bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction in lower urinary tract mucosal microtrauma as an effect of reducing eyelet sizes of intermittent urinary catheters
Authors: Willumsen Andreas , Reza Tabasum , Schertiger Lars , Bagi Per , Kennelly Michael , Nielsen Lene Feldskov 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntermittent catheterization (IC) utilizing conventional eyelets catheters (CECs) for bladder drainage has long been the standard of care. However, when the tissue of the lower urinary tract comes in close proximity to the eyelets, mucosal suction often occurs, resulting in microtrauma. This study investigates the impact of replacing conventional eyelets with a drainage zone featuring multiple micro-holes, distributing pressure over a larger area. Lower pressures limit the suction of surrounding tissue into these micro-holes, significantly reducing tissue microtrauma. Using an ex vivo model replicating the intra-abdominal pressure conditions of the bladder, the intra-catheter pressure was measured during drainage. When mucosal suction occurred, intra-catheter images were recorded. Subsequently affected tissue samples were investigated histologically. The negative pressure peaks caused by mucosal suction were found to be very high for the CECs, leading to exfoliation of the bladder urothelium and breakage of the urothelial barrier. However, a micro-hole zone catheter (MHZC) with a multi-eyelet drainage zone showed significantly lower pressure peaks, with over 4 times lower peak intensity, thus inducing far less extensive microtraumas. Limiting or even eliminating mucosal suction and resulting tissue microtrauma may contribute to safer catheterizations in vivo and increased patient comfort and compliance.
Prognostic relevance of high expression of kynurenine pathway markers in glioblastoma
Authors: Jacquerie Arnaud , Hoeben Ann , Eekers Daniëlle B. P. , Postma Alida A. , Vanmechelen Maxime , de Smet Frederik , Ackermans Linda , Anten Monique , Severens Kim , zur Hausen Axel , Broen Martinus P. G. , Beckervordersandforth Jan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) continues to exhibit a discouraging survival rate despite extensive research into new treatments. One factor contributing to its poor prognosis is the tumor's immunosuppressive microenvironment, in which the kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a significant role. This study aimed to explore how KP impacts the survival of newly diagnosed GBM patients. We examined tissue samples from 108 GBM patients to assess the expression levels of key KP markers—tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1/2), and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Using immunohistochemistry and QuPath software, three tumor cores were analyzed per patient to evaluate KP marker expression. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and stepwise multivariate Cox regression were used to determine the effect of these markers on patient survival. Results showed that patients with high expression of TDO2, IDO1/2, and AhR had significantly shorter survival times. This finding held true even when controlling for other known prognostic variables, with a hazard ratio of 3.393 for IDO1, 2.775 for IDO2, 1.891 for TDO2, and 1.902 for AhR. We suggest that KP markers could serve as useful tools for patient stratification, potentially guiding future immunomodulating trials and personalized treatment approaches for GBM patients.
Fast and efficient isolation of murine circulating tumor cells using screencell technology for pre-clinical analyzes
Authors: Ye Fei , Wechsler Janine , Bouzidi Amira , Uzan Georges , Naserian Sina 
Published: July 2024

AbstractCirculating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a rare and heterogeneous population of cancer cells that are detached from the tumor site and entered blood or lymphatic circulation. Once disseminated in distant tissues, CTCs could remain dormant or create a tumor mass causing serious danger for patients. Many technologies exist to isolate CTCs from patients’ blood samples, mostly based on microfluidic systems or by sorting them according to their surface antigens, notably EpCAM, and/or cytokeratins for carcinoma. ScreenCell has developed an easy-to-use, antigen-independent, rapid, cost-effective, and efficient technology that isolates CTCs according to their bigger size compared to the blood cells. This study provides the technical information necessary to isolate and characterize CTCs from mouse blood. By using blood samples from transgenic mice with breast cancer or from WT mice in which we spiked cancer cells, we showed that ScreenCell technology is compatible with standard EDTA blood collection tubes. Furthermore, the ScreenCell Cyto kit could treat up to 500 µl and the ScreenCell MB kit up to 200 µl of mouse blood. As the ScreenCell MB kit captures unaltered live CTCs, we have shown that their DNA could be efficiently extracted, and the isolated cells could be grown in culture. In conclusion, ScreenCell provides a rapid, easy, antigen-independent, cost-effective, and efficient technology to isolate and characterize CTCs from the blood samples of cancer patients and murine models. Thanks to this technology CTCs could be captured fixed or alive. Murine cancer models are extensively used in pre-clinical studies. Therefore, this study demonstrates the crucial technical points necessary while manipulating mouse blood samples using ScreenCell technology.
Rapid evolution of colistin resistance in a bioreactor model of infection of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Jiménez-Castellanos Juan-Carlos , Waclaw Bartlomiej , Meynert Alison , McAteer Sean P. , Schneiders Thamarai 
Published: July 2024

AbstractColistin remains an important antibiotic for the therapeutic management of drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Despite the numerous reports of colistin resistance in clinical strains, it remains unclear exactly when and how different mutational events arise resulting in reduced colistin susceptibility. Using a bioreactor model of infection, we modelled the emergence of colistin resistance in a susceptible isolate of K. pneumoniae. Genotypic, phenotypic and mathematical analyses of the antibiotic-challenged and un-challenged population indicates that after an initial decline, the population recovers within 24 h due to a small number of “founder cells” which have single point mutations mainly in the regulatory genes encoding crrB and pmrB that when mutated results in up to 100-fold reduction in colistin susceptibility. Our work underlines the rapid development of colistin resistance during treatment or exposure of susceptible K. pneumoniae infections having implications for the use of cationic antimicrobial peptides as a monotherapy.
Predicting creative behavior using resting-state electroencephalography
Authors: Chhade Fatima , Tabbal Judie , Paban Véronique , Auffret Manon , Hassan Mahmoud , Vérin Marc 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNeuroscience research has shown that specific brain patterns can relate to creativity during multiple tasks but also at rest. Nevertheless, the electrophysiological correlates of a highly creative brain remain largely unexplored. This study aims to uncover resting-state networks related to creative behavior using high-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) and to test whether the strength of functional connectivity within these networks could predict individual creativity in novel subjects. We acquired resting state HD-EEG data from 90 healthy participants who completed a creative behavior inventory. We then employed connectome-based predictive modeling; a machine-learning technique that predicts behavioral measures from brain connectivity features. Using a support vector regression, our results reveal functional connectivity patterns related to high and low creativity, in the gamma frequency band (30-45 Hz). In leave-one-out cross-validation, the combined model of high and low networks predicts individual creativity with very good accuracy (r = 0.36, p = 0.00045). Furthermore, the model’s predictive power is established through external validation on an independent dataset (N = 41), showing a statistically significant correlation between observed and predicted creativity scores (r = 0.35, p = 0.02). These findings reveal large-scale networks that could predict creative behavior at rest, providing a crucial foundation for developing HD-EEG-network-based markers of creativity.
Nucleoporin Elys attaches peripheral chromatin to the nuclear pores in interphase nuclei
Authors: Doronin Semen A. , Ilyin Artem A. , Kononkova Anna D. , Solovyev Mikhail A. , Olenkina Oxana M. , Nenasheva Valentina V. , Mikhaleva Elena A. , Lavrov Sergey A. , Ivannikova Anna Y. , Simonov Ruslan A. , Fedotova Anna A. , Khrameeva Ekaterina E. , Ulianov Sergey V. , Razin Sergey V. , Shevelyov Yuri Y. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTransport of macromolecules through the nuclear envelope (NE) is mediated by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) consisting of nucleoporins (Nups). Elys/Mel-28 is the Nup that binds and connects the decondensing chromatin with the reassembled NPCs at the end of mitosis. Whether Elys links chromatin with the NE during interphase is unknown. Here, using DamID-seq, we identified Elys binding sites in Drosophila late embryos and divided them into those associated with nucleoplasmic or with NPC-linked Elys. These Elys binding sites are located within active or inactive chromatin, respectively. Strikingly, Elys knockdown in S2 cells results in peripheral chromatin displacement from the NE, in decondensation of NE-attached chromatin, and in derepression of genes within. It also leads to slightly more compact active chromatin regions. Our findings indicate that NPC-linked Elys, together with the nuclear lamina, anchors peripheral chromatin to the NE, whereas nucleoplasmic Elys decompacts active chromatin.
An immune-adrenergic pathway induces lethal levels of platelet-activating factor in mice
Authors: Tanaka Shuto , Kawakita Masataka , Yasui Hikaru , Sudo Koichi , Itoh Fumie , Sasaki Masato , Shibata Nobuyuki , Hara Hiromitsu , Iwakura Yoichiro , Hashidate-Yoshida Tomomi , Shindou Hideo , Shimizu Takao , Oyama Taiki , Matsunaga Himawari , Takahara Kazuhiko 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAcute immune responses with excess production of cytokines, lipid/chemical mediators, or coagulation factors, often result in lethal damage. In addition, the innate immune system utilizes multiple types of receptors that recognize neurotransmitters as well as pathogen-associated molecular patterns, making immune responses complex and clinically unpredictable. We here report an innate immune and adrenergic link inducing lethal levels of platelet-activating factor. Injecting mice with toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cell wall N-glycans of Candida albicans, and the α2-adrenergic receptor (α2-AR) agonist medetomidine induces lethal damage. Knocking out the C-type lectin Dectin-2 prevents the lethal damage. In spleen, large amounts of platelet-activating factor (PAF) are detected, and knocking out lysophospholipid acyltransferase 9 (LPLAT9/LPCAT2), which encodes an enzyme that converts inactive lyso-PAF to active PAF, protects mice from the lethal damage. These results reveal a linkage/crosstalk between the nervous and the immune system, possibly inducing lethal levels of PAF.
Synchronization of non-weakly coupled aeroelastic oscillators
Authors: Shenhav Feigin Doron , Shoshani Oriel 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSynchronized oscillators are ubiquitous in nature and engineering. Despite several models that have been proposed to treat synchronized oscillators beyond weak coupling, the widely accepted paradigm holds that synchronization occurs due to weak interactions between oscillating objects, hence limiting the predictive power of such models to the weak coupling limit. Here, we report a theoretical modeling and experimental observation of a synchronized pair of non-weakly coupled aeroelastic oscillators. We find quantitative agreement between the experiments and our theoretical higher-order phase model of non-weak coupling. Our results establish that synchronization experiments can be accurately reproduced and interpreted by theoretical modeling of non-weakly coupled oscillators, extending the range of validity and prediction power of theoretical phase models beyond the weak coupling limit.
Predicting plastron thermodynamic stability for underwater superhydrophobicity
Authors: Tesler Alexander B. , Nurmi Heikki A. , Kolle Stefan , Prado Lucia H. , Karunakaran Bhuvaneshwari , Mazare Anca , Erceg Ina , de Brito Soares Íris , Sarau George , Christiansen Silke , Stafslien Shane , Alvarenga Jack , Aizenberg Joanna , Fabry Ben , Ras Robin H. A. , Goldmann Wolfgang H. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNon-wettable surfaces, especially those capable of passively trapping air in rough protrusions, can provide surface resilience to the detrimental effects of wetting-related phenomena. However, the development of such superhydrophobic surfaces with a long-lasting entrapped air layer, called plastron, is hampered by the lack of evaluation criteria and methods that can unambiguously distinguish between stable and metastable Cassie-Baxter wetting regimes. The information to evaluate the stability of the wetting regime is missing from the commonly used contact angle goniometry. Therefore, it is necessary to determine which surface features can be used as a signature to identify thermodynamically stable plastron. Here, we describe a methodology for evaluating the thermodynamic underwater stability of the Cassie-Baxter wetting regime of superhydrophobic surfaces by measuring the surface roughness, solid-liquid area fraction, and Young’s contact angle. The method allowed the prediction of passive plastron stability for over one year of continuous submersion, the impeding of mussel and barnacle adhesion, and inhibition of metal corrosion in seawater. Such submersion-stable superhydrophobicity, in which water is repelled by a stable passive air layer trapped between the solid substrate and the surrounding liquid for extended periods at ambient conditions, opens new avenues for science and technologies that require continuous contact of solids with aqueous media.
Local feedback and ENSO govern decadal changes in variability and seasonal synchronization of the Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Park Hyo-Jin , An Soon-Il , Park Jae-Heung , Stuecker Malte F. , Liu Chao , Yeh Sang-Wook 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), characterized by an interannual fluctuation in zonal dipole pattern of sea surface temperature anomalies along the tropical Indian Ocean, has a large socioeconomic impact on neighboring countries. Here, we investigate the decadal modulations of IOD variability over the last 123 years (1900–2022), by analyzing the observational reanalysis data in conjunction with a low-order IOD model that accounts for both stochastic forcing and the remote impact of ENSO. The observed decadal changes in IOD variability are primarily attributed to the local air–sea coupled feedback, and secondarily to ENSO. The local feedback during the late winter has intensified since the late-1970s due to the Indian Ocean warming, the suppressed westerly winter monsoon in the southeastern Indian Ocean, the shallowing of the mean thermocline in the southeastern Indian Ocean, and the decrease in mean upwelling in the western Indian Ocean. Each of these enhances the convective instability, anomalous evaporative cooling, and oceanic vertical thermal advections, respectively. Intensified local feedback increases the likelihood of the early onset of IOD events in the late winter. Additionally, ENSO, which has strengthened since the mid-twentieth century, has extended the peak phase of IOD into the late fall in recent decades.
Hexafluoroisopropanol-assisted selective intramolecular synthesis of heterocycles by single-electron transfer
Authors: Xie Jiale , Zhang Jiayu , Kasemthaveechok Sitthichok , López-Resano Sara , Cots Eric , Maseras Feliu , Pérez-Temprano Mónica H. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntramolecular amination of remote aliphatic C–H bonds via hydrogen-atom transfer reactions has become a powerful tool for accessing saturated nitrogen-containing heterocycles. However, the formation of six-membered rings or oxa-heterocycles remains a formidable challenge for Hofmann–Löffler–Freytag reactions. Here we show how by simply combining bench-stable (bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo)benzene and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) we can switch from the well-established Hofmann–Löffler–Freytag mechanism to a different versatile reaction pathway that enables selective C(sp3)–H bond functionalization. We have exploited the facile formation of radical cations via single-electron transfer, in the presence or absence of light, to synthesize pyrrolidines and piperidines, including drug-type molecules, along with O-heterocycles. Experimental and computational mechanistic studies support two distinct mechanistic pathways, depending on the electron density of the substrate, in which the HFIP plays a multifunctional role.
Intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces for high-contrast ultra-fast power limiting and optical switching
Authors: Cotrufo Michele , Krakofsky Jonas H. , Mann Sander A. , Boehm Gerhard , Belkin Mikhail A. , Alù Andrea 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNonlinear intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces support one of the strongest known ultrafast nonlinear responses in the mid-infrared frequency range across all condensed matter systems. Beyond harmonic generation and frequency mixing, these nonlinearities can be leveraged for ultrafast optical switching and power limiting, based on tailored transitions from strong to weak polaritonic coupling. Here, we demonstrate synergistic optimization of materials and photonic nanostructures to achieve large reflection contrast in ultrafast polaritonic metasurface limiters. The devices are based on optimized semiconductor heterostructure materials that minimize the intersubband transition linewidth and reduce absorption in optically-saturated nanoresonators, achieving a record-high reflection contrast of 54% experimentally. We also discuss opportunities to further boost the metrics of performance of this class of ultrafast limiters, showing that reflection contrast as high as 94% may be realistically achieved using all-dielectric intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces.
Optimizing the liver transplant candidate
Authors: Kasia Christopher , Duarte-Rojo Andres 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this review is to highlight common and best practices in liver transplant evaluation and management, particularly on how to best optimize a patient to become a successful recipient. There is an increasing armamentarium of pharmacologic, procedural, and behavioral interventions that has grown in body of evidence and use in clinical practice to best prepare patients for liver transplant. This includes tools in the management of common decompensations in liver disease, such as hepatic encephalopathy or ascites, as well as associated medical comorbidities that are also encountered in the general population. Aside from management of decompensations, a holistic approach to pre-operative care, including prehabilitation, is becoming increasingly more important to improve sarcopenia, frailty, and quality of life through an exercise program and nutritional modifications. Social determinants of health have become an increasingly recognized barrier to equitable LT access and have garnered increasing attention in the last several years. The road to liver transplantation is a multi-disciplinary patient-centered journey. The complications of decompensated disease require thoughtful decision making as it pertains to management and is a careful balance to avoid the creation of iatrogenic complications which can impact clinical stability and candidacy. Further investment in the management of behavioral modifications and lifestyle is an essential part of the treatment process.
O agrupamento como alternativa para a gestão dos baldios em Portugal
Authors: Luz Ana Luísa 
Published: July 2024

O meio rural interior é hoje caracterizado por uma população escassa e envelhecida, onde o turismo e a conservação da natureza ocupam gradualmente o lugar da função produtiva do espaço. Os incêndios de 2017 evidenciaram as possíveis consequências desta conjuntura, acelerando uma Reforma da Floresta que incluiu medidas há muito reclamadas. Em particular, desde 2019 está em curso um projecto-piloto, a nível nacional, que propõe o agrupamento de baldios como estratégia de gestão destas áreas, com especial foco sobre a sua componente florestal.
Neste trabalho faz-se uma análise da implementação desse projecto que envolve o Governo, as principais federações de baldios (e.g., BALADI) e as comunidades locais.
Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas a compartes em três contextos diferentes, e a um elemento da BALADI.
Além dos benefícios directos para a gestão local, ligados à rede de partilha e ao apoio técnico, o Agrupamento é valorizado pelo seu papel no fortalecimento das comunidades face à percebida ausência e/ou incompetência das instituições do Estado.
Unlocking Africa’s development potential: insights from the perspective of global hierarchy and competition
Authors: Wang Fanglei , Gao Jianbo , Liu Feiyan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractScience and technology have had great leaps since World War II. However, many African countries have remained very poor. To understand this issue, we employ a new metric, the revealed comparative wealth (RCW), to critically assess economic development in all African countries. The yearly ranking of RCW for all the countries in the world reveals a global hierarchy with many African countries moving to the lower end of the hierarchy, indicating worsened relative underdevelopment in Africa. Analysis of the temporal variations of RCW reveals a salient mechanism for the underdevelopment in Africa — over 30 African countries have their RCW strongly negatively correlated with advanced economies. One main factor contributing to this phenomenon, inferred from international trade data analysis, is the partition of labor and differences in industrial structure — most African countries are at the very bottom of the various value chains, including only providing raw materials to the better-developed countries. The inferior positions in the global hierarchy for the African nations are found to be partly instigated by colonialism and enhanced by neo-colonialism. To unlock Africa’s development potential, African nations must diversify their economic activity, unleash people’s creativity about economic development, and make the best efforts to accumulate capital to make further development possible. A prerequisite for achieving the last is to use foreign capital and cooperate with multinational corporations more wisely, including securing better deals with profit allocation resulting from foreign investment.