bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Baseline Vector Repeatability at the Sub‐Millimeter Level Enabled by Radio Interferometer Phase Delays of Intra‐Site Baselines
Authors: Xu Ming H. , Savolainen Tuomas , Bolotin Sergei , Bernhart Simone , Plötz Christian , Haas Rüdiger , Varenius Eskil , Wang Guangli , McCallum Jamie , Heinkelmann Robert , Lunz Susanne , Schuh Harald , Zubko Nataliya , Kareinen Niko
Published: March 2023

We report the results of position ties for short baselines at eight geodetic sites based on phase delays that are extracted from global geodetic very‐long‐baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations rather than dedicated short‐baseline experiments. An analysis of phase delay observables at X band from two antennas at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell, Germany, extracted from 107 global 24‐hr VLBI sessions since 2019 yields weighted root‐mean‐square scatters about the mean baseline vector of 0.3, 0.3, and 0.8 mm in the east, north, and up directions, respectively. Position ties are also obtained for other short baselines between legacy antennas and nearby, newly built antennas. They are critical for maintaining a consistent continuation of the realization of the terrestrial reference frame, especially when including the new VGOS network. The phase delays of the baseline WETTZ13N–WETTZELL enable an investigation of sources of error at the sub‐millimeter level. We found that a systematic variation of larger than 1 mm can be introduced to the Up estimates of this baseline vector when atmospheric delays were estimated. Although the sub‐millimeter repeatability has been achieved for the baseline vector WETTZ13N–WETTZELL, we conclude that long term monitoring should be conducted for more short baselines to assess the instrumental effects, in particular the systematic differences between phase delays and group delays, and to find common solutions for reducing them. This will be an important step toward the goal of global geodesy at the 1 mm level.
On the Role of Gravity in Dissolving Horizontal Fractures
Authors: Hu Ran , Li Kai , Zhou Chen‐Xing , Wang Ting , Yang Zhibing , Chen Yi‐Feng
Published: March 2023

Fractures are ubiquitous in geological systems. As reactive fluid flow through a fracture, dissolution of the fracture walls may occur, thus altering the fracture aperture and increasing permeability. It has been recognized that gravity plays an important role in dissolving vertical fractures due to buoyancy‐driven convection. However, the role of gravity in dissolving horizontal fractures is not well understood. Here, we combine microfluidics/Hele‐Shaw experiments and a numerical method to study how the interplay of buoyancy‐driven convection and forced convection controls dissolution dynamics and permeability increase in horizontal fractures. We first develop the micro‐continuum approach by incorporating the gravitational effects, and then, we perform experiments to validate our method, confirming that the method can well capture gravitational effects on dissolution. Through 3D simulations, we find that buoyancy‐driven convection breaks the symmetry of dissolution on the upper and lower surfaces. We employ a symmetry index to identify three dissolution regimes. As the importance of gravity increases (Ri increases), the dissolution regime shifts from forced convection to mixed convection and to natural (or buoyancy‐driven) convection. We establish a link between these dissolution regimes and permeability evolution. In the forced convection or natural convection regimes, the permeability nearly remains unchanged for various Ri. However, in the mixed convection regime, permeability increase is suppressed by the gravitational effects; the underlying mechanism is that the solid phase tends to dissolve near the fracture inlet due to gravitational instability. This work improves our understanding of the gravitational effects on dissolution regimes and permeability evolution in horizontal fractures.
Eddy Covariance Data Reveal That a Small Freshwater Reservoir Emits a Substantial Amount of Carbon Dioxide and Methane
Authors: Hounshell Alexandria G. , D’Acunha Brenda M. , Breef‐Pilz Adrienne , Johnson Mark S. , Thomas R. Quinn , Carey Cayelan C.
Published: March 2023

Small freshwater reservoirs are ubiquitous and likely play an important role in global greenhouse gas (GHG) budgets relative to their limited water surface area. However, constraining annual GHG fluxes in small freshwater reservoirs is challenging given their footprint area and spatially and temporally variable emissions. To quantify the GHG budget of a small (0.1 km2) reservoir, we deployed an Eddy covariance (EC) system in a small reservoir located in southwestern Virginia, USA over 2 years to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes near‐continuously. Fluxes were coupled with in situ sensors measuring multiple environmental parameters. Over both years, we found the reservoir to be a large source of CO2 (633–731 g CO2‐C m−2 yr−1) and CH4 (1.02–1.29 g CH4‐C m−2 yr−1) to the atmosphere, with substantial sub‐daily, daily, weekly, and seasonal timescales of variability. For example, fluxes were substantially greater during the summer thermally stratified season as compared to the winter. In addition, we observed significantly greater GHG fluxes during winter intermittent ice‐on conditions as compared to continuous ice‐on conditions, suggesting GHG emissions from lakes and reservoirs may increase with predicted decreases in winter ice‐cover. Finally, we identified several key environmental variables that may be driving reservoir GHG fluxes at multiple timescales, including, surface water temperature and thermocline depth followed by fluorescent dissolved organic matter. Overall, our novel year‐round EC data from a small reservoir indicate that these freshwater ecosystems likely contribute a substantial amount of CO2 and CH4 to global GHG budgets, relative to their surface area.
Spatial and Seasonal Variability of Hydroxylamine Concentrations in a Human‐Impacted Estuary Off Southeast China
Authors: Qi Mengting , Qian Wei , Sardans Jordi , Li Ye , Peñuelas Josep , Liu Min , Hou Lijun , Li Xiaofei
Published: March 2023

Hydroxylamine (NH2OH) is an important intermediate of nitrification and can contribute to nitrous oxide (N2O) production through abiotic and biotic pathways. NH2OH concentrations and associated biogeochemical controls in estuarine water and sediments remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated spatial and seasonal variability of NH2OH concentrations in water and sediments and determined the correlation between NH2OH and N2O in the Min River Estuary off southeast China. NH2OH concentrations in water and sediments ranged from 0.22 to 140 nmol N L−1 and from 0.17 to 9.22 μmol N kg−1, respectively. High differences in NH2OH concentrations between sediments and water could drive diffusion of NH2OH from sediments to water. NH2OH concentrations were significantly higher in warm than in cold seasons, suggesting that NH2OH production is highly dependent on temperature. Upper estuary (urban section) showed higher NH2OH concentrations in water and sediments, followed by lower and middle estuary. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH were the major factors driving spatial and seasonal variability in NH2OH concentrations. Water dissolved N2O concentrations and air‐water N2O fluxes varied between 1.52 and 55.9 nmol N L−1 and between −57.7 and 78.7 nmol N m−2 h−1, respectively, with switches from net sinks in spring to net sources of N2O emissions in other seasons. Although N2O concentrations and fluxes were linearly correlated with water NH2OH concentrations, the contribution of NH2OH to N2O production could not be addressed. Therefore, the dynamics of NH2OH concentrations are a useful tool to assess potential production and consumption pathways of N2O in estuarine and coastal ecosystems.
Quadrivalent meningococcal tetanus toxoid-conjugate booster vaccination in adolescents and adults: phase III randomized study
Authors: Zambrano Betzana , Peterson James , Deseda Carmen , Julien Katie , Spiegel Craig A. , Seyler Clifford , Simon Michael , Hoki Robert , Anderson Marc , Brabec Brad , Áñez Germán , Shi Jiayuan , Pan Judy , Hagenbach Audrey , Von Barbier Dalia , Varghese Kucku , Jordanov Emilia , Dhingra Mandeep Singh
Published: March 2023

Background

The immunogenicity and safety of a booster dose of tetanus toxoid-conjugate quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (MenACYW-TT), alone or co-administered with MenB vaccine, were assessed in healthy 13–25-year olds who received MenACYW-TT or a CRM-conjugate vaccine (MCV4-CRM) 3–6 years earlier.

Methods

This phase IIIb open-label trial (NCT04084769) evaluated MenACYW-TT-primed participants, randomized to receive MenACYW-TT alone or with a MenB vaccine, and MCV4-CRM-primed participants who received MenACYW-TT alone. Functional antibodies against serogroups A, C, W and Y were measured using human complement serum bactericidal antibody assay (hSBA). The primary endpoint was vaccine seroresponse (post-vaccination titers ≥1:16 if pre-vaccination titers <1:8; or a ≥4-fold increase if pre-vaccination titers ≥1:8) 30 days post booster. Safety was evaluated throughout the study.

Results

The persistence of the immune response following primary vaccination with MenACYW-TT was demonstrated. Seroresponse after MenACYW-TT booster was high regardless of priming vaccine (serogroup A: 94.8% vs 93.2%; C: 97.1% vs 98.9%; W: 97.7% vs 98.9%; and Y; 98.9% vs 100% for MenACWY-TT-primed and MCV4-CRM-primed groups, respectively). Co-administration with MenB vaccines did not affect MenACWY-TT immunogenicity. No vaccine-related serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

MenACYW-TT booster induced robust immunogenicity against all serogroups, regardless of the primary vaccine received, and had an acceptable safety profile.

Impact

A booster dose of MenACYW-TT induces robust immune responses in children and adolescents primed with MenACYW-TT or another MCV4 (MCV4-DT or MCV4-CRM), respectively.

Here, we demonstrate that MenACYW-TT booster 3–6 years after primary vaccination induced robust immunogenicity against all serogroups, regardless of the priming vaccine (MenACWY-TT or MCV4-CRM), and was well tolerated.

Persistence of the immune response following previous primary vaccination with MenACYW-TT was demonstrated.

MenACYW-TT booster with MenB vaccine co-administration did not affect MenACWY-TT immunogenicity and was well tolerated.

These findings will facilitate the provision of broader protection against IMD particularly in higher-risk groups such as adolescents.
Neonatal outcomes of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the UK: a prospective cohort study using active surveillance
Authors: Ali Shohaib , Mactier Helen , Morelli Alessandra , Hurd Madeleine , Placzek Anna , Knight Marian , Ladhani Shamez N. , Draper Elizabeth S. , Sharkey Don , Doherty Cora , Kurinczuk Jennifer J. , Quigley Maria A. , Gale Chris
Published: March 2023

Background

Newborns may be affected by maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. We aimed to describe the epidemiology, clinical course and short-term outcomes of babies admitted to a neonatal unit (NNU) following birth to a mother with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 7 days of birth.

Methods

This is a UK prospective cohort study; all NHS NNUs, 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020. Cases were identified via British Paediatric Surveillance Unit with linkage to national obstetric surveillance data. Reporting clinicians completed data forms. Population data were extracted from the National Neonatal Research Database.

Results

A total of 111 NNU admissions (1.98 per 1000 of all NNU admissions) involved 2456 days of neonatal care (median 13 [IQR 5, 34] care days per admission). A total of 74 (67%) babies were preterm. In all, 76 (68%) received respiratory support; 30 were mechanically ventilated. Four term babies received therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Twenty-eight mothers received intensive care, with four dying of COVID-19. Eleven (10%) babies were SARS-CoV-2 positive. A total of 105 (95%) babies were discharged home; none of the three deaths before discharge was attributed to SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusion

Babies born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection around the time of birth accounted for a low proportion of total NNU admissions over the first 6 months of the UK pandemic. Neonatal SARS-CoV-2 was uncommon.

Study registration

ISRCTN60033461; protocol available at http://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/pru-mnhc/research-themes/theme-4/covid-19.

Impact

Neonatal unit admissions of babies born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection comprised only a small proportion of total neonatal admissions in the first 6 months of the pandemic.

A high proportion of babies requiring neonatal admission who were born to mothers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were preterm and had neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or other conditions associated with long-term sequelae.

Adverse neonatal conditions were more common in babies whose SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers required intensive care compared to those whose SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers who did not.
LncRNA LOC105369504 inhibits tumor proliferation and metastasis in colorectal cancer by regulating PSPC1
Authors: Zhan Ting , Cheng Xueting , Zhu Qingxi , Han Zheng , Zhu Kejing , Tan Jie , Liu Men , Chen Wei , Chen Xiaoli , Chen Xiaohong , Tian Xia , Huang Xiaodong
Published: March 2023

There is growing evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are significant contributors to the epigenetic mechanisms implicated in the emergence, progression and metastasis of the colorectal cancer (CRC), but many remain underexplored. A novel lncRNA LOC105369504, was identified to be a potential functional lncRNA by microarray analysis. In CRC, the expression of LOC105369504 was markedly decreased and resulted in distinct variations in proliferation, invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vivo and in vitro. This study showed that LOC105369504 bound to the protein of paraspeckles compound 1 (PSPC1) directly and regulated its stability using the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in CRC cells. The suppression of CRC by LOC105369504 could be reversed through PSPC1 overexpression.This study showed that in CRC, LOC105369504 was under-regulated and as a novel lncRNA, LOC105369504 exerted tumor suppressive activity to suppress the proliferation together with metastasis in CRC cells through the regulation of PSPC1. These results offer new perspectives on the lncRNA effect on the progression of CRC.
Biomechanics and neural circuits for vestibular-induced fine postural control in larval zebrafish
Authors: Sugioka Takumi , Tanimoto Masashi , Higashijima Shin-ichi
Published: March 2023

Land-walking vertebrates maintain a desirable posture by finely controlling muscles. It is unclear whether fish also finely control posture in the water. Here, we showed that larval zebrafish have fine posture control. When roll-tilted, fish recovered their upright posture using a reflex behavior, which was a slight body bend near the swim bladder. The vestibular-induced body bend produces a misalignment between gravity and buoyancy, generating a moment of force that recovers the upright posture. We identified the neural circuits for the reflex, including the vestibular nucleus (tangential nucleus) through reticulospinal neurons (neurons in the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus) to the spinal cord, and finally to the posterior hypaxial muscles, a special class of muscles near the swim bladder. These results suggest that fish maintain a dorsal-up posture by frequently performing the body bend reflex and demonstrate that the reticulospinal pathway plays a critical role in fine postural control.
LYN kinase programs stromal fibroblasts to facilitate leukemic survival via regulation of c-JUN and THBS1
Authors: vom Stein Alexander F. , Rebollido-Rios Rocio , Lukas Anna , Koch Maximilian , von Lom Anton , Reinartz Sebastian , Bachurski Daniel , Rose France , Bozek Katarzyna , Abdallah Ali T. , Kohlhas Viktoria , Saggau Julia , Zölzer Rebekka , Zhao Yue , Bruns Christiane , Bröckelmann Paul J. , Lohneis Philipp , Büttner Reinhard , Häupl Björn , Oellerich Thomas , Nguyen Phuong-Hien , Hallek Michael
Published: March 2023

Microenvironmental bystander cells are essential for the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We have discovered previously that LYN kinase promotes the formation of a microenvironmental niche for CLL. Here we provide mechanistic evidence that LYN regulates the polarization of stromal fibroblasts to support leukemic progression. LYN is overexpressed in fibroblasts of lymph nodes of CLL patients. LYN-deficient stromal cells reduce CLL growth in vivo. LYN-deficient fibroblasts show markedly reduced leukemia feeding capacity in vitro. Multi-omics profiling reveals that LYN regulates the polarization of fibroblasts towards an inflammatory cancer-associated phenotype through modulation of cytokine secretion and extracellular matrix composition. Mechanistically, LYN deletion reduces inflammatory signaling including reduction of c-JUN expression, which in turn augments the expression of Thrombospondin-1, which binds to CD47 thereby impairing CLL viability. Together, our findings suggest that LYN is essential for rewiring fibroblasts towards a leukemia-supportive phenotype.
Different NIPBL requirements of cohesin-STAG1 and cohesin-STAG2
Authors: Alonso-Gil Dácil , Cuadrado Ana , Giménez-Llorente Daniel , Rodríguez-Corsino Miriam , Losada Ana
Published: March 2023

Cohesin organizes the genome through the formation of chromatin loops. NIPBL activates cohesin’s ATPase and is essential for loop extrusion, but its requirement for cohesin loading is unclear. Here we have examined the effect of reducing NIPBL levels on the behavior of the two cohesin variants carrying STAG1 or STAG2 by combining a flow cytometry assay to measure chromatin-bound cohesin with analyses of its genome-wide distribution and genome contacts. We show that NIPBL depletion results in increased cohesin-STAG1 on chromatin that further accumulates at CTCF positions while cohesin-STAG2 diminishes genome-wide. Our data are consistent with a model in which NIPBL may not be required for chromatin association of cohesin but it is for loop extrusion, which in turn facilitates stabilization of cohesin-STAG2 at CTCF positions after being loaded elsewhere. In contrast, cohesin-STAG1 binds chromatin and becomes stabilized at CTCF sites even under low NIPBL levels, but genome folding is severely impaired.
Beta variant COVID-19 protein booster vaccine elicits durable cross-neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants in non-human primates
Authors: Pavot Vincent , Berry Catherine , Kishko Michael , Anosova Natalie G. , Li Lu , Tibbitts Tim , Huang Dean , Raillard Alice , Gautheron Sylviane , Gutzeit Cindy , Koutsoukos Marguerite , Chicz Roman M. , Lecouturier Valerie
Published: March 2023

The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants, despite the implementation of booster vaccination, has raised questions about the durability of protection conferred by current vaccines. Vaccine boosters that can induce broader and more durable immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 are urgently needed. We recently reported that our Beta-containing protein-based SARS-CoV-2 spike booster vaccine candidates with AS03 adjuvant (CoV2 preS dTM-AS03) elicited robust cross-neutralizing antibody responses at early timepoints against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in macaques primed with mRNA or protein-based subunit vaccine candidates. Here we demonstrate that the monovalent Beta vaccine with AS03 adjuvant induces durable cross-neutralizing antibody responses against the prototype strain D614G as well as variants Delta (B.1.617.2), Omicron (BA.1 and BA.4/5) and SARS-CoV-1, that are still detectable in all macaques 6 months post-booster. We also describe the induction of consistent and robust memory B cell responses, independent of the levels measured post-primary immunization. These data suggest that a booster dose with a monovalent Beta CoV2 preS dTM-AS03 vaccine can induce robust and durable cross-neutralizing responses against a broad spectrum of variants.
Multiphoton excited singlet/triplet mixed self-trapped exciton emission
Authors: Zhou Rui , Sui Laizhi , Liu Xinbao , Liu Kaikai , Guo Dengyang , Zhao Wenbo , Song Shiyu , Lv Chaofan , Chen Shu , Jiang Tianci , Cheng Zhe , Meng Sheng , Shan Chongxin
Published: March 2023

Multiphoton excited luminescence is of paramount importance in the field of optical detection and biological photonics. Self-trapped exciton (STE) emission with self-absorption-free advantages provide a choice for multiphoton excited luminescence. Herein, multiphoton excited singlet/triplet mixed STE emission with a large full width at half-maximum (617 meV) and Stokes shift (1.29 eV) has been demonstrated in single-crystalline ZnO nanocrystals. Temperature dependent steady state, transient state and time-resolved electron spin resonance spectra demonstrate a mixture of singlet (63%) and triplet (37%) mixed STE emission, which contributes to a high photoluminescence quantum yield (60.5%). First-principles calculations suggest 48.34 meV energy per exciton stored by phonons in the distorted lattice of excited states, and 58 meV singlet-triplet splitting energy for the nanocrystals being consistent with the experimental measurements. The model clarifies long and controversial debates on ZnO emission in visible region, and the multiphoton excited singlet/triplet mixed STE emission is also observed.
Decrypting the programming of β-methylation in virginiamycin M biosynthesis
Authors: Collin Sabrina , Cox Russell J. , Paris Cédric , Jacob Christophe , Chagot Benjamin , Weissman Kira J. , Gruez Arnaud
Published: March 2023

During biosynthesis by multi-modular trans-AT polyketide synthases, polyketide structural space can be expanded by conversion of initially-formed electrophilic β-ketones into β-alkyl groups. These multi-step transformations are catalysed by 3-hydroxy-3-methylgluratryl synthase cassettes of enzymes. While mechanistic aspects of these reactions have been delineated, little information is available concerning how the cassettes select the specific polyketide intermediate(s) to target. Here we use integrative structural biology to identify the basis for substrate choice in module 5 of the virginiamycin M trans-AT polyketide synthase. Additionally, we show in vitro that module 7, at minimum, is a potential additional site for β-methylation. Indeed, analysis by HPLC-MS coupled with isotopic labelling and pathway inactivation identifies a metabolite bearing a second β-methyl at the expected position. Collectively, our results demonstrate that several control mechanisms acting in concert underpin β-branching programming. Furthermore, variations in this control – whether natural or by design – open up avenues for diversifying polyketide structures towards high-value derivatives.
Ultrahigh loading dry-process for solvent-free lithium-ion battery electrode fabrication
Authors: Ryu Minje , Hong Young-Kuk , Lee Sang-Young , Park Jong Hyeok
Published: March 2023

The current lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrode fabrication process relies heavily on the wet coating process, which uses the environmentally harmful and toxic N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent. In addition to being unsustainable, the use of this expensive organic solvent substantially increases the cost of battery production, as it needs to be dried and recycled throughout the manufacturing process. Herein, we report an industrially viable and sustainable dry press-coating process that uses the combination of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as a dry powder composite and etched Al foil as a current collector. Notably, the mechanical strength and performance of the fabricated LiNi0.7Co0.1Mn0.2O2 (NCM712) dry press-coated electrodes (DPCEs) far exceed those of conventional slurry-coated electrodes (SCEs) and give rise to high loading (100 mg cm−2, 17.6 mAh cm−2) with impressive specific energy and volumetric energy density of 360 Wh kg−1 and 701 Wh L−1, respectively.
Alternatively spliced exon regulates context-dependent MEF2D higher-order assembly during myogenesis
Authors: Gönczi Mónika , Teixeira João M. C. , Barrera-Vilarmau Susana , Mediani Laura , Antoniani Francesco , Nagy Tamás Milán , Fehér Krisztina , Ráduly Zsolt , Ambrus Viktor , Tőzsér József , Barta Endre , Kövér Katalin E. , Csernoch László , Carra Serena , Fuxreiter Monika
Published: March 2023

During muscle cell differentiation, the alternatively spliced, acidic β-domain potentiates transcription of Myocyte-specific Enhancer Factor 2 (Mef2D). Sequence analysis by the FuzDrop method indicates that the β-domain can serve as an interaction element for Mef2D higher-order assembly. In accord, we observed Mef2D mobile nuclear condensates in C2C12 cells, similar to those formed through liquid-liquid phase separation. In addition, we found Mef2D solid-like aggregates in the cytosol, the presence of which correlated with higher transcriptional activity. In parallel, we observed a progress in the early phase of myotube development, and higher MyoD and desmin expression. In accord with our predictions, the formation of aggregates was promoted by rigid β-domain variants, as well as by a disordered β-domain variant, capable of switching between liquid-like and solid-like higher-order states. Along these lines, NMR and molecular dynamics simulations corroborated that the β-domain can sample both ordered and disordered interactions leading to compact and extended conformations. These results suggest that β-domain fine-tunes Mef2D higher-order assembly to the cellular context, which provides a platform for myogenic regulatory factors and the transcriptional apparatus during the developmental process.
Immune subset-committed proliferating cells populate the human foetal intestine throughout the second trimester of gestation
Authors: Guo Nannan , Li Na , Jia Li , Jiang Qinyue , Schreurs Mette , van Unen Vincent , de Sousa Lopes Susana M. Chuva , Vloemans Alexandra A. , Eggermont Jeroen , Lelieveldt Boudewijn , Staal Frank J. T. , de Miranda Noel F. C. C. , Pascutti M. Fernanda , Koning Frits
Published: March 2023

The intestine represents the largest immune compartment in the human body, yet its development and organisation during human foetal development is largely unknown. Here we show the immune subset composition of this organ during development, by longitudinal spectral flow cytometry analysis of human foetal intestinal samples between 14 and 22 weeks of gestation. At 14 weeks, the foetal intestine is mainly populated by myeloid cells and three distinct CD3–CD7+ ILC, followed by rapid appearance of adaptive CD4+, CD8+ T and B cell subsets. Imaging mass cytometry identifies lymphoid follicles from week 16 onwards in a villus-like structure covered by epithelium and confirms the presence of Ki-67+ cells in situ within all CD3–CD7+ ILC, T, B and myeloid cell subsets. Foetal intestinal lymphoid subsets are capable of spontaneous proliferation in vitro. IL-7 mRNA is detected within both the lamina propria and the epithelium and IL-7 enhances proliferation of several subsets in vitro. Overall, these observations demonstrate the presence of immune subset-committed cells capable of local proliferation in the developing human foetal intestine, likely contributing to the development and growth of organized immune structures throughout most of the 2nd trimester, which might influence microbial colonization upon birth.
3D printing of dynamic covalent polymer network with on-demand geometric and mechanical reprogrammability
Authors: Fang Zizheng , Shi Yunpeng , Mu Hongfeng , Lu Runzhi , Wu Jingjun , Xie Tao
Published: March 2023

Delicate geometries and suitable mechanical properties are essential for device applications of polymer materials. 3D printing offers unprecedented versatility, but the geometries and mechanical properties are typically fixed after printing. Here, we report a 3D photo-printable dynamic covalent network that can undergo two independently controllable bond exchange reactions, allowing reprogramming the geometry and mechanical properties after printing. Specifically, the network is designed to contain hindered urea bonds and pendant hydroxyl groups. The homolytic exchange between hindered urea bonds allows reconfiguring the printed shape without affecting the network topology and mechanical properties. Under different conditions, the hindered urea bonds are transformed into urethane bonds via exchange reactions with hydroxyl groups, which permits tailoring of the mechanical properties. The freedom to reprogram the shape and properties in an on-demand fashion offers the opportunity to produce multiple 3D printed products from one single printing step.
Neonatal EEG graded for severity of background abnormalities in hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
Authors: O’Toole John M. , Mathieson Sean R. , Raurale Sumit A. , Magarelli Fabio , Marnane William P. , Lightbody Gordon , Boylan Geraldine B.
Published: March 2023

This report describes a set of neonatal electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings graded according to the severity of abnormalities in the background pattern. The dataset consists of 169 hours of multichannel EEG from 53 neonates recorded in a neonatal intensive care unit. All neonates received a diagnosis of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), the most common cause of brain injury in full term infants. For each neonate, multiple 1-hour epochs of good quality EEG were selected and then graded for background abnormalities. The grading system assesses EEG attributes such as amplitude, continuity, sleep–wake cycling, symmetry and synchrony, and abnormal waveforms. Background severity was then categorised into 4 grades: normal or mildly abnormal EEG, moderately abnormal EEG, majorly abnormal EEG, and inactive EEG. The data can be used as a reference set of multi-channel EEG for neonates with HIE, for EEG training purposes, or for developing and evaluating automated grading algorithms.
A Kinase Interacting Protein 1 (AKIP1) promotes cardiomyocyte elongation and physiological cardiac remodelling
Authors: Nijholt Kirsten T. , Sánchez-Aguilera Pablo I. , Booij Harmen G. , Oberdorf-Maass Silke U. , Dokter Martin M. , Wolters Anouk H. G. , Giepmans Ben N. G. , van Gilst Wiek H. , Brown Joan H. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Silljé Herman H. W. , Westenbrink B. Daan
Published: March 2023

A Kinase Interacting Protein 1 (AKIP1) is a signalling adaptor that promotes physiological hypertrophy in vitro. The purpose of this study is to determine if AKIP1 promotes physiological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vivo. Therefore, adult male mice with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of AKIP1 (AKIP1-TG) and wild type (WT) littermates were caged individually for four weeks in the presence or absence of a running wheel. Exercise performance, heart weight to tibia length (HW/TL), MRI, histology, and left ventricular (LV) molecular markers were evaluated. While exercise parameters were comparable between genotypes, exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy was augmented in AKIP1-TG vs. WT mice as evidenced by an increase in HW/TL by weighing scale and in LV mass on MRI. AKIP1-induced hypertrophy was predominantly determined by an increase in cardiomyocyte length, which was associated with reductions in p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 3 (RSK3), increments of phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit (PP2Ac) and dephosphorylation of serum response factor (SRF). With electron microscopy, we detected clusters of AKIP1 protein in the cardiomyocyte nucleus, which can potentially influence signalosome formation and predispose a switch in transcription upon exercise. Mechanistically, AKIP1 promoted exercise-induced activation of protein kinase B (Akt), downregulation of CCAAT Enhancer Binding Protein Beta (C/EBPβ) and de-repression of Cbp/p300 interacting transactivator with Glu/Asp rich carboxy-terminal domain 4 (CITED4). Concludingly, we identified AKIP1 as a novel regulator of cardiomyocyte elongation and physiological cardiac remodelling with activation of the RSK3-PP2Ac-SRF and Akt-C/EBPβ-CITED4 pathway. These findings suggest that AKIP1 may serve as a nodal point for physiological reprogramming of cardiac remodelling.
The systemic deletion of interleukin-1α reduces myocardial inflammation and attenuates ventricular remodeling in murine myocardial infarction
Authors: Lugrin J. , Parapanov R. , Milano G. , Cavin S. , Debonneville A. , Krueger T. , Liaudet L.
Published: March 2023

Myocardial inflammation following myocardial infarction (MI) is crucial for proper myocardial healing, yet, dysregulated inflammation may promote adverse ventricular remodeling and heart failure. IL-1 signaling contributes to these processes, as shown by dampened inflammation by inhibition of IL-1β or the IL-1 receptor. In contrast, the potential role of IL-1α in these mechanisms has received much less attention. Previously described as a myocardial-derived alarmin, IL-1α may also act as a systemically released inflammatory cytokine. We therefore investigated the effect of IL-1α deficiency on post-MI inflammation and ventricular remodeling in a murine model of permanent coronary occlusion. In the first week post-MI, global IL-1α deficiency (IL-1α KO mice) led to decreased myocardial expression of IL-6, MCP-1, VCAM-1, hypertrophic and pro-fibrotic genes, and reduced infiltration with inflammatory monocytes. These early changes were associated with an attenuation of delayed left ventricle (LV) remodeling and systolic dysfunction after extensive MI. In contrast to systemic Il1a-KO, conditional cardiomyocyte deletion of Il1a (CmIl1a-KO) did not reduce delayed LV remodeling and systolic dysfunction. In conclusion, systemic Il1a-KO, but not Cml1a-KO, protects against adverse cardiac remodeling after MI due to permanent coronary occlusion. Hence, anti-IL-1α therapies could be useful to attenuate the detrimental consequences of post-MI myocardial inflammation.
Kibble–Zurek scaling due to environment temperature quench in the transverse field Ising model
Authors: Bácsi Ádám , Dóra Balázs
Published: March 2023

The Kibble–Zurek mechanism describes defect production due to non-adiabatic passage through a critical point. Here we study its variant from ramping the environment temperature to a critical point. We find that the defect density scales as $$\tau ^{-d\nu }$$

τ

-
d
ν

or $$\tau ^{-d/z}$$

τ

-
d
/
z

for thermal or quantum critical points, respectively, in terms of the usual critical exponents and $$1/\tau$$

1
/
τ

the speed of the drive. Both scalings describe reduced defect density compared to conventional Kibble–Zurek mechanism, which stems from the enhanced relaxation due to bath-system interaction. Ramping to the quantum critical point is investigated by studying the Lindblad equation for the transverse field Ising chain in the presence of thermalizing bath, with couplings to environment obeying detailed balance, confirming the predicted scaling. The von-Neumann or the system-bath entanglement entropy follows the same scaling. Our results are generalized to a large class of dissipative systems with power-law energy dependent bath spectral densities as well.
Perspectives of French adolescents with ADHD and child and adolescent psychiatrists regarding methylphenidate use
Authors: Sibeoni Jordan , Manolios Emilie , Hausser Clement , Delage Raphael , Baylé Franck , Speranza Mario , Verneuil Laurence , Revah-Levy Anne
Published: March 2023

Many studies have demonstrated the short-term efficacy and tolerability of methylphenidate treatment adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Qualitative literature on this matter focused on school outcomes, long-term side effects, family conflicts, personality changes and stigmatization. Yet, no qualitative study has crossed the perspectives of child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) prescribing methylphenidate and adolescents with ADHD. This French qualitative study followed the five stages IPSE—Inductive Process to analyze the Structure of lived Experience-approach. Fifteen adolescents with ADHD and 11 CAPs were interviewed. Data collection by purposive sampling continued until data saturation was reached. Data analysis, based on a descriptive and structuring procedure to determine the structure of lived experience characterized by the central axes of experience, produced two axes: (1) The process of methylphenidate prescription, highlighting how this prescription was motivated from the exterior, experienced as passive by the adolescents and required commitment from the CAPs; and (2) the perceived effects of methylphenidate treatment, in three domains: at school, in relationships and in the sense of self. Findings raised both the issues of the epistemic position and social representation of the adolescents about ADHD and methylphenidate within this specific French context, and the self-awareness and perception of the adolescents with ADHD. We conclude that these two issues need to be regularly addressed by the CAPs prescribing methylphenidate to avoid epistemic injustice and prevent the harmful effects of stigmatization.
Insights on the dissolution of water in an albite melt at high pressures and temperatures from a direct structural analysis
Authors: Mayanovic Robert A. , Anderson Alan J. , Romine Devon , Benmore Chris J.
Published: March 2023

The water dissolution mechanism in silicate melts under high pressures is not well understood. Here we present the first direct structure investigation of a water-saturated albite melt to monitor the interactions between water and the network structure of silicate melt at the molecular level. In situ high-energy X-ray diffraction was carried out on the NaAlSi3O8-H2O system at 800 °C and 300 MPa, at the Advanced Photon Source synchrotron facility. The analysis of the X-ray diffraction data was augmented with classical Molecular Dynamics simulations of a hydrous albite melt, incorporating accurate water-based interactions. The results show that metal–oxygen bond breaking at the bridging sites occurs overwhelmingly at the Si site upon reaction with H2O, with subsequent Si–OH bond formation and negligible Al–OH formation. Furthermore, we see no evidence for the dissociation of the Al3+ ion from the network structure upon breaking of the Si–O bond in the hydrous albite melt. The results also indicate that the Na+ ion is an active participant in the modifications of the silicate network structure of the albite melt upon water dissolution at high P–T conditions. We do not find evidence for the Na+ ion dissociating from the network structure upon depolymerization and subsequent formation of NaOH complexes. Instead, our results show that the Na+ ion persists as a structure modifier with a shift away from Na–BO bonding to an increase in the extent of Na-NBO bonding, in parallel with pronounced depolymerization of the network. Our MD simulations show that the Si–O and Al–O bond lengths are expanded by about 6% in the hydrous albite melt compared to those of the dry melt at high P–T conditions. The changes in the network silicate structure of a hydrous albite melt at high pressure and temperature, as revealed in this study, must be considered in the advancement of water dissolution models of hydrous granitic (or alkali aluminosilicate) melts.
Investigation of temperature variations on a Class-E inverter and proposing a compensation circuit to prevent harmful effects on biomedical implants
Authors: Khodadoost Mehrnaz , Hayati Mohsen , Abbasi Hamed
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a Class-E inverter and a thermal compensation circuit for wireless power transmission in biomedical implants are designed, simulated, and fabricated. In the analysis of the Class-E inverter, the voltage-dependent non-linearities of Cds, Cgd, and RONas well as temperature-dependent non-linearity of RONof the transistor are considered simultaneously. Close agreement of theoretical, simulated and experimental results confirmed the validity of the proposed approach in taking into account these nonlinear effects. The paper investigated the effect of temperature variations on the characteristics of the inverter. Since both the output power and efficiency decrease with increasing temperature, a compensation circuit is proposed to keep them constant within a wide temperature range to enable its application as a reliable power source for medical implants in harsh environments. Simulations were performed and the results confirmed that the compensator enables significant improvements by maintaining the power and efficiency almost constant (8.46 ± 0.14 W and 90.4 ± 0.2%) within the temperature range of − 60 to 100 °C. Measurements performed at 25 °C and 80 °C with and without the compensation circuit were in good agreement with the theoretical and simulation results. The obtained measured output power and efficiency at 25 °C are equal to 7.42 W and 89.9%.
Effect of high-fat diet and morning or evening exercise on lipoprotein subfraction profiles: secondary analysis of a randomised trial
Authors: Moholdt Trine , Parr Evelyn B. , Devlin Brooke L. , Giskeødegård Guro F. , Hawley John A.
Published: March 2023

We investigated the effect of a high-fat diet (HFD) on serum lipid subfractions in men with overweight/obesity and determined whether morning or evening exercise affected these lipid profiles. In a three-armed randomised trial, 24 men consumed an HFD for 11 days. One group of participants did not exercise (n = 8, CONTROL), one group trained at 06:30 h (n = 8, EXam), and one group at 18:30 h (n = 8, EXpm) on days 6–10. We assessed the effects of HFD and exercise training on circulating lipoprotein subclass profiles using NMR spectroscopy. Five days of HFD induced substantial perturbations in fasting lipid subfraction profiles, with changes in 31/100 subfraction variables (adjustedpvalues [q] < 0.05). Exercise training induced a systematic change in lipid subfraction profiles, with little overall difference between EXam and EXpm. Compared with CONTROL, exercise training reduced serum concentrations of > 20% of fasting lipid subfractions. EXpm reduced fasting cholesterol concentrations in three LDL subfractions by ⁓30%, while EXam only reduced concentration in the largest LDL particles by 19% (allq < 0.05). Lipid subfraction profiles changed markedly after 5 days HFD in men with overweight/obesity. Both morning and evening exercise training impacted subfraction profiles compared with no exercise.
Towards a biomarker for acute arterial thrombosis using complete blood count and white blood cell differential parameters in mice
Authors: Jang Hee Jeong , Schellingerhout Dawid , Kim Jiwon , Chung Jinyong , Kim Dong-Eog
Published: March 2023

There is no blood biomarker diagnostic of arterial thrombosis. We investigated if arterial thrombosis per se was associated with alterations in complete blood count (CBC) and white blood cell (WBC) differential count in mice. Twelve-week-old C57Bl/6 mice were used for FeCl3-mediated carotid thrombosis (n = 72), sham-operation (n = 79), or non-operation (n = 26). Monocyte count (/µL) at 30-min after thrombosis (median 160 [interquartile range 140–280]) was ~ 1.3-fold higher than at 30-min after sham-operation (120 [77.5–170]), and twofold higher than in non-operated mice (80 [47.5–92.5]). At day-1 and -4 post-thrombosis, compared with 30-min, monocyte count decreased by about 6% and 28% to 150 [100–200] and 115 [100–127.5], which however were about 2.1-fold and 1.9-fold higher than in sham-operated mice (70 [50–100] and 60 [30–75], respectively). Lymphocyte counts (/µL) at 1- and 4-days after thrombosis (mean ± SD; 3513 ± 912 and 2590 ± 860) were ~ 38% and ~ 54% lower than those in the sham-operated mice (5630 ± 1602 and 5596 ± 1437, respectively), and ~ 39% and ~ 55% lower than those in non-operated mice (5791 ± 1344). Post-thrombosis monocyte-lymphocyte-ratio (MLR) was substantially higher at all three time-points (0.050 ± 0.02, 0.046 ± 0.025, and 0.050 ± 0.02) vs. sham (0.003 ± 0.021, 0.013 ± 0.004, and 0.010 ± 0.004). MLR was 0.013 ± 0.005 in non-operated mice. This is the first report on acute arterial thrombosis-related alterations in CBC and WBC differential parameters.
Investigation of photocatalytic-proxone process performance in the degradation of toluene and ethyl benzene from polluted air
Authors: Mehralipour Jamal , Jonidi Jafari Ahmad , Gholami Mitra , Esrafili Ali , Kermani Majid
Published: March 2023

In this study, toluene and ethylbenzene were degraded in the photocatalytic-proxone process using BiOI@NH2-MIL125(Ti)/Zeolite nanocomposite. The simultaneous presence of ozone and hydrogen peroxide is known as the proxone process. Nanocomposite Synthesis was carried out using the solvothermal method. Inlet airflow, ozone concentrations, H2O2 concentrations, relative humidity, and initial pollutants concentrations were studied. The nanocomposite was successfully synthesized based on FT-IR, BET, XRD, FESEM, EDS element mapping, UV–Vis spectra and TEM analysis. A flow rate of 0.1 L min−1, 0.3 mg min−1 of ozone, 150 ppm of hydrogen peroxide, 45% relative humidity, and 50 ppmv of pollutants were found to be optimal operating conditions. Both pollutants were degraded in excess of 95% under these conditions. For toluene and ethylbenzene, the synergistic of mechanisms effect coefficients were 1.56 and 1.76, respectively. It remained above 95% efficiency 7 times in the hybrid process and had good stability. Photocatalytic-proxone processes were evaluated for stability over 180 min. The remaining ozone levels in the process was insignificant (0.01 mg min−1). The CO2 and CO production in the photocatalytic-proxone process were 58.4, 5.7 ppm for toluene and 53.7, and 5.5 ppm for ethylbenzene respectively. Oxygen gas promoted and nitrogen gas had an inhibitory effect on the effective removal of pollutants. During the pollutants oxidation, various organic intermediates were identified.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) probability among parents who live in Kandahar, Afghanistan and lost at least a child to armed conflict
Authors: Rahimi Mohammad Paiman , Wafa Mohammad Hashim , Stanikzai Muhammad Haroon , Rahimi Bilal Ahmad
Published: March 2023

The last 4 decades of conflict in Afghanistan resulted in incalculable deaths, injuries, and millions of displacements. Although there are routine reports on casualties of the warfare, the information on its long-term psycho-social sequelae is somehow discounted. This study aimed to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) probability and its associated factors among parents who live in Kandahar, the southern province of Afghanistan, and lost at least one child to armed conflict. We conducted a health-facility-based cross-sectional study involving 474 bereaved parents in Kandahar province from November/2020 to January/2021. The questionnaire was composed of sections on socio-demographic characteristics and mental and medical histories of the parent, features of the traumatic event and the time elapsed since then, age and gender of the lost child, and PCL-5. We performed multivariable logistic analysis to determine factors associated with PTSD probability in such parents. A staggering number of the parents (430; 90.72%) scored > 33 on PCL-5 denoting presence of probable PTSD. We noticed that several attributes of the bereaved parents (rural residence [AOR = 3.71 (95% CI 1.37–9.97)], older age [AOR = 2.41 (95% CI 1.03–5.57)], experiencing more than one traumatic event [AOR = 2.91 (95% CI 1.05–7.94)], pre-existing medical condition [AOR = 3.5 (95% CI 1.55–8.05)], and losing a < 5-years-old child [AOR = 2.38 (95% CI 1.16–4.70)] were significantly associated with PTSD probability. We assert that a very high number of bereaved parents are susceptible to probable PTSD. This finding signifies the eminent necessity of mental health services in such settings and provides implicit insights to relevant humanitarian assistance providers.