bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of basic carbohydrate counting versus standard dietary care for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes (The BCC Study): a randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Ewers Bettina , Blond Martin B. , Bruun Jens M. , Vilsbøll Tina
Published: June 2024

Background

Clinical guidelines recommend basic carbohydrate counting (BCC), or similar methods to improve carbohydrate estimation skills and to strive for higher consistency in carbohydrate intake potentially improving glycaemic control. However, evidence for this approach in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is limited.

Objective

To examine the efficacy of a structured education program in BCC as add-on to standard dietary care on glycaemic control in individuals with T2D.

Methods

The BCC Study was a randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel-group trial. Individuals with T2D aged 18-75 years with glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 53–97 mmol/mol (7.0–11.0%) were randomly assigned (1:1) to BCC or standard dietary care. The primary outcomes were differences in changes in HbA1c or glycaemic variability (calculated as mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions [MAGE]) between groups after six months of intervention.

Results

Between September 2018 and July 2021, 48 participants were randomly assigned, 23 to BCC and 25 to standard dietary care. Seven participants did not receive the allocated intervention. From a baseline-adjusted mean of 65 mmol/mol (95% CI 62-68 [8.1%, 7.8-8.4]), HbA1c changed by −5 mmol/mol (−8 to −1 [−0.5%, −0.7 to −0.1]) in BCC and -3 mmol/mol (−7 to 1 [−0.3%, −0.6 to 0.1]) in standard care with an estimated treatment effect of −2 mmol/mol (−7 to 4 [−0.2%, −0.6 to 0.4]); p = 0.554. From a baseline-adjusted mean of 4.2 mmol/l (3.7 to 4.8), MAGE changed by −16% (−33 to 5) in BCC and by −3% (−21 to 20) in standard care with an estimated treatment effect of −14% (−36 to 16); p = 0.319. Only median carbohydrate estimation error in favour of BCC (estimated treatment difference −55% (−70 to −32); p < 0.001) remained significant after multiple testing adjustment.

Conclusions

No glycaemic effects were found but incorporating BCC as a supplementary component to standard dietary care led to improved skills in estimating carbohydrate intake among individuals with T2D.
Healthy lifestyle and cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults residing in 14 European countries
Authors: Bloomberg Mikaela , Muniz-Terrera Graciela , Brocklebank Laura , Steptoe Andrew
Published: June 2024

Studies examining lifestyle and cognitive decline often use healthy lifestyle indices, making it difficult to understand implications for interventions. We examined associations of 16 lifestyles with cognitive decline. Data from 32,033 cognitively-healthy adults aged 50-104 years participating in prospective cohort studies of aging from 14 European countries were used to examine associations of lifestyle with memory and fluency decline over 10 years. The reference lifestyle comprised not smoking, no-to-moderate alcohol consumption, weekly moderate-plus-vigorous physical activity, and weekly social contact. We found that memory and fluency decline was generally similar for non-smoking lifestyles. By contrast, memory scores declined up to 0.17 standard deviations (95% confidence interval= 0.08 – 0.27) and fluency scores up to 0.16 standard deviations (0.07 – 0.25) more over 10 years for those reporting smoking lifestyles compared with the reference lifestyle. We thus show that differences in cognitive decline between lifestyles were primarily dependent on smoking status.
CapTrap-seq: a platform-agnostic and quantitative approach for high-fidelity full-length RNA sequencing
Authors: Carbonell-Sala Sílvia , Perteghella Tamara , Lagarde Julien , Nishiyori Hiromi , Palumbo Emilio , Arnan Carme , Takahashi Hazuki , Carninci Piero , Uszczynska-Ratajczak Barbara , Guigó Roderic
Published: June 2024

Long-read RNA sequencing is essential to produce accurate and exhaustive annotation of eukaryotic genomes. Despite advancements in throughput and accuracy, achieving reliable end-to-end identification of RNA transcripts remains a challenge for long-read sequencing methods. To address this limitation, we develop CapTrap-seq, a cDNA library preparation method, which combines the Cap-trapping strategy with oligo(dT) priming to detect 5’ capped, full-length transcripts. In our study, we evaluate the performance of CapTrap-seq alongside other widely used RNA-seq library preparation protocols in human and mouse tissues, employing both ONT and PacBio sequencing technologies. To explore the quantitative capabilities of CapTrap-seq and its accuracy in reconstructing full-length RNA molecules, we implement a capping strategy for synthetic RNA spike-in sequences that mimics the natural 5’cap formation. Our benchmarks, incorporating the Long-read RNA-seq Genome Annotation Assessment Project (LRGASP) data, demonstrate that CapTrap-seq is a competitive, platform-agnostic RNA library preparation method for generating full-length transcript sequences.
Structural basis for recruitment of peptidoglycan endopeptidase MepS by lipoprotein NlpI
Authors: Wang Shen , Huang Chun-Hsiang , Lin Te-Sheng , Yeh Yi-Qi , Fan Yun-Sheng , Wang Si-Wei , Tseng Hsi-Ching , Huang Shing-Jong , Chang Yu-Yang , Jeng U-Ser , Chang Chung-I , Tzeng Shiou-Ru
Published: June 2024

Peptidoglycan (PG) sacculi surround the cytoplasmic membrane, maintaining cell integrity by withstanding internal turgor pressure. During cell growth, PG endopeptidases cleave the crosslinks of the fully closed sacculi, allowing for the incorporation of new glycan strands and expansion of the peptidoglycan mesh. Outer-membrane-anchored NlpI associates with hydrolases and synthases near PG synthesis complexes, facilitating spatially close PG hydrolysis. Here, we present the structure of adaptor NlpI in complex with the endopeptidase MepS, revealing atomic details of how NlpI recruits multiple MepS molecules and subsequently influences PG expansion. NlpI binding elicits a disorder-to-order transition in the intrinsically disordered N-terminal of MepS, concomitantly promoting the dimerization of monomeric MepS. This results in the alignment of two asymmetric MepS dimers respectively located on the two opposite sides of the dimerization interface of NlpI, thus enhancing MepS activity in PG hydrolysis. Notably, the protein level of MepS is primarily modulated by the tail-specific protease Prc, which is known to interact with NlpI. The structure of the Prc-NlpI-MepS complex demonstrates that NlpI brings together MepS and Prc, leading to the efficient MepS degradation by Prc. Collectively, our results provide structural insights into the NlpI-enabled avidity effect of cellular endopeptidases and NlpI-directed MepS degradation by Prc.
The crucial role of circular waste management systems in cutting waste leakage into aquatic environments
Authors: Gómez-Sanabria Adriana , Lindl Florian
Published: June 2024

Waste leakage has become a major global concern owing to the negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human health. We combine spatial analysis with the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways to project future waste leakage under current conditions and develop mitigation strategies up to 2040. Here we show that the majority (70%) of potential leakage of municipal solid waste into aquatic environments occurs in China, South Asia, Africa, and India. We show the need for the adoption of active mitigation strategies, in particular circular waste management systems, that could stop waste from entering the aquatic ecosystems in the first place. However, even in a scenario representing a sustainable world in which technical, social, and financial barriers are overcome and public awareness and participation to rapidly increase waste collection rates, reduce, reuse and recycling waste exist, it would be impossible to entirely eliminate waste leakage before 2030, failing to meet the waste-related Sustainable Development Goals.
Phase transfer catalysts shift the pathway to transmetalation in biphasic Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings
Authors: Shi Yao , Derasp Joshua S. , Maschmeyer Tristan , Hein Jason E.
Published: June 2024

The Suzuki-Miyaura coupling is a widely used C-C bond forming reaction. Numerous mechanistic studies have enabled the use of low catalyst loadings and broad functional group tolerance. However, the dominant mode of transmetalation remains controversial and likely depends on the conditions employed. Herein we detail a mechanistic study of the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling under biphasic conditions. The use of phase transfer catalysts results in a remarkable 12-fold rate enhancement in the targeted system. A shift from an oxo-palladium based transmetalation to a boronate-based pathway lies at the root of this activity. Furthermore, a study of the impact of different water loadings reveals reducing the proportion of the aqueous phase increases the reaction rate, contrary to reaction conditions typically employed in the literature. The importance of these findings is highlighted by achieving an exceptionally broad substrate scope with benzylic electrophiles using a 10-fold reduction in catalyst loading relative to literature precedent.
Perfect linear optics using silicon photonics
Authors: Moralis-Pegios Miltiadis , Giamougiannis George , Tsakyridis Apostolos , Lazovsky David , Pleros Nikos
Published: June 2024

Recently there has been growing interest in using photonics to perform the linear algebra operations of neuromorphic and quantum computing applications, aiming at harnessing silicon photonics’ (SiPho) high-speed and energy-efficiency credentials. Accurately mapping, however, a matrix into optics remains challenging, since state-of-the-art optical architectures are sensitive to fabrication imperfections. This leads to reduced fidelity that degrades as the insertion losses of the optical matrix nodes or the matrix dimensions increase. In this work, we present the experimental deployment of a 4 × 4 coherent crossbar (Xbar) as a silicon chip and validate experimentally its theoretically predicted fidelity restoration credentials. We demonstrate the experimental implementation of 10,000 arbitrary linear transformations achieving a record-high fidelity of 99.997% ± 0.002, limited mainly by the measurement equipment. Our work represents an integrated optical circuit providing almost unity and loss-independent fidelity in the realization of arbitrary matrices, highlighting light’s credentials in resolving complex computations.
Storing and managing water for the environment is more efficient than mimicking natural flows
Authors: Null Sarah E. , Zeff Harrison , Mount Jeffrey , Gray Brian , Sturrock Anna M. , Sencan Gokce , Dybala Kristen , Thompson Barton
Published: June 2024

Dams and reservoirs are often needed to provide environmental water and maintain suitable water temperatures for downstream ecosystems. Here, we evaluate if water allocated to the environment, with storage to manage it, might allow environmental water to more reliably meet ecosystem objectives than a proportion of natural flow. We use a priority-based water balance operations model and a reservoir temperature model to evaluate 1) pass-through of a portion of reservoir inflow versus 2) allocating a portion of storage capacity and inflow for downstream flow and stream temperature objectives. We compare trade-offs to other senior and junior priority water demands. In many months, pass-through flows exceed the volumes needed to meet environmental demands. Storage provides the ability to manage release timing to use water efficiently for environmental benefit, with a co-benefit of increasing reservoir storage to protect cold-water at depth in the reservoir.
Fe3O4-doped mesoporous carbon cathode with a plumber’s nightmare structure for high-performance Li-S batteries
Authors: Zhang Han , Zhang Mengtian , Liu Ruiyi , He Tengfeng , Xiang Luoxing , Wu Xinru , Piao Zhihong , Jia Yeyang , Zhang Chongyin , Li Hong , Xu Fugui , Zhou Guangmin , Mai Yiyong
Published: June 2024

Shuttling of lithium polysulfides and slow redox kinetics seriously limit the rate and cycling performance of lithium-sulfur batteries. In this study, Fe3O4-dopped carbon cubosomes with a plumber’s nightmare structure (SP-Fe3O4-C) are prepared as sulfur hosts to construct cathodes with high rate capability and long cycling life for Li-S batteries. Their three-dimensional continuous mesochannels and carbon frameworks, along with the uniformly distributed Fe3O4 particles, enable smooth mass/electron transport, strong polysulfides capture capability, and fast catalytic conversion of the sulfur species. Impressively, the SP-Fe3O4-C cathode exhibits top-level comprehensive performance, with high specific capacity (1303.4 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C), high rate capability (691.8 mAh gFe3O41 at 5 C), and long cycling life (over 1200 cycles). This study demonstrates a unique structure for high-performance Li-S batteries and opens a distinctive avenue for developing multifunctional electrode materials for next-generation energy storage devices.
A political economy theory of fossil fuel subsidy reforms in OECD countries
Authors: Droste Nils , Chatterton Benjamin , Skovgaard Jakob
Published: June 2024

Fossil fuel subsidies continue to be a considerable barrier to meeting the targets of the Paris Agreement. It is thus crucial to understand the political economy of fossil fuel subsidies and their reform. To understand these mechanisms in the developed world, we use a database of different types of fossil fuel subsidy reforms among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. We find evidence for four intertwined processes i) a market-power mechanism: higher market shares for renewables ease fossil fuel subsidy reforms, and ii) a policy mechanism: reforms reduce the levels of fossil fuel subsidies. Importantly, both effects are contingent on iii) a polity mechanism where institutional quality influences the feasibility and effectiveness of political reforms, and iv) a feedback mechanism where systemic lock-ins determine the effectiveness of market competition. Our results even suggest that reforms carried out by effective governments with low corruption control are associated with increasing subsidies per capita. Renewable energy support can however provide a leverage point to break path-dependencies in fossil fuel-based economies. This turns out to be more effective when coupled with improvements to institutional quality and the insulation of political processes from pro-subsidy interests.
In-situ and wavelength-dependent photocatalytic strain evolution of a single Au nanoparticle on a TiO2 film
Authors: Park Sung Hyun , Kim Sukyoung , Park Jae Whan , Kim Seunghee , Cha Wonsuk , Lee Joonseok
Published: June 2024

Photocatalysis is a promising technique due to its capacity to efficiently harvest solar energy and its potential to address the global energy crisis. However, the structure–activity relationships of photocatalyst during wavelength-dependent photocatalytic reactions remains largely unexplored because it is difficult to measure under operating conditions. Here we show the photocatalytic strain evolution of a single Au nanoparticle (AuNP) supported on a TiO2 film by combining three-dimensional (3D) Bragg coherent X-ray diffraction imaging with an external light source. The wavelength-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has significant effects on the structural deformation of the AuNP, leading to its strain evolution. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to rationalize the induced strain caused by the adsorption of ROS on the AuNP surface. These observations provide insights of how the photocatalytic activity impacts on the structural deformation of AuNP, contributing to the general understanding of the atomic-level catalytic adsorption process.
Uneven consequences of global climate mitigation pathways on regional water quality in the 21st century
Authors: Lee Minjin , Stock Charles A. , Shevliakova Elena , Malyshev Sergey , Beaudor Maureen , Vuichard Nicolas
Published: June 2024

Future socioeconomic climate pathways have regional water-quality consequences whose severity and equity have not yet been fully understood across geographic and economic spectra. We use a process-based, terrestrial-freshwater ecosystem model to project 21st-century river nitrogen loads under these pathways. We find that fertilizer usage is the primary determinant of future river nitrogen loads, changing precipitation and warming have limited impacts, and CO2 fertilization-induced vegetation growth enhancement leads to modest load reductions. Fertilizer applications to produce bioenergy in climate mitigation scenarios cause larger load increases than in the highest emission scenario. Loads generally increase in low-income regions, yet remain stable or decrease in high-income regions where agricultural advances, low food and feed production and waste, and/or well-enforced air pollution policies balance biofuel-associated fertilizer burdens. Consideration of biofuel production options with low fertilizer demand and rapid transfer of agricultural advances from high- to low-income regions may help avoid inequitable water-quality outcomes from climate mitigation.
Unsupervised learning-enabled pulsed infrared thermographic microscopy of subsurface defects in stainless steel
Authors: Zhang Xin , Fang Tianyang , Saniie Jafar , Bakhtiari Sasan , Heifetz Alexander
Published: June 2024

Metallic structures produced with laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing method (AM) frequently contain microscopic porosity defects, with typical approximate size distribution from one to 100 microns. Presence of such defects could lead to premature failure of the structure. In principle, structural integrity assessment of LPBF metals can be accomplished with nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Pulsed infrared thermography (PIT) is a non-contact, one-sided NDE method that allows for imaging of internal defects in arbitrary size and shape metallic structures using heat transfer. PIT imaging is performed using compact instrumentation consisting of a flash lamp for deposition of a heat pulse, and a fast frame infrared (IR) camera for measuring surface temperature transients. However, limitations of imaging resolution with PIT include blurring due to heat diffusion, sensitivity limit of the IR camera. We demonstrate enhancement of PIT imaging capability with unsupervised learning (UL), which enables PIT microscopy of subsurface defects in high strength corrosion resistant stainless steel 316 alloy. PIT images were processed with UL spatial–temporal separation-based clustering segmentation (STSCS) algorithm, refined by morphology image processing methods to enhance visibility of defects. The STSCS algorithm starts with wavelet decomposition to spatially de-noise thermograms, followed by UL principal component analysis (PCA), fine-tuning optimization, and neural learning-based independent component analysis (ICA) algorithms to temporally compress de-noised thermograms. The compressed thermograms were further processed with UL-based graph thresholding K-means clustering algorithm for defects segmentation. The STSCS algorithm also includes online learning feature for efficient re-training of the model with new data. For this study, metallic specimens with calibrated microscopic flat bottom hole defects, with diameters in the range from 203 to 76 µm, were produced using electro discharge machining (EDM) drilling. While the raw thermograms do not show any material defects, using STSCS algorithm to process PIT images reveals defects as small as 101 µm in diameter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the smallest reported size of a sub-surface defect in a metal imaged with PIT, which demonstrates the PIT capability of detecting defects in the size range relevant to quality control requirements of LPBF-printed high-strength metals.
ECMO is associated with decreased hospital mortality in COVID-19 ARDS
Authors: Kim Won-Young , Jung Sun-Young , Kim Jeong-Yeon , Chae Ganghee , Kim Junghyun , Joh Joon-Sung , Park Tae Yun , Baek Ae-Rin , Jegal Yangjin , Chung Chi Ryang , Lee Jinwoo , Cho Young-Jae , Park Joo Hun , Hwang Jung Hwa , Song Jin Woo
Published: June 2024

This study determined whether compared to conventional mechanical ventilation (MV), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with decreased hospital mortality or fibrotic changes in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome. A cohort of 72 patients treated with ECMO and 390 with conventional MV were analyzed (February 2020–December 2021). A target trial was emulated comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs no ECMO within 7 days of MV in patients with a PaO2/FiO2 < 80 or a PaCO2 ≥ 60 mmHg. A total of 222 patients met the eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 42 initiated ECMO. ECMO was associated with a lower risk of hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36–0.96). The risk was lower in patients who were younger (age < 70 years), had less comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index < 2), underwent prone positioning before ECMO, and had driving pressures ≥ 15 cmH2O at inclusion. Furthermore, ECMO was associated with a lower risk of fibrotic changes (HR, 0.30; 95% CI 0.11–0.70). However, the finding was limited due to relatively small number of patients and differences in observability between the ECMO and conventional MV groups.
Fruit quality, antioxidant, and mineral attributes of pomegranate cv. Ghojagh, influenced by shading and spray applications of potassium sulfate and sodium silicate
Authors: Moradi Samira , Zamani Zabihollah , Fatahi Reza , Saba Mahmoud Koushesh , Paliaga Sara , Laudicina Vito Armando , Inglese Paolo , Liguori Giorgia
Published: June 2024

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit quality depends on many traits including visual, biochemical and mineral characteristics. One of the negative traits is aril whitening (AW) which is a frequently observed disorder in hot and dry climates, that leads to decline in desirable fruit quality. Color, antioxidant, and mineral contents of the arils are of prime importance as quality traits. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of shading and foliar minerals on fruit quality during the fruit development stages of pomegranate. Treatments included shaded (50% green net) and unshaded trees and foliar application of trees with potassium sulfate (K, 1% and 2%) or sodium silicate (Si, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15%) during two growing seasons. Results showed that the severity of AW at harvest decreased significantly when trees were covered with shading compared to control. The color values of L* and ⁰hue for arils were lower in fruits grown under shading conditions indicating darker red arils. Shading significantly reduced chilling injury in cold storage compared to open field fruits. Shading and Si 0.15% increased superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzymes activity while decreased Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. Covering trees with shading and Si 0.15% spray resulted in the highest total anthocyanin, antioxidant activity, and total phenolics content in the arils. Shading as well as Si 0.15% increased macronutrients content of the arils. The study concluded that covering pomegranate trees and spraying with Si in hot climate reduced AW, increased antioxidant traits, and led to higher fruit quality.
The relationship between muscle thickness and pennation angle is mediated by fascicle length in the muscles of the lower extremities
Authors: Martin-Rodriguez Saul , Gonzalez-Henriquez Juan Jose , Diaz-Conde Juan Carlos , Calbet Jose A. L. , Sanchis-Moysi Joaquin
Published: June 2024

Muscle morphological architecture, a crucial determinant of muscle function, has fascinated researchers since the Renaissance. Imaging techniques enable the assessment of parameters such as muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL), which may vary with growth, sex, and physical activity. Despite known interrelationships, robust mathematical models like causal mediation analysis have not been extensively applied to large population samples. We recruited 109 males and females, measuring knee flexor and extensor, and plantar flexor MT, PA, and FL using real-time ultrasound imaging at rest. A mixed-effects model explored sex, leg (dominant vs. non-dominant), and muscle region differences. Males exhibited greater MT in all muscles (0.1 to 2.1 cm, p < 0.01), with no sex differences in FL. Dominant legs showed greater rectus femoris (RF) MT (0.1 cm, p = 0.01) and PA (1.5°, p = 0.01), while vastus lateralis (VL) had greater FL (1.2 cm, p < 0.001) and PA (0.6°, p = 0.02). Regional differences were observed in VL, RF, and biceps femoris long head (BFlh). Causal mediation analyses highlighted MT’s influence on PA, mediated by FL. Moderated mediation occurred in BFlh, with FL differences. Gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis exhibited FL-mediated MT and PA relationships. This study unveils the intricate interplay of MT, FL, and PA in muscle architecture.
First in vitro cell co-culture experiments using laser-induced high-energy electron FLASH irradiation for the development of anti-cancer therapeutic strategies
Authors: Orobeti Stefana , Sima Livia Elena , Porosnicu Ioana , Diplasu Constantin , Giubega Georgiana , Cojocaru Gabriel , Ungureanu Razvan , Dobrea Cosmin , Serbanescu Mihai , Mihalcea Alexandru , Stancu Elena , Staicu Cristina Elena , Jipa Florin , Bran Alexandra , Axente Emanuel , Sandel Simion , Zamfirescu Marian , Tiseanu Ion , Sima Felix
Published: June 2024

Radiation delivery at ultrahigh dose rates (UHDRs) has potential for use as a new anticancer therapeutic strategy. The FLASH effect induced by UHDR irradiation has been shown to maintain antitumour efficacy with a reduction in normal tissue toxicity; however, the FLASH effect has been difficult to demonstrate in vitro. The objective to demonstrate the FLASH effect in vitro is challenging, aiming to reveal a differential response between cancer and normal cells to further identify cell molecular mechanisms. New high-intensity petawatt laser-driven accelerators can deliver very high-energy electrons (VHEEs) at dose rates as high as 1013 Gy/s in very short pulses (10–13 s). Here, we present the first in vitro experiments carried out on cancer cells and normal non-transformed cells concurrently exposed to laser-plasma accelerated (LPA) electrons. Specifically, melanoma cancer cells and normal melanocyte co-cultures grown on chamber slides were simultaneously irradiated with LPA electrons. A non-uniform dose distribution on the cell cultures was revealed by Gafchromic films placed behind the chamber slide supporting the cells. In parallel experiments, cell co-cultures were exposed to pulsed X-ray irradiation, which served as positive controls for radiation-induced nuclear DNA double-strand breaks. By measuring the impact on discrete areas of the cell monolayers, the greatest proportion of the damaged DNA-containing nuclei was attained by the LPA electrons at a cumulative dose one order of magnitude lower than the dose obtained by pulsed X-ray irradiation. Interestingly, in certain discrete areas, we observed that LPA electron exposure had a different effect on the DNA damage in healthy normal human epidermal melanocyte (NHEM) cells than in A375 melanoma cells; here, the normal cells were less affected by the LPA exposure than cancer cells. This result is the first in vitro demonstration of a differential response of tumour and normal cells exposed to FLASH irradiation and may contribute to the development of new cell culture strategies to explore fundamental understanding of FLASH-induced cell effect.
The small hive beetle’s capacity to disperse over long distances by flight
Authors: Cornelissen Bram , Ellis James D. , Gort Gerrit , Hendriks Marc , van Loon Joop J. A. , Stuhl Charles J. , Neumann Peter
Published: June 2024

The spread of invasive species often follows a jump-dispersal pattern. While jumps are typically fostered by humans, local dispersal can occur due to the specific traits of a species, which are often poorly understood. This holds true for small hive beetles (Aethina tumida), which are parasites of social bee colonies native to sub-Saharan Africa. They have become a widespread invasive species. In 2017, a mark-release-recapture experiment was conducted in six replicates (A–F) using laboratory reared, dye-fed adults (N = 15,690). Honey bee colonies were used to attract flying small hive beetles at fixed spatial intervals from a central release point. Small hive beetles were recaptured (N = 770) at a maximum distance of 3.2 km after 24 h and 12 km after 1 week. Most small hive beetles were collected closest to the release point at 0 m (76%, replicate A) and 50 m (52%, replicates B to F). Temperature and wind deviation had significant effects on dispersal, with more small hive beetles being recaptured when temperatures were high (GLMM: slope = 0.99, SE = 0.17, Z = 5.72, P < 0.001) and confirming the role of wind for odour modulated dispersal of flying insects (GLMM: slope = − 0.39, SE = 0.14, Z = − 2.90, P = 0.004). Our findings show that the small hive beetles is capable of long-distance flights, and highlights the need to understand species specific traits to be considered for monitoring and mitigation efforts regarding invasive alien species.
Frequency and clinical impact of viraemia in paediatric patients undergoing therapy for cancer
Authors: Barnbrock Anke , Berger Annemarie , Lauten Melchior , Demmert Martin , Klusmann Jan-Henning , Ciesek Sandra , Bochennek Konrad , Lehrnbecher Thomas
Published: June 2024

In contrast to transplant recipients, there is a paucity of data regarding frequency and clinical significance of viraemia in children receiving conventional chemotherapy. In a prospective observational study, we assessed the frequency of and clinical impact of viraemia with cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), adenovirus, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV6) and herpes-simplex virus 1/2 (HSV1/2) in paediatric cancer patients at diagnosis, at a routine examination during intensive chemotherapy, and during febrile neutropenia (FN). Seventy-nine patients (median age 6 years; 66 children with haematological malignancies) were included in the study. Overall, 362 blood samples were analysed, 72 from the time at diagnosis (11.1% with positive PCR result), 118 during a regular control after chemotherapy (11.0% positive), and 159 during FN (8.8% positive). The overall positivity rate was 9.6% (CMV 3.3%, HHV6 2.7%, HSV 2.2%, EBV 0.8% and adenovirus 0.3%). There were no significant differences between FN episodes with and without viraemia in terms of duration of fever or neutropenia/lymphopenia, severity of mucositis (> II0), incidence of diarrhea and ICU admission. Our results indicate that viraemia in paediatric cancer patients generally does not have a major clinical impact, and may help in the decision regarding the indication of routine evaluation for viraemia in febrile neutropenic, but otherwise asymptomatic children.
Continuous removal of thorium from aqueous solution using functionalized graphene oxide: study of adsorption kinetics in batch system and fixed bed column
Authors: Zahakifar Fazel , Khanramaki Fereshte
Published: June 2024

This article investigated the kinetic studies of thorium adsorption from an aqueous solution with graphene oxide functionalized with aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA) as an adsorbent. First, the AMPA-GO adsorbent was characterized using TEM, XRD, and FTIR methods. Experiments were performed in two batch and continuous modes. In batch mode, adsorption kinetics were studied in different pH (1–4), temperature (298–328 K), initial concentration (50–500 mg L−1), and dosages (0.1–2 g L−1). The results showed that thorium adsorption kinetic follows pseudo-first-order kinetic model and that the adsorption reaction is endothermic. The maximum experimental adsorption capacity of thorium ions was observed 138.84 mg g−1 at a pH of 3, adsorbent dosage of 0.5 g L−1, and a temperature of 328 K. The results showed that AMPA-GO adsorbent can be used seven times with an acceptable change in adsorption capacity. In continuous conditions, the effect of feed flow rate (2–8 mL min−1), initial concentration (50–500 mg L−1), and column bed height (2–8 cm) was investigated. The continuous data was analyzed using the Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Bohart-Adams models. The experimental data of the column were well matched with the Thomas, and Yoon-Nelson models. The research results showed that the use of functionalized graphene oxide adsorbents has a great ability to remove thorium from aqueous solutions.
Application of improved and efficient image repair algorithm in rock damage experimental research
Authors: Xu Mingzhe , Qi Xianyin , Geng Diandong
Published: June 2024

In the petroleum and coal industries, digital image technology and acoustic emission technology are employed to study rock properties, but both exhibit flaws during data processing. Digital image technology is vulnerable to interference from fractures and scaling, leading to potential loss of image data; while acoustic emission technology is not hindered by these issues, noise from rock destruction can interfere with the electrical signals, causing errors. The monitoring errors of these techniques can undermine the effectiveness of rock damage analysis. To address this issue, this paper focuses on the restoration of image data acquired through digital image technology, leveraging deep learning techniques, and using soft and hard rocks made of similar materials as research subjects, an improved Incremental Transformer image algorithm is employed to repair distorted or missing strain nephograms during uniaxial compression experiments. The concrete implementation entails using a comprehensive training set of strain nephograms derived from digital image technology, fabricating masks for absent image segments, and predicting strain nephograms with full strain detail. Additionally, we adopt deep separable convolutional networks to optimize the algorithm’s operational efficiency. Based on this, the analysis of rock damage is conducted using the repaired strain nephograms, achieving a closer correlation with the actual physical processes of rock damage compared to conventional digital image technology and acoustic emission techniques. The improved incremental Transformer algorithm presented in this paper will contribute to enhancing the efficiency of digital image technology in the realm of rock damage, saving time and money, and offering an innovative approach to traditional rock damage analysis.
Long-distance communication can enable collective migration in a dynamic seascape
Authors: Dodson Stephanie , Oestreich William K. , Savoca Matthew S. , Hazen Elliott L. , Bograd Steven J. , Ryan John P. , Fiechter Jerome , Abrahms Briana
Published: June 2024

Social information is predicted to enhance the quality of animals’ migratory decisions in dynamic ecosystems, but the relative benefits of social information in the long-range movements of marine megafauna are unknown. In particular, whether and how migrants use nonlocal information gained through social communication at the large spatial scale of oceanic ecosystems remains unclear. Here we test hypotheses about the cues underlying timing of blue whales’ breeding migration in the Northeast Pacific via individual-based models parameterized by empirical behavioral data. Comparing emergent patterns from individual-based models to individual and population-level empirical metrics of migration timing, we find that individual whales likely rely on both personal and social sources of information about forage availability in deciding when to depart from their vast and dynamic foraging habitat and initiate breeding migration. Empirical patterns of migratory phenology can only be reproduced by models in which individuals use long-distance social information about conspecifics’ behavioral state, which is known to be encoded in the patterning of their widely propagating songs. Further, social communication improves pre-migration seasonal foraging performance by over 60% relative to asocial movement mechanisms. Our results suggest that long-range communication enhances the perceptual ranges of migrating whales beyond that of any individual, resulting in increased foraging performance and more collective migration timing. These findings indicate the value of nonlocal social information in an oceanic migrant and suggest the importance of long-distance acoustic communication in the collective migration of wide-ranging marine megafauna.
Detection of early-stage NASH using non-invasive hyperpolarized 13C metabolic imaging
Authors: von Morze Cornelius , Blazey Tyler , Shaw Ashley , Spees William M. , Shoghi Kooresh I. , Ohliger Michael A.
Published: June 2024

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized from its early stages by a profound remodeling of the liver microenvironment, encompassing changes in the composition and activities of multiple cell types and associated gene expression patterns. Hyperpolarized (HP) 13C MRI provides a unique view of the metabolic microenvironment, with potential relevance for early diagnosis of liver disease. Previous studies have detected changes in HP 13C pyruvate to lactate conversion, catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), with experimental liver injury. HP $$\propto $$
∝
-ketobutyrate ($$\propto $$
∝
KB) is a close molecular analog of pyruvate with modified specificity for LDH isoforms, specifically attenuated activity with their LDHA-expressed subunits that dominate liver parenchyma. Building on recent results with pyruvate, we investigated HP $$\propto $$
∝
KB in methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet as a model of early-stage NASH. Similarity of results between this new agent and pyruvate (~ 50% drop in cytoplasmic reducing capacity), interpreted together with gene expression data from the model, suggests that changes are mediated through broad effects on intermediary metabolism. Plausible mechanisms are depletion of the lactate pool by upregulation of gluconeogenesis (GNG) and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) flux, and a possible shift toward increased lactate oxidation. These changes may reflect high levels of oxidative stress and/or shifting macrophage populations in NASH.
Functional locus coeruleus imaging to investigate an ageing noradrenergic system
Authors: Ludwig Mareike , Yi Yeo-Jin , Lüsebrink Falk , Callaghan Martina F. , Betts Matthew J. , Yakupov Renat , Weiskopf Nikolaus , Dolan Raymond J. , Düzel Emrah , Hämmerer Dorothea
Published: June 2024

The locus coeruleus (LC), our main source of norepinephrine (NE) in the brain, declines with age and is a potential epicentre of protein pathologies in neurodegenerative diseases (ND). In vivo measurements of LC integrity and function are potentially important biomarkers for healthy ageing and early ND onset. In the present study, high-resolution functional MRI (fMRI), a reversal reinforcement learning task, and dedicated post-processing approaches were used to visualise age differences in LC function (N = 50). Increased LC responses were observed during emotionally and task-related salient events, with subsequent accelerations and decelerations in reaction times, respectively, indicating context-specific adaptive engagement of the LC. Moreover, older adults exhibited increased LC activation compared to younger adults, indicating possible compensatory overactivation of a structurally declining LC in ageing. Our study shows that assessment of LC function is a promising biomarker of cognitive aging.
Interconnected lineage trajectories link conventional and natural killer (NK)-like exhausted CD8+ T cells beneficial in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Witkop Erin M. , Diggins Kirsten , Wiedeman Alice , Serti Elisavet , Nepom Gerald , Gersuk Vivian H. , Fuchs Bryce , Long S. Alice , Linsley Peter S.
Published: June 2024

Distinct Natural Killer (NK)-like CD57+ and PD-1+ CD8+ exhausted-like T cell populations (Tex) have both been linked to beneficial immunotherapy response in autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients. The origins and relationships between these cell types are poorly understood. Here we show that while PD-1+ and CD57+ Tex populations are epigenetically similar, CD57+ Tex cells display unique increased chromatin accessibility of inhibitory Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (iKIR) and other NK cell genes. PD-1+ and CD57+ Tex also show reciprocal expression of Inhibitory Receptors (IRs) and iKIRs accompanied by chromatin accessibility of Tcf1 and Tbet transcription factor target sites, respectively. CD57+ Tex show unappreciated gene expression heterogeneity and share clonal relationships with PD-1+ Tex, with these cells differentiating along four interconnected lineage trajectories: Tex-PD-1+, Tex-CD57+, Tex-Branching, and Tex-Fluid. Our findings demonstrate new relationships between Tex-like populations in human autoimmune disease and suggest that modulating common precursor populations may enhance response to autoimmune disease treatment.
Phage-encoded bismuth bicycles enable instant access to targeted bioactive peptides
Authors: Ullrich Sven , Somathilake Upamali , Shang Minghao , Nitsche Christoph
Published: June 2024

Genetically encoded libraries play a crucial role in discovering structurally rigid, high-affinity macrocyclic peptide ligands for therapeutic applications. Bicyclic peptides with metal centres like bismuth were recently developed as a new type of constrained peptide with notable affinity, stability and membrane permeability. This study represents the genetic encoding of peptide-bismuth and peptide-arsenic bicycles in phage display. We introduce bismuth tripotassium dicitrate (gastrodenol) as a water-soluble bismuth(III) reagent for phage library modification and in situ bicyclic peptide preparation, eliminating the need for organic co-solvents. Additionally, we explore arsenic(III) as an alternative thiophilic element that is used analogously to our previously introduced bicyclic peptides with a bismuth core. The modification of phage libraries and peptides with these elements is instantaneous and entirely biocompatible, offering an advantage over conventional alkylation-based methods. In a pilot display screening campaign aimed at identifying ligands for the biotin-binding protein streptavidin, we demonstrate the enrichment of bicyclic peptides with dissociation constants two orders of magnitude lower than those of their linear counterparts, underscoring the impact of structural constraint on binding affinity.
From square plaquettes to triamond lattices for SU(2) gauge theory
Authors: Kavaki Ali H. Z. , Lewis Randy
Published: June 2024

Lattice gauge theory should be able to address significant new scientific questions when implemented on quantum computers. In practice, error-mitigation techniques have already allowed encouraging progress on small lattices. In this work we focus on a truncated version of SU(2) gauge theory, which is a familiar non-Abelian step toward quantum chromodynamics. First, we demonstrate effective error mitigation for imaginary time evolution on a lattice having two square plaquettes, obtaining the ground state using an IBM quantum computer and observing that this would have been impossible without error mitigation. Then we propose the triamond lattice as an expedient approach to lattice gauge theories in three spatial dimensions and we derive the Hamiltonian. Finally, error-mitigated imaginary time evolution is applied to the three-dimensional triamond unit cell, and its ground state is obtained from an IBM quantum computer. Future work will want to relax the truncation on the gauge fields, and the triamond lattice is increasingly valuable for such studies.
Differences in metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in the cerebrospinal fluid are associated with delirium
Authors: Aksnes Mari , Schibstad Mari Haavig , Chaudhry Farrukh Abbas , Neerland Bjørn Erik , Caplan Gideon , Saltvedt Ingvild , Eldholm Rannveig S. , Myrstad Marius , Edwin Trine Holt , Persson Karin , Idland Ane-Victoria , Pollmann Christian Thomas , Olsen Roy Bjørkholt , Wyller Torgeir Bruun , Zetterberg Henrik , Cunningham Emma , Watne Leiv Otto
Published: June 2024

Background

The aetiology of delirium is not known, but pre-existing cognitive impairment is a predisposing factor. Here we explore the associations between delirium and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), proteins with important roles in both acute injury and chronic neurodegeneration.

Methods

Using a 13-plex Discovery Assay®, we quantified CSF levels of 9 MMPs and 4 TIMPs in 280 hip fracture patients (140 with delirium), 107 cognitively unimpaired individuals, and 111 patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia. The two delirium-free control groups without acute trauma were included to unravel the effects of acute trauma (hip fracture), dementia, and delirium.

Results

Here we show that delirium is associated with higher levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-10, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2; a trend suggests lower levels of TIMP-4 are also associated with delirium. Most delirium patients had pre-existing dementia and low TIMP-4 is the only marker associated with delirium in adjusted analyses. MMP-2, MMP-12, and TIMP-1 levels are clearly higher in the hip fracture patients than in both control groups and several other MMP/TIMPs are impacted by acute trauma or dementia status.

Conclusions

Several CSF MMP/TIMPs are significantly associated with delirium in hip fracture patients, but alterations in most of these MMP/TIMPs could likely be explained by acute trauma and/or pre-fracture dementia. Low levels of TIMP-4 appear to be directly associated with delirium, and the role of this marker in delirium pathophysiology should be further explored.
Determining the efficacy of ExThera Seraph100 blood filtration in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer through the liquid biopsy
Authors: Shishido Stephanie N. , Suresh Divya , Courcoubetis George , Ye Brandon , Lin Emmeline , Mason Jeremy , Park Ken , Lewis Michael , Wang Ruoxiang , Lo Simon K. , Kuhn Peter , Pandol Stephen
Published: June 2024

Background

Cancer becomes lethal as it spreads from the primary site to the rest of the body. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are biomarkers of disease progression and have been associated with decreased overall survival. Blood filtration is a novel concept for removing CTCs from circulation to improve patient prognosis.

Methods

This study utilizes liquid biopsy to assess the efficacy of ExThera Medical’s Seraph® 100 Microbind® Affinity Blood Filter on the blood of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using the third generation high-definition single cell assay workflow. Blood samples from treatment-naïve PDAC patients were collected and analyzed to characterize the CTCs and other rare cells present before and after filtration.

Results

Examination of 6 paired portal vein blood (PoVB) samples demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in total rare cells, total cytokeratin (CK)+ cells, and CTCs across all patients due to filtration. Furthermore, analysis of 2 paired peripheral blood (PB) samples showed a decrease in total rare cells, total CK+ cells, and specific phenotypes of rare cells after filtration.

Discussion

These preliminary results demonstrate initial proof of concept that this filtration device can remove CTCs from circulation and may therefore be useful as a therapy or adjunct in PDAC patient care.