bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The performance status gap in immunotherapy for frail patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wu Julie Tsu-Yu , Corrigan June , Su Chloe , Dumontier Clark , La Jennifer , Khan Aparjita , Arya Shipra , Harris Alex H. S. , Backhus Leah , Das Millie , Do Nhan V. , Brophy Mary T. , Han Summer S. , Kelley Michael , Fillmore Nathanael R. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Purpose
In advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy is often preferred over intensive ICI treatment for frail patients and those with poor performance status (PS). Among those with poor PS, the additional effect of frailty on treatment selection and mortality is unknown.

Methods
Patients in the veterans affairs national precision oncology program from 1/2019–12/2021 who received first-line ICI for advanced NSCLC were followed until death or study end 6/2022. Association of an electronic frailty index with treatment selection was examined using logistic regression stratified by PS. We also examined overall survival (OS) on intensive treatment using Cox regression stratified by PS. Intensive treatment was defined as concurrent use of platinum-doublet chemotherapy and/or dual checkpoint blockade and non-intensive as ICI monotherapy.

Results
Of 1547 patients receiving any ICI, 66.2% were frail, 33.8% had poor PS (≥ 2), and 25.8% were both. Frail patients received less intensive treatment than non-frail patients in both PS subgroups (Good PS: odds ratio [OR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51 − 0.88; Poor PS: OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.44 − 1.10). Among 731 patients receiving intensive treatment, frailty was associated with lower OS for those with good PS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.53, 95% CI 1.2 − 1.96), but no association was observed with poor PS (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.67 − 1.58).

Conclusion
Frail patients with both good and poor PS received less intensive treatment. However, frailty has a limited effect on survival among those with poor PS. These findings suggest that PS, not frailty, drives survival on intensive treatment.
Heat-altered scent marks of males of a fossorial reptile still allow recognition by females but lose information on male quality
Authors: Martín José , Navarro-Castilla Álvaro , de la Concha Alejandro , Cuervo José Javier , Barja Isabel , López Pilar 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe efficacy of sexual signals in communication is often maximized under specific environmental conditions. Anthropic alterations of these conditions might, thus, negatively affect communication during reproductive behavior. In fossorial animals, inhabiting visually restricted environments, chemical senses are very important. We examined whether climatic episodes of heat-waves with unusual high temperatures may affect the information provided to females by the sexual chemical signals of males of a fossorial reptile, the amphisbaenian Blanus cinereus. The results showed that experimentally heat-altered substrate scent marks of males can still provide information to females about the presence of a male. Females spent more time on males’ scent marks, irrespective of the temperature treatment, than on control clean ones. However, heat-altered scent marks did not seem to convey information about the health state (immune response) of the producer. Females spent more time on unaltered scent marks of healthier males (probably indicating mating preferences for these males), while female preferences for some heat-altered scent marks were not related to size or immune response of the same individual males. Chemical analyses indicated that the overall chemical profile of precloacal secretions (used for scent marking) did not change with increased temperatures. However, the relationship between proportions of some compounds in secretions and males’ immune response found in unaltered secretions was lost in heat-altered ones. We conclude that unusual increased environmental temperatures may decrease the efficacy of underground sexual chemical signals in this amphisbaenian (i.e., a loss of information on male quality), and consequently, may negatively affect sexual selection and reproduction.
Long-Term Outcomes of Balloon TACE for HCC: An European Multicentre Single-Arm Retrospective Study
Authors: Lucatelli Pierleone , Rocco Bianca , De Beare Thierry , Verset Gontran , Fucilli Fabio , Damato Elio , Paccapelo Alexandro , Braccischi Lorenzo , Taninokuchi Tomassoni Makoto , Bucalau Ana-Maria , Catalano Carlo , Mosconi Cristina 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To report response rates (using mRECIST), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival and local tumour recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolisation (bTACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and Methods
Patients from five European centres treated with conventional or drug-eluting microsphere bTACE for HCC were included, and patients already lost to follow-up before 12 months were excluded. Possible factors contributing to LRFS and OS were evaluated with Cox proportional hazards models.

Results
Seventy-three patients were enrolled. The mean number of nodules per patient was 2.07(± 1.68), and the average maximum diameter of the nodules was 37 ± 19.9 mm. The response of the target lesion at 6 months was complete response (CR) in 58.9%, partial response (PR) in 28.8%, stable disease (SD) in 6.8% and progressive disease (PD) in 5.5%. The median follow-up time was 31 months; at the last follow-up, target tumour response was CR in 49.3%, PR in 12.3%, SD in 5.5% and PD 32.9%. Overall response at the last follow-up was CR in 17.8%, PR in 9.6%, SD 2.7% and PD in 69.9% (for new lesions in 37% of patients). Median OS was not reached; mean overall survival was 50.0 months, while median LRFS was 31.0 months. At uni- and multivariable analysis, only tumour maximum diameter was related to LRFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.021; 95% CI 1.004–1.038, P = 0.015).

Conclusions
bTACE demonstrated high efficacy for HCC, with a complete response in 58.9% of patients, a median local recurrence-free survival of 31.0 months and a mean overall survival of 50.0 months.

Graphical Abstract
Posttraumatische Verbitterung bei ehemals politisch Inhaftierten der Sowjetischen Besatzungszone und Deutschen Demokratischen Republik
Authors: Quensel Paula , Maslahati Tolou , Arnhold Lisa , Dreyer Anne , Galve Gómez Milagros , Donth Stefan , Heuser-Collier Isabella , Roepke Stefan 
Published: July 2024

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Betroffene politischer Haft der Sowjetischen Besatzungszone (SBZ) und Deutschen Demokratischen Republik (DDR) haben zahlreiche Situationen als ungerecht und herabwürdigend erlebt, wodurch Verbitterungsgefühle ausgelöst werden können. Diese Studie untersucht die Ausprägung der posttraumatischen Verbitterung sowie mögliche damit zusammenhängende Faktoren bei ehemals politisch Inhaftierten der SBZ/DDR.

Methode
Bei 246 Betroffenen wurden die posttraumatische Verbitterung und psychische Störungen im Querschnitt mithilfe eines Selbstbeurteilungsbogens für posttraumatische Verbitterung und des diagnostischen Expertensystems zur Erfassung psychischer Störungen (DIA-X) erhoben. Ein vorher definierter Fragekatalog umfasste sozioökonomische, haftspezifische, aufarbeitungsbetreffende und allgemeine Gesundheitsdaten.

Ergebnisse
Es zeigten 28 % der Befragten (n = 69) klinisch relevante Verbitterungswerte („Cut-off“-Wert ≥ 2,5). Ein positiv signifikanter Zusammenhang konnte für die Faktoren chronische Erkrankung, Grad der Behinderung, affektive Störung, posttraumatische Belastungsstörung und Unzufriedenheit mit der juristischen Aufarbeitung ermittelt werden.

Schlussfolgerungen
Verbitterung spielt eine substanzielle Rolle bei politisch Inhaftierten Personen und sollte bei der Behandlung psychischer und somatischer Erkrankungen berücksichtigt werden.
Effects of low temperature on growth and metabolism of larval green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) across early ontogeny
Authors: Lo Vanessa K. , Zillig Kenneth W. , Cocherell Dennis E. , Todgham Anne E. , Fangue Nann A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSouthern Distinct Population Segment (sDPS) green sturgeon spawn solely in one stretch of the Sacramento River in California. Management of this spawning habitat is complicated by cold water temperature requirements for the conservation of winter-run Chinook salmon. This study assessed whether low incubation and rearing temperatures resulted in carryover effects across embryo to early juvenile life stages on scaling relationships in growth and metabolism in northern DPS green sturgeon used as a proxy for sDPS green sturgeon. Fish were incubated and reared at 11 °C and 15 °C, with a subset experiencing a reciprocal temperature transfer post-hatch, to assess recovery from cold incubation or to simulate a cold-water dam release which would chill rearing larvae. Growth and metabolic rate of embryos and larvae were measured to 118 days post hatch. Reciprocal temperature transfers revealed a greater effect of low temperature exposure during larval rearing rather than during egg incubation. While 11 °C eggs hatched at a smaller length, log-transformed length–weight relationships showed that these differences in developmental trajectory dissipated as individuals achieved juvenile morphology. However, considerable size-at-age differences persisted between rearing temperatures, with 15 °C fish requiring 60 days post-hatch to achieve 1 g in mass, whereas 11 °C fish required 120 days to achieve 1 g, resulting in fish of the same age at the completion of the experiment with a ca. 37-fold difference in weight. Consequently, our study suggests that cold rearing temperatures have far more consequential downstream effects than cold embryo incubation temperatures. Growth delays from 11 °C rearing temperatures would greatly increase the period of vulnerability to predation in larval green sturgeon. The scaling relationship between log-transformed whole-body metabolism and mass exhibited a steeper slope and thus an increased oxygen requirement with size in 11 °C reared fish, potentially indicating an energetically unsustainable situation. Understanding how cold temperatures affect green sturgeon ontogeny is necessary to refine our larval recruitment estimations for this threatened species.
Multiphysics modeling of 3D traction force microscopy with application to cancer cell-induced degradation of the extracellular matrix
Authors: Apolinar-Fernández Alejandro , Barrasa-Fano Jorge , Van Oosterwyck Hans , Sanz-Herrera José A. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
3D Traction Force Microscopy (3DTFM) constitutes a powerful methodology that enables the computation of realistic forces exerted by cells on the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is characterized by its highly dynamic structure, which is constantly remodeled in order to regulate most basic cellular functions and processes. Certain pathological processes, such as cancer and metastasis, alter the way the ECM is remodeled. In particular, cancer cells are able to invade its surrounding tissue by the secretion of metalloproteinases that degrade the extracellular matrix to move and migrate towards different tissues, inducing ECM heterogeneity. Typically, 3DTFM studies neglect such heterogeneity and assume homogeneous ECM properties, which can lead to inaccuracies in traction reconstruction. Some studies have implemented ECM degradation models into 3DTFM, but the associated degradation maps are defined in an ad hoc manner. In this paper, we present a novel multiphysics approach to 3DTFM with evolving mechanical properties of the ECM. Our modeling considers a system of partial differential equations based on the mechanisms of activation of diffusive metalloproteinase MMP2 by membrane-bound metalloproteinase MT1-MMP. The obtained ECM density maps in an ECM-mimicking hydrogel are then used to compute the heterogeneous mechanical properties of the hydrogel through a multiscale approach. We perform forward and inverse TFM simulations both accounting for and omitting degradation, and results are compared to ground truth reference solutions in which degradation is considered. The main conclusions resulting from the study are: (i) the inverse methodology yields results that are significantly more accurate than those provided by the forward methodology; (ii) ignoring ECM degradation results in a considerable overestimation of tractions and non negligible errors in all analyzed cases.
Scaling Laws Behind Penetrative Turbulence: History and Perspectives
Authors: Ding Zijing , Huang Ruiqi , Ouyang Zhen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAn unstably stratified flow entering into a stably stratified flow is referred to as penetrative convection, which is crucial to many physical processes and has been thought of as a key factor for extreme weather conditions. Past theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies on penetrative convection are reviewed, along with field studies providing insights into turbulence modeling. The physical factors that initiate penetrative convection, including internal heat sources, nonlinear constitutive relationships, centrifugal forces and other complicated factors are summarized. Cutting-edge methods for understanding transport mechanisms and statistical properties of penetrative turbulence are also documented, e.g., the variational approach and quasilinear approach, which derive scaling laws embedded in penetrative turbulence. Exploring these scaling laws in penetrative convection can improve our understanding of large-scale geophysical and astrophysical motions. To better the model of penetrative turbulence towards a practical situation, new directions, e.g., penetrative convection in spheres, and radiation-forced convection, are proposed.
Alteration of Piezo1 signaling in type 2 diabetic mice: focus on endothelium and BKCa channel
Authors: Haam Chae Eun , Choi Sooyeon , Byeon Seonhee , Oh Eun Yi , Choi Soo-Kyoung , Lee Young-Ho 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPiezo1 mechanosensitive ion channel plays a important role in vascular physiology and disease. This study aimed to elucidate the altered signaling elicited by Piezo1 activation in the arteries of type 2 diabetes. Ten- to 12-week-old male C57BL/6 (control) and type 2 diabetic mice (db−/db−) were used. The second-order mesenteric arteries (~ 150 μm) were used for isometric tension experiments. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were performed to observe protein expression. Piezo1 was significantly decreased in mesenteric arteries of type 2 diabetic mice compared to control mice, as analyzed by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Piezo1 agonist, Yoda1, concentration-dependently induced relaxation of mesenteric arteries in both groups. Interestingly, the relaxation response was significantly greater in control mice than in db−/db− mice. The removal of endothelium reduced relaxation responses induced by Yoda1, which was greater in control mice than db−/db− mice. Furthermore, the relaxation response was reduced by pre-treatment with various types of K+ channel blockers in endothelium-intact arteries in control mice. In endothelium-denuded arteries, pre-incubation with charybdotoxin, an Ca2+-activated K+ channel (BKCa channel) blocker, significantly attenuated Yoda1-induced relaxation in db−/db− mice, while there was no effect in control mice. Co-immunofluorescence staining showed co-localization of Piezo1 and BKCa channel was more pronounced in db−/db− mice than in control mice. These results indicate that the vascular responses induced by Piezo1 activation are different in the mesenteric resistance arteries in type 2 diabetic mice.
Fluctuations of the free energy in p-spin SK models on two scales
Authors: Bovier Anton , Schertzer Adrien 
Published: July 2024

Abstract20 years ago, Bovier, Kurkova, and Löwe (Ann Probab 30(2):605–651, 2002) proved a central limit theorem (CLT) for the fluctuations of the free energy in the p-spin version of the Sherrington–Kirkpatrick model of spin glasses at high temperatures. In this paper we improve their results in two ways. First, we extend the range of temperatures to cover the entire regime where the quenched and annealed free energies are known to coincide. Second, we identify the main source of the fluctuations as a purely coupling dependent term, and we show a further CLT for the deviation of the free energy around this random object.
Stagnation Detection in Highly Multimodal Fitness Landscapes
Authors: Rajabi Amirhossein , Witt Carsten 
Published: July 2024

AbstractStagnation detection has been proposed as a mechanism for randomized search heuristics to escape from local optima by automatically increasing the size of the neighborhood to find the so-called gap size, i. e., the distance to the next improvement. Its usefulness has mostly been considered in simple multimodal landscapes with few local optima that could be crossed one after another. In multimodal landscapes with a more complex location of optima of similar gap size, stagnation detection suffers from the fact that the neighborhood size is frequently reset to 1 without using gap sizes that were promising in the past. In this paper, we investigate a new mechanism called radius memory which can be added to stagnation detection to control the search radius more carefully by giving preference to values that were successful in the past. We implement this idea in an algorithm called SD-RLS$$^{\text {m}}$$

m

and show compared to previous variants of stagnation detection that it yields speed-ups for linear functions under uniform constraints and the minimum spanning tree problem. Moreover, its running time does not significantly deteriorate on unimodal functions and a generalization of the Jump benchmark. Finally, we present experimental results carried out to study SD-RLS$$^{\text {m}}$$

m

and compare it with other algorithms.
The effects of previous abdominal surgery and the utilisation of modified access techniques on the operative difficulty and outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration
Authors: Lucocq James , Nassar Ahmad H. M. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Early reports suggested that previous abdominal surgery was a relative contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) on account of difficulty and potential access complications. This study analyses different types/systems of previous surgery and locations of scars and how they affect access difficulties. As modified access techniques to minimise risk of complications are under-reported the study details and evaluates them.

Method
Prospectively collected data from consecutive LC and common bile duct explorations (LCBDE) performed by a single surgeon over 30 years was analysed. Previous abdominal surgery was documented and peri-operative outcomes were compared with patients who had no previous surgery using Chi-squared analysis.

Results
Of 5916 LC and LCBDE, 1846 patients (31.2%) had previous abdominal surgery. The median age was 60 years. Those with previous surgery required more frequent duodenal (RR 1.07; p = 0.023), hepatic flexure (RR 1.11; p = 0.043) and distal adhesiolysis (RR 3.57; p < 0.001) and had more access related bowel injuries (0.4% vs. 0.0%; p < 0.001). Previous upper gastrointestinal and biliary surgery had the highest rates of adhesiolysis (76.3%), difficult cystic pedicles (58.8%), fundus-first approach (7.2%), difficulty grades (64.9% Grades 3–5) and utilisation of abdominal drains (71.1%). Previous open surgery resulted in longer operative time compared to previous laparoscopic procedures (65vs.55 min; p < 0.001), increased difficulty of pedicle dissection (42.4% vs. 36.0%; p < 0.05) and required more duodenal, hepatic flexure and distant adhesiolysis (p < 0.05) and fundus-first dissection (4% vs 2%; p < 0.05). Epigastric and supraumbilical access and access through umbilical and other hernias were used in 163 patients (8.8%) with no bowel complications.

Conclusion
The risks of access and adhesiolysis in patients with previous abdominal scars undergoing biliary surgery are dependent on the nature of previous surgery. Previous open, upper gastrointestinal and biliary surgery carried the most significant risks. Modified access techniques can be adopted to safely mitigate these risks.

Graphical abstract
Cancer-related cognitive impairment as a key contributor to psychopathology in cancer survivors: implications for prevention, treatment and supportive care
Authors: Haywood Darren , Henry Melissa , Dauer Evan , Lederman Oscar , Farley Morgan , Henneghan Ashley M. , O’Connor Moira , Jefford Michael , Rossell Susan L. , Hart Nicolas H. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractA significant proportion of cancer survivors will experience some form of mental health compromise across domains including mood, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, and substance use. This psychopathology within cancer survivors is related to a range of negative outcomes and can also have a substantial negative impact on quality of life. Along with psychopathology, cognitive impairments are also commonly experienced, resulting in deficits in memory, reasoning, decision-making, speed of processing, and concentration, collectively referred to as cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Within the non-oncology literature, cognitive deficits are consistently demonstrated to be a key transdiagnostic aetiological feature of psychopathology, functionally contributing to the development and perpetuation of symptoms. Whilst there is an acknowledgement of the role mental health concerns might play in the development of and perception of CRCI, there has been limited acknowledgement and research exploring the potential for CRCI to functionally contribute toward the development of transdiagnostic psychopathology in cancer survivors beyond simply psychosocial distress. Given the theoretical and empirical evidence suggesting cognitive deficits to be an aetiological factor in psychopathology, we provide a rationale for the potential for CRCI to be a factor in the development and perpetuation of transdiagnostic psychopathology in cancer survivors. This potential functional association has significant implications for risk identification, prevention, treatment, and supportive cancer care approaches regarding psychopathology in cancer survivorship. We conclude by providing directions for future research in this area.