A Study on Yield Criteria Influence on Anisotropic Behavior and Fracture Prediction in Deep Drawing SECC Steel Cylindrical Cups.

The deep drawing process, a pivotal technique in sheet metal forming, frequently encounters challenges such as anisotropy-induced defects. This study comprehensively investigates the influence of various yield criteria on the anisotropic behavior and fracture prediction in SECC steel cylindrical cups. It integrates Hill'48R, Hill'48S, and von Mises yield criteria in conjunction with Swift's hardening law to evaluate material behavior under complex stress states. Experimental and numerical simulations assess the anisotropy effects across multiple orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°), revealing intricate relationships between stress criteria and material response. The findings indicate significant discrepancies between isotropic and anisotropic models in predicting fracture heights, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate yield criteria. Notably, the von Mises criterion results in lower fracture heights, suggesting higher susceptibility to fractures, while the Hill'48R model aligns closely with experimental data, validated through variations in punch corner radius and blank holder force parameters, with a maximum deviation of 3.23%. Hill'48S displays moderate plastic deformation characteristics.

Improving Micro-EDM Machining Efficiency for Titanium Alloy Fabrication with Advanced Coated Electrodes.

Enhancing the operational efficacy of electrical discharge machining (EDM) is crucial for achieving optimal results in various engineering materials. This study introduces an innovative solution-the use of coated electrodes-representing a significant advancement over current limitations. The choice of coating material is critical for micro-EDM performance, necessitating a thorough investigation of its impact. This research explores the application of different coating materials (AlCrN, TiN, and Carbon) on WC electrodes in micro-EDM processes specifically designed for Ti-6Al-4V. A comprehensive assessment was conducted, focusing on key quality indicators such as depth of cut (Z), tool wear rate (TWR), overcut (OVC), and post-machining surface quality. Through rigorous experimental methods, the study demonstrates substantial improvements in these quality parameters with coated electrodes. The results show significant enhancements, including increased Z, reduced TWR and OVC, and improved surface quality. This evidence underscores the effectiveness of coated electrodes in enhancing micro-EDM performance, marking a notable advancement in the precision and quality of Ti-6Al-4V machining processes. Among the evaluated coatings, AlCrN-coated electrodes exhibited the greatest increase in Z, the most significant reduction in TWR, and the best OVC performance compared to other coatings and the uncoated counterpart.

Transcriptome profiles of organ tissues from pigs experimentally infected with African swine fever virus in early phase of infection.

African swine fever, caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), is a highly contagious and fatal disease that poses a significant threat to the global pig industry. The limited information on ASFV pathogenesis and ASFV-host interactions has recently prompted numerous transcriptomic studies. However, most of these studies have focused on elucidating the transcriptome profiles of ASFV-infected porcine alveolar macrophages in vitro. Here, we analyzed dynamic transcriptional patterns in vivo in nine organ tissues (spleen, submandibular lymph node, mesenteric lymph node, inguinal lymph node, tonsils, lungs, liver, kidneys, and heart) obtained from pigs in the early stages of ASFV infection (1 and 3 d after viremia). We observed rapid spread of ASFV to the spleen after viremia, followed by broad transmission to the liver and lungs and subsequently, the submandibular and inguinal lymph nodes. Profound variations in gene expression patterns were observed across all organs and at all time-points, providing an understanding of the distinct defence strategies employed by each organ against ASFV infection. All ASFV-infected organs exhibited a collaborative response, activating immune-associated genes such as S100A8, thereby triggering a pro-inflammatory cytokine storm and interferon activation. Functional analysis suggested that ASFV exploits the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway to evade the host immune system. Overall, our findings provide leads into the mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and host immune responses in different organs during the early stages of infection, which can guide further explorations, aid the development of efficacious antiviral strategies against ASFV, and identify valuable candidate gene targets for vaccine development.

Biosynthetic Pathways of Tryptophan Metabolites in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain: Insights and Implications.

Tryptophan metabolites, such as 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), serotonin, and melatonin, hold significant promise as supplements for managing various mood-related disorders, including depression and insomnia. However, their chemical production via chemical synthesis and phytochemical extraction presents drawbacks, such as the generation of toxic byproducts and low yields. In this study, we explore an alternative approach utilizing S. cerevisiae STG S101 for biosynthesis. Through a series of eleven experiments employing different combinations of tryptophan supplementation, Tween 20, and HEPES buffer, we investigated the production of these indolamines. The tryptophan metabolites were analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Notably, setups replacing peptone in the YPD media with tryptophan (Run 3) and incorporating tryptophan along with 25 mM HEPES buffer (Run 4) demonstrated successful biosynthesis of 5-HTP and serotonin. The highest 5-HTP and serotonin concentrations were 58.9 ± 16.0 mg L-1 and 0.0650 ± 0.00211 mg L-1, respectively. Melatonin concentrations were undetected in all the setups. These findings underscore the potential of using probiotic yeast strains as a safer and conceivably more cost-effective alternative for indolamine synthesis. The utilization of probiotic strains presents a promising avenue, potentially offering scalability, sustainability, reduced environmental impact, and feasibility for large-scale production.

Effect of gum-chewing exercise on maintaining and improving oral function in older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background/purpose: Gum chewing has been found to improve oral function. Nevertheless, few randomized controlled trials have investigated the effects of gum-chewing exercises on oral function in older adults. This study aimed to examine the effect of gum-chewing exercises on oral function in older adults. Materials and methods: This was a single-blind, randomized controlled trial, conducted from November 2021 to January 2022. A total of 130 participants were divided randomly into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group was told to chew experimental gums for one month, while the control group was instructed to chew experimental tablets for one month. Maximum bite force, occlusal contact areas, oral dryness, tongue pressure, tongue and lip functions (number of times each of the following syllables is pronounced per second:/pa/,/ta/, and/ka/), masticatory function, subjective masticatory function, and gum-chewing time were measured at baseline and one month following intervention to assess outcomes. Results: One month following the intervention, tongue pressure was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.027). In the within-group comparisons, maximum bite force (P < 0.001), unstimulated saliva flow (P < 0.001), tongue and lip functions (/pa/: P < 0.001;/ta/: P < 0.001;/ka/: P < 0.001), color scale value (P = 0.019), and ΔE value (P = 0.024) were significantly increased in the intervention group. Conclusion: The results suggest that gum-chewing exercises can improve oral functions in older adults, although additional increases in masticatory load may be necessary to establish a more effective oral function training method using gum-chewing exercises in older adults.

Miliutine C methyl ester, a new drimane sesquiterpene and bioactive alkaloids from the stems of Miliusa velutina.

Previous results from the our research group have isolated numerous compounds, including novel ones, but the anticancer activity of Miliusa velutina has not been demonstrated. In this study, from the most active ethyl acetate extract of the stems of Miliusa velutina, seven compounds were isolated and determined structures, including a new drimane sesquiterpenoid compound named miliutine C methyl ester (1) and three bioactive alkaloids (5-7). These three alkaloids (5-7) exhibited strong anticancer activities against various cancer cell lines such as MCF-7, HepG2, HeLa, NCI H460 and normal fibroblasts. Especially, on MCF-7 and normal fibroblasts with values of IC50 (µM) in order for compounds 5 (3.38, 31.15), 6 (21.96, 102.00), 7 (7.90, greater than 300), to compare with positive control camptothecin (0.020, 4.51); which is highly noteworthy. These results contribute to elucidating and confirming the value of Miliusa velutina, similar to other published and folkloric findings.

Robust-optimal control of rotary inverted pendulum control through fuzzy descriptor-based techniques.

Expanding upon the well-established Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model, the T-S fuzzy descriptor model emerges as a robust and flexible framework. This article introduces the development of optimal and robust-optimal controllers grounded in the principles of stability control and fuzzy descriptor systems. By transforming complicated inequalities into linear matrix inequalities (LMI), we establish the essential conditions for controller construction, as delineated in theorems. To substantiate the utility of these controllers, we employ the rotary inverted pendulum as a testbed. Through diverse simulation scenarios, these controllers, rooted in fuzzy descriptor systems, demonstrate their practicality and effectiveness in ensuring the stable control of inverted pendulum systems, even in the presence of uncertainties within the model. This study highlights the adaptability and robustness of fuzzy descriptor-based controllers, paving the way for advanced control strategies in complex and uncertain environments.

Association of UGT1A1 gene variants, expression levels, and enzyme concentrations with 2,3,7,8-TCDD exposure in individuals exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin.

Among the congener of dioxin, 2,3,7,8-TCDD is the most toxic, having a serious long-term impact on the environment and human health. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) plays a crucial role in the detoxification and excretion of endogenous and exogenous lipophilic compounds, primarily in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to investigate the association of UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms, expression levels, and enzyme concentration with Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure. The study included 100 individuals exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin nearby Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports in Vietnam and 100 healthy controls. UGT1A1 SNP rs10929303, rs1042640 and rs8330 were determined by Sanger sequencing, mRNA expression was quantified by RT-qPCR and plasma UGT1A1 concentrations were measured by ELISA. The results showed that UGT1A1 polymorphisms at SNPs rs10929303, rs1042640 and rs8330 were associated with Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure (OR = 0.55, P = 0.018; OR = 0.55, P = 0.018 and OR = 0.57, P = 0.026, respectively). UGT1A1 mRNA expression levels and enzyme concentration were significantly elevated in individuals exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin compared to controls (P < 0.0001). Benchmark dose (BMD) analyses showed that chronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-TCDD contamination affects the UGT1A1 mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, UGT1A1 polymorphisms affected gene expression and enzyme concentrations in individuals exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin. In conclusion, UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms, UGT1A gene expression levels and UGT1A1 enzyme concentrations were associated with Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure. The metabolism of 2,3,7,8-TCDD may influence UGT1A gene expression and enzyme concentrations.

Effect of support structures on the trueness and precision of 3D printing dentures: An in vitro study.

Purpose Additive manufacturing has revolutionized the fabrication of complete dentures. However, this process involves support structure, which is a construction part that holds the specimen during printing, and may prove to be disadvantageous. Therefore, this in vitro study compared the effect of support structure reduction on various volume and area distributions of a 3D-printed denture base to determine optimal parameters based on accuracy.Methods A complete maxillary denture base construction file was used as reference. Twenty denture bases were 3D printed under four conditions (total n=80): no support structure reduction (control), palatal support structure reduction (Condition P), border support structure reduction (Condition B), and palatal and border support structure reduction (Condition PB). Printing time and resin consumption were also recorded. The intaglio surface trueness and precision of all acquired data were exported to a 3D analysis software, and the dimensional changes to the denture base were analyzed using the root-mean-square estimate (RMSE) to assess geometric accuracy and generate color map patterns. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Steel-Dwass tests (α=0.05) analyzed the accumulated data.Results Control had the lowest RMSE values for trueness and precision. Nevertheless, it demonstrated a significantly lower RMSE than that of Condition B (P=0.02) in precision. Owing to negative deviation at the palatal region, Conditions P and PB had higher retention than Control and Condition B regarding the color map pattern.Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, the reduction of palatal and border support structures showed optimal accuracy with resource and cost savings.

Molecular characterization of rifabutin-resistance in refractory Helicobacter pylori infection in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the molecular characteristics of rpoB, encoding ß-subunit of DNA-directed RNA polymerase, and unravel the link to rifabutin-resistance in patients with refractory Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: From January 2018-March 2021, a total of 1590 patients were screened for eligibility to participate in the study. Patients with refractory H. pylori infection were confirmed by using the (13C)-urea breath assay. All enrolled patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and biopsies were taken for H. pylori culture and antibacterial susceptibility testing. Sequence analysis of rpoB was conducted for all rifabutin-resistant isolates. RESULTS: In total, 70 patients were diagnosed with refractory H. pylori infection, and 39 isolates were successfully cultured. Amongst, 10 isolates were identified as rifabutin-resistance and nine isolates exhibited at least one amino acid substitution in RpoB. Isolates with a minimal inhibitory concentration >32 mg/l displayed a higher number of mutational changes in RpoB than the others. Additionally, more amino acid substitutions in RpoB correlated with developing a higher minimal inhibitory concentration for H. pylori rifabutin-resistance. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the relationship between rifabutin-resistance in refractory H. pylori infection and specific mutations in RpoB, which will aid the clinical selection of appropriate antibacterial agents with better therapeutic effects.

Enhancing stability control of inverted pendulum using Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model with disturbance rejection and input-output constraints.

The Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model is a versatile approach widely used in system control, often in combination with other strategies. This paper addresses key control challenges linked to the T-S system and presents important considerations to ensure its successful application using the Lyapunov theorem. One crucial aspect is determining the optimal number of premise variables and selecting accurate fuzzy rules for the T-S model. Additionally, the theorem based on Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) is developed to enable effective disturbance rejection. To enhance stability control, constraints are imposed on the output angle and control input of a rotary inverted pendulum (RIP). By integrating T-S fuzzy control, disturbance rejection, and input/output constraints, robust stability in controlling the RIP is achieved. Extensive simulations are performed to showcase the efficiency of the suggested method, and the simulation results are thoroughly discussed and analyzed to verify the efficacy of the control method.

Thermodynamic insights into selenium oxyanion removal from synthetic flue gas desulfurization wastewater with temperature-swing solvent extraction.

Temperature-swing solvent extraction (TSSE) is a cost-effective, simple, versatile, and industry-ready technology platform capable of desalinating hypersaline brines toward zero liquid discharge. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of TSSE in the effective removal of selenium oxyanions and traces of mercury with the coexistence of high contents of chloride and sulfate often encountered in flue gas desulfurization wastewater streams. We compare the rejection performance of the two common solvents broadly used for TSSE, decanoic acid (DA) and diisopropylamine (DPA), and correlate those with the solvent physicochemical properties (e.g., dielectric constant, polarity, molecular bulkiness, and hydrophobicity) and ionic properties (e.g., hydrated radii and H-bonding). The results show that TSSE can remove >99.5% of selenium oxyanions and 96%-99.6% of mercury traces coexisting with sulfate (at a sixfold Se concentration) and chloride (at a 400-fold Se concentration) in a synthetic wastewater stream. Compared to diisopropylamine, decanoic acid is more effective in rejecting ions for all cases, ranging from a simple binary system to more complex multicomponent systems with highly varied ionic concentrations. Furthermore, the H-bonding interaction with water and the hydrated radii of the oxyanions (i.e., selenate vs. selenite) along with the hindrance effects caused by the molecular bulkiness and hydrophobicity (or lipophilicity) of the solvents play important roles in the favorable rejection of TSSE. This study shows that TSSE might provide a technological solution with a high deionization potential for the industry in complying with the Environmental Protection Agency regulations for discharge streams from coal-fired power facilities.

Non-invasive Measurement of the Viscoelasticity of the Optic Nerve and Sclera for Assessing Papilledema: A Pilot Clinical Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our novel ultrasound vibro-elastography (UVE) technique for assessing patients with papilledema by non-invasively measuring shear wave speed (SWS), elasticity and viscosity properties of the optic nerve and sclera. METHODS: Shear wave speeds were measured at three frequencies-100, 150 and 200 Hz-on the optic nerve and sclera tissues for assessing patients with papilledema resulting from idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The method was evaluated in six papilledema patients and six controls on two separate locations for each participant (i.e., optic nerve and posterior sclera). SWSs of the optic nerve and sclera were analyzed by using a 2-D speed map technique within a circular region of interest (ROI) (i.e., the diameter of the ROI was 1.5 mm × 3.0 mm at the optic nerve and sclera, respectively). Elasticity and viscosity were then analyzed using the wave speed dispersion over the three frequencies. RESULTS: We measured values of SWS at both locations, optic nerve and sclera, of the right eye and left eye at three different frequencies in IIH patients and controls. The SWS (mean ± standard deviation [m/s]) of the right eye was significantly higher at the sclera in IIH patients compared with controls (i.e., patients vs. controls: 5.91 ± 0.54 vs. 3.86 ± 0.56, p < 0.0001 at 100 Hz), but there was no significant difference at the optic nerve (i.e., patients vs. controls: 3.62 ± 0.39 vs. 3.36 ± 0.35, p = 0.1100 at 100Hz). We observed increased elasticity (kPa) in IIH patients, indicating there are significant differences in elasticity between patients and controls at the optic nerve and sclera (i.e., right eye [patients vs. controls]: 14.42 ± 6.59 vs. 6.5 ± 5.71, p = 0.0065 [optic nerve]; 33.04 ± 10.62 vs. 9.16 ± 7.15, p < 0.0001 [sclera]). Viscosity was also (Pa·s) higher in the sclera and optic nerve of the left eye (i.e., left eye [patient vs. control]: 8.89 ± 4.37 vs. 7.27 ± 5.01, p = 0.3790 (optic nerve); 16.05 ± 10.79 vs. 8.49 ± 6.09, p < 0.0194 [sclera]). CONCLUSION: This research illustrates the feasibility of using our UVE system to evaluate stiffness of different tissues in the eye non-invasively. It suggests that the viscoelasticity of the posterior sclera is higher than that of the optic nerve. We found that the posterior sclera is stiffer than the optic nerve in patients with papilledema resulting from IIH, making UVE a potential non-invasive technique for assessing papilledema.

The effect of single-implant overdentures on cognitive function in older adults: A 3-year follow-up report.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of mild cognitive impairment in edentulous patients up to 3 years after they received single-implant overdentures (1-IODs). METHODS: This was a follow-up study for a crossover randomized controlled trial comparing 1-IODs and conventional complete dentures, with patient satisfaction as the primary outcome. In the present study, the cognitive function of the patients, measured with the Japanese version of the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA-J), was evaluated as the secondary outcome at baseline and 2 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after 1-IOD placement. The total and domain (memory, executive function, visuospatial skills, language, attention, and orientation) MoCA-J scores of the patients at each timepoint were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with edentulous mandibles received 1-IODs. Within-group comparisons revealed that the total MoCA-J scores at 1 year and 3 years after 1-IOD placement were significantly increased compared with baseline scores. Additionally, the memory domain scores at all timepoint were significantly increased compared with the baseline scores, and the executive function domain scores at the 2-month, 2-year and 3-year timepoint were significantly increased compared with the baseline scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with edentulous mandibles who underwent 1-IOD placement showed significantly improved total scores of MoCA-J after 1 year and 3 years of wearing 1-IODs. In addition, they showed significantly improved memory domain scores at 2 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after 1-IOD placement and executive function domain scores at 2 months, 2 years, and 3 years after 1-IOD placement. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study suggest that 1-IOD treatment for older adults, especially those with edentulous mandibles, may prevent cognitive decline regardless of the condition of the maxilla.

Pathobiological analysis of african swine fever virus contact-exposed pigs and estimation of the basic reproduction number of the virus in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: African swine fever (ASF), caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), is a fatal disease affecting wild and domestic pigs. Since China reported the first ASF outbreak in August 2018, ASFV has swept over the neighbouring Asian countries. However, studies involving experimental pig-to-pig ASFV transmission in Vietnam are lacking. The main objective of this experimental study was to demonstrate the pathobiological characteristics of ASFV contact-exposed pigs and estimate their basic reproduction number (R0) in Vietnam. Fifteen pigs were randomly divided into two groups: experimental (n = 10) and negative control (n = 5) groups. One pig in the experimental group was intramuscularly inoculated with ASFV strain from Vietnam in 2020 and housed with the uninoculated pigs during the study period (28 days). RESULTS: The inoculated pig died 6 days post-inoculation, and the final survival rate was 90.0%. We started observing viremia and excretion of ASFV 10 days post-exposure in contact-exposed pigs. Unlike the surviving and negative control pigs, all necropsied pigs showed severe congestive splenomegaly and moderate-to-severe haemorrhagic lesions in the lymph nodes. The surviving pig presented with mild haemorrhagic lesions in the spleen and kidneys. We used Susceptible-Infectious-Removed models for estimating R0. The R0 values for exponential growth (EG) and maximum likelihood (ML) were calculated to be 2.916 and 4.015, respectively. In addition, the transmission rates (ß) were estimated to be 0.729 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.379-1.765) for EG and 1.004 (95% CI: 0.283-2.450) for ML. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed pathobiological and epidemiological information in about pig-to-pig ASFV transmission. Our findings suggested that culling infected herds within a brief period of time may mitigate the spread of ASF outbreaks.

Adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control of an actuator powered by two opposing pneumatic artificial muscles.

Pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) is a potential actuator in human-robot interaction systems, especially rehabilitation systems. However, PAM is a nonlinear actuator with uncertainty and a considerable delay in characteristics, making control challenging. This study presents a discrete-time sliding mode control approach combined with the adaptive fuzzy algorithm (AFSMC) to deal with the unknown disturbance of the PAM-based actuator. The developed fuzzy logic system has parameter vectors of the component rules that are automatically updated by an adaptive law. Consequently, the developed fuzzy logic system can reasonably approximate the system disturbance. When operating the PAM-based system in multi-scenario studies, experimental results confirm the efficiency of the proposed strategy.

Association of PKLR gene copy number, expression levels and enzyme activity with 2,3,7,8-TCDD exposure in individuals exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin in Vietnam.

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) is the most toxic congener of dioxin and has serious long-term effects on the environment and human health. Pyruvate Kinase L/R (PKLR) gene expression levels and gene variants are associated with pyruvate kinase enzyme deficiency, which has been identified as the cause of several diseases linked to dioxin exposure. In this study, we estimated PKLR gene copy number and gene expression levels using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays, genotyped PKLR SNP rs3020781 by Sanger sequencing, and quantified plasma pyruvate kinase enzyme activity in 100 individuals exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin near Bien Hoa and Da Nang airfields in Vietnam and 100 healthy controls. The means of PKLR copy numbers and PKLR gene expression levels were significantly higher, while pyruvate kinase enzyme activity was significantly decreased in Agent Orange/Dioxin-exposed individuals compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Positive correlations of PKLR gene copy number and gene expression with 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations were observed (r = 0.2, P = 0.045 and r = 0.54, P < 0.0001, respectively). In contrast, pyruvate kinase enzyme activity was inversely correlated with 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations (r = -0.52, P < 0.0001). PKLR gene copy number and gene expression levels were also inversely correlated with pyruvate kinase enzyme activity. Additionally, PKLR SNP rs3020781 was found to be associated with 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations and PKLR gene expression. In conclusion, PKLR copy number, gene expression levels, and pyruvate kinase enzyme activity are associated with 2,3,7,8-TCDD exposure in individuals living in Agent Orange/Dioxin-contaminated areas.

Clostridium scindens metabolites trigger prostate cancer progression through androgen receptor signaling.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies in men; recently, PCa-related mortality has increased worldwide. Although androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard treatment for PCa, patients often develop aggressive castration-resistant PCa (CRPC), indicating the presence of an alternative source of androgen. Clostridium scindens is a member of the gut microbiota and can convert cortisol to 11ß-hydroxyandrostenedione (11ß-OHA), which is a potent androgen precursor. However, the effect of C. scindens on PCa progression has not been determined. In this study, androgen-dependent PCa cells (LNCaP) were employed to investigate whether C. scindens-derived metabolites activate androgen receptor (AR), which is a pivotal step in the development of PCa. Results showed that cortisol metabolites derived from C. scindens-conditioned medium promoted proliferation and enhanced migration of PCa cells. Furthermore, cells treated with these metabolites presented activated AR and stimulated AR-regulated genes. These findings reveal that C. scindens has the potential to promote PCa progression via the activation of AR signaling. Further studies on the gut-prostate axis may help unravel an alternative source of androgen that triggers CRPC exacerbation.

Assessment of perfusion deficit with early phases of [18F]PI-2620 tau-PET versus [18F]flutemetamol-amyloid-PET recordings.

PURPOSE: Characteristic features of amyloid-PET (A), tau-PET (T), and FDG-PET (N) can serve for the A/T/N classification of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies showed that the early, perfusion-weighted phases of amyloid- or tau-PET recordings serve to detect cerebrometabolic deficits equally to FDG-PET, therefore providing a surrogate of neuronal injury. As such, two channels of diagnostic information can be obtained in the setting of a single PET scan. However, there has hitherto been no comparison of early-phase amyloid- and tau-PET as surrogates for deficits in perfusion/metabolism. Therefore, we undertook to compare [18F]flutemetamol-amyloid-PET and [18F]PI-2620 tau-PET as "one-stop shop" dual purpose tracers for the detection of neurodegenerative disease. METHODS: We obtained early-phase PET recordings with [18F]PI-2620 (0.5-2.5 min p.i.) and [18F]flutemetamol (0-10 min p.i.) in 64 patients with suspected neurodegenerative disease. We contrasted global mean normalized images (SUVr) in the patients with a normal cohort of 15 volunteers without evidence of increased pathology to ß-amyloid- and tau-PET examinations. Regional group differences of tracer uptake (z-scores) of 246 Brainnetome volumes of interest were calculated for both tracers, and the correlations of the z-scores were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Lobar compartments, regions with significant neuronal injury (z-scores < - 3), and patients with different neurodegenerative disease entities (e.g., Alzheimer's disease or 4R-tauopathies) served for subgroup analysis. Additionally, we used partial regression to correlate regional perfusion alterations with clinical scores in cognition tests. RESULTS: The z-scores of perfusion-weighted images of both tracers showed high correlations across the brain, especially in the frontal and parietal lobes, which were the brain regions with pronounced perfusion deficit in the patient group (R = 0.83 ± 0.08; range, 0.61-0.95). Z-scores of individual patients correlated well by region (R = 0.57 ± 0.15; range, 0.16-0.90), notably when significant perfusion deficits were present (R = 0.66 ± 0.15; range, 0.28-0.90). CONCLUSION: The early perfusion phases of [18F]PI-2620 tau- and [18F]flutemetamol-amyloid-PET are roughly equivalent indices of perfusion defect indicative of regional and lobar neuronal injury in patients with various neurodegenerative diseases. As such, either tracer may serve for two diagnostic channels by assessment of amyloid/tau status and neuronal activity.

Stress distribution of one-piece and two-piece mini-Implant overdentures with various attachment systems and diameters: A finite element analysis.

PURPOSE: We investigated and compared the stress distribution within one- and two-piece mini-implants for overdentures with three different attachments (ball, Locator, and magnet) and two different diameters using three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) analysis and a monotonic bending test. The goal was to identify the most beneficial implant attachment system design for mini-implant overdentures with a lower risk of implant fracture. METHODS: Twelve 3D FE models simulating a mandible segment with one- and two-piece mini-implants with different attachment systems, diameters, and overdentures were created using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) software. Vertical and oblique forces (45° to the longitudinal axis of the implant) of 100 N were applied to the dentures. The stress distribution was analyzed. A bending test was performed on a mini-implant (Locator, 2.4 mm) using a testing machine to quantify the load at yield stress. RESULTS: One-piece mini-implants showed lower maximum stress compared to two-piece mini-implants. Among the three designs, the magnet attachment systems showed the maximum stress. The maximum von Mises stress occurred at the neck of the implants, which was surrounded by cortical bone in all models, and under both loading conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Focusing on the attachments and one- and two-piece designs of mini-implant overdentures using CAD models to reduce confounding factors affecting the stress distribution, we concluded that one-piece mini-implants tended to show lower stress compared to two-piece mini-implants. Mini-implant overdentures with Locator and ball attachments demonstrated lower stress within the implants compared to those with magnet attachments under vertical and oblique loading conditions.