bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of circulating tumour DNA multi-target mutation testing in plasma: a perspective from an external quality assessment providers’ survey
Authors: Fairley Jennifer A. , Badrick Tony , Denis Marc G. , Dimitrova Lora , Goodall Rebecca , Maas Joerg , Normanno Nicola , Patton Simon J. , Rouleau Etienne , Russo Antonio , Stockley Tracy L. , Deans Zandra C. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDemand for large-scale tumour profiling across cancer types has increased in recent years, driven by the emergence of targeted drug therapies. Analysing alternations in plasma circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) for cancer detection can improve survival; ctDNA testing is recommended when tumour tissue is unavailable. An online survey of molecular pathology testing was circulated by six external quality assessment members of IQN Path to registered laboratories and all IQN Path collaborative corporate members. Data from 275 laboratories across 45 countries were collected; 245 (89%) perform molecular pathology testing, including 177 (64%) which perform plasma ctDNA diagnostic service testing. The most common tests were next-generation sequencing-based (n = 113). Genes with known stratified treatment options, including KRAS (n = 97), NRAS (n = 84), and EGFR (n = 130), were common targets. The uptake of ctDNA plasma testing and plans to implement further testing demonstrates the importance of support from a well-designed EQA scheme.
Immunotherapy with cure potential of multi-drug resistant hematologic malignancies using IL-2 preactivated intentionally mismatched donor lymphocyte
Authors: Slavin Shimon 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Unfortunately, cure of multi-drug resistant (MDR) hematologic malignancies remains an unmet need. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) can sometimes eliminate multi-drug resistant leukemia but at a risk of acute and chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) and procedure-related toxicity. Supported by pre-clinical experiments in animal models, we hypothesized that immunotherapy induced by non-engrafting intentionally mismatched IL-2 activated killers (IMAK) including both T & NK cells could induce safer, faster and much more effective immunotherapy while avoiding the need for SCT and the risks of GVHD.

Methods
IMAK treatment was applied in 33 patients with MDR hematologic malignancies conditioned with cyclophosphamide 1000 mg/m2 based protocol. Haploidentical or unrelated donor lymphocytes were preactivated with IL-2 6000 IU/ml for 4 days. IMAK was combined with Rituximab in 12/23 patients with CD20+ B cells.

Results
A total of 23/33 patients with MDR (4 failing SCT) achieved complete remission (CR). First patient currently 30 years with no further treatment and 6 observed for > 5 years (2 AML; 2 multiple myeloma, 1 ALL & 1 NHL) can be considered cured. No patient developed > grade 3 toxicity or GVHD. No residual male cells were detectable among six females treated with male cells beyond day + 6, confirming that GVHD was prevented by consistent early rejection of donor lymphocytes.

Conclusions
We hypothesize that safe and superior immunotherapy of MDR with cure potential may be accomplished by IMAK, most probably in patients with low tumor burden, but that remains to be confirmed by future clinical trials.
A review on the role of HAND2-AS1 in cancer
Authors: Ghafouri-Fard Soudeh , Hussen Bashdar Mahmud , Abdullah Snur Rasool , Dadyar Maryam , Taheri Mohammad , Kiani Arda 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHAND2 antisense RNA 1 (HAND2-AS1) is a newly recognized lncRNA encoded by a gene on 4q34.1. This lncRNA has 10 exons and is predicted to have a positive effect on expression of certain genes. HAND2-AS1 is mainly considered as a tumor suppressive lncRNA in different tissues. Moreover, HAND2-AS1 has been shown to regulate expression of several targets with possible roles in the carcinogenesis through serving as a sponge for miRNAs. This lncRNA can also influence activity of BMP, TGF-β1, JAK/STAT and PI3K/Akt pathways. Down-regulation of HAND2-AS1 in tumor tissues has been associated with larger tumor size, higher tumor grade, higher chance of metastasis and poor clinical outcome. The present study aims at summarization of the impact of HAND2-AS1 in the carcinogenesis and its potential in cancer diagnosis or prediction of cancer prognosis.
Simplifying capacity planning for electricity systems with hydroelectric and renewable generation
Authors: Yagi Kenjiro , Sioshansi Ramteen 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis work investigates approaches to simplify capacity planning for electricity systems with hydroelectric and renewable generators with three specific foci. First, we examine approaches to represent the efficiency of hydroelectric units. Next, we explore the effects of water-travel times and the representation of run-of-river units within cascaded hydroelectric systems. Third, we analyze the use of representative operating periods to capture electricity-system operations. We conduct these analyses using an archetypal planning models that is applied to the Columbia River system in the northwestern United States of America. We demonstrate that planning models can be simplified significantly, which improves model tractability with little loss of fidelity.
3D magnetic resonance fingerprinting on a low-field 50 mT point-of-care system prototype: evaluation of muscle and lipid relaxation time mapping and comparison with standard techniques
Authors: O’Reilly Thomas , Börnert Peter , Liu Hongyan , Webb Andrew , Koolstra Kirsten 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective
To implement magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) on a permanent magnet 50 mT low-field system deployable as a future point-of-care (POC) unit and explore the quality of the parameter maps.

Materials and methods
3D MRF was implemented on a custom-built Halbach array using a slab-selective spoiled steady-state free precession sequence with 3D Cartesian readout. Undersampled scans were acquired with different MRF flip angle patterns and reconstructed using matrix completion and matched to the simulated dictionary, taking excitation profile and coil ringing into account. MRF relaxation times were compared to that of inversion recovery (IR) and multi-echo spin echo (MESE) experiments in phantom and in vivo. Furthermore, B0 inhomogeneities were encoded in the MRF sequence using an alternating TE pattern, and the estimated map was used to correct for image distortions in the MRF images using a model-based reconstruction.

Results
Phantom relaxation times measured with an optimized MRF sequence for low field were in better agreement with reference techniques than for a standard MRF sequence. In vivo muscle relaxation times measured with MRF were longer than those obtained with an IR sequence (T1: 182 ± 21.5 vs 168 ± 9.89 ms) and with an MESE sequence (T2: 69.8 ± 19.7 vs 46.1 ± 9.65 ms). In vivo lipid MRF relaxation times were also longer compared with IR (T1: 165 ± 15.1 ms vs 127 ± 8.28 ms) and with MESE (T2: 160 ± 15.0 ms vs 124 ± 4.27 ms). Integrated ΔB0 estimation and correction resulted in parameter maps with reduced distortions.

Discussion
It is possible to measure volumetric relaxation times with MRF at 2.5 × 2.5 × 3.0 mm3 resolution in a 13 min scan time on a 50 mT permanent magnet system. The measured MRF relaxation times are longer compared to those measured with reference techniques, especially for T2. This discrepancy can potentially be addressed by hardware, reconstruction and sequence design, but long-term reproducibility needs to be further improved.
Victims as Agents of Accountability: Strengthening Victims’ Right to Review at the International Criminal Court
Authors: Hodgson Natalie 
Published: May 2023

AbstractProviding justice to victims is one of the most important justifications for international criminal justice. At the International Criminal Court, states have sought to respond to victims’ justice interests in a number of ways, including by allowing victim participation in criminal proceedings. However, while victim participation in domestic criminal courts has evolved to include an accountability function enabling victims to challenge decisions not to prosecute, victims are limited in the extent to which they can perform this same accountability function in relation to decisions not to open an investigation at the International Criminal Court. Empowering victims to request review of a decision not to open an investigation not only enhances procedural justice but enables victims to contribute towards the administration of justice more broadly. This article considers how victims could be provided with a strengthened ability to request review of a decision not to open an investigation at the International Criminal Court. The article suggests amending Article 53 of the Rome Statute to enable victims to request judicial review of a decision not to open an investigation and clarifying the process through which victims can seek internal review of a decision not to open an investigation through the Office of the Prosecutor. Doing so would demonstrate the commitment of states, the Prosecutor and the Court to procedural justice for victims, as well as their support for transparent and accountable decision-making processes.
On sign changes of Fourier coefficients of Hermitian cusp forms of degree two
Authors: Nandi Rimpa , Singh Sujeet Kumar , Tiwari Prashant 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWe prove a quantitative result for the number of sign changes of the Fourier coefficients of a Hermitian cusp form of degree 2. In addition, we prove a quantitative result for the number of sign changes of the primitive Fourier coefficients. We give an explicit upper bound for the first sign change of the Fourier coefficients of a Hermitian cusp form of degree 2 over certain imaginary quadratic extensions.
Conceptions of Recovery and Relapse of Severe Mental Illness from the Perspective of Mental Health Personnel in Mexico City
Authors: Gonzalez Veronica Valencia , Rios Jazmín Mora 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study explores recovery from severe mental disorders from the perspective of 89 mental health care professionals working in Mexico City, using a mixed method approach. The participants were recruited and interviewed from mental health and addiction treatment facilities in Mexico City using convenience sampling techniques. Transcribed interviews were coded and analyzed for thematic content regarding recovery and relapse of mental illness. On the quantitative level, we used a sample of 11 items from the Mexican adaptation of the Opinions about Mental Illness questionnaire to compare the attitudes of health personnel and consider differences by gender. Of the respondents, 18% did not believe that recovery was possible for individuals with severe mental disorders, but most believed in recovery in at least some cases. The results also indicated a strong orientation toward recovery in the clinical sense, focused on patients’ symptomatology. There were significant differences in attitudes toward mental illness items by gender. Men showed more favorable attitudes than women (F = 6.60, p = .05). However, the small size of our sample limits the generalizability of the findings. Educational strategies based on social contact with persons with mental health problems could be useful in modifying negative attitudes toward mental illness.
Monogenic Diabetes with GATA6 Mutations: Characterization of a Novel Family and a Comprehensive Analysis of the GATA6 Clinical and Genetics Traits
Authors: Yue Xing , Luo Yaheng , Wang Jing , Huang Debin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMonogenic diabetes caused by GATA6 mutations were almost described as neonatal diabetes, and the phenotypic spectrum has expanded since then. Our study underscores the broad phenotypic spectrum by reporting a de novo GATA6 mutation in a family. Furthermore, we reviewed related literature to summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of monogenic diabetes with GATA6 mutations (n = 39) in order to improve clinicians’ understanding of the disease. We conclude that the GATA6 missense mutation (c. 749G > T, p. Gly250Val) is not reported presently, characterized by adult-onset diabetes with pancreatic dysplasia and located in transcriptional activation region. Carries with GATA6 mutations (n = 55) have a variable spectrum of diabetes, ranging from neonatal (72.7%), childhood-onset (20%) to adults-onset (7.5%). 83.5% of patients with abnormal pancreatic development. Heart and hepatobillary defects are the most common abnormalities of extrapancreatic features. Most mutations with GATA6 are loss of function (LOF, 71.8%) and located in functional region. Functional studies mostly support loss-of-function as the pathophysiological mechanism. In conclusion, there are various types of diabetes with GATA6 mutations, which can also occur in adult diabetes. Phenotypic defects with GATA6 mutations are most frequently malformations of pancreas and heart. This highlights the importance of comprehensive clinical evaluation of identified carriers to evaluate their full phenotypic spectrum.
The Effect of Simvastatin on the Dynamics of NF-κB-Regulated Neurodegenerative and Neuroprotective Processes in the Acute Phase of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Lietzau Grazyna , Sienkiewicz Waldemar , Karwacki Zbigniew , Dziewiątkowski Jerzy , Kaleczyc Jerzy , Kowiański Przemysław 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Statins are lipid-lowering drugs that act by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Animal studies have shown neuroprotective effects of statins in cerebral stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor is involved in the regulation of apoptosis in stroke. Different dimers of NF-κB regulate the gene expression of proteins involved in both neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. We aimed to determine whether simvastatin improves stroke outcome via inhibition of the RelA/p65-containing subunit and downregulation of stroke-induced pro-apoptotic genes or via activation of NF-κB dimers containing the c-Rel subunit and upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes during the acute stroke phase. Eighteen-month-old Wistar rats, subjected to permanent MCAO or sham surgery, were administered simvastatin (20 mg/kg b.w.) or saline for 5 days before the procedure. Stroke outcome was determined by measuring cerebral infarct and assessing motor functions. The expression of NF-κB subunits in various cell populations was investigated using immunofluorescence/confocal microscopy. RelA and c-Rel were detected by WB. The NF-κB-DNA binding activity was investigated using EMSA, and expression of Noxa, Puma, Bcl-2, and Bcl-x genes was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Results showed a 50% infarct size reduction and significant motor function improvement in the simvastatin-treated animals which correlated with a decrease in RelA and a transient increase in the c-Rel level in the nucleus, normalization of the NF-κB-DNA binding activity, and downregulation of the NF-κB-regulated genes. Our results provide new insights into the statin-mediated neuroprotective action against stroke based on NF-κB pathway inhibition.
Comparison of finite element density functional with NWChem results for 18 molecules
Authors: Braun Moritz , Obodo Kingsley Onyebuchi 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMaking use of the code presented in the previous work by Braun et al. (Eur Phys J B 92:230, 2019), finite element density functional calculations have been performed in Cartesian coordinates using the density functional approach for 18 mostly organic molecules, which are acetic acid, ammonia, benzene, butane, carbon-dioxide, ethane, ethanol, fluorine gas, iso-butane, methane, methanol, nitrogen gas, pentane, propane, urea, and water. The resulting total energies and densities were compared with those obtained using the Gaussian basis set package NWChem (Valiev et al. in Comput Phys Commun 181:1477, 2010) for a number of basis sets. We found very good agreement for the total energies and densities of the considered molecules using the two different approaches. This further highlights the success and usefulness of the finite element approach.
Exploring the usability of an internet-based intervention and its providing eHealth platform in an eye-tracking study
Authors: Idrees Abdul Rahman , Kraft Robin , Winter Michael , Küchler Ann-Marie , Baumeister Harald , Reilly Ronan , Reichert Manfred , Pryss Rüdiger 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe proliferation of online eHealth has made it much easier for users to access healthcare services and interventions from the comfort of their own homes. This study looks at how well one such platform—eSano—performs in terms of user experience when delivering mindfulness interventions. In order to assess usability and user experience, several tools such as eye-tracking technology, think-aloud sessions, a system usability scale questionnaire, an application questionnaire, and post-experiment interviews were employed. Participants were evaluated while they accessed the first module of the mindfulness intervention provided by eSano to measure their interaction with the app, and their level of engagement, and to obtain feedback on both the intervention and its overall usability. The results revealed that although users generally rated their experience with the app positively in terms of overall satisfaction, according to data collected through the system usability scale questionnaire, participants rated the first module of the mindfulness intervention as below average. Additionally, eye-tracking data showed that some users skipped long text blocks in favor of answering questions quickly while others spent more than half their time reading them. Henceforth, recommendations were put forward to improve both the usability and persuasiveness of the app—such as incorporating shorter text blocks and more engaging interactive elements—in order to raise adherence rates. Overall findings from this study provide valuable insights into how users interact with the eSano's participant app which can be used as guidelines for the future development of more effective and user-friendly platforms. Moreover, considering these potential improvements will help foster more positive experiences that promote regular engagement with these types of apps; taking into account emotional states and needs that vary across different age groups and abilities.
Financial Inclusion and Income Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Taking Socio-Cultural Particularities into Account
Authors: Atadouanla Segning Beauclair , Fouopi Djiogap Constant , Piabuo Serge Mandiefe , Ngasseu Noupie Elie 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAccording to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, financial inclusion has a crucial role to play in achieving sustainable development goals in this case, reducing inequalities and reducing poverty. Certain cultures can be at the root of financial system imperfections and therefore influence financial inclusion and its effect on income inequality. This work analyzes the effect of financial inclusion on income inequalities in sub-Saharan African countries, taking into account cultural particularities. The data cover the period from 2002 to 2015 and are analyzed by the dynamic panel method generalized method of moments (GMM). Our overall sample is made up of 27 countries of sub-Saharan Africa grouped into 4 sub-groups: countries with predominantly Christian obedience, countries with obedience dominated by Islam, countries with French as the official language, and countries with English as official language. The first two are distinguished by the fact that Islam forbids interest-bearing savings and loans. The latter two have known different colonial systems which have forged their attitude to public life differently. Our results show that financial inclusion contributes to reducing income inequality in all the SSA countries considered, and also in the Christian-dominated and French-speaking countries. We found no effect of financial inclusion in Islamic-dominated and English-speaking countries. Similarly, we found evidence of an inverted U-shaped relationship in all the Sub-Saharan African countries considered and in Christian-dominated countries only. These results suggest on the one hand that the socio-cultural aspect has an influence on the relationship between financial inclusion and income inequality and the other hand that financial inclusion may be essential to reduce income inequality in SSA countries, but that it is important to tailor it taking into account the cultural, religious, political, institutional, and structural specificities of each country’s economy to have even more significant effects. Given this interference of socio-cultural and political factors on financial inclusion and its effect on income inequality, in addition to ensuring an effective regulatory system and a sound institutional framework, financial and public authorities should capitalize on the cultural and religious fiber to raise awareness on the use of financial products and services in order to improve financial access and its effect on wealth redistribution.
Zein nanoparticles as oral carrier for mometasone furoate delivery
Authors: Zimath Priscila , Pinto Soraia , Dias Sofia , Rafacho Alex , Sarmento Bruno 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMometasone furoate (MF) is a synthetic glucocorticoid used clinically to treat specific inflammatory disorders including superior and inferior respiratory tract. Due to its poor bioavailability we further investigated whether nanoparticles (NPs) made of zein protein may constitute a safe and effective choice to incorporate MF. Thus, in this work, we loaded MF into zein NPs aiming to evaluate possible advantages that could result from oral delivery and extend the range of MF application such as inflammatory gut diseases. MF-loaded zein NPs presented an average size in the range of 100 and 135 nm, narrow size distribution (polydispersity index < 0.300), zeta potential of around + 10 mV and association efficiency of MF over 70%. Transmission electron microscopy imaging revealed that NPs had a round shape and presented a smooth surface. The zein NPs showed low MF release in a buffer that mimics the gastric condition (pH = 1.2) and slower and controlled MF release in the intestinal condition (pH = 6.8). The short and intermediate safety of zein NPs was confirmed assessing the incubation against Caco-2 and HT29-MTX intestinal cells up to 24 h. Permeability studies of MF across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-culture monolayer evidenced that zein NPs modulated MF transport across cell monolayer resulting in a stronger and prolonged interaction with mucus, potentially extending the time of absorption and overall local and systemic bioavailability. Overall, zein NPs showed to be suitable to carry MF to the intestine and future studies can be developed to investigate the use of MF-loaded zein NPs to treat intestinal inflammatory diseases.
Graphical abstract