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A multi-wavelength and multi-epoch photometric analysis
No full textThe dense cores of globular clusters (GCs) are efficient environments for the production of exotic stellar populations, including millisecond pulsars (MSPs), low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), and cataclysmic variables (CVs). Most of these objects likely form through two- and three-body interactions and are useful tracers of the cluster’s dynamical evolution. In this work, we explore the exotic object population in the galactic GC NGC 362, searching for the optical counterpart of 33 X-ray sources identified within 1 ′ from the cluster centre. To this end, we exploited a large Hubble Space Telescope dataset obtained in eight different epochs and covering a wavelength range from the near UV to the optical I band. To identify the most promising counterparts, we followed a multi-step analysis based on four main ingredients, namely, positional coincidence, position in the colour–magnitude diagrams, H α excess, and photometric variability. In addition, we complemented the photometric analysis with spectroscopic information coming from the analysis of MUSE radial velocity curves. Thanks to this multi-diagnostic approach, we were able to identify 28 high-confidence optical counterparts, including several candidate MSPs, active binaries, and CVs. The most intriguing counterparts include a candidate black widow system, an eclipsing binary blue straggler, and a system in outburst, potentially representing either an LMXB or a nova eruption from a CV. The candidate MSPs proposed in this work will contribute to ongoing radio analyses with MeerKAT for the identification and detailed study of MSPs in NGC 362
Enhanced condensate fluidity in modified patchy particle models
No full textBiomolecular condensates are formed via liquid–liquid phase separation of proteins, often together with nucleic acids, typically driven by interactions between low-affinity binding sites. The computational study of such condensates that accounts for both the droplet-scale fluid behavior and the internal structure of the condensate requires coarse-grained models. Recently, patchy particle models, representing proteins as spheres with a repulsive core and directional attractive patches, have emerged as a powerful tool. However, these simulations typically exhibit slow dynamics and often show glass-like rather than fluid condensates as required for the description of many biomolecular condensates, establishing a need for model variants with accelerated dynamics, both to speed up simulations and to better represent fluid biomolecular condensates. Here, we study several modified patchy particle models suited to simulate the formation and dynamics of biomolecular condensates. These variants incorporate flexible patches and weak isotropic attractions between cores. They significantly accelerate the system dynamics while preserving key equilibrium characteristics of the classical patchy particle model, including the phase behavior and the local structure of the condensate. These modifications thereby enable the simulation of larger, more complex systems previously inaccessible due to prohibitive relaxation times and provide a versatile tool for studying condensate dynamics.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 10.13039/501100001659International Max Planck Research School—Physics of Biological and Complex SystemsMax Planck School—Matter to Lif
Bilateral nephrectomy in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients before or after renal transplantation: data from a retrospective cohort study
No full textABSTRACT Background The indication and timing of native nephrectomy in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) kidney transplant recipients are a matter of ongoing debate. Data on bilateral nephrectomy in such patients is scarce. This study therefore compares the clinical outcome of ADPKD patients undergoing bilateral nephrectomy before or after transplantation. Methods This retrospective single-center study analyzed all ADPKD patients undergoing kidney transplantation at our department between January 2007 and December 2017. Surgical complications, according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, and long-term graft outcomes were compared between ADPKD kidney transplant recipients undergoing bilateral nephrectomy pre- vs posttransplant. Results A total of 273 kidney transplants were performed in ADPKD patients. Of these, 107 (39.2%) patients required native nephrectomy. Unilateral and bilateral nephrectomy was performed in 36 (33.6%) and 71 (66.4%) patients, respectively. We compared seven patients with bilateral nephrectomy before vs 20 patients after kidney transplantation. Pain and cyst infections were the most common indications in both groups. Operation time (P = .001) and perioperative transfusion requirements (P < .001) were significantly increased in the pretransplant nephrectomy group. The total number of Clavien-Dindo complications grade III (P = .054) and IV (P = .015) was greater in patients with nephrectomy preceding transplantation. However, 1-, 3- and 5-year graft and patient survival (P = .347 and P = .596) were not different between the pre- and posttransplant nephrectomy approaches. Conclusions A posttransplant nephrectomy appears to be a relatively safe procedure. However, bilateral nephrectomies are highly invasive and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. The timing and surgical outcome after nephrectomy do not significantly affect long-term graft or patient survival
Effects of hybridization on chemical diversity and plant–insect herbivore interactions in Salix alba×fragilis
No full textAbstract Hybridization can create novel chemical traits and enhance plant adaptability to diverse environments. This study examined the effects of hybridization on chemical diversity and ecological interactions in Salix alba×fragilis hybrids from the Elbe River basin (Czechia). We analysed leaf metabolites of hybrids and their parental species for concentration, richness, and structural α- and β-diversity, linking them to herbivorous insect assemblages and soil conditions. Hybrids exhibited intermediate metabolite concentration and richness but showed higher structural α-diversity and distinct structural β-diversity compared with their parents. Hybrid-specific metabolites were structurally related to parental metabolites, indicating minor structural modifications rather than major changes to metabolic pathways following hybridization. Herbivore assemblages were influenced by metabolite richness or structural α-diversity. However, insect group responses varied, and herbivory damage did not correlate with leaf chemistry or differ between hybrids and parents. Soil nitrogen correlated with metabolite structural β-diversity, with hybrids displaying greater chemical variation along nitrogen gradients. These results highlight that hybridization significantly altered structural metabolite diversity. Yet, the structural changes were relatively minor which, together with group-specific responses of herbivores, could explain their modest effect on herbivory. Instead, they may enable these hybrids to flexibly respond to soil conditions, possibly contributing to their widespread occurrence
The inflammasome sensor NLRP3 interacts with REV7 to maintain genome integrity through homologous recombination
No full textAbstract DNA double-strand break (DSB) is a highly toxic lesion that can generate genome instability, a major source of tumorigenesis. DSBs are mainly repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). The selection of the DSB repair pathway primarily depends on the DNA resection of the DSB ends. Indeed, HR is initiated by resection at the DSB, generating 3′ single-stranded overhang. The shieldin complex prevents resection fostering DSB repair toward NHEJ. Here, we reveal that the inflammasome sensor NLRP3 facilitates DNA end resection to promote the HR pathway in an inflammasome-independent manner. Strikingly, NLRP3 silencing decreases HR efficiency, as evidenced by RAD51 foci and functional HR assays. Mechanistically, we describe that NLRP3 interacts with REV7, a subunit of the shieldin complex, and its depletion increases REV7 recruitment to IR-induced DSBs. Similar to cancer cells harboring HR-mutated genes, we find that NLRP3-deficient cells are sensitive to Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) and exhibit an epistatic relationship with BRCA1 deficiency. Remarkably, loss of REV7 in NLRP3-depleted cells induces PARPi resistance by restoring HR. This study unravels the crucial role of the innate immune receptor NLRP3 in regulating the selection of DSB repair pathways to maintain genome integrity
Adherence to Physical Activity and Incident Mobility Disability in Older Adults With Mobility Limitations
No full textABSTRACT Background Preservation of mobility independence is a primary goal in older adults with physical frailty and sarcopenia (PF&S). Interventions based on the combination of physical activity (PA) and nutritional counselling have been indicated as strategies for the management of this condition, although their effectiveness is not confirmed in all investigations. A possible explanation for this uncertain scenario relies in the impact of the adherence to PA interventions. Hence, the present study investigated the impact of the adherence to PA sessions on the incidence of mobility disability in older adults with PF&S. Methods This is a secondary analysis of an evaluator blinded, randomised controlled trial, developed in 16 clinical sites across 11 European countries, from January 2016 to 31 October 2019. Participants were community‐dwelling older adults (70+ years) with PF&S enrolled in the SPRINTT trial (NCT02582138). PF&S was operationalised as having a total score from 3 to 9 on the short physical performance battery (SPPB), low appendicular lean mass and ability to complete the 400‐m walk test in 3 sessions/week, AR). The primary outcome was incident mobility disability, operationalised as incident inability to complete the 400‐m walk test in < 15 min during up to 36 months of follow‐up. Results Data of 1444 participants (mean age 79.3 years, 72.6% women) were analysed. In those with SPPB scores of 3–7, MR and AR groups had lower risk of mobility disability compared with controls [MR HR (95% CI): 0.57 (0.41–0.78), p = 0.001; AR HR (95% CI): 0.33 (0.23–0.46), p < 0.001] and BR groups [MR: HR (95% CI): 0.48 (0.34–0.69), p < 0.001; AR: HR (95% CI): 0.27 (0.18–0.38), p < 0.001] in a dose‐dependent manner. In those with SPPB scores of 8 or 9, the BR group had a higher risk of mobility disability than controls. MR and AR groups had a lower risk of mobility disability than the BR group. Conclusions In older adults with PF&S, adherence to PA recommendations is associated with lower incidence of mobility disability. This benefit depends on the degree of adherence as well as baseline physical performance. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0258213
Crystal structure of tris(2-methyl-1 H -imidazol-3-ium) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate
No full textThe structure of the title salt, 3C 4 H 7 N 2 + ·C 9 H 3 O 6 3− ( 1 ), is reported. The compound is formed with three 2-methylimidazolium cations and a fully deprotonated trimesic acid. The structure is disordered over two orientations, which were refined using a split model (90.99: 9.01occupancy ratio). Analysis of bond distances and angles reveals the differences and similarities between compound 1 and the previously published 2-methyl-1 H -imidazol-3-ium 3,5-dicarboxybenzoate structure [Baletska et al. , (2023). Acta Cryst. E 79 , 1088–1092] and tris(2-methyl-1 H - imidazol-3-ium) 5-carboxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxylate 3,5-dicarboxybenzoate [Asprilla-Herrera et al. (2025). Acta Cryst. E 81 , 303–309], as well as the neutral counterparts of the ions [Tothadi et al. (2020). ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces , 12 , 15588–15594; Hachuła et al. (2010). J. Chem. Crystallogr. 40 , 201–206]. The crystal packing analysis reveals the formation of hydrogen-bonded two-dimensional networks perpendicular to the [111] vector, where neighbouring planes interact via extensive π–π stacking
Can Macroevolution Inform Contemporary Extinction Risk?
No full textABSTRACT Current global changes are driving many species towards extinction, making the early detection of threatened species a priority for efficient conservation actions. However, the threat status of many species remains unknown due to insufficient data on updated distributions, population sizes and population trends and using ecological indicator traits, such as range size, is not always straightforward. Recent advances suggest that macroevolutionary indicators (rates of extinction, net diversification or niche evolution) could provide novel insights into extinction risk based on the assumption that macroevolutionary rates can serve as proxies for extinction‐promoting traits (small range size, narrow niche breadth or low evolutionary potential). However, this assumption has not yet been sufficiently investigated to use this approach. Here, we assess current understanding of the assumptions underlying the relationship between macroevolutionary indices and contemporary extinction risk. We find that only past extinction rates can be reliable predictors of current extinction risk due to their correlation with inherited extinction‐promoting traits. Assumptions underlying relationships between current extinction risk and diversification and niche evolution rates vary by taxon or ecological conditions, and require further investigation through targeted studies. When underlying assumptions are validated, macroevolutionary indicators could be promising tools complementing trait‐based approaches in identifying inherent extinction risk.Georg-August-Universität Göttingen https://doi.org/10.13039/50110000338
Worldwide Soundscapes: A Synthesis of Passive Acoustic Monitoring Across Realms
No full textABSTRACT Aim The urgency for remote, reliable and scalable biodiversity monitoring amidst mounting human pressures on ecosystems has sparked worldwide interest in Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), which can track life underwater and on land. However, we lack a unified methodology to report this sampling effort and a comprehensive overview of PAM coverage to gauge its potential as a global research and monitoring tool. To address this gap, we created the Worldwide Soundscapes project, a collaborative network and growing database comprising metadata from 416 datasets across all realms (terrestrial, marine, freshwater and subterranean). Location Worldwide, 12,343 sites, all ecosystem types. Time Period 1991 to present. Major Taxa Studied All soniferous taxa. Methods We synthesise sampling coverage across spatial, temporal and ecological scales using metadata describing sampling locations, deployment schedules, focal taxa and audio recording parameters. We explore global trends in biological, anthropogenic and geophysical sounds based on 168 selected recordings from 12 ecosystems across all realms. Results Terrestrial sampling is spatially denser (46 sites per million square kilometre—Mkm 2 ) than aquatic sampling (0.3 and 1.8 sites/Mkm 2 in oceans and fresh water) with only two subterranean datasets. Although diel and lunar cycles are well sampled across realms, only marine datasets (55%) comprehensively sample all seasons. Across the 12 ecosystems selected for exploring global acoustic trends, biological sounds showed contrasting diel patterns across ecosystems, declined with distance from the Equator, and were negatively correlated with anthropogenic sounds. Main Conclusions PAM can inform macroecological studies as well as global conservation and phenology syntheses, but representation can be improved by expanding terrestrial taxonomic scope, sampling coverage in the high seas and subterranean ecosystems, and spatio‐temporal replication in freshwater habitats. Overall, this worldwide PAM network holds promise to support cross‐realm biodiversity research and monitoring efforts.Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement https://doi.org/10.13039/501100022077Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001659Bat Conservation International https://doi.org/10.13039/100005466Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior https://doi.org/10.13039/501100002322National Natural Science Foundation of China https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001809Leverhulme Trust https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000275Australian Research Council https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000923Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico https://doi.org/10.13039/501100003593Academia Sinica https://doi.org/10.13039/50110000186