bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplementary video 4. from B-type Plexins Regulate Mitosis via RanGTPase
Authors: Mukhwana Nicholus , Garg Ritu , Azad Abul , Mitchell Alexandria R. , Williamson Magali
Published: January 2025

HeLa cells expressing GFP-tubulin and mCherry-histone transfected with siRNA to PlexinB1, (time lapse video taken at same time as video 3). 5 min frames, total time of 150 min, x40 magnification.
Table S9 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Cosine similarity scores
Supplementary video 3 from B-type Plexins Regulate Mitosis via RanGTPase
Authors: Mukhwana Nicholus , Garg Ritu , Azad Abul , Mitchell Alexandria R. , Williamson Magali
Published: January 2025

Control for video 4. HeLa cells expressing GFP-tubulin and mCherry-histone transfected with control siRNA, 5 min time frames, total time of 150 min, x40 magnification.
Supplementary video 2 from B-type Plexins Regulate Mitosis via RanGTPase
Authors: Mukhwana Nicholus , Garg Ritu , Azad Abul , Mitchell Alexandria R. , Williamson Magali
Published: January 2025

Depletion of PlexinB1 results in dividing cells with multipolar spindles HeLa cells expressing GFP-tubulin and mCherry-histone transfected with siRNA to PlexinB1, 10 min time frames, total time of 200 min, x60 magnification.
Table S7 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Trinucleotide mutation spectra in unexposed mice
Supplementary Figure 3 from B-type Plexins Regulate Mitosis via RanGTPase
Authors: Mukhwana Nicholus , Garg Ritu , Azad Abul , Mitchell Alexandria R. , Williamson Magali
Published: January 2025

Plexin depletion delays mitosis in HeLa cells
Supplementary Figure 2 from B-type Plexins Regulate Mitosis via RanGTPase
Authors: Mukhwana Nicholus , Garg Ritu , Azad Abul , Mitchell Alexandria R. , Williamson Magali
Published: January 2025

Effect of Sema4D on mitosis in MCF7 cells
Table S2 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Assay performance metrics
Table S16 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Proportions of mutations on transcribed or un-transcribed strands
Table S15 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Proportions of mutations in transcribed, un-transcribed, bidirectional and non-transcribed regions
Figure S2 from c‐Myc, AKT, Hsc70, and the T-Box Transcription Factor TBX3 Form an Important Oncogenic Signaling Axis in Breast Cancer
Authors: Ncube Stephanie M. , Nagarajan ArulJothi , Lang Dirk , Sinkala Musalula , Burmeister Carly A. , Serala Karabo , Blackburn Jonathan , Prince Sharon
Published: January 2025

Figure S2. Hsc70 binds and colocalises with TBX3 in FLAG-TBX3 (1,2) overexpressing and parental MCF-7 cells in vivo.
Table S13 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Mutation frequencies in the Chr13 and Chr19 targets
Figure S3 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Proportion of mutation subtypes
Figure S2 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Read depth across genomic targets
Figure S1 from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Background trinucleotide context counts
Data from Loss of PI5P4Kα Slows the Progression of a Pten Mutant Basal Cell Model of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Triscott Joanna , Lehner Marika , Benjak Andrej , Reist Matthias , Emerling Brooke M. , Ng Charlotte K.Y. , de Brot Simone , Rubin Mark A.
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Although early prostate cancer depends on the androgen receptor signaling pathway, which is predominant in luminal cells, there is much to be understood about the contribution of epithelial basal cells in cancer progression. Herein, we observe cell type–specific differences in the importance of the metabolic enzyme phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate 4-kinase alpha (PI5P4Kα; gene name PIP4K2A) in the prostate epithelium. We report the development of a basal cell–specific genetically engineered mouse model targeting Pip4k2a alone or in combination with the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten). PI5P4Kα is enriched in basal cells, and no major histopathologic changes were detectable following gene deletion. Notably, the combined loss of Pip4k2a slowed the development of Pten mutant mouse prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Through the inclusion of a lineage tracing reporter, we utilize single-cell RNA sequencing to evaluate changes resulting from in vivo downregulation of Pip4k2a and characterize cell populations influenced in the established Probasin-Cre– and cytokeratin 5-Cre–driven genetically engineered mouse model. Transcriptomic pathway analysis points toward the disruption of lipid metabolism as a mechanism for reduced tumor progression. This was functionally supported by shifts of carnitine lipids in LNCaP prostate cancer cells treated with siPIP4K2A. Overall, these data nominate PI5P4Kα as a target for PTEN mutant prostate cancer.

Implications: PI5P4Kα is enriched in prostate basal cells, and its targeted loss slows the progression of a model of advanced prostate cancer.
Data from B-type Plexins Regulate Mitosis via RanGTPase
Authors: Mukhwana Nicholus , Garg Ritu , Azad Abul , Mitchell Alexandria R. , Williamson Magali
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Aberrant mitosis can result in aneuploidy and cancer. The small GTPase, Ras-related nuclear protein (Ran), is a key regulator of mitosis. B-type plexins regulate Ran activity by acting as RanGTPase-activating proteins and have been implicated in cancer progression. However, whether B-type plexins have a role in mitosis has not so far been investigated. We show here that Plexin B1 functions in the control of mitosis. Depletion of Plexin B1 affects mitotic spindle assembly, significantly delaying anaphase. This leads to mitotic catastrophe in some cells and prolonged application of the spindle assembly checkpoint. Plexin B1 depletion also promoted acentrosomal microtubule nucleation and defects in spindle pole refocusing and increased the number of cells with multipolar or aberrant mitotic spindles. An increase in lagging chromosomes or chromosomal bridges at anaphase was also found upon Plexin B1 depletion. Plexin B1 localizes to the mitotic spindle in dividing cells. The mitotic defects observed upon Plexin B1 depletion were rescued by an RCC1 inhibitor, indicating that Plexin B1 signals, via Ran, to affect mitosis. These errors in mitosis generated multinucleate cells and nuclei of altered morphology and abnormal karyotype. Furthermore, semaphorin 4D treatment increased the percentage of cells with micronuclei, precursors of chromothripsis.

Implications: Defects in B-type plexins may contribute to the well-established role of plexins in cancer progression by inducing chromosomal instability.
Data from The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinomas. Following metabolic activation, AFB1 reacts with guanines to form covalent DNA adducts, which induce high-frequency G > T transversions. The molecular signature associated with these mutational events aligns with the single-base substitution signature 24 (SBS24) in the Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer database. Deficiencies in either base excision repair due to the absence of Nei-like DNA glycosylase 1 (NEIL1) or nucleotide excision repair due to the absence of xeroderma complementation group A protein (XPA) contribute to hepatocellular carcinomas in murine models. In the current study, ultra-low error duplex sequencing was used to characterize mutational profiles in liver DNAs of NEIL1-deficient, XPA-deficient, and DNA repair–proficient mice following neonatal injection of 1 mg/kg AFB1. Analyses of AFB1-induced mutations showed high cosine similarity to SBS24 regardless of repair proficiency status. The absence of NEIL1 resulted in an approximately 30% increase in the frequency of mutations, with the distribution suggesting preferential NEIL1-dependent repair of AFB1 lesions in open chromatin regions. A trend of increased mutagenesis was also observed in the absence of XPA. Consistent with the role of XPA in transcription-coupled repair, mutational profiles in XPA-deficient mice showed disruption of the transcriptional bias in mutations associated with SBS24.

Implications: Our findings define the roles of DNA repair pathways in AFB1-induced mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in murine models, with these findings having implications in human health for those with base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair deficiencies.
Data from c‐Myc, AKT, Hsc70, and the T-Box Transcription Factor TBX3 Form an Important Oncogenic Signaling Axis in Breast Cancer
Authors: Ncube Stephanie M. , Nagarajan ArulJothi , Lang Dirk , Sinkala Musalula , Burmeister Carly A. , Serala Karabo , Blackburn Jonathan , Prince Sharon
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women globally, and it remains a health burden due to poor therapy response, cancer cell drug resistance, and the debilitating side effects associated with most therapies. One approach to addressing the need to improve breast cancer therapies has been to elucidate the mechanism(s) underpinning this disease to identify key drivers that can be targeted in molecular therapies. The T-box transcription factor, TBX3, is upregulated in breast cancer, in which it contributes to important oncogenic processes, and it has been validated as a potential therapeutic target. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms that upregulate TBX3 in breast cancer, and we show that it involves transcriptional activation by c-Myc, post-translational modification by AKT1 and AKT3, and interaction with the molecular chaperone Hsc70. Together, the results from this study provide evidence that c-Myc, AKT, Hsc70, and TBX3 form part of an important oncogenic pathway in breast cancer and thus reveal versatile ways of interfering with the oncogenic activity of TBX3 for the treatment of this neoplasm.

Implications: Targeting the c-Myc/AKT/TBX3/Hsc70 signaling axis may be an effective treatment strategy for TBX3-driven breast cancer.
Lung cancer–intrinsic SOX2 expression mediates resistance to checkpoint blockade therapy by inducing Treg cell–dependent CD8+ T-cell exclusion
Authors: Torres-Mejia Elen , Weng Sally , Whittaker Charles A. , Nguyen Kim B. , Duong Ellen , Yim Leon , Spranger Stefani
Published: January 2025

Tumor cell–intrinsic signaling pathways can drastically affect the tumor immune microenvironment, promoting tumor progression and resistance to immunotherapy by excluding immune-cell populations from the tumor. Several tumor cell–intrinsic pathways have been reported to modulate myeloid-cell and T-cell infiltration creating “cold” tumors. However, clinical evidence suggests that excluding cytotoxic T cells from the tumor core also mediates immune evasion. Here, we find that tumor cell–intrinsic SOX2 signaling in non-small cell lung cancer induces the exclusion of cytotoxic T cells from the tumor core and promotes resistance to checkpoint blockade therapy. Mechanistically, tumor cell–intrinsic SOX2 expression upregulates CCL2 in tumor cells, resulting in increased recruitment of regulatory T cells. CD8+ T-cell exclusion depended on regulatory T cell–mediated suppression of tumor vasculature. Depleting tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells via Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related protein (GITR) restored CD8+ T-cell infiltration and, when combined with checkpoint blockade therapy, reduced tumor growth. These results show that tumor cell–intrinsic SOX2 expression in lung cancer serves as a mechanism of immunotherapy resistance and provide evidence to support future studies investigating whether NSCLC patients with SOX2-dependent CD8+ T-cell exclusion would benefit from the depletion of GITR+ Tregs.
Machine Learning Predictions of Recovery in Bilingual Poststroke Aphasia: Aligning Insights With Clinical Evidence
Authors: Marte Manuel Jose , Carpenter Erin , Scimeca Michael , Russell-Meill Marissa , Peñaloza Claudia , Grasemann Uli , Miikkulainen Risto , Kiran Swathi
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Predicting treated language improvement (TLI) and transfer to the untreated language (cross-language generalization, CLG) after speech-language therapy in bilingual individuals with poststroke aphasia is crucial for personalized treatment planning. This study evaluated machine learning models to predict TLI and CLG and identified the key predictive features (eg, patient severity, demographics, and treatment variables) aligning with clinical evidence.

METHODS:

Forty-eight Spanish-English bilingual individuals with poststroke aphasia received 20 sessions of semantic feature-based naming treatment in either their first or second language. Comprehensive language, cognitive, and background bilingual experience assessments were administered pre- and post-treatment. Sixteen curated features spanning demographics, language abilities, cognition, and bilingual experience were used as inputs to 6 machine learning algorithms to predict treatment responders versus nonresponders and CLG vs no CLG.

RESULTS:

The top 2 machine learning models achieved F1 scores of 0.767±0.153 for TLI and 0.790±0.172 for CLG. Interpretability analyses revealed that aphasia severity in the trained language, education, and cognitive performance were key predictors of TLI. Aphasia severity in the untreated language and cognitive performance emerged as influential features of CLG. These aligned with expectations based on prior literature.

CONCLUSIONS:

For the first time, machine learning models reveal that factors such as patient severity and demographics predict TLI and CLG after therapy in Spanish-English bilingual individuals with poststroke aphasia. Consideration of both treated and untreated language severity, as well as cognitive assessment performance, when forecasting treatment outcomes in an underserved population such Spanish-English stroke survivors, can meaningfully impact their short-term and long-term clinical care.
Understanding Noninferiority Trials: What Stroke Specialists Should Know
Authors: Cavalcante Fabiano , Treurniet Kilian M. , Kappelhof Manon , Kaesmacher Johannes , Lingsma Hester F. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Gralla Jan , Fischer Urs , Majoie Charles B. , Roos Yvo B.W.E.M.
Published: January 2025

Noninferiority trials aim to prove that the efficacy, defined in terms of a key clinical outcome, of a new treatment is not meaningfully worse than that of an established active control. Noninferiority trials are important when other aspects of care can be improved, such as convenience, toxicity, costs, and safety (nonefficacy benefits). While the motivation for a noninferiority trial is straightforward, the design, execution, and interpretation of these trials is not a trivial task. Several safeguards that protect superiority trials from incorrect conclusions do not apply or even work in reverse for noninferiority trials. This review aims to provide stroke clinicians and researchers with a general overview of noninferiority trials and a deeper understanding of 10 pitfalls they should consider when designing and interpreting such trials.
Evidence for a compensatory relationship between left- and right-lateralized brain networks
Authors: Peterson Madeline , Braga Rodrigo M. , Floris Dorothea L. , Nielsen Jared A.
Published: January 2025

The two hemispheres of the human brain are functionally asymmetric. At the network level, the language network exhibits left-hemisphere lateralization. While this asymmetry is widely replicated, the extent to which other functional networks demonstrate lateralization remains a subject of investigation. Additionally, it is unknown how the lateralization of one functional network may affect the lateralization of other networks within individuals. We quantified lateralization for each of 17 networks by computing the relative surface area on the left and right cerebral hemispheres. After examining the ecological, convergent, and external validity and test–retest reliability of this surface area-based measure of lateralization, we addressed two hypotheses across multiple datasets (Human Connectome Project = 553, Human Connectome Project-Development = 343, Natural Scenes Dataset = 8). First, we hypothesized that networks associated with language, visuospatial attention, and executive control would show the greatest lateralization. Second, we hypothesized that relationships between lateralized networks would follow a dependent relationship such that greater left lateralization of a network would be associated with greater right lateralization of a different network within individuals, and that this pattern would be systematic across individuals. A language network was among the three networks identified as being significantly left lateralized, and attention and executive control networks were among the five networks identified as being significantly right lateralized. Next, correlation matrices, an exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the second hypothesis and examine the organization of lateralized networks. We found general support for a dependent relationship between highly left- and right-lateralized networks, meaning that across subjects, greater left lateralization of a given network (such as a language network) was linked to greater right lateralization of another network (such as a ventral attention/salience network) and vice versa. These results further our understanding of brain organization at the macro-scale network level in individuals, carrying specific relevance for neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by disruptions in lateralization such as autism and schizophrenia.
Effective connectivity predicts distributed neural coding of perceptual decision confidence, uncertainty, and speed
Authors: Asadpour Abdoreza , Wong-Lin KongFatt
Published: January 2025

Decision making is often accompanied by a level of confidence regarding the accuracy of one’s decision. Previous studies have indicated neural activity associated with perceptual decision confidence during sensory stimulus presentation. Choice-based reaction time (RT) has been suggested as an indirect but more objective measure of decision confidence—generally faster RT for higher confidence. However, it is unclear whether choice confidence and RT are mediated by distinct neural pathways, and whether their neural correlates are encoded nonlinearly. Within a perceptual decision-making task, we applied functional magnetic resonance imaging-informed electroencephalography-based effective connectivity analysis via dynamic causal modelling (DCM) on event-related potentials and found the frontoparietal network for fast-vs-slow RT condition to be different from that of high-vs-low confidence rating condition. Furthermore, trial-by-trial DCM analysis predicted cortical layer-based, distributed, and nonlinear coding of RT, confidence or uncertainty. Collectively, our study suggests that decision confidence and speed are instantiated by different dynamical networks distributed across cortical layers.
Transient Climate Sensitivity Shaped by Low Cloud Changes Remotely Driven by Southern Ocean Processes
Authors: Ford Robert R. , Rose Brian E. J. , Rencurrel M. Cameron
Published: January 2025

Transient climate sensitivity is strongly shaped by geographical patterns of ocean heat uptake (OHU). To isolate the effects of uncertainties associated with OHU, a single slab ocean model is forced with doubled CO2 and an ensemble of OHU patterns diagnosed from transient warming scenarios in 12 fully coupled models. The single-model ensemble produces a wide range of Southern Ocean (SO) sea surface temperature (SST) and Antarctic sea ice responses, which are in turn associated with a 1.1–2.0-K range of transient climate response (TCR). Feedback analysis attributes the TCR spread primarily to shortwave effects of low clouds in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) midlatitudes. These cloud changes are strongly positively correlated with storm-track eddy kinetic energy. It is argued that midlatitude clouds (and thus planetary albedo) are remotely driven by SO SST and Antarctic sea ice, mediated by large-scale changes in SH baroclinicity and lower-tropospheric stability. The robustness of this atmospheric teleconnection between SO SST, Antarctic sea ice, and global feedback through midlatitude clouds is supported through additional simulations that explore more extreme SST and sea ice perturbations. These results highlight the importance of understanding physical relationships between SST, sea ice, circulation, and cloud changes in the SH as a pathway to better constraining transient climate sensitivity.

Significance Statement

Although it is well known that Earth’s global-mean surface temperature increases with increasing atmospheric CO2, there are still significant uncertainties in the temperature and sea ice trends over the Southern Ocean region. Using a climate model, we find that Southern Ocean temperature and Antarctic sea ice changes can result in substantial cloud cover changes over the Southern Hemisphere, which play a primary role in determining the amount of warming in our experiments. We suggest that, in order to reduce uncertainty in future climate change, more work is needed to understand how the climate of the southern polar region can affect the circulation and clouds of the midlatitudes.
Examining Intraethnic Disparities in Tornado Hazard Understanding, Reception, and Response in Latinx/e Communities in the Southeast United States
Authors: First Jennifer M. , Castillo Andrea , Galvez Eliza , Lee Sangwon , Held Mary Lehman , Ellis Kelsey
Published: January 2025

The Southeast region in the United States has a high risk for tornadoes and tornado-related losses (e.g., fatalities, injuries, damages). For the public in tornado-vulnerable areas, receiving warning information is essential for seeking protective action during a tornado event. However, for Latinx/e households in the Southeast, social, cultural, and political factors pertaining to language barriers, cultural differences, and trust in public officials often inhibit the effectiveness of warning communication strategies. The current study utilized a survey among 820 Latinx/e adults across 11 states in the U.S. Southeast. Using the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney (WMW) test, we examined if language, nativity, and immigration status impacted how Latinx/e populations receive, understand, and act upon severe weather information in the Southeast region. Results found intraethnic disparities related to tornado hazard understanding, reception, and response among Latinx/e adults based on language, nativity, and U.S. citizenship status. These findings suggest that NWS and its partners work with Latinx/e communities to adjust their communication strategies to consider ethnic heterogeneity in future hazard research, alert systems, and targeted outreach campaigns.

Significance Statement

We sought to determine if Latinx/e populations in the Southeast United States face distinct social and systematic challenges and exhibit varying levels of preparedness and awareness in the face of tornado hazards. We analyzed tornado warning comprehension, weather information sources, and barriers to protective actions among 820 Latinx/e participants, along with intraethnic disparities or vulnerabilities that may impact an individual’s or community’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and adapt to tornado hazards. These findings are important for forecasters, broadcasters, emergency managers, and others responsible for alerting the public during severe weather situations in the Southeast. Understanding differences in human vulnerability in the face of tornado threats can help inform better disaster planning and response for vulnerable and underrepresented populations.
An intelligent model selection method based on graph representation learning
Authors: Yang Fan , Ma Ping , Li Wei , Yang Ming
Published: January 2025

To select the most credible simulation model among multiple alternatives with dynamic and correlated outputs, an intelligent model selection method based on graph representation learning (GRL) is proposed, which treats the model selection problem as a reference data categorization problem. To model the correlations between the output variables, the evaluation data are initially transformed from their traditional two-dimensional format into a graph-structured format based on the distance correlation coefficients. Then, graph isomorphism networks (GINs) are employed to achieve GRL and evaluation data classification. The graph embeddings produced by GRL, which represent the interdependencies and dynamic evolutionary patterns among variables, enable the categorization of reference data as originating from one of the alternative models. Finally, the most credible simulation model is determined based on the category probabilities of the multisample reference data. The effectiveness of the proposed method in feature extraction and model selection is demonstrated through an application example on aerodynamic parameter models of a flight vehicle.
Effect of pantoprazole as an adjunct to standard medical therapy in patients with uncomplicated amoebic liver abscess: A randomised pilot study
Authors: Patel Rishabh , Kumar Ramesh , Priyadarshi Rajeev Nayan , Kumar Sudhir , Narayan Ruchika , Soni Jinit R
Published: January 2025

Amoebic liver abscess (ALA), a common tropical infection, is caused by Entamoeba histolytica (EH). For decades, the first-line treatment for ALA has been metronidazole which has several drawbacks. The thioredoxin reductase enzyme in EH is essential for its anti-oxidative defence and survival during tissue invasion. Recently, the benzimidazole nucleus of proton pump inhibitors has been found to inhibit it quite effectively. An in vitro study found pantoprazole to be over 100 times more potent than metronidazole. We therefore conducted a randomised open-label pilot study, comparing adjunct pantoprazole with standard medical therapy in patients with uncomplicated ALA. We found this resulted in a shorter hospital stay and faster resolution of fever, abdominal pain, and leucocytosis, compared to standard therapy.
Paul’s Iconic Christ among Mediterranean Cult Statues: A Comparison of Divine Images
Authors: Chantziantoniou Alexander
Published: January 2025

While scholars continue to debate whether Paul ever explicitly called the messiah a god, there can be no question that he called the messiah an image of a god (2 Cor. 4.4). Even so, there has been no shortage of comparative studies that situate Paul’s messiah among ancient Mediterranean gods, including the Jewish god himself, whereas what is arguably more proximate comparanda for Paul’s iconic claims tend not to be taken into consideration, namely, ancient Mediterranean images of gods. Taking for granted that Paul’s god—the Jewish god—was a Mediterranean god among others, in this article I redescribe Paul’s messiah as a Mediterranean cult image among others. By exploring the relation between gods and their images, between divinity and materiality, with images of gods as material media that make present the gods they image, new light is cast on the debated relation between the Jewish god and his christological image in Paul’s letters.
A Novel Classification System for the Anatomical Variations of the Infraorbital Ethmoidal (Haller) Air Cells
Authors: Ragab Ahmed , Ali Ayman Ali Abdelfattah , Yousef Salem Ahmed Abd Elghany , Hassanein Shaimaa Abdelhamid , Ibrahim Anwar Abdelatty
Published: January 2025

Background: Infraorbital ethmoidal air cells (IOEAc) are ethmoidal cells that pneumatizes inferior to the orbital floor and lateral to a line parallel to the lamina papyracea. Studies have shown considerable anatomical variation with different extensions in humans. Objectives: To identify and categorize the anatomical variations of the IOEAc creating a new, comprehensive variation classification system. Patients and methods: All included 1260 computed tomography of the nose and paranasal sinuses were reviewed to detect the presence or absence of IOEAc. All cases with IOEAc were evaluated for bilaterality, multiplicity, and shape and categorized according to its extensions to the maxillary infundibulum and its relations to the entire length of the inferior orbital wall. Results: IOEAc were identified in 173 (13.7%) scans. Bilaterality was observed in 99 patients (57.2%), while 50 patients (28.9%) had unilateral air cells on the right and 24 patients (13.9%) had unilateral air cells on the left. They were classified into 5 categories that were subclassified into subtypes. With 173 cases distributed as 26%, 17.9%, 3.5%, 9.8%, 24.9%, 10.4%, 2.3%, 1.7%, and 3.5% among the 5 categories, respectively. Conclusions: The new classification system provides a comprehensive classification of the described anatomical variations of the IOEAc. It allows the description and categorization of variants identified in past and future studies. It is applicable to current clinical practice.
Associations of treatment with hypnotics with suicide and attempted suicide: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kjær Høier Nikolaj , Madsen Trine , Spira Adam P , Hawton Keith , Jennum Poul , Nordentoft Merete , Erlangsen Annette
Published: January 2025

Background:

Hypnotics have been linked to suicidal behaviors. While existing evidence has established findings of associations, more knowledge is needed regarding benzodiazepine (BZD) and non-benzodiazepine (n-BZD) hypnotics.

Aim:

To examine whether individuals in treatment with hypnotics had higher rates of suicide and suicide attempts than those not in treatment.

Methods:

A longitudinal nationwide cohort design was applied to individual-level register data, including all individuals aged 15+ years who lived in Denmark from 1995 to 2021. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) for suicide and suicide attempts were estimated using Poisson regression models. Using the National Prescription Registry, individuals who redeemed prescriptions for hypnotics at pharmacies were identified. Death by suicide was identified in the Cause of Death Register.

Results:

A total of 7,311,630 individuals were observed over 122,681,369 person-years. In all, 678 males and 553 females died by suicide while in treatment with BZD, resulting in respective adjusted IRRs of 2.1 (95% CI: 1.9–2.4) and 2.6 (95% CI: 2.3–3.0), when compared to those not in treatment. A total of 1774 males and 1212 females died by suicide while in treatment with n-BZD and the adjusted IRRs were 3.4 (95% CI: 3.1–3.7) and 3.6 (95% CI: 3.4–3.9), respectively.

Conclusions:

While confounding by indication is likely to be a major contributor, the fact that individuals in treatment with BZD or n-BZDs had higher rates of suicide and suicide attempts when compared to those not in treatment emphasizes the need to carefully monitor their mental state.
Two-Stage Stochastic Optimization for Customer-Centric Aircraft Routing Considering Stochastic Travel Times
Authors: Kwon Yeongjun , Lu Bo , Moon Ilkyeong
Published: January 2025

This study addresses the problem of creating single aircraft route within strict time constraints, taking into account the uncertainty of travel times. The approach involves a two-phase decision-making process: the initial phase focuses on selecting airports from a pool of candidates by optimizing for maximum customer satisfaction; the subsequent phase involves arranging the sequence of itinerary to these airports, factoring in variable travel times to enhance the overall experience. To tackle this complex issue, we have developed a two-stage stochastic optimization model that incorporates probability-based constraints. This model is then analyzed using the sample average approximation method. To validate the efficacy of our proposed model, we compared its performance with two established benchmark models. Additionally, case studies focused on the U.S. airline network suggest that operators can optimize airline route recommendations by enhancing both customer utility and their own profitability. This approach demonstrates that strategic adjustments in route planning can lead to mutual benefits, effectively balancing customer satisfaction with financial performance.
How Does Gender Self-stereotyping Influence Entrepreneurial Intention Formation?—An Empirical Investigation of Nascent Commercial and Social Entrepreneurs
Authors: Kruse Philipp , Marquardt Josefine
Published: January 2025

Evidence yields gender effects in entrepreneurial intention formation. Particularly, findings suggest that men show higher commercial, that is, financially driven intentions (CEI) while women favour social, that is, mission-driven entrepreneurial intention (SEI). Gender self-stereotyping (GSS) as the tendency to self-attribute typical masculine/feminine characteristics correspondently with one’s sex, is proposed as one reason for these differences. However, current research falls short of a comprehensive empirical examination. Our study combines GSS, CEI and SEI in one integrative model postulating direct and indirect GSS effects on CEI and SEI via two pathways (perceived ability-misfit and perceived identity-misfit). Furthermore, we explore mentoring as a moderator. Statistically examining 214 nascent entrepreneurs with structural equation modelling indicates a full mediation of GSS effects via perceived ability-misfit pathway for CEI. For males, this effect was moderated by mentoring. No GSS effects for the other pathway or SEI emerged. Despite acknowledgeable limitations, our study deepens knowledge on how GSS affects entrepreneurial intention formation.
An interpretable unsteady flow model for membrane structure shear-valve type magnetorheological damper
Authors: Lyu Zejia , Jing Haocan , Du Xin , Shen Jizhong
Published: January 2025

The study introduces an innovative, interpretable, nonlinear damping hysteresis model for membrane structure shear-valve magnetorheological dampers anchored in non-Newtonian fluid mechanics. In addition to the fluid mechanism, the model takes into account the hysteresis phenomenon of magnetic fluids. Drawing upon the parallel plate model—predominantly utilized in steady-state analyses—the Laplace transform is employed to solve the transient fluid constitutive equation in the [Formula: see text]-domain, drawing parallels with Newtonian fluids and introducing robust prior conditions to minimize the problem-solving scale. A fast inverse Laplace transformation algorithm is applied to achieve the numerical solution in the time domain. This model can be quickly built from the damper’s design parameters, laying the foundation for swift, and proficient damper control. Furthermore, a novel membrane-structured shear-valve-type MR damper is designed and fabricated, which exhibits minimal passive damping and accurately reflects the genuine fluid dynamic characteristics, optimizes the methodology for calculating the damper’s magnetic field and acquires damping characteristic curves to authenticate the proposed unsteady flow model. Experimental outcomes demonstrate that our proposed model dispenses the need for a priori damping characteristic data, provides robust computational speed and precision, and maintains interpretability.
Harmonizing Future Time Orientations: Moderated Impact on Team Performance
Authors: Chen Wei , Guo Xuguang (Steve) , Yu Andy , Huang Yin-Mei , Deosthali Kanchan
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates the correlation between team future time orientation differences (FTOD) and team performance while exploring potential moderation by team and task characteristics, including task interdependence, commitment to team goals, and collective efficacy. Data were collected via cross-sectional questionnaires from 263 individuals across 73 student teams at U.S. universities to assess the hypothesized relationships. The results indicate a consistent negative association between FTOD and team performance. Moreover, the study reveals that goal commitment mitigates the negative impact of FTOD on team performance. These findings have theoretical and practical implications for managing team performance across different future time orientations.
Undergraduate Students’ Experiences of a Community-Engaged Learning Course: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Maxwell Abby , Yates Julia , Pfingstgraef Kate , Mantler Tara
Published: January 2025

Background

Undergraduate student engagement increases the quality of education. Community-engaged learning (CEL) courses are one way to promote engagement and involve students collaborating with community partners to achieve a common goal by applying course knowledge to real-world issues.

Purpose

This study evaluated: (a) the relationship between CEL-related student learning outcomes (SLOs) and attitudes toward CEL courses before taking one; (b) CEL-related SLOs among undergraduate students before versus after taking a CEL course; and (c) the lived experiences of students who participated in their first CEL course.

Methodology

Pre- and post-course surveys and focus group data were collected. Survey data were analyzed via correlations and dependent groups t-tests, while inductive content analysis was employed to analyze focus group data.

Findings

Findings revealed a significant correlation between students’ opinions toward the benefits of taking a CEL course and their CEL-related SLOs and a statistically significant positive difference between student growth and achievement before compared to after completing a CEL course ( t = 2.6778, p = .0123). Students also expressed the benefits of taking CEL courses, including community impacts, conduciveness to learning preferences, and skill development.

Implications

CEL courses are a means to improve students’ motivation, achievement, and skill acquisition for future career preparedness.
New Classification System for Proximal Fifth Metatarsal Fractures: Intraobserver and Interobserver Reliability Assessment
Authors: Fernández-Rojas Enrique , Araya-Bonilla Víctor , Barra-Dinamarca Emilio , Pastor-Villablanca Juan , Mortada-Mahmoud Ahmed , Alvarado-Livacic Cristóbal , Vilá-Rico Jesús
Published: January 2025

Background:

The most commonly used classification for proximal fifth metatarsal fractures has not shown good reproducibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver agreement of a new classification system for such fractures.

Methods:

The study involved the development of a novel classification system that categorized these fractures into 2 main types and 2 subtypes. This cross-sectional study included a total of 52 cases that were retrospectively collected to assess the reliability of this system. These cases were then evaluated by 3 independent foot and ankle surgeons who classified the fractures based on the newly established classification system. After 10 months, the same evaluators classified the fractures again. The level of agreement among the evaluators, both internally and externally, was assessed using the kappa coefficient, following the criteria established by Landis and Koch. This framework categorizes agreement levels as slight (0.00-0.20), fair (0.21-0.40), moderate (0.41-0.60), substantial (0.61-0.80), or almost perfect (0.81-1.00).

Results:

Fifty-two fractures were detected, and 312 evaluations were carried out. The interobserver agreement was substantial when assessing the 2 main types, with a κ value of 0.73, and remained substantial even when considering the subtypes, with a κ value of 0.67. Similarly, the intraobserver agreement demonstrated substantial outcomes when evaluating the 2 main types, with a κ value 0.79. It maintained its significance when including the subtypes, with a κ value 0.77.

Conclusion:

Lawrence and Botte’s classification identifies 3 primary zones and exhibits moderate interobserver agreement. In contrast, the newly proposed system focuses on only 2 main zones and shows better interobserver agreement. The present study introduces a more precise and reproducible framework that reveals consistency among various observers, including the same observer. This framework may be beneficial for biomedical research as it enhances the ability to compare results across different studies.
Occult Breast Cancer in High-Risk Gene-Positive Pakistani Women Undergoing Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy/Prophylactic Mastectomy: Implications for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Authors: Mooghal Mehwish , Khan Wajiha , Anjum Saba , Shaikh Hafsa , Virji Safna Naozer , Vohra Lubna M
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) of the axilla is standard in breast cancer (BC) management; however, its role in prophylactic/contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is still questioned. To avoid future consequences on surgical morbidity and socioeconomic aspects in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), we intend to determine the prevalence of occult breast cancer (OBC) among CPM cases.

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of OBC in patients undergoing prophylactic mastectomy (PM).

Design:

This is a retrospective cohort study.

Materials and methods:

This retrospective cohort study is conducted at a tertiary-care hospital from January 2017 to December 2022. All individuals with the positive genetic test for high-risk breast cancer (HRBC) genes who underwent PMs/CPM at our centre were included. We analysed data using SPSS version 23.0.

Results:

Twenty-six mutation-positive females underwent PM/CPM (16.1%). Two (7.69%) of 26 had later post-PM recurrence. Only 8 (30.76%) patients had SLNB and all were negative. No OBC was seen in PM/CPM specimens, whereas 3 (11.5%) had atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH). Two of the ADH had BI-RADS-1, whereas 1 was BI-RADS-4 (33.3%) on the preoperative assessment. Results also showed that with an increase in the tumour grade of the diseased breast, the BI-RADS score of the asymptomatic breast was subsequently increased ( P = .029).

Conclusion:

Our study shows negative OBCs in PM/CPM cases with persistently negative SLNB results; however, ADH is identified in 11.5% of specimens. Our results suggest that SLNB can be safely omitted in patients undergoing CPM, but, preoperatively, patient and disease factors should be considered.
Continuous-based Comparison of Two Hydrological Models for Modeling a Watershed, in the Case of Robi Watershed, Middle Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Beza Manamno , Moshe Alene
Published: January 2025

Continuous-based comparison of the hydrological model is applied in different parts of a watershed across the world. However, little has been done on hydrological modeling comparison in Ethiopian watersheds, and nothing was done to the Robi watershed. This study aimed to compare two hydrological (SWAT and HEC-HMS) models for modeling the Robi watershed using monthly continuous data. To achieve this objective climate data, spatial and hydrological data were collected. The model was calibrated and validated using observed streamflow data from 1995 to 2004 and 2005 to 2011, respectively. The performance of the model shows that, during the calibration of the SWAT model, R2, Nash-Sutcliff efficiency, PBIAS, p-factor, and r-factor indicate that .82, 0.81, 2%, .83, and 1.03, and in the validation, it indicates that .73, 0.71, 4%, .88, and 1.5, respectively. Similarly, in the HEC-HMS model, R2, Nash-Sutcliff efficiency, and PBIAS indicate .8, .79, and −3 for calibration and .7, 0.68, and −6, respectively in validation. The model was compared in the time domain and quantile domain. The magnitude of observed monthly stream flows for 10%, 50%, and 95% exceedance percentages is 10.7, 2, and 0.14 m3/s. Simulated flow shows exceedance probabilities of 10%, 50%, and 95% as 9.766, 1.8, and .15 for the SWAT model and 9.34, 1.7, and 0.6 m3/s for the HEC HMS model, respectively. Overall the SWAT model performed better than the HEC-HMS model in the Robi Watershed.
Meditations on a Rubber Chicken: An Affective-Cultural Analysis of Monkey Island and Lucasfilm Games’ Humorous Puzzles
Authors: Pérez-Latorre Óliver
Published: January 2025

The Secret of Monkey Island (Lucasfilm Games, 1990) is an iconic reference in video game history and popular (digital) culture. The nostalgic fandom and the recent release of Return to Monkey Island (Terrible Toybox, 2022) evidence the impact of the game and how it has endured over time. This article proposes a retrospective analysis of the “structures of feeling” around Monkey Island, Lucasfilm Games, and their humorous puzzles, focusing on their relationships with the social incorporation of PCs and the neoliberal discourse of the late twentieth century, postmodern culture, and the debates around the cultural legitimation/delegitimization of video games. The article applies Affect Theory, as Anable has adapted it to the study of video games, with some specificities and particular emphasis: a retrospective approach, focus on game mechanics (their historical-cultural signification), and attention to paratexts (reviews of game criticism, Ron Gilbert's blog, a book aimed at fans).
“A Definition of Enchantment”: A New Approach to the Analysis of Magic Systems in Fantasy Games
Authors: Sebag Mikael D.
Published: January 2025

Game scholars have critiqued ludic magic systems for their rational, quantifiable, and wonderless nature. Yet, despite the magic system's prevalence in modern games, the field of game studies lacks a formal theoretical framework to analyze how these systems—and the framing fictions they inhabit—go about articulating a sense of enchantment to players. To address this gap, this article proposes a novel method for close-reading ludic magic systems based on Antoine Faivre's “definition of enchantment” from the field of Western esotericism. The article describes examples of Faivre's four esoteric qualities—correspondences, living nature, imagination and mediations, and experience of transmutation—as they appear across twelve different games. These examples illustrate how the logics of premodern enchantment, which underlie ludic representations of magic, can evoke awe and wonder in the player by providing alternative ways to knowing and being in fantasy gameworlds.