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3D-CuNi interconnected nanonetworks obtained by electrodeposition whit hight thermoelectric figure of merit
No full textTrabajo presentado en EDNANO-16 International Workshop, celebrado en Florencia (Italia), del 10 al 12 de abril de 202
Metaproteomics in the One Health framework for unraveling microbial effectors in microbiomes
No full textOne Health seeks to integrate and balance the health of humans, animals, and environmental systems, which are intricately linked through microbiomes. These microbial communities exchange microbes and genes, influenc‑ ing not only human and animal health but also key environmental, agricultural, and biotechnological processes. Preventing the emergence of pathogens as well as monitoring and controlling the composition of microbiomes through microbial effectors including virulence factors, toxins, antibiotics, non ‑ ribosomal peptides, and viruses holds transformative potential. However, the mechanisms by which these microbial effectors shape microbiomes and their broader functional consequences for host and ecosystem health remain poorly understood. Metaproteomics offers a novel methodological framework as it provides insights into microbial dynamics by quantifying microbial biomass composition, metabolic functions, and detecting effectors like viruses, antimicrobial resistance proteins, and non ‑ ribosomal peptides. Here, we highlight the potential of metaproteomics in elucidating microbial effectors and their impact on microbiomes and discuss their potential for modulating microbiomes to foster desired functions.Peer reviewe
Science objectives of the Einstein Probe mission
No full textWeimin Yuan et al.The Einstein Probe (EP) is an interdisciplinary mission of time-domain and X-ray astronomy. Equipped with a wide-field lobster-eye X-ray focusing imager, EP will discover cosmic X-ray transients and monitor the X-ray variability of known sources in 0.5–4 keV, at a combination of detecting sensitivity and cadence that is not accessible to the previous and current wide-field monitoring missions. EP can perform quick characterisation of transients or outbursts with a Wolter-I X-ray telescope onboard. In this paper, the science objectives of the EP mission are presented. EP is expected to enlarge the sample of previously known or predicted but rare types of transients with a wide range of timescales. Among them, fast extragalactic transients will be surveyed systematically in soft X-rays, which include γ-ray bursts and their variants, supernova shock breakouts, and the predicted X-ray transients associated with binary neutron star mergers. EP will detect X-ray tidal disruption events and outbursts from active galactic nuclei, possibly at an early phase of the flares for some. EP will monitor the variability and outbursts of X-rays from white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes in our and neighbouring galaxies at flux levels fainter than those detectable by the current instruments, and is expected to discover new objects. A large sample of stellar X-ray flares will also be detected and characterised. In the era of multi-messenger astronomy, EP has the potential of detecting the possible X-ray counterparts of gravitational wave events, neutrino sources, and ultra-high energy γ-ray and cosmic ray sources. EP is expected to help advance the studies of extreme objects and phenomena revealed in the dynamic X-ray universe, and their underlying physical processes. Besides EP’s strength in time-domain science, its follow-up telescope, with excellent performance, will also enable advances in many areas of X-ray astronomy.We would like to thank a large number of colleagues, many of whom are not listed as co-authors of this paper, for stimulating discussions on the science objectives and science cases of the EP mission over the past ten years. EP is a space mission supported by Strategic Priority Program on Space Science of Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with ESA, MPE and CNES (Grant Nos. XDA15310000, and XDA15052100). This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61234003, 61434004, and 61504141), and CAS Interdisciplinary Project (Grant No. KJZD-EW-L11-04). We gratefully acknowledge the China National Astronomical Data Center (NADC), the Astronomical Data Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Virtual Observatory (China-VO) for providing data resources and technical support.Peer reviewe
A Randomized clinical trial evaluating the impact on survival and quality of life of 177Lutetium[Lu]-edotreotide versus everolimus in patients with neuroendocrine tumors of the lung and thymus: the LEVEL study (GETNE T-2217)
No full textThe study is reported in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines. The full protocol is attached to this manuscript. All data will be handled confidentially, coded with a pseudoanonymization code and without providing identifiable patient data. Only the team at the site will be able to identify the patients. The study results will be published in scientific manuscripts and conferences.[Background]
Everolimus is the only approved therapy for patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of lung and thymus and new treatment options are urgently needed. Expression of somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) is frequently seen in functional imaging in lung-NETs opening the opportunity to treat SSTR2 positive patients with radioligand therapies (RLT). Retrospective data suggest a potential meaningful benefit of RLT directed to SSTR2 in lung-NET patients.[Methods]
The LEVEL trial is a randomized, open-label, phase III international trial of 177Lu-edotreotide versus everolimus in patients with progressive, locally advanced or metastatic, and well/moderately differentiated NETs of lung (typical/atypical) or thymic origin. Patients could be treatment-naïve or have progressed (PD) on somatostatin analogues or ≤ 2 additional systemic treatments. Prior RLT or mTOR inhibitors are not permitted.
Eligible patients are randomly assigned 3:2 to 6 cycles of 177Lu-edotreotide (total administered activity 7.5 ± 0.7 GBq / cycle) or to oral everolimus 10 mg once daily until PD or unacceptable toxicity. Only patients with positivity in somatostatin receptor imaging will be included. CT or MRI scans are performed every 12 weeks until PD. Blood samples are analyzed at baseline, at 1st tumor assessment, and at PD for pharmacodynamic endpoints. Archival tumor tissue samples will be analyzed for ancillary studies.
The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) according to RECIST v1.1 based on local investigator assessment. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, safety, and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30).
The expected sample size is 120 patients to demonstrate statistical significant risk reduction of 46.4% (HR = 0.536) in PFS with the experimental treatment using an overall 5% two-sided alpha error with 80% power. An interim PFS analysis was included using the Lan-DeMets with O’Brian-Fleming-like boundaries.[Discussion]
The LEVEL trial will investigate if 177Lu-edotreotide has the potential to be incorporated as a standard treatment option for patients with NETs from the lung and Thymus.[Trial Registration]
EU CT: 2022–502154-13–00 / www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05918302 (June 23rd, 2023).This work was sponsored by the Grupo Español de Tumores Neuroendocrinos y Endocrinos (GETNE) with the collaboration of ITM Oncologics GmbH.Peer reviewe
Untargeted metabolomics and chemometrics elucidate dynamic plasma profile changes induced by cocoa shell in female rats
No full textThis article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Dietary Bioactive Compounds.[Objective]: This study aimed to explore the effects of cocoa shell extract (CSE) supplementation on the plasma metabolome of female rats.[Methods]: Female rats were supplemented with CSE (250 mg/kg/day) over seven days, and plasma samples were collected at baseline, day 4, and day 7 for untargeted metabolomic profiling using LC-ESI-QTOF.[Results]: A total of 244 plasma metabolites were identified, while 180 were detected in the CSE. Among these, only 21 compounds were consistently detected in both the CSE and the plasma at baseline and day 7. Notably, just three compounds, caffeine, theobromine, and N-isovaleroylglycine, were bioavailable, detected only in plasma after supplementation on day 7, confirming their absorption and systemic distribution. Pathways related to caffeine metabolism, glycerophospholipid biosynthesis, nicotinate, and nicotinamide metabolism were significantly upregulated, indicating enhanced lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Conversely, reductions were observed in pathways involving tryptophan, glutathione, arginine, and proline, pointing to shifts in amino acid metabolism and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Network analysis revealed significant changes in the cholinergic synapse, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, and glutamatergic synapse pathways, which are crucial for cellular communication and neurotransmission.[Conclusions]: The observed metabolic reconfiguration demonstrates CSE's rapid modulation of the metabolome, highlighting the bioavailability of its key components. These findings suggest potential mechanisms for CSE as a functional food ingredient with health-promoting effects, potentially supporting cognitive function and metabolic health through energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and lipid signaling pathways.This research was funded by the COCARDIOLAC project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RTI 2018–097504–B–I00) and the Excellence Line for University Teaching Staff within the Multiannual Agreement between the Community of Madrid and the UAM (2019–2023). M. Rebollo-Hernanz received funding from the program of the Ministry of Universities for the requalification of the Spanish university system (CA1/RSUE/2021–00656).Peer reviewe
A Dual-Pol SAR-Based Index for Rice Transplantation Detection
No full textDetecting rice transplantation dates is crucial for understanding its effect on grain yield and water consumption at regional scales. Traditionally, identifying the rice transplantation phase using dual-polarized (dual-pol) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data has relied on backscatter intensity due to its characteristic low values during the flooding stage. This study leverages a recently proposed dual-pol radar surface index (DpRSI) to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of the rice transplantation phases. Using this index, we propose an unsupervised framework to identify rice transplantation dates. The framework is evaluated using ground-truth (GT) data over rice-cultivated regions in Vijayawada, India, during the kharif season 2018, demonstrating its effectiveness in detecting shifts in transplantation dates over a large spatial extent.Peer reviewe
Influence of stromal neural crest progenitor cells on neuroblastoma radioresistance
No full text[Purpose] A substantial proportion of children with high risk Neuroblastoma die within the first 5 years post-diagnosis despite the complex treatment applied. In the recent years, tumor environment has been revealed as key factor for cancer treatment efficacy. In this sense, non-tumorigenic Neural Crest progenitor cells from high risk patients, have been described as part of Neuroblastoma stroma, promoting tumor growth and contributing to mesenchyme formation. In this paper we wanted to study the radiobiological behavior of these cells (NB14t) and how they influence the growth of tumorigenic neuroblasts after radiotherapy.[Materials and methods] To achieve our aim, we employed a wide list of methods either using NB14t cells as well as commercial NB cells. We have analyzed viability, survival, cell cyle profiles and differentiation. In addition, cocultured experiments were performed to monitor the influence of stroma cells to tumorigenic neuroblasts.[Results] We found that stromal progenitor cells showed an extraordinary radio-resistance either cultured in attached or suspension conditions. In good agreement, we found an enhanced repair of irradiation-induced DNA lesions as compared with commercial cell lines. In addition, according to our data these cells differentiate into a Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs)-like phenotype, hence contributing to the formation of mesenchymal stroma enhancing the growth of tumor cells after irradiation.[Conclusion] Our data show that neural progenitor cells from high risk NB stroma are radio-resistant and promote cancer growth after irradiation. This paper can help to understand the complex cell relationships within a tumor that will determine patient prognosis after radiotherapy.This project was funded by ‘Fundación Pública Andaluza Progreso y Salud’. Junta de Andalucía, Spain (PI-0073-2014). CHC was supported by Fundación Pública Andaluza Progreso y Salud’ (PI-0073-2014).Peer reviewe
A Novel Geometry Agnostic Delay and Doppler Tracking Technique for GNSS-Reflectometry: Application to the GNOS-II Payload Onboard the FY-3E
No full textGlobal Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) uses GNSS signals as signals of opportunity as a multistatic radar. Most GNSS-R instruments conduct 1 ms coherent integration, followed by 500 or 1000 incoherent averages, leading to level-1 products [delay Doppler map (DDM)]. For remote sensing missions with higher spatio-temporal resolution requirements, raw data, and fewer incoherent averages are required for DDM computations. Fengyun-3E (FY-3E) GNSS Occultation Sounder II (GNOS-II) payload can acquire reflected signal's intermediate frequency (IF) raw data for specific areas, but there is no channel to record raw direct signals. Obtaining level-1 products DDM from raw data requires tracking the delay and Doppler frequency centroid coordinates, as they change during the incoherent integration time. Otherwise, the level-1 DDMs would appear blurring, which would result in wider DDMs and lower peaks. Besides, the geometry of transmitter-specular reflection point-receiver of GNOS-II is unobtainable, so classical algorithms cannot be used. Therefore, an innovative processing technique is presented, which can estimate the peak coordinates of all individual DDMs by appropriately grouping the individual DDMs and incoherently accumulating within each group. The feasibility of this method is demonstrated with representative data from sea, ice, and soil. Furthermore, incoherent averaging DDMs at a temporal resolution of 200 ms can well detect the boundary between sea, ice, and soil in high-latitude and complex environments while maintaining high quality. This work is an important basis for future analysis of the raw data from GNOS-II and will also inspire other work of individual DDM tracking where geometric information is agnostic.This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 42174022, in part by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under Grant 2023XSCX047, in part by the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province under Grant KYCX23_2752, in part by the Graduate Innovation Program of China University of Mining and Technology under Grant 2023WLKXJ165, in part by China Scholarship Council program (Project ID: 202306420003), and in part by the project “GENESIS: GNSS Environmental and Societal Missions – Subproject UPC” under Grant PID2021-126436OB-C21 funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Investigación (MCIN)/ Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)/ 10.13039/ 501100011033 and EU EDRF “A way to make Europe”.Peer reviewe
Beyond boundaries: Phylogeographic structure and major range extension of the Sinai Fan-Toed Gecko, Ptyodactylus guttatus (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) in Saudi Arabia
No full textThe harsh desert environment of Saudi Arabia, though seemingly inhospitable, harbours a rich herpetofauna. Field surveys conducted between 2019 and 2024 led to the rediscovery of the Sinai Fan-Toed Gecko (Ptyodactylus guttatus), a species distributed in the countries of southern Levant, previously known in Saudi Arabia only on the basis of a few historical records. This study combines phylogeographic analysis and ecological niche modelling to explore the species' genetic diversity and potential distribution. Phylogenetic analyses revealed four distinct lineages within Saudi Arabia, though nuclear markers showed a degree of allele sharing among these lineages. Ecological niche modelling suggests that the species' range may be nearly twice as large as previously assumed from its entire range, now extending into Tabuk, Medina, Bahah, and Ha'il Provinces of Saudi Arabia, showing a significant range extension. Additionally, by including topotypic material of P. ananjevae, we clarify its status within the P. hasselquistii species complex, laying an essential groundwork for systematic revision within this complex. This study enhances our understanding of herpetofaunal diversity in Saudi Arabia and emphasises the need for continued fieldwork and genetic research.This work was part of projects developed and funded by NEOM Nature Reserve and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority. LP, DV, VW, and DH were supported by Charles University grant no. SVV260685/2024. LP, DV, and JŠ were supported by the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR, project number 22-12757S) and JŠ also by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (DKRVO, 2024–2028/6.I.a, 00023272). SC was supported by grant PID2021-128901NB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF, A way of making Europe.Peer reviewe
Blow fly larvae socially integrate termite nests through morphological and chemical mimicry
No full textNests of ecosystem-dominant eusocial insects like ants and termites offer stable, nutrient-rich, and protected habitats that may be exploited by other organisms. Several arthropod lineages managed to breach nest defenses and become inquilines, mutualists, predators, parasitoids, or social parasites.1,2,3,4 However, achieving social integration requires extreme morphological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations.5 Among flies, only scuttle flies (Phoridae) are well-known social parasites,2 although interactions with termites (predation, scavenging, and putative parasitism) have also been mentioned in anecdotal reports for blow flies (Rhiniinae6,7,8,9,10 and Bengaliinae11,12,13) and flesh flies (Miltogramminae14,15,16). Here, we report a fly larva found to be socially integrated within nests of the termite Anacanthotermes ochraceus (Burmeister) in Morocco. Behavioral, chemical, and morphological analyses show that colony integration, including communication and grooming, is achieved through unique adaptations. The chemical profiles of the fly larvae perfectly match those of the termites at the colony level. Notably, the posterior part of the larvae mimics a termite's head, and the long papillae that imitate the termites' antennae surround the entire body. Based on phylogenomics, we show that the larvae belong to the blow fly genus Rhyncomya (Calliphoridae: Rhiniinae). Our results support the hypothesis that the enigmatic blow fly subfamily Prosthetosomatinae (only known from larvae observed in termite nests17,18,19,20) is Rhiniinae. Thus, we demonstrate that the diverse schizophoran flies evolved social integration independently from the 150-million-year-diverged Phoridae radiation. This discovery sheds light on the repeated evolution of termitophily within the order Diptera. VIDEO ABSTRACT.R.V. is thankful for the support from grant PID2022-139689NB-I00 (funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and ERDF, EU) and grants 2017-SGR-991 and 2021-SGR-00420 (Departament de Recerca i Universitats, Generalitat de Catalunya). G.T. acknowledges funding from the grants PID2023-152239NB-I00 (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and 2021-SGR-01334 (Departament de Recerca i Universitats, Generalitat de Catalunya). Phylogenomic data collection and the contributions of B.M.W. and C.B-B. were funded by a US National Science Foundation Dimensions of Biodiversity grant, DEB-2030345.Peer reviewe