bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consistent administration of cetuximab is associated with favorable outcomes in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in an endemic carcinogen exposure area: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Wang Hui-Ching , Liu Pei-Lin , Lo Pei-Chuan , Chang Yi-Tzu , Chan Leong-Perng , Yeh Tsung-Jang , Hsiao Hui-Hua , Cho Shih-Feng 
Published: September 2020

Background
This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes associated with patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM HNSCC) who received cetuximab-based chemotherapy in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods
Clinical data were extracted from RM HNSCC patients diagnosed between 2016 and 2019. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazards model were used for survival analyses.

Results
Of 106 RM HNSCC patients (mean age = 55.1 years), 38.7% exhibited recurrent disease and 61.3% had metastatic disease. The majority of patients showed a habit of addictive substance use, including alcohol (67.0%), betel nuts (71.7%), or tobacco (74.5%). The primary tumor sites included the oral cavity (64.1%), hypopharynx (19.8%), and oropharynx (16.0%). The median number of cetuximab cycles for the 106 patients was 11 (2–24). The disease control rate (DCR) was 48.1%, and the overall response rate (ORR) was 28.3%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.0 and 9.23 months, respectively. Patients treated with more than 11 cycles of cetuximab exhibited a longer median PFS and median OS than did patients treated with less than 11 cycles (median PFS: 7.0 vs. 3.0 months, p < 0.001; OS: 12.43 vs. 4.46 months, p = 0.001). Patients without previous concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) had a better median PFS than did those with previous CRT (6.0 vs. 4.0 months, p = 0.046). Multivariable analysis revealed that perineural invasion and fewer cycles of cetuximab (<11 cycles) were independent risk factors associated with disease progression. In addition, the reduction in treatment cycles of cetuximab and advanced lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors predicting poorer overall survival.

Conclusion
Our study provides important real-world data regarding cetuximab-containing treatment in RM HNSCC. Consistent administration of cetuximab could be associated with more favorable outcomes in RM HNSCC in endemic carcinogen exposure areas.
A π–D and π–A Exciplex‐Forming Host for High‐Efficiency and Long‐Lifetime Single‐Emissive‐Layer Fluorescent White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zhang Chen , Lu Yang , Liu Ziyang , Zhang Yuewei , Wang Xuewen , Zhang Dongdong , Duan Lian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractExciplex‐forming hosts with thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) provide a viable opportunity to unlock the full potential of the yet‐to‐be improved power efficiencies (PEs) and stabilities of all‐fluorescent white organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs), but this, however, is hindered by the lack of stable blue exciplexes. Here, an advanced exciplex system is proposed by incorporating bipolar charge‐transport π‐spacers into both the electron‐donor (D) and the electron‐accepter (A) to increase their distance for hypsochromic‐shifted emission while maintaining the superior transporting ability. By using spirofluorene as the π‐spacer, 3,3′‐bicarbazole as the D‐unit, and 2,4,6‐triphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazine as the A‐unit, a π–D and π–A exciplex with sky‐blue emission and fast reverse intersystem crossing process is thereof constructed. Combining this exciplex‐forming host, a blue TADF‐sensitizer, and a yellow conventional fluorescent dopant in a single‐emissive‐layer, the fabricated warm‐white‐emissive device simultaneously exhibits a low driving voltage of 3.08 V, an external quantum efficiency of 21.4%, and a remarkable T80 (time to 80% of the initial luminance) of >8200 h at 1000 cd m−2, accompanied by a new benchmark PE of 69.6 lm W−1 among all‐fluorescent WOLEDs.
Effects of cooking methods on total isothiocyanate yield from cruciferous vegetables
Authors: Wang Zinian , Kwan Marilyn L. , Pratt Rachel , Roh Janise M. , Kushi Lawrence H. , Danforth Kim N. , Zhang Yuesheng , Ambrosone Christine B. , Tang Li 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCruciferous vegetables are primary sources of dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs), a group of phytochemicals showing promising cancer‐chemopreventive activities in multiple cancer models. However, no study has thoroughly examined how cooking affects the yields of ITCs from cruciferous vegetables. In this study, a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)‐based cyclocondensation assay was performed to examine the ITC yields from four major cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale) under six cooking conditions (stir‐frying, steaming, microwaving, boiling, stewing, and chip‐baking for kale only) and measured the level of ITCs under the raw condition for a comprehensive list of cruciferous vegetables and ITC‐containing condiments. A wide range of ITC yields was found across vegetables and condiments. Cooking significantly altered the ITC yields, showing an averagely four‐fold increase by lightly cooking (stir‐frying, steaming, and microwaving) and a 58% decrease by heavily cooking (boiling, stewing, and chip‐baking). These findings will provide the evidence‐based cooking guidance on cruciferous vegetable consumption and help better estimate dietary ITC exposure in epidemiologic studies.
Predictors of maternal mortality in Ghana: evidence from the 2017 GMHS Verbal Autopsy data
Authors: Sumankuuro Joshua , Wulifan Joseph K. , Angko William , Crockett Judith , Derbile Emmanuel K. , Ganle John K. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundMaternal mortality remains a significant public health challenge in many low and middle‐income countries, including Ghana. From Ghana's 2017 Maternal Health Survey verbal autopsy data, we examined the predictors of maternal mortality in Ghana.MethodsA total of 1240 deaths of women aged 15‐49 were involved in the survey across all regions in Ghana. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed; confidence level was set at 95%.ResultsThe results show that the prevalence of maternal death was 13.2% (164/1240). After adjusting for potential covariates, women aged 20‐29 years (aOR = 4.270, 95%CI= 1.864 – 9.781, p=0.001), bled during labour/delivery (aOR= 0.241, 95%CI = 0.059 – 0.992, p=0.049), and those who used traditional/herbal medicines during pregnancy were more likely to die compared to non‐users (aOR= 3.461, 95%CI = 1.651 – 7.258, p=0.001).ConclusionOur findings highlight the need to intensify maternal education regarding the value to be gained by increasing skilled healthcare during complications in pregnancy to allow effective management of complications during labour/delivery. Also, education for pregnant women and their families on possible adverse effects of using unapproved traditional/herbal medicines during pregnancy as well as a need to seek timely care before the onset of labour to allow healthcare providers ample opportunity to address labour and birth complications, is urgently required.
Romiplostim treatment for children with immune thrombocytopenia: Results of an integrated database of five clinical trials
Authors: Tarantino Michael D. , Despotovic Jenny , Roy John , Grainger John , Cooper Nichola , Beam Donald , Raj Ashok , Maschan Alexey , Kim June , Eisen Melissa 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundTreatment for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP) in children is largely limited to immunosuppressive agents. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TRAs) have been used to treat cITP in adults for over a decade. The objective of this integrated analysis was to examine the safety and efficacy of the TRA romiplostim in children with ITP.MethodsWe examined efficacy and safety in children with ITP across five romiplostim trials: final data from two double‐blind placebo‐controlled trials and two open‐label extensions, and interim data from an ongoing single‐arm trial.ResultsPatients (n = 24 initially placebo; n = 262 initially romiplostim) had a median age of 10.0 years (Q1: 6.0, Q3: 13.0), ITP duration of 1.9 years (Q1: 1.0, Q3: 4.0), and baseline platelet count of 14.3 × 109/L (Q1: 7.5, Q3: 23.0). Among 282 patients receiving romiplostim, median treatment duration was 65 weeks (range 8‐471 weeks) and median weekly dose was 6.6 μg/kg (range 0.1‐9.7 μg/kg). Overall, 89% of romiplostim‐treated patients had platelet responses. Nineteen patients (7%) maintained treatment‐free responses for ≥6 months while withholding all ITP therapy. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events of bleeding occurred in 10% and <1% of romiplostim‐treated patients, respectively. Twenty‐five percent of patients had a serious adverse event, most commonly epistaxis (6%). Seven patients (2%) had neutralizing antibodies against romiplostim postbaseline and none had neutralizing antibodies against endogenous thrombopoietin. Efficacy and safety results appeared similar between children with ITP for ≤12 months and >12 months at baseline.ConclusionsAcross five pediatric clinical trials, romiplostim was well tolerated. Most patients had a platelet response; some maintained responses for at least 6 months while withholding all ITP therapy.
On Automatic Conversion from E-born PDF into Accessible EPUB3 and Audio-Embedded HTML5
Authors: Suzuki Masakazu , Yamaguchi Katsuhito 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAs a promising method to make digital STEM books in PDF accessible, a new assistive technology to convert inaccessible PDF into accessible digital books in some different-type formats are shown. E-born PDF is initially converted into text-based EPUB3, and then, it is converted into audio-embedded HTML5 with JavaScript (ChattyBook). In the conversion, various local languages can be chosen for reading out STEM contents.
Magnetic field driven enhancement of the weak decay width of charged pions
Authors: Coppola Maximo , Dumm Daniel Gomez , Noguera Santiago , Scoccola Norberto N. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
We study the effect of a uniform magnetic field $$ \overrightarrow{B} $$

B
→

on the decays $$ {\pi}^{-}\to {l}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_l $$

π
−

→

l
−

ν
¯

l

, where l− = e−, μ−, carrying out a general analysis that includes four π− decay constants. Taking the values of these constants from a chiral effective Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model, it is seen that the total decay rate gets strongly increased with respect to the B = 0 case, with an enhancement factor ranging from ∼ 10 for eB = 0.1 GeV2 up to ∼ 103 for eB = 1 GeV2. The ratio between electronic and muonic decays gets also enhanced, reaching a value of about 1 : 2 for eB = 1 GeV2. In addition, we find that for large B the angular distribution of outgoing antineutrinos shows a significant suppression in the direction of the magnetic field.
Searching for the Higgsino-Bino sector at the LHC
Authors: Liu Jia , McGinnis Navin , Wagner Carlos E. M. , Wang Xiao-Ping 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
We study the search for electroweakinos at the 13 TeV LHC in the case of heavy scalar superpartners. We consider both the direct production mode and the one associated with the decay of heavy Higgs bosons, and concentrate on the case of light Higgsinos and Binos. In this case, the direct production searches becomes more challenging than in the light Wino scenario. In the direct production mode, we use the current experimental searches to set the reach for these particles at larger luminosities, and we emphasize the relevance of considering both the neutral gauge boson and the neutral Higgs decay modes of the second and third lightest neutralino. We show the complementarity of these searches with the ones induced by the decay of the heavy Higgs bosons, which are dominated by the associated production of the lightest neutralino with the second and third lightest ones, with the latter decaying into gauge bosons. We show that, depending on the value of tan β, the Higgs boson decay channel remains competitive with the direct production channel up to heavy Higgs boson masses of about 1 TeV. Moreover, this search is not limited by the same kinematic considerations as the ones in the direct production mode and can cover masses up to the kinematic threshold for the decay of the heavier electroweakinos into the lightest neutralino. This decay mode provides also an alternative way of looking for heavy Higgs bosons in this range of masses and hence should be a high priority for future LHC analyses.
Adduct of the blistering warfare agent sesquimustard with human serum albumin and its mass spectrometric identification for biomedical verification of exposure
Authors: Blum Marc-Michael , Richter Annika , Siegert Markus , Thiermann Horst , John Harald 
Published: September 2020

AbstractApart from the well-known sulfur mustard (SM), additional sulfur-containing blistering chemical warfare agents exist. Sesquimustard (Q) is one of them and five times more blistering than SM. It is a common impurity in mustard mixtures and regularly found in old munitions but can also be used in pure form. Compared to the extensive literature on SM, very little experimental data is available on Q and no protein biomarkers of exposure have been reported. We herein report for the first time the adduct of Q with the nucleophilic Cys34 residue of human serum albumin (HSA) formed in vitro and introduce two novel bioanalytical procedures for detection. After proteolysis of this HSA adduct catalyzed either by pronase or by proteinase K, two biomarkers were identified by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (MS/HR MS), namely a dipeptide and a tripeptide, both alkylated at their Cys residue, which we refer to as HETETE-CP and HETETE-CPF. HETETE represents the Q-derived thio-alkyl moiety bearing a terminal hydroxyl group: “hydroxyethylthioethylthioethyl.” Targeting both peptide markers from plasma, a micro liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method working in the selected reaction monitoring mode (μLC-ESI MS/MS SRM) was developed and validated as well suited for the verification of exposure to Q. Fulfilling the quality criteria defined by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the novel methods enable the detection of exposure to Q alone or in mixtures with SM. We further report on the relative reactivity of Q compared to SM. Based on experiments making use of partially deuterated Q as the alkylating agent, we rule out a major role for six-membered ring sulfonium ions as relevant reactive species in the alkylation of Cys34. Furthermore, the results of molecular dynamics simulations are indicative that the protein environment around Cys34 allows adduct formation with elongated but not bulky molecules such as Q, and identify important hydrogen bonding interactions and hydrophobic contacts.
Mutual influence of polyphenols and Lactobacillus spp. bacteria in food: a review
Authors: Piekarska-Radzik Lidia , Klewicka Elżbieta 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper presents the effect of polyphenols on microorganisms inhabiting the human gastrointestinal tract (mainly bacteria belonging to theLactobacillusgenus) and pathogenic microorganisms classified as the most common food contaminants. Plant secondary metabolites have the ability to modulate the growth of many microorganisms. Due to the metabolic changes induced by their presence in the environment, many pathogenic microorganisms are unable to grow, which in turn cause a significant reduction in their pathogenic potential. These processes include primarily the induction of ruptures in the cell membrane and disturbance of cell respiration. Often, the lack of integrity of cell membranes also leads to the disturbance of intracellular homeostasis and leakage of cellular components, such as proteins, ATP molecules or intracellular ions. Autoxidizing polyphenols also act as pro-oxidative substances. Hydrogen peroxide formed in the process of oxidation of polyphenolic compounds acts as a bactericidal substance (by induction of DNA breaks). With regard to intestinal microbiota, polyphenols are considered prebiotic substances that increase the number of commensal bacteria. They can positively influence the growth ofLactobacillusbacteria, which have the ability to metabolize undigested antioxidants in the digestive tract of humans and animals. Depending on the pH of the environment and the presence of ions, plant polyphenols in the human digestive tract can act as substances with antioxidant potential or become pro-oxidants. Thus, combining functional food with polyphenols andLactobacillusbacteria not only protects food products against the development of undesirable and pathogenic microbiota, but also has a positive effect on human health. The paper also describes the possibility of changes in the genome ofLactobacillusbacteria (under the influence of polyphenols) and the influence ofLactobacillusspp. bacteria on the antimicrobial properties of polyphenols. The enzymatic abilities of bacteria of the genusLactobacillus, which influence the transformation of polyphenolic compounds, were also described.
Characterizing Tractability of Simple Well-Designed Pattern Trees with Projection
Authors: Mengel Stefan , Skritek Sebastian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe study the complexity of evaluating well-designed pattern trees, a query language extending conjunctive queries with the possibility to define parts of the query to be optional. This possibility of optional parts is important for obtaining meaningful results over incomplete data sources as it is common in semantic web settings. Recently, a structural characterization of the classes of well-designed pattern trees that can be evaluated in polynomial time was shown. However, projection—a central feature of many query languages—was not considered in this study. We work towards closing this gap by giving a characterization of all tractable classes of simple well-designed pattern trees with projection (under some common complexity theoretic assumptions). Since well-designed pattern trees correspond to the fragment of well-designed {, }-SPARQL queries this gives a complete description of the tractable classes of queries with projections in this fragment that can be characterized by the underlying graph structures of the queries. For non-simple pattern trees the tractability criteria for simple pattern trees do not capture all tractable classes. We thus extend the characterization for the non-simple case in order to capture some additional tractable cases.
Planar droplet sizing for studying the influence of ethanol admixture on the spray structure of gasoline sprays
Authors: Koegl Matthias , Mishra Yogeshwar Nath , Baderschneider Kevin , Conrad Chris , Lehnert Bastian , Will Stefan , Zigan Lars 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
A novel planar droplet sizing (PDS) technique based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and Mie-scattering is utilized for the characterization of the spray structure under gasoline direct-injection spark-ignition (DISI) conditions. Fuel effects on the spray structure and cyclic variations are studied for a gasoline surrogate fuel (Toliso, consisting of 65 vol.% isooctane and 35 vol.% toluene) and the gasoline-ethanol blend E20 (20 vol.% ethanol admixture). Sauter mean diameter (SMD) results are compared with those from phase-Doppler anemometry (PDA) measurements showing good agreement especially at early points in time (up to 1.2 ms after start of injection). The liquid spray propagation and SMD are very similar for both fuels indicating similar atomization behavior. Both investigated fuels show comparable cyclic variations of the spray shape. A larger width and slightly larger droplet sizes are observed for the E20 spray when stronger evaporation occurs (at 2 ms). At these later points in time, the PDS-measured droplet sizes differ from the PDA-results. Here the limitation of the PDS-technique becomes obvious as a partial evaporation of the droplets may lead to large systematic errors. A numerical simulation of single droplets is provided for clarification of issues of droplet evaporation in PDS.

Graphic abstract
Isolated choroidal melanocytosis: clinical update on 37 cases
Authors: Augsburger James J. , Brooks Cassandra C. , Correa Zelia M. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Isolated choroidal melanocytosis is a congenital melanocytic hyperpigmentation involving the choroid that is not associated with iridic or scleral features of ocular melanocytosis. The purpose of this work was to describe the clinical features and course of a relatively large series of patients with this disorder.

Methods
A retrospective clinical study of 37 patients with isolated choroidal melanocytosis encountered in a single practice 1986–2018 was done. All lesions were 5 mm or larger in the largest basal diameter, homogeneously melanotic, and completely flat by conventional ocular ultrasonography.

Results
The 37 patients ranged in age from 2 weeks to 87 years (mean 31.5 years, median 18 years) at initial diagnosis of the melanotic choroidal lesion. Arc length largest basal diameter of the melanotic choroidal lesion ranged from 5.5 to 37 mm (mean 14.6 mm, median 13 mm). The lesion extended beneath the fovea in 18 eyes and to the optic disc margin in 6 eyes. Ten of the lesions straddled the ocular equator, but the center point of all of the lesions was posterior to the equator. The retina was fully attached and appeared normal over the melanotic choroidal lesion in each of these eyes. None of the melanotic choroidal lesions exhibited clumps of orange pigment or drusen on its surface. The lesion was unilateral and unifocal in 36 of the 37 patients. One patient had bilateral choroidal melanocytosis that was isolated in one eye but associated with partial iris melanocytosis in the fellow eye. Three adult patients had a choroidal melanoma localized to the patch of choroidal melanocytosis at baseline. One other adult patient had a choroidal melanoma in the fellow eye at baseline. One pediatric patient had viable unilateral non-familial retinoblastoma in the fellow eye and two adult patients had a classic choroidal nevus in the fellow eye. None of the flat patches of choroidal melanocytosis that were monitored periodically after initial diagnosis expanded appreciably during follow-up ranging from 4.9 months to 15.2 years (mean 5.0 years, median 2.3 years).

Conclusions
Isolated choroidal melanocytosis is a distinct clinical entity that must be distinguished from broad-based choroidal nevus, choroidal melanocytoma, small choroidal malignant melanoma, acquired bilateral patchy-streaky choroidal melanocytic fundopathy associated with disorders such as cutaneous vitiligo and Waardenburg syndrome, acquired bilateral zonal choroidal melanocytic fundopathy, and diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation associated with systemic cancer. This disorder appears to predispose affected eyes to development of choroidal melanoma arising from the hypermelanotic patch.