Search Results (43)

Background: Data on the outcome of octogenarian multiple myeloma (MM) patients (pts), especially if treated outside clinical studies, are scanty. Aims and Methods: MM pts ≥ 80 years, treated at TASMC with first-line therapy between 2010 and 2023, were reviewed. Characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total number of 101 pts, of whom 54 were males with a median age of 84 years (80–98), were included. Among them, 67.4% had a Charlson comorbidity index of ≥5, 37% had ISS-3 (International staging system) and 20% had Revised-ISS-3. In our study, 44.5% received doublets and 50.5% received triplets/quadruplets. A bortezomib-based regimen was applied in 87%, and IMiDs were used in 27.7%. Despite an upfront employment of a low lenalidomide dose, dose reductions were required in 48%. Grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) (mainly infections) were documented in 36.6% of patients, including grade 5 events in 9%, all attributed to infections. The overall response rate was 69%, including 31% ≥ VGPRs (Very good partial response). Sixty-seven percent (67%) received second-line therapy, administered within a median period of 12 months (1–84). Within a median follow-up period of 36 m (1–141), the median overall survival (OS) approached 42 m (range: 1–141); being shorter in pts > 84 years (HR = 1.7, p = 0.03), pts with lung disease (HR = 1.8, p = 0.044) and pts with ISS = 3 and R-ISS = 3 (HR = 1.65, p = 0.0016 and HR = 2.45, p = 0.006, respectively); Conclusions: Octogenarians treated outside clinical studies often have a lower tolerance to treatment. Nevertheless, upfront administration of low doses of anti-MM agents provided a response in the majority of patients, translated into impressive OS. Nevertheless, mortality due to AEs was high, emphasizing the need for new, “octogenarian-oriented” treatment protocols. Full article

This paper presents a novel hybrid optimization algorithm that combines JADE Adaptive Differential Evolution with Artificial Protozoa Optimizer (APO) to solve complex optimization problems and detect attacks. The proposed Hybrid APO-JADE Algorithm leverages JADE’s adaptive exploration capabilities and APO’s intensive exploitation strategies, ensuring a robust search process that balances global and local optimization. Initially, the algorithm employs JADE’s mutation and crossover operations, guided by adaptive control parameters, to explore the search space and prevent premature convergence. As the optimization progresses, a dynamic transition to the APO mechanism is implemented, where Levy flights and adaptive change factors are utilized to refine the best solutions identified during the exploration phase. This integration of exploration and exploitation phases enhances the algorithm’s ability to converge to high-quality solutions efficiently. The performance of the APO-JADE was verified via experimental simulations and compared with state-of-the-art algorithms using the 2022 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation benchmark (CEC) 2022 and 2021. Results indicate that APO-JADE achieved outperforming results compared with the other algorithms. Considering practicality, the proposed APO-JADE was used to solve a real-world application in attack detection and tested on DS2OS, UNSW-NB15, and ToNIoT datasets, demonstrating its robust performance. Full article

In this study, Arundo donax Linnaeus was utilized as the biomass and a TH/DS (Tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide/Dimethyl sulfoxide, C₁₆H₃₇NO/C₂H₆OS) system was employed to dissolve biomass cellulose. The optimal process for the preparation of Arundo donax L. biomass regenerated cellulose fiber was determined through process optimization. The physical properties and antimicrobial performance of the resulting products were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the physical indicators of biomass regenerated cellulose fiber, prepared from Arundo donax L. cellulose, met the requirements of the standard for Viscose Filament (Dry breaking strength ≥ 1.65 CN/dtex, Elongation at dry breaking 15.5–26.0%, and Dry elongation CV value ≤ 10.0%). Additionally, excellent antimicrobial properties were exhibited by the biomass regenerated cellulose fiber developed in this study, with antibacterial rates against Staphylococcus aureus and other three strain indexes meeting the Viscose Filament standards. Furthermore, high antiviral activity of 99.99% against H1N1 and H3N2 strains of influenza A virus was observed in the experimental samples, indicating a remarkable antiviral effect. Valuable references for the comprehensive utilization of Arundo donax L. biomass resources are provided by this research. Full article

Osmotic microbial fuel cells (OsMFCs) with the abilities to simultaneously treat wastewater, produce clean water, and electricity provided a novel approach for the application of microbial fuel cell (MFC) and forward osmosis (FO). This synergistic merging of functions significantly improved the performances of OsMFCs. Nonetheless, despite their promising potential, OsMFCs currently receive inadequate attention in wastewater treatment, water reclamation, and energy recovery. In this review, we delved into the cooperation mechanisms between the MFC and the FO. MFC facilitates the FO process by promoting water flux, reducing reverse solute flux (RSF), and degrading contaminants in the feed solution (FS). Moreover, the water flux based on the FO principle contributed to MFC’s electricity generation capability. Furthermore, we summarized the potential roles of OsMFCs in resource recovery, including nutrient, energy, and water recovery, and identified the key factors, such as configurations, FO membranes, and draw solutions (DS). We prospected the practical applications of OsMFCs in the future, including their capabilities to remove emerging pollutants. Finally, we also highlighted the existing challenges in membrane fouling, system expansion, and RSF. We hope this review serves as a useful guide for the practical implementation of OsMFCs. Full article

This study aimed to develop a biostimulant formulation using humic acid (HA), silicon, and biochar alone or in combination to alleviate the lethality induced by combined heavy metals (HM-C; As, Cd, and Pb), drought stress (DS; 30–40% soil moisture), and salt stress (SS; 150 mM NaCl) in rice. The results showed that HA, Si, and biochar application alone or in combination improved plant growth under normal, DS, and SS conditions significantly. However, HA increased the lethality of rice by increasing the As, Cd, and Pb uptake significantly, thereby elevating lipid peroxidation. Co-application reduced abscisic acid, elevated salicylic acid, and optimized the Ca²⁺ and Si uptake. This subsequently elevated the K⁺/Na⁺ influx and efflux by regulating the metal ion regulators (Si: Lsi1 and Lsi2; K⁺/Na⁺: OsNHX1) and increased the expressions of the stress-response genes OsMTP1 and OsNramp in the rice shoots. Melatonin synthesis was significantly elevated by HM-C (130%), which was reduced by 50% with the HA + Si + biochar treatment. However, in the SS- and DS-induced crops, the melatonin content showed only minor differences. These findings suggest that the biostimulant formulation could be used to mitigate SS and DS, and precautions should be taken when using HA for heavy metal detoxification. Full article

Surface-checking is a significant quality issue of veneer and sliced lamellae-based wood products. This study explores how surface-checking in sliced lamellae-based engineered wood Flooring (EWF) is influenced by two key structure parameters: core type and top-layer thickness. The core types assessed were a standard solid wood lamellae with a veneer back-end layer (S), a standard solid wood lamellae core with veneer back-end layers on the two sides (DS), and a single-layer oriented strand board (OS) core. The EWF element’s top-layer lamellae were plain sliced at nominal dimensions of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 mm from freshly sawn slabs of European oak (Quercus spp.). The surface-checking of EWF specimens was quantified based on a digital image correlation (DIC) method, which outputs a surface-checking index. The surface-checking results were evaluated using a Tweedie compound Poisson data distribution to fit a general linear model. The model evaluated the impact of individual factors, sliced lamellae thickness and core type, and their interaction. The checking index confidence intervals were estimated using a bootstrapping technique. Findings reveal a significant interaction between studied factors and provide insight into optimizing top-layer thickness and core construction to diminish surface-checking. A low sliced lamella thickness on standard solid wood lamellae core resulted in low surface-checking, deemed relevant for further research. Full article

In mosquitoes, the utilization of RNAi for functional genetics is widespread, usually mediated through introduced double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) with sequence identity to a gene of interest. However, RNAi in mosquitoes is often hampered by inconsistencies in target gene knockdown between experimental setups. While the core RNAi pathway is known to function in most mosquito strains, the uptake and biodistribution of dsRNAs across different mosquito species and life stages have yet to be extensively explored as a source of variation in RNAi experiments. To better understand mosquito-RNAi dynamics, the biodistribution of a dsRNA to a heterologous gene, LacZ (iLacZ), was tracked following various routes of exposure in the larval and adult stages of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex pipiens. iLacZ was largely limited to the gut lumen when exposed per os, or to the cuticle when topically applied, but spread through the hemocoel when injected. Uptake of dsRNA was noted in a subset of cells including: hemocytes, pericardial cells of the dorsal vessel, ovarian follicles, and ganglia of the ventral nerve cord. These cell types are all known to undergo phagocytosis, pinocytosis, or both, and as such may actively take up RNAi triggers. In Ae. aegypti, iLacZ was detected for up to one week post exposure by Northern blotting, but uptake and degradation drastically differed across tissues. The results presented here reveal that the uptake of RNAi triggers is distinct and specific to the cell type in vivo. Full article

Background: In order to evaluate the efficacy of residual site radiation therapy (RSRT) in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with primary mediastinal lymphoma (PMBCL) with Deauville Score 4 (DS 4) following rituximab and chemotherapy treatment (R-ICHT). Methods: Thirty-one patients with PMBCL were recruited. After completion of R-ICHT, patients were staged with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography, showing DS 4, and were treated with adjuvant RSRT. The chosen techniques for RT delivery were intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or three-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT). Most patients underwent the first one using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). All patients were evaluated every 3 months for the first 2 years and every 6 months afterwards for a period of at least 5 years, with clinical and radiological procedures as required. Results: All patients received RSRT with a dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions. The median follow-up time of 52.7 months (IQR: 26–64.1 months). The 5-year OS rate was 100%. The 2-year and 5-year PFS rates were 96.7% and 92.5%, respectively. Patients with relapsed disease had been treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT). Conclusion: RSRT in patients with PMBCL treated with ICHT and DS 4 did not impact unfavorably on patient survival. Full article

This paper focuses on one of the most prominent IPv6 transition technologies named DS-Lite (Dual-Stack Lite). The aim was to analyze the security threats to which this technology might be vulnerable. The analysis is based on the STRIDE method, which stands for Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, and Elevation of Privilege. A testbed was built for the DS-Lite topology using several virtual machines, which were created using CentOS Linux images. The testbed was used to perform several types of attacks against the infrastructure of DS-Lite, especially against the B4 (Basic Bridging Broadband) and the AFTR (Address Family Transition Router) elements, where it was shown that the pool of source ports can be exhausted in 14 s. Eventually, the most common attacks that DS-Lite is susceptible to were summarized, and methods for mitigating such attacks were proposed. Full article

The plant architecture of rice is an important factor affecting yield. Strigolactones (SLs) are newly discovered carotenoid-derived plant hormones that play an important role in rice plant architecture. In this study, a high-tillering dwarf mutant, CHA-1, was identified by spatial mutagenesis. CHA-1 was located in the region of 31.52–31.55 MB on chromosome 1 by map-based cloning. Compared with the wild-type THZ, the CHA-1 mutant showed that ACCAC replaced TGGT in the coding region of the candidate gene LOC_Os01g54810, leading to premature termination of expression. Genetic complementation experiments proved that LOC_Os01g54810 was CHA-1, which encodes a putative member of Class III lipase. Expression analysis showed that CHA-1 was constitutively expressed in various organs of rice. Compared with those in THZ, the expression levels of the D17 and D10 genes were significantly downregulated in the CHA-1 mutant. In addition, the concentrations of ent-2′-epi-5-deoxystrigol (epi-5DS) in the root exudates of the CHA-1 mutant was significantly reduced compared with that of THZ, and exogenous application of GR24 inhibited the tillering of the CHA-1 mutant. These results suggest that CHA-1 influences rice architecture by affecting SL biosynthesis. Full article

In this study, Tartary buckwheat starch was modified to different degrees of substitution (DS) with octenyl succinate anhydride (OS-TBS) in order to explore its potential for stabilizing Pickering nanoemulsions. OS-TBS was prepared by reacting Tartary buckwheat starch with 3, 5 or 7% (w/v) octenyl succinate in an alkaline aqueous solution at pH 8.5. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy gave peaks at 1726 cm⁻¹ (C=O) and 1573 cm⁻¹ (RCOO−), indicating the formation of OS-TBS. We further studied the physicochemical properties of the modified starch as well as its emulsification capacity. As the DS with octenyl succinate anhydride increased, the amylose content and gelatinization temperature of the OS-TBS decreased, while its solubility increased. In contrast to the original Tartary buckwheat starch, OS-TBS showed higher surface hydrophobicity, and its particles were more uniform in size and its emulsification stability was better. Higher DS with octenyl succinate led to better emulsification. OS-TBS efficiently stabilized O/W Pickering nanoemulsions and the average particle size of the emulsion was maintained at 300–400 nm for nanodroplets. Taken together, these results suggest that OS-TBS might serve as an excellent stabilizer for nanoscale Pickering emulsions. This study may suggest and expand the use of Tartary buckwheat starch in nanoscale Pickering emulsions in various industrial processes. Full article

Native starch (NS) from different botanical origins (native rice/tapioca/oat starch, NRS/NTS/NOS) were hydrophobically modified by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA), and the octenyl succinic (OS) groups were successfully introduced in the starch molecules which obtained OS-starch (OSRS, OSTS and OSOS) with different levels of modification (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%) and degree of substitution (DS). The structural properties of the OS-starch, such as granule size, crystal, wettability and morphology were studied, and the OS-starch was used as particulate stabilizers to produce oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsions. The emulsion index, droplet size distribution and microstructures of Pickering emulsions produced by different OS-starches were compared. OSA modification had almost no effect on the morphology or crystal structure types of three kinds of NS and OS-starch but markedly increased the contact angle and particle size distribution of OSRS, OSTS and OSOS. Esterification reaction of OSA and starch mainly occurred in amorphous regions of starch, and the OSA significantly improved the emulsifying capacity of OSRS, OSTS and OSOS granules and thus stabilized emulsions formed at higher levels (2.5% and 3.0%) of modification of OS-Starch exhibited better stability; the ability of OS-starch to stabilize Pickering emulsion was 3.0% OSRS > 3.0% OSOS > 3.0% OSTS, respectively. Observation and structural properties analysis of OS-starch granules and Pickering emulsion droplets showed that the number and thickness of the starch granules on the oil-water interface of the emulsion droplets increased with improvement of the OSA modification level, and an aggregation state was formed between the OS-starch granules, which was also enhanced with the OSA modification levels. These were all necessary for the Pickering emulsion stabilized by starch granules to remain in a steady state. Full article

Purpose: To determine the safety and outcome profile of five-fraction stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for brain metastases (BM), either as a definitive or adjuvant treatment. Methods: We assessed clinical data of patients receiving five fractions of 7 Gy each (cumulative physical dose of 35 Gy) to BM or surgical cavities. The primary endpoints were toxicity and radiation necrosis (RN) rates. Secondary endpoints were 1-year cumulative local control rate (LCR) and estimated overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 36 eligible patients receiving FSRT to a total of 49 targets were identified and included. The median follow up was 9 (1.1–56.2) months. The median age was 64.5 (34–92) years, the median ECOG score was 1, and the median Diagnostic-Specific Graded Prognostic Assessment (DS-GPA) score was 2. Treatment was well tolerated and there were no grade 3 adverse events or higher. The overall RN rate was 14.3% and the median time to RN was 12.9 (1.8–23.8) months. RN occurrence was associated with immunotherapy, young age (≤45 years), and large PTV. The cumulative 1-year local control rate was 83.1% and the estimated median local progression free-survival was 18.8 months. The estimated median overall survival was 11 (1.1–56.2) months and significantly superior in those patients presenting with RN. Conclusions: FSRT with 5 × 7 Gy represents a feasible, safe, and efficient fast track approach of intensified FSRT with acceptable LC and comparable RN rates for both the adjuvant and definitive RT settings. Full article

Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the neuropathological mechanisms responsible for the deficits in cognition and neuronal function in Down syndrome (DS). The Ts65Dn (TS) mouse replicates multiple DS phenotypes including hippocampal-dependent learning and memory deficits and similar brain oxidative status. To better understand the hippocampal oxidative profile in the adult TS mouse, we analyzed cellular OS-associated alterations in hippocampal granule cells (GCs), a neuronal population that plays an important role in memory formation and that is particularly affected in DS. For this purpose, we used biochemical, molecular, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopy techniques. Our results indicate that TS GCs show important OS-associated alterations in the systems essential for neuronal homeostasis: DNA damage response and proteostasis, particularly of the proteasome and lysosomal system. Specifically, TS GCs showed: (i) increased DNA damage, (ii) reorganization of nuclear proteolytic factories accompanied by a decline in proteasome activity and cytoplasmic aggregation of ubiquitinated proteins, (iii) formation of lysosomal-related structures containing lipid droplets of cytotoxic peroxidation products, and (iv) mitochondrial ultrastructural defects. These alterations could be implicated in enhanced cellular senescence, accelerated aging and neurodegeneration, and the early development of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology present in TS mice and the DS population. Full article

Seed or pod shattering in rice (Oryza sativa) is considered to be one of the major factors involved in the domestication of rice as a crop. High seed shattering results in significant yield losses. In this study, we characterize the RICEHIGHSHATTERING 1 (RHS1) that corresponds to the locus LOC_Os04g41250 from a greenhouse screen, involving 145 Ac/Ds transposon mutant rice lines. The knockout mutant line rhs1 exhibited a significantly high shattering of grains in comparison to the wild-type plants. The exogenous application of nitric oxide (NO) resulted in a significant reduction in the expression of RHS1 in wild-type rice plants. The absence of RHS1, which encodes a putative armadillo/beta-catenin repeat family protein, resulted in high sensitivity of the rhs1 plants to nitrosative stress. Interestingly, the basal expression levels of QSH1 and SHAT1 genes (transcription factors that regulate seed-pod shattering in rice) were significantly lower in these plants than in wild-type plants; however, nitrosative stress negatively regulated the expression of QSH1 and SHAT1 in both WT and rhs1 plants, but positively regulated QSH4 expression in rhs1 plants alone. The expression levels of genes responsible for NO production (OsNIA1, OsNIA2, and OsNOA1) were lower in rhs1 plants than in WT plants under normal conditions. However, under nitrosative stress, the expression of OsNIA2 significantly increased in rhs1 plants. The expression of CPL1 (a negative regulator of seed shattering in rice) was significantly lower in rhs1 plants, and we found that CPL1 expression was correlated with S-nitrosothiol (SNO) alteration in rhs1. Interestingly noe1, a rice mutant with high SNO levels, exhibited low seed shattering, whereas rhs1 resulted in low SNO levels with high seed shattering. Therefore, RHS1 is a novel gene that negatively regulates the shattering trait in rice via regulation of endogenous SNO levels. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of RHS1-mediated regulation of seed shattering and its interaction with nitric oxide and involvement in plant defense need to be investigated further. Full article