bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Layer-Specific Tensile Strength of the Human Aorta: Segmental Variations
Authors: Sokolis Dimitrios P. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Knowledge of the failure properties of the aorta is essential to understand the mechanisms of dissection and rupture. Limited information is, however, available in humans or experimental animals about the layer-specific properties and their segmental variations have not been determined. In this paper, the failure properties of the intima, media, and adventitia were studied in nine consecutive aortic segments and two principal directions. Detailed biomechanical tests were performed with a tensile-testing device on 756 layer strips, harvested from fourteen cadaveric subjects aged 21–82 years. Intimal and medial strength in either direction remained invariant along the aorta, and their extensibility longitudinally decreased, whereas adventitial strength and extensibility longitudinally increased, explaining why the preferential sites for the development of aortic dissection or traumatic rupture are in the proximal aorta. The media was stronger circumferentially than longitudinally in all segments, accounting for the typically transverse tearing in dissection/rupture. The adventitial properties were significantly higher than the intimal and medial in most segments. Still, the intima had similar strength but lower extensibility compared to the media in both directions, and higher maximum stiffness longitudinally in several segments. The rupture surface of all layers was not perpendicular to the loading axis, more so in the circumferential strips compared to longitudinal ones. Aging impaired the extensibility and strength of all layers, particularly the media, but did not affect the maximum stiffness and rupture-surface direction. Females were rarely associated with different failure properties compared to age-matched males.
Supplemental Material: Tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of the late Paleozoic Darwin Basin, eastern California, USA, and implications for the onset of subduction along the southwestern Cordilleran margin of Laurentia
Authors: Vaughn Lochlan W. , et al.  
Published: January 2023

<p>Extended methods section, additional measured sections, a sample list, clast count data, and a detailed discussion of our subsidence analysis. </p>
Young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health prevention services in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: an online questionnaire
Authors: Baker Venetia , Mulwa Sarah , Khanyile David , Sarrassat Sophie , O'Donnell Dominique , Piot Sara , Diogo Yvonne , Arnold Georgia , Cousens Simon , Cawood Cherie , Birdthistle Isolde 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionThe South African government responded swiftly to the first wave of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with a nationwide lockdown. Initial restrictions from March–July 2020 required people to stay at home unless accessing essential, life-saving services. We sought to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns affected young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services in a high-prevalence HIV setting.MethodsWe analysed data from a cross-sectional web-based questionnaire conducted with 15–24 year-olds from September–December 2020 in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The questionnaire was promoted through social media platforms. Participants were asked whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions affected their access to sexual and reproductive health services, through closed-ended and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics using proportions were used to summarise responses, and open text was analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsOf 3431 respondents, the proportions reporting ‘more difficulty’ accessing HIV testing services, HIV self-screening kits, condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral treatment since the COVID-19 pandemic were 16.8%, 13.7%, 13.9%, 11% and 7%, respectively. In 796 open-text responses, participants described challenges accessing HIV services due to clinics being overwhelmed and prioritising patients with COVID-19, resulting in young people being turned away. Some were afraid of contracting COVID-19 at or en route to clinics. Others were unable to reach clinics because of restricted transport or financial insecurity.DiscussionYoung people in Eastern Cape rely on local clinics for services, and large proportions of young males and females faced difficulties or fears accessing clinics during the COVID-19 lockdown. Clinics became overwhelmed or inaccessible, limiting young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services. In high HIV risk contexts, prevention services and tools must be more accessible to young people, outside of clinics and within the communities and spaces that young people can access without fear or cost.
Intravesical BCG in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer induces trained immunity and decreases respiratory infections
Authors: van Puffelen Jelmer H , Novakovic Boris , van Emst Liesbeth , Kooper Denise , Zuiverloon Tahlita C M , Oldenhof Ursula T H , Witjes J Alfred , Galesloot Tessel E , Vrieling Alina , Aben Katja K H , Kiemeney Lambertus A L M , Oosterwijk Egbert , Netea Mihai G , Boormans Joost L , van der Heijden Antoine G , Joosten Leo A B , Vermeulen Sita H 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundBCG is recommended as intravesical immunotherapy to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Currently, it is unknown whether intravesical BCG application induces trained immunity.MethodsThe aim of this research was to determine whether BCG immunotherapy induces trained immunity in NMIBC patients. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in 17 NMIBC patients scheduled for BCG therapy and measured trained immunity parameters at 9 time points before and during a 1-year BCG maintenance regimen. Ex vivo cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, epigenetic modifications, and changes in the monocyte transcriptome were measured. The frequency of respiratory infections was investigated in two larger cohorts of BCG-treated and non-BCG treated NMIBC patients as a surrogate measurement of trained immunity. Gene-based association analysis of genetic variants in candidate trained immunity genes and their association with recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival after BCG therapy was performed to investigate the hypothesized link between trained immunity and clinical response.ResultsWe found that intravesical BCG does induce trained immunity based on an increased production of TNF and IL-1β after heterologous ex vivo stimulation of circulating monocytes 6–12 weeks after intravesical BCG treatment; and a 37% decreased risk (OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.40 to 1.01)) for respiratory infections in BCG-treated versus non-BCG-treated NMIBC patients. An epigenomics approach combining chromatin immuno precipitation-sequencing and RNA-sequencing with in vitro trained immunity experiments identified enhanced inflammasome activity in BCG-treated individuals. Finally, germline variation in genes that affect trained immunity was associated with recurrence and progression after BCG therapy in NMIBC.ConclusionWe conclude that BCG immunotherapy induces trained immunity in NMIBC patients and this may account for the protective effects against respiratory infections. The data of our gene-based association analysis suggest that a link between trained immunity and oncological outcome may exist. Future studies should further investigate how trained immunity affects the antitumor immune responses in BCG-treated NMIBC patients
TYRO3 blockade enhances anti-PD-1 therapy response by modulating expression of CCN1 in tumor microenvironment
Authors: Park Miso , Kuen Da-Sol , Park Jaewoo , Choi Munkyung , Kim Yeonji , Roh Eun Chae , Choi Yong June , Kim Yoon Gyoon , Chung Yeonseok , Cho Sung Yun , Kang Keon Wook 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundImmunological contexture differs across malignancies, and understanding it in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential for development of new anticancer agents in order to achieve synergistic effects with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy. TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK receptors are bi-expressed in both cancer and immune cells, and thus emerge as promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Whereas AXL and MERTK have been extensively studied, the role of TYRO3, in the TME, is still undetermined.MethodsHere, we screened the TYRO3-focused chemical library consisting of 208 compounds and presented a potent and highly selective TYRO3 inhibitor, KRCT87. We explored the role of TYRO3 using mouse engrafting MC38 or 4T1 tumors. We validated the results using flow cytometry, RNA sequencing analysis, gene knockdown or overexpression, ex vivo immune cells isolation from mouse models, immunoblotting and quantitative PCR. Flow cytometry was used for the quantification of cell populations and immunophenotyping of macrophages and T cells. Co-cultures of macrophages and T cells were performed to verify the role of CCN1 in the tumors.ResultsTYRO3 blockade boosts antitumor immune responses in both the tumor-draining lymph nodes and tumors in MC38-syngeneic mice models. Moreover, the combination of KRCT87 and anti-PD-1 therapy exerts significant synergistic antitumor effects in anti-PD-1-non-responsive 4T1-syngeneic model. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that inhibition of TYRO3-driven CCN1 secretion fosters macrophages into M1-skewing phenotypes, thereby triggering antitumor T-cell responses. CCN1 overexpression in MC38 tumors diminishes responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy.ConclusionsThe activated TYRO3-CCN1 axis in cancer could dampen anti-PD-1 therapy responses. These findings highlight the potential of TYRO3 blockade to improve the clinical outcomes of anti-PD-1 therapy.
Erdheim-Chester disease with Rosai-Dorfman-like lesions: treatment with methotrexate, anakinra and upadacitinib
Authors: Portegys Jan , Heidemeier Anke , Rosenwald Andreas , Gernert Michael , Fröhlich Matthias , Hueper Sebastian , Strunz Patrick Pascal , Rasche Leo , Schmalzing Marc 
Published: January 2023

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterised by clonal expansion of histiocytes in various organs. These induce an inflammatory environment, which leads to damage of the affected areas. Recently, a new disease entity was proposed encompassing key features of ECD but also of Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease, another histiocytosis. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1)mutations seem to present a specific genetic lesion for this subtype.Here, we describe a case of this new disease entity with clinical, radiological and genetic findings compatible with ECD but histological findings compatible with Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease. In particular, there were intraabdominal and retroperitoneal lesions, which tested positive for a (c.167A>C; p.Q56P) mutation of the MAP2K1 gene. On histological examination, S100-positive, giant histiocytes with focal emperipolesis of haematological cells in addition to infiltration by lymphocytes and granulocytes were seen.As described for this rare variant of ECD, there was also bilateral testicular infiltration. We also describe a manifestation of oligoarthritis in this patient with ECD.The patient was treated with methotrexate and prednisolone. While radiological response to this regime was excellent, arthritis persisted. We added anakinra, which induced a response of the arthritis for more than a year. Due to treatment failure therapy was switched to upadacitinib, which induced a remission of the arthritis as well.This case adds a rare phenotype to an already rare presentation of ECD. The patient responded to immunosuppressive therapy.
$$P_{cc}^N$$ states in a unitarized coupled-channel approach
Authors: Shen Chao-Wei , Lin Yong-hui , Meißner Ulf-G. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractStarting from an effective Lagrangian with heavy quark spin symmetry embedded, the coupled-channel dynamics of the doubly charmed systems $$D^{(*)} \Sigma _c^{(*)}$$

D

(

∗
)

Σ
c

(

∗
)

is investigated. The potential underlying our investigation includes t-channel pseudoscalar and vector meson exchanges. A series of S-wave bound states with isospin $$I=1/2$$

I
=
1
/
2

is found by applying the first iterated solution of the N/D method: one state with binding energy 23 MeV in the $$5/2^-$$

5
/

2
-

$$D^*\Sigma _c^*$$

D
∗

Σ
c
∗

channel, three states with binding energy 26, 30 and 7 MeV (relative to the thresholds from low to high, respectively) in the $$3/2^-$$

3
/

2
-

$$D\Sigma _c^*$$

D

Σ
c
∗

-$$D^*\Sigma _c$$

D
∗

Σ
c

-$$D^*\Sigma _c^*$$

D
∗

Σ
c
∗

system and three states with binding energy 32, 8 and 16 MeV in the $$1/2^-$$

1
/

2
-

$$D\Sigma _c$$

D

Σ
c

-$$D^*\Sigma _c$$

D
∗

Σ
c

-$$D^*\Sigma _c^*$$

D
∗

Σ
c
∗

system. Those $$P_{cc}^N$$

P

cc

N

states serve as the open-charm partners of the hidden charm pentaquarks $$P_{\psi }^N$$

P

ψ

N

observed by the LHCb Collaboration.
Deriving equivalent structure of elements for low density parity check codes construction
Authors: Ahmad Zaeni Jenjen , Muzhofi Fandy Ali , Solehudin Cecep , Anwar Khoirul , Ismail Nanang 
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes a method to derive equivalent coding structures of elements to construct low density parity check (LDPC) codes. We propose stairs LDPC (SLDPC) codes to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, which is expected to be beneficial for short block-length transmissions, but providing high coding rate. The equivalent coding structures are both for transmitter and receiver to: (i) reduce the encoding and decoding computational complexity, and (ii) search possibility of finding new coding scheme and observe their performances. We evaluate the validity of the method by confirming the equality in performances of the SLDPC codes in terms of bit-error-rate (BER) followed by investigation on their performance gaps to the Shannon limit via a series of computer simulations. The results show that the SLDPC codes have the same BER performance with that of the low density generator matrix (LDGM) codes confirming the validity of the proposed equivalent matrix derivation. This result indicates that different graphs can provide the same performances, because their equivalent matrices are the same. This result is expected to open new insight for the designing simple channel coding for short block-length LDPC codes having high coding rate for future less power consumption applications.
Helpful Neighbors: Leveraging Neighbors in Geographic Feature Pronunciation
Authors: Jones Llion , Sproat Richard , Ishikawa Haruko , Gutkin Alexander 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
If one sees the place name Houston Mercer Dog Run in New York, how does one know how to pronounce it? Assuming one knows that Houston in New York is pronounced /ˈhaʊstən/ and not like the Texas city (/ˈhjuːstən/), then one can probably guess that /ˈhaʊstən/ is also used in the name of the dog park. We present a novel architecture that learns to use the pronunciations of neighboring names in order to guess the pronunciation of a given target feature. Applied to Japanese place names, we demonstrate the utility of the model to finding and proposing corrections for errors in Google Maps.
To demonstrate the utility of this approach to structurally similar problems, we also report on an application to a totally different task: Cognate reflex prediction in comparative historical linguistics. A version of the code has been open-sourced.1
Improving Low-Resource Cross-lingual Parsing with Expected Statistic Regularization
Authors: Effland Thomas , Collins Michael 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
We present Expected Statistic Regulariza tion (ESR), a novel regularization technique that utilizes low-order multi-task structural statistics to shape model distributions for semi- supervised learning on low-resource datasets. We study ESR in the context of cross-lingual transfer for syntactic analysis (POS tagging and labeled dependency parsing) and present several classes of low-order statistic functions that bear on model behavior. Experimentally, we evaluate the proposed statistics with ESR for unsupervised transfer on 5 diverse target languages and show that all statistics, when estimated accurately, yield improvements to both POS and LAS, with the best statistic improving POS by +7.0 and LAS by +8.5 on average. We also present semi-supervised transfer and learning curve experiments that show ESR provides significant gains over strong cross-lingual-transfer-plus-fine-tuning baselines for modest amounts of label data. These results indicate that ESR is a promising and complementary approach to model-transfer approaches for cross-lingual parsing.1
Preparing on-site school lunches improves adolescents’ eating habits: A one-year follow-up
Authors: Akihiro Maeta , Mizue Oku , Kyoko Takahashi 
Published: January 2023

Objective: We investigated how students’ interest in healthy eating changed after the introduction of on-site school lunch, prepared on campus, at a Japanese junior high school. Design: One-year follow-up study. Setting: Participants were 166 students in their second year of study at a public junior high school in Japan which introduced an on-site school lunch programme instead of students bringing lunch from home. Method: Students’ interest in healthy eating habits was evaluated using the Japanese Questionnaire of Consciousness in Dietary Life for Adolescents Form (JQCDL–AF). Results: Data from 139 students who completed all three surveys were analysed. Total scores after 1 month increased significantly compared to baseline. This increase was sustained among boys 1 year later. The introduction of on-site school lunches is an effective strategy not only for providing healthy meals but also for increasing interest in the development of healthy eating habits. Conclusion: Increasing opportunities to get involved in meal preparation through the introduction of on-site school lunches may be an effective means of facilitating healthy eating among students.
A longitudinal study of the relationships between sleep problems in autistic children and maternal mental health
Authors: Baker Emma K , Giallo Rebecca , Seymour Monique , Hearps Stephen JC , Wood Catherine E 
Published: January 2023

Autistic children experience a high rate of sleep problems, which have been associated with maternal mental health difficulties. However, the directionality of these relationships has received little attention. The extent to which children’s sleep problems influence maternal mental health difficulties and vice versa remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the bidirectional relationships between the sleep problems of autistic children and maternal mental health difficulties over 12 years. Six biennial waves of longitudinal data from when children were 4 to 5 years old were drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. The sample comprised 397 child–mother dyads. Maternal mental health was assessed with the Kessler-6, while sleep problems were assessed through a series of questions relating to common sleep problems in children. The results demonstrated significant bidirectional effects between maternal mental health and child sleep problems at key developmental transition time points. Specifically, when children transitioned from preschool to primary school and again when the children transitioned from primary school to high school. These findings highlight the need for increased support for both the child and mother at these critical time points to reduce the negative impact of maternal psychological distress on child sleep problems and vice versa. Lay abstract Autistic children experience increased the rates of sleep problems. These sleep problems have been associated with mother’s mental health symptoms. However, the direction of these relationships is not well understood. This study investigated the relationships between autistic children’s sleep problems and mothers’ mental health over a 12-year period using data collected as part of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Data from 397 autistic children and their mothers were included in this study. Mothers completed a questionnaire about their own mental health and common childhood sleep problems at four time points from 4–5 years to 14–15 years. The results showed important relationships between mothers’ mental health symptoms and child sleep problems at two time points. Specifically, (1) mothers’ mental health symptoms when the child was aged 4 to 5 years predicted child sleep problems at age 6 to 7 years; and (2) child sleep problems at age 12–13 years predicted mothers’ mental health symptoms when the child was aged 14 to 15 years. Interestingly, these significant relationships also coincide with key developmental transition time points, when the child is transitioning in and out of primary school. These findings highlight the need for increased support for both the child and mother at these times to optimise outcomes for both.
Exploring cell surface markers and cell-cell interactions of human breast milk stem cells
Authors: Coni Pierpaolo , Piras Monica , Piludu Marco , Lachowicz Joanna Izabela , Matteddu Anna , Coni Stefano , Reali Alessandra , Fanos Vassilios , Jaremko Mariusz , Faa Gavino , Pichiri Giuseppina 
Published: January 2023

Background: Breakthrough studies have shown that pluripotent stem cells are present in human breast milk. The expression of pluripotency markers by breast milk cells is heterogeneous, relating to cellular hierarchy, from early-stage multi-lineage stem cells to fully differentiated mammary epithelial cells, as well as weeks of gestation and days of lactation. Design and methods: Here, we qualitatively analyze cell marker expression in freshly isolated human breast milk cells, without any manipulation that could influence protein expression. Moreover, we use electron microscopy to investigate cell-cell networks in breast milk for the first time, providing evidence of active intercellular communication between cells expressing different cellular markers. Results: The immunocytochemistry results of human breast milk cells showed positive staining in all samples for CD44, CD45, CD133, and Ki67 markers. Variable positivity was present with P63, Tβ4 and CK14 markers. No immunostaining was detected for Wt1, nestin, Nanog, OCT4, SOX2, CK5, and CD34 markers. Cells isolated from human breast milk form intercellular connections, which together create a cell-to-cell communication network. Conclusions: Cells freshly isolated form human breast milk, without particular manipulations, show heterogeneous expression of stemness markers. The studied milk staminal cells show “pluripotency” at different stages of differentiation, and are present as single cells or grouped cells. The adjacent cell interactions are evidenced by electron microscopy, which showed the formation of intercellular connections, numerous contact regions, and thin pseudopods.
How I treat multiple myeloma in geriatric patients
Authors: Facon Thierry , Leleu Xavier , Manier Salomon 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is primarily a disease of older patients. Until recently, geriatric aspects in the context of MM have been poorly investigated. Treatment outcomes for geriatric patients with MM are often compromised by comorbidities and an enhanced susceptibility to adverse events from therapy. Assessment of patient frailty has become more frequent and will be useful in the context of significant and continuous advances in therapy. The recent emergence of immunotherapy with CD38 monoclonal antibodies and upcoming immunooncology drugs, such as bispecific antibodies, will lead to additional therapeutic progress. The applicability of these new molecules to older and frail patients is a key clinical question. Here, we present 2 patient cases derived from clinical practice. We review current frailty scores and standards of care for older, newly diagnosed patients with MM, including frail subgroups, and discuss ways to tailor treatment, as well as treatment perspectives in this population.