julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Ex Vivo Drug Susceptibility of Plasmodium malariae Isolates to Antimalarial Drugs in Gabon
2025-05-06

Plasmodium malariae is a neglected human malaria parasite despite its global distribution and propensity for persistent, sub-microscopic infections, which are associated with a mild but significant disease burden. Artemisinin-based therapies appear to be efficacious, but the susceptibility profiles of field isolates are largely unknown. We performed ex vivo assays with isolates collected from asymptomatic volunteers in Gabon. The mean concentrations required to inhibit 50% of growth (IC50) with chloroquine (n = 21), artesunate (n = 20), atovaquone (n = 21), and lumefantrine (n = 14) were 7.2 nM, 2.7 nM, 3.1 nM, and 7.4 nM, respectively. Our study provides novel data on the ex vivo susceptibility of P. malariae to several key antimalarials, including the first dataset for atovaquone.
Carotid artery constriction in autoimmune hypophysitis: three case reports and literature review
2025-05-06

Objective An intracavernous internal carotid artery constriction or occlusion (ICAc/o) has been considered an extremely rare finding in autoimmune hypophysitis (AiHy). This study aimed to analyse predictive factors for the occurrence of ICAc/o in AiHy. Design Retrospective analysis of three of our own cases and 16 published cases. Methods Among 15 surgically treated patients with AiHy, we identified three cases with ICAc/o via time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF MRA) or computed tomography angiography (CTA). In addition, 16 published cases with AiHy and ICAc/o were identified via the literature search. Clinical features, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated. Results TOF MRA revealed complete bilateral ICA occlusion (ICAo) in case 1 and incomplete bilateral ICA constriction (ICAc) in case 2. In the third case, left-sided ICAo was confirmed by CTA. None of our three patients with AiHy complicated by ICAc/o suffered brain infarction or neurological deficits. All three cases exhibited a parasellar T2 dark sign and strong dural enhancement. With our three cases included, seven of 19 published cases (36.8%) showed complete bilateral ICAo. Among these, four presented with ischaemic stroke. Eight of 19 patients (42.1%) presented with cranial nerve palsy. While all patients presented with hypopituitarism, only five had arginine vasopressin (AVP) deficiency. Interestingly, 11 patients had a recurrent course of hypophysitis. Conclusion ICAc/o caused by AiHy appears to be more frequent than previously reported. Special attention should be paid to the carotid arteries in AiHy because of the potentially deleterious complication of ICAc/o. Cranial nerve palsy, a parasellar T2 dark sign, strong perisellar dural enhancement, and a recurrent course of hypophysitis can be considered warning signs of the occurrence of ICAc/o.
A standardized nomenclature for the rods and cones of the vertebrate retina
2025-05-07

Vertebrate photoreceptors have been studied for well over a century, but a fixed nomenclature for referring to orthologous cell types across diverse species has been lacking. Instead, photoreceptors have been variably—and often confusingly—named according to morphology, presence/absence of ‘rhodopsin’, spectral sensitivity, chromophore usage, and/or the gene family of the opsin(s) they express. Here, we propose a unified nomenclature for vertebrate rods and cones that aligns with the naming systems of other retinal cell classes and that is based on the photoreceptor type’s putative evolutionary history. This classification is informed by the functional, anatomical, developmental, and molecular identities of the neuron as a whole, including the expression of deeply conserved transcription factors required for development. The proposed names will be applicable across all vertebrates and indicative of the widest possible range of properties, including their postsynaptic wiring, and hence will allude to their common and species-specific roles in vision. Furthermore, the naming system is open-ended to accommodate the future discovery of as-yet unknown photoreceptor types.
Curiosity across the adult lifespan: Age-related differences in state and trait curiosity
2025-05-07

Maintaining curiosity in older age may be a key predictor of successful aging, but prior research on the relationship between curiosity and age is mixed, with mounting evidence showing that curiosity declines with age. However, there is evidence suggesting that state curiosity – a situational feeling of curiosity in response to information – may increase with age. Prior work has largely not adequately differentiated state and trait curiosity when examining its relationship with age. In a large lifespan sample (pilot study N = 193; preregistered main study N = 1,218), we assess trait curiosity and state curiosity (using a trivia rating task) to examine the relationship between each construct and age. The results show that, in line with prior work, trait curiosity shows a negative relationship with age, but state curiosity shows a positive relationship with age, while controlling for demographic variables. The results suggest that curiosity may have a more complex relationship with age than previously considered, which can have implications for engagement in cognitive activities in everyday life.
Enzalutamide and Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
2025-05-07

Importance In men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline after treatment has been associated with improved survival. However, the data on PSA decline are limited in men with mHSPC after treatment with enzalutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Objective To evaluate the association of enzalutamide plus ADT in men with mHSPC by PSA level at study enrollment in individuals with prior ADT and by degree of PSA reduction with clinical end points. Design, Setting, and Participants This post hoc secondary analysis was performed on data collected from the ARCHES multinational, double-blind, phase 3 randomized clinical trial. In the ARCHES trial, men with mHSPC were randomized between March 21, 2016, and January 12, 2018. Analyses were performed in October 2018 (median follow-up, 14.4 months; IQR, 11.2-17.7 months) and May 2021 (median follow-up, 44.6 months; IQR, 41.3-48.6 months). Intervention Patients were randomized 1:1 to enzalutamide (160 mg/d) plus ADT or placebo plus ADT. ADT received for 3 to 6 months before study enrollment was permitted. Main Outcomes and Measures Radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and overall survival (OS) were correlated post hoc with PSA level at enrollment in patients with prior ADT and additionally with PSA decline at 6 months or undetectable PSA (&amp;amp;lt;0.2 ng/mL) during study treatment. Results A total of 1150 men (median age, 70 years; range, 46-92 years) were enrolled. Improvement in clinical outcomes such as rPFS was seen with enzalutamide plus ADT in men with PSA levels at enrollment of 0.2 to 4 ng/mL and above 4 ng/mL. Hazard ratios (HRs) for improved rPFS in men with PSA levels up to 0.2 ng/mL, above 0.2 to 4 ng/mL, and above 4 ng/mL were 0.59 (95% CI, 0.27-1.30), 0.32 (95% CI, 0.20-0.50), and 0.44 (95% CI, 0.32-0.62), respectively. Patients treated with enzalutamide plus ADT who achieved undetectable PSA had an 86.0% reduced risk of radiographic disease progression (HR, 0.14 [95% CI, 0.09-0.23]; P &amp;amp;lt; .001) and a 76.0% reduced risk of death (HR, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.17-0.34]; P &amp;amp;lt; .001). Conclusions and Relevance In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, patients with mHSPC treated with enzalutamide plus ADT vs placebo plus ADT had improved clinical outcomes regardless of PSA level at enrollment. Undetectable PSA was associated with improved clinical outcomes with enzalutamide treatment. Future studies are required to further characterize the clinical utility of further treatment intensification among men with mHSPC for whom ADT plus enzalutamide fails to achieve undetectable PSA. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02677896
Fiber architecture in the human ventromedial striatum and its relation with the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
2025-05-07

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and the ventromedial striatum (consisting of the head of the caudate nucleus (hCN) and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc)) are both part of complex, foremost limbic networks involved in a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions. However, data on functional or structural connections between the BST and hCN in humans are scarce. In an earlier study using both diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) and conventional histology we found a pathway from the BST to the orbitofrontal cortex apparently passing directly through the hCN. To confirm this finding, we now examined the hCN in human ex-vivo brain tissue using polarized light microscopy (PLM), a method particularly suitable for depicting myelinated nerve fibers. We further examined whether differences in fiber distribution inside the hCN could be depicted using high-resolution DTI data. PLM revealed different fiber populations inside the hCN and the NAcc. Fibers in the hCN were mostly related to the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC) with some apparently terminating in the hCN while the majority exited the hCN to enter the prefrontal white matter. Fibers originating from the BST were only scarcely seen on this level and appeared to either terminate inside the hCN or join the ALIC. On levels below the anterior commissure, the BST strongly connected 1) to other basal forebrain structures including the NAcc, and 2) with the white matter of the medial prefrontal cortex. Differences in fiber density within the hCN could be reproduced on MRI data but with strong interindividual variation. In summary, PLM revealed a much more complex fiber architecture in the region of interest than suggested by our earlier DTI findings. The study at hand shows that PLM can be a valuable tool for the verification of unclear or ambiguous DTI fiber tracking results.
Multicollinearity and redundancy of the PET radiomic feature set
2025-05-07

Abstract Introduction The aim of this study was to map multicollinearity of the radiomic feature set in five independent [ 18 F]FDG-PET cohorts with different tumour types and identify generalizable non-redundant features. Methods Five [ 18 F]FDG-PET radiomic cohorts were analysed: non-small cell lung carcinomas ( N = 35), pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas ( N = 40), head and neck squamous cell carcinomas ( N = 54), [ 18 F]FDG-positive thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology ( N = 84), and gastric carcinomas ( N = 206). Lesions were delineated, and 105 radiomic features were extracted using PyRradiomics. In every cohort, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ) matrices of features were calculated to determine which features showed (very) strong (ρ &gt; 0.7 and ρ &gt; 0.9) correlations with any other feature in all five cohorts. Cluster analysis of an averaged correlation matrix for all cohorts was performed at a threshold of ρ = 0.7 and ρ = 0.9. For each cluster, a representative, non-redundant feature was selected. Results Seventy-two and 90 out of 105 features showed a (very) strong correlation with another feature in the correlation matrix in all five cohorts. Cluster analysis resulted in 35 and 15 non-redundant features at thresholds of ρ = 0.9 and ρ = 0.7, including 6 and 3 shape features, 4 and 2 intensity features, and 25 and 10 texture features, respectively. Seventy or 90 redundant features could be omitted at these thresholds, respectively. Conclusion At least two-thirds of the radiomic feature set could be omitted because of strong multicollinearity in multiple independent cohorts. More redundant features could be identified using a less conservative threshold. Future research should indicate whether multicollinearity of the radiomic feature set is similar for other radiopharmaceuticals and imaging modalities. Key Points Question Radiomic feature sets contain many strongly correlating features, which results in statistical challenges . Findings Analysis of the correlation matrices showed that the same radiomic features were strongly correlated in five independent [ 18 F]FDG-PET cohorts with different tumour types . Clinical relevance At least two-thirds of the radiomic feature set could be omitted, because of strong multicollinearity. More redundant features could be identified using a less conservative threshold . Graphical Abstract
Surface Electromyographic Features for Severity Classification in Facial Palsy: Insights from a German Cohort and Implications for Future Biofeedback Use
2025-05-07

Facial palsy (FP) significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. The accurate classification of FP severity is crucial for personalized treatment planning. Additionally, electromyographic (EMG)-based biofeedback shows promising results in improving recovery outcomes. This prospective study aims to identify EMG time series features that can both classify FP and facilitate biofeedback. Therefore, it investigated surface EMG in FP patients and healthy controls during three different facial movements. Repeated-measures ANOVAs (rmANOVA) were conducted to examine the effects of MOTION (move/rest), SIDE (healthy/lesioned) and the House–Brackmann score (HB), across 20 distinct EMG parameters. Correlation analysis was performed between HB and the asymmetry index of EMG parameters, complemented by Fisher score calculations to assess feature relevance in distinguishing between HB levels. Overall, 55 subjects (51.2 ± 14.73 years, 35 female) were included in the study. RmANOVAs revealed a highly significant effect of MOTION across almost all movement types (p &lt; 0.001). Integrating the findings from rmANOVA, the correlation analysis and Fisher score analysis, at least 5/20 EMG parameters were determined to be robust indicators for assessing the degree of paresis and guiding biofeedback. This study demonstrates that EMG can reliably determine severity and guide effective biofeedback in FP, and in severe cases. Our findings support the integration of EMG into personalized rehabilitation strategies. However, further studies are mandatory to improve recovery outcomes.
Playing repeated games with large language models
2025-05-08

Abstract Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used in applications where they interact with humans and other agents. We propose to use behavioural game theory to study LLMs’ cooperation and coordination behaviour. Here we let different LLMs play finitely repeated 2 × 2 games with each other, with human-like strategies, and actual human players. Our results show that LLMs perform particularly well at self-interested games such as the iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma family. However, they behave suboptimally in games that require coordination, such as the Battle of the Sexes. We verify that these behavioural signatures are stable across robustness checks. We also show how GPT-4’s behaviour can be modulated by providing additional information about its opponent and by using a ‘social chain-of-thought’ strategy. This also leads to better scores and more successful coordination when interacting with human players. These results enrich our understanding of LLMs’ social behaviour and pave the way for a behavioural game theory for machines.
sc-MULTI-omics approach in nano-rare diseases: understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of Mulvihill-Smith Syndrome
2025-05-09

Abstract Mulvihill-Smith Syndrome (MSS) is a clinically complex and genetically unsolved nano-rare disorder with only 12 patients reported in the literature. Most patients (91%) have immunological impairments, succumb to infection, and might develop cancer later in life. Its pathogenesis remains elusive and therapeutic options are limited. We used single-cell MULTI-omics (sc-MULTI-omics), combining transcriptomics (gene expression, TCR, and BCR repertoire) and proteogenomic (Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by Sequencing; CITE-seq), to decipher the pathophysiology of nano-rare disease patient. We report a new patient who is a 16-year-old girl. She had an increased leukocyte counts and typical manifestations of MSS such as short stature, older appearance, multiple pigmented nevi, microcephaly, monolateral keratoconus, Marcus-Gunn syndrome, hearing loss, vitamin D deficiency, mild hypercortisolism, and diabetes mellitus with very high insulin resistance (T3DM). sc-MULTI-omics CITE-seq showed that the MSS patient had increased central memory CD4 + T cells as well as effector memory CD8 + T cells, whilst reduced naïve T cells (both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells). Furthermore, we identified genes and pathways associated with the progeria-like phenotype, inflammation, and cancer progression, which may contribute to the clinical signs of MSS. sc-MUTLI-omics CITE-seq analyses improve our understanding of complex human disease pathophysiology and provides an alternative approach in personalized medicine in nano-rare disease. Graphical abstract
Using non-insecticidal traps indoors can complement insecticide-treated nets to target insecticide-resistant malaria vectors
2025-05-09

Abstract Background Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) provide protection against malaria vectors through their insecticidal action and as a physical barrier. However, insecticide resistance in malaria vectors has diminished their efficacy, threatening future malaria control. To reinforce ITNs’ effectiveness, evaluating non-insecticide-based tools in an integrated control approach is worthwhile. In the present study, a mosquito collection technique, the Host Decoy Trap (HDT), was coupled with standard ITNs as a complementary intervention, and its effectiveness against insecticide-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. was assessed in experimental huts. Methods An HDT combined with either permethrin or deltamethrin-treated nets was tested against field-collected An. gambiae mosquitoes from Za-Kpota (Benin Republic) in experimental hut trials following WHO Phase II guidelines. Effectiveness was assessed in terms of mosquito mortality, blood feeding and exophily rates. Prior to hut trials, an insecticide susceptibility test was performed on field-collected An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes to screen for pyrethroid resistance. Results A significantly higher mortality rate was observed against both susceptible and field-collected An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes when ITNs were used with HDT (ranging from 80.18 to 99.78%) compared to alone (2.44–100%). The combined use of treated nets with HDT resulted in a lower rate (ranging from 0 to 10.83%) of blood feeding compared to the treated nets alone (ranging from 0 to 16.93%). When treated nets were hung next to the HDT, they significantly limited the number of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes that exited experimental huts compared to the nets alone. Conclusions The use of HDT alongside ITNs has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the likelihood of vector-host contact by insecticide-resistant An. gambiae . A combination of HDT and treated nets reduced the number of live An. gambiae mosquitoes as well as the blood-feeding rate. Furthermore, it reduced the number of mosquitoes likely to leave the huts and enter the natural environment. Altogether, our findings highlight the potential of integrated approaches combining non-insecticidal trapping devices with ITNs when designing future integrated vector control strategies.
Trained to rebel: Rebel leaders’ military training and the dynamics of civil conflicts
2025-05-09

Rebel leaders can prolong civil wars. Although past research has examined how rebel groups have shaped civil wars, little attention has been paid to rebel leaders. I argue that civil wars last longer and are less likely to be terminated in government-favorable outcomes when rebel leaders with training in a nonstate armed group are in charge, in contrast to leaders with no training or state military service. Nonstate training makes leaders more capable of continuing the conflict with few weapons and resources and more willing to persevere because of their combatant socialization. The rebel leaders trained in creativity and perseverance are more likely to make strategic choices that heighten bargaining challenges and the risk of bargaining failure thus leading to longer wars. I test propositions through a quantitative analysis of all rebel leaders in civil conflicts from 1989 to 2015. The analysis is supplemented with a qualitative discussion based on personal interviews with top-level leaders of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in children and adolescents—Data from the German MET studies (1997–2023)
2025-05-11

Abstract Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (panNETs) are rare pediatric malignancies with age‐specific clinical and biological features. Data on their presentation, management, and outcomes remain limited. This retrospective study analyzed 28 pediatric panNET cases from the German Malignant Endocrine Tumor (MET) Registry enrolled between 1997 and 2024. Clinical presentation, diagnostics, and treatment were evaluated to identify prognostic factors and outcomes. The cohort included 18 females (64.3%) and 10 males (35.7%), with a median age at diagnosis of 14.7 years. Nonfunctional tumors predominated (75%). Genetic syndromes were identified in 17.9% of patients. Localized disease showed a 3‐year overall survival (OS) of 100%, while metastatic disease had a 3‐year OS of 50.9%. Event‐free survival was significantly associated with the presence of distant metastases (M0 vs. M1, p = .0082) and complete surgical resection (R 0 vs. R 1/2 vs. no resection, p = .0077) but not with lymph node involvement (N0 vs. N1, p = .12), tumor localization within the pancreas (head vs. body vs. tail, p = .86), the extent of the primary tumor (pT1‐2 vs. pT3‐4, p = 1.0), pathological grade (G1 vs. G2‐3, p = .28), or proliferation index (Ki67 ≤ 10% vs. &gt;10%, p = .11). This study underscores the importance of disease stage and surgical resection as key prognostic factors in pediatric panNETs. It highlights the need for pediatric‐specific management guidelines, integration of genetic screening, and expanded molecular profiling to optimize outcomes for children and adolescents with panNETs.
Self‐Assembly of Quantum‐Confined CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals into Rhombic, Frame, and Rectangular Superlattices
2025-05-11

Superlattices of quantum‐confined perovskite nanocrystals (5–6 nm) present an interesting example of colloidal crystals because of the interplay between nanoscopic parameters (nanocrystal sizes, shapes, and colloidal softness) and the microscopic shapes of their assemblies. These superlattices are reported as rectangular or rhombic, with little discussion of the outcomes of self‐assembly experiments which are worthwhile to study given the rising interest in the optical properties of these nanomaterials. It is observed that various superlattice shapes are produced in a single solvent evaporation experiment from a nanocrystal dispersion drop‐casted onto a tilted substrate. The observed shapes are categorized as rhombi, rectangles, and hollow frames (including hollow rectangular frames, nested structures, and interconnected fragments). The influence of self‐assembly conditions is studied by optical microscopy, and the nanocrystal circularity, aspect ratio, and size are quantified by transmission electron microscopy with additional insights into the superlattice structure provided by X‐ray nanodiffraction. The results suggest that rhombic shapes arise from a subpopulation of nanocrystals with broader size and shape dispersions, whereas more uniform nanocrystals form rectangular structures (either solid or hollow). The solvent evaporation dynamics and diffusion of the drying liquid contribute to forming more complex shapes, such as nested frames and cracked and multidomain superlattices.