bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
'Qualitative' and 'quantitative' methods and approaches across subject fields: implications for research values, assumptions, and practices
Authors: Pilcher Nick , Cortazzi Martin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThere is considerable literature showing the complexity, connectivity and blurring of 'qualitative' and 'quantitative' methods in research. Yet these concepts are often represented in a binary way as independent dichotomous categories. This is evident in many key textbooks which are used in research methods courses to guide students and newer researchers in their research training. This paper analyses such textbook representations of 'qualitative' and 'quantitative' in 25 key resources published in English (supported by an outline survey of 23 textbooks written in German, Spanish and French). We then compare these with the perceptions, gathered through semi-structured interviews, of university researchers (n = 31) who work in a wide range of arts and science disciplines. The analysis of what the textbooks say compared to what the participants report they do in their practice shows some common features, as might be assumed, but there are significant contrasts and contradictions. The differences tend to align with some other recent literature to underline the complexity and connectivity associated with the terms. We suggest ways in which future research methods courses and newer researchers could question and positively deconstruct such binary representations in order to free up directions for research in practice, so that investigations can use both quantitative or qualitative approaches in more nuanced practices that are appropriate to the specific field and given context of investigations.
Effect of sublethal concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicides (Roundup Active®) on skin of the tropical frog (Dendropsophus molitor)
Authors: López-Flórez Catalina , Ruíz Monica Andrea Ortíz , Gómez-Ramírez Edwin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn Colombia, glyphosate (GP) is used to control weeds, with Roundup Active® being the most widely used. This use has affected aquatic ecosystems, causing malformations in amphibians. The Savannah frog (D. molitor) is a tropical frog inhabiting the mountain of Colombia. In the present study, we determined the effect of sublethal concentrations of GP (Roundup Active®) on the skin of D. molitor. Twenty-four tadpoles were exposed to concentrations of GP (T1: 0, T2: 1.4, T3: 3.6, and T4: 5.6 a.e mg/L) during 31 days. In 10 individuals per treatment, two skin regions were evaluated: dorsal cranial and caudal ventral to determine histopathological alterations. Morphometric analysis of the layers of the skin was performed: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis-muscular. T1 did not present histopathological alterations. Since T2 was identified, glandular cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy increased melanophores and melanin accumulations in the highest concentrations of GP. The ultrastructure revealed an increase in excretory glands in the dermis. In the other layers, an increase of melanophores and melanocyte clusters was observed accompanied by vacuolization of basal cells. The morphometry showed an increase in the thickness of the dermis in the dorso-cranial region in T2 compared to the other treatments, while the ventral caudal region exhibited a variation in the thickness of the dermis from T2 and a decrease in T4. Despite evaluating sublethal concentrations, the skin of D. molitor tadpoles presents histopathological, ultrastructural, and morphometric alterations that could affect the survival of the species in the natural environment.
Extending the product-group-specific approach in nutritional life cycle assessment
Authors: Kyttä Venla , Kårlund Anna , Pellinen Tiina , Tuomisto Hanna L. , Kolehmainen Marjukka , Pajari Anne-Maria , Saarinen Merja 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Recent methodological developments have integrated nutritional aspects into life cycle assessment (LCA) by using nutrient indices as functional units (nFUs). Previous developments have focused on protein-rich foods, but environmental impacts and nutritional composition vary across products in other product groups, highlighting the need to develop nFUs also for other product groups. Here, we present product-group-specific nFUs for vegetables, fruit and berries, and sources of carbohydrates as an extension to our previous study on protein sources.

Methods
We first justified the basis of product grouping and the procedure to develop product-group-specific nutrient indices to be used as the nFU in the LCA for product groups of vegetables, fruit and berries, and sources of carbohydrates. The practical application of these indices was then tested through demonstrative LCAs for the selection of different foods. The performance and results obtained with product-group-specific nFUs, including previously developed nFU for protein sources, were evaluated through a comparison with an assessment done using a general index, which included all the nutrients with the recommended daily intake in Finnish nutrition recommendations.

Results and discussion
The results showed that the product-group-specific nFUs resulted in index scores that were an average of 2.5 times higher, and therefore lower climate impacts per nFU for the assessed food products, than the general index. This demonstrated that product-group-specific nFUs accurately represented the relevant nutrients for the studied product group and provided specific information on the impact of substituting currently consumed foods. The relative results obtained with either product-group-specific indices or a general index were similar except in the protein source product group, showing that a product-group-specific nFU might favour a certain type of products, such as traditional protein source foods, when applied to a very heterogenous group of products.

Conclusions
This study showed that the product-group-specific approach could provide valuable information when evaluating the sustainability of different meal components. The approach presented here can be adapted elsewhere and revised for different populations. However, future research is needed to extend the method to cover other product groups as well and validate the selection of nutrients in the nFUs.
Quercetin and l-Arginine Ameliorated the Deleterious Effects of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on the Liver of Mice Through Anti-inflammatory and Anti-apoptotic Pathways
Authors: Haroun Amina M. , El-Sayed Wael M. , Hassan Rasha E. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe widespread use and applications of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in daily life make human exposure to these particles inevitable. This study was carried out to investigate the deteriorations in hepatic and serum biochemical parameters induced by CuO NPs in adult male mice and the potential ameliorative effect of l-arginine and quercetin, either alone or in combination. Seventy adult male mice were equally allocated into seven groups: untreated group, l-arginine, quercetin, CuO NPs, arginine + CuO NPs, quercetin + CuO NPs, and quercetin + arginine + CuO NPs. Treating mice with CuO NPs resulted in bioaccumulation of copper in the liver and consequent liver injury as typified by elevation of serum ALT activity, reduction in the synthetic ability of the liver indicated by a decrease in the hepatic arginase activity, and serum total protein content. This copper accumulation increased oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and apoptosis as manifested by elevation in malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, the expression level of caspase-3 and bax quantified by qPCR, and the activity of caspase-3, in addition to the reduction of superoxide dismutase activity. It also resulted in severe DNA fragmentation as assessed by Comet assay and significant pathological changes in the liver architecture. The study proved the efficiency of quercetin and l-arginine in mitigating CuO NPs-induced sub-chronic liver toxicity due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties; ability to inhibit DNA damage; and the potential as good metal chelators. The results of histopathological analysis confirmed the biochemical and molecular studies.
Thyroid transcription factor‐1 expression in lung neuroendocrine tumours: a gender-related biomarker?
Authors: La Salvia Anna , Siciliani Alessandra , Rinzivillo Maria , Verrico Monica , Baldelli Roberto , Puliani Giulia , Modica Roberta , Zanata Isabella , Persano Irene , Fanciulli Giuseppe , Bassi Massimiliano , Mancini Massimiliano , Bellino Stefania , Giannetta Elisa , Ibrahim Mohsen , Panzuto Francesco , Brizzi Maria Pia , Faggiano Antongiulio 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TTF‐1) assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a specific biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma, and is commonly used to confirm the pulmonary origin of neuroendocrine tumours (NET). The majority of the available data suggest that TTF-1 is favourable prognostic biomarker for lung adenocarcinomas, whereas its role is more conflicting for lung NET. The main aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to investigate the potentially relevant associations between TTF-1 biomarker and clinical and pathological features of the study population, as well as determine TTF-1 prognostic effect on the clinical outcome of the patients.

Methods
A multicentre retrospective study was conducted on 155 surgically-removed lung NET, with available IHC TTF-1 assessment.

Results
Median age was 59.5 years (range 13–86), 97 patients (62.6%) were females, 31 cases (20%) were atypical carcinoids, 4 (2.6%) had TNM stage IV. Mitotic count ≥2 per 10 high-power field was found in 35 (22.6%) subjects, whereas necrosis was detected in 20 patients (12.9%). TTF-1 was positive in 78 cases (50.3%). The median overall survival was 46.9 months (range 0.6–323) and the median progression-free survival was 39.1 months (range 0.6–323). Statistically significant associations were found between (1) TTF-1 positivity and female sex (p = 0.007); and among (2) TTF-1 positivity and the absence of necrosis (p = 0.018).

Conclusions
This study highlights that TTF-1 positivity differs according to sex in lung NET, with a more common TTF-1 positive staining in female. Moreover, TTF-1 positivity correlated with the absence of necrosis. These data suggest that TTF-1 could potentially represent a gender-related biomarker for lung NET.
Possibly pathogenic bacteria in aerosols and foams as a result of aeration remediation in a polluted urban waterway
Authors: Jacob Joby , Veras Ingrid , Calderόn Olga , Porter-Morgan Holly A. , Tan Joshua , Aguilar Harry E. , Elkins Willis T. , Martinez Castro Veronica P. , Fulton Vania , Yousri Wesam K. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractNewtown Creek is a tributary of the Hudson River Estuary. It has a legacy of both industrial pollution and sewage pollution and has been designated a Superfund site. To ameliorate the chronically low levels of dissolved oxygen detected in the Creek, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has been installing aerators. The abundance of various bacteria in the aerosols, foams, and water, at two sites in the Creek, was studied before, during, and after the aeration process. Additionally, aerosols and dispersed foams created by the aeration process were sampled and cultured to determine what unique taxa of bacteria could be grown and identified. Taxa including Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were prevalent in cultures taken from aerosols, whereas Gammaproteobacteria were prevalent in cultures taken from foam. Campylobacteria was found to have a significant presence in both samples taken after the aerators were turned off. These taxa include potentially pathogenic bacteria and are therefore of particular concern.
Diet in the Early Bronze Age: a buccal microwear analysis from the plain of Barcelona (Spain)
Authors: Gluitz Alicia , Martínez Laura M. , Molist Miquel , Estebaranz-Sánchez Ferran 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study aims to characterize the dietary habits of the Barcelona plain (Spain) population during the Early Bronze Age. An analysis of buccal microwear has been performed on 467 samples from 20 individuals buried in the largest cemetery of the plain of Barcelona in this period, the Plaça de la Gardunya, and 1 sample from the site of the Mercat de Santa Caterina. Molars and premolars were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and their microwear patterns were compared with reference patterns associated with known dietary habits and subsistence strategies. The results suggest that dietary habits differed between age groups and between sexes: males were more carnivorous than females, and subadults ate harder foods than adults. Buccal microwear from the Barcelona plain shows similar values to carnivorous diets of anthropological populations. Based on all the archaeological evidence (building types and zooarchaeology, archaeobotany and stone tools) from this settlement and those in its vicinity, we propose that the individuals from the Barcelona plain had a mixed diet, with large consumption of meat, secondary products and fish. Agricultural products, stored in silos and grill structures and processed with more sophisticated grinding techniques, were also consumed, mainly by subadult individuals.
Updating approach for lexicographic optimization-based planning to improve cervical cancer plan quality
Authors: Caricato Paolo , Trivellato Sara , Pellegrini Roberto , Montanari Gianluca , Daniotti Martina Camilla , Bordigoni Bianca , Faccenda Valeria , Panizza Denis , Meregalli Sofia , Bonetto Elisa , Voet Peter , Arcangeli Stefano , De Ponti Elena 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
To investigate the capability of a not-yet commercially available fully automated lexicographic optimization (LO) planning algorithm, called mCycle (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden), to further improve the plan quality of an already-validated Wish List (WL) pushing on the organs-at-risk (OAR) sparing without compromising target coverage and plan delivery accuracy.

Material and Methods
Twenty-four mono-institutional consecutive cervical cancer Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) plans delivered between November 2019 and April 2022 (50 Gy/25 fractions) have been retrospectively selected. In mCycle the LO planning algorithm was combined with the a-priori multi-criterial optimization (MCO). Two versions of WL have been defined to reproduce manual plans (WL01), and to improve the OAR sparing without affecting minimum target coverage and plan delivery accuracy (WL02). Robust WLs have been tuned using a subset of 4 randomly selected patients. The remaining plans have been automatically re-planned by using the designed WLs. Manual plans (MP) and mCycle plans (mCP01 and mCP02) were compared in terms of dose distributions, complexity, delivery accuracy, and clinical acceptability. Two senior physicians independently performed a blind clinical evaluation, ranking the three competing plans. Furthermore, a previous defined global quality index has been used to gather into a single score the plan quality evaluation.

Results
The WL tweaking requests 5 and 3 working days for the WL01 and the WL02, respectively. The re-planning took in both cases 3 working days. mCP01 best performed in terms of target coverage (PTV V95% (%): MP 98.0 [95.6–99.3], mCP01 99.2 [89.7–99.9], mCP02 96.9 [89.4–99.5]), while mCP02 showed a large OAR sparing improvement, especially in the rectum parameters (e.g., Rectum D50% (Gy): MP 41.7 [30.2–47.0], mCP01 40.3 [31.4–45.8], mCP02 32.6 [26.9–42.6]). An increase in plan complexity has been registered in mCPs without affecting plan delivery accuracy. In the blind comparisons, all automated plans were considered clinically acceptable, and mCPs were preferred over MP in 90% of cases. Globally, automated plans registered a plan quality score at least comparable to MP.

Conclusions
This study showed the flexibility of the Lexicographic approach in creating more demanding Wish Lists able to potentially minimize toxicities in RT plans.
Respecting boundaries: theoretical equivalence and structure beyond dynamics
Authors: Wolf William J. , Read James 
Published: September 2023

AbstractA standard line in the contemporary philosophical literature has it that physical theories are equivalent only when they agree on their empirical content, where this empirical content is often understood as being encoded in the equations of motion of those theories. In this article, we question whether it is indeed the case that the empirical content of a theory is exhausted by its equations of motion, showing that (for example) considerations of boundary conditions play a key role in the empirical equivalence (or otherwise) of theories. Having argued for this, we show that philosophical claims made by Weatherall (2016) that electromagnetism in the Faraday tensor formalism is equivalent to electromagnetism in the vector potential formalism, and by Knox (2011) that general relativity is equivalent to teleparallel gravity, can both be called into question. We then show that properly considering the role of boundary conditions in theory structure can potentially restore these claims of equivalence and close with some remarks on the pragmatics of adjudications on theory identity.
Real-world effectiveness of sotrovimab for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection during Omicron BA.2 subvariant predominance: a systematic literature review
Authors: Drysdale Myriam , Gibbons Daniel C. , Singh Moushmi , Rolland Catherine , Lavoie Louis , Skingsley Andrew , Lloyd Emily J. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants have impacted the in vitro activity of sotrovimab, with variable fold changes in neutralization potency for the Omicron BA.2 sublineage and onward. The correlation between reduced in vitro activity and clinical efficacy outcomes is unknown. A systematic literature review (SLR) evaluated the effectiveness of sotrovimab on severe clinical outcomes during Omicron BA.2 predominance.

Methods
Electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed journals, preprint articles, and conference abstracts published from January 1–November 3, 2022.

Results
Five studies were included, which displayed heterogeneity in study design and population. Two UK studies had large samples of patients during BA.2 predominance: one demonstrated clinical effectiveness vs molnupiravir during BA.1 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.54, 95% CI 0.33–0.88; p = 0.014) and BA.2 (aHR 0.44, 95% CI 0.27–0.71; p = 0.001); the other reported no difference in the clinical outcomes of sotrovimab-treated patients when directly comparing sequencing-confirmed BA.1 and BA.2 cases (HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.74–1.86). One US study showed a lower risk of 30-day all-cause hospitalization/mortality for sotrovimab compared with no treatment during the BA.2 surge in March (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 0.41, 95% CI 0.27–0.62) and April 2022 (aRR 0.54, 95% CI 0.08–3.54). Two studies from Italy and Qatar reported low progression rates but were either single-arm descriptive or not sufficiently powered to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of sotrovimab.

Conclusion
This SLR showed that the effectiveness of sotrovimab was maintained against Omicron BA.2 in both ecological and sequencing-confirmed studies, by demonstrating low/comparable clinical outcomes between BA.1 and BA.2 periods or comparing against an active/untreated comparator.
The usefulness of Integrative Neuromuscular Training to counteract obesity: a narrative review
Authors: Cavaggioni Luca , Gilardini Luisa , Croci Marina , Formenti Damiano , Merati Giampiero , Bertoli Simona 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background and objective
The association between physical activity and diet has a valuable impact in weight status management to counteract obesity. In this context, within different training strategies (i.e., endurance, resistance training, concurrent training, agility training) the Integrative Neuromuscular Training (INT) represents a structured training mode focused on global human movement pattern development with the aim to enhance motor control, mobility and stability. In this narrative review we aimed to discuss the feasibility of INT interventions on physical fitness and body composition outcomes in individuals with obesity.

Subjects
Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar including were searched before 1st February 2023 without restrictions on publication year.

Methods
Two researchers extracted data from published trials. Randomized controlled trials or clinical trials, Body Mass Index of children and adolescents at the 95% percentile or greater, and for adults to be above 30 kg/m2, detailed intervention description, randomization process and allocation into an experimental or a control group, trials must have been written in English, were included.

Results
We included a total of 19 studies complying with the inclusion criteria for the review process. There is evidence that INT promotes positive adaptations in fitness levels in both younger and older participants with concomitant ameliorations during a shorter, medium and longer time period. Moreover, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, balance, postural control and body composition reached significant remarkable improvements following a specific intervention based on INT principles compared to other training mode. However, Body Mass Index, fat mass percentage and waist circumference showed similar changes overtime.

Conclusions
Taken together, these findings support the effectiveness of INT in ameliorating physical fitness (i.e., health-related and skill related components) without negative changes in body composition. Nevertheless, fitness coaches and therapists may consider this training modality a feasible option when prescribing physical exercise in outpatients with obesity.
STAT5 promotes PD-L1 expression by facilitating histone lactylation to drive immunosuppression in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Huang Ze-Wei , Zhang Xue-Ning , Zhang Ling , Liu Ling-Ling , Zhang Jing-Wen , Sun Yu-Xiang , Xu Jue-Qiong , Liu Quentin , Long Zi-Jie 
Published: September 2023

AbstractsImmunotherapy is a revolutionized therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment attributing to the rapid development of genomics and immunology, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have successfully achieved responses in numbers of tumor types, including hematopoietic malignancy. However, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease and there is still a lack of systematic demonstration to apply immunotherapy in AML based on PD-1/PD-L1 blockage. Thus, the identification of molecules that drive tumor immunosuppression and stratify patients according to the benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors is urgently needed. Here, we reported that STAT5 was highly expressed in the AML cohort and activated the promoter of glycolytic genes to promote glycolysis in AML cells. As a result, the increased-lactate accumulation promoted E3BP nuclear translocation and facilitated histone lactylation, ultimately inducing PD-L1 transcription. Immune checkpoint inhibitor could block the interaction of PD-1/PD-L1 and reactive CD8+ T cells in the microenvironment when co-culture with STAT5 constitutively activated AML cells. Clinically, lactate accumulation in bone marrow was positively correlated with STAT5 as well as PD-L1 expression in newly diagnosed AML patients. Therefore, we have illustrated a STAT5-lactate-PD-L1 network in AML progression, which demonstrates that AML patients with STAT5 induced-exuberant glycolysis and lactate accumulation may be benefited from PD-1/PD-L-1-based immunotherapy.