenthau with a solution to the impasse reached by his project in international law before World War II, allowing him to transform what appeared to be a problem from the vantage point of international law into a structural element of an approach to international politics—of his realism.
Affirmative Orientalism: August Bebel, Islam, and World History
Authors: Fitzpatrick Matthew P.
Published: September 2024

In 1884, during the period of the Socialist Laws, August Bebel took the time to publish a historical work entitled Die mohamedanisch- arabische Kulturperiode. In it Bebel positioned Islam and the early caliphates as the unacknowledged link between Greco-Roman traditions of knowledge and the blossoming of European culture that, he argued, had occurred since the Renaissance. He also used the book as an opportunity to reject claims that Christianity had played this key role in world historical progress. Through an examination and contextualization of Bebel's writings on Islam, this article shows how he viewed the role of different religious traditions within world history and how his views intersected with contemporary questions regarding the relationship between religion and socialism. The article also examines how Bebel's work fits within a longer tradition of socialist solidarity with the Ottoman Empire.
Gender, Religion, and Political Violence: Lessons from Muslim Women’s Experiences in UK Elections
Authors: Akhtar Parveen , Jenichen Anne , Intezar Hannah
Published: September 2024

Violence against women in politics is on the rise, threatening political achievements with respect to equality. Little research, however, has been conducted on the experiences of women from minority communities. This article, therefore, takes an intersectional approach to explore how gender, religion, and other categories of difference intersect when it comes to Muslim women’s experiences in the UK. Based on a longitudinal case study of Bradford West during the 2015, 2017, and 2019 general elections that combines participant observations, qualitative interviews, and a Twitter analysis, we argue that, in addition to the violence often experienced by women, Muslim women are also confronted with Islamophobic bias and abuse, as well as intersectional intimidation and harassment from within the Muslim community in their constituencies. Our case study approach, however, also reveals the existence of appreciation and support for Muslim women in politics that needs to be nurtured to counter abuse.
Politics without Presence? The Symbolic Representation of Trans People in Germany and the Netherlands
Authors: Schotel Anne Louise , Mügge Liza
Published: September 2024

Historically, trans people have been excluded from politics. Despite political under representation, trans interests increasingly appear on the political agenda in the Netherlands and Germany. In 2021, trans women were elected to the Dutch and German parliaments for the first time. However, increased trans visibility is accompanied by backlash and transphobia. The political representation of trans people does not follow a familiar pattern from elected descriptive representatives to increased substantive representation of interests. What mechanisms shape the political representation of trans people? We argue that symbolic representation shapes possibilities for descriptive and substantive representation of trans people. The analysis of symbolic representation of transpeople draws on a combination of 1) qualitative text analysis of Dutch and German parliamentary documents, research reports, and trans activists’ publications and 2) in-depth interviews with trans andcisgender representatives, candidates, and activists. The findings demonstrate how political spaces are not only gendered, but also cisgendered and heteronormative.
Job Talk: Candidate Gender and Presentation of Prior Experience in Television Ads in the US
Authors: Hansen Eric R. , Mautner Connor
Published: September 2024

Does gender influence how candidates in the United States present their prior political experience to voters? Messaging one’s experience might demonstrate a history of power-seeking behavior, a gender role violation for women under traditional norms. As a result, men should be more likely to make experience-based appeals than women candidates. For evidence, we analyze the contents of 1,030 televised advertisements from 2018 state legislative candidates from the Wesleyan Media Project. We find that ads sponsored by experienced men are significantly more likely to highlight experience than ads sponsored by experienced women. However, we find that women’s and men’s ads are roughly equally likely to discuss work experience, suggesting that men’s greater emphasis on experience is limited to prior officeholding. The results contribute to our understanding of gender dynamics in political campaigns, the information available to voters, and how advertising shapes the criteria voters use to assess candidates.
Effectiveness of group problem management plus in distressed Syrian refugees in Türkiye: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Acarturk C. , Kurt G. , İlkkurşun Z. , de Graaff A. M. , Bryant R. , Cuijpers P. , Fuhr D. , McDaid D. , Park A. L. , Sijbrandij M. , Ventevogel P. , Uygun E.
Published: September 2024

Aims

Despite high levels of psychological distress, mental health service use among Syrian refugees in urban settings is low. To address the mental healthcare gap, the World Health Organization developed group problem management plus (gPM+), a scalable psychological intervention delivered by non-specialist peer facilitators. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of gPM+ in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety among Syrian refugees in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 368 distressed (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K10 > 15) adult Syrian refugees with impaired functioning (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, WHODAS 2.0 > 16). Participants were recruited between August 2019 and September 2020 through a non-governmental organization providing services to refugees. Participants were randomly allocated to gPM+ and enhanced care as usual (gPM+/E-CAU) (184 participants) or E-CAU only (184 participants). Primary outcomes were symptoms of depression and anxiety (Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25)) at 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5; PCL-5), functional impairment (WHODAS 2.0), and self-identified problems (psychological outcome profiles).

Results

Intent-to-treat analyses showed no significant effect of gPM+ on symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD and self-identified problems. Yet, there was a significant reduction in functional impairment in gPM+/E-CAU compared to E-CAU at 3-month follow-up (adjusted mean difference 1.66, 95 % CI 0.04, 3.27, p = 0.045, d = 0.19). Post-hoc subgroup analyses among participants with probable baseline depression or anxiety showed that there was a small but significant reduction in depression (adjusted mean difference −0.17, 95 % CI −0.32, −0.02, p = 0.028, d = 0.27) and anxiety (adjusted mean difference −0.21, 95 % CI −0.37, −0.05, p = 0.009, d = 0.30) symptoms comparing gPM+/E-CAU to E-CAU only at 1-week post assessment, but not at 3-month follow-up. There was a significant difference between conditions on functional impairment at 3-month follow-up, favouring gPM+/E-CAU condition (adjusted mean difference −1.98, 95 % CI −3.93, −0.02, p = 0.048, d = 0.26).

Conclusion

In this study in an urban setting in Türkiye, gPM+ did not alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety among Syrian refugees experiencing psychological distress and daily living difficulties. However, participants with higher distress at baseline seemed to benefit from gPM+, but treatment gains disappeared in the long term. Current findings highlight the potential benefit of tailored psychosocial interventions for highly distressed refugees in volatile low-resource settings.
Volcanic Precursor Revealed by Machine Learning Offers New Eruption Forecasting Capability
Authors: Wang Kaiwen , Waldhauser Felix , Tolstoy Maya , Schaff David , Sawi Theresa , Wilcock William S. D. , Tan Yen Joe
Published: September 2024

Seismicity at active volcanoes provides crucial constraints on the dynamics of magma systems and complex fault activation processes preceding and during an eruption. We characterize time‐dependent spectral features of volcanic earthquakes at Axial Seamount with unsupervised machine learning (ML) methods, revealing mixed frequency signals that rapidly increase in number about 15 hr before eruption onset. The events migrate along pre‐existing fissures, suggesting that they represent brittle crack opening driven by influx of magma or volatiles. These results demonstrate the power of unsupervised ML algorithms to characterize subtle changes in magmatic processes associated with eruption preparation, offering new possibilities for forecasting Axial's anticipated next eruption. This analysis is generalizable and can be employed to identify similar precursory signals at other active volcanoes.
Enhanced “Wind‐Evaporation Effect” Drove the “Deep‐Tropical Contraction” in the Early Eocene
Authors: Ren Zikun , Zhou Tianjun , Guo Zhun , Zuo Meng , He Linqiang , Chen Xiaolong , Zhang Lixia , Wu Bo , Man Wenmin
Published: September 2024

The equatorward contraction of tropical precipitation, commonly referred to as the “deep‐tropical contraction”, is witnessed in the paleoclimate simulations of the early Eocene. However, the mechanism driving this contraction is still unclear. Based on the energetics framework of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the decomposition method of the latent heat flux along with the simulations of a climate system model, CESM1.2, we proposed a novel mechanism responsible for the “deep‐tropical contraction” in the early Eocene. The greenhouse gases‐induced sea surface warming amplifies the sensitivity of evaporation to surface wind speed changes through Clausius‐Clapeyron scaling, leading to an interhemispheric asymmetric enhancement of the latent heat flux. To maintain hemispheric energy balance, the cross‐equatorial atmospheric energy transport must be reduced during the solstice seasons. As a result, the solstitial location of the ITCZ shifts equatorward, causing the “deep‐tropical contraction” in the early Eocene.
A New Ecosystem Model for Arctic Phytoplankton Phenology From Ice‐Covered to Open‐Water Periods: Implications for Future Sea Ice Retreat Scenarios
Authors: Choi Jang‐Geun , Matsuoka Atsushi , Manizza Manfredi , Carroll Dustin , Dutkiewicz Stephanie , Lippmann Thomas
Published: September 2024

To predict ecosystem change in the Arctic Ocean, understanding Arctic phytoplankton phenology is essential. We develop a marine ecosystem model focusing on phytoplankton dynamics and the competition for multiple resources based on knowledge from in situ data obtained in the Chukchi Sea. The model is designed to include the unique ecological characteristics of the Arctic Ocean. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first model successfully simulating the current paradigm for Arctic phytoplankton phenology, including both under‐ice blooms and succession of phytoplankton groups. Sensitivity experiments show that the dominance of diatoms can be sustained by lateral transport of a high‐silicate water mass (Pacific Winter Water). Experiments for future scenarios show that sea ice retreat drives a decrease in large diatoms and an increase in the other relatively small non‐diatom groups. These results suggest that dominant phytoplankton groups can be shifted from diatoms to non‐diatoms under ongoing Arctic Ocean sea ice retreat.
Latitudinal Mapping of Chorus Waves Growth Rates Based on Multi‐Spacecraft Wave and Plasma Measurements
Authors: Voshchepynets A. , Agapitov O. V. , Mourenas D. , Artemyev A. , Hlebena M. , Bryla A.
Published: September 2024

Whistler mode chorus waves are one of the most intense and important electromagnetic emissions in the Earth's radiation belt, where these waves are responsible for electron acceleration to relativistic energies and for energetic electron precipitation into the Earth's atmosphere. This study reports a unique multi‐spacecraft observation event that allowed for the first time to verify theoretical models of chorus wave generation. The growth rates derived from the multi‐spacecraft observations of chorus waves Cluster WBD electric field waveforms collected during the crossing of the equatorial source region were compared to the theoretical linear and nonlinear growth rates calculated using simultaneous PEACE electron measurements. We have revealed that the growth rate estimated from wave measurements is substantially higher than the estimated linear growth rate but is quite close to the estimated nonlinear growth rate. A notable wave amplification is found up to 5 degrees of magnetic latitude and higher.
Why Does Atmospheric Radiative Heating Weaken Midlatitude Cyclones?
Authors: Mischell Eric , Soden Brian , Zhang Bosong , Hsieh Tsung‐Lin , Vecchi Gabriel
Published: September 2024

Recent work has indicated that atmospheric radiative heating reduces the kinetic energy of large‐scale eddies in the midlatitudes. However, a physical mechanism that connects radiation to the midlatitude eddy kinetic energy is still uncertain. Using a high‐resolution general circulation model we perform an experiment in which the radiative cooling profile at each model time step is overwritten with the climatological mean, computed from a control simulation. This approach separates the mean and transient effects of radiative heating on the extratropical circulation. We find that, when radiative heating is fixed, the globally‐averaged eddy kinetic energy is enhanced by ∼6%. We show that thermal radiation dampens temperature anomalies near the surface and tropopause in low‐pressure systems, destroying eddy available potential energy and eddy kinetic energy. We identify this as a possible mechanism by which atmospheric radiative heating weakens midlatitude cyclones.
Ubiquitin-independent degradation of Bim blocks macrophage pyroptosis in sepsis-related tissue injury
Authors: Shi Peilin , Du Yingying , Zhang Yunyan , Yang Bo , Guan Qiujing , Jing Yiming , Tang Hao , Tang Jianguo , Yang Chunhui , Ge Xiaoli , Shen Shihui , Li Lei , Wu Chunrong
Published: September 2024

Pyroptosis, a typical inflammatory cell death mode, has been increasingly demonstrated to have therapeutic value in inflammatory diseases such as sepsis. However, the mechanisms and therapeutic targets of sepsis remain elusive. Here, we reported that REGγ inhibition promoted pyroptosis by regulating members of the gasdermin family in macrophages. Mechanistically, REGγ directly degraded Bim, a factor of the Bcl-2 family that can inhibit the cleavage of GSDMD/E, ultimately preventing the occurrence of pyroptosis. Furthermore, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis model mice showed downregulation of REGγ at both the RNA and protein levels. Gasdermin-mediated pyroptosis was augmented in REGγ-knockout mice, and these mice exhibited more severe sepsis-related tissue injury. More importantly, we found that REGγ expression was downregulated in clinical sepsis samples, such as those from patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection. Finally, PA-infected mice showed decreased REGγ levels in the lung. In summary, our study reveals that the REGγ-Bim-GSDMD/E pathway is a novel regulatory mechanism of pyroptosis in sepsis-related tissue injury.
CD226 implicated in Akt-dependent apoptosis of CD4+ T cell contributes to asthmatic pathogenesis
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Xie Yang , Zhang Xuexin , Duan Chujun , Ma Jingchang , Wang Yuling , Wu Yilin , Shan Niqi , Cheng Kun , Zhuang Ran , Bian Ka
Published: September 2024

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease in which CD4+ T cell dysregulation occurs. Here, we investigated the molecular role and clinical significance of CD226, a costimulatory molecule of T lymphocytes, in the development of allergic asthma. Our results revealed that the expression of CD226 was significantly increased in CD4+ effector T cells, especially in T helper (Th) 2 cells and Th17 cells in patients with asthma. Moreover, CD4+ T cell-specific Cd226-knockout mice were generated and together with littermates were challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) to establish a model of allergic asthma. We found that CD226 deficiency in CD4+ T cells mitigated lung inflammation, IgE production, and eosinophil infiltration and reduced airway remodeling in experimental allergic asthma. However, the impact of CD226 on asthma was independent of Treg cell modulation. Through RNA-seq data analysis, the apoptosis pathway was screened. Mechanistically, CD226 deletion promoted CD4+ T cell late apoptosis via the activation of Caspase-3 in an Akt-dependent manner. Furthermore, blocking CD226 signaling with a recombinant fusion protein attenuated asthma features in mice and achieved a good therapeutic effect. Overall, this study revealed a unique role of CD226 in CD4+ T cell regulation in asthma pathogenesis. Therefore, targeting CD226 may provide new insights into the clinical treatment of asthma.
Cholesterol inhibition enhances antitumor response of gilteritinib in lung cancer cells
Authors: Sun Chao-Yue , Cao Di , Wang Yue-Ning , Weng Nuo-Qing , Ren Qian-Nan , Wang Shuo-Cheng , Zhang Mei-Yin , Mai Shi-Juan , Wang Hui-Yun
Published: September 2024

Repositioning approved antitumor drugs for different cancers is a cost-effective approach. Gilteritinib was FDA-approved for the treatment of FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia in 2018. However, the therapeutic effects and mechanism of Gilteritinib on other malignancies remain to be defined. In this study, we identified that gilteritinib has an inhibitory effect on lung cancer cells (LCCs) without FLT3 mutation in vitro and in vivo. Unexpectedly, we found that gilteritinib induces cholesterol accumulation in LCCs via upregulating cholesterol biosynthetic genes and inhibiting cholesterol efflux. This gilteritinib-induced cholesterol accumulation not only attenuates the antitumor effect of gilteritinib but also induces gilteritinib-resistance in LCCs. However, when cholesterol synthesis was prevented by squalene epoxidase (SQLE) inhibitor NB-598, both LCCs and gilteritinib-resistant LCCs became sensitive to gilteritinib. More importantly, the natural cholesterol inhibitor 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) can suppress cholesterol biosynthesis and increase cholesterol efflux in LCCs. Consequently, 25HC treatment significantly increases the cytotoxicity of gilteritinib on LCCs, which can be rescued by the addition of exogenous cholesterol. In a xenograft model, the combination of gilteritinib and 25HC showed significantly better efficacy than either monotherapy in suppressing lung cancer growth, without obvious general toxicity. Thus, our findings identify an increase in cholesterol induced by gilteritinib as a mechanism for LCC survival, and highlight the potential of combining gilteritinib with cholesterol-lowering drugs to treat lung cancer.
CRISPR/Cas9 editing of NKG2A improves the efficacy of primary CD33-directed chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cells
Authors: Bexte Tobias , Albinger Nawid , Al Ajami Ahmad , Wendel Philipp , Buchinger Leon , Gessner Alec , Alzubi Jamal , Särchen Vinzenz , Vogler Meike , Rasheed Hadeer Mohamed , Jung Beate Anahita , Wolf Sebastian , Bhayadia Raj , Oellerich Thomas , Klusmann Jan-Henning , Penack Olaf , Möker Nina , Cathomen Toni , Rieger Michael A. , Imkeller Katharina , Ullrich Evelyn
Published: September 2024

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified natural killer (NK) cells show antileukemic activity against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in vivo. However, NK cell-mediated tumor killing is often impaired by the interaction between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E and the inhibitory receptor, NKG2A. Here, we describe a strategy that overcomes CAR-NK cell inhibition mediated by the HLA-E-NKG2A immune checkpoint. We generate CD33-specific, AML-targeted CAR-NK cells (CAR33) combined with CRISPR/Cas9-based gene disruption of the NKG2A-encoding KLRC1 gene. Using single-cell multi-omics analyses, we identified transcriptional features of activation and maturation in CAR33-KLRC1ko-NK cells, which are preserved following exposure to AML cells. Moreover, CAR33-KLRC1ko-NK cells demonstrate potent antileukemic killing activity against AML cell lines and primary blasts in vitro and in vivo. We thus conclude that NKG2A-deficient CAR-NK cells have the potential to bypass immune suppression in AML.
Contrasting genomic epidemiology between sympatric Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax populations
Authors: Schwabl Philipp , Camponovo Flavia , Clementson Collette , Early Angela M. , Laws Margaret , Forero-Peña David A. , Noya Oscar , Grillet María Eugenia , Vanhove Mathieu , Anthony Frank , James Kashana , Singh Narine , Cox Horace , Niles-Robin Reza , Buckee Caroline O. , Neafsey Daniel E.
Published: September 2024

The malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax differ in key biological processes and associated clinical effects, but consequences on population-level transmission dynamics are difficult to predict. This co-endemic malaria study from Guyana details important epidemiological contrasts between the species by coupling population genomics (1396 spatiotemporally matched parasite genomes, primarily from 2020–21) with sociodemographic analysis (nationwide patient census from 2019). We describe how P. falciparum forms large, interrelated subpopulations that sporadically expand but generally exhibit restrained dispersal, whereby spatial distance and patient travel statistics predict parasite identity-by-descent (IBD). Case bias towards working-age adults is also strongly pronounced. P. vivax exhibits 46% higher average nucleotide diversity (π) and 6.5x lower average IBD. It occupies a wider geographic range, without evidence for outbreak-like expansions, only microgeographic patterns of isolation-by-distance, and weaker case bias towards adults. Possible latency-relapse effects also manifest in various analyses. For example, 11.0% of patients diagnosed with P. vivax in Greater Georgetown report no recent travel to endemic zones, and P. vivax clones recur in 11 of 46 patients incidentally sampled twice during the study. Polyclonality rate is also 2.1x higher than in P. falciparum, does not trend positively with estimated incidence, and correlates uniquely to selected demographics. We discuss possible underlying mechanisms and implications for malaria control.
Universal correlation between H-linear magnetoresistance and T-linear resistivity in high-temperature superconductors
Authors: Ayres J. , Berben M. , Duffy C. , Hinlopen R. D. H. , Hsu Y.-T. , Cuoghi A. , Leroux M. , Gilmutdinov I. , Massoudzadegan M. , Vignolles D. , Huang Y. , Kondo T. , Takeuchi T. , Friedemann S. , Carrington A. , Proust C. , Hussey N. E.
Published: September 2024

The signature feature of the ‘strange metal’ state of high-Tc cuprates—its linear-in-temperature resistivity—has a coefficient α1 that correlates with Tc, as expected were α1 derived from scattering off the same bosonic fluctuations that mediate pairing. Recently, an anomalous linear-in-field magnetoresistance (=γ1H) has also been observed, but only over a narrow doping range, leaving its relation to the strange metal state and to the superconductivity unclear. Here, we report in-plane magnetoresistance measurements on three hole-doped cuprate families spanning a wide range of temperatures, magnetic field strengths and doping. In contrast to expectations from Boltzmann transport theory, γ1 is found to correlate universally with α1. A phenomenological model incorporating real-space inhomogeneity is proposed to explain this correlation. Within this picture, superconductivity in hole-doped cuprates is governed not by the strength of quasiparticle interactions with a bosonic bath, but by the concentration of strange metallic carriers.
The co-occurrence of genetic variants in the TYR and OCA2 genes confers susceptibility to albinism
Authors: Green David J. , Michaud Vincent , Lasseaux Eulalie , Plaisant Claudio ,   UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium, Fitzgerald Tomas , Birney Ewan , Black Graeme C. , Arveiler Benoît , Sergouniotis Panagiotis I.
Published: September 2024

Although rare genetic conditions are mostly caused by DNA sequence alterations that functionally disrupt individual genes, large-scale studies using genome sequencing have started to unmask additional complexity. Understanding how combinations of variants in different genes shape human phenotypes is expected to provide important insights into the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of rare disorders. Here, we use albinism, an archetypal rare condition associated with hypopigmentation, as an exemplar for the study of genetic interactions. We analyse data from the Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project alongside a cohort of 1120 individuals with albinism, and investigate the effect of dual heterozygosity for the combination of two established albinism-related variants: TYR:c.1205 G > A (p.Arg402Gln) [rs1126809] and OCA2:c.1327 G > A (p.Val443Ile) [rs74653330]. As each of these changes alone is insufficient to cause disease when present in the heterozygous state, we sought evidence of synergistic effects. We show that, when both variants are present, the probability of receiving a diagnosis of albinism is significantly increased (odds ratio 12.8; 95% confidence interval 6.0 – 24.7; p-value 2.1 ×10−8). Further analyses in an independent cohort, the UK Biobank, support this finding and highlight that heterozygosity for the TYR:c.1205 G > A and OCA2:c.1327 G > A variant combination is associated with statistically significant alterations in visual acuity and central retinal thickness (traits that are considered albinism endophenotypes). The approach discussed in this report opens up new avenues for the investigation of oligogenic patterns in apparently Mendelian disorders.
Direct electrosynthesis and separation of ammonia and chlorine from waste streams via a stacked membrane-free electrolyzer
Authors: Gao Jianan , Ma Qingquan , Wang Zhiwei , Rittmann Bruce E. , Zhang Wen
Published: September 2024

Electrosynthesis, a viable path to decarbonize the chemical industry, has been harnessed to generate valuable chemicals under ambient conditions. Here, we present a membrane-free flow electrolyzer for paired electrocatalytic upcycling of nitrate (NO3−) and chloride (Cl−) to ammonia (NH3) and chlorine (Cl2) gases by utilizing waste streams as substitutes for traditional electrolytes. The electrolyzer concurrently couples electrosynthesis and gaseous-product separation, which minimizes the undesired redox reaction between NH3 and Cl2 and thus prevents products loss. Using a three-stacked-modules electrolyzer system, we efficiently processed a reverse osmosis retentate waste stream. This yielded high concentrations of (NH4)2SO4 (83.8 mM) and NaClO (243.4 mM) at an electrical cost of 7.1 kWh per kilogram of solid products, while residual NH3/NH4+ (0.3 mM), NO2− (0.2 mM), and Cl2/HClO/ClO− (0.1 mM) pollutants in the waste stream could meet the wastewater discharge regulations for nitrogen- and chlorine-species. This study underscores the value of pairing appropriate half-reactions, utilizing waste streams to replace traditional electrolytes, and merging product synthesis with separation to refine electrosynthesis platforms.
Absolute quantitative and base-resolution sequencing reveals comprehensive landscape of pseudouridine across the human transcriptome
Authors: Xu Haiqi , Kong Linzhen , Cheng Jingfei , Al Moussawi Khatoun , Chen Xiufei , Iqbal Aleema , Wing Peter A. C. , Harris James M. , Tsukuda Senko , Embarc-Buh Azman , Wei Guifeng , Castello Alfredo , Kriaucionis Skirmantas , McKeating Jane A. , Lu Xin , Song Chun-Xiao
Published: September 2024

Pseudouridine (Ψ) is one of the most abundant modifications in cellular RNA. However, its function remains elusive, mainly due to the lack of highly sensitive and accurate detection methods. Here, we introduced 2-bromoacrylamide-assisted cyclization sequencing (BACS), which enables Ψ-to-C transitions, for quantitative profiling of Ψ at single-base resolution. BACS allowed the precise identification of Ψ positions, especially in densely modified Ψ regions and consecutive uridine sequences. BACS detected all known Ψ sites in human rRNA and spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs and generated the quantitative Ψ map of human small nucleolar RNA and tRNA. Furthermore, BACS simultaneously detected adenosine-to-inosine editing sites and N1-methyladenosine. Depletion of pseudouridine synthases TRUB1, PUS7 and PUS1 elucidated their targets and sequence motifs. We further identified a highly abundant Ψ114 site in Epstein–Barr virus-encoded small RNA EBER2. Surprisingly, applying BACS to a panel of RNA viruses demonstrated the absence of Ψ in their viral transcripts or genomes, shedding light on differences in pseudouridylation across virus families.
Management of adult focal nasolacrimal duct stenosis: long-term outcomes of 3D CT-DCG-assisted and endoscopically guided coronary catheter balloon dacryoplasty
Authors: Nowak-Gospodarowicz Izabela , Nowak Rafał , Kinasz Michal , Kicinska Aleksandra Kinga , Rękas Marek , Ali Mohammad Javed
Published: September 2024

The purpose was to evaluate the use of 3D CT-DCG-assisted and endoscopically guided coronary catheter balloon dacryoplasty (CC-BDCP) in adults with focal stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) and report their long-term outcomes. A prospective, non-randomized, single-center clinical study was performed, and the patients underwent endoscopy-guided CC-BDCP using percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloon catheters. 25 patients were enrolled in the study. The CC-BDCP procedure was performed in 21 of 25 (84%) patients, and the remaining 4 (16%) patients had significant procedural difficulties due to unfavorable anatomical conditions. Of the 21 patients, 10 (47.6%) were procedurally assessed as “easy” (eCC-BDCP) and in 11 (52.4%) as procedurally “difficult” (dCC-BDCP). Values on Munk's epiphora intensity scale changed overall from 4.0 preoperatively to 1.4 ± 1.6 (p = 0.00001) postoperatively overall. FDDT changed overall from 2.9 ± 0.3 to 1.1 ± 1.2 after treatment (p = 0.00008) (from 2.8 ± 0.4 to 0.3 ± 0.6 in the eCC-BDCP group and from 2.9 ± 0.3 to 1.4 ± 1.2 in the dCC-BDCP group (p = 0.01352). The anatomical and functional success rate was 77% overall, 90% in the eCC-BDCP group, and 64% in the dCC-BDCP group. The CC-BDCP led to a statistically significant decrease in epiphora in a particular group of adult patients with demonstrable focal stenosis of the NLD.
Disquisition on convergence, stability, and data dependence for a new fast iterative process
Authors: Murali A. , Muthunagai K.
Published: September 2024

This paper introduces a novel fast iterative process designed for approximating fixed points of contraction and weak contraction mappings. The study presents strong convergence results for this newly proposed iterative process, and proving its efficiency. Analytical and numerical evidences are provided to establish that the proposed iterative method converges more rapidly than several existing processes. Furthermore, stability results and dependence analysis are presented for the newly developed iterative process, enhancing its practical applicability and robustness.
Individual and joint exposure to air pollutants and patterns of multiple chronic conditions
Authors: Dai Weifang , Xu Weina , Zhou Jiayu , Liu Shanna , Zhou Qingli
Published: September 2024

Existing research on the detrimental effects of air pollution and its mixture on multiple chronic conditions (MCC) is not yet fully recognized. Our objective was to examine if individual and joint exposure to air pollution is associated with the incidence and patterns of MCC. Totally 10,231 CHARLS 2015 participants aged over 45 years and 1,938 without MCC were followed up in 2018 and 2020. Residential-levelcumulative personal exposure concentrations of PM1, PM10, PM2.5, CO, O3, NO2, SO2, NO3−, Cl−, NH4+, and SO42− at the residential level were determined utilizing a spatio-temporal random forest model with a spatial resolution of 0.1° × 0.1°. In the cross-sectional and longitudinal research, logistic regression, cox regression analysis, and quantile g-computation were utilized to estimate the single and joint effect with MCC and its patterns, respectively. Interaction analyses and stratified analyses were also performed. A correlation was observed between the prevalence of cardiovascular illnesses and the presence of all 11 major air pollutants. PM2.5, PM10, NH4+, NO3−, CO, and SO42− are associated with an increased frequency of respiratory disorders. An increase of PM2.5, PM1, PM10, NO2, and SO2 (a 10 µg/m3 rise), CO (a 0.1 mg/m3 rise), and PMCs (Cl−, NH4+, NO3−, and SO42−) (a 1 µg/m3 rise) corresponded to the HRs (95% CI) for developing MCC of 1.194 (95% CI: 1.043, 1.367), 1.362 (95% CI: 1.073, 1.728), 1.115 (95% CI: 1.026, 1.212), 1.443 (95% CI: 1.151, 1.808), 3.175 (95% CI: 2.291, 4.401), 1.272 (95% CI: 1.149,1.410), 1.382 (95% CI: 1.011, 1.888), 1.107 (95% CI: 1.003, 1.222), 1.035 (95% CI: 0.984, 1.088), and 1.122 (95% CI: 1.086, 1.160), respectively. SO2 was the predominant contributor to the combined effect (HR: 2.083, 95% CI: 1.659–2.508). Gender, age, drinking, and health status could modify the effects of air pollutants on MCC patterns. Long-term exposure to air pollution is correlated to the incidence and patterns of MCC in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals. Preventive methods are essential to safeguarding those susceptible to MCC.
Spared ulnar nerve injury results in increased layer III–VI excitability in the pig somatosensory cortex
Authors: Meijs Suzan , Hayward Andrew J. , Gomes Nørgaard Dos Santos Nielsen Thomas , Reidies Bjarkam Carsten , Jensen Winnie
Published: September 2024

This study describes cortical recordings in a large animal nerve injury model. We investigated differences in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) hyperexcitability when stimulating injured and uninjured nerves and how different cortical layers contribute to S1 hyperexcitability after spared ulnar nerve injury. We used a multielectrode array to record single-neuron activity in the S1 of ten female Danish landrace pigs. Electrical stimulation of the injured and uninjured nerve evoked brain activity up to 3 h after injury. The peak amplitude and latency of early and late peristimulus time histogram responses were extracted for statistical analysis. Histological investigations determined the layer of the cortex in which each electrode contact was placed. Nerve injury increased the early peak amplitude compared with that of the control group. This difference was significant immediately after nerve injury when the uninjured nerve was stimulated, while it was delayed for the injured nerve. The amplitude of the early peak was increased in layers III–VI after nerve injury compared with the control. In layer III, S1 excitability was also increased compared with preinjury for the early peak. Furthermore, the late peak was significantly larger in layer III than in the other layers in the intervention and control group before and after injury. Thus, the most prominent increase in excitability occurred in layer III, which is responsible for the gain modulation of cortical output through layer V. Therefore, layer III neurons seem to have an important role in altered brain excitability after nerve injury.
Cancer cell-intrinsic biosynthesis of itaconate promotes tumor immunogenicity
Authors: Wang Zining , Cui Lei , Lin Yanxun , Huo Bitao , Zhang Hongxia , Xie Chunyuan , Zhang Huanling , Liu Yongxiang , Jin Huan , Guo Hui , Li Mengyun , Wang Xiaojuan , Zhou Penghui , Huang Peng , Liu Jinyun , Xia Xiaojun
Published: September 2024

The Krebs cycle byproduct itaconate has recently emerged as an important metabolite regulating macrophage immune functions, but its role in tumor cells remains unknown. Here, we show that increased tumor-intrinsic cis-aconitate decarboxylase (ACOD1 or CAD, encoded by immune-responsive gene 1, Irg1) expression and itaconate production promote tumor immunogenicity and anti-tumor immune responses. Furthermore, we identify thimerosal, a vaccine preservative, as a specific inducer of IRG1 expression in tumor cells but not in macrophages, thereby enhancing tumor immunogenicity. Mechanistically, thimerosal induces itaconate production through a ROS-RIPK3-IRF1 signaling axis in tumor cells. Further, increased IRG1/itaconate upregulates antigen presentation-related gene expression via promoting TFEB nuclear translocation. Intratumoral injection of thimerosal induced itaconate production, activated the tumor immune microenvironment, and inhibited tumor growth in a T cell-dependent manner. Importantly, IRG1 deficiency markedly impaired tumor response to thimerosal treatment. Furthermore, itaconate induction by thimerosal potentiates the anti-tumor efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapy and anti-PD1 therapy in a mouse lymphoma model. Hence, our findings identify a new role for tumor intrinsic IRG1/itaconate in promoting tumor immunogenicity and provide a translational means to increase immunotherapy efficacy.
p21 regulates expression of ECM components and promotes pulmonary fibrosis via CDK4 and Rb
Authors: Papismadov Nurit , Levi Naama , Roitman Lior , Agrawal Amit , Ovadya Yossi , Cherqui Ulysse , Yosef Reut , Akiva Hagay , Gal Hilah , Krizhanovsky Valery
Published: September 2024

Fibrosis and accumulation of senescent cells are common tissue changes associated with aging. Here, we show that the CDK inhibitor p21 (CDKN1A), known to regulate the cell cycle and the viability of senescent cells, also controls the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in senescent and proliferating cells of the fibrotic lung, in a manner dependent on CDK4 and Rb phosphorylation. p21 knockout protects mice from the induction of lung fibrosis. Moreover, inducible p21 silencing during fibrosis development alleviates disease pathology, decreasing the inflammatory response and ECM accumulation in the lung, and reducing the amount of senescent cells. Furthermore, p21 silencing limits fibrosis progression even when introduced during disease development. These findings show that one common mechanism regulates both cell cycle progression and expression of ECM components, and suggest that targeting p21 might be a new approach for treating age-related fibrotic pathologies.
Porosity dominates over microgel stiffness for promoting chondrogenesis in zwitterionic granular hydrogels
Authors: Asadikorayem Maryam , Brunel Lucia G. , Weber Patrick , Heilshorn Sarah C. , Zenobi-Wong Marcy
Published: September 2024

A zwitterionic granular hydrogel with tunable porosity and microgel stiffness is used for cartilage tissue engineering. This chemically-defined biomaterial provides a versatile platform for investigation and optimization of scaffold parameters.
Electrical stimulation and conductive materials: electrophysiology-based treatment for spinal cord injury
Authors: Guo Jing , Cao Jian , Wu Jiahe , Gao Jianqing
Published: September 2024

Due to the importance of electrophysiology, this review outlines the common electrophysiological evaluation methods and summarizes the recent progress of treatment in spinal cord injury with electrophysiological improvement as a clue.
Differences in phytoplankton population vulnerability in response to chemical activity of mixtures
Authors: Oliveira dos Anjos Talles Bruno , Nham Quyen , Abel Sebastian , Lindehoff Elin , Bradshaw Clare , Sobek Anna
Published: September 2024

A chemical mixture caused diverse responses across five phytoplankton species. Analysis of lipid profiles and changes in neutral lipid content enhanced our understanding of the vulnerability of phytoplankton populations to chemical pollution.
Deep insights into the mechanism of isorhamnetin's anti-motion sickness effect based on photoshoproteomics
Authors: Zhao Li , Zhao Yanyan , Kong Xiaoran , Huang He , Hao Limin , Wang Ting , Shi Yanling , Zhu Jiaqing , Lu Jike
Published: September 2024

ISO exhibited a remarkable anti-motion sickness effect by regulating glutamatergic synapses and the downstream NMDAR1/CaMKII/CREB signaling pathway!.
The support effect on the performance of a MOF-derived Co-based nano-catalyst in Fischer Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Safari Yazd Masoud , Motahari Sirous , Rahimpour Mohammad Reza , Froud Moorjani Sadegh , Sobhani Bazghaleh Farshid
Published: September 2024

The catalyst plays a central role in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) process, and the choice of catalyst support significantly impacts FTS catalyst performance by enhancing its attributes.
Coupling of two-dimensional MXenes and graphene for boosting the hydrogen storage performance of MgH2
Authors: Sun Lei , Sun Rong , Liu Jianjun , Zhu Mengzhou , Zhang Xiaoqin , Guo Dongliang , Yin Kangyong , Zhuang Zhiyun , Zhu Xueqiong , Xiao Peng
Published: September 2024

MgH2 used in solid-state hydrogen storage still suffers from high thermal stability and slow hydrogen absorption–desorption kinetics.
Photo-induced microfluidic production of ultrasmall platinum nanoparticles
Authors: Marelli Marcello , Perez Schmidt Patricia , Nguyen Xuan Trung , Pitzalis Emanuela , Poggini Lorenzo , Ragona Laura , Pagano Katiuscia , Aronica Laura Antonella , Polito Laura , Evangelisti Claudio
Published: September 2024

Here, we describe the synthesis of ultrasmall Pt nanoparticles (NPs) obtained by a robust and reliable microfluidic protocol that exploits the UV photoreduction of a platinum salt precursor.
Applications of nanotheranostics in the second near-infrared window in bioimaging and cancer treatment
Authors: Li Huimin , Li Pengju , Zhang Jiarui , Lin Ziyi , Bai Lintao , Shen Heyun
Published: September 2024

This review summarized the application of the second near-infrared nano-platform in the field of nano-agents design, optical imaging and cancer treatment, aiming at providing profound insights into its development status and future challenges.
Regioselective tungsten-catalyzed decarboxylative amination of allylic alcohols with isocyanates
Authors: Xu Wenbin
Published: September 2024

Under the catalysis of tungsten, allylic carbamates, which are generated in situ from allylic alcohols and isocyanates, can afford branched allylic amines in moderate to good yields with excellent regioselectivities.
Optimal balance: alkali metal-doped boron carbide nanosheets achieve superior stability and nonlinear optical responsiveness
Authors: Yaqoob Junaid , AlMohamadi Hamad , Khan Asim Laeeq , Yasin Muhammad , Mahmood Tariq , Ayub Khurshid , Anwar Farooq , Joya Khurram Saleem , Gilani Mazhar Amjad
Published: September 2024

Nonlinear optical (NLO) materials play a vital role in various technological domains, including optoelectronics and photonic devices.
Study on the imbibition production mechanism and main controlling factors of low-permeability reservoir
Authors: Yong-wei Zhang , Chang-hua Yang
Published: September 2024

With high water cuts and high permeability reservoirs entering the middle and late stage, many old oil fields in China are facing the dilemma of oil and gas resource exhaustion, while low-permeability reservoir resources remain very rich.
Enhancement of tribological performance of lubricants using polydimethylsiloxane powder additives
Authors: Lee Sung-Jun , Segu Dawit Zenebe , Kim Chang-Lae
Published: September 2024

This study explored the potential enhancement of lubrication performance by incorporating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) powder as a lubricant additive.