bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of thrombomodulin in modulating ITGB3 expression and its implications for triple‐negative breast cancer progression
Authors: Chang Yu‐Jia , Prince G. M. Shazzad Hossain , Wei Po‐Li , Batzorig Uyanga , Huang Chien‐Yu , Hung Chin‐Sheng , Chang Tung‐Cheng 
Published: December 2023

AbstractTriple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer (BC) compared to other BC subtypes in clinical settings. Currently, there are no effective therapeutic strategies for TNBC treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify suitable biomarkers or therapeutic targets for TNBC patients. Thrombomodulin (TM) plays a role in cancer progression and metastasis in many different cancers. However, the role of TM in TNBC is not yet fully understood. First, silenced‐TM in MDA‐MB‐231 cells caused an increase in proliferative and metastatic activity. In contrast, overexpression of TM in Hs578T cells caused a reduction in proliferation, invasion, and migration rate. Using RNA‐seq analysis, we found that Integrin beta 3 (ITGB3) expression may be a downstream target of TM. Furthermore, we found an increase in ITGB3 levels in TM‐KD cells by QPCR and western blot analysis but a decrease in ITGB3 levels in TM‐overexpressing cells. We found phospho‐smad2/3 levels were increased in TM‐KD cells but decreased in TM‐overexpressing cells. This implies that TM negatively regulates ITGB3 levels through the activation of the smad2/3 pathway. Silencing ITGB3 in TM‐KD cells caused a decrease in proliferation and migration. Finally, we found that higher ITGB3 levels were correlated with poor overall survival and relapse‐free survival in patients with TNBC. Our results indicated a novel regulatory relationship between TM and ITGB3 in TNBC.
S‐induced Phase Change Forming In2O3/In2S3 Heterostructure for Photoelectrochemical Glucose Sensor
Authors: Wang Bingrong , Zhang Nan , Wang Yifeng , Chen Delun , Qi Junlei , Tu Jinchun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn the past several decades, Photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing still remains a great challenge to design highly‐efficient semiconductor photocatalysts via a facile method. It is of much importance to design and synthesize various novel nanostructured sensing materials for further improving the response performance. Herein, we present an In2O3/In2S3 heterostructure obtained by combining microwave assisted hydrothermal method with S‐induced phase change, whose energy band and electronic structure could be adjusted by changing the S content. Combining theoretical calculation and spectroscopic techniques, the introduction of sulfur was proved to produce multifunctional interfaces, inducing the change of phase, oxygen vacancies and band gap, which accelerates the separation of photoexcited carriers and reduces their recombination, improving the electronic injection efficiency around the interface of In2O3/In2S3. As anticipated, an enhanced glucose response performance with a photocurrent of 0.6 mA cm−2, a linear range of 0.1–1 mM and a detection limit as low as 14.5 μM has been achieved based on the In2O3/In2S3 heterostructure, which is significant superior over its pure In2O3 and S‐doped In2O3 counterparts. This efficient interfacial strategy may open a new route to manipulate the electrical structure, and energy band structure regulation of sensing material to improve the performance of photoelectrodes for PEC.
Type‐I protein arginine methyltransferase inhibition primes anti‐programmed cell death protein 1 immunotherapy in triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Sheyu , Guo Lu , Zhang Ziwen , Liu Xueying , Chen Wenjun , Wei Yong , Wang Xiaojia , Wu Qin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundImmune‐checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy shows promise for treating aggressive triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, only some patients benefit from ICB, revealing an urgent need for identifying novel strategies for sensitizing patients to ICB. Previously, the authors demonstrated that type‐I protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) regulated antiviral innate‐immune responses in TNBC by altering RNA splicing. This study aimed to explore the effects of targeting type‐I PRMTs on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the efficacy of ICB therapy against TNBC.MethodsSingle‐cell transcriptomic analysis was performed to investigate the effects of type‐I PRMT inhibition on the TME, especially T‐cell subsets. Single‐cell T‐cell receptor sequencing was performed to analyze the diversity and dynamics of the T‐cell repertoire. A syngeneic murine model of TNBC was used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and immune memory effect of combining a type‐I PRMT inhibitor (MS023) with an anti‐programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) antibody.ResultsType‐I PRMT inhibition combined with anti–PD‐1 therapy reduced tumor growth. Mechanistically, type‐I PRMT inhibition reshaped the TME. Increased CD8 T‐cell infiltration was verified using flow cytometry. Increased clonotypes and clonal diversity were also observed after MS023 treatment, which contributed to immune memory following combination treatment.ConclusionsTargeting type‐I PRMT can potentially improve immunotherapeutic efficacies in patients with TNBC. By enhancing the tumor immunogenicity and promoting a more favorable immune microenvironment, this combined approach may enable more patients with TNBC to benefit from immunotherapies.
Enzyme‐Assisted Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Flavonoids from Apple Pomace (Malus×domestica)
Authors: Mikšovsky Philipp , Kornpointner Christoph , Parandeh Zahra , Goessinger Manfred , Bica‐Schröder Katharina , Halbwirth Heidi 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHerein an enzyme‐assisted supercritical fluid extraction (EA‐SFE) was developed using the enzyme mix snailase to obtain flavonols and dihydrochalcones, subgroups of flavonoids, from globally abundant waste product apple pomace. Snailase, a commercially available mix of 20–30 enzymes, was successfully used to remove the sugar moieties from quercetin glycosides, kaempferol glycosides, phloridzin and 3‐hydroxyphloridzin. The resulting flavonoid aglycones quercetin, kaempferol, phloretin and 3‐hydroxyphloretin were extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) and minimum amounts of polar cosolvents. A sequential process of enzymatic hydrolysis and supercritical fluid extraction was developed, and the influence of the amount of snailase, pre‐treatment of apple pomace, the time for enzymatic hydrolysis, the amount and type of cosolvent and the time for extraction, was studied. This revealed that even small amounts of snailase (0.25 %) provide a successful cleavage of sugar moieties up to 96 % after 2 h of enzymatic hydrolysis followed by supercritical fluid extraction with small amounts of methanol as cosolvent, leading up to 90 % of the total extraction yields after 1 h extraction time. Ultimately, a simultaneous process of EA‐SFE successfully demonstrates the potential of snailase in scalable scCO2 extraction processes for dry and wet apple pomace with satisfactory enzyme activity, even under pressurized conditions.
Case study of performance assessment of overlapping shield tunnels with a small curve radius
Authors: Zhang Xu , Luo Bin , Xu Youjun , Zhao Chenxu , Wang Huachuan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDue to the network planning of subways and their surrounding structures, increasingly more overlapping shields with a small curve radius have been constructed. A newly constructed upper tunnel partly overlaps a lower one, leading to the extremely complex uplift of the lower tunnel caused by the construction of a new tunnel. Based on the shield‐driven project that runs from the Qinghe Xiaoyingqiao Station to the Qinghe Station in Beijing, which adopts the reinforcement measures of interlayer soil grouting and steel supports on site, in this study, the uplift pattern of the lower tunnel and the stress characteristics of steel supports were investigated through numerical simulations and on‐site monitoring. The study results show that among all tunnel segments, the first segment of the shield witnesses a maximum uplift displacement that increases with the horizontal space between tunnels. On using either interlayer soil grouting or steel‐ring bracing reinforcement, the uplift of the tunnel lining exceeds the control value; by contrast, when these two measures are jointly applied, the uplift of the tunnel lining does not exceed a maximum value of 4.87 mm, which can satisfy the requirements of deformation control. Under these two joint measures, the soil strength between two stacked shield tunnels can be enhanced and the uplift deformation can be restricted with the interlayer soil grouting. Also, the segmental deformation and overall stability of the existing tunnel can be controlled with the temporary steel supports. The deformation of circumferential supports and segments is closely related to each other, and the segmental uplift is controlled by H‐shaped steel supports. With the increase in the horizontal space between twin shields, the effect of the construction would gradually weaken, accompanied by a gradual reduction of the stresses of steel supports. These findings provide a valuable reference for the engineering design and safe construction of overlapping shield tunnels with a small curve radius.
A new perspective for evaluating the efficacy of tACS and tDCS in improving executive functions: A combined tES and fNIRS study
Authors: Lu Hongliang , Zhang Yajuan , Qiu Huake , Zhang Zhilong , Tan Xuanyi , Huang Peng , Zhang Mingming , Miao Danmin , Zhu Xia 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundExecutive function enhancement is considered necessary for improving the quality of life of patients with neurological or psychiatric disorders, such as attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive‐compulsive disorder and Alzheimer's disease. Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) has been shown to have some beneficial effects on executive functioning, but the quantification of these improvements remains controversial. We aimed to explore the potential beneficial effects on executive functioning induced by the use of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)/transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and the accompanying brain function variations in the resting state.MethodsWe recruited 229 healthy adults to participate in Experiments 1 (105 participants) and 2 (124 participants). The participants in each experiment were randomly divided into tACS, tDCS, and sham groups. The participants completed cognitive tasks to assess behavior related to three core components of executive functions. Functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to monitor the hemodynamic changes in crucial cortical regions in the resting state.ResultsInhibition and cognitive flexibility (excluding working memory) were significantly increased after tACS/tDCS, but there were no significant behavioral differences between the tACS and tDCS groups. fNIRS revealed that tDCS induced decreases in the functional connectivity (increased neural efficiency) of the relevant cortices.ConclusionsEnhancement of executive function was observed after tES, and the beneficial effects of tACS/tDCS may need to be precisely evaluated via brain imaging indicators at rest. tDCS revealed better neural benefits than tACS during the stimulation phase. These findings might provide new insights for selecting intervention methods in future studies and for evaluating the clinical efficacy of tES.
Balancing medical innovation and affordability in the new healthcare ecosystem in China: Review of pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies
Authors: Chen Vivian , Shao Wenbin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe China Basic Medical Insurance Program was created in 1999 with three objectives: equal accessibility, affordability, and quality. Today, it has become the biggest medical insurance program in the world, covering 95% of China's population. Since 2015, China's healthcare ecosystem has been reshaped by increasing innovation, which has in turn been driven by regulatory reform, enhancement of research and development capability, and capital market development. There has also been improved regulatory efficiency to reduce lags in launching drugs. In 2022, nearly 20% of novel active substances launched globally were from China. China has also risen to become the second biggest contributor to innovation in terms of pipelines. Using a “fast‐follow” strategy, many locally developed innovative drugs can compete with products from multinational companies in their quality and pricing. However, China's pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry will continue to face challenges in pricing and reimbursement, as well as a shortened product lifecycle with rapid price erosion. The government has already accelerated the timeline for updating the drug reimbursement list and is willing to create a high‐quality medical insurance program. However, some obstacles are hard to overcome, including reimbursement for advanced therapies, limited funding and an increasing burden of disease due to an aging population. This article reviews the trajectory of medical innovation in China, including the challenges. Looking forward, balancing affordability and innovation will be critical for China to continue the trajectory of growth. The article also offers some suggestions for future policy reform, including optimizing reimbursement efficiency with a focus on high‐quality solutions, enhancing the value assessment framework, payer repositioning from “value buyer” to “strategic buyer”, and developing alternative market access pathways for innovative drugs.
Investigating catastrophic health expenditure among people living with HIV and AIDS in South Western Nigeria
Authors: Adeniran Adeyinka , Ojo Omobola Y. , Chieme Florence C. , Shogbamimu Yeside , Olowofeso Helen O. , Sidibé Imane , Fisher Oladipupo , Adeleke Monsurat 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to determine the catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Lagos and to identify factors associated with CHE among them.MethodsThe study was a descriptive cross‐sectional survey conducted between January and March 2021 among 578 PLHIVs drawn from various healthcare facilities in Lagos where HIV care and treatment services should be provided free of charge. Data were collected through pretested questionnaires and analyzed using Stata SE 12.ResultsThe mean monthly expenditure on food was N29,282 ($53.2), while expenditure on healthcare averaged N8364 ($15.2). Nearly 60% of respondents experienced CHE, while around 30% had to borrow money to pay for some aspect of their medical treatment. Almost all (96%) had no health insurance plan. Respondents' group, personal income, perception of current health status, and the number of people in their households were significantly associated with catastrophic health expenditure p < 0.05. PLHIV in the racial/ethnic minority/migrants' group and those who earned less than ₦30,000 ($55) were statistically significantly associated with CHE at p < 0.001 with OR of 28.7 and 3.15, respectively.ConclusionsThe study, therefore, highlights the widespread financial hardship faced by PLHIV in accessing healthcare, and the need for policies to increase financial risk protection.
The link between Facebook addiction and depression among university students: Evidence from a lower‐middle income country
Authors: Sarker Md. Shamsuddin , Imtiaz Asif , Haque Shejuti , Mahmud Kazi Tanvir 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsAmong all the social media, Facebook is the most popular social networking site among students. That raises a chance of excessive Facebook usage being a form of addiction to hamper students' mental health. The primary goal of this study was to find the association of Facebook addiction with the depression level of university students during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodFour hundred ten university students from Bangladesh were selected randomly as samples for this investigation. In this study, the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale and nine‐item Patient Health Questionnaire were used to assess the level of Facebook Addiction and depression status of the students, respectively. Ordered probit models were employed to identify the connection between Facebook addiction and depression. Ordinary least square models were utilized further to check the robustness of the findings.ResultsOrdered probit results confirm that Facebook addiction increases the likelihood of having heightened depression among university students. Besides, sex, household income, and history of being infected by COVID‐19 also appeared to be correlated with the depression level of the students.ConclusionCreating opportunities for students to participate in more physically demanding outdoor activities should be prioritized as it could ultimately enhance their capacity to mitigate depression. Appropriate measures must be taken to increase the number of recreational facilities on the campus for students, considering their age, gender, and preferences.
Optimal timing for intubation in patients on non‐invasive ventilation: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Abe Tatsuhiko , Takagi Toshishige , Takahashi Kazunari , Yagi Kosuke , Tsuge Ai , Fujii Tomoko 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsThe timing of transition from non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) to invasive ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) is uncertain due to a lack of clinical evidence. This study aimed to identify the optimal timing of intubation in patients with respiratory failure managed with NIVs.MethodsA single‐center observational study was conducted in Tokyo, Japan. Patients in the ICU managed with NIV between 2013 and 2022 were screened. The primary outcome was 28‐day invasive ventilator‐free days. Statistical analyses used locally estimated scatter plot smoothing (LOESS) and generalized linear mixed models to estimate the association between the timing of transition and prolonged intubation duration.ResultsDuring the study period, 139 of 589 adult ICU patients receiving NIV transitioned to invasive ventilation. The LOESS curve indicated the longest 28‐day ventilator‐free days around 24 h after NIV initiation, after which the primary outcome decreased linearly. Late intubation after 24 h of NIV initiation was associated with fewer 28‐day ventilator‐free days (adjusted mean difference: −0.22 days [95% confidence interval: −0.31, −0.13]).ConclusionWe identified a non‐linear association between the timing of intubation and 28‐day invasive ventilator‐free days. The critical 24‐h time window for patients on NIV was associated with longer 28‐day invasive ventilator‐free days.
Movement through motherhood: Exploring mood, wellbeing, and prenatal emotional availability (EA) through EA‐based dance intervention
Authors: Branson Dame Katelyn , Jazz Harvey Madeline , Aichele Stephen , Kralewski Van Denburg Ann , Hoyer Lillian , Joslin Steffany , McKenna Alexandria , Lincoln Michael , Closson Lia , Flykt Marjo , Salo Saara , Harvey Ashley , Biringen Zeynep 
Published: December 2023

AbstractEmotional availability (EA) is a construct that describes the observed emotional connection in parent‐child relationships. During pregnancy, EA is assessed only using caregiver sensitivity and nonhostility. We used the nonverbal aspects of these qualities to create a new dance/movement intervention (“EA‐Based Dance Intervention”). Given the scarcity of pregnancy interventions, we provided training to participants on how to be emotionally engaged with their unborn babies through dance/movement. The EA‐Based Dance Intervention alone comprised the first intervention arm (n = 12). A second intervention arm involved the combination of EA‐Based Dance Intervention with brief psychoeducation (n = 10). The third arm was a control group, which received only the assessments (n = 7). Measures of self‐reported symptoms of depression and anxiety, emotional expressivity, flourishing, and the (newly developed) self‐reported prenatal EA were used at pre‐ and posttest. The measure of observed prenatal EA was used to compare intervention versus control at posttest only. In this pilot study, we found that participants receiving the EA‐Based Dance Intervention alone or combined with psychoeducation, self‐reported improved anxiety symptoms and self‐reported higher prenatal EA. When compared with the control group, those experiencing EA‐Based Dance Intervention reported fewer depressive symptoms from pre‐ to posttest.
Enhanced osteogenicity of the demineralized bone‐dermal matrix composite by the optimal partial demineralization for sustained release of bioactive molecules
Authors: Ma Tong , Ren Dangli , Wang Jingjing , Fu Feng , Sun Wendell Q. , Sun Hongtao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAllogenic demineralized bone matrix (DBM), processed to expose bioactive proteins imbedded by calcium salts, is widely used for bone repair and regeneration as an alternative to the autologous bone graft. However, demineralized bone matrices from tissue banks vary significantly in residual calcium content and osteogenicity for clinical bone regeneration. The present study produced DBM with various residual calcium contents by partial demineralization using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium (EDTA) and hydrochloric acid. Compositional analysis reveals that, as the percent weight loss of bone materials increases from 0% to 74.9% during demineralization, the residual calcium content of DBM decreases from 24.8% to 0.2% and collagen content increases from 29.7% to 92.6%. Calorimetrical analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis demonstrated that demineralization to the residual calcium content of <4% enables the complete exposure and/or release of bone collagen fibers and other bioactive molecules. In order to evaluate the relationship between the extent of demineralization and the osteogenicity of DBM, DBM particles were fabricated with the aid of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) microfibers to form flexible foam‐like DBM/ADM composites. Proteomic analysis identified various type collagens and bone formation‐related bioactive molecules in both ADM and DBM. Using the rat bilateral Φ = 5 mm calvarium defect repair model, the study had shown that the DBM/ADM composite with ~20% DBM residual calcium (e.g., ~40% calcium being removed) maximized the osteogenicity for bone defect repair after 4 and 8 weeks. DBM with ~40% calcium removal had the maximal osteogenicity presumably through the sustained release of bioactive molecules during the process of bone regeneration.