bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Figure S8 from CYP2D6 Phenotype and Breast Cancer Outcomes: A Bias Analysis and Meta-Analysis
Authors: MacLehose Richard F. , Ahern Thomas P. , Collin Lindsay J. , Li Aixin , Lash Timothy L.
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Figure S8: Forest plot of PM or IM vs NM phenotypes.
Figure S3 from CYP2D6 Phenotype and Breast Cancer Outcomes: A Bias Analysis and Meta-Analysis
Authors: MacLehose Richard F. , Ahern Thomas P. , Collin Lindsay J. , Li Aixin , Lash Timothy L.
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Figure S3: Forest plot of poor vs normal metabolizers, compatible data only.
Data from Mammographic Density in Relation to Breast Cancer Risk Factors among Chinese Women
Authors: Koka Hela , Tian Yuan , Deng Lu , Yu Kai , Li Er-Ni , Guo Changyuan , Guida Jennifer L. , Sung Hyuna , Chan Ariane , Hu Nan , Lu Ning , Gierach Gretchen L. , Li Jing , Yang Xiaohong R.
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackground:
Increased mammographic density (MD) is a known breast cancer risk factor, but its influencing factors are unclear in Asian populations. This study examined the links between known breast cancer risk factors and quantitatively measured MD in 7,351 Chinese women with nonmalignant mammographic findings.
Methods:
VolparaDensity software quantified volumetric MD measures: total breast volume (TBV), absolute dense volume (ADV), percent dense volume (PDV = ADV/TBV), and nondense volume (NDV = TBV − ADV). Multivariable linear regression models assessed associations between these MD metrics and breast cancer risk factors.
Results:
The mean age of the population was 50.1 (SD = 8.3) years. The mean ADV, NDV, and PDV were 58.4 cm3 (SD = 32.1), 382.8 cm3 (SD = 202.0), and 14.8 % (SD = 7.1), respectively. PDV was inversely associated with age, weight, body mass index (BMI), parity, breastfeeding duration, and postmenopausal status but positively linked to height and age at menopause. NDV showed opposite associations. ADV had similar associations to PDV, except for height, weight, and BMI, which differed for women with the lowest NDV. PDV associations with age at menarche, age at first birth, and breastfeeding duration varied by BMI and menopausal status.
Conclusions:
MD may influence the relationships between reproductive factors and breast cancer risk, depending on MD measure, menopausal status, and BMI.
Impact:
This study examines how quantitative MD measures relate to known breast cancer risk factors in an East Asian population, factoring in menopausal status and BMI. The results underscore the complex role of MD and confounding factors in breast cancer risk, highlighting the need for tailored insights for future research and screening.
Data from Effects of a Tailored Mobile Messaging Intervention for Indoor Tanning Cessation in Young Females: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Mays Darren , Alalwan Mahmood A. , Long Lauren , Atkins Michael B. , Tercyak Kenneth P.
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackground:
Indoor tanning increases the risk of skin cancer and can become addictive. There is little research on indoor tanning cessation interventions.
Methods:
From 2019 to 2022, we conducted a clinical trial (n = 265) testing a tailored mobile messaging cessation intervention in 18- to 30-year-old females screened for indoor tanning addiction. Participants were randomized to a control arm receiving standard risk education or a cessation intervention arm receiving tailored mobile messaging for 4 weeks. The main outcomes were indoor tanning cessation, motivation to quit, quit attempts, and indoor tanning cognitions assessed at the end of treatment and 3 months later.
Results:
At the end of treatment, intervention participants were more likely to report quitting indoor tanning [OR = 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.99–4.44; P < 0.05], but there were no significant differences by 3 months (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.82–2.87; P = 0.17). Intervention participants who did not quit reported higher motivation to quit than control participants at the end of treatment (M = 3.40, SD = 1.72, M = 2.54, SD = 1.63; P < 0.01) and 3 months (M = 3.75, SD = 1.93, M = 2.85, SD = 1.85; P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
Tailored mobile messaging successfully affects indoor tanning cessation behaviors and cognitions in young adult females who meet the screening criteria for tanning addiction.
Impact:
This trial provides preliminary support for the efficacy of a mobile messaging cessation intervention for young adult females who meet the screening criteria for tanning addiction. Results indicate that additional intervention features should be tested to increase the durability of effects.
Data from Evaluation of Multiple Breast Cancer Polygenic Risk Score Panels in Women of Latin American Heritage
Authors: Huang Xiaosong , Lott Paul C. , Hu Donglei , Zavala Valentina A. , Jamal Zoeb N. , Vidaurre Tatiana , Casavilca-Zambrano Sandro , Navarro Vásquez Jeannie , Castañeda Carlos A. , Valencia Guillermo , Morante Zaida , Calderón Mónica , Abugattas Julio E. , Fuentes Hugo A. , Liendo-Picoaga Ruddy , Cotrina Jose M. , Neciosup Silvia P. , Rioja Viera Patricia , Salinas Luis A. , Galvez-Nino Marco , Huntsman Scott , Sanchez Sixto E. , Williams Michelle A. , Gelaye Bizu , Estrada-Florez Ana P. , Polanco-Echeverry Guadalupe , Echeverry Magdalena , Velez Alejandro , Carmona-Valencia Jenny A. , Bohorquez-Lozano Mabel E. , Torres Javier , Cruz Miguel , Ho Weang-Kee , Teo Soo Hwang , Tai Mei Chee , John Esther M. , Haiman Christopher A. , Conti David V. , Chen Fei , Torres-Mejía Gabriela , Kushi Lawrence H. , Neuhausen Susan L. , Ziv Elad , Carvajal-Carmona Luis G. , Fejerman Laura
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackground:
A substantial portion of the genetic predisposition for breast cancer is explained by multiple common genetic variants of relatively small effect. A subset of these variants, which have been identified mostly in individuals of European (EUR) and Asian ancestries, have been combined to construct a polygenic risk score (PRS) to predict breast cancer risk, but the prediction accuracy of existing PRSs in Hispanic/Latinx individuals (H/L) remain relatively low. We assessed the performance of several existing PRS panels with and without addition of H/L-specific variants among self-reported H/L women.
Methods:
PRS performance was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression and the area under the ROC curve.
Results:
Both EUR and Asian PRSs performed worse in H/L samples compared with original reports. The best EUR PRS performed better than the best Asian PRS in pooled H/L samples. EUR PRSs had decreased performance with increasing Indigenous American (IA) ancestry, while Asian PRSs had increased performance with increasing IA ancestry. The addition of two H/L SNPs increased performance for all PRSs, most notably in the samples with high IA ancestry, and did not impact the performance of PRSs in individuals with lower IA ancestry.
Conclusions:
A single PRS that incorporates risk variants relevant to the multiple ancestral components of individuals from Latin America, instead of a set of ancestry-specific panels, could be used in clinical practice.
Impact:
The results highlight the importance of population-specific discovery and suggest a straightforward approach to integrate ancestry-specific variants into PRSs for clinical application.
Data from Patterns of Subsequent Cancer Incidence Over Time in Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Deng Zhengyi , Visvanathan Kala
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackground:
Breast cancer survivors face a higher risk of subsequent primary cancers. This study investigated the patterns of subsequent cancer risk according to time since breast cancer diagnosis.
Methods:
Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (2000–2018), we identified a cohort of 771,681 breast cancer survivors. Standard incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated by comparing the observed with the expected number of subsequent cancers over different follow-up periods since breast cancer diagnosis. Analyses were conducted for multiple cancer types, stratified by hormone receptor status, treatment of the first breast cancer, age, and race/ethnicity.
Results:
Survivors experienced a 16% increased risk of subsequent cancer with the SIR continuing to increase with longer follow-up (SIR = 1.04, 1.22, and 1.31 for 12–59, 60–119, and ≥120 months). This trend was driven primarily by a subsequent breast cancer, particularly among women <50 years of age, those with initial hormone receptor–negative cancer, and racial/ethnic minorities. The patterns of subsequent non-breast cancer risk varied by type. An early-onset and sustained increased risk was observed for subsequent leukemia, thyroid cancer, soft-tissue sarcoma, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, and uterine cancer. A delayed increased risk was observed for subsequent esophageal, ovarian, oral cavity/pharyngeal, and lung cancers, whereas for small intestine, stomach, kidney, and colorectal cancers, there was a decrease after an initial increased risk.
Conclusions:
Patterns in subsequent cancer risk since breast cancer diagnosis differ by cancer type and characteristics of the first breast cancer.
Impact:
These findings can inform etiology and tailored approaches to screening and prevention of subsequent cancers.
Data from Polygenic Risk Score, Healthy Lifestyle Score, and Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Shen Yuefan , Chen Weiwei , Fu Chengqu , Liu Xinyi , Miao Junyan , Li Jiacong , Li Ni , Hang Dong
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackground:
Both genetic factors and lifestyle play a critical role in colorectal cancer, but the extent to which an increased genetic risk can be offset by a healthy lifestyle remains unclear.
Methods:
We included 51,171 participants from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer cohort. A polygenic risk score was created based on 205 genetic variants associated with colorectal cancer, and a healthy lifestyle score was constructed based on six lifestyle factors. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association of genetic and lifestyle factors with colorectal cancer incidence.
Results:
Compared with individuals at low genetic risk (the lowest 20%), those with intermediate genetic risk (20%–80%) and high genetic risk (the highest 20%) had a significantly increased risk of colorectal cancer (HR = 1.71 and 2.52, respectively). Compared with participants with a favorable lifestyle (scoring 4–6), those with an unfavorable lifestyle (scoring 0 or 1) had a 47% higher risk of colorectal cancer. Moreover, participants with a high genetic risk and a favorable lifestyle had a 45% lower risk of colorectal cancer than those with a high genetic risk and an unfavorable lifestyle, with their 10-year absolute risks of 1.29% and 2.07%, respectively.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that adherence to a healthy lifestyle holds promise to reduce the genetic impact on colorectal cancer risk.
Impact:
This study indicates that modifiable lifestyle factors play an important role in colorectal cancer prevention, providing new insights for personalized prevention strategies.
Unraveling the Impact of Drug Metabolism on Tamoxifen Response in Breast Cancer
Authors: Schroth Werner , Mürdter Thomas E. , Schwab Matthias
Published: February 2025

The selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen is a mainstay of endocrine breast cancer therapy. However, the clinical response rates of tamoxifen are inferior to those of aromatase inhibitors, which may be partially explained by variable drug exposure due to the pharmacogenetics of the drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6. Clinical trials investigating the association between CYP2D6 impairment and tamoxifen outcomes have yielded conflicting results. The results of a comprehensive meta-analysis of 33 single-center tamoxifen trials reported here address this inconsistency by adjusting for two biases that may affect the validity of previous association studies: allele coverage of CYP2D6 genotyping and loss of heterozygosity of the CYP2D6 locus in tumor-derived DNA. After adjustment for bias, meta-analyses show significantly reduced study heterogeneity and a higher risk of recurrence or death in patients with impaired CYP2D6 metabolism compared with those with normal activity. These data may support the use of pharmacogenetics-guided tamoxifen therapy to improve outcomes in patients with CYP2D6-compromised breast cancer. Prospective studies should be considered.

See related article by MacLehose et al., p. 224
Supplementary Figure 6 from Oncogenic KRAS Mutations Confer a Unique Mechanotransduction Response to Peristalsis in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Clevenger Abigail J. , Collier Claudia A. , Gorley John Paul M. , Colijn Sarah , McFarlin Maygan K. , Solberg Spencer C. , Kopetz Scott , Stratman Amber N. , Raghavan Shreya A.
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Figure 6 breaks down the heat map of Figure 5 to demonstrate cell line specific statistical differences in Wnt ligand gene expression.
Supplementary Figure 3 from Oncogenic KRAS Mutations Confer a Unique Mechanotransduction Response to Peristalsis in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Clevenger Abigail J. , Collier Claudia A. , Gorley John Paul M. , Colijn Sarah , McFarlin Maygan K. , Solberg Spencer C. , Kopetz Scott , Stratman Amber N. , Raghavan Shreya A.
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Figure 3 shows the gating strategy used for LGR5 analysis in Figure 5B.
Supplementary Figure 2 from Oncogenic KRAS Mutations Confer a Unique Mechanotransduction Response to Peristalsis in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Clevenger Abigail J. , Collier Claudia A. , Gorley John Paul M. , Colijn Sarah , McFarlin Maygan K. , Solberg Spencer C. , Kopetz Scott , Stratman Amber N. , Raghavan Shreya A.
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Figure 2 shows the gating strategy used for LGR5 analysis in Figures 3A and B.
Supplementary Table S3 from TIPE Inhibits Ferroptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells by Regulating MGST1/ALOX5
Authors: Yan Changxiu , Yu Shengnan , Zhang Jing , Li Zhen , Lin Zeyang , Zhang Shiying , Li Haoyang , Ye Zhijian , Huang Jiyi , Ye Yuhan , Zhuang Guohong
Published: February 2025

Antibodies used in this study
Supplemental Table 2 from ASAP1 and ARF1 Regulate Myogenic Differentiation in Rhabdomyosarcoma by Modulating TAZ Activity
Authors: Hebron Katie E. , Perkins Olivia L. , Kim Angela , Jian Xiaoying , Girald-Berlingeri Sofia A. , Lei Haiyan , Shern Jack F. , Conner Elizabeth A. , Randazzo Paul A. , Yohe Marielle E.
Published: February 2025

Antibodies
Supplementary Figure 5 from PRMT5 Maintains Tumor Stem Cells to Promote Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Tumorigenesis
Authors: DeSisto John , Balakrishnan Ilango , Knox Aaron J. , Link Gabrielle , Venkataraman Sujatha , Vibhakar Rajeev , Green Adam L.
Published: February 2025

Figure S5. Overall effects of PRMT5 KD on H3K27me3, H3K4me3 and H3K27ac occupancy in BT245 and GBM1 cells.
Supplementary Figure 2 from PRMT5 Maintains Tumor Stem Cells to Promote Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Tumorigenesis
Authors: DeSisto John , Balakrishnan Ilango , Knox Aaron J. , Link Gabrielle , Venkataraman Sujatha , Vibhakar Rajeev , Green Adam L.
Published: February 2025

Figure S2. a. single cell RNA-Seq analysis shows PHGG includes a population of stemlike cells that express stemness (NES, SOX2) and oligodendrocyte lineage (OLIG2) genes; –log p value of expression in stemlike population versus other tumor cell populations from a set of 19 PHGG patient samples; b. left panel - dot plot showing average differential expression and percentage of cells expressing each gene in stemlike population 17; right panel - UMAP projection of cell types, arrowhead points to the stemlike population (17) depicted in left panel; c. survival curve showing effect of LLY283 in DMG cell lines not included in Figure 2e (N=3 for all data points, error bars show SEM, error bars not shown were too close to central estimate to display)
Data from ASAP1 and ARF1 Regulate Myogenic Differentiation in Rhabdomyosarcoma by Modulating TAZ Activity
Authors: Hebron Katie E. , Perkins Olivia L. , Kim Angela , Jian Xiaoying , Girald-Berlingeri Sofia A. , Lei Haiyan , Shern Jack F. , Conner Elizabeth A. , Randazzo Paul A. , Yohe Marielle E.
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Despite aggressive, multimodal therapies, the prognosis of patients with refractory or recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) has not improved in four decades. Because RMS resembles skeletal muscle precursor cells, differentiation-inducing therapy has been proposed for patients with advanced disease. In RAS-mutant PAX fusion–negative RMS (FN-RMS) preclinical models, MEK1/2 inhibition (MEKi) induces differentiation, slows tumor growth, and extends survival. However, the response is short-lived. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating FN-RMS differentiation could improve differentiation therapy. In this study, we identified a role in FN-RMS differentiation for ASAP1, an ADP ribosylation factor (ARF) GTPase–activating protein (GAP) with both proinvasive and tumor-suppressor functions. We found that ASAP1 knockdown inhibited differentiation in FN-RMS cells. Interestingly, knockdown of the GTPases ARF1 or ARF5, targets of ASAP1 GAP activity, also blocked differentiation of FN-RMS. We discovered that loss of ARF pathway components blocked myogenic transcription factor expression. Therefore, we examined the effects on transcriptional regulators. MEKi led to the phosphorylation and inactivation of WW domain–containing transcriptional regulator 1 (WWTR1; TAZ), a homolog of the pro-proliferative transcriptional co-activator YAP1, regulated by the Hippo pathway. However, loss of ASAP1 or ARF1 blocked this inactivation, which inhibits MEKi-induced differentiation. Finally, MEKi-induced differentiation was rescued by dual knockdown of ASAP1 and WWTR1. This study shows that ASAP1 and ARF1 are necessary for myogenic differentiation, providing a deeper understanding of differentiation in FN-RMS and illuminating an opportunity to advance differentiation therapy.

Implications: ASAP1 and ARF1 regulate MEKi-induced differentiation of FN-RMS cells by modulating WWTR1 (TAZ) activity, supporting YAP1/TAZ inhibition as a FN-RMS differentiation therapy strategy.
Data from PRMT5 Maintains Tumor Stem Cells to Promote Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Tumorigenesis
Authors: DeSisto John , Balakrishnan Ilango , Knox Aaron J. , Link Gabrielle , Venkataraman Sujatha , Vibhakar Rajeev , Green Adam L.
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Pediatric high-grade gliomas (PHGG) are aggressive, undifferentiated central nervous system tumors with poor outcomes, for which no standard-of-care drug therapy currently exists. Through a knockdown (KD) screen for epigenetic regulators, we identified PRMT5 as essential for PHGG cell growth. We hypothesized that, similar to its effect in normal cells, PRMT5 promotes self-renewal of stem-like PHGG tumor-initiating cells essential for tumor growth. We conducted in vitro analyses, including limiting dilution studies of self-renewal, to determine the phenotypic effects of PRMT5 KD. We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to identify PRMT5-mediated epigenetic changes and performed gene set enrichment analysis to identify pathways that PRMT5 regulates. Using an orthotopic xenograft model of PHGG, we tracked survival and histologic characteristics resulting from PRMT5 KD or administration of a PRMT5 inhibitor ± radiation therapy. In vitro, PRMT5 KD slowed cell-cycle progression, tumor growth and self-renewal, and altered chromatin occupancy at genes associated with differentiation, tumor formation, and growth. In vivo, PRMT5 KD increased survival and reduced tumor aggressiveness; however, pharmacologic inhibition of PRMT5 with or without radiation therapy did not improve survival. PRMT5 KD epigenetically reduced tumor-initiating cells’ self-renewal, leading to increased survival in preclinical models. Pharmacologic inhibition of PRMT5 enzymatic activity may have failed in vivo due to insufficient reduction of PRMT5 activity by chemical inhibition, or this failure may suggest that nonenzymatic activities of PRMT5 are more relevant.

Implications: PRMT5 maintains and promotes the growth of stem-like cells that initiate and drive tumorigenesis in PHGG.
A Curious Observation of a Solar Eclipse in 1630
Authors: Deias Dalia
Published: February 2025

How and where did people observe a solar eclipse in Paris in 1630? This study will analyze the content of a letter describing in detail a collective observation of the eclipse that occurred on June 10, 1630. We will then take a closer look at how this celestial phenomenon was studied, both from a material and practical (instruments, techniques, general organization) point of view. Having identified the main observer as a Capuchin friar prognosticator, the study of the material culture of this event will allow us to delve into observational knowledge concerning the Capuchin religious order via a case study. This letter demonstrates well how focusing on places, instruments, and practices of observation can lead to a better understanding of the historical actors making observations, as well as their beliefs touching the objects observed.
Sacrificing the Qazaqs: The Stalinist Hierarchy of Consumption and the Great Famine of 1931–33 in Kazakhstan
Authors: Pianciola Niccolò
Published: February 2025

The article focuses on why the famine, which began in some regions of Kazakhstan as early as 1930 due to grain and livestock requisitions carried out in the previous two years, in 1931 turned into the largest mass death event in the history of Central Asia, and a great famine comparable in the USSR only to the Ukrainian Holodomor. On the basis of archival documents from the funds of the state agency in charge of requisitioning and distributing meat and livestock, the study claims that the decisive factor in multiplying starvation deaths to such a level as to kill every third Qazaq was the Stalinist leadership’s choice to make up for Soviet livestock losses caused by the chaos of collectivization by requisitioning, between the summer of 1930 and the summer of 1932, a unsustainable portion of the livestock of the Qazaqs, who at the time were by far the largest Soviet pastoral nomadic population. The article shows that the livestock taken from the Qazaqs was used primarily to feed the population of Moscow and Leningrad, thus linking the two areas and social groups of the USSR at opposite poles of the Stalinist “hierarchy of consumption”. It follows that the specificity of the Qazaqs in the 1930s is not that they were just victims of the policies of communist “modernization” (collectivization and sedentarization of Soviet nomadic populations, none of which were devastated to a comparable degree), but that they were a group consciously sacrificed to the raison d’état of a new (in terms of political logic and degree of ruthlessness) imperial hierarchy.
Diversity and phylogenetic position of the amphi-American lineages of the tapeworms of the genus Anthocephalum Linton, 1890 (Rhinebothriidea: Anthocephaliidae)
Authors: SAKAI LILIAN F. , MARQUES FERNANDO P.L. , TREVISAN BRUNA
Published: February 2025

Among enduringly associated parasitic taxa, tapeworms (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda), particularly the family Anthocephaliidae Ruhnke, Caira & Cox, 2015, pose challenges to systematic history of the group. Within this family, the genus Anthocephalum Linton, 1890, remains insufficiently explored despite recent advancements. This study addresses the intricate taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships, diversity, and historical biogeography of tapeworms within the Anthocephaliidae, focusing on its type-genus Anthocephalum. To accomplish this objective, 15 specimens across various geographical regions including Alagoas and Pará in Brazil, Panama, and Senegal were selected for DNA extraction. For species of Anthocephalum, partial 18S and 28S rDNA sequences were amplified via PCR, purified, and sequenced using the ABI Big-Dye method. Three specimens of Alveobothrium grabatum Boudaya, Neifar & Euzet, 2018 were sequenced through Illumina technology. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using IQTREE2 under two optimality criteria: Maximum Parsimony (MP) and Maximum Likelihood (ML). Biogeographic ancestral range estimations were performed using the R package BioGeoBEARS, incorporating multiple biogeographical models. Our phylogenetic analyses reaffirmed Anthocephaliidae’s monophyly. However, both the relationships with or within Anthocephaliidae require further investigation. One example within the family is the positioning of Alveobothrium Boudaya, Neifar & Euzet, 2018, which challenged Anthocephalum’s monophyly requiring taxonomic actions. Furthermore, when exploring new localities and/or new hosts for Anthocephalum, four independent lineages were identified, suggesting that Anthocephalum’s diversity remains underestimated especially in unexplored regions and hosts. About the biogeographic ancestral range estimation, the analysis suggested a Central Indo-Pacific origin for early Anthocephalum lineages, with subsequent colonization events shaping the current diversity. The preliminary biogeographical framework presented here underscores the importance of refining phylogenetic hypotheses and enhancing taxonomic understanding. As taxonomic actions taken, the four new lineages were formally described and the genus Alveobothrium was synonymized with Anthocephalum, for which we proposed an amended diagnosis. This revision brings the total number of valid species of Anthocephalum to 30. Therefore, we suggest that future research initiatives should prioritize time-calibrated analyses, multiple genetic loci, and broader taxonomic representation for a detailed exploration of systematic history of anthocephaliid’s.
Taxonomic study on marine ciliates from Japan, with description of a new species, Caryotricha orientalis nov. spec. (Alveolata: Ciliophora)
Authors: HU YUE , SUZUKI TOSHIKAZU , HU XIAO-ZHONG
Published: February 2025

Marine ciliates from Japan were insufficiently studied. In this work, three species of class Spirotrichea Bütschli, 1889, collected from coastal water of Nagasaki, were morphologically investigated using protargol staining method. The results revealed that one represents an unknown species, Caryotricha orientalis nov. spec., and the others can be identified as Paradiophrys irmgard (Mansfeld, 1923) Jankowski, 1978 and Actinotricha saltans Cohn, 1866, the latter two species being new records for Japan. The new species is characterized by its medium-sized body, 19 adoral membranelles, about eight cirral rows extending posteriorly to mid-body, six transverse cirri arranged in two rows, and a migratory row of four cirri as well as eight dorsal kineties. Meanwhile, supplementary data on morphology and micrographs and ecological factors were provided for two known species, which thus help to circumscribe both species and increase our knowledge about distribution.
A new species of Coronatella Dybowski & Grochowski, 1894 (Cladocera: Chydoridae) from Colombia
Authors: SOUSA FRANCISCO DIOGO R. , FUENTES-REINÉS JUAN M. , VÁSQUEZ-RAMOS JESÚS M. , ESLAVA-ELJAIEKA PEDRO , ELMOOR-LOUREIRO LOURDES M. A.
Published: February 2025

Samples collected in the La Española fluvial lake in the Manacacías river basin, Colombia, yielded male and female specimens of an undescribed cladoceran of the diverse Chydoridae Dybowsky & Grochowski, 1894 emend. Frey, 1967 genus Coronatella Dybowsky & Grochowski, 1894. The new species is a member of the trachystriata-group within the Coronatella (Coronatella) lineage. We describe the new species based on adult male and female individuals. Parthenogenetic females of Coronatella jimenezae sp. nov. might be differentiated from the species of the trachystriata-group by morphology of labral keel, armature of spines on setae 2–3 of the IDL, armature of sixth scraper setae of second limb and proportion of setae on exopodite of the third limb; the male of the new species bears a flagellum on the tip of postabdominal claw. Our analysis of literature data suggests that Coronatella holdeni is a member of the trachystriata-group, based on similarities in the habitus, rostrum, postabdomen shape, and the absence of a seta on the exopodite of the second limb. The diversity related to Coronatella in the Neotropical zone should be considered underestimated.
Design and implementation of funnel control–based synergetic control for water level tank system
Authors: Ait-Chekdhidh Zaina , Ardjal Aghiles , Bettayeb Maamar
Published: February 2025

This work presents a unique control technique for dynamic system regulation called FC-SNC (Funnel Control combined with Synergetic Control). To improve tracking performance, robustness against disturbances, and transient response characteristics, FC-SNC integrates the concepts of funnel control and synergetic control. The key innovation is the introduction of a new macro-variable for SNC, designed based on Funnel Control principles. By contrasting it with conventional control techniques like FC, SNC, and PI controllers, the suggested strategy is validated by simulation and experimental tests on a coupled tank system. The results highlight FC-SNC’s guarantee for real-world applications where accurate and reliable control is crucial by showcasing its superior responsiveness and control performance under a range of operating situations. With its potential to provide engineering systems needing high-performance regulation with viable solutions, FC-SNC’s effectiveness represents a noteworthy contribution to dynamic system control.
The Play of Young Children with Visual Impairments: Characteristics and Interventions
Authors: Rettig M.
Published: February 2025

This review of the literature examines the characteristics of the play of young children with visual impairments and suggests areas for interventions. Of particular interest are the findings that the deficits in symbolic play that these children exhibit are related to language deficits and that intervention should focus on enhancing the children’s sense of self.
The Eye Disorders of Residents of a Nursing Home
Authors: Marx M.S. , Werner P. , Feldman R. , Cohen-Mansfield J.
Published: February 2025

This article reports on the prevalence of eye disorders among 282 residents of a nursing home, who were examined by an ophthalmologist in an in-house eye clinic. Almost all the residents had at least one eye disorder, and over half had two or more eye disorders, primarily cataract and atrophic age-related macular degeneration. The prevalence of eye disorders underscores the need for eye care in nursing homes.
Effects of Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire thresholds and gender on spatiotemporal parameters during walking in patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: Delpierre Yannick , Michaud Sophie , Brayer Arnaud
Published: February 2025

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the threshold value of Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Subscales on quantified movement as a function of gender.

Design study

Retrospective cohort study.

Settings

Single center study.

Participants

One hundred forty patients (aged 38.4) with chronic low back pain and referred to functional restauration program.

Intervention

Patients participated in a five-week multidisciplinary Functional Restoration Program between 1 April 2013 and 1 April 2019, evaluated with clinical scales, psychosocial care and objective gait analysis. This study was a noninterventional retrospective study.

Main measures

Objective gait analysis with the Vicon Motion Systems (Ltd, Oxford, UK), Fear-Avoidance Belief Scale, Visual Analog Scale, the DALLAS Pain Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results

Data from 131 patients were studied. Patients with significant Fear-Avoidance Beliefs scores walked with significantly higher cadence. Patients with higher work subscale values presented significantly lower cadence, without effects on step length and self-selected speed. Women with significant fear-avoidance belief score walked with higher step length (0.58 m (0.05)) than men with significant fear-avoidance belief score (0.61 m (0.05). Correlations between Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and spatiotemporal parameters were gender-dependent but nonsignificant or low.

Conclusions

The threshold values depicted in the literature on psychometric analysis reveal low but quantitative effect of fear-avoidance on spatiotemporal parameters. These threshold values can be used by clinicians to evaluate the significance of the clinical scale. Considering gait, cadence should help the clinician to assess the fear-avoidance, particularly for patients are not able to complete all clinical scale items.
Evaluation of concomitant treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
Authors: Valipour Reza , Narouie Behzad , Rastgou Arash , Dadpour Mehdi , Radpour Negar , Momeni Hamidreza , Momeni Amirreza , Ahmadzade Mohadese , Rouientan Hamidreza , Jadidi Sajedeh , Saygin Sara
Published: February 2025

Introduction:

Chronic prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common and challenging condition with no consensus on the best treatment. Also, based on a search in reputable scientific databases, it was found that so far, no study has been conducted to evaluate the response to treatment with concomitant use of tamsulosin, levofloxacin, and celecoxib in chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men.

Methods:

Ninety six male patients under 40 years of age with chronic pelvic pain syndrome who met the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Patients (there was only one group of patients in this study) were treated simultaneously with 3 drugs tamsulosin (0.4 mg), levofloxacin (500 mg), and celecoxib (200 mg) for 1 month and after 1 month of treatment response to treatment (pain relief) according to age factors. Weight, underlying disease, smoking, BMI, prostatitis family history, and education were recorded by the researcher in preprepared data collection forms. The results and information obtained were entered into statistical software and analyzed.

Results:

About 42.7% of patients experienced pain relief after treatment. Age, smoking, and family history of prostatitis showed significant relationships with pain reduction. Weight gain decreased the chances of pain reduction (OR = 0.303), while increased BMI (OR = 0.476) and smoking (OR = 0.801) also negatively influenced pain relief.

Conclusions:

The results of this study showed that the concomitant use of tamsulosin, levofloxacin and celecoxib in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome had acceptable results in reducing the symptoms of patients.
Scheduling, Income, and School Closures: Unlocking the Key Drivers of Home Care Personal Support Unplanned Absences Through Time-to-Event Regression Analysis
Authors: Zagrodney Katherine A. P. , Jaffe Rachael , McKay Sandra M. , Mangal Kashmeena , Van Belle Travis A. , Nichol Kathryn A. , King Emily C.
Published: February 2025

Healthcare workers’ unplanned workplace absences are a global challenge with consequences for care recipients, employers, and healthcare systems. With rising home care demand, understanding drivers of home care personal support worker (PSW) absences can inform management of labor supply through government and employer policies. In this paper, we examined predictors of PSWs’ unplanned absences within a large, administrative, longitudinal dataset (2019–2021) from a home care organization in Ontario, stratified by time (pre-, early-, and mid-pandemic). After an initial spike, unplanned absence rates were generally lower during the pandemic. Cox-proportional hazard regression models for unplanned absences highlighted how increasing income and reducing travel distance between visits can be expected to decrease the hazard of unplanned absences. School closures significantly correlated with unplanned absences, highlighting disruptions within the broader care economy. As demand for home care accelerates, reducing unplanned absences will improve care consistency for those relying on PSWs to remain safe at home.
Stakeholder Engagement to Inform and Refine an Existing Dementia Care Model in Home-Based Primary Care: The Co-Creation of Dementia Care Quality at Home
Authors: Thacker Ayush , Sy Maimouna , Leff Bruce , Ritchie Christine S. , Sheehan Orla C.
Published: February 2025

Millions of Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). While people with ADRD can live well, many become homebound and are not able to access office-based primary care. Existing dementia care interventions improve patient and caregiver outcomes but are not tailored to homebound people living with dementia, their caregivers, or home-based primary care (HBPC) practices and clinicians who care for them. This study aimed to adapt existing dementia care models to the HBPC setting through qualitative focus groups with caregivers of homebound people living with dementia ( n = 24) and HBPC clinicians ( n = 22). Using the FRAME framework for intervention adaptation, and the Framework qualitative analysis method, our findings include that caregivers identified behavior management, decision-making, and safety as key areas where they needed more help from their HBPC practice. We co-created the Dementia Care Quality at Home (DCQH) intervention with HBPC clinicians to address this gap by adapting an existing dementia care model to the home and HBPC. Evaluation will determine if intervention refinement based on this feedback enhances the feasibility and acceptability of the DCQH.
Spontaneous hope, anger and climate activism
Authors: Whyman Tom
Published: February 2025

Hope is a disputed concept in the context of the climate movement. Basic analysis suggests that hope is important for political action – however, groups including XR have explicitly disavowed hope, and the facts of the crisis might more readily incline us to despair. Some authors, for instance Diana Stuart, have attempted to resolve this contradiction by arguing that ‘anti-hope’ climate activists are only rejecting forms of ‘false hope’, and that we should instead see their action as being motivated by other forms of hope: one oft-mentioned candidate is the ‘radical hope’ discussed by Jonathan Lear. In this paper, I aim to do two things. Firstly, I show that we should not understand climate hope as ‘radical hope’, but rather as what I call ‘spontaneous hope’ – drawing on Jonathan Gingerich's work on ‘spontaneous freedom’. Secondly, I show that there is a relationship between spontaneous hope and the feeling of (righteous) anger. This in turn can help explain empirical work which establishes a link between climate activism and anger.
Primary Pancreatic Neuroblastoma in a Neonate Presenting with Shock and Encephalopathy and Associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
Authors: Guindon Michael , Phillips Bradley , Croley Mark , Gallagher Margaret , Padial Javier , Haischer-Rollo Gayle
Published: February 2025

Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in children presenting in infancy. While occasionally presenting prenatally or in the neonatal period, these patients are most often asymptomatic. The adrenal gland is the most common site of origin for all neuroblastomas, and over 90% of congenital neuroblastomas arise from there. The pancreas is an exceedingly uncommon site of origin for neuroblastoma. Here we present a case of congenital neuroblastoma arising from the pancreas and presenting with shock and neonatal encephalopathy associated with clinically diagnosed Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.
Based on thiophene-containing Zn(II) and Co(II) complexes: Synthesis, characterization, and application to dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Sezgin Cansu , Erden İbrahim
Published: February 2025

Dye-sensitized solar Cells have attracted great attention recently due to their excellent advantages. This study introduces the cobalt and zinc metal complexes as a new class of sensitizers for evaluation. We report the synthesis and characterization of zinc and cobalt complexes of organic dyes and applications of Dye-Sensitive TiO2 Solar Cells. In this study, the reason we prefer cobalt and zinc complexes is that they provide a wide absorption spectrum and high molar absorption. The fact that these complexes have good energy level adaptations helps in efficient electron transfer. In the designed complexes, 4,5-diazafluoren metal complexes bonded with thiophene and carbonyl as electron donors and as electron-with drawing groups were synthesized. Structural characterization was achieved with FTIR, UV-Vis, and Maldi-MS. The metal complex binder dye has demonstrated promising DSSC properties such as short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, and fill factor, indicating efficient charge generation and injection. The bathochromic shift seen in the UV-Vis spectra of the dyes was promising for good efficiency. Notably, the highest efficiency was obtained from ZnS2 with 0.61%, while the lowest was from CoS1 with 0.17%. The power conversion efficiencies (η) produced by CoS1, CoS2, ZnS1, and ZnS2 dyes exhibit device performance ZnS2 > ZnS1 > CoS2 > CoS1 respectively. With these results, the development of DSSCs is promising.
A Tribute to the Life and Work of Jess Chua
Authors: Chrisman James J. , Wu Zhenyu , De Massis Alfredo , Sharma Pramodita , Steier Lloyd P. , Kellermanns Franz W. , Kotlar Josip , Rondi Emanuela , Ge Bingbing , Fang Hanqing “Chevy”
Published: February 2025

Jess Chua was a leading scholar in the field of family business and a major contributor to Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice both as an author and editor. His significant contributions to the field were acknowledged by the Web of Science, which listed him among the world’s most highly cited researchers in Economics and Business in 2017, 2019, and 2020. In this memorial editorial, we pay tribute to him by discussing his influence on the field through his academic work, mentoring, long-term collaborations with other scholars, and the kindness he and his wife, Eva Kan, showed to his colleagues and students.
EXPRESS: Beyond Strong Bonds: a Typology and Motivational Insights into Online Brand Defenders
Authors: Ammann Clemens , Giuffredi-Kähr Andrea , Nyffenegger Bettina , Krohmer Harley , Hoyer Wayne D.
Published: February 2025

In recent years, more and more consumers have defended brands online against criticism. Despite the high relevance of consumer brand defense (CBD) when recovering from adverse critique such as NWOM online, our understanding of the motives that drive CBD beyond emotionally intense consumer-brand connections remains limited. Building on a social media analysis of the phenomenon, qualitative in-depth interviews with consumers who defend brands, and a survey among brand defenders, we provide a better understanding of the motivational and relational drivers as well as the context factors of CBD. Specifically, our results show that brand defenders are driven by the motives of reciprocal altruism, equity restoration, and egoism as well as relational factors including brand satisfaction and attachment. Using a large-scale study with 570 actual brand defenders along with subsequent cluster analysis, we distinguish three distinct brand defender types: Brand promoters, justice promoters, and self-promoters. These defender types not only differ in their behavior but also in terms of contextual factors related to consumer characteristics, brand-related criticism, and company-related dynamics that influence their active engagement in CBD. Applying the distinct characteristics of the three defender types, we discuss how managers can more effectively motivate consumers to defend their brand online.
Dual lamellar keratoplasty combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular Lens implantation in a case of severe chemical burn
Authors: Fernández-Vega-Cueto Luis , Lisa Carlos , Alvarado-Villacorta Rosa , Alfonso José F.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To present successful visual rehabilitation of a patient who suffered from a severe chemical burn by performing a new alternative surgical approach termed dual lamellar keratoplasty combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation.

Methods

A 45-year-old man with a history of caustic soda eye injury in his left eye leading to a limbal stem cell deficiency, persistent epithelial defect, corneal scarring, and progressive vision loss was admitted. No posterior segment alterations were noted. Once the ocular surface was stabilized, simple limbal epithelial transplantation was performed; however, deep corneal scarring, Descemet folds, and lens opacity were detected. Therefore, 6 months later, simultaneously Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and Descemet stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), combined with cataract surgery was performed for visual rehabilitation.

Results

After 15 months of follow-up, anterior segment reconstruction was achieved, and visual acuity improved from hand motion to 0.5 LogMAR unit. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted.

Conclusion

This new modified procedure seems to be efficacy and safe for visual rehabilitation avoiding open-sky surgery-related risks by combining DALK, DSAEK and cataract surgery in a case of severe ocular burn.
Multi-objective optimization of grinding process parameters for complicated worm space surface based on the grey wolf optimization algorithm
Authors: Ren Jiongkang , Wang Shisong , Ren Keqi
Published: February 2025

Grinding is a critical method for enhancing the quality of worm tooth surfaces, and its process optimization has long been a significant research focus; however, existing methods are insufficient in addressing the nonlinearity and complexity inherent in the grinding of complex surfaces. In this study, a three-objective optimization function tailored for grinding complex spiral surfaces is developed and experimentally validated. We have successfully applied the innovative integration of the Multi-objective Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm (MOGWO) and the optimization function to optimize the grinding process of the Roller Enveloping Worm Reducer (REWR). To account for actual working conditions, we developed constrained models for grinding ratio and machining rigidity and improved the boundary processing method for MOGWO optimization. The enhanced MOGWO demonstrates superior search capabilities during the optimization process, with its optimal solution outperforming traditional optimization algorithms. The optimized grinding process parameters reduce the grinding time by 17.41%, improve the grinding surface quality by 4.46%, and reduce the grinding cost by 1.12% compared with the conventional machining scheme. This provides practical guidance for optimizing the REWR and other complex surface grinding processes.
Patterns of management for post-traumatic elbow stiffness: A comparative study of open and arthroscopic approaches
Authors: Patel Apurvakumar , Ibrahim Kerollos G , Oshikoya Olamide , Conlon Matthew , Epstein Jason , Kachooei Amir R ,   Rothman Florida Elbow Expert (ROFLEEX) Group
Published: February 2025

Background

Post-traumatic elbow stiffness (PTES) often results in significant functional impairment. Open elbow arthrolysis (OEA) and arthroscopic elbow arthrolysis (AEA) are two surgical management options. This study aimed to compare the incidence, demographics, and treatment patterns of patients with PTES undergoing OEA and AEA from 2014 to 2023.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted using the TriNetX database. Patients diagnosed with elbow stiffness (ICD-10 codes M25.621, M25.622, M25.629) were included. Rates of OEA (CPT 24149, 24006) and AEA (CPT 29837, 29838) were identified. Demographic characteristics and simultaneous surgical procedures were assessed.

Results

A total of 30,624 patients were diagnosed with PTES, with 848 undergoing OEA (2.8%) and 361 undergoing AEA (1.2%). The mean age for OEA patients was 44.3 ± 17.6 years, while AEA patients had a mean age of 37.9 ± 18.9 years. OEA was more common in males (61.2%) and non-Hispanic/Latino patients (68.3%). AEA showed higher rates in younger patients and non-Hispanic/Latino individuals (72.7%).

Discussion

The study highlights a preference for OEA in older patients with complex conditions, while AEA is more common in younger patients. Despite the growing trend toward minimally invasive techniques, OEA remains prevalent. Further research is needed to understand the drivers of these trends.