The purpose of this study was to extract the lipophilic fraction from one of the largest source of waste in the industrial sector, namely, the tomato residue from processing the fruit. In order to make this process more environmentally sustainable, this study used a green extraction protocol employing natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) combined with a less energy-consuming technology, the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method, to simultaneously recover carotenoids and tocopherol from dried powder tomato waste. Two NADESs, one hydrophilic and one hydrophobic, were prepared and compared to support high extraction efficiency and increase the stability of the extracted compounds. The optimal extraction parameters were identified as choline chloride:1,3-butanediol (1:5)-based NADES, a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:20 (w/v), time of extraction 12 min, temperature 65 °C, radiation frequency 37 Hz, and an ultrasound power level of 70%. The extraction process was intensified and resulted in extracts rich in lycopene (215.13 ± 4.31 μg/g DW), β-carotene (206.95 ± 3.27 μg/g DW), and tocopherol (130.86 ± 8.97 μg/g DW) content, with the highest antioxidant capacity 93.84 ± 0.18 mM Trolox equivalent. Incorporating NADESs for the extraction of bioactive compounds offers numerous benefits, such as improved sustainability, enhanced extraction efficiency, better protection of sensitive compounds, and reduced environmental impact. These advantages make NADESs a promising alternative to traditional organic solvents, especially in industries that require natural, green, and efficient extraction processes for valuable bioactive molecules.

• Book : 30(3)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.591-591
• Keyword :

Abstract The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) combined with periorbital triamcinolone acetonide injection in treating thyroid eye disease (TED) patients with active extraocular muscle but low CAS. The retrospective observational study was conducted. A total of 156 eligible patients were selected from the TED patient database of the Ophthalmology Department of West China Hospital of Sichuan University. The patient’s relevant medical history was recorded, including gender, age of initial onset, onset eye, the interval between onset and the first visit to our hospital, extraocular muscle condition, smoking status, CAS, NOSPECS, thyroid function, symptoms and signs, and the condition of the affected extraocular muscle. We found that IMRT combined with periorbital triamcinolone acetonide injection has a good therapeutic effect on TED patients with low CAS but significant active extraocular muscles, and there is a significant improvement at 3 months after treatment. Thyroid function and CAS can affect the curative effect of IMRT. Patients with hyperthyroidism had worse effect than those with normal thyroid function. The higher the CAS, the better the effect.

• Book : 15(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page :
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• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.1-8
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AbstractHedgehog (Hh) proteins elicit dose-dependent transcriptional responses by binding Patched receptors to activate transmembrane Smoothened (Smo) proteins. Activated Smo inhibits Ci/Gli transcription factor phosphorylation by Protein Kinase A (PKA) and consequent proteolytic processing to repressor forms; it also promotes nuclear transport and activity of full-length Ci/Gli proteins to induce Hh target genes. Smo-activated Fused (Fu) kinase drives Ci activation in Drosophila, while Suppressor of Fused (Su(fu)) counters full-length Ci/Gli activity and stabilizes full-length Ci/Gli by direct binding to at least three surfaces. Here, we used CRISPR-generated designercialleles to investigate alterations to Fu phosphorylation sites and to regions around Ci-Su(fu) interfaces under physiological conditions in Drosophila imaginal wing discs. Surprisingly, we identified alterations that activate Ci without significant loss of stabilization by Su(fu) and contributions of multiple Fu target sites to Ci activation in the absence of Su(fu), suggesting that the affected sites mediate Ci activation by regulating Ci-Ci, rather than Ci-Su(fu) interactions. We propose that those interactions maintain full-length Ci in a closed conformation that also facilitates, and is stabilized by, cooperative Ci-Su(fu) binding. Access to binding partners necessary for Ci activation is promoted through phosphorylation of at least four Fu sites on Ci, likely by directly disrupting Ci-Ci contacts and one Ci-Su(fu) interface without substantial Ci-Su(fu) dissociation, contrary to previous proposals. We also found that the Ci binding partner, Costal 2 (Cos2), which silences Ci in the absence of Hh, can facilitate Ci activation by Fu kinase.

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
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Quarkonia production in heavy-ion collisions is an important experimental probe that sheds light on the heavy quark interaction with the nuclear medium. The bound quarkonium states undergo dissociation and recombination in PbPb collisions, where they can also experience the initial and final state effects such as shadowing and co-mover breakup. With the large datasets of pp and pPb collisions, and excellent vertexing capabilities allowing separation of the prompt and b-decay components, LHCb performs precise measurements of J/ψ, ψ(2S ) and, for the first time at the LHC, χc production and modification in small collision systems. This contribution will discuss these results, along with the first measurement of the nuclear modification factor of the exotic χc1(3872).

• Book : 316()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.04010-04010
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Abstract Background Radiotherapy as a complement or an alternative to neurosurgery has a central role in the treatment of skull base grade I-II meningiomas. Radiotherapy techniques have improved considerably over the last two decades, becoming more effective and sparing more and more the healthy tissue surrounding the tumour. Currently, hypo-fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for small tumours and normo-fractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or proton-therapy (PT) for larger tumours are the most widely used techniques. It is expected a decrease of the risk of cognitive impairment with these modern techniques. However prospective data about cognitive long-term consequences of partial brain irradiation with SRT, PT, or IMRT remain very scarce to date. Methods CANCER COG is one of the first multicentric study in the world to prospectively assess the cognitive performances of patients following different modalities of cerebral radiotherapy (stereotactic radiotherapy, proton therapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy) for the treatment of grade I-II skull base meningioma, up to at least 10 years after the end of radiotherapy. This longitudinal study includes the follow-up of 3 cohorts, including: patients treated with PRT, IMRT, and SRT. An additionally control group will be formed. The primary objective is to report long-term cognitive deterioration in each cohort until 10 years after the end of irradiation. The rate of clinical symptomatology improvement over time after irradiation, the evolution of health-related quality-of-life, anxiety/depression, fatigue, over time after irradiation, the tumoral local control after irradiation, the progression-free survival (PFS), the professional reintegration for working-age patients will also be assessed. CANCER COG aims to help clinicians to choose the best irradiation techniques with the best benefit/risk ratio. Inclusions started on september 2023. Trial registration The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov with the following number: NCT 06036706.

• Book : 20(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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이 연구에서는 김정은 시대 북한의 핵 관련 법에 나타난 핵전략과 핵태세를 분석하였다. 북한은 미국의 대북 적대시 정책에 대한 대응으로 핵을 개발하였다고 주장하였으나, 김정은 시대 북한은 핵 관련 법을 제정하고 핵을 무기화하였으며 핵능력을 고도화하였으며 당 제8차 대회 이후에는 전술핵능력까지 구비하였다. 연구를 통해 북한이 핵을 군사적으로 사용할 능력을 구비하고 고도화하면서 핵전략과 핵태세가 공세적으로 변화하였음을 확인할 수 있었다. 북한의 핵능력이 고도화되면서 핵전략은 선언적 수준의 최소억지전략에서 대남 제한억지전략과 대미 최소억지전략으로 발전하였고, 핵태세 또한 현재는 가장 공세적인 비대칭확장태세 유형을 보여주고 있다. 북한의 핵·미사일 능력 고도화는 계속될 것이다. 북한의 핵능력증가에 따른 대응 방안 마련이 제한되는 우리로서는 궁극적으로 북한의 핵 위협이 증가하지 않도록 하는 것이 중요하다.

• Book : 7(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.1057-1091
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Background: Ultraviolet irradiation of the skin can activate the cytoplasmic aryl hydrocarbon receptor AhR, which, in combination with its nuclear translocator ARNT binds to the promoter of the FLG gene encoding filaggrin, a protective skin barrier protein. This suggests that the therapeutic effect of phototherapy may be due not only to the immunosuppressive effect, but also to stimulation of filaggrin production. Aims: to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet irradiation used for various phototherapy methods on the expression levels of the FLG, AHR and ARNT genes in the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis. Materials and methods: The expression levels of the FLG, AHR and ARNT genes were determined using real-time PCR. To define the severity of the disease, the SCORAD index was calculated. Results: 76 patients with atopic dermatitis were included in the study. 37 patients underwent narrow-band phototherapy; 39 – UFA1 therapy. Both methods of phototherapy were effective. After narrow-band phototherapy, the level of expression of the FLG, AHR and ARNT genes significantly increased. After UFA1 therapy, the expression of the AHR and ARNT genes increased, and no changes in the expression of the FLG gene were observed. Conclusions: Data have been obtained indicating that the therapeutic effect of narrow-band phototherapy in atopic dermatitis may be due to stimulation of the expression of the FLG gene in the skin. The revealed changes in the expression of the AHR and ARNT genes indicate the possible involvement of their protein products AhR and ARNT in the pathogenesis of the disease.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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AbstractRechargeable batteries are central to modern energy storage systems, from portable electronics to electric vehicles. The cathode material, a critical component, largely dictates a battery's energy density, capacity, and overall performance. This review focuses on the application of operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to study cathode materials in Li‐ion, Na‐ion, Li–S, and Na–S batteries. Operando XAS provides real‐time insights into the local electronic structure, oxidation states, and coordination environments, which are crucial for understanding complex electrochemical processes, such as redox reactions, phase transitions, and structural degradation. The review highlights the strengths of hard and soft XAS techniques in probing transition metal (TM) and anionic redox processes, particularly in layered oxide cathodes, where reversible oxygen redox and TM behavior are pivotal. The role of operando XAS is also explored in analyzing conversion‐type S‐based cathodes, where it helps unravel the intricate reaction mechanisms. Furthermore, the review addresses the challenges of in situ cell design for operando XAS, especially under ultrahigh vacuum conditions for soft XAS. By discussing recent advancements and future directions, this review underscores the critical role of operando XAS in driving innovation and improving the design and performance of next‐generation battery technologies.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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Abstract Objective To investigate the prognostic value of baseline European Association of Nuclear Medicine Research Ltd. (EARL) standardized [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET-CT) quantitative values for survival and to evaluate cutoff values identified in other studies. Materials and methods Pediatric and adolescent patients with high-grade osteosarcoma were included. Baseline [18F]FDG PET-CT, with EARL-accredited reconstructions, was the standard diagnostic staging procedure. Cox proportional hazard analysis for event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) was performed with clinical prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank tests were applied to investigate the prognostic performance of the [18F]FDG PET indices. Results In total, 66 patients were included in this study. In the univariable Cox regression analysis, peak lean-body mass corrected SUV (SULpeak) (hazard ratio (HR): 1.04), total lesion glycolysis (TLG) (HR: 1.0), and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) (HR: 1.0) were not associated with EFS or OS. Log-rank analysis showed a significant difference in EFS for all SULmax and SULpeak cutoffs. For MTVtotal the maximum Youden, and for TLGtotal, the maximum Youden and maximally selected rank cutoff resulted in a significant EFS difference. No cutoff for any measure showed a significant difference in OS between the groups. ROC curves for event status had an AUC of 0.67, 0.66, 0.64, and 0.64 for SULmax, SULpeak, MTVtotal, and TLGtotal, respectively. Conclusion In this study, the baseline EARL-standardized [18F]FDG PET indices of children and adolescents with osteosarcoma were not prognostic of EFS or OS. The proposed prognostic cutoffs from earlier studies suffer from important technical and statistical issues. Key Points Question Prognostic value of baseline [ 18 F]FDG PET-CT imaging markers have been reported for histologic response and survival in high-grade osteosarcoma but have not been validated for clinical practice. Findings Baseline SUV peak , TLG total , and MTV total measured on EARL-accredited reconstructions were not prognostic factors for survival in pediatric and adolescent patients with high-grade osteosarcoma. Clinical relevance A wide range of values for SUV peak and SUV max cutoffs with similar prognostic value were identified, questioning the value of a single proposed cutoff. Lack of validation, with important technical and statistical issues of proposed prognostic cutoffs, limits clinical implementation.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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