bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive Value of the Prostate-Specific Antigen Doubling Time for the Effectiveness of Metastasis-Directed Radiotherapy in Patients with Oligometastases after Radical Treatment for Non-metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Single Institution Retrospective Study
Authors: Koguchi Dai , Tabata Ken-ichi , Hirano Shuhei , Shimura Soichiro , Satoh Takefumi , Ikeda Masaomi , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Niibe Yuzuru , Iwamura Masatsugu 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background: Data on metastasis-directed radiotherapy (MDRT) are limited, particularly regarding its association with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (PSADT). The present study aims to evaluate the oncological outcomes of MDRT on the basis of the PSADT in patients who developed oligometastases after radical treatment for non-metastatic prostate cancer.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 35 MDRTs for 29 patients targeting oligometastatic prostate cancer developed after radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy for non-metastatic prostate cancer. Thirty-five MDRTs were classified into the PSADT > 3 months (n = 25) or PSADT ≤ 3 months group (n = 10).
Statistical analyses were performed to compare associations between the two PSADT groups and the oncological outcomes such as progression-free survival (PFS) and PSA response after MDRT.
Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, PSA level, Gleason score, or TNM stage. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that PFS was significantly better in the PSADT > 3 months group than in the PSADT ≤ 3 months group (median: 13.3 versus [vs.] 2.6 months, P = 0.046). Regarding castration sensitivity, the predictive role of PSADT > 3 months was maintained in 21 patients who received MDRT without prior salvage hormone therapy (median PFS: 12.7 vs. 2.6 months, P = 0.024). In the castration-resistant setting (n = 14), the frequency of a decrease in serum PSA levels after MDRT by 90% was 54.5% (median PFS: 23.1 months).
Conclusions: MDRT can provide benefit especially for patients with PSADT ≥ 3 months who had oligo-recurrence after the radical treatment for non-metastatic prostate cancer.
Seismic Analysis of Intze Type Elevated Service Reservoir Using Different Methods
Authors: Patil Ravindra , Khatavkar Pallavi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Water is basic need of every creation. Water supply scheme in each village and city needed with elevated service reservoir (ESR) for distribution of water with gravity. Water is importance during disaster like earthquake, tsunami etc. The elevated service reservoirs are essential part of the water supply schemes in the various part of the world. Intze type of water tank has economical design for large capacity of water storage. In this paper, seismic analysis of Intze tank for a given capacity are presented for two ratios of height to diameter, viz. H = 1/3 D and H = 2/3 D. The seismic analysis of tank with staging is presented here briefly. Two cases are studied by doing seismic analysis by three methods. 1. Linear Static Analysis, 2. Response Spectrum Analysis 3. Linear Time History Analysis. Final results are compared and concluded. It is observed that the shallower tank with H = 1/3D having more stability among the two cases considered. Base shear in time history analysis is more and in response spectrum method is less as compared to IS 1893-part 2 method.
Catenovulum algicola sp. nov., an agar-hydrolysing, halophilic gammaproteobacterium isolated from kelp seedlings
Authors: Chen Rui-Ying , Sun Yang-Yang , Gong Ya , Du Zong-Jun 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

A pale white, Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, halophilic, agar-hydrolysing and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 2E275T, was isolated from kelp seedlings at Weihai, China. The cells are motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The isolate had an absolute requirement for agar and formed a depression when grown on Marine Agar 2216 plates for 3 days. Strain 2E275T growth occurred at 4–42°C (optimum, 37°C), with 0–12% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3%), and at pH 5.5–10.5 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0). The isolate could not be cultured in MB, but when 0.2% agar was added, they grew well. According to the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain 2E275T showed the highest sequence similarity of 96.0% with Catenovulum agarivorans YM01T, followed by Catenovulum sediminis D2T (94.1%) and Catenovulum maritimum Q1T (93.7%). Strain 2E275T could remarkably hydrolyse agar, cellulose, starch, sodium alginate, casein and Tweens 20, 60, 80, but not DNA and Tween 40. The major polar lipids of strains 2E275T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphoaminolipid. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c) and C16:0. Ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) was found to be the major respiratory quinone. The DNA G+C content was 38.2%. On the basis of the phenotypic, genetic and physiological characteristics, strain 2E275T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Catenovulum, for which the name Catenovulum algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2E275T (MCCC 1H00528T = KCTC 92643T).
Twenty four food intakes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Zhongqiong , Li Chunli , Gao Tao , Ke Dazhi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Despite observational studies indicating a potential association between diverse food intakes and the onset of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the causal relationship remains unclear. This study adopted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design with the objective of investigating the potential causal link between specific food intakes and the risk of developing NAFLD. The food intakes GWAS data for this study were acquired from the Cole_UKB_Diet_GWAS datasets. The genetic variants associated with NAFLD were obtained from a large-scale GWAS meta-analysis of NAFLD, which contained 8,434 cases and 770,180 controls of Europeans. The study didn’t reveal any causal associations between genetically proxied 24 specific food intakes and the risk of NAFLD. These findings suggest that there is no genetic evidence supporting a causal link between specific food intakes and NAFLD. Therefore, the MR study implies that the identified food intakes may have neither protective nor detrimental effects on NAFLD.
Chemotaxonomic variation of volatile components in Zanthoxylum bungeanum peel and effects of climate on volatile components
Authors: wu Yuhan , Zhuo Zhihang , Qian Qianqian , Xu Danping 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. is widely distributed in China, and the aroma of Z. bungeanum peel is mainly determined by volatile components. In this study, the characteristics and correlation of volatile components of Z. bungeanum peels in different regions and their correlation with climate factors were analyzed.
Results
The results showed that 126 compounds were detected in Z. bungeanum. Among the 27 compounds with odor characteristics, the one with highest content was Linalool, and the average relative content was 21.664%. The volatile oil of Z. bungeanum mainly presents a spicy, floral, citrus and mint aroma. The classification results were geographically continuous, with the ZB10 collection site in Shaanxi showing significant differences in altitude compared to other groups. Temperature, average annual precipitation, and wind speed played an important role in the accumulation of volatile components.
Conclusions
This study is helpful to improve the quality of Z. bungeanum, enrich the influence of climate factors on the accumulation of volatile substances, and promote agricultural practices in regions with similar climatic conditions.
Variation of floristic richness and composition on gold mine tailings along a climatic gradient in a Savanna ecosystem
Authors: Nyenda Tatenda , Muvengwi Justice , Witkowski Ed FT 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background and aims
Studies that investigate variation of plant species composition on mine tailings along climatic gradients are limited yet crucial to inform restoration programs in the face of climate change. The study aimed to determine variation of plant taxa assemblages, species richness on mine tailings along a climatic gradient in Zimbabwean Savanna ecosystems and to assess the interactive effect of rainfall and substrate age together with substrate properties on plant attributes.
Methods
Compositional data were collected form 53 tailings dumps of (< 50 and > 50 years) from 14 mine sites that were grouped into 4 climatic groups using total annual rainfall as a climate proxy: <450 mm, 450–600 mm, 600–800 mm and 800 − 100 mm. Data were subjected to ordination and two-way analysis of variance.
Results
Overall plant, forb and grass species richness were significantly (p < 0.05) higher within higher rainfall regions. Herbaceous species accumulation was higher for wetter than drier regions while woody species had no distinct trend. Annuals were more frequent in drier regions while perennials did not vary. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed a general distinction of sites from wettest versus driest regions with overlaps in intermediate sites, this being more for woody than herbaceous species. Species richness significantly increased with tailings age, but the interactive effect of tailings age and rainfall was insignificant.
Conclusion
The effect of rainfall gradient on vegetation was taxa, growth form and life cycle specific. Species compositional differences are mainly related to changes in substrate N, P, organic carbon, compaction and salinity.
TRAIL (DR5) receptor and the modulation of TRAIL pathway in PLWHIV: key mechanisms in the progression of HIV disease.
Authors: Ratkovich-Gonzalez Sarah , Ruiz-Briseño Mariana Del Rocio , De Arcos-Jimenez Judith Carolina , Alvarez-Zavala Monserrat , Andrade-Villanueva Jaime Federico , Gonzalez-Hernandez Luz Alicia , Sanchez-Reyes Karina 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background:
HIV infection is mainly described by depletion of CD4+ T-cells, however this not only occurs in infected cells, also arise in uninfected immunological cells through the bystander effect. Extrinsic cell death, in particular the Fas pathway has been studied in HIV extensively, and an expression increase in both its ligand and receptor has been reported, however the TRAIL pathway has been less explored in this context, and little has been relating to the immune activation characteristic of the disease. This study aims to examine the effect of HIV infection in the activation of TRAIL and Fas death pathways in CD3+ CD4+ T-cells and CD4+ CD14 + monocyte and its correlation with immune activation biomarkers in cell surface and serum.
Results:
Expression of TRAIL receptor DR5 in CD3+ CD4+ T-cells and CD14+ CD4+ monocytes from PLWHIV were significatively increased, almost two and five times more than CD3+ CD4+ T-cells and CD14+ CD4+ monocytes from HIV- controls; respectively. In PLWHIV, DR5 and CCR5 expression were positively and negatively associated with time of infection; respectively. Simultaneously, DR5 was associated positively with CXCR4 expression in CD3+ CD4+-T cells and CD4+ CD14+ monocytes as well as the significant increase of serum levels of IL-18 in PLWHIV. In CD3+ CD4+-T cells from HIV patients, the expression of CD38 was upregulated. Finally, in CD14+ CD4+ monocytes from PLWHIV, it was observed an increase in early apoptosis in response to recombinant TRAIL ligand, an effect that was not inhibited by caspase 8 blockade.
Conclusions:
In PLWHIV before ART, the activation and regulation of TRAIL pathway shows to be an important regulator in cell depletion. The expression of TRAIL DR5 significantly increased in CD3+ CD4+-T cells and CD4+ CD14+ monocytes from PLWHIV; in the same way DR5 was positively correlated with time of infection, with CXCR4 expression and with the significant increase in serum levels of IL-18, making it an interesting target for future treatments and as a marker for HIV disease progression.
Non-invasive Estimation of the Powder Size Distribution from a Single Speckle Image
Authors: Zhang Qihang , Barbastathis George , Pandit Ajinkya , Liu Zhiguang , Guo Zhen , Muddu Shashank , Wei Yi , Pereg Deborah , Nazemifard Neda , Papageorgiou Charles , Yang Yihui , Tang Wenlong , Braatz Richard D. , Myerson Allan S. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Non-invasive characterization of powders may take one of two approaches: imaging and counting individual particles; or relying on scattered light to estimate the particle size distribution (PSD) of the ensemble. The former approach runs into practical difficulties, as the system must conform to the working distance and other restrictions of the imaging optics. The latter approach requires an inverse map from the speckle autocorrelation to the particle sizes. The principle relies on the pupil function determining the basic sidelobe shape, whereas the particle size spread modulates the sidelobe intensity. We recently showed that it is feasible to invert the speckle autocorrelation and obtain the PSD using a neural network, trained efficiently through a physics-informed semi-generative approach. In this work, we eliminate one of the most time-consuming steps of our previous method by engineering the pupil function. By judiciously blocking portions of the pupil, we sacrifice some photons but in return we achieve much taller enhanced sidelobes and, hence, higher sensitivity to the change of the size distribution. The result is a 60× reduction in total acquisition and processing time, or 0.25 seconds per frame in our implementation. Almost real-time operation in our system is not only more appealing toward rapid industrial adoption, it also paves the way for quantitative characterization of complex spatial or temporal dynamics in drying, blending, and other chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Integrated model of secondary fracture prevention in primary care (INTERCEPT): Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled multicentre trial.
Authors: Wang Mawson , Knight Alice , Demeshko Anastassia , Girgis Christian , Bolton Patrick , Das Anurina , Auwyang Andrew , Williams Brett , Moses Daniel , D’Este Catherine , Seibel Markus 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background:
Osteoporotic fractures signal severely compromised bone strength and are associated with a greatly increased risk of refracture. Despite the availability of effective and safe medications that reduce fracture risk, 70-80% of patients are inadequately investigated or treated for osteoporosis following an initial fracture. This protocol describes a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated model of care on osteoporosis management in primary care.
Methods:
The cluster randomised controlled trial involves multiple branches of a community-based radiology provider (CRP), a hospital-based secondary fracture prevention program (SFPP) and numerous primary care practices in metropolitan Sydney that refer to either the CRP or SFPP. Using natural language processing tools, patients diagnosed with a potential osteoporotic fracture will be identified by automatically screening radiology reports generated at the CRP or SFPP. The primary care practices that these patients attend will be randomised (1:1) to either the intervention or usual care. The intervention consists of (i) electronic and fax alerts informing the practice/primary care physician that their patient has been diagnosed with a potential osteoporotic fracture; (ii) provision of osteoporosis management guidelines and (iii) follow-up surveys at 4 weeks and 6 months. Practices in the usual care (control) group will receive no alerts and provide usual care.
The primary outcome is the proportion of patients undergoing a bone density scan and/or filling a prescription for osteo-protective pharmacotherapy within 3 months of the initial diagnostic imaging report. Secondary outcomes are the proportion of patients: (i) undergoing an osteoporosis-related blood test within 3 months of the initial diagnostic imaging report; (ii) initiated on a chronic disease management plan within 3 months of the diagnostic report, and (iii) filling a second prescription for osteo-protective pharmacotherapy within 9 months post initial diagnostic imaging report. Outcomes will be obtained through de-identified linked data from Medical Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme held by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Discussion:
This is the first randomised trial to integrate case-detection of potential osteoporotic fractures in a hospital and community setting with direct alerts to the patient’s primary care provider. This study will determine whether such an intervention is effective in improving investigation and/or treatment rates of osteoporosis in patients with a potential osteoporotic fracture.
Trial registration:
This study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12623000658617p
Correlation of High-Resolution Computed Tomography and Immunological Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Interstitial Lung Disease at the Onset of Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: Implications for Diagnosis and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Hoffmann Tobias , Teichgräber Ulf , Förster Martin , Oelzner Peter , Kroegel Claus , Renz Diane , Weise Tobias , Boettcher Joachim , Schulze Christian , Wolf Gunter , Franz Marcus , Pfeil Alexander 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) are often associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aim of the present study was to establish a correlation between the findings on HRCT and the immunological immunological bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).
Methods
The study included 74 patients with newly diagnosed IRD and evidence of ILD on HRCT. No patient received any immunosuppressive therapy. In addition to HRCT, immunological BAL was performed and the American Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline were used to define BAL patterns.
Results
The main HRCT patterns were non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (47.3%), ground-glass opacities (GGO) (37.8%), and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) (18.6%). BAL patterns showed the following distribution: 41.9% lymphocytic cellular pattern, 23.0% neutrophilic cellular pattern, 18.9% eosinophilic cellular pattern, and 16.2% unspecific cellular pattern. Placing these data in the context of the HRCT findings, the lymphocytic cellular BAL pattern (48%) was most commonly associated with GGO, whereas neutrophilic and lymphocytic cellular BAL patterns were the dominant feature in NSIP and UIP.
Conclusion
In patients with new-onset IRD and ILD, inflammatory pulmonary changes are predominate, reflected by GGO on HRCT and a mainly lymphocytic cell profile in the immunological BAL. In NSIP or UIP on HRCT, the percentages of lymphocytes and neutrophils were higher in BAL fluid, representing a fibrotic component in addition to the inflammation. Consequently, patients with evidence of GGO on HRCT should primarily be treated with anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive therapy, whereas in patients with NSIP and UIP a combination of anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agents would be the appropriate treatment.
Effect of Process Parameters on the Geometry of Single-Track Deposits of Inconel 718 onto AISI4140 Using Laser Cladding
Authors: momeni seyedali , Coelho Reginaldo Teixeira , Nuñez Johan Grass , Jasinevicius Renato Goulart 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

AISI 4140 alloy steel finds extensive applications in industrial settings such as gears and blades owing to its exceptional combination of high strength and ductility. However, prolonged exposure to harsh operating conditions can result in significant mechanical failures, necessitating essential repair techniques to restore functionality and preserve the substantial value of these components. Among the various repair methods, directed energy deposition, an additive manufacturing technique, is gaining prominence for its efficacy in producing and restoring mechanically stressed components. Compared to traditional welding methods and metal spraying, laser cladding offers advantages such as reduced heat input and minimal dilution, resulting in superior metallurgical bonds. This research focuses on depositing Inconel 718 on AISI 4140 substrate using the laser cladding technique to evaluate the feasibility of this alloy for repairing AISI 4140 components. The investigation explores the influence of key laser cladding parameters, including laser power, scanning speed, and mass flow rate, on critical attributes of deposited beads such as width, height, clad angle, and dilution ratio. The results elucidate the effects of varying parameters: increasing scanning speed reduces bead dimensions and clad angle while increasing dilution. Elevating the powder-feeding rate increases bead height and wetting angle, with minimal impact on width and decreased dilution. Augmenting laser power increases bead width and reduces wetting angle, with dilution showing minimal change. Based on the findings, the optimal process parameters for future investigations are identified as a laser power of 950W, a laser scan speed of 300mm/min, and a mass flow rate of 4.31 g/min. Furthermore, the research demonstrates commendable metallurgical bonding at the interface between the two dissimilar materials, affirming the feasibility of integrating them through laser cladding.
Effect of a juvenile hormone analogue (methoprene) on ovarian development and survival in the Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)
Authors: Mesich James , Richards Miriam H. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Differences in opportunities to lay eggs, and thus differences in extent of ovarian development, underlie reproductive hierarchies in social insects. In most insects, ovarian development is regulated by juvenile hormone (JH), so differences in reproduction are predicted to be proximately regulated by JH. We investigated the impact of a JH analogue, methoprene, on ovarian development and survival in Xylocopa virginica, a facultatively social carpenter bee in which social females form linear dominance hierarchies quite different from eusocial societies. Our objectives were twofold: to evaluate variation in the ovarian status of potential breeders throughout the brood-producing phase of the colony cycle, and to investigate the extent to which methoprene treatment would increase ovarian development. We used a double-blind experiment in which wild-caught females were treated with 0, 100, 500, or 1000 µg of methoprene, maintained in cages for two to four days, and then either? killed and dissected or maintained in the lab until the majority had died naturally. Control females exhibited a distinct seasonal pattern in which ovarian development increased through the first part of the brood-provisioning phase to a peak in weeks 7 and 8 (mid-June), then subsequently declined, as brood production ceased. Methoprene treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase in ovarian development, primarily affecting the volume of mature oocytes, but having no effect on the total number of developing oocytes. The effects of methoprene were observed within two days of treatment, suggesting rapid hormonal modulation of ovarian development. No significant differences in survival were observed among bees treated with varying dosages of methoprene, indicating the absence of adverse effects on bee health and activity. Our results support the predicted gonadotropic effects of methoprene in X. virginica, enabling future studies to explore JH influence on reproductive dominance within linear reproductive hierarchies.