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The fluvial-aeolian Upper Rotliegend sandstones from the Bebertal outcrop (Flechtingen High, Germany) are the famous reservoir analog for the deeply buried Upper Rotliegend gas reservoirs of the Southern Permian Basin. While most diagenetic and reservoir quality investigations are conducted on a meter scale, there is an emerging consensus that significant reservoir heterogeneity is inherited from diagenetic complexity at smaller scales. In this study, we utilize information about diagenetic products and processes at the pore- and plug-scale and analyze their impact on the heterogeneity of porosity, permeability, and cement patterns. Eodiagenetic poikilitic calcite cements, illite/iron oxide grain coatings, and the amount of infiltrated clay are responsible for mm- to cm-scale reservoir heterogeneities in the Parchim formation of the Upper Rotliegend sandstones. Using the Petrel E&P software platform, spatial fluctuations and spatial variations of permeability, porosity, and calcite cements are modeled and compared, offering opportunities for predicting small-scale reservoir rock properties based on diagenetic constraints.

Judo is an Olympic sport, and the way of its performing can lead to repetitive blunt injuries on head and ears. The chronic consequences of such traumata on the auricle are the formation of so-called cauliflower ear. This condition is painful, can lead to interruptions in the training process and long-term consequences for the athlete's health. There is limited knowledge of epidemiological data about cauliflower ear deformities in judo. Evaluation of the prevalence of cauliflower ear among judokas based on their profile pictures on the international judo federation was performed. A large cohort of judo athletes from around the world was studied. Two different classifications for the severity of ear deformities were used. Statistical calculations of the collected data and correlations to different parameters were performed. Images of 1632 top athletes were evaluated in the study. Ear deformities were found in 55.5% of the judokas. There was gender-specific differences. Male athletes were affected much more often than female athletes. In addition, ear deformities were more pronounced in male athletes. A correlation was found between the age of the athletes and the presence of an ear deformity. It has also been shown that judokas with a high world ranking are more likely to have an ear deformity. Ear deformities are a common consequence of injury among leading judo athletes. The current study represents the largest and high heterogeny cohort ever conducted on the prevalence of cauliflower ear in judoka. Knowledge of the prevalence of cauliflower ear in judoka based on reliable data from this study, may be important prerequisites for further studies on the impact of this traumatic consequence on training preparation and judoka health.

Wnt signalling stimulated by binding of R-spondin (Rspo) to Lgr-family members is crucial for gastrointestinal stem cell renewal. Infection of the stomach with Helicobacter pylori stimulates increased secretion of Rspo by myofibroblasts, leading to an increase in proliferation of Wnt-responsive Axin2 + Lgr5 − stem cells in the isthmus of the gastric gland and finally gastric gland hyperplasia. Basal Lgr5 + cells are also exposed to Rspo3, but their response remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that—in contrast to its known mitogenic activity—Rspo3 induces differentiation of basal Lgr5 + cells into secretory cells that express and secrete antimicrobial factors, such as intelectin-1, into the lumen. The depletion of Lgr5 + cells or the knockout of Rspo3 in myofibroblasts leads to hypercolonization of the gastric glands with H. pylori , including the stem cell compartment. By contrast, systemic administration or overexpression of Rspo3 in the stroma clears H. pylori from the gastric glands. Thus, the Rspo3–Lgr5 axis simultaneously regulates both antimicrobial defence and mucosal regeneration. Sigal et al. report that Rspo3 regulates Lgr5 cells in the gastric gland base, induces their differentiation into secretory cells and stimulates epithelial antimicrobial defence against H. pylori infection.

White adipose tissue primarily stores energy while brown adipose tissue dissipates energy as heat, holding promise for therapeutic use. Brown adipose tissue in the anterior trunk is believed to derive from the somitic mesoderm, although some depots are of partially unknown origin. Here we show that the subscapular, lateral, cervical and peri-aortic brown adipose depots, but not the interscapular depot, are in part formed by a non-somitic source. Single-cell sequencing along with genetic lineage tracing indicates that at embryonic day 9.5 the dorsal aorta compartment harbors multipotent mesenchymal progenitors expressing the transcription factor Osr1. Spreading laterally from the dorsal aortic midline, these cells contribute to adipose, cartilage and myogenic lineages. This study uncovers an alternative source of brown adipose tissue and suggests that a fraction of dorsal aorta-associated mesenchymal Osr1 + cells may represent the in vivo correlate of a multipotent progenitor cell type so far only characterized in vitro, the mesoangioblast. The somitic mesoderm is seen as the main source of brown adipose tissue, although some depots are of partially unknown origin. Here, the authors show that Osr1 labels multipotent dorsal aorta progenitors at E9.5 that contribute to cartilage, muscle, and adipose tissues, revealing a non-somitic contribution to several brown adipose depots.

Soluble cytokine decoy receptors are potent immune modulatory reagents with therapeutic applications. Some virus-encoded secreted cytokine receptors interact with glycosaminoglycans expressed at the cell surface, but the biological significance of this activity in vivo is poorly understood. Here, we show the type I interferon binding protein (IFNα/βBP) encoded by vaccinia and ectromelia viruses requires of this cell binding activity to confer full virulence to these viruses and to retain immunomodulatory activity. Expression of a variant form of the IFNα/βBP that inhibits IFN activity, but does not interact with cell surface glycosaminoglycans, results in highly attenuated viruses with a virulence similar to that of the IFNα/βBP deletion mutant viruses. Transcriptomics analysis and infection of IFN receptor-deficient mice confirmed that the control of IFN activity is the main function of the IFNα/βBP in vivo. We propose that retention of secreted cytokine receptors at the cell surface may largely enhance their immunomodulatory activity. Secreted cytokine decoy receptors encoded by viruses can act as potent immune evasion proteins modulating antiviral immunity. Here Hernaez et al. show that cell surface binding is required for efficient evasion of the host response by a secreted virus encoded type I IFN decoy receptor of vaccinia and ectromelia virus using an in vivo model of infection.

Cell‐intrinsic responses mounted in PBMCs during mild and severe COVID‐19 differ quantitatively and qualitatively. Whether they are triggered by signals emitted by productively infected cells of the respiratory tract or result from physical interaction with virus particles remains unclear. Here, we analyzed susceptibility and expression profiles of PBMCs from healthy donors upon ex vivo exposure to SARS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2. In line with the absence of detectable ACE2 receptor expression, human PBMCs were refractory to productive infection. RT–PCR experiments and single‐cell RNA sequencing revealed JAK/STAT‐dependent induction of interferon‐stimulated genes (ISGs) but not proinflammatory cytokines. This SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific response was most pronounced in monocytes. SARS‐CoV‐2‐RNA‐positive monocytes displayed a lower ISG signature as compared to bystander cells of the identical culture. This suggests a preferential invasion of cells with a low ISG baseline profile or delivery of a SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific sensing antagonist upon efficient particle internalization. Together, nonproductive physical interaction of PBMCs with SARS‐CoV‐2‐ and, to a much lesser extent, SARS‐CoV particles stimulate JAK/STAT‐dependent, monocyte‐accentuated innate immune responses that resemble those detected in vivo in patients with mild COVID‐19. Synopsis Human PBMCs, despite absent susceptibility to SARS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, mount a JAK/STAT‐dependent innate immune response in monocytes upon exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2. ScRNA‐sequencing revealed an inverse relationship between SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA‐positivity and the IFN state. PBMCs are refractory and nonpermissive to SARS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Nevertheless, exposure of PBMCs to SARS‐CoV‐2 induces a JAK/STAT‐dependent cell‐intrinsic innate immune response that is most pronounced in monocytes. Monocytes positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA display a lower IFN state as compared to RNA‐negative bystander cells, suggesting intracellular delivery of virion‐packaged IFN antagonists upon particle internalization. Graphical Abstract Human PBMCs, despite absent susceptibility to SARS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, mount a JAK/STAT‐dependent innate immune response in monocytes upon exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2. ScRNA‐sequencing revealed an inverse relationship between SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA‐positivity and the IFN state.

Biocatalytic degradation is an emerging strategy aiming for energy-efficient recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), the most commonly used thermoplastic polyester. Besides material composition and physico-chemical parameters, the degradation kinetics is co-determined by the evolving nanotopography. In this study, the 3-dimensional development of the surface characteristics of an amorphous PET film, reacted with a highly effective hydrolase enzyme for up to 24 h, was explored by vertical scanning interferometry and confocal microscopy. The spatio-temporal analysis unveiled that the degradation process is not uniform with respect to reaction time and spatial reactivity distribution. An early phase of an unspecific roughness evolution is followed by an advanced phase characterized by a circular degradation pattern, consisting of shallow pits that are steadily renewed over time. The data suggest a hindrance of degradation during the initial roughening process, demonstrating the potential role of targeted surface modification in the large-scale treatment of plastic waste.

Massively increasing global incidences of colorectal cancer require efficient treatment and prevention strategies. Here, we report unexpected anticancerogenic effects of hydroethanolic Iberis amara extract (IAE), which is known as a widely used phytomedical product for treating gastrointestinal complaints. IAE significantly inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 and T84 colon carcinoma cells with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 6 and 9 μg/ml, respectively, and further generated inhibitory effects in PC-3 prostate and MCF7 breast cancer cells. Inhibition of proliferation in HT-29 cells was associated with a G2/M phase cell cycle arrest including reduced expression of various regulatory marker proteins. Notably, in HT-29 cells IAE further induced apoptosis by intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Consistent with predictions derived from our in vitro experiments, bidaily oral gavage of 50 mg/kg of IAE over 4 weeks resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth in a mouse HT-29 tumor xenograft model. Taken together, Iberis amara extracts could become useful alternatives for preventing and treating the progression of colon cancer.

Fluid–solid reactions result in material flux from or to the solid surface. The prediction of the flux, its variations, and changes with time are of interest to a wide array of disciplines, ranging from the material and earth sciences to pharmaceutical sciences. Reaction rate maps that are derived from sequences of topography maps illustrate the spatial distribution of reaction rates across the crystal surface. Here, we present highly spatially resolved rate maps that reveal the existence of rhythmic pulses of the material flux from the crystal surface. This observation leads to a change in our understanding of the way crystalline matter dissolves. Rhythmic fluctuations of the reactive surface site density and potentially concomitant oscillations in the fluid saturation imply spatial and temporal variability in surface reaction rates. Knowledge of such variability could aid attempts to upscale microscopic rates and predict reactive transport through changing porous media.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) after elbow trauma can be responsible for significant motion restrictions. The study’s primary aim was to develop a new X-ray-based classification for HO of the elbow. This retrospective study analyzed elbow injury radiographs from 138 patients aged 6–85 years (mean 45.9 ± 18) who underwent operative treatment. The new classification was applied at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively. The severity of HO was graded from 0 to 4 and localization was defined as r (radial), p (posterior), u (ulnar) or a (anterior) by two observers. The patients were categorized based on injury location and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for HO prophylaxis. The correlations between the generated data sets were analyzed using Chi-square tests (χ2) with a significance level of p < 0.05. The inter- and intraobserver reliability was assessed using Cohen’s Kappa. In 50.7% of the evaluated X-rays, the formation of HO could be detected after 12 weeks, and in 60% after 6 months. The analysis showed a significant correlation between the injury’s location and the HO’s location after 12 weeks (p = 0.003). The use of an NSAID prophylaxis did not show a significant correlation with the severity of HO. The classification showed nearly perfect inter- (κ = 0.951, p < 0.001) and intrareliability (κ = 0.946, p < 0.001) according to the criteria of Landis and Koch. Based on the presented classification, the dimension and localization of HO in the X-ray image can be described in more detail compared to previously established classifications and, thus, can increase the comparability of results across studies.