bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of Methods to Produce SARS CoV‐2 Virus‐Like Particles at Scale
Authors: Edeling Melissa A. , Earnest Linda , Carrera Montoya Julio , Yap Ashley Huey Yiing , Mumford Jamie , Roberts Jason , Wong Chinn Yi , Hans Dhiraj , Grima Joseph , Bisset Nicole , Bodle Jesse , Rockman Steven , Torresi Joseph 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe devastating global toll precipitated by the SARS CoV‐2 outbreak and the profound impact of vaccines in stemming that outbreak has established the need for molecular platforms capable of rapidly delivering effective, safe and accessible medical interventions in pandemic preparedness. We describe a simple, efficient and adaptable process to produce SARS CoV‐2 virus‐like particles (VLPs) that can be readily scaled for manufacturing. A rapid but gentle method of tangential flow filtration using a 100 kDa semi‐permeable membrane concentrates and buffer exchanges 0.5 L of SARS CoV‐2 VLP containing supernatant into low salt and optimal pH for anion exchange chromatography. VLPs are washed, eluted under high salt, dialyzed into physiological buffer, sterile filtered and aliquoted for storage at –80°C. Purification is completed in less than 2 days. A simple quality control process includes Western blot for coincident detection of Spike, Membrane and Envelope protein as a proxy for intact VLP, ELISA to detect conformationally sensitive Spike using readily available anti‐Spike and/or anti‐RBD antibodies, and negative stain and immunogold electron microscopy to validate particulate, Spike crowned VLPs. This process to produce SARS CoV‐2 VLPs for preclinical studies serves as a roadmap for preparation of more distantly related VLPs for pandemic preparedness.
Zeolitic Imidazole Framework‐8 Nanoparticles as an Alternative to Freund's Adjuvant for Klebsiella pneumoniae Recombinant Protein Vaccine
Authors: Hu Gaowei , Hong Chunli , Miao Yingjie , Wang Wenji , Yin Longfei , Luo Xi , Fu Yongqian 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTVaccination represents a promising approach to combat resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP). However, there is currently no licensed vaccine in the veterinary field. Outer membrane proteins have been proven to possess good immunogenicity, but Freund's adjuvant, which is commonly used to administer protein vaccines, has limitations such as a complicated formulation process as well as a tendency to cause pain and inflammation in animals. Here, we prepared a nano‐vaccine based on zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8)‐encapsulated outer membrane protein PhoE and evaluated its efficiency in enhancing humoral and cellular immune responses in BALB/c mice. ZIF‐8 nanoparticles rapidly delivered the protein antigen into dendritic cells and successfully activated them. In addition, significantly higher IgG antibody titers, cytokine levels, and splenocyte proliferation indices were founded in mice subcutaneously immunized with PhoE@ZIF‐8 than in those receiving free PhoE alone. In a BALB/c mouse model, PhoE@ZIF‐8 elicited a strong immune response with improved prophylactic efficacy against KP that was similar to the Freund's adjuvant‐formulated vaccine. Based on the superiority of this nano‐vaccine with good biocompatibility, inexpensive preparation and higher efficiency of delivering antigen into cells, ZIF‐8 can serve as a promising replacement for Freund's adjuvant in research, with a prospective usage for vaccines against bacterial pathogens in the veterinary field.
Pyridinium amidate ligands for efficient Pd‐catalyzed reductive nitroarene cyclization using formate as CO surrogate
Authors: Reusser Esaïe , Fouad Manar Ahmed , Ferretti Francesco , Ragaini Fabio , Albrecht Martin 
Published: February 2025

The field of reductive cyclization of substituted nitroarenes by CO is dominated by the use of palladium complexes with phenanthroline ligands due to their, up to now, unrivalled combination of resistance to oxidation by the nitroarene and ability to stabilize both Pd(II) and Pd(0) complexes. Recently developed pyridinium amidate and pyridinium amide (PYA) ligands are shown here to play the same role. We tested several N,N‐bidentate PYAs in the reductive cyclization of methyl o‐nitrocinnamate to 2‐carbomethoxyindole using either phenyl formate or the formic acid/acetic anhydride combination as a suitable CO surrogate. This approach avoids high‐pressure setups for CO handling, allowing the reactions to be performed in standard pressure tubes. Two of the tested ligands, viz. a quinoline‐substituted para‐pyridinium amide and a pyridine‐functionalized ortho‐pyridinium amidate gave excellent results that were comparable to those achieved using phenanthroline, even at a low catalyst loading (0.25 mol%). However, the results obtained with the pyridyl‐PYA ligand strongly depend on the acidity of the reaction mixture and the reason was identified as its protonation in an acidic environment. Lower activity observed with other ligands was attributed to either an ortho‐palladation of the pyridinium N‐Me moiety or to an insufficient stabilization of key palladium(0) intermediates.
So kann Science Outreach gelingen! – Transferprozess zwischen universitärer Forschung und Schulen
Authors: Geuer Lena , Ulber Roland 
Published: February 2025

ZusammenfassungDie Wissenschaft liefert täglich neue Erkenntnisse, die von wesentlicher Bedeutung für gesellschaftsrelevante Themen sind. Diese bleiben oft als „Blackboxen“ für die Gesellschaft verborgen, da die Hintergründe unerklärt bleiben. Fachdidaktische Transferprozesse sollen diese Lücken schließen, indem Bildungsangebote aus der Kooperation von Fachdidaktikern und Fachwissenschaftlern geschaffen werden. Das Lehrgebiet „Bioverfahrenstechnik“ der RPTU Kaiserslautern‐Landau engagiert sich seit 20 Jahren für Science Outreach‐Projekte. Dabei hat sich ein Transferprozess etabliert, der eine Brücke zwischen wissenschaftlicher Forschung und Schule schlägt. Eine Studie zeigt nun, inwiefern immersive digitale Medien wie Augmented Reality (AR) die dafür notwendige didaktische Rekonstruktion der forschungsorientierten Themen unterstützt.
The national Fire and Fire Surrogate study: Effects of fuel treatments in the Western and Eastern United States after 20 years
Authors: Bernal Alexis A. , Stephens Scott L. , Callaham Mac A. , Collins Brandon M. , Crotteau Justin S. , Dickinson Matthew B. , Hagan Donald L. , Hedges Rachelle , Hood Sharon M. , Hutchinson Todd F. , Taylor Melanie K. , Coates T. Adam 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe national Fire and Fire Surrogate (FFS) study was initiated more than two decades ago with the goal of evaluating the ecological impacts of mechanical treatments and prescribed fire in different ecosystems across the United States. Since then, 4 of the original 12 sites remain active in managing and monitoring the original FFS study which provides a unique opportunity to look at the long‐term effects of these treatments in different regions. These sites include California (Blodgett Forest Research Station), Montana (Lubrecht Experimental Forest), North Carolina (Green River Game Land), and Ohio (Ohio Hills). Although regions differed in ecosystem type (e.g., conifer‐ vs. hardwood‐dominated), the overall goals of the FFS study were to promote desirable, fire‐adapted species, reduce fire hazard, and improve understory diversity. Our study uses multivariate techniques to compare how these desired outcomes were maintained over the last 20 years and discusses whether we would modify the original treatments given what we know now. Our findings indicate that mechanical treatments and prescribed fire can promote desired tree species, mitigate potential fire behavior by reducing fuels and retaining larger‐sized trees, decrease tree mortality, and stimulate regeneration—effects that are still apparent even after 20 years. However, we also found that maintaining desired outcomes was regionally specific with western sites (California and Montana) showing more desirable characteristics under mechanical treatments, while the eastern sites (North Carolina and Ohio) showed more desirable characteristics after prescribed burning. The beneficial effects of treatment were also more apparent in the long term when sites followed up with repeated treatments, which can be adapted to meet new objectives and conditions. These findings highlight the FFS study as an invaluable resource for research and provide evidence for meeting long‐term restoration goals if treatments can be adapted to ecosystem type, be maintained by repeated treatments, and accommodate new goals by adapting treatments to changing conditions.
Evidence for Variation in the Genetic Basis of Sex Determination in Brook Stickleback (Culaea inconstans)
Authors: Pigott Grace C. , Akel Massa Abo , Rogers Malcolm G. Q. , Flanagan Marin E. , Marlette Erica G. , Treaster Matthew J. , Fox Shannon K. , McCann Shaugnessy R. , Peichel Catherine L. , White Michael A. , Jeffries Daniel L. , Mee Jonathan A. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe genetic basis of sex determination is typically conserved within species if not within broader lineages. For example, within the stickleback family (Gasterosteidae), AmhY has been identified as a master sex‐determination (MSD) gene in multiple species across two genera. By contrast, the existence of within‐species variability in the genetic basis of sex determination is not frequently observed but provides an opportunity to understand the evolution and turnover of sex determination systems. In this study, we investigated the consistency with which AmhY is involved in sex determination across 610 individuals from five brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) populations. We designed a PCR‐restriction enzyme assay to identify the presence of AmhY in each individual and recorded sexual morphology in each individual in the field at the time of capture. We found that the genetic sex (presence/absence of AmhY) did not match the field‐determined phenotypic sex in up to 44% of individuals within a population. This variation in the genetic basis of sex determination in brook stickleback suggests that the mechanism of sex determination in this species is likely more complex than thought when AmhY was first implicated and may still be evolving. Such within‐species variation provides an opportunity to further investigate how and why transitions in sex‐determination mechanisms occur.
Consumer‐ and seaweed‐specific impacts of invasion‐mediated changes to detrital subsidies on rocky shores
Authors: DeSantiago Ricardo , White Wendi K. , Hyde John R. , Swiney Katherine M. , Long Jeremy D. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractDetrital subsidies such as leaf litter, animal carcasses, and marine wrack can profoundly shape recipient habitats by influencing resiliency and productivity. Species introductions and climate‐driven range shifts alter the quantity and quality of these subsidies in donor habitats, thereby potentially influencing recipient communities. Such impacts might be particularly important when detrital shifts alter detritivore feeding and performance. Attempts to identify a general theory predicting the consequences of invasive species on detritivores have been challenging, in part because most theories have been based on the study of microbes or consumers of living prey. Further, two recent meta‐analyses disagree about the impacts of invasive plants on detritivore populations. Here, we examined the potential impact of a human‐mediated shift in macroalgal detrital subsidy from native giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) to invasive devilweed (Sargassum horneri) on recipient rocky shores, with an emphasis on exploring species‐specific impacts. We assessed consumer performance on single species diets or on a mixture in no‐choice assays, and we assessed feeding preference in choice assays. Additionally, we examined the impacts of this shift on grazing of native benthic seaweeds by an intertidal consumer assemblage. Replacing native Macrocystis with invasive Sargassum had consumer‐specific impacts on performance—suppressing growth of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) but enhancing growth of black turban snails (Tegula funebralis). The effect of mixed diets on consumer growth also displayed consumer specificity. Also, replacing Macrocystis with invasive Sargassum increased grazing of native benthic seaweeds by a realistic detritivore assemblage, but only on the habitat‐forming brown seaweed, Silvetia compressa. Thus, invasion‐mediated changes in detrital wrack composition had consumer‐ and seaweed‐specific impacts. Such species specificity could underlie disagreements about the impact of species invasions on detritivore populations and could impede our ability to identify a general theory about how species invasions will impact recipient communities via detrital pathways.
Interactive effects of leaf pathogens and plant mycorrhizal type on plant diversity–productivity relationships
Authors: Xi Nianxun , Zhao Yansong , Semchenko Marina 
Published: February 2025

AbstractDiversity–productivity relationships can differ between forests dominated by different mycorrhizal types and be modulated by specialist and generalist pathogens. However, little is known about how these factors interact to modulate biodiversity effects. We addressed this knowledge gap with a 2‐year experiment combining the manipulation of plant richness (one, two, four, eight species) and mycorrhizal tree type (arbuscular mycorrhizal [AM] tree‐dominated; ecto‐mycorrhizal [ECM] tree‐dominated) with fungicide application for leaf pathogens (added or control). Biodiversity effects were quantified for community productivity and its two components (shoots and roots). We observed nonlinear diversity–productivity relationships, with the productivity of ECM tree‐dominated communities increasing at low to intermediate diversity and declining at the highest species richness. Foliar fungicide application reduced positive complementarity effects and increased productivity in both ECM tree monocultures as well as eight‐species mixtures. This finding suggests that the dilution effects of specialized pathogens may dominate at low diversity, while the spillover effects of generalist pathogens may become dominant at high diversity, resulting in unimodal diversity–productivity relationships. In AM tree‐dominated communities, aboveground productivity strongly increased in response to leaf pathogen suppression in eight‐species mixtures, and the release from leaf pathogens benefited most of the species that were most productive in fungicide‐treated monocultures. This agrees with the prediction that spillover effects of generalist pathogens in diverse plant communities could differentially suppress highly productive species due to the trade‐off between growth and defense. In addition, positive biodiversity effects on root production were significantly stronger in AM tree‐ than ECM tree‐dominated communities. Our results demonstrate that relationships between plant diversity and productivity can be nonlinear due to the combined effects of specialized and generalized plant–fungal interactions, depend on plant mycorrhizal type, and differ between aboveground and belowground compartments.
Metal‐Organic Frameworks‐Based Copper Catalysts for CO2 Electroreduction Toward Multicarbon Products
Authors: Qin Chen , Li Xuheng , Wang Ting , Xu Zhen , Chen Kai‐Jie , Pan Fuping 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTCopper (Cu) is the most promising catalyst for electrochemical CO2‐to‐C2+ conversion, whereas performance remains below practical thresholds due to the high energy barrier of C−C coupling and lack of effective approaches to steer the reaction pathway. Recent advances show that metal‐organic frameworks (MOF) could be a promising platform as support, pre‐catalyst, and co‐catalyst to modify the electronic structure and local reaction environment of Cu catalysts for promoting CO2‐to‐C2+ reduction by virtue of their great tunability over compositions and pore architectures. In this review, we discussed general design principles, catalytic mechanisms, and performance achievements of MOF‐based Cu catalysts, aiming to boost catalyst refinement for steering CO2 reduction pathway to C2+ products. The fundamentals and challenges of CO2‐to‐C2+ reduction are first introduced. Then, we summarized design conceptions of MOF‐based Cu catalysts from three aspects: engineering the electronic properties of Cu, regulating the local reaction environment, and managing site exposure and mass transport. Further, the latest progress of CO2 reduction to C2+ products over MOF‐based Cu catalysts, namely Cu‐based MOF, MOF‐derived Cu, and Cu@MOF hybrid catalysts, are discussed. Finally, future research opportunities and strategies are suggested to innovate the rational design of advanced MOF‐based Cu catalysts for electrifying CO2‐to‐C2+ transformation.
Molecular Dynamics Insights Into the Phase Equilibria and Thermophysical Properties of CO2–H2S–Brine System During Acid Gas Sequestration in Saline Aquifers
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Dehaghani Yasaman , Assareh Mehdi , Feyzi Farzaneh 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThis work represents an extensive molecular dynamics (MDs) simulation study with the microstructural insight at the interface to simultaneously predict the phase equilibria, transport, and interfacial properties of the CO2–H2S–brine system within the range of temperatures 323.15–393.15 K, pressures up to 30 MPa, H2S contents of 0–70 mol%, and salt molalities of 1–4 mol/kg, aiming to address the insufficiency of data under typical conditions of acid gas sequestration. The validation results demonstrate that the average absolute deviations (AAD%) for the predicted solubility of CO2 and H2S in water and in 2 mol/kg NaCl solution were found to be 5.45%, 6.34%, 5.78%, and 5.41%, respectively. Moreover, the AAD% for interfacial tension (IFT) and density were 6.74% and 3.70%, respectively, verifying the validity and performance of the applied force field parameters and computational methods. The simulation results indicated that H2S solubility in brine is more sensitive to changes in the acid gas composition and temperature compared to CO2 solubility. The presence of H2S remarkably reduces the CO2–H2S–brine IFT, with the reduction degree depending on the H2S content. Increasing the H2S mole fraction in acid gas mixtures delays convective mixing by reducing the brine density. At about 64 mol% H2S, the aqueous solution's density equals that of fresh brine, which is the highest H2S content that can maintain the benefit of convective mixing in the dissolution trapping. The maximum acid gas column height that can be safely stored is most significant at lower temperature and H2S content. On the basis of the results, pressure, temperature, and salt molality have a higher influence on the viscosity than density in the studied ranges. The new data generated by the current study can be utilized to develop predictive models of acid gas long‐term behavior, which will reduce the uncertainty of real storage schemes.
Alteration in Cortical Structure Mediating the Impact of Blood Oxygen‐Carrying Capacity on Gross Motor Skills in Infants With Complex Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Wen Xuyun , Xue Pengcheng , Zhu Meijiao , Zhong Jingjing , Yu Wei , Ma Siyu , Liu Yuting , Liu Peng , Jing Bin , Yang Ming , Mo Xuming , Zhang Daoqiang 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTCongenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital anomaly, leading to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities in many children with CHD. Understanding the neurological mechanisms behind these neurodevelopmental disorders is crucial for implementing early interventions and treatments. In this study, we recruited 83 infants aged 12–26.5 months with complex CHD, along with 86 healthy controls (HCs). We collected multimodal data to explore the abnormal patterns of cerebral cortex development and explored the complex interactions among blood oxygen‐carrying capacity, cortical development, and gross motor skills. We found that, compared to healthy infants, those with complex CHD exhibit significant reductions in cortical surface area development, particularly in the default mode network. Most of these developmentally abnormal brain regions are significantly correlated with the blood oxygen‐carrying capacity and gross motor skills of infants with CHD. Additionally, we further discovered that the blood oxygen‐carrying capacity of infants with CHD can indirectly predict their gross motor skills through cortical structures, with the left middle temporal area and left inferior temporal area showing the greatest mediation effects. This study identified biomarkers for neurodevelopmental disorders and highlighted blood oxygen‐carrying capacity as an indicator of motor development risk, offering new insights for the clinical management CHD.
Front Cover
Authors: Kang Yi‐Fan , Yang Lie , Hu Yi‐Fan , Xu Kai , Cai Lan‐Jun , Hu Bin‐Bin , Lu Xiang 
Published: February 2025

The cover image is based on the article Self‐Attention Mechanisms-Based Laryngoscopy Image Classification Technique for Laryngeal Cancer Detection by Xiang Lu et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.27999.image
Single‐cell DNA and surface protein characterization of high hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia at diagnosis and during treatment
Authors: Aertgeerts Margo , Meyers Sarah , Gielen Olga , Lamote Jochen , Dewaele Barbara , Tajdar Mercedeh , Maertens Johan , De Bie Jolien , De Keersmaecker Kim , Boeckx Nancy , Michaux Lucienne , Uyttebroeck Anne , Demeyer Sofie , Segers Heidi , Cools Jan 
Published: February 2025

AbstractHigh hyperdiploid (HeH) B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) is the most prevalent subtype of childhood ALL. This leukemia is characterized by trisomies and tetrasomies of specific chromosomes and additional point mutations. Here, we used single‐cell targeted DNA and antibody sequencing to determine the clonal evolution of HeH B‐ALL during development and chemotherapy treatment. Chromosomal copy number changes were mostly stable over all the leukemia cells, while mutations were typically subclonal. Within all 13 cases, at least one RAS mutant (KRAS or NRAS) subclone was detected (range: 1 to 4 subclones with RAS mutations), indicating the importance of RAS signaling in HeH B‐ALL development. NSD2 mutations were detected in 4 out of 13 cases and always in a subclone with RAS signaling mutations. Single‐cell DNA sequencing detected residual leukemia cells during chemotherapy treatment, and analysis of chromosomal copy number changes aided in the accurate detection of these cells. Our single‐cell data demonstrate that chromosomal changes are acquired prior to additional mutations and that RAS signaling mutations are present in all HeH cases, often as subclonal mutations. This single‐cell multi‐omics study enabled us to extensively characterize the genetic and surface protein heterogeneity in patients with HeH B‐ALL.