bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre-storage treatments for suppressing of aflatoxins production in wheat grains
Authors: Abdel-Kader Mokhtar Mohamed , Ibrahim M. I. M. , Khalil Mohamed Saied Ali , El-Mougy Nehal Samy , El-Gamal Nadia Gamel 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWheat grains were collected from various locations in six governorates of Egypt and subjected to isolation trials. The isolated fungi were identified as Aspergillus spp. followed by Alternaria spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizopus spp. and other unidentified fungi, in that respective order. All isolated A. flavus strains (16 isolates) were screened for their ability to produce aflatoxins (AFs) on synthetic medium under long (365 nm wavelength) UV irradiation to determine their mycotoxin production capabilities. Data revealed that seven toxigenic isolates of A. flavus exhibited high fluorescent color. A preliminary test using TLC technique detected high production of aflatoxins by A. flavus isolates 2, 3, 4 and 6. The concentrations of AFs produced by positive A. flavus strains were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to confirm high production of AFs by the 4 isolates. The A. flavus strain with the highest AFs production was selected for further studies. In laboratory conditions, the inhibitory effects of various organic acids, salts and essential oils were evaluated against the linear growth of A. flavus. Results indicated complete inhibition (100%) of fungal growth at 1.0% concentrations of malic acid, potassium sorbate, thyme and carnation oils. The production of aflatoxins in stored wheat grains treated with different concentrations of essential oils, organic acids and salts was studied over 45-day period. Untreated stored wheat grains showed high concentrations of AFG1, AFG2, AFB1 and AFB2 produced by A. flavus compared to grains treated with essential oils (thyme and carnation), malic acid and potassium sorbate. It was observed that all types of produced AFs gradually decreased with increasing concentrations of oil, acid or salt reaching their minimum levels at the highest concentration used (8%). The data demonstrated that the lowest aflatoxin production was recorded in grains treated with 8% potassium sorbate.
Identification of CKX gene family in Morus indica cv K2 and functional characterization of MiCKX4 during abiotic stress
Authors: Singhal Chanchal , Singh Arunima , Sharma Arun Kumar , Khurana Paramjit 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) is the key enzyme that has been observed to catalyze irreversible inactivation of cytokinins and thus modulate cytokinin levels in plants. CKX gene family is known to have few members which are, expanded in the genome mainly due to duplication events. A total of nine MiCKXs were identified in Morus indica cv K2 with almost similar gene structures and conserved motifs and domains. The cis-elements along with expression analysis of these MiCKXs revealed their contrasting and specific role in plant development across different developmental stages. The localization of these enzymes in ER and Golgi bodies signifies their functional specification and property of getting modified post-translationally to carry out their activities. The overexpression of MiCKX4, an ortholog of AtCKX4, displayed longer primary root and higher number of lateral roots. Under ABA stress also the transgenic lines showed higher number of lateral roots and tolerance against drought stress as compared to wild-type plants. In this study, the CKX gene family members were analyzed bioinformatically for their roles under abiotic stresses.
Magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric epilepsy patients: two different protocols
Authors: Conti Ilaria , Piscopo Leandra , Rosu Emma , Fattacciu Liala , Salis Roberto , Crivelli Paola , Klain Michele , Masala Salvatore , Scaglione Mariano 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Aim
The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a crucial position in the diagnostic routine of epilepsy patients. The aim of this study is to demonstrate, in pediatric epilepsy patients, the greater effectiveness of the HARNESS-MRI Protocol compared to the Standard 3 mm-MRI Protocol, in terms of acquisition times.

Materials and methods
In this study, 30 pediatric patients (17 males and 13 females) with clinical suspicion of epilepsy who underwent MRI (Achieva Philips 1.5 T) at the University Clinics of Sassari in the years 2021–2023 were evaluated. The duration of both MRI protocols was analyzed, and they were composed of specific MRI sequences characterized by three-dimensional (3D) volumetric and isotropic voxels, using the 1.5/3 Tesla (T) MRI scanners. If present, the epileptogenic focus has been highlighted.

Results
The statistical analysis demonstrates a different time and standard deviation (sd) between the two study protocols: 36.93 ± 16.46 sd for “Standard 3 mm-MRI Protocol” and 29.93 ± 10.41 sd for the “HARNESS-MRI Protocol”. This analysis showed a difference between the acquisition times of 7 min in favor of the HARNESS-MRI Protocol, with the same diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusion
The HARNESS-MRI Protocol would guarantee a greater patient comfort and the possibility of performing more MRI with reduced healthcare costs. Furthermore, the routine use of the same protocol and MRI sequences could guarantee better standardization and homogeneity of diagnostic procedures and the follow-up of epilepsy pediatric patients.
Investigation on elastomer behaviour when exposed to conventional and sustainable aviation fuels
Authors: Hamilton J. , Elliott K. , Singh P. , Khandelwal B. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe aviation industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions have driven the rapid development and scale-up of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). SAFs have the potential to significantly reduce CO2 lifecycle emissions by up to 80% in comparison to Jet A and other conventional fossil-derived jet fuels. For multiple logistical and practical reasons, it is preferable to ensure that SAFs are ‘essentially identical’ (also referred to as ‘drop-in SAF’) to conventional jet fuel in terms of their performance, durability and compatibility with existing hardware systems. Because the majority of SAFs are not identical (non-drop-in) to conventional jet fuel, they have not been approved for use in their neat (100%) form. Instead, these non-identical SAFs are named synthetic blend components (SBC) as they are blended with conventional fuels to different extents per ASTM D7566-23a. It should be noted that there are on-going efforts to develop non-drop in SAF specifications to broaden their proliferation and maximise the aviation industries’ ability to reduce CO2 lifecycle emissions. One very important area of focus is the compatibility of SAFs with engine and fuel system seals, specifically understanding the dynamics of elastomeric seals. To address this, a novel approach has been developed to measure seal dynamics in flowing fuel. This technique has been applied to study the dynamic seal behaviour of four industrially relevant elastomer seals commonly employed in aviation fuel systems. The study involved three test fuels: (i) conventional fossil-derived Jet A, neat hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) SAF, and neat alcohol to jet (ATJ) SAF. Notably, both HEFA and ATJ fuels contain 0% aromatics, in contrast to Jet A, which typically contains around 17% aromatics by volume. The novel fuel-elastomer test rig used in this study was designed to simulate a practical scenario in which fuel flows through the inner surface of a pre-loaded static O-ring. The results of these tests demonstrate that the behaviour of different nitrile elastomers is unique to their formulation, and in all cases, the behaviour in HEFA and ATJ SAF differs significantly from that in Jet A. However, new fuel approval tests may only list one type of elastomer for evaluation, for example the ‘Fit-for-Purpose’ test in ASTM D4054-22 Tier 2 lists one specific nitrile. The findings of this study highlight the complexities of fuel-elastomer interactions within nominally identical chemical families and emphasise the potential risks of assessing compatibility based on tests conducted with a single member of a chemical family.
Future Drought‐Induced Tree Mortality Risk in Amazon Rainforest
Authors: Yao Yitong , Ciais Philippe , Joetzjer Emilie , Hong Songbai , Li Wei , Zhu Lei , Viovy Nicolas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe future evolution of the Amazon rainforest remains uncertain not only due to uncertain climate projections, but also owing to the intricate balance between tree growth and mortality. Many Earth System Models inadequately represent forest demography processes, especially drought‐induced tree mortality. In this study, we used ORCHIDEE‐CAN‐NHA, a land surface model featuring a mechanistic hydraulic architecture, a tree mortality sub‐model linked to a critical loss of stem conductance and a forest demography module for simulating regrowth. The model was forced by bias‐corrected climate forcing data from the ISIMIP‐2 program, considering two scenarios and four different climate models to project biomass changes in the Amazon rainforest until 2100. These climate models display diverse patterns of climate change across the Amazon region. The simulation conducted with the HadGEM climate model reveals the most significant drying trend, suggesting that the Guiana Shield and East‐central Amazon are approaching a tipping point. These two regions are projected to transition from carbon sinks to carbon sources by the mid‐21st century, with the Brazilian Shield following suit around 2060. This transition is attributed to heightened drought‐induced carbon loss in the future. This study sheds light on uncertainties in the future carbon sink in the Amazon forests, through a well‐calibrated model that incorporates tree mortality triggered by hydraulic damage and the subsequent recovery of drought‐affected forests through demographic processes.
Three‐Dimensional Electrostatic Hybrid Particle‐In‐Cell Simulations of the Plasma Mini‐Wake Near a Lunar Polar Crater
Authors: Xie Lianghai , Li Lei , Wang Jindong , Zhang Yiteng , Zhou Bin , Feng Yongyong , Xu Qi , Gou Xiaochen , Wang Chi 
Published: August 2024

AbstractLunar polar region has become the focus of future explorations due to the possible ice reservoir in the permanently shadowed craters. However, the space environment near the polar crater is quite complicated, and a plasma mini‐wake can be caused by the topographic obstruction. So far, three‐dimensional (3D) numerical simulations of the mini‐wake around a crater far larger than the Debye length are still limited. Here we present a 3D electrostatic hybrid particle‐in‐cell model to study the plasma mini‐wake of a polar crater on scale of about 1 km. It is found that the mini‐wake can begin upstream from the crater with a cone angle of about 8.8°. There is a plasma void with extra electrons near the leeward crater wall, where the electric potential can be as low as −60 V. A part of solar wind ions can be diverted into the crater, and the ratio of the diverted flux is about 4% on the crater bottom and about 18% on the windward crater wall, which provide an important source for the surface sputtering. Further studies show that the mini‐wake can change with the solar wind parameters and the crater shapes. Our results are helpful to assess the space environment and the water loss rate of a polar crater, and have general implications in studying the plasma mini‐wake caused by a crater on the other airless bodies.
Barchan‐Barchan Dune Repulsion Investigated at the Grain Scale
Authors: Lima N. C. , Assis W. R. , Alvarez C. A. , Franklin E. M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBarchans are eolian dunes of crescent shape found on Earth, Mars and other celestial bodies. Among the different types of barchan‐barchan interaction, there is one, known as chasing, in which the dunes remain close but without touching each other. In this paper, we investigate the origins of this barchan‐barchan dune repulsion by carrying out grain‐scale numerical computations in which a pair of granular heaps is deformed by the fluid flow into barchan dunes that interact with each other. In our simulations, data such as position, velocity and resultant force are computed for each individual particle at each time step, allowing us to measure details of both the fluid and grains that explain the repulsion. We show the trajectories of grains, time‐average resultant forces, and mass balances for each dune, and that the downstream barchan shrinks faster than the upstream one, keeping, thus, a relatively high velocity although in the wake of the upstream barchan. In its turn, this fast shrinkage is caused by the flow disturbance, which induces higher erosion on the downstream barchan and its circumvention by grains leaving the upstream dune. Our results help explaining the mechanisms behind the distribution of barchans in dune fields found on Earth and Mars.
Gefitinib (an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor) plus anlotinib (an multikinase inhibitor) for untreated, EGFR-mutated, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (FL-ALTER): a multicenter phase III trial
Authors: Zhou Hua-Qiang , Zhang Ya-Xiong , Chen Gang , Yu Qi-Tao , Zhang Hua , Wu Guo-Wu , Wu Di , Lin Ying-Cheng , Zhu Jun-Fei , Chen Jian-Hua , Hu Xiao-Hua , Lan Bin , Zhou Ze-Qiang , Lin Hai-Feng , Wang Zi-Bing , Lei Xiao-Lin , Pan Suo-Ming , Chen Li-Ming , Zhang Jian , Kong Tian-Dong , Yao Ji-Cheng , Zheng Xin , Li Feng , Zhang Li , Fang Wen-Feng 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDual inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways offers the prospect of improving the effectiveness of EFGR-targeted therapy. In this phase 3 study (ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT04028778), 315 patients with treatment-naïve, EGFR-mutated, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were randomized (1:1) to receive anlotinib or placebo plus gefitinib once daily on days 1–14 per a 3-week cycle. At the prespecified final analysis of progression-free survival (PFS), a significant improvement in PFS was observed for the anlotinib arm over the placebo arm (hazards ratio [HR] = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.48–0.80, P = 0.003). Particularly, patients with brain metastasis and those harboring EGFR amplification or high tumor mutation load gained significant more benefits in PFS from gefitinib plus anlotinib. The incidence of grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events was 49.7% of the patients receiving gefitinib plus anlotinib versus 31.0% of the patients receiving gefitinib plus placebo. Anlotinib plus gefitinib significantly improves PFS in patients with treatment-naïve, EGFR-mutated, advanced NSCLC, with a manageable safety profile.
Treatment decisions of patients with Class II Division 2 malocclusion and severe tooth wear: a systematic review
Authors: Ma Yuhan , Zhao Weijia , Zhang Sisi , Jin Xiaoting , Xu Jianhao , Fu Baiping , Shi Ying 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
The treatment strategy for patients with severe tooth wear associated with Class II Division 2 malocclusion remains a major challenge for dental practitioners.

Objectives
To systematically review and summarize the literature on treatment strategies, restoration procedures and clinical outcomes for Class II Division 2 malocclusion patients with severe tooth wear.

Methods
A literature review was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify eligible articles. Publications until October 16th, 2023 were searched independently and cross-checked by two researchers.

Results
Of 1513 articles screened, 10 reports detailed treatment processes, including six males and four females aged 34–68 years old. Four articles recorded pre-treatment freeway space (FWS) values ranging from 5 to 9 mm. All ten cases had significant occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) loss and the increase in OVD after treatment ranged from 1 to 7 mm. Pre-prosthetic orthodontic treatment was performed in two cases, in one of which only the maxillary region was orthodontically treated. The most common restorations provided were full coverage restorations. In most cases, temporary restorations were applied before the permanent restorations for eight weeks to six months. Four different sequences of final restoration were proposed. Follow-up ranged from four months to six years and included seven patients, one of them showed symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Conclusions
A multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to treatment is recommended. Consideration of pre-prosthetic orthodontic treatment is essential. Commonly used cephalometric measurements for anterior teeth include the interincisal angle and collum angle. The increases in OVD ranging from 1 to 7 mm can be effectively accommodated. Temporary restorations are recommended to accommodate the OVD, and the transition periods of 8 weeks to 6 months help the patients adapted well. Four different sequences for final rehabilitation have demonstrated positive clinical outcomes. Full crown restorations have emerged as the preferred choice for the ultimate restoration of these patients.
Chromatin remodeling-driven autophagy activation induces cisplatin resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Oh Su Young , Kim Jinkyung , Lee Kah Young , Lee Heon-Jin , Kwon Tae-Geon , Kim Jin-Wook , Lee Sung-Tak , Kim Dae-Geon , Choi So-Young , Hong Su-Hyung 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIt is still challenging to predict the efficacy of cisplatin-based therapy, particularly in relation to the activation of macroautophagy/autophagy in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We studied the effect of selected chromatin remodeling genes on the cisplatin resistance and their interplay with autophagy in 3-dimensional tumor model and xenografts. We analyzed gene expression patterns in the cisplatin-sensitive UMSCC1, and a paired cisplatin-resistant UM-Cis cells. Many histone protein gene clusters involved in nucleosome assembly showed significant difference of expression. Gain- and loss-of-function analyses revealed an inverse correlation between cisplatin resistance and HIST1H3D expression, while a positive correlation was observed with HIST3H2A or HIST3H2B expression. In UM-Cis, HIST3H2A- and HIST3H2B-mediated chromatin remodeling upregulates autophagy status, which results in cisplatin resistance. Additionally, knockdown of HIST3H2A or HIST3H2B downregulated autophagy-activating genes via chromatin compaction of their promoter regions. MiTF, one of the key autophagy regulators upregulated in UM-Cis, negatively regulated transcription of HIST1H3D, suggesting an interplay between chromatin remodeling-dependent cisplatin resistance and autophagy. On comparing the staining intensity between cisplatin-sensitive and –insensitive tissues from OSCC patients, protein expression pattern of the selected histone protein genes were matched with the in vitro data. By examining the relationship between autophagy and chromatin remodeling genes, we identified a set of candidate genes with potential use as markers predicting chemoresistance in OSCC biopsy samples.
Prosapogenin A induces GSDME-dependent pyroptosis of anaplastic thyroid cancer through vacuolar ATPase activation-mediated lysosomal over-acidification
Authors: Liu Yunye , Guo Yawen , Zeng Qian , Hu Yiqun , He Ru , Ma Wenli , Qian Chenhong , Hua Tebo , Song Fahuan , Cai Yefeng , Zhu Lei , Ren Xinxin , Xu Jiajie , Zheng Chuanming , Ding Lingling , Ge Jingyan , Wang Wenzhen , Xu Haifeng , Ge Minghua , Zheng Guowan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAnaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is among the most aggressive and metastatic malignancies, often resulting in fatal outcomes due to the lack of effective treatments. Prosapogenin A (PA), a bioactive compound prevalent in traditional Chinese herbs, has shown potential as an antineoplastic agent against various human tumors. However, its effects on ATC and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that PA exhibits significant anti-ATC activity both in vitro and in vivo by inducing GSDME-dependent pyroptosis in ATC cells. Mechanistically, PA promotes lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), leading to the release of cathepsins that activate caspase 8/3 to cleave GSDME. Remarkably, PA significantly upregulates three key functional subunits of V-ATPase—ATP6V1A, ATP6V1B2, and ATP6V0C—resulting in lysosomal over-acidification. This over-acidification exacerbates LMP and subsequent lysosomal damage. Neutralization of lysosomal lumen acidification or inhibition/knockdown of these V-ATPase subunits attenuates PA-induced lysosomal damage, pyroptosis and growth inhibition of ATC cells, highlighting the critical role for lysosomal acidification and LMP in PA’s anticancer effects. In summary, our findings uncover a novel link between PA and lysosomal damage-dependent pyroptosis in cancer cells. PA may act as a V-ATPase agonist targeting lysosomal acidification, presenting a new potential therapeutic option for ATC treatment.
SVIP reduces IGFBP-2 expression and inhibits glioblastoma progression via stabilizing PTEN
Authors: Wang Zixuan , Qiao Xiaolong , Chen Yinan , Peng Nan , Niu Chaoshi , Wang Yang , Li Cong , Hu Zengchun , Zhang Caihua , Cheng Chuandong 
Published: August 2024

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) presents significant challenges due to its invasive nature and genetic heterogeneity. In this study, we investigated the impact of Small VCP/P97-Interacting Protein (SVIP) on GBM progression. Our results revealed elevated expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 (IGFBP-2) and STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1 (STUB1), coupled with reduced SVIP levels in GBM samples. Notably, high IGFBP-2 expression correlated with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, SVIP competitively inhibited STUB1, selectively binding to VCP/p97, thereby reducing PTEN degradation. This SVIP-mediated regulation exerted influence on the PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, leading to the suppression of GBM progression. Co-localization experiments demonstrated that SVIP hindered PTEN ubiquitination and degradation by outcompeting STUB1 for VCP/p97 binding. Moreover, SVIP overexpression resulted in reduced activation of AKT/mTOR signaling and facilitated autophagy. In vivo experiments using a GBM xenograft model substantiated the tumor-suppressive effects of SVIP, evident by suppressed tumor growth, decreased IGFBP-2 expression, and improved survival rates. Collectively, our findings underscore the functional significance of SVIP in GBM progression. By inhibiting STUB1 and stabilizing PTEN, SVIP modulates the expression of IGFBP-2 and attenuates the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, thereby emerging as a promising therapeutic target for GBM treatment.