bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Navigating choices: understanding the decision‐making journey of patients with localised kidney cancer
Authors: Beyer Katharina , Venderbos Lionne D.F. , Roobol Monique J. , Giles Rachel H. , Verhagen Paul , Barod Ravi , Wintner Lisa M. , Jewett Michael A.S. , Van Hemelrijck Mieke , Kinsella Netty 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveTo explore patients’ experience of decision making regarding treatment of localised kidney cancer.MethodsA total of 21 patients with localised kidney cancer, across three countries, participated in either four focus groups or seven semi‐structured interviews that lasted on average 2 h. Focus groups and interviews were all conducted in the participants' native language, recorded, transcribed and (if applicable) translated into English. Thematic analysis was used to develop a codebook and identify themes.ResultsAll participants expressed a desire to be actively involved in the treatment decision‐making process. However, due to the emotional toll of the cancer journey, which often necessitates quick decisions, actively engaging in the decision‐making process was described as challenging. The study revealed 12 key themes. These themes included the impact of diagnostic paths, patient characteristics, patient empowerment, health literacy, source of support, fear of recurrence, trust in treatment and healthcare providers, shared decision making (SDM), professional interaction, personal belief system, and organisational and administrative issues.ConclusionsThe findings highlight the complexity of decision making, underscoring the desire for patient involvement, SDM, and clear communication. We reveal a significant gap between research recommendations and clinical practice, emphasising the need to translate research findings to clinical application to enhance patient‐centred care.
Multimodal Measurement of Pubertal Development: Stage, Timing, Tempo, and Hormones
Authors: Omary Adam , Curtis Mark , Cheng Theresa W. , Mair Patrick , Shirtcliff Elizabeth A. , Barch Deanna M. , Somerville Leah H. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTUsing data from the Human Connectome Project in Development (N = 1304; ages 5–21 years; 50% male; 59% White, 17% Hispanic, 13% Black, 9% Asian), multiple measures (self‐report, salivary hormones) and research designs (longitudinal, cross‐sectional) were used to characterize age‐related changes and sex differences in pubertal development. Both sexes exhibit a sigmoid trajectory of pubertal development; females show earlier pubertal timing and increased tempo ~9–13 years, while males show greater tempo ~14–18 years. All hormones increased with age, with sex differences in testosterone and DHEA levels and in testosterone rates of change. Higher testosterone and DHEA corresponded with earlier pubertal timing in both sexes. These findings characterize typical pubertal and hormonal development and inform best practices for handling puberty data.
Psychiatric Disorders and Associated Factors in Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation and Heart Transplant Candidates
Authors: Ceran Selvi , Emekli Esra , Aşut Gonca , Sezgin Atilla 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionEnd‐stage heart failure (ESHF) remains a significant challenge despite optimal treatment, with heart transplantation (HTx) being the gold standard of care. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices such as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used for temporary or permanent treatment. Psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with ESHF and may affect treatment outcomes, but the relationship between sociodemographic, clinical, and psychiatric characteristics remains unclear.MethodsA medical record based, descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted on 94 ESHF patients scheduled for HTx or LVAD therapy. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychiatric data, including psychiatric diagnoses and systemic inflammatory markers, were collected from medical records. Univariate analyses compared patients with (PD) and without psychiatric disorders (No‐PD).ResultsOf the participants, 37% had active psychopathology, with major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) being prevalent. Approximately half of those diagnosed received their first psychiatric diagnosis at the time of assessment. Sociodemographic factors did not differ significantly between the PD and No‐PD groups. While no significant difference was observed in ejection fraction (%) and inflammatory markers such as C‐reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte count was higher in the PD group.ConclusionsPreoperative psychiatric assessment is crucial to identify psychiatric comorbidities in ESHF patients undergoing HTx or LVAD therapy. Despite limitations, this study sheds light on previously unexplored aspects, such as the relationship between ejection fraction and psychiatric comorbidities and the relationship between depressive symptoms and inflammatory markers obtained from complete blood count. Furthermore, the fact that almost half of the patients with psychiatric comorbidity were first diagnosed during the pre‐treatment psychiatric assessment underlines the importance of pre‐LVAD and pre‐HTX psychiatric evaluation.
Between Colonialism and Patriarchy: The Role of Agency Among Palestinian Women in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
Authors: Shehadeh Lana , Ayalan Samira 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTDeparting from the literature examining female agency within the developing world, this paper analyzes the specific exercise of agency for women within a colonial context, more specifically, the Palestinian territories under Israeli occupation. In understanding this unique context, we observe the role of female agency not only within the traditional gender roles but also through the logic of opposition to colonial structures restricting their existence as natives on the land. Here, we assume that Palestinian women deal with the realities of colonialism and occupation before truly understanding their sense of agency within what is known to be a conservative, traditional Arab society. We observe Palestinian women's agency from two separate angles: (a) within the traditional Arab culture and (b) within the colonial structures of occupation. We interviewed 20 women from rural and urban West Bank and East Jerusalem towns to analyze these themes. These interviews illustrate the nature of the nonmonolithic Palestinian woman's experience and attempt to demonstrate that through the context within the Palestinian territories.
Pomalidomide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone Versus Bortezomib and Dexamethasone in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Final Survival and Subgroup Analyses From the OPTIMISMM Trial
Authors: Richardson Paul , Beksaç Meral , Oriol Albert , Lindsay Jindriska , Schjesvold Fredrik , Galli Monica , Yağcı Münci , Larocca Alessandra , Weisel Katja , Yu Xin , Donahue Cynthia , Acosta Jorge , Peluso Teresa , Dimopoulos Meletios 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionIn the OPTIMISMM trial, pomalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (PVd) significantly prolonged median progression‐free survival (PFS) versus bortezomib/dexamethasone (Vd) in lenalidomide‐exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We report final overall survival (OS) and updated efficacy analyses.MethodsAdults with RRMM who had 1–3 prior regimens, including lenalidomide (≥ 2 cycles), were assigned (1:1) to PVd or Vd. Primary endpoint: PFS. Prespecified secondary endpoint: OS. Prespecified exploratory endpoints: PFS2 and subgroup efficacy analyses.ResultsWith an overall event rate of 70.0%, OS data were mature in the intent‐to‐treat population (N = 559). After median follow‐up of 64.5 months (data cutoff: May 13, 2022), median OS was 35.6 months with PVd versus 31.6 months with Vd (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.77–1.15, p = 0.571); adjusting for subsequent therapies, OS improved with PVd versus Vd (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.619–0.931, p = 0.008). Median PFS2 was 22.1 versus 16.9 months, respectively (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.64–0.94, nominal p = 0.008). Treatment‐emergent adverse events led to study drug discontinuation in 92 (33.1%) and 53 (19.6%) patients in PVd and Vd arm, respectively.ConclusionsFindings showed a nonsignificant trend towards improved OS with PVd versus Vd. PFS2 favored PVd, supporting its use in RRMM.
Oscillatory Transcranial Electrical Stimulation and the Amplitude‐Modulated Frequency Dictate the Quantitative Features of Phosphenes
Authors: Hsu Che‐Yi , Liu Tzu‐Ling , Juan Chi‐Hung 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTPrevious research demonstrated that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can induce phosphene perception. However, tACS involves rhythmic changes in the electric field and alternating polarity (excitatory vs. inhibitory phases), leaving the precise mechanism behind phosphene perception unclear. To disentangle the effects of rhythmic changes from those of alternating polarity, this study employs oscillatory transcranial direct current stimulation (otDCS), in which the current oscillation remains confined to either a positive or negative polarity, thereby eliminating the influence of polarity switching. We applied scalp electrical stimulations using both polarity‐switching (tACS) and non‐polarity‐switching (otDCS) methods, with anodal or cathodal polarities, targeting the occipital lobe. All stimulations were performed using sinusoidal or amplitude modulation (AM) waveforms at threshold or suprathreshold intensities. Our results show that tACS results in faster response times compared to cathodal otDCS, but not anodal otDCS, while anodal otDCS elicits greater brightness perception than both cathodal otDCS and tACS. Additionally, AM frequency induced a higher threshold than the sinusoidal frequency, and response times were slower in the AM condition across all positive, negative, and polarity‐switching stimulations. However, stimulation intensity in the anodal AM condition could influence speed ratings, unlike in cathodal or tACS conditions. Our findings reveal that both tACS and otDCS induce phosphenes, with significant differences between polarities and current oscillation types, indicating that both mechanisms are critical in phosphene induction. This study provides evidence linking phosphene occurrence to oscillatory current activity and highlights the robustness and impact of AM coding in visual perception.
Oxyglutamate Carrier Alleviates Cerebral Ischaemia–Reperfusion Injury by Regulating Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Liu Wenhao , Liu Xin , Liu Min , Zhao Rui , Zhao Zhiyuan , Xiao Jingrui , Wan Dongdong , Wan Qi , Xu Rui 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTMitochondrial dysfunction has been reported to participate in the pathophysiological processes of cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion injury, which include reduced energy homeostasis, increased generation of oxidative stress species (ROS) and the release of apoptotic factors. Oxyglutamate carrier (OGC) is an important carrier protein on the inner mitochondrial membrane that can transport metabolites from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria. The role of OGC in cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion injury (I/R) remains unknown. In this study, we found that the expression of OGC was significantly upregulated after cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion injury. Inhibiting OGC with phenylsuccinic acid (PSA) increased neuronal death after oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro. Mechanistically, OGC was localized in mitochondria and could facilitate the transport of glutathione from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria to reduce ROS levels and increase ATP production after OGD/R. In addition, in vivo inhibition of OGC exacerbated brain infarction, and GSH supplementation alleviated brain infarction resulting from OGC inhibition. This study revealed the role of OGC in alleviating brain damage by regulating mitochondrial GSH transport to alleviate mitochondrial function after cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion injury, which may provide a target for alleviating ischaemic brain injury.
Beyond the Illusion of Controlled Environments: How to Embrace Ecological Pertinence in Research?
Authors: Vielle Cassandre 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThrough the lens of preclinical research on substance use disorders (SUD), I propose a reflection aimed at re‐evaluating animal models in neuroscience, with a focus on ecological relevance. While rodent models have provided valuable insights into the neurobiology of SUD, the field currently faces a validation crisis, with findings often failing to translate into effective human treatments. Originally designed to address the lack of reproducibility in animal studies, the current global gold standard of rigorous standardization has led to increasingly controlled environments. This growing disconnection between laboratory settings and real‐world scenarios exacerbates the validation crisis. Rodent models have also revealed various environmental influences on drug use and its neural mechanisms, highlighting parallels with human behaviour and underscoring the importance of ecological relevance in behavioural research. Drawing inspiration from inquiries in ethology and evolutionary biology, I advocate for incorporating greater environmental complexity into animal models. In line with this idea, the neuroethological approach involves studying spontaneous behaviours in seminatural habitats while utilizing advanced technologies to monitor neural activity. Although this framework offers new insights into human neuroscience, it does not adequately capture the complex human conditions that lead to neuropsychiatric diseases. Therefore, preclinical research should prioritize understanding the environmental factors that shape human behaviour and neural architecture, integrating these insights into animal models. By emphasizing ecological relevance, we can achieve deeper insights into neuropsychiatric disorders and develop more effective treatment strategies. This approach highlights significant benefits for both scientific inquiry and ethical considerations. The controlled environment is a chimera; it is time to rethink our models. Here, I have chosen the prism of preclinical research on SUD to present, in a nonexhaustive manner, advances enabled by the use of rodent models, the crises faced by animal experimentation, the reflections and responses provided by laboratories, to finally propose rethinking our models around questions of ecological relevance, in order to improve both ethics and scientific quality. Although my discussion is illustrated by the situation in preclinical research on SUD, the observation drawn from it and the proposals made can extend to many other domains and species.
Resource effects of COVID‐induced work‐from home: A qualitative study of parental and non‐parental white collar workers in Germany
Authors: Mahadevan Jasmin , Metzler Sven , Vögele Jule Amelie , Diehm Raphael 
Published: January 2025

AbstractGermany is a corporate environment that is sceptical towards digitalization and work‐from‐home, and in which it is customary to separate professional and personal spheres of life. The COVID‐19 pandemic, and ensuing government‐mandated shutdowns, changed all that by inducing extensive work‐from‐home conditions for most of the white collared workforce. These conditions blurred professional and personal spheres of life, introduced additional care‐work burdens and changed individual's contextual resources. Assuming that individuals seek to protect and conserve resources (COR theory), also across work‐home domains (W‐HR theory), our qualitative, interview‐based study highlights the resource implications which COVID‐induced extensive work‐from‐home had on parental and non‐parental white‐collar workers in Germany. We identify seven main ways in which individuals coped with COVID‐induced work‐from‐home. We find that parental workers, in particular, female employees who aim at work‐life integration, not work‐life separation, coped with the situation the best. Out of this emerge implications for the management of the workplace of the future, in particular the need to acknowledge that integrating parental responsibilities and work demands may bring about work‐home enrichment, and the requirement to facilitate and support this enrichment.
Fluoxetine‐induced downregulation of circMap2k1 signaling cascade to improve neurological function after ischemic stroke
Authors: He Langtao , Zhang Hui , Deng Jian , He Yibo , Cai Zhili , He Yitao 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundIschemic stroke (IS) is known for its high incidence, disability, and mortality, and there is an urgent need to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms and develop novel treatment strategies.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the mechanisms of the novel circMap2k1/miR‐135b‐5p/Pidd1 axis in the treatment of IS progression with fluoxetine.MethodsThe middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was done in adult male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats and followed by fluoxetine treatment and the injection of adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐sh‐ctr and AAV‐sh‐circMap2k1 into the bilateral hippocampal tissues of rats. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay was employed to confirm the binding between miR‐135b‐5p and Pidd1. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure the concentrations of the inflammatory factors TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β in the plasma. The role of circMap2k1 in cells was tested by overexpression of circMap2k1. Cell viability was assessed using Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, while apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry.ResultsKnockdown of circMap2k1 enhanced the therapeutic and protective effect of fluoxetine on IS injury in rats. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the targeting of miR‐135b‐5p to Pidd1. Additionally, fluoxetine deactivated the adsorption of miR‐135b‐5p by downregulating circMap2k1, and miR‐135b‐5p further exerted its inhibitory effect on Pidd1 and finally attenuated the inflammatory response caused by microglial polarization after IS. Cell experiments revealed that overexpression of circMap2k1 repressed cell viability and promoted cell apoptosis.ConclusionsFluoxetine downregulated of circMap2k1 was associated ameliorate neurological injury and inflammatory responses induced by microglial polarization after IS. The manuscript is available as a preprint at this link: doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3209057/v1.
Local Effects of Education and Age Groups on Unemployment in Germany
Authors: Busch Fabian , Ochsen Carsten 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThis article provides a comprehensive analysis of how regional changes in the age and education distribution of the labour force affect local and neighbourhood unemployment rates. Based on theoretical considerations, we argue that differences in job search, separation, and commuting are key factors in group differences, and therefore, changes in relative group size affect the level of unemployment. The empirical analysis focuses on local labour markets in Germany, using a dynamic spatial panel data model. According to the estimates, an increasing proportion of young and/or low‐educated workers raises local unemployment, while larger proportions of older prime‐age and/or highly educated workers raise unemployment in neighbouring labour markets. As a result, the recent ageing and education developments in the German labour force have led to a 25% reduction in the unemployment rate.
Tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T‐cell numbers and serum C‐reactive protein levels as a prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab
Authors: Kuwano Akifumi , Yada Masayoshi , Tanaka Kosuke , Takahira Junro , Suzuki Hideo , Ohishi Yoshihiro , Motomura Kenta 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAimAtezolizumab plus bevacizumab is an established first‐line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous research identified CD8+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as a potential biomarker for predicting patient response to this therapy. However, not all HCC patients with CD8+ TILs respond favorably to atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Moreover, elevated serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels have been associated with poor outcomes in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors across various cancer types. The aim of this study was to determine whether CD8+ TIL numbers combined with serum CRP levels could collectively predict the response to atezolizumab and bevacizumab better than CD8+ TIL numbers alone.MethodsA total of 46 HCC patients who provided liver biopsy samples were included. CD8+ TIL numbers in liver tissue were measured using immunohistochemistry.ResultsA group of 13 patients (28.3%) with high CD8+ TIL numbers and low (≤0.54 mg/dl) serum CRP levels demonstrated the highest treatment response rate. Furthermore, this group had a significantly longer median overall survival and progression‐free survival than the remaining 33 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that high CD8+ TIL numbers with low CRP levels (HR 0.264; p = 0.037) and Child–Pugh class A (HR 0.277; p = 0.009) were associated with improved overall survival.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the combination of CD8+ TIL numbers and serum CRP levels may serve as a useful biomarker for predicting the efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in HCC patients.
“They Don't Understand People With Learning Disabilities”: Exploring the Experiences of People With Intellectual Disabilities Undergoing Welfare Assessments
Authors: Ward Bethan , Weatherhead Ste , Greenhill Beth 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe Welfare Reform Act (2012) has been criticised for harming claimants, particularly through functional assessments. Although many people with intellectual disabilities in the UK receive welfare benefits, their experiences of undergoing functional assessments are under‐researched.MethodEight participants with intellectual disabilities were interviewed about experiences of welfare assessment. Transcripts were analysed qualitatively using interpretative phenomenological analysis.ResultsAnalysis suggested five group experiential themes: ‘Living in fear: I was nervous and scared’; ‘The system is marginalising: Other people are better than me’; ‘Relationship with the assessor: His attitude fucking stunk’; ‘Others as a safe base: Someone there that you know, and you trust’; and ‘Responding with empowerment: That's where I really shined’.ConclusionsPeople with intellectual disabilities experience functional assessments as scary and oppressive. Assessment reinforced the stigma associated with having an intellectual disability and, to a lesser extent, claiming benefits. Individual, structural and policy levels interventions are discussed.
The Research Hotspots and Frontiers of Bumblebees During 1999–2024: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Yuan Yige , Smagghe Guy , Chen Xiangsheng , Long Jiankun , Chang Zhimin 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBumblebees, as social species and efficient pollinators, have attracted the attention of researchers and governments all over the world. However, a comprehensive overview of the bumblebee research field is lacking. This study delves into a bibliometric analysis of the recent 25 years of research with bumblebees from 1999 to 2024. Drawing data from 4119 publications in the Web of Science (WoS) database, it showed a steady increase in number of publications in the recent two decades. Countries in North America, Europe and China formed the three main forces. The hotspots and frontiers were related to decline and health of bumblebees, including combined effects related to climate change, agrochemicals, habitat loss and fragmentation, parasites and disease, and monotonous diets and competition. Additionally, based on co‐cited references cluster analysis, it was concluded that climate change and pesticides will still be the focus research fields in the future. Overall, this paper serves as an exhaustive resource for individuals and governments working intrigued by bumblebee.