bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure and mechanical properties of diamond‐like carbon films prepared by pulsed laser‐induced cathodic vacuum arc technique
Authors: Feng Xingguo , Zheng Yu , Wang Keliang , Zheng Yugang , Zhang Yanshuai , Zhou Hui
Published: June 2023

Diamond‐like carbon (DLC) films are prepared by pulsed laser‐induced cathodic vacuum arc technique with various arc voltages. The purpose of the research is to investigate the influence of the arc voltage on the structure, mechanical, and tribological properties of DLC films. The results from Raman spectra and XPS show that with increasing arc voltage from 180 to 280 V, the sp3 content in the DLC film increases from 43.2 to 56.9 at%, then follows by a significant decrease with further increasing arc voltage to 330 V. The trend in the mechanical properties of DLC films correlates well with the sp3 content in the films. The maximum hardness, modulus, and adhesion critical load (Lc) of the DLC film is obtained in the film deposited at 280 V; the values of that are 46.4 GPa, 380.6 GPa, and 620 mN, respectively. The friction coefficient of the films is between 0.1 and 0.2, and the film deposited at 280 V has the minimum wear rate with a value of 3.2 × 10−17 m3/m.N. It is concluded that the DLC films with high sp3 content (ta‐C, tetrahedral amorphous carbon) not only have good mechanical properties but also have excellent tribological properties, which provides a promising application for wear resistance parts.
Expired flunarizine hydrochloride as corrosion inhibitors for Q235 steel in hydrochloric acid medium: Experimental and computational investigation
Authors: Lin Qiangwen , Zhang Qiao , Huang Yongbiao , Luo Yuzhou , Zhang Renhui , Guo Lei
Published: June 2023

The corrosion of carbon steel is always a very serious issue, and the addition of corrosion inhibitors is an effective approach to prohibiting the corrosion of carbon steel. Because expired drugs are environmentally friendly, green, and non‐toxic; thus, this work provides a new idea for the treatment of expired drugs. The expired flunarizine hydrochloride (FH) is used as corrosion inhibitors for Q235 steel, investigating the corrosion inhibition efficiency of expired FH with different concentrations for carbon steel and illustrating the corrosion inhibition mechanism. Electrochemical impedance and Tafel curves are used to investigate the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel under 1 M HCl solution with different concentrations of the expired FH, and the corrosion efficiency is calculated according to the immersion tests, and the corrosion inhibition efficiency is more than 88.5%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy strongly support the results of the electrochemical experiment. Besides, the simulation results also provide the strong supports for the experimental results.
Sample size considerations for assessing treatment effect heterogeneity in randomized trials with heterogeneous intracluster correlations and variances
Authors: Tong Guangyu , Taljaard Monica , Li Fan
Published: June 2023

An important consideration in the design and analysis of randomized trials is the need to account for outcome observations being positively correlated within groups or clusters. Two notable types of designs with this consideration are individually randomized group treatment trials and cluster randomized trials. While sample size methods for testing the average treatment effect are available for both types of designs, methods for detecting treatment effect modification are relatively limited. In this article, we present new sample size formulas for testing treatment effect modification based on either a univariate or multivariate effect modifier in both individually randomized group treatment and cluster randomized trials with a continuous outcome but any types of effect modifier, while accounting for differences across study arms in the outcome variance, outcome intracluster correlation coefficient (ICC) and the cluster size. We consider cases where the effect modifier can be measured at either the individual level or cluster level, and with a univariate effect modifier, our closed‐form sample size expressions provide insights into the optimal allocation of groups or clusters to maximize design efficiency. Overall, our results show that the required sample size for testing treatment effect heterogeneity with an individual‐level effect modifier can be affected by unequal ICCs and variances between arms, and accounting for such between‐arm heterogeneity can lead to more accurate sample size determination. We use simulations to validate our sample size formulas and illustrate their application in the context of two real trials: an individually randomized group treatment trial (the AWARE study) and a cluster randomized trial (the K‐DPP study).
Activatable Nanoreporters for Real‐Time Tracking of Macrophage Phenotypic States Associated with Disease Progression
Authors: Ramesh Anujan , Deshpande Nilesh , Malik Vaishali , Nguyen Anh , Malhotra Mehak , Debnath Maharshi , Brouillard Anthony , Kulkarni Ashish
Published: June 2023

Diagnosis of inflammatory diseases is characterized by identifying symptoms, biomarkers, and imaging. However, conventional techniques lack the sensitivities and specificities to detect disease early. Here, it is demonstrated that the detection of macrophage phenotypes, from inflammatory M1 to alternatively activated M2 macrophages, corresponding to the disease state can be used to predict the prognosis of various diseases. Activatable nanoreporters that can longitudinally detect the presence of the enzyme Arginase 1, a hallmark of M2 macrophages, and nitric oxide, a hallmark of M1 macrophages are engineered, in real‐time. Specifically, an M2 nanoreporter enables the early imaging of the progression of breast cancer as predicted by selectively detecting M2 macrophages in tumors. The M1 nanoreporter enables real‐time imaging of the subcutaneous inflammatory response that rises from a local lipopolysccharide (LPS) administration. Finally, the M1‐M2 dual nanoreporter is evaluated in a muscle injury model, where an initial inflammatory response is monitored by imaging M1 macrophages at the site of inflammation, followed by a resolution phase monitored by the imaging of infiltrated M2 macrophages involved in matrix regeneration and wound healing. It is anticipated that this set of macrophage nanoreporters may be utilized for early diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring of inflammatory responses in various disease models.
Phosphorus‐Modulated Generation of Defective Molybdenum Sites as Synergistic Active Centers for Durable Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Bai Juan , Mei Jun , Shang Jing , Mao Xin , Qi Dongchen , Liao Ting , Du Aijun , Sun Ziqi
Published: June 2023

It is well known that electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activities primarily depend on the active centers of electrocatalysts. In some oxide electrocatalysts, high‐valence metal sites (e.g., molybdenum oxide) are generally not the real active centers for electrocatalytic reactions, which is largely due to their undesired intermediate adsorption behaviors. As a proof‐of‐concept, molybdenum oxide catalysts are selected as a representative model, in which the intrinsic molybdenum sites are not the favorable active sites. Via phosphorus‐modulated defective engineering, the inactive molybdenum sites can be regenerated as synergistic active centers for promoting OER. By virtue of comprehensive comparison , it is revealed that the OER performance of oxide catalysts is highly associated with the phosphorus sites and the molybdenum/oxygen defects. Specifically, the optimal catalyst delivers an overpotential of 287 mV to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm−2, accompanied by only 2% performance decay for continuous operation up to 50 h. It is expected that this work sheds light on the enrichment of metal active sites via activating inert metal sites on oxide catalysts for boosting electrocatalytic properties.
Construction and Application: Introduction of the Analytical Framework for Popularization Discourse
Authors: Sterk Florentine Marnel , van Goch Merel M.
Published: June 2023

In this chapter, we introduce our own analytical framework for popularization discourse. The framework had to comply with four aims: be usable in any subgenre of popularization discourse, be usable in disciplinary and multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary settings, be reliable with multiple raters, and be easy to apply by offering application remarks and explanations of strategies. The analytical framework is produced through a construction and validation step. It consists of 34 strategies that are captured under five themes: Subject Matter, Tailoring Information to the Reader, Credibility, Stance, and Engagement. This chapter offers insight into these themes as well as into each individual strategy, for which application remarks and further reading suggestions are also offered. Lastly, the analytical framework is compared to existing frameworks and rubrics that were proposed in the academic literature.
Text Example: Using an Analytical Framework to Code a Professional Science Journalism Text
Authors: Sterk Florentine Marnel , van Goch Merel M.
Published: June 2023

In this chapter, the analytical framework for popularization discourse is used to code the science journalism text “Baby Poop Is Loaded With Microplastics.” The chapter shows the kinds of insights that can be produced on the level of the individual text. Furthermore, presenting the in-depth analysis of a single text allows us to share what coding using our framework looks like on the level of the strategy.
Corpus Example: Using an Analytical Framework to Explore Professional Writing in Science Journalism
Authors: Sterk Florentine Marnel , van Goch Merel M.
Published: June 2023

This chapter presents the analysis of a corpus of 38 professional science journalism articles. The analysis is quantitative, that is, it shows how often each strategy is used in the corpus, and instrumental, which means that an interpretation of the texts is offered through the application of the analytical framework for popularization discourse. In this chapter, we include the percentage of use and an example of the use of each strategy. The median of strategy use is 20 (out of a possible 34), with a high score of 27 strategies and a low score of 10 strategies. Some strategies are used in (nearly) every text, such as presenting results/conclusions or hyperlinks, whereas other strategies are used hardly at all, such as references to popular lore and beliefs, and popular culture. Overall, strategies in the themes Subject Matter, Tailoring Information to the Reader, and Stance are used most, with the aggregated scores for the themes Credibility and Engagement being much lower. This analysis provides insights into how popularization strategies are used in a corpus of science journalism writing as a whole.
Small black hole explosions
Authors: Angius Roberta , Huertas Jesús , Uranga Angel M.
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Small black holes are a powerful tool to explore infinite distances in moduli spaces. However, we show that in 4d theories with a scalar potential growing fast enough at infinity, it is energetically too costly for scalars to diverge at the core, and the small black hole puffs up into a regular black hole, or follows a runaway behaviour.

We derive a critical exponent characterizing the occurrence or not of such small black hole explosions, both from a 4d perspective, and in the 2d theory after an S2 truncation. The latter setup allows a unified discussion of fluxes, domain walls and black holes, solving an apparent puzzle in the expression of their potentials in the 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 gauged supergravity context.

We discuss the realization of these ideas in 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 gauged supergravities. Along the way we show that many regular black hole supergravity solutions in the literature in the latter context are incomplete, due to Freed-Witten anomalies (or duals thereof), and require the emission of strings by the black hole.

From the 2d perspective, small black hole solutions correspond to dynamical cobordisms, with the core describing an end of the world brane. Small black hole explosions represent obstructions to completing the dynamical cobordism. We study the implications for the Cobordism Distance Conjecture, which states that in any theory there should exist dynamical cobordisms accessing all possible infinite distance limits in scalar field space. The realization of this principle using small black holes leads to non-trivial constraints on the 4d scalar potential of any consistent theory; in the 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 context, they allow to recover from a purely bottom-up perspective, several non-trivial properties of vector moduli spaces near infinity familiar from CY3 compactifications.
Partial debridement is the most commonly reported treatment option for mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament: a systematic review
Authors: Vivekanantha Prushoth , Diao Yi David , Kay Jeffrey , Hoshino Yuichi , Nagai Kanto , de SA Darren
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To determine clinical outcomes and risks of various management strategies for mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (MD‐ACL).

Methods

Three databases MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to January 29th, 2023 for literature outlining clinical outcomes for various management strategies of MD‐ACL. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R‐AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on satisfaction scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, Knee Osteoarthritis and Outcome Scores (KOOS), range of motion and Lachman test were recorded.

Results

A total of 14 studies comprising 776 patients (782 knees) were included in this review. Partial debridement was reported in ten (71.4%) studies comprising 446 patients, showing significant improvements in VAS, Lysholm, IKDC scores and range of motion. Complete debridement was reported by two (14.2%) studies comprising 250 patients, and resulted in increases in Lysholm scores, KOOS, and range of motion. Reduction plasty was reported in two (14.2%) studies comprising 26 patients and showed improvements in VAS and Lysholm scores, and range of motion. Other methods of treatment included conservative management and ultrasound decompression. Complete debridement resulted in 10/23 (43%) patients with a positive Lachman test. This was followed by reduction plasty and partial debridement, with 5/26 (19.2%) and 45/340 (13.2%) patients respectively having positive Lachman or elevated knee arthrometer scores. Pivot shifting was only reported in studies on partial debridement and reduction plasty, with 14/93 (15.1%) and 1/21 (4.8%) patients have positive results, respectively.

Conclusion

The most commonly reported management strategy for MD‐ACL is partial debridement with complete debridement, reduction plasty and conservative management as alternative options. Current operative management strategies place individuals at risk for ACL insufficiency. Information from this review can aid surgeons and clinicians in understanding what treatment options are best for this patient population, by understanding the reported clinical benefits and risks of each strategy.

Level of evidence

IV.
Development and validation of a preoperative nomogram to predict lymph node metastasis in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Ji Junjie , Yao Yu , Sun Lijiang , Yang Qingya , Zhang Guiming
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) before radical cystectomy aids clinical decision making. Here, we aimed to develop and validate a nomogram to preoperatively predict LNM in BUC patients.

Methods

Patients with histologically confirmed BUC, who underwent radical cystectomy and bilateral lymphadenectomy, were retrospectively recruited from two institutions. Patients from one institution were enrolled in the primary cohort, while those from the other were enrolled in the external validation cohort. Patient demographic, pathological (using transurethral resection of the bladder tumor specimens), imaging, and laboratory data were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the independent preoperative risk factors and develop the nomogram. Internal and external validation was conducted to assess nomogram performance.

Results

522 and 215 BUC patients were enrolled in the primary and external validation cohorts, respectively. We identified tumor grade, infiltration, extravesical invasion, LNM on imaging, tumor size, and serum creatinine levels as independent preoperative risk factors, which were subsequently used to develop the nomogram. The nomogram showed a good predictive accuracy, with area under the receiver operator characteristic curve values of 0.817 and 0.825 for the primary and external validation cohorts, respectively. The corrected C-indexes, calibration curves (after 1000 bootstrap resampling), decision curve analysis results, and clinical impact curves demonstrated that the nomogram performed well in both cohorts and was highly clinically applicable.

Conclusion

We developed a nomogram to preoperatively predict LNM in BUC, which was highly accurate, reliable, and clinically applicable.
Surgical management of distal humerus gunshot fractures: descriptive case series
Authors: Kauta Ntambue , Bott Alasdair , Majirija Edgar Tafadzwa , Du Plessis Jean Pierre , Vrettos Basil , Maqungo Sithombo , Roche Stephen
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to report our 5 years surgical experience and the rate of neurovascular injury following gunshot fractures of the distal humerus in a in level-1 Trauma Centre in South Africa.

Methods

A retrospective case series of 25 consecutive adult gunshot injuries to the distal humerus. Demographic and injury data were extracted from clinical case notes and electronic operative records. Imaging archives were used to classify fractures according to the AO/OTA classification.

Results

Twenty-five male patients, with mean age of 32-years-old, sustained gunshot injuries to the distal humerus. Eleven patients had multiple gunshots. Forty-four percent of patients underwent Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA), 20% had confirmed brachial artery injury. Limbs with vascular injury were salvaged with arterial repair and external fixation. Fractures were extra-articular in 20 cases (80%). Nineteen fractures were classified as highly comminuted. Nerve injuries occurred in 52% and were all managed expectantly. Only 32% of patients attended follow-up beyond 3 months.

Conclusions

These are rare challenging injuries with high rates of neurovascular damage. This demographic of patients is poorly compliant with follow up highlighting the need for high-quality early care. Brachial artery injury should be excluded with CTA and can be managed with arterial repair and external fixation. All fractures in this series were surgically managed with conventional anatomical plate and screw fixation techniques. For nerve injury, we advocate expectant management.

Level of evidence

IV.
Uncovering spatiotemporal micromobility patterns through the lens of space–time cubes and GIS tools
Authors: Arias-Molinares Daniela , García-Palomares Juan Carlos , Romanillos Gustavo , Gutiérrez Javier
Published: June 2023

In the past ten years, cities have experienced a burst of micromobility services as they offer a flexible transport option that allows users to cover short trips or the first/last mile of longer trips. Despite their potential impacts on mobility and the fact that they offer a cleaner, more environmentally friendly alternative to private cars, few efforts have been devoted to studying patterns of use. In this paper we introduce new ways of visualizing and understanding spatiotemporal patterns of micromobility in Madrid based on the conceptual framework of Time-Geography. Hägerstrand’s perspectives are taken and adapted to analyze data regarding use of micromobility, considering each trip departure location (origins) obtained from GPS records. The datasets are collected by three of the most important micromobility operators in the city. Trip origins (points) are processed and visualized using space–time cubes and then spatially analyzed in a GIS environment. The results of this analysis help to identify the landscape of micromobility in the city, detecting hotspot areas and location clusters that share similar behavior throughout space and time in terms of micromobility departures. The methods presented can have application in other cities and could offer insights for transport planners and micromobility operators to better inform urban planning and transportation policy. Additionally, the information could help operators to optimize vehicle redistribution and maintenance/recharging tasks, reducing congestion and increasing efficiency.
Safe in the heights: trees as safer sites for female jaguars and their cubs in the Pantanal
Authors: Fragoso Carlos Eduardo , Rampim Lilian Elaine , Haberfeld Mario , Concone Henrique Villas Boas , May-Júnior Joares Adenilson
Published: June 2023

While the use of trees has been widely documented for most of the big cats, this information is scant for the jaguar (Panthera onca). In this study, we investigated the use of trees by jaguars, evaluating different underlying reasons as well as the frequency of tree use based on sex, age, and reproductive status. Data were obtained from 2013 to 2020 through a combination of direct observations during fieldwork and camera trapping focused on this behavior in the Brazilian Pantanal. We documented 252 climbing events (176 direct observations, 76 camera captures). Using only camera trapping data to avoid observers’ influence on jaguar behavior, we fitted generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) with jaguar identity as a random factor to test the effects of age, sex, and presence of conspecifics in the odds of animals climbing trees. We also used a generalized linear model (GLM) to test the effect of adult body weight on jaguar tree climbing probability. Age and presence of conspecifics were the most important drivers of jaguar climbing behavior in the study area, with cubs being more likely to climb trees than adults of either sex (odds ratio = 7.91, p < 0.001), and the presence of conspecifics, irrespective of age and sex, accentuated that behavior (odds ratio = 3.26, p < 0.005). Adult females (especially the lighter ones) and cubs were commonly recorded through direct observation on trees, a similar trend to our GLMM that showed a marginally negative effect of body weight on jaguar tree climbing probability. Only a few adult male jaguars ascended trees, and in all cases, these males were following females in heat. We suggest that trees are vertical extensions inside jaguar home ranges and may be safe refuges for resting and for protecting offspring against potential threats, including the harassment of large adult males.
A comparative study between flattening filter-free beams and flattening filter beams in radiotherapy treatment
Authors: Wagdy Ali , EI Shahat Khaled , Ashry Huda , El Shershaby Amaal , Abdo Ehab
Published: June 2023

Flattening filter-free (FFF) beams generated by medical linear particle accelerators (linacs) have recently been used in radiotherapy clinical practice. FFF beams have fundamental physical parameter differences with respect to standard flattening filter (FF) beams, such that the generally used dosimetric parameters and definitions are not always viable. This study investigates dosimetric parameters for use in the quality assurance of FFF beams generated by medical linacs in radiotherapy. The main characteristics of the photon beams are analyzed using specific data generated by a Varian TrueBeam linac having both FFF and FF beams of 6 and 10 MV (megavolt) energy, respectively. Definitions for dose profile parameters are suggested, starting from the renormalization of the FFF with respect to the corresponding FF beam. From this point, the flatness concept is translated into one of “un-flatness”, and other definitions are proposed, maintaining a strict parallelism between FFF and FF parameter concepts. The quality controls used in establishing a quality assurance program when introducing FFF beams into the clinical environment are given, maintaining similarity to those used for standard FF beams, and recommendations for the introduction of FFF beams into clinical radiotherapy application for breast cancer patients are provided as an example for comparison between FFF and FF for dose distribution and coverage for a target volume. Although there are many advantages of using a FFF beam, especially for advanced radiotherapy techniques, there are a few limitations (e.g., using a relatively higher energy photon beam for stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), limited speed of current multileaf collimators (MLCs), and off-axis distance-dependent modulation in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)) as well as challenges (e.g., criteria for beam quality evaluation and penumbra, establishment of dosimetry methods, and consequences of photon target burn-up) that need to be addressed for establishing the FFF beam as a viable alternative to the FF beam.
A retrospective analysis of the safety and efficacy of apatinib in treating advanced metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Li , Lu Juan , Liu Yi , Gao Yunfei , Kong Man , Yang Jiandong , Kong Bin , Li Xuebing , Huang Xifen , Pei Wenzhong
Published: June 2023

Objective

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease in which both epigenetic alterations and gene mutations transform normal cells into cancer cells. Apart from a variety of standard treatments, there are few options available to improve a CRC patient’s overall survival (OS) and quality of a life. The objective of the present retrospective study was to analyze the response and toxicity associated with apatinib in patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC).

Method

Data on the use of apatinib as salvage therapy were collected from patients diagnosed with mCRC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 3, from the Luhe Hospital. A total of 17 patients with stage IV unresectable mCRC, who received at least one cycle of apatinib, between October 2015 and February 2017, were involved in this study. Our primary endpoints were the overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR), and the secondary objectives were progression-free survival (PFS), OS and safety.

Result

Seventeen patients with a median age of 62 years (34-83 years) were enrolled. Twelve patients were male, and the location of the primary tumor was in the colon and the rectum in 9 and 8 patients, respectively. Liver metastasis was observed in 9 patients and lung metastasis in 5. The ECOG performance status was 0 to 2 in 13 patients. The ORR at the first evaluation was 17.6 % (3/17). The DCR was 82.4% (14/17). The median PFS was 3.0 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.924-4.076 months) and the median OS was 5.4 months (95% CI: 3.383-7.417 months). Grade 1-2 adverse events included hypertension (52.9%), fatigue (64.7%), anorexia (29.4%), hoarseness (23.5%), proteinuria (23.5%), and development of rashes (17.6%). Grade 3 adverse events included thrombocytopenia (5.9%) and proteinuria (5.9%). There were no Grade 4 adverse events in our analysis.

Conclusions

Apatinib was found to be both safe and effective in the treatment of advanced mCRC, and its associated toxicities were acceptable and manageable. However, further studies are required to validate these findings.
The clinical study of ultrasound-guided intra-hysteromyoma injection of ethyl alcohol absolute combined with HIFU in the treatment of uterine fibroids
Authors: Zou Xiaoli , Sun Baixin , Jia Li , Liu Xiaobei
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the energy deposition in the target area of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with ultrasound-guided intra-hysteromyoma injection of ethyl alcohol absolute

Methods

Eighty patients with hysteromyomas were randomly divided into two groups: group HIFU (group H) and group HIFU combined with ultrasound-guided intra-hysteromyoma injectionn of ethyl alcohol absolute (group E + H). Patients in group E + H received an ultrasound-guided injection of absolute ethyl alcohol 1 h before HIFU treatment. The irradiation time, irradiation dose, energy efficiency factor (radiation energy required for ablation of a myoma per unit of volume), grey variation, pain score, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. An independent sample t-test was used with a two-tailed P-value of < 0.05.

Results

The irradiation time, irradiation dose, and energy efficiency factor were significantly lower in group E + H than those in group H (P < 0.05). The hysteromyomas of patients in group E+H appeared as dominantly hyperechoic masses, and those of patients in group H appeared as hyperechoic tissue (non-mass). The incidence of adverse reactions and pain score were higher in group H than those in group E + H (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided intra-hysteromyoma injection of ethyl alcohol absolute can enhance the energy deposition of HIFU in the uterine fibroids, improve the treatment efficiency, shorten the treatment time, reduce the treatment dose, and reduce the pain and complications for the patients.
The combined prognostic value of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in stage IE/IIE extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Quan Xiaoying
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study aimed to explore the combined prognostic value of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in newly diagnosed IE/IIE extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) treated with a P-Gemox regimen combined with radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone.

Methods

A total of 132 patients from 2009 to 2017 at the Sichuan Cancer Hospital were enrolled in the study. The cutoff values of NLR, LMR, and PLR using overall survival (OS) rate as an endpoint were obtained by the receiver operating curve.

Results

The cutoff value of NLR was 3.5. Patients with high NLR had significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001) than those with low NLR. Similarly, the cutoff value of LMR was 3.0. The high LMR group had significantly longer PFS (P=0.001) and OS (P < 0.001) than the low LMR group. Similarly, the cutoff value of PLR was 191.7. The high PLR group was significantly associated with poor PFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001) than the low PLR group. Furthermore, combining NLR, LMR, and PLR to build a new model to stratify patients into low-, intermediate-, intermediate-high-, and high-risk groups, there were also significant differences in PFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001). The univariate analysis showed that presenting B symptoms, stage IIE, local tumor invasion, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ≥ 2, elevated lactate dehydrogenase level, elevated NLR, decreased LMR, and elevated PLR were significantly associated with poor survival. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that PLR was an independent prognostic factor for both PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.073, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.080-3.981, P = 0.028) and OS (HR = 2.127, 95% CI = 1.102-4.107, P = 0.025).

Conclusion

Elevated pretreatment PLR was a novel simple predictor of poor survival in patients with stage IE/IIE ENKTL. Combining NLR, LMR, and PLR could provide additional stratification.
The study of selective primary culture and determination of a breast cancer cell line in vitro*
Authors: Ren Meng , Xu Huixia , Lu Xiangji , Wang Bingping , Su Rina , Zhang Hao , Jiang Song , Gao Fengying , Gao Yanwei
Published: June 2023

Objective

The successful establishment of a tumor cell bank is based on the premise that the target cells can be cultured by a legitimate approach. In this experiment, we used primary culture to select and detect breast cancer cells in vitro, which can provide experimental ideas and methods for the establishment of a living tumor tissue cell bank.

Methods

Fifty-two specimens were collected over a two-year period from people with breast cancer who needed surgical treatment in our hospital. Cells were isolated and used to establish successful cell culture. Cell activity and cell purity were measured before liquid nitrogen cryopreservation.

Results

(1) At the initial culture stage, cells grew with adherence. Cell multiplication could be seen after the cell medium was exchanged three times. Cell viability was above 86%, while the viability of the target cells was above 75%, as detected by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. (2) The number of breast cancer cells decreased, while the number of fibroblasts increased after five rounds of passage. (3) The success rate was 73.08%, which did not include polluted cells and those that were not successfully cryopreserved.

Conclusion

(1) breast cancer cells could be selected from primary culture in vitro through an appropriate method. (2) Exchange of the cell medium and further cell passage improved cell multiplication. (3) The experimental results could be monitored using trypan blue and HE staining. (4) The success of breast cancer cell culture in vitro could be used as a reference for other cell culture, so as to establish a tumor tissue cell bank.
Mental distress evaluation and intervention for cancer patients*
Authors: Xu Honghong , Xue Ruotong , Cheng Yi , Zhang Yujie , Rao Jie , Liu Mei , Yu Shiying , Liu Lingxiang , Liu Yiqian , Shu Yongqian , Yang Liuqing , Shi Hanping
Published: June 2023

Mental distress is prevalent among cancer patients. Many measurements have been developed to screen and evaluate such distress. About one-third of the persons with cancer will experience significant levels of distress, requiring targeted psychosocial intervention. Mental distress has been endorsed as the sixth vital sign by the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) in 2009. The need for effective screening and psychological interventions is well recognized as a necessary, integral part of oncology care. This systematic review examines the psychometric properties of the existing tools used to screen patients for emotional distress and the applicable intervention methods.
Mental health status of cancer caregivers, assessment tools, and psychological interventions*
Authors: Xu Honghong , Xue Ruotong , Cheng Yi , Zhang Yujie , Rao Jie , Liu Mei , Yu Shiying , Liu Lingxiang , Liu Yiqian , Shu Yongqian , Yang Liuqing , Shi Hanping
Published: June 2023

Many studies pointed out that psychological pain is not limited to the cancer patients themselves, but their caregivers also experience different levels of psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. This article attempts to review the mental health status, assessment tools, and psychological interventions of the caregivers of cancer patients, and calls on social and medical workers to pay attention to the mental and physical health status of the caregivers of cancer patients.
Silencing Neuropilin 1 gene reverses TGF-β1-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition in HGC-27 gastric cancer cell line*
Authors: Xu Weiguo , Yang Xin , Zhan Qiqi , Ding Guanyi , Guo Shang , Zhu Bing , Xu Hong , Liu Xiangmei
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) contribution to transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells and study its mechanism.

Methods

In this study, TGF-β1 was used to induce EMT in HGC-27 cells. Further, these cells were stably transfected with siRNA targeting NRP1. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to measure cell migration and invasion, respectively. NRP1 and EMT markers were measured using quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.

Results

Exposure of TGF-β1 conferred a fibroblastic-like shape to cancer cells and significantly increased the expression of NRP1 in HGC-27 cells. TGF-β1 subsequently promoted migration and invasion of HGC-27 cells. Furthermore, silencing NRP1 inhibited the invasion and migration of TGF-β1-induced cells undergoing EMT.

Conclusion

Silencing NRP1 can inhibit cell migration, invasion, and metastasis and reverse the TGF-β1-induced EMT process of gastric cancer.
Relationship between molecular changes in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations in lung adenocarcinoma*
Authors: Na Rina , Luan Wei , He Yinzai , Gao Yanwei , Cha Nier , Jia Baoqin
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and their impact on the prognosis and treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

A total of 158 cases of lung adenocarcinoma reported between January 2007 and January 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. These tumors were resected using radical pneumonectomy and underwent pathology-based diagnosis at our institution (Inner Mongolia People’s Hospital, Hohhot, China). The tissue sections were evaluated using the updated World Health Organization classification of lung adenocarcinomas (2015 version), with each histological component recorded in 5% increments. The histological subtypes were classified, and any surviving cases were followed up. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and direct DNA sequencing were used to evaluate mutations in exons 18, 19, 20, and 21 in the EGFR gene, and the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 gene-ALK variant (EML4-ALK) fusions were detected using sequencing.

Results

Our cohort included 25 patients with pre-invasive adenocarcinoma, 13 patients with lepidic, 66 patients with acinar, 13 patients with papillary, and 25 patients with solid infiltrative adenocarcinoma with the remaining cases presenting with a variety of pathological subtypes. The prognosis of each histological subtype was different with the 5-year disease-free survival and 5-year overall survival (OS) of pre-invasion adenocarcinoma at 100%; the 5-year OS of lepidic, acinar, and papillary adenocarcinoma patients was only 84.6%, 72.7%, and 76.9%, respectively. The 5-year OS of solid and mucinous adenocarcinomas were 32.0% and 36.4%, respectively. EGFR mutation was detected in 69 cases with a mutation rate of 43.7% and majority of these mutations were found in exons 19 (50.6%) and 21 (37.9%), with women and non-smokers shown to experience a higher mutation rate (P < 0.05). However, histological subtype analysis showed that EGFR mutations were primarily found in adenocarcinomas. Most of these mutations were found in lepidic (53.8%) or acinar adenocarcinomas (50.0%), whereas these mutations were rare in both solid (28.0%) and mucinous adenocarcinoma (27.2%). The fusion mutation rate in the EML4-ALK gene was 5.69%, and was most common in young, nonsmoking patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The prognosis of patients in each lung adenocarcinoma subtype is different, and these outcomes are likely related to mutations in the EGFR and EML4-ALK genes. EGFR mutation rates are higher in lepidic and acinar adenocarcinomas, whereas EML4-ALK gene fusion mutations are more common in solid and mucinous adenocarcinoma. EGFR mutations are more common in female and non-smoking patients, whereas EML4-ALK fusions are more common in young, non-smoking patients.
The prognostic significance of ALI, PLR, and Ki-67 expression in stage III-IV inoperable non-small cell lung cancer*
Authors: Li Ying , Li Qiaofang , He Yanluqi , Zhang Hongzhen
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the prognostic value of advanced inflammatory index, platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and Ki-67 expression in stage III-IV inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) before treatment.

Methods

The clinical data of 98 inoperable patients with stage III-IV NSCLC in our hospital (Fifth Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China) before treatment were retrospectively analyzed, and advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) was calculated using body mass index (BMI) × serum albumin (ALB) ÷ neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). he optimal cutoff values of ALI and PLR for predicting prognosis is determined. Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between patients and clinical characteristics. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the total survival of patients, and log-rank test was used for comparison. Independent prognostic factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Spearman correlation was used to analyze the relationship among ALI, PLR, and Ki-67.

Results

In our study of the 98 cases, the survival time of the patients with ALI < 18 was significantly lower than that of patients with ALI > 18 (P < 0.001), with a median survival time of 10 months and 25 months, respectively. The survival time of patients with a PLR < 185 was significantly higher than that of patients with a PLR > 185 (median survival time was 27 months vs. 10 months, P < 0.001).The higher the Ki-67 expression, the shorter the survival time (P < 0.005).The combined ALI and PLR detection results indicated that the survival time of patients with high ALI and low PLR was significantly longer than that of patients with low ALI and high PLR (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that smoking history, degree of differentiation, KPS score, Ki-67 expression, ALI value, and PLR affected the prognosis of patients. Multivariate analysis showed that KPS score, ALI value, and Ki-67 expression were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

ALI, PLR, and Ki-67 expression are important predictors of stage III-IV inoperable NSCLC. In terms of the prognostic value, ALI seems to have the best ability to predict patient survival. In addition, the combined detection of ALI and PLR levels before treatment seems to be more helpful in improving our prediction of patient prognosis. Moreover, it is expected to play a role in future clinical applications.
Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the ureter: A case report and literature review
Authors: Zhou Qian , Du Guobo , Tang Jie , Wang Yujia , Xiao Yu , Tan Bangxian
Published: June 2023

Ewing sarcoma/primary neuroectodermal tumors are rare, invasive, and small round blue cell tumors. There are few reports of its occurrence in the urinary system. Here, we present the first middle-aged female patient whose Ewing sarcoma primary site was in the ureter. The main clinical manifestation was intermittent hematuria. She was in good health after complete surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. To date, there has been no recurrence or metastasis. Accurate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help prolong survival. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography is expected to be an effective means of evaluating treatment effects and detecting metastasis and recurrence. In this article, besides introducing a case of Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the ureter, we review the literature to discuss the current status of diagnosis and treatment.
Future of targeted therapy for gastrointestinal cancer: Claudin 18.2
Authors: Niu Qian , Liu Jiamin , Luo Xiaoxiao , Su Beibei , Yuan Xianglin
Published: June 2023

The treatment of gastrointestinal cancer has always been a crucial research area, and targeted therapy has been receiving increasing attention. At present, the effect of targeted therapy is unsatisfactory for gastric cancer. Thus, the discovery of new targets is crucial. Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), a member of the claudin family, belongs to the tight junction protein family that controls the flow of molecules between cell layers. CLDN18.2 expression has been discussed in many studies. In recent years, there have been many studies on targeted therapy with CLDN18.2-ideal monoclonal antibody 362. Furthermore, CLDN18.2-specific chimeric antigen receptor T therapy has been used for CLDN18.2-positive tumors, such as gastric and pancreatic cancers. Considerable research has been focused on CLDN18.2. CLDN18.2, a newly discovered marker for precise targeted therapy of gastric cancer, could offer new hope for the treatment of gastric cancer.
Analyses of the clinical characteristics of 49 cases of malignancy with multiple bone lesions as the first manifestation
Authors: Huang Yu , Peng Ping , Zhang Peng , Zhou Lei , Wu Yingying
Published: June 2023

Objective

To investigate the clinical features of several cases of malignancy with multiple bone lesions as the first manifestation.

Methods

Forty-nine cases of malignancy with multiple bone lesions as the first manifestation were retrospectively analyzed from May 2018 to July 2019. All patients complained of “pain at the site of bone lesion” upon admission. Baseline patient information, such as age, gender, location of bone lesions, etiology, diagnosis method, time of onset was collected.

Results

The median age of the patients was 56 years old, of which 83.7% (41/49) were aged ≥50 years. The median time of onset was 2 months. Among the cases, 40 were confirmed as solid tumor bone metastasis, whereas the remaining 9 cases as hematological system tumor. Lung cancer and multiple myeloma were the main tumor types, accounting for 40.8% (20/49) and 16.3% (8/49), respectively. Other common causes were seven cases of cancer affecting the digestive system (three cases of liver cancer, three cases of gastric cancer, and one case of esophageal cancer), as well as seven cases of unknown primary cancer. Half of the solid tumors had only multiple bone metastases but no other distant metastasis.

Conclusion

Multiple bone lesions accompanied by pain may be the first clinical manifestation in various malignant tumors. The common tumor types were lung cancer, multiple myeloma, and digestive system tumor. It is more common in people aged 50 years and older. Multiple bone lesions might be the only metastasis site of some solid tumors, and its mechanism needs further investigation.
Seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients with cancer and the impact of anti-tumor treatment on antibodies*
Authors: Wu Bili , Liu Bo , Jiang Xueyan , Yuan Ye , Qin Wan , Qin Kai , Mei Qi , Zhang Li , Zhang Huilan , Hu Guangyuan , Yuan Xianglin
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among patients with cancer and followed up changes in SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies to explore the impact of anti-tumor treatment in patients.

Methods

Patients with cancer who visited the Outpatient Clinic of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China between March 9 and April 30, 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM, and viral load at various time points during the disease course were determined.

Results

We examined the serological results of 779 patients with cancer. The overall seroprevalence (IgG-positive or IgM-positive) rate of SARS-CoV-2 was 3.4%. The probability of seropositivity was significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer than in those without gastric cancer (odds ratio: 6.349, 95% confidence interval: 2.191-18.396). Follow-up data showed that SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG levels decreased and the polymerase chain reaction test result remained negative in seropositive patients with cancer.

Conclusion

This study investigated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-positive patients with cancer in Wuhan, China. The seropositivity in patients with cancer was lower than or similar to that in the general population. Irrespective of anti-tumor therapy, the levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies decreased in these patients. More studies are needed to better understand the impact of anti-tumor therapy on change in the levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.