NWO Vici, recent awardees

XTRUDE: A Process‐Informed Framework for High‐Fidelity Analysis of Hydrogel Extrusion

Mani Diba · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

ABSTRACT Reliable extrusion of viscoelastic hydrogels is crucial for technologies ranging from 3D (bio)printing to injectable therapeutics, yet current methods to characterize extrusion performance fail to mimic key processing conditions. Consequently, extrusion performance cannot be precisely predicted or controlled, particularly for thermosensitive, shear‐thinning, or heterogeneous hydrogels. Fundamentally, reliable extrusion emerges from interactions between intrinsic material properties and

Enhanced covalent organic frameworks processability: Synthesis of COF-polymer hybrid materials with plastic behavior

Stefano Gazzotti · NL

Plant movements: navigating the light environment

Ronald Pierik · Wageningen University & Research · NL

Plants use light both as a resource for photosynthesis and as a signal about their environment. In response to light cues, plants can move their organs via directional growth driven by cell expansion. In dense vegetation where light is available in spatially heterogeneous patterns, plants need to navigate this space to improve the position of their photosynthetic tissues. In canopies blue light irradiance and red to far-red light ratio decrease due to absorption by chloroplasts, and these change

The association of psychosocial work quality with changes in the mental health of young adults starting career work

M. van der Veen · NL

Objective This study investigated whether (i) young adults’ mental health problems change when starting career work, (ii) potential changes in mental health problems differ by psychosocial work quality, and (iii) mental health problems during adolescence moderate potential changes in mental health by psychosocial work quality. Methods We used data from the TRracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) cohort. Follow-up time was 2–4 years. Mental health was measured with the youth and a

Diels‐Alder Click Chemistry as a Dynamic‐Covalent Crosslinking Method in Spheroid‐Encapsulating Hydrogels for Cartilage Engineering

Tina Vermonden · Utrecht University · NL

In cartilage tissue engineering, there is a growing interest in dynamic hydrogels that promote spheroid fusion and cartilaginous matrix deposition, while maintaining sufficient stability for long-term construct maturation. In this study, Diels-Alder click chemistry is employed as a dynamic-covalent crosslinking method to create hydrogels composed of hyaluronic acid, gelatin, and PEG. By adjusting the pH during crosslinking, the tuneability of hydrogel stiffness and stability at pH values around

Diels‐Alder Click Chemistry as a Dynamic‐Covalent Crosslinking Method in Spheroid‐Encapsulating Hydrogels for Cartilage Engineering

Tina Vermonden · Utrecht University · NL

In cartilage tissue engineering, there is a growing interest in dynamic hydrogels that promote spheroid fusion and cartilaginous matrix deposition, while maintaining sufficient stability for long-term construct maturation. In this study, Diels-Alder click chemistry is employed as a dynamic-covalent crosslinking method to create hydrogels composed of hyaluronic acid, gelatin, and PEG. By adjusting the pH during crosslinking, the tuneability of hydrogel stiffness and stability at pH values around

Markov Chains and Random Walks with Memory on Hypergraphs: A Tensor-Based Approach

Shaoxuan Cui · NL

Many complex systems exhibit interactions that depend not only on pairwise connections, but also group structures and memory effects. To capture such effects, we develop a unified tensor framework for modeling higher-order Markov chains with memory. Our formulation introduces an even-order paired tensor that links folded and unfolded dynamics and characterizes their steady states and convergence. We further show that a Markov chain with memory can be approximated by a low-dimensional nonlinear t

How are estimated cellular turnover rates influenced by the dynamics of a source population?

Arpit Chandan Swain · Utrecht University · NL

Estimating production and loss rates of cell populations is essential but difficult. The current state-of-the-art method to estimate these rates involves mathematical modelling of deuterium labelling experiments. Current models typically assume that the labelling in the precursors of the population of interest (POI) is proportional to the deuterium enrichment in body water/glucose. This assumption is not always true and it is known that this can have a significant effect on the rates estimated f

Solvent and temperature effects in the photoiniferter RAFT polymerisation of PEG methacrylate

Inge S. Zuhorn · University Medical Center Groningen · NL

Photoiniferter (PI)-RAFT polymerisation is a promising approach to synthesise a broad range of polymers due to its' "living" nature. We have investigated the effect of illumination, solvent and temperature on the PI-RAFT polymerisation of PEGMA.

Robust Optimization of Rank-Dependent Models with Uncertain Probabilities

Dick den Hertog · NL

This paper studies distributionally robust optimization for a rich class of risk measures with ambiguity sets defined by $ϕ$-divergences. The risk measures are allowed to be non-linear in probabilities, are represented by Choquet integrals possibly induced by a probability weighting function, and encompass many well-known examples. Optimization for this class of risk measures is challenging due to their rank-dependent nature. We show that for various shapes of probability weighting functions, in

Unraveling the paradox: cardiovascular risk profiling in migraine– a correspondence

Linda Al‐Hassany · Erasmus MC · NL

We read with great interest the recent publication by Marston and colleagues in Nature Medicine, entitled "Endothelial cell-related genetic variants identify LDL cholesterol-sensitive individuals who derive greater benefit from aggressive lipid lowering" (issue 31, March 2025, pages 963-969). Among their compelling findings, the association between the endothelial cell-specific polygenic risk score (EC-PRS) - which consists of SNPs associated with coronary artery disease - and a reduced risk of

Amygdala Hyperactivity in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Disentangling Predisposing From Consequential Factors Using a Prospective Longitudinal Design

Lycia D. de Voogd · Leiden University · NL

BACKGROUND: Substantial interindividual differences exist in the vulnerability to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following trauma exposure. Identification of neurocognitive risk markers for PTSD symptoms could aid early assessment and identification of preventive intervention targets for PTSD, particularly in high-risk professionals. Therefore, large prospective longitudinal studies with pretrauma measurements are essential to disentangle whether previously observed neurob

Solvent and temperature effects in the photoiniferter RAFT polymerisation of PEG methacrylate

R.‐C. CHANG · University Medical Center Groningen · NL

= 1.30 even at 40 °C.

Crossing-Preserving Geodesic Tracking on Spherical Images

Nicky J. van den Berg · Eindhoven University of Technology · NL

Guidelines for the Echocardiographic Assessment of the Right Heart in Adults and Special Considerations in Pulmonary Hypertension: Recommendations from the American Society of Echocardiography

Monica Mukherjee · NL

Dynamics of a liquid lamella during vertical impact of a solid plate

Nayoung Kim · Max Planck University of Twente Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics · NL

We study the dynamics of a thin liquid sheet that flows upwards along the sides of a vertically aligned, impacting plate. Upon impact of the vertical solid plate onto a liquid pool, the liquid film is ejected and subsequently continues to flow over the solid surface while the plate enters the water. With increasing impact velocity, the liquid film is observed to rise up faster and higher. We focus on the time evolution of the liquid film height and the thickness of its upper rim and discuss thei

Suppression of Plant Resistance May Be a Common Trait Among Adapted Herbivores

Jéssica Teodoro‐Paulo · NL

populations sampled from tomato at three field sites were compared. To discriminate between mites that induce/suppress defenses and to assess their degree of resistance, the magnitude of induced defenses was measured and aligned with oviposition data. The expression of effector 84 was also assessed to determine whether its magnitude of expression is a good predictor of suppression with the magnitude of suppression. Surprisingly, we observed that suppression is the dominant phenotype in mite popu

Endothelial to mesenchymal transition in cardiovascular diseases: molecular insights and clinical perspectives

Ignacio Fernando Hall · NL

Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process whereby endothelial cells transition to adopt a mesenchymal-like fate, e.g. to become smooth muscle cells, osteoblasts, fibroblasts, or chondrocytes. In embryonic heart development, the importance of EndMT was established several decades ago, with ECs undergoing EndMT to give rise to the endocardial cushions that ultimately develop into the cardiac valves. More recently, EndMT has been observed in various adult cardiovascular diseases. T

Unobtrusive inference of diurnal rhythms from smartphone data

Loran Knol · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

Diurnal rhythms are an integral feature of psychopathology but difficult to measure at scale. Smartphones are ubiquitous and therefore uniquely positioned to measure such rhythms non-invasively and continuously. Here, we propose a digital phenotyping framework to quantify diurnal rhythms. We use it to predict sleep duration from smartphone typing dynamics and analyse rhythm phase during time zone transitions with a clinical outpatient sample and a year-long longitudinal data set.

Author response to ‘Clarification on the incidence and sex-specificity of sexual dysfunction as an adverse event of CGRP-targeting medications’

Antoinette MaassenVanDenBrink · Erasmus MC · NL

Structural Aspects of MoS_<i>x</i> Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Ageeth A. Bol · NL

HER electrocatalysts as well as new insights into their activity and structure.

Estimating option pricing models using a characteristic function-based linear state space representation

H. Peter Boswijk · NL

Liquid crystalline inverted lipid phases encapsulating siRNA enhance lipid nanoparticle mediated transfection

Roy Pattipeiluhu · Leiden University · NL

Efficient cytosolic delivery of RNA molecules remains a formidable barrier for RNA therapeutic strategies. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) serve as state-of-the-art carriers that can deliver RNA molecules intracellularly, as exemplified by the recent implementation of several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Using a bottom-up rational design approach, we assemble LNPs that contain programmable lipid phases encapsulating small interfering RNA (siRNA). A combination of cryogenic transmission electron micro

Lexical effects on talker discrimination in adult cochlear implant users

Terrin N. Tamati · NL

The lexical and phonological content of an utterance impacts the processing of talker-specific details in normal-hearing (NH) listeners. Adult cochlear implant (CI) users demonstrate difficulties in talker discrimination, particularly for same-gender talker pairs, which may alter the reliance on lexical information in talker discrimination. The current study examined the effect of lexical content on talker discrimination in 24 adult CI users. In a remote AX talker discrimination task, word pairs

Single-cell analysis of innate immune cell mechanics: an application to cancer immunology

Tom M. J. Evers · Leiden University · NL

Alterations in the tumor microenvironment not only modulate cancer cell progression and invasiveness but also affect the viscoelastic properties of immune cells therein.

Characterization of the human fetal gonad and reproductive tract by single-cell transcriptomics

Xueying Fan · Leiden University Medical Center · NL

During human fetal development, sex differentiation occurs not only in the gonads but also in the adjacent developing reproductive tract. However, while the cellular composition of male and female human fetal gonads is well described, that of the adjacent developing reproductive tract remains poorly characterized. Here, we performed single-cell transcriptomics on male and female human fetal gonads together with the adjacent developing reproductive tract from first and second trimesters, highligh

Refractive index sensing using quasi-bound states in the continuum in silicon metasurfaces

Minpeng Liang · Eindhoven University of Technology · NL

This work presents a bulk refractive index sensor based on quasi-bound states in the continuum (BICs) induced by broken symmetries in metasurfaces. The symmetry is broken by detuning the size and position of silicon particles periodically arranged in an array, resulting in multiple quasi-BIC resonances. We investigate the sensing characteristics of each of the resonances by measuring the spectral shift in response to changes in the refractive index of the surrounding medium. In addition, we reve

Intracellular signaling in proto-eukaryotes evolves to alleviate regulatory conflicts of endosymbiosis

Samuel H. A. von der Dunk · Utrecht University · NL

The complex eukaryotic cell resulted from a merger between simpler prokaryotic cells, yet the role of the mitochondrial endosymbiosis with respect to other eukaryotic innovations has remained under dispute. To investigate how the regulatory challenges associated with the endosymbiotic state impacted genome and network evolution during eukaryogenesis, we study a constructive computational model where two simple cells are forced into an obligate endosymbiosis. Across multiple in silico evolutionar

Kinetic control over the chiral-selectivity in the formation of organometallic polymers on a Ag(110) surface

R. S. Koen Houtsma · University of Groningen · NL

Methods to control chiral-selectivity in molecular reactions through external inputs are of importance, both from a fundamental and technological point of view. Here, the self-assembly of prochiral 6,12-dibromochrysene monomers on Ag(110) is studied using scanning tunneling microscopy. Deposition of the monomers on a substrate held at room temperature leads to the formation of 1D achiral organometallic polymers. When the monomers are instead deposited on a substrate held at 373 K, homochiral org

MALDI versus DESI mass spectrometry imaging of lipids in atherosclerotic plaque

Gijs van Soest · NL

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a powerful tool for detecting lipids in tissue sections, with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) as its key ionization techniques. In this study, we examine how MALDI compares with state-of-the-art DESI ionization in identifying lipids in heterogeneous samples, specifically atherosclerotic plaques. Carotid plaques (n = 4) from patients undergoing endarterectomy were snap-frozen, stored at -80°C, and

Server Saturation in Skewed Networks

Diego Goldsztajn · Eindhoven University of Technology · NL

We use bipartite graphs to model compatibility constraints that arise between tasks and servers in data centers, cloud computing systems and content delivery networks. We prove that servers with skewed graph neighborhoods saturate with tasks in a limiting regime. The neighborhood of a server is skewed if it contains a diverging number of dispatchers with uniformly bounded degrees.

Epigenome-wide association study on the plasma metabolome suggests self-regulation of the glycine and serine pathway through DNA methylation

Jiafei Wu · University Medical Center Groningen · NL

BACKGROUND: The plasma metabolome reflects the physiological state of various biological processes and can serve as a proxy for disease risk. Plasma metabolite variation, influenced by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, can also affect the cellular microenvironment and blood cell epigenetics. The interplay between the plasma metabolome and the blood cell epigenome remains elusive. In this study, we performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of 1183 plasma metabolites in 693 participant

Primary SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern infections elicit broad antibody Fc-mediated effector functions and memory B cell responses

Karlijn van der Straten · Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam · NL

Neutralization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by human sera is a strong correlate of protection against symptomatic and severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The emergence of antigenically distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and the relatively rapid waning of serum antibody titers, however, raises questions about the sustainability of serum protection. In addition to serum neutralization, other antibody functionalities and the memory B cell (MBC)

Once in NEET, always in NEET? Childhood and adolescent risk factors for different NEET patterns

Karin Veldman · University Medical Center Groningen · NL

BACKGROUND: Young adults in Neither in Employment, Education nor Training (NEET) are at risk of adverse labour market outcomes. Earlier studies often measured NEET status at one time point or compared persistent NEETs with non-NEETs, neglecting other patterns of NEET status. Evidence on early life factors associated with NEET patterns is lacking. This study aims to (i) identify patterns of NEET status over time and (ii) examine whether factors in childhood and adolescence are associated with the

Optimizing ionic transport in argyrodites: a unified view on the role of sulfur/halide distribution and local environments

Marnix Wagemaker · Delft University of Technology · NL

molecular dynamics, focusing on the correlation between key structural descriptors and Li-ion conductivity. Commonly suggested parameters, such as configurational entropy, bromide site occupancy, and bromine content, correlate with Li-ion diffusivity but do not consistently explain conductivity trends. We find that a uniform distribution of bromine and sulfur ions across the 4a and 4d sublattices is critical for achieving high conductivity by facilitating optimal lithium jump activation energies

Polaritonic Chemistry Enabled by Non‐Local Metasurfaces

Jaime Gómez Rivas · Eindhoven University of Technology · NL

Vibrational strong coupling can modify chemical reaction pathways in unconventional ways. Thus far, Fabry-Perot cavities formed by pairs of facing mirrors have been mostly utilized to achieve vibrational strong coupling. In this study, we demonstrate the application of non-local metasurfaces that can sustain surface lattice resonances, enabling chemical reactions under vibrational strong coupling. We show that the solvolysis kinetics of para-nitrophenyl acetate can be accelerated by a factor of

Viscoelastic wetting: Cox–Voinov theory with normal stress effects

Minkush Kansal · University of Twente · NL

The classical Cox–Voinov theory of contact line motion provides a relation between the macroscopically observable contact angle, and the microscopic wetting angle as a function of contact-line velocity. Here, we investigate how viscoelasticity, specifically the normal stress effect, modifies the wetting dynamics. Using the thin film equation for the second-order fluid, it is found that the normal stress effect is dominant at small scales yet can significantly affect macroscopic motion. We show t

Single-cell analysis of innate immune cell mechanics: an application to cancer immunology

Tom M. J. Evers · Leiden University · NL

Alterations in the tumor microenvironment not only modulate cancer cell progression and invasiveness but also affect the viscoelastic properties of immune cells therein.

Global Projections of Storm Surges Using High‐Resolution CMIP6 Climate Models

Sanne Muis · Deltares · NL

Abstract In the coming decades, coastal flooding will become more frequent due to sea‐level rise and potential changes in storms. To produce global storm surge projections from 1950 to 2050, we force the Global Tide and Surge Model with a ∼25‐km resolution climate model ensemble from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP). This is the first time that such a high‐resolution ensemble is used to assess changes in future storm sur

Zebrafish as outgroup model to study evolution of scavenger receptor class B type I functions

Robin A.F. Verwilligen · Leiden University · NL

Scavenger receptor class B1 (SCARB1) - also known as the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor - is a multi-ligand scavenger receptor that is primarily expressed in liver and steroidogenic organs. This receptor is known for its function in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in mammals and hence disruption leads to a massive increase in HDL cholesterol in these species. The extracellular domain of SCARB1 - which is important for cholesterol handling - is highly conserved across multiple verteb

Entropy‐Driven Liquid Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries

Chenglong Zhao · Delft University of Technology · NL

Abstract Developing liquid electrolytes with higher kinetics and enhanced interphase stability is one of the key challenges for lithium batteries. However, the poor solubility of lithium salts in solvents sets constraints that compromises the electrolyte properties. Here, it is shown that introducing multiple salts to form a high‐entropy solution, alters the solvation structure, which can be used to raise the solubility of specific salts and stabilize electrode–electrolyte interphases. The prepa

Detecting continuous structural heterogeneity in single-molecule localization microscopy data

Sjoerd Stallinga · Delft University of Technology · NL

Fusion of multiple chemically identical complexes, so-called particles, in localization microscopy, can improve the signal-to-noise ratio and overcome under-labeling. To this end, structural homogeneity of the data must be assumed. Biological heterogeneity, however, could be present in the data originating from distinct conformational variations or (continuous) variations in particle shapes. We present a prior-knowledge-free method for detecting continuous structural variations with localization

Metyrapone Treatment Protects Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Knockout Mice against Hypercorticosteronemia Development without Changing Atherosclerosis Susceptibility

Menno Hoekstra · Leiden University · NL

< 0.001). In conclusion, we have shown that treatment with metyrapone diminishes hypercorticosteronemia without affecting atherosclerosis susceptibility in cholic acid-containing high cholesterol/high fat diet-fed low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. These preclinical findings highlight that restoring plasma glucocorticoid levels to normal is not necessarily sufficient to overcome the cardiovascular co-morbidities associated with human Cushing's disease.

A genetic linkage map and improved genome assembly of the termite symbiont Termitomyces cryptogamus

Sabine M. E. Vreeburg · Wageningen University & Research · NL

BACKGROUND: The termite-fungus symbiosis is an ancient stable mutualism of two partners that reproduce and disperse independently. With the founding of each termite colony the symbiotic association must be re-established with a new fungus partner. Complementarity in the ability to break down plant substrate may help to stabilize this symbiosis despite horizontal symbiont transmission. An alternative, non-exclusive, hypothesis is that a reduced rate of evolution may contribute to stabilize the sy

Direct Measurement of the Local Density of Optical States in the Time Domain

Jaime Gómez Rivas · Eindhoven University of Technology · NL

One of the most fundamental and relevant properties of a photonic system is the local density of optical states (LDOS) as it defines the rate at which an excited emitter dissipates energy by coupling to its surrounding. However, the direct determination of the LDOS is challenging as it requires measurements of the complex electric field of a point dipole at its own position. We introduce here a near-field setup which can measure the terahertz electric field amplitude at the position of a point s

Direct and indirect associations between childhood adversity and emotional and behavioral problems at age 14: A network analytical approach

Tjeerd Rudmer de Vries · University Medical Center Groningen · NL

= 1880, 52.2% female). We found that bullying victimization, peer rejection, parental mental health problems, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse were the only AEs directly contributing to risk of emotional problems. Parental divorce and emotional abuse were the only AEs directly contributing to risk of behavioral problems. Most AEs (e.g., parental employment, parental physical illness) were not conditionally associated with emotional and behavioral problems but may nevertheless contribute to emot

Unpacking similarity effects in visual memory search: categorical, semantic, and visual contributions

Marius V. Peelen · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

Abstract Visual memory search involves comparing a probe item against multiple memorized items. Previous work has shown that distractor probes from a different object category than the objects in the memory set are rejected more quickly than distractor probes from the same category. Because objects belonging to the same superordinate category usually share both visual and semantic features compared with objects of different categories, it is unclear whether the category effects reported in previ

Multi-decadal trends and variability in burned area from the fifth version of the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED5)

Yang Chen · NL

Abstract. Long-term records of burned area are needed to understand wildfire dynamics, assess fire impacts on ecosystems and air quality, and improve fire forecasts. Here, we fuse multiple streams of remote sensing data to create a 24 year (1997–2020) dataset of monthly burned area as a component of the fifth version of the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED5). During 2001–2020, we use the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) MCD64A1 burned area product and adjust for the erro

Vicarious Emotions of Fear and Pain in Rodents

Christian Keysers · Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience · NL

faces that threat. Finally, we discuss evidence that rodents can engage in prosocial behaviors that may be motivated by vicarious distress or reward.

On the interpretation of transcriptome-wide association studies

Christiaan de Leeuw · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam · NL

Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) aim to detect relationships between gene expression and a phenotype, and are commonly used for secondary analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS) results. Results from TWAS analyses are often interpreted as indicating a genetic relationship between gene expression and a phenotype, but this interpretation is not consistent with the null hypothesis that is evaluated in the traditional TWAS framework. In this study we provide a mathematical outl

Acute heart failure: mechanisms and pre-clinical models—a Scientific Statement of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial Function

Michele Ciccarelli · NL

While chronic heart failure (CHF) treatment has considerably improved patient prognosis and survival, the therapeutic management of acute heart failure (AHF) has remained virtually unchanged in the last decades. This is partly due to the scarcity of pre-clinical models for the pathophysiological assessment and, consequently, the limited knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in the different AHF phenotypes. This scientific statement outlines the different trajectories from acute to CHF origi

Short Implicit Voice Training Affects Listening Effort During a Voice Cue Sensitivity Task With Vocoder-Degraded Speech

Ada Biçer · University Medical Center Groningen · NL

OBJECTIVES: Understanding speech in real life can be challenging and effortful, such as in multiple-talker listening conditions. Fundamental frequency ( fo ) and vocal-tract length ( vtl ) voice cues can help listeners segregate between talkers, enhancing speech perception in adverse listening conditions. Previous research showed lower sensitivity to fo and vtl voice cues when speech signal was degraded, such as in cochlear implant hearing and vocoder-listening compared to normal hearing, likely

The environmentally-regulated interplay between local three-dimensional chromatin organisation and transcription of proVWX in E. coli

Remus T. Dame · Leiden University · NL

Nucleoid associated proteins (NAPs) maintain the architecture of bacterial chromosomes and regulate gene expression. Thus, their role as transcription factors may involve three-dimensional chromosome re-organisation. While this model is supported by in vitro studies, direct in vivo evidence is lacking. Here, we use RT-qPCR and 3C-qPCR to study the transcriptional and architectural profiles of the H-NS (histone-like nucleoid structuring protein)-regulated, osmoresponsive proVWX operon of Escheric

The amoeba dimension of a linear space

Jan Draisma · Eindhoven University of Technology · NL

Given a complex vector subspace <inline-formula content-type="math/mathml"> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper V"> <mml:semantics> <mml:mi>V</mml:mi> <mml:annotation encoding="application/x-tex">V</mml:annotation> </mml:semantics> </mml:math> </inline-formula> of <inline-formula content-type="math/mathml"> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="double-struck upper C Superscript n"> <mml:semantics> <mml:msup> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeX

Considerations for hormonal therapy in migraine patients: a critical review of current practice

Linda Al‐Hassany · Erasmus MC · NL

INTRODUCTION: Migraine, a neurovascular headache disorder, is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Within the multifaceted pathophysiology of migraine, hormonal fluctuations play an evident triggering and exacerbating role, pointing toward the need for identification and proper usage of both existing and new hormonal targets in migraine treatment. AREAS COVERED: With a threefold higher incidence of migraine in women than in men, the authors delve into sex hormone-related events in migraine p

Adhesive creases: bifurcation, morphology and their (apparent) self-similarity

Jacco H. Snoeijer · University of Twente · NL

An elastic material that experiences strong compression parallel to its free surface can exhibit sharp surface folds. Such creases arise due to an instability where a self-contacting fold appears on the surface, often observed in growing tissues or swelling gels. Self-adhesion of the contact is known to affect the bifurcation behavior and morphology of these structures, yet a quantitative description remains elusive. From numerical simulations and an energy analysis we resolve how adhesion quant

Re-investigating the structure–property relationship of the solid electrolytes Li _{3− <i>x</i>} In _{1− <i>x</i>} Zr _<i>x</i> Cl ₆ and the impact of In–Zr( <scp>iv</scp> ) substitution

Ernst R. H. van Eck · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

is most likely anisotropic considering the crystal structure and two distinct jump processes found by solid-state NMR. Zr-substitution improves ionic conductivity by tuning the charge carrier concentration, accompanied by small changes in the crystal structure which affect ion transport on short timescales, likely reducing the anisotropy.

On the interpretation of transcriptome-wide association studies

Christiaan de Leeuw · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam · NL

Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) aim to detect relationships between gene expression and a phenotype, and are commonly used for secondary analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS) results. Results from TWAS analyses are often interpreted as indicating a genetic relationship between gene expression and a phenotype, but this interpretation is not consistent with the null hypothesis that is evaluated in the traditional TWAS framework. In this study we provide a mathematical outl

Advanced<scp>MR</scp>Techniques for Preoperative Glioma Characterization: Part 2

Gilbert Hangel · NL

Preoperative clinical MRI protocols for gliomas, brain tumors with dismal outcomes due to their infiltrative properties, still rely on conventional structural MRI, which does not deliver information on tumor genotype and is limited in the delineation of diffuse gliomas. The GliMR COST action wants to raise awareness about the state of the art of advanced MRI techniques in gliomas and their possible clinical translation. This review describes current methods, limits, and applications of advanced

Tailoring a DMA-based cryopreservation protocol with anti-freeze (glycol)proteins for commercial and native breeds of chicken

Berenice Bernal · Wageningen University & Research · NL

This study evaluated the effects of antifreeze proteins AFPI, AFPIII, and AFGP during fresh processing, and freezing-thawing of chicken semen from a commercial broiler breed (BB) and the local breed Yellow Hungarian (YH), using 0.6 mol/L DMA as cryoprotectant. AFPI had small but significant (P < 0.05) positive effects on post-thaw sperm viability and motility in BB. For YH semen, three freezing protocols with different dilution rates (4 ×, 2.3 ×, 2.1 ×) were compared. Protocol 1 (dilution rate 4

SepF supports the recruitment of the DNA translocase SftA to the Z‐ring

Leendert Willem Hamoen · University of Amsterdam · NL

In many bacteria, cell division begins before the sister chromosomes are fully segregated. Specific DNA translocases ensure that the chromosome is removed from the closing septum, such as the transmembrane protein FtsK in Escherichia coli. Bacillus subtilis contains two FtsK homologues, SpoIIIE and SftA. SftA is active during vegetative growth whereas SpoIIIE is primarily active during sporulation and pumps the chromosome into the spore compartment. FtsK and SpoIIIE contain several transmembrane

Towards a dynamic account of chronic pain

Madelon L. Peters · Maastricht University · NL

sponsorship: J.W.S. Vlaeyen is supported by the research program "From Acute Aversive Sensations to Chronic Bodily Symptoms," a long-term structural Methusalem funding (METH/15/011) by the Flemish government, Belgium, and J.W.S. Vlaeyen and M.L. Peters are supported by the NWO gravitation program "New Science of Mental Disorders": www.nsmd.eu (grant number 024.004.016) by the Dutch Research Council and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. J.M.B. Haslbeck is supported by NWO Vici

Towards a dynamic account of chronic pain

Madelon L. Peters · Maastricht University · NL

sponsorship: J.W.S. Vlaeyen is supported by the research program "From Acute Aversive Sensations to Chronic Bodily Symptoms," a long-term structural Methusalem funding (METH/15/011) by the Flemish government, Belgium, and J.W.S. Vlaeyen and M.L. Peters are supported by the NWO gravitation program "New Science of Mental Disorders": www.nsmd.eu (grant number 024.004.016) by the Dutch Research Council and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. J.M.B. Haslbeck is supported by NWO Vici

Memantine treatment does not affect compulsive behavior or frontostriatal connectivity in an adolescent rat model for quinpirole-induced compulsive checking behavior

Milou Straathof · Utrecht University · NL

RATIONALE: Compulsivity often develops during childhood and is associated with elevated glutamate levels within the frontostriatal system. This suggests that anti-glutamatergic drugs, like memantine, may be an effective treatment. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to characterize the acute and chronic effect of memantine treatment on compulsive behavior and frontostriatal network structure and function in an adolescent rat model of compulsivity. METHODS: Juvenile Sprague-Dawley rats received repeated quin

Towards a dynamic account of chronic pain

Madelon L. Peters · Maastricht University · NL

sponsorship: J.W.S. Vlaeyen is supported by the research program "From Acute Aversive Sensations to Chronic Bodily Symptoms," a long-term structural Methusalem funding (METH/15/011) by the Flemish government, Belgium, and J.W.S. Vlaeyen and M.L. Peters are supported by the NWO gravitation program "New Science of Mental Disorders": www.nsmd.eu (grant number 024.004.016) by the Dutch Research Council and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. J.M.B. Haslbeck is supported by NWO Vici

Towards a dynamic account of chronic pain

Madelon L. Peters · Maastricht University · NL

sponsorship: J.W.S. Vlaeyen is supported by the research program "From Acute Aversive Sensations to Chronic Bodily Symptoms," a long-term structural Methusalem funding (METH/15/011) by the Flemish government, Belgium, and J.W.S. Vlaeyen and M.L. Peters are supported by the NWO gravitation program "New Science of Mental Disorders": www.nsmd.eu (grant number 024.004.016) by the Dutch Research Council and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. J.M.B. Haslbeck is supported by NWO Vici

Visualization of membrane-stabilized SorCS2 cis interactions

B.J.C. Janssen · Utrecht University · NL

Members of the Vps10p receptor family regulate protein trafficking and cellular differentiation in the nervous system. Previous structural studies of the dimeric Vps10p family member SorCS2 have focused on isolated ectodomains, revealing substantial structural plasticity but overlooking the influence of the membrane association on receptor organization. Here we establish two complementary tools for reconstituting the SorCS2 ectodomain on proteoliposomes in its native orientation: non-covalent co

Towards a dynamic account of chronic pain

Madelon L. Peters · Maastricht University · NL

sponsorship: J.W.S. Vlaeyen is supported by the research program "From Acute Aversive Sensations to Chronic Bodily Symptoms," a long-term structural Methusalem funding (METH/15/011) by the Flemish government, Belgium, and J.W.S. Vlaeyen and M.L. Peters are supported by the NWO gravitation program "New Science of Mental Disorders": www.nsmd.eu (grant number 024.004.016) by the Dutch Research Council and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. J.M.B. Haslbeck is supported by NWO Vici

Combined inhibition of EZH2 and ATM is synthetic lethal in BRCA1-deficient breast cancer

Leonie Ratz · NL

BACKGROUND: The majority of BRCA1-mutant breast cancers are characterized by a triple-negative phenotype and a basal-like molecular subtype, associated with aggressive clinical behavior. Current treatment options are limited, highlighting the need for the development of novel targeted therapies for this tumor subtype. METHODS: Our group previously showed that EZH2 is functionally relevant in BRCA1-deficient breast tumors and blocking EZH2 enzymatic activity could be a potent treatment strategy.

Correction: Genome-wide gene-environment interactions in neuroticism: an exploratory study across 25 environments

Josefin Werme · NL

The original version of this article contained a mistake in the Acknowledgements. The following sentence should be changed from “This work was funded by COSYN (Comorbidity and Synapse Biology in Clinically Overlapping Psychiatric Disorders: Horizon 2020 Program of the European Union under RIA grant agreement 667301 to D.P.) and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO: VICI 435-14-005).” to “This work was funded by COSYN (Comorbidity and Synapse Biology in Clinically Overlapping

Sticky Brownian Rounding and its Applications to Constraint Satisfaction Problems

Sepehr Abbasi-Zadeh · NL

Semidefinite programming is a powerful tool in the design and analysis of approximation algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems. In particular, the random hyperplane rounding method of Goemans and Williamson [ 31 ] has been extensively studied for more than two decades, resulting in various extensions to the original technique and beautiful algorithms for a wide range of applications. Despite the fact that this approach yields tight approximation guarantees for some problems, e.g., Ma

Memantine treatment does not affect compulsive behavior or frontostriatal connectivity in an adolescent rat model for quinpirole-induced compulsive checking behavior

Milou Straathof · Utrecht University · NL

RATIONALE: Compulsivity often develops during childhood and is associated with elevated glutamate levels within the frontostriatal system. This suggests that anti-glutamatergic drugs, like memantine, may be an effective treatment. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to characterize the acute and chronic effect of memantine treatment on compulsive behavior and frontostriatal network structure and function in an adolescent rat model of compulsivity. METHODS: Juvenile Sprague-Dawley rats received repeated quin

Relativistic reduced density matrix functional theory

Mauricio Rodríguez‐Mayorga · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam · NL

As a new approach to efficiently describe correlation effects in the relativistic quantum world we propose to consider reduced density matrix functional theory, where the key quantity is the first-order reduced density matrix (1-RDM). In this work, we first introduce the theoretical foundations to extend the applicability of this theory to the relativistic domain. Then, using the so-called no-pair (np) approximation, we arrive at an approximate treatment of the relativistic effects by focusing o

Trauma-induced human glucocorticoid receptor expression increases predict subsequent HPA-axis blunting in a prospective longitudinal design

Lycia D. de Voogd · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

Using modelled relationships and satellite observations to attribute modelled aerosol biases over biomass burning regions

Qirui Zhong · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam · NL

Biomass burning (BB) is a major source of aerosols that remain the most uncertain components of the global radiative forcing. Current global models have great difficulty matching observed aerosol optical depth (AOD) over BB regions. A common solution to address modelled AOD biases is scaling BB emissions. Using the relationship from an ensemble of aerosol models and satellite observations, we show that the bias in aerosol modelling results primarily from incorrect lifetimes and underestimated ma

<scp>CADASIL</scp> Affects Multiple Aspects of Cerebral Small Vessel Function on <scp>7T‐MRI</scp>

Geert Jan Biessels · University Medical Center Utrecht · NL

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral small vessel diseases (cSVDs) are a major cause of stroke and dementia. We used cutting-edge 7T-MRI techniques in patients with Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), to establish which aspects of cerebral small vessel function are affected by this monogenic form of cSVD. METHODS: We recruited 23 CADASIL patients (age 51.1 ± 10.1 years, 52% women) and 13 age- and sex-matched controls (46.1 ± 12.6, 46% women). Smal

Particle Size Effects in the Selective Hydrogenation of Alkadienes over Supported Cu Nanoparticles

Petra E. de Jongh · Utrecht University · NL

Abstract Copper is considered an excellent alternative to noble‐metal selective hydrogenation catalysts. Herein, we systematically studied the effect of Cu nanoparticle size (2–10 nm) in the selective hydrogenation of 1,3‐butadiene in excess of propene. The catalysts exhibited particle size‐dependent activity, with particles above 4 nm being 3 to 4 times more active than the 2 nm ones, and at the same time more selective (up to 99 % at almost full butadiene conversion for 7–10 nm particles). The

The spread of the first introns in proto-eukaryotic paralogs

Julian Vosseberg · Utrecht University · NL

Spliceosomal introns are a unique feature of eukaryotic genes. Previous studies have established that many introns were present in the protein-coding genes of the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA). Intron positions shared between genes that duplicated before LECA could in principle provide insight into the emergence of the first introns. In this study we use ancestral intron position reconstructions in two large sets of duplicated families to systematically identify these ancient paralogous

Mode Mapping Photonic Crystal Nanocavities with <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline" overflow="scroll"><mml:mi>Q</mml:mi><mml:mo>&gt;</mml:mo><mml:mn>5</mml:mn><mml:mo>×</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mn>10</mml:mn><mml:mn>5</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:math> Using Free-Carrier Absorption

Karindra Perrier · Utrecht University · NL

We demonstrate a nonlinear photomodulation spectroscopy method to image the mode profile of a high-$Q$ photonic crystal resonator (PhCR). This far-field imaging method is suitable for ultrahigh-$Q$ cavities which we demonstrate on a $Q=619\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}000$ PhCR. We scan the PhCR surface with a 405-nm pump beam that modulates the refractive index by local thermal tuning, while probing the response of the resonance. We enhance resolution by probing at high power, using the thermo-opt

Employing nanobodies for immune landscape profiling by PET imaging in mice

Abraham J. P. Teunissen · NL

Noninvasive immunoimaging holds great potential for studying and stratifying disease as well as therapeutic efficacy. Radiolabeled single-domain antibody fragments (i.e., nanobodies) are appealing probes for immune landscape profiling, as they display high stability, rapid targeting, and excellent specificity, while allowing extremely sensitive nuclear readouts. Here, we present a protocol for radiolabeling an anti-CD11b nanobody and studying its uptake in mice by a combination of positron emiss

Employing nanobodies for immune landscape profiling by PET imaging in mice

Abraham J. P. Teunissen · NL

Noninvasive immunoimaging holds great potential for studying and stratifying disease as well as therapeutic efficacy. Radiolabeled single-domain antibody fragments (i.e., nanobodies) are appealing probes for immune landscape profiling, as they display high stability, rapid targeting, and excellent specificity, while allowing extremely sensitive nuclear readouts. Here, we present a protocol for radiolabeling an anti-CD11b nanobody and studying its uptake in mice by a combination of positron emiss

Photoactivable Ruthenium-Based Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles for Light-Induced Chemotherapy

Sylvestre A. Bonnet · Leiden University · NL

Green light photoactive Ru-based coordination polymer nanoparticles (CPNs), with chemical formula [[Ru(biqbpy)]1.5(bis)](PF6)3 (biqbpy = 6,6′-bis[N-(isoquinolyl)-1-amino]-2,2′-bipyridine; bis = bis(imidazol-1-yl)-hexane), were obtained through polymerization of the trans-[Ru(biqbpy)(dmso)Cl]Cl complex (Complex 1) and bis bridging ligands. The as-synthesized CPNs (50 ± 12 nm diameter) showed high colloidal and chemical stability in physiological solutions. The axial bis(imidazole) ligands coordin

The effect of needle size on cerebrospinal fluid collection time and post‐dural puncture headache: A retrospective cohort study

Gisela Marie Terwindt · Leiden University Medical Center · NL

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to compare cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection time and patient's discomfort between 20G (a)traumatic and 22G atraumatic needles. BACKGROUND: Risk of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is decreased using atraumatic needles. Smaller needles may give lower risk but possibly at the cost of increased CSF collection time (due to lower flow), leading to additional patient's discomfort. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of lumbar puncture data

Untargeted metabolomics and infrared ion spectroscopy identify biomarkers for pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy

Jonathan Martens · HFML-FELIX · NL

BackgroundPyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE-ALDH7A1) is an inborn error of lysine catabolism that presents with refractory epilepsy in newborns. Biallelic ALDH7A1 variants lead to deficiency of α-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase/antiquitin, resulting in accumulation of piperideine-6-carboxylate (P6C), and secondary deficiency of the important cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP, active vitamin B6) through its complexation with P6C. Vitamin B6 supplementation resolves epilepsy in patients

Statistical testing in transcriptomic‐neuroimaging studies: A how‐to and evaluation of methods assessing spatial and gene specificity

Martijn P. van den Heuvel · Amsterdam Neuroscience · NL

Multiscale integration of gene transcriptomic and neuroimaging data is becoming a widely used approach for exploring the molecular underpinnings of large-scale brain organization in health and disease. Proper statistical evaluation of determined associations between imaging-based phenotypic and transcriptomic data is key in these explorations, in particular to establish whether observed associations exceed "chance level" of random, nonspecific effects. Recent approaches have shown the importance

Macrophages transfer mitochondria to sensory neurons to resolve inflammatory pain

Niels Eijkelkamp · Utrecht University · NL

Mobilizing the Sense of “Fat”: A Phenomenological Materialist Approach

Jenny Slatman · Tilburg University · NL

Abstract This paper aims to mobilize the way we think and write about fat bodies while drawing on Jean-Luc Nancy’s philosophy of the body. I introduce Nancy’s approach to the body as an addition to contemporary new materialism. His philosophy, so I argue, offers a form of materialism that allows for a phenomenological exploration of the body. As such, it can help us to understand the lived experiences of fat embodiment. Additionally, Nancy’s idea of the body in terms of a “corpus”—a collection o

Photoactivable Ruthenium-Based Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles for Light-Induced Chemotherapy

Sylvestre Bonnet · Leiden University · NL

Green light photoactive Ru-based coordination polymer nanoparticles (CPNs), with chemical formula [[Ru(biqbpy)]1.5(bis)](PF6)3 (biqbpy = 6,6′-bis[N-(isoquinolyl)-1-amino]-2,2′-bipyridine; bis = bis(imidazol-1-yl)-hexane), were obtained through polymerization of the trans-[Ru(biqbpy)(dmso)Cl]Cl complex (Complex 1) and bis bridging ligands. The as-synthesized CPNs (50 ± 12 nm diameter) showed high colloidal and chemical stability in physiological solutions. The axial bis(imidazole) ligands coordin

Nanoengineering Apolipoprotein A1‐Based Immunotherapeutics

Willem J. M. Mulder · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

Abstract In the slipstream of targeting the adaptive immune system, innate immunotherapy strategies are being developed. In this context, technologies based on natural carrier vehicles that inherently interact with the innate immune system, are increasingly being considered. Immunoregulatory nanotherapeutics based on natural apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) are discussed here. This protein is a helical, amphipathic macromolecule and the main constituent of high‐density lipoprotein. In that capacity, ap

“It’s not all nice and fun”: Narrating contested illness on YouTube and Instagram

Irene Groenevelt · Tilburg University · NL

This empirical study draws on insights from narrative theory to tease out how women with a contested illness narrate their experiences on social media. Based on 13 months of online observations between 2017 and 2019, I analyse how a sample of eight highly active Dutch female social media users share their illness on YouTube and Instagram. In addition, I interviewed five of them. Through their online performances, the women in this study illustrate their investment in self-care practices, whilst

A tipping point in cancer-immune dynamics leads to divergent immunotherapy responses and hampers biomarker discovery

Johannes Textor · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

BACKGROUND: Predicting treatment response or survival of cancer patients remains challenging in immuno-oncology. Efforts to overcome these challenges focus, among others, on the discovery of new biomarkers. Despite advances in cellular and molecular approaches, only a limited number of candidate biomarkers eventually enter clinical practice. METHODS: A computational modeling approach based on ordinary differential equations was used to simulate the fundamental mechanisms that dictate tumor-immun

Amadori rearrangement products as potential biomarkers for inborn errors of amino-acid metabolism

Rianne E. van Outersterp · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

The identification of disease biomarkers plays a crucial role in developing diagnostic strategies for inborn errors of metabolism and understanding their pathophysiology. A primary metabolite that accumulates in the inborn error phenylketonuria is phenylalanine, however its levels do not always directly correlate with clinical outcomes. Here we combine infrared ion spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy to identify the Phe-glucose Amadori rearrangement product as a biomarker for phenylketonuria. Addi

Amadori rearrangement products as potential biomarkers for inborn errors of amino-acid metabolism

Rianne E. van Outersterp · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

The identification of disease biomarkers plays a crucial role in developing diagnostic strategies for inborn errors of metabolism and understanding their pathophysiology. A primary metabolite that accumulates in the inborn error phenylketonuria is phenylalanine, however its levels do not always directly correlate with clinical outcomes. Here we combine infrared ion spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy to identify the Phe-glucose Amadori rearrangement product as a biomarker for phenylketonuria. Addi

Associations Between Interindividual Differences, Expectations and Placebo and Nocebo Effects in Itch

Stefanie H. Meeuwis · Leiden University · NL

Introduction: Placebo and nocebo effects are positive and negative health outcomes that can be elicited by the psychosocial context. They can be mediated by expectations, and may emerge in somatic symptoms even when people are aware of these effects. Interindividual differences (e.g., in personality, affective states) could impact placebo and nocebo responding, but findings are inconsistent. Methods: The current work examined expectation as a mediator of the association between verbal placebo an

Reaction-diffusion equations with transport noise and critical superlinear diffusion: Local well-posedness and positivity

Mark Veraar · Delft University of Technology · NL

In this paper we consider a class of stochastic reaction-diffusion equations. We provide local well-posedness, regularity, blow-up criteria and positivity of solutions. The key novelties of this work are related to the use transport noise, critical spaces and the proof of higher order regularity of solutions – even in case of non-smooth initial data. Crucial tools are Lp(Lq)-theory, maximal regularity estimates and sharp blow-up criteria. We view the results of this paper as a general toolbox fo

Beyond 4×: pathways to higher expansion factors in expansion microscopy

Josiah B. Passmore · Utrecht University · NL

Abstract Expansion microscopy (ExM) enables nanoscale imaging with conventional light microscopes by physically magnifying biological specimens. While classical ExM achieves ∼4× linear expansion, advances in polymer chemistry and workflow design now routinely push expansion factors beyond 4×, thereby improving resolution while retaining compatibility with diverse labelling strategies. Here, we review current one-step and multi-step (iterative) high-expansion approaches, outlining how modificatio

Discriminating stress from rest based on resting‐state connectivity of the human brain: A supervised machine learning study

Wei Zhang · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

Acute stress induces large-scale neural reorganization with relevance to stress-related psychopathology. Here, we applied a novel supervised machine learning method, combining the strengths of a priori theoretical insights with a data-driven approach, to identify which connectivity changes are most prominently associated with a state of acute stress and individual differences therein. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were taken from 334 healthy participants (79 females)

Vascular Tumor Recapitulated in Endothelial Cells from hiPSCs Engineered to Express the SERPINE1-FOSB Translocation

Judith V.M.G. Bovée · Leiden University Medical Center · NL

Chromosomal translocations are prevalent among soft tissue tumors, including those of the vasculature such as pseudomyogenic hemangioendothelioma (PHE). PHE shows endothelial cell (EC) features and has a tumor-specific t(7;19)(q22;q13) SERPINE1-FOSB translocation, but is difficult to study as no primary tumor cell lines have yet been derived. Here, we engineer the PHE chromosomal translocation into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using CRISPR/Cas9 and differentiate these into ECs (

Favoring the Growth of High-Quality, Three-Dimensional Supercrystals of Nanocrystals

Peter Schall · Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute · NL

Abstract A recently developed emulsion-templated assembly method promises the scalable, low-cost, and reproducible fabrication of hierarchical nanocrystal (NC) superstructures. These superstructures derive properties from the unique combination of choices of NC building blocks and superstructure morphology and therefore realize the concept of “artificial solids”. To control the final properties of these superstructures, it is essential to control the assembly conditions that yield distinct archi

Strong Coupling to Generate Complex Birefringence: Metasurface in the Middle Etalons

A. Femius Koenderink · Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics · NL

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide We have measured the optical signatures of strong coupling between the resonance of etalons and plasmon antenna arrays in transmission and polarization. Planar etalons in the middle of which a plasmon antenna array is placed show anticrossings in transmission between the etalon resonances and plasmon antenna resonance, which we map as a function of frequency, etalon opening and oscillator strengh. We argue that the proper interpretation of stron

Epigenome-wide association study on the plasma metabolome suggests self-regulation of the glycine and serine pathway through DNA methylation

Joanne A. Hoogerland · University Medical Center Groningen · NL

BACKGROUND: The plasma metabolome reflects the physiological state of various biological processes and can serve as a proxy for disease risk. Plasma metabolite variation, influenced by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, can also affect the cellular microenvironment and blood cell epigenetics. The interplay between the plasma metabolome and the blood cell epigenome remains elusive. In this study, we performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of 1183 plasma metabolites in 693 participant

Control of septum thickness by the curvature of SepF polymers

Michaela Wenzel · University of Amsterdam · NL

Significance Many bacteria form a thick cell wall and divide by forming a cross wall. How they control the thickness of their cell wall and cross wall is unknown. In this study, we show that in these bacteria the cell division protein SepF forms very large protein rings with diameters that correspond to the diameter of their cross walls. Importantly, when we changed the diameter of SepF rings in the bacterial host Bacillus subtilis , the thickness of its cross wall changed accordingly. These res

Supporting measurements or more averages? How to quantify cerebral blood flow most reliably in 5 minutes by arterial spin labeling

Piet Bladt · NL

Purpose To determine whether sacrificing part of the scan time of pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) for measurement of the labeling efficiency and blood is beneficial in terms of CBF quantification reliability. Methods In a simulation framework, 5‐minute scan protocols with different scan time divisions between PCASL data acquisition and supporting measurements were evaluated in terms of CBF estimation variability across both noise and ground truth parameter realizations taken fro

Tuning the reactivity of molybdenum (oxy)carbide catalysts by the carburization degree: CO₂ reduction and anisole hydrodeoxygenation

Nikolay Kosinov · NL

Structure-performance relations for molybdenum (oxy)carbide catalysts evaluated for CO₂ hydrogenation and anisole hydrodeoxygenation.

Biocatalytic Reduction Reactions from a Chemist's Perspective

Frank Hollmann · NL

Reductions play a key role in organic synthesis, producing chiral products with new functionalities. Enzymes can catalyse such reactions with exquisite stereo-, regio- and chemoselectivity, leading the way to alternative shorter classical synthetic routes towards not only high-added-value compounds but also bulk chemicals. In this review we describe the synthetic state-of-the-art and potential of enzymes that catalyse reductions, ranging from carbonyl, enone and aromatic reductions to reductive

Diverse HIV-1 escape pathways from broadly neutralizing antibody PGDM1400 in humanized mice

Marit J. van Gils · Amsterdam University Medical Centers · NL

neutralization sensitivity of the viruses to PGDM1400. As expected for monotherapy, viral loads rebounded after about a week and different viral escape pathways were observed, involving the deletion of glycans in the envelope glycoprotein at positions 130 or 160. (Pre)clinical trials should reveal whether PGDM1400 is a useful component of an antibody combination treatment or as part of a tri-specific antibody.

Artificial oxide heterostructures with non-trivial topology

Pieter M Gunnink · University of Twente · NL

In the quest for topological insulators with large band gaps, heterostructures with Rashba spin-orbit interactions come into play. Transition metal oxides with heavy ions are especially interesting in this respect. We discuss the design principles for stacking oxide Rashba layers. Assuming a single layer with a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) on both interfaces as a building block, a two-dimensional topological insulating phase is present when negative coupling between the 2DEGs exists. When

The parameterization method for center manifolds

Bob Rink · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam · NL

Signals in the Waves of Surf: Category Development and Signals in Surf Music

Matthijs B. Punt · Utrecht University · NL

The aim of this paper is to investigate to what extent the understanding of market categories changes over time and how this is reflected in the importance of different category signals in periods of category maturation and revival. We test the changing influence of different types of category signals on inclusion rates of surf music compilation albums, which represent the understanding of “surf music” from a market-based perspective. We find that “elaborate” signals to the category label of sur

Social Needs and Happiness: A Life Course Perspective

Vera L. Buijs · University of Groningen · NL

Abstract Both the fulfilment of affection, status, and behavioral confirmation needs and their role in happiness may differ along the adult lifespan. We examined age-graded differences in (a) the fulfilment of the need for affection, status, and behavioral confirmation, (b) disharmonious profiles of need fulfillment (e.g., high affection but low status), and (c) the associations between these needs and happiness. Data from 11,406 Dutch respondents (age range 18–87 ( M = 44.82, SD = 14.62), 67% f

Vibrational Spectra of the Ruthenium–Tris-Bipyridine Dication and Its Reduced Form in Vacuo

Jos Oomens · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

is delocalized over the three bpy ligands, while the long-range corrected LC-BLYP and the CAM-B3LYP functionals show it to be more localized on a single bpy ligand. Although these latter levels of theory fail to reproduce the experimentally observed IR frequencies, one may argue that the unusually large bandwidths observed in the spectrum are due to the fluxional character of a complex with the added electron not symmetrically distributed over the ligands. The experimental IR spectra presented h

RNF43 truncations trap CK1 to drive niche‐independent self‐renewal in cancer

Madelon M. Maurice · University Medical Center Utrecht · NL

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a primary pathway for stem cell maintenance during tissue renewal and a frequent target for mutations in cancer. Impaired Wnt receptor endocytosis due to loss of the ubiquitin ligase RNF43 gives rise to Wnt-hypersensitive tumors that are susceptible to anti-Wnt-based therapy. Contrary to this paradigm, we identify a class of RNF43 truncating cancer mutations that induce β-catenin-mediated transcription, despite exhibiting retained Wnt receptor downregulation. These mut

EpCAM-Binding DARPins for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy of Ovarian Cancer

Wouter P. R. Verdurmen · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy due to late detection associated with dissemination throughout the abdominal cavity. Targeted photodynamic therapy (tPDT) aimed at epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), overexpressed in over 90% of ovarian cancer metastatic lesions, is a promising novel therapeutic modality. Here, we tested the specificity and activity of conjugates of EpCAM-directed designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) with the photosensitizer IRDye 700DX in

Photobiocatalytic synthesis of chiral secondary fatty alcohols from renewable unsaturated fatty acids

Wuyuan Zhang · NL

En route to a bio-based chemical industry, the conversion of fatty acids into building blocks is of particular interest. Enzymatic routes, occurring under mild conditions and excelling by intrinsic selectivity, are particularly attractive. Here we report photoenzymatic cascade reactions to transform unsaturated fatty acids into enantiomerically pure secondary fatty alcohols. In a first step the C=C-double bond is stereoselectively hydrated using oleate hydratases from Lactobacillus reuteri or St

Minding Rights: Mapping Ethical and Legal Foundations of ‘Neurorights’

Philipp Kellmeyer · NL

The rise of neurotechnologies, especially in combination with artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods for brain data analytics, has given rise to concerns around the protection of mental privacy, mental integrity and cognitive liberty - often framed as "neurorights" in ethical, legal, and policy discussions. Several states are now looking at including neurorights into their constitutional legal frameworks, and international institutions and organizations, such as UNESCO and the Council of Eur

High multisystem stress response is concordant with perceived arousal and predicts future depressive symptoms in the Tracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey

J.A Dean · University Medical Center Groningen · NL

Depressive disorders increase in prevalence during adolescence and profoundly impact psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and family history of depression may increase the risk for depressive disorders through altered physiological stress response. In a sample of 508 participants without prior depressive symptoms from the Tracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (42% female, 58% male sex-assigned-at-birth; mean age = 16.05, SD = 0.56), we invest

Isotope labeling and infrared multiple-photon photodissociation investigation of product ions generated by dissociation of [ZnNO 3 (CH 3 OH) 2 ] + : Conversion of methanol to formaldehyde

Michael J. Van Stipdonk · NL

Electrospray ionization was used to generate species such as [ZnNO 3 (CH 3 OH) 2 ] + from Zn(NO 3 ) 2 •XH 2 O dissolved in a mixture of CH 3 OH and H 2 O. Collision-induced dissociation of [ZnNO 3 (CH 3 OH) 2 ] + causes elimination of CH 3 OH to form [ZnNO 3 (CH 3 OH)] + . Subsequent collision-induced dissociation of [ZnNO 3 (CH 3 OH)] + causes elimination of 47 mass units (u), consistent with ejection of HNO 2 . The neutral loss shifts to 48 u for collision-induced dissociation of [ZnNO 3 (CD 3

Light Conversion Efficiency of Emitters on Top of Plasmonic and Dielectric Arrays of Nanoparticles

Jaime Gómez Rivas · Eindhoven University of Technology · NL

Coupling layers of light emitters to arrays of plasmonic particles provides an opportunity to tailor the photoluminescence, both spectrally and spatially, and opens new venues for the design of phosphors in solid-state-lighting applications. While a significant enhancement of the photoluminescence for certain frequencies and in defined directions has been reported and described in terms of pump enhancement and emission outcoupling, the effect of optical absorption by metals on the conversion eff

High Endogenous Testosterone Levels Are Associated With Diminished Neural Emotional Control in Aggressive Police Recruits

Reinoud Kaldewaij · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

Although police officers are carefully selected for their high emotion-regulation abilities, excessive aggression in police officers has been reported, particularly in socially challenging situations known to elicit high state testosterone levels. Adequate regulation of emotional actions depends on the prefrontal cortex's control over the amygdala. We investigated the effects of trait aggression and endogenous testosterone on this emotional-control neurocircuitry in 275 healthy, high-functioning

Unveiling New Reactivities in Complex Mixtures: Synthesis of Tricyclic Pyridinium Derivatives

Jana Roithová · Radboud University Nijmegen · NL

The discovery of new transformations drives the development of synthetic organic chemistry. While the main goal of synthetic chemists is to obtain the maximum yield of a desired product with minimal side product formation, meticulous characterization of the latter offers an opportunity for discovering new reaction pathways, alternative mechanisms, and new products. Herein, we present a case study on the discovery and development of a new chemical transformation using online mass spectrometry. Th