To identify and quantify the three distinct retinal capillary plexuses and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in healthy subjects according to age using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) ...with novel projection artifact removal (PAR) software and improved segmentation.
All eyes in this cross-sectional study underwent OCTA imaging using RTVue XR Avanti with novel PAR AngioVue software. OCTA scans were analyzed and the three main parafoveal retinal capillary plexuses were segmented and vessel density and FAZ area were calculated.
A total of 152 normal eyes from 95 subjects (39 males, 56 females, mean age 42 ± 25 years) were included. The mean vessel density was 15.48 ± 2.04 mm-1 in the superficial retinal capillary plexus (SCP), 15.28 ± 1.82 mm-1 in the intermediate retinal capillary plexus (ICP), and 16.33 ± 2.32 mm-1 in the deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) for 3 × 3-mm OCTA images. Analysis of 3 × 3-mm scans yielded a mean FAZ area of 0.270 ± 0.101 mm2. The average reduction in vessel density per year of age with 3 × 3-mm OCTA scans was 0.04 mm-1 (0.22%) in the SCP, 0.05 mm-1 (0.27%) in the ICP, and 0.06 mm-1 (0.30%) in the DCP. The average increase in FAZ area per year of age was 0.0015 mm2 (0.72%).
Novel PAR software may provide improved visualization of all three major parafoveal retinal capillary plexuses including the ICP. Using this technology, SCP, ICP, and DCP vessel density decreased with increasing age while FAZ area increased with age.
Capturing anthropogenic CO2 in a cost-effective and highly efficient manner is one of the most challenging issues faced by scientists today. Herein, we report a novel structure-reforming approach to ...convert steel slag, a cheap, abundant, and nontoxic calcium-rich industrial waste, as the only feedstock into superior CaO-based, self-stabilizing CO2 sorbents. The CO2 capture capacity of all the steel slag-derived sorbents was improved more than 10-fold compared to the raw slag, with the maximum uptake of CO2 achieving at 0.50 gCO2 gsorbent –1. Additionally, the initial steel slag-derived sorbent could retain 0.25 gCO2 gsorbent –1, that is, a decay rate of only 12% over 30 carbonation–calcination cycles, the excellent self-stabilizing property allowed it to significantly outperform conventional CaO, and match with most of the existing synthetic CaO-based sorbents. A synergistic effect that facilitated CO2 capture by CaO-based sorbents was clearly recognized when Mg and Al, the most common elements in steel slag, coexisted with CaO in the forms of MgO and Al2O3, respectively. During the calcium looping process, MgO served as a well spacer to increase the porosity of sorbents together with Al2O3 serving as a durable stabilizer to coresist the sintering of CaCO3 grains at high temperatures.
Full text
Available for:
IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
•We tested the influence of PEI types and molecular weight on CO2 sorption capacity.•The preference of different PEIs to form urea with CO2 was investigated.•The volatilization and leaching behavior ...of different PEIs was estimated.•We measured the CO2 sorption and regeneration heat of different PEIs.•The influence of moisture on PEI-silica sorbents was preliminarily investigated.
Amine–silica adsorbents are considered alternatives to aqueous solutions of amines, which have been traditionally used to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from flue gas. Among amine–silica adsorbents, polyethyleneimine (PEI)-silica is particularly effective at capturing CO2 from flue gas due to its high thermal stability. In this study, we investigated the influence of PEI type (i.e. branched vs. linear) and molecular weight on the CO2 capture performance of PEI-silica adsorbents. PEI molecular weight influenced the thermal stability of PEI-silica adsorbents; however, when the molecular weight was ⩾1200Da the increase in stability was negligible in the temperature range of 25–160°C. Branched PEIs (BPEIs) achieved higher CO2 saturated sorption capacities compared to linear PEIs (LPEIs); however, LPEIs were more stable than BPEIs during CO2 sorption–desorption cycling. PEI molecular weight also influenced the CO2 saturated sorption capacity; CO2 saturated sorption capacity decreased as PEI molecular weight increased, and among the adsorbents tested in this study BPEI/800-silica had the highest CO2 saturated sorption capacity (202mg CO2/g adsorbent). Both PEI type and molecular weight exhibited influence on the sorption or desorption heat of PEI-silica adsorbents. The CO2 regeneration heat was much lower than that of MEA solution for all PEI-silica adsorbents tested in this study.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The xeroderma pigmentosum C (XPC) complex initiates nucleotide excision repair by recognizing DNA lesions before recruiting downstream factors. How XPC detects structurally diverse lesions embedded ...within normal DNA is unknown. Here we present a crystal structure that captures the yeast XPC orthologue (Rad4) on a single register of undamaged DNA. The structure shows that a disulphide-tethered Rad4 flips out normal nucleotides and adopts a conformation similar to that seen with damaged DNA. Contrary to many DNA repair enzymes that can directly reject non-target sites as structural misfits, our results suggest that Rad4/XPC uses a kinetic gating mechanism whereby lesion selectivity arises from the kinetic competition between DNA opening and the residence time of Rad4/XPC per site. This mechanism is further supported by measurements of Rad4-induced lesion-opening times using temperature-jump perturbation spectroscopy. Kinetic gating may be a general mechanism used by site-specific DNA-binding proteins to minimize time-consuming interrogations of non-target sites.
Display omitted
•FeO/Fe2O3 redox and CaO/CaCO3 calcination cycles are coupled for an auto-thermal CO2 capture.•The highly exothermic oxidation of FeO drives the energy-intensive CaCO3 calcination ...reaction.•The material developed exhibits a stable cyclic CO2 uptake and appreciably reduced net heat demand.•The combined Ca–Fe chemical loop proposed is promising for CO2 capture from iron and steel industry.
We report an integrated CO2 capture process to manufacture iron and steel with low CO2 emissions from steel-making plants over a CaO-based, Fe-functionalized CO2 sorbent. This new process relies on a combined Ca–Fe chemical loop, where the exothermic oxidation of FeO provides the heat (or fractions of it) required to drive the endothermic decomposition of CaCO3. A key advantage of coupling a FeO/Fe2O3 redox cycle and a CaO/CaCO3 CO2 capture cycle within the as-prepared materials is that the heat could be transferred from FeO to CaCO3 directly at a molecular level. All materials synthesized require an appreciably reduced net heat, i.e. a decrease of 26–43%, for CaCO3 decomposition during the combined Ca–Fe looping when compared with conventional calcium looping. Importantly, materials CaFe-CA1EG1-pH1, CaFe-CA1EG1-pH2, and CaFe-CA1EG1-pH3 exhibit a fairly stable cyclic CO2 uptake of ∼0.16gCO2gsorbent−1 throughout 10 realistic combined Ca–Fe looping cycles. The medium capacity but excellent stability for CO2 capture of the CO2 sorbents makes them a promising alternative of naturally-derived, CaO-based materials, especially for the combined Ca–Fe chemical loop proposed. Using steel slag as feedstock, the material developed is very promising for CO2 abatement from the iron and steel industry accompanied by the recycling of CaO and Fe2O3 components in spent sorbents and recovery of energy from process gases.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
To assess the microvascular response of type 3 neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy using optical ...coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).
Consecutive patients diagnosed with AMD and type 3 neovascularisation based on clinical examination, structural optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography when available were retrospectively evaluated. En face OCTA imaging (3×3 mm scans) with quantitative microvascular analysis was performed at baseline and after a single anti-VEGF intravitreal injection.
17 eyes of 14 patients underwent OCTA before and after anti-VEGF treatment. OCTA demonstrated significant regression of small calibre type 3 neovascular tufts in all eyes. Median lesion area was 0.061 mm
(range 0.003-0.198 mm
) at baseline and 0.009 mm
(range 0-0.085 mm
, p=0.0003) at follow-up. Cystoid macular oedema and/or subretinal fluid resolved in all cases after treatment. The type 3 lesions became undetectable with OCTA post-treatment in 5 of the 17 eyes. However, in 11 eyes, large feeder vessels were identified and remained unchanged after treatment.
The microvascular morphology of type 3 neovascularisation secondary to AMD was assessed at baseline and follow-up and showed significant regression in response to anti-VEGF therapy by OCTA. Quantitative OCTA analysis was also performed and confirmed remarkable regression in response to a single intravitreal anti-VEGF injection.
Direct gas–solid carbonation of steel slag under various operational conditions was investigated to determine the sequestration of the flue gas CO2. X‐ray diffraction analysis of steel slag revealed ...the existence of portlandite, which provided a maximum theoretical CO2 sequestration potential of 159.4 kg CO 2 tslag−1 as calculated by the reference intensity ratio method. The carbonation reaction occurred through a fast kinetically controlled stage with an activation energy of 21.29 kJ mol−1, followed by 103 orders of magnitude slower diffusion‐controlled stage with an activation energy of 49.54 kJ mol−1, which could be represented by a first‐order reaction kinetic equation and the Ginstling equation, respectively. Temperature, CO2 concentration, and the presence of SO2 impacted on the carbonation conversion of steel slag through their direct and definite influence on the rate constants. Temperature was the most important factor influencing the direct gas–solid carbonation of steel slag in terms of both the carbonation conversion and reaction rate. CO2 concentration had a definite influence on the carbonation rate during the kinetically controlled stage, and the presence of SO2 at typical flue gas concentrations enhanced the direct gas–solid carbonation of steel slag. Carbonation conversions between 49.5 % and 55.5 % were achieved in a typical flue gas at 600 °C, with the maximum CO2 sequestration amount generating 88.5 kg CO 2 tslag−1. Direct gas–solid carbonation of steel slag showed a rapid CO2 sequestration rate, high CO2 sequestration amounts, low raw‐material costs, and a large potential for waste heat utilization, which is promising for in situ carbon capture and sequestration in the steel industry.
Slagging CO2 off: This paper focuses on cutting down CO2 emissions from its most important industrial sources, steel‐making plants, using direct gas–solid carbonation. Direct gas–solid carbonation of steel slag is an alternative route for CO2 capture and sequestration in steel‐making plants, as it has the following characteristics: a high CO2 sequestration rate and amount, low raw‐material costs, and a large potential for waste‐heat utilization.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal deposition in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients is under recognized but impacts renal outcomes. This study investigates its determinants and effects.
We studied 814 ...AKI patients with native kidney biopsies from 2011 to 2020, identifying CaOx crystal deposition severity (mild: <5, moderate: 5-10, severe: >10 crystals per section). We assessed factors like urinary oxalate, citrate, urate, electrolytes, pH, tubular calcification index, and SLC26A6 expression, comparing them with creatinine-matched AKI controls without oxalosis. We analyzed how these factors relate to CaOx severity and their impact on renal recovery (eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m
at 3-month follow-up).
CaOx crystal deposition was found in 3.9% of the AKI cohort (32 cases), with 72% due to nephrotoxic medication-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis. Diuretic use, higher urinary oxalate-to-citrate ratio induced by hypocitraturia, and tubular calcification index were significant contributors to moderate and/or severe CaOx deposition. Poor baseline renal function, low urinary chloride, high uric acid and urea nitrogen, tubular SLC26A6 overexpression, and glomerular sclerosis were also associated with moderate-to-severe CaOx deposition. Kidney recovery was delayed, with 43.8%, 31.2%, and 18.8% of patients having eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m
at 4, 12, and 24-week post-injury. Poor outcomes were linked to high urinary α1-microglobulin-to-creatinine (α1-MG/C) ratios and active tubular injury scores. Univariate analysis showed a strong link between this ratio and poor renal outcomes, independent of oxalosis severity.
In AKI, CaOx deposition is common despite declining GFR. Factors worsening tubular injury, not just oxalate-to-citrate ratios, are key to understanding impaired renal recovery.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
DNA damage repair starts with the recognition of damaged sites from predominantly normal DNA. In eukaryotes, diverse DNA lesions from environmental sources are recognized by the xeroderma pigmentosum ...C (XPC) nucleotide excision repair complex. Studies of Rad4 (radiation-sensitive 4; yeast XPC ortholog) showed that Rad4 “opens” up damaged DNA by inserting a β-hairpin into the duplex and flipping out two damage-containing nucleotide pairs. However, this DNA lesion “opening” is slow (∼5–10 ms) compared with typical submillisecond residence times per base pair site reported for various DNA-binding proteins during 1D diffusion on DNA. To address the mystery as to how Rad4 pauses to recognize lesions during diffusional search, we examine conformational dynamics along the lesion recognition trajectory using temperature-jump spectroscopy. Besides identifying the ∼10-ms step as the rate-limiting bottleneck towards opening specific DNA site, we uncover an earlier ∼100- to 500-μs step that we assign to nonspecific deformation (unwinding/“twisting”) of DNA by Rad4. The β-hairpin is not required to unwind or to overcome the bottleneck but is essential for full nucleotide-flipping. We propose that Rad4 recognizes lesions in a step-wise “twist-open” mechanism, in which preliminary twisting represents Rad4 interconverting between search and interrogation modes. Through such conformational switches compatible with rapid diffusion on DNA, Rad4may stall preferentially at a lesion site, offering time to open DNA. This study represents the first direct observation, to our knowledge, of dynamical DNA distortions during search/interrogation beyond base pair breathing. Submillisecond interrogation with preferential stalling at cognate sites may be common to various DNA-binding proteins.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
(teleomorph
) is the causal agent of sunflower (
L.) black stem. In order to investigate the molecular basis for the pathogenicity of
, genomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed. The genome ...size was 38.24 Mb and assembled into 27 contigs with 11,094 putative predicted genes. These include 1133 genes for CAZymes specific for plant polysaccharide degradation, 2356 for the interaction between the pathogen and host, 2167 for virulence factors, and 37 secondary metabolites gene clusters. RNA-seq analysis was conducted at the early and late stages of the fungal spot formation in infected sunflower tissues. A total of 2506, 3035, and 2660 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CT and each treatment group (LEAF-2d, LEAF-6d, and STEM) were retrieved, respectively. The most significant pathways of DEGs from these diseased sunflower tissues were the metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Overall, 371 up-regulated DEGs were shared among LEAF-2d, LEAF-6d, and STEM, including 82 mapped to DFVF, 63 mapped to PHI-base, 69 annotated as CAZymes, 33 annotated as transporters, 91 annotated as secretory proteins, and a carbon skeleton biosynthetic gene. The most important DEGs were further confirmed by RT-qPCR. This is the first report on the genome-scale assembly and annotation for
. Our data provide a framework for further revealing the underlying mechanism of the pathogenesis of
, and also suggest the potential targets for the diseases caused by this fungal pathogen.
PDF
