bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recurrent ovarian cancer in Africa: Rate and associated factors at a gynecologic oncology treatment center in Ethiopia—A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Demissie Legesse , Birara Malede , Tolu Lemi Belay , Sium Abraham Fessehaye 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the recurrence rate of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and associated factors in an Ethiopian tertiary setting.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted on recurrent ovarian cancer at St. Paul's College Millennium Medical College (Ethiopia). Data were collected through chart review using a structured questionnaire. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive analysis, bivariate, and multivariate regression analysis were performed as appropriate. Percentages, frequencies, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to present the results' significance.ResultsA total of 202 patients with EOC were reviewed. The recurrence rate of ovarian cancer (OC) among these patients was 86.1% (a total of 173 patients developed recurrent disease). The commonest site of recurrence was the pelvis (89.1%, 180/202) and the majority of patients with recurrence were platinum sensitive, accounting for 63.8% (129/202) of cases. Age ≥40 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 23.3, CI: 4.3–31.5), macroscopic residual disease (AOR, 5.2, CI: 1.96–17.68), and FIGO Stage III/IV (AOR, 22.11, CI: 8.3–39.13) were associated with recurrence.ConclusionThe recurrence rate of OC in this study was higher than previous reports. Advanced age at first presentation, extent of residual disease after surgery, and FIGO Stage III and IV disease were associated with disease recurrence.
METTL14‐mediated lncRNA XIST silencing alleviates GDM progression by facilitating trophoblast cell proliferation and migration via the miR‐497‐5p/FOXO1 axis
Authors: Li Yanchuan , Liu Yanfeng , Yao Xiao , Wang Haili , Shi Ziyun , He Meiqing 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a prevalent complication during the gestation period, has been linked to impaired proliferation and migration of trophoblasts causing placental maldevelopment. We previously found that lncRNA X‐inactive specific transcript (XIST) played an essential role in GDM progression. Here, we investigated the precise biological functions as well as the upstream and downstream regulatory mechanisms of XIST in GDM. We found that XIST and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) were conspicuously upregulated and miR‐497‐5p and methyltransferase‐like 14 (METTL14) were downregulated in the placentas of GDM patients. XIST silencing facilitated proliferation and migration and inhibited cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HG‐cultured HTR8/SVneo cells. METTL14 inhibited XIST expression through m6A methylation modification. XIST overexpression abrogated the positive effect of METTL14 overexpression on HG‐cultured HTR8/SVneo cell progression. MiR‐497‐5p and FOXO1 are downstream regulatory genes of XIST in HTR8/SVneo cells. Reverse experiments illustrated that XIST mediated HTR8/SVneo cell functions by regulating the miR‐497‐5p/FOXO1 axis. Additionally, XIST silencing augmented glucose tolerance and alleviated fetal detrimental changes in GDM rats. To conclude, METTL14‐mediated XIST silencing facilitated proliferation and migration and inhibited cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HG‐cultured HTR8/SVneo cells via the miR‐497‐5p/FOXO1 axis, thereby alleviating GDM progression in rats.
PYGO2 increases proliferation and migration capacities through critical signaling pathways in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ardalan Moghadam Al Fatemeh , Forghanifard Mohammad Mahdi , Zarrinpour Vajiheh 
Published: December 2023

AbstractEsophageal cancer, an increasingly prevalent malignancy, is a major concern for global health. The development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) involves various genetic abnormalities that affect key cell signaling pathways, including Wnt, Hh, Apoptosis, MAPK, EGFR, AKT, Notch, and EMT. Additionally, this malignancy involves some changes in the expression of long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs). The present study examines the relationship between PYGO2 gene expression and the activity of cell signaling pathways in KYSE‐30 and YM‐1ESCC cell lines. To this end, several cellular and molecular tests were performed, including cell migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Also, expression levels of CD133 and CD44 markers, real‐time PCR, and western blot were analyzed after inducing PYGO2 protein expression in the cells. Overexpression of the PYGO2 protein resulted in the upregulation of Wnt pathway‐related genes, leading to enhanced cell migration and proliferation and reduced apoptosis in both cell lines. Furthermore, PYGO2 gene expression induction analysis showed the correlation of several involved genes in Wnt, Hh, Apoptosis, MAPK, EGFR, AKT, and EMT pathways with various LncRNAs.
Beneficial effect of 5‐HT1b/1d agonist on Parkinson's disease by modulating glutamate and reducing deposition of α‐synuclein
Authors: Tripathi Alok Shiomurti , Fatima Needa , Tripathi Pankaj , Tripathi Rina , Alka  , Zaki Magdi E. A. , Mohapatra Lucy , Yasir Mohammad , Maurya Rahul K 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe given investigation examined the neuroprotection role of 5‐HT1b/1d agonist in reserpine induced Parkinson's disease (PD) in male Wistar rats. PD was induced in rats by reserpine at 5 mg/kg ip for 3 days and thereafter the rats were provided with the following treatments for 4 days, zolmitriptan (ZLM) group (30 mg/kg ip); STD group (levodopa + carbidopa, 200 + 5 mg/kg ip); ZLM + GA group (zolmitriptan, 30 mg/kg ip and glutamic acid, 1.5 mg/kg); ZLM + DX group (zolmitriptan, 30 mg/kg ip and dextromethorphan, 20 mg/kg ip). All the groups were then assessed for cognitive and motor functions at the end of the protocol. Moreover, oxidative stress parameters and histopathological changes were observed in rats of all treatment groups. Deposition of α‐synuclein in the brain tissue was observed by silver staining. Data of this investigation revealed that motor and cognitive functions were improved in the ZLM‐treated group compared with the negative control group, which was observed to be reversed in ZLM + GA group. Treatment with ZLM ameliorated oxidative stress and histopathological changes in the brain tissue of PD rats. Further, ZLM reduced the deposition of α‐synuclein in PD rats, which reversed in ZLM + GA‐treated group. This study concludes by stating that 5‐HT1b/1d agonist can prevent neurodegeneration and reduce oxidative stress in PD rats. The probable underlying mechanism of such an effect of 5‐HT1b/1d agonist could be by regulating the deposition of α‐synuclein and reducing the expression of NMDA receptor.
Combining surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy and paper spray mass spectrometry for the identification and confirmation of psychotropic substances in alcoholic beverages
Authors: Jurisch Marina , Fantini Cristiano , Augusti Rodinei , Almeida Mariana Ramos 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCriminal practices in which an individual becomes vulnerable and prone to sexual assault after ingesting drinks spiked with doping substances have become a social concern globally. As forensic protocols require a multi‐tiered strategy for chemical evidentiary analysis, the backlog of evidence has become a significant problem in the community. Herein, a fast, sensible, and complementary dual analytical methodology was developed using a single commercial paper substrate for surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and paper spray mass spectrometry (PS‐MS) analysis to identify psychotropic substances added to alcoholic beverages irrefutably. To study and investigate this criminal practice, pharmaceutical formulations containing distinct psychotropic substances (zolpidem, clonazepam, diazepam, and ketamine) were added to drinks typically consumed at parties and festivals (Pilsen beer, açaí Catuaba®, gin tonic, and vodka mixed with Coca‐Cola Zero®). A simple liquid–liquid extraction with a low‐temperature partitioning (LLE‐LTP) procedure was applied to the drinks and effectively minimized matrix effects. As a preliminary analysis, SERS spectra combined with Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA) provided sufficient information to investigate the samples further. The presence of the protonated species for the psychotropic substances in the spiked drinks was readily verified in the mass spectra and confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry. Finally, the results demonstrate the potential of this methodology to be easily implemented into the routine of forensic laboratories and to be further employed at harm reduction tends at parties and festivals to detect contaminated beverages promptly and irrefutably as an efficient tool to prevent such crimes.
Consensus on the definition and assessment of external validity of randomized controlled trials: A Delphi study
Authors: Jung Andres , Braun Tobias , Armijo‐Olivo Susan , Challoumas Dimitris , Luedtke Kerstin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractExternal validity is an important parameter that needs to be considered for decision making in health research, but no widely accepted measurement tool for the assessment of external validity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exists. One of the most limiting factors for creating such a tool is probably the substantial heterogeneity and lack of consensus in this field. The objective of this study was to reach consensus on a definition of external validity and on criteria to assess the external validity of RCTs included in systematic reviews. A three‐round online Delphi study was conducted. The development of the Delphi survey was based on findings from a previous systematic review. Potential panelists were identified through a comprehensive web search. Consensus was reached when at least 67% of the panelists agreed to a proposal. Eighty‐four panelists from different countries and various disciplines participated in at least one round of this study. Consensus was reached on the definition of external validity (“External validity is the extent to which results of trials provide an acceptable basis for generalization to other circumstances such as variations in populations, settings, interventions, outcomes, or other relevant contextual factors”), and on 14 criteria to assess the external validity of RCTs in systematic reviews. The results of this Delphi study provide a consensus‐based reference standard for future tool development. Future research should focus on adapting, pilot testing, and validating these criteria to develop measurement tools for the assessment of external validity.
Report of novel treatment of segmental vitiligo using combined microneedling and topical ruxolitinib
Authors: Abdin Rama , Kaiser Michael , Issa Naiem T. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractVitiligo is a chronic disease which manifests as patchy loss of skin pigmentation. It can be classified into two main types: segmental and nonsegmental. The condition can result in significant negative psychosocial effects, especially in skin of colour patients. These implications are particularly important in the social development of children and adolescents. As such, rapid‐acting, effective therapeutic options should be pursued when treating these patients. Topical ruxolitinib is the only approved drug for the treatment of vitiligo. Other procedural therapeutic options have also been explored including microneedling both alone and in conjunction with topical agents. Microneedling is thought to stimulate repigmentation through the induction of cytokines and growth factors which activate melanocytes and their precursors as well as through the creation of microchannels which allow for enhanced topical drug delivery. Its efficacy has been described in nonsegmental vitiligo cases, but its utility in segmental vitiligo has not been consistently characterised in the literature. We describe the first case of segmental vitiligo treated with combined microneedling and topical ruxolitinib in a skin of colour adolescent patient and review the purported mechanism of action of treatment.
Sometimes (often?) responses to multiple stressors can be predicted from single-stressor effects: A case study using an agent-based population model of croaker in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Rose Kenneth A. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Objective
Rapid changes in the world's oceans make assessment of fish population responses to multiple stressors, especially on scales relevant to management, increasingly important. I used an existing agent-based, spatially explicit model of Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus in the northern Gulf of Mexico to examine how temperature, hypoxia, and ocean acidification, singly and in combinations, affect long-term population dynamics.

Methods
I performed a factorial simulation experiment with each stressor at three levels and analyzed various treatment combinations to assess the additivity and multiplicity of interactions. The response variables were long-term equilibrium (final year) values of spawning stock biomass (SSB), recruitment, weight at age, and two measures of stock productivity (recruits per SSB and maximum recruitment) derived from the spawner–recruit relationship fitted to model output. I used the single-stressor effects from the experiment to predict how the response variables would change when all three stressors were changed. Single-stressor effects were combined as the sum of the fractional changes (additive scale) and the product of ratios of changes (multiplicative scale) and compared to the responses in simulations with all stressors imposed.

Result
Analyzing the factorial design for two-way and three-way interactions showed that there were many interactions on the additive scale but very few on the multiplicative scale. Thus, the responses to multiple stressors were well predicted from single stressor effects when combined as multiplicative effects.

Conclusion
I discuss how the lack of strong interactions could be due to model assumptions, the structure of the model, or oversimplified representation of stressor effects. Alternatively, the model and analysis may be sufficiently realistic and weak interactions on the multiplicative scale may be common. This would reduce a complicated multi-factor situation to a series of more tractable single-factor effects. A critical next step is to determine how we can a priori identify situations of low interactions (i.e., predictable from single-stressor effects) without having to already know the multi-stressor response.
How Does Postural Control in Patients with Functional Motor Disorders Adapt to Multitasking‐Based Immersive Virtual Reality?
Authors: Gandolfi Marialuisa , Sandri Angela , Menaspà Zoe , Avanzino Laura , Pelosin Elisa , Geroin Christian , Vidale Denis , Fiorio Mirta , Tinazzi Michele 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundMotor symptoms in functional motor disorders (FMDs) refer to involuntary, but learned, altered movement patterns associated with aberrant self‐focus, sense of agency, and belief/expectations. These conditions commonly lead to impaired posture control, raising the likelihood of falls and disability. Utilizing visual and cognitive tasks to manipulate attentional focus, virtual reality (VR) integrated with posturography is a promising tool for exploring postural control disorders.ObjectivesTo investigate whether postural control can be adapted by manipulating attentional focus in a 3D immersive VR environment.MethodsWe compared postural parameters in 17 FMDs patients and 19 age‐matched healthy controls over a single session under four increasingly more complex and attention‐demanding conditions: simple fixation task (1) in the real room and (2) in 3D VR room‐like condition; complex fixation task in a 3D VR city‐like condition (3) avoiding distractors and (4) counting them. Dual‐task effect (DTE) measured the relative change in performance induced by the different attention‐demanding conditions on postural parameters.ResultsPatients reduced sway area and mediolateral center of pressure displacement velocity DTE compared to controls (all, P < 0.049), but only under condition 4. They also showed a significant reduction in the sway area DTE under condition 4 compared to condition 3 (P = 0.025).ConclusionsThis study provides novel preliminary evidence for the value of a 3D immersive VR environment combined with different attention‐demanding conditions in adapting postural control in patients with FMDs. As supported by quantitative and objective posturographic measures, our findings may inform interventions to explore FMDs pathophysiology.
The diversity and ecological significance of microbial traits potentially involved in B12 biosynthesis in the global ocean
Authors: Zhou Jiayin , Qin Wei , Lu Xinda , Yang Yunfeng , Stahl David , Jiao Nianzhi , Zhou Jizhong , Liu Jihua , Tu Qichao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCobalamin (B12), an essential nutrient and growth cofactor for many living organisms on Earth, can be fully synthesized only by selected prokaryotes in nature. Therefore, microbial communities related to B12 biosynthesis could serve as an example subsystem to disentangle the underlying ecological mechanisms balancing the function and taxonomic make‐up of complex functional assemblages. By anchoring microbial traits potentially involved in B12 biosynthesis, we depict the biogeographic patterns of B12 biosynthesis genes and the taxa harboring them in the global ocean, despite the limitations of detecting de novo B12 synthesizers via metagenomes alone. Both the taxonomic and functional composition of B12 biosynthesis genes were strongly shaped by depth, differentiating the epipelagic zones from the mesopelagic layers. Functional genes related to B12 biosynthesis were relatively stably distributed across different oceans, but the taxa harboring them varied considerably, showing clear functional redundancy among microbial systems. Microbial taxa carrying B12 biosynthesis genes in the surface water were influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, oxygen, and nitrate. However, the composition of functional genes was only weakly associated with these environmental factors. Null model analyses demonstrated that determinism governed the variations in B12 biosynthesis genes, whereas a higher degree of stochasticity was associated with taxonomic variations. Significant associations were observed between the chlorophyll a concentration and B12 biosynthesis, confirming its importance in primary production in the global ocean. The results of this study reveal an essential ecological mechanism governing the assembly of microbes in nature: the environment selects for function rather than taxonomy; functional redundancy underlies stochastic community assembly.
The construction and optimization of engineered yeast chassis for efficient biosynthesis of 8‐hydroxygeraniol
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yuan Mengdi , Wu Xinxin , Zhang Qiuhui , Wang Yuzhu , Zheng Liming , Chiu Tsan‐Yu , Zhang Huiming , Lan Lei , Wang Feng , Liao Ying , Gong Xuemei , Yan Shirui , Wang Yun , Shen Yue , Fu Xian 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMicrobial production of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) provides a sustainable and eco‐friendly means to obtain compounds with high pharmaceutical values. However, efficient biosynthesis of MIAs in heterologous microorganisms is hindered due to low supply of key precursors such as geraniol and its derivative 8‐hydroxygeraniol catalyzed by geraniol 8‐hydroxylase (G8H). In this study, we developed a facile evolution platform to screen strains with improved yield of geraniol by using the SCRaMbLE system embedded in the Sc2.0 synthetic yeast and confirmed the causal role of relevant genomic targets. Through genome mining, we identified several G8H enzymes that perform much better than the commonly used CrG8H for 8‐hydroxygeraniol production in vivo. We further showed that the N‐terminus of these G8H enzymes plays an important role in cellular activity by swapping experiments. Finally, the combination of the engineered chassis, optimized biosynthesis pathway, and utilization of G8H led to the final strain with more than 30‐fold improvement in producing 8‐hydroxygeraniol compared with the starting strain. Overall, this study will provide insights into the construction and optimization of yeast cells for efficient biosynthesis of 8‐hydroxygeraniol and its derivatives.
Effect of temperature on tensile and vibration properties of bilayer boron nitride
Authors: Zhao Demin , Fang Kexin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) is a semiconductor material with a wide band gap, holding promising potential for applications in thermal conductivity devices and nanoresonators in the field of microelectronics. Here, molecular dynamics is simulated to investigate the tensile and vibrational behaviors of bilayer h‐BN under five different stacking modes across varying temperatures. The mechanical properties of five different stacking modes of h‐BN at various temperatures are focused on, including Young's modulus, the ultimate stress, and the ultimate strain. Results indicate that bilayer h‐BN nanosheets exhibit anisotropic characteristics, with their tensile properties decreasing as temperature increases. Additionally, we explore the influence of temperature on the natural frequency of bilayer h‐BN under five different stacking modes. These results establish a fundamental understanding of the mechanical and vibrational characteristics of bilayer h‐BN nanosheets under different stacking modes, contributing to their potential applications in advanced nanodevices operating in extremely high‐temperature environments.
The association between sarcopenia, defined by a simplified screening tool, and long‐term outcomes
Authors: Yuyen Thassayu , Muangpaisan Weerasak , Pramyothin Pornpoj , Thanakiattiwibun Chayanan , Chaiwat Onuma 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia and frailty are frequently observed in older adult patients and linked to unfavorable postoperative outcomes. Identifying low muscle mass and function is primary for diagnosing sarcopenia. The simpler screening, which excludes muscle mass measurement, exhibited strong predictive capabilities in identifying sarcopenia. This research explored the association between sarcopenia, as defined by the C3 formula, and long‐term outcomes in older adult cancer patients who underwent surgery.MethodsSurgical cancer patients aged 60 and older were enrolled. Sarcopenia was identified using the C3 formula, assessing muscle strength through handgrip strength, physical performance via a 6‐m walk test, and nutrition status via the Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form. Long‐term outcomes were evaluated with the Barthel Index for activities of daily living (B‐ADL) at 3 months, as well as 1‐year mortality rates.ResultsThe study enrolled 251 patients, with 130 classified as sarcopenic according to the C3 formula. Compared with nonsarcopenic patients, patients with sarcopenia exhibited a higher frequency of moderate to severe disability (B‐ADL ≤70) 3 months postdischarge (19.5% vs 5.2%; P = 0.001) and elevated 1‐year mortality rates (29.5% vs 14.9%; P = 0.006). No significant differences were observed in infection rates, hospital stay duration, or in‐hospital mortality. Distant organ metastasis (HR = 3.99; 95% CI = 2.25–7.07) and sarcopenia defined by the C3 formula (HR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.01–3.15) were identified as independent risk factors for 1‐year mortality.ConclusionThe simplified sarcopenia screening tool was associated with increased rates of moderate to severe disability 3 months postdischarge and higher 1‐year mortality rates compared with nonsarcopenic patients.