bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective phase II trial of the dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor vistusertib for progressive or symptomatic meningiomas in persons with neurofibromatosis 2
Authors: Jordan Justin T , Orr Christina C , Thalheimer Raquel D , Cambillo Josephine V , Beauchamp Roberta L , Shaikh Ghalib , Muzikansky Alona , Stemmer-Rachamimov Anat , Giovannini Marco , Kalamarides Michel , Barker Fred G , Ramesh Vijaya , Plotkin Scott R 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background
Meningiomas occur in 80% of persons with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) and cause significant mortality and morbidity, yet there are no effective medical treatments. NF2-deficient tumors have constitutive activation of mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and treatment with mTORC1 inhibitors results in growth arrest in a minority of tumors, with paradoxical activation of the mTORC2/AKT pathway. We studied the effect of vistusertib, a dual mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibitor, in NF2 patients with progressive or symptomatic meningiomas.

Methods
Vistusertib was administered orally at 125 mg twice daily for 2 consecutive days each week. The primary endpoint was the imaging response in the target meningioma, defined as a volume decrease of 20% compared with the baseline. Secondary endpoints included toxicity, imaging response of nontarget tumors, quality of life, and genetic biomarkers.

Results
Eighteen participants (13 female), median age of 41 (range, 18–61) years, were enrolled. In target meningiomas, the best response was partial response (PR) in 1/18 tumors (6%) and stable disease (SD) in 17/18 tumors (94%). For all measured intracranial meningiomas and vestibular schwannomas, the best imaging response was PR in 6/59 tumors (10%) and SD in 53 (90%). Treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 14 (78%) participants, and 9 participants discontinued treatment due to side effects.

Conclusions
Although the study did not meet the primary endpoint, vistusertib treatment was associated with high rates of SD in progressive NF2-related tumors. However, this dosing regimen for vistusertib was poorly tolerated. Future studies of dual mTORC inhibitors for NF2 should focus on optimizing tolerability and evaluating the relevance of tumor stability in participants.
Queer Performativity
Authors: Milani Tommaso M. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to present and re-read Judith Butler’s well-known performativity theory. The main argument advanced here is that, even though Butler’s work is widely viewed as instigating the field of queer studies, it is perhaps time to revisit performativity in order to queer it. The act of queering should be understood in the context of this chapter in two ways. First, it entails going against the sociolinguistic grain and troubling the linguistic core of performativity in a way that engages with “aspects of experience and reality that do not present themselves in propositional or even in verbal form” (Sedgwick 2003: 6), such as affect, embodiment, and the materiality of the built environment. The embodied and affective aspects of performativity are illustrated with the help of examples from gender and sexual activism in Israel, which show how multi-semiotic and sensory meanings are performatively brought into being in order to stake political claims. Second, queering performativity entails questioning the antinormative mantra encoded in the very notion of queer. This requires going back to a performative utterance par excellence—“I do” in wedding ceremonies—in order open up an uneasy self-reflection about (anti)normativity in queer scholarship.
Astrometric VLBI observations of H2O masers in an extreme OH/IR star candidate NSV 17351
Authors: Nakagawa Akiharu , Morita Atsushi , Sakai Nobuyuki , Kurayama Tomoharu , Sudou Hiroshi , Orosz Gabor , Yuda Akito , Kaseda Daichi , Matsuno Masako , Hamada Shota , Omodaka Toshihiro , Ueno Yuji , Shibata Katsunori M , Tamura Yoshiaki , Jike Takaaki , Hirano Ken , Honma Mareki 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The results of astrometric very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations toward an extreme OH/IR star candidate NSV 17351 are presented. Using the VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry) VLBI array , we observed 22 GHz H2O masers of NSV 17351 and derived an annual parallax of 0.247 ± 0.035 mas, which corresponds to a distance of 4.05 ± 0.59 kpc, from the observation. By averaging proper motions of 15 maser spots further, we determined the systemic proper motion of NSV 17351 to be (μαcos δ, μδ)avg. = (−1.19 ± 0.11, 1.30 ± 0.19) mas yr−1. The maser spots spread out over a region of 20 × 30 mas, which can be converted to a spatial distribution of ∼80 × 120 au at the source distance. Internal motions of the maser spots suggest an outward-moving maser region with respect to the estimated position of the central star. From single-dish monitoring of the H2O maser emission, we estimate the pulsation period of NSV 17351 to be 1122 ± 24 d. This is the first report of the periodic activity of NSV 17351, indicating that NSV 17351 could have a mass of ∼4 M⊙. We confirmed that the time variation of H2O masers can be used as a period estimator of variable OH/IR stars. Furthermore, by inspecting dozens of double-peaked H2O maser spectra for the last 40 years, we discovered the long-term acceleration in the radial velocity of the circumstellar matter to be 0.17 ± 0.03 km s−1 yr−1. We finally determined the position and kinematics in the Milky Way Galaxy and found that NSV 17351 is located in an interarm region between the Outer and Perseus arms. We note that the astrometric VLBI observation toward extreme OH/IR stars shows us a useful sample of the Galactic dynamics.
Organization, genomic targeting, and assembly of three distinct SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Fu Wei , Yu Yaoguang , Shu Jie , Yu Zewang , Zhong Yixiong , Zhu Tao , Zhang Zhihao , Liang Zhenwei , Cui Yuhai , Chen Chen , Li Chenlong 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Switch defective/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complexes are evolutionarily conserved multisubunit machines that play vital roles in chromatin architecture regulation for modulating gene expression via sliding or ejection of nucleosomes in eukaryotes. In plants, perturbations of SWI/SNF subunits often result in severe developmental disorders. However, the subunit composition, pathways of assembly, and genomic targeting of the plant SWI/SNF complexes are poorly understood. Here, we report the organization, genomic targeting, and assembly of 3 distinct SWI/SNF complexes in Arabidopsis thaliana: BRAHMA-Associated SWI/SNF complexes (BAS), SPLAYED-Associated SWI/SNF complexes (SAS), and MINUSCULE-Associated SWI/SNF complexes (MAS). We show that BAS complexes are equivalent to human ncBAF, whereas SAS and MAS complexes evolve in multiple subunits unique to plants, suggesting plant-specific functional evolution of SWI/SNF complexes. We further show overlapping and specific genomic targeting of the 3 plant SWI/SNF complexes on chromatin and reveal that SAS complexes are necessary for the correct genomic localization of the BAS complexes. Finally, we define the role of the core module subunit in the assembly of plant SWI/SNF complexes and highlight that ATPase module subunit is required for global complex stability and the interaction of core module subunits in Arabidopsis SAS and BAS complexes. Together, our work highlights the divergence of SWI/SNF chromatin remodelers during eukaryote evolution and provides a comprehensive landscape for understanding plant SWI/SNF complex organization, assembly, genomic targeting, and function.
Complexity and regulation of age-dependent alternative splicing in Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Shen Yuxin , Qin Zhengrui , Ren Gaojie , Deng Pingchuan , Ji Wanquan , Jiao Chen , Wu Liang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a gene regulatory mechanism that generates multiple transcripts of the same gene precursor by the spliceosome complex, promoting messenger RNA complexity, and proteome diversity. Although AS is extensively studied in response to environmental stresses, whether it mediates age-dependent development and how it is adjusted by growth transitions are largely unknown. Here, we comprehensively explored the AS landscape at different developmental stages in the grass model plant Brachypodium (Brachypodium distachyon). We identified abundant coding genes and noncoding transcripts subject to dynamic AS regulation during juvenile, adult, and reproductive transitions. Moreover, we revealed that SC35-LIKE SPLICING FACTOR 33 (SCL33), a serine/arginine-rich splicing factor in spliceosomes, plays a redundant and antagonistic role with its putative paralog, SCL33L, in regulating intron assembly across distinct developmental stages. In addition, we determined global AS variations in microRNA156 (miR156)-overproducing plants, in which growth transitions are delayed, and found that SPLs were regulated by miR156 in intron retention alteration in addition to mRNA clearance and translation inhibition manners. Finally, we demonstrated a complex regulatory process of age-dependent AS events in B. distachyon that was coincidently or separately regulated by miR156 and SCL33/SCL33L. These results illustrate a substantial machinery of AS that mediates phase transitions in plants.
Does presentation matter? An analysis of images and text in a choice experiment of green roofs
Authors: Netusil Noelwah R , Dissanayake Sahan T M , Lavelle Lauren , Ando Amy W , Wells Kaylee K 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The use of images in choice experiment surveys has been increasing over time. Research on the impact of complex graphical displays of information on respondent comprehension and the quality of preference estimates yields mixed results. We contribute to this literature by leveraging a split-sample design for a choice experiment concerning green roofs in Portland, Oregon, to investigate the effects of including high-quality static images in the survey instrument and in the choice cards. We find that respondents who completed the ‘image’ version of our survey had a significantly higher total willingness to pay (TWTP) to support a new green roof program than respondents who completed the ‘text only’ version of the survey. We explore the relationship between respondent characteristics and TWTP and find that respondents with little knowledge about green roofs who completed the image survey have a TWTP that is over three times larger than text survey respondents. Our findings support the trend in the literature of using images in choice experiments but also highlight the importance of paying attention to image quality in survey design, using focus groups with mixed previous knowledge for survey refinement, and gathering information in surveys themselves about respondents’ prior knowledge about the valuation scenario.
Growth and growth curve analysis in Dorper × Tumele crossbred sheep under a smallholder management system
Authors: Deribe Belay , Tesema Zeleke , Lakew Mesfin , Zegeye Asres , Kefale Alemu , Shibesh Mekonnen , Yizengaw Liuel , Belayneh Negus 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the growth performance and Kleiber ratio (KR) and to determine the growth curve of Dorper × Tumele sheep under a smallholder management system. Growth and efficiency-related traits were analyzed by using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS. Gompertz, Logistics, Brody, Monomolecular, and Negative exponential models were used to determine the growth curve, and growth curve parameters were estimated via the nonlinear regression model (NLIN) procedure of SAS. The overall least-squares means of the birth weight, weaning weight, 6-month weight, and yearling weight were 3.29, 13.7, 17.3, and 23.4 kg, respectively. Dorper × Tumele lambs grew faster during the preweaning period (115.3 ± 1.19 g day−1) than during the postweaning periods (44.1 ± 1.26 g day−1 to 33.5 ± 1.13 g day−1). Likewise, a higher KR was observed during the pre-weaning age (16.1 ± 0.08 g/day/kg0.75) than during postweaning periods (5.08 ± 0.13 g/day/kg0.75 to 3.10 ± 0.09 g/day/kg0.75). Brody, a model without an inflection point was the best-fitted growth function for Dorper × Tumele sheep under a smallholder management system. The highest and lowest asymptotic weight was observed for Brody (23.8 ± 0.22 kg) and Logistics (20.7 ± 0.11 kg) models, respectively. The maturation rate ranged between 0.21 (Brody) and 0.66 (Logistics). Based on the Brody model, the correlation between asymptotic weight and maturity rate was −0.92. The growth parameter estimate in this study indicates that Dorper × indigenous sheep had a better speed to achieve mature weight and the early mature crossbred sheep are less likely to exhibit high adult weight. The rapid growth of crossbred sheep during the early period can provide more profit to the farmer by reducing the cost of sheep production inputs. Therefore, crossing Tumele with Dorper sheep and integrating with improved management would be suggested to improve productivity and profit from sheep production.
Susceptibility to Nocebo Hyperalgesia, Dispositional Optimism, and Trait Anxiety as Predictors of Nocebo Hyperalgesia Reduction
Authors: Karacaoglu Merve , Meijer Simone , Peerdeman Kaya J. , Dusseldorp Elise , Jensen Karin B. , Veldhuijzen Dieuwke S. , van Middendorp Henriët , Evers Andrea W.M. 
Published: April 2023

Objectives:
The current paper explores the psychological predictors of nocebo hyperalgesia and whether the reduction of nocebo hyperalgesia can be predicted by susceptibility to nocebo hyperalgesia and psychological characteristics.

Methods:
Nocebo effects on pressure pain were first experimentally induced in 83 healthy female participants through conditioning with open-label instructions about the pain-worsening function of a sham TENS device to assess susceptibility to nocebo hyperalgesia. Participants were then randomized to 1 out of 2 nocebo-reduction conditions (counterconditioning/extinction) or to continued nocebo-conditioning (control), each combined with open-label instructions about the new sham device function. Dispositional optimism, trait and state anxiety, pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, and body vigilance were assessed at baseline.

Results:
The results showed that lower optimism and higher trait anxiety were related to a stronger induction of nocebo hyperalgesia. Moreover, a stronger induction of nocebo hyperalgesia and higher trait anxiety predicted a larger nocebo reduction across interventions. Also, nocebo hyperalgesia and optimism moderated the effects of the nocebo-reduction interventions, whereby larger nocebo hyperalgesia and lower optimism were associated with a larger nocebo reduction after counterconditioning, compared with control, and also extinction for larger nocebo hyperalgesia.

Discussion:
Our findings suggest that open-label conditioning leads to stronger nocebo hyperalgesia when trait anxiety is high and dispositional optimism is low, while these psychological characteristics, along with larger nocebo hyperalgesia, also predict open-label counterconditioning to be an effective nocebo-reduction strategy. Susceptibility to nocebo hyperalgesia, trait anxiety, and dispositional optimism might be indicators of a flexible pain regulatory system.
Distribution and associated factors of crystalline lens volume in noncataract adolescents and adults and patients with cataract in a Chinese population
Authors: Chen Kailin , Ruan Xiaoting , Gu Xiaoxun , Zhang Miao , Liu Zhenzhen , Luo Lixia 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
To explore the distribution of lens volume (VOL) and its associated factors in noncataract adolescents and adults and patients with cataract in a Chinese population.

Setting:
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Design:
Cross-sectional study.

Methods:
1674 eyes from 1674 Chinese participants (690 adolescents and 363 adults without cataract, and 621 patients with cataract) aged from 7 to 90 years were included. Lens thickness (LT) and lens diameter (LD) were measured using swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-AS OCT) to calculate VOL. Axial length (AL) was measured by IOL-Master 700. Pearson correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression models were used to evaluate the potential associated factors of lens dimensions.

Results:
The mean VOL was 167.74 ± 12.18 mm3 in noncataract adolescents, 185.20 ± 14.95 mm3 in noncataract adults, and 226.10 ± 49.25 mm3 in patients with cataract. VOL had no significant correlation with AL in patients with cataract (P > .05), neither in noncataract adolescents nor noncataract adults, when adjusted with LT, LD, age, and sex (P > .05). On the other hand, eyes with longer ALs tended to have smaller LTs and larger LDs in all groups (all P-trend < .05). Larger VOL was associated with older age in all groups (all P < .001).

Conclusions:
A data set of VOLs in Chinese eyes over a wide age range was presented. It is inaccurate to predict VOL, LT, and LD solely according to AL. The direct measurement and calculation of VOL in vivo and the establishment of the normal range of VOL could help predict the size of lens capsular bag and plan cataract surgery.
Upregulation of REL and WSB1 in patients with psoriasis and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Alsabbagh Manahel Mahmood , Bakhiet Moiz , Taha Safa 
Published: April 2023

Objective:
A strong association exists between metabolic syndrome and psoriasis. The current study was performed to explore the gene regulation of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis.

Methods:
Patients were assessed for psoriasis and metabolic syndrome clinically (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure) and biochemically (lipid profile and fasting blood sugar concentration). Systemic gene regulation was first explored by microarray and analyzed using Transcriptome Analysis Console Software, after which two selected upregulated genes were further validated using polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed using independent sample t test.

Results:
The analysis showed 7,269 upregulated and 3 downregulated genes at a fold change of 2 and P value of <0.05; only 17 genes were upregulated and none were downregulated at a fold change of 8 and P value of <0.005. Comparison with 22 previously reported potential biomarkers of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis showed that the levels of 16 biomarkers aligned with the gene regulation observed in the current study. In particular, the REL transcript was upregulated 12-fold (P = 8.16 × 10−17), while the WSB1 transcript was upregulated 9-fold (P = 9.87 × 10−13). Validation showed that REL was also upregulated 2-fold in the polymerase chain reaction, and its protein was expressed at 7.140 ng/mL versus undetectable levels in the cases (P = 0.048). However, WSB1 was upregulated 2-fold in the polymerase chain reaction compared with controls, and unexpectedly, its protein was undetectable in cases but detectable in controls (P = 0.018).

Conclusion:
The upregulation of REL and WSB1 was observed in patients with psoriasis and metabolic syndrome, the clinical application of REL and WSB1 as biomarkers needs further validation for potential future implications in clinical practice.
Development and Validation of a New Comprehensive Assessment Scale of HIV-Related Psychological Distress in China: A Methodological Study
Authors: Ma Haiqi , Hu Zhiguang , Wang Zhongqing , Ma Yue , Zhai Huimin , Li Juan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Instruments evaluating HIV-related psychological distress (HRPD) in people living with HIV may lack sensitivity to capture patients' psychological burden. We developed a comprehensive scale measuring HRPD and evaluated its psychometric properties. A mixed-method study was conducted from July 2021 to April 2022; it involved a literature review, semistructured interviews (n = 15), three rounds of panel discussions, two rounds of Delphi studies (n = 20), a pilot test (n = 20) to generate new scale items, and a cross-sectional survey (n = 659) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the HIV-related psychological distress scale. The scale contains 22 items across 4 subscales (i.e., disease-related distress, treatment adherence distress, identity distress, and disclosure distress). The confirmatory factor analysis revealed high goodness of fit (χ2/df = 2.412, comparative fit index = 0.916, incremental fit index = 0.917, and Tucker‒Lewis index = 0.902), showing that the HIV-related psychological distress scale is a reliable (Cronbach's α = 0.871 overall) and valid scale for evaluating HRPD in China and can be used to dynamically evaluate and monitor HRPD levels during patient follow-up.
A National Perspective of Telemedicine Use and Direct Medical Costs
Authors: Tak Hyo Jung , Cozad Melanie , Horner Ronnie D. 
Published: April 2023

Background:
Telemedicine has the potential to reduce medical costs among health systems. However, there is a limited understanding of the use of telemedicine and its association with direct medical costs.

Objectives:
Using nationally representative data, we investigated telemedicine use and the associated direct medical costs among respondents overall and stratified by medical provider type and patient insurance status.

Research Design, Subjects, and Measures:
We used the 2020 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey full-year consolidated file, and outpatient department (OP) and office-based (OB) medical provider event files. Outcomes included total and out-of-pocket costs per visit for OP and OB. The primary independent variable was a binary variable indicating visits made through any telemedicine modality. We used multivariable generalized linear models and 2-part models, adjusting for types of providers and care, patient characteristics, and survey design.

Results:
Among total OP (n = 2938) and OB (n = 20,204) visits, 47.6% and 24.7% of visits, respectively were made through telemedicine. For OP, telemedicine visits were associated with lower total costs (average marginal effect: −$228; 95% confidence interval −$362, −$95) and out-of-pocket costs for all visits and for visits to specialists and to nurse practitioners or physicians assistants. For OB, telemedicine visits were associated with lower total costs, but not with lower out-of-pocket costs, for visits to primary care physicians or nurse practitioners or physician assistants, and for visits by Medicare patients.

Conclusion:
Telemedicine was associated with lower direct medical costs. Its potential for cost curbing should be proactively identified and integrated into clinical practice and health policy design.