bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Contracting with Intermediation: Operational, Governance, and Financial Engineering
Authors: GRYGLEWICZ SEBASTIAN , MAYER SIMON 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACTPrivate equity funds intermediate investment and affect portfolio firm performance by actively engaging in operational, governance, and financial engineering. We study this type of intermediation in a dynamic agency model in which an active intermediary raises funds from outside investors and invests in a firm run by an agent. Optimal contracting addresses moral hazard at the intermediary and firm levels. The intermediary's incentives to affect firm performance are strongest after poor performance, while the agent's incentives are strongest after good performance. We also show how financial engineering, that is, financial contracting with outside investors, interacts with operational and governance engineering.
Consistency of inconsistency in long‐COVID‐19 pain symptoms persistency: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kerzhner Oleg , Berla Einat , Har‐Even Meirav , Ratmansky Motti , Goor‐Aryeh Itay 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIntroductionIndividuals recovering from acute COVID‐19 episodes may continue to suffer from various ongoing symptoms, collectively referred to as Long‐COVID. Long‐term pain symptoms are amongst the most common and clinically significant symptoms to be reported for this post‐COVID‐19 syndrome.ObjectivesThis systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the proportions of persisting pain symptoms experienced by individuals past the acute phase of COVID‐19 and to identify their associated functional consequences and inflammatory correlates.MethodsTwo online databases were systematically searched from their inception until 31 March 2022. We searched primary research articles in English, which evaluated individuals after laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 acute phase resolution and specifically reported on pain symptoms and their inflammatory and/or functional outcomes.ResultsOf the 611 identified articles, 26 were included, used for data extraction, and assessed for their methodological quality and risk of bias by two independent reviewers. Pain symptoms were grouped under one of six major pain domains, serving as our primary co‐outcomes. Proportional meta‐analyses of pooled logit‐transformed values of single proportions were performed using the random‐effects‐restricted maximum‐likelihood model. An estimated 8%, 6%, 18%, 18%, 17%, and 12% of individuals continued to report the persistence of chest, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal joint, musculoskeletal muscle, general body, and nervous system‐related pain symptoms, respectively, for up to one year after acute phase resolution of COVID‐19. Considerable levels of heterogeneity were demonstrated across all results. Functional and quality‐of‐life impairments and some inflammatory biomarker elevations were associated with the persistence of long‐COVID pain symptoms.ConclusionThis study's findings suggest that although not well characterized, long‐COVID pain symptoms are being experienced by non‐negligible proportions of those recovering from acute COVID‐19 episodes, thus highlighting the importance of future research efforts to focus on this aspect.
Telomerase Upregulation Induces Progression of Mouse BrafV600E-Driven Thyroid Cancers and Triggers Nontelomeric Effects
Authors: Landa Iñigo , Thornton Caitlin E.M. , Xu Bin , Haase Jacob , Krishnamoorthy Gnana P. , Hao Jingzhu , Knauf Jeffrey A. , Herbert Zachary T. , Martínez Paula , Blasco María A. , Ghossein Ronald , Fagin James A. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Mutations in the promoter of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene are the paradigm of a cross-cancer alteration in a noncoding region. TERT promoter mutations (TPM) are biomarkers of poor prognosis in cancer, including thyroid tumors. TPMs enhance TERT transcription, which is otherwise silenced in adult tissues, thus reactivating a bona fide oncoprotein. To study TERT deregulation and its downstream consequences, we generated a Tert mutant promoter mouse model via CRISPR/Cas9 engineering of the murine equivalent locus (Tert−123C&gt;T) and crossed it with thyroid-specific BrafV600E-mutant mice. We also employed an alternative model of Tert overexpression (K5-Tert). Whereas all BrafV600E animals developed well-differentiated papillary thyroid tumors, 29% and 36% of BrafV600E+Tert−123C&gt;T and BrafV600E+K5-Tert mice progressed to poorly differentiated cancers at week 20, respectively. Tert-upregulated tumors showed increased mitosis and necrosis in areas of solid growth, and older animals displayed anaplastic-like features, that is, spindle cells and macrophage infiltration. Murine TPM increased Tert transcription in vitro and in vivo, but temporal and intratumoral heterogeneity was observed. RNA-sequencing of thyroid tumor cells showed that processes other than the canonical Tert-mediated telomere maintenance role operate in these specimens. Pathway analysis showed that MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling, as well as processes not previously associated with this tumor etiology, involving cytokine, and chemokine signaling, were overactivated. These models constitute useful preclinical tools to understand the cell-autonomous and microenvironment-related consequences of Tert-mediated progression in advanced thyroid cancers and other aggressive tumors carrying TPMs.

Implications:
Telomerase-driven cancer progression activates pathways that can be dissected and perhaps therapeutically exploited.
From Ethnic Hatred to Religious Solidarity: The Rise and Fall of Russophobia in Greece, 1830–1924
Authors: Vovchenko Denis 
Published: July 2023

After being dominant in the first two-thirds of the nineteenth century, the expectation of fellow Orthodox Russian saviours was then muted by the fears of Russian expansion but was never completely erased from the public discourse and popular memory. If ethnonationalism gradually sidelined religious identification among the educated, geopolitical changes brought it back to the fore. Subject to such contingencies, this kind of reversal does not support the accepted notion of the unstoppable disintegration of pre-modern religious communities into national ones. After the Crimean War, the obsession with the Panslav threat increasingly prevailed in educated society and influenced Greek policymakers who often sought to ally their kingdom with England and even the Ottoman Empire. The Russians and their Bulgarian agents came to be seen as implacable barbarian aggressors. But just before and during the First World War, the Ottoman Turks became the main national enemy again, as in the early 1800s. The Russian revolutions of 1917 also helped Greek elites discover another common foe – radical socialism. As a result, Greek-Russian ethnic tensions diminished – while World War I certainly created new ethnic hatreds it also healed some old ones. From 1918 at least until the abolition of Greek monarchy in 1924 significant numbers of Russian émigrés did not suffer from Russophobia. As such, this article contributes to the study of national indifference and of the effects of the Great War in Eastern Europe. The article is based on Greek and Russian archival sources as well as on the unique pamphlet collection of the Gennadios Library in Athens.
Evaluation of a Novel Hospice-Specific Patient Decision Aid
Authors: Tate Channing E. , Mami Gwendolyn , McNulty Monica , Rinehart Deborah J. , Yasui Robin , Rondinelli Nicole , Treem Jonathan , Fairclough Diane , Matlock Daniel D. 
Published: July 2023

Background: We tested a novel hospice-specific patient decision aid to determine whether the decision aid could improve hospice knowledge, opinions of hospice, and decision self-efficacy in making decisions about hospice. Methods: Two patient-level randomized studies were conducted using two different cohorts. Recruitment was completed from March 2019 through May 2020. Cohort #1 was recruited from an academic hospital and a safety-net hospital and Cohort #2 was recruited from community members. Participants were randomized to review a hospice-specific patient decision aid. The primary outcomes were change in hospice knowledge, hospice beliefs and attitudes, and decision self-efficacy Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to evaluate differences on the primary outcomes between baseline and 1-month. Participants: Participants were at least 65 years of age. A total of 266 participants enrolled (131 in Cohort #1 and 135 in Cohort #2). Participants were randomized to the intervention group (n = 156) or control group (n = 109). The sample was 74% (n = 197) female, 58% (n = 156) African American and mean age was 74.9. Results: Improvements in hospice knowledge between baseline and 1-month were observed in both the intervention and the control groups with no differences between groups (.43 vs .275 points, P = .823). There were no observed differences between groups on Hospice Beliefs and Attitudes scale (3.29 vs 3.08, P = .076). In contrast, Decision Self-Efficacy improved in both groups and the effect of the intervention was significant (8.04 vs 2.90, P = −.027). Conclusions: The intervention demonstrated significant improvements in decision self-efficacy but not in hospice knowledge or hospice beliefs and attitudes.
Not Just Another Trigger Finger
Authors: Effendi Maleeh , Yuan Frank , Stern Peter J. 
Published: July 2023

Background: Open A1 pulley release for trigger finger has generally been considered a minor procedure with infrequent complications. Most reported complications are minor, including scar pain and tenderness, mild extension lag, and recurrence of triggering. Rates of major complications, such as bowstringing, neurovascular bundle injury, and infection requiring reoperation, are less than 1% to 4%. We aimed to describe the potentially devastating sequelae of these major complications and the subsequent consequences. Methods: Three patients underwent open trigger finger release, which were all complicated by severe postoperative surgical site infection requiring multiple subsequent procedures. We review our initial management, subsequent reconstructive options, and outcomes with up to 19 years follow-up. Results: All 3 adult patients who underwent open A1 pulley release for trigger finger developed a surgical site infection, leading to flexor tenosynovitis requiring urgent operative debridement and multiple subsequent procedures. Two patients were poorly controlled diabetics, and the third patient was otherwise healthy. Each patient ultimately developed distinct consequences from their postoperative course—finger stiffness and contracture, disabling bowstringing requiring the use of a pulley ring, and flexor tendon rupture requiring staged tendon reconstruction, respectively. All 3 patients at final follow-up had a permanent functional deficit. Conclusions: Major complications after trigger finger release are infrequent. However, if left untreated, particularly in diabetic patients, there can be disastrous consequences, resulting in permanent loss of function. This case series highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis of postoperative infections and expedient treatment thereafter.
BMP5 contributes to hepcidin regulation and systemic iron homeostasis in mice
Authors: Xiao Xia , Xu Yang , Moschetta Gillian A. , Yu Yang , Fisher Allison L. , Alfaro-Magallanes Víctor M. , McMillen Shasta , Phillips Sydney , Wang Chia-Yu , Christian Jan , Babitt Jodie L. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Hepcidin is the master regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway is a critical regulator of hepcidin expression in response to iron and erythropoietic drive. Although endothelial-derived BMP6 and BMP2 ligands have key functional roles as endogenous hepcidin regulators, both iron and erythropoietic drives still regulate hepcidin in mice lacking either or both ligands. Here, we used mice with an inactivating Bmp5 mutation (Bmp5se), either alone or together with a global or endothelial Bmp6 knockout, to investigate the functional role of BMP5 in hepcidin and systemic iron homeostasis regulation. We showed that Bmp5se-mutant mice exhibit hepcidin deficiency at age 10 days, blunted hepcidin induction in response to oral iron gavage, and mild liver iron loading when fed on a low- or high-iron diet. Loss of 1 or 2 functional Bmp5 alleles also leads to increased iron loading in Bmp6-heterozygous mice and more profound hemochromatosis in global or endothelial Bmp6-knockout mice. Moreover, double Bmp5- and Bmp6-mutant mice fail to induce hepcidin in response to long-term dietary iron loading. Finally, erythroferrone binds directly to BMP5 and inhibits BMP5 induction of hepcidin in vitro. Although erythropoietin suppresses hepcidin in Bmp5se-mutant mice, it fails to suppress hepcidin in double Bmp5- and Bmp6-mutant males. Together, these data demonstrate that BMP5 plays a functional role in hepcidin and iron homeostasis regulation, particularly under conditions in which BMP6 is limited.
Metabolic bioprofiling of different Glycyrrhiza glabra solvent fractions for the identification of anti-adenoviral compounds using LC-HRMS/MS and in-vitro cytopathic assay coupled with chemometry
Authors: Mahrous Rahma SR. , Fathy Hoda , Ibrahim Reham S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractHuman adenovirus type-7 (HAdV-7) is a common pathogen that may cause significant morbidity as well as severe complications. Currently, there is no approved drug for the treatment of HAdV-7 infections and the contemporary strategy mainly rely on nonspecific antivirals. Glycyrrhiza glabra; (licorice), is a well-recognized edible plant used in food and beverages. The plant is renowned for its pharmacological and biological activities including antiviral activities against wide range of viruses. The following study reported for the first time the anti-adenoviral activity of licorice extract using in-vitro cytopathic inhibitory assay. Different solvent fractions showed promising activity with IC50 reaching 1.431 μg/ml. Certain fractions had selectivity index (SI) greater than 10 indicating their efficacy together with relatively low cytotoxic effect. Metabolic profiling using LC-HRMS/MS resulted in identification of 41 compounds from licorice fractions. Chemometric modeling using Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures (OPLS) suggested the compounds; kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, violanthin, rhamnoliquiritin, isoliquiritigenin isomer, licoagroside B and liquiritin apioside as potential markers against (HAdV-7). Finally, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside was further confirmed via in-vitro adenovirus inhibitory assay to possess strong antiviral activity with IC50 and CC50 of 54.7 ± 1.93 μM and 655.7 ± 2.22 μM, respectively.
Efficacy of transarterial therapy combined with first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Lingbo , Lin Jiangying , Shi Xingpeng , Wang Aidong 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Transarterial therapies, including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), and selective internal radiation therapy, combined with first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are considered the standard therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. However, inconsistent results have been reported in various studies assessing different combinations of targeted agents.

Methods
A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed by including 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 6175 patients to investigate the efficiency of transarterial therapies in combination with different TKIs. Outcomes of interest included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), and tumor objective response rate (ORR). A random-effects consistency model was used in this Bayesian NMA. Hazard ratio and odd risks with a 95% credible interval were calculated and agents were ranked based on ranking probability.

Results
HAIC showed maximal OS and TTP and TACE plus lenvatinib showed maximal PFS, ORR, and disease control rate (DCR). HAIC and TACE plus lenvatinib were ranked highest based on their respective parameters, which were OS for HAIC and PFS, ORR, and DCR for TACE plus lenvatinib.

Conclusion
HAIC and TACE plus lenvatinib were relatively better choice for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. However, owing to the lack of statistically significant OS benefits among most agents, other agents should be considered as potential alternatives for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
Role of tRNA-derived small RNAs(tsRNAs) in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumours
Authors: Mao Mingwen , Chen Weina , Huang Xingbiao , Ye Dong 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMalignant tumours area leading cause of death globally, accounting for approximately 13% of all deaths. A detailed understanding of the mechanism(s) of the occurrence and development of malignant tumours and identification of relevant therapeutic targets are therefore key to tumour treatment. tsRNAs(tRNA-derived small RNAs)—also known as TRFs (tRNA-derived fragments), tiRNAs (tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs), tRNA halves, etc.—are a recently identified class of small noncoding RNAs that are generated from mature tRNA or tRNA precursors through cleavage by enzymes such as angiogenin, Dicer, RNase Z, and RNase P. Several studies have confirmed that dysregulation of tsRNAs is closely related to the tumorigenesis of breast cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, lung cancer, and so on. Furthermore, research indicates that tsRNAs can be used as clinical diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for cancer. In our review, we summarized the recent research progress on the role and clinical application of tsRNAs in tumorigenesis and progression.
Comparison of ultrasound-guided and palpation-inserted peripheral venous cannula in -patients before primary hip or knee arthroplasty: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hlasny Jakub , Alberty Roman , Hlavac Marian , Grgac Ivan , Grey Michael Teodor , Venglarcik Michal 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
More than 2 billion peripheral vascular cannulas are introduced globally each year. It is the most frequently performed invasive procedure in medicine worldwide. There is a group of patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA). In experts’ hands, ultrasound-guided vascular access appears to be a significantly better method. Investigators hypothesize that UGVA is superior also in short-term patency of cannula and even for blood draw through cannula. Repeated cannula pricks in the operating room setting not only puts a lot of stress on the patient and medical staff, but they also waste OR time.

Methods
This investigator-initiated prospective randomized monocentric controlled trial is designed to randomly allocate 200 patients undergoing elective primary total joint arthroplasty of hip or knee to one of two groups as follows: Group C (control group) – peripheral venous cannula insertion by palpation or Group USG (intervention) – cannula insertion by ultrasound-guided vascular access. Our primary endpoint is to compare the number of attempts for ultrasound-guided insertion of the peripheral venous cannula with common palpation insertion of the peripheral venous cannula in overweight/obese patients (BMI ≥ 25). The secondary endpoint is a failure rate of the peripheral venous cannula to administer intravenous therapy up to 5 days postoperatively. Tertiary endpoints include a portion of long PVCs that are able to ensure blood draw up to 5 days postoperatively, time needed to insert PVC in each group, number of needle tip redirections in both groups, and reinsertion of PVC needed in both groups for any reason.

Discussion
This study is pragmatic and is looking for clinically relevant data. After completion, it will answer the question of whether it is clinically relevant to use ultrasound-guided vascular access in the context of not only short-term benefit of insertion, but also up to 5 days after insertion. Also, if this method can ensure blood draw through a peripheral vein cannula, it can save resources in the perioperative period — valuable especially considering the ongoing shortage of medical staff worldwide. If this hypothesis is confirmed, this finding could contribute to more widespread implementation of ultrasound-guided peripheral vascular access in the perioperative period.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05156008. Registered on 13.12.2021.
Allometric models for above-ground biomass, carbon and nutrient content of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees in agroforestry systems
Authors: Schindler Zoe , Seifert Thomas , Sheppard Jonathan P. , Morhart Christopher 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Key message
We provide a set of allometric models for wild cherry trees (Prunus avium L.) established in agroforestry systems. A total of 70 trees in southwestern Germany were surveyed using terrestrial laser scanning and analysed using quantitative structure models. The derived allometric models provide a stable base for biomass estimation in comparable agroforestry systems. Our biomass model, based on volume estimates converted to biomass, shows no significant differences to a previous study in the same region on the same species, although it was conducted on agroforestry trees under a different management regime.

Context
Wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a common tree species in agroforestry systems (AFS). Utilised for either fruit production or for high-value timber production, it is a highly relevant species, yet even basic allometric models are lacking.

Aims
The aim of this study was to develop a set of allometric models for wild cherry trees in AFS. Within this context, we present an innovative non-destructive approach to estimate bark and wood volume separately by applying bark thickness models to 3D models of trees. To assess model applicability to different AFS, we compared our allometric model for above-ground biomass with a previous biomass model for wild cherry trees under different management in the same region.

Methods
Wild cherry trees (n = 70) located within AFS in southern Germany were scanned with a terrestrial laser scanner. Quantitative structure models were used to derive tree dimensions and above-ground volume per tree. Using additional auxiliary data, the target variables were derived, and corresponding allometric models were fitted.

Results
The allometric models estimating above-ground volume, oven-dry biomass, carbon content and nutrient content based on diameter at breast height (DBH) showed excellent fits (R2adj ≥ 0.97). The comparisons with a similar study conducted in the same region suggested that management practices such as pruning have only a minor influence on the relationship between DBH and above-ground tree biomass. The nutrient content in the trees decreased in the order Ca > N > K > Mg > P.

Conclusions
The derived allometric models provide valuable information on this important agroforestry tree species. Our findings can both inform management practices in AFS and advance ecological understanding of these systems. Future research should focus on developing allometric models for other tree species relevant to AFS.