bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of endothelial hyaluronan in peritoneal membrane transport and disease conditions during peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Kamiya Keisuke , Hatayama Naoyuki , Tawada Mitsuhiro , Asai Akimasa , Yamauchi Mai , Kinashi Hiroshi , Kunoki Shunnosuke , Yamaguchi Makoto , Mizuno Masashi , Suzuki Yasuhiro , Banshodani Masataka , Ishimoto Takuji , Naito Munekazu , Kawanishi Hideki , Ito Yasuhiko 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPeritoneal membrane dysfunction in peritoneal dialysis (PD) is primarily attributed to angiogenesis; however, the integrity of vascular endothelial cells can affect peritoneal permeability. Hyaluronan, a component of the endothelial glycocalyx, is reportedly involved in preventing proteinuria in the normal glomerulus. One hypothesis suggests that development of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is triggered by protein leakage due to vascular endothelial injury. We therefore investigated the effect of hyaluronan in the glycocalyx on peritoneal permeability and disease conditions. After hyaluronidase-mediated degradation of hyaluronan on the endothelial cells of mice, macromolecules, including albumin and β2 microglobulin, leaked into the dialysate. However, peritoneal transport of small solute molecules was not affected. Pathologically, hyaluronan expression was diminished; however, expression of vascular endothelial cadherin and heparan sulfate, a core protein of the glycocalyx, was preserved. Hyaluronan expression on endothelial cells was studied using 254 human peritoneal membrane samples. Hyaluronan expression decreased in patients undergoing long-term PD treatment and EPS patients treated with conventional solutions. Furthermore, the extent of hyaluronan loss correlated with the severity of vasculopathy. Hyaluronan on endothelial cells is involved in the peritoneal transport of macromolecules. Treatment strategies that preserve hyaluronan in the glycocalyx could prevent the leakage of macromolecules and subsequent related complications.
Forensic autosomal and gonosomal short tandem repeat marker reference database for populations in Burkina Faso
Authors: Zeye Moutanou Modeste Judes , Ouedraogo Serge Yannick , Bado Prosper , Zoure Abdou Azaque , Djigma Florencia W. , Wu Xiang , Simpore Jacques 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTandem repeat genetic profiles used in forensic applications varies between populations. Despite the diversity and security issues in the Sahel that require the identification of victims (soldiers and civilians), Burkina Faso (BF) remains understudied. To fill this information gap, 396 unrelated individuals from BF were genotyped using a MICROREADER 21 ID System kit. All 20 short tandem repeat (STR) loci tested passed the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) test. The combined powers of exclusion for duos (CPE duos) and trios (CPE trios) for the 20 tested loci were 0.9999998 and 0.9999307, respectively. The probability that two individuals would share the same DNA profiles among the BF population was 9.80898 × 10–26. For the X-chromosome STR analysis, 292 individuals were included in this study using a MICROREADER 19X Direct ID System kit. Among the 19 loci, no significant deviations from HWE test were observed in female samples after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05/19 = 0.0026), except for loci GATA165B12 and DXS7423. The results showed that the combined power of exclusion (CPE) and the combined power of discrimination in females (CPDF) and males (CPDM) were 0.999999760893, 0.999999999992, and 1, respectively. Comparison with other African sub-populations showed that geographical proximity is a reliable indicator of genetic relatedness.
Future changes in the wintertime ENSO-NAO teleconnection under greenhouse warming
Authors: Geng Xin , Kug Jong-Seong , Kosaka Yu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEl Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnection to the Euro-Atlantic exhibits strong subseasonal variations, as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) response systematically reverses its phase from early to late winter. Based on two sets of atmospheric model simulations in CMIP6 forced by historical and projected SST, we report a future disappearance of this teleconnection reversal, with the positive early winter ENSO-NAO correlation turning negative and the negative late winter correlation becoming stronger. We suggest that this negative NAO tendency is associated with the strengthening and eastward shift of the ENSO atmospheric teleconnection towards the Euro-Atlantic due to parallel changes in the ENSO tropical convection. While the early winter NAO phase transition is further facilitated by the mean state change in the North Atlantic jet meridional shear, which shifts the ENSO-driven Rossby wave-propagating direction, an intensified stratospheric pathway is demonstrated to play an additional role in strengthening the late winter NAO response.
ELAVL2 loss promotes aggressive mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma
Authors: Kim Yona , You Ji Hyeon , Ryu Yeonjoo , Park Gyuri , Lee Urim , Moon Hyo Eun , Park Hye Ran , Song Chang W. , Ku Ja-Lok , Park Sung-Hye , Paek Sun Ha 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM), the most lethal primary brain cancer, exhibits intratumoral heterogeneity and molecular plasticity, posing challenges for effective treatment. Despite this, the regulatory mechanisms underlying such plasticity, particularly mesenchymal (MES) transition, remain poorly understood. In this study, we elucidate the role of the RNA-binding protein ELAVL2 in regulating aggressive MES transformation in GBM. We found that ELAVL2 is most frequently deleted in GBM compared to other cancers and associated with distinct clinical and molecular features. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that ELAVL2-mediated alterations correspond to specific GBM subtype signatures. Notably, ELAVL2 expression negatively correlated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes, and its loss promoted MES process and chemo-resistance in GBM cells, whereas ELAVL2 overexpression exerted the opposite effect. Further investigation via tissue microarray analysis demonstrated that high ELAVL2 protein expression confers a favorable survival outcome in GBM patients. Mechanistically, ELAVL2 was shown to directly bind to the transcripts of EMT-inhibitory molecules, SH3GL3 and DNM3, modulating their mRNA stability, potentially through an m6A-dependent mechanism. In summary, our findings identify ELAVL2 as a critical tumor suppressor and mRNA stabilizer that regulates MES transition in GBM, underscoring its role in transcriptomic plasticity and glioma progression.
A multiparameter liquid biopsy approach allows to track melanoma dynamics and identify early treatment resistance
Authors: Scaini Maria Chiara , Catoni Cristina , Poggiana Cristina , Pigozzo Jacopo , Piccin Luisa , Leone Kevin , Scarabello Ilaria , Facchinetti Antonella , Menin Chiara , Elefanti Lisa , Pellegrini Stefania , Aleotti Valentina , Vidotto Riccardo , Schiavi Francesca , Fabozzi Alessio , Chiarion-Sileni Vanna , Rosato Antonio 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMelanoma heterogeneity is a hurdle in metastatic disease management. Although the advent of targeted therapy has significantly improved patient outcomes, the occurrence of resistance makes monitoring of the tumor genetic landscape mandatory. Liquid biopsy could represent an important biomarker for the real-time tracing of disease evolution. Thus, we aimed to correlate liquid biopsy dynamics with treatment response and progression by devising a multiplatform approach applied to longitudinal melanoma patient monitoring. We conceived an approach that exploits Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and droplet digital PCR, as well as the FDA-cleared platform CellSearch, to analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) trend and circulating melanoma cell (CMC) count, together with their customized genetic and copy number variation analysis. The approach was applied to 17 stage IV melanoma patients treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors, followed for up to 28 months. BRAF mutations were detected in the plasma of 82% of patients. Single nucleotide variants known or suspected to confer resistance were identified in 70% of patients. Moreover, the amount of ctDNA, both at baseline and during response, correlated with the type and duration of the response itself, and the CMC count was confirmed to be a prognostic biomarker. This work provides proof of principle of the power of this approach and paves the way for a validation study aimed at evaluating early ctDNA-guided treatment decisions in stage IV melanoma. The NGS-based molecular profile complemented the analysis of ctDNA trend and, together with CMC analysis, revealed to be useful in capturing tumor evolution.
Paving the way for sustainable decarbonization of the European cement industry
Authors: Cavalett Otavio , Watanabe Marcos D. B. , Voldsund Mari , Roussanaly Simon , Cherubini Francesco 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCement production is a main source of carbon emissions. Decarbonization options exist, but their climate change mitigation potential, feasibility and environmental implications are still unclear. Here we assess 15 decarbonization options for the European cement industry under current and future conditions. Climate impacts per tonne of clinker produced today in European countries vary between 832 and 1,075 kg CO2-equivalents. Decarbonization options at various maturity levels can mitigate between 7 and 135 Mt CO2-equivalents per year (4–108% of today’s annual emissions from European cement plants), with a range of synergies and trade-offs. Solutions such as alternative fuels or technological improvements reduce climate impacts up to 30%, while a mix of ambitious complementary measures achieves a mitigation of about 50% by 2050. Only rapid and large-scale implementation of carbon capture and storage can approach climate neutrality. Carbon capture for production of e-fuels presents no significant mitigation benefits while it increases other environmental impacts.
Epigenetic signatures of social status in wild female spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)
Authors: Vullioud Colin , Benhaiem Sarah , Meneghini Dorina , Szyf Moshe , Shao Yong , Hofer Heribert , East Marion L. , Fickel Jörns , Weyrich Alexandra 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn mammalian societies, dominance hierarchies translate into inequalities in health, reproductive performance and survival. DNA methylation is thought to mediate the effects of social status on gene expression and phenotypic outcomes, yet a study of social status-specific DNA methylation profiles in different age classes in a wild social mammal is missing. We tested for social status signatures in DNA methylation profiles in wild female spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), cubs and adults, using non-invasively collected gut epithelium samples. In spotted hyena clans, female social status influences access to resources, foraging behavior, health, reproductive performance and survival. We identified 149 differentially methylated regions between 42 high- and low-ranking female spotted hyenas (cubs and adults). Differentially methylated genes were associated with energy conversion, immune function, glutamate receptor signalling and ion transport. Our results provide evidence that socio-environmental inequalities are reflected at the molecular level in cubs and adults in a wild social mammal.
Pan-cancer analyses suggest kindlin-associated global mechanochemical alterations
Authors: Chowdhury Debojyoti , Mistry Ayush , Maity Debashruti , Bhatia Riti , Priyadarshi Shreyansh , Wadan Simran , Chakraborty Soham , Haldar Shubhasis 
Published: March 2024

AbstractKindlins serve as mechanosensitive adapters, transducing extracellular mechanical cues to intracellular biochemical signals and thus, their perturbations potentially lead to cancer progressions. Despite the kindlin involvement in tumor development, understanding their genetic and mechanochemical characteristics across different cancers remains elusive. Here, we thoroughly examined genetic alterations in kindlins across more than 10,000 patients with 33 cancer types. Our findings reveal cancer-specific alterations, particularly prevalent in advanced tumor stage and during metastatic onset. We observed a significant co-alteration between kindlins and mechanochemical proteome in various tumors through the activation of cancer-related pathways and adverse survival outcomes. Leveraging normal mode analysis, we predicted structural consequences of cancer-specific kindlin mutations, highlighting potential impacts on stability and downstream signaling pathways. Our study unraveled alterations in epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers associated with kindlin activity. This comprehensive analysis provides a resource for guiding future mechanistic investigations and therapeutic strategies targeting the roles of kindlins in cancer treatment.
GFI1B and LSD1 repress myeloid traits during megakaryocyte differentiation
Authors: Venhuizen Jeron , van Bergen Maaike G. J. M. , Bergevoet Saskia M. , Gilissen Daan , Spruijt Cornelia G. , Wingens Laura , van den Akker Emile , Vermeulen Michiel , Jansen Joop H. , Martens Joost H. A. , van der Reijden Bert A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe transcription factor Growth Factor Independence 1B (GFI1B) recruits Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 A (LSD1/KDM1A) to stimulate gene programs relevant for megakaryocyte and platelet biology. Inherited pathogenic GFI1B variants result in thrombocytopenia and bleeding propensities with varying intensity. Whether these affect similar gene programs is unknow. Here we studied transcriptomic effects of four patient-derived GFI1B variants (GFI1BT174N,H181Y,R184P,Q287*) in MEG01 megakaryoblasts. Compared to normal GFI1B, each variant affected different gene programs with GFI1BQ287* uniquely failing to repress myeloid traits. In line with this, single cell RNA-sequencing of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived megakaryocytes revealed a 4.5-fold decrease in the megakaryocyte/myeloid cell ratio in GFI1BQ287* versus normal conditions. Inhibiting the GFI1B-LSD1 interaction with small molecule GSK-LSD1 resulted in activation of myeloid genes in normal iPSC-derived megakaryocytes similar to what was observed for GFI1BQ287* iPSC-derived megakaryocytes. Thus, GFI1B and LSD1 facilitate gene programs relevant for megakaryopoiesis while simultaneously repressing programs that induce myeloid differentiation.
Dynamics of bulk and surface oxide evolution in copper foams for electrochemical CO2 reduction
Authors: Yang Fan , Jiang Shan , Liu Si , Beyer Paul , Mebs Stefan , Haumann Michael , Roth Christina , Dau Holger 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOxide-derived copper (OD-Cu) materials exhibit extraordinary catalytic activities in the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), which likely relates to non-metallic material constituents formed in transitions between the oxidized and the reduced material. In time-resolved operando experiment, we track the structural dynamics of copper oxide reduction and its re-formation separately in the bulk of the catalyst material and at its surface using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Surface-species transformations progress within seconds whereas the subsurface (bulk) processes unfold within minutes. Evidence is presented that electroreduction of OD-Cu foams results in kinetic trapping of subsurface (bulk) oxide species, especially for cycling between strongly oxidizing and reducing potentials. Specific reduction-oxidation protocols may optimize formation of bulk-oxide species and thereby catalytic properties. Together with the Raman-detected surface-adsorbed *OH and C-containing species, the oxide species could collectively facilitate *CO adsorption, resulting an enhanced selectivity towards valuable C2+ products during CO2RR.
Magneto-oscillatory localization for small-scale robots
Authors: Fischer F. , Gletter C. , Jeong M. , Qiu T. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMagnetism is widely used for the wireless localization and actuation of robots and devices for medical procedures. However, current static magnetic localization methods suffer from large required magnets and are limited to only five degrees of freedom due to a fundamental constraint of the rotational symmetry around the magnetic axis. We present the small-scale magneto-oscillatory localization (SMOL) method, which is capable of wirelessly localizing a millimeter-scale tracker with full six degrees of freedom in deep biological tissues. The SMOL device uses the temporal oscillation of a mechanically resonant cantilever with a magnetic dipole to break the rotational symmetry, and exploits the frequency-response to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio with sub-millimeter accuracy over a large distance of up to 12 centimeters and quasi-continuous refresh rates up to 200 Hz. Integration into real-time closed-loop controlled robots and minimally-invasive surgical tools are demonstrated to reveal the vast potential of the SMOL method.
Pt nanoparticles anchored by oxygen vacancies in MXenes for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhao Qin , Zhang Yue , Ke Changwang , Yang Weilin , Yue Jianshu , Yang Xiaofei , Xiao Weiping 
Published: March 2024

Pt/MXene heterostructures were prepared by constructing oxygen vacancies on MXene to anchor Pt nanoparticles, which exhibited accelerated HER kinetics in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution due to the synergistic effect between MXenes and Pt nanoparticles.
Mutual information oriented deep skill chaining for multi‐agent reinforcement learning
Authors: Xie Zaipeng , Ji Cheng , Qiao Chentai , Song WenZhan , Li Zewen , Zhang Yufeng , Zhang Yujing 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMulti‐agent reinforcement learning relies on reward signals to guide the policy networks of individual agents. However, in high‐dimensional continuous spaces, the non‐stationary environment can provide outdated experiences that hinder convergence, resulting in ineffective training performance for multi‐agent systems. To tackle this issue, a novel reinforcement learning scheme, Mutual Information Oriented Deep Skill Chaining (MioDSC), is proposed that generates an optimised cooperative policy by incorporating intrinsic rewards based on mutual information to improve exploration efficiency. These rewards encourage agents to diversify their learning process by engaging in actions that increase the mutual information between their actions and the environment state. In addition, MioDSC can generate cooperative policies using the options framework, allowing agents to learn and reuse complex action sequences and accelerating the convergence speed of multi‐agent learning. MioDSC was evaluated in the multi‐agent particle environment and the StarCraft multi‐agent challenge at varying difficulty levels. The experimental results demonstrate that MioDSC outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods and is robust across various multi‐agent system tasks with high stability.
Fusing angular features for skeleton‐based action recognition using multi‐stream graph convolution network
Authors: Huang Qian , Liu Wenting , Shang Mingzhou , Wang Yiming 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDistinguishing similar actions has been a challenging challenge in skeleton‐based action recognition. Since the joint coordinates in these actions are similar, it is difficult to accomplish the recognition task using traditional joint features. To address this issue, the use of angle features to capture subtle nuances in various body parts, along with a critical angle enhancement module that assigns weights to different angle feature representations for a given action are proposed, highlighting the critical angle feature representation. The approach is evaluated using a three‐stream ensemble method on three large action recognition datasets, NTU‐RGB+D, NTU‐RGB+D 120, and Kinetics‐400. The experimental results demonstrate that incorporating angular information can effectively complement joint and skeletal features, leading to improved recognition of similar actions and enhanced model performance and robustness.
High‐level decision‐making for autonomous overtaking: An MPC‐based switching control approach
Authors: Wang Xue‐Fang , Chen Wen‐Hua , Jiang Jingjing , Yan Yunda 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe key motivation of this paper lies in the development of a high‐level decision‐making framework for autonomous
overtaking maneuvers on two‐lane country roads with dynamic oncoming traffic. To generate an optimal and safe decision
sequence for such scenario, an innovative high‐level decision‐making framework that combines model predictive control (MPC) and switching control methodologies is introduced. Specifically, the autonomous vehicle is abstracted and modelled as a switched system. This abstraction allows vehicle to operate in different modes corresponding to different high‐level decisions. It establishes a crucial connection between high‐level decision‐making and low‐level behaviour of the autonomous vehicle. Furthermore, barrier functions and predictive models that account for the relationship between the autonomous vehicle and oncoming traffic are incorporated. This technique enables us to guarantee the satisfaction of constraints, while also assessing performance within a prediction horizon. By repeatedly solving the online constrained optimization problems, we not only generate an optimal decision sequence for overtaking safely and efficiently but also enhance the adaptability and robustness. This adaptability allows the system to respond effectively to potential changes and unexpected events. Finally, the performance of the proposed MPC framework is demonstrated via simulations of four driving scenarios, which shows that it can handle multiple behaviours.
Robotisch-assistierte Mikrochirurgie ̶ Ein neuer Innovationsschub für
die rekonstruktive Mikrochirurgie?
Authors: Giunta Riccardo 
Published: March 2024

Liebe Leserinnen und Leser,ich freue mich Ihnen im vorliegenden Heft einen Schwerpunkt zum „Hot Topic“ der
robotisch-assistierten Mikrochirurgie und dem gegenwärtigen Stand der Wissenschaft
präsentieren zu können. Die auf diesem Feld aktivsten Arbeitsgruppen aus dem
deutschsprachigen Raum und auch aus Europa haben ihre Erfahrungen in
unterschiedlichen Körperregionen zusammengefasst. Insgesamt vier Originalarbeiten
und zwei Fallberichte fassen die derzeitigen Chancen dieser neuesten technischen
Innovation zusammen.