Reproductomics: Exploring the Applications and Advancements of Computational Tools

Over recent decades, advancements in omics technologies, such as proteomics, genomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and microbiomics, have significantly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying various physiological and pathological processes. Nonetheless, the analysis and interpretation of vast omics data concerning reproductive diseases are complicated by the cyclic regulation of hormones and multiple other factors, which, in conjunction with a genetic makeup of an individual, lead to diverse biological responses. Reproductomics investigates the interplay between a hormonal regulation of an individual, environmental factors, genetic predisposition (DNA composition and epigenome), health effects, and resulting biological outcomes. It is a rapidly emerging field that utilizes computational tools to analyze and interpret reproductive data, with the aim of improving reproductive health outcomes. It is time to explore the applications of reproductomics in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying infertility, identification of potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment, and in improving assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Reproductomics tools include machine learning algorithms for predicting fertility outcomes, gene editing technologies for correcting genetic abnormalities, and single cell sequencing techniques for analyzing gene expression patterns at the individual cell level. However, there are several challenges, limitations and ethical issues involved with the use of reproductomics, such as the applications of gene editing technologies and their potential impact on future generations are discussed. The review comprehensively covers the applications and advancements of reproductomics, highlighting its potential to improve reproductive health outcomes and deepen our understanding of reproductive molecular mechanisms.

High-Statistics Measurement of Collins and Sivers Asymmetries for Transversely Polarized Deuterons

New results are presented on a high-statistics measurement of Collins and Sivers asymmetries of charged hadrons produced in deep inelastic scattering of muons on a transversely polarized ^{6}LiD target. The data were taken in 2022 with the COMPASS spectrometer using the 160 GeV muon beam at CERN, statistically balancing the existing data on transversely polarized proton targets. The first results from about two-thirds of the new data have total uncertainties smaller by up to a factor of three compared to the previous deuteron measurements. Using all the COMPASS proton and deuteron results, both the transversity and the Sivers distribution functions of the u and d quark, as well as the tensor charge in the measured x range are extracted. In particular, the accuracy of the d quark results is significantly improved.

Final COMPASS Results on the Transverse-Spin-Dependent Azimuthal Asymmetries in the Pion-Induced Drell-Yan Process

The COMPASS Collaboration performed measurements of the Drell-Yan process in 2015 and 2018 using a 190  GeV/c π^{-} beam impinging on a transversely polarized ammonia target. Combining the data of both years, we present final results on the amplitudes of five azimuthal modulations, which correspond to transverse-spin-dependent azimuthal asymmetries (TSAs) in the dimuon production cross section. Three of them probe the nucleon leading-twist Sivers, transversity, and pretzelosity transverse-momentum dependent (TMD) parton distribution functions (PDFs). The other two are induced by subleading effects. These TSAs provide unique new inputs for the study of the nucleon TMD PDFs and their universality properties. In particular, the Sivers TSA observed in this measurement is consistent with the fundamental QCD prediction of a sign change of naive time-reversal-odd TMD PDFs when comparing the Drell-Yan process with deep inelastic scattering. Also, within the context of model predictions, the observed transversity TSA is consistent with the expectation of a sign change for the Boer-Mulders function.

Does serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) metastasize? The clonal relationship between STIC and subsequent high-grade serous carcinoma in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers several years after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy

OBJECTIVE

The majority of high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSC) of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum arise from the precursor lesion called serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). It has been postulated that cells from STICs exfoliate into the peritoneal cavity and give rise to peritoneal HGSC several years later. While co-existent STICs and HGSCs have been reported to share similarities in their mutational profiles, clonal relationship between temporally distant STICs and HGSCs have been infrequently studied and the natural history of STICs remains poorly understood.

METHODS

We performed focused searches in two national databases from the Netherlands and identified a series of BRCA1/2 germline pathogenic variant (GPV) carriers (n = 7) who had STIC, and no detectable invasive carcinoma, at the time of their risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), and later developed peritoneal HGSC. The clonal relationship between these STICs and HGSCs was investigated by comparing their genetic mutational profile by performing next-generation targeted sequencing.

RESULTS

Identical pathogenic mutations and loss of heterozygosity of TP53 were identified in the STICs and HGSCs of five of the seven patients (71%), confirming the clonal relationship of the lesions. Median interval for developing HGSC after RRSO was 59 months (range: 24-118 months).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that cells from STIC can shed into the peritoneal cavity and give rise to HGSC after long lag periods in BRCA1/2 GPV carriers, and argues in favor of the hypothesis that STIC lesions may metastasize.

Equation of State and Thermometry of the 2D SU(N) Fermi-Hubbard Model

We characterize the equation of state (EoS) of the SU(N>2) Fermi-Hubbard Model (FHM) in a two-dimensional single-layer square optical lattice. We probe the density and the site occupation probabilities as functions of interaction strength and temperature for N=3, 4, and 6. Our measurements are used as a benchmark for state-of-the-art numerical methods including determinantal quantum Monte Carlo and numerical linked cluster expansion. By probing the density fluctuations, we compare temperatures determined in a model-independent way by fitting measurements to numerically calculated EoS results, making this a particularly interesting new step in the exploration and characterization of the SU(N) FHM.

True coincidence summing correction for a BEGe detector in close geometry measurements

The true coincidence summing correction factor for a Broad Energy Germanium detector has been calculated at far and close geometry set-up using radioactive γ-ray sources. The correction factors were calculated using both experimental and analytical methods. Geant4 simulation was done to calculate the full-energy peak and total efficiencies of the detector. Standard, as well as fabricated mono-energetic γ-ray sources, were used for the γ-ray efficiency measurements. The simulated efficiencies of mono-energetic γ-ray sources were matched to the experimental γ-ray efficiencies by optimizing the detector parameters. The same parameters were used to obtain the full-energy peak and total efficiencies for γ-rays of current interest. Analytical and experimental correction factors were found to agree well with each other. The coincidence summing effect is found to be significant for source-to-detector distances less than 5 cm.

Complete Heparin Reversal by Protamine during Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (OPCAB): A Necessity or Myth?

In our country majority of the coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) are done off-pump and was reported having excellent clinical outcome along with cost efficiency by various investigators. Heparin is commonly used as most effective anticoagulant, and protamine sulfate is now generally used to reverse the anticoagulant action of heparin. While under dosing of protamine may result in incomplete heparin reversal and prolonged anticoagulation, protamine overdosing is associated with impaired clot formation exerted by the intrinsic anti-coagulation properties of protamine itself, moreover protamine administration is associated with mild to severe cardiovascular and pulmonary complications. Apart from traditional full neutralization of heparin now-a-days, half dose protamine was also introduced showing good outcome regarding lower activated clotting time (ACT), overall, less surgical bleeding with less transfusion. This comparative study was designed to detect differences between traditional and decreased protamine dosing in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB) surgery. Four hundred (400) patients who underwent Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (OPCAB) surgery at our institution over a period of 12 months were analyzed and were divided into two groups. Group A- received 0.5mg of protamine per 100 unit of heparin; Group B-received 1.0mg of protamine per 100 unit of heparin. ACT, blood loss, hemoglobin and platelet count units of blood and blood product transfusion requirements, clinical outcome and hospital stay were assessed in each patient. This study showed that 0.5mg of protamine per 100 unit of heparin was always able to reverse the anticoagulant effect of heparin with no significant difference in hemodynamic parameters, amount of blood loss and requirements of blood transfusion in between the groups. A standard protamine dosing formula (protamine-heparin at ratio of 1:1) adequate for on-pump cardiac surgical procedures significantly overestimates protamine requirements for OPCAB. Patients treated with decreased protamine do not appear to have adverse outcomes in terms of post-operative bleeding.

Ticagrelor or prasugrel versus clopidogrel in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND

Potent P2Y12 inhibitors such as ticagrelor and prasugrel are superior to clopidogrel in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Whether this benefit extends to a patient population with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) is unclear.

AIMS

We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of prasugrel and ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients undergoing PCI for CCS.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing PCI for CCS at a tertiary centre between 2014 and 2019 who were discharged on prasugrel or ticagrelor were compared with those on clopidogrel. The primary endpoint was the composite of death and myocardial infarction (MI), with secondary outcomes including rates of bleeding, stroke, and target vessel revascularisation at 1 year.

RESULTS

Overall, 11,508 patients were included in the study (ticagrelor/prasugrel n=2,860 [24.9%], clopidogrel n=8,648 [75.1%]) with an increasing frequency of potent P2Y12 inhibitor use over the study period (ptrend<0.001). Clopidogrel was used more frequently in patients with multimorbid risk factors, whereas anatomical or procedural complexity was associated with ticagrelor/prasugrel use (left main PCI, bifurcation PCI, number of lesions, rotational atherectomy). No difference in the incidence of death or MI was noted across the groups (ticagrelor/prasugrel vs clopidogrel: 2.7% vs 3.1%, adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62-1.17; p=0.33) or secondary outcomes including bleeding (adjHR 0.75, 95% CI: 0.46-1.21; p=0.23) on propensity score stratification analysis. Additionally, no difference in the primary outcome was observed across subgroups, including those undergoing complex PCI.

CONCLUSIONS

Ticagrelor and prasugrel are increasingly used in patients with CCS undergoing PCI with similar 1-year efficacy and safety when compared to clopidogrel. Whether use of these agents can be beneficial in patients undergoing PCI for CCS with a high thrombotic and low bleeding risk warrants further study.

O-199 Couples presenting to Infertility clinics - Are they really infertile?

Study question

Are couples presenting to infertility clinics actually infertile, or is there an undiagnosed underlying sexual dysfunction whose treatment can lead to natural conception avoiding the need for assisted reproductive techniques?

Summary answer

All couples presenting with infertility should be asked about sexual function. If sexual dysfunction is diagnosed, a signicant proportion can achieve pregnancy without assisted reproduction

What is known already

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of frequent and regular unprotected sexual intercourse (SI). Although sexual histories are a key part of primary care screening guidelines for infertility, they are often overlooked during the infertility work-up. It is postulated that a large proportion of couples presenting to infertility clinics have underlying sexual dysfunction. Treatment through specialist counselling for couples with sexual dysfunction can help achieve pregnancy, negating the need for complex assisted reproductive techniques such as intravaginal insemination (IVI) and intrauterine insemination (IUl).

Study design, size, duration

108 couples were recruited from a national fertility clinic. The duration of the study was 3.5 years, from January 2016 to August 2019. The study was based primarily on surveys, where diagnostic work-up for infertility included tools for measuring sexual dysfunction, such as the IIEF-15 questionnaire. Our objectives were to find the extent of improvement of SI before and after specialist referral, and the time to conceive (TTC) in those with and without sexual dysfunction.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Couples who never had successful completion of SI (despite producing an ejaculate sample) prior to clinic attendance were included. Treatment via specialist referral was then offered to these patients.

Data were analysed to compare outcomes between those who subsequently had successful SI (“Group A”) and those who had not had successful SI (“Group B”). Both groups were counselled for fertility treatments, such as IVI and IUI. TTC between the groups was analysed using Kaplan-Meier analysis

Main results and the role of chance

Out of 2057 couples presenting to the Infertility Clinic, 128 (5.98%) had never had successful SI. From this, 108 couples were included in the study. Two-thirds of couples revealed sexual difficulties at the beginning of the initial consultation. In men, erectile dysfunction was the predominant cause (70.4%, n = 76). In women, dyspareunia was the leading problem (18.2%, N = 20). Fertility investigations, which included hormone profiles, revealed normal results in most cases.

Treatment via referral to specialist sexual counselling was offered to all couples. Only 33 couples reported successful SI during subsequent visits (Group A). 13 of these 33 couples went on to conceive (11 naturally, 1 by IUI and 1 by IVI). The rest (n = 75), who had no improvement (Group B), had a significantly longer duration of sexual dysfunction, which was also more severe. Out of these 75 couples, 8 conceived (0 naturally, 6 by IVI, and 2 by IUI).The IIEF-15 scores (index for sexual dysfunction) between groups A and B were 10.72 ± 4.28 vs. 8 ± 4.73, P-value 0.0142. Group A couples (less severe sexual dysfunction) conceived earlier than Group B (mean duration 27.2 weeks vs. 48.8 weeks log-rank P value &lt;0.001).

Limitations, reasons for caution

The main limitations of this study include a small sample size and a small minority of couples refusing to undergo specialist counselling despite having sexual difficulties as they were only interested in assisted reproductive interventions such as IUl and IVI. These limitations hinder the internal/external validity of the study.

Wider implications of the findings

All couples presenting with infertility should be asked about sexual function. If sexual dysfunction is diagnosed, a signicant proportion can be helped to achieve pregnancy without assisted reproduction. In the cases of couples with persistent sexual difficulty, assisted reproductive techniques like IUI and IVI give a reasonable pregnancy rate.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

P-118 Timed Intercourse exacerbates the risk of sexual dysfunction in men &amp; women without an improvement in time to pregnancy

Study question

Investigate the differences in sexual dysfunction and time to pregnancy between infertile couples pursuing timed intercourse and Regular Intercourse (RI at least twice a week).

Summary answer

TI significantly increased the risk of SD compared to RI for both males and females after adjusting all other contributing factors.

What is known already

Timed Intercourse (TI) involves aligning sexual intercourse to the time around ovulation to increase the chance of conception in couples trying to conceive. Whilst TI is often advocated to increase conception rates and potentially accelerate the time to pregnancy (TTP) for infertile couples, the stressful nature of this approach may be associated with adverse effects such as sexual dysfunction (SD) within the couple.

Study design, size, duration

This prospective cohort study recruited 371 infertile couples who had been trying to conceive for more than a year, presenting to three regional infertility clinics between January 2016 and December 2018. 283 couples pursued TI and 88 couples pursued RI for a year, with all couples having no pre-existing sexual or psychiatric illness, and no medical contraindications to frequent intercourse.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The SD score of both partners was assessed at the first visit using the validated Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). TTP was determined using Kaplan Meier Analysis in couples for whom natural conception was possible and no reversible fertility pathology was identified.

Main results and the role of chance

Timed Intercourse (TI) involves aligning sexual intercourse to the time around ovulation to increase the chance of conception in couples trying to conceive. Whilst TI is often advocated to increase conception rates and potentially accelerate the time to pregnancy (TTP) for infertile couples, the stressful nature of this approach may be associated with adverse effects such as sexual dysfunction (SD) within the couple.

TI significantly increased the risk of SD compared to RI for both males (Odds ratio [OR] 15.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.96-29.15) and females (OR 5.52, 95% CI 2.38- 12.78), after adjusting for age, medical disorders, obesity, smoking, cause of infertility, and previous assisted reproductive techniques. TI carried a higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, male hypoactive sexual dysfunction, female sexual interest-arousal disorder, and female orgasmic disorder. The TTP for natural conception was similar between TI and RI (p = 0.1365).

Limitations, reasons for caution

TI, a well-known strategy for increasing conception rates, did not improve time to natural conception compared to regular sexual intercourse. In contrast, the risk of sexual dysfunction in both men and women was significantly higher in TI, compared with RI.

Wider implications of the findings

This large study raises the question of effectiveness of the long-held belief that TI (intercourse limited around the ovulation-time, based on different methods of ovulation-prediction) improves pregnancy outcomes.

Trial registration number

N/A

Role of power distance phenomena in blended learning in higher education post-Covid-19

COVID has posed several challenges for higher education. There is a rise in blended teaching and learning models that can improve the quality of education, observed Raman. Classroom interaction vital in quality of education is affected by power distance between the teacher and students, states Kasuya. Much research has been done on blended learning but hardly any on the role of power distance in blended learning in higher education, specifically post COVID. Keeping in mind the growing significance of blended learning shortly, it becomes strategically important to understand the role of power distance in blended learning in higher education post-COVID-19. This research paper tries to address the research gap. The study is exploratory, exploring the role of power distancing in blended learning formats during post-COVID-19. The findings indicate that there is a relationship between power distance and the autonomy of an individual. The higher the power distance between a teacher and a student from the teacher’s perspective, it becomes teacher-centred learning. So blended learning with the best of low power distances in terms of the media and delivery mechanism of offline and online ensures the mitigation of power between the teacher and the taught. The research will help the universities create a perfect blended learning format that enhances the quality of higher education. Due to the paucity of time and resources and a ban on respondent interaction due to pandemics, this research is based on secondary data analysis.

Realizing topological edge states with Rydberg-atom synthetic dimensions

A discrete degree of freedom can be engineered to match the Hamiltonian of particles moving in a real-space lattice potential. Such synthetic dimensions are powerful tools for quantum simulation because of the control they offer and the ability to create configurations difficult to access in real space. Here, in an ultracold ⁸⁴Sr atom, we demonstrate a synthetic-dimension based on Rydberg levels coupled with millimeter waves. Tunneling amplitudes between synthetic lattice sites and on-site potentials are set by the millimeter-wave amplitudes and detunings respectively. Alternating weak and strong tunneling in a one-dimensional configuration realizes the single-particle Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) Hamiltonian, a paradigmatic model of topological matter. Band structure is probed through optical excitation from the ground state to Rydberg levels, revealing symmetry-protected topological edge states at zero energy. Edge-state energies are robust to perturbations of tunneling-rates that preserve chiral symmetry, but can be shifted by the introduction of on-site potentials.

Synthetic dimensions, states of a system engineered to act as if they were a reconfigurable extra spatial dimension, have been demonstrated with different systems previously. Here the authors create a synthetic dimension using Rydberg atoms and configure it to support topological edge states.

BOX engineering to mitigate negative differential resistance in MFIS negative capacitance FDSOI FET: an analog perspective

Till date, the existing understanding of negative differential resistance (NDR) is obtained from metal-ferro-metal-insulator-semiconductor (MFMIS) FET, and it has been utilized for both MFMIS and metal-ferro-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS) based NCFETs. However, in MFIS architecture, the ferroelectric capacitance (C_FE) is not a lumped capacitance. Therefore, for MFIS negative capacitance (NC) devices, the physical explanation which governs the NDR mechanism needs to be addressed. In this work, for the first time, we present the first principle explanation of the NDR effect in MFIS NC FDSOI. We found that the output current variation with the drain to source voltage (V_DS), (i.e.g_ds) primarily depends upon two parameters: (a)V_DSdependent inversion charge gradient (∂n/∂V_DS); (b)V_DSsensitive electron velocity (∂v/∂V_DS), and the combined effect of these two dependencies results in NDR. Further, to mitigate the NDR effect, we proposed the BOX engineered NC FDSOI FET, in which the buried oxide (BOX) layer is subdivided into the ferroelectric (FE) layer and the SiO₂layer. In doing so, the inversion charge in the channel is enhanced by the BOX engineered FE layer, which in turn mitigates the NDR and a nearly zerog_dswith a minimal positive slope has been obtained. Through well-calibrated TCAD simulations, by utilizing the obtained positiveg_ds, we also designed aV_DSindependent constant current mirror which is an essential part of analog circuits. Furthermore, we discussed the impact of the FE parameter (remanent polarization and coercive field) variation on the device performances. We have also compared the acquired results with existing literature on NC-based devices, which justifies that our proposed structure exhibits complete diminution of NDR, thus enabling its use in analog circuit design.

Triangle Singularity as the Origin of the a_{1}(1420)

The COMPASS Collaboration experiment recently discovered a new isovector resonancelike signal with axial-vector quantum numbers, the a_{1}(1420), decaying to f_{0}(980)π. With a mass too close to and a width smaller than the axial-vector ground state a_{1}(1260), it was immediately interpreted as a new light exotic meson, similar to the X, Y, Z states in the hidden-charm sector. We show that a resonancelike signal fully matching the experimental data is produced by the decay of the a_{1}(1260) resonance into K^{*}(→Kπ)K[over ¯] and subsequent rescattering through a triangle singularity into the coupled f_{0}(980)π channel. The amplitude for this process is calculated using a new approach based on dispersion relations. The triangle-singularity model is fitted to the partial-wave data of the COMPASS experiment. Despite having fewer parameters, this fit shows a slightly better quality than the one using a resonance hypothesis and thus eliminates the need for an additional resonance in order to describe the data. We thereby demonstrate for the first time in the light-meson sector that a resonancelike structure in the experimental data can be described by rescattering through a triangle singularity, providing evidence for a genuine three-body effect.

B-cell clusters at the invasive margin associate with longer survival in early-stage oral-tongue cancer patients

In oral-cancer, the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) associates with improved survival, yet the prognostic value of the cellular composition and localization of TILs is not defined. We quantified densities, localizations, and cellular networks of lymphocyte populations in 138 patients with T1-T2 primary oral-tongue squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgical resections without any perioperative (chemo)radiotherapy, and correlated outcomes to overall survival (OS). Multiplexed in-situ immunofluorescence was performed for DAPI, CD4, CD8, CD20, and pan-cytokeratin using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections, and spatial distributions of lymphocyte populations were assessed in the tumor and stroma compartments at the invasive margin (IM) as well as the center of tumors. We observed a high density of CD4, CD8, and CD20 cells in the stroma compartment at the IM, but neither lymphocyte densities nor networks as single parameters associated with OS. In contrast, assessment of two contextual parameters within the stroma IM region of tumors, i.e., the number of CD20 cells within 20 µm radii of CD20 and CD4 cells, termed the CD20 Cluster Score, yielded a highly significant association with OS (HR 0.38; p = .003). Notably, the CD20 Cluster Score significantly correlated with better OS and disease-free survival in multivariate analysis (HR 0.34 and 0.47; p = .001 and 0.019) as well as with lower local recurrence rate (OR: 0.13; p = .028). Taken together, our study showed that the presence of stromal B-cell clusters at IM, in the co-presence of CD4 T-cells, associates with good prognosis in early oral-tongue cancer patients.

A Literature Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Symptoms Prevalence in Covid-19: the Relevance of Olfactory Symptoms in Infection Not Requiring Hospitalization

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To investigate the association between the olfactory dysfunction and the more typical symptoms (fever, cough, dyspnoea) within the Sars-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were reviewed from May 5, 2020, to June 1, 2020. Inclusion criteria included English, French, German, Spanish or Italian language studies containing original data related to COVID19, anosmia, fever, cough, and dyspnoea, in both hospital and non-hospital settings. Two investigators independently reviewed all manuscripts and performed quality assessment and quantitative meta-analysis using validated tools. A third author arbitrated full-text disagreements. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), 11 of 135 studies fulfilled eligibility. Anosmia was estimated less prevalent than fever and cough (respectively rate difference = - 0.316, 95% CI: - 0.574 to - 0.058, Z = - 2.404, p < 0.016, k = 11 and rate difference = - 0.249, 95% CI: - 0.402 to - 0.096, Z = - 3.185, p < 0.001, k = 11); the analysis between anosmia and dyspnoea was not significant (rate difference = - 0.008, 95% CI: - 0.166 to 0.150, Z = - 0.099, p < 0.921, k = 8). The typical symptoms were significantly more frequent than anosmia in hospitalized more critical patients than in non-hospitalized ones (respectively [Q(1) = 50.638 p < 0.000, Q(1) = 52.520 p < 0.000, Q(1) = 100.734 p < 0.000).

SUMMARY

Patient with new onset olfactory dysfunction should be investigated for COVID-19. Anosmia is more frequent in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients than in hospitalized ones.

Antichiral spin order, its soft modes, and their hybridization with phonons in the topological semimetal Mn 3 Ge

We report the magnetic structure and spin excitations ofMn 3 Ge , a breathing kagome antiferromagnet with transport anomalies attributed to Weyl nodes. Using polarized neutron diffraction, we show the magnetic order is a k = 0 coplanar state belonging to aΓ 9 irreducible representation, which can be described as a perfect 120° antichiral structure with a moment of 2.2 ( 1 ) μ B / Mn , superimposed with weak collinear ferromagnetism. Inelastic neutron scattering shows three collective Q = 0 excitations atΔ 1 = 2.9 ( 6 ) meV ,Δ 2 = 14.6 ( 3 ) meV , andΔ 3 = 17.5 ( 3 ) meV . A field theory of Q ≈ 0 spin waves in triangular antiferromagnets with a 120° spin structure was used to classify these modes. The in-plane mode ( α ) is gapless,Δ 1 is the gap to a doublet of out-of-plane spin excitations (β x ,β y ), andΔ 2 ,Δ 3 result from hybridization of optical phonons with magnetic excitations. While a phenomenological spin Hamiltonian including exchange interactions, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions, and single-ion crystal field terms can describe aspects of the Mn-based magnetism, spin-wave damping [ Γ = 25 ( 8 ) meV ] and the extended range of magnetic interactions indicate itinerant magnetism consistent with the transport anomalies.

Unraveling the Origin of Differentiable 'Turn-On' Fluorescence Sensing of Zn2+ and Cd2+ Ions with Squaramides

A squaramide ring conjugated with Schiff-bases decorated with hydroxy and methoxy functional groups differentially senses zinc and cadmium ions, which turn on the fluorescence. The feebly emitting free ligands light up in the presence of zinc and cadmium acetates, with the acetate ion playing a pivotal role as a conjugate anion. The selective and differentiable emission responses for zinc and cadmium ions make these ligands efficient multi-analyte sensing agents. Furthermore, these ligands could be used to differentially sense zinc and cadmium ions even in aqueous environments. The NMR investigations reveal marginal differences in the binding of zinc and cadmium ions to the ligands, whereas density functional theory calculations suggest the different extent of ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) contributes to the differential behavior. Finally, comparison of the excited-state dynamics of free ligand and the metal complexes reveal the appearance of longer lifetime (about 500-700 ps) component with complexation, due to rigidified molecular skeleton, thereby impeding the non-radiative processes.

Granular dot-like staining with MLH1 immunohistochemistry is a clone-dependent artefact

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for DNA mismatch repair proteins MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6 is used for microsatellite instability (MSI) screening in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and endometrial carcinoma (EC). Loss of PMS2, with retained MLH1 staining occurs in germline mutations of PMS2 gene, and is an indication for genetic testing. We report a pitfall of immunohistochemical interpretation in an EC, initially regarded as MLH1-positive and PMS2-negative. Review of the MLH1-IHC (M1-clone) revealed a granular, dot-like, nuclear staining. On repeating the MLH1-IHC with a different clone (ES05-clone), complete negativity was noted, and on molecular testing, MLH1 promotor methylation was detected. The dot-like pattern was therefore adjudged a clone-dependent artefact. On reviewing the archived MLH1-IHC slides, we observed the same dot-like pattern in two CRCs; in both cases the M1-clone had been used. Awareness of this artefact may prevent reporting errors, and unnecessary referrals for germline mutation testing.

Large debris dumps in the northern South China Sea

Knowledge of the abundance, source, and fate of marine debris in the deep sea is largely constrained thus far. Here, we report the existence of large deep-sea debris dumps that have not been reported before on the seafloor worldwide. Marine debris remarkably accumulated at ~1700-1800 m in the tributary submarine canyons of the Xisha Trough, northern South China Sea (SCS). Although marine debris in Xisha Trough is patchy, the debris abundance was as high as 36,818 and 51,929 items/km² at locations SY78 and SY82, respectively, which is one order of magnitude higher than that in other submarine canyons. We propose that most of the debris came from fishery and navigation activities, as indicated by the categories of debris collected from the seafloor dumps. Seasonal surface ocean currents of the SCS and geomorphology of submarine canyons possibly influence the movement of the debris from coasts to the deep seafloor.