Local Effects Research Articles

Photodetectors Based on MASnI3/MoS2 Hybrid-Dimensional Heterojunction Transistors: Breaking the Responsivity-Speed Trade-Off.

Hybrid-dimensional heterojunction transistor (HDHT) photodetectors (PDs) have achieved high responsivities but unfortunately are still with unacceptably slow response speeds. Here, we propose a MASnI3/MoS2 HDHT PD, which exhibits the possibility to obtain high responsivity and fast response simultaneously. By exploring the detailed photoelectric responses utilizing a precise optoelectronic coupling simulation, the electrical performance of the device is optimally manipulated and the underlying physical mechanisms are carefully clarified. Particularly, the influence and modulation characteristics of the trap effects on the carrier dynamics of the PDs are investigated. We find that the localized trap effect in perovskite, especially at its top surface, is primarily responsible for the high responsivity and long response time; moreover, it is normally hard to break such a responsivity-speed trade-off due to the inherent limitation of the trap effect. By synergistically coupling the photogating effect, trap effect, and gate regulation, we indicate that it is possible to achieve an enhancement of the responsivity-bandwidth product by about 3 orders of magnitude. This study facilitates a fine modulation of the responsivity-speed relationship of hybrid-dimensional PDs, enabling breaking the traditional responsivity-speed trade-off of many PDs.

Simulated complexes formed from a set of postsynaptic proteins suggest a localised effect of a hypomorphic Shank mutation

BackgroundThe postsynaptic density is an elaborate protein network beneath the postsynaptic membrane involved in the molecular processes underlying learning and memory. The postsynaptic density is built up from the same major proteins but its exact composition and organization differs between synapses. Mutations perturbing protein: protein interactions generally occurring in this network might lead to effects specific for cell types or processes, the understanding of which can be especially challenging.ResultsIn this work we use systems biology-based modeling of protein complex distributions in a simplified set of major postsynaptic proteins to investigate the effect of a hypomorphic Shank mutation perturbing a single well-defined interaction. We use data sets with widely variable abundances of the constituent proteins. Our results suggest that the effect of the mutation is heavily dependent on the overall availability of all the protein components of the whole network and no trivial correspondence between the expression level of the directly affected proteins and overall complex distribution can be observed.ConclusionsOur results stress the importance of context-dependent interpretation of mutations. Even the weakening of a generally occurring protein: protein interaction might have well-defined effects, and these can not easily be predicted based only on the abundance of the proteins directly affected. Our results provide insight on how cell-specific effects can be exerted by a mutation perturbing a generally occurring interaction even when the wider interaction network is largely similar.

Simulated complexes formed from a set of postsynaptic proteins suggest a localised effect of a hypomorphic Shank mutation

BackgroundThe postsynaptic density is an elaborate protein network beneath the postsynaptic membrane involved in the molecular processes underlying learning and memory. The postsynaptic density is built up from the same major proteins but its exact composition and organization differs between synapses. Mutations perturbing protein: protein interactions generally occurring in this network might lead to effects specific for cell types or processes, the understanding of which can be especially challenging.ResultsIn this work we use systems biology-based modeling of protein complex distributions in a simplified set of major postsynaptic proteins to investigate the effect of a hypomorphic Shank mutation perturbing a single well-defined interaction. We use data sets with widely variable abundances of the constituent proteins. Our results suggest that the effect of the mutation is heavily dependent on the overall availability of all the protein components of the whole network and no trivial correspondence between the expression level of the directly affected proteins and overall complex distribution can be observed.ConclusionsOur results stress the importance of context-dependent interpretation of mutations. Even the weakening of a generally occurring protein: protein interaction might have well-defined effects, and these can not easily be predicted based only on the abundance of the proteins directly affected. Our results provide insight on how cell-specific effects can be exerted by a mutation perturbing a generally occurring interaction even when the wider interaction network is largely similar.

Fertilization management and greenhouse gases emissions from paddy fields in China: A meta-analysis

ContextThe contribution of rice paddy soils to greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and global warming has attracted widespread attention. ObjectivesThere are studies on the local effects of fertilizers on soil GHGs emissions, but few have looked at the comprehensive and comparative effects of fertilization management, considering soil and environmental characteristics. MethodsOur meta-analysis used data from 83 Chinese paddy fields to investigate the effects of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), NPKS (NPK with straw return), NPKM (NPK with manure), and NPKB (NPK with biochar) on CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions compared to the unfertilized fields (control) under single rice in the south (SRS), single rice in the north (SRN) and double rice (DR). ResultsThe order of increased global warming potential (GWP) was NPKB (10 %) < NPK (20 %) < NPKM (70 %) < NPKS (140 %). The highest GHG increases were 60 % for CO2 and 270 % for N2O under NPKM, and 180 % for CH4 under NPKS, while the lowest were 25 % for CO2, 2 % for CH4, and 5 % for N2O under NPKB compared to control. The NPKB positively increased CH4 by 38 % in SRN, while NPK resulted in a 285 % increase in N2O emission in SRS. The CO2, CH4, and N2O reached the highest increased values of 18×103, 500, and 2 kg ha−1, respectively when the N input under NPKM and NPKS was 200–300 kg ha−1. Such a relatively high N input only increased the yield by 1–4 t ha−1. In contrast, a 30 %-50 % reduction in N input (equivalent to 130–260 kg C kg−1), with a yield increase of about 4–5 t ha−1, decreased CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions by 86 %, 66 %, 75 % respectively (GWP by 12 %) under NPK and NPKB. The soil properties are also the main controllers of GHGs from paddy soils, where the highest GHGs were associated with soils with clay loam, pH=5–6, and C/N=10. The estimated cumulative emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O under NPK in China in 2021 were 430, 7.5, and 0.038 Tg, respectively, while the addition of NPKB led to a reduction of the mentioned GHGs by 23 %, 43 %, and 47 % (GWP by 30 %), respectively. ConclusionReducing inorganic nitrogen inputs and incorporating biochar, but cautiously applying manure and straw in fertilization management are win-win strategies in paddy fields to reduce GHGs and ensure rice yield. Implications/significanceOur study highlights the importance of proper fertilization management according to rice zones and soil properties, which could decrease the GHGs emissions and bring yield and environmental benefits.

Remarkable improvement in photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 for NO oxidation through surface hydroxylation

The nitrogen oxide emissions originating from combustion pose significant risks to the environment. Photocatalysis is considered an efficient and environmentally friendly strategy to alleviate this problem. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is regarded as one of the most promising organic photocatalytic materials for environmental purification. However, its small specific surface area, weak adsorption and high recombination rate of charge carriers result in low intrinsic photocatalytic activity. To overcome these obstacles, a hydrothermal treatment of dicyandiamide-derived g-C3N4 (DCN) at different temperatures (140–200 °C) was employed to enhance the photocatalytic activity for NO oxidation. The experimental results demonstrated a significant improvement in the photocatalytic oxidation removal rate of NO after a hydrothermal treatment. The optimal photocatalyst, DCN-180, treated at 180 °C, demonstrated the highest NO removal efficiency (65.0 %), which is twice the value of pristine DCN (32.5 %). Additionally, the formation of the toxic intermediate NO2 was effectively suppressed during the reaction. Photoelectrochemical tests revealed that DCN-180 exhibited higher photocurrent density and smaller impedance radius compared to the untreated g-C3N4 sample. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the DCN-180 sample showed a stronger ability to adsorb O2 and NO. The enhanced photocatalytic NO oxidation performance of DCN-180 has been primarily attributed to its enlarged specific surface area (from 10.7 to 35.5 m2 g−1), local polarization effect, reduced interfacial charge transfer resistance, and improved adsorption abilities for NO and O2 molecules. This study provides valuable insights for designing and preparing highly efficient g-C3N4 based photocatalysts through surface modification for photocatalytic NO purification.

Inflammatory response toward a Mg-based metallic biomaterial implanted in a rat femur fracture model

The immune system plays an important role in fracture healing, by modulating the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses occurring instantly upon injury. An imbalance in these responses can lead to adverse outcomes, such as non-union of fractures. Implants are used to support and stabilize complex fractures. Biodegradable metallic implants offer the potential to avoid a second surgery for implant removal, unlike non-degradable implants. However, considering our dynamic immune system it is important to conduct in-depth studies on the immune response to these implants in living systems. In this study, we investigated the immune response to Mg and Mg-10Gd in vivo in a rat femur fracture model with external fixation. In vivo imaging using liposomal formulations was used to monitor the fluorescence-related inflammation over time. We combine ex vivo methods with our in vivo study to evaluate and understand the systemic and local effects of the implants on the immune response. We observed no significant local or systemic effects in the Mg-10Gd implanted group compared to the SHAM and Mg implanted groups over time. Our findings suggest that Mg-10Gd is a more compatible implant material than Mg, with no adverse effects observed in the early phase of fracture healing during our 4-week study. Statement of SignificanceDegradable metallic implants in form of Mg and Mg-10Gd intramedullary pins were assessed in a rat femur fracture model, alongside a non-implanted SHAM group with special respect to the potential to induce an inflammatory response. This pre-clinical study combines innovative non-invasive in vivo imaging techniques associated with multimodal, ex vivo cellular and molecular analytics. The study contributes to the development and evaluation of degradable biometals and their clinical application potential. The study results indicate that Mg-10Gd did not exhibit any significant harmful effects compared to the SHAM and Mg groups.

Inflammatory response toward a Mg-based metallic biomaterial implanted in a rat femur fracture model

The immune system plays an important role in fracture healing, by modulating the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses occurring instantly upon injury. An imbalance in these responses can lead to adverse outcomes, such as non-union of fractures. Implants are used to support and stabilize complex fractures. Biodegradable metallic implants offer the potential to avoid a second surgery for implant removal, unlike non-degradable implants. However, considering our dynamic immune system it is important to conduct in-depth studies on the immune response to these implants in living systems. In this study, we investigated the immune response to Mg and Mg-10Gd in vivo in a rat femur fracture model with external fixation. In vivo imaging using liposomal formulations was used to monitor the fluorescence-related inflammation over time. We combine ex vivo methods with our in vivo study to evaluate and understand the systemic and local effects of the implants on the immune response. We observed no significant local or systemic effects in the Mg-10Gd implanted group compared to the SHAM and Mg implanted groups over time. Our findings suggest that Mg-10Gd is a more compatible implant material than Mg, with no adverse effects observed in the early phase of fracture healing during our 4-week study. Statement of SignificanceDegradable metallic implants in form of Mg and Mg-10Gd intramedullary pins were assessed in a rat femur fracture model, alongside a non-implanted SHAM group with special respect to the potential to induce an inflammatory response. This pre-clinical study combines innovative non-invasive in vivo imaging techniques associated with multimodal, ex vivo cellular and molecular analytics. The study contributes to the development and evaluation of degradable biometals and their clinical application potential. The study results indicate that Mg-10Gd did not exhibit any significant harmful effects compared to the SHAM and Mg groups.

Epithelial Membrane Protein 2 (EMP2) Blockade Attenuates Pathological Neovascularization in Murine Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) results from postnatal hyperoxia exposure in premature infants and is characterized by aberrant neovascularization of retinal blood vessels. Epithelial membrane protein-2 (EMP2) regulates hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in the ARPE-19 cell line and genetic knock-out of Emp2 in a murine oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model attenuates neovascularization. We hypothesize that EMP2 blockade via intravitreal injection protects against neovascularization. Ex vivo choroid sprouting assay was performed, comparing media and human IgG controls versus anti-EMP2 antibody (Ab) treatment. In vivo, eyes from wild-type (WT) mice exposed to hyperoxia from postnatal (P) days 7 to 12 were treated with P12 intravitreal injections of control IgG or anti-EMP2 Abs. Neovascularization was assessed at P17 by flat mount imaging. Local and systemic effects of anti-EMP2 Ab treatment were assessed. Choroid sprouts treated with 30µg/mL of anti-EMP2 Ab demonstrated a 48% reduction in vessel growth compared to control IgG-treated sprouts. Compared to IgG-treated controls, WT OIR mice treated with 4µg/g of intravitreal anti-EMP2 Ab demonstrated a 42% reduction in neovascularization. They demonstrated down-regulation of retinal gene expression in pathways related to vasculature development and up-regulation in genes related to fatty acid oxidation and tricarboxylic acid cycle respiratory electron transport, compared to controls. Anti-EMP2 Ab-treated OIR mice did not exhibit gross retinal histologic abnormalities, vision transduction abnormalities, or weight loss. Our results suggest that EMP2 blockade could be a local and specific treatment modality for retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathies, without systemic adverse effects.

P-260 In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) using magnetotactic sperm cells and their prospects for assisted in vivo reproduction

Abstract Study question Are bovine Magnetotactic Sperm Cells (MSC) able to fertilize an oocyte in-vitro and Which would be the main requirements for translating this technology to in-vivo? Summary answer IVF using highly purified MSC result in embryo development until blastocyst stage. We demonstrate different alternatives to control multiple MSC, individually and as a swarm. What is known already Medical microrobots have appeared as the new generation of drug delivery vehicles. They are tiny devices in the order of a few micrometers, able to move in biological environments by different means, physical, chemical, or biohybrid. They are functionalized to deliver targeted therapies for drugs, cells, or other payloads. In assisted reproduction, sperm-hybrid microcarriers have been pioneered by our group, and various in vitro demonstrations have been done to assist sperm cells with motion deficiencies or low count and to deliver anticancer drugs for treating, for example, cervical and ovarian cancer, but so far in-vitro fertilization has never been shown. Study design, size, duration Experimental quantitative study design. A total of 520 bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were used for in vitro fertilization. The analyzed sample groups were using bovine frozen sperm cells, MSC, or by evaluating parthenogenetic activation. A power of 0.98 with an a-error of 0.05 was used for the IVF experiments. Sperm samples in the control as well as the micromotor groups have been analyzed for different sperm parameters. Participants/materials, setting, methods Bovine MSC are created by thawing frozen sperm cells and adding polystyrene microparticles. Different sperm parameters were evaluated to check the effects of the particles in the cells. After developing a purification method for the MSC, bovine ovaries were collected from a slaughterhouse nearby and, after in vitro maturation, were used for the IVF experiments. Ultrasound, and photoacoustic imaging setups with a set of electromagnets were employed for real-time manipulation and visualization of MSC. Main results and the role of chance Sperm viability was significantly higher in the MSC group compared to the control group 6h after formation (72.3 ± 5.0% vs 35.0 ± 4.1%), and after 24 hours, both viabilities decreased drastically to 16.6 ± 3.9% and 7.7 ± 1.7% respectively, probably a possible local antioxidant effect by the microparticles through the formation of a protein corona. In the case of motility, the MSC group presented significantly higher motility up to 6h (64.0 ± 1.5%), and in all the measured times, the motility of the MSC group was higher than the control group. Purification of the micromotor sample was performed, but an average of 63 free sperm was still on the MSC sample. IVF experiments were performed, and blastocyst development was observed in IVF control (2x106 sperm/ml), medium concentration (same concentration as MSC group), and the MSC groups (275.000 sperm/ml). No blastocyst formation was observed in the parthenogenetic, parthenogenetic + particles, and low-concentration groups (number of free sperm). The MSC group was significantly different in cleavage and blastocyst rates compared to the low concentration groups, with p-values of 0.04552 and 0.005865, respectively, which suggest that fertilization may have occurred by the micromotors instead by the free sperm in the sample. Limitations, reasons for caution More studies of these MSC in the different gynecological tissues and on embryo development are needed to ensure the safety of future human translation. In addition, developing a detection system for micromotors in deep tissue is needed to perform in vivo experiments. Wider implications of the findings MSC show an alternative to efficiently guide efficiently sperm cells in different biological environments and can be a promising alternative method for assisted fertilization, and the treatment of a variety of gynecological diseases. They can also be used as exploratory tools to learn more about sperm migration in-vivo, among others Trial registration number European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program No. 853609

Extended genome-wide association study employing the African genome resources panel identifies novel susceptibility loci for Alzheimer's disease in individuals of African ancestry.

Despite a two-fold risk, individuals of African ancestry have been underrepresented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) genomics efforts. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 2,903 AD cases and 6,265 controls of African ancestry. Within-dataset results were meta-analyzed, followed by functional genomics analyses. A novel AD-risk locus was identified in MPDZ on chromosome (chr) 9p23 (rs141610415, MAF=0.002, P=3.68×10-9). Two additional novel common and nine rare loci were identified with suggestive associations (P<9×10-7). Comparison of association and linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns between datasets with higher and lower degrees of African ancestry showed differential association patterns at chr12q23.2 (ASCL1), suggesting that this association is modulated by regional origin of local African ancestry. These analyses identified novel AD-associated loci in individuals of African ancestry and suggest that degree of African ancestry modulates some associations. Increased sample sets covering as much African genetic diversity as possible will be critical to identify additional loci and deconvolute local genetic ancestry effects. Genetic ancestry significantly impacts risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Although individuals of African ancestry are twice as likely to develop AD, they are vastly underrepresented in AD genomics studies. The Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Consortium has previously identified 16 common and rare genetic loci associated with AD in African American individuals. The current analyses significantly expand this effort by increasing the sample size and extending ancestral diversity by including populations from continental Africa. Single variant meta-analysis identified a novel genome-wide significant AD-risk locus in individuals of African ancestry at the MPDZ gene, and 11 additional novel loci with suggestive genome-wide significance at P<9×10-7. Comparison of African American datasets with samples of higher degree of African ancestry demonstrated differing patterns of association and linkage disequilibrium at one of these loci, suggesting that degree and/or geographic origin of African ancestry modulates the effect at this locus. These findings illustrate the importance of increasing number and ancestral diversity of African ancestry samples in AD genomics studies to fully disentangle the genetic architecture underlying AD, and yield more effective ancestry-informed genetic screening tools and therapeutic interventions.

Prostate tissue ablation and drug delivery by an image-guided injectable ionic liquid in ex vivo and in vivo models.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are often associated with lower urinary tract symptoms, which can severely affect patient quality of life. To address this challenge, we developed and optimized an injectable compound, prostate ablation and drug delivery agent (PADA), for percutaneous prostate tissue ablation and concurrently delivered therapeutic agents. PADA is an ionic liquid composed of choline and geranic acid mixed with anticancer therapeutics and a contrast agent. The PADA formulation was optimized for mechanical properties compatible with hand injection, diffusion capability, cytotoxicity against prostate cells, and visibility of an x-ray contrast agent. PADA also exhibited antibacterial properties against highly resistant clinically isolated bacteria in vitro. Ultrasound-guided injection, dispersion of PADA in the tissue, and tissue ablation were tested ex vivo in healthy porcine, canine, and human prostates and in freshly resected human tumors. In vivo testing was conducted in a murine subcutaneous tumor model and in the canine prostate. In all models, PADA decreased the number of viable cells in the region of dispersion and supported the delivery of nivolumab throughout a portion of the tissue. In canine survival experiments, there were no adverse events and no impact on urination. The injection approach was easy to perform under ultrasound guidance and produced a localized effect with a favorable safety profile. These findings suggest that PADA is a promising therapeutic prostate ablation strategy to treat lower urinary tract symptoms.

Mass Spectrometry of Collagen-Containing Allogeneic Human Bone Tissue Material.

The current paper highlights the active development of tissue engineering in the field of the biofabrication of living tissue analogues through 3D-bioprinting technology. The implementation of the latter is impossible without important products such as bioinks and their basic components, namely, hydrogels. In this regard, tissue engineers are searching for biomaterials to produce hydrogels with specified properties both in terms of their physical, mechanical and chemical properties and in terms of local biological effects following implantation into an organism. One of such effects is the provision of the optimal conditions for physiological reparative regeneration by the structural components that form the basis of the biomaterial. Therefore, qualitative assessment of the composition of the protein component of a biomaterial is a significant task in tissue engineering and bioprinting. It is important for predicting the behaviour of printed constructs in terms of their gradual resorption followed by tissue regeneration due to the formation of a new extracellular matrix. One of the most promising natural biomaterials with significant potential in the production of hydrogels and the bioinks based on them is the polymer collagen of allogeneic origin, which plays an important role in maintaining the structural and biological integrity of the extracellular matrix, as well as in the morphogenesis and cellular metabolism of tissues, giving them the required mechanical and biochemical properties. In tissue engineering, collagen is widely used as a basic biomaterial because of its availability, biocompatibility and facile combination with other materials. This manuscript presents the main results of a mass spectrometry analysis (proteomic assay) of the lyophilized hydrogel produced from the registered Lyoplast® bioimplant (allogeneic human bone tissue), which is promising in the field of biotechnology. Proteomic assays of the investigated lyophilized hydrogel sample showed the presence of structural proteins (six major collagen fibers of types I, II, IV, IX, XXVII, XXVIII were identified), extracellular matrix proteins, and mRNA-stabilizing proteins, which participate in the regulation of transcription, as well as inducer proteins that mediate the activation of regeneration, including the level of circadian rhythm. The research results offer a new perspective and indicate the significant potential of the lyophilized hydrogels as an effective alternative to synthetic and xenogeneic materials in regenerative medicine, particularly in the field of biotechnology, acting as a matrix and cell-containing component of bioinks for 3D bioprinting.

Bone: A Neglected Endocrine Organ?

Bone has traditionally been viewed in the context of its structural contribution to the human body. Foremost providing necessary support for mobility, its roles in supporting calcium homeostasis and blood cell production are often afterthoughts. Recent research has further shed light on the ever-multifaceted role of bone and its importance not only for structure, but also as a complex endocrine organ producing hormones responsible for the autoregulation of bone metabolism. Osteocalcin is one of the most important substances produced in bone tissue. Osteocalcin in circulation increases insulin secretion and sensitivity, lowers blood glucose, and decreases visceral adipose tissue. In males, it has also been shown to enhance testosterone production by the testes. Neuropeptide Y is produced by various cell types including osteocytes and osteoblasts, and there is evidence suggesting that peripheral NPY is important for regulation of bone formation. Hormonal disorders are often associated with abnormal levels of bone turnover markers. These include commonly used bone formation markers (bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and procollagen I N-propeptide) and commonly used resorption markers (serum C-telopeptides of type I collagen, urinary N-telopeptides of type I collagen, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase type 5b). Bone, however, is not exclusively comprised of osseous tissue. Bone marrow adipose tissue, an endocrine organ often compared to visceral adipose tissue, is found between trabecula in the bone cortex. It secretes a diverse range of hormones, lipid species, cytokines, and other factors to exert diverse local and systemic effects.

Multi-physical field coupling modeling of microwave heating and reduction behavior of zinc oxide

Microwave heating provides a cleaner pyrometallurgical method for separating zinc from electric arc furnace dust (EAFD, a solid waste generated during steel production with excellent dielectric properties). Despite its undisputed heating efficiency, the impact of microwave heating characteristics on the zinc removal process from EAFD remains unclear. This paper focuses on ZnO, one of the primary components of EAFD, and develops an electromagnetic-thermal-chemical reaction model to analyze the effects of microwave power and graphite addition on heating behavior, reduction reactions, field distributions, and reaction kinetics. The results indicate that the heat generated from the interaction between microwaves and materials exhibits inherent non-uniformity, leading to the localized thermal effect and making the error of general temperature measurement methods. Increasing microwave power and adding graphite enhance heating efficiency and promote the reduction reaction but also result in significant internal-external temperature disparity and worse temperature distribution. At 1000 W, with 1.2 times the stoichiometric amount of graphite addition, the temperature measurement error reaches approximately 200 °C, potentially affecting the kinetic results to a certain degree. The non-isothermal kinetics results from simulations indicate that the localized thermal region exhibits a lower average activation energy of 47.5 kJ/mol compared to experimental results, suggesting that the lower activation energy of the ZnO reduction reaction during microwave heating is primarily caused by the localized thermal effect rather than the non-thermal effect. Additionally, in the energy distribution, the higher proportion of return loss during heating underscores the importance of a well-designed microwave heating system.

Limitations of recent cellulose studies: How overzealous dispersion technique, fluorescence labeling and interpretation limit the findings of recent safety assessments for cellulose materials

Microfibrillated, nanofibrillated, and nanocrystalline cellulose materials are next-generation biobased cellulose materials with applications in the food industry as food contact materials and functional ingredients. Manufacturers have adopted a proactive approach to demonstrate the safety of these cellulose materials as they contribute toward a more sustainable economy. Animal studies and alternative testing approaches are needed to fill data gaps in the literature for the physicochemical and toxicological characterization of cellulose materials. Recently, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) funded a project that used New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to assess the hazards of nanofibers, including methods to evaluate simulated gastrointestinal digestion, cellular uptake, local effects via simulated oral exposure, and gut-on-a-chip toxicity models. Upon review, we identified methodological and analytical limitations in these studies, which may affect the study conclusions that oral exposure to cellulose materials is associated with adverse effects. The aim of this Short Communication is to discuss the limitations of the reported findings in the NAM study and provide a balanced perspective of the study and of the safety of cellulose materials. This Short Communication highlights a major concern that the NAM study was published in the public domain without any peer review from cellulose experts. We identify and discuss several major limitations, including an unrealistic dispersion method, lack of controls in fluorescent labeling, lack of proper control groups in the experimental design, incomplete reporting of statistical analyses, bias toward reporting adverse effects, and inconsistent explanations of discordant results within the greater scientific literature.

Unsupervised gas pipeline network leakage detection method based on improved graph deviation network

Historical data has shown that the natural gas pipeline network, as a critical urban lifeline system, is susceptible to disasters such as earthquakes resulting in leakage. Graph neural network modeling provides frontier rapid detection solutions for pipeline leakage; however, the challenges of collecting gas network anomaly data for training limit the precision and robustness of current model. This research proposes an unsupervised gas leakage detection and localization method based on a contained preprocessing process, with a graph deviation model that combines a structural learning approach with a graph neural network to model the spatial dependence of the sensors based on an attention mechanism, and variational inference models the posterior distributions of the hyper-parameters to optimize the model and improve the model precision. Meanwhile, in the preprocessing stage, the automatic optimization strategy of Northern Goshawk Optimization (NGO) for the best parameters K and ɑ in the Variable Mode Decomposition (VMD) efficiently extracts the valid signals and ensures that the model gives full play to the detection and localization effectiveness. The gas pipeline network dataset constructed by Pipeline Studio was used for comparing the performance of the model in this study with other frontier models. The results demonstrate that the model in this research has competitive detection Precision (93.31%), Recall (70.82%), and F1-score (0.81), and the posterior distribution of the model parameters strengthens the gas leakage localization precision, which provides a comprehensive solution for subsequent decision-making and reduces the hidden hazard of leakage effectively.

Cardiomyocyte crosstalk with endothelium modulates cardiac structure, function, and ischemia-reperfusion injury susceptibility through erythropoietin.

Erythropoietin (EPO) exerts non-canonical roles beyond erythropoiesis that are developmentally, structurally, and physiologically relevant for the heart as a paracrine factor. The role for paracrine EPO signalling and cellular crosstalk in the adult is uncertain. Here, we provided novel evidence showing cardiomyocyte restricted loss of function in Epo in adult mice induced hyper-compensatory increases in Epo expression by adjacent cardiac endothelial cells via HIF-2α independent mechanisms. These hearts showed concentric cellular hypertrophy, elevated contractility and relaxation, and greater resistance to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Voluntary exercise capacity compared to control hearts was improved independent of any changes to whole-body metabolism or blood O2 content or delivery (i.e., hematocrit). Our findings suggest cardiac EPO had a localized effect within the normoxic heart, which was regulated by cell-specific EPO-reciprocity between cardiomyocytes and endothelium. Within the heart, hyper-compensated endothelial Epo expression was accompanied by elevated Vegfr1 and Vegfb RNA, that upon pharmacological pan-inhibition of VEGF-VEGFR signaling, resulted in a paradoxical upregulation in whole-heart Epo. Thus, we provide the first evidence that a novel EPO-EPOR/VEGF-VEGFR axis exists to carefully mediate cardiac homeostasis via cardiomyocyte-endothelial EPO crosstalk.

Shadow removal method for high-resolution aerial remote sensing images based on region group matching

Shadow removal is a critical step in preprocessing high-resolution aerial remote sensing images. The presence of shadows reduces the information in high-resolution aerial remote sensing images, lowers the image quality, and seriously interferes with the work of feature classification, object detection, and information extraction. Therefore, this paper proposes a high-resolution aerial remote sensing image shadow removal method based on region group matching. The method starts from both spatial information and color information, and is able to take into account the whole and the local, and recover the detailed features of different features inside the shadows. Firstly, this paper proposes an irregular region color transfer method based on three-dimensional color space, which can effectively restore the original color and texture information of the features in the shadow region. Secondly, considering the random and variable direction of feature distribution in remote sensing images, the direction of texture feature extraction cannot be set in advance. Therefore, in this paper, the texture details of the features are extracted based on the rotationally invariant light-independent texture feature extraction method to exclude the abnormal interference. Then, the shadow and light regions of the image are segmented internally and grouped according to the type of features to avoid subsequent matching anomalies due to the small size of the image blocks. Next, construct an average texture feature vector for each group of image blocks for grouping matching. The matched light groups are then used to guide the shadow groups for local feature information enhancement, which ensures that on top of the overall shadow removal, the detail recovery of different local features is enhanced. Finally, for the boundary effect after shadow removal, a boundary optimization method with dynamically assigned weights is proposed, which can ensure the natural coherence of the resultant image in the boundary part. The experimental results show that the proposed method balances both overall and local shadow removal effects and can effectively achieve high-resolution aerial remote sensing image shadow removal. Compared with existing methods, the proposed method achieves the best quality of shadow removal results and restores more realistic ground features in shadow region.

Searching for Evidence of Subchromospheric Magnetic Reconnection on the Sun

Within the coronae of stars, abundances of those elements with low first ionization potential (FIP) often differ from their photospheric values. The coronae of the Sun and solar-type stars mostly show enhancements of low-FIP elements (the FIP effect) while more active stars such as M dwarfs have coronae generally characterized by the inverse-FIP (I-FIP) effect. Highly localized regions of I-FIP effect solar plasma have been observed by Hinode's EUV Imaging Spectrometer in a number of highly complex active regions (ARs), usually around strong light bridges of the umbrae of coalescing/merging sunspots. These observations can be interpreted in the context of the ponderomotive force fractionation model, which predicts that plasma with I-FIP effect composition is created by the refraction of waves coming from below the plasma fractionation region in the chromosphere. A plausible source of these waves is thought to be reconnection in the (high-plasma-β) subchromospheric magnetic field. In this study, we use the 3D visualization technique of Chintzoglou & Zhang combined with observations of localized I-FIP effect in the corona of AR 11504 to identify potential sites of such reconnection and its possible consequences in the solar atmosphere. We found subtle signatures of episodic heating and reconnection outflows in the expected places, in between magnetic flux tubes forming a light bridge, within the photosphere of the AR. Furthermore, on either side of the light bridge, we observed small antiparallel horizontal magnetic field components, supporting the possibility of reconnection occurring where we observe I-FIP plasma. When taken together with the I-FIP effect observations, these subtle signatures provide a compelling case for indirect observational evidence of reconnection below the fractionation layer of the chromosphere, however direct evidence remains elusive.

Enhanced removal of methylene blue and procion deep red H-EXL dyes from aqueous environments by modified-bentonite: Isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic

This study aims to enhance local bentonite's effectiveness in removing methylene blue and procion deep red dyes from aqueous media through organic modification with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant. Raw and modified bentonites were analyzed using XRF, XRD, FTIR, BET/BJH, and DSC techniques. The modified bentonite showed a crystalline structure and mesoporous morphology with a heterogeneous surface. Optimal adsorption conditions for MB dye were 0.2 g adsorbent dose, 60 min contact time, 60 mg/L initial concentration, and pH 8, achieving a maximum sorption capacity of 6.418 mg/g. For PDR dye, optimal conditions were a 0.125 g adsorbent dose, 40 mg/L initial concentration, 30 min contact time, and acidic pH, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 8.503 mg/g. Isotherm analysis indicated the Langmuir model best fits the adsorption data, suggesting a mono-layer adsorption process. Kinetic investigations revealed that the adsorption follows a pseudo-second-order model, indicating a chemisorption mechanism. Thermodynamic results showed exothermic adsorption for MB and endothermic adsorption for PDR. This work highlights the potential of surfactant-modified bentonite as a cost-effective sorbent for treating polluted aqueous systems, effectively removing both cationic and anionic dyes.