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Nature Communications Jun 2024Nanoscale flows of liquids can be revealed in various biological processes and underlie a wide range of nanofluidic applications. Though the integral characteristics of...
Nanoscale flows of liquids can be revealed in various biological processes and underlie a wide range of nanofluidic applications. Though the integral characteristics of these systems, such as permeability and effective diffusion coefficient, can be measured in experiments, the behaviour of the flows within nanochannels is still a matter of speculation. Herein, we used a combination of quadrupolar solid-state NMR spectroscopy, computer simulation, and dynamic vapour sorption measurements to analyse water diffusion inside peptide nanochannels. We detected a helical water flow coexisting with a conventional axial flow that are independent of each other, immiscible, and associated with diffusion coefficients that may differ up to 3 orders of magnitude. The trajectory of the helical flow is dictated by the screw-like distribution of ionic groups within the channel walls, while its flux is governed by external water vapour pressure. Similar flows may occur in other types of nanochannels containing helicoidally distributed ionic groups and be exploited in various nanofluidic lab-on-a-chip devices.
PubMed: 38951494
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49878-7 -
Selection of an alternate cementitious mortar using ceramic tile dust waste: a hybrid MCDM approach.Environmental Science and Pollution... Jul 2024Selection of a suitable alternative material from a pool of alternatives with many conflicting criteria becomes a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem. In the...
Selection of a suitable alternative material from a pool of alternatives with many conflicting criteria becomes a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem. In the present study, ternary blended mortars were prepared using ceramic tile dust waste (CTD), fly ash (FA), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as binder components. Crusher dust (CD) was used as a fine aggregate component. Binder to aggregate ratios of 1:3 and 1:1 were prepared considering suitable flow. A total of 16 mortar mixes were cast. These mortars were tested for various conflicting criteria compressive strength, flexural strength, porosity, water absorption, bulk density, thermal conductivity, specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and thermal effusivity whose weightages obtained were 29.09%, 20.08%, 12.77%, 10.60%, 8.74%, 6.74%, 5.54%, 4.47%, and 1.97%, respectively, as per AHP analysis. Later, considering these different criteria and alternate mortars, it was observed that a 1:1 mortar with 20% CTD, 30% FA, and 50% GGBFS (RC20F30G50) is found to be the suitable mortar with the highest relative closeness coefficient of 0.861 and the highest net outranking flow of 0.316 with respect to MCDM techniques: technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations (PROMETHEE-II), respectively. The ranking of the mortar in both methods complies with the relative weightages of the criteria and the performance of the mortars with respect to the above criteria.
PubMed: 38951398
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34130-y -
Journal of Human Genetics Jul 2024Heterozygous transmembrane protein 63A (TMEM63A) variants cause transient infantile hypomyelinating leukodystrophy-19, which features remarkable natural resolution of...
Heterozygous transmembrane protein 63A (TMEM63A) variants cause transient infantile hypomyelinating leukodystrophy-19, which features remarkable natural resolution of clinical and imaging findings during childhood. Previous reports have mainly described de novo variants lacking detailed familial cases. Herein, we describe the clinical course of familial cases with a TMEM63A variant. A 5-month-old girl presented with nystagmus, global hypotonia, and difficulty swallowing since birth. Brain magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 and 5 months revealed diffuse hypomyelination. Her mother, maternal aunt, and grandfather had nystagmus and motor developmental delays in infancy, which resolved spontaneously during childhood. Compared with these cases, the proband's motor developmental delay was profound, and she was the only one with feeding difficulties, necessitating nasogastric tube feeding. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous TMEM63A variant (NM_014698.3:c.1658G>A, p.(Gly553Asp)) in the proband and her family. This is the first three-generation familial report of a TMEM63A variant that provides insight into its history and heterogeneity.
PubMed: 38951194
DOI: 10.1038/s10038-024-01268-z -
NPJ Parkinson's Disease Jun 2024In Parkinson's disease (PD), GBA1- and LRRK2-mutations are associated with different clinical phenotypes which might be related to differential involvement of the...
In Parkinson's disease (PD), GBA1- and LRRK2-mutations are associated with different clinical phenotypes which might be related to differential involvement of the cholinergic system. We investigated cholinergic integrity in 149 asymptomatic GBA1 and 169 asymptomatic LRRK2 mutation carriers, 112 LRRK2 and 60 GBA1 carriers with PD, 492 idiopathic PD, and 180 controls from the PPMI cohort. Basal forebrain volumes were extracted and white matter pathways from nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) to cortex and from pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) to thalamus were assessed with a free water-corrected DTI model. Bayesian ANCOVAs were conducted for group comparisons and Bayesian linear mixed models to assess associations with cognitive decline. Basal forebrain volumes were increased in asymptomatic GBA1 (Bayes Factor against the null hypothesis (BF) = 75.2) and asymptomatic LRRK2 (BF = 57.0) compared to controls. Basal forebrain volumes were increased in LRRK2- compared to GBA1-PD (BF = 14.5) and idiopathic PD (BF = 3.6*10), with no difference between idiopathic PD and PD-GBA1 (BF = 0.25). Mean diffusivity along the medial NBM pathway was decreased in asymptomatic GBA1 compared to controls (BF = 30.3). Over 5 years, idiopathic PD and PD-GBA1 declined across all cognitive domains whereas PD-LRRK2 patients only declined in processing speed. We found an interaction between basal forebrain volume and time in predicting multiple cognitive domains in idiopathic PD and PD-GBA1, but not in PD-LRRK2. While LRRK2 and GBA1 mutations are both associated with increased basal forebrain volume at asymptomatic stages, this increase persists at the symptomatic PD stage only in LRRK2 and might be related to slower cognitive decline in these patients.
PubMed: 38951174
DOI: 10.1038/s41531-024-00743-w -
Scientific Reports Jul 2024Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics and tractography can be biased due to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and systematic errors resulting from image artifacts and...
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics and tractography can be biased due to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and systematic errors resulting from image artifacts and imperfections in magnetic field gradients. The imperfections include non-uniformity and nonlinearity, effects caused by eddy currents, and the influence of background and imaging gradients. We investigated the impact of systematic errors on DTI metrics of an isotropic phantom and DTI metrics and tractography of a rat brain measured at high resolution. We tested denoising and Gibbs ringing removal methods combined with the B matrix spatial distribution (BSD) method for magnetic field gradient calibration. The results showed that the performance of the BSD method depends on whether Gibbs ringing is removed and the effectiveness of stochastic error removal. Region of interest (ROI)-based analysis of the DTI metrics showed that, depending on the size of the ROI and its location in space, correction methods can remove systematic bias to varying degrees. The preprocessing pipeline proposed and dedicated to this type of data together with the BSD method resulted in an even - 90% decrease in fractional anisotropy (FA) (globally and locally) in the isotropic phantom and - 45% in the rat brain. The largest global changes in the rat brain tractogram compared to the standard method without preprocessing (sDTI) were noticed after denoising. The direction of the first eigenvector obtained from DTI after denoising, Gibbs ringing removal and BSD differed by an average of 56 and 10 degrees in the ROI from sDTI and from sDTI after denoising and Gibbs ringing removal, respectively. The latter can be identified with the amount of improvement in tractography due to the elimination of systematic errors related to imperfect magnetic field gradients. Based on the results, the systematic bias for high resolution data mainly depended on SNR, but the influence of non-uniform gradients could also be seen. After denoising, the BSD method was able to further correct both the metrics and tractography of the diffusion tensor in the rat brain by taking into account the actual distribution of magnetic field gradients independent of the examined object and uniquely dependent on the scanner and sequence. This means that in vivo studies are also subject to this type of errors, which should be taken into account when processing such data.
Topics: Animals; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Rats; Brain; Signal-To-Noise Ratio; Phantoms, Imaging; Artifacts; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Anisotropy; Male
PubMed: 38951163
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66076-z -
Scientific Reports Jul 2024Plant growth and high yields are secured by intensive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, which, however, pollutes the environment, especially when N is in the form of...
Plant growth and high yields are secured by intensive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, which, however, pollutes the environment, especially when N is in the form of nitrate. Ammonium is oxidized to nitrate by nitrifiers, but roots can release biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs). Under what conditions does root-exudation of BNIs facilitate nitrogen N uptake and reduce pollution by N loss to the environment? We modeled the spatial-temporal dynamics of nitrifiers, ammonium, nitrate, and BNIs around a root and simulated root N uptake and net rhizosphere N loss over the plant's life cycle. We determined the sensitivity of N uptake and loss to variations in the parameter values, testing a broad range of soil-plant-microbial conditions, including concentrations, diffusion, sorption, nitrification, population growth, and uptake kinetics. An increase in BNI exudation reduces net N loss and, under most conditions, increases plant N uptake. BNIs decrease uptake in the case of (1) low ammonium concentrations, (2) high ammonium adsorption to the soil, (3) rapid nitrate- or slow ammonium uptake by the plant, and (4) a slowly growing or (5) fast-declining nitrifier population. Bactericidal inhibitors facilitate uptake more than bacteriostatic ones. Some nitrification, however, is necessary to maximize uptake by both ammonium and nitrate transporter systems. An increase in BNI exudation should be co-selected with improved ammonium uptake. BNIs can reduce N uptake, which may explain why not all species exude BNIs but have a generally positive effect on the environment by increasing rhizosphere N retention.
Topics: Nitrification; Nitrogen; Plant Roots; Soil Microbiology; Nitrates; Plants; Ammonium Compounds; Soil; Rhizosphere; Fertilizers
PubMed: 38951138
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65247-2 -
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces... Jul 2024A critical constraint impeding the utilization of Mn-based oxide catalysts in NH selective catalytic reduction (NH-SCR) is their inadequate resistance to water and...
A critical constraint impeding the utilization of Mn-based oxide catalysts in NH selective catalytic reduction (NH-SCR) is their inadequate resistance to water and sulfur. This vulnerability primarily arises from the propensity of SO to bind to the acidic site in manganese oxide, resulting in the formation of metal sulfate and leading to the irreversible deactivation of the catalyst. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the detrimental impact of SO on the acidic sites and elucidating the underlying mechanism of this toxicity are of paramount importance for the effective application of Mn-based catalysts in NH-SCR. Herein, we strategically modulate the acidity of the manganese oxide catalyst surface through the incorporation of Ce and Nb. Comprehensive analyses, including thermogravimetry, NH temperature-programmed desorption, diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations, reveal that SO exhibits a propensity for adsorption at strongly acidic sites. This mechanistic understanding underscores the pivotal role of surface acidity in governing the sulfur resistance of manganese oxide.
PubMed: 38951117
DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c01289 -
Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua... Apr 2024The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of polyphyllin Ⅶ (PP Ⅶ) on proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PLBCL)...
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of polyphyllin Ⅶ (PP Ⅶ) on proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PLBCL) cell lines U2932 and SUDHL-4. The DLBCL cell lines were divided into a control group and a PPⅦ group, and experiments were conducted using MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting.Results showed that compared with the control group, PPⅦ significantly inhibited the proliferation of U2932 and SUDHL-4 cells (<0.05). Apoptosis assays demonstrated that treatment with 0.50 and 1.00 µmol/L PP Ⅶ significantly increased the apoptosis rates of both cell lines (<0.05), upregulated apoptosis-related proteins, and downregulated Bcl-2 protein level (<0.05). Cell cycle analysis revealed that PPⅦ treatment led to an increase in G0/G1-phase cells (<0.05) and a decrease in G2/M-phase cells (<0.05), significantly downregulated cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6, and survivin protein expression (<0.05). In conclusion, PPⅦ exerted anti-lymphoma effects by inhibiting proliferation, promoting apoptosis, and inducing G0/G1 phase arrest in DLBCL cells.
Topics: Humans; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Apoptosis; Cell Proliferation; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Cycle; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Diosgenin; Cyclin D1; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4
PubMed: 38951069
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn121090-20230831-00099 -
Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua... Apr 2024The general population in China is aging, and thus the number of older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) will continue to increase. Individualized...
The general population in China is aging, and thus the number of older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) will continue to increase. Individualized treatment is required to maximize therapeutic potential while minimizing the risk of toxicity. To improve the diagnosis and treatment of DLBCL in older people in China, the Lymphocyte Disease Group of the Hematology Division of the Chinese Medical Association and Lymphoma Expert Commitee of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) have organized relevant experts to formulate this consensus.
Topics: Humans; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Aged; China; Consensus
PubMed: 38951058
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn121090-20231228-00343 -
The Journal of Rheumatology Jul 2024Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma (ssSSc), formally described in 1962, is a subset of SSc which, unlike limited (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous (dcSSc) forms, lacks skin...
OBJECTIVE
Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma (ssSSc), formally described in 1962, is a subset of SSc which, unlike limited (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous (dcSSc) forms, lacks skin fibrosis. According to the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria, SSc can be diagnosed in the absence of skin thickening, even if this is expected to develop later in disease course. Driven by a fatal case of ssSSc with cardiac involvement, we analysed published data on ssSSc prevalence and severity.
METHODS
A systematic literature review and qualitative synthesis of SSc cohorts with data on ssSSc was performed.
RESULTS
Thirty-five studies on a total of 25,455 SSc patients published between 1976 and 2023 were identified. The mean prevalence of ssSSc, albeit using different definitions, was almost 10% (range 0-23%), with the largest study reporting a cross-sectional prevalence of 13%. In 5 studies with a follow-up period of up to 9 years, reclassification of ssSSc into lcSSc or dcSSc ranged from 0% to 28%. Interstitial lung disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, scleroderma renal crisis, and cardiac diastolic dysfunction were present in 46% (range 9.3-59.1%), 15% (range 5.9-24.6%), 5% (range 1.6-24.6%), and 26.5% (range 1.8-40.7%) of ssSSc patients, respectively. Survival across studies was comparable to lcSSc and better than dcSSc.
CONCLUSION
Published data on ssSSc vary widely regarding prevalence, clinical expression and prognosis partly due to underdiagnosis and misclassification. Although classification criteria should not impact appropriate management of patients, updated ssSSc subclassification criteria, which will take into account time from disease onset, should be considered.
PubMed: 38950948
DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2023-1113