bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An exploratory fetal MRI study examining the impact of 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome on early brain growth
Authors: Cromb Daniel , Finck Tom , Bonthrone Alexandra F. , Uus Alena , Van Poppel Milou , Steinweg Johannes , Lloyd David F , Pushparajah Kuberan , Razavi Reza , Counsell Serena J. , Rutherford Mary
Published: February 2025

Background

Improved long-term outcomes, related to advances in surgical and clinical care of infants with congenital heart disease (CHD), has shifted focus onto the accompanying and later-onset cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders in those who also have 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDS). 22qDS is itself associated with neurodevelopmental impairments and altered brain growth. However, when brain growth in 22qDS first deviates from normal is unknown, and whether impaired brain development is primarily genetics-driven or a secondary consequence of the underlying CHD remains incompletely understood.

Methods

In this small, exploratory study, we use fetal MRI to assess volumetric brain development in 22qDS by comparing fetal brain morphometry to a set of gestation and sex-matched healthy controls, and a cohort of gestation and sex-matched fetuses with the same CHD diagnoses but without 22q11.2 deletion. Structural T2-weighted fetal brain images were acquired using a 1.5T MRI scanner. MR scanner and sequence parameters were identical in all cohorts. Motion-corrected images underwent segmentation using an automated pipeline developed for fetal brain MRI. Total brain tissue volumes, volumes for four different tissue regions (cortical grey matter, white matter, deep grey matter and cerebellum), cerebrospinal fluid and total intracranial volumes were calculated.

Results

Antenatal imaging was acquired between 29 and 35 weeks gestation. Thirty-three fetuses were included (7 22qDS; 14 isolated CHD; 12 healthy control). White matter volumes were significantly reduced in fetuses with 22qDS compared to control fetuses (p = 0.028), but not to those with CHD without 22q11.2 deletion (p = 0.09). Large effect-sizes were seen between the 22qDS and isolated CHD cohorts (DCohen = 0.81), and between the 22qDS and control cohorts (DCohen = 1.2) for white matter volumes. No significant differences were seen in volumes of other brain regions between groups.

Conclusions

This exploratory study expands our existing knowledge on neurodevelopmental impairments in 22qDS to the fetal period by highlighting reduced white matter volumes compared to gestation and sex-matched control fetuses during this time-period. Our findings suggest that impaired white matter growth in fetuses with both 22qDS and CHD may not be fully explained by any underlying CHD.
Pre-conception clinical risk factors differ between spontaneous and indicated preterm birth in a densely phenotyped EHR cohort
Authors: Costello Jean M. , Takasuka Hannah , Roger Jacquelyn , Yin Ophelia , Tang Alice , Oskotsky Tomiko , Sirota Marina , Capra John A.
Published: February 2025

Background

Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of infant mortality. Risk for PTB is influenced by multiple biological pathways, many of which are poorly understood. Some PTBs result from medically indicated labor following complications from hypertension and/or diabetes, while many others are spontaneous with unknown causes. Previously, investigation of potential risk factors has been limited by a lack of data on maternal medical history and the difficulty of classifying PTBs as indicated or spontaneous. Here, we leverage electronic health record (EHR) data (patient health information including demographics, diagnoses, and medications) and a supplemental curated pregnancy database to overcome these limitations. Novel associations may provide new insight into the pathophysiology of PTB as well as help identify individuals who would be at risk of PTB.

Methods

We quantified associations between maternal diagnoses and preterm birth both with and without controlling for maternal age and socioeconomic factors within a University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), EHR cohort with 10,643 births (n

term
 = 9692, n

spontaneous_preterm
 = 449, n

indicated_preterm
 = 418) and maternal pre-conception diagnoses derived from International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9 and 10 codes.

Results

Thirty diagnoses significantly and robustly (False Discovery Rate (FDR) < 0.05) associated with indicated PTBs compared to term. We discovered known (hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease) and less established (blood, cardiac, gynecological, and liver diagnoses) associations. Essential hypertension had the most significant association with indicated PTB (adjusted pBH = 4 × 10–20, adjusted OR = 6 (95% CI 4-8)), and the odds ratios for the significant diagnoses ranged from 2 to 23. The results for indicated PTB largely recapitulated the diagnosis associations with all PTBs. However, no diagnosis significantly associated with spontaneous PTB.

Conclusions

Our study underscores the limitations of approaches that combine indicated and spontaneous births. When combined, significant associations were almost entirely driven by indicated PTBs, although the spontaneous and indicated groups were of a similar size. Investigating the spontaneous population has the potential to reveal new pathways and understanding of the heterogeneity of PTB.
Analytical validation of Exandra: a clinical decision support system for promoting guideline-directed therapy of type-2 diabetes in primary care – a collaborative study with experts from Diabetes Canada
Authors: Grechuta Klaudia , Shokouh Pedram , Bayer Valentina , Kraemer Henrich , Gilbert Jeremy , Jin Susie , Alhussein Ahmad
Published: February 2025

Background

Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a high prevalence of cardiovascular and renal comorbidities. Despite clinical practice guidelines recommending the use of cardiorenal protective medications, many people with T2D are not prescribed these medications. A clinical decision support system called Exandra was developed to provide treatment recommendations for individuals with T2D based on current clinical practice guidelines from Diabetes Canada. The current study aimed to medically validate Exandra via review by external medical experts in T2D.

Methods

Validation of Exandra took place in two phases. Test cases using simulated clinical scenarios and recommendations were generated by Exandra. In Phase 1 of the validation, reviewers evaluated whether they agreed with Exandra’s recommendations with a “yes,” “no,” or “not sure” response. In Phase 2, reviewers were interviewed about their “no” and “not sure” responses to determine possible reasons and potential fixes to the Exandra system. The primary outcome was the precision rate of Exandra following the interviews and final adjudication of the cases. The target precision rate was 90%.

Results

Exandra displayed an overall precision rate of 95.5%. A large proportion of cases that were initially labeled “no” or “not sure” by reviewers were changed to “yes” following the interview phase. This was largely due to the validation using a simplified user interface compared with the complexity of the actual Exandra system, and reviewers needing clarification of how the outputs would be displayed on the Exandra platform.

Conclusion

Exandra displayed a high level of accuracy and precision in providing guideline-directed recommendations for managing T2D and its common comorbidities. The results of this study indicate that Exandra is a promising tool for improving the management of T2D and its comorbidities.
miR-485-5p/NQO1 axis drives colorectal cancer progression by regulating apoptosis and aerobic glycolysis
Authors: Wang Yixuan , Zhou Houkun , Liu Ying , Zhao Xingyu , Wang Shuhao , Lin Zhenhua
Published: February 2025

Background

Cancer cells undergo a metabolic shift termed the Warburg effect, transitioning from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis and promoting rapid tumor proliferation. Quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), a cytosolic flavoprotein, is important for reprogramming cancer cell metabolism. Therefore, NQO1’s function in aerobic glycolysis and impact on colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression was investigated.

Methods

The clinical significance of NQO1 was evaluated by analyzing online databases and was substantiated in CRC specimens. NQO1’s influence on proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, apoptosis, and glycolytic pathways in CRC cells was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo experiments. The molecular interactions between NQO1 and microRNA-485-5p (miR-485-5p) were ascertained via quantitative reverse transcription PCR and dual luciferase reporter assays. The molecular mechanisms underlying the miR-485-5p/NQO1 axis and its effects on progression of malignancy and aerobic glycolysis in CRC cell lines were investigated.

Results

NQO1 promoted CRC cell proliferation and EMT, augmented their metastatic potential, and suppressed their apoptosis. The NQO1 overexpression-mediated enhancement of glycolytic activity is implicated in the increased proliferation, EMT, and metastatic abilities of, and reduced apoptosis in, CRC cells. Further, miR-485-5p may inhibit the proliferative and invasive traits of CRC cells by directly targeting the 3′ untranslated region of NQO1 mRNA.

Conclusions

miR-485-5p/NQO1 signaling axis orchestrates aerobic glycolysis, thereby modulating CRC cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis. Our study provides mechanistic perspectives regarding the role of NQO1 in CRC progression.
Where is the hard-to-reach population? Spatial analysis from a cross-sectional study on the access to bed net and malaria vaccine in the Lake Victoria Region, Kenya
Authors: Ko Yura K. , Kagaya Wataru , Yoneoka Daisuke , Kongere James , Opiyo Victor , Oginga Jared , Omondi Protus , Musyoka Kelvin B. , Chan Chim W. , Kanoi Bernard N. , Gitaka Jesse , Kaneko Akira
Published: February 2025

Background

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) and vaccines are effective malaria control tools. However, inadequate uptake has been reported in countries where both interventions are available. To maximize the impact these tools provide, it is crucial to identify populations that are not being reached and the barriers to uptake.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study conducted in April 2024 in Kanyamwa Kologi Ward in Homa Bay County, Kenya, 4,662 households in 58 randomely selected villages were visited and interviewed. The proportions of households that (1) received at least one new LLIN within the previous five months (net distribution), (2) reported all children used LLIN (net usage), (3) reported at least one child had received one dose of the RTS,S vaccine (vaccine uptake), and (4) reported all children had received four doses of the vaccine (vaccine completion) were examined. Bayesian spatial autoregression analyses were used to estimate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and its credible intervals (CrI) to identify the association between the household-level characteristics and the four outcomes.

Results

The overall uptake proportions were 89.9% for net distribution, 84.4% for net usage, 88.2% for vaccine uptake, and 53.7% for vaccine completion. All four outcomes showed geographical heterogeneity with significant (p < 0.05) Moran's I. Households headed by adults of > 40 years had higher odds of having received a new LLIN (aOR = 2.02, 95% CrI 1.02–5.42), having one child who had received one vaccine dose (aOR = 1.83, 0.69–4.66), and having all children fully vaccinated (aOR = 2.36, 1.09–5.46), but lower odds of net usage by all children (aOR = 0.62, 0.40–0.96). Households with five or more children had higher odds of having received a new LLIN (aOR = 5.36, 2.24–27.0) but lower odds of net usage by all children (aOR = 0.24, 0.14–0.38) and having all children fully vaccinated (aOR = 0.20, 0.04–0.61). Distance to the nearest health centre was negatively associated with all outcomes. Household wealth was positively associated with all outcomes.

Conclusion

Uptake of LLIN and malaria vaccine in Homa Bay County, Kenya varied by geography and household characteristics. These findings suggest that different sets of actions should be considered to improve the coverage and compliance of these interventions in different areas.
SHP Buddy: a QGIS plugin for generating shapefiles to support remote sensing in plant breeding and agronomic experiments
Authors: Burner Nathaniel , Harris Donna K. , Li Zenglu
Published: February 2025

Background

Shapefiles are a geospatial vector data format used to indicate geographic features in geographic information systems (GIS) software. Shapefiles are used in high-throughput phenotyping plant breeding and agronomic studies to identify plots from aerial imagery and extract remote sensing data. However, the process of manually creating shapefiles is tedious and error prone. Current options that assist in shapefile generation suffer from issues such as installation processes that require a degree of programming knowledge or inefficient methods for incorporating plot-level information from field books. In this study, we have developed a program called ‘SHP Buddy’, a QGIS plugin that provides accessible and intuitive functions that quickly generate shapefiles for common experimental layouts used in agricultural research.

Results

SHP Buddy is a free and open source QGIS plugin that is easily downloaded directly from the QGIS plugin repository. It provides options for generating serpentine replicated and unreplicated experimental layouts. Further, SHP Buddy is the first of its type to provide an intuitive method for removing non-experimental plots, such as non-experimental “fill” plots at the end of experiments or plots in irrigation wheel tracks. Plot information is easily incorporated by uploading a field book CSV file that contains a column of matching plot numbers. Lastly, plot dimensions can be modified to produce more precise regions of interest.

Conclusions

SHP Buddy substantially reduces the time and increases the accuracy of shapefile generation. This results in reliable shapefiles that improve record keeping and the quality of high-throughput phenotyping data extracted. By working natively in QGIS, SHP Buddy provides an efficient solution to shapefile generation while maintaining a low learning curve.
Functional outcome after Brachytherapy with bi-nuclide (Ru-106/Iodine-125) plaques in large uveal melanomas
Authors: Jabbarli Leyla , Fiorentzis Miltiadis , Rating Philipp , Schmidt Boerge , Biewald Eva , Guberina Nika , Flühs Dirk , Bornfeld Norbert , Sauerwein Wolfgang , Stuschke Martin , Bechrakis Nikolaos E. , Guberina Maja
Published: February 2025

Objective

Preservation of visual acuity remains a challenging issue after globe sparing therapy of large uveal melanoma. The aim of our study was analyzing the functional outcome after brachytherapy with bi-nuclide plaques (BBNP), maintaining prognostic factors for legal blindness (LB).

Methods

We have analyzed all consecutive patients with large uveal melanoma treated with BBNP at our institution between 01/1999 and 12/2020. The post-treatment follow-up data were screened up to 06/2023. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors for development of LB following BBNP.

Results

Overall, 570 patients with median age of 65.6 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 54.5–74.0) underwent BBNP. During the median post-treatment follow-up of 30.8 months (IQR: 12.9–57.3), LB was diagnosed in 287 (50.4%) patients. Patients’ age (> 67 years, adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.58, 95%-confidence interval [CI] = 1.24–2.00, p < 0.0001), tumor thickness (> 8.5 mm, aHR = 1.43, 95%-CI = 1.12–1.82, p = 0.004), VA (> 0.5 LogMAR, aHR = 1.59, 95%-CI = 1.25–2.02, p < 0.0001), and ciliary body involvement (aHR = 0.77, 95%-CI = 0.60–0.97, p = 0.029) were confirmed as independent predictors of LB in the final multivariable Cox regression analysis.

Conclusions

Approximately a half of patients with large uveal melanoma develop LB around 2.5 years after brachytherapy. Further optimization of treatment strategies, including both therapeutic and preventive measures, has the potential to enhance the functional outcome after episcleral plaque therapy for large UMs.
An IgE antibody targeting HER2 identified by clonal selection restricts breast cancer growth via immune-stimulating activities
Authors: Palhares Lais C. G. F. , Grandits Melanie , Stoker Katie , Chauhan Jitesh , Sow Heng Sheng , Fruhwirth Gilbert O. , Tsoka Sophia , Birtley James , Partington Leanne , Wilson Tim , Hardaker Elizabeth , Karagiannis Sophia N. , Bax Heather J. , FitzGerald Kevin
Published: February 2025

Background

Tumor-targeting IgE antibodies have elicited potent tumor-restricting effects by recruiting immune effector mechanisms. However, a dedicated platform for the generation, selection and evaluation of novel IgEs based on target antigen recognition and functional profiles has not been reported.

Methods

By establishing an IgE class antibody therapeutic design platform to allow selection of lead candidates, we generated a panel of IgEs recognising the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), overexpressed in 15–20% of breast cancers. From 1840 phage display-generated variable region sequences panned against HER2, we engineered 30 full length IgE antibodies. We selected three clones based on biophysical properties, reactivity to HER2 + cancer cells, epitope reactivity and Fc-mediated anti-tumor profiles in vitro. Clones with cross-reactivity to rat HER2 were selected to allow functional evaluations in a fully immunocompetent syngeneic HER2 + rat breast cancer model.

Results

IgE antibodies induced degranulation and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against human and rat HER2-expressing tumor cells in vitro. IgE antibody 26 demonstrated anti-tumor activity in a syngeneic HER2 + rat model, and a human HER2 + breast cancer xenograft model in mice reconstituted with human immune cells. Treatment was associated with enhanced immune cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory immune signatures, and downregulated cancer progression signaling pathways, in the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusions

This study pioneers the design and generation of anti-HER2 IgE lead antibody candidates with immune-stimulating and tumor-restricting effects. The present work may pave the way for antibody engineering therapeutic opportunities for challenging-to-treat HER2-expressing cancers.
Naringenin-loaded nanoparticles modulate HIF-driven oxygen-sensing pathways in lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Ragab Eman M. , El Gamal Doaa M. , Mohamed Tarek M. , Khamis Abeer A.
Published: February 2025

Background

Hypoxia is a common symptom of lung cancer. Proliferation and neovascularization mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) influence several adaptations. It has recently been established that naringenin (NAR) and its nanoparticles are chemo-preventive flavonoids in lung cancer.

Aim

Adjust HIF activity by reviving oxygen-sensing enzyme activity while considering possible therapeutic targets.

Method

The bindings of NAR to target proteins were examined using computational modeling techniques. Additionally, NAR nanoparticles (NARNPs) were synthesized and characterized. Normal fibroblast cells and A549 cells were used to determine cytotoxicity. Colorimetric analysis of α-ketoglutarate detection for hydroxylases.

Results

According to molecular modeling, NAR and target proteins have a high affinity. The PHD and FIH activities in A549 are significantly stimulated.

Conclusion

NAR and NARNPs diminish hypoxia in lung cancer by stimulating oxygen-sensing hydroxylases.
Early findings on home delivery of buprenorphine and retention in treatment for opioid use disorder
Authors: C. Lira Marlene , E. Hendy Lauren , Liakas Alisha , Turanchik Laura , Pritchard Clare , Jimes Cynthia , Justin Coffey M.
Published: February 2025

Individuals with opioid use disorder face barriers accessing first-line pharmacotherapy. Home delivery interventions have been shown to improve medication adherence for other chronic diseases, but the relationship between buprenorphine home delivery and opioid use disorder treatment outcomes has not been assessed. We evaluated the association between medication home delivery and retention in treatment in a feasibility study of adults who initiated telemedicine treatment for opioid use disorder and received one or more prescriptions. We described the characteristics of patients and estimated the odds of attending a telemedicine visit three and six months after enrollment as a function of home delivery use using logistic regression. The sample consisted of 337 adults with the following characteristics: mean age 40.8 years (SD 10.1), 51.0% male, and 70.9% commercially insured. In the first 30 days of treatment 6.8% (n = 23) of patients used home delivery. At three months, the percentages of individuals retained among those with and without home delivery were 82.6% and 58.9%, respectively (odds ratio [OR]: 3.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–9.96). At six months, the percentages of individuals retained among those with and without home delivery were 78.6% and 45.5%, respectively (OR: 4.39, 95% CI: 1.19–16.25, n = 203). Although uptake of medication delivery through the pharmacy partner was low within this sample of patients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder, its use was associated with increased retention in care at three and six months. Given the small sample size, low uptake, and limited statistical power, additional research is warranted.
The impact of regular sauerkraut consumption on the human gut microbiota: a crossover intervention trial
Authors: Schropp Nelly , Bauer Alexander , Stanislas Virginie , Huang Kun D. , Lesker Till-Robin , Bielecka Agata Anna , Strowig Till , Michels Karin B.
Published: February 2025

Background

Sauerkraut is a fermented food that has been suspected to have a beneficial impact on the gut microbiome, but scientific evidence is sparse. In this crossover intervention trial with 87 participants (DRKS00027007), we investigated the impact of daily consumption of fresh or pasteurized sauerkraut for 4 weeks on gut microbial composition and the metabolome in a healthy study population.

Results

Using shotgun metagenomic sequencing, we observed changes in single bacterial species following fresh and pasteurized sauerkraut consumption. More pronounced changes were observed in the pasteurized sauerkraut intervention arm. Only pasteurized sauerkraut consumption increased serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Conclusions

The gut microbiome of healthy individuals is rather resilient to short-term dietary interventions even though single species might be affected by sauerkraut consumption.
Secondary sclerosing cholangitis: an unusual presentation of leptospirosis
Authors: Aponso Tilan , Wanninayake W. M. D. A. S. , Wijesinghe I. P. , Jayasekara Nethma , Iddamalgoda Waruna , Wanasinghe W. M. M. A.
Published: February 2025

Sclerosing cholangitis is a rare progressive cholestatic disease that is classified as secondary sclerosing cholangitis when it is caused by an identifiable cause. Sclerosing cholangitis has been linked to infections like COVID-19 and parasitic infections like Clonorchis sinensis and Ascaris lumbricoides. However, leptospirosis has not been linked to sclerosing cholangitis in the medical literature. In this article, we report a 37-year-old gentleman who was diagnosed with leptospirosis, worsened by painless cholestasis, while he was improving from leptospirosis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed multiple short-segment biliary strictures, segmental dilatation, and mural irregularities in both intrahepatic ducts confirming the diagnosis of sclerosing cholangitis. After ruling out other potential causes and considering the initial presentation during a leptospirosis infection, we concluded that leptospirosis caused secondary sclerosing cholangitis. We report this as the first case of secondary sclerosing cholangitis in a leptospirosis patient without renal, respiratory, or cardiac complications, emphasizing the importance of ruling out this cause in a leptospirosis patient with persistent cholestasis.
Unveiling market dynamics: a machine and deep learning approach to Egyptian stock prediction
Authors: Fattoh Ibrahim Eldesouky , El Maghawry Ibrahim Marwa , Mousa Farid Ali
Published: February 2025

Accurate stock price forecasting is essential for making smart investing choices. In the context of the Egyptian stock market, this study examines the predictive capabilities of several machine learning and deep learning models for stock price prediction. Five different datasets with historical stock price information from significant Egyptian companies are used in the study methods such as Random Forest, Linear Regression, LSTM, and Bi-LSTM which were employed and evaluated using performance metrics including Mean Squared Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and R-Squared. Among these, the Bi-LSTM model consistently delivered the most accurate price forecasts due to its superior ability to capture complex patterns and relationships inherent in stock market data. Additionally, statistical models ARIMA and GARCH were implemented for comparative purposes, but the machine learning and deep learning models outperformed these traditional approaches. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of stock price behavior in the Egyptian market, providing valuable insights for financial analysts and investors.
Mapping cancer in Egypt: a model to predict future cancer situation using estimates from GLOBOCAN 2020
Authors: El-Kassas Mohamed , Ezzat Reem , Shousha Hend , Bosson-Amedenu Senyefia , Ouerfelli Noureddine
Published: February 2025

Background

Egypt has one of the largest populations in the Middle East and North Africa. With the help of mathematical models that project the situation over the next several years, this research seeks to understand the current epidemiologic condition of malignancies in Egypt. This may highlight the predicted burden of different cancers and guide policy makers in finding solutions to reduce such a burden.

Methods

We used the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN)-2020 database of Egypt for our statistical analysis. Power law was used to find the causal relationship between the number of new cases and deaths. In order to determine the severity of the disease, cancer rank was examined and used to shed light on potential cancer-related characteristics. Equations comparing the state of various cancers were used to correlate the number of new cases and fatalities.

Results

When compared to the average global statistics, Egypt had alarmingly high death rates from breast and liver cancer. Additionally, the increase in newly reported cases was linked to an increase in mortality that happened more quickly than the global average rates.

Liver cancer was first in newly reported cases and deaths, followed by breast and bladder cancers. Liver and pancreatic malignancies have the highest ranks as the most fatal cancers in Egypt.

Conclusion

In Egypt, despite the efforts exerted by health authorities aiming at the early detection of different cancers, the country still occupies a high rank in cancer deaths compared to other countries, which is expected to continue for the coming few years.
Development of Mucoadhesive Vaginal Films for Metronidazole Delivery Using Methacryloylated, Crotonoylated, and Itaconoylated Gelatin Blends with Poly(vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Shatabayeva Elvira O. , Kaldybekov Daulet B. , Kenessova Zarina A. , Tuleyeva Rysgul N. , Kudaibergenov Sarkyt E. , Khutoryanskiy Vitaliy V.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This work reports the development and characterisation of polymeric films composed of gelatin or its chemically modified derivatives (crotonoylated, itaconoylated, and methacryloylated gelatins) blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Metronidazole served as an antimicrobial drug in these formulations.

Methods

The films were produced by casting aqueous solutions of polymers, followed by solvent evaporation. Their structure and physicochemical characteristics were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical testing. The thickness of the films, their folding endurance, the surface pH, and transparency were also evaluated. The mucoadhesive performance of the films was evaluated through an ex vivo detachment technique involving freshly excised sheep vaginal tissues. In vitro cumulative drug release studies were conducted using Franz diffusion cells.

Results

The results demonstrate that incorporating unsaturated functional groups into gelatin improves its mucoadhesive properties compared to native gelatin. The drug release experiments conducted in vitro showed that the cumulative release from pure gelatin/PVA films was found to be 49 ± 2%, whereas modified gelatins/PVA (70:30) films released ~ 64–71%.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that modified gelatins could serve as effective excipients in designing mucoadhesive formulations for vaginal administration, with potential applications extending to other transmucosal drug delivery systems.

Graphical Abstract
Sox8: a multifaceted transcription factor in development and disease
Authors: González Alvarado María Nazareth , Aprato Jessica
Published: February 2025

Sox8 is a transcription factor that belongs to the Sox family of high-mobility-group domain containing proteins and is closely related to Sox9 and Sox10. During prenatal development, Sox8 is expressed in several ectoderm-, endoderm- and mesoderm-derived tissues and has been implicated in processes of organogenesis and differentiation. Sox8 expression is found in several important cells such as Sertoli cells in the male gonad, glial cells, satellite cells, and chondrocytes. However, Sox8 is not essential for the proper development of any of the involved systems, as it functions redundantly with Sox9 or Sox10 and no major developmental disturbances have been noticed in its absence. Despite its perceived limited importance as a developmental regulator, Sox8 exhibits a more significant role in late development and adult tissues. Several studies highlight the importance of Sox8 for the homeostasis of adipose tissue, Sertoli cells and the blood-testis-barrier functioning, and the maintenance of myelin in the central nervous system. Emerging evidence points to SOX8 as a promising candidate for a disease-causing gene in humans and suggests that changes in SOX8 function or expression could contribute to pathological states. For instance, genetic variants of SOX8 have been linked to multiple sclerosis and familial essential tremor, while SOX8 alterations have been related to poor cancer prognosis and infertility. This Review provides an overview of Sox8's versatile role in development and adult tissues as well as its lesser-known contributions to various diseases, and its potential as a therapeutic target.
Diversity of microtubule arrays in animal cells at a glance
Authors: van Grinsven Emma J. , Akhmanova Anna
Published: February 2025

Microtubules are cytoskeletal filaments important for various cellular processes such as intracellular transport, cell division, polarization and migration. Microtubule organization goes hand in hand with cellular function. Motile cells, such as immune cells or fibroblasts, contain microtubule asters attached to the centrosome and the Golgi complex, whereas in many other differentiated cells, microtubules form linear arrays or meshworks anchored at membrane-bound organelles or the cell cortex. Over the past decade, new developments in cell culture, genome editing and microscopy have greatly advanced our understanding of complex microtubule arrays. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we review the diversity of microtubule arrays in interphase animal cells. We describe microtubule network geometries present in various differentiated cells, explore the variety in microtubule-organizing centers responsible for these geometries, and discuss examples of microtubule reorganization in response to functional changes and their interplay with cell motility and tissue development.
A Preliminary Investigation of an Automated Online Program for Increasing Physical Activity among Adults: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Unick Jessica L. , Oselinsky Katrina , Cao Zihuan , Webster Jennifer , Allen Amaya , Pellegrini Christine , Tobin Selene Y. , Wing Rena R.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Given the numerous health benefits associated with regular physical activity (PA), effective, affordable, and scalable PA interventions are needed to address the high prevalence of inactivity among adults within the United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an Internet-delivered program for increasing moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) among inactive adults.

Methods

Participants (n = 55; age: 53.5 ± 10.2 yr, body mass index: 32.0 ± 6.1 kg·m−2, 56.4% female, 83.6% non-Hispanic White) were randomized to the Energize! exercise program, a 12-wk, fully automated program for increasing MVPA, or a newsletter control condition. Each week, Energize! participants completed behaviorally based video lessons, submitted an exercise plan, reported their exercise minutes, and completed a homework assignment. The PA goal progressed from 75 to 200 min·wk−1 and automated, personalized feedback was provided. Control participants received PA education newsletters twice per month (six in total). Assessments of psychosocial PA constructs and MVPA (self-report, accelerometer-derived total MVPA, and accelerometer-derived bouted MVPA (>10 min bouts)) occurred at baseline, 3 months (post-intervention), and 6 months (following a 3-month no-contact follow-up).

Results

Retention was 85.5% and 81.8% at 3 and 6 months, respectively. On average, Energize! participants submitted an exercise plan in 76.4% of weeks, watched 84.5% of video lessons, and completed 75.0% of homework assignments. Program satisfaction was higher in Energize! than the control group (all P < 0.001). A significant interaction effect favoring Energize! was observed from baseline to 3 months for bouted MVPA (P = 0.01) and total MVPA (P = 0.01). No significant differences between groups were observed for changes from baseline to 6 months. At both 3 and 6 months, medium to large effect sizes were observed for most psychosocial PA variables (Cohen’s d = 0.57–1.08).

Conclusion

This fully automated program was feasible, acceptable, and effective at increasing MVPA in the short-term, but effects were diminished once the intervention was removed.
Site-Specific Performance Works of Tuğçe Ulugün Tuna
Authors: Erkök Fatma
Published: February 2025

The term “performance” has become extremely common in various arts, literature, and social sciences activities. Performance theorist Richard Schechner has searched the relationship between theory and practice in social sciences and theatre studies, mainly focusing on Turner's model of “social drama”. Performance progressively got out of its shelter, the cultural institution, and assumed the role of provoking critical questions about the meaning of art in our highly mediated daily lives. Bodily art performance in space demonstrates a reciprocal interaction. Particularly, site-specific performance has even got a higher dependency on space, architectural or natural. Most site-specific indoor or outdoor performances are primarily concerned with unconventional performance spaces, drawing particular attention to the physical qualities of space and its social or historical connotations. Tuğçe Ulugün Tuna is an awarded Turkish choreographer, contemporary dance and interdisciplinary performance artist, body reader, and academician. Tuna is known to exhibit site-specific choreographies in her works and theatre festivals. Some of her conceptual and choreographic creations stand out as works realized in Istanbul for particular sites, such as Machine Body at The Energy Museum Santralistanbul (2008-2009), Wet Volume at Bayrampaşa old prison (2010), Displacement at the old Hasköy Cotton Factory (2012), Show of Strength at St. Pulchérie French School (2014-2019), Body Drops at an old public bath (2017), and Revert produced in an old shoe factory (Istanbul Beykoz Kundura stage, 2022). Show of Strength takes place in a historic high school building and leaves many questions about the body, what the body contains, lives, learns, transforms, changes, accumulates, expresses, and is exposed to. Wet Volume undertakes the architectural space (an abandoned prison) and the body as "wet volumes" and interprets feelings such as happiness, service, shame, passion, desire, fear, and human reaction towards these feelings. Machine Body focuses on the relationship between body and machine, takingplace in the former Ottoman time power plant converted into a Museum of Energy. This study aims to investigate the structures of Tuna’s choreographic works in terms of their particular relations with their location, how the site delivers meanings, how these meanings are interpreted, and how the body exposes these interpreted meanings in the concept of the performance.
“Lifting One’s Head Up”
Authors: Kordomenou Dimitra
Published: February 2025

The present paper discusses the key findings and implications of the author’s homonymous master’s thesis, a comparative study which aims to develop as a system of overlapping associations between two cases of public nomadic art interventions. Specifically, the study examines the performance of the action Le ballon ροζ or six ways by the author, on the one hand, as well as a sample of five independent works by performance artist Regina José Galindo, on the other. By analysing these interventions, the study aims to enrich the discourse around issues of embodied experience, political claim, and the production of identity and spatiality within a multiple public sphere.The elaboration of the main performative act, the aforementioned performance piece by the author, occurring following an unprompted urban route in Athens, is utilised as a place of production of this associative system. The distinction of six thematic categories within it are set as an axis of the study’s development, which is achieved through the juxtaposition of corresponding textual units approaching examples from the work of Galindo. This method allows for a deeper understanding of the shared concerns and themes that emerge from the interventions.The primary texts of the first case, Le ballon ροζ or six ways, acquire characteristics of a performative reading during the original presentation of the research, creating an embodied expression, while the juxtaposed analyses function as interpretations of the primary texts. By utilising this perspective, a degree of distancing from the personal practice is obtained, allowing for a dialectical approach to emerge. At the same time, an associative process is implemented within textual research, in direct correlation to the aforementioned embodied expression, leading to the creation of a multifaceted analysis.Acknowledging of the ingoing subjective factors or coincidences within the described process is taken as a key assumption in the context of a nomadic view, allowing for transitions and lines of flight between ideas, mental journeys, and the activation of the imaginary.
Overall, a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the two cases of public nomadic art interventions is accomplished. By utilising a performative reading of the primary texts and a juxtaposition with corresponding textual units, the study provides a unique and innovative approach to examining issues of embodied experience, political claim, gendered identity, and spatiality. Through its intricate analysis of the interventions and their impact on the public sphere, it contributes to the exploration of spatiality through performative practices, highlighting the centrality of political implications.
Performing Architecture
Authors: Kanellopoulou Dimitra , Dimitrakopoulou Stella (Styliani)
Published: February 2025

Walking practice became central in architectural teaching mostly after the Second World War, within a broader context of transformation in pedagogical methods aimed at departing from the traditional approach of viewing architecture primarily as a matter of technique and form. Methodological tools and theoretical inquiries from social sciences and performing arts begun to interweave with those in the discipline of architecture. Walking is recognized as both an innovative and inherently intuitive method for exploring the qualities of the human environment and built spaces. Not only major figures of the 20th century’s architecture pointed out the importance of the human body moving through space (as exemplified in la promenade by Le Corbusier), but there has also been a growing interest in urban planning that places walking in the very centre of concerns for designers, envisioning the reconstruction of cities and neighbourhoods. Walking thus has a central role, not only as an objective within designed environments but also as a means of understanding these spaces as experienced places open to redefinition.In this paper, we present, reflect upon and discuss the results of the site-specific action One hour, One Path. Narrations of Acronafplia that took place in the area of Acronafplia in Nafplion (Greece). This site-specific educational workshop was initiated by ENSA Paris-Malaquais School of Architecture (Paris) and implemented in collaboration with the Department of Performing and Digital Arts of the University of Peloponnese (Greece). On the 4th of November 2021 twenty master students of ENSA Paris-Malaquais and ten bachelor students from the Department of Performing and Digital Arts met for the first time and for a three-hour session in order to explore the area of Acronafplia guided by a series of in-situ explorations and prompted by questions suggested by their supervisors. How does the body experience the distinctive landscape of Acronafplia? In what ways can movement through space, lead to new forms of appropriation of the city and the public space, while considering the palimpsest of heritage traces?First insights from the fieldwork experience highlight the potency of walking in stimulating engagement with the observed environment. By federating in situ different disciplines and ways of looking but also by enhancing a constant interaction with other bodies (co-walkers), the exercise aims to unveil ways in which walking can be a promising pedagogical tool at the intersection of disciplines concerned with spatial studies.
Healing Flavours
Authors: Vasilakou Antonia
Published: February 2025

Space has the ability to modify our perception. Human entity retains the stigmata of time and space traversed and encountered, as an indelible marker of the experience (Béligon & Digonnet, 2020). Body becomes a sensitive interface through which we apprehend spatiality. Ιn the process of the participatory workshop Healing Flavours, inhabitation was achieved through the experiential observation provided by the practice-based laboratory session. The workshop was held on August 29th, 2022, as part of the Performing Space 2022 project organised by the Department of Theatre Studies of the University of Peloponnese and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. It consisted of an interactive emotion walk that invited participants to move and halt through a series of ancient sites in an open space, immersing themselves in a range of emotional states. The workshop was based on the holistic system of R. Schechner's Rasaboxes and S. Bloch's Alba Method patterns, where muscular activity and specific breathing patterns can be consciously controlled and manipulated to induce and regulate emotional states. The methodology of perception entailed the implementation of a specific protocol that consisted of three key elements: a. visual gaze to facilitate the exploration of the surroundings, b. revelation of the emotion and c. physical discovery and involvement in varied ways, meant to enhance the emotional experience of participants and to encourage them to engage with the environment.
Unveiling Nottingham's Hidden History through Augmented Reality
Authors: Moneta Andrea
Published: February 2025

The research identified and tested the use of Augmented Reality to investigate and restore the forgotten yet unique identity of Nottingham (UK). Since the building of the Nottingham Castle in 1068 by the French Normans, until the eighteen Century, two populations lived almost segregated in Nottingham: the Anglo-Saxons in the English borough, and the French-Normans in the French borough on the opposite hill. The two Boroughs were divided by the Market Wall that was acting as an administrative and legal boundary of the boroughs but also a physical division of the Saturday Market. Data collection was finalised to the mapping of all historical architectural and archaeological data into layers, and they had been investigated using locative media on a website platform. The research team included researchers from Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, that recreated a 3D version of the Market Wall into an Augmented Reality App to be used with smartphones. The aim was to allow the citizens to visualise the Wall in its original position and size in the Old Market Square, discovering and experiencing the ‘unknown’ roots of the city through virtual immersive archaeology. Specifically, the aim was to realise a user-friendly digital tool to enable a broader dissemination of the research output embracing young generations. The research demonstrated the possibility to effectively share, display, and promote heritage to improve both community awareness, and the visitor economy of Nottingham. It argues that revealing the intangible heritage of Nottingham could act as a stimulus to enhance and re-vitalise social and cultural engagement.
Exploring predictors of psychological preparedness for flood victims: A conceptual framework for Malaysia
Authors: Ameruddin Nur Farhana Lyana , Berezina Elizaveta , Yap Chin Choo
Published: February 2025

Background Flooding is one of the most frequent and damaging disasters in Malaysia with major social, economic, and psychological consequences. Compared to material and logistical preparedness, the psychological aspects of disaster management are not given much emphasis. Methods This conceptual paper employs a systematic literature review to understand the factors that predict Malaysians psychological preparedness for floods. The literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Academic Search Ultimate, Directory of Open Access Journals, Supplemental Index and Google Scholar with keywords including “disaster preparedness, flood, natural disaster and psychological preparedness”. Articles were included if they focused on preparedness towards disasters as well as examined coping mechanisms, perceptions and preparedness behaviours in the context of flood-related crises and excluded if they lack methodological rigor. The review synthesized findings using a thematic analysis approach, identifying psychological resilience and coping strategies in flood-affected populations, the role of social support networks in preparedness and recovery as well as mental health implications of floods, including anxiety, trauma, and post-disaster recovery. This synthesis informed the development of a conceptual model to address factors that predict Malaysians psychological preparedness for floods. According to contemporary theories of catastrophe risk reduction and psychological resilience, critical variables included are risk perception, outcome expectancy, self-efficacy, anxiety, and social support. Results It was proposed that these factors work together to determine an individual’s psychological preparedness, enhancing their ability to cope with the psychological and emotional strain of a flood disaster. Conclusions By offering these perspectives, the study contributes to the limited academic discussion on psychological preparedness in Malaysia, which aims to improve the psychological resilience of communities vulnerable to flooding. The proposed framework emphasizes the importance of incorporating psychological preparedness into existing disaster management strategies to reduce the overall damage caused by floods.