bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcatheter arterial infusion combined with radioactive particles in the treatment of advanced body/tail pancreatic cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Han Shilong , Cao Chuanwu , Yuan Yifeng , Chen Jun , Yin Linan , Xu Huirong , Liu Jingzhou , Wang Wujie , Li Yuliang , Wang Lizhou , Zhou Shi , Li Fenqiang , Wang Wenhui , Ji Jiansong , Long Haideng , Yin Shiwu , Li Jue , Han Jianjun , Liu Ruibao , Li Maoquan , Zhang Xiaoping 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Patients with advanced body/tail pancreatic cancer have poor quality of life and low overall survival rate. In recent years, interventional diagnosis and treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer have become increasingly widespread. This retrospective cohort study investigated the efficacy of routine intravenous chemotherapy (the control group), transcatheter arterial infusion (TAI) chemotherapy, and TAI combined with radioactive particles as therapeutic methods for advanced body/tail cancer pancreatic by assessing the short-term and overall survival rates.
Methods
We screened our prospective database for patients with advanced body/tail pancreatic cancer, which tumor deemed unresectable and no other confirmed malignant tumors, patients were assigned into three groups according to their treatment. Analyses with regard to the clinical responses, the 6, 12, and 18-month survival rates and overall survival rates were performed.
Results
The median survival time was 6 months in the control group, 10 months in the TAI group and 13 months in the TAI combined group. The Kaplan–Meier estimates of the OS among the three groups, indicating that there is significant difference among three groups (P༜0.000). The clinical remission rates were 17.5% in the control group, 41.5% in the TAI group, and 48.0% in the TAI combined group. Covariates analyzed showed that different treatment methods and times affected the results significantly (P༜0.002).
Conclusions
In the treatment of advanced body/tail pancreatic cancer, TAI and TAI combined with radioactive particles significantly improved the clinical outcomes in patients compared with routine intravenous chemotherapy.
Evaluation of the Reporting of Safety and Immune-Related Adverse Events in Clinical Trials of FDA-Approved Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Oncology
Authors: Karimian Zahra , Mavoungou Sandra , Salem Joe-Elie , Tubach Florence , Dechartres Agnes 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background – While immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the field of oncology for advanced stage cancers, they can lead to serious immune toxicities. Several systematic reviews have evaluated the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs); however, most have focused on published articles without evaluating trial registries. The objective of this methodological review was to compare the reporting of safety information and in particular, serious irAEs (irSAEs), in both publications and ClinicalTrials.gov for all current FDA-approved ICIs. Methods – MEDLINE was searched via PubMed to retrieve all published phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating ICIs. For each eligible trial, we searched for corresponding registration on ClinicalTrials.gov and extracted relevant safety data from both the publication and results posted on registry. We then compared reporting and evaluated concordance in reported safety data between both sources. Results – Of 42 eligible published trials, 34 had results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov. Considerable variability was noted in the reporting of safety in both sources. SAEs were reported for all trial results in ClinicalTrials.gov compared to 23.5% of publications. An overall incidence for irAEs and irSAEs was reported in 58.8% and 8.8% of published trials respectively, compared to 11.8% and 5.9% of registry results. Evaluating the concordance of specific irSAEs was not possible between the two sources in 32/34 trials either due to different reporting formats (61.8%) or data not being reported in one or both sources (32.4%). From the 2 studies with compatible irSAE format, only 1 had concordant data between both sources.Conclusions – The reporting of irAEs / irSAEs varies considerably in publications and registries, which outlines the importance of standardizing the terminologies and methodologies for reporting safety information relevant to ICIs.
Effect of oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine on circulating and imaging biomarkers in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a prospective biomarker study
Authors: Mahmood Reem , Shaw Danielle , Descamps Tine , Zhou Cong , Morgan Robert D. , Mullamitha Saifee , Saunders Mark , Mescallado Nerissa , Backen Alison , Morris Karen , Little Ross A. , Cheung Susan , Watson Yvonne , O’Connor James P. B. , Jackson Alan , Parker Geoff J. M. , Dive Caroline , Jayson Gordon C. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer are treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy supplemented by molecularly targeted therapies. There is a critical need to define biomarkers that can optimise the use of these therapies to maximise efficacy and avoid unnecessary toxicity. However, it is important to firstly define the changes in potential biomarkers following cytotoxic chemotherapy alone. This study reports the impact of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy across a range of circulating and imaging biomarkers.Methods: A single-centre, prospective, biomarker-driven study. Eligible patients included those diagnosed with colorectal cancer with liver metastases that were planned to receive first line oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine. Patients underwent paired blood sampling and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and biomarkers were associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).Results: 20 patients were recruited to the study. Results showed that chemotherapy significantly reduced the number of circulating tumour cells as well as the circulating concentrations of Ang1, Ang2, VEGF-A, VEGF-C and VEGF-D from pre-treatment to cycle 2 day 2. The changes in circulating concentrations were not associated with PFS or OS. Across all patients, the MRI perfusion parameter, Ktrans, increased in response to cytotoxic chemotherapy from pre-treatment to cycle 2 day 2 and this increase was associated with worse OS (HR 1.099, 95%CI 1.01-1.20, p=0.025).Conclusions: In patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer with liver metastases, treatment with standard chemotherapy changes cell- and protein-based biomarkers, although these changes are not associated with survival outcomes. In contrast, the imaging biomarker, Ktrans, offers promise to direct molecular targeted therapies such as anti-angiogenic agents.
The Sigma 2 Receptor Promotes and the Sigma 1 Receptor Inhibits Mu-Opioid Receptor-Mediated Antinociception
Authors: Sánchez-Blázquez Pilar , Cortés-Montero Elsa , Rodríguez-Muñoz María , Merlos Manuel , Garzón-Niño Javier 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The Sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) has emerged as an interesting pharmacological target because it inhibits analgesia mediated by mu-opioid receptors (MOR) and is also implicated in the development of neuropathic pain. Based on these findings, the recent cloning of the Sigma-2 receptor (σ2R) led us to investigate its potential role as a regulator of opioid analgesia and of pain hypersensitivity in σ2R knockout mice. σ2R-/- animals developed mechanical allodynia following establishment of chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain, which was alleviated by the σ1R antagonist S1RA. The analgesic effects of morphine, [D-Ala, N-MePhe, Gly-ol]-encephalin (DAMGO) and β-endorphin increased in σ1R-/- mice and diminished in σ2R-/- mice. The analgesic effect of morphine was increased in σ2R-/- mice by treatment with S1RA. However, σ2R-/- mice and wild-type mice exhibited comparable antinociceptive responses to the delta receptor agonist [D-Pen2,5]-encephalin (DPDPE), the cannabinoid type 1 receptor agonist WIN55212-2 and the alfa2-adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine. These findings suggest that σ2R and σ1R have selective regulatory effects on MOR-mediated analgesia, with σ2R promoting MOR-mediated analgesia and σ1R inhibiting it. Our study may help identify new pharmacological targets for diminishing pain perception and improving opioid detoxification therapies.
Metabolic profiles of whole serum and serum-derived exosomes are different in head and neck cancer patients treated by radiotherapy
Authors: Wojakowska Anna , Zebrowska Aneta , Skowronek Agata , Rutkowski Tomasz , Polański Krzysztof , Widlak Piotr , Pietrowska Monika , Marczak Lukasz 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Serum metabolome reflects a general patient's body response to both disease state (e.g., cancer) and implemented treatment (e.g., radiotherapy, RT). Though serum-derived exosomes are an emerging type of liquid biopsy, a metabolite content of these vesicles remains under-researched yet. In this pilot study, we aimed to compare metabolite profiles of the whole serum and serum-derived exosomes in the context of differences between cancer patients and healthy controls as well as patients’ response to RT.
Methods
Serum samples were collected from 10 healthy volunteers and 10 patients with head and neck cancer, in the latter group samples were taken before and after the end of RT. Exosomes were isolated from serum by the size-exclusion chromatography. Metabolites were purified from the complete serum and exosomes using a methanol extraction and analyzed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Results
An untargeted GC-MS-based approach allowed the detection of 182 and 46 metabolites in serum and exosomes, respectively (33 compounds were present in both types of specimens). The unsupervised analyses revealed that metabolite profiles of the whole serum but not serum-derived exosomes enabled the separation of all 3 groups of samples. There were 27 compounds whose serum levels were markedly different (large effect size) between control and cancer samples and 12 compounds whose serum levels were markedly different between cancer pre-RT and post-RT samples. On the other hand, only 4 metabolites present in exosomes showed markedly different levels between cancer and control samples. Noteworthy, metabolites that differentiated cancer and control samples, either serum or exosomes, were associated with energy metabolism pathways. Serum metabolites affected by RT were associated with pathways involved in the metabolism of amino acids, sugars, lipids, and nucleotides.
Conclusions
Metabolite profile of serum-derived exosomes is less complex than that of the complete serum. However, cancer-specific features of energy metabolism could be detected in both types of specimens. On the other hand, in contrast to RT-induced changes observed in serum metabolome, this pilot study did not reveal a specific radiation-related pattern of exosome metabolites.
Knowledge, perception and implementation of personal protective measures by citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak in Northern Cyprus: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Yilmaz Azze Buket , Guler Emrah , Baddal Buket 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Aim: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has generated over 8 000 000 cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide and has led to the implementation of strict measures in all countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and implementation status of personal protective measures (PPMs) by ordinary citizens in Northern Cyprus and their access to personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 outbreak.Subject and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on internet-based survey. A total of 406 participants were recruited between May 1 and 4, 2020 via authors’ networks to complete a questionnaire. Participants were asked to indicate how often they implemented the five PPMs recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), their daily frequency of hand hygiene events, their COVID-19 knowledge as well as the availability of PPE in their hometown.Results: The prevalence of the five PPMs ranged from 65.0% to 95.6%, with the highest being hand hygiene and the lowest being avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. Hand hygiene events were recorded to be more than 10 per day in 47.3% of the participants. Gloves (86.2%), surgical masks (52.2%), and cloth face masks (47.3%) were the most commonly used PPE in public areas. The majority of the responders were aware of the incubation time (90.4%) and indirect route of viral transmission (89.7%), whereas knowledge of droplet (72.2%) and aerosol transmission (43.6%) were lower. Knowledge was gained mainly through social media and TV.Conclusion: Overall, citizens implemented protective measures effectively and were strictly coherent to government-induced curfew and self-isolation measurements with a high public awareness.
Various Far-Field Hydrological Responses During 2015 Gorkha Earthquake at Two Distant Wells
Authors: Huang Xudong , Zhang Yu 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Aquifer hydraulic parameter can change during earthquakes. Continuous monitoring of the response of water level to seismic waves or solid Earth tides provides an opportunity to document how earthquakes influence hydrological properties. Here we use data of two groundwater wells, Dian-22 (D22) and Lijiang (LJ) well, in southeast Tibet Plateau in response to the 2015 Mw 7.8 Gorkha earthquake to illustrate hydrological implications. The coherences of water level and seismic wave before and after the far-field earthquake show systematic variations, which may confirm the coseismic dynamic shaking influence at high frequencies (f > 8 cpd). The tidal response of water levels in these wells shows abrupt coseismic increases of both phase shift and amplitude ratio after the earthquake, which may be interpreted as an increase in the horizontal permeability of a confined aquifer in D22 well, and an occurrence in the vertical permeability of a switched semiconfined aquifer with larger epicentral distance and but high seismic ground motion. Using the continuous transmissivity monitoring, we show that the possible preseismic initial for ~ 1 day, coseismic response for ~ 3 days and postseismic healing for ~ 10 days during the earthquake. Thus, the dynamic shaking during the Gorkha earthquake may have caused confined aquifers to semiconfined aquifers by reopening of preexisting vertical fractures and later healing at epicentral distances about 1500 km.
KASP: a genotyping method to rapid identification of resistance in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Alvarez-Fernandez Ana , Bernal María J. , Villajos Isabel Fradejas , Ramírez Alexandra Martín , Yu Noor Azian Md , Suárez Marta Lanza , Hisam Shamilah , Perez-Ayala Ana , Rubio Jose M 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The emergence and spread of antimalarial resistance continues to hinder malaria control. Plasmodium falciparum, the species that causes most human malaria cases and most deaths, has shown resistance to almost all known antimalarials. This antimalarial resistance arises from the development and subsequent expansion of Single Nucleotide Polymorfisms (SNPs) in specific parasite genes. A quick and cheap tool for the detection of drug resistance can be crucial and very useful for use in hospitals and in malaria control programs. It has been demonstrated in different contexts that genotyping by Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP), is a simple, fast and economical method that allows a high-precision biallelic characterization of SNPs, hence its possible utility in the study of resistance in P. falciparum.
Methods
Three SNPs involved in most cases of resistance to the most widespread antimalarial treatments have been analyzed by PCR plus sequencing and by KASP (C580Y of the Kelch13 gene, Y86N of the Pfmdr1 gene and M133I of the Pfcytb gene). A total of 113 P. falciparum positive samples and 24 negative samples, previously analyzed by PCR and sequencing, were selected for this assay. Likewise, the samples were genotyped for the MSP-1 and MSP-2 genes, and the Multiplicity of Infection (MOI) and parasitaemia were measured to observe their possible influence on the KASP method.
Results
The KASP results showed the same expected mutations and wild type genotypes as the reference method, with few exceptions that correlated with very low parasitaemia samples. In addition, two cases of heterozygotes that had not been detected by sequencing were found. No correlation was found between the MOI or parasitaemia and the KASP values of the sample. The reproducibility of the technique shows no oscillations between repetitions in any of the three SNPs analyzed.
Conclusions
The KASP assays developed in our study were efficient and versatile for the determination of the Plasmodium genotypes related to resistance. The method is simple, fast, reproducible with low cost in personnel, material and equipment and scalable, being able to core KASP arrays, including numerous SNPs, to complete the main pattern of mutations associated to P. falciparum resistance.
CD4 T-Cell Immune Stimulation of HER2+ Breast Cancer Cells in Response to Trastuzumab In Vitro
Authors: Song Patrick N. , Mansur Amer , Dugger Kari J. , Davis Tessa R. , Howard Grant , Yankeelov Thomas E. , Sorace Anna G. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Introduction: The HER2+ tumor immune microenvironment is composed of macrophages, natural killer cells, and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, which produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. Determining the effect of T-cells on HER2+ cancer cells during therapy could guide immunogenic therapies that trigger antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. This study utilized longitudinal in vitro time-resolved microscopy imaging to measure T-cell influence on trastuzumab in HER2+ breast cancer.Methods: Fluorescently-labeled breast cancer cells (BT474, SKBR3, MDA-MB-453, and MDA-MB-231) were co-cultured with CD4+ T-cells (Jurkat cell line) and longitudinally imaged to quantify cancer cell viability when treated with trastuzumab (10, 25, 50 and 100 g/mL). The presence and timing of T-cell co-culturing was manipulated to determine immune stimulation of trastuzumab-treated HER2+ breast cancer. HER2 and TNF- expression were evaluated with western blot and ELISA, respectively. Significance was calculated using a two-tailed parametric t-test.Results: The viability of HER2+ cancer cells significantly decreased when exposed to 25 g/mL trastuzumab and T-cells, compared to cancer cells exposed to trastuzumab without T-cells (p = 0.01). The presence of T-cells significantly increased TNF- expression in trastuzumab-treated cancer cells (p = 0.02). Conversely, cancer cells treated with TNF- and trastuzumab had a similar decrease in viability as trastuzumab-treated cancer cells co-cultured with T-cells (p = 0.49).Conclusions: The presence of T-cells significantly increases the efficacy of targeted therapies and suggests trastuzumab may trigger immune mediated cytotoxicity. TNF- expression suggests cytokines may interact with trastuzumab-induced HER2 receptor blockade. Examining molecular mechanisms of breast cancer immune infiltration has the potential to improve response to targeted therapies.
How can social media analytics assist authorities in pandemic-related policy decisions? Insights from Australian states and territories
Authors: Yigitcanlar Tan , Kankanamge Nayomi , Preston Alexander , Gill Palvinderjit Singh , Rezayee Maqsood , Ostandnia Mahsan , Xia Bo , Ioppolo Giuseppe 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background and objectives: Due to COVID-19, various countries introduced lockdowns and limited citizen movements. These restrictions triggered an increased use of digital technologies and platforms by the public. This provides an opportunity for the authorities to capture public perceptions on COVID-19 from social media channels to make informed decisions. The use of social media analytics during pandemics for decision-making, however, is an understudied area of research. Thus, this study aims to generate insights into how social media analytics can assist authorities in pandemic-related policy decisions.Methods: This study involved a social media analysis approach—i.e., systematic geo-Twitter analysis—that contains descriptive, content, sentiment, and spatial analyses. Australian states and territories are selected as the case study context for the empirical investigation. This study collected 96,666 geotagged tweets (originated from Australia between 1 January and 4 May 2020), and analysed 35,969 of them after data cleaning.Results: The findings disclose that: (a) Social media analytics is an efficient approach to capture the attitudes and perceptions of the public during a pandemic; (b) Crowdsourced social media data can guide interventions and decisions of the authorities during a pandemic, and; (c) Effective use of government social media channels can help the public to follow the introduced measures/restrictions.Conclusion: The findings are invaluable for authorities to understand community perceptions and identify communities in needs and demands in a pandemic situation, where authorities are not in a position to conduct direct and lengthily public consultations.
Algorithm for sustainable water source and treatment selection process
Authors: Masterton Adrienne I. , Barkdoll Brian D. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
World water supply is lacking in many places, making sanitation and reuse methods important. A new algorithm entitled ‘Drinking Water Source and Treatment Selection’ (DWSTS) to more sustainably select and compare water sources and treatment methods is introduced and demonstrated. Sustainability factors included in DWSTS include economic, social, and technical. DWSTS charts produced using this new method are an improvement over more traditional performance measures since they compare water sources based on a spectrum of considerations. The DWSTS method is demonstrated in a representative town. In water-scarce Muslim communities, the practice of ablution offers an opportunity for gray water reuse. Treating and reusing ablution gray water (AGW) was evaluated as part of the new DWSTS algorithm. Investigatory tools included in the new method were: household water use surveys, opinion leader interviews, an AGW collection device prototype design, treatment identification and testing, and comparison of attributes to those of existing water sources. Treatment methods examined were locally-made clay pot filter, coagulation and settling using moringa tree seeds, and P&G™ Purifier of Water. The DWSTS charts developed indicate AGW reuse could be socially acceptable, has potential to provide quality water, and would be financially competitive with existing sources. The DWSTS resulted in a more robust and environmentally sustainable solution than the conventional approach of simply considering cost.