bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abnormal stress promotes intervertebral disc degeneration through WTAP/YTHDF2‐dependent TIMP3 m6A modification
Authors: Gao Daokuan , Zhao Quanlai , Liu Chen , Zhang Yu , Xiao Liang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMechanical environment worsening is an important predisposing factor that accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), but its specific regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we reveal the molecular mechanisms of WTAP/YTHDF2‐mediated m6A modification in abnormal stress‐induced intervertebral disc (IVD) matrix degradation. WTAP expression in human nucleus pulposus cells was elevated under tension. Similarly, high WTAP expression was detected in severe degenerated human and rat nucleus pulposus tissues. Functionally, WTAP was found to increase the TIMP3 transcript methylation level under tension, resulting in YTHDF2 recognition, binding, and induction of its degradation. Reduction in TIMP3 caused increases in active matrix metalloproteinases, ultimately inducing extracellular matrix degradation in nucleus pulposus cells. Macroscopically, this promotes IDD. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo inhibition of WTAP expression or TIMP3 overexpression significantly increased stress resistance in the nucleus pulposus, thereby alleviating IDD. Our results show that abnormal stress disrupts IVD matrix stability through WTAP/YTHDF2‐dependent TIMP3 m6A modification.
Experiences of hereditary cancer care among transgender and gender diverse people: “It's gender. It's cancer risk…it's everything”
Authors: Roth Sarah , Owczarzak Jill , Baker Kellan , Davidson Hannah , Jamal Leila 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTransgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals are a significant yet underrepresented population within genetic counseling research and broader LGBTQI+ health studies. This underrepresentation perpetuates a cycle of exclusion from the production of medical knowledge, impacting the quality and equity of care received by TGD individuals. This issue is particularly poignant in cancer genetic counseling, where TGD individuals with elevated cancer risk receive risk assessment, counseling, and referral to support based on risk figures and standards of care developed for cisgender individuals. The experiences of TGD individuals navigating inherited cancer syndromes remain largely undocumented in medical literature, posing challenges to the provision of inclusive care by genetics providers. To bridge this knowledge gap, we conducted a cross‐sectional qualitative study. Nineteen semi‐structured interviews were held with gender diverse adults having hereditary cancer syndromes, family histories of such syndromes, or personal histories of chest cancer. Our study employed thematic analysis using combined inductive and deductive methods to illuminate how hereditary cancer care intersects with participants' gender identities, gender expression, and gender‐affirming care experiences. Participants reflected on care experiences that felt affirming or triggered gender dysphoria. Participants also discussed the interplay between risk‐reducing mastectomy and top surgery, exploring co‐emergent dynamics between cancer risk management and gender expression. Significantly, participants identified actionable strategies for healthcare providers to enhance support for gender diverse patients, including the mindful use of gendered language, collaborative decision‐making, and conveying allyship. These findings offer valuable insights into tailoring genetic counseling to meet the unique needs of TGD individuals, advancing the path toward inclusive and appropriate care for LGBTQI+ individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes.
What next for “counseling” in genetic counseling training: A reflection on how CBT and ACT approaches can contribute to the genetic counseling toolkit
Authors: Davies Rachel , Price Tate Rachel , Taverner Nicola V. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCounseling techniques are an important component of genetic counseling training and are focused on the person‐centered counseling philosophy. While this has a long tradition within the profession and underpins the empowerment goal, it should not limit consideration of the potential benefits of education on other psychotherapeutic approaches such as the cognitive philosophy. The goal of empowerment in genetic counseling requires patients to receive information in a way that is accessible to them and to make sense of it in relation to their own health, lifestyle, and family information. This assimilation of new information is a complex cognitive process, and yet it is one that genetic counselors do not routinely actively facilitate. Rather the counseling component of genetic counseling has traditionally focused on emotionally supporting the patient which is driven by the person‐centered philosophy that is covered in genetic counseling training. This paper argues for the potential for adopting more cognitive approaches informed by cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), as these short interventions can have wide impact, including engaging patients who do not want to discuss feelings, helping people to make sense of information (not just gain knowledge), and helping people to change the relationship they have with their thoughts. This paper advocates for an introduction to CBT and ACT to be incorporated into prequalification training and for more advanced training to be available to postqualification genetic counselors.
Interaction of BANCR in the relationship between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and papillary thyroid carcinoma expression patterns and possible molecular mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Jiabo , Yao Lingli , Guo Yu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have established a connection between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and an increased risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the molecular mechanisms driving this association are not well understood. The long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) BRAF‐activated non‐coding RNA (BANCR) has been implicated in various cancers, suggesting a potential role in the HT‐PTC linkage.MethodsThis study investigated the expression levels of BANCR in PTC and HT samples, compared to control tissues. We also examined the association between BANCR expression and clinicopathological features, including lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, we explored the molecular mechanisms of BANCR in PTC pathogenesis and its potential as a therapeutic target.ResultsBANCR expression was significantly lower in PTC samples than in controls, while it was moderately increased in HT samples. In PTC cases with concurrent HT, BANCR expression was markedly reduced compared to normal tissues. Our analysis revealed BANCR’s role as an oncogene in PTC, influencing various cancer‐related signaling pathways. Interestingly, no significant correlation was found between BANCR expression and lymph node metastasis.ConclusionOur findings underscore the involvement of BANCR in the connection between HT and PTC. The distinct expression patterns of BANCR in PTC and HT, especially in PTC with concurrent HT, provide new insights into the molecular interplay between these conditions. This study opens avenues for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting BANCR in PTC and HT.
Lisocabtagene maraleucel for treatment of relapsed and refractory primary mediastinal large B‐cell lymphoma in an adolescent patient
Authors: Lee Dasom , Goyal Anmol , Wang William L , Ananth Snegha , Lau Eric , Binkley Michael S , Bharadwaj Sushma , Dahiya Saurabh 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe safety and efficacy of CAR T‐cell therapy are unknown in pediatric and adolescent patients with relapsed or refractory primary mediastinal large B‐cell lymphoma (R/R PMBCL) which is associated with dismal prognosis. Here, we present a case report of a 16‐year‐old patient with R/R PMBCL treated with lisocabtagene maraleucel including correlative studies. Patient achieved complete response at 6 months without cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome. She only experienced mild cytopenias, requiring filgrastim once. This report highlights the safety and efficacy of lisocabtagene maraleucel in this population, warranting prospective studies to improve clinical outcomes.
Omicron BA.4/5 neutralization and cell‐mediated immune responses in relation to baseline immune status and breakthrough infection among PLWH: A follow‐up cohort study
Authors: Zhan Haoting , Xie Yuchen , Liu Yongmei , Cheng Linlin , Xu Yi , Qu Xiaojing , Li Chen , Guo Xinru , Li Haolong , Wang Yuling , Dai Erhei , Wang Lijing , Gao Huixia , Li Yongzhe 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThere is a paucity of data on hybrid immunity (vaccination plus breakthrough infection [BI]), especially cell‐mediated responses to Omicron among immunosuppressed patients. We aim to investigate humoral and cellular responses to Omicron BA.4/5 among people living with HIV (PLWH) with/without BIs, the most prevalent variant of concern after the reopening of China. Based on our previous study, we enrolled 77 PLWH with baseline immune status of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 specific antibodies after inactivated vaccination. “Correlates of protection,” including serological immunoassays, T cell phenotypes and memory B cells (MBC) were determined in PLWH without and with BI, together with 16 PLWH with reinfections. Higher inhibition rate of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) against BA.4/5 was elicited among PLWH with BI than those without. Omicron‐reactive IL4+ CD8+ T cells were significantly elevated in PLWH experienced postvaccine infection contrasting with those did not. NAb towards wild type at baseline was associated with prolonged negative conversion time for PLWH whereas intermediate MBCs serve as protecting effectors. We uncovered that hybrid immunity intensified more protection on BA.4/5 than vaccination did. Strengthened surveillance on immunological parameters and timely clinical intervention on PLWH deficient in protection would reduce the severity and mortality in the context of coexistence with new Omicron subvariants.
A mouse xenograft long‐term replication yields a SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta mutant with increased lethality
Authors: Kim Dongbum , Kim Minyoung , Kim Jinsoo , Baek Kyeongbin , Park Heedo , Park Sangkyu , Kang Bo Min , Kim Suyeon , Kim Mo‐Jong , Mostafa Mohd Najib , Maharjan Sony , Shin Ha‐Eun , Lee Myeong‐Heon , Il Kim Jin , Park Man‐Seong , Kim Yong‐Sun , Choi Eun‐Kyoung , Lee Younghee , Kwon Hyung‐Joo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe recently established a long‐term SARS‐CoV‐2 infection model using lung‐cancer xenograft mice and identified mutations that arose in the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome during long‐term propagation. Here, we applied our model to the SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta variant, which has increased transmissibility and immune escape compared with ancestral SARS‐CoV‐2. We observed limited mutations in SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta during long‐term propagation, including two predominant mutations: R682W in the spike protein and L330W in the nucleocapsid protein. We analyzed two representative isolates, Delta‐10 and Delta‐12, with both predominant mutations and some additional mutations. Delta‐10 and Delta‐12 showed lower replication capacity compared with SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta in cultured cells; however, Delta‐12 was more lethal in K18‐hACE2 mice compared with SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta and Delta‐10. Mice infected with Delta‐12 had higher viral titers, more severe histopathology in the lungs, higher chemokine expression, increased astrocyte and microglia activation, and extensive neutrophil infiltration in the brain. Brain tissue hemorrhage and mild vacuolation were also observed, suggesting that the high lethality of Delta‐12 was associated with lung and brain pathology. Our long‐term infection model can provide mutant viruses derived from SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta and knowledge about the possible contributions of emergent mutations to the properties of new variants.
Meta‐analyses of partial correlations are biased: Detection and solutions
Authors: Stanley T. D. , Doucouliagos Hristos , Havranek Tomas 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe demonstrate that all meta‐analyses of partial correlations are biased, and yet hundreds of meta‐analyses of partial correlation coefficients (PCCs) are conducted each year widely across economics, business, education, psychology, and medical research. To address these biases, we offer a new weighted average, UWLS+3. UWLS+3 is the unrestricted weighted least squares weighted average that makes an adjustment to the degrees of freedom that are used to calculate partial correlations and, by doing so, renders trivial any remaining meta‐analysis bias. Our simulations also reveal that these meta‐analysis biases are small‐sample biases (n < 200), and a simple correction factor of (n − 2)/(n − 1) greatly reduces these small‐sample biases along with Fisher's z. In many applications where primary studies typically have hundreds or more observations, partial correlations can be meta‐analyzed in standard ways with only negligible bias. However, in other fields in the social and the medical sciences that are dominated by small samples, these meta‐analysis biases are easily avoidable by our proposed methods.
Analytical framework using remote sensing and water geochemistry to assess changes in landscapes with high ecological and social value
Authors: Valvasori Guilherme Pires de Campos Godoy , Souza Diego Lacerda de , Matricardi Eraldo Aparecido Trondoli , Iorio Gustavo Soares , de Rezende Carlos Eduardo , Pedlowski Marcos A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe Brazilian Mata Atlântica coastal rainforest suffered a dramatic reduction in size due to agricultural and mining activities since the 1500s. Most relevant fragments are in mountainous areas assigned for environmental conservation, where there is increasing market pressure to open these areas for mining operations. In this study, we created a broader framework for water basin study on mountainous regions in tropical areas of high ecological importance. Remote sensing and hydrochemical analysis were used to create a more encompassing evaluation and a prognosis of environmental changes caused by mining operations. Our results showed that land use and land cover variations affect the physical and chemical behavior of rivers, and that seasonality plays a compounding role in their levels of particulate and chemical elements. Applying these combined techniques proved to be a good strategy in the evaluation of land cover change on the physical and chemical variations found in smaller watersheds.
Design of low‐pass filter with improved equalization based on lossy grounded spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Wang Chenhao , Shi Xiaomin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA new method for designing multifunctional low‐pass filter with controllable equalizing capability is presented in this letter. By constructing the novel unit cell, namely, loading surface mount resistor on the grounded spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs), the filter not only achieves filtering and equalizing functions at the same time, but also improves the equalizing response in the low‐band effectively. To illustrate the principle, the extraction method of equivalent circuit of the lossy unit cell is introduced, and the equalization and filtering properties characterized by attenuation constant and asymptotic frequency are explored. To verify the concept, a prototype operating from 0.5 to 3.4 GHz with 10 dB equalizing value is implemented, fabricated, and measured. Good agreement is achieved between simulation and measurement. The result shows that the filter is provided with a smooth equalizing curve at the low frequency of the passband compared with the ungrounded SSPPs.
Fighting terrorism: How to position rapid response teams?
Authors: van Aken Lotte , Schlicher Loe , Slikker Marco , van Houtum Geert‐Jan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn light of recent terrorist attacks, we introduce and study a Stackelberg game between a government and a terrorist. In this game, the government positions a number of heavily‐armed rapid response teams on a line segment (e.g., a long boulevard or shopping avenue) and then the terrorist attacks a location with the highest potential impact of an attack. This potential impact, which we call damage, is the product of the time it takes the closest rapid response team to react and the damage caused per time unit, which is modeled via a damage rate function. We prove that there exists a subgame perfect Nash equilibrium that balances the possible damage on all intervals of the line segment that result from positioning the rapid response teams. We discuss the implications for various types of damage rate functions including one mimicking a busy boulevard with various hotspot locations.
Developing a statistical approach of evaluating daily maximum and minimum temperature observations from third‐party automatic weather stations in Australia
Authors: Li Ming , Shao Quanxi , Dabrowski Joel Janek , Rahman Ashfaqur , Powell Andrea , Henderson Brent , Hussain Zachary , Steinle Peter 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThird‐party automatic weather stations (TPAWS) provide a compelling data source for scientists and practitioners to observe and estimate more accurate fine‐scale atmospheric conditions, including daily maximum and minimum temperature (denoted as Tmax and Tmin, respectively), than the current primary weather observation network can offer. Several uncertainties and errors arise in data from TPAWS as the quality control applied to these stations may be inadequate or ad hoc. In this study, we develop a statistical approach to evaluate the quality of daily Tmax and Tmin observations collected from TPAWS in Australia. Our approach compares a target observation with multiple types of reliable reference data, including neighbouring primary weather observations from the official Bureau of Meteorology of Australia stations, Australian Gridded Climate Data, and numerical weather prediction data. Guided by the operational requirements in terms of automation, interpretability, and simplicity as well as expandability, a separate test is formed for each type of reference data and then all the individual tests are merged to generate a single result based on a Gaussian mixture model that is used to provide the final overall assessment for each TPAWS observation. The overall assessment is made in the form of a p‐value‐based confidence score that measures the difference between the target observation and trusted reference data. Our method is validated by synthetic datasets based on high‐quality observations and is also applied to daily Tmax and Tmin observations from 184 TPAWS owned by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of Western Australia. The framework can be readily applied to different regions with different reliable or trusted data sources.
A comprehensive review of molecular optimization in artificial intelligence‐based drug discovery
Authors: Xia Yuhang , Wang Yongkang , Wang Zhiwei , Zhang Wen 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDrug discovery is aimed to design novel molecules with specific chemical properties for the treatment of targeting diseases. Generally, molecular optimization is one important step in drug discovery, which optimizes the physical and chemical properties of a molecule. Currently, artificial intelligence techniques have shown excellent success in drug discovery, which has emerged as a new strategy to address the challenges of drug design including molecular optimization, and drastically reduce the costs and time for drug discovery. We review the latest advances of molecular optimization in artificial intelligence‐based drug discovery, including data resources, molecular properties, optimization methodologies, and assessment criteria for molecular optimization. Specifically, we classify the optimization methodologies into molecular mapping‐based, molecular distribution matching‐based, and guided search‐based methods, respectively, and discuss the principles of these methods as well as their pros and cons. Moreover, we highlight the current challenges in molecular optimization and offer a variety of perspectives, including interpretability, multidimensional optimization, and model generalization, on potential new lines of research to pursue in future. This study provides a comprehensive review of molecular optimization in artificial intelligence‐based drug discovery, which points out the challenges as well as the new prospects. This review will guide researchers who are interested in artificial intelligence molecular optimization.
A Rapid, Scalable Laser‐Scribing Process to Prepare Si/Graphene Composites for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Katsuyama Yuto , Yang Zhiyin , Thiel Markus , Zhang Xinyue , Chang Xueying , Lin Cheng‐Wei , Huang Ailun , Wang Chenxiang , Li Yuzhang , Kaner Richard B. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSilicon has gained significant attention as a lithium‐ion battery anode material due to its high theoretical capacity compared to conventional graphite. Unfortunately, silicon anodes suffer from poor cycling performance caused by their extreme volume change during lithiation and de‐lithiation. Compositing silicon particles with 2D carbon materials, such as graphene, can help mitigate this problem. However, an unaddressed challenge remains: a simple, inexpensive synthesis of Si/graphene composites. Here, a one‐step laser‐scribing method is proposed as a straightforward, rapid (≈3 min), scalable, and less‐energy‐consuming (≈5 W for a few minutes under air) process to prepare Si/laser‐scribed graphene (LSG) composites. In this research, two types of Si particles, Si nanoparticles (SiNPs) and Si microparticles (SiMPs), are used. The rate performance is improved after laser scribing: SiNP/LSG retains 827.6 mAh g−1at 2.0 A gSi+C−1, while SiNP/GO (before laser scribing) retains only 463.8 mAh g−1. This can be attributed to the fast ion transport within the well‐exfoliated 3D graphene network formed by laser scribing. The cyclability is also improved: SiNP/LSG retains 88.3% capacity after 100 cycles at 2.0 A gSi+C−1, while SiNP/GO retains only 57.0%. The same trend is found for SiMPs: the SiMP/LSG shows better rate and cycling performance than SiMP/GO composites.
Personalized Versus Precision Nanomedicine for Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Garbuzenko Olga B. , Sapiezynski Justin , Girda Eugenia , Rodriguez‐Rodriguez Lorna , Minko Tamara 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe response to treatment is substantially varied between individual patients with ovarian cancer. However, chemotherapy treatment plans rarely pay sufficient attention to the mentioned factors. Instead, standardized treatment protocols are usually employed for most ovarian cancer patients. Variations in an individual's sensitivity to drugs significantly limit the effectiveness of treatment in some patients and lead to severe toxicities in others. In the present investigation, a nanotechnology‐based approach for personalized treatment of ovarian carcinoma (the most lethal type of gynecological cancer) constructed on the individual genetic profile of the patient's tumor is developed and validated. The expression of predefined genes and proteins is analyzed for each patient sample. Finally, a mixture of the complex nanocarrier‐based targeted delivery system containing drug(s)/siRNA(s)/targeted peptide is selected from the pre‐synthesized bank and tested in vivo on murine cancer model using cancer cells isolated from tumors of each patient. Based on the results of the present study, an innovative approach and protocol for personalized treatment of ovarian cancer are suggested and evaluated. The results of the present study clearly show the advantages and perspectives of the proposed individual treatment approach.