bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lack of Pharmacokinetic Drug–Drug Interactions Between Bepirovirsen and Nucleos(t)ide Analogs
Authors: Han Kelong , Youssef Amir S. , Magee Mindy , Hood Steve , Tracey Helen , Kwoh Jesse , Theodore Dickens , Paff Melanie , Nader Ahmed 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBepirovirsen is an antisense oligonucleotide currently in Phase 3 development to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Given the importance of coadministration of bepirovirsen and standard‐of‐care nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs), we evaluated drug–drug interactions (DDIs) between bepirovirsen, entecavir (ETV), and tenofovir (TFV) using in vitro and clinical data obtained through innovative study design and sampling strategy. Static models employing in vitro data indicated that bepirovirsen is not a direct inhibitor or inducer of most drug‐metabolizing enzymes or an inhibitor or substrate of drug transporters and poses no clinical DDI risk against NAs. Bepirovirsen plasma pharmacokinetic parameters and concentration–time profiles in patients with chronic HBV in the CS3 study (NCT02981602) were similar with or without ETV or TFV coadministration, indicating no effect of NA coadministration on bepirovirsen pharmacokinetics. In patients with chronic HBV receiving both bepirovirsen and ETV or TFV in the B‐Clear study (NCT04449029), NA plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to those published without bepirovirsen coadministration, suggesting no effect of bepirovirsen coadministration on NA pharmacokinetics. This analysis demonstrated no DDI potential between bepirovirsen and NAs, suggesting that dedicated clinical DDI studies are not required. Bepirovirsen is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 studies in combination with NA.
The Subjective Experience of the Punitive Parent Mode in Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder Following Schema Therapy: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Baelemans Mariëlle C. E. , Plooij Puk , Bachrach Nathan , Arntz Arnoud 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is often characterized by self‐critical and punitive thoughts, emotions, beliefs and behaviours, conceptualized in schema therapy (ST) as the punitive parent mode (PPM). This mode involves internalized punitive messages from childhood from the behaviour and reactions of significant others, leading to self‐hatred, guilt and self‐denial. Although patients with BPD frequently report auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) as manifestations of the PPM, this phenomenon is often overlooked in ST studies. We conducted semistructured interviews with 16 (ex)patients (63% female) from two Dutch mental health institutions to explore their experiences with the PPM before, during and after ST. An independent, double‐coded systematic content analysis was performed. Approximately half of the participants reported AVHs linked to the PPM before therapy. The patients characterized the PPM by pervasive self‐critical messages, contributing to intense emotional and physical distress and maladaptive coping strategies. Participants reported that ST techniques, including group therapy, imagery rescripting (ImRs) and the empty chair technique (ECT), effectively reduced the power and credibility of the PPM, including AVHs. The self‐reported improvements included more adaptive coping mechanisms, increased social support and a general experience of reduced PPM. This study highlights the prevalence of the PPM as AVHs in individuals with BPD and demonstrates the efficacy of ST in reducing the impact of PPM, including in cases involving AVHs. Clinical implications include the need for relapse prevention plans and further exploration into how ST's effects can be enhanced. Future research should explore the broader spectrum of psychotic experiences in BPD and consider integrating PPM‐related AVHs into the assessment and treatment of BPD.
Polling the Public to Select Flagship Species for Tourism and Conservation—A ‘Big Five’ for the Peruvian Amazon?
Authors: Recharte Maribel , Lee Phyllis C. , Vick Sarah‐Jane , Bowler Mark 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTFlagship species are used to promote conservation and tourism. Africa's famous ‘Big five’ have become marketing flagships that fundraisers and tourism promoters emulate globally. Species can be selected systematically for marketing using characteristics such as colour, size or behaviour, but this approach can overlook unique animals or homogenise selections. Alternatively, polling the public can reveal existing preferences for animals directly. We used questionnaires with tourists in the Peruvian Amazon to identify existing biases for species and rank them for suitability for tourism and conservation marketing. Polling revealed several species that would not be considered good flagship candidates using systematic methods based on species characteristics. ‘Free listing’ tourists expressed preferences at inconsistent taxonomic levels. The response ‘monkeys’ (infraorder Simiiformes) was highest ranked, followed by ‘jaguar’ (Panthera onca), ‘Amazon dolphin’ (Inia geoffrensis), ‘sloths’ (suborder Folivora), and ‘caiman’ (subfamily Caimaninae) and ‘birds’ (class Aves). When ranking from a preselected shortlist, jaguar, Amazon dolphins and sloths (represented by Bradypus variegatus) remained popular, while vote splitting within higher taxonomic levels, in particular monkeys, made room for green‐winged macaw (Ara chloropterus) and anaconda (Eunectes murinus). When asked about their willingness to pay for excursions or donate to conservation, tourists were overwhelmingly more likely to quote larger figures for jaguars than any other species, but results for other species were more homogenous. Some popular taxonomic groups are diverse in Amazonia; up to 14 monkey species may be present at some sites Amazonia, alongside several hundred bird species. A Big five strategy obscures this diversity. Using physical characteristics as selection criteria underplays diversity and overlooks popular taxa—notably sloths for the Amazon. A strategy of polling the public to select popular species as flagships more directly identifies salient species for marketing and efficiently considers existing biases. However, diversity will trump a Big five approach in megadiverse areas.
Assessment of Government Policies, Current Practices, Challenges, Research, Standards, and Scope for Dissemination of Box‐Type Solar Cooker in India
Authors: Redekar Abhijeet , Deb Dipankar , Muyeen S. M. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTAddressing the demand for cooking energy is crucial in developing countries, particularly as populations rise and natural resources decline. Abundant and freely accessible solar energy offers a promising solution to this challenge. Despite the global development of various solar cooking devices, BTSC has not achieved the anticipated level of popularity. This study aims to explore the factors hindering the adoption of BTSC and to discuss how these findings can inform the design of future BTSC models, focusing on four key areas. These include proposing innovative design features to align with the Indian lifestyle, identifying opportunities in nonurban areas, and providing commercialization strategies. The evaluation relies upon the Weight‐decision method, results of ethnographic study, potential user analysis using qualitative techniques, and an assessment of commercialization strategies by examining feasibility. The study highlights the need for hybridizing the BTSC by incorporating features such as active tracking, a secondary heating source (battery or grid‐operated heating coil), and self‐power generation through thermoelectric conversion to increase user acceptance. nonurban users‐including those in semi‐urban, rural, tribal, nomadic, and trekking communities‐demonstrate suitability for efficient solar cooker use. The continued subsidy by the Haryana government has crucially promoted BTSC adoption. Additionally, 30 out of 34 states fall within the high radiation zone, indicating favorable conditions for the adoption of BTSC. However, the assessment also reveals a limitation in the new design related to indoor cooking. These design features should be incorporated into the prototype in the future.
Spatiotemporal changes of desertification areas in the Alxa Desert obtained from satellite imagery
Authors: Li Ting , Wang Yuanwei , Fan Xiaomei , Wang Lingxiao , Li Xiangfei , Zhao Lin , Kattel Giri Raj , Guo Xiaoyu , Fan Mengtian 
Published: February 2025

AbstractDesertification is defined as land degradation in arid, semi‐arid and dry sub‐humid areas resulting from various factors. High‐spatial‐resolution desertification monitoring with long time series and accurate area quantification in the Alxa Desert has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we exploited Landsat satellite images to develop a method for the monitoring of high‐resolution, large‐scale desertification dynamics using a Desertification Difference Index (DDI) model based on albedo and Topsoil Grain Size Index (TGSI). On this basis, we examined the spatial–temporal changes in the extent of desertified land and ascertained the impact of various factors (temperature, precipitation, total livestock) on the desertification process. We made a detailed classification of desertification (five types) and found that non‐desertification accounted for the smallest proportion of the entire study region (annual mean 2.00 × 104 km2, 7.8%), while severe desertification contributed the largest proportion (annual mean 7.88 × 104 km2, 30.9%). Over the past 20 years, there has been a substantial reduction in extremely severe (−251 km2/yr) and moderate (−230 km2/yr) desertification areas, demonstrating the effectiveness of desert management. Regionally, considerable attention should be paid to the eastern Tengger Desert in terms of desert control; temporally, special attention should be paid to summer. High temperatures can exacerbate extremely severe, and severe desertification, contrary to the effect of increasing precipitation. Dynamic changes in desertification will become more complex under predicted climate change patterns, indicating that desertification prevention should be prioritized over control.
PDGFRA::USP8 Fusion in a Cutaneous Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor, Highlighting Genetic Pleiotropy of Kinase Gene Fusions in Soft Tissue Neoplasms
Authors: Vernemmen Astrid I. P. , van Kempen Léon C. L. T. , Aarts Frits , zur Hausen Axel , Sciot Raf M. E. , Hornick Jason L. , van den Hout Mari F. C. M. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTPDGFRA::USP8 fusions have recently been described in neoplasms in the provisional category of calcified chondroid mesenchymal neoplasm (CCMN). Here, we describe a cutaneous inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) on the upper leg of a 24‐year‐old male harboring the same fusion product. The tumor showed a morphology typical of IMT, including a concomitant inflammatory infiltrate; in addition, there was strong immunohistochemical PDGFRα overexpression. Methylation profiling (Sarcoma classifier v12.2) was consistent with IMT (calibrated score 0.99). Herein, we review other soft tissue tumors with PDGFRA fusions, emphasizing PDGFRA::USP8 fusions, further highlighting the genetic pleiotropy of kinase gene fusions in soft tissue tumors. In addition, this case expands the landscape of kinase fusions in IMT, presented by an extremely rare cutaneous IMT.
Perinatal Protein Restriction Induces Anhedonic‐Like Behavior: Disturbed Hippocampal Neurotrophic Signaling and Neuronal Structural Plasticity in Adult Offspring
Authors: Gutiérrez María C. , Comas Mutis Ramiro G. , Perondi María C. , Calfa Gastón D. , Valdomero Analía 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTEarly protein malnutrition has been shown to affect the brain reward circuitry, leading to enduring molecular, neurochemical, and behavioral alterations. This study explored how maternal protein restriction contributes to anhedonia, a key depression symptom, focusing on the hippocampal BDNF–TrkB signaling and structural plasticity changes in the CA1 subregion of the dorsal hippocampus (DH). To achieve our goal, adult rats submitted to a protein restriction schedule from the 14th day of gestation up to 30 days of age (PR‐rats) were subjected to the sucrose preference test (SPT) and compared with animals fed a normoprotein diet. Immediately after SPT, we assessed the levels of BDNF and its receptor TrkB and structural plasticity changes. Interestingly, PR‐rats showed a significant decrease in sucrose preference. Furthermore, perinatal protein‐restriction‐induced anhedonia correlated with decreased BDNF and p‐TrkB levels in the DH, alongside reduced dendritic spine density in CA1 pyramidal neurons, particularly mature spines (i.e., stubby and mushroom spines). These findings suggest that decreased hippocampal BDNF–TrkB signaling accompanied by structural remodeling in the CA1 pyramidal neurons may contribute to the reduced ability of undernourished animals to respond to rewarding stimuli, increasing their vulnerability to anhedonia later in life.
The Role of Contextual Determinants in Implementation of Complex Suicide Prevention Interventions: An Application of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) Framework
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Sadhvi , Armstrong Gregory , Ross Victoria , Mathieu Sharna , Kõlves Kairi 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionPrevention of suicidal behaviour is complex, and a host of effective interventions have now been recognised in addressing this concern. However, adoption, delivery, and sustainment of these interventions within real‐life settings is challenging; and the translation process, often overlooked. Examining the impact of context is necessary to explain how implementation outcomes are achieved and aid generalisability of findings. This study aims to explore factors influencing implementation outcomes (contextual determinants) across the implementation lifecycle of complex suicide prevention interventions.MethodsA qualitative design was adopted. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 16 stakeholders (leaders, project managers/implementors, lived experience advocates) involved in implementation of complex suicide prevention interventions across the world. A purposive and snowball sampling approach was used to identify participants with requisite experiences. An understanding of determinants was deduced from participant narratives. These were mapped using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework.ResultsAcross different phases of implementation, outer context barriers were predominantly reported and pertained to service environmental factors, pre‐existing dynamics, and engaging leadership. Several inner context barriers including individual characteristics, staffing and resources, and challenges in maintaining fidelity were reported during the implementation phase. Bridging factors (such as interrelationships and partnerships) were identified as important facilitators throughout different phases of implementation and levels of context. Implementation strategies related to stakeholder relationship building were prioritised across different phases of implementation.ConclusionThis study helps expand the notion of an evidence‐base for complex suicide prevention interventions. Determinants salient across different levels of the social‐ecology and phases of implementation address questions related to what works and under what circumstances.
A Psychological Analysis of Iranian Infertile Couples' Attitudes Toward Gestational Surrogacy: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Esmaeilivand Masoumeh , Haseli Arezoo , Karampour Alirez , Khatony Alireza , Rezaeian Shahab , Naghibzadeh Amirhossein , Mohammadi Mohammad Mehdi 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsIn the last two decades, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), such as surrogacy, have helped couples address infertility. However, the use of these techniques can present moral, social, and psychological challenges for both the infertile parents and the surrogate mother. Therefore, this study investigates the attitudes of infertile couples toward surrogacy and the associated challenges.MethodsThis cross‐sectional survey was conducted on 176 infertile couples. Data were collected using a bifurcated questionnaire that assessed the challenges and concerns of infertile couples regarding surrogacy. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 statistical software.ResultsThe average attitude score toward surrogacy was 92.93 ± 4.89, with no significant differences between females and males. The results of the five distinct subscales indicated that with increasing education levels, intentional attitudes and future perspectives on surrogacy decreased (b = −0.59, p = 0.02) and the score for children born through surrogacy decreased significantly (b = −0.60, p = 0.04). Additionally, there was a significant relationship between the history of ART and the overall acceptance of surrogacy (b = 1.6, p = 0.002).ConclusionThese findings are important as they highlight the attitudes of infertile couples in Iranian society toward surrogacy. It appears that providing adequate education to society will significantly facilitate the optimal use of this treatment method.
Early experience with the gasless vNOTES technique for adnexal surgery
Authors: Gauci Pierre‐Alexis , Meyer Carole , Bonin‐Mouriot Claire , Delotte Jérôme , Mansoor Aslam , Velemir Luka 
Published: February 2025

AbstractIntroductionThis study evaluates the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of gasless vNOTES (vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery) for benign adnexal surgeries.Materials and MethodsThis was an observational, retrospective study performed in two centers with over 3 years of experience in vNOTES: the University Hospital Center of Nice (France) and Kantys Private Hospital Center (Nice, France). Gasless vNOTES adnexal surgery was performed without the use of pneumoperitoneum or abdominal parietal material. Procedures followed a standardized technique using a posterior colpotomy, the placement of a mesh to push the bowels, and a transvaginal access platform.ResultsFifty patients underwent gasless vNOTES adnexal surgery between December 18, 2023, and April 17, 2024. The median age of patients was 40.4 ± 9.7 years, with a median body mass index (BMI) of 22.4 (range 17.6–42.0). Thirteen patients (26.0%) had a history of abdominal or pelvic surgery. The most common procedure was bilateral salpingectomy (60.0%). The median and mean durations for all procedures were 21 min (range 15–60) and 27.4 min (SD ± 10.8), respectively. No postoperative bleeding complications were noted, but one patient developed an abscess requiring surgical intervention. Pain scores were low, with only one patient reporting pain (10/100 on the visual analog scale) 6 h post‐surgery. Ninety percent of patients were managed in an ambulatory setting, with a median time to first stand‐up of 4 h and 7 min.ConclusionGasless vNOTES adnexal surgery is a feasible and safe technique for surgeons experienced in vNOTES. It offers the potential for reduced postoperative pain and analgesic requirements without increasing operating time or complication rates, making it a viable alternative to conventional pneumoperitoneum‐assisted vNOTES. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate long‐term outcomes.
The effectiveness of vitamin D as an alternative to FDA‐approved treatment and other therapies for managing vulvovaginal atrophy and sexual inactivity in postmenopausal women. A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Youssef Eman , Badie Mostafa Saad , Ismail Doaa , Gamal Aliaa , Eldamanhoury Hala Mohamed 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackgroundVulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and sexual inactivity (SI) are prevalent among postmenopausal women (PMW). While hormonal therapies show significant improvement, non‐hormonal therapies are considered the first‐line for breast cancer women. However, vaginal hormonal therapies are unavailable in all countries, particularly developing countries such as the middle east, and there are no studies that have tested these therapies in women either with a history of breast cancer or those taking endocrine therapies for their cancer.ObjectiveWe conducted this meta‐analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D (VD), whether alone or in combination with other therapies, in managing VVA and SI in PMW.Search StrategyA systematic literature search was undertaken on four electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus) from inception until June 2023.Selection CriteriaThe randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used the vaginal maturation index (VMI) and vaginal pH to measure VVA and vaginal dryness and the female sexual function index (FSFI) to measure SI were included in the meta‐analysis.Main ResultsEight RCTs (608 PMW) were included, and 222 were assigned to the VD arm. For the oral VD subgroup, there was no statistically significant improvement in the mean difference (MD) of VMI (MD –7.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −23.84, 8.59). However, VMI's topical VD subgroup was statistically significant (25.16; 95% CI: 18.74, 31.59). For topical form, the total FSFI score (0.24; 95% CI: −1.72, 2.20) and all FSFI domains did not demonstrate statistically significant improvement except arousal (0.56; 95% CI: 0.12, 1.00). Vaginal pH's oral VD subgroup showed statistically significant improvement (−0.27, 95% CI: −0.50, −0.05) compared to the topical VD. Topical VD subgroup (24.45; 95% CI: 7.14, 41.77) showed a statistically significant increase of vaginal superficial cells, in contrast to the oral VD subgroup (3.25; 95% CI: −5.44, 11.96).ConclusionTopical VD showed significant improvements in VMI and the arousal subscale of FSFI, whereas oral VD had no substantial improvement except in vaginal pH. VD alone is not a sufficient alternative to other available treatments, and further RCTs are needed to evaluate its effectiveness without any combination with other drugs.