Moderate versus ultra-hypofractionated locoregional breast radiotherapy: Results of a retrospective study during the covid-19 era.

Purpose: The use of ultra hypofractionated adjuvant breast radiotherapy for elderly patients was extended during the covid-19 pandemic. We compared its efficacy and safety versus moderate hypofractionation in elderly patients with breast cancer receiving locoregional radiotherapy at a single radiotherapy centre.

Methods: This retrospective analysis utilized routine patient data.

Astrocyte alterations during Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome: intermediate filaments, aggresomes, proteasomes, and glycogen storages.

Introduction: A murine model mimicking the human osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) revealed with histology demyelinated alterations in the relay posterolateral (VPL) and ventral posteromedial (VPM) thalamic nuclei 12 h and 48 h after chronic hyponatremia due to a fast reinstatement of osmolality. Abnormal expression astrocyte markers ALDHL1 and GFAP with immunohistochemistry in these ODS altered zones, prompted aims to verify in both protoplasmic and fibrillar astrocytes with ultrastructure those changes and other associated subcellular modifications.

Method: This ODS investigation included four groups of mice: Sham (NN;  = 13), hyponatremic (HN;  = 11), those sacrificed 12 h after a fast restoration of normal natremia (ODS12h;  = 6), and mice sacrificed 48 h afterward, or ODS48 h ( = 9).

LolA and LolB are conserved in Bacteroidota and are crucial for gliding motility and Type IX secretion.

Lipoproteins are key outer membrane (OM) components in Gram-negative bacteria, essential for functions like membrane biogenesis and virulence. Bacteroidota, a diverse and widespread phylum, produce numerous OM lipoproteins that play vital roles in nutrient acquisition, Type IX secretion system (T9SS), and gliding motility. In Escherichia coli, lipoprotein transport to the OM is mediated by the Lol system, where LolA shuttles lipoproteins to LolB, which anchors them in the OM.

PTH1 receptor agonists for fracture risk: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Osteoporosis, defined by reduced bone mineral density and macro- and micro-architectural degradation, leads to increased fracture risk, particularly in aging populations. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrate that PTH1 receptor agonists, teriparatide and abaloparatide, are effective at reducing fracture risk, real-world evidence (RWE) remains sparse. This study reviews and compares the anti-fracture efficacy of these agents, against each other and against other osteoporosis treatments using both RCTs and RWE.

Assessing the role of children in the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium using perturbation analysis.

Understanding the evolving role of different age groups in virus transmission is essential for effective pandemic management. We investigated SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Belgium from November 2020 to February 2022, focusing on age-specific patterns. Using a next generation matrix approach integrating social contact data and simulating population susceptibility evolution, we performed a longitudinal perturbation analysis of the effective reproduction number to unravel age-specific transmission dynamics.

TamL is a key player of the outer membrane homeostasis in Bacteroidota.

In Proteobacteria, the outer membrane protein TamA and the inner membrane-anchored protein TamB form the Translocation and Assembly Module (TAM) complex, which facilitates the transport of autotransporters, virulence factors, and likely lipids across the two membranes. In Bacteroidota, TamA is replaced by TamL, a TamA-like lipoprotein with a lipid modification at its N-terminus that likely anchors it to the outer membrane. This structural difference suggests that TamL may have a distinct function compared to TamA.

Assessing non-invasive quantitative methods for [F]SynVesT-1 PET imaging of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A in the rat brain.

Purpose: Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) is a critical biomarker for evaluating synaptic density in neurological research. Among available radioligands, [F]SynVesT-1 is increasingly used in PET research because of its extended half-life, while having comparable pharmacokinetic properties to the widely used [C]UCB-J. However, quantitative application in rat models remains unexplored for [F]SynVesT-1.

Association of cytomegalovirus serostatus with ELOVL2 methylation: Implications for lipid metabolism, inflammation, DNA damage, and repair capacity in the MARK-AGE study population.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been linked to accelerated biological aging, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. DNA methylation of the gene Elongation Of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids-Like 2 (ELOVL2) is a molecular biomarker for aging, and its gene product is involved in polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis, which impacts immune and inflammatory responses. This study, conducted in the MARK-AGE population, aimed to investigate the relationship between CMV infection and ELOVL2 methylation in adults aged 35-75, as well as the influence of CMV IgG levels on lipid metabolism, inflammation, DNA damage, and DNA repair.

Estetrol/Drospirenone Safety in a Population with Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

Objectives: To evaluate cardiovascular safety outcomes in estetrol 15mg/drospirenone 3mg users with cardiovascular risk factors.

Study Design: We performed a secondary analysis of two open-label contraceptive phase-3 trials that enrolled participants 16 to 50 years to use estetrol/drospirenone for up to 13 cycles. Study exclusion criteria included >35 years and smoking, body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m, and baseline blood pressure (BP) >140/90 mmHg.

Can ΔSCF and ROKS DFT-Based Methods Predict the Inversion of the Singlet-Triplet Gap in Organic Molecules?

Inverted singlet-triplet gap systems (INVEST) have emerged as an intriguing class of materials with potential applications as emitters in Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs). Indeed, this type of material exhibits a negative singlet-triplet energy gap (Δ), i.e.

Origins of rings in the Solar System.

Until about a decade ago, ring systems were only known to exist around giant planets. Each one of the four giant planets harbours its own distinctive and unique system of rings and inner satellites. The past decade has been marked by the unexpected discoveries of dense rings around small objects of the outer Solar System: the Centaur object Chariklo (and possibly Chiron), the dwarf planet Haumea and the trans-Neptunian object Quaoar.

Resonant capture of Saturn's arcs.

Obtained images from the Cassini spacecraft have unveiled several small satellites in the vicinity of Mimas' orbit: Aegaeon, Methone and Anthe. Methone and Anthe are situated within arcs of material, while Aegaeon orbits within an arc near the inner edge of Saturn's G ring. The presence of these arcs and moons is consistent with their confinement by corotation eccentric resonance (CER) with Mimas.

Subtilisin 6 From the Dermatophyte Trichophyton benhamiae Is a Marker of Infection but Not a Unique Virulence Factor.

Background: Trichophyton benhamiae is a common dermatophyte whose natural host is the guinea pig and which causes highly inflammatory skin lesions in humans. The subtilisin 6 (SUB6) of this fungus belongs to a family of 12 SUB genes. Its encoding gene, overexpressed in vivo but not in vitro, has been considered a potentially important virulence factor, but its role in pathogenesis remains to be elucidated.

Treatment of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis in the Oldest Old.

Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are key diseases of musculoskeletal ageing and are increasing in prevalence and burden with the progressively ageing population worldwide. These conditions are thus particularly common in 'the oldest old', and there are complexities of managing them within the context of extensive multimorbidity, physical and mental disability, and polypharmacy, the rates for all of which are high in this population. In this narrative review, we explore the epidemiology of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis in the oldest old before examining trials and real-world data relating to the pharmacological treatment of these diseases in older adults, including anti-resorptives and bone-forming agents in osteoporosis and symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis, paracetamol, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in osteoarthritis, recognising that the oldest old are usually excluded from clinical trials.

Atropisomerism in Triarylboranes: Lewis Base Assisted Rotation at C-B Stereogenic Axis in Asymmetrical Boron Lewis Acids.

The synthesis, properties and structural requirements for atropisomerism at the C-B bond in boron Lewis acids such as triarylboranes have been understudied so far. We report the first series of atropisomeric triarylboranes constituted of a naphthyl rotor and a dihydro-9-bora-anthracenyl stator subunits, connected by a C-B stereogenic axis. Through systematic crystallographic, kinetic, photophysical and quantum chemical studies, the mechanisms, rates and barriers of diastereomerization and enantiomerization were determined.

Infrared absorbers inspired by nature.

Efficient energy harvesting, conversion and recycling technologies are crucial for addressing the challenges faced by modern societies and the global economy. The potential of harnessing mid-infrared (mid-IR) thermal radiation as a pervasive and readily available energy source has so far not been fully exploited, particularly through bioinspiration. In this article, by reviewing existing photon-based strategies and the efficiency of natural systems in harnessing light and thermal radiation, I highlight the promising role of bioinspiration in enhancing energy capture, conversion and recycling.

Time-resolved proteomic profiling of Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 in the copper-induced viable-but-nonculturable state.

Copper-based materials are actively explored for their potential as antimicrobial agents. However, recent studies show that sublethal concentrations of Cu ions can induce the viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) cell state in certain bacteria, hampering contamination control, and monitoring. In this study we contribute to the unravelling of this largely enigmatic phenomenon by determining the time-resolved proteome of Cu-treated Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 during VBNC induction and resuscitation.

Dual-function advanced magnetic bacterial cellulose materials: From enhanced adsorption phenomena to an unprecedented circular green catalytic strategy.

With the growing emphasis on circular catalysis principles and green chemistry, addressing the dual challenge of wastewater treatment and sustainable catalysis has become increasingly critical. Although the adsorption of copper ions using magnetic biomaterials has been widely investigated, its full potential is still not fully understood. In particular, the reutilization of Cu(II)-loaded magnetic bacterial cellulose in circular green catalytic reactions remains underexplored.

Decoration of Silver Nanoparticles on WS-WO Nanosheets: Implications for Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Spectroscopy Detection and Material Characteristics.

This study investigates the chemical and structural modifications of vertically aligned tungsten disulfide-tungsten trioxide (WS-WO) nanosheets decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag(NPs)) under nitrogen plasma conditions. The synthesized vertically aligned WS-WO nanosheets were functionalized through direct-current (DC) magnetron sputtering, forming silver-decorated samples. Structural changes, as well as the size and distribution of Ag(NPs), were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Skyglow facilitates prey detection in a crepuscular insectivore: Distant light sources create bright skies.

Light profoundly shapes ecosystems, influencing the behaviour and niche specialisation of many species. This is especially true for visual predators, particularly crepuscular and nocturnal animals, whose foraging depends on adequate illumination. Despite this, research on how animals perceive light sources and position themselves relative to these sources is scarce.

Expected and unexpected routes to synchronization in a system of swarmalators.

Systems of oscillators whose internal phases and spatial dynamics are coupled, swarmalators, present diverse collective behaviors which in some cases lead to explosive synchronization in a finite population as a function of the coupling parameter between internal phases. Near the synchronization transition, the phase energy of the particles is represented by the XY model, and they undergo a transition which can be of the first order or the second depending on the distribution of natural frequencies of their internal dynamics. The first-order transition is obtained after an intermediate state (static wings phase wave state) from which the nodes, in cascade over time, achieve complete phase synchronization at a precise value of the coupling constant.

Synchronization in adaptive higher-order networks.

Many natural and human-made complex systems feature group interactions that adapt over time in response to their dynamic states. However, most of the existing adaptive network models fall short of capturing these group dynamics, as they focus solely on pairwise interactions. In this study, we employ adaptive higher-order networks to describe these systems by proposing a general framework by incorporating both adaptivity and group interactions.