bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A plug-and-play system for polycyclic tetramate macrolactam production and functionalization
Authors: Glöckle Anna , Schuler Sebastian , Einsiedler Manuel , Gulder Tobias A. M. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
The biosynthesis of the natural product family of the polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PoTeMs) employs an uncommon iterative polyketide synthase/non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (iPKS/NRPS). This machinery produces a universal PoTeM biosynthetic precursor that contains a tetramic acid moiety connected to two unsaturated polyene side chains. The enormous structural and hence functional diversity of PoTeMs is enabled by pathway-specific tailoring enzymes, particularly cyclization-catalyzing oxidases that process the polyene chains to form distinct ring systems, and further modifying enzymes.

Results
Ikarugamycin is the first discovered PoTeM and is formed by the three enzymes IkaABC. Utilizing the iPKS/NRPS IkaA, we established a genetic plug-and-play system by screening eight different strong promoters downstream of ikaA to facilitate high-level heterologous expression of PoTeMs in different Streptomyces host systems. Furthermore, we applied the system on three different PoTeM modifying genes (ptmD, ikaD, and cftA), showing the general utility of this approach to study PoTeM post-PKS/NRPS processing of diverse tailoring enzymes.

Conclusion
By employing our plug-and-play system for PoTeMs, we reconstructed the ikarugamycin biosynthesis and generated five derivatives of ikarugamycin. This platform will generally facilitate the investigation of new PoTeM biosynthetic cyclization and tailoring reactions in the future.
Evaluation of the role of unconventional prefoldin RPB5 interactor (URI1) in hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Štaflová Karolína , Zábranský Aleš , Pichová Iva 
Published: January 2025

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can cause liver disease and lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To better understand the factors involved in viral infection and pathogenesis and to develop novel therapies, it is crucial to investigate virus–host interactions. HBV infection has been shown to increase the expression of the unconventional prefoldin RPB5 interactor (URI1), a cellular protein that promotes liver tumorigenesis and HCC metastasis. Our study investigated the role of URI1 in HBV infection in vitro. Although previous reports have suggested that URI1 may act as an HBV restriction factor, our results showed that URI1 silencing or overexpression did not affect HBV replication in HepG2-NTCP cells. In primary human hepatocytes, URI1 knockdown modestly reduced HBV markers but did not significantly alter acute infection. Supporting the premise that URI1 is a promising therapeutic target for HCC, our findings show that URI1 knockdown does not enhance HBV infection in an acute infection model. This suggests that URI1 may be a viable therapeutic target for patients with HBV-associated HCC without increasing HBV-related complications.
Prioritizing attributes of approaches to analyzing patient-centered outcomes that are truncated due to death in critical care clinical trials: a Delphi study
Authors: Bahti Melanie , Kahan Brennan C. , Li Fan , Harhay Michael O. , Auriemma Catherine L. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
A key challenge for many critical care clinical trials is that some patients will die before their outcome is fully measured. This is referred to as “truncation due to death” and must be accounted for in both the treatment effect definition (i.e. the estimand), as well as the statistical analysis approach. It is unknown which analytic approaches to this challenge are most relevant to stakeholders.

Methods
Using a modified Delphi process, we sought to identify critical attributes of analytic methods used to account for truncation due to death in critical care clinical trials. The Delphi panel included stakeholders with diverse professional or personal experience in critical care-focused clinical trials. The research team generated an initial list of attributes and associated definitions. The attribute list and definitions were refined through two Delphi rounds. Panelists ranked and scored attributes and provided open-ended rationales for responses. A consensus threshold was set as ≥ 70% of respondents rating an attribute as “Critical” (i.e., score ≥ 7 on a 9-point Likert scale) and ≤ 15% of respondents rating the measure as “Not Important” (i.e., a score of ≤ 3).

Results
Thirty-one (91%) of 34 invited individuals participated in one or both rounds. The response rate was 82% in Round 1 and 85% in Round 2. Participants included eight (26%) personal experience experts and 26 (84%) professional experience experts. After two Delphi rounds, four attributes met the criteria for consensus: accuracy (the approach will identify effects if they exist, but will not if they do not), interpretability (the approach enables a straightforward interpretation of the intervention’s effect), clinical relevance (the approach can directly inform patient care), and patient-centeredness (the approach is relevant to patients and/or their families). Attributes that did not meet the consensus threshold included sensitivity, comparability, familiarity, mechanistic plausibility, and statistical simplicity.

Conclusions
We found that methods used to account for truncation due to death in the treatment effect definition and statistical approach in critical care trials should meet at least four defined criteria: accuracy, interpretability, clinical relevance, and patient-centeredness. Future work is needed to derive objective criteria to quantify how well existing estimands and analytic approaches encompass these attributes.
Do you know your PSMA-tracer? Variability in the biodistribution of different PSMA ligands and its potential impact on defining PSMA-positivity prior to PSMA-targeted therapy
Authors: Heilinger Jan , Roth Katrin Sabine , Weis Henning , Fink Antonis , Weindler Jasmin , Dietlein Felix , Krapf Philipp , Schomäcker Klaus , Neumaier Bernd , Dietlein Markus , Drzezga Alexander , Kobe Carsten 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
In clinical practice, several radiopharmaceuticals are used for PSMA-PET imaging, each with distinct biodistribution patterns. This may impact treatment decisions and outcomes, as eligibility for PSMA-directed radioligand therapy is usually assessed by comparing tumoral uptake to normal liver uptake as a reference. In this study, we aimed to compare tracer uptake intraindividually in various reference regions including liver, parotid gland and spleen as well as the respective tumor-to-background ratios (TBR) of different 18F-labeled PSMA ligands to today’s standard radiopharmaceutical 68Ga-PSMA-11 in a series of patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer who underwent a dual PSMA-PET examination as part of an individualized diagnostic approach.

Results
Differences in background activity among different PSMA-PET tracers lead to variations in tumor-to-background ratios (TBR). In [18F]F-DCFPyL-PET, TBR with the liver as the reference organ (TBRliver) was comparable to [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11-PET, while [18F]F-PSMA-1007-PET and [18F]F-JK-PSMA-7-PET showed significantly lower values. Using the parotid gland as the reference (TBRparotidgland), [18F]F-DCFPyL-PET exhibited significantly higher values, whereas [18F]F-PSMA-1007-PET and [18F]F-JK-PSMA-7-PET were comparable. For the spleen (TBRspleen), [18F]F-JK-PSMA-7-PET was comparable, but [18F]F-DCFPyL-PET and [18F]F-PSMA-1007-PET showed significantly higher and lower values, respectively. An additional Bland-Altman analyses revealed low bias for [18F]F-DCFPyL-PET in TBRparotidgland, whereas significant differences in TBRliver and TBRspleen for the other tracers resulted in higher bias.

Conclusion
Different PSMA-PET tracers exhibit distinct biodistribution patterns, leading to variations in tumor-to-background ratios (TBR) in reference organs such as the liver, parotid gland, and spleen. Patient selection for PSMA-directed radioligand therapy is currently based on a semiquantitative approach using the liver as a reference region in [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11-PET. Thus, the use of alternative [18F]-labeled tracers may result in under- or overestimation of a patient’s suitability for therapy. This highlights the importance of a comprehensive understanding of the differences in tracer-specific uptake behavior for accurate decisions regarding PSMA-expression levels. However, as the patient cohort in this study is at earlier disease stages, the generalizability of these findings to later-stage patients remains unclear and requires further investigation.
Phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. across diverse rangelands in northeastern Ethiopia
Authors: Tilahun Minyahel , Angassa Ayana , Bora Zinabu , Mengistu Shimelis , Wu Jianshuang 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Introduction
Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. substantially threatens dry rangelands due to its invasive attributes, exacerbated by climate change, land-use practices, and anthropogenic activities. Despite the urgent need to understand its ecological impacts, comprehensive studies examining the relationship between its functional traits and reproductive fitness across diverse habitats and land-use scenarios are lacking. This study investigated the functional traits and fitness of Prosopis juliflora in the Afar region of Ethiopia, focusing on three land-use types: dry-season grazing lands, wet-season grazing lands, and wildlife reserves.

Methods
Plant samples were collected from 192 plots to assess their adaptive potential and genetic variation, alongside relevant physiographic and climatic data. This approach aims to elucidate the contributions of these factors to the observed variation and plasticity of Prosopis juliflora across three rangeland types differing in land use intensity. Generalized linear mixed models and co-occurrence networks were employed to analyze the complex interaction.

Results
Our findings revealed significant variation in fruiting onset and duration, with wet-season grazing lands demonstrating a shorter duration compared to dry-season grazing lands and wildlife reserves. Genetic variation was significant for total seed mass and number, indicating robust adaptability. The relative growth rate was higher in wildlife reserves compared to dry-season grazing lands, highlighting adaptive advantages in nutrient-rich environments. Additionally, climatic and physiographic analysis identified soil type as a critical factor influencing trait performance.

Conclusions
This study underscores the urgent need for targeted management strategies to mitigate the ecological impacts of Prosopis juliflora, emphasizing the critical role of soil nutrients in reproductive fitness. Our findings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of invasive species in dry ecosystems and inform conservation efforts.
“It’s more than a ride” veteran perceptions of peer specialist qualities and activities that were most valuable for post-incarceration reentry: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Richardson Eric , Flike Kimberlee , Hyde Justeen , Petrakis Beth Ann , McInnes D. Keith , Kim Bo 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
Reentry veterans experience many barriers to achieving physical and psychological well-being. While peer specialists can provide important support to veterans as they readjust to life post-incarceration, their specific activities and qualities most valued by veterans are not well known. The Post-Incarceration Engagement (PIE) intervention, coordinated with VA’s Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV) program, links reentry veterans with a peer specialist who provides connection to services and social-emotional support during the reentry process. We conducted a qualitative examination of veterans’ perceptions regarding the key qualities and activities of peer specialists that were most valued during their reentry process.

Methods
We interviewed 25 veterans engaged in PIE about their experiences working with a PIE peer specialist. We conducted a thematic analysis. Two project team members independently coded interviews and identified emergent themes that were refined with input from other members.

Results
Veterans found the peer specialist’s physical and emotional availability, shared lived experience, and connection to resources to be invaluable for successful reentry post-incarceration. Veterans emphasized how important it was that the peer was consistently available and provided social, emotional, and logistical support. Secondly, veterans found it valuable to work with another veteran familiar with the VA system and to be able to share lived experiences. It provided an instant connection with the peer specialist. Finally, the personalized connections to VA and community resources equipped the reentry veterans with the essential resources to ensure continued success post-incarceration.

Conclusion
Reentry veterans identified several key qualities and activities of the peer specialist that were vital to their reentry success. Our results may be used to inform other interventions aimed at improving the lives of reentry veterans along with other reentry populations.
Financial performance evaluation of firms in BIST 100 index with ITARA and COBRA methods
Authors: Katrancı Ali , Kundakcı Nilsen , Pamucar Dragan 
Published: January 2025

AbstractEvaluating firms’ financial performance is important for survival in the competitive environment arising from technological advancements and gaining a competitive advantage. This study aims to assess the financial performances of firms traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange 100 Index (Borsa Istanbul (BIST) 100 Index) between 2018 and 2022 using an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. This is the first study to use a new combined approach proposed based on the indifference threshold-based attribute ratio analysis (ITARA) and cost estimation, benchmarking, and risk assessment (COBRA) methods, which have not been applied to corporate performance assessment. The ITARA method is used to find the weights of the criteria, and the ranking of the firms in terms of financial performance is obtained using the COBRA method. The results show that the firms with the highest financial performance are ISMEN, ALGYO, PGSUS, KOZAA, and IPEKE. The companies with the lowest financial performance are AKFGY, BAGFS, MGROS, KOZAL, and GOZDE. The results of this ranking provide important information for firms to recognize their position and for investors who want to invest in firms in the BIST 100 Index. Additionally, sensitivity analyses are performed to assess the impact of changes in the criteria on the ranking of the firms and to validate the results of the proposed method. A comparative analysis is made with different MCDM methods like the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) methods and Spearman’s rank correlation test results are presented. This approach leads to the conclusion that the proposed approach can be a useful and effective tool for assessing the financial performance of firms.
Nutritional changes in patients undergoing hemodialysis who develop COVID-19
Authors: Kitabayashi Kou , Yamamoto Suguru , Goto Shin 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to deteriorate nutrition in the general population. However, the influence of COVID-19 on the nutritional status of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis remains unclear.

Methods
A retrospective study was conducted in a hospital that had an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. COVID-19 was diagnosed using an antigen test, and the subjects were divided into COVID-19 and control groups. Data on body mass index, biochemistry measurements, geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), functional oral intake scale, and nutritional intake were collected from medical records. A generalized linear mixed model was used to analyze the interaction of time × group for these parameters between the two groups.

Results
The study included 28 participants, 16 of whom belonged to the COVID-19 group. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, except for serum creatinine level, among the groups. In the COVID-19 group, 63% exhibited anorexia and 50% experienced vomiting/nausea. Nutritional support or dietary consultations were provided to nine patients. Significant declines were observed in serum albumin level, total iron binding capacity, energy intake, and GNRI in the COVID-19 group, and these nutritional parameters recovered within 1 month following the resolution of the infection.

Conclusions
COVID-19 deteriorated nutritional status in patients undergoing hemodialysis. More proactive nutritional support may help maintain the nutritional status of patients undergoing hemodialysis during COVID-19 infection and could lead to a better prognosis.
Development of a brief screening measure of unmet supportive care needs (SCNS-P&C-6) in caregivers of people with high-grade glioma
Authors: Chen Jill , Shaw Joanne M. , Dhillon Haryana M. , Halkett Georgia K. B. , McDougall Emma , Nowak Anna K. , Campbell Rachel ,   for the BRAINs Program Investigators
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Purpose
Informal caregivers of people with high grade glioma (HGG) often have high levels of unmet support needs. Routine screening for unmet needs can facilitate appropriate and timely access to supportive care. We aimed to develop a brief screening tool for HGG caregiver unmet needs, based on the Supportive Care Needs Survey—Partners & Caregivers (SCNS-P&C).

Methods
Secondary analysis was performed on responses to the SCNS-P&C from 188 HGG caregivers, who participated in the Care-IS trial. SCNS-P&C items were assessed against four criteria: factor loadings; prevalence; variation in domain score; diagnostic accuracy. Supplementary analysis was conducted at two timepoints (T1 & T2) on the final selected items to identify caregivers indicating no needs on the screening items but reported a need on the original SCNS-P&C, suggesting they would be “missed” by the screening items.

Results
Six items performed best against psychometric criteria, capturing two domains: Cancer impact needs and Information and communication needs. Supplementary analysis showed screening items failed to identify only 7.4% (14/188) of caregivers with other unmet needs at T1 and 11.4% (18/158) at T2. Of those missed at T1, only four were missed again at T2.

Conclusions
We identified six-items for inclusion in a brief screening tool, the SCNS-P&C-6, demonstrating good sensitivity in detecting unmet needs of caregivers of people with HGG. Use of this tool in clinical practice has the potential to improve access to care and the cancer experience for both the caregiver and person with brain tumor.
Cryptanalysis of IAR-CTR and IAR-CFB and a fixing method
Authors: Zhu Xueqi , Liu Fangzhou , Jia Yan , Xu Jun , Wang Peng 
Published: January 2025

AbstractWe present practical attacks on IAR-CTR and IAR-CFB, AE modes proposed by Hwang and Gope to offer both privacy and authenticity in a single pass. Then we use the idea of iCOFB, which is originally defined with a tweakable random function, to fix the IAR-CTR mode using the tweakable block cipher, and propose the TIAR-CTR mode, which is a one-pass AEAD mode with provable security. However, the same fixed method does not work for the IAR-CFB mode.
Formulation and evaluation of hyaluronic acid and adipic acid dihydrazide modified graphene quantum dot-based nanotherapeutics for paclitaxel-targeted delivery in breast cancer
Authors: Morani Dilip O. , Patil Pravin O. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
Paclitaxel (PAC) was the first-ever natural chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer. However, it has some drawbacks like low water solubility, a long half-life, an unregulated rate of discharge, etc. Thus, this research paper aimed to develop PAC-loaded nanoparticles to lessen toxicity and boost PAC's solubility in water. In this case, hyaluronic acid (HA), graphene quantum dots (GQDs), and adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) have been combined in a unique way to suggest pH-responsive nanoconjugates that can improve the therapeutic effect of medicinal molecule PAC with fluorescence and breast cancer targeting.

Results
The investigation of the particle dimensions revealed that the majority of the particles were discovered to be between 25–50 nm. Additionally, the loading efficiency of PAC in PAC@HA-ADH-GQDs nanoconjugates was 93.56% and the release of PAC was around 70% at pH 5 and 20% at pH 7.4 in 24 h. The MTT test's risk-free methodology successfully supports the classification of HA-ADH-GQD as a biocompatible substance as it demonstrates cell viability of more than 75%. Additionally, cellular uptake research has shown that MCF7 cancer cells absorbed more PAC@HA-ADH-GQDs than GQDs alone due to the presence of targeting agent HA.

Conclusion
In this study, we have investigated the potential of the hyaluronic acid motif (HA-ADH-GQDs)-attached nanotherapeutics (NTCs) as a carrier for simultaneous fluorescence imaging and pH-triggered targeted administration of anticancer medication for the treatment of breast cancer. The suggested study is innovative since anticancer drug delivery using HA-GQDs NTCs with adhesive capabilities of ADH has not been previously described.

Graphical Abstract
Audio-vestibular dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis associated secondary Sjogren syndrome, and its correlation to serum level of anticardiolipin and muscarinic type 3 receptors antibodies: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Nada Doaa Waseem , Almokadem Heba Ahmed , Elkholy Rania Elsaied , El-Gharib Amani Mohamed , Abdelwahab Marwa Ahmed , Soliman Nema Ali , Alsalawy Alaa Mohamed 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background
In secondary Sjogren syndrome (sSS), the presence and extent of hearing and vestibular abnormalities are controversial. Hence, to ascertain if individuals with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated secondary Sjogren syndrome (sSS) had subclinical audio-vestibular impairment as well as to investigate whether serum anticardiolipin and muscarinic receptors type 3 antibodies had a role in its pathogenesis, this cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 RA patients with secondary Sjogren syndrome manifestations and 50 RA patients without such manifestations were included, along with 50 apparently healthy volunteers who were aged, and sex-matched as controls. Full history taking, Otologic examination, Immunologic evaluation, and Audio-vestibular assessment were done for all subjects.

Results
Twenty-five percent of our patients experienced subjective audio-vestibular symptoms. In the audiogram, 30 (60%) of the 50 RA patients with sSS and 5 (10%) of RA patients without sSS had abnormal hearing loss compared to only 4 (8%) of the controls (p ≤ 0.001) with a predominance of high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Also, 20% of our patients experienced a higher frequency of head-shaking nystagmus than they did (p ≤ 0.001). 30% had a statistically significant increase in the frequency of abnormal caloric test results as compared to either controls (0%) or RA patients without sSS (0%); p ≤ 0.001 Finally, all audio-vestibular symptoms and tests exhibit a strong positive correlation with muscarinic receptors type 3 and anticardiolipin antibodies.

Conclusion
The use of muscarinic receptors type 3 and anticardiolipin antibodies are beneficial for early diagnosis of audio-vestibular dysfunction in RA-associated secondary Sjogren syndrome patients. Therefore, this study is important since it justifies rheumatologists’ screening for inner ear damage in their RA patients especially if associated with secondary Sjogren.