bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generation of Retinal Ganglion Cells from Reprogrammed Keratocytes of Non‐Glaucoma and Glaucoma Donors
Authors: Hameed Shahna S. , Sharma Tasneem P.
Published: January 2025

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)‐based disease modeling can be successfully recapitulated to mimic disease characteristics across various human pathologies. Glaucoma, a progressive optic neuropathy, primarily affects the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). While multiple groups have successfully generated RGCs from non‐diseased hiPSCs, producing RGCs from glaucomatous human samples holds significant promise for understanding disease pathology by revealing patient‐specific disease signatures. Given that keratocytes originate from the neural crest and previous reports suggest that ocular fibroblasts from glaucomatous donors carry pathogenic signatures, it is highly plausible that these signatures imprinted within the keratocytes will also be present in the derived RGCs. Thus, we aimed to generate RGCs from both glaucomatous and non‐glaucomatous donor keratocytes and validate disease‐specific signatures in 3D retinal organoids and in isolated RGCs. Our protocol describes the generation of iPSCs from keratocytes of both glaucomatous and non‐glaucomatous donors, followed by their differentiation into retinal organoids. Subsequent isolation and culturing of RGCs were performed. Disease signatures in the RGCs were validated in both 3D retinal organoids (ROs) and 2D RGC cultures, and glaucomatous RGCs in 3D and 2D cultures demonstrated increased cleaved CASP3 and significant RGC loss, indicating disease imprints in the hiPSC‐derived RGCs. This model offers a venue and high throughput platform for studying glaucomatous disease pathology and holds significant potential for drug discovery using RGCs derived from human donors. © 2025 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Culturing of keratocytes from human cadaveric donors

Basic Protocol 2: Reprogramming donor keratocytes into iPSCs

Basic Protocol 3: Evaluation of chromosomal loss during reprogramming in iPSCs by karyotyping

Basic Protocol 4: Generation of 3D ROs

Basic Protocol 5: Dissociation and culturing of RGCs from 3D ROs

Support Protocol 1: Immunostaining for phenotypic characterization of cells

Support Protocol 2: Sectioning of 3D ROs and immunostaining

Support Protocol 3: Western blotting for cleaved CASP3 and THY1
Landscape composition and orchard management effects on bat assemblages and bat foraging activity in apple crops
Authors: Miñarro Marcos , García Daniel
Published: January 2025

Bats are acknowledged as suppliers of essential ecosystem services such as insect pest control in agroecosystems. Little is known, however, on how bat assemblages respond to the gradients imposed by anthropogenic landscapes and farming practices and how these environmental effects translate into changes in bat foraging. In this study, we use cider apple crop in northern Spain as a model to address the filtering effects of landscape composition and orchard management on, simultaneously, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of bat local assemblages and their foraging activity. For that, we carried out acoustic monitoring of bats and sampled pest moth abundance across a wider range of apple orchards covering different landscape contexts and local management conditions. We found that bat assemblages markedly varied across orchards, according mostly to landscape composition gradients but with contrasting landscape effects on different assemblage characteristics. Namely, higher levels of rural urbanization and lower cover of seminatural woody habitats around orchards promoted bat total activity and the number of bat species/species complexes. However, this also altered bat assemblage composition, increasing dominance by the most abundant species, and decreased bat functional diversity. Additionally, a greater cover of apple tree canopy within the orchards decreased bat total activity. Landscape gradients led into predictable variations of bat foraging activity, suggesting a potential persistence of pest control services even in landscapes with limited seminatural habitat cover. The present study highlights the differential responses of bat assemblages to apple crop landscape and orchard‐scale conditions, hindering the establishment of straightforward management guidelines. Further analysis on the relationship between bat assemblage characteristics and pest control is necessary to understand how ecosystem services can be promoted through management in the apple agroecosystem.
Comprehensive exploration of unexplained dyspnoea in subjects with normal ejection fraction and low natriuretic peptides
Authors: Berthelot Emmanuelle , Laouar Tarek , Beurnier Antoine , Hrynchynshyn Nataliya , Eicher Jean Christophe , Tartière Jean‐Michel , Jourdain Patrick , Lairez Olivier , Gellen Barnabas
Published: January 2025

Background

Unexplained exertional dyspnoea without significant elevation of natriuretic peptides is common. One of the causes might be early heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Aims

This study aimed to characterize patients with exertional dyspnoea and normal/near‐to‐normal N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels with regard to early stages of HFpEF and non‐cardiac causes.

Method and Results

Sixty‐six patients (age 62 ± 7 years old, 85% women) with dyspnoea assessed using the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile (MDP) questionnaire and NT‐proBNP level of <125 pg/mL for patients <75 years old or <300 pg/mL for patients >75 years old were recruited. Patients with known significant heart disease, lung disease (abnormal respiratory function tests) or renal insufficiency stage ≥ 4 were excluded. In 11 patients (16.7%), HFpEF was confirmed according to the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Association (ESC HFA) criteria, 31 patients (47%) presented isolated deconditioning and 5 patients (7.6%) had idiopathic hyperventilation. In the remaining 19 patients (28.8%) with normal echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), no objective cause of dyspnoea could be found. Compared with patients without HFpEF, those with HFpEF were older, more often hypertensive and diabetic, with higher NT‐proBNP levels. They had higher E/e′ ratios during exercise echocardiography and lower volume of oxygen uptake (VO2) peaks and steeper minute ventilation (VE)/volume of carbon dioxide produced (VCO2) slopes during CPX. Psychological impact measured on the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) questionnaire was less important in HFpEF patients than in other patients.

Conclusions

The most common causes of unexplained exertional dyspnoea in patients without significant elevation of natriuretic peptides are peripheral deconditioning, HFpEF and hyperventilation. Studying patients during exercise allows for getting more data about pathophysiology and improving patient phenotyping and management. Early unmasking of HFpEF using exercise echocardiography and/or CPX and initiation of treatment could prevent hospitalizations for acute heart failure. Although using exercise testing, many patients could not be classified according to their diagnosis, and this reinforces the need to better define exercise diagnostic criteria.
Cardiovascular toxicity induced by TKIs in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia: Are women and men different?
Authors: Madaudo Cristina , Di Lisi Daniela , Cannatà Antonio , Manfrè Federica , Vullo Celeste , Santoro Marco , Botta Ciro , Mancuso Salvatrice , Siragusa Sergio , Galassi Alfredo Ruggero , Novo Giuseppina
Published: January 2025

Aims

Knowledge of the effects of sex in cardio‐oncology is limited, particularly in patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). This study aims to evaluate the influence of gender differences on the incidence of cardiovascular toxicity in patients with CML.

Methods

The study population consisted of 148 patients (45% women, mean age: 58 ± 14.2 years) diagnosed with CML treated with TKIs. The HFA‐ICOS score estimated cardiovascular risk. The HFA‐ICOS score revealed that 12% of men and 6% of women were categorized as very high risk while 45% of men and 50% of women fell into the high‐risk group. Myocardial ischaemia, peripheral artery disease, venous thromboembolism, pulmonary hypertension and new‐onset arterial hypertension during treatment with TKIs were recorded.

Results

The incidence of global events between men and women was comparable (35% vs 32%, P = 0.68). There were 33% who experienced a cardiovascular event during TKI therapy, with a significant sex difference in arterial thrombosis incidence (P = 0.02) and venous thrombosis incidence (P = 0.02). Patients treated with ponatinib had a 41% event rate, followed by nilotinib (32%) and imatinib (32%). The HFA‐ICOS score demonstrated greater predictive efficacy for events in the female group [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.797] compared with the male group (AUC = 0.537). Very high [hazard ratio (HR) 3.07; confidence interval (CI) 1.11, 8.47 P = 0.03] and high (HR 3.29; CI 1.17, 9.26 P = 0.02) HFA‐ICOS scores were associated with increased event risk, particularly in women. Diabetes was women's strongest predictor of events (HR 5.40; CI 1.37, 21.3 P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Our study showed a similar frequency of cardiovascular events between men and women. Accurate cardiovascular risk stratification with HFA‐ICOS score in cancer patients is crucial. Diabetes and the HFA‐ICOS score were significant predictors of events in the female groups. A sex approach in clinical practice could be pursued to improve the appropriateness of care.
Time‐varying analyses of survival and outcomes in patients with HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices
Authors: Weiss Aaron J. , Maigrot Jean‐Luc A. , Tong Michael Z.Y. , Thuita Lucy , Smedira Nicholas G. , Unai Shinya , Bhat Pavan , Mountis Maria , Blackstone Eugene H. , Starling Randall C. , Soltesz Edward G.
Published: January 2025

Aims

As patients experience longer survival on HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices, there is a need to characterize long‐term risks of adverse outcomes more precisely. This study characterized temporal variations in risks of mortality and adverse outcomes in patients with a HeartMate 3.

Methods and results

From October 2015 to January 2023, 431 HeartMate 3 devices were implanted at Cleveland Clinic. Survival was estimated to 5 years post‐implant. Time‐varying risks of death, neurological events, gastrointestinal bleeding, device‐related infections, and other adverse events were characterized using multiphase hazard modelling. Survival on HeartMate 3 at 1 and 5 years was 88% and 58%, respectively. Risk of death peaked in the first postoperative month before declining rapidly to a constant, lower hazard. Cumulative number of neurological events/patient at 1 year and 5 years was 0.13 and 0.29, respectively; risk was highest within the first postoperative week, then rapidly declined by 1 month. Cumulative number of gastrointestinal bleeding events/patient at 1 year and 5 years was 0.32 and 0.78, respectively; risk was highest within 1 week postoperatively and gradually declined to a constant risk over the first year. Device‐related infections developed in 136 patients. One‐ and 5‐year freedom from device‐related infection was 77% and 45%, respectively; risk was initially low before peaking at 6 months postoperatively and then gradually declining to a steady hazard.

Conclusion

Long‐term survival on HeartMate 3 support was favourable in a large single‐centre cohort. Strategies to reduce early postoperative risk of neurological events and late risks of gastrointestinal bleeding, infections and other adverse events are needed.
An In‐Depth Study of the Fe−Se System at the Nanoscale Reveals Remarkable Results on the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Singh Dinesh , Ghalawat Monika , Poddar Pankaj
Published: January 2025

A catalyst for an electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key component of the large‐scale storage of renewable energy through the conversion of water into oxygen and hydrogen. Iron‐based selenide materials are currently being considered as potential options for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) because of their, widespread availability, low cost, and outstanding performance. In this study, we employed a thermal decomposition method to synthesize all stable phases of the Fe−Se system, including Fe7Se8, Fe3Se4, FeSe2, and FeSe. Additionally, we slurry‐coated these phases onto a three‐dimensional (3D) nickel foam substrate. The prepared 3D electrodes of Fe7Se8, Fe3Se4, FeSe2, and FeSe exhibit remarkably low overpotentials of 270, 276, 299, and 289 mV at a current density of 50 mA/cm2 for OER. In addition, the catalytic activity for OER is also tested on glassy carbon electrodes to compare its performance with the Ni‐foam 3D substrate. The Fe7Se8 phase in the Fe−Se system exhibits the highest catalytic activity towards OER on both substrates due to variations in the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio and the presence of Fe vacancies (cation vacancies) within the crystal lattice. Moreover, a faradaic efficiency of 98 % was exhibited by Fe7Se8 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
NaI‐Promoted Synthesis of Dihydroquinolines via an Unusual Azetine Intermediate
Authors: Li Futong , Qiu Zhongxuan , Yang Daoshan , Huang Longjiang , Xin Feifei
Published: January 2025

New approaches to improve Skraup‐type reactions for large‐scale synthesis of 1,2‐dihydroquinolines (1,2‐DHQs) are highly desirable yet challenging in synthetic chemistry. Herein, an efficient sodium iodide‐promoted Skraup‐type reaction of anilines with ketones has been developed at low loading of HBF4 (0.5 mol%), thus providing a sustainable and economical strategy for the synthesis of 1,2‐DHQs. A variety of 1,2‐DHQs were obtained in moderate to good isolated yields. The practicality of this strategy was well demonstrated by a hundred‐gram‐scale synthesis of 6‐fluoro‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐1,2‐dihydroquinoline in 68% isolated yield. Intriguingly, an unusual azetine intermediate was successfully isolated and structurally determined by NMR and MS, indicating of an unprecedented mechanism for Skraup‐type quinoline synthesis.
Heterogeneous Impacts of Aging and Feminization of Agriculture on Production Factor Inputs: Evidence From Rice Farmers in China
Authors: Chen Li , Weng ZhenLin
Published: January 2025

In contrast to other countries, China's agricultural production faces the challenges of aging and feminization, which have a tremendous impact on food security. The purpose of this research was to reveal the correlations between aging and feminization and agricultural production factor input and its heterogeneity. This was evaluated using the ordinary least squares (OLS) model. The research found that the aging of farming did not correlate with the input of land factor and employment input. However, the feminization of farming significantly correlated with the input of land factor and employment input. In particular, an increase in the feminization of farming by one standard deviation reduced the land factor input by 18.9% and employment input by 31.3%. Second, agricultural aging and feminization had a positive and significant effect on agricultural machinery input but a negative and significant effect on material input. The instrumental variable method test results were consistent with those of the main regression. Third, heterogeneity analysis showed that the correlations between aging and feminization and the input of land, employment, agricultural machinery, and materials were significantly different with different educational levels of house heads and the proportion of agricultural income. Therefore, this study provides a reference for adjusting the rural labor structure and accumulating advanced rural production factors.
Risk of Exposure to Steviol Glycosides Through Consumption of Foods and Beverages: A Survey of the Thai Population
Authors: Tanaviyutpakdee Pharrunrat , Phitwongtaewan Pimpuk , Phungsiangdee Yollada , Karnpanit Weeraya , Phattanakulanun Pranee , Yomvachirasin Thipaporn , Srianujata Songsak
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to assess dietary exposure to steviol glycosides and identify the key contributors to the exposure in the Thai population. In total, 2114 participants were included in this study, and a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and a photobook of foods and beverages were used to collect their food consumption data. In addition, the body weight data of the participants were recorded, and a survey was conducted to obtain information regarding their consumption of foods and beverages that contain steviol glycosides, including data on the amount consumed and the frequency of intake. The amount of steviol glycosides in the foods and beverages was determined using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. We used data on the mean and 97.5th percentile (PCTL) consumption of food or beverages for both the per capita and consumer‐only scenarios to estimate the dietary intake of steviol glycosides from consumption of food and beverages. The risk of steviol glycoside exposure was evaluated using the hazard quotient, which involved a comparison of the estimated dietary intake with the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of steviol equivalents (4 mg/kg BW/day). Children aged 3–9 years had the highest mean and 97.5th PCTL intake per capita, which accounted for 2.35% and 22.95% of the ADI, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that the estimated intake of steviol glycosides by the Thai population across all scenarios and age groups is below the ADI, indicating that foods and beverages that contain steviol glycosides do not pose a risk to the Thai population. Nevertheless, the top three contributors to the intake of steviol glycosides, which are products in categories 14 (beverages), 11 (sweeteners), and 1 (dairy products and analogues), should be consumed cautiously.
Temperature Regulates Astroglia Morphogenesis Through Thermosensory Circuitry in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zheng Junyu , Wang Mengqing , Wang Shaocheng , Shao Zhiyong
Published: January 2025

Astrocytes are the most abundant type of macroglia in the brain and play crucial roles in regulating neural development and functions. The diverse functions of astrocytes are largely determined by their morphology, which is regulated by genetic and environmental factors. However, whether and how the astrocyte morphology is affected by temperature remains largely unknown. Here we discovered that elevated cultivation temperature (26°C) stimulates Caenorhabditis elegans ventral CEPsh glia endfoot extension during early developmental stages. This extension depends on the activation of glutamate AWC neurons, which inhibit the postsynaptic cholinergic AIY interneurons through glutamate‐gated chloride channels, GLC‐3 and GLC‐4. In responding to the thermosensory signal, the guanyl‐nucleotide exchange factor EPHX‐1 and Rho GTPase CDC‐42/Cdc42 in the glia facilitate the endfoot extension via F‐actin assembly. This study elucidates the significant role of thermosensory circuitry in glia morphogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanism.
Astrocyte Loss Augments Body Weight Through Reduction in Adipose Sympathetic Outflows
Authors: Chen Dan , Yang Yale Y. , Yang Yunlei
Published: January 2025

Emerging evidence indicates that astrocytes modulate energy metabolism and homeostasis. However, one important but poorly understood element is the necessity of astrocytes in the control of body weight. Here, we apply viral vector‐assisted brain‐region selective loss of astrocytes to define physiological roles played by astrocytes in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) and to elucidate the involved mechanism. We find that astrocyte loss potently augments body weight in adult mice fed chow or high‐fat diet. Mechanistically, we find that the loss of astrocytes reduces adipose tissue norepinephrine (NE) contents and chemogenetic stimulation of adipose tissue sympathetic inputs reverses the astrocyte loss‐induced increase in body weight. Collectively, our findings in this study suggest a crucial physiological role of astrocytes in preventing diet‐induced energy surfeit and obesity by modulating adipose tissue lipid metabolism through central sympathetic outflows to adipose tissues.
Variation of the Risk Associated With Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia Between Ethnic Groups Within One Country. A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Routinely Collected Health Data in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Ma'u Etuini , Cullum Sarah , Cheung Gary , Tamatea Jade , Livingston Gill , Mukadam Naaheed
Published: January 2025

Introduction

While risk factor prevalence of individual risk factors for dementia varies between ethnic groups in New Zealand (NZ), it is not known whether the effect of these risks is the same in each group.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study identified incident cases of dementia. Cox regression models calculated the hazard ratio for dementia for each of the risk factors, after adjustment for age and sex.

Results

Education, smoking, diabetes, depression, physical activity and social isolation were associated with a 1.13–1.55 times increased risk of dementia. We did not demonstrate an association between dementia risk and hypertension, alcohol, or air pollution. Differences between ethnic groups is suggested but not confirmed due to study power.

Discussion

Differences in dementia prevention potential between ethnic groups in NZ are potentially contributed to by both differential prevalence and risk factor effects. Public health strategies must be tailored for the ethnic populations at most risk.
Cash‐Out Puzzle and Long‐Term Care Insurance: Welfare of the Elderly
Authors: Lei Xiaoyan , Zhang Chunfeng
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the effects of diverse payment methods within long‐term care insurance (LTCI) on the well‐being of elderly individuals, encompassing both in‐kind and cash payments. Utilizing panel data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), we leverage a generalized difference‐in‐differences (DID) approach and the LTCI pilots across various Chinese cities to identify the impacts of different LTCI payment methods. Our findings indicate that an in‐kind LTCI policy significantly decreases the one‐year mortality of older adults, with significant improvements on ADL‐related care receipt as well as health status. Conversely, no significant impacts are observed under the framework of a cash LTCI policy. We term the weaker effects regarding older adults in cash LTCI policy versus in‐kind LTCI policy as “the cash‐out puzzle”. Our findings emphasize the critical importance of developing right incentives of LTCI payment schemes thoughtfully worldwide.
A Critical Assessment of Geological Weighing Lysimeters: Part 1—Monitoring Field Scale Soil Moisture Storage
Authors: Braaten Morgan , Ireson Andrew
Published: January 2025

Soil moisture plays a critical role in the exchange and partitioning of water and energy fluxes at the land surface. Representative measurements of field scale (104–106 m2) soil moisture are needed to characterise hydrological processes, and to calibrate and constrain hydrology, weather and climate predictions. However, measuring soil moisture proves difficult as it varies spatially, as a function of heterogeneity of the land‐surface, and temporally, as a function of dynamic drivers of precipitation, snowmelt, and evapotranspiration. Conventional soil moisture measurement techniques provide point scale (< 1 m2) estimates, while remote sensing applications provide large‐scale estimates (> 106 m2). While both spatial scales are useful for certain applications, these methods must be upscaled or downscaled to estimate field‐scale soil moisture. Geological weighing lysimeters (GWL) provide a method to measure total water storage at field scale. This instrument utilises the relationship between hydraulic head and mechanical loading to quantify change in water mass on the lands surface. In this study, we examine a GWL's ability to estimate total water storage and to partition soil moisture storage using complementary observations of snow storage and shallow groundwater storage. We found the GWL record provided credible estimates of total water storage dynamics at our site. The GWL derived soil moisture captured the observed seasonal dynamics at the site. We interpreted the differences in GWL and point scale soil moisture as being due to (i) the dielectric probes inability to sense soil ice content in the winter; and (ii) sub‐field scale heterogeneity in the fluxes (evapotranspiration and drainage) in the summer and fall. We show that GWL storage estimates are credible, and when combined with supplementary storage observations, they can provide accurate estimates of soil moisture storage and valuable insights into the hydrological processes occurring at the site.
Compartmentalisation and Hydrogeological Parameters of the Karst Aquifer System in Central Region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: Pena Matheus Alonso Castelo , de Paula Rodrigo Sérgio , Velasquez Leila Nunes Menegasse , Barbosa Débora Maria Diniz
Published: January 2025

The Environmental Protection Area of Lagoa Santa Karst (EPA) is a critical karst region in Brazil, renowned for its rich biodiversity and archaeological significance, including discoveries by researchers such as Peter W. Lund and the oldest human skeleton in the Americas, Luzia. However, the region faces threats from rapid socioeconomic and industrial development, stressing its vulnerable aquifer systems. This study updates the hydrogeological conceptual model for the EPA using well log data, map algebra and hydrodynamic parameters obtained through the Agarwal (1980) recovery method . It builds on models by De Paula (Conceptual Model in Pelitic‐Carbonate Aquifers in the Lagoa Santa Karst APA Region, MG, 2019) and refined by Dantas et al. (Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2023, 123, 104219), reassessing the boundaries of various aquifer units. Horizontal compartmentalisation in the karst‐fissured aquifer was achieved by combining transmissivity and porosity data, while vertical separation was determined based on water entry density and productivity, identifying four zones of increased karstification. In the fissured aquifer, vertical limits align with those established by Dantas et al. (Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2023, 123, 104219), confirming the anisotropy and heterogeneity of the karst‐fissured and fissured aquifers, and the isotropy and productivity of the alluvial aquifers. These findings provide crucial insights for managing aquifer reserves and mitigating water conflicts in the EPA region.
Adaptive Fusion and Edge‐Oriented Enhancement for Brain Tumor Segmentation With Missing Modalities
Authors: Yan Yulan , Zhan Yinwei , He Huiyao
Published: January 2025

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers comprehensive information about brain structures, enabling excellent performance in brain tumor segmentation using multimodal MRI in many methods. Nonetheless, missing modalities are common in clinical practice, which can significantly degrade segmentation performance. Current brain tumor segmentation methods often struggle to maintain feature consistency and robustness in multimodal feature fusion when modalities are missing and face difficulties in accurately capturing tumor boundaries. In this study, we propose an adaptive fusion and edge‐oriented enhancement method to address these challenges. Our approach introduces learnable parameters and a masked attention mechanism in the transformer model to achieve cross‐modal adaptive fusion, ensuring consistent feature representation even with missing data. To aggregate more information, we integrate multimodal and multi‐level features through a hierarchical context integration module. Additionally, to tackle the complex morphology of brain tumor regions, we design an edge‐enhanced deformable convolution module that captures deformation information and edge features from incomplete multimodal images, enabling precise tumor localization. Evaluations on the widely recognized BRATS2018 and BRATS2020 datasets demonstrate that our approach significantly surpasses existing brain tumor segmentation techniques in scenarios with missing modalities.
NRD‐Net: Non‐local Residual Dense Network for Brain MR Image Super‐Resolution
Authors: Chen Jian , Guang Mengting , Chen Geng , Yao Xiong , Tassew Tewodros Megabiaw , Li Zhen , Li Zuoyong , Zhang He
Published: January 2025

Super‐resolution can significantly enhance image visibility and restore image features without requiring scanning devices to be updated. It is notably useful for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which suffers from low‐resolution issue. In practice, MR images possess more intricate texture details than natural images, leading to the issue that existing super‐resolution algorithms struggle to reach acceptable performance, particularly for brain MR images. To this end, we propose a non‐local residual dense network (NRD‐Net) for brain MR image super‐resolution. In NRD‐Net, shallow features are first extracted using a convolutional layer. Next, we propose to adaptively weight the extracted features using a non‐local residual dense block, which captures the long‐range relationship between features and enables the network to incorporate global information while retaining rich deep features. Finally, HR images are reconstructed using the reconstruction block based on atrous spatial pyramid pooling and sub‐pixel convolution. Extensive experiments illustrate that, compared with existing super‐resolution approaches, our NRD‐Net provides better reconstruction performance with promising peak signal‐to‐noise ratio and structural similarity, as well as better anatomical structural details.
Physician attitudes about ultrasound‐guided procedures
Authors: Barry Emma , Deshmukh Sanyukta , Zhang Vivian , Koshar Antoan , Butt Haider , Rowe Kenneth , Moayedi Siamak
Published: January 2025

Background

We aimed to study physician attitudes towards ultrasound‐guided procedures and possible improvements. We hypothesized that the usage of ultrasound in procedures may be limited by a high barrier of entry and that most physicians would choose to adopt software that provides real‐time image guidance if accessible.

Methods

A voluntary, cross‐sectional survey of physicians at a single site was conducted using a five‐point Likert scale. Data analysis included both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses and stratified by categorical descriptors, including variables of formal training, years of experience, and specialty of practice.

Results

One hundred sixteen physicians responded to the survey. The majority disagreed that there was a steep learning curve (57.5%) and that they need more time to identify structures under ultrasound (85.0%). Overall attitudes were mixed about the use of additional software to improve ease of use, but most (55.4%) had positive opinions towards the addition of real‐time 3D reconstruction. Respondents without formal training were significantly more likely to agree that additional software would improve ease of ultrasound‐guided procedures (p = 0.0389). Radiologists were significantly more likely to perceive a steeper learning curve and less likely to advocate for supplemental software compared to emergency medicine physicians, surgeons, or anesthesiologists.

Conclusions

Surveyed physicians demonstrated comfort with ultrasound‐guided procedures and a mixed stance towards the use of additional software to assist with procedures. Those without formal training had significantly more positive attitudes towards the use of additional technology to augment ultrasound‐guided procedures, suggesting a knowledge gap that may benefit from such technology.
Overexpression of RGPR‐p117 reveals anticancer effects by regulating multiple signaling pathways in bone metastatic human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells
Authors: Yamaguchi Masayoshi , Murata Tomiyasu , Shimokawa Noriaki
Published: January 2025

The role of RGPR‐p117, a transcription factor, which binds to the TTGGC motif in the promoter region of the regucalcin gene, in cell regulation remains to be investigated. This study elucidated whether RGPR‐p117 regulates the activity of triple‐negative human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells in vitro. The wild‐type and RGPR‐p117‐overexpressing cancer cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with fetal bovine serum. RGPR‐p117 overexpression suppressed colony formation and growth of cancer cells. Stimulatory effects of epidermal growth factor on cell growth were blocked by RGPR‐p117 overexpression. Wild‐type cell proliferation was repressed by cell cycle and intracellular signaling inhibitors. These effects were not potentiated in transfectants. Overexpressed RGPR‐p117 protected cancer cells against apoptosis inducers. Mechanistic results showed that RGPR‐p117 overexpression decreased the expression of Ras, PI3‐kinase, Akt, mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and mTOR, which are involved in cell growth, while it elevated the levels of the cancer cell suppressor p53, Rb, p21, and regucalcin. Overexpression of RGPR‐p117 suppressed cancer cell migration and adhesion. Interestingly, osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells or macrophage RAW264.7 cells involved in the bone microenvironment were impaired by coculture with MDA‐MB‐231 cells. The effects of cancer cells were blocked by transfection. Coculture with conditioned medium obtained from breast cancer cells repressed proliferation and enhanced the death of osteoblastic cells and macrophages. A TNF‐α signaling inhibitor blocked these effects. Thus, overexpressed RGPR‐p117 was found to suppress the activity of breast cancer cells by regulating various signaling processes, providing new insight into cellular signaling regulation.
Girls and Boys Typically Have Similar Math Value Beliefs: Replication Evidence Across Historical Time, High School, and Racial/Ethnic Groups
Authors: Starr Christine R. , Lee‐Poon Glona , Rubach Charlott , Gao Yannan , Safavian Nayssan , Dicke Anna‐Lena , Eccles Jacquelynne S. , Simpkins Sandra D.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Individuals' math value beliefs are theorized to influence who persists in STEM. However, the existing findings on gender differences in adolescents' math value beliefs are inconsistent. The goal of this study was to use three existing datasets to help clarify when gender differences emerge for high school adolescents and for whom (i.e., adolescents across historical time, grade level, and race/ethnicity). Specifically, we examined the extent to which gender differences in adolescents' math value beliefs (i.e., interest, utility, and attainment) replicated (1) across three datasets spanning the 1990s to 2010s, (2) from 9th–12th grade, and (3) within each of the four largest U.S. racial/ethnic groups (i.e., Asian, Black, Latine, and White adolescents).

Methods

We tested these aims with three existing longitudinal U.S. datasets: the California Achievement Motivation Project (CAMP) (n = 8855), the Childhood and Beyond Study (CAB) (n = 582), and the High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS) (n = 21,000). Students were in high school (9th–12th grade) and half were girls (49%–53%). All three datasets included measures with the same or similar math value belief items, making conceptual replication possible.

Results and Conclusions

Overall, we did not find strong evidence for meaningful gender differences in adolescents' math value beliefs overall. We did find meaningful gender differences in the oldest data set (CAB). When examined within each racial/ethnic group, we found no evidence of gender differences in math value beliefs among Black or Latine adolescents, but some differences among Asian and White adolescents. The findings align with the gender similarities hypothesis, suggesting adolescent girls and boys had similar math value beliefs.
The Role of Perceived Neighborhood Factors and the Built Environment on Depression and Stress Among Latinas on US‐Mexico Border
Authors: Petruzzi Liana J. , Errisuriz Vanessa L. , Valdez Carmen R. , Parra‐Medina Deborah
Published: January 2025

Neighborhood factors and the built environment (e.g., sidewalks, bike lanes and public transportation) are important social determinants of mental health. Yet scarce research explores their impact on Latinx mental health in Colonias (unincorporated, rural communities with limited access to basic utilities like water and electricity) along the U.S.‐Mexico border. Secondary analysis of baseline data from a promotora‐led, physical activity intervention in Colonias examined relationships between neighborhood environment and mental health among Spanish‐speaking Latinas (N = 620) mostly born in Mexico (86%). The Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES) assesses the perceived neighborhood environment such as neighborhood safety, infrastructure, and access to destinations. Multivariate linear regressions assessed associations between the PANES, the Built Environment Index (BEI), stress (PSS‐10) and depression (CESD‐10), controlling for age, marital status, education, income, and nativity. Most participants (90%) reported moderate to high stress (PSS ≥ 14), and approximately 30% were at risk for clinical depression (CESD ≥ 10). Analyses indicated that higher PANES total scores were significantly associated with lower depression (β = −0.88, p < 0.05) and stress (β = −1.67, p < 0.001). Similarly, higher BEI total scores were significantly associated with lower stress (β = −0.53, p < 0.001). Individual BEI items, including greater housing density (β = −1.26) and neighborhood access to recreation facilities (β = −0.97), were significantly associated with lower depression scores (p < 0.05). The built environment had a significant impact on mental health among Latinas residing in Colonias. Neighborhood density and access to recreation facilities were particularly important, potentially serving as protective factors for mental health. Investment in the built environment in Colonias could improve mental health.
Link between children's oppositional behaviors and parental quality of life post‐ASD diagnosis: Mediating role of parental stress and coping strategies
Authors: Rattaz Cécile , Pickles Andrew , Vernhet Christelle , Michelon Cécile , Picot Marie‐Christine , Baghdadli Amaria
Published: January 2025

Background

Oppositional behaviors are often an important issue for parents who have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and have been shown to be related to their Quality of Life (QoL). The present study examines the possible mediation and moderation effects of parenting stress and coping in the relationship between oppositional behaviors in the child with ASD and parental QoL.

Method

Parental stress, coping strategies, parental QoL and children's challenging behaviors (CBCL oppositional problem domain) were studied through parent‐report (335 mothers and 230 fathers) over two occasions in a cohort of 485 children and adolescents with ASD (398 boys and 87 girls) with a mean age of 6.14 years (SD = 3.46) at baseline. Mediation and moderation effects were examined using structural equation modeling.

Results

Strong associations between child behaviors, parental stress and parental QoL were evidenced. Parental stress mediated the relationship between opposition in the child and parental QoL at diagnosis, but this effect was much smaller 3 years after diagnosis. Surprisingly, problem solving and social support, two commonly recommended coping strategies, had little or no effect on reducing impact on QoL 3 years later.

Conclusions

Longitudinal analysis allowed us to estimate the causal pathway between child oppositional behaviors, parental stress and impact on parental QoL. Our findings emphasize the crucial role of parental stress, which can mediate the impact of the children's oppositional behaviors on parental QoL. They argue for the need to develop specific interventions for parents focusing on parental stress and child's behavior management.
Anxiety, mental suffering, and bruxism in dental students in the COVID‐19 postpandemic moment
Authors: Perosso Bruna , da Silva Patrícia , Kinalski Mateus de Azevedo , Adalberto Rodrigues‐Junior Sinval
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The COVID‐19 pandemic was devastating, causing deaths, economic and social problems, and mental disorders in the lives of many people. After 3 years, the mental repercussions caused by the pandemic are unclear, especially in young adults. This study assessed the occurrence of mental disorders, anxiety, and bruxism in dental students during the postpandemic moment and determined the factors that influenced the occurrence of bruxism.

Methods

The cross‐sectional study enrolled 126 dental students. Sociodemographic information, COVID‐19 experience, and remote teaching/learning were collected using questionnaires. Mental state and disorders were collected using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI‐T) and the Self‐Reporting Questionnaire‐20 (SRQ‐20) of mental disorders. Bruxism was self‐reported. Data were analyzed using chi‐square test, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression (α = 0.05).

Results

Moderate anxiety manifested in 62.7% of the students. Common mental disorders and bruxism were identified in 35.7% and 59.5% of the students. The odds ratio for bruxism self‐report was 6.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.49–16.66) times higher for those who suffered economic impact during the pandemic and 2.39 (95% CI 1.04–5.47) times higher for those reporting anxiety during the pandemic. Bad sleep was also associated with the occurrence of bruxism.

Conclusion

In the postpandemic period, dental students exhibited high rates of common mental disorders, anxiety, and bruxism. The increased occurrence of bruxism was linked to the economic impacts experienced during the pandemic, self‐perceived anxiety during the pandemic, and poor sleep.
Trend of Representation of Women in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy Conferences in Asia
Authors: Devi Jalpa , Chantarojanasiri Tanyaporn , Hang Dao Viet , Lui Rashid , Ali Raja Affendi Raja , Butt Amna Subhan , Raja Rohan , To Tram Trinh , Chan Ting Ting ,   Women in GI Focus Group, Emerging Leaders Committee, Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Despite progress in promoting gender equality, gender bias remains a significant obstacle for women and hinders their academic advancement. We aim to survey and critically analyze women's representation in conferences and changes over time in various regions of Asian countries.

Methods

An international survey was conducted with representatives from East Asia (Hong Kong, China, and Japan), South Asia (India and Pakistan), and Southeast Asia (Vietnam and Thailand). The survey collected data on faculty members serving as chairpersons, moderators, speakers, and organizing committee members of annual scientific meetings held between 2018 and 2022.

Results

A total of 33 conferences were held between 2018 and 2022: 24 in gastroenterology, 5 in hepatology, and 4 in endoscopy across East, South, and Southeast Asia, respectively. The total number of invited faculty members was 4106. Out of 4106, the number of women involved as chairperson, moderator, speakers, and organizing committee was 105, 78, 290, and 146, respectively. The representation of women faculty ranged from 3.8% to 25% in East Asia, 9.2% to 13.5% in South Asia, and 11.8% to 34.3% in Southeast Asia. Overall, the increase in women's participation was minor and statistically non‐significant. However, there was an increase of women's participation as chairpersons, moderators, speakers, and organizing committee members from 14.1% in 2018 to 15.2% in 2022.

Conclusion

Participation of women in Asian annual conferences in the capacity of chairperson, moderator, speaker, and/or organizing committee member was significantly under‐represented. This under‐representation necessitates targeted measures to enhance women's roles in these meetings, thereby supporting their career advancement.
Questionnaire on the surgical indications for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma administered to Japanese board‐certified expert hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeons and instructors
Authors: Kuroda Shintaro , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Hatano Etsuro , Kubo Shoji , Endo Itaru , Ohdan Hideki ,   JSHBPS2024‐ICC survey consortium
Published: January 2025

Background

Treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains challenging owing to the lack of clear guidelines on surgical resection. The 2021 ICC guidelines have not fully resolved the ongoing debate between surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. This study aimed to identify trends and issues in ICC treatment strategies in the clinical field by surveying the attitudes of hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) surgeons.

Methods

A survey was conducted among 235 board‐certified HBP surgeons affiliated with the Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery. This survey explored the perspectives on tumor conditions that define resectable, borderline resectable, and unresectable diseases, focusing on tumor size, number, and vascular invasion.

Results

Notable variability was observed in the criteria for oncological resectability. While 42.1% of the respondents considered a maximum tumor diameter of 5 cm as resectable, 37.5% indicated no size limit for resectability. Opinions regarding the resectability of tumors with lymph node involvement and vascular invasion vary widely, highlighting the need for standardized criteria.

Conclusion

This survey revealed diverse approaches for defining resectability in ICC, emphasizing the necessity for more precise guidelines. Further research and expert consensus are required to establish standardized criteria that can guide clinical decision‐making and improve patient outcomes.
How Does Earmarked Foreign Aid Affect Recipient‐Country Ownership?
Authors: Reinsberg Bernhard , Taggart Jack
Published: January 2025

How does earmarked foreign aid affect country ownership, a central principle of the aid effectiveness agenda? Although earmarking was initially purported to reduce donor fragmentation and enhance aid effectiveness, recent evidence suggests that it may undermine ownership. Despite formal commitments to ownership by multilateral institutions and bilateral donors within the Development Assistance Committee (DAC), earmarking potentially strengthens the responsiveness and accountability of international organizations to donors, thereby undermining recipient countries' ownership in formulating policy objectives, use of country‐led results frameworks, and implementation of aid through national systems. We test this expectation through a mixed‐methods approach. We first employ latent factor analysis on new data from two monitoring rounds of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, covering 80 donors and 92 recipient countries, to measure ownership by the degree of donor−recipient alignment. Our multivariate regression analysis then demonstrates that earmarked aid significantly reduces recipient‐country ownership. Further examination of institutional and DAC donor policies and discourses reveals limited recognition of the adverse effects of earmarked funding on ownership. We find evidence to support the notion that bilateral donors employ earmarking to both enhance their influence within international development organizations and to pursue national interests, inadvertently sidelining ‘old’ concerns about aid effectiveness and ownership. Our findings thus expose a clear disconnect between donor rhetoric and practice, with significant implications for aid effectiveness and aid allocation more broadly.