bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeted RNA sequencing in diagnostically challenging head and neck carcinomas identifies novel MON2::STAT6, NFATC2::NUTM2B, POC5::RAF1, and NSD3::NCOA2 gene fusions
Authors: Chu Ying‐Hsia , Katabi Nora , Sukhadia Purvil , Mullaney Kerry A , Zaidinski Michael , Cracchiolo Jeniffer R , Xu Bin , Ghossein Ronald A , Ho Alan L , DiNapoli Sara E , Ladanyi Marc , Dogan Snjezana 
Published: December 2024

AimsAlthough molecular tests developed for a growing list of oncogenic alterations have significantly aided in the classification of head and neck carcinomas, tumours in which prototypical histologic and immunophenotypic features are lacking or only partially developed continue to pose diagnostic challenges. Searching for known diagnostic and therapeutic targets by clinical next‐generation sequencing (NGS) assays can often lead to new discoveries.Methods and ResultsWe present our institutional experience in applying targeted RNA NGS in 36 head and neck carcinomas that were morphologically difficult to classify between 2016 and 2023. The patients ranged in age from 5 to 83 years (median, 64), with the majority of tumors occurring in the major salivary glands and the sinonasal tract. Overall, seven (19%) cases showed unusual gene rearrangements, including five novel alterations: MON2::STAT6 in a hard palate adenocarcinoma with mucinous features, POC5::RAF1 in apocrine intraductal carcinoma of the lacrimal gland, EWSR1::CDADC1 fusion in a basaloid carcinoma of the submandibular gland, NFATC2::NUTM2B in myoepithelial carcinoma, and NSD3::NCOA2 fusion in a peculiar high‐grade carcinoma with a peritheliomatous growth pattern, and focal myogenic differentiation. Potential therapeutic actionability was identified in three cases (RAF1 and FGFR2 fusions).ConclusionThese findings broaden the current spectrum of gene rearrangements in head and neck carcinomas and support the utility of clinical NGS in identifying unusual, actionable alterations in diagnostically challenging cases.
HISTORY, THEORY, VERTIGO: HOMODIEGESIS IN CONTEMPORARY HISTORIOGRAPHY
Authors: Baird Andrew 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTEnzo Traverso's Singular Pasts: The “I” in Historiography argues that contemporary historical writing is undergoing a “subjectivist turn” characterized by the increasing prevalence of first‐person narration, or homodiegesis. Traverso attributes this shift to the influence of neoliberalism and its emphasis on individual experience. This review essay follows Judith Surkis's analysis of the linguistic turn in questioning whether “turn talk” obscures more than it illuminates about contemporary historiography, especially given the extreme diversity of the field in terms of method, object, and approach. This essay proposes Hayden White's notion of the “practical past” as a better context for understanding the increasing prevalence of first‐person narration in historiography, insofar as it brings to the foreground what is lost or ruled out when history bases its authority and epistemological status on third‐person narration and a rigid distinction between historical and literary writing.
Combustion synthesis and spark plasma sintering processing of (1‐x)Ba(Zr₀.₂Ti₀.₈)O₃‐x(Ba₀.₇Ca₀.₃)TiO₃ ceramics
Authors: Figueroa‐Arteaga Marcela , Oliveira Aloadir L. S. , Garcia Ducinei , Zabotto Fabio L. , Raigoza Claudia F. V. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSolution combustion synthesis (SCS) has proven to be one of the simplest and fastest methods, using inexpensive materials and resulting in homogeneous stoichiometry with nanometric particle sizes. The spark plasma sintering (SPS) method has been used to obtain high‐density ceramic materials with excellent control of microstructure. This work reports the successful combination of these two techniques for the fabrication of the high‐density lead‐free ferroelectric system (1‐x)Ba(Zr₀.₂Ti₀.₈)O₃‐x(Ba₀.₇Ca₀.₃)TiO₃. The X‐ray diffraction of the powder indicates the majority formation of the perovskite structure and other residual reaction products, indicating a reactive powder. The SPS method resulted in highly densified samples, reaching relative density values close to 99% with a single‐phase perovskite structure. Rietveld refinement revealed the presence of at least two perovskite phases, independent of calcium concentration. Dielectric measurements showed anomalies in both the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity, which are typical of phase transitions and a low dielectric loss for all compositions. This study shows that the combined use of SCS and SPS technique can be a powerful protocol to produce dense, fine‐grained lead‐free ferroelectric ceramics at relatively low temperatures and in short time periods.
Late Harvest: Freezing Temperatures Reduce the Root Yield and Sugar Content of Beta vulgaris L.
Authors: Wang Lihua , Chen Jingjie , Fan Guokai , Chen Rui , Geng Gui , Xu Yao , Wang Yuguang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTSugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is the main source of white sugar in northern China, and an optimal harvesting time is key for maximising its yield and sugar content. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of gradually extending harvest times on the growth, physiological characteristics, yield and sucrose accumulation in sugar beet and identify the optimal harvesting time. We conducted a 3‐year experiment across different harvesting times from 23 Sep to 28 Oct (harvest every 7 days) to examine the effects of different magnitudes of temperature reduction. The yield and sugar content were the highest in time III (the daily mean/minimum temperature: 9.5°C/5°C) in 2020, time III (the daily mean/minimum temperature: 8.2°C/2°C) and IV (the daily mean/minimum temperature: 10.1°C/2°C) in 2021 and time IV (the daily mean/minimum temperature: 10.5°C/5°C) and V (the daily mean/minimum temperature: 7°C/−1°C) in 2022. The yield and sugar content were low at an early harvest, as the biomass and sucrose accumulation process was not complete. However, the decrease in temperature (daily minimum temperature below 0°C) during late harvest leads to a decrease in the yield and sugar content because of the decreased sucrose accumulation of source leaves, increased sucrose decomposition and the poor transport capacity of phloem in the stem. Therefore, the optimal harvesting time for sugar beet in northern China depends on temperature conditions. It is optimal when (1) the daily minimum temperature gradually decreases to 0°C but not lower than 0°C and when (2) the daily mean temperature is approximately 10°C. This work will help sugar beet producers harvest high‐quality crops and reduce unnecessary losses in northern China.
GD‐Net: An Integrated Multimodal Information Model Based on Deep Learning for Cancer Outcome Prediction and Informative Feature Selection
Authors: Lin Junqi , Deng Weizhen , Wei Junyu , Zheng Jinyong , Chen Kenan , Chai Hua , Zeng Tao , Tang Hui 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTMultimodal information provides valuable resources for cancer prognosis and survival prediction. However, the computational integration of this heterogeneous data information poses significant challenges due to the complex interactions between molecules from different biological modalities and the limited sample size. Here, we introduce GD‐Net, a Graph Deep learning algorithm to enhance the accuracy of survival prediction with an average accuracy of 72% by early fusing of multimodal information, which includes an interpretable and lightweight XGBoost module to efficiently extract informative features. First, we applied GD‐Net to eight cancer datasets and achieved superior performance compared to benchmarking methods, with an average 7.9% higher C‐index value. The ablation experiments strongly supported that multi‐modal integration could significantly improve accuracy over the single‐modality model. In the deep case study of liver cancer, 319 differential genes, 15 differential miRNAs and 155 methylated differential genes based on the predicted risk subgroups are identified as the informative features, and then we have statistically and biologically validated the efficacy of these key molecules in internal and external test datasets. The comprehensive independent validations demonstrated that GD‐Net is accurate and competitive in predicting different cancer outcomes in real‐time, and it is an effective tool for identifying new multimodal prognosis biomarkers.
Brussels‐Based Think Tanks in Times of Crisis: Examining Think Tank Climate Publication and Networking Activities During Brexit
Authors: Crellin Christopher 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe European Union (EU) relies on the input of scientific knowledge and external policy advice to develop and justify its climate policy. This link between the EU and external policy actors, including Brussels‐based think tanks, has emboldened amid multiple crises faced by the EU. Using crisis, Brussels‐based think tanks may alter their activities by acting strategically in attempts to influence EU policy‐making and enhance their prominence by promoting ideas, knowledge and policy recommendations. This research note sets out to examine the climate policy link between the EU and Brussels‐based think tanks and the changing activities of Brussels‐based think tanks during the Brexit crisis, given Brexit has raised questions around the EU's ability to continually develop ambitious climate policy and sustain its climate leadership. Drawing on a dataset of over 800 think tank documents and applying a time‐series regression and descriptive social network analysis, changes in the climate‐related publication productivity and co‐authorship networking activities of three Brussels‐based think tanks – Bruegel, CEPS and EPC – are examined before and after the Brexit referendum. The results show that Brussels‐based think tanks' climate‐related publication productivity and their co‐authorship networking activities change before and after the Brexit referendum, but in different ways, highlighting the need to consider the characteristics of individual think tanks vis‐à‐vis their role in EU policy‐making.
Effect of Dietary Astragalus Fermentation Products on Growth, Intestinal Microflora and Disease Resistance in Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides
Authors: Xue Mingyang , Zhang Liping , Meng Yan , Xing Yangyang , Jiang Nan , Li Yiqun , Huang Zhenyu , Fan Yuding , Liu Wei , Chen Jianwu , Liu Xiaolian , Zhou Yong 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTFermentation of Astragalus by Lactobacillus plantarum and Bacillus coagulans can increase the release of active components and degrade its macromolecular substances. This study investigated the effect of fermentation products (Astragalus + L. plantarum + B. coagulans, ALB) on largemouth bass. We specifically focused on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, intestinal microbial diversity, intestinal enzyme activity, immune gene expression and resistance to infections by Aeromonas hydrophila and largemouth bass ranavirus (LMBRaV). The largemouth bass were divided into five groups based on the amount of ALB added to the feed as following, (1) ALB0 (no ALB, ALB0.5 [0.5% addition of ALB], ALB1 [1% addition of ALB], ALB3 [3% addition of ALB], ALB5 [5% addition of ALB]). The feeding trial spanned 28 days. Comprehensively comparing the feeding results of different ALB concentration, the ALB0.5 group showed the best effect. The ALB0.5 group had significantly increased weight gain rate, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, digestive enzymes activities of lipase, trypsin and increased intestinal villi and thickness of muscularis propria. And it decreased feed conversion ratio, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase of largemouth bass. Furthermore, the ALB0.5 group improved the richness and diversity of the intestinal microbiota. Increased abundance of dominant phylum and genus in the intestine of largemouth bass included Fusobacteria and Cetobacterium, which promoted the growth and immune performance of largemouth bass. After infection with A. hydrophila and LMBRaV, the survival rates were higher in ALB addition experimental groups than in the ALB0 group, respectively. And the survival rate of ALB0.5 group was higher than other groups. Meanwhile, the ALB added to the feed could regulated the immune gene expression (Mx, IRF‐3, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐10), which also promoted the largemouth bass resistance to disease. In summary, adding 0.5% ALB to the diet of largemouth bass can boost its growth performance, immune genes expression, intestinal health and disease resistance.
Evaluation of bile acids and bilirubin in serum and abdominal fluid in dogs with abdominal effusion
Authors: Pascual Moreno M. , Monti P. , Seth M. , Valls Sanchez F. 
Published: December 2024

ObjectivesDetermine the utility of abdominal fluid bile acids concentration to diagnose biliary tract rupture and the utility of abdominal fluid‐to‐serum bilirubin ratio as diagnostic tools in dogs.Materials and MethodsThis was a prospective pilot study. Canine serum and abdominal fluid samples were collected and submitted for the determination of bilirubin and bile acids concentrations between 2020 and 2022. Samples were measured at the time of admission from dogs with acute onset of clinical signs and peritoneal fluid. A Mann–Whitney U test and ROC curves were used to compare serum and abdominal fluid bilirubin and bile acids concentration and fluid‐to‐serum bilirubin and bile acids ratio between patients with biliary tract rupture and non‐biliary tract rupture.ResultsNinety‐four cases were included, of which seven were diagnosed with biliary tract rupture. Median abdominal fluid bile acids concentration was significantly higher in dogs with biliary tract rupture than non‐biliary tract rupture (P‐value <0.001). Abdominal fluid bile acids concentration had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99% for the diagnosis of biliary tract rupture. Fluid‐to‐serum bilirubin ratio was also analysed and no statistically significant difference was seen between groups (P‐value 0.925).Clinical SignificanceAlthough the number of dogs with biliary tract rupture in this study population was small, abdominal fluid bile acids concentration may have a better accuracy than fluid‐to‐serum bilirubin ratio for the diagnosis of biliary tract rupture. The utility of fluid‐to‐serum bilirubin ratio for the diagnosis of biliary tract rupture, appears limited. Further studies with a larger number of biliary tract rupture cases are required to support these conclusions.
Forest and Isolation Determine Bat Species Richness on Mediterranean Islands: Conservation Implications
Authors: Ekklisiarchos Ioannis , Russo Danilo , Georgiakakis Panagiotis 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe study of island species richness has gone far beyond traditional theories, as more and more studies attempt to include new predictor variables besides island area. Despite the rich bat diversity of Mediterranean islands, no studies have examined the factors influencing chiropteran species richness in such a geographic context.AimsWe used Greek islands as a model to detect drivers of bat species richness based on a broad species occurrence dataset from islands of the Aegean and Ionian Seas, which was explored using 10 potential predictor variables.Materials and MethodsInitially, we comprehensively evaluated all available data and sources for 53 Greek islands, deemed essential. This resulted in a reduced set of 28 islands. Predictors were grouped into three categories: island area, landscape diversity and island isolation. Generalised linear models were employed to identify the most significant factors explaining bat species richness in the 28 islands.ResultsTree cover and the distance between the islands and their nearest coast (mainland or island) best performed to predict bat species richness on Greek islands.DiscussionWe show the important role of landscape composition and degree of isolation in influencing the distribution of bat species on islands.ConclusionWe highlight the importance of forest habitats and the vital role of their management and protection, especially in the insular systems of the Mediterranean basin, where the risk of forest degradation or loss due to wildfires and land use change is especially high.
Cytoadhesion of Plasmodium falciparum‐Infected Red Blood Cells Changes the Expression of Cytokine‐, Histone‐ and Antiviral Protein‐Encoding Genes in Brain Endothelial Cells
Authors: Allweier Johannes , Bartels Michael , Torabi Hanifeh , Tauler Maria del Pilar Martinez , Metwally Nahla Galal , Roeder Thomas , Gutsmann Thomas , Bruchhaus Iris 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTMalaria remains a significant global health problem, mainly due to Plasmodium falciparum, which is responsible for most fatal infections. Infected red blood cells (iRBCs) evade spleen clearance by adhering to endothelial cells (ECs), triggering capillary blockage, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and altered vascular permeability, prompting an endothelial transcriptional response. The iRBCIT4var04/HBEC‐5i model, where iRBCs present IT4var04 (VAR2CSA) on their surface, was used to analyze the effects of iRBC binding on ECs at different temperature (37°C vs. 40°C). Binding of non‐infected RBCs (niRBCs) and fever alone altered the expression of hundreds of genes in ECs. Comparing the expression profile of HBEC‐5i cells cultured either in the presence of iRBCs or in the presence of niRBCs revealed significant upregulation of genes linked to immune response, nucleosome assembly, NF‐kappa B signaling, angiogenesis, and antiviral immune response/interferon‐alpha/beta signaling. Raising the temperature to 40°C, simulating fever, led to further upregulation of many genes, particularly those involved in cytokine production and angiogenesis. In summary, the presence of iRBCs stimulates ECs, activating several immunological pathways and affecting antiviral (−parasitic) mechanisms and angiogenesis. Our data uncovered the induction of the interferon‐alpha/beta signaling pathway in ECs in response to iRBCs.
Caviar extract inhibits skin photoaging by activating skin stem cells through NF‐κB/MMPs/COL17A1 axis
Authors: Kou Younan , Guo Wuyan , Wang Yun , Kou Changhua , Zhang Bo 
Published: December 2024

AbstractUltraviolet radiations (UVR) produce harmful entities and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin cells, leading to skin photoaging. Caviar extract (CE) showed outstanding effects in delaying skin aging, but the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we prepared CE with acid protease and examined the anti‐skin photoaging effects. The results showed that CE performed no cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. For antioxidant properties, the EC50 values of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity for CE were 1.27 and 5.20 mg/mL, respectively. It significantly reduced NF‐κB, MMP‐3 and MMP‐9 protein expression levels, and increased IκB and TIMP‐1 expression level in UVA‐irradiated HaCaT cells. In the skin aging mice model, CE reduced the degree of UV‐induced skin photoaging. Histological study confirmed that CE can ameliorate the adverse effects of UV exposure on the skin. Moreover, we found that CE could enhance the activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and increased the contents of hydroxyproline (HYP) in photoaged mice skin. And CE elevated the protein expression level of COL17A1, KRT10, and KRT14 in mice skin. Taken together, our results bright systemic and new insights of CE into preventing UV‐induced skin photoaging.
Effects of seed infection by Fusarium verticillioides on maize performance against Sesamia nonagrioides attack
Authors: Gesteiro N. , Cao A. , Santiago R. , Lobagueira P. , González‐Prieto S. J. , Malvar R. A. , Butrón A. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn maize (Zea mays L), the fungus Fusarium verticillioides can behave as a pathogen, but it is also able of asymptomatic colonization as an endophyte. Therefore, it would be of great value to identify metabolites and/or metabolic pathways implicated in mutualistic and pathogenic interactions. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to investigate the effect of seed colonization by F. verticillioides on maize growth in a group of inbreds with contrasting resistance to F. verticillioides; (ii) to know if maize priming by Fusarium seed infection affects maize response to other parasites and if these differences could depend on genotype resistance to Fusarium; and (iii) to determine which metabolites could be associated to beneficial/detrimental changes on maize performance. Targeted and untargeted metabolomic approaches were carried out to characterize the response of control and primed plants to the most common maize pest in the Mediterranean area, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The study cannot assume a differential pattern of infection between resistant and susceptible inbreds, but seed inoculation with F. verticillioides upon infestation with S. nonagrioides, significantly altered defense metabolism in resistant inbreds. Meanwhile it also induced a lipid response in susceptible inbreds that could mediate their increased plant susceptibility to insect attack. Although an endophytic interaction between the fungus and specific genotypes cannot be proven, defense pathways were favorably altered by F. verticillioides colonization among resistant inbreds.
Transfusing selected RhD negative patients with RhD positive packed red cell concentrates resulted in lower frequency of anti‐D development and saved almost two thousand RhD negative concentrates during 5 years
Authors: Alm Inger Margit , Brenna Elin , Akkök Çiğdem Akalın 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe Blood Bank at Oslo University Hospital implements restrictions when the stocks of blood groups O and A RhD negative packed red blood cell concentrates (PRBCCs) drop below 60 units due to high demand and low donor availability. Restrictions entail transfusing RhD negative male patients and women >50 years with RhD positive units, to provide RhD negative units to those who should not receive RhD positive units. Earlier studies have reported that up to 50% of RhD negative patients developed anti‐D after RhD positive blood transfusion. We aimed to investigate the rate of anti‐D alloimmunization using this restriction strategy in our population.Study Design and MethodsThis retrospective study was performed at Oslo University Hospital between 2006 and 2011. Antibody screen results were included throughout 2019 for the patients readmitted to the hospital.Results607 RhD negative mostly cancer patients and patients having surgery for cardiovascular conditions received 1926 RhD positive PRBCCs. Post‐transfusion antibody screen was available for 401 patients (66.1%), and 76 patients (22.2%) developed anti‐D. In 15 of the 76 patients (19.7%), anti‐D became evanescent in the follow‐up.DiscussionThe proportion of anti‐D immunisation in RhD negative patients receiving RhD positive PRBCCs in this study was consistent with findings from other reports. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting a high proportion of evanescence of anti‐D. Transfusing selected RhD negative patients with RhD positive PRBCCs when RhD negative stocks are low, contributed saving 1926 RhD negative PRBCCs during the study period of 64 months.