bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plakoglobin is a mechanoresponsive regulator of naive pluripotency
Authors: Kohler Timo N. , De Jonghe Joachim , Ellermann Anna L. , Yanagida Ayaka , Herger Michael , Slatery Erin M. , Weberling Antonia , Munger Clara , Fischer Katrin , Mulas Carla , Winkel Alex , Ross Connor , Bergmann Sophie , Franze Kristian , Chalut Kevin , Nichols Jennifer , Boroviak Thorsten E. , Hollfelder Florian 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBiomechanical cues are instrumental in guiding embryonic development and cell differentiation. Understanding how these physical stimuli translate into transcriptional programs will provide insight into mechanisms underlying mammalian pre-implantation development. Here, we explore this type of regulation by exerting microenvironmental control over mouse embryonic stem cells. Microfluidic encapsulation of mouse embryonic stem cells in agarose microgels stabilizes the naive pluripotency network and specifically induces expression of Plakoglobin (Jup), a vertebrate homolog of β-catenin. Overexpression of Plakoglobin is sufficient to fully re-establish the naive pluripotency gene regulatory network under metastable pluripotency conditions, as confirmed by single-cell transcriptome profiling. Finally, we find that, in the epiblast, Plakoglobin was exclusively expressed at the blastocyst stage in human and mouse embryos – further strengthening the link between Plakoglobin and naive pluripotency in vivo. Our work reveals Plakoglobin as a mechanosensitive regulator of naive pluripotency and provides a paradigm to interrogate the effects of volumetric confinement on cell-fate transitions.
Rapid expansion and visual specialisation of learning and memory centres in the brains of Heliconiini butterflies
Authors: Couto Antoine , Young Fletcher J. , Atzeni Daniele , Marty Simon , Melo‐Flórez Lina , Hebberecht Laura , Monllor Monica , Neal Chris , Cicconardi Francesco , McMillan W. Owen , Montgomery Stephen H. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractChanges in the abundance and diversity of neural cell types, and their connectivity, shape brain composition and provide the substrate for behavioral evolution. Although investment in sensory brain regions is understood to be largely driven by the relative ecological importance of particular sensory modalities, how selective pressures impact the elaboration of integrative brain centers has been more difficult to pinpoint. Here, we provide evidence of extensive, mosaic expansion of an integration brain center among closely related species, which is not explained by changes in sites of primary sensory input. By building new datasets of neural traits among a tribe of diverse Neotropical butterflies, the Heliconiini, we detected several major evolutionary expansions of the mushroom bodies, central brain structures pivotal for insect learning and memory. The genus Heliconius, which exhibits a unique dietary innovation, pollen-feeding, and derived foraging behaviors reliant on spatial memory, shows the most extreme enlargement. This expansion is primarily associated with increased visual processing areas and coincides with increased precision of visual processing, and enhanced long term memory. These results demonstrate that selection for behavioral innovation and enhanced cognitive ability occurred through expansion and localized specialization in integrative brain centers.
Efficient and versatile formation of glycosidic bonds via catalytic strain-release glycosylation with glycosyl ortho−2,2-dimethoxycarbonylcyclopropylbenzoate donors
Authors: Ding Han , Lyu Jian , Zhang Xiao-Lin , Xiao Xiong , Liu Xue-Wei 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCatalytic glycosylation is a vital transformation in synthetic carbohydrate chemistry due to its ability to expediate the large-scale oligosaccharide synthesis for glycobiology studies with the consumption of minimal amounts of promoters. Herein we introduce a facile and efficient catalytic glycosylation employing glycosyl ortho−2,2-dimethoxycarbonylcyclopropylbenzoates (CCBz) promoted by a readily accessible and non-toxic Sc(III) catalyst system. The glycosylation reaction involves a novel activation mode of glycosyl esters driven by the ring-strain release of an intramolecularly incorporated donor-acceptor cyclopropane (DAC). The versatile glycosyl CCBz donor enables highly efficient construction of O-, S-, and N-glycosidic bonds under mild conditions, as exemplified by the convenient preparation of the synthetically challenging chitooligosaccharide derivatives. Of note, a gram-scale synthesis of tetrasaccharide corresponding to Lipid IV with modifiable handles is achieved using the catalytic strain-release glycosylation. These attractive features promise this donor to be the prototype for developing next generation of catalytic glycosylation.
Opportunistic detection of type 2 diabetes using deep learning from frontal chest radiographs
Authors: Pyrros Ayis , Borstelmann Stephen M. , Mantravadi Ramana , Zaiman Zachary , Thomas Kaesha , Price Brandon , Greenstein Eugene , Siddiqui Nasir , Willis Melinda , Shulhan Ihar , Hines-Shah John , Horowitz Jeanne M. , Nikolaidis Paul , Lungren Matthew P. , Rodríguez-Fernández Jorge Mario , Gichoya Judy Wawira , Koyejo Sanmi , Flanders Adam E , Khandwala Nishith , Gupta Amit , Garrett John W. , Cohen Joseph Paul , Layden Brian T. , Pickhardt Perry J. , Galanter William 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDeep learning (DL) models can harness electronic health records (EHRs) to predict diseases and extract radiologic findings for diagnosis. With ambulatory chest radiographs (CXRs) frequently ordered, we investigated detecting type 2 diabetes (T2D) by combining radiographic and EHR data using a DL model. Our model, developed from 271,065 CXRs and 160,244 patients, was tested on a prospective dataset of 9,943 CXRs. Here we show the model effectively detected T2D with a ROC AUC of 0.84 and a 16% prevalence. The algorithm flagged 1,381 cases (14%) as suspicious for T2D. External validation at a distinct institution yielded a ROC AUC of 0.77, with 5% of patients subsequently diagnosed with T2D. Explainable AI techniques revealed correlations between specific adiposity measures and high predictivity, suggesting CXRs’ potential for enhanced T2D screening.
Accessing parity-forbidden d-d transitions for photocatalytic CO2 reduction driven by infrared light
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Li Li , Chen Guangbo , Chu Xingyuan , Liu Xiaohui , Naisa Chandrasekhar , Pohl Darius , Löffler Markus , Feng Xinliang 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA general approach to promote IR light-driven CO2 reduction within ultrathin Cu-based hydrotalcite-like hydroxy salts is presented. Associated band structures and optical properties of the Cu-based materials are first predicted by theory. Subsequently, Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 nanosheets were synthesized and are found to undergo cascaded electron transfer processes based on d-d orbital transitions under infrared light irradiation. The obtained samples exhibit excellent activity for IR light-driven CO2 reduction, with a production rate of 21.95 and 4.11 μmol g−1 h−1 for CO and CH4, respectively, surpassing most reported catalysts under the same reaction conditions. X-ray absorption spectroscopy and in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy are used to track the evolution of the catalytic sites and intermediates to understand the photocatalytic mechanism. Similar ultrathin catalysts are also investigated to explore the generality of the proposed electron transfer approach. Our findings illustrate that abundant transition metal complexes hold great promise for IR light-responsive photocatalysis.
Unraveling the optical shape of snow
Authors: Robledano Alvaro , Picard Ghislain , Dumont Marie , Flin Frédéric , Arnaud Laurent , Libois Quentin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe reflection of sunlight off the snow is a major driver of the Earth’s climate. This reflection is governed by the shape and arrangement of ice crystals at the micrometer scale, called snow microstructure. However, snow optical models overlook the complexity of this microstructure by using simple shapes, and mainly spheres. The use of these various shapes leads to large uncertainties in climate modeling, which could reach 1.2 K in global air temperature. Here, we accurately simulate light propagation in three-dimensional images of natural snow at the micrometer scale, revealing the optical shape of snow. This optical shape is neither spherical nor close to the other idealized shapes commonly used in models. Instead, it more closely approximates a collection of convex particles without symmetry. Besides providing a more realistic representation of snow in the visible and near-infrared spectral region (400 to 1400 nm), this breakthrough can be directly used in climate models, reducing by 3 the uncertainties in global air temperature related to the optical shape of snow.
Lateral membrane organization as target of an antimicrobial peptidomimetic compound
Authors: Melcrová Adéla , Maity Sourav , Melcr Josef , de Kok Niels A. W. , Gabler Mariella , van der Eyden Jonne , Stensen Wenche , Svendsen John S. M. , Driessen Arnold J. M. , Marrink Siewert J. , Roos Wouter H. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance is one of the leading concerns in medical care. Here we study the mechanism of action of an antimicrobial cationic tripeptide, AMC-109, by combining high speed-atomic force microscopy, molecular dynamics, fluorescence assays, and lipidomic analysis. We show that AMC-109 activity on negatively charged membranes derived from Staphylococcus aureus consists of two crucial steps. First, AMC-109 self-assembles into stable aggregates consisting of a hydrophobic core and a cationic surface, with specificity for negatively charged membranes. Second, upon incorporation into the membrane, individual peptides insert into the outer monolayer, affecting lateral membrane organization and dissolving membrane nanodomains, without forming pores. We propose that membrane domain dissolution triggered by AMC-109 may affect crucial functions such as protein sorting and cell wall synthesis. Our results indicate that the AMC-109 mode of action resembles that of the disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (BAK), but with enhanced selectivity for bacterial membranes.
Frozen sound: An ultra-low frequency and ultra-broadband non-reciprocal acoustic absorber
Authors: Maddi Anis , Olivier Come , Poignand Gaelle , Penelet Guillaume , Pagneux Vincent , Aurégan Yves 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe absorption of airborne sound is still a subject of active research, and even more since the emergence of acoustic metamaterials. Although being subwavelength, the screen barriers developed so far cannot absorb more than 50% of an incident wave at very low frequencies (<100 Hz). Here, we explore the design of a subwavelength and broadband absorbing screen based on thermoacoustic energy conversion. The system consists of a porous layer kept at room temperature on one side while the other side is cooled down to a very low temperature using liquid nitrogen. At the absorbing screen, the sound wave experiences both a pressure jump caused by viscous drag, and a velocity jump caused by thermoacoustic energy conversion breaking reciprocity and allowing a one-sided absorption up to 95 % even in the infrasound regime. By overcoming the ordinary low frequency absorption limit, thermoacoustic effects open the door to the design of innovative devices.
Porous microneedle patch with sustained delivery of extracellular vesicles mitigates severe spinal cord injury
Authors: Fang Ao , Wang Yifan , Guan Naiyu , Zuo Yanming , Lin Lingmin , Guo Binjie , Mo Aisheng , Wu Yile , Lin Xurong , Cai Wanxiong , Chen Xiangfeng , Ye Jingjia , Abdelrahman Zeinab , Li Xiaodan , Zheng Hanyu , Wu Zhonghan , Jin Shuang , Xu Kan , Huang Yan , Gu Xiaosong , Yu Bin , Wang Xuhua 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells-derived secretome, particularly extracellular vesicles is a promising therapy to suppress spinal cord injury-triggered neuroinflammation. However, efficient delivery of extracellular vesicles to the injured spinal cord, with minimal damage, remains a challenge. Here we present a device for the delivery of extracellular vesicles to treat spinal cord injury. We show that the device incorporating mesenchymal stem cells and porous microneedles enables the delivery of extracellular vesicles. We demonstrate that topical application to the spinal cord lesion beneath the spinal dura, does not damage the lesion. We evaluate the efficacy of our device in a contusive spinal cord injury model and find that it reduces the cavity and scar tissue formation, promotes angiogenesis, and improves survival of nearby tissues and axons. Importantly, the sustained delivery of extracellular vesicles for at least 7 days results in significant functional recovery. Thus, our device provides an efficient and sustained extracellular vesicles delivery platform for spinal cord injury treatment.
Endothelial cell CD36 regulates membrane ceramide formation, exosome fatty acid transfer and circulating fatty acid levels
Authors: Peche V. S. , Pietka T. A. , Jacome-Sosa M. , Samovski D. , Palacios H. , Chatterjee-Basu G. , Dudley A. C. , Beatty W. , Meyer G. A. , Goldberg I. J. , Abumrad N. A. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractEndothelial cell (EC) CD36 controls tissue fatty acid (FA) uptake. Here we examine how ECs transfer FAs. FA interaction with apical membrane CD36 induces Src phosphorylation of caveolin-1 tyrosine-14 (Cav-1Y14) and ceramide generation in caveolae. Ensuing fission of caveolae yields vesicles containing FAs, CD36 and ceramide that are secreted basolaterally as small (80–100 nm) exosome-like extracellular vesicles (sEVs). We visualize in transwells EC transfer of FAs in sEVs to underlying myotubes. In mice with EC-expression of the exosome marker emeraldGFP-CD63, muscle fibers accumulate circulating FAs in emGFP-labeled puncta. The FA-sEV pathway is mapped through its suppression by CD36 depletion, blocking actin-remodeling, Src inhibition, Cav-1Y14 mutation, and neutral sphingomyelinase 2 inhibition. Suppression of sEV formation in mice reduces muscle FA uptake, raises circulating FAs, which remain in blood vessels, and lowers glucose, mimicking prominent Cd36−/− mice phenotypes. The findings show that FA uptake influences membrane ceramide, endocytosis, and EC communication with parenchymal cells.
Complement is activated by elevated IgG3 hexameric platforms and deposits C4b onto distinct antibody domains
Authors: Abendstein Leoni , Dijkstra Douwe J. , Tjokrodirijo Rayman T. N. , van Veelen Peter A. , Trouw Leendert A. , Hensbergen Paul J. , Sharp Thomas H. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIgG3 is unique among the IgG subclasses due to its extended hinge, allotypic diversity and enhanced effector functions, including highly efficient pathogen neutralisation and complement activation. It is also underrepresented as an immunotherapeutic candidate, partly due to a lack of structural information. Here, we use cryoEM to solve structures of antigen-bound IgG3 alone and in complex with complement components. These structures reveal a propensity for IgG3-Fab clustering, which is possible due to the IgG3-specific flexible upper hinge region and may maximise pathogen neutralisation by forming high-density antibody arrays. IgG3 forms elevated hexameric Fc platforms that extend above the protein corona to maximise binding to receptors and the complement C1 complex, which here adopts a unique protease conformation that may precede C1 activation. Mass spectrometry reveals that C1 deposits C4b directly onto specific IgG3 residues proximal to the Fab domains. Structural analysis shows this to be caused by the height of the C1-IgG3 complex. Together, these data provide structural insights into the role of the unique IgG3 extended hinge, which will aid the development and design of upcoming immunotherapeutics based on IgG3.
Enrichment and characterization of a nitric oxide-reducing microbial community in a continuous bioreactor
Authors: Garrido-Amador Paloma , Stortenbeker Niek , Wessels Hans J. C. T. , Speth Daan R. , Garcia-Heredia Inmaculada , Kartal Boran 
Published: July 2023

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive and climate-active molecule and a key intermediate in the microbial nitrogen cycle. Despite its role in the evolution of denitrification and aerobic respiration, high redox potential and capacity to sustain microbial growth, our understanding of NO-reducing microorganisms remains limited due to the absence of NO-reducing microbial cultures obtained directly from the environment using NO as a substrate. Here, using a continuous bioreactor and a constant supply of NO as the sole electron acceptor, we enriched and characterized a microbial community dominated by two previously unknown microorganisms that grow at nanomolar NO concentrations and survive high amounts (>6 µM) of this toxic gas, reducing it to N2 with little to non-detectable production of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. These results provide insight into the physiology of NO-reducing microorganisms, which have pivotal roles in the control of climate-active gases, waste removal, and evolution of nitrate and oxygen respiration.
Development of an alternative device for measurement and characterization of selected meteorological parameters
Authors: Adelakun A. O. , Akano O. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWeather monitoring and forecasting during some of nature’s most violent events, such as lightning and thunder, necessitates immediate preventive action for improved agricultural precision, power equipment effectiveness among others. Weather stations that are all-in-one for villages, low-income communities, and cities could provide a dependable, cost-effective, robust, and user-friendly solution. A wide range of low-cost weather monitoring stations equipped with ground-based and satellite-based lightning detectors are available on the market. This paper develops a low-cost real-time data logger device that measures lightning strikes and other weather parameters. Temperature and relative humidity are detected and recorded by the sensor (BME280). The sensing unit, readout circuit unit, microcontroller unit, recording unit, real-time clock, display unit, and power supply unit are the seven sections of the lightning detector with a real-time data logger. The sensing unit of the instrument is made of a lightning sensor glued to a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to prevent moisture inflow and short circuit. The readout circuit consists of a 16-bit analog-to-digital converter and a filter designed to improve the output signal of the lightning detector. It was programmed with C-language and tested using the integrated development environment on the Arduino-Uno microcontroller (IDE). The device was calibrated, and its accuracy was determined using data from a standard lightning detector instrument from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
Short-term changes in tear osmolarity after instillation of different osmolarity eye drops in patients with dry eye
Authors: Kim Woojin , Woo In Ho , Eom Youngsub , Song Jong Suk 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis study investigated short-term changes in tear osmolarity of dry eye patients after using artificial tears containing sodium hyaluronate (SH) at different osmolarities. It comprised 80 patients with dry eye whose tear osmolarity measurement using the TearLab osmolarity system was 300 mOsm/L or greater. Patients who had external ocular disease, glaucoma, or other concomitant ocular pathology were excluded. After being randomly divided into four groups, the participants received different kinds of SH eye drops as follows: Groups 1–3 were given one of three concentrations (0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.3%) of isotonic drops, while Group 4 received 0.18% hypotonic SH eye drops. The tear osmolarity concentrations were evaluated at baseline and again at 1-, 5-, and 10-min after instillation of each eye drop. Tear osmolarity showed a significant decrease after instillation of four types of SH eye drops after up to 10 min compared to baseline. Patients who received hypotonic SH eye drops showed an enhanced decrease in tear osmolarity compared with the isotonic SH eye drops after 1 min (p < 0.001) and 5 min (p = 0.006), but the difference was not significant at 10 min (p = 0.836). The enhanced immediate effect of hypotonic SH eye drops at lowering tear osmolarity in patients with dry eye seems to be limited unless these drops were used frequently.
Synergistic effect of ultrasound and antimicrobial solutions of cecropin P1 in the deactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 using a cylindrical ultrasonic system
Authors: Fitriyanti Maya , Bagherzadeh Saeed , Narsimhan Ganesan 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis study investigates the synergistic effect of ultrasonication and antimicrobial action of antimicrobial peptide cecropin P1 on the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a cylindrical ultrasonication system. The inactivation of E. coli at pH 7.4 was performed using: ultrasonication (14, 22, and 47 kHz), cecropin P1 (20 µg/mL), and a combination of both. We found the treatment at 22 kHz, 8W for 15 min of exposure and a combination of ultrasound at higher frequency (47 kHz, 8 W) and cecropin P1 for one minute of exposure were more efficient, reducing the cell density by six orders of magnitude, compared to individual treatments (ultrasound or cecropin P1 only). Dye leakage studies and transmission electron microscopy further validated these results. A continuous flow system was designed to demonstrate synergism of ultrasonication with antimicrobial peptide Cecropin P1 in the inactivation of E. coli; synergism was shown to be more at higher ultrasonication frequencies and power levels. Acoustic cavitation by ultrasonic treatment could drastically improve microbial deactivation by antimicrobial peptides cecropin P1 by increasing their ability for pore formation in cell membranes. A continuous ultrasonication and antimicrobial peptides system can lead to an energy-efficient and economical sterilization system for food safety applications.
Mathematical model for glutathione dynamics in the retina
Authors: Dobreva Atanaska , Camacho Erika Tatiana , Miranda María 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe retina is highly susceptible to the generation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) that disrupt the normal operations of retinal cells. The glutathione (GSH) antioxidant system plays an important role in mitigating ROS. To perform its protective functions, GSH depends on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) produced through the pentose phosphate pathway. This work develops the first mathematical model for the GSH antioxidant system in the outer retina, capturing the most essential components for formation of ROS, GSH production, its oxidation in detoxifying ROS, and subsequent reduction by NADPH. We calibrate and validate the model using experimental measurements, at different postnatal days up to PN28, from control mice and from the rd1 mouse model for the disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Global sensitivity analysis is then applied to examine the model behavior and identify the pathways with the greatest impact in control compared to RP conditions. The findings underscore the importance of GSH and NADPH production in dealing with oxidative stress during retinal development, especially after peak rod degeneration occurs in RP, leading to increased oxygen tension. This suggests that stimulation of GSH and NADPH synthesis could be a potential intervention strategy in degenerative mouse retinas with RP.