Born high, born fast: Does highland birth confer a pulmonary advantage for sea level endurance?

Less than 7% of the world's population live at an altitude above 1500 m. Yet, as many as 67% of medalists in the 2020 men's and women's Olympic marathon, and 100% of medalists in the 2020 men's and women's Olympic 5000 m track race may have been born or raised above this otherwise rare threshold. As a possible explanation, research spanning nearly a quarter of a century demonstrates that indigenous highlanders exhibit pulmonary adaptations distinct from their lowland counterparts.

Heterogeneous force response of chromatin in isolated nuclei.

A quantitative description of nuclear mechanics is crucial for understanding its role in force sensing within eukaryotic cells. Recent studies indicate that the chromatin within the nucleus cannot be treated as a homogeneous material. To elucidate its material properties, we combine optical tweezers manipulation of isolated nuclei with multi-color fluorescence imaging of lamin and chromatin to map the response of nuclei to local deformations.

Condensate interfacial forces reposition DNA loci and probe chromatin viscoelasticity.

Biomolecular condensates assemble in living cells through phase separation and related phase transitions. An underappreciated feature of these dynamic molecular assemblies is that they form interfaces with other cellular structures, including membranes, cytoskeleton, DNA and RNA, and other membraneless compartments. These interfaces are expected to give rise to capillary forces, but there are few ways of quantifying and harnessing these forces in living cells.

Survival, but not the severity of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, is associated with higher mean arterial blood pressure after cardiac arrest: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study investigates the association between the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), vasopressor requirement, and severity of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) after cardiac arrest (CA).

Methods: Between 2008 and 2017, we retrospectively analyzed the MAP 200 h after CA and quantified the vasopressor requirements using the cumulative vasopressor index (CVI). Through a postmortem brain autopsy in non-survivors, the severity of the HIE was histopathologically dichotomized into no/mild and severe HIE.

Deep learning-enabled detection of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy after cardiac arrest in CT scans: a comparative study of 2D and 3D approaches.

Objective: To establish a deep learning model for the detection of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) features on CT scans and to compare various networks to determine the best input data format.

Methods: 168 head CT scans of patients after cardiac arrest were retrospectively identified and classified into two categories: 88 (52.4%) with radiological evidence of severe HIE and 80 (47.

Construction and validation of an infant chest phantom for paediatric computed tomography.

Paediatric imaging protocols should be carefully optimised to maintain the desired image quality while minimising the delivered patient dose. A paediatric chest phantom was designed, constructed and evaluated to optimise chest CT examinations for infants. The phantom was designed to enable dosimetry and image quality measurements within the anthropomorphic structure.

The use of Beauveria bassiana for the control of the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus, in stored maize: Semi-field trials in Ghana.

Laboratory research in Ghana demonstrated the effectiveness of an isolate of Beauveria bassiana (IMI 389521) from the United Kingdom against the larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), a major pest of stored maize. The minimum effective concentration, following artificial infestation trials on maize, was between 10 and 10 cfu/kg maize. Before moving out to village-level control, a major requirement was to determine if the product could effect control in artificially infested maize held under real environmental conditions in several locations in Ghana.

On the Electride Nature of Na-hP4.

Early quantum mechanical models suggested that pressure drives solids towards free-electron metal behavior where the ions are locked into simple close-packed structures. The prediction and subsequent discovery of high-pressure electrides (HPEs), compounds assuming open structures where the valence electrons are localized in interstitial voids, required a paradigm shift. Our quantum chemical calculations on the iconic insulating Na-hP4 HPE show that increasing density causes a 3s→3pd electronic transition due to Pauli repulsion between the 1s2s and 3s states, and orthogonality of the 3pd states to the core.

Confounders for prognostic accuracy of neuron-specific enolase after cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study.

Aim: To evaluate neuron-specific enolase (NSE) thresholds for prediction of neurological outcome after cardiac arrest and to analyze the influence of hemolysis and confounders.

Methods: Retrospective analysis from a cardiac arrest registry. Determination of NSE serum concentration and hemolysis-index (h-index) 48-96 hours after cardiac arrest.

Exploring the Role of Plasma Lipids and Statin Interventions on Multiple Sclerosis Risk and Severity: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background And Objectives: There has been considerable interest in statins because of their pleiotropic effects beyond their lipid-lowering properties. Many of these pleiotropic effects are predominantly ascribed to Rho small guanosine triphosphatases (Rho GTPases) proteins. We aimed to genetically investigate the role of lipids and statin interventions on multiple sclerosis (MS) risk and severity.

Mapping Antibody Domain Exposure on Nanoparticle Surfaces Using DNA-PAINT.

Decorating nanoparticles with antibodies (Ab) is a key strategy for targeted drug delivery and imaging. For this purpose, the orientation of the antibody on the nanoparticle is crucial to maximize fragment antibody-binding (Fab) exposure and thus antigen binding. Moreover, the exposure of the fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain may lead to the engagement of immune cells through one of the Fc receptors.

Hepatic Spheroid Formation on Carbohydrate-Functionalized Supramolecular Hydrogels.

Two synthetic supramolecular hydrogels, formed from bis-urea amphiphiles containing lactobionic acid (LBA) and maltobionic acid (MBA) bioactive ligands, are applied as cell culture matrices . Their fibrillary and dynamic nature mimics essential features of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The carbohydrate amphiphiles self-assemble into long supramolecular fibers in water, and hydrogels are formed by physical entanglement of fibers through bundling.

Establishment of a local diagnostic reference level for dental intraoral bitewing X-rays.

A state-based local diagnostic reference level (LDRL) for dental intraoral X-rays has been established. LDRL values of 2.0 mGy incident air kerma (IAK) and 57 mGy•cm air kerma-area product (KAP) for an adult posterior bitewing X-ray were determined based on 811 X-ray units surveyed.

Controlled gel expansion through colloid oscillation.

We model the behavior of a single colloid embedded in a cross-linked polymer gel, immersed in a viscous background fluid. External fields actuate the particle into a periodic motion, which deforms the embedding matrix and creates a local microcavity, containing the particle and any free volume created by its motion. This cavity exists only as long as the particle is actuated and, when present, reduces the local density of the material, leading to swelling.

Hypothermic versus Normothermic Temperature Control after Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: The evidence for temperature control for comatose survivors of cardiac arrest is inconclusive. Controversy exists as to whether the effects of hypothermia differ per the circumstances of the cardiac arrest or patient characteristics. METHODS: An individual patient data meta-analysis of the Targeted Temperature Management at 33°C versus 36°C after Cardiac Arrest (TTM) and Hypothermia versus Normothermia after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (TTM2) trials was conducted.

Inter-rater agreement between humans and computer in quantitative assessment of computed tomography after cardiac arrest.

Background: Head computed tomography (CT) is used to predict neurological outcome after cardiac arrest (CA). The current reference standard includes quantitative image analysis by a neuroradiologist to determine the Gray-White-Matter Ratio (GWR) which is calculated the manual measurement of radiodensity in different brain regions. Recently, automated analysis methods have been introduced.

More losses than gains during one century of plant biodiversity change in Germany.

Long-term analyses of biodiversity data highlight a 'biodiversity conservation paradox': biological communities show substantial species turnover over the past century, but changes in species richness are marginal. Most studies, however, have focused only on the incidence of species, and have not considered changes in local abundance. Here we asked whether analysing changes in the cover of plant species could reveal previously unrecognized patterns of biodiversity change and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms.

ReSurveyGermany: Vegetation-plot time-series over the past hundred years in Germany.

Vegetation-plot resurvey data are a main source of information on terrestrial biodiversity change, with records reaching back more than one century. Although more and more data from re-sampled plots have been published, there is not yet a comprehensive open-access dataset available for analysis. Here, we compiled and harmonised vegetation-plot resurvey data from Germany covering almost 100 years.

Neurological pupil index and its association with other prognostic tools after cardiac arrest: A post hoc analysis.

Introduction: We evaluated the concordance of the Neurological pupil Index (NPi) with other predictors of outcome after cardiac arrest (CA).

Methods: Post hoc analysis of a prospective, international, multicenter study including adult CA patients. Predictors of unfavorable outcome (UO, Cerebral Performance Category of 3-5 at 3 months) included: a) worst NPi ≤ 2; b) presence of discontinuous encephalography (EEG) background; c) bilateral absence of N20 waves on somatosensory evoked potentials (N20); d) peak neuron-specific enolase (NSE) blood levels > 60 mcg/L; e) myoclonus, which were all tested in a subset of patients who underwent complete multimodal assessment (MMM).

One academic year under COVID-19 conditions: two multicenter cross-sectional evaluation studies among medical students in Bavarian medical schools, Germany students' needs, difficulties, and concerns about digital teaching and learning.

Background: Since March 2020, COVID-19 has created a need for adaptation in many areas of life. This study explores medical students' perspectives on digital teaching under conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on expectations and concerns about digital teaching, the evaluation of specific aspects of teaching, and requests for future teaching.

The role of body fat in multiple sclerosis susceptibility and severity: A Mendelian randomisation study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the potential causal associations of body mass index, height, weight, fat mass, fat percentage and non-fat mass in the whole body, arms, legs and trunk (henceforth, 'anthropometric measures') with multiple sclerosis (MS) risk and severity. We also investigated the potential for reverse causation between anthropometric measures and MS risk.

Methods: We conducted a two-sample univariable, multivariable and bidirectional Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis.

Transient response and domain formation in electrically deforming liquid crystal networks.

Recently, three distinct, well-separated transient regimes were discovered in the dynamics of the volume expansion of shape-shifting liquid crystal network films in response to the switching on of an alternating electric field [Van der Kooij , , 2019, , 1]. Employing a spatially resolved, time-dependent Landau theory that couples local volume generation to the degree of orientational order of mesogens that are part of a viscoelastic network, we are able to offer a physical explanation for the existence of three time scales. We find that the initial response is dominated by overcoming the impact of thermal noise, after which the top of the film expands, followed by a permeation of this response into the bulk region.