bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Video-based exergaming versus conventional rehabilitation on balance in pediatric brain tumor survivors: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Tanrıverdi Müberra , Mutluay Fatma Karantay , Çakιr Fatma Betül 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBalance problems are widely reported in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors (PBTS) due to tumor localization and the side effects of medical treatment. This study investigates the effects of conventional versus video-based games exercise training (exergaming) on balance in PBTS. The present study was a randomized controlled trial. The study included 23 PBTS who were randomized to a Video-Based balance exergaming Group (VBG) or Conventional balance exercise training Group (CG). In both groups, the interventions were targeted to the balance function and balance exercise training was administered twice a week for 8 weeks. VBG exercised using selected Nintendo Wii Fit Plus® balance games while CG received a specially designed balance training using conventional physiotherapy methods. The primary outcome was the balance tests (Timed Up and Go and Nintendo® Wii™ Center of Gravity: COG), and the secondary outcomes were the functional tests (10-m walking, 2-min walking, 5-step climb/descent/times), and disease effect test (PedsQL Brain Tumor Module). The outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. At baseline, no significant clinical and outcome assessment differences existed between both groups except for COG (p = 0.0495). After training, overall scores for balance, functional, disease effect tests significantly improved in VBG (p < 0.05) while progress observed in CG was not significant (p > 0.05). Video-based balance exergaming was found effective and more so than conventional balance exercise training in PBTS. Greater effectiveness of exergaming is thought to be due to increased motivation and effort of the children who are more attracted to gaming than conventional exercising. Exergaming could be beneficial both in clinical and home settings with physiotherapist supervision and may reduce the costs of treatment while improving their health-related quality of life.
Targeting nucleotide metabolic pathways in colorectal cancer by integrating scRNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and bulk RNA-seq data
Authors: Zhao Songyun , Zhang Pengpeng , Niu Sen , Xie Jiaheng , Liu Yuankun , Liu Yuan , Zhao Ning , Cheng Chao , Lu Peihua 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system originating from abnormal cell proliferation in the colon or rectum, often leading to gastrointestinal symptoms and severe health issues. Nucleotide metabolism, which encompasses the synthesis of DNA and RNA, is a pivotal cellular biochemical process that significantly impacts both the progression and therapeutic strategies of colorectal cancer

Methods
For single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), five functions were employed to calculate scores related to nucleotide metabolism. Cell developmental trajectory analysis and intercellular interaction analysis were utilized to explore the metabolic characteristics and communication patterns of different epithelial cells. These findings were further validated using spatial transcriptome RNA sequencing (stRNA-seq). A risk model was constructed using expression profile data from TCGA and GEO cohorts to optimize clinical decision-making. Key nucleotide metabolism-related genes (NMRGs) were functionally validated by further in vitro experiments.

Results
In both scRNA-seq and stRNA-seq, colorectal cancer (CRC) exhibited unique cellular heterogeneity, with myeloid cells and epithelial cells in tumor samples displaying higher nucleotide metabolism scores. Analysis of intercellular communication revealed enhanced signaling pathways and ligand-receptor interactions between epithelial cells with high nucleotide metabolism and fibroblasts. Spatial transcriptome sequencing confirmed elevated nucleotide metabolism states in the core region of tumor tissue. After identifying differentially expressed NMRGs in epithelial cells, a risk prognostic model based on four genes effectively predicted overall survival and immunotherapy outcomes in patients. High-risk group patients exhibited an immunosuppressive microenvironment and relatively poorer prognosis and responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Finally, based on data analysis and a series of cellular functional experiments, ACOX1 and CPT2 were identified as novel therapeutic targets for CRC.

Conclusion
In this study, a comprehensive analysis of NMRGs in CRC was conducted using a combination of single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptome sequencing, and high-throughput data. The prognostic model constructed with NMRGs shows potential as a standalone prognostic marker for colorectal cancer patients and may significantly influence the development of personalized treatment approaches for CRC.
A MiR181/Sirtuin1 regulatory circuit modulates drug response in biliary cancers
Authors: Barbato Anna , Piscopo Fabiola , Salati Massimiliano , Pollastro Carla , Evangelista Lorenzo , Ferrante Luigi , Limongello Davide , Brillante Simona , Iuliano Antonella , Reggiani-Bonetti Luca , Salatiello Maria , Iaccarino Antonino , Pisapia Pasquale , Malapelle Umberto , Troncone Giancarlo , Indrieri Alessia , Dominici Massimo , Franco Brunella , Carotenuto Pietro 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDespite recent advances, biliary tract cancer (BTC) remains one of the most lethal tumor worldwide due to late diagnosis, limited therapeutic strategies and resistance to conventional therapies. In recent years, high-throughput technologies have enabled extensive genome, and transcriptome sequencing unveiling, among others, the regulatory potential of microRNAs (miRNAs). Compelling evidence shown that miRNA are attractive therapeutic targets and promising candidates as biomarkers for various therapy-resistant tumors. The analysis of miRNA profile successfully identified miR-181c and -181d as significantly downregulated in BTC patients. Low miR-181c and -181d expression levels were correlated with worse prognosis and poor treatment efficacy. In fact, progression-free survival analysis indicated poor survival rates in miR-181c and -181d low expressing patients. The expression profile of miR-181c and -181d in BTC cell lines revealed that both miRNAs were dysregulated. Functional in vitro experiments in BTC cell lines showed that overexpression of miR-181c and -181d affected cell viability and increased sensitivity to chemotherapy compared to controls. In addition, by using bioinformatic tools we showed that the miR-181c/d functional role is determined by binding to their target SIRT1 (Sirtuin 1). Moreover, BTC patients expressing high levels of miR-181 and low SIRT1 shown an improved survival and treatment response. An integrative network analysis demonstrated that, miR-181/SIRT1 circuit had a regulatory effect on several important metabolic tumor-related processes. Our study demonstrated that miR-181c and -181d act as tumor suppressor miRNA in BTC, suggesting the potential use as therapeutic strategy in resistant cancers and as predictive biomarker in the precision medicine of BTC.
The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with spondyloarthritis compared to the general population in the southernmost region of Sweden: a case–control study
Authors: Zamout Petros , Exarchou Sofia , Sharma Ankita , Turesson Carl 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSpondyloarthritis (SpA) has been associated with comorbidities, e.g., cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the relation between SpA and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of COPD in SpA to the general population. Patients with prevalent SpA in Skåne, Sweden, on December 31, 2018, were identified based on diagnostic codes in a regional register on primary care, secondary outpatient care and inpatient care. Population-based controls (5 per SpA case) were matched for age, sex and municipality. The base case definition for COPD required at least two prior visits with a registered COPD diagnosis. Stricter definitions included dispensed prescriptions for COPD and a COPD diagnosis made by a specialist in lung medicine. The prevalence of COPD in patients with SpA and controls, overall and stratified by sex and age, and the corresponding prevalence ratios, were estimated. A total of 3571 patients with SpA (51% male, mean age 53 years) were compared to 17,855 matched controls. The prevalence of COPD in patients with SpA was 37.8/1000, with a prevalence ratio compared to controls of 1.03 (95% CI 0.85–1.24). There were no significant differences in COPD prevalence between patients with SpA and controls in men or women, in any of the age groups, or in analyses using stricter definitions of COPD. In this regional study including data from primary care, the prevalence of COPD was not increased in patients with SpA compared to the background population.
C1q/Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Protein-9 Enhances Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux and Improves Reverse Cholesterol Transport via AMPK Activation
Authors: Song Xiaosu , Liu Gaizhen , Bin Yunfei , Bai Rui , Liang Bin , Yang Huiyu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCholesterol efflux from foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques is crucial for reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), an important antiatherogenic event. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, ABCA1 and ABCG1, are key receptors in the cholesterol efflux pathway. C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-9 (CTRP9) is a newly discovered adipokine and exhibits an atheroprotective activity. However, the role of CTRP9 in RCT still remains unknown. In this work, we investigated the effect of subcutaneous administration of CTRP9 protein on RCT and atherosclerotic lesion formation in ApoE−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet. CTRP9-dependent regulation of cholesterol efflux and ABC transporters in RAW 264.7 foam cells was determined. Our results showed that CTRP9 protein decreased atherosclerotic lesions, increased cholesterol efflux, and upregulated liver ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression in ApoE−/− mice. CTRP9 treatment dose-dependently increased mRNA and protein expression of ABCA1, ABCG1, and LXR-α in RAW 264.7 foam cells. Moreover, the expression and phosphorylation of AMPK was potentiated upon CTRP9 treatment. Notably, CTRP9-induced cholesterol efflux and upregulation of ABCA, ABCG1, and LXR-α were impaired when AMPK was knocked down. AMPK depletion restored cholesterol accumulation in CTRP9-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, subcutaneous injection is an effective novel delivery route for CTRP9 protein, and exogenous CTRP9 can facilitate cholesterol efflux and promote RCT in an animal model of atherosclerosis. The atheroprotective activity of CTRP9 is mediated through the activation of AMPK signaling.
Ethnic differences in metabolic syndrome in high-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Adjei Nicholas Kofi , Samkange-Zeeb Florence , Boakye Daniel , Saleem Maham , Christianson Lara , Kebede Mihiretu M. , Heise Thomas L. , Brand Tilman , Esan Oluwaseun B. , Taylor-Robinson David C. , Agyemang Charles , Zeeb Hajo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis review aimed to systematically quantify the differences in Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) prevalence across various ethnic groups in high-income countries by sex, and to evaluate the overall prevalence trends from 1996 to 2022. We conducted a systematic literature review using MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, focusing on studies about MetS prevalence among ethnic groups in high-income countries. We pooled 23 studies that used NCEP-ATP III criteria and included 147,756 healthy participants aged 18 and above. We calculated pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using both fixed-effect and random-effect intercept logistic regression models. Data were analysed for 3 periods: 1996–2005, 2006–2009, and 2010–2021. The pooled prevalence of MetS in high-income countries, based on the NCEP-ATP III criteria, was 27.4% over the studied period, showing an increase from 24.2% in 1996–2005 to 31.9% in 2010–2021, with men and women having similar rates. When stratified by ethnicity and sex, ethnic minority women experienced the highest prevalence at 31.7%, while ethnic majority women had the lowest at 22.7%. Notably, MetS was more prevalent in ethnic minority women than men. Among ethnic minorities, women had a higher prevalence of MetS than men, and the difference was highest in Asians (about 15 percentage points). Among women, the prevalence of MetS was highest in Asians (41.2%) and lowest in Blacks/Africans (26.7%). Among men, it was highest in indigenous minority groups (34.3%) and lowest among in Blacks/Africans (19.8%). MetS is increasing at an alarming rate in high-income countries, particularly among ethnic minority women. The burden of MetS could be effectively reduced by tailoring interventions according to ethnic variations and risk profiles.
Identification and Pathogenicity of Species Isolated from Stored Potato Tubers Showing Symptoms of Dry Rot Disease
Authors: Kim Nam Sook , Hong Sae Jin , Won Heon Seop , Kim Byung Sup , Gwon Se Hwi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDisease arises during the storage of potatoes as a result of pathogens introduced during growing and harvest of the tubers. In this study, the causative fungi of domestic potato dry rot disease were identified, and their pathogenicity was confirmed. A total of 76 species were isolated from 93 potato necropods collected from samples inoculated with dry rot disease. These 76 isolates were identified as Fusarium boothii, F. circinatum, F. citricola, F. foetens, F. iranicum, F. longifundum, F. oxysporum, F. pseudoanthophilum, F. solani, Botryotinia ranunculi, Clonostachys rosea, and Humicola nigrescens. The average size of the inoculation site was ≥ 4.6 mm in F. oxysporum and F. solani, which were pathogenic to dry rot in potatoes but were not pathogenic compared to other strains up to 5 weeks in a 15 to 20 °C and 99% RH environment. The pathogenicity of F. foetens and F. pseudoanthophilum was related to a strong relationship by forming a single system with F. oxysporum. However, except for F. oxysporum and F. solani, these strains have not yet been reported to be associated with dry rot disease. Additionally, the length of the cross-section and longitudinal section of the potato damage symptom inoculated with C. rosea increased the most among all strains. This suggests that C. rosea is the dominant species involved in domestic potato dry rot disease. By contrast, there are no reports of the involvement of B. ranunculi and H. nigrescens in dry rot disease. Therefore, these strains can be seen as parasitic using potato sclerosis as nutrients in in vivo experiments through wounds and are not directly related to dry rot disease.
Gesundheitsförderung durch städtische Planung
Authors: Adami Tammo , Westenhöfer Joachim , Benneckenstein Astrid , Sinning Heidi , Bojahr Christian , Sibilis Arne , Tolg Boris 
Published: April 2024

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Die Bedeutung gesundheitsfördernder Stadtplanung gewinnt angesichts der steigenden Urbanisierung und der hohen globalen Prävalenz nichtübertragbarer Krankheiten zunehmend an Relevanz. Wenngleich gesetzliche Vorgaben für die Berücksichtigung gesundheitlicher Aspekte in städtischen Planungsprozessen existieren, besteht Handlungsbedarf hinsichtlich einer gezielten Stärkung von gesundheitsfördernden Potenzialen.

Fragestellung
Der Beitrag beleuchtet wichtige stadtplanerische Schlüsselfaktoren und deren direkte Effekte, welche im Zuge einer gesundheitsfördernden Planung eine Rolle für die menschliche Gesundheit spielen. Nach einem Überblick über diese Faktoren werden daraus folgende Konsequenzen und Handlungsansätze dargestellt.

Ergebnisse
Stadtplanerische Schlüsselfaktoren können verschiedene Bereiche wie Bewegungsaktivität, Ernährung, Hitze, Luftverschmutzung, Lärm oder Stressempfinden positiv beeinflussen, was mit Risikosenkungen und positiven Auswirkungen für eine Reihe von nichtübertragbaren Krankheiten wie Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen, Atemwegserkrankungen oder Diabetes einhergeht.

Schlussfolgerung
Im Kontext der Prävention nichtübertragbarer Krankheiten ist zukünftig eine vermehrte Berücksichtigung der Gestaltung der städtebaulichen Umgebung erforderlich. Von Bedeutung ist eine stärker interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit zwischen Akteur*innen aus der Stadtplanung und der öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienste. Die Integration von Gesundheitsfolgenabschätzungen in Stadtentwicklungsprozesse könnte dazu beitragen, die gesundheitsförderlichen Potenziale von stadtplanerischen Maßnahmen besser zu erkennen und zu nutzen.
Advances in Radionuclide Therapies for Patients with Neuro-endocrine Tumors
Authors: Hoogenkamp Denise S. , de Wit–van der Veen Linda J. , Huizing Daphne M. V. , Tesselaar Margot E. T. , van Leeuwaarde Rachel S. , Stokkel Marcel P. M. , Lam Marnix G. E. H. , Braat Arthur J. A. T. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
To provide insights into the role of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and an overview of possible strategies to combine PRRT with locoregional and systemic anticancer treatments.

Recent Findings
Research on combining PRRT with other treatments encompasses a wide variety or treatments, both local (transarterial radioembolization) and systemic therapies, chemotherapy (i.e., capecitabine and temozolomide), targeted therapies (i.e., olaparib, everolimus, and sunitinib), and immunotherapies (e.g., nivolumab and pembrolizumab). Furthermore, PRRT shows promising first results as a treatment prior to surgery.

Summary
There is great demand to enhance the efficacy of PRRT through combination with other anticancer treatments. While research in this area is currently limited, the field is rapidly evolving with numerous ongoing clinical trials aiming to address this need and explore novel therapeutic combinations.
Surjective and closed range differentiation operator
Authors: Mengestie Tesfa 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe identify Fock-type spaces $$\mathcal {F}_{(m,p)}$$

F

(
m
,
p
)

on which the differentiation operator D has closed range. We prove that D has closed range only if it is surjective, and this happens if and only if $$m=1$$

m
=
1

. Moreover, since the operator is unbounded on the classical Fock spaces, we consider the modified or the weighted composition–differentiation operator, $$D_{(u,\psi ,n)} f= u\cdot \big ( f^{(n)}\circ \psi \big )$$

D

(
u
,
ψ
,
n
)

f
=
u
·

(

f

(
n
)

∘
ψ

)

, on these spaces and describe conditions under which the operator admits closed range, surjective, and order bounded structures.
Improved Plating Adhesion of Polyarylate Fibers via Supercritical CO2 and Impregnation of Slightly Soluble Oil on the Fiber Surface
Authors: Sakai Tomoki , Tabata Isao , Hori Teruo , Hirogaki Kazumasa 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere is a growing demand for conductive fibers with high bending resistance, particularly for applications, such as smart textiles and robot arms. The amount of fiber for such applications can be reduced using high-performance fibers with high tensile properties, such as polyaramid and polyarylate Vectran®). However, because such fibers are crystalline with rigid molecular structures, they poorly adhere to plated films; thus, the plated fibers exhibit poor bending fatigue resistance. To solve this problem, in this study, we expanded polyarylate fiber using supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) and impregnated it with a metal complex (palladium acetate), which acts as a catalyst for electroless plating to induce an anchoring effect. However, because polyarylate fiber has an extremely low polarity, it is difficult to uniformly impregnate it with many metal complexes, even with ScCO2. Generally, an organic solvent is added to tune the polarity of supercritical CO2; however, the metal complex penetrates the fiber, thereby reducing the amount of metal complex near the fiber surface. Therefore, we tuned the polarity of the surface by applying various oils to the fiber surface. The sample electroplated in ScCO2 with oil applied to its surface showed the highest bending fatigue resistance, followed by that treated in ScCO2 without oil, and the sample treated in an aqueous solution showed the lowest. Furthermore, we measured the interfacial adhesion strength of the samples using the microdroplet method, and the same trend was observed.
Having Different Dialog Roles in Telecommunication by Using Two Teleoperated Robots Reduces an Operator’s Guilt
Authors: Nozawa Reina , Sakai Kazuki , Kawata Megumi , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Yoshikawa Yuichiro 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn recent years, applications of social robots as the operator’s avatar have been widely studied for remote conversation with rich nonverbal information. Having another side-participant robot beside the avatar robot of the operator was found to be effective for providing long-lasting backchannels to the interlocutor. The side-participant robot is also expected to play a role in assisting human participation in multiparty conversations. However, such a focus has not been applied to remote conversations with multiple robots. Here, we propose a multiple-robot telecommunication system with which the operator can use a side-participant robot to assist conversation that is developed by the operator through the main speaker robot to verify its effectiveness. In the laboratory experiment where the subjects were made to feel stressed by being forced to provide rude questions to the interlocutor, the proposed system was shown to reduce guilt and to improve the overall mood of operators. The result encourages the application of a multi robot remote conversation system to allow the user to participate in remote conversations with less anxiety of potential failure in maintaining the conversation.
Advances in Food Processing Through Radio Frequency Technology: Applications in Pest Control, Microbial and Enzymatic Inactivation
Authors: Costa Josiel Martins , Marra Francesco 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFoodborne illnesses occur due to contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, decontaminating food is vital before marketing and circulation. Radio frequency (RF) heating stands out in several branches of industry, mainly food processing, as an alternative method to conventional pasteurization which takes long process times and overheating. RF heating functions without relying on heat conduction. It generates internal heat by inducing the rotation of polar molecules and the motion of ions. The advantages of dielectric heating with greater wave penetration include rapid, uniform and volumetric heating, presenting high energy efficiency. Furthermore, it is an effective, validated method for eliminating pathogens in agricultural products and is free from chemical residues. Although many reviews have discussed this technology, few reviews have covered the research trends in this field in the recent years, during which the number of studies discussing RF treatment of foods have increased. Therefore, this review focuses on the RF applications in the food industry for pest control, microbial and enzymatic inactivation of solid, liquid, and powdered foods in the last five years. Besides covering the fundamental aspects of RF technology, we also examine its benefits and drawbacks, address the challenges it presents, and explore future prospects
Graphical Abstract