bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unveiling the driving role of pH on community stability and function during lignocellulose degradation in paddy soil
Authors: Wang Yi , Chen Yonglun , Gao Xiuqing , Wang Qiong , Cui Mingyu , Zhang Dongdong , Guo Peng 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionCrop straw, a major by-product of agricultural production, is pivotal in maintaining soil health and preserving the ecological environment. While straw incorporation is widely recognized as a sustainable practice, the incomplete decomposition of crop residues poses challenges to plant growth, increasing the risk of pests and diseases. This necessitates a comprehensive investigation.MethodsThe current study employs a 28-day pot experiment to simulate the degradation of rice straw in paddy soils. The impacts of bioaugmentation and biostimulation on lignocellulose degradation are systematically evaluated.ResultsResults indicate a high lignocellulose degradation ability in paddy soil, with over 80% straw weight loss within 28 days. Bioaugmentation with a lignocellulolytic microbial consortium enhances straw degradation during the initial stage (0–14 days). In contrast, biostimulation with readily available nutrients leads to soil acidification, hindering straw degradation and reducing microbial diversity. Furthermore, pH emerges as a critical factor influencing microbial community stability and function during lignocellulose degradation. Microbial co-occurrence network analysis reveals that microorganisms occupy ecological niches associated with different cellulose components. Notably, Module M2, comprising Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadota, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Myxococcota, Halobacterota, and Acidobacteriota, positively correlates with pH and weight loss.DiscussionThis study significantly advances our understanding of microbial mechanisms in soil decomposition, emphasizing the pivotal role of pH in community stability and function in paddy soil. These findings can inform future strategies for managing rice straw while safeguarding soil ecosystem health.
Padina boergesenii mediated synthesis of Se-ZnO bimetallic nanoparticles for effective anticancer activity
Authors: Thirupathi Balaji , Pongen Yimtar Lanutoshi , Kaveriyappan Govindarajan Rasiravathanahalli , Dara Pavan Kumar , Rathinasamy Suresh , Vinayagam Saranya , Sundaram Thanigaivel , Hyun Baek Kwang , Durairaj Thirumurugan , Sekar Suresh Kumar Rajamani 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionEvaluating the anticancer property of Padina boergesenii mediated bimetallic nanoparticles.MethodsThe present study focuses on synthesizing Se-ZnO bimetallic nanoparticles from an aqueous algal extract of brown algae Padina boergesenii.Synthesized Se-ZnO NPs were characterized by UV, FTIR, SEM-EDS and HRTEM for confirmation along with the anticancer activity by MTT assay.ResultsThe UV gave an absorbance peak at 342 and 370 nm, and the FTIR showed functional groups involved in synthesizing Se-ZnO NPs. The TEM micrographs indicated the crystalline nature and confirmed the size of the Se-ZnO NPs to be at an average size of 26.14 nm. Anticancer efficacy against the MCF-7 breast and HepG2 (hepatoblastoma) cell lines were also demonstrated, attaining an IC50 value of 67.9 µg and 74.9 µg/ml respectively, which caused 50% cell death.DiscussionThis work aims to highlight an effective method for delivering bioactive compounds extracted from brown algae and emphasize its future therapeutic prospects. The potential of Selenium-Zinc oxide nanoparticles is of great interest due to the biocompatibility and low toxicity aspects of selenium combined with the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of zinc metal. The presence of bioactive compounds contributed to the stability of the nanoparticles and acted as capping properties.
Urtica pilulifera leaves extract mitigates cadmium induced hepatotoxicity via modulation of antioxidants, inflammatory markers and Nrf-2 signaling in mice
Authors: Hussein Shaimaa , Ben Bacha Abir , Alonazi Mona , Alwaili Maha Abdullah , Mobasher Maysa A. , Alburae Najla Ali , Banjabi Abeer A. , El-Said Karim Samy 
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) is a harmful heavy metal that results in many toxic issues. Urtica pilulifera showed potential pharmaceutical applications. This study investigated the possible ameliorative mechanism of Urtica pilulifera leaves extract (UPLE) against hepatotoxicity induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in mice.Methods:In vitro phytochemical screening and the metal-chelating activity of UPLE were ascertained. Four groups of forty male mice were used (n = 10) as follows; Group 1 (G1) was a negative control. G2 was injected i.p., with UPLE (100 mg/kg b. wt) daily. G3 was injected i.p., with Cd (5 mg/kg b. wt) daily. G4 was injected with Cd as in G3 and with UPLE as in G2. On day 11, the body weight changes were evaluated, blood, and serum samples were collected for hematological and biochemical assessments. Liver tissues were used for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological investigations.Results: The results showed that UPLE contains promising secondary metabolites that considerably lessen the negative effects of Cd on liver. Furthermore, UPLE inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation; restored antioxidant molecules; and promoted nuclear-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) expression. Also, UPLE improved the histopathological alterations induced by Cd.Discussion: This study explored the beneficial role of UPLE treatment in Cd-induced liver injury through enhancing Nrf-2 signaling and antioxidant enzyme gene expression in the liver of mice. Therefore, UPLE could have valuable implications against hepatotoxicity induced by environmental cadmium exposure. Which can be used as a chelating agent against Cd.
Effects of early tooth loss on chronic stress and progression of neuropathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease in adult Alzheimer’s model AppNL-G-F mice
Authors: Ochi Suzuko , Yamada Kumiko , Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C. , Iinuma Mitsuo , Azuma Kagaku , Kubo Kin-Ya 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disease, is characterized by accumulated amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, aggregated phosphorylated tau protein, gliosis-associated neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. Many cohort studies indicate that tooth loss is a risk factor for AD. The detailed mechanisms underlying the association between AD and tooth loss, however, are not yet fully understood.MethodsWe explored the involvement of early tooth loss in the neuropathogenesis of the adult AppNL-G-F mouse AD model. The maxillary molars were extracted bilaterally in 1-month-old male mice soon after tooth eruption.ResultsPlasma corticosterone levels were increased and spatial learning memory was impaired in these mice at 6 months of age. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus of AD mice with extracted teeth showed an increased accumulation of Aβ plaques and phosphorylated tau proteins, and increased secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), accompanied by an increased number of microglia and astrocytes, and decreased synaptophysin expression. AD mice with extracted teeth also had a shorter lifespan than the control mice.DiscussionThese findings revealed that long-term tooth loss is a chronic stressor, activating the recruitment of microglia and astrocytes; exacerbating neuroinflammation, Aβ deposition, phosphorylated tau accumulation, and synaptic dysfunction; and leading to spatial learning and memory impairments in AD model mice.
A FACS-based novel isolation technique identifies heterogeneous CTCs in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chauhan Anshika , Pal Arnab , Sachdeva Meenakshi , Boora Geeta S. , Parsana Monil , Bakshi Jaimanti , Verma Roshan Kumar , Srinivasan Radhika , Chatterjee Debajyoti , Maitra Arindam , Ghoshal Sushmita 
Published: February 2024

PurposeIsolating circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from the blood is challenging due to their low abundance and heterogeneity. Limitations of conventional CTC detection methods highlight the need for improved strategies to detect and isolate CTCs. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved CellSearch™ and other RUO techniques are not available in India. Therefore, we wanted to develop a flexible CTC detection/isolation technique that addresses the limitation(s) of currently available techniques and is suitable for various downstream applications.MethodsWe developed a novel, efficient, user-friendly CTC isolation strategy combining density gradient centrifugation and immuno-magnetic hematogenous cell depletion with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based positive selection using multiple CTC-specific cell-surface markers. For FACS, a stringent gating strategy was optimised to exclude debris and doublets by side scatter/forward scatter (SSC/FSC) discriminator, remove dead cells by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and eliminate non-specific fluorescence using a “dump” channel. APC-labelled anti-CD45mAB was used to gate remaining hematogenous cells, while multiple epithelial markers (EpCAM, EGFR, and Pan-Cytokeratin) and an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker (Vimentin) labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were used to sort cancer cells. The technique was initially developed by spiking Cal 27 cancer cells into the blood of healthy donors and then validated in 95 biopsy-proven oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. CTCs isolated from patients were reconfirmed by Giemsa staining, immuno-staining, and whole transcriptome amplification (WTA), followed by qRT-PCR. In vitro culture and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) were also performed to confirm their suitability for various downstream applications.ResultsThe mean detection efficiency for the Cal 27 tongue cancer cells spiked in the whole blood of healthy donors was 32.82% ± 12.71%. While ~75% of our patients (71/95) had detectable CTCs, the CTC positivity was independent of the TNM staging. The isolated potential cancer cells from OSCC patients were heterogeneous in size. They expressed different CTC-specific markers in various combinations as identified by qRT-PCR after WTA in different patients. Isolated CTCs were also found to be suitable for downstream applications like short-term CTC culture and RNA-Seq.ConclusionWe developed a sensitive, specific, flexible, and affordable CTC detection/isolation technique, which is scalable to larger patient cohorts, provides a snapshot of CTC heterogeneity, isolates live CTCs ready for downstream molecular analysis, and, most importantly, is suitable for developing countries.
A single-institution experience with 177Lu RPT workflow improvements and qualifying the SPECT/CT imaging for dosimetry
Authors: George Siju C. , Tolakanahalli Ranjini , Aguirre Santiago , Kim Taehyung Peter , Samuel E. James Jebaseelan , Mishra Vivek 
Published: February 2024

Background and purposeImplementing any radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) program requires a comprehensive review of system readiness, appropriate workflows, and training to ensure safe and efficient treatment delivery. A quantitative assessment of the dose delivered to targets and organs at risk (OAR) using RPT is possible by correlating the absorbed doses with the delivered radioactivity. Integrating dosimetry into an established RPT program demands a thorough analysis of the necessary components and system fine-tuning. This study aims to report an optimized workflow for molecular radiation therapy using 177Lu with a primary focus on integrating patient-specific dosimetry into an established radiopharmaceutical program in a radiation oncology setting.Materials and methodsWe comprehensively reviewed using the Plan–Do–Check–Act (PDCA) cycle, including efficacy and accuracy of delivery and all aspects of radiation safety of the RPT program. The GE Discovery SPECT/CT 670DR™ system was calibrated per MIM protocol for dose calculation on MIM SurePlan™ MRT software. Jaszcak Phantom with 15–20 mCi of 177Lu DOTATATE with 2.5 µM EDTA solution was used, with the main energy window defined as 208 keV ±10% (187.6 to 229.2 keV); the upper scatter energy window was set to 240 keV ±5% (228 to 252 keV), while the lower scatter energy window was 177.8 keV ±5% (168.9 to 186.7 keV). Volumetric quality control tests and adjustments were performed to ensure the correct alignment of the table, NM, and CT gantry on SPECT/CT. A comprehensive end-to-end (E2E) test was performed to ensure workflow, functionality, and quantitative dose accuracy.ResultsWorkflow improvements and checklists are presented after systematically analyzing over 400 administrations of 177Lu-based RPT. Injected activity to each sphere in the NEMA Phantom scan was quantified, and the MIM Sureplan MRT reconstruction images calculated activities within ±12% of the injected activity. Image alignment tests on the SPECT/CT showed a discrepancy of more than the maximum tolerance of 2.2 mm on any individual axis. As a result of servicing the machine and updating the VQC and COR corrections, the hybrid imaging system was adjusted to achieve an accuracy of &lt;1 mm in all directions.ConclusionWorkflows and checklists, after analysis of system readiness and adequate training for staff and patients, are presented. Hardware and software components for patient-specific dosimetry are presented with a focus on hybrid image registration and correcting any errors that affect dosimetric quantification calculation. Moreover, this manuscript briefly overviews the necessary quality assurance requirements for converting diagnostic images into dosimetry measurement tools and integrating dosimetry for RPT based on 177Lu.
Safety and efficacy of biologic immunosuppressive treatment in juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated with inborn errors of immunity
Authors: Accardo V. , Pagnini I. , Maccora I. , Marrani E. , Mastrolia M. V. , Simonini G. 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesThis study aims to describe clinical features, therapeutic outcomes, and safety profiles in patients affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and inborn errors of immunity (IEI) treated with biological Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).MethodsWe enrolled three patients who were followed in the Pediatric Rheumatology Unit at Meyer Children's Hospital in Florence; these patients were affected by JIA, according to ILAR criteria, and IEI, according to the IUIS Phenotypical Classification for Human Inborn Errors of Immunity. Among them, two patients had 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) and one patient had X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA).ResultsCase 1: A 6-year and 2-month-old boy was affected by 22q11.2DS, associated with oligoarticular JIA, at the age of 2 years. He was treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and methotrexate, along with oral glucocorticoids but with no benefits. Treatment with etanercept allowed him to achieve remission after 10 months. Case 2: A 6-year and 2-month-old girl was affected by 22q11.2DS, associated with oligoarticular JIA, at the age of 3 years and 11 months. She was treated with NSAIDs, joint injections, and methotrexate but without clinical response. Treatment with Adalimumab allowed her to achieve remission after 6 months. Case 3: A 12-year and 2-month-old boy was affected by XLA, associated with polyarticular JIA, at the age of 9 years and 11 months. He was treated with NSAIDs, methotrexate, joint injections, and oral glucocorticoids with no benefits. He failed to respond to anti-TNF-alpha, tocilizumab, and abatacept. Currently, he is undergoing therapy with sirolimus plus abatacept, which allowed him to achieve remission after 4 months.ConclusionsResults suggest that the use of immunosuppressive biological therapies can control disease activity in these patients. No adverse drug-related reactions were observed during the follow-up.
NeuroPredict: study of the predictive value of ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms and associated clinical factors in chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
Authors: Vargas-Aliaga Alicia , De la Haba María , Contreras María José , Morales Estevez Cristina , Porras Ignacio , Cano María Teresa , Pulido Gema , Gómez María Auxiliadora , Flores-Paco Pablo , Juan De La Haba-Rodriguez , Aranda Enrique 
Published: February 2024

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common entity (30%–40%) and can significantly limit the quality of life of patients, especially those that persist for more than 6 months after treatment (chronic neuropathy). Studies have shown a possible association between the presence of genetic polymorphisms in ABCB1 and the development of acute CIPN, although this relationship with chronic CIPN remains unexplored. This is an analytical observational case-control study defined by the presence (cases) or absence (controls) of CIPN at 6 months after the end of the neurotoxic drug. Our aim is to demonstrate whether these ABCB1 polymorphisms also influence the chronification of this toxicity, as well as the clinical factors that can help us to predict it.Methods: The study included 152 patients treated with tri-weekly oxaliplatin (O) or weekly paclitaxel (P); 86 cases and 66 controls. Clinical and analytical parameters were analysed including the study of ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms in a blood sample.Results: ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms C1236T (rs1128503) and C3435T (rs1045642) are associated with the development of chronic CIPN in patients treated with P. No differences were found in patients treated with O. Other predictive factors to be considered in the development of this toxicity are age &gt;60 years, BMI ≥30, toxic habits and cardiovascular risk factors.Conclusion: CIPN is a common and understudied toxicity, despite being a limiting factor in the quality of life of many patients. As described in acute CIPN, our study demonstrates the relationship between chronic neuropathy and being a carrier of specific polymorphisms (C1236T and C3435T) of the ABCB1 gene in patients treated with P. In addition, there are modifiable factors (obesity, smoking, or alcohol) that may influence its development. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate genetic and clinical modifiable factors predisposing to CIPPN to develop prevention and treatment strategies.
First experimental validation of silicon-based sensors for monitoring ultra-high dose rate electron beams
Authors: Medina Elisabetta , Ferro Arianna , Abujami Mohammad , Camperi Aurora , Centis Vignali Matteo , Data Emanuele , Del Sarto Damiano , Deut Umberto , Di Martino Fabio , Fadavi Mazinani Mohammad , Ferrero Marco , Ferrero Veronica , Giordanengo Simona , Martì Villarreal Oscar A. , Hosseini Mohammad Amin , Mas Milian Felix , Masturzo Luigi , Montalvan Olivares Diango M. , Montefiori Marco , Paternoster Giovanni , Pensavalle Jake Harold , Sola Valentina , Cirio Roberto , Sacchi Roberto , Vignati Anna 
Published: February 2024

Monitoring Ultra-High Dose Rate (UHDR) beams is one of the multiple challenges posed by the emergent FLASH radiotherapy. Technologies (i.e., gas-filled ionization chambers) nowadays used in conventional radiotherapy are no longer effective when applied to UHDR regimes, due to the recombination effect they are affected by, and the time required to collect charges. Exploiting the expertise in the field of silicon sensors’ applications into clinics, the medical physics group of the University and INFN Torino is investigating thin silicon sensors as possible candidates for UHDR beam monitoring, exploiting their excellent spatial resolution and well-developed technology. Silicon sensors of 30 and 45 µm active thicknesses and 0.25, 1 and 2 mm2 active areas were tested at the SIT ElectronFlash machine (CPFR, Pisa) on 9 MeV electron beams, featuring a pulse duration of 4 µs, a frequency of 1 Hz, and a dose-per-pulse ranging from 1.62 to 10.22 Gy/pulse. The silicon sensors were positioned at the exit of the ElectronFlash applicator, after a solid water build-up slab, and were readout both with an oscilloscope and with a multi-channel front-end readout chip (TERA08). A response linearity extending beyond 10 Gy/pulse was demonstrated by comparison with a reference dosimeter (FlashDiamond), thus fulfilling the first requirement of a potential application in UHDR beam monitoring.
Tree adaptive growth (TAG) model: a life-history theory-based analytical model for post-thinning forest stand dynamics
Authors: Roitberg Bernard , Li Chao , Lalonde Robert 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundUnderstanding stand dynamics is essential for predicting future wood supply and associated ecosystem services for sustainable forest management. The dynamics of natural stands can be characterized by age-dependent growth and yield models. However, dynamics in managed stands appear somewhat different from that of natural stands, especially with difficulties in explaining the phenomenon of post-thinning overcompensation, based upon some long-term observations. Though overcompensation is an ideal outcome for the forest sector, it had been largely treated as an outlier and thus ignored or dismissed as “out-of-the-ordinary”.MethodologyWe developed a life history theory-based, state-dependent model of Tree Adaptive Growth (TAG) to investigate this phenomenon and verified that overcompensation should be a common outcome in post-thinning forest stands when the stand growth over time is sigmoid shaped. TAG posits that individual trees will invest proportionately more into growth following thinning because it is evolutionarily adaptive to do so.ResultsOur investigation of the model’s behavior unearthed diverse stand growth patterns similar to that which is observed in the empirical datasets and predicted by a statistics-based Tree’s Compensatory Growth (TreeCG) model.ConclusionA simple, theory-driven, analytical model, TAG, can reproduce the diverse growth patterns in post-thinning stands and thus assist addressing silviculture-related issues. The model can be applied to various jurisdictions even without detailed regional growth and yield relationships and is capable of incorporating the effects of other time sensitive factors like fertilization, pruning, and climate change.