bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HDAC1-3 inhibition triggers NEDD4-mediated CCR2 downregulation and attenuates immunosuppression in myeloid-derived suppressor cells
Authors: Xie Zhiqi , Shao Jinjin , Shen Zeren , Ye Zhichao , Okada Yoshiaki , Okuzaki Daisuke , Okada Naoki , Tachibana Masashi
Published: February 2025

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a critical role in cancer progression and resistance, thus representing promising targets for immunotherapy. Despite the established role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in epigenetic regulation of cell fate and function, their specific impact on MDSCs remains elusive. We sought to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of HDAC on MDSCs using various HDAC inhibitors. Our results indicate that HDAC1-3 inhibitors reduce CCR2 expression, a chemokine receptor that mediates the migration of monocytic (M-)MDSCs to tumors and attenuated the immunosuppressive activity of MDSCs. In an orthotropic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) murine model, HDAC1-3 inhibitors reduced the infiltration of M-MDSCs, increased the number of natural killer cells in tumors, and suppressed tumor growth. Our results also suggest that HDAC1-3 inhibitors potentiate the antitumor effects of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibodies. ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analyses revealed 115 genes epigenetically upregulated by HDAC1-3 inhibitors, primarily linked to transcriptional regulation and ubiquitination. We further elucidated that HDAC1-3 inhibitors facilitate CCR2 protein degradation through ubiquitination-mediated by NEDD4 E3 ligase. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism of action of HDAC1-3 inhibitors in MDSCs and suggest a potential synergistic immunotherapy strategy for clinical benefit in HCC.
Shaping immunity: the influence of the maternal gut bacteria on fetal immune development
Authors: Faas Marijke M. , Smink Alexandra M.
Published: February 2025

The development of the fetal immune response is a highly complex process. In the present review, we describe the development of the fetal immune response and the role of the maternal gut bacteria in this process. In contrast to the previous belief that the fetal immune response is inert, it is now thought that the fetal immune response is uniquely tolerant to maternal and allo-antigens, but able to respond to infectious agents, such as bacteria. This is accomplished by the development of T cells toward regulatory T cells rather than toward effector T cells, but also by the presence of functional innate immune cells, such as monocytes and NK cells. Moreover, in fetuses there is different programming of CD8 + T cells and memory T cells toward innate immune cells rather than to adaptive immune cells. The maternal gut bacteria are important in shaping the fetal immune response by producing bacterial products and metabolites that pass the placenta into the fetus and influence development of the fetal immune response. Insight into how and when these products affect the fetal immune response may open new treatment options with pre- or probiotics to affect the maternal gut bacteria and therewith the fetal immune response.
When do reforms meet fairness concerns in school admissions?
Authors: Bonkoungou Somouaoga , Nesterov Alexander
Published: February 2025

We study a series of reforms of school admissions mechanisms motivated, among other reasons, by fairness concerns and vulnerability to manipulation. Before the reforms and after, the mechanisms were vulnerable to preference manipulation and induced blocking students: students who miss desired schools despite having higher priority or seats left empty. We demonstrate that some of these reforms improved fairness by adopting mechanisms with fewer blocking students compared to the preexisting ones, while several others did not. We identify preexisting mechanisms where fairness consideration was more of an issue than vulnerability to manipulation and those where it is the reverse.
Delphi survey to gather feedback on a CONSORT extension proposal for nutrition intervention trials
Authors: William Arnold , Lachat Carl , Ahles Sanne , Murphy Karen J. , Minihane Anne-Marie , Weaver Connie , Shyam Sangeetha , Rigutto-Farebrother Jessica ,   On behalf of the Federation of European Nutrition Societies (FENS) Working Groups on Improving Standards in the Science of Nutrition.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Inadequate reporting of nutrition data can hinder the success of nutrition health policies. CONSORT provides guidance for reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and is required by most journals today, yet reporting of nutrition interventions may benefit from a more tailored approach. A Federation of European Nutrition Societies working group was created to improve quality and completeness of reporting of nutrition trials, and our work to date features a proposal for a CONSORT extension specific to nutrition RCTs. The present manuscript describes a Delphi survey conducted to gather opinion from a wider panel of nutrition and health experts and related interest-holders on our proposal.

Methods

We invited 138 potentially eligible participants to take part in the Delphi survey from a representative spread of expertise and geography. We employed a Likert scale with comments for our 32-item proposal in round 1, and a dichotomous scale with comments for our 29-item proposal in round 2. Threshold for agreement was set at ≥ 80% for both rounds.

Results

Forty-seven potentially eligible participants responded to our invitation, 38 completed the first round and 36 completed the second. N = 23 (72%) items achieved ≥ 80% in round 1, and 100% of items in round 2. Three items were dropped or merged following round 1. A third Delphi round was not required to obtain consensus.

Conclusions

This Delphi expert consensus proposes a 29-item checklist specific to the reporting of nutrition RCTs and will inform further development of guidance through forthcoming consensus meetings.
Improving the selenium supply of vegans and omnivores with Brazil nut butter compared to a dietary supplement in a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Simon Rebecca , Lossow Kristina , Pellowski Denny , Kipp Kristin , Achatz Michaela , Klasen Nicole , Schwerdtle Tanja , Dawczynski Christine , Kipp Anna P.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

A vegan diet is associated with health benefits but may also lead to inadequate intake of essential nutrients. Due to the lower selenium content in plant-based compared to animal-based foods, many vegans do not reach the recommended selenium intake in Europe. The only plant-based food with high selenium content is the Brazil nut, even though there is also a high variability. Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of Brazil nut butter compared to a dietary supplement as selenium source to improve the selenium status of vegans and omnivores.

Methods

44 vegans and 42 omnivores were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups, either receiving placebo or consuming additional 55 µg of selenium daily as Brazil nut butter or supplement for two weeks. Serum selenium concentrations, glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) were measured at baseline and after intervention. Additionally, dietary selenium intake was estimated using a five-day dietary protocol.

Results

The estimated selenium intake was significantly lower in vegans compared to omnivores and correlated with all three selenium biomarkers. Independent of the dietary pattern (vegan or omnivore), Brazil nut butter as well as supplement significantly increased serum selenium and SELENOP concentrations, while there were no changes in the placebo groups. Both interventions were equally effective in increasing selenium levels, but the upregulation of SELENOP was more pronounced in vegans than in omnivores.

Conclusion

Brazil nuts are a plant-based source of selenium suitable for vegans and omnivores to improve their selenium status when consumed once in a while.

Trial registration number and date of registration

Clinical trials registration number: NCT05814874, April 18 2023.
Maternal diet quality and circulating extracellular vesicle and particle miRNA during pregnancy
Authors: Muse Meghan E. , Wang Yuting , Gilbert-Diamond Diane , Armstrong David A. , Hoen Anne G. , Romano Megan E. , Gui Jiang , Palys Thomas J. , Kolling Frederick W. , Christensen Brock C. , Karagas Margaret R. , Howe Caitlin G.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

During pregnancy, extracellular vesicle and particle microRNAs (EVP miRNA) in maternal circulation have the capacity to cross the placenta and facilitate maternal-fetal communication. Both dysregulation of circulating EVP miRNA during pregnancy and maternal diet quality have been previously associated with pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes. However, little is known about how maternal diet influences circulating EVP miRNA during pregnancy. This study assesses associations between maternal diet quality, as measured by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (2010; AHEI-2010), and EVP miRNA levels in maternal circulation during pregnancy.

Methods

In a pilot study of 53 pregnant participants in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, maternal diet quality was assessed using AHEI-2010 and plasma (mean gestational age at blood collection: 28.8 weeks) EVP miRNA were profiled using the NanoString nCounter platform which interrogates 798 miRNA transcripts.

Results

In covariate-adjusted models, the AHEI-2010 adherence score was negatively associated (P < 0.05) with the number of unique miRNA transcripts detectable in each sample. In post hoc analyses, greater consumption of red and processed meats was positively associated with levels of 7 miRNA (Q < 0.05), including hsa-miR-512-5p (P

Bonf
< 0.01), a member of the placenta-specific chromosome 19 miRNA cluster.

Conclusion

We identified associations between the consumption of red and processed meat and levels of circulating select EVP miRNA during pregnancy, including placenta-specific miRNA and miRNA with target genes overrepresented in pathways involved in placental development. Additional research is needed to assess whether alterations in maternal circulating EVP miRNA may mediate maternal diet quality’s impacts on pregnancy and birth outcomes.
On-site breakfast provision in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Australia: a multi-method investigation
Authors: Park Seon Y. , Zheng Miaobing , Lacy Kathleen E. , Campbell Karen J. , Love Penelope
Published: February 2025

Background

Breakfast is vital for young children’s health. In Australia, breakfast is often provided in government-approved Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services. However, research on breakfast provision in Australian ECEC services is limited. This study aimed to evaluate breakfast quality and enablers and barriers of breakfast provision in these settings.

Methods

A multi-method, sequential explanatory design was employed, including survey, on-site visits, and semi-structured interviews. ECEC services offering breakfast in Victoria, Australia, participated in an online survey to assess breakfast provision quality based on Victorian Health Eating Advisory Service (HEAS) guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression was utilised to identify the relationship between breakfast quality and service characteristics. A subset of services participated in 1-day observational visits and 30-min semi-structured interviews. The on-site visits observed breakfast foods and environments, while interviews explored enablers or barriers of breakfast provision.

Results

Fifty ECEC services participated in the online survey, with common breakfast items such as cereal, bread, and milk being frequently provided, while fruits and vegetables were among the least common items offered. Only 10–16% of services met the HEAS definitions of high-quality standards, and these centres were mostly located in socioeconomically advantaged areas. Of these, four services participated in the on-site observation phase, where the use of full-cream milk and multigrain bread was commonly noted. Additionally, eight interviews (two from each centre) were conducted to explore enablers and barriers to healthy breakfast provision. Key enablers included government funding and the use of nutritional guidelines, while barriers involved time constraints, budget limitations, staffing shortages, and insufficient confidence in applying and utilising nutrition guidance.

Conclusion

Fruits and vegetables are rarely provided at breakfast in ECEC settings, and only a small number of ECEC services met high-quality breakfast standards, with those in socio-economically advantaged areas more likely to achieve these standards. Targeted interventions, particularly in disadvantaged areas, are essential to improve the quality of breakfast provision, with a focus on including fruits and vegetables in line with guidelines. While the findings of this study had jurisdictional limitations, this study highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as time constraints, budget limitations, and staffing shortages, along with establishing practical and clear breakfast guidelines to enhance the quality of breakfast provision in ECEC settings. Further research is needed to explore specific and actionable strategies for implementing these improvements.
Influence of surgeon experience on the incidence of tip fold-over with slim preformed cochlear implant electrodes
Authors: Knörle Esther , Vazzana Caterina , Stöver Timo , Helbig Silke
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To assess whether increasing experience with implantation of a thin preformed electrode array for perimodiolar insertion reduces the incidence of tip fold-over (TFO).

Methods

The retrospective study included 100 patients who received a cochlear implant (CI) with the Slim Modiolar (SM) electrode array (Cochlear, Sydney, Australia) at a university CI centre between November 2015 and December 2022. Postoperative radiological imaging was performed to verify electrode position. Surgical reports and radiological images were reviewed and the incidence of TFO was analyzed for three experienced CI surgeons. In addition, the incidence of intraoperative measurements showing evidence of electrode malposition and the mean duration of surgery over time were documented.

Results

129 SM implantations in 100 patients were included. In seven cases (5.4%) TFO was radiologically detected and successfully revised. In eight cases (6.2%), electrophysiological measurements indicated misplacement and the position was corrected during the same surgery. For one surgeon, five out of 67 implantations (7.5%) were affected by TFO, with the frequency of this complication decreasing over time. The average surgery time for all surgeons was 122.2 (± 44.2) minutes, with two surgeons showing a decrease over time.

Conclusion

The results show a tendency that the SM electrodes can be implanted with a lower complication rate and faster over time. Therefore, it can be assumed that the implantation of the SM electrode requires a certain amount of practice, even for experienced surgeons. As intraoperative electrophysiological measurements detected 71.4% of all radiologically confirmed TFOs, their use is highly recommended.
Integration of a high-resolution melt curve assay into a commercial quantification kit for preliminary identification of biological mixtures
Authors: Smith Chastyn , Williams Andrea L. , Wines Hannah E. , Cloudy Darianne C. , Cox Jordan O. , J. Seashols-Williams Sarah , Boone Edward L. , Green Tracey Dawson
Published: February 2025

In recent years, DNA analysis techniques have drastically increased in sensitivity, allowing for low template DNA samples to be more easily detected and used for identification. Since the problems inherent in low template DNA are exacerbated in DNA mixture samples, it would be advantageous to incorporate an assay earlier in the DNA workflow that could detect a mixture and, potentially, determine the number of contributors. Some real-time PCR instruments have high-resolution melt curve analysis (HRM) capabilities, allowing for an opportunity to integrate an HRM screening assay into a commercial DNA quantification kit. This work describes the integration of a mixture screening HRM assay using STR loci D5S818 and D18S51 into Qiagen’s Investigator Quantiplex® kit. The integrated Quantiplex®-HRM assay was tested on two qPCR platforms: The Rotor-Gene® Q and the QuantStudio™ 6 Flex. Data from this assay was analyzed using linear discriminant and support vector machine analyses for sample classification. When HRM curve data from the Rotor-Gene® Q was used for classification, the integrated assay exhibited an overall accuracy of 89.39%, correctly classifying 87.5% of single source samples and 100% of mixtures. When HRM curve data from the QuantStudio™ 6 Flex was used for classification, the integrated assay exhibited an overall accuracy of 87.88%, correctly classifying 87.5% of single source samples and 90% of mixtures. The overall accuracy of the integrated Quantiplex®-HRM assay on both instruments met our goal of ≥ 80% accuracy, demonstrating the viability of the assay to detect mixtures when integrated into a commercial quantification kit.
Towards a biological view of multiple sclerosis from early subtle to clinical progression: an expert opinion
Authors: Filippi Massimo , Amato Maria Pia , Avolio Carlo , Gallo Paolo , Gasperini Claudio , Inglese Matilde , Marfia Girolama Alessandra , Patti Francesco
Published: February 2025

The classification of multiple sclerosis (MS) into the two distinct phases of relapsing–remitting and progressive, including primary progressive and secondary progressive phenotypes (PPMS and SPMS, respectively) has long been accepted; however, there are several unmet needs associated with this particular model. The observation that both inflammation and neurodegeneration are present from the onset of MS has resulted in a paradigm shift towards MS as a disease continuum driven by pathological mechanisms underlying clinical progression. Here we report the results from a meeting of Italian MS specialists, exploring the evolving perception of MS pathobiology and its implications for diagnosis and treatment. Insights garnered from the expert panel advocate for a redefined understanding of MS. This expert opinion paper reviews the disease continuum and the intertwined nature of inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. Also, the need for changes in diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies, including the development of novel biomarkers and new therapies targeting smouldering disease, is discussed.
Assessment of choroidal vascularity index in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: implications for disease monitoring
Authors: Yılmaz İbrahim Edhem , Soysal Gizem Gürbostan , Doğru Veysel , Seyyar Sevim Ayca
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) can affect ocular structures, but choroidal involvement is not well understood. This study investigates the Choroidal Vascularity Index (CVI) in JIA patients compared to healthy controls and explores its relationship with disease activity.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 35 JIA patients and 40 healthy controls underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). CVI, central macular thickness (CMT), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were measured. The Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS) was calculated for JIA patients. Statistical analysis included comparison between groups and correlation analysis.

Results

JIA patients showed significantly lower CVI compared to controls (68.3 ± 2.5% vs. 72 ± 4.6%, p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in SFCT. CVI demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with JADAS (r = -0.368, p < 0.05). However, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed poor diagnostic performance of CVI for detecting JIA (AUC = 0.25).

Conclusion

The study reveals reduced choroidal vascularity in JIA patients and a correlation between CVI and disease activity. While CVI shows limited diagnostic utility, it may serve as a potential marker for monitoring inflammatory burden and treatment response in JIA. Further research is needed to establish its clinical utility fully.
Coccoid Helicobacter pylori in patients with obesity: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Mayer Chen , Hillel Daniel , Barshack Iris , Schvimer Michael
Published: February 2025

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects approximately fifty percent (50%) of individuals worldwide. The coccoid form of HP, a dormant state with altered morphology, has been associated with persistent infections and antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the coccoid form of HP in patients living with obesity. Sleeve gastrectomy specimens from obese patients and gastric biopsies from non-obese individuals were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and histopathological examination were performed to identify and quantify the coccoid forms of HP. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the results between the two groups. The study included 53 obese patients and 62 non-obese individuals. The percentage of coccoid forms of HP was significantly higher in obese patients compared to non-obese individuals (median 50% vs. 10%, p < 0.001). Type of gastritis was also significantly different between the groups. Obese patients exhibited a higher prevalence of the coccoid form of HP in their gastric mucosa. This finding suggests that the gastric microenvironment in obesity may favor the formation of the coccoid form, potentially impacting the colonization and pathogenicity of HP. The higher prevalence of the coccoid form in obese patients has important clinical implications, as it is more resistant to antibiotics and difficult to eradicate. Alternative treatment strategies may be necessary to effectively manage HP infections in this population. Furthermore, the presence of the coccoid form may increase the risk of HP-associated diseases in obese individuals. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore novel treatment approaches for HP infection in the context of obesity.
Plant species richness and phylogenetic diversity can favor the recovery of dung beetle communities in ecological restoration plots
Authors: Urrea-Galeano Lina Adonay , Santos-Gally Rocío , Rivera-Duarte José D. , Díaz Rojas Alfonso , Boege Karina
Published: February 2025

Plant communities with higher species richness and phylogenetic diversity can increase the diversity of herbivores and their enemies through trophic interactions. However, whether these two features of plant communities have the same positive influence on other guilds through non-trophic mechanisms requires further exploration. Dung beetles represent an ideal system for testing such impacts, as they do not have a specialized trophic interaction with plants and are sensitive to changes in vegetation structure and the associated microclimate. We used a dataset of dung beetles collected from forest sites, restoration plots, and cattle pastures to (a) determine whether the richness and phylogenetic diversity of plants within restoration plots influence the total biomass and the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of dung beetles; and (b) determine if the establishment of restoration plots allows to recover the abundance and diversity of dung beetle communities, relative to what is found in livestock pastures. In the restoration plots, the abundance of Scarabaeinae beetles and the total biomass, functional originality, and phylogenetic diversity of dung beetles were positively related to the number of plant species, but only the abundance of Scarabaeinae and total biomass of all dung beetles were positively related to the plant phylogenetic diversity. Finally, the restoration plots allowed a threefold increase in the total biomass of dung beetles relative to the biomass found in pastures. We discuss how restoration plots with high plant species richness and phylogenetic diversity can favor the recovery of dung beetle communities by potentially creating more niche opportunities.
From Word-Representable Graphs to Altered Tverberg-Type Theorems
Authors: Oliveros Deborah , Torres Antonio J.
Published: February 2025

Tverberg’s theorem states that a set with sufficiently many points in

$${\mathbb {R}}^d$$

R

d

can always be partitioned into m parts such that the nerve (the intersection pattern) of the convex hulls of the parts form an

$$(m-1)$$

(
m
-
1
)

-simplex. De Loera, Hogan, Oliveros, and Yang (2021) explored how other simplicial complexes can emerge as nerve complexes for sufficiently large point sets. In this paper, we establish a connection between the theory of word-representable graphs and a method for encoding the 1-skeletons of simplicial complexes to generate nerve complexes. Specifically, we demonstrate that every triangle-free 2-word-representable graph can be realized as a nerve complex in the plane, given sufficiently many points. Furthermore, for every bipartite graph, there exists a dimension d such that it can be represented as a nerve complex for sufficiently many points in

$${\mathbb {R}}^d$$

R

d

.
Computational homogenization for aerogel-like polydisperse open-porous materials using neural network-based surrogate models on the microscale
Authors: Klawonn Axel , Lanser Martin , Mager Lucas , Rege Ameya
Published: February 2025

The morphology of nanostructured materials exhibiting a polydisperse porous space, such as aerogels, is very open porous and fine grained. Therefore, a simulation of the deformation of a large aerogel structure resolving the nanostructure would be extremely expensive. Thus, multi-scale or homogenization approaches have to be considered. Here, a computational scale bridging approach based on the

$$\hbox {FE}^2$$

FE
2

method is suggested, where the macroscopic scale is discretized using finite elements while the microstructure of the open-porous material is resolved as a network of Euler–Bernoulli beams. Here, the beam frame based RVEs (representative volume elements) have pores whose size distribution follows the measured values for a specific material. This is a well-known approach to model aerogel structures. For the computational homogenization, an approach to average the first Piola–Kirchhoff stresses in a beam frame by neglecting rotational moments is suggested. To further overcome the computationally most expensive part in the homogenization method, that is, solving the RVEs and averaging their stress fields, a surrogate model is introduced based on neural networks. The network’s input is the localized deformation gradient on the macroscopic scale and its output is the averaged stress for the specific material. It is trained on data generated by the beam frame based approach. The effiency and robustness of both homogenization approaches is shown numerically, the approximation properties of the surrogate model is verified for different macroscopic problems and discretizations. Different (Quasi-)Newton solvers are considered on the macroscopic scale and compared with respect to their convergence properties.
Exploring patient experience of rehabilitation within the surgical pathway for lower limb soft tissue sarcoma in the UK: a single-centre study
Authors: Dean Lucy , Cowan-Dickie Siobhan , Strauss Dirk C. , Humphrey Pauline , Cramp Fiona
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The primary treatment for localised soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is surgery. Surgery for lower limb sarcoma is associated with poorer functional outcomes than other anatomical sites. Rehabilitation is essential, yet provision is not standardised, and patient experience of current service delivery is unknown. This study therefore aimed to explore patients’ experiences of rehabilitation in the surgical pathway for lower limb STS at a United Kingdom (UK) specialist centre.

Methods

A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological study was undertaken to explore patients’ rehabilitation experiences. Eight patients who had undergone lower limb STS surgery at a specialist centre were purposively sampled. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three main themes were identified: (1) Accessing the right services at the right time. Participants described good access to inpatient rehabilitation post-operatively but delays and challenges in accessing local services affected continuity of care. Rehabilitation gaps pre-operatively, and in facilitating return to meaningful activities, were described; (2) “Communication is key” — providing knowledge and support to navigate uncertainty. Unclear and unrealistic expectations of recovery were challenging. Communication was key to patients feeling supported and facilitating access to rehabilitation; (3) T
he importance of person-centred rehabilitation. Collaborative, person-centred rehabilitation optimised motivation and engagement.

Conclusion

Participants experienced good access to inpatient rehabilitation post-operatively. In contrast, gaps and delays at other timepoints led to missed opportunities to support preparation for, and recovery from, surgery. A multidisciplinary approach across settings from diagnosis, to deliver person-centred rehabilitation, may improve access, expectation management and continuity of care.
Geometric deep learning for ionospheric TEC modeling using a temporal graph convolutional network
Authors: Kaselimi Maria , Doulamis Nikolaos , Doulamis Anastasios , Delikaraoglou Demitris
Published: February 2025

This document proposes a spatiotemporal deep learning model for ionospheric total electron content (TEC) modeling using global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) observables. Data from dual-frequency GNSS receivers are used to compute the daily GNSS TEC timeseries. Usually, these timeseries are computed independently per GNSS permanent station, and the state-of-the art models proposed in literature exploit temporal characteristics of the timeseries and neglect any spatial dependencies and information from different stations. In our approach, we propose a practical solution for parallel processing of TEC timeseries and additional indicators from various adjacent stations to predict future VTEC values. We face the problem in both spatial and temporal dimensions adopting a graph neural network-based approach from the broader family of geometric deep learning. According to our proposed scheme, the different adjacent GNSS stations are structured in a graph and then, we apply the proposed temporal graph convolutional network called ION_TGNN. Our model predicts future vertical TEC (VTEC) values for all stations in a single run with mae error better than 1.0 TECU. Comparisons with state-of-the art models show the superiority of the proposed method in terms of performance but also in terms of computational cost during training and test phases.
A semisynthetic, multicofactor artificial metalloenzyme retains independent site activity
Authors: Wertz Ashlee E. , Rosenkampff Ilmari , Ibouanga Philippe , Huber Matthias , Hess Corinna R. , Rüdiger Olaf , Shafaat Hannah S.
Published: February 2025

Native metalloenzymes are unparalleled in their ability to perform efficient small molecule activation reactions, converting simple substrates into complex products. Most of these natural systems possess multiple metallocofactors to facilitate electron transfer or cascade catalysis. While the field of artificial metalloenzymes is growing at a rapid rate, examples of artificial enzymes that leverage two distinct cofactors remain scarce. In this work, we describe a new class of artificial enzymes containing two different metallocofactors, incorporated through bioorthogonal strategies. Nickel-substituted rubredoxin (NiRd), which is a structural and functional mimic of [NiFe] hydrogenases, is used as a scaffold. Incorporation of a synthetic bimetallic inorganic complex based on a macrocyclic biquinazoline ligand (MMBQ) was accomplished using a novel chelating thioether linker. Neither the structure of the NiRd active site nor the MMBQ were altered upon attachment, and each site retained independent redox activity. Electrocatalysis was observed from each site, with the switchability of the system demonstrated through the use of catalytically inert metal centers. This MMBQ–NiRd platform offers a new avenue to create multicofactor artificial metalloenzymes in a robust system that can be easily tuned both through modifications to the protein scaffold and the synthetic moiety, with applications for redox catalysis and tandem reactivity.

Graphical abstract
Loneliness and social isolation correlate with multiple modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases including dementia
Authors: Bartlett Larissa , Fair Hannah , Bindoff Aidan , Kitsos Alex , Hamrah Mohammad Shoaib , Roccati Eddy , Vickers James C.
Published: February 2025

Aim

Loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for chronic diseases including dementia, but the pathways of influence are not yet clear.

Subject and methods

Levels of risk for nine modifiable health risk factors were calculated by applying Australian risk reduction guidelines to cohort study survey data. Serial multiple linear regression models were used to test associations by risk level, and a partial correlation network was used to map the directness of significant relationships.

Results

Regression models indicated that higher social isolation and loneliness were associated with high-risk status on seven of the nine risk factors (mean age 63 years, n = 6670). However, the network analysis suggested that the size and supportiveness of social networks directly influenced rates of physical and cognitive activity, smoking rates, and dietary adherence, while loneliness only directly influenced smoking and higher body mass index (BMI). We found evidence suggesting an indirect influence on the management of cardiometabolic risk factors and alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

The direct associations identified may present potential intervention targets, while the indirect relationships suggest that other factors are influential in the pathway linking social isolation and loneliness with chronic disease and dementia. These results can be used to inform longitudinal studies to investigate underlying mechanisms in the relationships between social isolation, loneliness, and health risk behaviors.
Farmers’ perceptions of Terminalia brownii management in agroforestry Parklands and its impact on soil physicochemical properties in the South Ari District, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Handiso Mitiku Ayele , Lemma Bruk , Asfaw Zebene , Bromm Tobias , Mellisse Beyene Teklu , Glaser Bruno
Published: February 2025

Smallholder farmers in the South Ari District of southern Ethiopia retain natural forest remnants of Terminalia brownii trees in their crop fields. However, little is known about their perceptions of its management in crop fields and its impacts on soil properties. Therefore, we investigated farmers’ perceptions and the impacts of scattered Terminalia brownii trees on soil physicochemical properties. For this purpose, we collected household survey data from 80 farmers and 54 composite soil samples from four directions at three radial distances and two soil depths. A randomized complete block design was used with three independent random field replications for the treatments within factorial arrangements, including the three radial distances and two soil depths. Based on the survey data, 90% of the respondents manage scattered Terminalia brownii trees in their crop fields. Among them, 63% use pollarding, while 49% use pruning techniques to enhance the impact on crops grown beneath trees. Our results revealed that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, plant-available potassium and phosphorus, and bulk density were significantly higher (P < 0.05) under the tree canopy. However, soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable bases depicted no significant differences between the tree canopy and open fields. Hence, retaining Terminalia brownii trees on the crop field is crucial for farmers to improve the soil physicochemical properties. However, sustained long-term studies are essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse functions of Terminalia brownii and its impact on microclimate dynamics and crop productivity.
Developing an educational blueprint for surgical handover curricula: a critical review of the evidence
Authors: Simiceva Anastasija , Ryan Jessica M. , Eppich Walter , Kavanagh Dara O. , McNamara Deborah A. , Morris Marie
Published: February 2025

Background Currently no guidelines exist for the development of surgical handover educational curricula. This critical review synthesises the relevant literature to identify best approaches to handover education and develop an evidence-based framework for teaching and assessing surgical handover skills. Methods The following resources were critically reviewed by two independent researchers to identify key educational components; (1) all published studies primarily utilising an educational intervention to improve surgical handover up to May 2023, (2) key international guidelines and (3) reviews of all handover interventions published within the last 10 years. Results A total of eight comparative studies, two systematic reviews, and four handover guidelines were included. Findings were reported across eight domains; including educational setting, approach, format, content, resources used, assessment, student feedback, and follow-up training. A framework for developing surgical handover curricula was also reported. Conclusion The reported educational framework or ‘blueprint’ aims to assist educators across multiple settings to develop evidence-based surgical handover curricula for undergraduate and postgraduate learners. Future studies need to achieve higher Kirkpatrick levels to demonstrate both effectiveness and sustainability of educational interventions, ensuring safer patient care.
Tattooing is Mainly Cultural: A Representative Twin Study of Tattooing Determinants
Authors: Clemmensen Signe B. , Mengel-From Jonas , Kaprio Jaakko , Harris Jennifer R. , Frederiksen Henrik , von Bornemann Hjelmborg Jacob
Published: February 2025

Tattooing has become increasingly common in recent decades, yet little is known regarding factors that influence tattoo behavior. Sources of influence will be important, for instance in aiding studies of long-term health effects. From the population-based Danish Twin Tattoo Cohort established in 2021, the study included 9,173 randomly selected twins born 1920–2004. Among these were 4,790 (52%) responders to a questionnaire on tattooing and lifestyle factors. There were 55% females, 22% were monozygotic twins, and the median age was 51 years. Shared influence of tattooing over time was assessed by comparing monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs. Responders were population representative on sex, age, and lifestyle factors. The cumulative incidence of being tattooed before age 25 years increased markedly from 6% (95% CI: 4–7%) for males and 0% (0–1%) for females born in 1925–1960 to 30% (25–35%) for males and 41% (37–46%) for females born in 1981–2004. Tattooing was over twice as common among ever smokers compared to never smokers born in 1981–2004 (average smoking effect at age 25 years: 36% (29–43%)). The likelihood of a twin getting tattooed if the co-twin is tattooed, was 2.0 (1.4–2.6) and 1.8 (1.5–2.2) times higher, for monozygotic and dizygotic twins, respectively. The findings indicate that variation in the likelihood of becoming tattooed is primarily explained by shared environmental factors 65% (35–95%), and that genetic influences explained little of this variation. This study demonstrates that strong environmental exposures shared by twin siblings irrespective of degree of genetic relatedness drive the choice for getting tattooed. We conclude that tattooing is a cultural group clustering phenomenon that goes beyond genetically oriented behavioral characteristics.
Acute toxicity of the insecticide Imidacloprid and the herbicide 2,4-D in two species of tropical anurans
Authors: Triana Velásquez Teófila María , Bernal Bautista Manuel Hernando
Published: February 2025

The use of pesticides has notably increased in recent years globally. However, sensitive organisms exposed to these environmental pollutants, such as amphibians, may experience adverse effects. The insecticide imidacloprid (IM) and the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) are two pesticides commonly used in Colombia, but their toxic impacts on tropical anurans remain poorly understood. In this study, we tested the acute toxic effects of IM and 2,4-D on the survival, total length, and burst swimming speed of tadpoles from two anuran species. Under laboratory conditions, the tadpoles of Boana platanera and Engystomops pustulosus were independently exposed to each pesticide for 96 h. We found that the tadpoles of E. pustulosus were more sensitive to both IM and 2,4-D than those of B. platanera. However, the LC50 values were higher than the reported field concentrations for these pesticides. IM led to a reduction in the total length of B. platanera tadpoles and induced total immobility in surviving individuals of both species. In contrast, the herbicide 2,4-D did not affect the total length or the swimming speed of tadpoles from the two species. In conclusion, based on the results and the reported field concentrations, IM and 2,4-D are not lethal to the studied anurans. Nevertheless, it is important to consider that IM caused strong negative sublethal effects on tadpoles, which could compromise their survival in the future. Finally, we also found that the insecticide IM showed notably greater toxicity to the tested species than did the herbicide 2,4-D.
Sustainable Approach for Synthesis of Ternary Composite Based on Zinc Metal-Organic Framework and Its Boosting Performance for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Youssry Sally M. , Elsherbiny Abeer S. , Gemaey Ali. H.
Published: February 2025

The integration of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and carbon materials boosts the electrochemical performance of supercapacitor (SC) electrodes. Hereby a facile and inexpensive method for synthesizing new hybrid supercapacitor electrode materials, zinc metal framework/reduced graphene oxide (Zn-MOF/rGO), zinc metal framework/polypyrrole (Zn-MOF/PPy) and zinc metal framework/polypyrrole/reduced graphene oxide (Zn-MOF/PPy/rGO) composites were performed. Surface and morphological properties of the four composites were conducted using different tools. The synthesized composites were then loaded onto a nickel foam (NF) substrate for supercapacitor electrochemical tests. The produced Zn-MOF/PPy/rGO nanocomposite loaded on NF electrode materials demonstrated improved electrochemical efficiency, with a high specific capacitance of 500.7 Fg− 1 at a scan rate of 3 Ag− 1. Moreover, a capacitance retention of 78.5%, and outstanding cyclic stability over 5000 cycles in the three-electrode setup with 1 M KOH electrolyte was observed. The improved electrochemical behavior of Zn-MOF/PPy/rGO nanocomposite loaded on NF electrode materials for SCs, as well as its fast and simple synthesis process, give a suitable and rapid way to synthesize other types of metal-organic frameworks nanocomposite electrodes for various energy storage devices.
Efficient synthesis of nanosized zeolite Y utilizing gradual heating: post-synthesis modification and their catalytic performance in propylene oligomerization
Authors: Manrique Cecilia , Botero Tatiana , Solano Roger , Mendoza Carlos , Echavarría-Isaza Adriana
Published: February 2025

Producing nanosized zeolites Y has been restricted to a Si/Al ratio lower than 2.0, requiring prolonged crystallization periods. This study employed temperature ramps during nucleation and crystallization to synthesize nanosized zeolites Y with a Si/Al ratio of 2.4, ranging from 47 to 100 nm, in just one day. Sequential post-synthesis desilication and dealumination treatments were used to modify the pore structure and acidity of the zeolites, leading to hierarchical zeolite formation. These modifications enhanced the structural stability and porosity of the zeolites while preserving their high crystallinity. Desilicated zeolites, unlike dealuminated ones, possessed straighter and more uniform mesoporous within their crystals, with diameters smaller than 5 nm. Additionally, successive desilication produced a greater number of intracrystalline mesoporous. The solids obtained from both processes exhibited porosity within the zeolite structure connected to the external surface, potentially improving the mass transfer limitations of the original zeolite due to the lack of mesoporous. Catalysts were prepared using modified nanozeolites for evaluation in the propylene oligomerization reaction. Catalysts based on dealuminated and desilicated nanosized zeolite Y showed high conversions above 20%, especially for dealuminated zeolites with conversions of 50%. Additionally, the catalysts demonstrated selectivity towards hydrocarbons in the C5-C7 range, suggesting better diffusion and access of propylene molecules to the active sites, favoring the formation of medium-sized hydrocarbon fractions. Conversely, the formation of longer hydrocarbon chains (C12+) was not favored, possibly due to insufficient mesoporous for larger molecule diffusion and a distribution of acid sites that encourages the union of longer hydrocarbon chains.
MTOR Promotes Astrocyte Activation and Participates in Neuropathic Pain through an Upregulation of RIP3
Authors: Dong Bingru , Li Danyang , Song Shasha , He Na , Yue Shouwei , Yin Sen
Published: February 2025

Neuropathic pain (NP), a chronic pain condition, is the result of abnormalities in both central and peripheral pain conduction pathways. Here, we investigated the underlying mechanisms associated with this effect. We found that following chronic constriction injury (CCI) surgery, there was an increase of mTOR in astrocytes and an activation of astrocytes within the spinal cord. Pharmacological inhibition of mTOR reversed CCI-induced hyperalgesia and neuroinflammation. Moreover, knockdown of astrocytic mTOR rescued the downregulation of spinal glutamate metabolism-related protein expression, underscoring the pivotal role of mTOR in modulating this pathway. Intriguingly, we observed that overexpression of mTOR, achieved via intrathecal administration of TSC2-shRNA, led to an upregulation of RIP3. Notably, pharmacological inhibition of RIP3, while ineffective in modulating mTOR activation, effectively eliminated the mTOR-induced astrocyte activation. Mechanistically, we found that mTOR controlled the expression of RIP3 in astrocytes through ITCH-mediated ubiquitination and an autophagy-dependent degradation. Taken together, our results reveal an unanticipated link between mTOR and RIP3 in promoting astrocyte activation, providing new avenues of investigation directed toward the management and treatment of NP.