bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ocular adnexal lymphoma – a retrospective study and review of the literature
Authors: Boltezar Lucka , Strbac Danijela , Pizem Joze , Hawlina Gregor 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
To review the characteristics of all Slovenian patients with ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) in the period of 24 years with the aim of evaluating demographic data, lymphoma location and type, disease stage, treatment modality, local control rate and survival rate.

Patients and methods
All patients with histologically diagnosed OAL in the main tertiary centre of Slovenia, Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, who were treated at Institute of Oncology Ljubljana were included in the study. Patients’ data were collected from October 1995 through April 2019.

Results
Seventy-four patients were included in the study having a median age of 68 years at diagnosis. The majority of lymphomas were of B-cell origin (98.6%). The most frequent type was the extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MALT) (71.6%). Orbital lymphomas were diagnosed in 56 cases (75.7%) and conjunctival in 18 cases (24.3%). Ocular manifestation was the first sign of the disease in 78.4% of patients and in 67.6% of patients ocular adnexa were the only disease location. Fifty-one patients (68.9%) were treated with radiotherapy, 7 patients (9.4%) with systemic treatment, 5 patients (6.8%) with combined radiotherapy and systemic treatment and in 11 patients, biopsy and active surveillance strategy was applied (14.9%). Local control of the disease was achieved in 96.6% of treated patients. Median overall survival of the whole study group has not been reached yet. Five-year overall survival rate was 80.1% (95% CI 68.1% – 88.5%) and 5-year lymphoma specific survival rate was 87.2% (95% CI 83.2%−91.2%).

Conclusions
OALs comprise a group of heterogeneous diseases with variable outcomes depending predominately on the patient’s age and lymphoma type, with low grade lymphomas carrying good prognosis even in elderly patients.
Anastomosing hemangioma of the ovary – a comprehensive review of this rare ovarian entity
Authors: Merlo Sebastjan , Vivod Gregor , Gazic Barbara , Kovacevic Nina 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Anastomosing hemangioma of the ovary is a rare vascular tumor that predominantly affects middle-aged women. Despite its benign nature, its histological appearance can mimic aggressive vascular lesions, posing diagnostic challenges. This review aims to provide an overview of this uncommon entity.

Methods
The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for relevant articles published in English. Information on all retrieved cases was extracted and reviewed in detail.

Results
We found 33 cases with relevant details of anastomosing heamangioma of the ovary. Despite the small number of cases we found, our study demonstrated the importance of an accurate hystopathological evaluation.

Conclusions
Although the preliminary imaging and initial microscopic features may appear alarming, careful microscopic examination reveals benign behavior. There is a need to raise awareness of this unusual and rare entity to improve morphologic recognition and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment or patient anxiety.
A retrospective evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and safety of chemoradiotherapy in older patients (aged ≥ 75 years) with limited-disease small cell lung cancer: insights from two institutions and review of the literature
Authors: Shiono Ayako , Imai Hisao , Endo Satoshi , Katayama Kazuki , Sato Hideaki , Hashimoto Kosuke , Miura Yu , Okazaki Shohei , Abe Takanori , Mouri Atsuto , Kaira Kyoichi , Masubuchi Ken , Kobayashi Kunihiko , Minato Koichi , Kato Shingo , Kagamu Hiroshi 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
The standard treatment for patients in good general condition with limited-disease small cell lung cancer (LD-SCLC) is concurrent platinum/etoposide chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy (TRT). However, the efficacy and safety of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in older patients with LD-SCLC has not been fully explored; moreover, the optimal treatment for this patient group remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of CRT in older patients with LD-SCLC.

Patients and methods
From April 2007 to June 2021, consecutive older patients (aged ≥ 75 years) with stage I to III SCLC who received concurrent or sequential CRT at two institutions were retrospectively evaluated for efficacy and toxicity of CRT.

Results
A total of 32 older patients underwent concurrent (n = 19) or sequential (n = 13) CRT for LD-SCLC. The median ages of the patients in the concurrent and sequential CRT groups were 77 (range: 75–81) years and 79 (range: 76–92) years, respectively. The median number of chemotherapeutic treatment cycles was four (range, 1–5), and the response rate was 96.9% in all patients (94.7% in concurrent and 100% in sequential CRT groups). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) for all patients were 11.9 and 21.1 months, respectively. The median PFS was 13.0 and 9.0 months in the concurrent CRT and sequential CRT groups, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.67). The median OS from the initiation of CRT was 19.2 and 23.5 months in the concurrent and sequential CRT groups, respectively (p = 0.46). The frequencies of Grade ≥ 3 hematological adverse events were as follows: decreased white blood cell count, 20/32 (62.5%); decreased neutrophil count, 23/32 (71.9%); anemia, 6/32 (18.8%); decreased platelet count, 7/32 (21.9%); and febrile neutropenia, 3/32 (9.4%). Treatment-related deaths occurred in one patient from each group.

Conclusions
Although hematological toxicities, particularly reduced neutrophil count, were severe, CRT showed favorable efficacy in both concurrent and sequential CRT groups. However, concurrent CRT may not be feasible for all older patients with LD-SCLC; accordingly, sequential CRT may be considered as a treatment of choice for these patients. Further prospective trials are warranted to identify optimal treatment strategies for this patient group.
Government Purchases: a Review of Scientific Literature with Implications for the Legal Aspects of Public Management
Authors: Nascimento Otacílio Leite do , Nunes Cláudio , Nascimento-e-Silva Daniel 
Published: September 2024

Goal: This study presents an overview of the scientific literature on the conceptual scope of government procurement with implications for the legal aspects of public management.

Theoretical framework: The study framework is metatheoretical, in the sense that different conceptual definitions from all fields of scientific knowledge were studied to gain the most accurate understanding of the explanatory framework of government procurement.

Method: The conceptual bibliographic method was used in its four stages to generate answers to two guiding questions and one main research question. Nominal data were collected from the Google Scholar scientific database of studies published between January 2023 and June 2024, only from articles published in qualified journals, national and international scientific events, master's dissertations, doctoral theses, technical studies, and research reports. The sample consisted of 28 studies that met the requirements after applying the exclusion rules. The results were generated using simple frequency for the approaches and the creation of semantic groups for the attributes of government purchases.

Results and discussion: The results indicated the existence of ten distinct but convergent approaches to government purchases. Forty-four attributes were also found, organized into nine semantic groups. It was discovered that science shows the possibility of four major stages in carrying out government purchases: diagnosis of the population's needs, contracting, monitoring, and evaluating the population's satisfaction with what was delivered to them. Of these four stages, only the contracting stage has received substantial concern from the legislator.

Research implications: This study's findings indicate the need to expand the legal coverage of government purchases to all process stages. This would prevent, for example, government purchases made in the Brazilian Amazon from considering logistics costs, a disregard that prevents legal contracting by city governments in the region.

Originality/Value: This study's main contribution to science in general and law in particular is the finding that government procurement is a phenomenon that is not limited to the stages of contracting with the supplier by the public agency. For legal and governmental effectiveness, rules are necessary for diagnosing the need to be met, monitoring the supply, and assessing the population's satisfaction with what is delivered to them.
A preliminary study of sirtuin-1 on angiotensin II-induced senescence and inflammation in abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Chen Huanhuan , Pang Tianshu , Liang Kai , Mei Jinhua , Zhu Yuefeng , Yang Jin 
Published: September 2024

Objective:
Recent evidence suggests the involvement of senescence and inflammation in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Considering the role of sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in delaying senescence, we aimed to preliminarily investigate the potential mechanism underlying the effects of SIRT1 in senescence and inflammation during AAA.

Material and Methods:
A cell AAA model was established using angiotensin II (Ang II) as the inducer, which was applied to treat human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). The senescence and cell cycle of treated HASMCs were evaluated based on senescence-associated (SA)-b-galactosidase (b-gal) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and proteins related to senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), along with nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways, as well as SIRT1, were gauged. The correlation between SIRT1 and NF-kB and MAPK pathway-related proteins was further estimated.

Results:
In Ang II-treated HASMCs, reduced SIRT1 and B-cell lymphoma-2 levels yet increased levels of SASP-related proteins P16 and P21, inflammatory cytokines, as well as Bax and caspases were all visible. In the meantime, Ang II exposure enhanced the number of b-gal-positive HASMCs and promoted cell cycle arrest. SIRT1 was also repressed following Ang II treatment and negatively correlated with NF-kB and MAPK pathway-related proteins (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the overexpression of SIRT1 diminished the levels of SASP-related proteins and reduced the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 and P65 in Ang II-treated HASMCs (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Taken together, our results indicate that SIRT1 overexpression attenuates the inflammatory and senescent responses of HASMCs in the Ang II-induced AAA cell model. This finding suggests that SIRT1 can be a highly promising target for clinical treatment of AAA.
Presence of multiple van genes among glycopeptide non-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus exhibiting in vitro MIC creep phenomenon: A study from north-east India
Authors: Hazarika Monalisha , Nath Kathakali , Bhowmik Deepshikha , Singha K. Melson , Dhar Debadatta , Bhattacharjee Amitabha 
Published: September 2024

Background & objectives
The global prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) has increased two fold since 2010, accounting for 2.4 per cent of S. aureus infections. The emerging hVISA isolates and their increasing trends pose a serious therapeutic challenge. The present study investigated in vitro vancomycin and teicoplanin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) creep in S. aureus and assessed their revertants.

Methods
A total of 845 isolates were collected for this study, and 246 were confirmed as S. aureus. Molecular characterization of vancomycin resistance was carried out by PCR assay targeting genes types viz: vanA, vanB, vanC, vanC2/C3, vanD, vanE, and vanG. MIC was determined for vancomycin and teicoplanin by agar dilution method. MIC creep and revertant analysis were done by broth dilution method in the presence and absence of antibiotics.

Results
PCR assay confirmed 12 isolates were harboured vanA, followed by vanD (n=8) and vanB (n=7). The study showed 69 isolates were screened positive for glycopeptide non-susceptibility. While analyzing vancomycin MIC creep, four isolates showed a significant increase in MIC, whereas no creep phenomenon was observed for the rest. In the case of teicoplanin, seven isolates showed the MIC creep phenomenon. Revertant analysis of all the isolates that showed MIC creep phenomenon for vancomycin and teicoplanin reverted to their original MIC when the antibiotic pressure was withdrawn.

Interpretation & conclusions
In the present study setting, glycopeptide non-susceptibility was found in eight per cent of the isolates, and the present study found the occurrence of multiple van genes from isolates calculated from a single study center will impose a serious challenge in infection control and antibiotic policy. This study also underscores that heterogenic resistant isolates, upon exposure to vancomycin and teicoplanin at a minimum level, exhibited an increase in MIC, which will impact individuals receiving glycopeptide therapy.
Über die Kunst des Unterscheidens
Authors: Mikhail Thomas 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
On the Art of Differentiation. A Systematic Approach to Forms of Critique in Educational Sciences
Based on three differentiation schemes, this article creates a system of seven forms of pedagogical critique. ›Critique‹ is understood as a specific form of pedagogical theorizing. These forms of critique can help to understand what educational scientists do when they criticize.
Kritik als Praxis
Authors: Castro Varela María do Mar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Critique as Practice. A Questioning
The crisis-ridden times in which we live force us to rethink the role of critique. If we start from the assumption that maturity requires a critical mind, how can this be learned? And what role does education play in this? With a cursory recourse to critical theories by Horkheimer, Benjamin, Arendt and Foucault, the connection between critique and thinking is developed and critique as practice is described as a thinking exercise that must be learned and taught.
Reisen als ein pädagogisch-anthropologischer Weg zur Bildung der Kritikfähigkeit
Authors: Mattig Ruprecht 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Traveling as a Pedagogical-Anthropological Method for Cultivating the Critical Faculty
Taking up current criticism of the understanding of critique in pedagogy, the paper develops a pedagogical-anthropological perspective on the cultivation of the critical faculty. The focus is on Rousseau’s theory of travel. The paper shows how important bodily-sensual experiences, intercultural encounters and cosmopolitan reflections are for the cultivation of critical awareness. It thereby counters views that tie critique to a disembodied and universalistic rationality.
Retraction: Detection of the prevalent biofilm-producing bacteria in hearing aids and silico stimulation of effective anti-biofilm agents
Authors: Taeis Sahar Ahmed , Al-Quhli Sawsan Qahtan Taha , Bargas Omar Malik 
Published: September 2024

Upon thorough investigation, it was very evident and clear that the manuscript titled:"Detection of the prevalent biofilm-producing bacteria in hearing aids and silico stimulation of effective anti-biofilm agents" had several citations which were inaccurately represented, cited out of context, or included without sufficient relevance to the study's content and conclusions. These issues compromise the scientific integrity and reliability of the article.
The authors were contacted by the editorial office to provide clarification regarding these citations but did not respond within the stipulated timeframe
In light of this, and in accordance with our commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards in publishing, the editorial has decided to retract the article to prevent any potential misunderstanding or misuse of the published work.
Endless dispossession: looking at Mexico through David Harvey’s gaze
Authors: De Coss-Corzo Alejandro 
Published: September 2024

Mexico, production of urban space, violence and dispossession, capital accumulation, David Harvey Mexico seems to be immersed in an unending series of catastrophes. Every day new stories of injustices and horrible deaths smother us. Social networks, both physical and virtual, are continuously filled with outrage, which more often than not, suddenly decays. This processes, some clearly connected and others apparently distant, can be explained in a systematic fashion through the work of David Harvey. In his work, Harvey has sought to explain how capital accumulation produces and transforms space. This focus has established his body of work as one of the main contributions to Marxist theory in the last fifty years. In particular, he has focused on explaining the production of urban space; the role of violence and dispossession in the accumulation of capital, and the role finance plays in the capitalist system and its crises. Even if these three topics were scarcely explored by Marx, Harvey looks for clues and follows his steps in a critical and complementary way.
Elementos fundamentales para un pregrado con impronta social comunitaria, comprometido con el cambio social
Authors: Valencia Zapata Adriana , Montenegro Romero Orlando , González Mendoza Almeida Liliana , Herrera Contreras José Alexander 
Published: September 2024

Introducción: Las comprensiones sobre una apuesta social comunitaria en un plan de estudios de psicología desbordan el interés de una disciplina en particular. Se convierten en tema de interés por su propósito de incidir en problemáticas y necesidades psicosociales y comunitarias del mundo actual, para el bienestar multidimensional de sujetos, grupos y colectivos. Las reflexiones que se presentan son el resultado de una investigación realizada entre 2021 y 2023, en un programa de psicología que centró su interés en la identificación de los pilares de la impronta social comunitaria que promulga la Universidad de origen y su ejecución en el plan de estudios. Metodología: Fundamentada en el paradigma crítico social, de corte cualitativo y con una metodología de investigación–acción, bajo técnicas de revisión documental, grupo focal y herramientas Atlas TI y metaplan. Resultados: Los hallazgos de esta investigación permitieron la identificación de 3 pilares metodológicos-epistemológicos, que fundamentan la mirada social comunitaria, adaptables a grados de formación que busquen agenciar acciones comunitarias para superar diversos problemas psicosociales. Discusión: Se sugieren algunos aspectos críticos a considerar, para que las acciones generadas apunten realmente a la transformación social. Conclusiones: Es necesario fortalecer la formación solidaria y comunitaria del programa universitario estudiado.
Effect of bioceramic inclusions on gel-cast aliphatic polymer membranes for bone tissue engineering applications: An in vitro study
Authors: Nayak Vasudev Vivekanand , Bergamo Edmara T.P. , Sanjairaj Vijayavenkataraman , Behera Rakesh Kumar , Gupta Nikhil , Coelho Paulo G. , Witek Lukasz 
Published: September 2024

Background Polylactic acid (PLA) has been extensively used in tissue engineering. However, poor mechanical properties and low cell affinity have limited its pertinence in load bearing bone tissue regeneration (BTR) devices. Objective Augmenting PLA with β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP), a calcium phosphate-based ceramic, could potentially improve its mechanical properties and enhance its osteogenic potential. Methods Gels of PLA and β-TCP were prepared of different % w/w ratios through polymer dissolution in acetone, after which polymer-ceramic membranes were synthesized using the gel casting workflow and subjected to characterization. Results Gel-cast polymer-ceramic constructs were associated with significantly higher osteogenic capacity and calcium deposition in differentiated osteoblasts compared to pure polymer counterparts. Immunocytochemistry revealed cell spreading over the gel-cast membrane surfaces, characterized by trapezoidal morphology, distinct rounded nuclei, and well-aligned actin filaments. However, groups with higher ceramic loading expressed significantly higher levels of osteogenic markers relative to pure PLA membranes. Rule of mixtures and finite element models indicated an increase in theoretical mechanical strength with an increase in β-TCP concentration. Conclusion This study potentiates the use of PLA/β-TCP composites in load bearing BTR applications and the ability to be used as customized patient-specific shape memory membranes in guided bone regeneration.
Promotion of maturation in CDM3-induced embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes by palmitic acid
Authors: Mu Junsheng , Gao Zhen , Bo Ping , You Bin 
Published: September 2024

Background Myocardial infarction leads to myocardial necrosis, and cardiomyocytes are non-renewable. Fatty acid-containing cardiomyocyte maturation medium promotes maturation of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Objective To study the effect palmitic acid on maturation of cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to optimize differentiation for potential treatment of myocardial infarction by hESCs. Methods hESCs were differentiated into cardiomyocytes using standard chemically defined medium 3 (CDM3). Up to day 20 of differentiation, 200 Mm palmitic acid were added, and then the culture was continued for another 8 days to mimic the environment in which human cardiomyocytes mainly use fatty acids as the main energy source. Light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and cellular ATP assays, were carried out to analyze the expression of relevant cardiomyocyte-related genes, cell morphology, metabolism levels, and other indicators cardiomyocyte maturity. Results Cardiomyocytes derived from hESCs under exogenous palmitic acid had an elongated pike shape and a more regular arrangement. Sarcomere stripes were clear, and the cells color was clearly visible. The cell perimeter and elongation rate were also increased. Myogenic fibers were abundant, myofibrillar z-lines were regularly, the numbers of mitochondria and mitochondrial cristae were higher, more myofilaments were observed, and the structure of round-like discs was occasionally seen. Expression of mature cardiomyocyte-associated genes TNNT2, MYL2 and MYH6, and cardiomyocyte-associated genes KCNJ4, RYR2,and PPARα, was upregulated ( p < 0.05). Expression of MYH7, MYL7, KCND2, KCND3, GJA1 and TNNI1 genes was unaffected ( p > 0.05). Expression of mature cardiomyocyte-associated sarcomere protein MYL2 was significantly increased ( p < 0.05), MYH7 protein expression was unaffected ( p > 0.05). hESC-derived cardiomyocytes exposed to exogenous palmitic acid produced more ATP per unit time ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Exogenous palmitic acid induced more mature hESC-CMs in terms of the cellular architecture, expression of cardiomyocyte maturation genes adnprotein, and metabolism.