Abstract
Multi-orbital physics in quasi-two-dimensional electron gases (q2DEGs) triggers intriguing phenomena not observed in bulk materials, such as unconventional superconductivity and magnetism. ...Here, we investigate the mechanism of orbital selective switching of the spin-polarization in the oxide q2DEG formed at the (001) interface between the LaAlO
3
, EuTiO
3
and SrTiO
3
band insulators. By using density functional theory calculations, transport, magnetic and x-ray spectroscopy measurements, we find that the filling of titanium-bands with 3d
xz
/3d
yz
orbital character in the EuTiO
3
layer and at the interface with SrTiO
3
induces an antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic switching of the exchange interaction between Eu-4f
7
magnetic moments. The results explain the observation of the carrier density-dependent ferromagnetic correlations and anomalous Hall effect in this q2DEG, and demonstrate how combined theoretical and experimental approaches can lead to a deeper understanding of emerging electronic phases and serve as a guide for the materials design of advanced electronic applications.
The use of treated municipal wastewater (TWW) represents a relevant opportunity for irrigation of agricultural crops in semi-arid regions to counter the increasing water scarcity. Pharmaceutically ...active compounds (PhACs) are often detected in treated wastewater, posing a risk to humans and the environment. PhACs can accumulate in soils and translocate into different plant tissues, reaching, in some cases, edible organs and entering the food chain.
This study evaluated the uptake and translocation processes of 10 PhACs by olive trees irrigated with TWW, investigating their accumulation in different plant organs. The experiment was conducted in southern Italy, in 2-year-old plants irrigated with three different types of water: freshwater (FW), TWW spiked with 10 PhACs at a concentration of 200 µg L
(1× TWW), and at a triple dose (3× TWW), from July to October 2021. The concentration of PhACs in soil and plant organs was assessed, collecting samples of root, stem, shoot, leaf, fruit, and kernel at 0 (T0), 50 (T1), and 107 (T2) days of irrigation. PhACs extraction from soil and plant organs was carried out using the QuEChERS method, and their concentrations were determined by high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography.
Results of uptake factors (UF) showed a different behavior between compounds according to their physicochemical properties, highlighting PhACs accumulation and translocation in different plant organs (also edible part) in 1× TWW and 3× TWW compared to FW. Two PhACs, carbamazepine and fluconazole, showed interactions with the soil-plant system, translocating also in the aerial part of the plant, with a translocation factor (TF) greater than 1, which indicates high root-to-leaf translocation.
Findings highlight that only few PhACs among the selected compounds can be uptaken by woody plants and accumulated in edible parts at low concentration. No effects of PhACs exposure on plant growth have been detected. Despite the attention to be paid to the few compounds that translocate into edible organs, these results are promising for adapting wastewater irrigation in crops. Increasing knowledge about PhACs behavior in woody plants can be important for developing optimized wastewater irrigation and soil management strategies to reduce PhACs accumulation and translocation in plants.
Human organoids recapitulating the cell-type diversity and function of their target organ are valuable for basic and translational research. We developed light-sensitive human retinal organoids with ...multiple nuclear and synaptic layers and functional synapses. We sequenced the RNA of 285,441 single cells from these organoids at seven developmental time points and from the periphery, fovea, pigment epithelium and choroid of light-responsive adult human retinas, and performed histochemistry. Cell types in organoids matured in vitro to a stable “developed” state at a rate similar to human retina development in vivo. Transcriptomes of organoid cell types converged toward the transcriptomes of adult peripheral retinal cell types. Expression of disease-associated genes was cell-type-specific in adult retina, and cell-type specificity was retained in organoids. We implicate unexpected cell types in diseases such as macular degeneration. This resource identifies cellular targets for studying disease mechanisms in organoids and for targeted repair in human retinas.
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•Light-sensitive, multilayered human retinal organoids with functional synapses•285,441 transcriptomes from light-responsive human retinas and retinal organoids•Organoid cell types converge to adult peripheral retinal cell types•Linking retinal diseases to human retinal and retinal organoid cell types
Light-sensitive, multilayered human retinal organoids with functional synapses are developed and benchmarked against human retinas obtained under conditions that preserve retinal integrity.
We continue our study of the physical properties of the recurrent nova T Pyx, focussing on the structure of the ejecta in the nebular stage of expansion during the 2011 outburst. The compact ...recurrent novae can be understood within a single phenomenological model with bipolar, although not jet-like, low mass ejecta.
Lower limb muscle injuries have a strong impact in training and official competitions stoppage for professional football players. This study aimed to explore the relationship between oedema-like ...changes found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in acute indirect thigh injuries muscles and the time required for the athlete to return to individual training - "return to training" (RTT) and for full availability for official competitions - "return to play" (RTP).
Professional football players from 2017/2018 to 2021/2022 seasons top league team with clinical and ultrasound (US) diagnosis of acute hamstrings or quadriceps muscle injury, confirmed on 48/72h subsequent MRI, were included. MRI images were retrospectively re-evaluated. MRI parameters evaluated were cross-sectional area (CSA), cranio-caudal extension (CCE), distance to nearest insertion (DI) and volume (V). Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to find factors related to RTT, RTP, and episodes of reinjuries.
Thirty-four first traumatic muscle injuries met the inclusion criteria. The mean time to RTT and RTP was 22 (4-49) and 25 (4-55) days, respectively. CCE and V resulted as independent predictive MRI variables for the time to RTT (P=0.012) and RTP (P=0.02), respectively. Thresholds of CCE≥11.31 cm and V ≥19.5cc can predict a time to RTT≥22 days (Odds Ratio OR 9.5) and RTP≥25 days (OR 4.583), respectively.
The decision on the time required for RTP is based on clinic and imaging evaluation; CCE and V of the MRI oedema-like changes help to define the prognosis of the injury.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of Immunoscore in patients with stage III colon cancer (CC) and to analyze its association with the effect of chemotherapy on time to ...recurrence (TTR).
An international study led by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer evaluated the predefined consensus Immunoscore in 763 patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control TNM stage III CC from cohort 1 (Canada/United States) and cohort 2 (Europe/Asia). CD3+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocyte densities were quantified in the tumor and invasive margin by digital pathology. The primary end point was TTR. Secondary end points were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), prognosis in microsatellite stable (MSS) status, and predictive value of efficacy of chemotherapy.
Patients with a high Immunoscore presented with the lowest risk of recurrence, in both cohorts. Recurrence-free rates at 3 years were 56.9% (95% CI, 50.3% to 64.4%), 65.9% (95% CI, 60.8% to 71.4%), and 76.4% (95% CI, 69.3% to 84.3%) in patients with low, intermediate, and high immunoscores, respectively (hazard ratio HR; high
low, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.71;
= .0003). Patients with high Immunoscore showed significant association with prolonged TTR, OS, and DFS (all
< .001). In Cox multivariable analysis stratified by participating center, Immunoscore association with TTR was independent (HR high
low, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.67;
.0003) of patient's sex, T stage, N stage, sidedness, and microsatellite instability status. Significant association of a high Immunoscore with prolonged TTR was also found among MSS patients (HR high
low, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.62;
.0003). Immunoscore had the strongest contribution χ2 proportion for influencing survival (TTR and OS). Chemotherapy was significantly associated with survival in the high-Immunoscore group for both low-risk (HR chemotherapy
no chemotherapy, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.71;
= .0011) and high-risk (HR chemotherapy
no chemotherapy, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.77;
= .0015) patients, in contrast to the low-Immunoscore group (
> .12).
This study shows that a high Immunoscore significantly associated with prolonged survival in stage III CC. Our findings suggest that patients with a high Immunoscore will benefit the most from chemotherapy in terms of recurrence risk.
We critically examine the recent claimed detection of Raman-scattered O VI at around 6830 Å in the iron curtain stage spectra of the classical CO nova V339 Del. The observed line variations are ...compatible in the profile and timing of emission line strength with an excited state transition of neutral carbon. Line formation in classical nova ejecta is physically very different from what it is in symbiotic binaries, in which the O VI emission line is formed within the wind of the companion red giant at low differential velocity. The ejecta velocity and density structure prevent the scattering from producing analogous features. High velocity gradient outflows, such as winds, are subject to the same constraints. There might, however, be a broadband spectropolarimetric signature of the Raman process and also Rayleigh scattering at some stage in the expansion. We show that the neutral carbon spectrum, hitherto underexploited for novae, is especially useful as a probe of the structure of the ejecta during the early, optically thick stages of the expansion.
The oncogenic KRAS mutation has a critical role in the initiation of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) since it rewires glutamine metabolism to increase reduced nicotinamide adenine ...dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) production, balancing cellular redox homeostasis with macromolecular synthesis
. Mitochondrial glutamine-derived aspartate must be transported into the cytosol to generate metabolic precursors for NADPH production
. The mitochondrial transporter responsible for this aspartate efflux has remained elusive. Here, we show that mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) catalyses this transport and promotes tumour growth. UCP2-silenced KRAS
cell lines display decreased glutaminolysis, lower NADPH/NADP
and glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratios and higher reactive oxygen species levels compared to wild-type counterparts. UCP2 silencing reduces glutaminolysis also in KRAS
PDAC cells but does not affect their redox homeostasis or proliferation rates. In vitro and in vivo, UCP2 silencing strongly suppresses KRAS
PDAC cell growth. Collectively, these results demonstrate that UCP2 plays a vital role in PDAC, since its aspartate transport activity connects the mitochondrial and cytosolic reactions necessary for KRAS
rewired glutamine metabolism
, and thus it should be considered a key metabolic target for the treatment of this refractory tumour.
Gait training might be of particular importance to reduce fall risk in older adults. In the present study we explore the hypothesis that video game-based training will increase tibialis anterior (TA) ...muscle EMG-EMG coherence and relates to functional measures of lower limb control.
We focus on video game-based training performed in standing position, where the subjects have to lift their toes to place their feet on different target zones in order to successfully play the game. This type of training is hypothesized leading to progressive changes in the central motor drive to TA motor neurons and, consequently, improved control of ankle dorsiflexion during gait.
Twenty older adults, 79 ± 8 years old, 13 females/7 males, participated. Results showed a significant difference against 0 in the experimental ΔPOST condition in dual-task walking and beta Frequency Of Interest (
= 0.002). Walking under dual task condition showed significant change over time in minimal Toe Clearance for both the left χ
(2) = 7.46,
= 0.024,
= 20 and right χ
(2) = 8.87,
= 0.012,
= 20 leg. No change in lower extremity function was detectable.
Overall we conclude that the initiation of an exergame-based training in upright standing position improves neural drive to the lower extremities in older adults, effects on minimal Toe Clearance and seems an acceptable form of physical exercise for this group.
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic affects mental health and sleep, resulting in frequent nightmares. Therefore, identifying factors associated with nightmare frequency is important, as it can indicate ...mental health issues. The study aimed to investigate increases in nightmare frequency comparing the pre-pandemic and pandemic period, and identify its risk factors. Further, the mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms between the pandemic and nightmares is explored. Patients and Methods: For this cross-sectional survey data were obtained via self-rating online survey (ICOSS: details in Partinen et al, 2021), which was open to anyone older than 18 years. The final volunteer sample consisted of 15,292 participants, divided according to their nightmare frequency (high: >l-2 nights/week; low: <l-2 nights/week). A total of 9100 participants were excluded if answers on variables of interest were missing or receiving rewards for participation. Chi-square tests identified changes of nightmare frequency. Predictors of high nightmare frequency were assessed using logistic regression and presented as Odds Ratios. Post-hoc mediation models were used to investigate the role of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Results: The mean age was 41.63 (SD=16.55) with 64.05% females. High nightmare frequency increased significantly from 13.24% to 22.35% during the pandemic. Factors associated with it included self-reported PTSS (OR=2.11), other mental disorders and various sleep disorders or problems. Financial burden due to the pandemic, confinement, having had COVID-19, and work situation during the pandemic were associated with nightmare frequency, those relations were partly mediated through PTSS. Conclusion: Our results display the pandemic influence on nightmare frequency, which in turn connects to multiple mental health and sleep factors. These relations were partly mediated through PTSS. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have caused traumatization of a substantial proportion of society. Health care workers should consider nightmares in their screening routines, as it might indicate PTSS and/or other mental and sleep disorders. Keywords: COVID-19, nightmares, mental health, sleep, post-traumatic stress disorder, collective trauma
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