bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prostate cancer and elective nodal radiation therapy for cN0 and pN0—a never ending story?
Authors: Koerber S. A. , Höcht S. , Aebersold D. , Albrecht C. , Boehmer D. , Ganswindt U. , Schmidt-Hegemann N.-S. , Hölscher T. , Mueller A.-C. , Niehoff P. , Peeken J. C. , Pinkawa M. , Polat B. , Spohn S. K. B. , Wolf F. , Zamboglou C. , Zips D. , Wiegel T. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFor prostate cancer, the role of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) for cN0 or pN0 patients has been under discussion for years. Considering the recent publications of randomized controlled trials, the prostate cancer expert panel of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) aimed to discuss and summarize the current literature. Modern trials have been recently published for both treatment-naïve patients (POP-RT trial) and patients after surgery (SPPORT trial). Although there are more reliable data to date, we identified several limitations currently complicating the definitions of general recommendations. For patients with cN0 (conventional or PSMA-PET staging) undergoing definitive radiotherapy, only men with high-risk factors for nodal involvement (e.g., cT3a, GS ≥ 8, PSA ≥ 20 ng/ml) seem to benefit from ENI. For biochemical relapse in the postoperative situation (pN0) and no PSMA imaging, ENI may be added to patients with risk factors according to the SPPORT trial (e.g., GS ≥ 8; PSA > 0.7 ng/ml). If PSMA-PET/CT is negative, ENI may be offered for selected men with high-risk factors as an individual treatment approach.
Refined Universality for Critical KCM: Upper Bounds
Authors: Hartarsky Ivailo 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe study a general class of interacting particle systems called kinetically constrained models (KCM) in two dimensions. They are tightly linked to the monotone cellular automata called bootstrap percolation. Among the three classes of such models (Bollobás et al. in Combin Probab Comput 24(4):687–722, 2015), the critical ones are the most studied. Together with the companion paper by Marêché and the author (Hartarsky and Marêché in Combin Probab Comput 31(5):879–906, 2022), our work determines the logarithm of the infection time up to a constant factor for all critical KCM. This was previously known only up to logarithmic corrections (Hartarsky et al. in Probab Theory Relat Fields 178(1):289–326, 2020, Ann Probab 49(5):2141–2174, 2021, Martinelli et al. in Commun Math Phys 369(2):761–809, 2019). We establish that on this level of precision critical KCM have to be classified into seven categories. This refines the two classes present in bootstrap percolation (Bollobás et al. in Proc Lond Math Soc (3) 126(2):620–703, 2023) and the two in previous rougher results (Hartarsky et al. in Probab Theory Relat Fields 178(1):289–326, 2020, Ann Probab 49(5):2141–2174, 2021, Martinelli et al. in Commun Math Phys 369(2):761–809, 2019). In the present work we establish the upper bounds for the novel five categories and thus complete the universality program for equilibrium critical KCM. Our main innovations are the identification of the dominant relaxation mechanisms and a more sophisticated and robust version of techniques recently developed for the study of the Fredrickson-Andersen 2-spin facilitated model (Hartarsky et al. in Probab Theory Relat Fields 185(3):993–1037, 2023).
Strict Deformation Quantization and Local Spin Interactions
Authors: Drago N. , Ven C. J. F. van de 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe define a strict deformation quantization which is compatible with any Hamiltonian with local spin interaction (e.g. the Heisenberg Hamiltonian) for a spin chain. This is a generalization of previous results known for mean-field theories. The main idea is to study the asymptotic properties of a suitably defined algebra of sequences invariant under the group generated by a cyclic permutation. Our point of view is similar to the one adopted by Landsman, Moretti and van de Ven (Rev Math Phys 32(10):2050031, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1142/S0129055X20500312), who considered a strict deformation quantization for the case of mean-field theories. However, the methods for a local spin interaction are considerably more involved, due to the presence of a strictly smaller symmetry group.
Decrease of 7T MR short-term effects with repeated exposure
Authors: Hansson Boel , Garzón Benjamín , Lövdén Martin , Björkman-Burtscher Isabella M 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Although participants in 7 T magnetic resonance (MR) studies tolerate ultra-high field (UHF) well, subjectively experienced short-term effects, such as dizziness, inconsistent movement, nausea, or metallic taste, are reported. Evidence on subjectively experienced short-term effects in multiple exposures to UHF MR is scarce. The purpose of this study is to investigated experience of short-term effects, and occurrence of motion in healthy subjects exposed to seven weekly 7 T MR examinations.

Methods
A questionnaire on short-term effects was completed by participants in an fMRI motor skill study. Seven UHF MR examinations were conducted over 7 weeks (exposure number: 1 to 7). Changes of experienced short-term effects were analyzed. Motion in fMRI images was quantified.

Results
The questionnaire was completed 360 times by 67 participants after one to seven 7T MR examinations. Logistic mixed model analysis showed a significant association between dizziness, inconsistent movement, nausea, and headache and the examination numbers (p<0.03). Exposure to repeated examinations had no significant effect on peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) or motion of the subjects. The overall experience of a 7T examination improved significantly (p<0.001) with increasing examination numbers.

Conclusion
During multiple 7T examinations, subjects adapt to the strong static field. The short-term effects dizziness, inconsistent movement, nausea, and headache decrease over time as the MR sessions continue and experienced comfort increases. There was no significant difference in motion during the multiple fMRI examinations.
DNA methylases for site-selective inhibition of type IIS restriction enzyme activity
Authors: Flores-Fernández Carol N. , Lin Da , Robins Katherine , O’Callaghan Chris A. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
DNA methylases of the restriction-modifications (R-M) systems are promising enzymes for the development of novel molecular and synthetic biology tools. Their use in vitro enables the deployment of independent and controlled catalytic reactions. This work aimed to produce recombinant DNA methylases belonging to the R-M systems, capable of in vitro inhibition of the type IIS restriction enzymes BsaI, BpiI, or LguI. Non-switchable methylases are those whose recognition sequences fully overlap the recognition sequences of their associated endonuclease. In switch methylases, the methylase and endonuclease recognition sequences only partially overlap, allowing sequence engineering to alter methylation without altering restriction. In this work, ten methylases from type I and II R-M systems were selected for cloning and expression in E. coli strains tolerant to methylation. Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) concentrations and post-induction temperatures were tested to optimize the soluble methylases expression, which was achieved with 0.5 mM IPTG at 20 °C. The C-terminal His6-Tag versions showed better expression than the N-terminal tagged versions. DNA methylation was analyzed using purified methylases and custom test plasmids which, after the methylation reactions, were digested using the corresponding associated type IIS endonuclease. The non-switchable methylases M2.Eco31I, M2.BsaI, M2.HpyAII, and M1.MboII along with the switch methylases M.Osp807II and M2.NmeMC58II showed the best activity for site-selective inhibition of type IIS restriction enzyme activity. This work demonstrates that our recombinant methylases were able to block the activity of type IIS endonucleases in vitro, allowing them to be developed as valuable tools in synthetic biology and DNA assembly techniques.

Key points
• Non-switchable methylases always inhibit the relevant type IIS endonuclease activity
• Switch methylases inhibit the relevant type IIS endonuclease activity depending on the sequence engineering of their recognition site
• Recombinant non-switchable and switch methylases were active in vitro and can be deployed as tools in synthetic biology and DNA assembly

Graphical Abstract
Crossing and intersecting families of geometric graphs on point sets
Authors: Álvarez-Rebollar J. L. , Cravioto-Lagos J. , Marín N. , Solé-Pi O. , Urrutia J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLet S be a set of n points in the plane in general position. Two line segments connecting pairs of points of Scross if they have an interior point in common. Two vertex-disjoint geometric graphs with vertices in Scross if there are two edges, one from each graph, which cross. A set of vertex-disjoint geometric graphs with vertices in S is called mutually crossing if any two of them cross. We show that there exists a constant c such that from any family of n mutually-crossing triangles, one can always obtain a family of at least $$n^c$$

n
c

mutually-crossing 2-paths (each of which is the result of deleting an edge from one of the triangles) and provide an example that implies that c cannot be taken to be larger than 2/3. Then, for every n we determine the maximum number of crossings that a Hamiltonian cycle on a set of n points might have, and give examples achieving this bound. Next, we construct a point set whose longest perfect matching contains no crossings. We also consider edges consisting of a horizontal and a vertical line segment joining pairs of points of S, which we call elbows, and prove that in any point set S there exists a family of $$\lfloor n/4 \rfloor $$

⌊
n
/
4
⌋

vertex-disjoint mutually-crossing elbows. Additionally, we show a point set that admits no more than n/3 mutually-crossing elbows. Finally we study intersecting families of graphs, which are not necessarily vertex disjoint. A set of edge-disjoint graphs with vertices in S is called an intersecting family if for any two graphs in the set we can choose an edge in each of them such that they cross. We prove a conjecture by Lara and Rubio-Montiel (Acta Math Hung 15(2):301–311, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10474-018-0880-1), namely, that any set S of n points in general position admits a family of intersecting triangles with a quadratic number of elements. For points in convex position we prove that any set of 3n points in convex position contains a family with at least $$n^2$$

n
2

intersecting triangles.
The effect of a smaller spacer in the PASCAL Ace on residual mitral valve orifice area
Authors: Paukovitsch Michael , Felbel Dominik , Tadic Marijana , Keßler Mirjam , Scheffler Jinny , Gröger Matthias , Markovic Sinisa , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Schneider Leonhard Moritz 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) is an established treatment for functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) associated with a risk of creating iatrogenic stenosis.

Objectives
To investigate the impact of the P10 and its larger spacer compared to the narrower Ace and its smaller spacer on reduction of mitral valve orifice area (MVOA) during M-TEER.

Methods
Consecutive patients undergoing M-TEER for treatment of severe FMR were screened retrospectively. Patients with a single PASCAL device implantation within the central segments of the MV leaflets, non-complex anatomy, and baseline MVOA ≥ 3.5cm2 were selected. Intraprocedural transesophageal echocardiography was used to compare MVOA reduction with 3D multiplanar reconstruction and direct planimetry. Device selection did not follow a prespecified MVOA threshold.

Results
Seventy-two patients (81.0 years, IQR {74.3–85.0}) were included. In 32 patients, the P10 was implanted (44.4%). MR severity (p = 0.66), MR reduction (p = 0.73), and body surface area (p = 0.56) were comparable. Baseline MVOA tended to be smaller in P10 patients with the larger spacer (5.0 ± 1.1 vs. 5.4 ± 1.3cm2, p = 0.18), however, residual MVOA was larger in these patients (2.7 ± 0.7 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6cm2, p = 0.03). Accordingly, relative MVOA reduction was significantly less in P10 patients (− 45.9 ± 7.6 vs. − 56.3 ± 7.0%, p < 0.01). Indirect annuloplasty was more pronounced in Ace patients whereas mean transmitral gradients were similar.

Conclusion
In FMR patients with non-complex anatomy, the larger spacer of the P10 maintains greater MVOA with similar MR reduction. Hence, the use of the PASCAL Ace device in patients with small MVOAs might correlate with a risk of both clinically relevant orifice reduction and even iatrogenic stenosis.

Graphical Abstract
Seventy-two patients treated for functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) with the narrower PASCAL Ace featuring a smaller spacer (n = 40) or the broader P10 with a larger spacer (n = 32) were included in this study. Using 3D TEE and multiplanar reconstruction for direct planimetry, mitral valve orifice areas (MVOA) were measured before and after device implantation. Only patients with central device positioning were included. The dimensions of the PASCAL device platform are shown as well. Note the larger space and broader design of the P10 compared to the PASCAL Ace. The difference in MVOA reduction amounted to 10%, which translates into roughly 0.5 cm2 based on an average MV found in this study.
Platelet concentrates in macular hole surgery. A journey through the labyrinth of terminology, preparation, and application: a comprehensive review
Authors: Gelormini Francesco , D’antico Sergio , Ricardi Federico , Parisi Guglielmo , Borrelli Enrico , Marolo Paola , Conte Fabio , Salafia Marika , Reibaldi Michele 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe surgical management of macular holes is undergoing continuous evolution, with recent focus on the utilization of platelet concentrates as a promising adjunctive intervention. Currently, they present a valid surgical approach for achieving anatomical and functional success with a non-inferiority comparably to the alternative surgical techniques. Nonetheless, the utilization of varied platelet concentrates terminologies, coupled with the lack of standardization in their preparation methodologies, engenders both lexical confusion and challenges in comparing scientific studies published up until now. In this review, we summarized the published evidence concerning the application of platelet concentrates in macular holes surgery, aiming to clarify the terminology and methodologies employed and to establish a common consensus facilitating further development and diffusion of this promising technique.
Patient–physician communication about cancer-related fatigue: a survey of patient-perceived barriers
Authors: Milzer Marlena , Wagner Anna S. , Schmidt Martina E. , Maatouk Imad , Hermann Silke ,   Cancer Registry of Baden-Württemberg, Kiermeier Senta , Steindorf Karen 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Cancer-related fatigue is a subjective, distressing, and common sequela of cancer which is often disregarded and underdiagnosed. Fatigue is assessed by self-report requiring communication between patient and physician. In this study, we investigated the patients’ perspective on the patient–physician communication about fatigue.

Methods
On average five months after diagnosis 1179 cancer patients, recruited in Germany, completed a survey as part of the LIFT project. The survey included questions on sociodemographic data, fatigue, depression, fatigue management, patient–physician communication, and communication barriers. Data were analyzed descriptively and using logistic regression analyses.

Results
Half of the participants reported that their physician had never asked them whether they felt exhausted. Patients undergoing chemo-, radio-, or immunotherapy were more likely to be asked about fatigue, while older age and major depression decreased the likelihood. Sixty-four percent of the patients felt impeded by communication barriers. Common barriers were not knowing who to turn to for fatigue (39%), time constraints (31%), and the fear of being perceived as weak (22%). Almost half of the participants indicated that their physicians were not appreciative and did not deal adequately with fatigue-related questions.

Conclusion
This study revealed gaps in the patient–physician communication regarding cancer-related fatigue. Contrary to guideline recommendations a minority of physicians addressed fatigue. On the other hand, cancer patients felt reluctant to bring up this topic due to structural barriers and fears. Physicians should routinely address fatigue and adopt a communication style which encourages patients to likewise state their symptoms and raise their questions.

Trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT04921644. Registered in June 2021.
Illuminating the nutrition-related policy-practice gaps in colorectal cancer survivorship
Authors: Vingrys Kristina , Atkins Lauren , Pape Eva , Shaw Annelie , Drury Amanda 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the three most commonly diagnosed cancers globally, after breast and lung cancer, with an estimated 2 million new cases each year, comprising ten per cent of all cancers worldwide. CRC has a complex aetiology associated with several nutrition-related risk factors. Cancer survivors frequently report alterations to their dietary habits and nutritional intake, with related adverse impacts on health-related quality of life (QOL). Whilst nutrition-related factors are recognised as survivor priorities and embedded in survivor care policies, dietary support is frequently not the standard of care in practice.

Methods and results
In this Commentary, we present details of a critical policy-practice gap for CRC survivors across the spectrum of nutrition care that we have seen growing in the literature, in hospitals, community and private practice.

Conclusion
As these nutrition concerns can adversely impact QOL and morbidity and mortality risks, we hope to raise awareness of these issues to provide a basis of future work in this area, so that policymakers and clinicians can improve support and outcomes for CRC survivors and their families.
A comparative study of color quantization methods using various image quality assessment indices
Authors: Pérez-Delgado María-Luisa , Celebi M. Emre 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis article analyzes various color quantization methods using multiple image quality assessment indices. Experiments were conducted with ten color quantization methods and eight image quality indices on a dataset containing 100 RGB color images. The set of color quantization methods selected for this study includes well-known methods used by many researchers as a baseline against which to compare new methods. On the other hand, the image quality assessment indices selected are the following: mean squared error, mean absolute error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity index, multi-scale structural similarity index, visual information fidelity index, universal image quality index, and spectral angle mapper index. The selected indices not only include the most popular indices in the color quantization literature but also more recent ones that have not yet been adopted in the aforementioned literature. The analysis of the results indicates that the conventional assessment indices used in the color quantization literature generate different results from those obtained by newer indices that take into account the visual characteristics of the images. Therefore, when comparing color quantization methods, it is recommended not to use a single index based solely on pixelwise comparisons, as is the case with most studies to date, but rather to use several indices that consider the various characteristics of the human visual system.
Identifying similar-bicliques in bipartite graphs
Authors: Yao Kai , Chang Lijun , Yu Jeffrey Xu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBipartite graphs have been widely used to model the relationship between entities of different types, where vertices are partitioned into two disjoint sets/sides. Finding dense subgraphs in a bipartite graph is of great significance and encompasses many applications. However, none of the existing dense bipartite subgraph models consider similarity between vertices from the same side, and as a result, the identified results may include vertices that are not similar to each other. In this work, we formulate the notion of similar-biclique which is a special kind of biclique where all vertices from a designated side are similar to each other and aim to enumerate all similar-bicliques. The naive approach of first enumerating all maximal bicliques and then extracting all maximal similar-bicliques from them is inefficient, as enumerating maximal bicliques is already time consuming. We propose a backtracking algorithm $$\textsf{MSBE}$$
MSBE
to directly enumerate maximal similar-bicliques and power it by vertex reduction and optimization techniques. In addition, we design a novel index structure to speed up a time-critical operation of $$\textsf{MSBE}$$
MSBE
, as well as to speed up vertex reduction. Efficient index construction algorithms are developed. To handle dynamic graph updates, we also propose algorithms and optimization techniques for maintaining our index. Finally, we parallelize our index construction algorithms to exploit multiple CPU cores. Extensive experiments on 17 bipartite graphs as well as case studies are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our model and algorithms.
Disparities in burden of disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis across racial and ethnic groups
Authors: O’Brien Jacqueline , Park Sang Hee , Blachley Taylor , Marchese Maya , Middaugh Nicole , Wittstock Keith , Harrold Leslie R. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTo examine racial/ethnic differences in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease burden and change in clinical outcomes over time. We included CorEvitas Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry patients from two time periods (2013–2015 and 2018–2020). Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) (as a continuous measure and as a dichotomous measure) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) were assessed at each visit. Marginal means and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) by race/ethnicity were estimated for each outcome using adjusted mixed effects linear and logistic regression models. Overall and pairwise tests were conducted to detect differences between race/ethnicity groups. Of 9,363 eligible patients (8,142 White, 527 Black, 545 Hispanic, 149 Asian), most (76%–85%) were female. At Visit 1, the mean disease duration ranged from 9.8–11.8 years. Estimated CDAI was significantly higher for Hispanics compared to Whites at Visit 1 (11.1 vs. 9.9; pairwise P = 0.033) and Visit 2 (9.2 vs. 8.0, pairwise P = 0.005). Disease activity improved over the 5-year study period among all race/ethnicity groups, though Hispanics improved less than Whites. Disease activity improved over the 5-year period across all racial/ethnicity groups, and disparities between racial/ethnicity groups in disease activity and functional status did persist over time, suggesting that further effort is needed to understand the drivers of these discrepancies to close this race/ethnicity gap.

Key Points• Disease activity improved over the 5-year period across all racial and ethnic groups.• Disparities between racial and ethnic groups in disease activity and functional status did persist over time, suggesting that further effort is needed to understand the drivers of these discrepancies and close this racial gap.