bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term physical health conditions and youth anxiety and depression: Is there a causal link?
Authors: Shakeshaft Amy , Mundy Jessica R. , Pedersen Emil M. , Dennison Charlotte A. , Riglin Lucy , Bragantini Daniela , Corfield Elizabeth C. , Thapar Ajay K. , Andreassen Ole A. , Stergiakouli Evie , Davey Smith George , Hannigan Laurie , Musliner Katherine L. , Havdahl Alexandra , Thapar Anita
Published: February 2025

Background

The prevalence of youth anxiety and depression has increased globally, with limited causal explanations. Long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) affect 20–40% of youth, with rates also rising. LTCs are associated with higher rates of youth depression and anxiety; however, it is uncertain whether observed associations are causal or explained by unmeasured confounding or reverse causation.

Methods

Using data from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and Norwegian National Patient Registry, we investigated phenotypic associations between childhood LTCs, and depression and anxiety diagnoses in youth (<19 years), defined using ICD-10 diagnoses and self-rated measures. We then conducted two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses using SNPs associated with childhood LTCs from existing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as instrumental variables. Outcomes were: (i) diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders or elevated symptoms in MoBa, and (ii) youth-onset MDD using summary statistics from a GWAS in iPSYCH2015 cohort.

Results

Having any childhood LTC phenotype was associated with elevated youth MDD (OR = 1.48 [95% CIs 1.19, 1.85], p = 4.2×10−4) and anxiety disorder risk (OR = 1.44 [1.20, 1.73], p = 7.9×10−5). Observational and MR analyses in MoBa were consistent with a causal relationship between migraine and depression (IVW OR = 1.38 [1.19, 1.60], pFDR = 1.8x10−4). MR analyses using iPSYCH2015 did not support a causal link between LTC genetic liabilities and youth-onset depression or in the reverse direction.

Conclusions

Childhood LTCs are associated with depression and anxiety in youth, however, little evidence of causation between LTCs genetic liability and youth depression/anxiety was identified from MR analyses, except for migraine.
Optimal dose and pattern of physical activity to prevent diagnosed depression: prospective cohort study
Authors: Andersen Lars Louis , López-Bueno Rubén , Kandola Aaron , Núñez-Cortés Rodrigo , López-Bueno Laura , Calatayud Joaquín
Published: February 2025

Background

Little is known about the dose and pattern of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to prevent depression. We aimed to assess the prospective association of dose and pattern of accelerometer-derived MVPA with the risk of diagnosed depression.

Methods

We included 74,715 adults aged 40–69 years from the UK Biobank cohort who were free of severe disease at baseline and participated in accelerometer measurements (mean age 55.2 years [SD 7.8]; 58% women). MVPA at baseline was derived through 1-week wrist-worn accelerometry. Diagnosed depression was defined by hospitalization with ICD-10 codes F32.0-F32.A. Restricted cubic splines and Cox regression determined the prospective association of dose and pattern of MVPA with the risk of incident depression.

Results

Over a median 7.9-year follow-up, there were 3,089 (4.1%) incident cases of depression. Higher doses of MVPA were curvilinearly associated with lower depression risk, with the largest minute-per-minute added benefits occurring between 5 (HR 0.99 [95% CI 0.96–0.99]) and 280 (HR 0.67 [95% CI 0.60–0.74]) minutes per week (reference: 0 MVPA minutes).

Conclusion

Regardless of pattern, higher doses of MVPA were associated with lower depression risk in a curvilinear manner, with the greatest incremental benefit per minute occurring during the first 4–5 h per week. Optimal benefits occurred around 15 h/week.
A longitudinal investigation of the relationship between dimensional psychopathology, gray matter structure, and dementia status in older adulthood
Authors: Hoy Nicholas , Waszczuk Monika , Sunderland Matthew , Lynch Samantha J. , Sachdev Perminder S. , Brodaty Henry , Reppermund Simone , Mewton Louise
Published: February 2025

Background

The structure of psychopathology can be organized hierarchically into a set of transdiagnostic dimensional phenotypes. No studies have examined whether these phenotypes are associated with brain structure or dementia in older adults.

Methods

Data were drawn from a longitudinal study of older adults aged 70–90 years at baseline (N = 1072; 44.8% male). Confirmatory factor models were fit to baseline psychiatric symptoms, with model fit assessed via traditional fit indices, model-based reliability estimates, and evaluation of model parameters. Bayesian plausible values were generated from the best-fitting model for use in subsequent analyses. Linear mixed models examined intraindividual change in global and regional gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness over 6 years. Logistic regression examined whether symptom dimensions predicted incident dementia over 12 years.

Results

A higher-order model showed a good fit to the data (BIC = 28,691.85; ssaBIC = 28,396.47; CFI = 0.926; TLI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.047), including a general factor and lower-order dimensions of internalizing, disinhibited externalizing, and substance use. Baseline symptom dimensions did not predict change over time in total cortical and subcortical GMV or average cortical thickness; regional GMV or cortical thickness in the frontal, parietal, temporal, or occipital lobes; or regional GMV in the hippocampus and cerebellum (all p-values >0.5). Finally, baseline symptom dimensions did not predict incident dementia across follow-ups (all p-values >0.5).

Conclusions

We found no evidence that transdiagnostic dimensions are associated with gray matter structure or dementia in older adults. Future research should examine these relationships using psychiatric indicators capturing past history of chronic mental illness rather than current symptoms.
Bilingual Toddlers’ Vocabulary Growth Interacts with Existing Knowledge and Cross-Linguistic Similarity
Authors: Siow Serene , Lepadatu Irina , Gillen Nicola A. , Plunkett Kim
Published: February 2025

We explored whether bilingual toddlers make use of semantic and phonological overlap between their languages to learn new words. We analysed cross-sectional and longitudinal CDI data on the words understood and produced by 1.0 to 3.0-year-old bilingual toddlers with English and one additional language. Cognates were more likely to be understood and produced compared to non-cognates. Cognate effects were modulated by whether the toddler knew the translation equivalent in the other language, highlighting that young learners are sensitive to the similarities across their languages. Additionally, exploratory analyses suggest that children with smaller vocabularies rely more on translation equivalents to support the acquisition of difficult words. Children with larger vocabulary sizes exhibited no preference for translation equivalents in comprehension, and a preference for new concepts in production. The rapid acceleration of vocabulary growth in the second year of life may explain this developmental change in translation equivalent preference.
Do beetles indicate more predators and fewer pests in Lao PDR organic farms?
Authors: Chouangthavy Bounsanong , Fourcade Yoan
Published: February 2025

Agricultural intensification has led to significant species losses and has been associated with a decline in ecosystem services provided by insects. In Asia, particularly in Lao PDR (Southeast Asia), biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices such as the production of organic crops have been promoted to address these challenges, although intensification has continued. In this study, we examined beetle community composition in three organic farms (using, for example, manure and compost and not employing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides) and three conventional farms (using, for example, synthetic fertilizers and insecticides) in Vientiane (Lao PDR). Our results indicate that total beetle abundance was similar between farm types, while species richness was greater, predators were over 18 times more abundant and insect pests were 9 times less abundant in organic compared to conventional farms. These findings can inform government organic farming policy in Lao PDR and the promotion of sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia generally.
Automated generation of floor plans with minimum bends
Authors: Pinki  , Shekhawat Krishnendra , Lal Akshat
Published: February 2025

The generation of floor plan layouts has been extensively studied in recent years, driven by the need for efficient and functional architectural designs. Despite significant advancements, existing methods often face limitations when dealing with specific input adjacency graphs or room shapes and boundary layouts. When adjacency graphs contain separating triangles, the floor plan must include rectilinear rooms (non-rectangular rooms with concave corners). From a design perspective, minimizing corners or bends in rooms is crucial for functionality and aesthetics. In this article, we present a Python-based application called G-Drawer for automatically generating floor plans with a minimum number of bends. G-Drawer takes any plane triangulated graph as an input and outputs a floor plan layout with minimum bends. It prioritizes generating a rectangular floor plan (RFP); if an RFP is not feasible, it then generates an orthogonal floor plan or an irregular floor plan. G-Drawer modifies orthogonal drawing techniques based on flow networks and applies them on the dual graph of a given PTG to generate the required floor plans. The results of this article demonstrate the efficacy of G-Drawer in creating efficient floor plans. However, in future, we need to work on generating multiple dimensioned floor plans having non-rectangular rooms as well as non-rectangular boundary. These enhancements will address both mathematical and architectural challenges, advancing the automated generation of floor plans toward more practical and versatile applications.
Satisfiability thresholds for regular occupation problems
Authors: Panagiotou Konstantinos , Pasch Matija
Published: February 2025

In the last two decades the study of random instances of constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs) has flourished across several disciplines, including computer science, mathematics and physics. The diversity of the developed methods, on the rigorous and non-rigorous side, has led to major advances regarding both the theoretical as well as the applied viewpoints. Based on a ceteris paribus approach in terms of the density evolution equations known from statistical physics, we focus on a specific prominent class of regular CSPs, the so-called occupation problems, and in particular on

$r$

-in-

$k$

occupation problems. By now, out of these CSPs only the satisfiability threshold – the largest degree for which the problem admits asymptotically a solution – for the

$1$

-in-

$k$

occupation problem has been rigorously established. Here we determine the satisfiability threshold of the

$2$

-in-

$k$

occupation problem for all

$k$

. In the proof we exploit the connection of an associated optimization problem regarding the overlap of satisfying assignments to a fixed point problem inspired by belief propagation, a message passing algorithm developed for solving such CSPs.
Criminal Communication: Public Representations, Repertoires, and Regimes of Criminal Governance
Authors: Johnson Philip Luke
Published: February 2025

Criminal actors are widely assumed to maintain a low profile, exerting power through coercion and clandestine networks. Scholarship addressing public action by criminal actors focuses largely on visible violence. However, an ample empirical record demonstrates that criminal actors also communicate publicly to broad audiences. To better understand this practice, my study focuses on campaigns of narco-messaging in Mexico. I ask: how do criminal actors represent themselves when they speak publicly? How does such self-portrayal interact with other practices of criminal governance and control? I identify three patterns of self-representation: Ruler of territory, Scourge of enemies, and Guardian of people. Overall, public communication expands the repertoires of criminal actors, offering ways to modify public perceptions of better-known practices such as costly signaling through violence. Different representations are deployed strategically in the contexts of establishing regimes of governance, maintaining regimes, and fighting criminal wars.
Laboratory Acoustic Emissions Reveal Stress Rotation From Preparation Processes Toward Fault Slip on Varying Surface Roughness in Granular Materials
Authors: Song Jiefang , Wang Lei , Dresen Georg , Martínez‐Garzón Patricia , Vavryčuk Václav , Bohnhoff Marco , Lu Caiping , Kwiatek Grzegorz
Published: February 2025

We investigate the influence of fault roughness on physical damage prior to large laboratory rock failure and the evolution of the local stress field surrounding the fault zone as macroscopic shear slip approaches. To achieve this, we analyze acoustic emission (AE) data from displacement‐driven rock friction experiments conducted on porous sandstone samples containing either a saw‐cut (smooth) or a rough fault. Using high‐quality AE‐derived focal mechanisms and two stress tensor inversion approaches–one considering double‐couple (DC) components and the other one incorporating non‐DC components, we examine the temporal evolution of the local stress tensor for both smooth and rough faults. Our results show no significant differences between the two stress inversion methods, indicating that non‐DC components have no significant influence on the resulting stress tensors in our experiments. As macroscopic shear slip approaches, the principal stress axes surrounding the fault zone gradually rotate, regardless of the initial fault roughness. The observed evolution of stress tensors correlates with the evolving partitioning between volumetric and shear deformation, as derived from moment tensor inversion of AEs. Compared to the smooth fault, the rough fault exhibits higher local stress heterogeneity and more erratic fluctuations in AE source‐related parameters as loading progresses.
Clouds Are Crucial to Capture Antarctic Sea Ice Variability
Authors: Cesana Grégory V. , Roach Lettie A. , Blanchard‐Wrigglesworth Edward
Published: February 2025

Models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) typically struggle to reproduce observed Antarctic sea ice trends, a bias that is substantially alleviated when constraining winds. We use wind‐nudged simulations from two CMIP models to investigate the influence of clouds on sea ice area (SIA). We find that nudging model winds in coupled simulations toward reanalysis, in addition to improving SIA variability, is crucial to reproduce realistic anomalies in cloud radiative effect (CRE) and cloud cover. Biases in the variability of cloud properties at sea ice edge—characterized by CRE anomalies—help explain the remaining discrepancies between simulated and observed SIA; a bias of 1  in the CRE anomaly corresponds to a negative bias of 0.43  in SIA anomaly. Finally, we find that most CMIP6 models show positive trends in CRE anomaly biases, which should contribute to enhanced SIA decline, a long‐standing bias in CMIP models.
Pan-caspase inhibitors induce secretion of HIV-1 latency reversal agent lymphotoxin-alpha from cytokine-primed NK cells
Authors: Hajikhezri Zamaneh , Zygouras Ioannis , Sönnerborg Anders , van Domselaar Robert
Published: February 2025

The persistence of HIV-1 latency reservoirs in CD4+ T cells is a significant obstacle for curing HIV-1. Shock-and-kill strategies, which aim to reactivate latent HIV-1 followed by cytotoxic clearance, have shown limited success in vivo due to insufficient efficacy of latency reversal agents (LRAs) and off-target effects. Natural killer (NK) cells, with their ability to mediate cytotoxicity independent of antigen specificity, offer a promising avenue for enhancing the shock-and-kill approach. Previously, we observed that pan-caspase inhibitors induce NK cells to secrete an LRA in vitro. Here, we aimed to identify this LRA using a targeted proteomic approach. We identified lymphotoxin-α (LTα) as the key LRA secreted by NK cells following pan-caspase inhibitor treatment. LTα was shown to significantly induce HIV-1 LTR promoter activity, a hallmark of viral reactivation. Neutralization of LTα effectively abolished the observed LRA activity, confirming its central role. Moreover, cytokine-primed but not resting human primary NK cells exhibited LRA activity that could be neutralized with LTα neutralizing antibodies. Finally, pan-caspase inhibitor treatment did not decrease the ability of the cytokine-primed NK cells to kill target cells. These findings demonstrate that cytokine-primed NK cells, through LTα secretion, can effectively reactivate latent HIV-1 following pan-caspase inhibitor treatment, without compromising NK cell cytotoxicity. This highlights a potential enhancement strategy utilizing NK cells for shock-and-kill approaches in HIV-1 cure research.
Seasonal recurrence and modular assembly of an Arctic pelagic marine microbiome
Authors: Priest Taylor , Oldenburg Ellen , Popa Ovidiu , Dede Bledina , Metfies Katja , von Appen Wilken-Jon , Torres-Valdés Sinhué , Bienhold Christina , Fuchs Bernhard M. , Amann Rudolf , Boetius Antje , Wietz Matthias
Published: February 2025

Deciphering how microbial communities are shaped by environmental variability is fundamental for understanding the structure and function of ocean ecosystems. While seasonal environmental gradients have been shown to structure the taxonomic dynamics of microbiomes over time, little is known about their impact on functional dynamics and the coupling between taxonomy and function. Here, we demonstrate annually recurrent, seasonal structuring of taxonomic and functional dynamics in a pelagic Arctic Ocean microbiome by combining autonomous samplers and in situ sensors with long-read metagenomics and SSU ribosomal metabarcoding. Specifically, we identified five temporal microbiome modules whose succession within each annual cycle represents a transition across different ecological states. For instance, Cand. Nitrosopumilus, Syndiniales, and the machinery to oxidise ammonia and reduce nitrite are signatures of early polar night, while late summer is characterised by Amylibacter and sulfur compound metabolism. Leveraging metatranscriptomes from Tara Oceans, we also demonstrate the consistency in functional dynamics across the wider Arctic Ocean during similar temporal periods. Furthermore, the structuring of genetic diversity within functions over time indicates that environmental selection pressure acts heterogeneously on microbiomes across seasons. By integrating taxonomic, functional and environmental information, our study provides fundamental insights into how microbiomes are structured under pronounced seasonal changes in understudied, yet rapidly changing polar marine ecosystems.
Structural basis of SIRT7 nucleosome engagement and substrate specificity
Authors: Moreno-Yruela Carlos , Ekundayo Babatunde E. , Foteva Polina N. , Ni Dongchun , Calvino-Sanles Esther , Stahlberg Henning , Fierz Beat
Published: February 2025

Chromatin-modifying enzymes target distinct residues within histones to finetune gene expression profiles. SIRT7 is an NAD+-dependent deacylase often deregulated in cancer, which deacetylates either H3 lysine 36 (H3K36) or H3K18 with high specificity within nucleosomes. Here, we report structures of nucleosome-bound SIRT7, and uncover the structural basis of its specificity towards H3K36 and K18 deacylation, combining a mechanism-based cross-linking strategy, cryo-EM, and enzymatic and cellular assays. We show that the SIRT7 N-terminus represents a unique, extended nucleosome-binding domain, reaching across the nucleosomal surface to the acidic patch. The catalytic domain binds at the H3-tail exit site, engaging both DNA gyres of the nucleosome. Contacting H3K36 versus H3K18 requires a change in binding pose, and results in structural changes in both SIRT7 and the nucleosome. These structures reveal the basis of lysine specificity, allowing us to engineer SIRT7 towards enhanced H3K18ac selectivity, and provides a basis for small molecule modulator development.
Proteomic profiling of iPSC and tissue-derived MSC secretomes reveal a global signature of inflammatory licensing
Authors: Hodgson-Garms Margeaux , Moore Matthew J. , Martino Mikaël M. , Kelly Kilian , Frith Jessica E.
Published: February 2025

Much of the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is underpinned by their secretome which varies significantly with source, donor and microenvironmental cues. Understanding these differences is essential to define the mechanisms of MSC-based tissue repair and optimise cell therapies. This study analysed the secretomes of bone-marrow (BM.MSCs), umbilical-cord (UC.MSCs), adipose-tissue (AT.MSCs) and clinical/commercial-grade induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs (iMSCs), under resting and inflammatory licenced conditions. iMSCs recapitulated the inflammatory licensing process, validating their comparability to tissue-derived MSCs. Overall, resting secretomes were defined by extracellular matrix (ECM) and pro-regenerative proteins, while licensed secretomes were enriched in chemotactic and immunomodulatory proteins. iMSC and UC.MSC secretomes contained proteins indicating proliferative potential and telomere maintenance, whereas adult tissue-derived secretomes contained fibrotic and ECM-related proteins. The data and findings from this study will inform the optimum MSC source for particular applications and underpin further development of MSC therapies.
Bio-orthogonal crosslinking and hyaluronan facilitate transparent healing after treatment of deep corneal injuries with in situ-forming hydrogels
Authors: Chen Fang , Han Uiyoung , Wungcharoen Thitima , Seo Youngyoon Amy , Le Peter , Jiang Li , Kang Nae-Won , Song Euisun , Jang Kyeongwoo , Mundy David , Fernandes-Cunha Gabriella Maria , Heilshorn Sarah , Myung David
Published: February 2025

Corneal transplantation is the primary treatment for corneal blindness, affecting millions globally. However, challenges like donor scarcity and surgical complications remain. Recently, in situ-forming corneal stroma substitutes have emerged, offering potential solutions to these limitations. These substitutes enable liquid-to-hydrogel formation in situ, eliminating sutures and reducing complications. Here we performed a direct, side-by-side comparison of a composite hyaluronan-collagen (HA-Col) hydrogel crosslinked by either photochemistry or bio-orthogonal chemistry to ascertain the impact of reaction specificity on corneal wound healing. Testing in rodent and rabbit models suggests that composite HA-Col gels crosslinked by bio-orthogonal chemistry results in more rapid and optically favorable wound healing compared to the same composition crosslinked by photochemistry as well as bio-orthogonally crosslinked collagen alone. These findings underscore biochemical parameters that may be important to the success of crosslinked, in situ-forming hydrogels as an alternative to corneal transplantation, with the potential for expanded access to treatment and improved outcomes.
Implantation of engineered adipocytes suppresses tumor progression in cancer models
Authors: Nguyen Hai P. , An Kelly , Ito Yusuke , Kharbikar Bhushan N. , Sheng Rory , Paredes Breanna , Murray Elizabeth , Pham Kimberly , Bruck Michael , Zhou Xujia , Biellak Cassandra , Ushiki Aki , Nobuhara Mai , Fong Sarah L. , Bernards Daniel A. , Lynce Filipa , Dillon Deborah A. , Magbanua Mark Jesus M. , Huppert Laura A. , Hammerlindl Heinz , Klein Jace Anton , Valdiviez Luis , Fiehn Oliver , Esserman Laura , Desai Tejal A. , Yee Sook Wah , Rosenbluth Jennifer M. , Ahituv Nadav
Published: February 2025

Tumors exhibit an increased ability to obtain and metabolize nutrients. Here, we implant engineered adipocytes that outcompete tumors for nutrients and show that they can substantially reduce cancer progression, a technology termed adipose manipulation transplantation (AMT). Adipocytes engineered to use increased amounts of glucose and fatty acids by upregulating UCP1 were placed alongside cancer cells or xenografts, leading to significant cancer suppression. Transplanting modulated adipose organoids in pancreatic or breast cancer genetic mouse models suppressed their growth and decreased angiogenesis and hypoxia. Co-culturing patient-derived engineered adipocytes with tumor organoids from dissected human breast cancers significantly suppressed cancer progression and proliferation. In addition, cancer growth was impaired by inducing engineered adipose organoids to outcompete tumors using tetracycline or placing them in an integrated cell-scaffold delivery platform and implanting them next to the tumor. Finally, we show that upregulating UPP1 in adipose organoids can outcompete a uridine-dependent pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma for uridine and suppress its growth, demonstrating the potential customization of AMT.
Repetitive stability study of remdesivir/cyclodextrin complex on the international space station
Authors: Dormán György , Buchholcz Balázs , Puskás István , Szabó Pál , Varga Erzsébet , Szente Lajos , Keserű György M. , Darvas Ferenc
Published: February 2025

Stability assessment of drugs in space is particularly important for future missions. In space there are multiple factors, such as the variability of the conditions (radiation, microgravity, vacuum etc.) that could affect the reliability and reproducibility of the data. Therefore, we investigated the stability of an anti-Covid drug formulation, Remdesivir (RDV) sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBECD) complex, in two separate flight experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). While HPLC/MS studies revealed no degradation of the cyclodextrin excipient in any of the samples investigated in both missions, RDV purity analysis of the RDV/SBECD complex after the first mission revealed different stabilities and altered degradation in space and on Earth. This latter interesting finding was not supported by the second mission, where no differences in the drug stabilities were identified. This anomaly highlighted the importance of standardization together with increased control of the variable parameters during the entire space missions and the terrestrial control experiments.
Microclimates growing and watering volumes influences the physiological traits of chili pepper cultivars in combating abiotic stress
Authors: Ahmad Farhan , Kusumiyati Kusumiyati , Arief Soleh Mochamad , Rabnawaz Khan Muhammad , Siti Sundari Ristina
Published: February 2025

Chili peppers are a staple food for countries worldwide and are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. One of the world’s largest chili consumers, Indonesia faces climate adversities and cash-crop pest infestations that affect its horticulture market. The present research explores microclimatic and watering for physiological performances in different chili cultivars, useful in suggesting the strategies of cultivation with a climate-resilient perception. The research was done in the Bale Tatanen, Padjadjaran University, using a Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design to analyze chili plant physiology. According to statistical analyses, cultivars did not significantly affect absolute growth rate (AGR), but growing microclimates and watering volumes did significantly affect AGR and water use efficiency (WUE). The rain shelter and screen house had the highest WUE and AGR values. Growing microclimates and cultivars significantly affected transpiration rate, stomatal conductance to water vapor and total conductance to CO2, with the screen house exhibiting the highest values. All three factors significantly affected the photosynthetic rate, with the greenhouse showing the highest rate. The photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was likewise highest in the greenhouse. This study aimed to systematically assess these factors and it tried suggesting practices that might assist in combating the effects of abiotic stress on chili production, for its sustainability. The findings of this research would help in conceptualizing the most efficient microclimate and watering volume for chili cultivation particularly, when considering climate change challenges as well; these results could also be applied to develop guidelines which might serve helpful at resource-poor farming.
Siponimod supports remyelination in the non-supportive environment
Authors: Krüger Johann , Behrangi Newshan , Schliep David , Heinig Leo , Vankriekelsvenne Elise , Wigger Nicole , Kipp Markus
Published: February 2025

Inflammatory demyelination, a hallmark of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions, leads to functional impairments and progressive axonal loss over time. Although remyelination is thought to protect axons, endogenous regenerative processes are often incomplete or fail entirely in many MS patients. While the precise reasons for remyelination failure remain unclear, repeated demyelination in previously affected white matter regions is a recognized contributing factor. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the sphingosine-1-phosphate modulator Siponimod ameliorates metabolic oligodendrocyte injury in an MS animal model. In this study, we explored the potential of Siponimod to enhance remyelination in a non-supportive environment. To this end, male mice were subjected to Cuprizone intoxication for seven weeks. From the onset of the fifth week, when oligodendrocyte progenitor cells begin to differentiate, mice were administered either a vehicle or Siponimod solution. Post-treatment, brain specimens were processed for (immune-) histochemical analyses. After four weeks of Cuprizone intoxication, staining intensities for various myelination markers, were significantly reduced. At the end of week seven, loss of myelin staining intensities was still pronounced, but anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) expression was significantly higher in Siponimod- versus vehicle-treated mice. Consistent with this finding, densities of OLIG2+ oligodendrocytes significantly recovered in Siponimod-treated but not in vehicle-treated mice. This enhanced recovery was paralleled by the trend of lower densities of Ki67+ proliferating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Our findings suggest that Siponimod has modest pro-regenerative capacities, partly explaining the amelioration of disease progression in secondary progressive MS patients.
Effect of a home-based physical rehabilitation program via virtual reality on the functional outcomes of frail older adults: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Mohamed Zein El-AbdeenMohamed Doaa , Noshy Abd EL-Aziz Mohamed Heba , Hassan Abd Elhameed Soad
Published: February 2025

Given the rapid aging of the population in Egypt, efforts to slow down or prevent frailty. Virtual reality technology constitutes a promising rehabilitation strategy, but its effect on frailty in older adults remains inconclusive. A non-equivalent control pre, post, and follow-up test design was used with a sample of 70 prefrail or frail older adults. In 3 urbans affiliated to Dakahlia governorate, tools of data collection; Mini-Cog, Structured Interview Schedule, Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe of the Frailty Indicator (FI), Short Physical Performance Battery, and Falls Efficacy Scale. For each group, a significant improvement in frailty, physical performance, and falls from each measurement period to immediately after (p < 0.001), and within the 30-days study period while those in the control group were relatively stable over time and sometime worsen. The baseline characteristics and assessment results were similar between groups. We observed significant improvements in the intervention group in terms of frailty criteria, standing balance, gait speed, chair stand, and fear of fall. No improvements were observed in the control group, we anticipate a decrease in frailty index, and increase in standing balance, reinforcing the proven benefits of the exercise in this vulnerable population.
The impact of glucocorticoid receptor transactivation on context-dependent cell migration dynamics
Authors: Pósa Szonja Polett , Saskői Éva , Bársony Lili , Pongor Lőrinc , Fekete Fanni , Papp János , Bozsik Anikó , Patócs Attila , Butz Henriett
Published: February 2025

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) plays a significant role in breast cancer cell behaviour, although data on its effects are conflicting. The impact of GR agonist dexamethasone (dex) and antagonist mifepristone (mif) on oestrogen-positive (ER+) and triple-negative (TN) breast cancer cell lines in both 2D and 3D cultures was studied using multiple in vitro functional assays and transcriptome sequencing. GR activation increased cell motility in TN but not in ER + tumour cells, as observed in both collective and single-cell migration tests. Time-lapse analysis showed enhanced motility after 4–6 h in wound healing, despite dex inhibiting migration initially. This inhibition was observed at 2 h in single-cell tracking migration assays. Cell proliferation increased in TN and decreased in ER + cells upon GR activation, reversed by GR antagonist. RNA sequencing revealed dex’s impact on cell adhesion and extracellular matrix signalling in TN cells and on DNA replication in ER + cells. Based on data from 1085 human breast cancer specimens, GR pathway expression correlated with migratory, extracellular matrix, and angiogenesis gene signatures. Additionally, higher expression of GR and increased GR signature were observed in fast-migrating cells compared to slow-migrating ones. Positive correlation between the GR signature and migration signature at the single-cell level indicated an association between GR activity and cell migration. For the first time, we assessed altered time-lapse migration dynamics in TN breast cancer cells, potentially contributing to cancer progression and prognosis, highlighting that the effects of dexamethasone on breast cancer cell migration are influenced by ER status and treatment duration.
Mechanical signatures in cancer metastasis
Authors: Agrawal Ayushi , Javanmardi Yousef , Watson Sara A. , Serwinski Bianca , Djordjevic Boris , Li Wenbin , Aref Amir R. , Jenkins Russell W. , Moeendarbary Emad
Published: February 2025

The cancer metastatic cascade includes a series of mechanical barrier-crossing events, involving the physical movement of cancer cells from their primary location to a distant organ. This review describes the physical changes that influence tumour proliferation, progression, and metastasis. We identify potential mechanical signatures at every step of the metastatic cascade and discuss some latest mechanobiology-based therapeutic interventions to highlight the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
H/D-Isotope sensitive dual fluorescence of the corrin-ligand of vitamin B12
Authors: Jockusch Steffen , Kräutler Bernhard
Published: February 2025

Solving the old puzzle of photoexcited metal-free corrins – dual fluorescence from isomeric singlet excited states undergoing H/D-Isotope sensitive interconversion.
Metal catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides: structural diversity at the dipole partner
Authors: Carretero Juan Carlos , Rodríguez Nuria , Adrio Javier
Published: February 2025

This feature article provides an overview of alternative asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine ylides, employing precursors that extend beyond conventional α-iminoesters.
Template-based synthesis of novel polymeric colloidal photonic crystals
Authors: Xu Shunan , Liu Qingyao , Wang Yuanhui , Ji Zhihao , Lian Zhengshuai , Tan Hongzi , Zhou Jin , Wang Chuan
Published: February 2025

A universal method for preparing colloidal photonic crystal materials with novel building blocks is developed in this study.
Computational insights into asymmetric cross-aldol carboligation in choline chloride/ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yang Yong Sheng , Zhao Shi Jia , Wei Cui , Zou Ning , Xue Ying , Zhou Wen Jun
Published: February 2025

The DFT investigation represents the first analysis of the impact of DES as a primary solvent on the reaction process and elucidates the electronic effects and interactions that occur throughout the reaction.
Oxygen vacancy-engineered In2O3@carbon catalysts from steam-pyrolyzed MOFs for photothermal CO2 hydrogenation
Authors: Wang Xinhuilan , Garzon-Tovar Luis , Rendón-Patiño Alejandra , Mateo Diego , Gascon Jorge
Published: February 2025

Steam-pyrolysis of In-MOF induces a high density of defects on indium oxide, enhancing its photo-thermal properties.
Design and development of a copper–manganese oxide nanocatalyst for the sustainable synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles
Authors: Rawat Manish , Sinha Nitish Kumar , Rawat Srishti , Pratap Kemant , Saraswat Vandana , Kumar Akash , Kohli Sahil
Published: February 2025

The catalytic efficiency of a novel CuO@MnO2 nanocomposites (E-factor 1.64) was investigated for the preparation of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles under green condition.
An insight into the route from CO2 fixation to CO32−-bridged dinuclear lanthanide(iii) complexes featuring inner coordination post-synthetic modification
Authors: Singh Vaibhav , Urunikulavan Vajeeha , Bar Arun Kumar
Published: February 2025

An insight into the fixation of CO2 gas into CO32− and the concomitant formation of a novel series of carbonato-bridged dinuclear lanthanide(iii) complexes is presented.
Synthesis of a dilithiobutadiene bearing extremely bulky silyl substituents and its reactivity toward functionalized silanes
Authors: Münster Katharina , Kudo Shunsuke , Kuwabara Takuya , Shimamura Eriko , Furukawa Shunsuke , Yoshida Yusuke , Ishida Shintaro , Iwamoto Takeaki , Tanifuji Kazuki , Ohki Yasuhiro , Minoura Mao , Saito Masaichi
Published: February 2025

A 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadiene bearing extremely bulky silyl substituents was synthesized and its reactions with functionalized silanes followed by the reduction afforded a bulky dilithiosilole.
Expanding the temperature range of stable aqueous batteries: strategies, mechanisms and perspectives
Authors: Fu Xianwei , Shi Ruijuan , Liu Ye , He Xiaxiao , Li Qian , Zhang Yan , Zhao Yong , Jiao Shilong
Published: February 2025

Electrolyte and electrode optimizations enhance the temperature adaptability of aqueous batteries with various charge carriers.
The role of nano-biochar reduces the impact of phenanthrene on wheat photosynthesis
Authors: Cui Menghan , Zhang Jin , Huang Chenghao , Xu Shuangyuan , Czech Bożena , Han Jianggang , Shen Yu , Zhan Xinhua
Published: February 2025

Nano-biochar effectively mitigates phenanthrene toxicity in wheat by reducing its uptake and improving photosynthetic efficiency, with 1.0 mg L−1 nano-biochar increasing chlorophyll content by 14.54% and enhancing photosystem II function.
Determination of pentacyclic triterpenes and polyphenols from table olives in colon and plasma and their chemopreventive effects on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced preneoplastic lesions in rat colon
Authors: Moreno-González Rocío , Juan M. Emília , Planas Joana M.
Published: February 2025

Daily consumption of table olives reduced preneoplastic lesions induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in rat colon, possibly due to significant concentrations of pentacyclic triterpenes and polyphenols remaining in the colon.
Association of dietary water intake with body composition and the potential mechanism based on urinary metabolic signatures in Chinese elderly individuals aged 75 years and above
Authors: Yao Sai , Gao Tianlin , Liu Yajun , Zhou Ying , Zhao Zhixuan , Wang Yinkun , Wang Xincen , Ma Aiguo , Zhong Feng
Published: February 2025

The total water intake was insufficient among older individuals over 75 in China, impacting their body composition, hydration status, and body metabolism.
Revealing the mechanism of phenoxyethanol-acid pretreatment for removing lignin from bamboo: kinetic analysis and simulation analysis
Authors: Li Ruolin , Zhang Zepeng , Wang Xin , Zhao Xiaoxue , Li Mi , Xu Huanfei , Huang Caoxing
Published: February 2025

Kinetic model, molecular dynamics simulations, and density functional theory calculations were applied to investigate the delignification mechanism of bamboo residues (BR) in phenoxyethanol/H2SO4 biphasic pretreatment system.
Photo-induced intramolecular alkyl/aryl group transfer and SO2 insertion: a new strategy for the synthesis of 3-(alkyl/arylsulfonyl)benzothiophenes
Authors: Xu Tiantian , Wang Fen-Dou , Yang Wen-Chao , Lu Tong , Wang Min , Li Pinhua
Published: February 2025

A new and efficient strategy for the synthesis of 3-(alkyl/arylsulfonyl)benzothiophenes and benzoselenophenes through intramolecular alkyl/aryl transfer and SO2 insertion process was developed.
Data augmentation using GANN in the quantitative LIBS analysis of scarce samples: a case study on polymetallic nodules from 5000 m ocean depth
Authors: Ren Jie , Jiang Suming , Sun Chen , Li Zhenggang , Dong Yanhui , Chen Ling , Han Xibin , Yu Jin , Wu Wendong
Published: February 2025

Generative Adversarial Neural Network (GANN) augmented spectral databases for quantitative LIBS analysis of Ni, Co, and Li in scarce polymetallic nodule samples from 5000 m ocean depth.
PDMS-based flexible and conductive composite films containing modified PEDOT:PSS coated channels as a potential neural conduit
Authors: Buyukuysal Orhan Gokalp , Kilic Busra , Karaaslan Cagatay , Gokcen Dincer , Bayram Cem , Aydin Halil Murat
Published: February 2025

Biocompatible, flexible, and conductive composite films can be used to restore nerve tissue function and support its regeneration through nerve conduits. We have modified PEDOT:PSS and combined it with PDMS as a potential neural conduit.
Biological and mechanical properties of a self-curing acrylic resin enriched with AgNPs as a proposal for orthopedic aparatology
Authors: Lopez-Ayuso Christian Andrea , Garcia-Contreras Rene , Manisekaran Ravichandran , Figueroa Mario , Rangel-Grimaldo Manuel , Jacome Mariano , Dominguez-Perez Ruben Abraham , Lopez-Morales Salvador , Cristians Sol , Acosta-Torres Laura Susana
Published: February 2025

PMMA incorporated with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using Pelargonium × hortorum exhibit enhanced antimicrobial activity, without affecting its biocompatibility and mechanical properties, offering a proposal for improving orthodontic devices.
Enhancing memristor multilevel resistance state with linearity potentiation via the feedforward pulse scheme
Authors: Diao Zhuo , Yamamoto Ryohei , Meng Zijie , Tohei Tetsuya , Sakai Akira
Published: February 2025

In this paper, a feedforward pulse scheme is introduced to improve the resistance configuration precision and increase the number of programmable levels, which can remove bottlenecks affecting the accuracy of ANN models.
A cotton-based adsorbent grafted with an EDTA analog and its metal ion-selective absorption properties in aqueous solution
Authors: Hu Tao , Du Chengzhen , Hu Xiaoli , Tang Cheng , Chen Chuntan
Published: February 2025

This paper reports the synthesis of a solid adsorbent derived from degreasing cotton, and its metal ion removal ability in low concentration aqueous solution.
Spacer engineering in nanoparticle–peptide conjugates boosts targeting specificity for tumor-associated antigens
Authors: Ramírez María de los Angeles , Bou-Gharios Jolie , Freis Barbara , Draussin Julien , Cheignon Clémence , Charbonnière Loic J. , Laurent Sophie , Gevart Thomas , Gasser Adeline , Jung Sebastian , Rossetti Fabien , Tillement Olivier , Noel Georges , Pivot Xavier , Detappe Alexandre , Bégin-Colin Sylvie , Harlepp Sébastien
Published: February 2025

Orientation and steric hindrance decrease the efficiency for an antibody to attach to its specific receptor. Giving flexibility to a dendronized peptide through a small PEG fragment increases the peptides affinity to cellular receptors.
Synthesis of MXene/carbon composites via controlled etching of Ti3SiC2 in the gaseous etchant CCl4
Authors: Wang Yu , Wang Xudong , Li Mian , Chai Zhifang , Huang Qing
Published: February 2025

A new method is proposed for the rapid in situ synthesis of MXene (Ti3C2Cl2)/carbon composites and carbide-derived carbon (CDC) through the etching of Ti3SiC2 in a sealed ampoule using the novel gaseous etchant CCl4.
Gold nanozymes for efficient degradation of organic dye pollutants: outperforming natural enzymes
Authors: Mirra Giulia , Cursi Lorenzo , Veronesi Marina , Boselli Luca , Pompa Pier Paolo
Published: February 2025

This article shows that gold nanozymes outperform natural enzymes in the degradation of toxic dyes, providing an efficient and sustainable solution for environmental remediation.
Insights into atomic level defect commanding coupling with n–π* excitation in carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production and CO2 reduction
Authors: Shi Shukui , Zong Huibin , Yuan Zhimin , Jiang Zaiyong , Qi Haotian , Mo Zhao , Zhu Xianglin
Published: February 2025

The n → π* absorption coupling with defect elimination strategy was achieved to overcome the limited light absorption capacity and fast carrier combination. The modified catalyst exhibited significantly improved photocatalytic performance.
Stabilizing Rh nanoparticles using a TiO2 array with oxygen vacancies for high-performance pH-wide hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Guangxia , Wang Wenhui , Yu Yaozhong , Hu Tao , Ding Juan , Sui Yongming
Published: February 2025

Rh/TiO2/Ti exhibits remarkable HER performances due to the nanoarray structure, surface roughness, and optimized absorption energy and metal–support interaction.
Curvature enhanced NH2-MIL-53(Al) electrode for boosting ion diffusion and capacitive deionization defluorination
Authors: Yu Fei , Yang Yidi , Liu Peng , Ma Jie
Published: February 2025

A curvature modulation method without changing the specific surface area was developed, and the strength of the electric field around the electrode surface significantly affects the ion trapping and diffusion rates during the CDI process.
Multi-functional nitrile-based electrolyte additives enable stable lithium metal batteries with high-voltage nickel-rich cathodes
Authors: Yang Shu , Huang Haonan , Shen Hailin , Zhou Mengyuan , Yuan Liang , Gao Yunyun , Zhang Jinlei , Wei Yike , Ye Changchun , Li Weishan , Pan Zhenghui
Published: February 2025

A novel multi-functional nitrile additive, 1,3,6-hexanetricarbonitrile, significantly improves the cycling stability of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2//Li batteries, which attribute to the diverse linear and side-chain CN groups to build stable CEI/SEI films.
A descriptor guiding the selection of catalyst supports for ammonia synthesis
Authors: Weilhard Andreas , Popov Ilya , Kohlrausch Emerson C. , Aliev Gazi N. , Blankenship L. Scott , Norman Luke T. , Ghaderzadeh Sadegh , Smith Louise , Isaacs Mark , O'Shea James , Lanterna Anabel E. , Theis Wolfgang , Morgan David , Hutchings Graham J. , Besley Elena , Khlobystov Andrei N. , Alves Fernandes Jesum
Published: February 2025

The efforts to increase the active surface area of catalysts led to reduction of metal particle size, down to single metal atoms.
Copper(i) bis(diimine) sensitized titania nanotube array photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical water oxidation
Authors: Chiong Joseph D. , Singh Zujhar , Ricardo-Noordberg Joseph F. , Nguyen Nhat Truong , Majewski Marek B.
Published: February 2025

Compact and vertically aligned TiO2 nanotubes functionalized with a molecular Cu(i) acceptor–chromophore–donor yield a photoanode capable of carrying out photoelectrochemical water oxidation with an Ir(iii) pre-catalyst at an 84% Faradaic efficiency.
Mechanisms of electrostatic interactions between two charged dielectric spheres inside a polarizable medium: an effective-dipole analysis
Authors: Duan Yanyu , Gan Zecheng , Chan Ho-Kei
Published: February 2025

Like charges repel and opposite charges attract? Not always! Due to polarization effects, two like-charged particles in a vacuum might attract each other, and two oppositely-charged particles in a solvent might repel each other.