bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Political Spaces Beyond the Nation State: The Global Commons in International Security Studies
Authors: Graefrath Moritz S , Jahn Marcel 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The global commons have come to play an increasingly prominent role in the field of international security as scholars seek to better understand the causes and consequences of interstate cooperation, competition, and conflict in political spaces that lie beyond sovereign jurisdiction. In this piece, we make the case that by grouping all extraterritorial spaces into a single, not further differentiated conceptual category, the notion of the “global commons” as it is presently employed obscures important variation in the way these spaces are governed. Specifically, we argue that there exist two distinct types of spaces that legally do not belong to any one state: those that all states are effectively able to freely use for their own strategic purposes; and those that are de facto dominated and thus defy the ideal of universal accessibility their status as a global common supposedly entails. The updated conceptual framework we develop in response—which explicitly distinguishes between two distinct types of extraterritorial spaces—promises to advance security studies research on the global commons in several ways: it helps scholars avoid the issue of causal heterogeneity which current conceptual foundations introduce into causal analysis; it facilitates normative discussions about the global commons and their political future; and it produces novel insights into the governance problems policymakers will confront when seeking to maintain states’ access to extraterritorial spaces in the new age of great power competition.
Trophic modulation of endophytes by rhizosphere protists
Authors: Asiloglu Rasit , Bodur Seda Ozer , Samuel Solomon Oloruntoba , Aycan Murat , Murase Jun , Harada Naoki 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The plant-microbe interactions, which is crucial for plant health and productivity, mainly occur in rhizosphere: a narrow zone of soil surrounding roots of living plants. The rhizosphere hosts one of the most intense habitats for microbial prey–predator interactions, especially between predatory protists and bacteria. Here, based on two key facts, microbial predators modulate rhizobacterial community composition, and the rhizobacterial community is the primary source of root microbiome, endophytes; we hypothesized that predation upon rhizobacteria would modulate the community composition of endophytic bacteria. The effects of three taxonomically distinct axenic protist species (Acanthamoeba castellanii, Vermamoeba vermiformis, and Heteromita globosa) were tested in this study. To examine the robustness of the hypotheses, the experiments were conducted in three soil types characterized by distinct bacterial communities and physicochemical properties. The bacterial community compositions were analyzed with high throughput sequencing. Bacterial gene abundances were estimated with a real-time-PCR method. The results showed that protists modulated endophytic communities, which originated in the rhizosphere soil. The modulation of endophytic communities by protists showed chaotic patterns rather than a deterministic effect under different soil types. The observed chaotic dynamics were further confirmed with an additional experiment, in which chaos was triggered by changes in the dilution rates of soil nutrients. Furthermore, the presence of predators enhanced the root colonization of endophytes. Our findings identify a key mechanism for the modulation of root endophytes and enhance understanding of underground plant-microbe interactions, which can lead to open new avenues for modulating the root microbiome to enhance crop production.
Alternative polyadenylation landscape of longissimus dorsi muscle with high and low intramuscular fat content in cattle
Authors: Li Chenglong , Xu Junjie , Zhang Yanfeng , Ding Yanling , Zhou Xiaonan , Su Zonghua , Qu Chang , Liang Jiahao , Han Yurun , Wang Dingxiang , Shi Yuangang , Li Cong-Jun , Liu George E , Kang Xiaolong 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Intramuscular fat content is one of the most important factors affecting beef quality. However, the role of alternative polyadenylation (APA) in intramuscular fat deposition remains unclear. We compared APA events in muscle samples from high and low intramuscular fat (IMF) cattle, based on RNA-seq data. A total of 363 significant APAs were identified. Notably, the number of shortened 3ʹUTR events exceeded the number of lengthened 3ʹUTR events, and genes associated with shortened 3ʹUTR events were enriched in fatty acid metabolism-related pathways. Most APA events had alternative 3ʹUTR (aUTR) lengths of 200 to 300 bp. As the 3ʹUTR lengthened, the aUTR also lengthened (R2 = 0.79). These findings indicate that genes with longer 3ʹUTRs are more likely to be regulated by APA in the muscle of cattle with high IMF. To determine whether the identified APA events drove alterations in the expression of fat deposition-related genes, we analyzed the relationship between APA events and differentially expressed genes and identified several genes critical for fat deposition (e.g., PFKL and SLC1A5). Since miRNAs usually bind to the 3’UTR region of protein-coding genes and affect gene expression, we constructed an miRNA-APA network to detect several key miRNAs that may regulate fat deposition. We identified 10 important miRNAs that affect changes in IMF content, which may be gained (gained miRNA-binding sites) or lost (lost miRNA-binding sites) owing to 187 differential APA events. Our study characterized the APA profiles of cattle with high and low intramuscular fat content and provided further insights into the relationship between APA, miRNA, and fat deposition.
Optimization of a disposable pipette tips extraction for the analysis of psychoactive substances in sweat specimens using design of experiments
Authors: Gomes Nayna Cândida , Bigão Vítor Luiz Caleffo Piva , de Campos Eduardo Geraldo , Cabrices Oscar , Costa Bruno Ruiz Brandão da , De Martinis Bruno Spinosa 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances continue to emerge in the marketplace and are often found as substances in traditional illicit drug materials and users are often unaware of the presence of other drugs. The proper identification and confirmation of the exposure to a drug is made possible when a biological specimen is collected and tested. Sweat is an alternative biological matrix of great interest for clinical and forensic analysis. One of the reasons is attributed to its expanded drug detection window, enabling a greater monitoring capacity, and provision of information on prospective drug use. However, the concentrations of drugs in sweat samples are often low, which requires highly sensitive and selective methods. Disposable pipette tips extraction (DPX) is a new miniaturized solid-phase extraction technique capable of efficiently extracting analytes from biological specimens, providing high recoveries, and requiring minimized solvent use. This study describes the development and optimization of two methods for the extraction of basic and neutral psychoactive substances from sweat samples using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and Design of Experiments (DoE). The following extraction parameters were optimized by DoE techniques: sample volume, elution solvent volume, washing solvent volume, sample aspiration time, elution solvent aspiration time, and number of cycles performed, including the elution step. It was possible to design a simple extraction protocol that provided optimized recoveries for both basic and neutral compounds. The sum of analyte areas increased at a rate of 54.7% for compounds of basic character and 39.2% for compounds of neutral character. Therefore, our results were satisfactory, demonstrating that DPX can be successfully used for extracting the target drugs from sweat samples.
Thrombopoietic agents enhance bone healing in mice, rats, and pigs
Authors: Childress Paul J , Nielsen Jeffery J , Bemenderfer Thomas B , Dadwal Ushashi C , Chakraborty Nabarun , Harris Jonathan S , Bethel Monique , Alvarez Marta B , Tucker Aamir , Wessel Alexander R , Millikan Patrick D , Wilhite Jonathan H , Engle Andrew , Brinker Alexander , Rytlewski Jeffrey D , Scofield David C , Griffin Kaitlyn S , Shelley W Christopher , Manikowski Kelli J , Jackson Krista L , Miller Stacy-Ann , Cheng Ying-Hua , Ghosh Joydeep , Mulcrone Patrick L , Srour Edward F , Yoder Mervin C , Natoli Roman M , Shively Karl D , Gautam Aarti , Hammamieh Rasha , Low Stewart A , Low Philip S , McKinley Todd O , Anglen Jeffrey O , Lowery Jonathan W , Chu Tien-Min G , Kacena Melissa A 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Achieving bone union remains a significant clinical dilemma. The use of osteoinductive agents, specifically bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), has gained wide attention. However, multiple side effects, including increased incidence of cancer, have renewed interest in investigating alternatives that provide safer, yet effective bone regeneration. Here we demonstrate the robust bone healing capabilities of the main megakaryocyte (MK) growth factor, thrombopoietin (TPO), and second-generation TPO agents using multiple animal models, including mice, rats, and pigs. This bone healing activity is shown in two fracture models (critical-sized defect [CSD] and closed fracture) and with local or systemic administration. Our transcriptomic analyses, cellular studies, and protein arrays demonstrate that TPO enhances multiple cellular processes important to fracture healing, particularly angiogenesis, which is required for bone union. Finally, the therapeutic potential of thrombopoietic agents is high since they are used in the clinic for other indications (eg, thrombocytopenia) with established safety profiles and act upon a narrowly defined population of cells.
Applied deaf aesthetics toward transforming deaf higher education
Authors: Weber Joanne , Hayward Denyse , Skyer Michael , Snively Sarah 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Deaf aesthetics is a theoretical framework we actualized to enhance interactions in deaf education, particularly via multimodal pedagogy and curricular experiences. Prior research illustrates that deaf aesthetics are desired by deaf teachers and students who are deaf; however, most instructional-delivery formats lack these supports. The present mixed-methodology, multi-method case study is an empirical evaluation of how deaf aesthetics contributed to the process of redesigning a course, including major revisions to instructional slide decks (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi). The research question we examined is: How can instructional designers and university educators effectively design and use deaf aesthetics and multimodal curricula and pedagogies to prompt and sustain educational interactions with deaf or deafblind learners and teachers?
Bleeding disorders, longer operative time, and nongeneral anesthesia increase are associated with overnight admission after hip arthroscopy
Authors: Zhong Jack , Crutchfield Connor R , Lee Nathan J , Mueller John , Ahmad Christopher , Trofa David , Lynch Thomas Sean 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Overnight admission is a rare but major complication after hip arthroscopy (HA), and the paucity of data surrounding its causes limits patient education and quality of care. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for an unanticipated overnight admission after HA and assess for associated complications. This analysis queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database using Current Procedural Terminology codes to identify hip arthroscopies from 2005 to 2017. Patient demographics, perioperative variables, and comorbidities were compared between ambulatory and nonambulatory patients [length of stay (LOS) ≥ 1] using bivariate analysis. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression then identified independent risk factors of adverse outcomes. Linear regression analyzed correlation of LOS with age, operative time, modified fragility index (mFI-5), and year of operation. A total of 2420 cases were included in this study with 400 (16.5%) overnight admissions. The mean subject age was 40 ± 13.9 years old (58.1% female). Admitted patients generally had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores and a higher mFI-5 index. Multivariate logistic regression showed that mFI-5 &gt; 0, bleeding disorders, operative time &gt;1.5 h, and nongeneral anesthesia were independent risk factors for prolonged hospital stay. Patients aged 31–40 years had decreased risk of LOS ≥1. Nonambulatory surgery was associated with significantly increased risk for any complication, readmission, wound complication, and venous thromboembolism. This analysis demonstrates that operations &gt;1.5 h and increased medical comorbidities predispose patients to greater risk of being admitted to the hospital after HA. Surgeons should consider these data to optimize controllable factors and patient selection to reduce the risk of postoperative admission.
Individual survival prediction model for patients with leptomeningeal metastasis
Authors: Jirattikanwong Noraworn , Charoentum Chaiyut , Phenphinan Niphitphon , Pooriwarangkakul Phurich , Ruttanaphol Danusorn , Phinyo Phichayut 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Survival prediction for patients with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is crucial for making proper management plans and counseling patients. Prognostic models in this patient domain have been limited, and existing models often include predictors that are not available in resource-limited settings. Our aim was to develop a practical, individualized survival prediction model for patients diagnosed with LM.

Methods
We collected a retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with LM from cerebrospinal fluid at Chiang Mai University Hospital from January 2015 to July 2021. Nine candidate predictors included male gender, age &gt; 60 years, presence of extracranial involvement, types of primary cancer, the time between primary cancer and LM diagnosis, presence of cerebral symptoms, cranial symptoms, spinal symptoms, and abnormal CSF profiles. Flexible parametric survival analysis was used to develop the survival prognostic model for predicting survival at 3, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis. The model was evaluated for discrimination and calibration.

Results
161 patients with 133 events were included. The derived individual survival prediction model for patients with LM, or the LMsurv model, consists of three final predictors: types of primary cancer, presence of cerebral symptoms, and presence of spinal symptoms. The model showed acceptable discrimination (Harrell’s C-statistics: 0.72; 95% confidence interval 0.68–0.76) and was well calibrated at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Conclusions
The LMsurv model, incorporating three practical predictors, demonstrated acceptable discrimination and calibration for predicting survival in LM patients. This model could serve as an assisting tool during clinical decision-making. External validation is suggested to confirm the generalizability of the model.
Comparative analysis of oncological outcomes between trimodal therapy and radical cystectomy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer utilizing propensity score matching
Authors: Kobayashi Keita , Fujii Nakanori , Shimizu Kosuke , Hitaka Yukihiro , Oka Shintaro , Nakamura Kimihiko , Hiroyoshi Toshiya , Isoyama Naohito , Hirata Hiroshi , Shiraishi Koji 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Bladder preservation therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer is reported to yield outcomes comparable to those of radical cystectomy, although it receives a relatively low recommendation grade in Japanese guidelines. This study aims to compare the outcomes of trimodal therapy versus radical cystectomy in the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Methods
This study is a single-center retrospective analysis that included patients treated with either trimodal therapy or radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (cT2-4N0-2M0) at our institution between January 1998 and December 2022. Trimodal therapy is administered in cases where radical cystectomy is either unfeasible or declined by the patient, and both treatments are performed with the intent of curative outcomes. Propensity score matching was used to compare cancer-specific survival and overall survival rates.

Results
A total of 93 patients who underwent trimodal therapy and 84 who underwent radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer were analyzed. Using propensity score matching, 66 patients from each treatment group were selected for a comparative analysis of oncological outcomes. The 5-year distant metastasis-free, cancer-specific and overall survival rates were 64.3 and 51.8% (P = 0.096), 83.3 and 69.2% (P = 0.104) and 77.8 and 64.2% (P = 0.274) for trimodal therapy and radical cystectomy, respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed that trimodal therapy for primary tumors significantly improved cancer-specific survival rates compared with radical cystectomy. The two treatment types had similar adverse events related to hematologic toxicity during perioperative chemotherapy.

Conclusion
Trimodal therapy exhibited oncological outcomes comparable to those of radical cystectomy in the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, indicating that trimodal therapy provides favorable outcomes, particularly in cases of primary muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Projected outcomes of reduced-biopsy management of Grade Group 1 prostate cancer: implications for relabeling
Authors: Zhao Yibai , Gulati Roman , Yang Zhenwei , Newcomb Lisa , Zheng Yingye , Zhu Kehao , Liu Menghan , Heijnsdijk Eveline A M , Haffner Michael C , Cooperberg Matthew , Eggener Scott E , De Marzo Angelo M , Kibel Adam S , Rizopoulos Dimitris , Hall Ingrid J , Etzioni Ruth 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Implications of relabeling Grade Group 1 prostate cancer as noncancer will depend on the recommended active surveillance strategy. Whether relabeling should prompt deintensifying, prostate-specific antigen (PSA)–based active monitoring approaches is unclear. We investigated outcomes of biopsy-based active surveillance strategies vs PSA-based active monitoring for Grade Group 1 diagnoses under different patient adherence rates.

Methods
We analyzed longitudinal PSA levels and time to Grade Group 2 or higher reclassification among 850 patients with a diagnosis of Grade Group 1 disease from the Canary Prostate Active Surveillance Study (2008-2013). We then simulated 20 000 patients over 12 years, comparing Grade Group 2 or higher detection under biennial biopsy against 3 PSA-based strategies: (1) PSA (biopsy for PSA change ≥20% per year), (2) PSA plus magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic resonance imaging for PSA change ≥20% per year and biopsy for Prostate Imaging Reporting & Data System ≥3), and (3) predicted risk (biopsy for predicted upgrading risk ≥10%).

Results
Under biennial biopsies and 20% dropout to active treatment, 17% of patients had a 2-year or longer delay in Grade Group 2 or higher detection. The PSA strategy reduced the number of biopsies by 39% but delayed detection in 32% of patients. The PSA plus magnetic resonance imaging strategy reduced the number of biopsies by 52%, with a 34% delay. The predicted risk strategy reduced the number of biopsies by 31%, with only an 8% delay. These findings are robust to biopsy sensitivity and confirmatory biopsy.

Conclusions
Prostate-specific antigen–based active monitoring could substantially reduce biopsy frequency; however, a precision strategy based on an individual upgrading risk is most likely to minimize delays in detection of disease progression. This strategy may be preferred if active surveillance is deintensified under relabeling, provided patient adherence remains unaffected.
Cost-effectiveness analysis for multi adverse events of proton beam therapy for pediatric medulloblastoma in Japan
Authors: Yoshimura Takaaki , Morii Yasuhiro , Tamori Honoka , Kita Ryuki , Hashimoto Takayuki , Aoyama Hidefumi , Ogasawara Katsuhiko 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Medulloblastomas are one of the most common malignant cancers of the central nervous system in children. Proton beam therapy (PBT) is expected to provide equivalent tumor control to photon therapy while reducing the various adverse events caused by irradiation. Few studies have considered the cost-effectiveness of PBT for pediatric medulloblastoma, considering the multiple adverse effects and reflecting on the latest treatment advancements. A cost-utility analysis of PBT for pediatric medulloblastoma was conducted in a Japanese setting and compared to conventional photon therapy. The analysis was conducted from the public healthcare payer’s perspective, and direct costs for the treatment of radiation therapy and radiation-induced adverse events were included. A Markov model was used, and the health states of secondary cancer, hypothyroidism and hearing loss were defined as adverse events. The time horizon was the lifetime. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was used as a measurement of cost-effectiveness, with quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) used as an outcome. The costs were estimated from the national fee schedule, and the utility and transition probabilities were estimated from published literature. PBT incurred an additional 1387116 Japanese yen (JPY) and 1.56 QALYs to the comparator. The ICER was JPY 887053/QALY, indicating that PBT was cost-effective, based on the reference value of JPY 5 million/QALY used in the Japanese cost-effectiveness analysis. Deterministic sensitivity analysis showed that the ICER ranged from JPY 284782/QALY to JPY 1918603/QALY as a result of deterministic sensitivity analysis, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that PBT was cost-effective, with a probability of 91.7%.
Characterization of acrylic phantom for use in quality assurance of BNCT beam output procedure
Authors: Matsubayashi Nishiki , Hu Naonori , Takata Takushi , Sasaki Akinori , Kumada Hiroaki , Nakamura Satoshi , Masuda Akihiko , Tanaka Hiroki 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) system has been approved for specific cases covered by health insurance, and clinical trials for new cases in Japan are currently being conducted on other systems. Owing to the progress of accelerator-based BNCT, the operation of medical physics must be rendered more efficient. A water phantom is used for the quality assurance (QA) of the BNCT beam output procedure; however, a solid phantom is preferred for routine QA because of its ease of use. Additionally, because water phantoms cannot be readily used in some facilities owing to structural problems, solid phantoms are preferred for unified measurements at different facilities to compare beam outputs. In this study, we perform irradiation tests using an acrylic phantom and verify that an acrylic phantom can be used for QA. The distribution of thermal neutron flux and gamma-ray dose rate inside the acrylic phantom are evaluated through experiments and simulations. The results indicate that the acrylic phantom is suitable for routine QA and for comparing beam outputs among different systems. In the future, the same irradiation tests will be conducted at other facilities.