bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryo-electron microscopy of IgM-VAR2CSA complex reveals IgM inhibits binding of Plasmodium falciparum to Chondroitin Sulfate A
Authors: Akhouri Reetesh Raj , Goel Suchi , Skoglund Ulf
Published: October 2023

Placental malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IEs) adhering to chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in placenta via VAR2CSA-type PfEMP1. Human pentameric immunoglobulin M (IgM) binds to several types of PfEMP1, including VAR2CSA via its Fc domain. Here, a 3.6 Å cryo-electron microscopy map of the IgM-VAR2CSA complex reveals that two molecules of VAR2CSA bind to the Cµ4 of IgM through their DBL3X and DBL5ε domains. The clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation of the two VAR2CSA molecules on opposite faces of IgM juxtaposes C-termini of both VAR2CSA near the J chain, where IgM creates a wall between both VAR2CSA molecules and hinders its interaction with its receptor. To support this, we show when VAR2CSA is bound to IgM, its staining on IEs as well as binding of IEs to chondroitin sulfate A in vitro is severely compromised.
Genomic adaptation of giant viruses in polar oceans
Authors: Meng Lingjie , Delmont Tom O. , Gaïa Morgan , Pelletier Eric , Fernàndez-Guerra Antonio , Chaffron Samuel , Neches Russell Y. , Wu Junyi , Kaneko Hiroto , Endo Hisashi , Ogata Hiroyuki
Published: October 2023

Despite being perennially frigid, polar oceans form an ecosystem hosting high and unique biodiversity. Various organisms show different adaptive strategies in this habitat, but how viruses adapt to this environment is largely unknown. Viruses of phylaNucleocytoviricotaandMirusviricotaare groups of eukaryote-infecting large and giant DNA viruses with genomes encoding a variety of functions. Here, by leveraging the Global Ocean Eukaryotic Viral database, we investigate the biogeography and functional repertoire of these viruses at a global scale. We first confirm the existence of an ecological barrier that clearly separates polar and nonpolar viral communities, and then demonstrate that temperature drives dramatic changes in the virus–host network at the polar–nonpolar boundary. Ancestral niche reconstruction suggests that adaptation of these viruses to polar conditions has occurred repeatedly over the course of evolution, with polar-adapted viruses in the modern ocean being scattered across their phylogeny. Numerous viral genes are specifically associated with polar adaptation, although most of their homologues are not identified as polar-adaptive genes in eukaryotes. These results suggest that giant viruses adapt to cold environments by changing their functional repertoire, and this viral evolutionary strategy is distinct from the polar adaptation strategy of their hosts.
KRAS G12V neoantigen specific T cell receptor for adoptive T cell therapy against tumors
Authors: Lu Dan , Chen Yuan , Jiang Min , Wang Jie , Li Yiting , Ma Keke , Sun Wenqiao , Zheng Xing , Qi Jianxun , Jin Wenjing , Chen Yu , Chai Yan , Zhang Catherine W. H. , Liang Hao , Tan Shuguang , Gao George F.
Published: October 2023

KRAS mutations are broadly recognized as promising targets for tumor therapy. T cell receptors (TCRs) can specifically recognize KRAS mutant neoantigens presented by human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) and mediate T cell responses to eliminate tumor cells. In the present study, we identify two TCRs specific for the 9-mer KRAS-G12V mutant neoantigen in the context of HLA-A*11:01. The TCR-T cells are constructed and display cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity upon co-culturing with varied tumor cells expressing the KRAS-G12V mutation. Moreover, 1-2C TCR-T cells show anti-tumor activity in preclinical models in female mice. The 9-mer KRAS-G12V mutant peptide exhibits a distinct conformation from the 9-mer wildtype peptide and its 10-mer counterparts. Specific recognition of the G12V mutant by TCR depends both on distinct conformation from wildtype peptide and on direct interaction with residues from TCRs. Our study reveals the mechanisms of presentation and TCR recognition of KRAS-G12V mutant peptide and describes TCRs with therapeutic potency for tumor immunotherapy.
An early warning signal for grassland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhu Qiuan , Chen Huai , Peng Changhui , Liu Jinxun , Piao Shilong , He Jin-Sheng , Wang Shiping , Zhao Xinquan , Zhang Jiang , Fang Xiuqin , Jin Jiaxin , Yang Qi-En , Ren Liliang , Wang Yanfen
Published: October 2023

Intense grazing may lead to grassland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, but it is difficult to predict where this will occur and to quantify it. Based on a process-based ecosystem model, we define a productivity-based stocking rate threshold that induces extreme grassland degradation to assess whether and where the current grazing activity in the region is sustainable. We find that the current stocking rate is below the threshold in ~80% of grassland areas, but in 55% of these grasslands the stocking rate exceeds half the threshold. According to our model projections, positive effects of climate change including elevated CO2 can partly offset negative effects of grazing across nearly 70% of grasslands on the Plateau, but only in areas below the stocking rate threshold. Our analysis suggests that stocking rate that does not exceed 60% (within 50% to 70%) of the threshold may balance human demands with grassland protection in the face of climate change.
Proteogenetic drug response profiling elucidates targetable vulnerabilities of myelofibrosis
Authors: Wildschut Mattheus H. E. , Mena Julien , Dördelmann Cyril , van Oostrum Marc , Hale Benjamin D. , Settelmeier Jens , Festl Yasmin , Lysenko Veronika , Schürch Patrick M. , Ring Alexander , Severin Yannik , Bader Michael S. , Pedrioli Patrick G. A. , Goetze Sandra , van Drogen Audrey , Balabanov Stefan , Skoda Radek C. , Lopes Massimo , Wollscheid Bernd , Theocharides Alexandre P. A. , Snijder Berend
Published: October 2023

Myelofibrosis is a hematopoietic stem cell disorder belonging to the myeloproliferative neoplasms. Myelofibrosis patients frequently carry driver mutations in either JAK2 or Calreticulin (CALR) and have limited therapeutic options. Here, we integrate ex vivo drug response and proteotype analyses across myelofibrosis patient cohorts to discover targetable vulnerabilities and associated therapeutic strategies. Drug sensitivities of mutated and progenitor cells were measured in patient blood using high-content imaging and single-cell deep learning-based analyses. Integration with matched molecular profiling revealed three targetable vulnerabilities. First, CALR mutations drive BET and HDAC inhibitor sensitivity, particularly in the absence of high Ras pathway protein levels. Second, an MCM complex-high proliferative signature corresponds to advanced disease and sensitivity to drugs targeting pro-survival signaling and DNA replication. Third, homozygous CALR mutations result in high endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, responding to ER stressors and unfolded protein response inhibition. Overall, our integrated analyses provide a molecularly motivated roadmap for individualized myelofibrosis patient treatment.
Ampere-hour-scale soft-package potassium-ion hybrid capacitors enabling 6-minute fast-charging
Authors: Li Huanxin , Gong Yi , Zhou Haihui , Li Jing , Yang Kai , Mao Boyang , Zhang Jincan , Shi Yan , Deng Jinhai , Mao Mingxuan , Huang Zhongyuan , Jiao Shuqiang , Kuang Yafei , Zhao Yunlong , Luo Shenglian
Published: October 2023

Extreme fast charging of Ampere-hour (Ah)-scale electrochemical energy storage devices targeting charging times of less than 10 minutes are desired to increase widespread adoption. However, this metric is difficult to achieve in conventional Li-ion batteries due to their inherent reaction mechanism and safety hazards at high current densities. In this work, we report 1 Ah soft-package potassium-ion hybrid supercapacitors (PIHCs), which combine the merits of high-energy density of battery-type negative electrodes and high-power density of capacitor-type positive electrodes. The PIHC consists of a defect-rich, high specific surface area N-doped carbon nanotube-based positive electrode, MnO quantum dots inlaid spacing-expanded carbon nanotube-based negative electrode, carbonate-based non-aqueous electrolyte, and a binder- and current collector-free cell design. Through the optimization of the cell configuration, electrodes, and electrolyte, the full cells (1 Ah) exhibit a cell voltage up to 4.8 V, high full-cell level specific energy of 140 Wh kg−1 (based on the whole mass of device) with a full charge of 6 minutes. An 88% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 10 C (10 A) and a voltage retention of 99% at 25 ± 1 °C are also demonstrated.
Cascaded metasurfaces for high-purity vortex generation
Authors: Mei Feng , Qu Geyang , Sha Xinbo , Han Jing , Yu Moxin , Li Hao , Chen Qinmiao , Ji Ziheng , Ni Jincheng , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Song Qinghai , Kivshar Yuri , Xiao Shumin
Published: October 2023

We introduce a new paradigm for generating high-purity vortex beams with metasurfaces. By applying optical neural networks to a system of cascaded phase-only metasurfaces, we demonstrate the efficient generation of high-quality Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) vortex modes. Our approach is based on two metasurfaces where one metasurface redistributes the intensity profile of light in accord with Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction rules, and then the second metasurface matches the required phases for the vortex beams. Consequently, we generate high-purity LGp,l optical modes with record-high Laguerre polynomial orders p = 10 and l = 200, and with the purity in p, l and relative conversion efficiency as 96.71%, 85.47%, and 70.48%, respectively. Our engineered cascaded metasurfaces suppress greatly the backward reflection with a ratio exceeding −17 dB. Such higher-order optical vortices with multiple orthogonal states can revolutionize next-generation optical information processing.
Floquet non-Abelian topological insulator and multifold bulk-edge correspondence
Authors: Li Tianyu , Hu Haiping
Published: October 2023

Topological phases characterized by non-Abelian charges are beyond the scope of the paradigmatic tenfold way and have gained increasing attention recently. Here we investigate topological insulators with multiple tangled gaps in Floquet settings and identify uncharted Floquet non-Abelian topological insulators without any static or Abelian analog. We demonstrate that the bulk-edge correspondence is multifold and follows the multiplication rule of the quaternion group Q8. The same quaternion charge corresponds to several distinct edge-state configurations that are fully determined by phase-band singularities of the time evolution. In the anomalous non-Abelian phase, edge states appear in all bandgaps despite trivial quaternion charge. Furthermore, we uncover an exotic swap effect—the emergence of interface modes with swapped driving, which is a signature of the non-Abelian dynamics and absent in Floquet Abelian systems. Our work, for the first time, presents Floquet topological insulators characterized by non-Abelian charges and opens up exciting possibilities for exploring the rich and uncharted territory of non-equilibrium topological phases.
Integrated urban water management by coupling iron salt production and application with biogas upgrading
Authors: Hu Zhetai , Li Lanqing , Cen Xiaotong , Zheng Min , Hu Shihu , Wang Xiuheng , Song Yarong , Xu Kangning , Yuan Zhiguo
Published: October 2023

Integrated urban water management is a well-accepted concept for managing urban water. It requires efficient and integrated technological solutions that enable system-wide gains via a whole-of-system approach. Here, we create a solid link between the manufacturing of an iron salt, its application in an urban water system, and high-quality bioenergy recovery from wastewater. An iron-oxidising electrochemical cell is used to remove CO2 (also H2S and NH3) from biogas, thus achieving biogas upgrading, and simultaneously producing FeCO3. The subsequent dose of the electrochemically produced FeCO3 to wastewater and sludge removes sulfide and phosphate, and enhances sludge settleability and dewaterability, with comparable or superior performance compared to the imported and hazardous iron salts it substitutes (FeCl2, and FeCl3). The process enables water utilities to establish a self-reliant and more secure supply chain to meet its demand for iron salts, at lower economic and environmental costs, and simultaneously achieve recovery of high-quality bioenergy.
Palmitoylation-driven PHF2 ubiquitination remodels lipid metabolism through the SREBP1c axis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Jeong Do-Won , Park Jong-Wan , Kim Kyeong Seog , Kim Jiyoung , Huh June , Seo Jieun , Kim Ye Lee , Cho Joo-Youn , Lee Kwang-Woong , Fukuda Junji , Chun Yang-Sook
Published: October 2023

Palmitic acid (PA) is the most common fatty acid in humans and mediates palmitoylation through its conversion into palmitoyl coenzyme A. Although palmitoylation affects many proteins, its pathophysiological functions are only partially understood. Here we demonstrate that PA acts as a molecular checkpoint of lipid reprogramming in HepG2 and Hep3B cells. The zinc finger DHHC-type palmitoyltransferase 23 (ZDHHC23) mediates the palmitoylation of plant homeodomain finger protein 2 (PHF2), subsequently enhancing ubiquitin-dependent degradation of PHF2. This study also reveals that PHF2 functions as a tumor suppressor by acting as an E3 ubiquitin ligase of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), a master transcription factor of lipogenesis. PHF2 directly destabilizes SREBP1c and reduces SREBP1c-dependent lipogenesis. Notably, SREBP1c increases free fatty acids in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and the consequent PA induction triggers the PHF2/SREBP1c axis. Since PA seems central to activating this axis, we suggest that levels of dietary PA should be carefully monitored in patients with HCC.
SUN1/2 controls macrophage polarization via modulating nuclear size and stiffness
Authors: Jiao Shi , Li Chuanchuan , Guo Fenghua , Zhang Jinjin , Zhang Hui , Cao Zhifa , Wang Wenjia , Bu Wenbo , Lin Mobin , Lü Junhong , Zhou Zhaocai
Published: October 2023

Alteration of the size and stiffness of the nucleus triggered by environmental cues are thought to be important for eukaryotic cell fate and function. However, it remains unclear how context-dependent nuclear remodeling occurs and reprograms gene expression. Here we identify the nuclear envelope proteins SUN1/2 as mechano-regulators of the nucleus during M1 polarization of the macrophage. Specifically, we show that LPS treatment decreases the protein levels of SUN1/2 in a CK2-βTrCP-dependent manner to shrink and soften the nucleus, therefore altering the chromatin accessibility for M1-associated gene expression. Notably, the transmembrane helix of SUN1/2 is solely required and sufficient for the nuclear mechano-remodeling. Consistently, SUN1/2 depletion in macrophages facilitates their phagocytosis, tissue infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine production, thereby boosting the antitumor immunity in mice. Thus, our study demonstrates that, in response to inflammatory cues, SUN1/2 proteins act as mechano-regulators to remodel the nucleus and chromatin for M1 polarization of the macrophage.
Observation of anomalous Hall resonance of massive Dirac fermions in topological kagome-lattice magnet
Authors: Okamura Y. , Shoriki K. , Nomura Y. , Fujishiro Y. , Kitaori A. , Kanazawa N. , Arita R. , Tokura Y. , Takahashi Y.
Published: October 2023

The kagome-lattice materials promise emergence of Dirac fermions thanks to the special lattice geometry, which potentially realizes intriguing quantum topological states through various many-body interactions. The low-energy electromagnetic phenomena arising from such the Dirac fermions are expected to show the remarkable enhancement and, in certain conditions, to approach the universal responses, which, however, have remained elusive experimentally. Here, we show the resonantly enhanced magneto-optical response of massive Dirac fermions in kagome-lattice magnet TbMn6Sn6. The infrared magneto-optical spectroscopy reveals that the interband transition on massive Dirac bands significantly contributes to the observed resonance in the optical Hall conductivity. The analytical model expressed by a few band parameters reproduces the spectral characteristics of the resonance, which robustly produces almost 20 % of the quantized Hall conductance per one kagome layer even at room temperature. Our findings establish the general optical response of massive Dirac fermions, which is closely related to the universal electrodynamics in quantum anomalous Hall state.
Phonon mixing in the charge density wave state of ScV6Sn6
Authors: Gu Yanhong , Ritz Ethan T. , Meier William R. , Blockmon Avery , Smith Kevin , Madhogaria Richa Pokharel , Mozaffari Shirin , Mandrus David , Birol Turan , Musfeldt Janice L.
Published: October 2023

Kagomé metals are widely recognized, versatile platforms for exploring topological properties, unconventional electronic correlations, magnetic frustration, and superconductivity. In the RV6Sn6 family of materials (R = Sc, Y, Lu), ScV6Sn6 hosts an unusual charge density wave ground state as well as structural similarities with the AV3Sb5 system (A = K, Cs, Rb). In this work, we combine Raman scattering spectroscopy with first-principles lattice dynamics calculations to reveal phonon mixing processes in the charge density wave state of ScV6Sn6. In the low temperature phase, we find at least four new peaks in the vicinity of the V-containing totally symmetric mode near 240 cm−1 suggesting that the density wave acts to mix modes of P6/mmm and $$R\bar{3}m$$

R

3

¯

m

symmetry - a result that we quantify by projecting phonons of the high symmetry state onto those of the lower symmetry structure. We also test the stability of the short-range ordered density wave state under compression and propose that both physical and chemical pressure quench the effect. We discuss these findings in terms of symmetry and the structure-property trends that can be unraveled in this system.
Seasonal quadrivalent mRNA vaccine prevents and mitigates influenza infection
Authors: Kackos Christina M. , DeBeauchamp Jennifer , Davitt Christopher J. H. , Lonzaric Jan , Sealy Robert E. , Hurwitz Julia L. , Samsa Marcelo M. , Webby Richard J.
Published: October 2023

Annually, seasonal influenza is responsible for millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths. The current method for managing influenza is vaccination using a standardized amount of the influenza virus’ primary surface antigen, hemagglutinin (HA), as the intended target of the immune response. This vaccination strategy results in vaccines with variable efficacy year to year due to antigenic drift of HA, which can be further exacerbated by manufacturing processes optimizing growth of vaccine virus in eggs. Due to these limitations, alternative vaccine platforms are actively being explored to improve influenza vaccine efficacy, including cell-based, recombinant protein, and mRNA vaccines. mRNA’s rapid, in vitro production makes it an appealing platform for influenza vaccination, and the success of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in the clinic has encouraged the development of mRNA vaccines for other pathogens. Here, the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a quadrivalent mRNA vaccine encoding HA from four seasonal influenza viruses, A/California/07/2009 (H1N1), A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2), B/Brisbane/60/2008 (B-Victoria lineage), and B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B-Yamagata lineage), was evaluated. In mice, a 120 μg total dose of this quadrivalent mRNA vaccine induced robust antibody titers against each subtype that were commensurate with titers when each antigen was administered alone. Following A/California/04/2009 challenge, mice were fully protected from morbidity and mortality, even at doses as low as 1 μg of each antigen. Additionally, a single administration of 10 μg of quadrivalent mRNA was sufficient to prevent weight loss caused by A/California/04/2009. These results support the promise of this mRNA vaccine for prevention and mitigation of influenza vaccine.
MUSE-RASA captures human dimension in climate-energy-economic models via global geoAI-ML agent datasets
Authors: Moya Diego , Copara Dennis , Olivo Alexis , Castro Christian , Giarola Sara , Hawkes Adam
Published: October 2023

This article provides a combined geospatial artificial intelligence-machine learning, geoAI-ML, agent-based, data-driven, technology-rich, bottom-up approach and datasets for capturing the human dimension in climate-energy-economy models. Seven stages were required to conduct this study and build thirteen datasets to characterise and parametrise geospatial agents in 28 regions, globally. Fundamentally, the methodology starts collecting and handling data, ending with the application of the ModUlar energy system Simulation Environment (MUSE), ResidentiAl Spatially-resolved and temporal-explicit Agents (RASA) model. MUSE-RASA uses AI-ML-based geospatial big data analytics to define eight scenarios to explore long-term transition pathways towards net-zero emission targets by mid-century. The framework and datasets are key for climate-energy-economy models considering consumer behaviour and bounded rationality in more realistic decision-making processes beyond traditional approaches. This approach defines energy economic agents as heterogeneous and diverse entities that evolve in space and time, making decisions under exogenous constraints. This framework is based on the Theory of Bounded Rationality, the Theory of Real Competition, the theoretical foundations of agent-based modelling and the progress on the combination of GIS-ABM.
Global co-expression network for key factor selection on environmental stress RNA-seq dataset in Capsicum annuum
Authors: Lee Junesung , Yeom Seon-In
Published: October 2023

Environmental stresses significantly affect plant growth, development, and productivity. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the underlying stress responses at the molecular level is needed. In this study, to identify critical genetic factors associated with environmental stress responses, the entire 737.3 Gb clean RNA-seq dataset across abiotic, biotic stress, and phytohormone conditions in Capsicum annuum was used to perform individual differentially expressed gene analysis and to construct gene co-expression networks for each stress condition. Subsequently, gene networks were reconstructed around transcription factors to identify critical factors involved in the stress responses, including the NLR gene family, previously implicated in resistance. The abiotic and biotic stress networks comprise 233 and 597 hubs respectively, with 10 and 89 NLRs. Each gene within the NLR groups in the network exhibited substantial expression to particular stresses. The integrated analysis strategy of the transcriptome network revealed potential key genes for complex environmental conditions. Together, this could provide important clues to uncover novel key factors using high-throughput transcriptome data in other species as well as plants.
Prevalence of cauliflower ear in high level judoka
Authors: Nitsch Andreas , Marx Hannes , Fischer Cornelius S. , Bakir Sinan , Ekkernkamp Axel , Wassilew Georgi I. , Haralambiev Lyubomir
Published: October 2023

Judo is an Olympic sport, and the way of its performing can lead to repetitive blunt injuries on head and ears. The chronic consequences of such traumata on the auricle are the formation of so-called cauliflower ear. This condition is painful, can lead to interruptions in the training process and long-term consequences for the athlete's health. There is limited knowledge of epidemiological data about cauliflower ear deformities in judo. Evaluation of the prevalence of cauliflower ear among judokas based on their profile pictures on the international judo federation was performed. A large cohort of judo athletes from around the world was studied. Two different classifications for the severity of ear deformities were used. Statistical calculations of the collected data and correlations to different parameters were performed. Images of 1632 top athletes were evaluated in the study. Ear deformities were found in 55.5% of the judokas. There was gender-specific differences. Male athletes were affected much more often than female athletes. In addition, ear deformities were more pronounced in male athletes. A correlation was found between the age of the athletes and the presence of an ear deformity. It has also been shown that judokas with a high world ranking are more likely to have an ear deformity. Ear deformities are a common consequence of injury among leading judo athletes. The current study represents the largest and high heterogeny cohort ever conducted on the prevalence of cauliflower ear in judoka. Knowledge of the prevalence of cauliflower ear in judoka based on reliable data from this study, may be important prerequisites for further studies on the impact of this traumatic consequence on training preparation and judoka health.
Consistent effects of the genetics of happiness across the lifespan and ancestries in multiple cohorts
Authors: Ward Joey , Lyall Laura M. , Cullen Breda , Strawbridge Rona J. , Zhu Xingxing , Stanciu Ioana , Aman Alisha , Niedzwiedz Claire L. , Anderson Jana , Bailey Mark E. S. , Lyall Donald M. , Pell Jill P.
Published: October 2023

Happiness is a fundamental human affective trait, but its biological basis is not well understood. Using a novel approach, we construct LDpred-inf polygenic scores of a general happiness measure in 2 cohorts: the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) cohort (N = 15,924, age range 9.23–11.8 years), the Add Health cohort (N = 9129, age range 24.5–34.7) to determine associations with several well-being and happiness measures. Additionally, we investigated associations between genetic scores for happiness and brain structure in ABCD (N = 9626, age range (8.9–11) and UK Biobank (N = 16,957, age range 45–83). We detected significant (p.FDR < 0.05) associations between higher genetic scores vs. several well-being measures (best r2 = 0.019) in children of multiple ancestries in ABCD and small yet significant correlations with a happiness measure in European participants in Add Health (r2 = 0.004). Additionally, we show significant associations between lower genetic scores for happiness with smaller structural brain phenotypes in a white British subsample of UK Biobank and a white sub-sample group of ABCD. We demonstrate that the genetic basis for general happiness level appears to have a consistent effect on happiness and wellbeing measures throughout the lifespan, across multiple ancestral backgrounds, and multiple brain structures.
Preoperative albumin-to-globulin ratio and prognostic nutritional index predict the prognosis of colorectal cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Li JunHu , Zhu Na , Wang Cheng , You LiuPing , Guo WenLong , Yuan ZhiHan , Qi Shuai , Zhao HanZheng , Yu JiaYong , Huang YueNan
Published: October 2023

The immunonutritional status has important effects on outcomes for cancer patients. Albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) and the prognostic nutrition index (PNI) are often used to assess the immunonutritional status of cancer patients. However, the clinical significance of these factors in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of the AGR and PNI in CRC. We reviewed the clinical data of 511 patients with CRC in two hospitals. Data from one institution was used as the training cohort. The optimal cutoff values for AGR and PNI in the training cohort were 1.4 and 48.65, respectively. Patients in both the low AGR and low PNI groups had poor overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), while those in the low AGR-low PNI group had the lowest OS and PFS. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative AGR, preoperative PNI, gross type, and TNM stage were independent prognostic factors influencing OS in patients with CRC. Preoperative AGR, preoperative PNI, and TNM stage were independently associated with PFS in patients with CRC. According to the results of multivariate analysis in the training cohort, we developed the nomograms for OS and PFS and performed internal and external validation, which showed good prediction ability of the nomograms. In conclusion, preoperative AGR and PNI can be used as effective indicators to predict survival for patients with CRC. AGR and PNI may help develop effective adjuvant-therapy schedules.
Multivariate linear mixture models for the prediction of febrile seizure risk and recurrence: a prospective case–control study
Authors: Papež Jan , Labounek René , Jabandžiev Petr , Česká Katarína , Slabá Kateřina , Ošlejšková Hana , Aulická Štefania , Nestrašil Igor
Published: October 2023

Our goal was to identify highly accurate empirical models for the prediction of the risk of febrile seizure (FS) and FS recurrence. In a prospective, three-arm, case–control study, we enrolled 162 children (age 25.8 ± 17.1 months old, 71 females). Participants formed one case group (patients with FS) and two control groups (febrile patients without seizures and healthy controls). The impact of blood iron status, peak body temperature, and participants’ demographics on FS risk and recurrence was investigated with univariate and multivariate statistics. Serum iron concentration, iron saturation, and unsaturated iron-binding capacity differed between the three investigated groups (pFWE < 0.05). These serum analytes were key variables in the design of novel multivariate linear mixture models. The models classified FS risk with higher accuracy than univariate approaches. The designed bi-linear classifier achieved a sensitivity/specificity of 82%/89% and was closest to the gold-standard classifier. A multivariate model assessing FS recurrence provided a difference (pFWE < 0.05) with a separating sensitivity/specificity of 72%/69%. Iron deficiency, height percentile, and age were significant FS risk factors. In addition, height percentile and hemoglobin concentration were linked to FS recurrence. Novel multivariate models utilizing blood iron status and demographic variables predicted FS risk and recurrence among infants and young children with fever.
Associations between the circumstances and severity of head impacts in men’s university ice hockey
Authors: Aguiar Olivia M. G. , Chow Tim R. , Chong Helen , Vakili Omid , Robinovitch Stephen N.
Published: October 2023

Improved evidence on the most common and severe types of head impacts in ice hockey can guide efforts to preserve brain health through improvements in protective gear, rink design, player training, and rules of play. In this observational cohort study of men’s university hockey, we compared video evidence on the circumstances of 234 head impacts to measures of head impact severity (peak linear accelerations and rotational velocities) from helmet-mounted sensors (GForceTracker). Videos were analyzed with a validated questionnaire, and paired with helmet sensor data. Shoulder-to-head impacts were more common than hand- or elbow-, but there were no differences in head impact severity between upper limb contact sites (p ≥ 0.2). Head-to-glass impacts were nearly four times more common, and just as severe as head-to-board impacts (p ≥ 0.4). Head impacts resulting in major penalties (versus no penalty), or visible signs of concussion (versus no signs), involved greater head rotational velocities (p = 0.038 and 0.049, respectively). Head impacts occurred most often to the side of the head, along the boards to players in their offensive zone without puck possession. Head impact severity did not differ between cases where the head was (versus was not) the primary site of contact (p ≥ 0.6). Furthermore, penalties were called in only 4% of cases where the head was the initial point of contact. Accordingly, rules that focus on primary targeting of the head, while important and in need of improved enforcement, offer a limited solution.
Thermo-mechanical characterization of electrospun polyurethane/carbon-nanotubes nanofibers: a comparative study
Authors: Shaker A. , Khedewy Amira T. , Hassan Mohamed A. , El-Baky Marwa A. Abd
Published: October 2023

Creating ultrathin, mountable fibers from a wide range of polymeric functional materials has made electrospinning an adequate approach to producing highly flexible and elastic materials. In this paper, electrospinning was utilized to produce thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibrous membranes for the purpose of studying their thermal and mechanical properties. Towards a study of the effects of fiber orientation and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a filler on both mechanical and thermal characteristics of electrospun TPU mats, an experimental comparison was held between unidirectional and randomly aligned TPU and TPU/MWCNTs nanofibrous structures. The incorporation of MWCNTs into randomly oriented TPU nanofibers resulted in a significant increase in Young's modulus (E), from 3.9 to 7.5 MPa. On the other hand, for unidirectionally spun fibers, Young's modulus increased from 17.1 to 18.4 MPa upon the addition of MWCNTs. However, dynamic mechanical analysis revealed a different behavior. The randomly oriented specimens exhibited a storage modulus with a significant increase from 180 to 614 MPa for TPU and TPU/MWCNTs mats, respectively, and a slight increase from 119 to 143 MPa for unidirectional TPU and TPU/MWCNTs mats, respectively. Meanwhile, the loss modulus increased with the addition of MWCNTs from 15.7 to 58.9 MPa and from 6.4 to 12 MPa for the random and aligned fibers, respectively. The glass transition values for all the mats fell in the temperature range of – 60 to − 20 °C. The thermal degradation of the membranes was not significantly affected by the addition of MWCNTs, indicating that the mixing of the two constituents did not change the TPU’s polymer structure and that the TPU/MWCNTs nanocomposite exhibited stable thermal degradation properties.
Smart city construction and urban green development: empirical evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Youzhi , Liu Yinke , Zhao Jing , Wang Jingyi
Published: October 2023

Smart city construction represents an advanced stage of China's urbanisation process and plays an important role in promoting green economic growth and sustainable development. Propensity score matching is combined with the difference-in-difference method to analyse the data of 221 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2020 to assess the impact of smart city construction on urban green development. We found that smart city construction can significantly contribute to urban green development; this contribution has long-term benefits. Further analysis shows that smart city construction promotes urban green development via industrial structure and green technology innovation and that smart city construction has a significant positive spatial spillover effect, i.e., it promotes urban green development locally while significantly contributing to urban green development in neighbouring regions.
Similarities and discrepancies between commercially available bioelectrical impedance analysis system and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition assessment in 10–14-year-old children
Authors: Ohara Kumiko , Nakamura Harunobu , Kouda Katsuyasu , Fujita Yuki , Mase Tomoki , Momoi Katsumasa , Nishiyama Toshimasa
Published: October 2023

A variety of easy-to-use commercial bioelectrical impedance appliances are available. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of a commercially available body composition meter using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) by comparing its measurement results with those obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The participants were 443 children aged from 10 to 14 years (226 boys and 217 girls). Fat mass, fat-free mass, lean body mass, percentage of body fat, and bone mineral contents were evaluated for all participants using BIA and DXA. The agreement in the anthropometric data obtained from both devices was analyzed using correlation analysis, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), Bland–Altman plots, and ordinary least products regression analysis. Equivalence between both devices was tested by two one-sided t-test. All measured indicators showed strong linear correlations between the two measurement systems (r, 0.853–1.000). Fat mass, fat-free mass, and lean body mass showed absolute concordance (ICC, 0.902–0.972; Lin’s CCC, 0.902–0.972). BIA overestimated bone mineral content (62.7–66.5%) and underestimated percentage of body fat (− 8.9 to − 0.8%), lean body mass (− 3.5 to − 1.8%), and body mass (− 0.8 to − 0.5%). For fat mass and fat-free mass, the overestimate or underestimate varied according to the sex and statistical analysis test. Bland–Altman analysis and ordinary least products analysis showed fixed bias and proportional bias in all indicators. Results according to quartiles of body mass index showed poor agreement for fat mass and percentage of body fat in both boys and girls in the lowest body mass index quartile. The present results revealed strong linear correlations between BIA and DXA, which confirmed the validity of the present single-frequency BIA-derived parameters. Our results suggest that BIA cannot provide the exact same values as DXA for some body composition parameters, but that performance is sufficient for longitudinal use within an individual for daily health management and monitoring.
Empirical delineation of the forest-steppe zone is supported by macroclimate
Authors: Bede-Fazekas Ákos , Török Péter , Erdős László
Published: October 2023

Eurasian forest-steppes form a 9000-km-long transitional zone between temperate forests and steppes, featuring a complex mosaic of herbaceous and woody habitats. Due to its heterogeneity regarding climate, topography and vegetation, the forest-steppe zone has been divided into several regions. However, a continental-scale empirical delineation of the zone and its regions was missing until recently. Finally, a map has been proposed by Erdős et al. based on floristic composition, physiognomy, relief, and climate. By conducting predictive distribution modeling and hierarchical clustering, here we compared this expert delineation with the solely macroclimate-based predictions and clusters. By assessing the discrepancies, we located the areas where refinement of the delineation or the inclusion of non-macroclimatic predictors should be considered. Also, we identified the most important variables for predicting the existence of the Eurasian forest-steppe zone and its regions. The predicted probability of forest-steppe occurrence showed a very high agreement with the expert delineation. The previous delineation of the West Siberia region was confirmed by our results, while that of the Inner Asia region was the one least confirmed by the macroclimate-based model predictions. The appropriate delineation of the Southeast Europe region from the East Europe region should be refined by further research, and splitting the Far East region into a southern and northern subregion should also be considered. The main macroclimatic predictors of the potential distribution of the zone and its regions were potential evapotranspiration (zone and regions), annual mean temperature (regions), precipitation of driest quarter (regions) and precipitation of warmest quarter (zone), but the importance of climatic variables for prediction showed great variability among the fitted predictive distribution models.
Spin effects on transport and zero-bias anomaly in a hybrid Majorana wire-quantum dot system
Authors: Huguet Alexandre , Wrześniewski Kacper , Weymann Ireneusz
Published: October 2023

We examine the impact of spin effects on the nonequilibrium transport properties of a nanowire hosting Majorana zero-energy modes at its ends, coupled to a quantum dot junction with ferromagnetic leads. Using the real-time diagrammatic technique, we determine the current, differential conductance and current cross-correlations in the nonlinear response regime. We also explore transport in different magnetic configurations of the system, which can be quantified by the tunnel magnetoresistance. We show that the presence of Majorana quasiparticles gives rise to unique features in all spin-resolved transport characteristics, in particular, to zero-bias anomaly, negative differential conductance, negative tunnel magnetoresistance, and it is also reflected in the current cross-correlations. Moreover, we study the dependence of the zero-bias anomaly on various system parameters and demonstrate its dependence on the magnetic configuration of the system as well as on the degree of spin polarization in the leads. A highly nontrivial behavior is also found for the tunnel magnetoresistance, which exhibits regions of enhanced or negative values—new features resulting from the coupling to Majorana wire.
Potential benefits of restrictive transfusion in upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Teutsch Brigitta , Veres Dániel Sándor , Pálinkás Dániel , Simon Orsolya Anna , Hegyi Péter , Erőss Bálint
Published: October 2023

The optimal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategy in acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is debated. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of restrictive compared to liberal transfusion strategies in the GIB population. We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, and Web of Science for randomised controlled trials on 15.01.2022 without restrictions. Studies comparing lower to higher RBC transfusion thresholds after GIB were eligible. We used the random effect model and calculated pooled mean differences (MD), risk ratios (RR) and proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to calculate the overall effect size. The search yielded 3955 hits. All seven eligible studies reported on the upper GIB population. Restrictive transfusion did not increase the in-hospital- (RR: 0.94; CI 0.46, 1.94) and 30-day mortality (RR: 0.71; CI 0.35, 1.45). In-hospital- and 28 to 45-day rebleeding rate was also not higher with the restrictive modality (RR: 0.67; CI 0.30, 1.50; RR:0.75; CI 0.49, 1.16, respectively). Results of individual studies showed a lower rate of transfusion reactions and post-transfusion intervention if the transfusion was started at a lower threshold. A haemoglobin threshold > 80 g/L may result in a higher untoward outcome rate. In summary, restrictive transfusion does not appear to lead to a higher rate of significant clinical endpoints. The optimal restrictive transfusion threshold should be further investigated.
Exploring late Pleistocene bioturbation on Yermak Plateau to assess sea-ice conditions and primary productivity through the Ethological Ichno Quotient
Authors: Singh Akanksha , O’Regan Matt , Coxall Helen K. , Forwick Matthias , Löwemark Ludvig
Published: October 2023

Central Arctic, interglacial intervals have traditionally been associated with diverse and intense bioturbation, and abundant foraminifera, interpreted as indicating relatively low sea-ice concentrations and productive surface waters, while glacial intervals, typically barren, support the inverse. In this respect, the Yermak Plateau is anomalous. Biomarker studies suggest that glacial intervals were characterized by comparatively open water, while interglacials are marked by severe sea-ice conditions. Here we study downcore Ethological Ichno Quotient (EIQ) variations in trace fossils and bioturbation to test the hypothesis that different ethological classes vary in accordance with late Pleistocene changes in sea-ice extent, with deposit feeders increasing during reduced sea-ice cover and chemosymbiotic traces increasing during periods of thick perennial sea-ice conditions. Our results generally demonstrate that the abundance of traces like Planolites, Scolicia, and burrows produced by deposit feeders increase during episodes of seasonal sea-ice cover. In contrast, intervals with more severe sea-ice conditions are characterized by chemosymbiotic traces such as Chondrites and Trichichnus/Mycellia, suggesting lower food delivery and poorly ventilated bottom water conditions. The study thus confirms previous reconstructions of sea-ice conditions on the Yermak Plateau during interglacials, demonstrating that bioturbation variation provides insights into bentho-pelagic coupling under variable sea ice regimes in the Arctic Ocean.
Queen quality, performance, and winter survival of imported and domestic honey bee queen stocks
Authors: Holmes L. A. , Ovinge L. P. , Kearns J. D. , Ibrahim A. , Wolf Veiga P. , Guarna M. M. , Pernal S. F. , Hoover S. E.
Published: October 2023

Canadian beekeepers have faced high colony mortality each winter over the last decade. Frequently citing “poor queen quality” as a top contributing factor to colony loss, Canadian beekeepers report needing to replace half their queens each year. Domestic queen production exists throughout Canada but is limited due to the short season and can be further limited when colony mortality is high. Consequently, Canadian beekeepers import over 260,000 queens annually, primarily from locations with warmer climates. In this study, newly mated imported queens from Hawaii (USA) and New Zealand were compared to domestic Canadian queens produced in British Columbia; these stocks were evaluated on their morphological and sperm storage characteristics. Stock quality was also evaluated in the field at two locations in Alberta, Canada over two production seasons. Our results show initial variation in queen morphology and fertility among imported and domestic queen stocks. Most striking, the New Zealand queens weighed 10–13% less than the Hawaii and British Columbia queens, respectively upon arrival. Colony performance over a two-year field study suggests: (1) brood pattern solidness has a positive nonlinear correlation with honey production regardless of queen stock and environment; (2) environment (i.e., apiary location) and queen stock variably predict colony health and productivity depending on year; specifically, apiary site appears to be a stronger predictor of colony health and productivity than queen stock in year one, but in year two, queen stock appears to be a stronger predictor than apiary site; (3) high clinical symptoms of chalkbrood may explain the prevalence of poor brood patterns in colonies headed by queens from New Zealand; (4) domestic queens are 25% more likely to survive winter in Alberta than imported queens. Therefore, it is important to consider possible mismatches in disease immunity and climate conditioning of imported queen stocks heading colonies in temperate regions that face drastically different seasonal climates and disease ecology dynamics.