bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tunneling nanotubes and tumor microtubes—Emerging data on their roles in intercellular communication and pathophysiology: Summary of an International FASEB Catalyst Conference October 2023
Authors: Lou Emil , Vérollet Christel , Winkler Frank , Zurzolo Chiara , Valdebenito‐Silva Silvana , Eugenin Eliseo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the past decade, there has been a steady rise in interest in studying novel cellular extensions and their potential roles in facilitating human diseases, including neurologic diseases, viral infectious diseases, cancer, and others. One of the exciting new aspects of this field is improved characterization and understanding of the functions and potential mechanisms of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), which are actin‐based filamentous protrusions that are structurally distinct from filopodia. TNTs form and connect cells at long distance and serve as direct conduits for intercellular communication in a wide range of cell types in vitro and in vivo. More researchers are entering this field and investigating the role of TNTs in mediating cancer cell invasion and drug resistance, cellular transfer of proteins, RNA or organelles, and intercellular spread of infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria, and prions. Even further, the elucidation of highly functional membrane tubes called “tumor microtubes” (TMs) in incurable gliomas has further paved a new path for understanding how and why the tumor type is highly invasive at the cellular level and also resistant to standard therapies. Due to the wide‐ranging and rapidly growing applicability of TNTs and TMs in pathophysiology across the spectrum of biology, it has become vital to bring researchers in the field together to discuss advances and the future of research in this important niche of protrusion biology.
Evaluation of Work–Life Integration, Social Isolation, and the Impact of Work on Personal Relationships Among Healthcare CEOs and Administrative Leaders
Authors: Shanafelt Tait , Trockel Mickey , Mayer Thom , Wang Hanhan , Athey Leslie 
Published: March 2024

SUMMARY

Goal:
The objective of this study was to evaluate satisfaction with work–life integration (WLI), social isolation, and the impact of work on personal relationships (IWPR) among senior healthcare operational leaders.

Methods:
Between June 7 and June 30, 2021, we performed a national survey of CEOs and other senior healthcare operational leaders in the United States to evaluate their personal work experience. Satisfaction with WLI, social isolation, and IWPR were assessed using standardized instruments. Burnout and professional fulfillment were also assessed using standardized scales.

Principal Findings:
The mean IWPR score on the 0–10 scale was 4.39 (standard deviation was 2.36; higher scores were unfavorable). On multivariable analysis to identify demographic and professional factors associated with the IWPR score, each additional hour worked per week decreased the likelihood of a favorable IWPR score. The IWPR, feeling isolated, and satisfaction with WLI were independently associated with burnout after adjusting for other personal and professional factors. On multivariable analysis, healthcare administrators were more likely than U.S. workers in other fields to indicate work had adversely impacted personal relationships in response to the item “In the past year, my job has contributed to me feeling more isolated and detached from the people who are most important to me.”

Practical Applications:
Experiencing an adverse IWPR is common among U.S. healthcare administrators, who are more likely than the general U.S. working population to indicate their job contributes to isolation and detachment from the people most important to them. Problems with WLI, isolation, and an adverse IWPR are associated with increased burnout and lower professional fulfillment. Intentional efforts by both organizations and administrative leaders are necessary to address the work characteristics and professional norms that erode WLI and result in work adversely impacting personal relationships.
Awareness Level of Cervical Cancer Patients Referred to Radiation Oncology Outpatient Clinics—A Multicenter Study
Authors: Altinok Pelin , Ergen Şefika Arzu , Güzelöz Çapar Zeliha , Canyilmaz Emine , Akgün Züleyha , Serin Meltem , Akbaş Canan , Aktan Meryem , Erdiş Eda , Özmen Hilal Kiziltunç , Özyar Enis , Çağlar Ahmetcan , Munzuroğlu Ak Filiz , Akyüz Mehmet Fatih , Altinok Ayşe 
Published: March 2024

Objective
The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of patients with cervical cancer referred to radiation oncology outpatient clinics in Turkey regarding screening methods and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and increase social awareness based on the findings.

Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to June 2022 involving 300 patients in various regions. Data on demographics, cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination knowledge, and recommendations to relatives were collected through a questionnaire-based interview. Univariate logistic regression analyzed the impact of independent variables on knowledge levels.

Results
Among the participants, 57% were unaware of cervical cancer screening, and 66% had no knowledge of the HPV vaccine. Higher knowledge levels were associated with higher education, older age at marriage and first birth, and previous gynecological checkups. Lower knowledge levels were observed in patients treated at state institutions, with no formal education, and diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 60 or older. A significant inverse correlation was found between knowledge levels and the stage of cancer at diagnosis, with higher awareness in earlier stages.

Conclusion
The study revealed limited awareness among cervical cancer patients in Turkey regarding screening and HPV vaccination. Lower knowledge levels were associated with specific demographic factors, emphasizing the importance of targeted educational campaigns to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and promote early detection. Efforts to enhance vaccination coverage and encourage early screening can significantly improve outcomes. Comprehensive awareness surveys are essential in guiding policymaking and implementing effective early detection and prevention strategies for cervical cancer.
Risk of heart disease and stroke among individuals with prehypertension or blood pressure progression: a national population-based cohort study
Authors: Jin Qingdong , Chen Yanqing 
Published: March 2024

Objective
The purpose of our study was to analyze the association of blood pressure and blood pressure progression with heart disease and stroke among Chinese population.

Method
We included a total of 10 122 adults aged 45 years and above free of heart disease or stroke at baseline from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study cohort. We used Cox proportional hazards models to analyze the relationship between cardiovascular risk and prehypertension in subjects with or without progression to hypertension.

Result
During a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, 1972 subjects were either diagnosed with heart disease or had a stroke (composite outcome). Compared with individuals with normotension at baseline, the fully adjusted hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] was 1.25 (1.10–1.42) and 1.52 (1.34–1.74) for composite outcome in individuals with prehypertension and hypertension at baseline, respectively. The subjects who progressed to hypertension had higher risk of cardiovascular outcomes than those who remained at normal blood pressure or prehypertension in a fully adjusted model. The subjects who progressed from prehypertension to hypertension had 1.72 times higher risk [HR (95% CI): 1.72 (1.37–2.16)] of cardiovascular outcomes than those who remained at normal blood pressure or prehypertension in a fully adjusted model.

Conclusion
The cardiovascular risk of subjects with prehypertension is higher than that of subjects with normal blood pressure. After a diagnosis of hypertension, subjects who progressed from normal blood pressure to hypertension had an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Adjacent object distorts the organ-of-interest in filtered back-projection tomographic image reconstruction: ‘ramp filter’ or ‘reconstruction’ artifact revisited
Authors: Qutbi Mohsen 
Published: March 2024

Objective
To simulate the artifact caused by an adjacent object on organ-of-interest during filtered back-projection (FBP) tomographic reconstruction (the so-called “ramp filter” artifact) and to demonstrate the extent to which an organ-of-interest is influenced by such adjacent hot spot or attenuating object.

Methods and Materials
Two simulations are conducted with two simplified phantoms: “hot spot” and “cardiac.” First one is used to visualize effect of hot spot on its periphery. Second one is used to evaluate effect of nearby object (liver) on left ventricle (LV) as organ-of-interest. To generate sinograms, forward projection process is done with and without modeling radiation attenuation. FBP using windowed ramp filter is done. All slices are analyzed by plotting intensity profiles.

Results
In tomographic slices, there is a hypo-intense halo around presumed edge of object when compared to background intensity, more noticeable in phantoms with less blurring. Even with ramp filter applied, no halo is visible in FBP without attenuation for cardiac phantom. In contrast, in slices with considering attenuation, zones with different levels of count suppression on both sides of object are visualized instead. The most prominent one is between liver and LV in simulation with higher-attenuating object and higher activity.

Conclusion
A single hot spot with sufficient amount of blurring does not distort its surroundings. Hot spots and attenuating objects near organ-of-interest, however, distort myocardial perfusion imaging. Artifactual defects are thus only created when attenuation is modeled during FBP, producing zones of count suppression between organ-of-interest and nearby object or hot spot.
Basic and translational evidence supporting the role of TM6SF2 in VLDL metabolism
Authors: Liu Jing , Ginsberg Henry N. , Reyes-Soffer Gissette 
Published: March 2024

Purpose of review
Transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) gene was identified through exome-wide studies in 2014. A genetic variant from glutamic acid to lysine substitution at amino acid position 167 (NM_001001524.3:c.499G> A) (p.Gln167Lys/p.E167K, rs58542926) was discovered (p.E167K) to be highly associated with increased hepatic fat content and reduced levels of plasma triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. In this review, we focus on the discovery of TM6SF2 and its role in VLDL secretion pathways. Human data suggest TM6SF2 is linked to hepatic steatosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), hence understanding its metabolic pathways is of high scientific interest.

Recent findings
Since its discovery, completed research studies in cell, rodent and human models have defined the role of TM6SF2 and its links to human disease. TM6SF2 resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the ER-Golgi interface and helps with the lipidation of nascent VLDL, the main carrier of triglycerides from the liver to the periphery. Consistent results from cells and rodents indicated that the secretion of triglycerides is reduced in carriers of the p.E167K variant or when hepatic TM6SF2 is deleted. However, data for secretion of APOB, the main protein of VLDL particles responsible for triglycerides transport, are inconsistent.

Summary
The identification of genetic variants that are highly associated with human disease presentation should be followed by the validation and investigation into the pathways that regulate disease mechanisms. In this review, we highlight the role of TM6SF2 and its role in processing of liver triglycerides.
Sensorimotor training improves gait, ankle joint proprioception, and quality of life in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Saleh Marwa Shafiek Mustafa , Elbanna Rana Hesham Mohamed , Abdelhakiem Nadia Mohamed , Abdalla Ghada Abd Elmoniem 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the effect of Sensorimotor Training (SMT) on gait, ankle joint proprioception, and quality of life in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) patients.

Design
A prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled experiment was performed. Forty patients with DPN aged 50 to 65 yrs were distributed randomly into two groups, the SMT group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 20). Both groups attended awareness sessions about diabetes and foot care for 30 minutes, every two weeks. Moreover, the SMT group received 6wk (3 days/week) of SMT. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, proprioception accuracy of the ankle joint, and quality of life were measured before and after 6 weeks of intervention.

Results
Regarding baseline data, no significant differences were identified among groups (p > 0.05). After 6wk intervention, the SMT group exhibited significant improvements in all outcome variables (p < 0.001), while the control group showed significant changes in quality of life only (p = 0.03). Comparing groups after intervention reveals statistically significant differences in all measured variables in favor of the SMT group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Sensorimotor training may improve spatiotemporal gait parameters, ankle joint proprioception, and quality of life of patients with DPN.
Different Ectopic Endocrine Tumors on Renal Hilum Detected by 68Ga-DOTATATE PET
Authors: Lv Yuhu , Lan Xiaoli , Qin Chunxia 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Renal hilum is a very rare location for primary adrenocortical adenoma or pheochromocytoma. We report 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT findings of primary renal hilar adrenocortical adenoma in one patient and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/MR findings of pheochromocytoma in another patient.
Efficacy of ScopeGuide-Assisted Training in Enhancing Colonoscopy Competence and Reducing Patient Discomfort
Authors: Ma Hui-Min , Gao Li-Ping , Wang Peng-Fei , Wang Fang , Feng Yan-Hu , Yang Li-Hong , Yu Yi , Wang Xiang 
Published: March 2024

Objective:
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Magnetic Scope Guide Assist (ScopeGuide) in enhancing the procedural competence of endoscopists and reducing patient discomfort during colonoscopy.

Methods:
This was a retrospective study with 88 trainee participants. The study participants were trained on patients who underwent colonoscopy without anesthesia. Both ScopeGuide-assisted training and conventional training (without ScopeGuide) were utilized for colonoscopy instruction. The outcomes of training were compared, with a particular emphasis on the competency of looping resolution.

Results:
ScopeGuide-assisted training was superior to conventional training in multiple aspects, including looping resolution (Z=−3.681, P<0.001), pain scores (Z=−4.211, P<0.001), time to reach the cecum (Z=−4.06, P<0.001), willingness to undergo repeat colonoscopy (Z=−4.748, P<0.001), competence of positional changes (Z=−4.079, P<0.001), and the effectiveness of assisted compression (Z=−3.001, P=0.003). Further stratified analysis revealed that the ScopeGuide-assisted training mode was more beneficial for junior endoscopists (P<0.05 in all parameters) but not for intermediate endoscopists (P>0.05) and partially beneficial for senior endoscopists (P<0.05 for all parameters except looping resolution).

Conclusion:
ScopeGuide-assisted training can significantly facilitate endoscopists in resolving loops and reducing patient pain, thereby enhancing their colonoscopy abilities.
Understanding the complex interplay between tau, amyloid and the network in the spatiotemporal progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Raj Ashish , Torok Justin , Ranasinghe Kamalini 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONThe interaction of amyloid and tau in neurodegenerative diseases is a central feature of AD pathophysiology. While experimental studies point to various interaction mechanisms, their causal direction and mode (local, remote or network-mediated) remain unknown in human subjects. The aim of this study was to compare mathematical reaction-diffusion models encoding distinct cross-species couplings to identify which interactions were key to model success.METHODSWe tested competing mathematical models of network spread, aggregation, and amyloid-tau interactions on publicly available data from ADNI.RESULTSAlthough network spread models captured the spatiotemporal evolution of tau and amyloid in human subjects, the model including a one-way amyloid-to-tau aggregation interaction performed best.DISCUSSIONThis mathematical exposition of the “pas de deux” of co-evolving proteins provides quantitative, whole-brain support to the concept of amyloid-facilitated-tauopathy rather than the classic amyloid-cascade or pure-tau hypotheses, and helps explain certain known but poorly understood aspects of AD.
EnhancerBD identifing sequence feature
Authors: Wang Yi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDeciphering the non-coding language of DNA is one of the fundamental questions in genomic research. Previous bioinformatics methods often struggled to capture this complexity, especially in cases of limited data availability. Enhancers are short DNA segments that play a crucial role in biological processes, such as enhancing the transcription of target genes. Due to their ability to be located at any position within the genome sequence, accurately identifying enhancers can be challenging. We presented a deep learning method (enhancerBD) for enhancer recognition. We extensively compared the enhancerBD with previous 18 state-of-the-art methods by independent test. Enhancer-BD achieved competitive performances. All detection results on the validation set have achieved remarkable scores for each metric. It is a solid state-of-the-art enhancer recognition software. In this paper, I extended the BERT combined DenseNet121 models by sequentially adding the layers GlobalAveragePooling2D, Dropout, and a ReLU activation function. This modification aims to enhance the convergence of the model’s loss function and improve its ability to predict sequence features. The improved model is not only applicable for enhancer identification but also for distinguishing enhancer strength. Moreover, it holds the potential for recognizing sequence features such as lncRNA, microRNA, insultor, and silencer.
Dopamine dynamics in chronic pain: music-induced sex-dependent behavioral effects in mice
Authors: Flores-García Montse , Flores de los Heros África , Aso Ester , Grau-Sánchez Jennifer , Videla Sebastià , Rodríguez-Fornells Antoni , Bonaventura Jordi , Fernández-Dueñas Víctor 
Published: March 2024

1AbstractChronic pain is a debilitating disease that is usually comorbid to anxiety and depression. Current treatment approaches primarily rely on analgesics, but they often neglect emotional aspects. Non-pharmacological interventions have been incorporated into clinics to provide a more comprehensive management of chronic pain. Among these interventions, listening to music is a well-accepted and cost-effective option. However, the underlying mechanisms of music-mediated pain relief remain insufficiently understood. Here, our aim was to evaluate the effects of music exposure in an animal model of chronic pain. First, we injected mice with the inflammatory agent complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw and housed them for 14 days with background music during their active period (Mozart K.205, overnight), or silence. The impact of music exposure on nociception and anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors was evaluated through different paradigms, including the hot plate, Von Frey, elevated plus maze, splash, and tail suspension tests. Additionally, we investigated whether music influences dopamine dynamics in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), a pivotal region involved in pain processing, anhedonia, and reward. Our findings indicate that music exposure prevents the decreased NAcc activity observed in CFA-injected mice, linking with a sex-dependent reduction of allodynia, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Thus, females were more sensitive to music exposure. Collectively, our findings provide compelling evidence for the integration of music listening as a non-pharmacological intervention in chronic pain conditions. Moreover, the observed impact on the NAcc suggests its potential as a therapeutic target for addressing chronic pain and its associated symptoms.
Molecular Genomic Insights into Melanoma Associated Proteins PRAME and BAP1
Authors: Nawn Debaleena , Hassan Sk. Sarif , Hromić-Jahjefendić Altijana , Bhattacharya Tanishta , Basu Pallab , Redwan Elrashdy M. , Barh Debmalya , Andrade Bruno Silva , Aljabali Alaa A. , Serrano-Aroca Ángel , Lundstrom Kenneth , Tambuwala Murtaza M. , Uversky Vladimir N. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundMelanoma, a worldwide widespread skin cancer with over 325,000 yearly incidences, demands a thorough understanding of its molecular components to create effective therapeutics. This study looks at the PRAME (cutaneous melanoma-associated antigen) and BAP1 (gene controlling gene-environment interactions) proteins, which are important in melanoma development and are important for understanding the molecular landscape of melanoma.IntroductionWhile playing a crucial role in melanoma, the structural and functional characteristics of PRAME and BAP1 remain unidentified. This work tries to unravel their complexities by investigating conserved residues, sequence invariance, and other molecular characteristics that contribute to their importance in melanoma. Promising therapeutic targets for melanoma therapy are identified by analyzing these proteins at the molecular level.MethodsThe study makes extensive use of bioinformatics methods to analyze PRAME and BAP1, including sequence conservation, inherent disorder, polyglutamic acid presence, and polarity alterations. Established approaches are used to investigate residue changes and their effects on protein folding, aggregation, and interactions.ResultsPRAME and BAP1 conserved residues highlight their critical roles in protein function and interaction. Sequence invariance indicates the possibility of functional relevance and evolutionary conservation. In intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPRs), PRAME has enhanced intrinsic disorder and flexibility, whereas BAP1 has changed disorder-promoting residue sequences. Polyglutamic acid strings are found in both proteins, emphasizing their modulatory involvement in protein interactions. Protein folding and aggregation are influenced by polarity shifts, with a balanced distribution of acidic and basic residues preserving native structures. The ratios and distributions of amino acids, particularly neutral residues, have a profound influence on interactions and gene dysregulation.ConclusionPRAME and BAP1 structural and functional understanding pave the way for diagnostic and tailored treatment options in melanoma. Differences in residue alterations, polarity distributions, and amino acid ratios provide intriguing drug design options. This research contributes to a better knowledge of melanoma-associated two proteins, opening the path for novel diagnostic and therapy techniques in skin cancer and beyond.