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Ichthyosaurs are extinct marine reptiles that display a notable external similarity to modern toothed whales. Here we show that this resemblance is more than skin deep. We apply a multidisciplinary experimental approach to characterize the cellular and molecular composition of integumental tissues in an exceptionally preserved specimen of the Early Jurassic ichthyosaur Stenopterygius. Our analyses
High-brilliance x-ray sources (x-ray free-electron lasers or diffraction-limited storage rings) allow the visualization of ultrafast processes in a 2D manner using single exposures. Current 3D approaches scan the sample using multiple exposures, and hence they are not compatible with single-shot acquisitions. Here we propose and verify experimentally an x-ray multi-projection imaging approach, whi
Heart transplantation is the only cure for patients with terminal cardiac failure, but the supply of allogeneic donor organs falls far short of the clinical need1–3. Xenotransplantation of genetically modified pig hearts has been discussed as a potential alternative4. Genetically multi-modified pig hearts that lack galactose-α1,3-galactose epitopes (α1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout) and express
The literature describing medical aspects on sauna bathing is briefly reviewed. The circulatory effects of heating and subsequent cooling related to sauna bath differ with age, underlying medical condition and use of drugs. The circulatory changes may often be beneficial but can sometimes prove dangerous. More than 2000 sauna bathers were followed for around 20 years in a Finnish population study.
Microglia represent a specialized population of macrophages-like cells in the central nervous system (CNS) considered immune sentinels that are capable of orchestrating a potent inflammatory response. Microglia are also involved in synaptic organization, trophic neuronal support during development, phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in the developing brain, myelin turnover, control of neuronal excita
At the Department of Orthopedics of University Hospital, Lund, Sweden, cancer incidence and overall and cause-specific mortality were studied in a prospective cohort of 677 women who had experienced a fracture of the distal forearm in 1974 or 1975. The women were followed through population-based population, cancer, and death registries in southern Sweden. There was a significant reduction In over
A hallmark of adult hematopoiesis is the continuous replacement of blood cells with limited lifespans. While active hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) contribution to multilineage hematopoiesis is the foundation of clinical HSC transplantation, recent reports have questioned the physiological contribution of HSCs to normal/steady-state adult hematopoiesis. Here, we use inducible lineage tracing from ge
[NiFe] hydrogenases catalyze the reversible conversion of molecular hydrogen to protons and electrons. This seemingly simple reaction has attracted much attention because of the prospective use of H2 as a clean fuel. In this paper, we have studied the full reaction mechanism of this enzyme with various computational methods. Geometries were obtained with combined quantum mechanical and molecular m
Natural organic matter (NOM) is a growing concern for artificial recharge plants. In the future, it is predicted that warmer climates and more precipitation will cause higher NOM production in lakes and more NOM transport to lakes. This, coupled with increasing drinking water demand due to the population increase, is pushing operators of water treatment plants (WTPs) to find new ways to treat wate
Diet and ambient temperature affect animal physiology, survival and reproductive success. However, knowledge of how these environmental factors interact to shape physiological processes and life-history traits of birds and other animals is largely lacking. By exposing adult great tits (Parus major) to two contrasting diets (saturated or unsaturated fatty acids; SFAs and UFAs, respectively) and amb
Characterizing aerosol chemical composition in response to meteorological changes and atmospheric chemistry is important to gain insights into new particle formation mechanisms. A BAECC (Biogenic Aerosols - Effects on Clouds and Climate) campaign was conducted during the spring 2014 at the SMEAR II station (Station for Measuring Forest Ecosystem-Aerosol Relations) in Finland. The particles were ch
This paper presents the development and validation of a Monte Carlo-based singe photon emission computed tomography reconstruction program for parallel-hole collimation contained within the SIMIND Monte Carlo framework. The Monte Carlo code is used as an accurate forward-projector and is combined with a simplified back-projector to perform iterative tomographic reconstruction using the Maximum Lik
We have performed a systematic computational study of the relative energies of possible protonation states of the FeMo cluster in nitrogenase in the E0-E4 states, i.e., the resting state and states with 1-4 electrons and protons added but before N2 binds. We use the combined quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach, including the complete solvated heterotetrameric enzyme in the c
Block copolymer-surfactant "complex salts" (BCPCS), containing one neutral water-soluble block and one polyion/surfactant-ion block, were prepared from poly(acrylamide)-block-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymers by neutralizing the acrylate charges with cationic dodecyl- or hexadecyltrimethylammonium surfactant counterions. The BCPCS were studied in hydrated samples containing 20-99 wt % water (and
Most B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL) can be classified into known major genetic subtypes, while a substantial proportion of BCP ALL remains poorly characterized in relation to its underlying genomic abnormalities. We therefore initiated a large-scale international study to reanalyze and delineate the transcriptome landscape of 1,223 BCP ALL cases using RNA sequencing. Fourt
We use tunneling spectroscopy to study the evolution of few-electron spin states in parallel InAs nanowire double quantum dots (QDs) as a function of level detuning and applied magnetic field. Compared to the much more studied serial configuration, parallel coupling of the QDs to source and drain greatly expands the probing range of excited-state transport. Owing to a strong confinement, we can he
Flying animals need continual sensory feedback about their body position and orientation for flight control. The visual system provides essential but slow feedback. In contrast, mechanosensory channels can provide feedback at much shorter timescales. How the contributions from these two senses are integrated remains an open question in most insect groups. In Diptera, fast mechanosensory feedback i
This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: The objective of this review is to assess benefits and harms of postnatal administration of corticosteroids for the management of transient tachypnea of the newborn.
Ectopic expression of transcription factors has been used to reprogram differentiated somatic cells toward pluripotency or to directly reprogram them to other somatic cell lineages. This concept has been explored in the context of regenerative medicine. Here, we set out to generate dendritic cells (DCs) capable of presenting antigens from mouse and human fibroblasts. By screening combinations of 1
