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Symmetries of Bernstein Polynomial Differentiation Matrices and Applications to Initial Value Problems
No full textIn this study, we discuss the symmetries underlying Bernstein polynomial differentiation matrices, as they are used in the collocation method approach to approximate solutions of initial and boundary value problems. The symmetries are brought into connection with those of the Chebyshev pseudospectral method (Chebyshev polynomial differentiation matrices). The treatment discussed here enables a faster and more accurate generation of differentiation matrices. The results are applied in numerical solutions of several initial value problems for the partial differential equation of convection–diffusion reaction type. The method described herein demonstrates the combination of advanced numerical techniques like polynomial interpolation, stability-preserving timestepping, and transformation methods to solve a challenging nonlinear PDE efficiently. The use of Bernstein polynomials offers a high degree of accuracy for spatial discretization, and the CGL nodes improve the stability of the polynomial approximation. This analysis shows that exploiting symmetry in the differentiation matrices, combined with the wise choice of collocation nodes (CGL), leads to both accurate and efficient numerical methods for solving PDEs and accuracy that approach pseudospectral methods that use well-known orthogonal polynomials such as Chebyshev polynomials.Data Availability Statement: To encourage reproducible computational science, the source codes used to obtain the results are available via public repository at [https://www.github.com/nikola-m] (accessed on 7 December 2024)
Ultrasmall Au-GRHa Nanosystem for FL/CT Dual-Mode Imaging-Guided Targeting Photothermal Therapy of Ovarian Cancer
No full textAs the most common and lethal cancer of the female gonads, ovarian cancer (OC) has a grave impact on people’s health. OC is asymptomatic, insidious in onset, difficult to diagnose and treat, fast-growing, and easy to metastasize and has poor prognosis and high mortality. How to detect OC as early as possible and treat it without side effects has become a challenging medical problem. Herein, the ultrasmall Au-GRHa nanosystem was designed for dual-mode imaging-guided photothermal therapy of OC. The synthesized Au-GRHa nanosystem has ultrasmall size, good biocompatibility, and excellent fluorescence and CT imaging performance, which could detect the OC tumor accurately and intuitively and is expected to provide intraoperative visual navigation for clinical surgery. With its excellent photothermal property, the Au-GRHa nanosystem can be utilized for photothermal therapy of OC, thus providing an alternative to, and reducing the hazards posed by, traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In addition, GnRHa endows the AuNDs with excellent ability to target the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor (GnRH-R), which enhances the uptake of AuNDs by OC tumor cells, improving the targeting accuracy and efficacy of photothermal therapy for OC. This work will facilitate the biomedical applications of the Au-GRHa nanosystem and provide good insights into FL/CT imaging-guided photothermal therapy of OC. © 2025 American Chemical Society
Exploring the anticancer potential of extracts and compounds from the heartwood of Cotinus coggygria Scop. wild growing in Serbia
No full textBackground Cotinus coggygria has a long history of use in traditional medicine in Europe and Asia. The aim of study was to explore the cytotoxicity of extracts (EE-ethanol, MME-methylene chloride/methanol, and WE-water) and compounds (butin, butein, fisetin, sulfuretin, taxifolin, eriodictyol, fustin, cotinignan A, sulfuretin auronol, 3-O-methylepifustin, 3-O-methylfustin, and sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside) isolated from C. coggygria. Mechanisms of anticancer effects of three extracts, butin, butein, and sulfuretin were examined. Methods Compounds were isolated from the EE using silica gel column chromatography and semipreparative HPLC. Structure elucidation was performed using NMR spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay. The effects on cell cycle and cell death were investigated by flow cytometry. The antimigration effects were examined by scratch assay, while expression of the MMP2, MMP9, and VEGFA were measured by quantitative real time PCR. The antioxidant effects were examined by flow cytometry. Results 3-O-methylepifustin, epitaxifolin, and sulfuretin auronol were found for the first time in C. coggygria. The extracts and compounds showed selective cytotoxicity against HeLa, MDA-MB-231, HL-60, K562, A375, PC-3, and DU 145 cells. HeLa cells were the most sensitive to the cytotoxicity of MME (IC50 value of 47.45 µg/mL), while leukemia K562 and HL-60 cells were the most sensitive to the MME and EE (IC50 values in the range from 31.04 to 44.57 µg/mL). Butein exerted strong cytotoxicity on HeLa, K562, and MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 values of 8.66 µM, 13.91 µM, and 22.36 µM). EE, butin, butein, sulfuretin, and fisetin were highly selective against leukemia K562 cells when compared with normal fibroblasts MRC-5 (selectivity index: 4.01, 5.15, 6.17, 7.05, > 4.41, respectively). Butein and fisetin showed high selectivity in the cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells when compared with MRC-5 cells (selectivity index: 9.91 and > 6.61). Three extracts, butin, butein, and sulfuretin, initiated apoptosis in HeLa cells by activating caspase-8 and caspase-9. The extracts, butin, butein, and sulfuretin inhibited HeLa cell migration. EE, MME, butein, and sulfuretin exerted cytoprotective effects in normal fibroblasts. Conclusions This research might suggest promising anticancer effects and underscores the need for additional research on C. coggygria extracts and compounds to assess their potential in cancer prevention and therapy
Pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in lead-lead collisions at sNN=5.36TeV
No full textThe pseudorapidity (η) distributions of charged hadrons are measured using data collected at the highest ever nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of sNN=5.36TeV for collisions of lead-lead ions. The data were recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2022 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 0.30±0.03μb−1. Using the CMS silicon pixel detector, the yields of primary charged hadrons produced in the range |η|<2.6 are reported. The evolution of the midrapidity particle density as a function of collision centrality is also reported. In the 5% most central collisions, the charged-hadron η density in the range |η|<0.5 is found to be 2032±91(syst), with negligible statistical uncertainty. This result is consistent with an extrapolation from nucleus-nucleus collision data at lower center-of-mass energies. Comparisons are made to various Monte Carlo event generators and to previous measurements of lead-lead and xenon-xenon collisions at similar collision energies. These new data detail the dependence of particle production on the collision energy, initial collision geometry, and the size of the colliding nuclei
Experimental evidence of the zero-degree focusing effect
No full textWe present the results of the experimental study of the Zero-Degree Focusing effect appearing in the transmission of MeV proton beam through a 200 nm long ⟨100⟩ axial channels of Si crystal, which is characterized by a large maximum in the zero-degree yield at and by a 45° rotation of the angular distribution in the scattering angle plane happening after the Zero-Degree Focusing point. We will show that observed experimental results can be explained fully in the framework of the theory of rainbows. © 2025 Elsevier B.V
Lignin-Based Nanocarrier for Simultaneous Delivery of 131I and SN-38 in the Combined Treatment of Solid Tumors by a Nanobrachytherapy Approach
No full textBackground: The rapid rise in cancer incidence significantly augments efforts to improve cancer treatments. A multimodal approach in the nanobrachytherapy of solid tumors is one of the promising methods under investigation. This study presents a novel biocompatible lignin-based nanomaterial, loaded with cytostatic agent SN-38 and radionuclide 131I, for simultaneous radiation and chemotherapy of solid tumors by a nanobrachytherapy approach. Method: Nanoparticles of ~100 nm in size, composed of lignin alone or loaded with 10% (m/m) of SN-38 (SN-38@lignin), were synthesized using a bottom-up approach and characterized. Subsequent radiolabeling of the nanoparticles by 131I produced 131I-lignin and 131I-SN-38@lignin. Their antitumor efficiency was tested against luciferase-expressing 4T1 mouse breast cancer xenografts of ~100 mm3 size on Balb/c mice. Results: An intratumoral injection of 1.85 MBq of 131I-lignin was retained within the tumor and achieved a moderate twofold decrease in tumor size compared to the control group. Injecting SN-38@lignin containing 25 µg of SN-38 decreased tumor size 3.5-fold. The therapy using the same doses of 131I-SN-38@lignin produced the most potent antitumor effect, with tumors being 6-fold smaller and having extensive intratumoral necrosis, all of it without signs of systemic toxicity. Conclusions: These results support the intratumoral delivery of lignin-based nanomaterial carrying radioisotopes and camptothecins for effective multimodal anticancer therapy. © 2025 by the authors
Genetic polymorphism and current biotechnology approaches of therapeutic aspects within endometrial tumors
No full textAmong oncological diseases of women, gynecological diseases deserve special attention. Gynecological tumors are important to women's health throughout the world. Notably, gynecologic malignancies represent a prevalent category of cancers affecting women globally. Single nucleotide polymorphisms have emerged as a promising source of genetic information to better understand complex diseases such as cancer, in terms of etiology, interindividual differences and treatment response. In this review, we summarize some selected gene single nucleotide polymorphisms’ implication in gynecological cancer susceptibility/predisposition, as well as the potential to use such genetic markers for improved diagnosis and individualized treatment of gynecological cancers. Furthermore, this review explores the advances in biotechnology that have contributed to the management of gynecological tumors, in particular endometrial tumors, with a focus on molecular diagnostics, therapeutic innovations, and personalized medicine. It is critical to investigate the single nucleotide gene polymorphisms as sociated with gynecologic cancer susceptibility/predisposition as some of them might be utilized as useful molecular markers for assessing gynecologic cancer predisposition and might be further used for diagnosis and treatment modalities in individuals with similar single nucleotide polymorphism profile. Moreover, recent advancements in biosensing technologies, particularly nano-biosensors and microfluidic biosensors, have significantly enhanced the detection of gynecological tumor markers. Taken together, the revolution in cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment has been made possible by advances in biotechnology in recent decades
Molecular docking study and in vitro evaluation of apoptotic effect of biogenic-amine-based N, O-Cu(II) complexes as potent antitumor agents
No full textIn our attempts toward identifying biologically relevant metal compounds, two copper (II) complexes, Cu1 and Cu2, have been prepared from the imines bearing tryptamine 1a/or tyramine 1b moieties in the structure as ligands. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex Cu1 has been described for the first time and revealed a centrosymmetric complex possessing a CuN2O2 chromophore with square planar coordination geometry. In vitro evaluation of cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cells (U251, HCT116, and HeLa) and healthy MRC5 fibroblast cell line as control, has indicated a strong cytotoxic effect on the glioblastoma tumor cell line U251; even more, potent than that expressed by cisplatin. The Cu2 showed remarkable potential to inhibit HeLa and HCT 116 cell line viability. Deeper insight into the mechanism underlying the cytotoxic effect suggested the involvement of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Compound Cu2 demonstrates more substantial pro-apoptotic effects, including more robust activation of CASP3 and BAX proteins, while Cu1 shows better interaction with BCL2. The interactions of the complex Cu1 with bovine serum albumin BSA were studied to evaluate the mode of binding activities toward this biomolecule. The predicted drug-like properties and pharmacokinetics have revealed good absorption potential after oral administration. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Temperature Response, Time Delay, and Hysteresis Loop of Heat Loss Flowmeter Thermistors
No full textA heat loss flowmeter for water was made of two negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thick film thermistors Th1 and Th2 and placed in a metal housing. The first thermistor Th1 is cold and measures input water temperature T w , and the second thermistor Th2 is self-heated at a constant voltage and measures water flow rate Q. At first temperature responses T(Q), heat loss and time delay td were measured and analyzed; then a temperature hysteresis loops of self-heating thermistor at switching waterflow regime was measured. The electrical responses I(Q) were measured using the flowmeter and digital acquisition card (DAC). An independent ultrasonic flowmeter was used in series with a novel heat loss flowmeter. The current values of temperature T(Q, t) of the water flow Q(t) were obtained using Steinhart-Hart equation for thermistors. Input water temperature Tw was used as a parameter (in the range of 5 °C-25 °C). The maximum thermistor power dissipation was less than 1 W. The inaccuracy of the water flow rate measurement was estimated to be less than 3%. The measuring flowmeter range of 0.003-0.3 L/s (1/2 in pipe) is suitable for measuring water consumption in households. © 2001-2012 IEEE
137Cs-Based Assessment of Soil Erosion Rates in a Morphologically Diverse Catchment with Varying Soil Types and Vegetation Cover: Relationship with Soil Properties and RUSLE Model Predictions
No full textThis study assessed soil erosion intensity and soil properties across the Crveni Potok catchment in Serbia, a region of diverse morphology, geology, pedology, and vegetation. Soil samples were collected using a regular grid approach to identify the underlying factors contributing to erosion and the most vulnerable areas. Based on 137Cs activities and the profile distribution (PD) model, severe erosion (>10 t ha−1 y−1) was predicted at nearly 60% of the studied locations. The highest mean erosion rates were detected for the lowest altitude range (300–450 m), Rendzic Leptosol soil, and grass-covered areas. A significant negative correlation was found between the erosion rates, soil organic matter, and indicators of soil structural stability (OC/clay ratio and St), indicating that the PD model successfully identifies vulnerable sites. The PD and RUSLE (revised universal soil loss equation) models provide relatively similar mean erosion rates (14.7 t ha⁻1 y⁻1 vs. 12.7 t ha⁻1 y⁻1) but significantly different median values (13.1 t ha−1 y−1 vs. 5.5 t ha−1 y−1). The model comparison revealed a positive trend. The observed inconsistencies were interpreted by the models’ spatiotemporal frameworks and RUSLE’s sensitivity to input data quality. Land use stands out as a significant factor modifying the variance of erosion rate, highlighting the importance of land management practices in mitigating erosion