bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computational aptamer design for spike glycoprotein (S) (SARS CoV-2) detection with an electrochemical aptasensor
Authors: Cossettini Alessia , Pasquardini Laura , Romani Antonello , Feriani Aldo , Pinamonti Debora , Manzano Marisa 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
A new bioinformatic platform (APTERION) was used to design in a short time and with high specificity an aptamer for the detection of the spike protein, a structural protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The aptamer concentration on the carbon electrode surface was optimized using static contact angle and fluorescence method, while specificity was tested using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) associated to carbon screen-printed electrodes. The data obtained demonstrated the good features of the aptamer which could be used to create a rapid method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus. In fact, it is specific for spike also when tested against bovine serum albumin and lysozyme, competitor proteins if saliva is used as sample to test for the virus presence. Spectrofluorometric characterization allowed to measure the amount of aptamer present on the carbon electrode surface, while DPV measurements proved the affinity of the aptamer towards the spike protein and gave quantitative results. The acquired data allowed to conclude that the APTERION bioinformatic platform is a good method for aptamer design for rapidity and specificity.

Key points
• Spike protein detection using an electrochemical biosensor
• Aptamer characterization by contact angle and fluorescent measurements on electrode surface
• Computational design of specific aptamers to speed up the aptameric sequence time
Künstliche Intelligenz in der Pathologie – wie, wo und warum?
Authors: Schüffler Peter , Steiger Katja , Mogler Carolin 
Published: March 2024

ZusammenfassungKünstliche Intelligenz verspricht viele Erneuerungen und Erleichterungen in der Pathologie, wirft jedoch ebenso viele Fragen und Ungewissheiten auf. In diesem Artikel geben wir eine kurze Übersicht über den aktuellen Stand, die bereits erreichten Ziele vorhandener Algorithmen und immer noch ausstehende Herausforderungen.
Alteration of LARGE1 abundance in patients and a mouse model of 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Roos Andreas , Schmitt Linda-Isabell , Hansmann Christina , Hezel Stefanie , Salmanian Schahin , Hentschel Andreas , Meyer Nancy , Marina Adela Della , Kölbel Heike , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Schara-Schmidt Ulrike , Leo Markus , Hagenacker Tim 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by recessive pathogenic variants affecting the survival of motor neuron (SMN1) gene (localized on 5q). In consequence, cells lack expression of the corresponding protein. This pathophysiological condition is clinically associated with motor neuron (MN) degeneration leading to severe muscular atrophy. Additionally, vulnerability of other cellular populations and tissues including skeletal muscle has been demonstrated. Although the therapeutic options for SMA have considerably changed, treatment responses may differ thus underlining the persistent need for validated biomarkers. To address this need and to identify novel marker proteins for SMA, we performed unbiased proteomic profiling on cerebrospinal fluid derived (CSF) from genetically proven SMA type 1–3 cases and afterwards performed ELISA studies on CSF and serum samples to validate the potential of a novel biomarker candidates in both body fluids. To further decipher the pathophysiological impact of this biomarker, immunofluorescence studies were carried out on spinal cord and skeletal muscle derived from a 5q-SMA mouse model. Proteomics revealed increase of LARGE1 in CSF derived from adult patients showing a clinical response upon treatment with nusinersen. Moreover, LARGE1 levels were validated in CSF samples of further SMA patients (type 1–3) by ELISA. These studies also unveiled a distinguishment between groups in improvement of motor skills: adult patients do present with lowered level per se at baseline visit while no elevation upon treatment in the pediatric cohort can be observed. ELISA-based studies of serum samples showed no changes in the pediatric cohort but unraveled elevated level in adult patients responding to future intervention with nusinersen, while non-responders did not show a significant increase. Additional immunofluorescence studies of LARGE1 in MN and skeletal muscle of a SMA type 3 mouse model revealed an increase of LARGE1 during disease progression. Our combined data unraveled LARGE1 as a protein dysregulated in serum and CSF of SMA-patients (and in MN and skeletal muscle of SMA mice) holding the potential to serve as a disease marker for SMA and enabling to differentiate between patients responding and non-responding to therapy with nusinersen.
What patients with advanced cancer experience as helpful in navigating their life with a long-term response: a qualitative study
Authors: Zwanenburg Laura C. , van der Lee Marije L. , Koldenhof José J. , Suijkerbuijk Karijn P. M. , Schellekens Melanie P. J. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Despite improved survival for people with advanced cancer due to new medical treatments, a growing group of long-term responders (LTRs) has to learn to live with uncertainties that affect several life domains. At the core of their experience, they neither feel like a patient nor feel healthy. Despite growing awareness of LTRs’ experiences, learning more about how they cope with their long-term response can provide insight into how to best support them. Our study aimed to gain a deeper understanding what LTRs experience as helpful in navigating life with a long-term response.

Methods
We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using thematic data analysis. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 participants with advanced melanoma or lung cancer with confirmed response or long-term stable disease while on immuno- or targeted therapy.

Results
LTRs reported several strategies to navigate life with a long-term response, for example, by involving the social environment, seeing uncertainty as an opportunity, and being present in the moment. This helped them to reclaim a sense of control, alter their perspective, and reshape their lives according to their values.

Conclusion
Using different coping strategies enables LTRs to acknowledge both their sick and healthy side. Striking a healthy balance between being oriented on feeling sick or feeling healthy can help LTRs and their close others to navigate life with a long-term response. Healthcare professionals can provide support by recognizing whether LTRs are oriented at feeling sick or healthy, and by actively involving close others during medical appointments.
Understanding the limitations of self-supervised learning for tabular anomaly detection
Authors: Mai Kimberly T. , Davies Toby , Griffin Lewis D. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWhile self-supervised learning has improved anomaly detection in computer vision and natural language processing, it is unclear whether tabular data can benefit from it. This paper explores the limitations of self-supervision for tabular anomaly detection. We conduct several experiments spanning various pretext tasks on 26 benchmark datasets to understand why this is the case. Our results confirm representations derived from self-supervision do not improve tabular anomaly detection performance compared to using the raw representations of the data. We show this is due to neural networks introducing irrelevant features, which reduces the effectiveness of anomaly detectors. However, we demonstrate that using a subspace of the neural network’s representation can recover performance.
Implementation of a non-destructive method to assess weathering deterioration of sandstones in cultural heritage
Authors: Mammoliti Elisa , Cupido Marta , Teloni Riccardo , Tittarelli Francesca , Giuli Gabriele , Paris Eleonora , Farabollini Piero , Santini Stefano 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper proposes a non-destructive approach based on the Equotip hardness tester to assess weathering deterioration in a protected sandstone monument located in the historic centre of Camerino (Italy). The approach is tested on one sandstone column, where various forms of weathering, such as discolouration, scaling and loss of stone volume, are observed. The mechanical characterisation with Equotip was performed on 24 measuring points, systematically distributed in the column. Innovatively, the two probes available from Proceq (Proceq© 2010) were used to assess differences among surface and in-depth hardness values of the column. In addition, an un-weathered rock core from the original extraction site was also analysed and compared with the rock matrix of the column. The obtained results show a 15% hardness reduction from depth to the surface of the column and a 25% overall hardness reduction with respect to the fresh sandstone core samples. Equotip results were coupled with grain size analyses, mercury intrusion porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry results, and a correlation between hardness and grain size was evaluated. By combining these approaches, it was possible to identify the processes that occurred during weathering: (a) freeze-thaw cycles that caused a decrease in micropore volume and an increase in macropores connected with low Equotip values; (b) iron oxide and sulphuric acid released from pyrite oxidation contribute to the dissolution and precipitation of calcium carbonate, which can be rearranged in the outer and surface macroporosity. The quantitative approach proposed in this study may be a valid low-cost and quick tool to assess weathering heterogeneities on building stone materials and to provide insights for effective preservation strategies of historical monuments.
Persistence on subcutaneous tocilizumab as monotherapy or in combination with synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Greece (EMBRACE study): a multicenter, post-marketing, non-interventional, observational trial
Authors: Athanassiou Panagiotis , Katsimbri Pelagia , Bounas Andreas , Gazi Sοusana , Sarikoudis Theodosios , Syrigou Victoria , Boumpas Dimitrios ,   EMBRACE Study Group, Georgiadis Athanasios , Kallitsakis Ioannis , Kampakis Georgios , Kandyli Anna , Kotrotsios Anastasios , Koukli Eftychia-Maria , Ksirogiannis Georgios , Lagoudakis Aristeidis , Mavragani Clio , Mavridou Dimitra , Merantzis Pavlos , Natskos Theodoros , Papadimitriou Georgios E. , Petrou Dimitrios , Psaltis Dimitrios , Tsiakou Eleni , Zakalka Marina , Ziogas Athanasios 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, inflammatory disease affecting multiple organs and causing physical disability over time.

Objective
The primary objective was to evaluate treatment persistence to subcutaneous tocilizumab (TCZ-SC). Additionally, treatment effects on persistence and their associations with clinical and patient-reported outcomes were assessed.

Method
We performed a multicenter, non-interventional, 52-week observational study on 222 patients with moderate or severe RA. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by using disease activity score for 28 joints (DAS28) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response, and patients’ perceptions were evaluated by using Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and patient global assessment (PtGA) of disease activity. Safety was assessed throughout the study.

Results
The mean age of the overall cohort was 62.2 ± 12.3 years, and 83.8% were females. Persistence to TCZ-SC was 89.6% at week 24 and 85.1% at week 52 in the overall cohort with slightly increased persistence in the combination group. At week 52, changes from the baseline were − 2.68 in DAS28, − 0.76 in HAQ, − 43.21 in VAS pain, and − 41.66 in PtGA (p < 0.0001 for all). Moderate and good EULAR response was achieved in 83.2% of patients. Non-serious and serious adverse events occurred in 18.5% and 3.2% of the participants, respectively.

Conclusions
The current study confirms the favorable safety and effectiveness of TCZ-SC as well as its acceptability by RA patients in Greece, with sustained high persistence rates up to 52 weeks. TCZ-SC offers a sustainable treatment response in RA.

Key Points• Based upon clinical and patient-reported outcomes, TCZ-SC is a highly effective and safe treatment modality in patients with moderate-to-severe RA.• Persistence to TCZ-SC was high throughout the study, both as monotherapy and in combination with csDMARDs.• TCZ-SC is effective both as monotherapy and when used in combination with other csDMARDs regardless of the line of treatment.
What remains after the money ends? Evidence on whether admission reductions continued following the largest health and social care integration programme in England
Authors: Wattal Vasudha , Checkland Katherine , Sutton Matt , Morciano Marcello 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe study the long-term effects on hospital activity of a three-year national integration programme. We use administrative data spanning from 24 months before to 22 months after the programme, to estimate the effect of programme discontinuation using difference-in-differences method. Our results show that after programme discontinuation, emergency admissions were slower to increase in Vanguard compared to non-Vanguard sites. These effects were heterogeneous across sites, with greater reductions in care home Vanguard sites and concentrated among the older population. Care home Vanguards showed significant reductions beginning early in the programme but falling away more rapidly after programme discontinuation. Moreover, there were greater reductions for sites performing poorly before the programme. Overall, this suggests the effects of the integration programme might have been lagged but transitory, and more reliant on continued programme support.
Adult Perceptions of Child Adjustment in Institutional versus Family Care in Ghana
Authors: Wright Anna W. , Salifu Yendork Joana , Richard Simron , Washington-Nortey Princess-Melissa , Kliewer Wendy 
Published: March 2024

AbstractResearch on institutional child care consistently has documented detrimental developmental outcomes. However, recent work in Ghana revealed a range in patterns of adjustment among children living in institutional care. The developmental patterns of children living in institutional care often were not significantly different from patterns seen among children living in families. A grounded-theory approach was used to understand Ghanaian adults’ perceptions of adjustment of children living in both institutional care and with families, and their beliefs about contributions to positive functioning. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 caregivers, social workers, and teachers recruited from the Accra region in Ghana. Thematic analysis of responses was used to identify common themes described in the interviews. Interviews with participants revealed beliefs that children may struggle in one or more areas while still having strengths. Having basic needs met, a stable home, and a high level of adult support were the most common factors believed to contribute to positive functioning in both groups of children. Future studies or interventions targeting these areas will likely gain buy-in from stakeholders.
Effect of counterions on the water sorption and glass transition properties of maltobionate salts
Authors: Mochizuki Takumi , Anantawittayanon Sukritta , Fukami Ken , Kawai Kiyoshi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of counterions on the water sorption and glass transition properties of maltobionate salts. Sodium maltobionate (NaMb), potassium maltobionate (KMb), and magnesium maltobionate (MgMb2) were employed, and the values for calcium maltobionate (CaMb2) and maltose were taken from the literature. The water sorption isotherm of the samples was characterized using the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer model. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and freeze-concentrated glass transition temperature (Tg’) were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of water content on the Tg was analyzed using the Gordon-Taylor model. The order of the anhydrous Tg values of maltobionate salts was: KMb < NaMb < maltose < MgMb2 < CaMb2. The anhydrous Tg of the divalent cation forms (MgMb2 and CaMb2) was much higher than that of the monovalent cation forms (NaMb and KMb). The anhydrous Tg will be affected by the plasticizing effect and electrostatic effect of cations. The Tg depression induced by water plasticizing was greater for KMb than for the other maltobionate salts. The order of Tg’ values of freeze-concentrated maltobionate salts was: KMb < maltose < NaMb < MgMb2 < CaMb2. This trend was almost the same as that seen for anhydrous Tg, but the range of the Tg’ values (242.2–257.8 K) was much lower than that of the anhydrous Tg (346.9–421.3 K). The Tg’ appears to be affected by the strength of ionic interactions and amount of unfrozen water.
Evaluation and implementation of Lie group integration methods for rigid multibody systems
Authors: Holzinger Stefan , Arnold Martin , Gerstmayr Johannes 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAs commonly known, standard time integration of the kinematic equations of rigid bodies modeled with three rotation parameters is infeasible due to singular points. Common workarounds are reparameterization strategies or Euler parameters. Both approaches typically vary in accuracy depending on the choice of rotation parameters. To efficiently compute different kinds of multibody systems, one aims at simulation results and performance that are independent of the type of rotation parameters. As a clear advantage, Lie group integration methods are rotation parameter independent. However, few studies have addressed whether Lie group integration methods are more accurate and efficient compared to conventional formulations based on Euler parameters or Euler angles. In this paper, we close this gap using the $\mathbb{R}^{3}\times SO(3)$

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Lie group formulation and several typical rigid multibody systems. It is shown that explicit Lie group integration methods outperform the conventional formulations in terms of accuracy. However, it turns out that the conventional Euler parameter-based formulation is the most accurate one in the case of implicit integration, while the Lie group integration method is computationally the more efficient one. It also turns out that Lie group integration methods can be implemented at almost no extra cost in an existing multibody simulation code if the Lie group method used to describe the configuration of a body is chosen accordingly.
Remembering and forgetting in Sara Collins’ The confessions of Frannie Langton
Authors: Saber Yomna 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSet in Jamaica and London in the 1820s, Sara Collins’ debut novel The confessions of Frannie Langton (2019) is a neo-slave historical novel par excellence. In it, Collins shapes and reshapes several subgenres of historical fiction, such as gothic fiction, historical romance, and historical mystery. Facing a trial based on the accusation of killing her master and mistress, Frannie Langton narrates her life story in the form of confessions to her lawyer as she endeavors to remember what happened on the night of the murder. This paper attempts to answer the following questions: Is Frannie trying to remember or to forget what happened? Why does Collins add strong gothic shades to her historical novel? How does she manipulate the historical whodunits of the crime in relation to Frannie’s memory? Why does Collins choose a lesbian relationship to feature the historical romance in the novel? The paper examines how a post-2000 historical novel manipulates its conventional subgenres by adhering to some and changing others, starting with the gothic, then the murder story and, lastly, the lesbian romance in telling a neo-slave story.
Artificial intelligence in academic writing and clinical pharmacy education: consequences and opportunities
Authors: Weidmann Anita Elaine 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe current academic debate on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research and teaching has been ongoing since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. It mainly focuses on ethical considerations, academic integrity, authorship and the need for new legal frameworks. Time efficiencies may allow for more critical thinking, while ease of pattern recognition across large amounts of data may promote drug discovery, better clinical decision making and guideline development with resultant consequences for patient safety. AI is also prompting a re-evaluation of the nature of learning and the purpose of education worldwide. It challenges traditional pedagogies, forcing a shift from rote learning to more critical, analytical, and creative thinking skills. Despite this opportunity to re-think education concepts for pharmacy curricula several universities around the world have banned its use. This commentary summarizes the existing debate and identifies the consequences and opportunities for clinical pharmacy research and education.
Probabilistic Characterization of Weakly Harmonic Maps with Respect to Non-Local Dirichlet Forms
Authors: Okazaki Fumiya 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
We characterize weakly harmonic maps with respect to non-local Dirichlet forms by Markov processes and martingales. In particular, we can obtain discontinuous martingales on Riemannian manifolds from the image of symmetric stable processes under fractional harmonic maps in a weak sense. Based on this characterization, we also consider the continuity of weakly harmonic maps along the paths of Markov processes and describe the condition for the continuity of harmonic maps by quadratic variations of martingales in some situations containing cases of energy minimizing maps.
Establishment of an efficient genetic transformation system for Tanacetum cinerariifolium
Authors: Shinoyama Harue , Shimizu Misato , Hosokawa Munetaka , Matsuda Kazuhiko 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe Dalmatian Daisy Tanacetum cinerariifolium is an Asteraceae plant species that produces the natural insecticide “pyrethrum”, which is effective against mosquito disease vectors and household pests. To enhance the content of pyrethrum in flowers, a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying pyrethrum biosynthesis is needed. Even though gene transformation and genome editing techniques are vital for investigating pyrethrin biosynthesis, limited information is available on the transformation of T. cinerariifolium. Furthermore, each seedling possesses a distinct genotype with large variations by self-incompatibility. We herein employed T. cinerariifolium line #14 with weak self-incompatibility to establish a protocol of efficient regeneration from leaf segments and transformation. Leaf segments formed calli on 1/2 Murashige and Skoog’s basal medium (MS) with naphthalene acetic acid 1 mg L−1 and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) 2 mg L−1, regenerated shoots from calli on 1/2 MS with BAP 0.5 mg L−1 and GA3 0.2 mg L−1, and elongated shoot stems on 1/2 MS with indole-3-butyric acid 0.5 mg L−1 and BAP 0.5 mg L−1. To establish genetic transformation, Rhizobium radiobacter strain EHA105 with the highest infectivity and the mas1'-2' bidirectional promoter with the highest expression of the nptII resistance gene were used, and the antibiotic G418 was added to medium at a concentration of 10 to 20 mg L−1 to select transformed cells. Using established regeneration techniques, we successfully obtained transformants that highly expressed the transgene gusA. This technique will be useful for creating genetically modified T. cinerariifolium, particularly for elucidating the mechanism of pyrethrin biosynthesis toward the creation of pyrethrin-rich traits.