The relativistic jets of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) might be powered by a black-hole (BH) hyperaccretion system. The inherent asymmetry in these jets generates recoil forces, inducing oscillations and positional deviations of the BH from equilibrium. In this study, we explore the influence of different initial BH mass, spin, and mass accretion rate, as well as their evolutions on the dynamical properties of BH under the effect of asymmetric jets. Our results reveal that the initial mass and accretion rate significantly impact the BH’s acceleration, velocity, and displacement, while the different initial spin plays a negligible role in shaping the overall dynamical evolution. Additionally, we calculate the gravitational wave (GW) strains associated with the asymmetric jets, finding that the resulting GW signals are too weak to be detected, even for nearby GRBs. These findings provide critical insights into the dynamical response of BHs to asymmetric jets and the associated GW radiation, advancing our understanding of BH physics in GRBs.

• Book : 11(2)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.43-43
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AbstractBackgroundSteatotic liver disease (SLD) is a potentially reversible condition but often goes unnoticed with the risk for end‐stage liver disease.PurposeTo opportunistically estimate SLD on lung screening chest computed tomography (CT) and investigate its prognostic value in heavy smokers participating in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST).Material and methodsWe used a deep learning model to segment the liver on non‐contrast‐enhanced chest CT scans of 19,774 NLST participants (age 61.4 ± 5.0 years; 41.2% female) at baseline and on the 1‐year follow‐up scan if no cancer was detected. SLD was defined as hepatic fat fraction (HFF) ≥5% derived from Hounsfield unit measures of the segmented liver. Participants with SLD were categorized as lean (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. Cox proportional hazard regression assessed the association between (1) SLD and mortality at baseline and (2) the association between a change in HFF and mortality within 1 year.ResultsThere were 5.1% (1000/19,760) all‐cause deaths over a median follow‐up of 6 (range, 0.8–6) years. At baseline, SLD was associated with increased mortality in lean but not in overweight/obese participants as compared to participants without SLD (hazard ratio [HR] adjusted for risk factors: 1.93 [95% confidence interval 1.52–2.45]; p = 0.001). Individuals with an increase in HFF within 1 year had a significantly worse outcome than participants with stable HFF (HR adjusted for risk factors: 1.29 [1.01–1.65]; p = 0.04).ConclusionSLD is an independent predictor for long‐term mortality in heavy smokers beyond known clinical risk factors.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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Di-isopropyl methyl phosphonate (DIMP) has no major commercial uses but is a by-product or a precursor in the synthesis of the nerve agent sarin (GB). Also, DIMP is utilized as a simulant compound for the chemical warfare agents sarin and soman in order to test and calibrate sensitive IMS instrumentation that warns against the deadly chemical weapons. DIMP was measured from 2 ppbv (15 μg m−3) to 500 ppbv in the air using a pocket-held ToF ion mobility spectrometer, model LCD-3.2E, with a non-radioactive ionization source and ammonia doping in positive ion mode. Excellent sensitivity (LoD of 0.24 ppbv and LoQ of 0.80 ppbv) was noticed; the linear response was up to 10 ppbv, while saturation occurred at >500 ppbv. DIMP identification by IMS relies on the formation of two distinct peaks: the monomer M·NH4+, with a reduced ion mobility K0 = 1.41 cm2 V−1 s−1, and the dimer M2·NH4+, with K0 = 1.04 cm2 V−1 s−1 (where M is the DIMP molecule); positive reactant ions (Pos RIP) have K0 = 2.31 cm2 V−1 s−1. Quantification of DIMP at trace levels was also achieved by GC-MS over the concentration range of 1.5 to 150 μg mL−1; using a capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm) with a TG-5 SilMS stationary phase and temperature programming from 60 to 110 °C, DIMP retention time (RT) was ca. 8.5 min. The lowest amount of DIMP measured by GC-MS was 1.5 ng, with an LoD of 0.21 μg mL−1 and an LoQ of 0.62 μg mL−1 DIMP. Our results demonstrate that these methods provide robust tools for both on-site and off-site detection and quantification of DIMP at trace levels, a finding which has significant implications for forensic investigations of chemical agent use and for environmental monitoring of contamination by organophosphorus compounds.

• Book : 13(2)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.102-102
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Background: Cell therapy demonstrates promising potential as a substitute therapeutic approach for liver cirrhosis. We have developed a strategy to effectively expand murine and human hepatocyte-derived liver progenitor-like cells (HepLPCs) in vitro. The primary objective of the present study was to apply HepLPCs to the treatment of liver cirrhosis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic efficacy. Methods: The effects of allogeneic or xenogeneic HepLPC transplantation were investigated in rat model of liver cirrhosis. Liver tissues were collected and subjected to immunostaining to assess changes in histology. In vitro experiments used HSCs to explore the antifibrotic properties of HepLPC-secretomes and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Additionally, proteomic analysis was conducted to characterize the protein composition of HepLPC-secretomes. Results: Transplantation of HepLPCs resulted in decreased active fibrogenesis and net fibrosis in cirrhosis models. Apoptosis of HSCs was observed in vivo after HepLPC treatment. HepLPC-secretomes exhibited potent inhibition of TGF-β1-induced HSC activation and promoted apoptosis through signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1-mediated pathways in vitro. Furthermore, synergistic effects between amphiregulin and FGF19 within HepLPC-secretomes were identified, contributing to HSC apoptosis and exerting antifibrotic effects via activation of the janus kinase-STAT1 pathway. Conclusions: HepLPCs have the potential to ameliorate liver cirrhosis by inducing STAT1-dependent apoptosis in HSCs. Amphiregulin and FGF19 are key factors responsible for STAT1 activation, representing promising novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

• Book : 9(2)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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Abstract. Shifting phosphorus (P) dynamics after wildfires can have cascading impacts from terrestrial to aquatic environments. However, it is unclear if post-fire responses are primarily driven by changes to the molecular composition of the charred material or from the transport of P-containing compounds. We used laboratory leaching experiments of Douglas-fir forest and sagebrush shrubland chars to examine how the potential mobility of P compounds is influenced by different burn severities. Burning produced a 6.9- and 29- fold increase in particulate P mobilization, but a 3.8- and 30.5- fold decrease in aqueous P released for Douglas-fir forest and sagebrush shrubland, respectively. P compound mobilization in the particulate phase was controlled by solid char total P concentrations while the aqueous phase was driven by solubility changes of molecular species. Nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray absorption near edge structure on the solid chars indicated that organic orthophosphate monoester and diester species were thermally mineralized to inorganic P moieties with burning in both vegetation types. This coincided with the production of calcium- and magnesium-bound inorganic P compounds. With increasing burn severity there were systematic shifts in P concentration and composition— higher severity chars mobilized P compounds in the particulate phase, although the magnitude of change was vegetation specific. Our results indicate a post-fire transformation to both the composition of the solid charred material and to how P compounds are mobilized, which may influence its environmental cycling and fate.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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Introduction. Previous studies identified genetic links between the TCF7L2 C/T variant rs7903146, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and obesity. We wished to deepen our understanding of how specific diets interact with this variant to affect blood metabolites, an aspect not previously investigated. Hence, we conducted a controlled study where individuals with different genotypes followed a Mediterranean (Med) or low-fat (LF) diet for one week. Methods. Participants were recruited from the Boston, MA (USA) area. Anthropometric and clinical measures were taken. Genotypes at rs7903146 were ascertained, with homozygous carriers of the more common and protective CC or risk TT genotype invited to participate. Participants followed both diets (LF or Med) for one week with ~10 days’ washout between diets. Blood samples taken at the beginning and end of each diet period underwent metabolomics analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We evaluated how the diet affected different metabolites based on genetic profile. Results. The cohort of 35 persons was 43% female, aged 18 to 70 y, with BMI between 26.4 to 33.9 kg/m2. Focusing on fatty acids (FAs) and other lipid metabolic factors (n = 23), we observed a greater number and stronger correlations among these factors in the CC genotype-Med diet group than the other three genotype-diet combinations. An aggregate of 11 factors, each negatively correlating with delta saturated fatty acids (SFA), showed a significant genotype-Med diet interaction on delta-SFA in CC individuals on the Med diet (p = 0.0046). A similar genotype-Med diet interaction was observed for delta-monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (p = 0.0078). These interactions were not statistically significant at the end of the LF intervention. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the Mediterranean diet has stronger influence on regulating lipid factors in individuals with the CC genotype at TCF7L2 variant rs7903146. This diet-genotype interaction may have significant implications for understanding the inter-individual variation of metabolic response on specific dietary regimens.

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.1-24
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Hysteretic nonlinear elasticity is often observed in consolidated granular media, including concrete, mortar, sandstones, or rocks. Nonlinearity is frequently quantified using Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy (NRUS), which provides tools to define nonlinear parameters for both fast and slow dynamic effects, often observed when analyzing the propagation velocity dependence on strain in such materials. The dependence of these parameters on temperature was studied with the aim of using NRUS to quantify the induced thermal damage; thus, experiments were performed spanning a wide temperature range. However, since most of these materials are used in construction (concrete and sandstone, mostly), it is of interest to understand how sensitive the measured nonlinear parameters are to small environmental temperature fluctuations. In this paper, the dependence on temperature of elastic parameters is investigated, both linear (wave velocity and damping) and nonlinear (the slope and hysteresis of the curves describing the strain dependence of wave velocity and residual conditioning effect on wave velocity), separating the slow from the fast dynamic properties of nonlinearity. The observations reported here denote a different behavior for concrete and Berea sandstone.

• Book : 15(3)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.1230-1230
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Abstract Objective Chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of optic pathway hypothalamic gliomas (OPHGs). Commonly used regimens include carboplatin and vincristine and monotherapy with vinblastine weekly. In this retrospective study, we used a monthly regimen of carboplatin and vinblastine to treat progressive/recurrent OPHGs and evaluated its effectiveness, visual preservation, and toxicity. Methods The study involved patients with OPGH who were treated with carboplatin and vinblastine once per month. The response, disease progression, overall survival, vision changes, and toxicity were recorded according to their medical charts at our institute, and survival was analyzed. Results A total of 25 patients were included, including 15 males (60%) and 10 females (40%). The response rate was 11/25 (44%), and the stabilization rate (complete response rate + partial response rate + minor response rate + and stable disease rate) was 21/25 (84%). The 3-year progression-free survival rate was 54.6%, and the 5-year progression-free survival rate was 46.8%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 100%. There were 6 patients who showed improved visual acuity (28.6%). Stable vision was found in 52.4% of patients. Only 2 patients experienced severe allergic reactions to carboplatin. Conclusions The results showed that extending the dosing interval of carboplatin and vinblastine to every month can be seen as a similar response compared with previous regimens. The toxicity of this regimen is milder, and patients benefit from a lower frequency of hospital visits. The regimen can be considered as a choice of the first line of chemotherapy for OPHG patients.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
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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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