bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NEK2 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Guo Dong , Yao Weinan , Du Xingyu , Dong Jing , Zhang Xueyuan , Shen Wenbin , Zhu Shuchai
Published: May 2023

Objectives

The NEK2 (never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 2), a serine/threonine kinase involved in chromosome instability and tumorigenesis. Hence, this study aimed to explore the molecular function of NEK2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

By available transcriptome datasets (GSE53625 cohort, GSE38129 cohort, and GSE21293 cohort), we analyzed the differentially expressed genes in invading and non-invading ESCC. Subsequently, we evaluated the association between NEK2 expression level and clinical outcomes through Kaplan–Meier analysis method. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting (WB) analyses were performed to determine the expression levels of NEK2 mRNA and protein, respectively. We knocked down the NEK2 expression in ESCC cells (ECA109 and TE1), and evaluated the NEK2 biology function associated with ESCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation abilities. Finally, the downstream pathway of NEK2 was analyzed through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and validated the regulatory mechanism of NEK2 on the potential pathway through WB.

Results

We found that NEK2 was highly expressed in ESCC cells compared with human esophageal epithelial cells (HEEC) (P < 0.0001), and high NEK2 expression was remarkably associated with poor survival (P = 0.019). Knockdown of NEK2 showed the significant inhibitory effect for tumorigenesis, and suppressed the ESCC cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and formation of colonies abilities. Additionally, GSEA revealed that Wnt/β-catenin pathway was a downstream pathway of NEK2. WB results further validated the regulatory mechanism of NEK2 for Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that NEK2 promotes ESCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. NEK2 could be a promising target for ESCC.
Hydropower histories and narrative injustice: state-owned energy companies’ narratives of hydropower expansion in Sápmi
Authors: Össbo Åsa
Published: May 2023

For over one hundred years, hydropower expansion has taken place in Sápmi, the land of the Indigenous Sámi people in Northern Fenno-Scandia and the Kola Peninsula. In modern energy company narratives, certain parts of history remain unmentioned. Among these are the narratives belonging to Sámi people who were negatively impacted by hydropower expansion. Thus, the aim of this article is to analyse three state-owned energy companies’ narratives about their hydropower expansion in Sápmi and compare them with challenging voices or counter-narratives. The sources used are the companies’ websites and the official documents and material found there, as well as other documentary sources, literature, and research spanning a time period of 1910 to 2021. The overall questions are: To what extent and in what ways are Sámi experiences regarding hydropower expansion part of the companies’ narratives. This study uses counter-narrative and narrative justice as conceptual framework and shows that the full impact that hydropower expansion has had on Sámi people’s situations is insufficiently communicated in the companies’ narratives. Instead, the companies mainly construct their narratives as hydropower expansion in Sápmi being a phenomenon located in history without connection to ongoing consequences on Sámi lands and lives.
Shifts in students’ predictive reasoning from data tables in years 3 and 4
Authors: Oslington Gabrielle , Mulligan Joanne , Van Bergen Penny
Published: May 2023

In this exploratory descriptive study, changes in one cohort’s responses to an authentic statistical investigation at the commencement of years 3 and 4 were analysed. Forty-four students made predictions by interpreting a data table of historical monthly temperatures, represented these data and explained their reasoning. An Awareness of Mathematical Pattern and Structure (AMPS) framework was extended to analyse students’ responses at five increasing levels of predictive reasoning. More developed predictive reasoning was observed in year 4 than for year 3, as well as large individual differences in both years. Most year 4 students (87%) made predictions within the historical range, relative to half the same cohort in year 3 (54%). More year 4 students (79%) made predictions based on extraction, clustering and aggregation of these data than those in year 3 (51%). Year 4 students noticed patterns such as seasonal trends and variability in these data and observed measures of central tendency. By year 4, 57% of students’ representations demonstrated transnumeration using extracted data from the table, including pictorial, column and line graphs. However, most students’ representations and explanations of these data lagged behind their predictions at both year levels.
Protein kinase C delta mediates Pasireotide effects in an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor cell line
Authors: Gentilin E. , Borges De Souza P. , Ambrosio M. R. , Bondanelli M. , Gagliardi I. , Zatelli M. C.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Clinical control of corticotroph tumors is difficult to achieve since they usually persist or relapse after surgery. Pasireotide is approved to treat patients with Cushing’s disease for whom surgical therapy is not an option. However, Pasireotide seems to be effective only in a sub-set of patients, highlighting the importance to find a response marker to this approach. Recent studies demonstrated that the delta isoform of protein kinase C (PRKCD) controls viability and cell cycle progression of an in vitro model of ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor, the AtT-20/D16v-F2 cells. This study aims at exploring the possible PRKCD role in mediating Pasireotide effects.

Methods

It was assessed cell viability, POMC expression and ACTH secretion in AtT20/D16v-F2 cells over- or under-expressing PRKCD.

Results

We found that Pasireotide significantly reduces AtT20/D16v-F2 cell viability, POMC expression and ACTH secretion. In addition, Pasireotide reduces miR-26a expression. PRKCD silencing decreases AtT20/D16v-F2 cell sensitivity to Pasireotide treatment; on the contrary, PRKCD overexpression increases the inhibitory effects of Pasireotide on cell viability and ACTH secretion.

Conclusion

Our results provide new insights into potential PRKCD contribution in Pasireotide mechanism of action and suggest that PRKCD might be a possible marker of therapeutic response in ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors.
Standardisation efforts of ISO/TC 261 “additive manufacturing” 21st plenary meeting of ISO/TC 261 “additive manufacturing”
Authors: Pei Eujin , Seidel Christian
Published: May 2023

The main objective of ISO/TC 261 is to standardise the processes of Additive Manufacturing, the process chains (Data, Materials, Processes, Hard- and Software, Applications), test procedures, quality parameters, supply agreements, environment, health and safety, fundamentals and vocabularies. This section provides readers with news regarding standardisation efforts of ISO/TC 261. Further up-to-date information regarding recently published documents, such as new standards, revised standards, the status of standards can be found in the ISO/TC261 webpages: https://www.iso.org/committee/629086.html and the committee webpages: https://committee.iso.org/sites/tc261/home/news.html.
Too Little, Too Late? Redefining the Legacy of HMAS Perth (I), an Australian Warship Sunk in Indonesian Waters
Authors: Pearson Natali
Published: May 2023

Australian warship HMAS Perth (I) was sunk during the Battle of the Sunda Strait in 1942, claiming the lives of 353 men. It was not until 2017 that Indonesian and Australian authorities conducted a joint archaeological survey of the site. They found that Perth had been salvaged on an industrial scale, with less than 40% of the vessel remaining. The discovery devastated those with an emotional connection to Perth, and, following strong Australian government advocacy, informed Indonesia’s decision to establish a maritime conservation zone, the nation’s first, around the site. Although the 80 years since Perth sank have been characterized by a lack of official engagement, this article proposes that the recent destruction of Perth is not the end, but the beginning, of a new era of bilateral cooperation, founded on the recognition that the wreck has historical significance for Australia as well as potential benefits for local communities in Indonesia.
Quit smoking: methods and outcomes for Norwegian adults
Authors: Lund Ingeborg , Lund Marianne
Published: May 2023

Background

Tobacco smoking still represents one of the most significant preventable causes of death and poor health, and higher success rates for people trying to quit smoking would benefit both public and individual health. Achieving this requires better knowledge of factors that might improve the chances of successful quitting. This study aims to investigate cessation activities and explore associations between outcomes of smoking cessation attempts and use of cessation aids, previous cessation attempts, and attempt-planning.

Methods

Using data from a national web panel (N = 1424), smoking cessation activities and use of smoking cessation aids by people who smoke or have smoked are studied bivariately and in adjusted models.

Results

Almost half the sample had not used a cessation aid in the last quit attempt. Snus was the most common cessation aid, followed by NRTs and ECs. In adjusted models, snus use increased the likelihood of quitting. Planning an attempt and earlier quit attempts were associated with less quitting.

Conclusion

Presently, switching to snus seems to be the most effective and efficacious method for quitting smoking in Norway.
Where are demolition wastes going: reflection and analysis of the February 6, 2023 earthquake disaster in Turkey
Authors: Xiao Jianzhuang , Deng Qi , Hou Minjie , Shen Jianyu , Gencel Osman
Published: May 2023

On 6 February 2023 at 09.17 BST, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the southern border of Turkey near Syria, causing massive casualties and building damage. Badly damaged buildings need to be demolished, bringing a large amount of demolition waste, which, if not properly disposed of, can be a burden on the environment. In this study, damage to buildings in the quake-hit areas of Turkey is investigated, including reinforced structures and masonry structures. Based on this, the amount of demolition waste produced and the proportion of waste components are estimated roughly. Ultimately, the paper puts forward the strategy of recycling demolition waste after the earthquake and the application scenario planning of recycled products. Conclusively, the amount of demolition waste generated after the earthquake ranges from 450 to 920 million tons, providing new ideas for post-disaster reconstruction work. Besides, post-disaster waste management, safe demolition and environmentally friendly disposal and recycling technologies for demolition and construction wastes will bring good economic and environmental benefits, help the reconstruction of disaster areas, and provide a model for the resource utilization of construction and demolition waste worldwide.
The Atmospheric General Circulation
Authors: Wallace John M. , Battisti David S. , Thompson David W. J. , Hartmann Dennis L.
Published: May 2023

An engaging, comprehensive, richly illustrated textbook about the atmospheric general circulation, written by leading researchers in the field. The book elucidates the pervasive role of atmospheric dynamics in the Earth System, interprets the structure and evolution of atmospheric motions across a range of space and time scales in terms of fundamental theoretical principles, and includes relevant historical background and tutorials on research methodology. The book includes over 300 exercises and is accompanied by extensive online resources, including solutions manuals, an animations library, and an introduction to online visualization and analysis tools. This textbook is suitable as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses in atmospheric sciences and geosciences curricula and as a reference textbook for researchers.
Attitudes of clients of Dutch pest controllers towards animal welfare in the management of liminal rodents
Authors: van Gerwen Maite AAM , Rodenburg T Bas , Arndt Saskia S , Meerburg Bastiaan G , Meijboom Franck LB
Published: May 2023

Rodent control tends to involve methods that cause animal suffering, but little attention has been paid to the animal welfare implications of rodent control. The aim of the current study was to gain insight into the opinions and attitudes of clients of Dutch pest controllers, regarding liminal rodents, rodent control, and rodent welfare. A better understanding of their attitudes may contribute to more ethical rodent management programmes. An online survey among 248 clients of Dutch pest controllers was carried out. Respondents, especially those within the agricultural sector, have a relatively negative attitude towards rats and mice. Respondents in the agricultural subgroup do not consider the welfare of liminal rodents important. They also think that the welfare impact of commonly used control methods is limited, and they have low tolerance levels for the presence of rodents. Respondents from other sectors have a far more positive attitude towards rats and mice, consider their welfare to be of greater importance, have a greater estimation of the welfare impact of control methods and show greater tolerance levels towards rodents. The respondents from the latter subgroup have a similar attitude compared to Dutch pest controllers participating in a previous survey. The findings of the current study firstly provide useful information for the further development and practical implementation of preventive control methods. Secondly, they provide input for a more animal-friendly rodent control and for the development of an assessment framework to support ethical decision-making. Finally, they can be helpful for further research and the communication and co-operation between professional pest controllers and their clients.
Mind the gap! Organized hypocrisy in EU cooperation with Southern neighbor countries on international protection
Authors: Longo Francesca , Panebianco Stefania , Cannata Giuseppe
Published: May 2023

The European Union (EU) has reacted to the migration crises of the last decade with growing externalization of migration management to neighbor countries often accused of not respecting human rights and individual liberties. Focusing on EU cooperation with the Southern neighborhood, as defined within the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) framework, this paper investigates the recent developments in the EU's external migration policies, demonstrating that there is a gap between EU discourses and policy instruments identified by the EU as strategic tools of the European migration and asylum policy (MAP). Five Southern neighbor countries (SNCs) have been selected, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, to assess the extent to which the EU, when cooperating on migration and asylum issues, places international protection at risk instead of playing the role of humanitarian actor in accordance with the ideals and principles it defends. The research critically analyzes the EU's cooperation with SNCs concerning migration, as developed via international agreements, action plans, and mobility partnerships under the umbrella of the ENP. In particular, it explores the incompatibility between the European MAP instruments and international protection. MAP, the qualitative analysis shows, represents a clear mismatch between EU talk and action, outlining another case of organized hypocrisy.
Lost in Corporate Translation: How Firms Mediate Between Social Mobilization and Regulatory Intervention in the Extractive Sector
Authors: Haslam Paul Alexander , Godfrid Julieta
Published: May 2023

Firms should be considered as actors that potentially mediate between social movement pressures and policy outcomes. This article shows that at the mining project level, social mobilization can generate important changes in corporate practices toward nearby communities, and that these practices can undermine the cohesion of social movement coalitions advocating for regulatory intervention or reform, thus limiting their ability to make compelling claims on the state. In this way, company interpretations of and responses to protest are an important mediating process that conditions civil society efforts to activate state institutions in their favor. This argument extends recent work on the social foundations of regulation in Latin America by including corporate actors. The article is based on a comparative case study of the Pascua Lama/Veladero mining projects in both Argentina and Chile, using both secondary sources and primary field research.
Poverty, Partisanship, and Vote Buying in Latin America
Authors: Justesen Mogens Kamp , Manzetti Luigi
Published: May 2023

Electoral contests in Latin America are often characterized by attempts by political parties to sway the outcome of elections using vote buying—a practice that seems to persist during elections throughout the region. This article examines how clientelist parties’ use of vote buying is jointly shaped by two voter traits: poverty and partisanship. We hypothesize that clientelist parties pursue a mixed strategy, broadly targeting their core voters but also poor swing voters. While most of the existing evidence comes from single-country studies, this study adds cross-national evidence from multilevel regressions of survey data from 22 Latin American countries. Empirically, we find that poverty matters mainly for swing voters. For partisans, the effect of poverty on vote buying is weaker. These results suggest that poverty plays an important role in vote-buying strategies—but also that partisanship moderates clientelistic parties’ vote-buying strategies during electoral campaigns.
The role of lithology and climate on bedrock river incision and terrace development along the Buffalo National River, Arkansas
Authors: Rodrigues Kathleen , Keen-Zebert Amanda , Shepherd Stephanie , Hudson Mark R. , Bitting Charles J. , Johnson Bradley G. , Langston Abigail
Published: May 2023

The Buffalo National River in northwest Arkansas preserves an extensive Quaternary record of fluvial bedrock incision and aggradation across lithologies of variable resistance. In this work, we apply optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating to strath and fill terraces along the Buffalo River to elucidate the role of lithology and climate on the development of the two youngest terrace units (Qtm and Qty). Our OSL ages suggest a minimum strath planation age of ca. 250 ka for the Qtm terraces followed by a ca. 200 ka record of aggradation. Qtm incision likely occurred near the last glacial maximum (LGM), prior to the onset of Qty fill terrace aggradation ca. 14 ka. Our terrace ages are broadly consistent with other regional terrace records, and comparison with available paleoclimatic archives suggests that terrace aggradation and incision occurred during drier and wetter hydrological conditions, respectively. Vertical bedrock incision rates were also calculated using OSL-derived estimates of Qtm strath planation and displayed statistically significant spatial variability with bedrock lithology, ranging from ~35 mm/ka in the higher resistance reaches and ~16 mm/ka in the lower resistance reaches. In combination with observations of valley width and terrace distribution, these results suggest that vertical processes outpace lateral ones in lithologic reaches with higher resistance.
Autism spectrum disorder and congenital heart disease: a narrative review of the literature
Authors: Nayar Kritika , Katz Lindsay , Heinrich Kimberley , Berger Natalie
Published: May 2023

Individuals born with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at an increased risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite this, studies are limited in their investigation of autism spectrum disorder in the context of CHD. This review provides an overview of the literature examining autism spectrum disorder in CHD and discusses strengths, limitations, and future directions. Recent efforts have been made to extrapolate the association between CHD and symptoms of autism. Findings suggest that the core features of autism spectrum disorder are also implicated in children with CHD, namely social-cognitive weaknesses, pragmatic language differences, and social problems. Compared to norm-referenced samples, separate studies have identified divergent and overlapping neuropsychological profiles among both patient groups, yet there are no studies directly comparing the two groups. There is emerging evidence of prevalence rates of autism diagnosis in CHD showing an increased odds of having autism spectrum disorder among children with CHD relative to the general population or matched controls. There also appears to be genetic links to this overlap, with several genes identified as being tied to both CHD and autism. Together, research points to potentially shared underlying mechanisms contributing to the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental, neuropsychological, and clinical traits in CHD and autism spectrum disorder. Future investigation delineating profiles across these patient populations can fill a significant gap in the literature and aid in treatment approaches to improve clinical outcomes.
Sexual Functioning, Automatic Thoughts and Affective Response: The Moderation Role of Personality Traits in a Study with Heterosexual and Gay Men
Authors: Peixoto Maria Manuela
Published: May 2023

Personality traits, automatic thoughts, and affective states during sexual activity in men have been studied; however, little is known about their interaction. The current study examines the moderation role of personality traits on the relationship between cognitive-affective dimensions and sexual behavior in men. An online sample of 497 men (227 gay men) was recruited, and participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), the Automatic Thoughts from the Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ) subscale, The Positive Affect-Negative Affect scales (PANAS), and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)/and the IIEF for men who have sex with men (IIEF-MSM). The main findings showed that extraversion, absence of erotic thoughts, positive affect, and negative affect were significant predictors of sexual functioning in gay (β = .266, β = –.345, β = .361; β = –.292, p < .05, respectively) and heterosexual men (β = .208, β = –.382, β = .318; β = –.214, p < .05, respectively); neuroticism significantly predicted sexual functioning only in gay men (β = –.244, p < .05). Extraversion was a moderator between absence of erotic thoughts and sexual functioning in heterosexual men (p = .004), and between positive affect and sexual functioning in gay men (p = .001), and Neuroticism was a moderator between positive affect and sexual functioning in gay men (p < .001). Overall, extraversion buffered the negative impact of absence of erotic thoughts on heterosexual men sexual functioning and the negative impact of lower positive affect on gay men sexual functioning, whereas low neuroticism boost the impact of positive affect on gay men sexual functioning.
Project Tooth Fairy: a pan-London initiative from conception to delivery to patient-reported experience measures
Authors: Patel Aisha , McQuillan Joe , Johnson Joanna , Sadio Hope , Dungarwalla Mohammed
Published: May 2023

Pressure on paediatric dental general anaesthetic (GA) waiting lists has recently been at its highest, further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Project Tooth Fairy (PTF), a pan-London collaborative project, was conceived in response to this backlog. A dedicated day case GA suite was established within The Royal London Dental Hospital (Barts Health NHS Trust) for use by multiple trusts to enhance elective recovery.

Over ten months, 895 patients were treated and discharged by PTF, averaging 101 patients per month. The majority required simple exodontia and comprehensive care and some patients were treated for surgery related to orthodontic treatment. Patient-reported experience measures highlighted an overall positive experience and appreciation for the service.

Several governance domains were considered in the service development, including risk management, workforce recruitment and information governance. Training opportunities have arisen for team members to develop their skills. Patient-reported experience measures have guided the provision of service focusing on paediatric dentistry and paediatric GA.

PTF has demonstrated the creation of a service centred around collaboration to successfully reduce GA waiting lists and therefore improving patient outcomes. The development of this service can be used as a template for the establishment of similar regional collaborative projects.
Autophagy regulates sex steroid hormone synthesis through lysosomal degradation of lipid droplets in human ovary and testis
Authors: Esmaeilian Yashar , Hela Francesko , Bildik Gamze , İltumur Ece , Yusufoglu Sevgi , Yildiz Ceren Sultan , Yakin Kayhan , Kordan Yakup , Oktem Ozgur
Published: May 2023

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process that aims to maintain the energy homeostasis of the cell by recycling long-lived proteins and organelles. Previous studies documented the role of autophagy in sex steroid hormone biosynthesis in different animal models and human testis. Here we demonstrate in this study that sex steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced through the same autophagy-mediated mechanism in the human ovary in addition to the human testis. In brief, pharmacological inhibition and genetic interruption of autophagy through silencing of autophagy genes (Beclin1 and ATG5) via siRNA and shRNA technologies significantly reduced basal and gonadotropin-stimulated estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) production in the ex vivo explant tissue culture of ovary and testis and primary and immortalized granulosa cells. Consistent with the findings of the previous works, we observed that lipophagy, a special form of autophagy, mediates the association of the lipid droplets (LD)s with lysosome to deliver the lipid cargo within the LDs to lysosomes for degradation in order to release free cholesterol required for steroid synthesis. Gonadotropin hormones are likely to augment the production of sex steroid hormones by upregulating the expression of autophagy genes, accelerating autophagic flux and promoting the association of LDs with autophagosome and lysosome. Moreover, we detected some aberrations at different steps of lipophagy-mediated P4 production in the luteinized GCs of women with defective ovarian luteal function. The progression of autophagy and the fusion of the LDs with lysosome are markedly defective, along with reduced P4 production in these patients. Our data, together with the findings of the previous works, may have significant clinical implications by opening a new avenue in understanding and treatment of a wide range of diseases, from reproductive disorders to sex steroid-producing neoplasms, sex steroid-dependent malignancies (breast, endometrium, prostate) and benign disorders (endometriosis).
SMARCB1 regulates a TFCP2L1-MYC transcriptional switch promoting renal medullary carcinoma transformation and ferroptosis resistance
Authors: Vokshi Bujamin H. , Davidson Guillaume , Tawanaie Pour Sedehi Nassim , Helleux Alexandra , Rippinger Marc , Haller Alexandre R. , Gantzer Justine , Thouvenin Jonathan , Baltzinger Philippe , Bouarich Rachida , Manriquez Valeria , Zaidi Sakina , Rao Priya , Msaouel Pavlos , Su Xiaoping , Lang Hervé , Tricard Thibault , Lindner Véronique , Surdez Didier , Kurtz Jean-Emmanuel , Bourdeaut Franck , Tannir Nizar M. , Davidson Irwin , Malouf Gabriel G.
Published: May 2023

Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is an aggressive tumour driven by bi-allelic loss of SMARCB1 and tightly associated with sickle cell trait. However, the cell-of-origin and oncogenic mechanism remain poorly understood. Using single-cell sequencing of human RMC, we defined transformation of thick ascending limb (TAL) cells into an epithelial-mesenchymal gradient of RMC cells associated with loss of renal epithelial transcription factors TFCP2L1, HOXB9 and MITF and gain of MYC and NFE2L2-associated oncogenic and ferroptosis resistance programs. We describe the molecular basis for this transcriptional switch that is reversed by SMARCB1 re-expression repressing the oncogenic and ferroptosis resistance programs leading to ferroptotic cell death. Ferroptosis resistance links TAL cell survival with the high extracellular medullar iron concentrations associated with sickle cell trait, an environment propitious to the mutagenic events associated with RMC development. This unique environment may explain why RMC is the only SMARCB1-deficient tumour arising from epithelial cells, differentiating RMC from rhabdoid tumours arising from neural crest cells.
Multiphoton quantum van Cittert-Zernike theorem
Authors: You Chenglong , Miller Ashe , León-Montiel Roberto de J. , Magaña-Loaiza Omar S.
Published: May 2023

Recent progress on quantum state engineering has enabled the preparation of quantum photonic systems comprising multiple interacting particles. Interestingly, multiphoton quantum systems can host many complex forms of interference and scattering processes that are essential to perform operations that are intractable on classical systems. Unfortunately, the quantum coherence properties of multiphoton systems degrade upon propagation leading to undesired quantum-to-classical transitions. Furthermore, the manipulation of multiphoton quantum systems requires nonlinear interactions at the few-photon level. Here, we introduce the quantum van Cittert-Zernike theorem to describe the scattering and interference effects of propagating multiphoton systems. This fundamental theorem demonstrates that the quantum statistical fluctuations, which define the nature of diverse light sources, can be modified upon propagation in the absence of light-matter interactions. The generality of our formalism unveils the conditions under which the evolution of multiphoton systems can lead to surprising photon statistics modifications. Specifically, we show that the implementation of conditional measurements may enable the all-optical preparation of multiphoton systems with attenuated quantum statistics below the shot-noise limit. Remarkably, this effect cannot be explained through the classical theory of optical coherence. As such, our work opens new paradigms within the established field of quantum coherence.
A genomic data archive from the Network for Pancreatic Organ donors with Diabetes
Authors: Perry Daniel J. , Shapiro Melanie R. , Chamberlain Sonya W. , Kusmartseva Irina , Chamala Srikar , Balzano-Nogueira Leandro , Yang Mingder , Brant Jason O. , Brusko Maigan , Williams MacKenzie D. , McGrail Kieran M. , McNichols James , Peters Leeana D. , Posgai Amanda L. , Kaddis John S. , Mathews Clayton E. , Wasserfall Clive H. , Webb-Robertson Bobbie-Jo M. , Campbell-Thompson Martha , Schatz Desmond , Evans-Molina Carmella , Pugliese Alberto , Concannon Patrick , Anderson Mark S. , German Michael S. , Chamberlain Chester E. , Atkinson Mark A. , Brusko Todd M.
Published: May 2023

The Network for Pancreatic Organ donors with Diabetes (nPOD) is the largest biorepository of human pancreata and associated immune organs from donors with type 1 diabetes (T1D), maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), gestational diabetes, islet autoantibody positivity (AAb+), and without diabetes. nPOD recovers, processes, analyzes, and distributes high-quality biospecimens, collected using optimized standard operating procedures, and associated de-identified data/metadata to researchers around the world. Herein describes the release of high-parameter genotyping data from this collection. 372 donors were genotyped using a custom precision medicine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray. Data were technically validated using published algorithms to evaluate donor relatedness, ancestry, imputed HLA, and T1D genetic risk score. Additionally, 207 donors were assessed for rare known and novel coding region variants via whole exome sequencing (WES). These data are publicly-available to enable genotype-specific sample requests and the study of novel genotype:phenotype associations, aiding in the mission of nPOD to enhance understanding of diabetes pathogenesis to promote the development of novel therapies.
Abdominal perfusion pressure in critically ill cirrhotic patients: a prospective observational study
Authors: Pereira Rui Antunes , Esteves André F. , Cardoso Filipe S. , Perdigoto Rui , Marcelino Paulo , Saliba Faouzi
Published: May 2023

In critical patients, abdominal perfusion pressure (APP) has been shown to correlate with outcome. However, data from cirrhotic patients is scarce. We aimed to characterize APP in critically ill cirrhotic patients, analyze the prevalence and risk factors of abdominal hypoperfusion (AhP) and outcomes. A prospective cohort study in a general ICU specialized in liver disease at a tertiary hospital center recruited consecutive cirrhotic patients between October 2016 and December 2021. The study included 101 patients, with a mean age of 57.2 (± 10.4) years and a female gender proportion of 23.5%. The most frequent etiology of cirrhosis was alcohol (51.0%), and the precipitant event was infection (37.3%). ACLF grade (1–3) distribution was 8.9%, 26.7% and 52.5%, respectively. A total of 1274 measurements presented a mean APP of 63 (± 15) mmHg. Baseline AhP prevalence was 47%, independently associated with paracentesis (aOR 4.81, CI 95% 1.46–15.8, p = 0.01) and ACLF grade (aOR 2.41, CI 95% 1.20–4.85, p = 0.01). Similarly, AhP during the first week (64%) had baseline ACLF grade (aOR 2.09, CI 95% 1.29–3.39, p = 0.003) as a risk factor. Independent risk factors for 28-day mortality were bilirubin (aOR 1.10, CI 95% 1.04–1.16, p < 0.001) and SAPS II score (aOR 1.07, CI 95% 1.03–1.11, p = 0.001). There was a high prevalence of AhP in critical cirrhotic patients. Abdominal hypoperfusion was independently associated with higher ACLF grade and baseline paracentesis. Risk factors for 28-day mortality included clinical severity and total bilirubin. The prevention and treatment of AhP in the high-risk cirrhotic patient is prudential.
Quantitative assessment of choriocapillaris flow deficits and type 1 macular neovascularization growth in age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Cabral Diogo , Fradinho Ana C. , Zhang Yi , Zhou Hao , Ramtohul Prithvi , Ramakrishnan Meera S. , Pereira Telmo , Wang Ruikang K. , Freund K. Bailey
Published: May 2023

During the past 15 years, new treatment paradigms for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) have evolved due to the advent of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy and rapid advances in retinal imaging. Recent publications describe eyes with type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) as showing more resistance to macular atrophy than eyes with other lesion types. We sought to explore whether the perfusion status of the native choriocapillaris (CC) surrounding type 1 MNV influences its pattern of growth. To evaluate this effect, we analyzed a case series of 22 eyes from 19 nvAMD patients with type 1 MNV exhibiting growth on swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) over a minimum follow-up of 12 months. We observed an overall weak correlation between type 1 MNV growth and CC flow deficits (FDs) average size (τ = 0.17, 95% CI [− 0.20, 0.62]) and a moderate correlation with CC FD % (τ = 0.21, 95% CI [− 0.16, 0.68]). Type 1 MNV was located beneath the fovea in most of the eyes (86%) and median visual acuity was 20/35 Snellen equivalent. Our results support that type 1 MNV recapitulates areas of CC blood flow impairment while serving to preserve foveal function.
A descriptive study on misidentifications of a person as a familiar person in an everyday situation
Authors: Itoh Yuji , Miura Hiroshi , Shimane Daisuke
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study is to show the characteristics of person misidentifications, that is, experiences in which persons are misidentified as known persons. A total of 121 participants were asked how many times they misidentified persons in the last year and details of a recent person misidentification were recorded through a traditional questionnaire. Additionally, they answered questions in a diary method questionnaire, about the details of person misidentification each time they experienced it, during the two-week survey period. The questionnaires revealed that the participants misidentified both known and unknown persons as familiar persons approximately six (traditional questionnaire) or 19 (diary method) times a year on average, regardless of whether they expected the persons to be there. They were more likely to misidentify a person as a familiar than as a less familiar person. It was also shown that the similarity of the faces of the person actually seen and the person they were mistaken for was not as high as the similarities of build and clothing. This study is expected to provide suggestions for models of person identification and enhance the research on errors.
Two-step crystallisation in a 2D active magnetic granular system confined by a parabolic potential
Authors: Escobar A. , Ledesma-Motolinía M. , Carrillo-Estrada J. L. , Donado F.
Published: May 2023

We studied the two-step crystallisation process of a magnetic active 2D-granular system placed on different lens concaveness and under the action of an alternating magnetic field which controls its effective temperature. We have observed that the two-step features of the crystallisation process are more evident as the depth of the parabolic potential increases. At the initial formation of the nucleus, as a first step, in the central region of the lens an amorphous aggregate is formed. In an ulterior second step, this disordered aggregate, due to the effective temperature and the perturbations caused by the impacts of free particles moving in the surrounding region, evolves to an ordered crystalline structure. The nucleus size is larger for deeper concaveness of the parabolic potential. However, if the depth of the parabolic potential exceeds a certain value, the reordering process of the second step does not occur. The crystal growth occurs similarly; small disordered groups of particles join the nucleus, forming an amorphous shell of particles which experiments a rearranging while the aggregate grows. In the explored range of the depths of the parabolic potential, crystallisation generally occurs quicker as the deeper parabolic potential is. Also, aggregates are more clearly round-shaped as parabolic potential depth increases. On the contrary, the structures are more branched for a smaller depth of the parabolic potential. We studied the structural changes and features in the system by using the sixth orientational order parameter and the packing fraction.
Nanoscale thermal control of a single living cell enabled by diamond heater-thermometer
Authors: Romshin Alexey M. , Zeeb Vadim , Glushkov Evgenii , Radenovic Aleksandra , Sinogeikin Andrey G. , Vlasov Igor I.
Published: May 2023

We report a new approach to controllable thermal stimulation of a single living cell and its compartments. The technique is based on the use of a single polycrystalline diamond particle containing silicon-vacancy (SiV) color centers. Due to the presence of amorphous carbon at its intercrystalline boundaries, such a particle is an efficient light absorber and becomes a local heat source when illuminated by a laser. Furthermore, the temperature of such a local heater is tracked by the spectral shift of the zero-phonon line of SiV centers. Thus, the diamond particle acts simultaneously as a heater and a thermometer. In the current work, we demonstrate the ability of such a Diamond Heater-Thermometer (DHT) to locally alter the temperature, one of the numerous parameters that play a decisive role for the living organisms at the nanoscale. In particular, we show that the local heating of 11–12 °C relative to the ambient temperature (22 °C) next to individual HeLa cells and neurons, isolated from the mouse hippocampus, leads to a change in the intracellular distribution of the concentration of free calcium ions. For individual HeLa cells, a long-term (about 30 s) increase in the integral intensity of Fluo-4 NW fluorescence by about three times is observed, which characterizes an increase in the [Ca2+]cyt concentration of free calcium in the cytoplasm. Heating near mouse hippocampal neurons also caused a calcium surge—an increase in the intensity of Fluo-4 NW fluorescence by 30% and a duration of ~ 0.4 ms.
Influence of hydrothermal carbonization conditions on the porosity, functionality, and sorption properties of microalgae hydrochars
Authors: Kozyatnyk Ivan , Benavente Veronica , Weidemann Eva , Gentili Francesco G. , Jansson Stina
Published: May 2023

Green microalgae is a possible feedstock for the production of biofuels, chemicals, food/feed, and medical products. Large-scale microalgae production requires large quantities of water and nutrients, directing the attention to wastewater as a cultivation medium. Wastewater-cultivated microalgae could via wet thermochemical conversion be valorised into products for e.g., water treatment. In this study, hydrothermal carbonization was used to process microalgae polycultures grown in municipal wastewater. The objective was to perform a systematic examination of how carbonization temperature, residence time, and initial pH affected solid yield, composition, and properties. Carbonization temperature, time and initial pH all had statistically significant effects on hydrochar properties, with temperature having the most pronounced effect; the surface area increased from 8.5 to 43.6 m2 g−1 as temperature was increased from 180 to 260 °C. However, hydrochars produced at low temperature and initially neutral pH generally had the highest capacity for methylene blue adsorption. DRIFTS analysis of the hydrochar revealed that the pH conditions changed the functional group composition, implying that adsorption was electrostatic interactions driven. This study concludes that un-activated hydrochars from wastewater grown microalgae produced at relatively low hydrothermal carbonization temperatures adsorb methylene blue, despite having low surface area.
Constructing a disease database and using natural language processing to capture and standardize free text clinical information
Authors: Raza Shaina , Schwartz Brian
Published: May 2023

The ability to extract critical information about an infectious disease in a timely manner is critical for population health research. The lack of procedures for mining large amounts of health data is a major impediment. The goal of this research is to use natural language processing (NLP) to extract key information (clinical factors, social determinants of health) from free text. The proposed framework describes database construction, NLP modules for locating clinical and non-clinical (social determinants) information, and a detailed evaluation protocol for evaluating results and demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed framework. The use of COVID-19 case reports is demonstrated for data construction and pandemic surveillance. The proposed approach outperforms benchmark methods in F1-score by about 1–3%. A thorough examination reveals the disease’s presence as well as the frequency of symptoms in patients. The findings suggest that prior knowledge gained through transfer learning can be useful when researching infectious diseases with similar presentations in order to accurately predict patient outcomes.
Mechanical thrombectomy combined with intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Zheng Meiling , Li Li , Chen Lizhou , Li Bin , Feng Cuiling
Published: May 2023

To assess the clinical value of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) combined with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) by comparing it with the MT alone. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of both observational and randomized controlled studies (RCTs) to investigate various outcomes. Our search for relevant studies was conducted between January 2011 and June 2022 in four major databases: PubMed, Embase, WOS, and Cochrane Library. We collected data on several outcomes, including functional independence (FI; defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2), excellent outcomes (mRS 0–1), successful recanalization (SR), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), any intracerebral hemorrhage (aICH), and mortality at three months or discharge. The primary efficacy outcome and safety outcome were FI and sICH, respectively, whereas excellent outcomes and SR were considered secondary efficacy outcomes. Additionally, mortality and aICH were analyzed as secondary safety outcomes. We employed the Mantel–Haenszel fixed-effects model for RCTs when I2 < 50%, otherwise the random-effects model was utilized. For observational studies and subgroup analyses, we used the random-effects model to minimize potential bias. A total of 55 eligible studies (nine RCTs and 46 observational studies) were included. For RCTs, the MT + IVT group was superior in FI (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.11–1.46), excellent outcomes (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.03–1.43), SR (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05–1.45), mortality (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54–0.97) in crude analyses. In adjusted analyses, the MT + IVT group reduced the risk of mortality (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.49–0.88). However, the difference in FI between the MT + IVT group and the MT alone group was not significant (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.99–1.38, Fig. 3a). For observational studies, the results of FI (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.16–1.33), excellent outcomes (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09–1.54), SR (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05–1.44), mortality (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.64–0.77) in the MT + IVT group were better. Additionally, the MT + IVT group increased the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) including sICH (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.11–1.21) and aICH (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05–1.46) in crude analyses. In adjusted analyses, significant better outcomes were seen in the MT + IVT group on FI (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.21–1.52), excellent outcomes (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.26–1.75), and mortality (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56–0.94). The MT + IVT therapy did improve the prognosis for AIS patients and did not increase the risk of HT compared with MT alone therapy.
RNA ligase ribozymes with a small catalytic core
Authors: Nomura Yoko , Yokobayashi Yohei
Published: May 2023

Catalytic RNAs, or ribozymes, catalyze diverse chemical reactions that could have sustained primordial life in the hypothetical RNA world. Many natural ribozymes and laboratory evolved ribozymes exhibit efficient catalysis mediated by elaborate catalytic cores within complex tertiary structures. However, such complex RNA structures and sequences are unlikely to have emerged by chance during the earliest phase of chemical evolution. Here, we explored simple and small ribozyme motifs capable of ligating two RNA fragments in a template-directed fashion (ligase ribozymes). One-round selection of small ligase ribozymes followed by deep sequencing revealed a ligase ribozyme motif comprising a three-nucleotide loop opposite to the ligation junction. The observed ligation was magnesium(II) dependent and appears to form a 2′–5′ phosphodiester linkage. The fact that such a small RNA motif can function as a catalyst supports a scenario in which RNA or other primordial nucleic acids played a central role in chemical evolution of life.