bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment with decitabine induces the expression of stemness markers, PD-L1 and NY-ESO-1 in colorectal cancer: potential for combined chemoimmunotherapy
Authors: Taib Nassiba , Merhi Maysaloun , Inchakalody Varghese , Mestiri Sarra , Hydrose Shereena , Makni-Maalej Karama , Raza Afsheen , Sahir Fairooz , Azizi Fouad , Nizamuddin Parveen B. , Fernandes Queenie , Yoosuf Zeenath Safira K. M. , Almoghrabi Salam , Al-Zaidan Lobna , Shablak Alaaeldin , Uddin Shahab , Maccalli Cristina , Al Homsi Mohammed Ussama , Dermime Said 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
The mechanism of tumor immune escape and progression in colorectal cancer (CRC) is widely investigated in-vitro to help understand and identify agents that might play a crucial role in response to treatment and improve the overall survival of CRC patients. Several mechanisms of immune escape and tumor progression, including expression of stemness markers, inactivation of immunoregulatory genes by methylation, and epigenetic silencing, have been reported in CRC, indicating the potential of demethylating agents as anti-cancer drugs. Of these, a chemotherapeutic demethylating agent, Decitabine (DAC), has been reported to induce a dual effect on both DNA demethylation and histone changes leading to an increased expression of target biomarkers, thus making it an attractive anti-tumorigenic drug.

Methods
We compared the effect of DAC in primary 1076 Col and metastatic 1872 Col cell lines isolated and generated from patients’ tumor tissues. Both cell lines were treated with DAC, and the expression of the NY-ESO-1 cancer-testis antigen, the PD-L1 immunoinhibitory marker, and the CD44, Nanog, KLF-4, CD133, MSI-1 stemness markers were analyzed using different molecular and immunological assays.

Results
DAC treatment significantly upregulated stemness markers in both primary 1076 Col and meta-static 1872 Col cell lines, although a lower effect occurred on the latter: CD44 (7.85 fold; ***p = 0.0001 vs. (4.19 fold; *p = 0.0120), Nanog (4.1 fold; ***p < 0.0001 vs.1.69 fold; ***p = 0.0008), KLF-4 (4.33 fold; ***p < 0.0001 vs.2.48 fold; ***p = 0.0005), CD133 (16.77 fold; ***p = 0.0003 vs.6.36 fold; *p = 0.0166), and MSI-1 (2.33 fold; ***p = 0.0003 vs.2.3 fold; ***p = 0.0004), respectively. Interestingly, in the metastatic 1872 Col cells treated with DAC, the expression of both PD-L1 and NY-ESO-1 was increased tenfold (*p = 0.0128) and fivefold (***p < 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions
We conclude that the upregulation of both stemness and immune checkpoint markers by DAC treatment on CRC cells might represent a mechanism of immune evasion. In addition, induction of NY-ESO-1 may represent an immuno-therapeutic option in metastatic CRC patients. Finally, the combination of DAC and anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 antibodies treatment should represent a potential therapeutic intervention for this group of patients.
A policy implementation study of earmarked taxes for mental health services: study protocol
Authors: Purtle Jonathan , Stadnick Nicole A. , Wynecoop Megan , Bruns Eric J. , Crane Margaret E. , Aarons Gregory 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Insufficient funding is frequently identified as a critical barrier to the implementation and sustainment of evidence-based practices (EBPs). Thus, increasing access to funding is recognized as an implementation strategy. Policies that create earmarked taxes—defined as taxes for which revenue can only be spent on specific activities—are an increasingly common mental health financing strategy that could improve the reach of EBPs. This project’s specific aims are to (1) identify all jurisdictions in the USA that have implemented earmarked taxes for mental health and catalogue information about tax design; (2) characterize experiences implementing earmarked taxes among local (e.g., county, city) mental health agency leaders and other government and community organization officials and assess their perceptions of the acceptability and feasibility of different types of policy implementation strategies; and (3) develop a framework to guide effect earmarked tax designs, inform the selection of implementation strategies, and disseminate the framework to policy audiences.

Methods
The project uses the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework to inform data collection about the determinants and processes of tax implementation and Leeman’s typology of implementation strategies to examine the acceptability and feasibility strategies which could support earmarked tax policy implementation. A legal mapping will be conducted to achieve aim 1. To achieve aim 2, a survey will be conducted of 300 local mental health agency leaders and other government and community organization officials involved with the implementation of earmarked taxes for mental health. The survey will be followed by approximately 50 interviews with these officials. To achieve aim 3, quantitative and qualitative data will be integrated through a systematic framework development and dissemination process.

Discussion
This exploratory policy implementation process study will build the evidence base for outer-context implementation determinants and strategies by focusing on policies that earmarked taxes for mental health services.
Dimensional crossover of Fermi polaron in quasi-low-dimensional traps
Authors: Shi Y.-R. , Wang Y.-R. , Gao K.-Y. , Zhang W. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
We study the polaron problem of an impurity immersed in the background of a Fermi sea confined in one-dimensional or two-dimensional isotropic traps. By changing the trapping potential from loose to tight, a dimensional crossover from anisotropically trapped three-dimensional to quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) or quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) configurations is investigated by calculating the ground-state energy in a wide range of interaction strength. We adopt a low-dimensional effective Hamiltonian in the form of a two-channel model, where the excited levels in the confined directions are described phenomenologically by a dressed molecule, and use the variational approach up to one pair of particle-hole fluctuations to calculate the energies of polaron and molecule states. We map out the phase diagrams for both quasi-1D and quasi-2D configurations and different mass ratios, and conclude that the polaron phase is preferable with tighter confinement and lighter impurity mass in lower dimensions. We also find that owing to the significant population of excited levels by strong interaction, a strictly low-dimensional system with all particles residing in the ground state of the trap can never work when study polaron-molecule transition, even in the tightly confined limit. This discrepancy has been observed in an experiment of quasi-2D gases of 40K atoms and is well explained by our calculation.
Bethesda III and IV Thyroid Nodules Managed Nonoperatively After Molecular Testing With Afirma GSC or Thyroseq v3
Authors: Kim Na Eun , Raghunathan Rajam S , Hughes Elena G , Longstaff Xochitl R , Tseng Chi-Hong , Li Shanpeng , Cheung Dianne S , Gofnung Yaroslav A , Famini Pouyan , Wu James X , Yeh Michael W , Livhits Masha J 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Context
Molecular testing has improved risk stratification and increased nonoperative management for patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules, but data on the long-term outcomes of current molecular tests Afirma Gene Sequencing Classifier (GSC) and Thyroseq v3 are limited.

Objective
To determine the rate of delayed operation and the false negative rate of the Afirma GSC and Thyroseq v3 in Bethesda III and IV thyroid nodules.

Methods
Prospective follow-up of a single center, randomized, clinical trial comparing the performance of Afirma GSC and Thyroseq v3 in the diagnosis of indeterminate thyroid nodules at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Consecutive participants who underwent thyroid biopsy in the UCLA health system with Bethesda III and IV cytology from August 2017 to November 2019. The main outcome measure was false negative rate of molecular testing.

Results
Of 176 indeterminate nodules with negative or benign molecular test results, 14 (8%) nodules underwent immediate resection, with no malignancies found on surgical pathology. Nonoperative management with active surveillance was pursued for 162 (92%) nodules with benign or negative test results. The median surveillance was 34 months (range 12-60 months), and 44 patients were lost to follow-up. Of 15 nodules resected during surveillance, 1 malignancy was found (overall false negative rate of 0.6%). This was a 2.7 cm minimally invasive Hurthle cell carcinoma that initially tested negative with Thyroseq v3 and underwent delayed resection due to sonographic growth during surveillance.

Conclusions
The majority of Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules with negative or benign molecular test results are stable over 3 years of follow-up. These findings support the high sensitivity of current molecular tests and their role in ruling out malignancy in indeterminate thyroid nodules.
Central Sensitivity to Free Triiodothyronine With MAFLD and Its Progression to Liver Fibrosis in Euthyroid Adults
Authors: Wan Heng , Yu Genfeng , Xu Sirong , Chen Xingying , Jiang Yuqi , Duan Hualin , Lin Xu , Ma Qintao , Wang Dongmei , Liang Yongqian , Liu Lan , Shen Jie 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Context
Impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormones has been demonstrated to be positively associated with the prevalence of metabolic disorders. However, the relationship between sensitivity to thyroid hormones and metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and liver fibrosis remained unclear.

Objective
We aimed to determine the associations of thyroid hormone sensitivity indices with MAFLD and its progression to liver fibrosis in Chinese euthyroid adults.

Methods
This community-based study included 7906 euthyroid adults. We calculated the thyroid sensitivity indices, including free triiodothyronine to free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) ratio, Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index by FT4 (TFQIFT4), and Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index by FT3 (TFQIFT3), indicating peripheral and central thyroid hormone sensitivity respectively. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were diagnosed by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE). Multivariable logistic/linear regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were conducted.

Results
Compared with participants in the first quartile (Q1), the prevalence of MAFLD was increased by 62% in the fourth quartile (Q4) of FT3/FT4 ratio (OR 1.62; 95% CI [1.38, 1.91]) and by 40% in Q4 of TFQIFT3 (OR 1.40; 95% CI [1.18, 1.65]) (both P &lt; .05). No associations between TFQIFT4 and the prevalence of MAFLD were found. In addition, compared with participants in Q1, the prevalence of liver fibrosis was increased by 45% in Q4 of TFQIFT3 (OR 1.45; 95% CI [1.03, 2.06]) (P &lt; .05) in participants with MAFLD.

Conclusion
Impaired central sensitivity to FT3 was associated with MAFLD and its progression to liver fibrosis. More prospective and mechanism studies are warranted to confirm these conclusions.
Optical fluorescent sensor based on perovskite QDs for nitric oxide gas detection
Authors: Kumar Divyanshu , Mesin Rispandi , Chu Cheng-Shane 
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a new, to the best of our knowledge, optical fluorescent sensor for the sensing of nitric oxide (NO) gas is developed. The optical NO sensor based on CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) is coated on the surface of filter paper. The CsPbBr3 PQD sensing material can be excited with a UV LED of a central wavelength at 380 nm, and the optical sensor has been tested in regard to monitoring different NO concentrations from 0–1000 ppm. The sensitivity of the optical NO sensor is represented in terms of the ratio IN2/I1000ppmNO, where IN2 and I1000ppmNO represent the detected fluorescence intensities in pure nitrogen and 1000 ppm NO environments, respectively. The experimental results show that the optical NO sensor has a sensitivity of 6. In addition, the response time was 26 s when switching from pure nitrogen to 1000 ppm NO and 117 s when switching from 1000 ppm NO to pure nitrogen. Finally, the optical sensor may open a new approach for the sensing of the NO concentration in the harsh reacting environmental applications.
Leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative for Green Investments: The Case of Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmad Zaker , Hoque Sanjana 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Despite there being a well-documented need, as well as opportunity, to enhance foreign direct investment (‘FDI’) inflow to climate-friendly (‘green’) economic activities in Bangladesh, the reality portrays a stark contrast. Nowhere is it more obvious than the evolving investment relationship between China and Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Originally under the rubric of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor, and later under the garb of the BRI, Chinese investments in Bangladesh have predominantly ended up in fossil fuel-based sectors. Even after the advent and expansion of the ‘green BRI’ initiative, reality has not changed much. This article offers an assessment of investment inflows from China to Bangladesh under the BRI umbrella against the backdrop of a growing green investment trend and the existing applicable legal framework. It finds that key legal and policy challenges that prevent leveraging of the BRI for green investment into Bangladesh include: an uncoordinated approach from the government, a disregard for the role of economic policy instruments for climate action, and politically motivated, as well as path-dependent decision-making with respect to investment promotion. This paper suggests that ambitious climate commitments combining economic policy tools, along with a more integrative and holistic domestic approach to climate action and investment promotion, can help shift the status quo.
Fabrication, property characterization, and benefit analysis of mixing mechanism of nitrogen and melt, and its comparison of the porous-foam polypropylene injection molding parts
Authors: Huang Po-Wie , Peng Hsin-Shu 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
In this study, an injection molding machine with a mixing mechanism of nitrogen (N2) and melt was designed, and the melt-fill/porous-foaming behavior is observed under the novel barrel design (plasticizing stage) of the gas/melt mixing for the porous injection molded thermoplastic. The thermoplastic employed in this study was polypropylene (PP), and the gas for forming the porous structure is N2. In addition, a thickness of 5 mm and a width of 10 mm paper-clip shape and the mold were constructed for studying the melt-fill-length and fill-length ratio through an experiment. The experimental results showed that the use of an injection molding machine with a mixing mechanism of N2 and melt decreased the melt-fill-length when the N2-output pressure was increased. The reason is that when the gas output, the speed of the screw will be affected. Therefore, during the gas/melt mixing and the plasticization rate will also affect the volume of the foam and the melt. But during plasticizing setting back pressure, can improve its melt volume reduction. When passing through the mixing mechanism and the injected melt, the melt is filled into the mold cavity, and the pressure in the melt is released/porous-foaming grows. At the same time, when the output pressure increases, the amount of melt in the injection barrel will decrease, and its relative porous structure/density distribution will increase. In addition, the mixing/flow direction of the melt impacted the density distribution and dispersion of porous foaming, thus the sample weight/shrinkage of melt-fill-length test sample (Mfl-ts) was improved.
Analysis of the Number of Tests, the Positivity Rate and Their Dependency Structure During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jamshidi Babak , Bekrizadeh Hakim , Jamshidi Zargaran Shahriar , Rezaei Mansour 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Recent advances in medical instruments, information technology, and unprecedented data sharing allowed scientists to investigate, trace, and monitor the COVID-19 pandemic faster than any previous outbreak. This extraordinary speed makes COVID-19 a medical revolution that causes some unprecedented analyses, discussions, and models. Modeling the dependence between the number of tests and the positivity rate is one of these new issues. Using four classes of copulas (Clayton, Frank, Gumbel, and FGM), this study is the first attempt tom model the dependency. The estimation of the parameters of the copulas is obtained using the maximum likelihood method. To evaluate the goodness of fit of the copulas, we calculate AIC. The computations are conducted on Matlab R2015b, R 4.0.3, Maple 2018a, and EasyFit 5.6. Findings indicate that at the beginning of a typical epidemic, the number of tests is relatively low and the proportion of positivity is high. As time passes, the number of tests increases, and the positivity rate decreases. The epidemic peaks are occasions that violate the stated general rule –due to the early growth of the number of tests. Also, during both peak and non-peak times, the rising number of tests is accompanied by decreasing the positivity rate. We find that the proportion of positivity is more proportional than the number of tests to the number of infected cases. Therefore, the changes in the positivity rate can be considered a representative of the level of the spreading. Approaching zero positivity rate is a good criterion to scale the success of a healthcare system in fighting against an epidemic. Accordingly, the number and accuracy of tests can play a vital role in the quality level of epidemic data.
Analysis of sperm separation protocols for isolating cryopreserved human spermatozoa
Authors: Hungerford Alena J , Bakos Hassan W , Aitken Robert J 
Published: March 2023

Graphical abstract

Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation is a valuable tool for the long-term preservation of male fertility. Thus, determining the optimal technique for isolating spermatozoa post-thaw is vital to ensure recovery of the highest quality spermatozoa with minimal iatrogenic damage. This not only enhances the chances of successful conception but also reduces the risk of genetic damage in the embryo. To address this issue, human semen samples were cryopreserved using a slow freezing protocol and Quinn's Advantage™ Sperm Freeze medium. The samples were subsequently thawed and subjected to three types of sperm isolation procedures: direct swim-up, density gradient centrifugation, and electrophoretic separation using the Felix™ device. Cryopreservation led to the anticipated loss of sperm motility and vitality in association with increases in lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Following sperm selection, all three isolation techniques resulted in an increase in sperm motility which was particularly evident with the swim-up and Felix™ procedures. The latter also significantly improved sperm vitality. There were no differences between sperm separation techniques with respect to morphology, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation remained essentially unchanged when cell vitality was taken into account. By contrast, major differences were observed in DNA integrity and lipid aldehyde formation, where Felix™ isolated cells exhibiting significantly less DNA damage than the other isolation procedures as well as lower levels of 4-hydroxynonenal formation. Electrophoretic sperm isolation, therefore, offers significant advantages over alternative separation strategies, in terms of the quality of the gametes isolated and the time taken to achieve the isolation.

Lay Summary
Long-term storage of sperm is vital to assisted reproductive technology because it permits the preservation of fertility that might be compromised as a result of factors such as chemotherapy or vasectomy. This goal can be achieved via cryopreservation – the freezing of cells to −196°C. When the sperm are subsequently required for conception, they must be carefully separated from the cryopreservation medium in a manner that maximizes the chances of successful conception and minimizes the risk of genetic defects in the offspring. In this paper, three isolation techniques were compared for their ability to separate ideal sperm from semen and media following cryopreservation. It was found that cryopreservation led to lower levels of motility and vitality and created higher levels of DNA and cell membrane damage. Of the three techniques compared, only cells separated on the basis of their size and electric charge (electrophoretic isolation) exhibited significantly lower levels of DNA fragmentation.
Disruption of CSF2RA in the bovine preimplantation embryo reduces development and affects embryonic gene expression in utero
Authors: Sosa Froylan , Uh Kyungjun , Drum Jéssica N , Stoecklein Katy S , Davenport Kimberly M , Sofia Ortega M , Lee Kiho , Hansen Peter J 
Published: March 2023

The hypothesis that colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) plays a role in the preimplantation development of the bovine embryo was tested by evaluating consequences of inactivation of CSF2RA (the functional receptor in the embryo) for the development of embryos in utero. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to alter sequences on exon 5 and intron 5 of CSF2RA, Control embryos were injected with Cas9 mRNA only. Embryos > 16 cells at day 5 after insemination were transferred to synchronized recipient females in groups of 7–24. Embryos were flushed from the uterus 2 days later. The proportion of recovered embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage was lower for knockout embryos (39%) than for control embryos (63%). RNA sequencing of individual morulae and blastocysts indicated a total of 27 (morula) or 15 (blastocyst) differentially expressed genes (false discovery rate <0.05). Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that the knockout affected genes playing roles in several functions including cell signaling and glycosylation. It was concluded that signaling through CSF2RA is not obligatory for the development of the bovine preimplantation embryo to the blastocyst stage but that CSF2 signaling does enhance the likelihood that the embryo can become a blastocyst and result in specific changes in gene expression.

Lay summary
Development of the early embryo depends upon regulation by chemical signals produced by the uterus. One of these signals is a protein called colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) that can affect the development of embryos in culture. To test whether CSF2 also regulates the embryo in the uterus, where development ordinarily occurs, we evaluated development in the uterus of embryos in which the receptor for CSF2 was disrupted. Embryos without the receptor gene were less likely to develop to the typical stage of development than control embryos and experienced some differences in the expression of specific genes. We conclude that CSF2 regulates embryonic development in the uterus.
Mercantilização do ensino superior
Authors: De Cássia Pereira Farias Rita , De Jesus Souza Lídia , Aparecida da Silva Elisângela 
Published: March 2023

O artigo analisa as páginas dos sites de sete instituições brasileiras que oferecem cursos de Serviço Social a distância e que são acessíveis à população de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Os dados revelam que as principais estratégias de promoção dos cursos centram-se em aspectos econômicos como valor da mensalidade, oportunidades de bolsas de estudo e oferecimento de descontos. O pouco espaço para apresentação do currículo e da formação profi ssional sinaliza um distanciamento do projeto ético-político do Serviço Social brasileiro, comprometido com uma educação laica, gratuita, crítica e de qualidade.