bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy associated with single-fraction high-dose-rate brachytherapy in localized prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Hong , Dai Jindong , Cao Dehong , Wang Minghao , Zhao Jinge , Zeng Yuhao , Xu Nanwei , Xie Yandong , Liu Haolin , Zeng Hao , Sun Guangxi , Shen Pengfei 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Objective
Although single-fraction high-dose-rate brachytherapy (SFHDR) for localized prostate cancer has been tried in clinical trials, relevant medical evidence is currently lacking. It is necessary to systematically analyze the safety and efficacy of SFHDR.

Methods
Comprehensive and systematic searches for eligible studies were performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. The primary endpoints included safety and efficacy, represented by toxic effects and biochemical recurrence-free survival (bRFS), respectively. The proportion rates were used as the effect measure for each study and were presented with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) and related 95% prediction interval (PI). Restricted maximum-likelihood estimator (REML) and the Hartung–Knapp method were used in the meta-analysis.

Results
Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis, including 1440 patients. The median age of patients was 66.9 years old (62–73 years old) and the median follow-up was 47.5 months (12–75 months). The estimates of cumulative occurrence for severe gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxic effects were 0.1% (95% CI 0–0.2%) and 0.4% (95% CI 0–1.2%), and for grade 2 toxic effects were 1.6% (95% CI 0.1–4.7%) and 17.1% (95% CI 5.4–33.5%), respectively. The estimate of 3‑year bRFS was 87.5% (95% CI 84.4–90.3%) and 71.0% (95% CI 63.0–78.3%) for 5‑year bRFS. The pooled bRFS rates for low-risk patients were 99.0% (95% CI 85.2–100.0%) at 3 years and 80.9% (95% CI 75.4–85.9%) at 5 years, and the risk group was found to be statistically correlated with bRFS (3-year bRFS, P < 0.01; 5‑year bRFS, P = 0.04).

Conclusion
SFHDR is associated with favorable tolerability and suboptimal clinical benefit in patients with localized prostate cancer. Ongoing and planned high-quality prospective studies are necessary to verify its safety and efficacy.
E3 ubiquitin ligase on the biological properties of hematopoietic stem cell
Authors: Zhan Qianru , Wang Jing , Zhang Heyang , Zhang Lijun 
Published: April 2023

AbstractHematopoietic stem cells are a group of heterogeneity cells with the potential to differentiate into various types of mature blood cells. Their basic biological properties include quiescence, self-renewal, multilineage differentiation, and homing ability, with the homing of exogenous hematopoietic stem cells after transplantation becoming a new focus, while the first three properties share some similarity in mechanism due to connectivity. In various complex mechanisms, the role of E3 ubiquitin ligases in hematopoietic homeostasis and malignant transformation is receiving increasing attention. As a unique part, E3 ubiquitin ligases play an important role in physiological regulation mechanism of posttranslational modification. In this review, we focus on the recent progress of the crucial role of E3 ubiquitin ligases that target specific proteins for ubiquitination to regulate biological properties of hematopoietic stem cells. Additionally, this paper deals with E3 ubiquitin ligases that affect the biological properties through aging and summarizes the relevant applications of targeting E3 ligases in hematopoietic malignancies. We present some ideas on the clinical application of E3 ubiquitin ligase to regulate hematopoietic stem cells and also believe that it is meaningful to study the upstream signal of these E3 ubiquitin ligases because hematopoietic stem cell dysfunction is caused by deficiency of some E3 ligases.
Effectiveness of patient triage at the orthopedic hospital and the hygiene concept in a professional handball team in the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Authors: Varganov Pavel , Riediger Christian , Lohmann Christoph , Illiger Sebastian 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe first severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) pandemic wave in Germany in spring 2020 challenged the largely unprepared healthcare system. A prevention concept was implemented to protect the vulnerable patient group at our orthopedic department. The patient triage during the pre-admission process included screening for symptoms and obtaining information on travel, occupation, contact and cluster (TOCC) [16].In March 2020, all sporting events were also cancelled or postponed [12]. Mitigation strategies for sport activities were necessary to restart training and competition. For the professional handball team of the Sport Club Magdeburg (SCM), a hygiene concept including strict mitigation measures combined with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test regime was implemented.We reviewed 15,739 patient contacts in a 12-month period at orthopedic department during the SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic. This epidemiological, retrospective study presents the results of patient triage detecting cases with suspected SARS-CoV‑2 infections when entering the clinic. We also considered 2328 inpatient PCR test results and the infection rates among the medical staff. At the same period, professional athletes underwent 1428 PCR tests as a part of the hygiene concept.During the triage process, 333 cases (2.12%) with suspected SARS-CoV‑2 infections were detected at the orthopedic outpatient department. Three patients had a positive PCR test result after triage. Another four positive PCR tests were found among the inpatient group and one positive result among the medical staff. In the athletes’ cohort, none of the 1428 PCR tests was positive.Patient triage as a part of the preadmission process is an effective tool to protect the maximum-care hospital from a SARS-CoV‑2 mass outbreak. A hygiene concept with a defined PCR test regime protects a professional athlete team from SARS-CoV‑2 infections during international competition and training.
Graphic abstract
Targeting mitochondrial dynamics by AZD5363 in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell–derived spheres
Authors: Fu Yingqiang , Dong Wei , Xu Yuting , Li Lin , Yu Xin , Pang Yuheng , Chan Liujia , Deng Yuhan , Qian Cheng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBreast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have been suggested to contribute to chemotherapeutic resistance and disease relapse in breast cancer. Thus, BCSCs represent a promising target in developing novel breast cancer treatment strategies. Mitochondrial dynamics in BCSCs were recently highlighted as an available approach for targeting BCSCs. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) cultured breast cancer stem cell spheres model was constructed. Mitochondrial dynamics and functions were analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. We have demonstrated that the protein levels of FIS 1 and Mitofusin 1 were significantly increased in BCSCs. Moreover, Capivasertib (AZD5363) administration could suppress Mitofusin1 expression in BCSCs. Our use of MitoTracker Orange and annexin V double-staining assay suggested that AZD5363 could induce apoptosis in BCSCs. The sensitivity of stem cell spheres to doxorubicin was investigated by CCK8 assay, and our results indicated that AZD5363 could re-sensitize BCSCs to Doxo. Flow cytometry analysis identified doxo-induced CD44 and CD133 expression in BCSCs could be suppressed by AZD5363. In combination with AZD536, doxo-induced apoptosis in the BCSCs was significantly increased. In conclusion, our study explored, for the first time, that AZD5363 could target mitochondrial dynamics in 3D cultured stem cell spheres (BCSCs) by regulating Mitofusin.
A posteriori error analysis and adaptivity for high-dimensional elliptic and parabolic boundary value problems
Authors: Merle Fabian , Prohl Andreas 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe derive a posteriori error estimates for the (stopped) weak Euler method to discretize SDE systems which emerge from the probabilistic reformulation of elliptic and parabolic (initial) boundary value problems. The a posteriori estimate exploits the use of a scaled random walk to represent noise, and distinguishes between realizations in the interior of the domain and those close to the boundary. We verify an optimal rate of (weak) convergence for the a posteriori error estimate on deterministic meshes. Based on this estimate, we then set up an adaptive method which automatically selects local deterministic mesh sizes, and prove its optimal convergence in terms of given tolerances. Provided with this theoretical backup, and since corresponding Monte-Carlo based realizations are simple to implement, these methods may serve to efficiently approximate solutions of high-dimensional (initial-)boundary value problems.
Reachability in Two-Parametric Timed Automata with one Parameter is EXPSPACE-Complete
Authors: Göller Stefan , Hilaire Mathieu 
Published: April 2023

AbstractParametric timed automata (PTA) have been introduced by Alur, Henzinger, and Vardi as an extension of timed automata in which clocks can be compared against parameters. The reachability problem asks for the existence of an assignment of the parameters to the non-negative integers such that reachability holds in the underlying timed automaton. The reachability problem for PTA is long known to be undecidable, already over three parametric clocks. A few years ago, Bundala and Ouaknine proved that for PTA over two parametric clocks and one parameter the reachability problem is decidable and also showed a lower bound for the complexity classPSPACENEXP. Our main result is that the reachability problem for two-parametric timed automata with one parameter isEXPSPACE-complete. Our contribution is two-fold. For theEXPSPACElower bound, inspired by [13, 14], we make use of deep results from complexity theory, namely a serializability characterization ofEXPSPACE(in turn based on Barrington’s Theorem) and a logspace translation of numbers in Chinese remainder representation to binary representation due to Chiu, Davida, and Litow. It is shown that with small PTA over two parametric clocks and one parameter one can simulate serializability computations. For theEXPSPACEupper bound, we first give a careful exponential time reduction from PTA over two parametric clocks and one parameter to a (slight subclass of) parametric one-counter automata over one parameter based on a minor adjustment of a construction due to Bundala and Ouaknine. For solving the reachability problem for parametric one-counter automata with one parameter, we provide a series of techniques to partition a fictitious run into several carefully chosen subruns that allow us to prove that it is sufficient to consider a parameter value of exponential magnitude only. This allows us to show a doubly-exponential upper bound on the value of the only parameter of a PTA over two parametric clocks and one parameter. We hope that extensions of our techniques lead to finally establishing decidability of the long-standing open problem of reachability in parametric timed automata with two parametric clocks (and arbitrarily many parameters) and, if decidability holds, determinining its precise computational complexity.
The Influence of Diabetes Mellitus on Mortality of Patients After Lower Extremity Amputation: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Dong , Shu Hongxin , Lun Yu , Li Cong , Yang Yu 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe influence of diabetes mellitus (DM) on mortality following lower extremity amputation (LEA) remains controversial. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to determine the influence of DM on long‐term mortality (LTM) and short‐term mortality (STM) after amputation.Materials and methodsThe Medline, the Cochrane library, and Embase databases were searched. The primary and secondary outcomes were LTM and STM following amputation. One‐year and 30‐day all‐cause mortality after amputation were considered as LTM and STM, respectively. A random‐effects model was utilized to pool results. To evaluate the stability of results, subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsTwenty‐three cohort studies with a total of 58,219 patients were included, among which 31,750 (54.5%) patients had DM. The mean score of included studies evaluated by Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was 7.65, indicating moderate to high quality. The pooled results showed no significant difference in 1‐year LTM (risk ratio [RR], 0.96; 95% CI 0.86–1.07) after amputation. However, 3‐year (RR, 1.22; 95% CI 1.01–1.47) and 5‐year (RR, 1.18; 95% CI 1.07–1.31) LTMs of DM patients were obviously higher than that of NDM (non‐diabetes mellitus) patients. The STM of the DM group was significantly lower than the NDM group (RR, 0.80; 95% CI 0.64–0.98).ConclusionsThe current study revealed that DM patients had an obvious lower STM following LEA, but the risk of DM on LTM after amputation was gradually increased with time. More attention should be paid to the long‐term survival of DM patients after LEA.
Development of bovine elastin/tannic acid bioactive conjugate: physicochemical, morphological, and wound healing properties
Authors: Abdel-Aty Azza M. , Barakat Amal Z. , Abdel-Mageed Heidi M. , Mohamed Saleh A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractElastin is a functional protein of the dermal extracellular matrix and a critical component of skin wound healing. In severe wounds, skin cells do not produce enough elastin; therefore, the ability to transfer elastin to tissue is highly advantageous. This study aims to develop and characterize the bovine elastin/tannic acid (E/T) conjugate for wound healing applications. A simple conjugation method between the extracted bovine elastin (E) and tannic acid (T) was applied herein. The developed E/T conjugate showed the best binding efficiency besides controlled delivery of T content up to 7 days in acidic, alkaline, and aqueous media. The E/T conjugate exhibited great T content stability when stored at 40 °C for 60 days. The incorporation of T into E significantly improved the moisture, swelling, and solubility properties of the E/T conjugate. The micro-morphological study of the E/T conjugate confirmed the deposition of T on E fibers, whereas FTIR spectra of the E/T conjugate demonstrated the interaction between E and T functional groups. Markedly improved thermal stability was demonstrated for E/T conjugate over native E via thermogravimetric analysis. In vivo studies on Wistar rats demonstrated that the E/T conjugate considerably impacts the wound closure rate, scar disappearance, and acceleration of the wound healing process compared to the native E. According to these findings, the newly developed E/T conjugate can be used as a potential biomedical product in wound healing applications.
The influence of stimulus history on directional coding in the monarch butterfly brain
Authors: Beetz M. Jerome , el Jundi Basil 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe central complex is a brain region in the insect brain that houses a neural network specialized to encode directional information. Directional coding has traditionally been investigated with compass cues that revolve in full rotations and at constant angular velocities around the insect’s head. However, these stimulus conditions do not fully simulate an insect’s sensory perception of compass cues during navigation. In nature, an insect flight is characterized by abrupt changes in moving direction as well as constant changes in velocity. The influence of such varying cue dynamics on compass coding remains unclear. We performed long-term tetrode recordings from the brain of monarch butterflies to study how central complex neurons respond to different stimulus velocities and directions. As these butterflies derive directional information from the sun during migration, we measured the neural response to a virtual sun. The virtual sun was either presented as a spot that appeared at random angular positions or was rotated around the butterfly at different angular velocities and directions. By specifically manipulating the stimulus velocity and trajectory, we dissociated the influence of angular velocity and direction on compass coding. While the angular velocity substantially affected the tuning directedness, the stimulus trajectory influenced the shape of the angular tuning curve. Taken together, our results suggest that the central complex flexibly adjusts its directional coding to the current stimulus dynamics ensuring a precise compass even under highly demanding conditions such as during rapid flight maneuvers.
Hygroscopic phase field fracture modelling of composite materials
Authors: Au-Yeung Kit , Quintanas-Corominas Adria , Martínez-Pañeda Emilio , Tan Wei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the effect of moisture content upon the degradation behaviour of composite materials. A coupled phase field framework considering moisture diffusion, hygroscopic expansion, and fracture behaviour is developed. This multi-physics framework is used to explore the damage evolution of composite materials, spanning the micro-, meso- and macro-scales. The micro-scale unit-cell model shows how the mismatch between the hygroscopic expansion of fibre and matrix leads to interface debonding. From the meso-scale ply-level model, we learn that the distribution of fibres has a minor influence on the material properties, while increasing moisture content facilitates interface debonding. The macro-scale laminate-level model shows that moisture induces a higher degree of damage on the longitudinal ply relative to the transverse ply. This work opens a new avenue to understand and predict environmentally assisted degradation in composite materials.
Garlic consumption in relation to colorectal cancer risk and to alterations of blood bacterial DNA
Authors: Speciani Michela Carola , Gargari Giorgio , Penagini Roberto , Mutignani Massimiliano , Ferraroni Monica , Natale Arianna , Katsoulis Michail , Cintolo Marcello , Leone Pierfrancesco , Airoldi Aldo , Vecchi Maurizio , Bonzi Rossella , Ciafardini Clorinda , Oreggia Barbara , Carnevali Pietro , Guglielmetti Simone , Riso Patrizia , La Vecchia Carlo , Rossi Marta 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Garlic consumption has been inversely associated to intestinal adenoma (IA) and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, although evidence is not consistent. Gut microbiota has been implied in CRC pathogenesis and is also influenced by garlic consumption. We analyzed whether dietary garlic influence CRC risk and bacterial DNA in blood.

Methods
We conducted a case–control study in Italy involving 100 incident CRC cases, 100 IA and 100 healthy controls matched by center, sex and age. We used a validated food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary habits and garlic consumption. Blood bacterial DNA profile was estimated using qPCR and16S rRNA gene profiling. We derived odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of IA and CRC according to garlic consumption from multiple conditional logistic regression. We used Mann–Whitney and chi-square tests to evaluate taxa differences in abundance and prevalence.

Results
The OR of CRC for medium/high versus low/null garlic consumption was 0.27 (95% CI = 0.11–0.66). Differences in garlic consumption were found for selected blood bacterial taxa. Medium/high garlic consumption was associated to an increase of Corynebacteriales order, Nocardiaceae family and Rhodococcus genus, and to a decrease of Family XI and Finegoldia genus.

Conclusions
The study adds data on the protective effect of dietary garlic on CRC risk. Moreover, it supports evidence of a translocation of bacterial material to bloodstream and corroborates the hypothesis of a diet-microbiota axis as a mechanism behind the role of garlic in CRC prevention.
Plasma metabolomic response to high-carbohydrate meals of differing glycaemic load in overweight women
Authors: Durainayagam Brenan , Mitchell Cameron J. , Milan Amber M. , Kruger Marlena C. , Roy Nicole C. , Fraser Karl , Cameron-Smith David 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundMetabolomic dysregulation following a meal in overweight individuals with the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) involves multiple pathways of nutrient storage and oxidation.ObjectiveThe aim of the current study was to perform an acute cross-over intervention to examine the interactive actions of meal glycaemic load (GL) on the dynamic responses of the plasma metabolome in overweight females.MethodsPostmenopausal women [63 ± 1.23y; Healthy (n = 20) and MetS (n = 20)] ingested two differing high-carbohydrate test meals (73 g carbohydrate; 51% energy) composed of either low glycemic index (LGI) or high (HGI) foods in a randomised sequence. Plasma metabolome was analysed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS).ResultsIn the overweight women with MetS, there were suppressed postprandial responses for several amino acids (AAs), including phenylalanine, leucine, valine, and tryptophan,p < 0.05), irrespective of the meal type. Meal GL exerted a limited impact on the overall metabolomic response, although the postprandial levels of alanine were higher with the low GL meal and uric acid was greater following the high GL meal (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMetS participants exhibited reduced differences in the concentrations of a small set of AAs and a limited group of metabolites implicated in energy metabolism following the meals. However, the manipulation of meal GL had minimal impact on the postprandial metabolome. This study suggests that the GL of a meal is not a major determinant of postprandial response, with a greater impact exerted by the metabolic health of the individual.Trial registrationAustralia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615001108505 (21/10/2015)
Parasitic and predatory behavior of Alysia manducator (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on blow fly larvae feeding on an adult pig carcass in the Western Cape Province of South Africa: preliminary observations and forensic implications
Authors: Adetimehin Adeyemi Daniel , Mole Calvin Gerald , Finaughty Devin Alexander , Heyns Marise 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWasps are part of the entomofauna associated with vertebrate carrion. They are known to parasitize and prey on specific life stages of insect hosts such as eggs, larvae, pupae, and/or adults associated with vertebrate carrion. However, reports of parasitic behavior of wasps on carrion-associated insect life stages and their possible forensic implications are non-existent in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This study is part of ongoing research investigating the entomofauna and their pattern of succession on an adult pig carcass in Cape Town, South Africa. During this study, the parasitic wasp Alysia manducator was noted parasitizing and preying on blow fly larvae associated with the decomposing carcass. The arrival of A. manducator coincides with the occurrence of blow fly eggs and/or larvae on the carcass. These wasps were seen in close association with the eggs and larvae of blow flies on various parts of the carcass and some wasps were seen dragging fly larvae attached to their ovipositors away from one part of the carcass to another. Some A. manducator were also observed walking over several larvae on the carcass while exhibiting a stabbing behavior presumably in search of a host for oviposition. We suggest that the observations recorded in this study are of considerable forensic importance as the dragging effect and predatory and stabbing behavior exhibited by A. manducator could potentially disrupt the feeding and development of the fly larvae on the carcass. This could subsequently alter the process of carcass decomposition and/or affect minimum post-mortem interval estimations.