bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vasopressin induces apoptosis but does not enhance the antiproliferative effect of Dynamin 2 or PI3K/Akt inhibition in luminal A breast cancer cells
Authors: Alkafas Samar samy Mohamed , Loutfy Samah , Diab Thoria , Hessien Mohamed 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Breast cancer cells abnormally express vasopressin (AVP) and its receptors. The effect of AVP is largely orchestrated through its downstream signaling and by receptor mediated endocytosis (RME), in which Dynamin 2 (Dyn2) plays an integral role in vesicle closure. In this work, luminal A breast cancer cells were treated with AVP, and then Dynasore (DYN) was employed to inhibit Dyn2 to explore the combined effect of AVP and Dyn2 inhibition on the survival of breast cancer cells. The results revealed that DYN alone demonstrated a concentration dependent cytotoxic effect in AVP untreated cells. Apoptosis developed in 29.7% and 30.3% of cells treated with AVP or AVP+DYN, respectively, compared to 32.5% in cells treated with Wortmannin (Wort, a selective PI3K pathway inhibitor). More apoptosis was observed when cells were treated with DYN+Wort in presence or absence of exogenous AVP. Besides, 2 or 4- fold increases in the expression of Bax and Caspase-3, were observed in cells exposed to AVP in absence or presence of DYN, respectively. This was associated with higher levels of the autophagy marker (LC3II protein). Meanwhile, the activation of Akt protein, sequentially decreased in the same pattern. Cell’s invasion decreased when they were exposed to AVP alone or combined with DYN or/and Wort. Conclusively, although many reports suggested the proliferative effect of AVP, the results predict the antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects of 100 nM AVP in luminal A breast cancer cells. However, the hormone did not enhance the cytotoxic effect of Dyn 2 or PI3K pathway inhibition.
Harmonised culture procedures minimise but not eliminate mesenchymal stromal cell donor and tissue variability in a decentralized multicentre manufacturing approach
Authors: Calcat-i-Cervera Sandra , Rendra Erika , Scaccia Eleonora , Amadeo Francesco , Hanson Vivien , Wilm Bettina , Murray Patricia , O'Brien Timothy , Taylor Arthur , Bieback Karen 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), commonly sourced from adipose tissue, bone marrow and umbilical cord, have been widely used in many medical conditions due to their therapeutic potential. Yet, the still limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action hampers clinical translation. Clinical potency can vary considerably depending on tissue source, donor attributes, but importantly, also culture conditions. Lack of standard procedures hinders inter-study comparability and delays the progression of the field. The aim of this study was A- to assess the impact on MSC characteristics when different laboratories, performed analysis on the same MSC material using harmonised culture conditions and B- to understand source-specific differences.
Methods: Three independent institutions performed a head-to-head comparison of human-derived adipose (A-), bone marrow (BM-), and umbilical cord (UC-) MSCs using harmonised culture conditions. In each centre, cells from one specific tissue source were isolated and later distributed across the network to assess their biological properties, including cell expansion, immune phenotype, and tri-lineage differentiation (part A). To assess tissue specific function, angiogenic and immunomodulatory properties and the in vivo biodistribution were compared in one expert lab (part B).
Results: By implementing a harmonised manufacturing workflow, we obtained largely reproducible results across three independent laboratories in part A of our study. Unique growth patterns and differentiation potential were observed for each tissue source, with similar trends observed between centres. Immune phenotyping verified expression of typical MSC surface markers and absence of contaminating surface markers. Depending on the established protocols in the different laboratories, quantitative data varied slightly. Functional experiments in part B concluded that conditioned media from BM-MSCs significantly enhanced tubulogenesis and endothelial migration in vitro. In contrast, immunomodulatory studies reported superior immunosuppressive abilities for A-MSCs. Biodistribution studies in healthy mice showed lung entrapment after administration of all three types of MSCs, with a significantly faster clearance of BM-MSCs.
Conclusion: These results show the heterogeneous behaviour and regenerative properties of MSCs as a reflection of intrinsic tissue-origin properties while providing evidence that the use of harmonised culture procedures can reduce but not eliminate inter-lab and operator differences.
Metabolic mechanism of astaxanthin biosynthesis in Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous in response to sodium citrate treatment
Authors: Pan Xueshan , Li Tonggang , Wang Baobei , Qi Shuhua , Yang Dandan , Huang Zheng , Gao Renfei , Li Jingyan , Ling Xueping , Lu Yinghua 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Astaxanthin is an important ketocarotenoid widely used in industries, but the application of astaxanthin is limited due to its low yield. Sodium citrate (Na-citrate), one of the major carbon sources for the microorganism, can promote cell growth and product accumulation. The basidiomycetous red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous was chosen to study the effect of Na-citrate on cell growth and astaxanthin synthesis. The highest biomass and astaxanthin yield (6.04 g/L and 22.53 mg/L) were obtained in Shake-flask when adding 3 g/L Na-citrate at 24 h, which were 1.8 and 2.0 times higher than those of the control group, respectively. Furthermore, metabolomics and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis were conducted to study the metabolic pathways of X. dendrorhousin response to Na-citrate, which revealed that Na-citrate facilitated glucose consumption, promoted the metabolic flux from glycolysis, and regulated the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, providing more energy and substrates for the synthesis of astaxanthin. The gene analysis presented that adding Na-citrate significantly upregulated the expression of six key genes (ICL, HMGS, crtE, crtYB, crtI and crtS) involved in pathways related to astaxanthin biosynthesis. These results provided the potential valuable strategy to stimulate astaxanthin production by exogenous Na-citrate in X. dendrorhous.
Heads-on skyrmion collisions
Authors: Corte-León Héctor , Khanjani Mehran Vafaee , Jakob Gerhard , Kläui Mathias , Garcia-Sanchez Felipe , Barton Craig , Kazakova Olga 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Magnetic textures known as skyrmions have captured the attention of the scientific community working on magnetism for a large part of the last decade due to their potential application in novel neuromorphic devices to carry information and perform computational operations[1, 2]. This is due to the ease of manipulation with electrical currents, and the stability of individual skyrmions against interactions with defects or other skyrmions. Now, while there are plenty of reports on skyrmion manipulation using electrical currents, there are very few studies of skyrmion-to-skyrmion interactions (i.e. skyrmion collisions). While there have recently been studies on skyrmion lattices to extract the interaction potential[3, 4], a more direct approach is to manipulate individual skyrmions directly, which however has been challenging so far. The reason for that is that very few tools allow for manipulating skyrmions individually and with enough precision to cause collisions in a controllable and repeatable way. In here, we show how using magnetic force microscopy (MFM), and the field gradient produced by MFM probes, it is possible to visualize skyrmions, manipulate them, and create skyrmion collisions to study skyrmion-to-skyrmion interactions or investigate the role of pinning at material defects.
Feasibility Study Protocol: Investigating Family Reported Outcome Measures (FROMs) in the Estimation of Societal Value of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)
Authors: Brilliant Charles 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background

Advance Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) are a novel class of therapeutics that target chronic and severe conditions, which can have an impact beyond the patient themselves; impacting the lives of partners and other family members. This impact is a major secondary burden of disease that in the past has often been ignored. The Family-Reported Outcome Measure (FROM-16) is the first generic questionnaire designed to measure the impact of any disease on the quality of life of family members of patients with any health condition.
We seek to validate the FROM-16 as an instrument for assessing family impact of patients receiving ATMPs and demonstrate a potential mechanism for measuring this impact.

Methods

Up to 30 patients of any age who are preparing for ATMP treatment, or who have received an ATMP treatment, and their family members aged 18 years or older, attending ATMP provider sites within the Midland-Wales Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre will be recruited into this study.
Family members will be asked to complete the FROM-16 and Global Health Score questionnaires, provide basic demographic information and complete a short semi-structured interview conducted by a member of the study team. The interview will provide data to contextualise the FROM-16 responses and allow construct and content validity to be assessed. Themes of experience will be identified from interview transcripts.
The FROM-16 responses will be evaluated with respect to total score, domain score, and individual item score. Reliability of responses between and within domains will be assessed by intraclass correlation.

Discussion

Collecting FROM data from families can be important for demonstrating the wider impact of disease. This study, if successful, will demonstrate that collecting family-reported outcomes using the FROM-16 is a valid mechanism for demonstrating this impact within the population of ATMP patients and their families, and will provide evidence of the overall quality of life impact experienced by partners and family members of such patients, and the specific impacts as identified from the two domains and 16 questions within FROM-16.

Trial Registration

This trial has been adopted onto the NIHR portfolio (I.D. 51376) and registered with https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05141318 (#NCT05141318) in December 2021.
Towards interpretable speech biomarkers: explaining MFCC2
Authors: Tracey Brian , Volfson Dmitri , Glass James , Haulcy R'mani , Kostrzebski Melissa , Adams Jamie , Kangarloo Tairmae , Brodtmann Amy , Dorsey E. , Vogel Adam 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Speech biomarkers of disease have attracted increased clinical interest in recent years, but interpretation of clinical features derived from signal processing or machine learning approaches remains challenging. As an example, the second Mel frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC2) has been identified in several studies as a useful marker of disease, but continues to be treated as uninterpretable. Here we show that MFCC2 can be interpreted as a weighted ratio of low- to high-frequency energy, a concept which has been previously linked to disease-induced increases in aspiration noise caused by incomplete vocal fold closure, and also show how its sensitivity to disease can be increased by adjusting computation parameters.
Upregulation of rhodopsin gene in regenerated retina followed by adipose-derived stem cell therapy in a rat model
Authors: shojaee Hanieh habibzadeh , Sabbaghian Marjan , Yaghmaei Parichehreh , Nourani Mohamad Reza 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background:
Retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, and retinitis pigmentosa are phenotypically diverse and lead to photoreceptor cell death and downregulation of rhodopsin gene expression.
Retinal degeneration is difficult to treat; therefore, artificial devices, autologous grafts, and the retinal donation should be used to replace damaged tissues or organs.
Methods:
In this study, the photoreceptor layer of the retinal tissue of rats was damaged by intravitreal sodium iodate (NaIO3) administration. Following the confirmation of retinal damage, intravitreal injections of adipose stem cells with a hydrogel scaffold were implanted into the intravitreal space’s retinas of rats.
The process of retinal regeneration was assessed by histopathology, and RT-PCR analyzed the expression of the rhodopsin gene.
Results:
Histopathological examination demonstrated that injecting a suitable biomaterial hydrogel and mesenchymal stem cells improved tissue regeneration. In addition, the data showed that the expression of the rhodopsin gene was upregulated in repaired retinal tissue compared to damaged tissue.
Conclusion:
NaIO3 injection into the intravitreal space of rats’ results in severe retina injury. The application of mesenchymal stem cells is suggested as competent cells to cure degenerative retinal defects. This model could be a valuable tool for seeking and evaluating novel therapeutic modalities for the treatment of retinal degeneration.
in situ Tracking Water Oxidation Generated Lattice Strain Effects in Layered Double Hydroxides Nanosheets
Authors: Wang Yuqing , chen Chao , Xiong Xuya , Skaanvik Sebastian , Wang Zegao , Bøjesen Espen , Liu Wei , Dong Mingdong 
Published: February 2023

AbstractLayered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been identified as a potential catalyst for water oxidation, and it is recognized that they exhibit a dynamic and heterogeneous evolution of their lattice structure during their operation. In this study, we investigate the dynamic and heterogeneous evolution of LDHs during operation as a water oxidation catalyst usingin situelectrochemical atomic force microscopy. Our results demonstrate that the lattice strain in LDHs triggers its heterogeneous structural dynamics at the nanoscale and has implications for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. The NiCo LDHs transforms to catalytically active NiCoOx(OH)2−xphase during operation, which produces compressive lattice strain and reversible tensile strain. The compressive strain along active edge sites of the nanosheets results in structural collapse and long-term degradation. Additionally, nanobubbles nucleate and grow at the electrocatalytic interfaces, leading to surface blockage and deterioration of catalytic efficiency. By engineering defects, we can precisely tune the strain and gas behavior during operation, leading to improved OER activity and stability among LDHs-based catalysts
Evaluation of genetic diversity of figs (Ficus carica L.) in Sulaymaniyah governorate using morphological, pomological and specific molecular markers
Authors: Ahmad Faraidun Karim , Noori Ibrahim Maaroof 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The fig (Ficus carica L.) is a fruit tree that is important in the Mediterranean region, and thus genetic improvement has become an important field of research for better crops, with information on this species, particularly its genetic variability correlate to morphological traits of fig, cultivars and wild types distributed in Sulaymaniyah province were being done. Samples from 66 fig accessions were collected, 15 primers for each ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) and SCoT (Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism) markers were used to describe genetic variation, with 12 morphological traits. Analysis of variance recorded highly significant differences concerning plant morphological, pomological traits and genetic diversity. The highest values for shoot length (79.959 cm), internode diameter (15.563 mm), leaf length (28.183 cm), leaf width (28.480 cm), leaf petiole length (13.397 cm) and leaf petiole diameter (18.360 mm) recorded in AC17, AC41, AC20, AC20, AC17 and AC24, respectively. However, the lowest values (11.120 cm, 4.340 mm, 10.910 cm, 9.813 cm, 3.987 cm and 2.323 mm) for the mentioned traits were recorded in AC14, AC12, AC12, AC12, AC37 and AC52, respectively. The highest values for fruit weight (63.447 g), fruit length (46.960 mm), fruit thickness (60.420 mm), fruit stalk length (29.887 mm), fruit stalk diameter (10.433 mm) and ostiole diameter (8.717 mm) were given in AC03, AC22, AC54, AC58, AC58 and AC14, successively. Whereas the lowest values (4.483 g, 14.770 mm, 18.497 mm, 2.373 mm, 2.533 mm and 2.557 mm) were observed in AC37, AC37, AC12, AC08, AC25 and AC30, successively. The two first principal components analysis (PCA) described 49.15% of the total quality variance. Both ISSR and SCoT markers produced 197 and 232 polymorphic bands. The genetic diversities ranged as (0.883 to 0.980) and (0.742 to 0.983), and polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged as (0.878 to 0.979) and (0.737 to 0.983), respectively, with 100% polymorphism levels.
The results indicated that natural fig populations in this region provide a rich genetic resource for fig germplasms, and significant genetic variation across accessions originating from different populations, as well as both markers were informative for genetic variability detection in the collections.. The findings of this study could support in the conservation and further utilization of fig germplasm.
Identifying and alleviating the durability challenges in membrane-electrode-assembly devices for high-rate CO electrolysis
Authors: Xu Qiucheng , Garg Sahil , Moss Asger , Mirolo Marta , Chorkendorff Ib , Drnec Jakub , Seger Brian 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
CO electrolysis (COE) has emerged as an important alternative technology to couple with other sustainable techniques for transitioning towards a carbon-neutral future. A large challenge for the deployment of high-rate COE is the limited durability of the membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA). In this work, by utilizing an operando wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) technique and monitoring the change of electrolyte, we identified several degradation mechanisms of the MEA during high-rate COE. Cathodic gas diffusion electrode (GDE) flooding and metal contaminants (crossover from anode) are two major issues causing excessive HER, which can be partly alleviated by increasing the PTFE content in the GDEs and using an alkaline stable Ni-based anode. When analyzing MEA’s long-term stability, the dynamic evolution of anolyte became the major issue: the pH would continuously drop due to cathodic acetate formation and anodic ethanol oxidation. By compensating for this issue, we maintained a Faradaic Efficiency (FE) of C2+ products to be over 70% during a 136-h testing period. Our findings provide clear guidelines to circumvent the durability challenges for high-rate CO/CO2 electrolysis.
Understanding geriatric models of care for older adults living with HIV: A Scoping Review and Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Kokorelias Kristina Marie , Grosse Anna , Zhabokritsky Alice , Sirisegaram Luxey 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Advances in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment have reduced mortality rates and consequently increased the number of individuals with HIV living into older age. Despite this, people aged 50 years and older have been left behind in recent HIV treatment and prevention campaigns, and a gold-standard model of care for this population has not yet been defined. Developing evidence-based geriatric HIV models of care can support an accessible, equitable, and sustainable HIV health care system that ensures older adults have access to care that meets their needs now and in the future.
Methods
Guided by Arksey & O’Malley (2005), a scoping review was conducted to determine the key components of, identify gaps in the literature about, and provide recommendations for future research into geriatric models of care for individuals with HIV. Five databases and the grey literature were systematically searched. The titles, abstracts and full texts of the search results were screened independently in duplicate. Data were analyzed using a qualitative case study and key component analysis approach to identify necessary model components.
Results
5702 studies underwent title and abstract screening, with 154 entering full-text review. 13 peer-reviewed and 0 grey literature sources were included. Most articles were from North America. We identified three primary model of care components that may improve the successful delivery of geriatric care to people living with HIV: Collaboration and Integration; Organization of Geriatric Care; and Pillars of Holistic Care. Most articles included some aspects of all three components.
Conclusion
To provide effective geriatric care to older persons living with HIV, health services and systems are encouraged to use an evidence-based framework and should consider incorporating the distinct model of care characteristics that we have identified in the literature. However, there is limited data about models in developing countries and long-term care settings, and limited knowledge of the role of family, friends and peers in supporting the geriatric care of individuals living with HIV. Future evaluative research is encouraged to determine the impact of optimal components of geriatric models of care on patient outcomes.
Expert Opinion in the Design of a Motor Neurone Disease Diagnostic Study
Authors: Williams Cameron J. , Wilson Kevin J. , Jaiser Stephan R. , Wilson Nina , Williams Timothy L. , Baker Mark R. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing and rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive weakness, muscle wasting, and death from respiratory failure within 36 months of symptom onset. To date, clinical trials in MND have failed to identify therapeutic interventions that halt disease progression, possibly because the majority of patients are recruited to trials too late in the disease course. To recruit patients earlier, diagnostic criteria for MND now include evidence of subclinical disease in unaffected muscles, as assessed by needle electromyography (EMG). Whilst other electrodiagnostic tests of subclinical disease could be incorporated into these criteria alongside needle EMG, it is unclear whether this would provide additional diagnostic accuracy/certainty. Here we use beta-band intermuscular (EMG-EMG) coherence (BIMC) as an example of how this issue can be addressed with statistical confidence in future studies.

Methods

Using the BIMC test as a case study, we provide a statistical framework for the incorporation of expert knowledge into the choice of sample size using expert elicitation and Bayesian assurance calculations. Probability distributions were elicited from seven clinical experts and aggregated to form group consensus distributions.

Results

The Bayesian assurance calculations led to a smaller required sample size than traditional statistical power calculations. The quantification and incorporation of clinical expert knowledge and uncertainty in sample size calculations can provide better calibrated predictions of study outcomes and ensure the most appropriate sample size is chosen.
Clinical experts reported the sensitivity of the Awaji criteria in line with previous studies, providing evidence of the validity of the results. We note that multiple experts understated estimates of specificity compared to the literature, though this may be due to the format of the questions or the design of the case study.

Conclusions

Bayesian assurance can be used alongside expert elicitation to design diagnostic accuracy studies. While we focus on the BIMC test case study, the methods presented are relevant and can be applied to other emerging tests relevant to MND.