bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic alliance in a stepped digital psychosocial intervention for breast cancer patients: findings from a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Flix-Valle Aida , Medina Joan Carles , Souto-Sampera Arnau , Arizu-Onassis Alejandra , Juan-Linares Eva , Serra-Blasco Maria , Ciria-Suárez Laura , Feixas Guillem , Ochoa-Arnedo Cristian 
Published: January 2025

Background
Action mechanisms of therapeutic alliance in stepped and digital interventions remain unclear.

Aims
(a) To compare the development of therapeutic alliance between psychosocial treatment as usual (PTAU) and a stepped digital intervention designed to prevent distress in cancer patients; (b) to analyse the level of agreement between patients’ and therapists’ therapeutic alliance ratings; and (c) to explore variables associated with therapeutic alliance in the digital intervention.

Method
A multicentre randomised controlled trial with 184 newly diagnosed breast cancer women was conducted. Patients were assigned to digital intervention or PTAU. Therapeutic alliance was assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months after inclusion using the working alliance inventory for patients and therapists. Age, usability (system usability scale), satisfaction (visual analogue scale), type and amount of patient–therapist communication were analysed as associated variables.

Results
Patients and therapists established high therapeutic alliance in the digital intervention, although significantly lower compared with PTAU. The development of patients’ therapeutic alliance did not differ between interventions, unlike that of the therapists. No agreement was found between patients’ and therapists’ therapeutic alliance ratings. Patients’ therapeutic alliance was associated with usability and satisfaction with app, whereas therapists’ therapeutic alliance was associated with satisfaction with monitoring platform.

Conclusions
A stepped digital intervention for cancer patients could develop and maintain strong therapeutic alliance. Neither the type nor amount of communication affected patients’ therapeutic alliance, suggesting that flexible and available digital communication fosters a sense of care and connection. The association between usability and satisfaction with digital tools highlights their importance as key therapeutic alliance components in digital settings.
Chemoimmunotherapy plus radiotherapy in advanced esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma.
Authors: Nie Keke , Han Xiang , Zhang Ling , Hou Qiuyu , Ji Youxin 
Published: January 2025

437

Background:
Chemotherapy plus Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved survival outcomes of patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma in both first- and second-line settings. However, the benefit of additional radiotherapy for the residual esophageal lesion after chemo-immunotherapy remains unclear.
Methods:
We conducted a one-arm, three-center, open label study involving patients who were treatment naïve, radiological and histological confirmed advanced or metastatic squamous-cell esophageal carcinoma. Enrolled patients were expected the survival time was three months or longer; and ECOG performance status score was 0 or 1. In induction phase, patients received four cycles of TP regimen chemotherapy (docetaxel, 75/mg
2
, iv on day 1 and cisplatin, 75mg/m
2
, iv on day 1) combined with PD-1 inhibitor (sintilimab, 200mg intravenous infusion on day 1) every 21 days. Patients who finished four cycles of chemo-immunotherapy with stable disease (SD) or partial response (PR) were initiated 50Gy/25f irradiation for residual tumors. 3-4weeks after radiotherapy, maintenance sintilimab therapy was administered every 21 days for another 31 cycles or until disease progression or intolerable toxicity.
Results:
Total of 39 patients were enrolled in this study, 30 of them could be evaluated in efficiency and toxicities. All of them were male and were squamous-cell carcinoma in histology. 12/30 (40.0%) patients were in stage III, and 18/30 (60.0%) were in stage IV. 29/30 (96.7%) patients completed four cycles chemo-immunotherapy, the complete response (CR) rate was 6.7% (2/30), the partial response (PR) rate was 53.3% (16/30) and disease control rate (DCR) was 86.7% (26/30). The median depth of response (DpR) was 34.5% for chemoimmunotherapy and was 64.0% after radiotherapy. The progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.4 months and the overall survival (OS) was not reached. The most common grade 3 or worse adverse event was neutropenia and occurred in 3 (10.0%) patients.
Conclusions:
Four cycles sintilimab plus cisplatin and docetaxel followed by radiotherapy for residual tumors and maintained sintilimab had high response rate, prolonged PFS and tolerable toxicities as first line treatment in patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma. Longer OS is promising and more patients enrolled in this study is needed in future.
Clinical trial information: NCT06138028
.

Clinicopathological features and patient factors.

Factors
No. of patients (n=30) (%)

Gender

Male
30 (100.0)

Female
0 (0)

Age (year)

< 65
27 (43.3)

≥ 65
17 (56.7)

PD-L1 (CPS)

< 5
9 (30.0)

≥ 5
21 (70.0)

Clinical Stage

III
12 (40.0)

IV
18 (60.0)

Metastatic Pattern

Regional lymph node
12 (40.0)

Cervical & Supraclavicular
4 (13.3)

Abdomen
5 (16.7)

Lung
6 (20.0)
Glutamatergic Input From Arcuate Nucleus Kiss1 Neurons to Preoptic Kiss1 Neurons Is Required for LH Surge in Female Mice
Authors: Qiu Jian , Talbi Rajae , Bosch Martha A , Medve Elizabeth , Zweifel Larry S , Rønnekleiv Oline K , Navarro Víctor M , Kelly Martin J 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons are vital for maintaining fertility in the mammal. In the female rodent, Kiss1 neurons populate the anteroventral periventricular/periventricular nuclei (Kiss1AVPV/PeN) and the arcuate nucleus (Kiss1ARH). Kiss1ARH neurons (also known as KNDy neurons since they coexpress neurokinin B and dynorphin) are considered the “pulse-generator” neurons that presynaptically excite gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) axons in the median eminence, whereas the Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons are the “surge-generator” neurons that depolarize preoptic GnRH neurons directly to drive ovulation. Traditionally, it is believed that Kiss1ARH neurons are relatively quiet during the late follicular, preovulatory stage of the reproductive cycle due to the 17β-estradiol (E2)-mediated downregulation of the expression of the KNDy peptides. However, based on our single-cell, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and whole-cell electrophysiological recordings, we found that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2) mRNA and excitatory cation channels in Kiss1ARH neurons were significantly upregulated by E2, which increased the excitability and glutamate release from these “pulse-generator” neurons. Presently, we demonstrate that optogenetic stimulation of Kiss1ARH neurons releases glutamate to excite Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons via activation of both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. CRISPR mutagenesis of Vglut2 in Kiss1ARH neurons abolished glutamatergic neurotransmission, which significantly reduced the overall glutamatergic input to Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons. The mutagenesis of Vglut2 in Kiss1ARH neurons abrogated the E2-induced luteinizing hormone surge and reduced the formation of corpus lutea, indicative of a reduced ovulatory drive in these Vglut2-mutated Kiss1ARH mice. Therefore, Kiss1ARH neurons appear to play a critical role in augmenting the GnRH surge through glutamatergic neurotransmission to Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons.
Dynamic map illuminates Hippo-cMyc module crosstalk driving cardiomyocyte proliferation
Authors: Harris Bryana N. , Woo Laura A. , Perry R. Noah , Wallace Alexia M. , Civelek Mete , Wolf Matthew J. , Saucerman Jeffrey J. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT
Numerous regulators of cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferation have been identified, yet how they coordinate during cardiac development or regeneration is poorly understood. Here, we developed a computational model of the CM proliferation regulatory network to obtain key regulators and systems-level understanding. The model defines five modules (DNA replication, mitosis, cytokinesis, growth factor, Hippo pathway) and integrates them into a network of 72 nodes and 88 reactions that correctly predicts 74 of 81 (91.35%) independent experiments from the literature. The model predicts that in response to YAP activation, the Hippo module crosstalks to the growth factor module via PI3K and cMyc to drive cell cycle activity. This predicted YAP-cMyc axis is validated experimentally in rat CMs and further supported by YAP-stimulated cMyc open chromatin and mRNA in mouse hearts. This validated computational model predicts how individual regulators and modules coordinate to control CM proliferation.
Coming home: how visually navigating ants (Myrmecia spp.) pinpoint their nest
Authors: Zeil Jochen 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT
Visually navigating Myrmecia foragers approach their nest from distances up to 25 m along well-directed paths, even from locations they have never been before ( Narendra et al., 2013). However, close to the nest, they often spend some time pinpointing the nest entrance, sometimes missing it by centimetres. Here, I investigated what guides homing ants in their attempt to pinpoint the nest entrance. As the ants approach the nest, their behaviour changes. At approximately 1 m from the nest, the ants slow down, their scanning amplitude becomes larger and their path direction changes more frequently. This change in scanning behaviour is not triggered by local olfactory, tactile or visual cues because ants tethered on a trackball 30–50 cm above ground also exhibit it at 0.6 m compared with 1.6 m distance from the nest. Moreover, the ants are able to pinpoint the nest when such local cues are removed by covering the ground around the nest or the nest entrance itself. Myrmecia ants thus rely on information from the global panorama when pinpointing the nest. During learning walks, these ants appear to systematically collect views directed toward and away from the nest ( Jayatilaka et al., 2018). Homing ants indeed change gaze and body axis direction appropriately with a delay when encountering views to the left or to the right of the nest. However, image analysis shows that close to the nest, opponent views with the same orientation become too similar, explaining the growing uncertainty reflected in the ants' increased scanning behaviour during homing.
Towards a standard application of the Reynolds number in studies of aquatic animal locomotion
Authors: Weihs Daniel , Farsani Arash , Gurka Roi 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT
Non-dimensional groups of measured quantities enable comparison between measurements of animals under different conditions and comparison between species. One of the most used such groups is the Reynolds number, which compares inertial and viscous contributions to forces on swimming animals. This group includes two quantities that are chosen by the researcher: a typical length and speed. Choosing these parameters will affect the numerical value of the Reynolds number, defining the state of the fluid flow. For example, by choosing fish body length as opposed to propulsive fin chord, results may vary by an order of magnitude with consequences for analysis and hydrodynamic regimes. Here, we suggest a standardized set of lengths and speeds to be used for aquatic animal locomotion to enable confident utilization of data from different sources. This framework aims to improve comparative studies within the field.
Zum Alltagsleben in den Ritterorden der Kreuzfahrerstaaten
Authors: Burgtorf Jochen 
Published: January 2025

On everyday life in the military orders of the Crusader states

While everyday life in the military orders was supposed to be regulated (i.e., in compliance with rules and other normative texts), geographical location was a determining factor in how individual members experienced their environment and human interaction, and there appear to have been significant variations in this regard between East and West. Focusing on select examples pertaining to Templars, Hospitallers, and Teutonic Knights in the Crusader states of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and drawing from letters, charters, inventories, narrative sources, and archaeological evidence, this article considers three particular aspects to illustrate this observation, namely, (1) materialized culture, (2) the need for translators, and (3) bathhouses. While all three had their respective equivalents in northern and western Europe, it is noteworthy that ‒ in the Near East ‒ materialized culture (e.g., in the form of weapons and textiles) was more diverse and luxurious; the need for translation was more frequent and complex (e.g., resulting in the outsourcing of such tasks to Oriental Christians with a knowledge of Arabic); and the bathhouses were more sophisticated and numerous, which confounded western clergymen who considered military prowess rather incompatible with a visit to the Hammam (i.e., an Oriental bathhouse).
Inventare als Spiegel der Wohn- und Lebenssituation des 16. Jahrhunderts in den Kommenden Würzburg und Münnerstadt
Authors: Flachenecker Helmut 
Published: January 2025

Inventories as a reflection of the living situation of the 16th century in the Würzburg and Münnerstadt commanderies

The following paper will have its focus on four inventories of commanderies, which were compiled in 1542 and 1550 for Würzburg, and in 1543 and 1544 for Münnerstadt, i.e. almost at the same time. The inventories recorded all movables belonging to the two commanderies in Franconia, and thus give a specific impression of the furnishing of most of its rooms. In all four inventories, a social distinction is clearly made between representation rooms and bedrooms, while storage rooms and courtyards complete the records. For instance, the crockery in the kitchen documents the hierarchical differences between the residents. The information reflects a more noble rather than a monastic dominated living arrangements. Overall, the inventories show relatively upscale furnishings with a significantly richness of movables, which could be an indication of a more luxurious lifestyle of the Teutonic knights. Weapons and horses can hardly be found in these Frankish commanderies.
Mechanism of triptolide regulating proliferation and apoptosis of hepatoma cells by inhibiting JAK/STAT pathway
Authors: Wang Guanglian , Zhu Zhenxin , Sun Zhengang , Yang Zhiqi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This study was to analyze the effect of triptolide (TPL) on proliferation, apoptosis, and the relationship between TPL and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway in hepatoma cells. HepG2 cell line was selected as the experimental object and divided into control, low-dose TPL, medium-dose TPL, and high-dose TPL group. The control group did not receive any drug treatment, while the low, medium, and high-dose groups were treated with TPL at concentrations of 0.02, 0.05, and 0.10 μM, respectively. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, flow cytometry, and western blot were used to detach the TPL effect and mechanism. The cell proliferation inhibition rate in each dose group of TPL was lower than that in the control group, and the inhibition rate of cell proliferation increased with the increase of TPL dose (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of TPL in each dose group was higher than that in the control group, and the apoptosis rate increased with the increase of TPL dose (P < 0.05). The expression of phosphorylated Janus kinase 1 (p-JAK1) and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) protein in cells of each dose group of TPL was lower than that in the control group, and the expression of p-JAK1 and p-STAT3 protein decreased with the increase of TPL dose (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor-beta + high-dose group was reduced than that in the high-dose group, and the expression of p-JAK1 and p-STAT3 protein was higher than that in the high-dose group (P < 0.05). The activity of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2-associated X protein (Bax) protein and cysteine aspartic acid protease (Caspase)-3/9 in TPL cells at each dose was raised than that in the control group, and the expression of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) protein was decreased than that in the control group. With the increase of TPL dose, the activity of Bax protein and Caspase-3/9 increased, and the Bcl-2 protein decreased (P < 0.05). As an anti-liver cancer agent, TPL inhibits the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and promotes apoptosis. The mechanism may involve inhibiting Janus kinase 1/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway and activation of apoptosis-related pathways.
Biological variation of cardiac biomarkers in athletes during an entire sport season
Authors: Beumer Prieto Blanca , Moreno-Parro Isabel , Sufrate-Vergara Berta , Fabre-Estremera Blanca , Buño Soto Antonio , Fernández-Calle Pilar , Díaz-Garzón Marco Jorge 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Objectives
Cardiac biomarkers are useful for the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of myocardial injury (MI) and heart failure. By measuring specific proteins released into the bloodstream during heart stress or damage, these biomarkers help clinicians detect the presence and extent of heart injury and tailor appropriate treatment plans. This study aims to provide robust biological variation (BV) data for cardiac biomarkers in athletes, specifically focusing on those applied to detect or exclude MI, such as myoglobin, creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and cardiac troponins (cTn), and those related to heart failure and cardiac dysfunction, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal brain natriuretic pro-peptide (NT-proBNP).

Methods
Thirty athletes participated, providing monthly fasting blood samples over 11 months. Samples were analyzed using chemiluminescent immunoassays and statistical analyses were conducted using the classical ANOVA method, a linear mixed model and a Bayesian approach.

Results
The study observed significant gender differences in biomarker concentrations, with higher BNP and NT-proBNP in females and higher myoglobin and CK-MB in males. Physical activity within 24 h before sampling notably affected CK-MB, myoglobin, and hs-cTnI variability. The BV estimates demonstrated high individuality for most biomarkers, suggesting their potential for personalized monitoring. The study also revealed substantial heterogeneity for NT-proBNP and BNP within the population.

Conclusions
These findings underscore the importance of considering gender-specific reference intervals and the impact of recent physical activity when interpreting cardiac biomarkers in athletes. The study delivers new BV estimates for CK-MB and myoglobin while emphasizing the need for tailored clinical assessments in athlete populations.
Advancing magnetometer calibration: a sequential tri-axis approach
Authors: Daneshmandi Omidreza , Hosseini Iman , Dabbagh Arsalan , Dehbozorgi Iman , Hosseinzadeh Ali , Mehrmohammadi Zahra 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This paper presents a comparative study on the calibration of magnetometer sensors, focusing on three methods: the least square method, the ellipsoid fitting method, and a proposed sequential method. The effectiveness of the first two methods is investigated, and their results are compared with the outcomes achieved through the application of the sequential method. Practical data is utilized to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method. Through this research, insights are provided into the performance and limitations of the least square and ellipsoid fitting methods, while highlighting the superior capabilities of the sequential method. The results show that the sequential method inherits the capabilities of both method and leads to a more reliable calibration.
Optical branched flow in nonlocal nonlinear medium
Authors: Zhao Tongxun , Wang Yudian , Peng Ruihan , Wang Peng , Ye Fangwei 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
When light propagates through a randomly correlated, slowly varying medium, it generates optical branched flow. Previous studies have demonstrated that the self-focusing effect in optical media can accelerate the appearance of the first branching points and sharpen the filaments of branched flow. In this study, we investigate the influence of the nonlocality of the nonlinear response on branched flow. We find that, due to its averaging effect, as the range of nonlocality increases, the first branching point shifts to a greater distance, and the flow structures broaden, thus nonlocality ultimately restores the branched flow to its linear condition. We have developed a semi-analytical formula and confirmed the screening of the self-focusing effect on branching flow by nonlocality.
Development of HEK293T cell reference materials for β-thalassemia genetic testing using prime editing
Authors: Ren Baoyan , Lu Jiahao , Tan Weihe , Lin Kangfeng , Xu Jingping , Zheng Yu , Xing Xingan , Zhou Qiaomiao 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Objectives
β-thalassemias, caused by mutations in HBB, are hereditary blood disorders that impose a significant global health burden. Detecting these mutations through accurate genetic analysis is essential. This study aimed to create a panel of cell type reference materials for β-thalassemia genetic testing using prime editing (PE), a flexible and precise genomic editing method.

Methods
PE3 systems were designed to target specific HBB mutations, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs) (−32 (C>A), CD 17 (A>T)), insertions (CD 14/15 (+G), CD 71–72 (+A)), and deletions (CD 31 (−C), CD 41/42 (−TTCT)). HEK293T cells were edited to carry these mutations. Sanger sequencing was performed to confirm the accurate introduction of homozygous and heterozygous mutations. The cell lines were further verified using commercial reverse dot-blot hybridization and melting curve assays.

Results
We successfully constructed 12 stable HEK293T cell lines carrying the intended homozygous or heterozygous HBB mutations using PE3 systems. No off-target mutations in the HBB were detected by Sanger sequencing in these stable cell lines, even after more than 10 weeks of culturing. Additionally, all target mutations were accurately and consistently detected using two reverse dot-blot hybridization kits and one melting curve assay kit.

Conclusions
The 12 stable cell lines exhibited accurate and stable HBB mutations, making them valuable reference materials for β-thalassemia genetic testing. PE3 systems show potential for generating a comprehensive panel of HBB mutations, particularly those that are clinically rare.