bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intraindividual Long-term Immune Marker Stability in Plasma Samples Collected in Median 9.4 Years Apart in 304 Adult Cancer-free Individuals
Authors: Späth Florentin , Wu Wendy Yi-Ying , Krop Esmeralda J.M. , Bergdahl Ingvar A. , Wibom Carl , Vermeulen Roel 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background:
Changes in immune marker levels in the blood could be used to improve the early detection of tumor-associated inflammatory processes. To increase predictiveness and utility in cancer detection, intraindividual long-term stability in cancer-free individuals is critical for biomarker candidates as to facilitate the detection of deviation from the norm.

Methods:
We assessed intraindividual long-term stability for 19 immune markers (IL10, IL13, TNFα, CXCL13, MCP-3, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, fractalkine, VEGF, FGF-2, TGFα, sIL2Rα, sIL6R, sVEGF-R2, sTNF-R1, sTNF-R2, sCD23, sCD27, and sCD30) in 304 cancer-free individuals. Repeated blood samples were collected up to 20 years apart. Intraindividual reproducibility was assessed by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) using a linear mixed model.

Results:
ICCs indicated fair to good reproducibility (ICCs ≥ 0.40 and &lt; 0.75) for 17 of 19 investigated immune markers, including IL10, IL13, TNFα, CXCL13, MCP-3, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, fractalkine, VEGF, FGF-2, TGFα, sIL2Rα, sIL6R, sTNF-R1, sTNF-R2, sCD27, and sCD30. Reproducibility was strong (ICC ≥ 0.75) for sCD23, while reproducibility was poor (ICC &lt; 0.40) for sVEGF-R2. Using a more stringent criterion for reproducibility (ICC ≥ 0.55), we observed either acceptable or better reproducibility for IL10, IL13, CXCL13, MCP-3, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, VEGF, FGF-2, sTNF-R1, sCD23, sCD27, and sCD30.

Conclusions:
IL10, IL13, CXCL13, MCP-3, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, VEGF, FGF-2, sTNF-R1, sCD23, sCD27, and sCD30 displayed ICCs consistent with intraindividual long-term stability in cancer-free individuals.

Impact:
Our data support using these markers in prospective longitudinal studies seeking early cancer detection biomarkers.
Phase 2 Trial of Oncolytic H-1 Parvovirus Therapy Shows Safety and Signs of Immune System Activation in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hajda Jacek , Leuchs Barbara , Angelova Assia L. , Frehtman Veronika , Rommelaere Jean , Mertens Mieke , Pilz Maximilian , Kieser Meinhard , Krebs Ottheinz , Dahm Michael , Huber Bernard , Engeland Christine E. , Mavratzas Athanasios , Hohmann Nicolas , Schreiber Jutta , Jäger Dirk , Halama Niels , Sedlaczek Oliver , Gaida Matthias M. , Daniel Volker , Springfeld Christoph , Ungerechts Guy 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Purpose:
To investigate the safety, clinical efficacy, virus pharmacokinetics, shedding, and immune response after administration of an oncolytic parvovirus (H-1PV, ParvOryx) to patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) refractory to first-line therapy.

Patients and Methods:
This is a noncontrolled, single-arm, open-label, dose-escalating, single-center clinical trial. Seven patients with PDAC and at least one liver metastasis were included. ParvOryx was administered intravenously on 4 consecutive days and as an intralesional injection, 6 to 13 days thereafter. Altogether, three escalating dose levels were investigated. In addition, gemcitabine treatment was initiated on day 28.

Results:
ParvOryx showed excellent tolerability with no dose-limiting toxicities. One patient had a confirmed partial response and one patient revealed an unconfirmed partial response according to RECIST criteria. Both patients showed remarkably long surivial of 326 and 555 days, respectively. Investigation of pharmacokinetics and virus shedding revealed dose dependency with no excretion of active virus particles in saliva or urine and very limited excretion in feces. H-1PV nucleic acids were detected in tumor samples of four patients. All patients showed T-cell responses to viral proteins. An interesting immunologic pattern developed in tumor tissues and in blood of both patients with partial response suggesting immune activation after administration of ParvOryx.

Conclusions:
The trial met all primary objectives, revealed no environmental risks, and indicated favorable immune modulation after administration of ParvOryx. It can be considered a good basis for further systematic clinical development alone or in combination with immunomodulatory compounds.
Quantification of Translocation-Specific ctDNA Provides an Integrating Parameter for Early Assessment of Treatment Response and Risk Stratification in Ewing Sarcoma
Authors: Krumbholz Manuela , Eiblwieser Johanna , Ranft Andreas , Zierk Jakob , Schmidkonz Christian , Stütz Adrian M , Peneder Peter , Tomazou Eleni M. , Agaimy Abbas , Bäuerle Tobias , Hartmann Wolfgang , Dirksen Uta , Metzler Markus 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Purpose:
We evaluated the predictive and prognostic value of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with Ewing sarcoma (EWS) treated in the EWING2008 trial.

Experimental Design:
Plasma samples from 102 patients with EWS enrolled in the EWING2008 trial were obtained before and during induction chemotherapy. Genomic EWSR1 fusion sequence spanning primers and probes were used for highly specific and sensitive quantification of the levels of ctDNA by digital droplet PCR. ctDNA levels were correlated to established clinical risk factors and outcome parameters.

Results:
Pretreatment ctDNA copy numbers were correlated with event-free and overall survival. The reduction in ctDNA levels below the detection limit was observed in most cases after only two blocks of vincristine, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide (VIDE) induction chemotherapy. The persistence of ctDNA after two VIDE blocks was a strong predictor of poor outcomes. ctDNA levels correlated well with most established clinical risk factors; an inverse correlation was found only for the histologic response to induction therapy. ctDNA levels did not provide simple representations of tumor volume, but integrated information from various tumor characteristics represented an independent EWS tumor marker with predictive and prognostic value.

Conclusions:
ctDNA copy number in the plasma of patients with EWS is a quantifiable parameter for early risk stratification and can be used as a dynamic noninvasive biomarker for early prediction of treatment response and outcome of patients.
Potencial gerador e maturidade térmica dos folhelhos da Formação Barreirinha, borda sul da Bacia do Amazonas, Brasil
Authors: Góes Vitoria Costa Meirelles , Costa Alexandre Barreto , Cerqueira José Roberto , Abreu Neila Caldas , Silva Ayana Souza da , Miranda Flávia Lima e Cima , Queiroz Antônio Fernando de Souza , Ribeiro Hélio Jorge Portugal Severiano 
Published: August 2021

Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o potencial gerador e o efeito da intrusiva ígnea básica na maturidade térmica das amostras com base no estudo de geoquímica orgânica e palinologia. Foram estudadas 15 amostras de rocha coletadas em um afloramento da Formação Barreirinha, borda sul da Bacia do Amazonas. Nesse afloramento foi observada uma soleira de basalto que pode ter influenciado os dados geoquímicos das amostras localizadas no topo do perfil. Os teores de Carbono orgânico total (COT; 0,04–2,06%) e os resultados da pirólise Rock-Eval indicam a presença de querogênio predominantemente dos tipos II e III, potencial gerador de hidrocarbonetos (S2; 0,04–3,00 mg HC/g rocha) variando de pobre a médio, baixa concentração de hidrocarbonetos livres (S1; 0,01–0,25 mg HC/g rocha) e uma variação na maturidade termal (Tmáx: 359–605°C). A razão aquático-terrestre (RAT; 0,08–1,16) indica a predominância de deposição de matéria orgânica algálica, e as razões dos biomarcadores saturados [Hopanos/esteranos; gamacerano/(gamacerano + C30 hopano); TTP/(TTP + DIA); e esteranos C27-C28-C29] indicam um paleoambiente marinho com contribuição variável de componentes terrestres, devido as oscilações do nivel do mar ocorridas durante o Devoniano Superior. A razão entre os isoprenóides Pristano e Fitano (P/F: ,6–7,1) apontam ambiente sub-óxico. Os resultados da cromatografia gasosa e das razões de biomarcadores saturados dos extratos orgânicos [Ts/(Ts + Tm); C29 αββ/(αββ + ααα); C29 S/(C29 S + C29R)] indicam a variação na maturidade térmica ao longo do afloramento, e sugerem a geração e migração de óleo e gás, e/ou a degradação termal de alguns biomarcadores saturados.
Credibility of scientific information on social media: Variation by platform, genre and presence of formal credibility cues
Authors: Boothby Clara , Murray Dakota , Waggy Anna Polovick , Tsou Andrew , Sugimoto Cassidy R. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Responding to calls to take a more active role in communicating their research findings, scientists are increasingly using open online platforms, such as Twitter, to engage in science communication or to publicize their work. Given the ease with which misinformation spreads on these platforms, it is important for scientists to present their findings in a manner that appears credible. To examine the extent to which the online presentation of science information relates to its perceived credibility, we designed and conducted two surveys on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. In the first survey, participants rated the credibility of science information on Twitter compared with the same information in other media, and in the second, participants rated the credibility of tweets with modified characteristics: presence of an image, text sentiment, and the number of likes/retweets. We find that similar information about scientific findings is perceived as less credible when presented on Twitter compared to other platforms, and that perceived credibility increases when presented with recognizable features of a scientific article. On a platform as widely distrusted as Twitter, use of these features may allow researchers who regularly use Twitter for research-related networking and communication to present their findings in the most credible formats.
Identifying constitutive articles of cumulative dissertation theses by bilingual text similarity. Evaluation of similarity methods on a new short text task
Authors: Donner Paul 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Cumulative dissertations are doctoral theses comprised of multiple published articles. For studies of publication activity and citation impact of early career researchers, it is important to identify these articles and link them to their associated theses. Using a new benchmark data set, this paper reports on experiments of measuring the bilingual textual similarity between, on the one hand, titles and keywords of doctoral theses, and, on the other hand, articles’ titles and abstracts. The tested methods are cosine similarity and L1 distance in the Vector Space Model (VSM) as baselines, the language-indifferent methods Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) and trigram similarity, and the language-aware methods fastText and Random Indexing (RI). LSA and RI, two supervised methods, were trained on a purposively collected bilingual scientific parallel text corpus. The results show that the VSM baselines and the RI method perform best but that the VSM method is unsuitable for cross-language similarity due to its inherent monolingual bias.
Outcome of Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation in Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Saniasiaya Jeyasakthy , Kulasegarah Jeyanthi , Narayanan Prepageran 
Published: August 2021

Objective: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a chronic entity that has been historically managed with adenoidectomy and ventilation tube insertion. Recently, balloon dilation of the eustachian tube has shown promising results in recalcitrant eustachian tube dysfunction. We reviewed the literature to determine the outcome of eustachian tube balloon dilation in children. Methods: A literature search was conducted for the period from 1990 to 2020 by searching several databases over a 1-month period (January 2021) according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews for Interventions. Primary outcome was defined as the success of the intervention determined by the resolution of symptoms, and secondary outcome was determined by revisions surgery and presence of complications. Results: Only 7 articles were identified based on our objectives and selection criteria. All studies included are retrospective cohort case series (Level IV) and 1 cohort of matched controls (Level III). A total of 284 patients were included in this review, with a mean age of 7.8 years. A total of 463 balloon dilation were performed either bilaterally or unilaterally. The most common finding of ETD is middle ear effusion in 5 studies. Balloon dilation of eustachian tube was second-line treatment in 6 studies and first-line treatment in 1 study. Improvement of symptoms was identified in all studies through various assessments performed. Revision surgery was performed in 1 study with no major complications reported. Conclusions: Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube may be considered as an alternative procedure following failed standard treatment in children. The quality of evidence is inadequate to recommend widespread use of the technique until a better-quality study has been completed. Future randomized controlled studies with a large sample size are warranted to determine the efficacy of this procedure amongst children.
Evaluation of Acoustic Reflex Thresholds in COVID-19 Patients With Taste Disorders
Authors: Resuli Ali Seyed , Salviz Mehdi , Oktem Fatih 
Published: August 2021

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, can result in persistent loss of taste and smell. This study was performed to assess acoustic reflex threshold (ART) in patients with taste disorders caused by SARS-CoV-2. Material and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 11 patients (9 men, 2 women; average age = 22.3 years) with a history of COVID-19 and had complaints of taste disorder and sensitivity to loud sounds. The control group consisted of 13 healthy participants (10 men, 3 women; average age = 23.4 years). Anamnesis, neuro-otological, ear, nose and throat, and eye examinations, as well as a taste test, pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination test, and impedance audiometry were performed in all participants. Results: All participants in the study group had a negative taste test result. In addition, ART values were significantly higher in the study group than the control group at all frequencies. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 could be a neurotropic virus that can cause facial nerve neuropathy.
Clinical efficacy of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
Authors: Cao Jie , Gu Jie , Wang Yan , Guo Xianjuan , Gao Xu , Lu Xiaoying 
Published: August 2021

Objective To evaluate the application of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 136 patients who underwent RALP between August 2017 and June 2018 as the control group and a prospective analysis of 106 patients who underwent RALP between January 2019 and January 2020 as the ERAS group. ERAS focused on preoperative education, nutritional intervention, electrolyte solution intake, restrictive fluid infusion, body warming, no indwelling central venous catheter, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), early mobilization, and eating recovery. Results The times from RALP to the first intake of clear liquid; first ambulation; first defecation; first fluid, semi-liquid, and general diet; drain removal; and length of hospital stay (LOS) were significantly shorter, and operative time, fluid infusion within 24 hours, postoperative day (POD) 1 albumin, POD 1 hemoglobin, and POD 2 drainage were significantly higher in the ERAS group. Five patients (3.8%) in the ERAS group developed postoperative complications (urine leakage, n = 4; intestinal obstruction, n = 1), while 1 patient (0.7%) in the control group developed intestinal obstruction. Conclusions ERAS effectively accelerated patient rehabilitation and reduced the LOS for patients undergoing RALP.
The Impact of Radiologist Screening Mammogram Reading Volume on Performance in the Ontario Breast Screening Program
Authors: Walker Meghan J. , Hartman Krystal , Majpruz Vicky , Leung Yvonne W. , Fienberg Samantha , Rabeneck Linda , Chiarelli Anna M. 
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Although some studies have shown increasing radiologists’ mammography volumes improves performance, there is a lack of evidence specific to digital mammography and breast screening program performance targets. This study evaluates the relationship between digital screening volume and meeting performance targets. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 493 radiologists in the Ontario Breast Screening Program who interpreted 1,762,173 screening mammograms in participants ages 50-90 between 2014 and 2016. Associations between annual screening volume and meeting performance targets for abnormal call rate, positive predictive value (PPV), invasive cancer detection rate (CDR), sensitivity, and specificity were modeled using mixed-effects multivariate logistic regression. Results: Most radiologists read 500-999 (36.7%) or 1,000-1,999 (31.0%) screens annually, and 18.5% read ≥2,000. Radiologists who read ≥2,000 annually were more likely to meet abnormal call rate (OR = 3.85; 95% CI: 1.17-12.61), PPV (OR = 5.36; 95% CI: 2.53-11.34), invasive CDR (OR = 4.14; 95% CI: 1.50-11.46), and specificity (OR = 4.07; 95% CI: 1.89-8.79) targets versus those who read 100-499 screens. Radiologists reading 1,000-1,999 screens annually were more likely to meet PPV (OR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.22-4.40), invasive CDR (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.49-7.59) and specificity (OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.04-3.84) targets versus those who read 100-499 screens. No significant differences were observed for sensitivity. Conclusions: Annual reading volume requirements of 1,000 in Canada are supported as screening volume above 1,000 was strongly associated with achieving performance targets for nearly all measures. Increasing the minimum volume to 2,000 may further reduce the potential limitations of screening due to false positives, leading to improvements in overall breast screening program quality.
Use of docetaxel in low- and high-burden metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: A systematic review and assessment of subgroup analyses
Authors: Gil-Sierra Manuel David , Alegre-del Rey Emilio Jesus , Alarcon de la Lastra-Romero Catalina , Sánchez-Hidalgo Marina 
Published: August 2021

Background Use of docetaxel in low- and high-burden metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer presents considerable controversy. There is literature suggesting lack of benefit for low-volume of metastases. Objective The study aims to develop a systematic review and methodological assessment of subset analysis about use of docetaxel in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer regarding volume of metastatic disease. Methods A systematic review in the Pubmed® database was conducted up to 25 September 2020. A reference tracking was also developed. Randomised clinical trials with subgroup analysis according volume of metastatic disease for overall survival were selected. Two methodologies were used. One of them considered statistical interaction of subsets ( p(i) < 0.1), pre-specification, biological plausibility and consistency among subset results of similar randomised clinical trials. The second methodology was a two-part validated tool: preliminary questions to discard subset analysis without minimal relevance and a checklist The checklist provides recommendations for applicability of subgroup analysis in clinical practice. Results A total of 31 results were found in systematic reviews in the Pubmed® database. One result was identified in the reference tracking. Of the total of 32 results, four randomised clinical trials were included in the study. About first methodology, statistical interaction among subgroups was obtained in one randomised clinical trial. Subgroup analysis was pre-specified in two randomised clinical trials. Biological plausibility was reasonable. No external consistency among results of subgroup analyses in randomised clinical trials was observed. Preliminary questions of second methodology rejected applicability of subgroup analysis in three randomised clinical trials. A ‘null’ recommendation for applicability of subset results was obtained in the remaining randomised clinical trial. Conclusions Patients with low- and high-burden metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer would benefit from docetaxel therapy. No consistent differences for overall survival were observed in subgroup analyses regarding volume of metastatic disease.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of venlafaxine to treat behavioural disorders in cats: a pilot study
Authors: Metz Delphine , Medam Tiphaine , Masson Sylvia 
Published: August 2021

Objectives Venlafaxine, a specific inhibitor of both noradrenaline and serotonin, is commonly used in human medicine to treat depression, anxiety and social phobia. Its formulation in small granules renders it interesting to test on cats, which are usually reluctant to take medication. Venlafaxine was administered at 1 mg/kg for 60 days, using a double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol, to cats aged ⩾6 months exhibiting aggressiveness, fear or house-soiling. Methods After one cat’s withdrawal, 21 cats were included in the study: 11 in the venlafaxine group and 10 in the placebo group. Three consultations were conducted, on day 0, day 30 and day 60. Each visit consisted of (1) veterinarian- and owner-based scoring of the cat’s behavioural improvement; (2) scoring of the cat’s compliance with removal from its carrier and compliance with manipulation; and (3) owner scoring of the ease of administration and recording of the potential adverse effects of the treatment. Results Improvement was significantly higher in the venlafaxine group; as early as day 30, according to the veterinarian scoring, and at day 60, according to both the veterinarian and owner scoring. In contrast, neither the removal nor the manipulation scores were significantly different between the two treatment groups. Venlafaxine seemed to improve all three studied signs, as early as day 30 for fear and aggressiveness, and at day 60 for house-soiling. The adverse effects of venlafaxine were limited to drowsiness in one cat. All cats tolerated the treatment well during the 60-day period. Conclusions and relevance These results suggest that venlafaxine is efficient in treating several behavioural problems and is easy to administer. More studies should be conducted to explore its effects at different dosages on specific diagnoses.