bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU) that Modulates Mitochondrial
Calcium Uptake and Facilitates Endometrial Cancer Progression through
Interaction with VDAC1
Authors: Xiao Hongyan , Ma Lijun , Ding Jie , Wang Honghong , Bi Xiaofang , Tan Fengmei , Piao Wenhua 
Published: September 2023

Background:
Although endometrial cancer represents a frequently diagnosed malignancy
of the female reproductive tract, we know very little about the factors that control endometrial
cancer.

Objective:
Our study was presented to investigate the function of MCU in endometrial tumorigenesis
and the molecular mechanisms involved.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 94 endometrial cancer patients were recruited into our cohort.
MCU and VDAC1 expression was examined in tumor and normal tissues via immunohistochemistry
and immunofluorescence. Associations of MCU and VDAC1 expression with clinicopathological
characteristics were evaluated. After transfection with shRNA targeting MCU or full-length
MCU plasmids, clone formation, wound healing, transwell and MitoTracker Red staining were separately
presented in Ishikawa and RL95-2 cells. Moreover, Western blotting or immunofluorescence
was utilized to examine the expression of MCU, VDAC1, Na+/Ca2+/Li+ exchanger (NCLX),
and β-catenin under VDAC1 knockdown and/or MCU overexpression or knockdown.

Results:
MCU and VDAC1 expression were prominently up-regulated in endometrial cancer tissues
and were significantly associated with histological grade, depth of myometrial invasion and
lymph node status. MCU up-regulation enhanced clone formation, migration, and mitochondrial activity
of endometrial cancer cells. The opposite results were investigated when MCU was silenced.
MCU or VDAC1 silencing reduced the expression of MCU, VDAC1, NCLX, and β-catenin. Moreover,
VDAC1 knockdown alleviated the promoting effect of MCU overexpression on the above
proteins.

Conclusion:
This investigation demonstrated that MCU-induced mitochondrial calcium uptake
plays a critical role in endometrial tumorigenesis through interaction with VDAC1.
Inhibitory Pedunculopontine Neurons Gate Dopamine-Mediated Motor
Actions of Unsigned Valence
Authors: Zhang Sirin , Mena-Segovia Juan , Gut Nadine K. 
Published: September 2023

Background:
The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) maintains a bidirectional connectivity
with the basal ganglia that supports their shared roles in the selection and execution of motor actions.
Previous studies identified a role for PPN neurons in goal-directed behavior, but the cellular substrates
underlying this function have not been elucidated. We recently revealed the existence of a monosynaptic
GABAergic input from the PPN that inhibits dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra. Activation
of this pathway interferes with the execution of learned motor sequences when the actions are rewarded,
even though the inhibition of dopamine neurons did not shift the value of the action, hence suggesting
executive control over the gating of behavior.

Objective:
To test the attributes of the inhibition of dopamine neurons by the PPN in the context of
goal-directed behavior regardless of whether the outcome is positive or negative.

Methods:
We delivered optogenetic stimulation to PPN GABAergic axon terminals in the substantia
nigra during a battery of behavioral tasks with positive and negative valence.

Results:
Inhibition of dopamine neurons by PPN optogenetic activation during an appetitive task impaired
the initiation and overall execution of the behavioral sequence without affecting the consumption
of reward. During an active avoidance task, the same activation impaired the ability of mice to
avoid a foot shock, but their escape response was unaffected. In addition, responses to potential threats
were significantly attenuated.

Conclusion:
Our results show that PPN GABAergic neurons modulate learned, goal-directed behavior
of unsigned valence without affecting overall motor behavior.
Biological Drugs for the Treatment of Uncontrolled Severe Asthma in
Children
Authors: Indolfi Cristiana , Klain Angela , Bencivenga Chiara Lucia , D'Addio Elisabetta , Dinardo Giulio , Decimo Alberto , del Giudice Michele Miraglia 
Published: September 2023

Abstract:
The introduction of biological drugs for the treatment of severe allergic asthma in chil-
dren, almost twenty years ago, had a substantial impact on both the pathology's clinical course and
the quality of life of the patients who receive treatment. Over the years, several molecules have
been developed that inhibit molecular targets involved in the pathogenesis of the asthmatic disease.
Biological drugs demonstrate a significant improvement in several key clinical parameters in patients with severe asthma. In this review, we provide a concise summary of the evidence on biological therapy for children and adolescents with severe asthma.
Amelioration of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Plant-derived Natural
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors through Incretin Degradation Lowering
Effect: An Updated Review
Authors: Kishan Hari , Choudhary Manjusha , Sharma Sachin , Kaur Bamrah Prabhjeet , Choudhary Nitesh 
Published: September 2023

Abstract:
Glucagon-like peptide-1 and Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides are the most investigated gut peptides concerned with the biological glucose milieu. Early and late metabolism of incretin governs glucose homeostasis in diabetes mellitus. Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4, present in pancreatic alpha cells, is responsible for incretin degradation. Emerging biotechnological and molecular approaches established the pathophysiological role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 and incretin in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thus, various conventional synthetic Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors have been formulated, but they have serious adverse effects such as cancer, pancreatitis, cardiovascular risks, hepatic dysfunctions, etc. So, the concoction of a Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitor entity with less or no severe adverse event becomes a need for society and medical corridor. Over the last two decades, natural or conventional herbal remedies have emerged as an alternate therapy for diabetes and treating its complications. This review summarized various plants (Emblica officinalis, Adenia viridiflora, Cleome droserifolia, Lens culinaris, Hedera nepalensis Melicope glabra, etc.) Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors, which have been preclinically proven for hyperglycemia treatment.
Metal-based Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Kumbhar Popat , Patil Onkar , Karade Preeti , Bhokare Rajdeep , Gupta Gaurav , Singh Sachin Kumar , Dua Kamal , Disouza John , Patravale Vandana 
Published: September 2023

Abstract:
Infectious diseases caused by different pathogens are responsible for high mortality across the globe. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) of microorganisms towards different antibiotics has posed a great challenge in treating infectious diseases efficiently. The metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) have demonstrated great promise in treating infectious diseases because of their inherent antimicrobial potential. Besides, these NPs show site-specific delivery of antibiotic therapeutics, thereby minimizing dose, dose frequency, and side effects. Further, the synergistic effect of MNPs with an antibiotic can reduce the MDR. However, the fabrication of MNPs using an apt fabrication technique with proper control of charge, size, and morphology is highly required to achieve better therapeutic performance. This review focuses on MNPs as a potential avenue to treat infectious diseases. The role of MNPs in combating MDR, different sorts of MNPs, and their fabrication techniques are discussed. Furthermore, assorted types of MNPs employed in antibiotic delivery to treat infectious diseases are discussed with manifold case studies. In short, MNPs alone or as a carrier of antibiotics seems to be an effective strategy in wiping out infectious diseases.
Availability, Quality, and Evidence-Based Content of mHealth Apps for the Treatment of Nonspecific Low Back Pain in the German Language: Systematic Assessment
Authors: Ulrich Lauro , Thies Phillip , Schwarz Annika 
Published: September 2023

Background
Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) carries significant socioeconomic relevance and leads to substantial difficulties for those who are affected by it. The effectiveness of app-based treatments has been confirmed, and clinicians are recommended to use such interventions. As 88.8% of the German population uses smartphones, apps could support therapy. The available apps in mobile app stores are poorly regulated, and their quality can vary. Overviews of the availability and quality of mobile apps for Australia, Great Britain, and Spain have been compiled, but this has not yet been done for Germany.

Objective
We aimed to provide an overview of the availability and content-related quality of apps for the treatment of NSLBP in the German language.

Methods
A systematic search for apps on iOS and Android was conducted on July 6, 2022, in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined before the search. Apps in the German language that were available in both stores were eligible. To check for evidence, the apps found were assessed using checklists based on the German national guideline for NSLBP and the British equivalent of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The quality of the apps was measured using the Mobile Application Rating Scale. To control potential inaccuracies, a second reviewer resurveyed the outcomes for 30% (3/8) of the apps and checked the inclusion and exclusion criteria for these apps. The outcomes, measured using the assessment tools, are presented in tables with descriptive statistics. Furthermore, the characteristics of the included apps were summarized.

Results
In total, 8 apps were included for assessment. Features provided with different frequencies were exercise tracking of prefabricated or adaptable workout programs, educational aspects, artificial intelligence–based therapy or workout programs, and motion detection. All apps met some recommendations by the German national guideline and used forms of exercises as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline. The mean value of items rated as “Yes” was 5.75 (SD 2.71) out of 16. The best-rated app received an answer of “Yes” for 11 items. The mean Mobile Application Rating Scale quality score was 3.61 (SD 0.55). The highest mean score was obtained in “Section B–Functionality” (mean 3.81, SD 0.54).

Conclusions
Available apps in the German language meet guideline recommendations and are mostly of acceptable or good quality. Their use as a therapy supplement could help promote the implementation of home-based exercise protocols. A new assessment tool to obtain ratings on apps for the treatment of NSLBP, combining aspects of quality and evidence-based best practices, could be useful.

Trial Registration
Open Science Framework Registries sq435; https://osf.io/sq435
The National Football League and traumatic brain injury: blood-based evaluation at the game
Authors: Rauchman Steven H , Placantonakis Dimitris G , Reiss Allison B 
Published: September 2023

Tweetable abstract #brain #injury in the #football #player - we need better #diagnosis and #prevention. #view our #latest #publication in the #journal Concussion @futuresciencegp on @thegame #Blood test #biomarker #innovation #safety @NFL
WHAT DO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT ENGLISH MEDIUM INSTRUCTION UNIVERSITIES TELL US ABOUT EAP COURSES?
Authors: Bayram İlknur , Canaran Özlem , Demirkol Tuba 
Published: September 2023

This study aims to understand whether EMI students considered EAP courses as helpful in promoting their academic achievement and to unearth their ideas about the qualities of an ideal EAP course. Data were collected from 563 undergraduate students enrolled at three EMI universities in Turkey. Results indicated that students found EAP courses effective in enabling them to improve their academic skills, academic language and content knowledge, and personal benefits. However, students expressed their dissatisfaction with EAP course designs and their improvement level of speaking, vocabulary, reading and writing. EMI students suggest that an ideal EAP course should be conducted 2 or 3 hours a week either by a faculty or English instructors. The expectations that EMI students mentioned in this study point at the need for a skill-based EAP course design for which they also pinpointed several essential sub-skills to be covered. The study concludes with a discussion of challenges encountered by EMI students and some recommendations for the improvement of EAP courses.
Fact and Opinion
Authors: Hutchins Debby , Kelley David 
Published: September 2023

Our goal is to analyze the distinction between factual statements and opinions from a philosophical—specifically an epistemological—perspective. Section 1 reviews the most common criteria for drawing the distinction, which while inadequate, as explained in Section 2, still plays an important cultural and political role. In Section 3, we argue that the difference between factual statements and opinions does not involve a single criterion. Instead, the conceptual structure of the terms ‘fact’ and ‘opinion’ is analogous to that of natural kinds—terms with multiple dimensions. We expect that improved theory will lead to improvements in pedagogy, decision-making, and public discourse. But these consequences are not our chief focus.
Managers’ Stock Price Incentives and Earnings Management Using Tax Expense
Authors: Beardsley Erik L. , Kara Mehmet C. , Weaver Connie D. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT
This study examines the association between stock price incentives (portfolio delta) and earnings management using tax expense, as well as whether this association varies with opportunities to manage earnings. Prior research suggests stock price incentives provide a positive “reward effect” and a negative “risk effect,” causing managers to trade off these countervailing effects when managing earnings. We posit that greater opportunities to manage earnings alter the risk-reward tradeoff related to portfolio delta, potentially changing the association between stock price incentives and earnings management. We do not find a significant association between stock price incentives and earnings management using tax expense on average. However, the association is positive and significant when tax-related earnings management opportunities are sufficiently high, consistent with opportunities mitigating the risk effect of delta. Collectively, our results suggest that managers respond to stock price incentives differently depending on their opportunity sets.
Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text.
The Benefit of Amniotic Membrane as A Surgical Wound Dressing for Post Cesarean Section
Authors: Setiawan William Alexander , Sanjaya I Nyoman Hariyasa , Suardika Anom , Widiyanti Endang Sri , Prilaksana Kalimantara Putu Ngurah Aeland 
Published: September 2023

The amniotic membrane is a layer that directly covers the amniotic cavity derived from trophoblast cells with various types of pluripotent cells so that it has clinical potential. This membrane is essential for intrauterine fetal growth and development. The amniotic membrane has been widely studied to have various functions, one of which is in the process of wound healing, both acute and chronic. One type of acute wound that begins to use the amniotic membrane as a dressing material is a cesarean section wound. In cesarean section, there is an acute wound due to the incision of the abdominal wall and uterus. The process of wound healing, especially in the epithelial part, is the same as other acute wound healing, which consists of the process of migration, proliferation and cross-linking between cells in the epithelium. In general, the amniotic membrane has clinical potential, especially in wound healing. This relates to the various substrates and the molecules contained therein. In some clinical studies also found a positive effect on wound healing. However, specifically discussing its clinical effectiveness in caesarean section wounds is still limited. Therefore, in this literature, we will discuss the use of the amniotic membranes in wound healing for cesarean sections.
Las prácticas de enseñanza con tecnologías y las culturas de la enseñanza. La implementación del modelo 1 a 1 por docentes de Matemáticas del Ciclo Superior de Escuela Secundaria
Authors: Cenich Gabriela 
Published: September 2023

Esta tesis aborda la problemática de la integración de las tecnologías digitales en el modelo 1 a 1 promovidas por el Plan Conectar Igualdad en escuelas secundarias de la provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina). En este contexto de alta disposición tecnológica nos planteamos estudiar los cambios y continuidades en las prácticas de enseñanza de los docentes de Matemática de la Escuela Secundaria del ciclo superior de cuatro escuelas secundarias de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Desde una visión integradora, focalizamos nuestro estudio en dos dimensiones principales: las prácticas de enseñanza con tecnologías y las culturas de trabajo en las que los docentes desarrollan dichas prácticas. Nos preocupa comprender desde la perspectiva de los profesores las implicancias que este proceso de innovación significa en sus prácticas docentes, entendidas en un sentido restringido como las intervenciones de enseñanza propias en la situación real del aula y en un sentido más amplio como los desafíos contextualizados en ambientes sociales e institucionales.
La investigación aporta a la Tecnología Educativa conocimientos acerca de la integración de tecnologías en las prácticas docentes de matemáticas en el marco de las culturas de la enseñanza. Se distinguen las siguientes contribuciones: la construcción de un sistema de categorías que define aspectos principales para estudiar la integración de tecnologías en las prácticas de enseñanza de matemáticas, la caracterización de las prácticas de enseñanza desde aspectos tecnológicos, pedagógicos y de contenido y la identificación de rasgos generales comunes que resultan clave en los procesos de innovación de la enseñanza con tecnologías. Por último, se reflexiona acerca de las prácticas de enseñanza con tecnologías en la pandemia por Covid-19 y la apertura de líneas de investigación futuras a partir de las conclusiones de la presente tesis.
Prevalence of COPD in Patients with Lung Cancer
Authors: Mekov E. , Yanev N. , Kurtelova N. , Mihalova T. , Yankov G. , Yamakova Y. , Petkov R. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs worldwide. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and is the leading cause of cancer mortality, accounting for almost 25% of all cancer deaths. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of COPD in patients with lung cancer (LC).

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study. Consecutive patients with suspected LC in a respiratory clinic were studied. The method of verification of the lung abnormalities (fibrobronchoscopy and/or transthoracic biopsy) was performed. Postbronchodilator spirometry was performed. An FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7 was diagnostic for the presence of COPD. The association between the presence of COPD and LC with other routine tests (laboratory tests, blood gas analysis, CT) was also analyzed.

Results: A total of 65 patients with verified LC were included. 48.4% of the LC patients in this study had COPD. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of COPD in the different subgroups of non-small cell cancer: unspecified non-small cell cancer – 62.5%, squamous cell cancer – 50%, adenocarcinoma – 45.8% (p = 0.33). Patients with COPD and LC had lower FEV1 (56.9 vs. 70.5%, p = 0.01) but not FVC (71.6 vs. 74.6%, p = 0.67). The presence of COPD in LC patients was associated with lower leukocytes (8.8 vs. 11.3 x109, p = 0.018). Squamous cell cancer was associated with a higher number of leukocytes compared to adenocarcinoma (11.0 vs. 8.4 x109, p = 0.026), although smoking showed no clear association with histology.

Conclusion: Nearly half (48.4%) of the patients with LC also had COPD.
Esophageal Tumor Length – An Underestimated Predictor of Survival After Esophageal Cancer Resection
Authors: Dzhendov T. , Sopotenski S. , Vrachanski D. , Tchervenyakov A. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Introduction. Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive visceral tumors with increasing frequency and poor prognosis. Differences in survival between patients in the same clinical tumor stage necessitate searching for additional prognostic markers to help identify patients at high risk of recurrence, metastasis or death. The aim of the study was to assess prognostic significance of tumor length on survival after esophageal cancer resection in patients operated at a center for esophageal surgery.

Materials and methods. This was a prospective cohort study including 117 patients who had undergone surgical resection with curative intent for esophageal cancer. The study was conducted at the First Surgical Clinic of UMHATEM “N. I. Pirogov”, Sofia, Bulgaria. The inclusion period was between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2015 and the patients were followed – up until 10 April 2022. The patients were divided into two groups according to the tumor length – under 3 cm (group 1) and over 3 cm (group 2). The prognostic impact of tumor length on survival was analyzed with Cox regression analysis. Overall survival was presented by the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests.

Results. The 5-year survival rate was 11.1%. Median survival rate was 26.0 months (95% CI 18.3-33.7 months) for the patients in the first group and 13.0 months (95% CI 10.3-15.7 months) for the second group patients. Tumor length over 3 cm was a negative prognostic factor (HR 2.36 95% CI 1.06-5.25; p = 0,03).

Conclusion. Length of esophageal cancer is a powerful independent predictor of survival in addition to the TNM stage.
Solving the generalized equal width wave equation via sextic B-spline collocation technique
Authors: Nasir Muhammad , Jabeen Shamoona , Afzal Farkhanda , Zafar Aqib 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
This article applies the sextic B-spline collocation scheme to obtain the approximate solution of the generalized equal width (GEW) wave equation. The accuracy of the proposed technique is discussed over three test applications including the single soliton wave, interaction of soliton waves and Maxwellian initial problem while we are getting the three invariant A
1, A
2, A
3 and two error norms referred as to L
2 and L

∞
. Applying the Von Neumann algorithm, the linearized technique is unconditionally stable. Our computational data show the superiority of results over those existing results in the literature review.