bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A ubiquitous subcuticular bacterial symbiont of a coral predator, the crown-of-thorns starfish, in the Indo-Pacific
Authors: Wada Naohisa , Yuasa Hideaki , Kajitani Rei , Gotoh Yasuhiro , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Yoshimura Dai , Toyoda Atsushi , Tang Sen-Lin , Higashimura Yukihiro , Sweatman Hugh , Forsman Zac , Bronstein Omri , Eyal Gal , Thongtham Nalinee , Itoh Takehiko , Hayashi Tetsuya , Yasuda Nina 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundPopulation outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster plancisensu lato; COTS), a primary predator of reef-building corals in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, are a major threat to coral reefs. While biological and ecological knowledge of COTS has been accumulating since the 1960s, little is known about its associated bacteria. The aim of this study was to provide fundamental information on the dominant COTS-associated bacteria through a multifaceted molecular approach.MethodsA total of 205 COTS individuals from 17 locations throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean were examined for the presence of COTS-associated bacteria. We conducted 16S rRNA metabarcoding of COTS to determine the bacterial profiles of different parts of the body and generated a full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence from a single dominant bacterium, which we designated COTS27. We performed phylogenetic analysis to determine the taxonomy, screening of COTS27 across the Indo-Pacific, FISH to visualize it within the COTS tissues, and reconstruction of the bacterial genome from the hologenome sequence data.ResultsWe discovered that a single bacterium exists at high densities in the subcuticular space in COTS forming a biofilm-like structure between the cuticle and the epidermis. COTS27 belongs to a clade that presumably represents a distinct order (so-called marine spirochetes) in the phylumSpirochaetesand is universally present in COTS throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean. The reconstructed genome of COTS27 includes some genetic traits that are probably linked to adaptation to marine environments and evolution as an extracellular endosymbiont in subcuticular spaces.ConclusionsCOTS27 can be found in three allopatric COTS species, ranging from the northern Red Sea to the Pacific, implying that the symbiotic relationship arose before the speciation events (approximately 2 million years ago). The universal association of COTS27 with COTS and nearly mono-specific association at least with the Indo-Pacific COTS provides a useful model system for studying symbiont-host interactions in marine invertebrates and may have applications for coral reef conservation.
Protoblock - A biological standard for formalin fixed samples
Authors: Flores Bueso Yensi , Walker Sidney P. , Hogan Glenn , Claesson Marcus J. , Tangney Mark 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is the gold standard in pathology tissue storage, representing the largest collections of patient material. Their reliable use for DNA analyses could open a trove of potential samples for research and are currently being recognised as a viable source material for bacterial analysis. There are several key features which limit bacterial-related data generation from this material: (i) DNA damage inherent to the fixing process, (ii) low bacterial biomass that increases the vulnerability to contamination and exacerbates the host DNA effects and (iii) lack of suitable DNA extraction methods, leading to data bias. The development and systematic use of reliable standards is a key priority for microbiome research. More than perhaps any other sample type, FFPE material urgently requires the development of standards to ensure the validity of results and to promote reproducibility.

Results
To address these limitations and concerns, we have developed the Protoblock as a biological standard for FFPE tissue-based research and method optimisation. This is a novel system designed to generate bespoke mock FFPE ‘blocks’ with a cell content that is user-defined and which undergoes the same treatment conditions as clinical FFPE tissues. The ‘Protoblock’ features a mix of formalin-fixed cells, of known number, embedded in an agar matrix which is solidified to form a defined shape that is paraffin embedded.
The contents of various Protoblocks populated with mammalian and bacterial cells were verified by microscopy. The quantity and condition of DNA purified from blocks was evaluated by qPCR, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and whole genome sequencing. These analyses validated the capability of the Protoblock system to determine the extent to which each of the three stated confounding features impacts on eventual analysis of cellular DNA present in FFPE samples.

Conclusion
The Protoblock provides a representation of biological material after FFPE treatment. Use of this standard will greatly assist the stratification of biological variations detected into those legitimately resulting from experimental conditions, and those that are artefacts of the processed nature of the samples, thus enabling users to relate the outputs of laboratory analyses to reality.
Innate immune response in neuronopathic forms of Gaucher disease confers resistance against viral-induced encephalitis
Authors: Melamed Sharon , Avraham Roy , Rothbard Deborah E. , Erez Noam , Israely Tomer , Klausner Ziv , Futerman Anthony H. , Paran Nir , Vitner Einat B. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBoth monogenic diseases and viral infections can manifest in a broad spectrum of clinical phenotypes that range from asymptomatic to lethal, suggesting that other factors modulate disease severity. Here, we examine the interplay between the genetic neuronopathic Gaucher’s disease (nGD), and neuroinvasive Sindbis virus (SVNI) infection. Infection of nGD mice with SVNI had no influence on nGD severity. However, nGD mice were more resistant to SVNI infection. Significantly different inflammatory responses were seen in nGD brains when compared with SVNI brains: the inflammatory response in the nGD brains consisted of reactive astrocytes and microglia with no infiltrating macrophages, but the inflammatory response in the brains of SVNI-infected mice was characterized by infiltration of macrophages and altered activation of microglia and astrocytes. We suggest that the innate immune response activated in nGD confers resistance against viral infection of the CNS.
Using machine learning techniques to predict the cost of repairing hard failures in underground fiber optics networks
Authors: Nyarko-Boateng Owusu , Adekoya Adebayo Felix , Weyori Benjamin Asubam 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFiber optics cable has been adopted by telecommunication companies worldwide as the primary medium of transmission. The cable is steadily replacing long-haul microwave, copper cable, and satellite transmissions systems. Fiber cable has been deployed in an underground, submarine, and aerial architecture to transmit high-speed signals in intercontinental, inter countries, inter cities and intra-cities. Underground fiber cable transmission has experienced major failures as compared to other mediums of fiber transmission infrastructure. The failure is rampant, and especially the cable get cuts frequently in areas where there are road constructions, road road expansion projects, and other developmental projects. The cost of repairing these failures is enormous, and it largely depends on the cause of failure and the geographical area the faults occurred. The main aim of this paper was to investigate the cost of repairing underground fiber cable failures, clustered the cause of faults, and then used feedforward neural networks (FFNN) and linear regression to predict the cost of repairing future faults. The result of the predictive model is significant to the telecommunications industry, which means the cost of repairing an underground optical networks will be known to the industry players before the fault occurs. depending on which area, the cause of the failure and the mean time to repair (MTTR), the predictive model tells the mobile network operators the cost involved to repair the damaged cable. The accuracy of the result obtained indicates the predictive model is good for predicting the cost of repairing fiber cable cut in underground optical networks.
Breast cancer with an intraductal component that was proven genetically to be metastasis of contralateral breast cancer: a case report
Authors: Shinden Yoshiaki , Saho Hazuki , Nomoto Yuki , Nagata Ayako , Minami Koji , Nakajo Akihiro , Akahane Toshiaki , Hiraki Tsubasa , Tanimoto Akihide , Owaki Tetsuhiro , Kijima Yuko , Natsugoe Shoji 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
When diagnosing patients with bilateral breast cancer, it is challenging to determine the relationship between multiple breast cancer lesions at the individual patient level with certainty.

Case presentation
A 35-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with a left breast cancer. She was previously diagnosed with right pT3N3M0 stage IIIC breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy with targeted therapy, radiotherapy, and endocrine therapy as adjuvant treatment after mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection. Approximately 2 years after the first surgery, her left breast cancer was preoperatively diagnosed as a contralateral primary breast cancer, and left mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection were performed. Histopathologically, the tumor was determined to be invasive ductal carcinoma accompanied with several intraductal components. After a second surgery, mutation analysis of her bilateral breast cancer was performed in a clinical study, which revealed that her metachronous bilateral breast tumors had the same GATA3 and CSMD1 mutations. Thus, mutation analysis strongly supported her latter left breast cancer being a metastatic lesion from the former right breast cancer. Some difficulties in diagnosing bilateral breast cancer exist when determining whether they are double primary cancers or represent contralateral breast metastasis. The existence of intraductal components is a critical piece of information for suspecting primary lesions. However, this case demonstrated that metastatic contralateral breast lesions can have intraductal components.

Conclusion
Herein we report a genetically proven contralateral breast metastasis with some intraductal components.
The “dating game”: age differences at first sex of college students in Italy
Authors: Carella Maria , García-Pereiro Thaís , Pace Roberta , Paterno Anna 
Published: August 2020

AbstractResearchers have devoted much attention both to the analysis of the first sexual experience and to how the couple was established, but little is still known about age differences of partners at their first sexual relationship. The availability of two highly comparable waves of a survey on the sexual behavior of college students in Italy (SELFY—Sexual and Emotional LiFe of Youth) carried out in 2000 and 2017 allowed us to study the predictors of age differences between partners at first sex, filling the existing gap on recent research. Results of multivariate analyses show important gender differences on mate selection: women tend to choose an older partner for having their first sexual experience and are less likely as men to be involved in age discordant first sex relationships with a younger partner. Age gaps between partners also influence age at sexual debut, which tends to occur earlier in a relationship with an older partner and later if having first sex with a younger partner. Another important predictor of the age gap is the type of relationship that linked the respondent to its partner at first sex. Our estimations indicate a lower likelihood of having had an older first sex partner for students who had their first sexual experience with the own boy/girl-friend or with a friend compared to those who have had it with a stranger. Finally, we have found a higher likelihood of first sex relationships among same-age partners relative to older partners through SELFY waves and small changes on variables influencing such relationships.
A randomized trial in ovarian cancer (OC) of early treatment of relapse based on CA125 level alone versus delayed treatment based on conventional clinical indicators (MRC OV05/EORTC 55955 trials)
Authors: Rustin G. J. , van der Burg M. E. 
Published: August 2020

1 The full, final text of this abstract will be available in Part II of the 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings, distributed onsite at the Meeting on May 30, 2009, and as a supplement to the June 20, 2009, issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Impact of radiofrequency ablation therapy for breast cancer in nipple-areolar complex
Authors: Kusama M. , Imamura Y. 
Published: August 2020

e11511 Background: Preservation of the safety surgical margin is difficult in BCT of a breast cancer in the vicinity of the nipple-areola complex, and mastectomy is required even for tiny tumors, with consequent poor cosmetic efects. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an advanced, minimally invasive technique for breast cancer. Its application for the tumor in the nipple-areola region has recieved considerable interest. Methods: RFA of 32 malignant lesion was performed in 30 patients with nipple-areolar breast cancer (Tis: 4, T1: 18; T2: 8). One of the patients had received preoperative chemotherapy. And one patient was male breast cancer(T2).Surgery was performed on an outpatient basis.A 19-gauge cooled-tip needle was used in all cases. About 10–20ml of 5% glucose solutions was injected between the nipple-areola and the tumor before RFA to maintain a space to avoid heat damage that can occur due to diffusion of RF waves. RFA was continued until the moisture of the tumor was vaporized. This required an average of 4.3 sessions. Irradiation of radiofrequency with a boost was conducted in 23 patients. All patients were reviewd at, one month and every three monthe thereafter with US.The follow-up was complete and the median follow-up was 13months(6–30). Results: In one patient, who had undergone preoperative chemotherapy was observed a recurrence in the nipple on 9 months later, but disappeared after a second ablation of RF. Cosmetic features were maintained after surgery, except in the case that received preoperative chemotherapy, in which a mild deformity in the nipple was evident. There has been no recurrence in the 29 primary cases over a relatively short observation period. Conclusions: RFA enables treatment of breast cancer in the nipple-areolar region without damage to the surrounding tissues and degradation of cosmetic features. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
The relationship between adherence to adjuvant hormonal therapy and survival among low-income, insured women with primary breast cancer
Authors: Kimmick G. G. , Camacho F. , Hwang W. , Anderson R. T. 
Published: August 2020

e11522 Background: Clinical trials and meta-analyses show that adjuvant hormonal therapy for hormone receptor positive breast cancer significantly decreases risk of death. We explored the relationship between adherence to adjuvant hormonal therapy and death in a low-income, Medicaid-insured population. Methods: Using a Medicaid claims-tumor registry linked database and National Death Index data (NDI), we evaluated adherence to adjuvant hormonal therapy [defined as >80% Medication Possession Ratio (MPR)] and mean six-year overall and cancer-specific survival by local versus regional stage for all female breast cancer diagnosed in years 2000–2002, in North Carolina. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to determine the role of adherence on cancer-specific survival. Models were adjusted for age, race, Charlson comorbidity score, number of prescription medications, type of surgery, use of radiation therapy, prior chemotherapy, hormone receptor status (positive or unknown). Results: The final sample consisted of 1,042 cases [ages range 29–97 years (mean 65.9 years; 56% Caucasian; mean Charlson comorbidity score 4.1 (SD 2.9); 680 local and 362 regional stage], of which 732 filled a prescription for adjuvant hormonal therapy within the year after breast cancer diagnosis. Filling a prescription for adjuvant hormonal therapy, versus not, was not significantly associated with cancer-related death: HR 1.04 (95% CI 0.66 - 1.64) overall; HR 0.75 (95% CI 0.39 - 1.43) for local stage and HR 1.01 (95% CI 0.51 - 2.00) for regional stage. However, adherence in the highest quartile (MPR>95) is associated with an increase in mortality risk. Conclusions: In this low income insured group of breast cancer patients, no statistically significant association was found between death rates and use of adjuvant hormonal therapy. However, an unexpected association between very high adherence and increase in mortality was found. This may reflect methodological limitations of claims data involving bias and unidentified patient risk. More research is needed to explore reasons for higher mortality among low-income women with high medication adherence. [Table: see text]
A phase II study of docetaxel followed by vinorelbine and doxorubicin in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Youssef A. C. 
Published: August 2020

e11542 Background: Neoadjuvant treatment has become a standard of care for inoperable breast cancer patients. Docetaxel combination regimens have shown significant activity in this setting. We evaluated a sequential regimen of docetaxel followed by combination vinorelbine-doxorubicin as neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced breast cancer. Primary objective is the pathological complete response (pCR) rate. Secondary objectives are the clinical response rate, the resectability rate and the safety profile. Methods: This is a prospective, open-label, phase II study. Patients with locally advanced breast cancer (T3+ or T4 M0) and no prior chemotherapy were eligible. All patients received 3 cycles of docetaxel 100 mg/m2 on d1 every 3 weeks. Patients with clinical complete response (CR) had breast cancer surgery. The remaining patients received 3 cycles of vinorelbine-doxorubicin (vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 on d1 and d8 plus doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 on d1) q3w followed by surgery if responding to treatment. Response assessment was by RECIST. Toxicity was evaluated according to NCI-CTC AE, version 3.0. Results: Out of 90 recruited patients, 50 were evaluable at the time of this analysis. Twenty-three patients (46%) had clinical CR after 3 cycles of docetaxel and underwent breast surgery. Of the remaining 27 patients (54%) who received 3 cycles of vinorelbine-doxorubicin, 10 achieved a clinical CR. Conservative surgery was performed in 44 patients (88%), and 4 had a radical mastectomy. A pCR was seen in 19 patients (38%) and a pPR in 29 patients (58%) for a 96% pathological response rate. The most common grade 2 and 3 toxicities, during docetaxel treatment were nausea and vomiting (32%/34%), neutropenia (36%/50%) and alopecia (48%/68% grade 1 and 2). The most common grade 2 and 3 toxicities during vinorelbine-doxorubicin were respectively, neuropathy (41%/52%), nausea and vomiting (63%/74%), constipation (11%/29%) and alopecia (44%/74% grade 1 and 2). Conclusions: Preliminary results show the efficacy of sequential docetaxel followed by vinorelbine-doxorubicin in inoperable breast cancer patients, with a higher rate of conservative surgery and a manageable toxicity profile. Long term follow-up is needed. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and ovarian function in young breast cancer (BC) women receiving adjuvant chemoterapy (CT)
Authors: Giraudi S. , Marroni P. , Boni L. , Bighin C. , Levaggi A. , Bini G. , Taveggia P. , Venturini M. , Pronzato P. , Del Mastro L. 
Published: August 2020

e11544 Background: Fertility loss is a main side effect of adjuvant CT in young women with BC. AMH was evaluated as a potential marker of residual ovarian function after CT. Method: AMH (ng/mL), FSH (mIU/mL), E2 (pg/mL) and menstrual activity were evaluated before CT and every 3 months after CT in pre-menopausal BC patients ( pts ) enrolled in a phase III study evaluating the role of triptorelin in the prevention of CT-induced early menopause. Means were compared with Student t test for paired data, anova or ancova. The effect of age, CT regimen, FSH and AMH on time to menstrual resumption was investigated by means of the Cox's proportional hazards model. Results: Among 26 evaluable pts at baseline, mean age was 39 years (range 27-45). Baseline mean values were: FSH 5.67 (SD 4.88), E2 151.81 (SD 134.9), AMH 2.67 (SD 1.85). Levels of AMH were significantly lower (1.26) in old pts ( ≥ 41 yrs) as compared to younger ones (2.97 and 3.63 in 25–36 yrs and 37–40 yrs old women, respectively) (p=0.018). After CT, mean value of AMH significantly decreased from 2.04 ( SD 1.44 ) to 0.59 ( SD 0.59 ) (p=0.0003 ); FSH value increased, from of 8.64 (SD 12.99) to 23.13 (SD 25.80) (p=0.017) and E2 values decreased from 159.71 (SD 147.03) to 73.29 (SD 129.53) (p=0.02). The mean decrease of AMH levels was not affected by the type of CT regimens: -1.50, -1.52 and -1.33 after FEC ⋄ Paclitaxel, FEC ⋄ Taxotere and FEC/CMF, respectively (p=0.97). Among 10 pts with both early (0–5 months) and delayed (6–11 months) post-CT evaluations, no change in AMH values was observed with longer follow up: mean values were 1.49, 0.35 and 0.36, at baseline, after 0–5 months and after 6–11 months, respectively. Menstrual activity resumption occurred in 48% of patients. At multivariate analysis factors significantly associated with the lower probability of menstrual activity resumption after CT were: old age (p=0.05) and chemotherapy with FEC ⋄ docetaxel ( p=0.05 ). In this preliminary analysis baseline and after CT values of AMH were not significantly associated with menstrual resumption. Conclusions: Adjuvant CT significantly affects the levels of AMH in young women with BC. Further studies are needed to assess the role of AMH as a surrogate of ovarian toxicity induced by CT. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Uptake by breast carcinoma of a lipidic nanoemulsion after intralesional injection into the patients: A new strategy for neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Graziani S. , Mendes S. , Vitório T. S. , Padoveze A. F. , Hegg R. , Bydlowski S. P. , Maranhão R. C. 
Published: August 2020

e11555 Background: Previously we showed that after intravenous injection a lipidic nanoemulsion concentrates in breast carcinoma tissue and other solid tumors may carry drugs directed against neoplastic tissues. Use of the nanoemulsion decreases toxicity of the chemotherapeutic agents without decreasing the anticancer action. Currently, the hypothesis was tested whether the nanoemulsion concentrates in breast carcinoma tissue after locoregional injection. Methods: Three different techniques of injection of the nanoemulsion were tested in patients scheduled for surgical treatment: G1 (n=4) into the mammary tissue 5 cm away from the tumor; G2 (n=4) into the peritumoral mammary tissue; G3 (n=6) into the tumoral tissue. The nanoemulsion labeled with radioactive cholesteryl oleate was injected 12 hours before surgery; plasma decay of the label was determined from blood samples collected over 24 h and the tissue fragments excised during the surgery were analyzed for radioactivity uptake. Results: Among the three nanoemulsion injection techniques, G3 showed the greatest uptake (data expressed in c.p.m/g of tissue) by the tumor (44769±54749) and by the lymph node (2356±2966), as well as the greatest concentration in tumor compared to normal tissue (844±1673). In G1 and G2, uptakes were, respectively, tumor: 60±71 and 843±1526; lymph node: 263±375 and 102±74; normal tissue: 139±102 and 217±413. Conclusions: Therefore, with intralesional injection of the nanoemulsion, a great concentration effect can be achieved. This injection technique may be thus a promising approach for drug-targeting in neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer treatment. No significant financial relationships to disclose.