bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Universal testing for COVID-19 in patients undergoing cancer treatment during the second outbreak in Brescia
Authors: Magrini Stefano M. , Guerini Andrea E. , Borghetti Paolo , Volpi Giulia , Triggiani Luca , Costa Loredana , Pegurri Ludovica , Spiazzi Luigi , Buglione Michela 
Published: August 2021

Background: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been overwhelming on patients with cancer, who may be at higher risk of developing severe disease. During the second COVID-19 outbreak in Italy, we planned universal microbiologic screening for patients scheduled for antineoplastic treatment. Methods: All patients with planned active treatment at Brescia University Radiation Oncology Department were screened for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA with repeated nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) from October 31, 2020. Treatment continuation, suspension, or delay was modulated for patients testing positive according to clinical presentation. Results: From October 31, 2020, to February 6, 2021, 636 patients were enrolled and 1243 NPS were performed, of which 28 (2.25%) were positive. The infection rate was 2.52%; 81.3% of the patients with a positive NPS were asymptomatic, 2 had mild disease, and 1 severe disease that led to death. All patients already on treatment with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 carried on the therapy with no or minimal delay. Median delay for patients with infection detected before treatment start was 16.5 days. Conclusions: Detected incidence of COVID-19 was lower during the second outbreak in our patients (2.52% vs 3.23%), despite the extensive testing schedule, and substantiates the high rate of asymptomatic infections and the low mortality among patients with COVID-19 (6.3% vs 38.5% during the first outbreak). Universal SARS-CoV-2 screening for all patients with planned treatment might allow early identification of patients with COVID-19, resulting in timely management that could improve clinical outcomes and prevent spread of the infection.
Update on radioligand therapy with 177Lu-PSMA for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: clinical aspects and survival effects
Authors: Fuoco Valentina , Argiroffi Giovanni , Mazzaglia Stefania , Lorenzoni Alice , Guadalupi Valentina , Franza Andrea , Scalorbi Federica , Aliberti Gianluca , Chiesa Carlo , Procopio Giuseppe , Seregni Ettore , Maccauro Marco 
Published: August 2021

Objective: To give an updated overview on clinical aspects and survival effects of lutetium-177–prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) (177Lu-PSMA) radioligand therapy (RLT), a novel treatment option for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE database was searched for relevant articles published up to March 2021. The search was restricted to English-language articles. Results: Current evidence from the literature consistently demonstrated the efficacy, safety, and survival benefit of 177Lu-PSMA RLT in mCRPC. However, current data rely predominantly on retrospective analyses, showing heterogeneity of patient population and treatment protocols. More recently, results from the first randomized phase II study (TheraP) demonstrated that 177Lu-PMSA therapy significantly improved prostate-specific antigen response rate (66% vs 37%) and had fewer grade 3/4 adverse events when compared to cabazitaxel in patients with docetaxel-pretreated, progressive mCRPC. This review is intended to provide an updated overview of treatment protocols and responses, toxicity profile, and survival effects of 177Lu-PSMA RLT. Conclusions: 177Lu-PSMA RLT has emerged as a promising targeted treatment in mCRPC. It is currently applied in compassionate use programs and following exhaustion of approved therapies. Crucial for establishing this treatment in routine clinical management will be the results of the phase III VISION trial, which may confirm the encouraging patient outcomes reported to date.
Trajectory of treatment response in the child and adolescent migraine prevention (CHAMP) study: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Reidy Brooke L , Peugh James , Hershey Andrew D , Coffey Christopher S , Chamberlin Leigh A , Ecklund Dixie J , Klingner Elizabeth A , Yankey Jon W , Korbee Leslie L , Porter Linda L , Kabbouche Marielle A , Kacperski Joanne , Powers Scott W 
Published: August 2021

Objective Identify preventive medication treatment response trajectories among youth participating in the Childhood and Adolescent Migraine Prevention study. Methods Data were evaluated from 328 youth (ages 8–17). Childhood and Adolescent Migraine Prevention study participants completed headache diaries during a 28-day baseline period and a 168-day active treatment period during which youth took amitriptyline, topiramate, or placebo. Daily headache occurrence trajectories were established across baseline and active treatment periods using longitudinal hierarchical linear modeling. We tested potential treatment group differences. We also compared final models to trajectory findings from a clinical trial of cognitive behavioral therapy plus amitriptyline for youth with chronic migraine to test for reproducibility. Results Daily headache occurrence showed stability across baseline. Active treatment models revealed decreases in headache frequency that were most notable early in the trial period. Baseline and active treatment models did not differ by treatment group and replicated trajectory cognitive behavioral therapy plus amitriptyline trial findings. Conclusions Replicating headache frequency trajectories across clinical trials provides strong evidence that youth can improve quickly. Given no effect for medication, we need to better understand what drives this clinically meaningful improvement. Results also suggest an expected trajectory of treatment response for use in designing and determining endpoints for future clinical trials. Trial Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01581281
BoNT-A efficacy in high frequency migraine: an open label, single arm, exploratory study applying the PREEMPT paradigm
Authors: Martinelli Daniele , Arceri Sebastiano , De Icco Roberto , Allena Marta , Guaschino Elena , Ghiotto Natascia , Bitetto Vito , Castellazzi Gloria , Cosentino Giuseppe , Sances Grazia , Tassorelli Cristina 
Published: August 2021

Introduction In this open label, single-arm trial we evaluated the efficacy of onabotulinum toxin-A in the prevention of high-frequency episodic migraine (8–14 migraine days/month). Methods We enrolled 32 high-frequency episodic migraine subjects (age 44.8 ± 11.9 years, 11.0 ± 2.2 migraine days, 11.5 ± 2.1 headache days, 7 females). After a 28-day baseline period, subjects underwent 4 subsequent onabotulinum toxin-A treatments according to the phase III research evaluating migraine prophylaxis therapy (PREEMPT) paradigm, 12-weeks apart. The primary outcome was the reduction of monthly migraine days from baseline in the 12-week period following the last onabotulinum toxin-A treatment Results Onabotulinum toxin-A reduced monthly migraine days by 3.68 days (−33.1%, p < 0.01). Thirty-nine percent of the patients experienced a ≥50% reduction in monthly migraine days. Onabotulinum toxin-A also reduced the number of headache days (−33.9%, p < 0.01) and the intake of acute medications (−22.9%, p = 0.03). Disability and quality of life (QoL) scores improved markedly (migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) −41.7%; migraine specific questionnaire (MSQ) −31.7%, p < 0.01). Conclusions The findings suggest that, when administered according to the PREEMPT paradigm, onabotulinum toxin-A is effective in the prevention of high-frequency episodic migraine. Trial Registration: NCT04578782
A systematic review of treatment for patients with burning mouth syndrome
Authors: Tan Huann Lan , Smith Jared G , Hoffmann Jan , Renton Tara 
Published: August 2021

Background Burning mouth syndrome is a chronic idiopathic intractable intraoral dysaesthesia that remains a challenge to clinicians due to its poorly understood pathogenesis and inconsistent response to various treatments. Aim This review aimed to study the short- (≤3 months) and long-term (>3 months) effectiveness and sustainable benefit of different burning mouth syndrome treatment strategies and the associated side effects. Materials and methods Randomised controlled trials of burning mouth syndrome treatment compared with placebo or other interventions with a minimum follow up of 2 months were searched from the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane database (published to July 2020). Results Twenty-two studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and analysed. Nine categories of burning mouth syndrome treatment were identified: Anticonvulsant and antidepressant agents, phytomedicine and alpha lipoic acid supplements, low-level laser therapy, saliva substitute, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and cognitive behaviour therapy. Cognitive behaviour therapy, topical capsaicin and clonazepam, and laser therapy demonstrated favourable outcome in both short- and long-term assessment. Phytomedicines reported a short-term benefit in pain score reduction. The pooled effect of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) pain score improvement was low, but its positive effects increased in long term assessment. Conclusion A more significant volume in terms of sample size, multi-centres, and multi-arm comparison of therapeutic agents with placebo and longitudinal follow-up studies is recommended to establish a standardised burning mouth syndrome treatment protocol. Further studies are required to assess the analgesic benefits of topical clonazepam and capsaicin, alternative medicines with neurodegenerative prevention capability and psychology support in treating burning mouth syndrome and reducing systemic adverse drug reactions. Registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): Protocol ID - CRD42020160892.
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome developing after an erenumab injection for migraine prevention
Authors: Rozen Todd D , Bhatt Alok A 
Published: August 2021

Background Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is normally triggered by vasoactive compounds or illicit drugs. A new type of migraine preventive medication blocks calcitonin gene-related peptide utilizing monoclonal antibodies. Calcitonin gene-related peptide is a potent vasodilator for the cerebrovascular system. Could blocking calcitonin gene-related peptide be a trigger for cerebral artery vasospasm in patients susceptible to developing reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (migraine patients) or in individuals using vasoactive compounds? We present a case of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome occurring after calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody treatment. Case report A 43-year -old woman with a history of episodic migraine developed an acute headache with orgasm two days after taking her second injection of erenumab. Ten days after erenumab injection she developed a thunderclap headache while completing a high intensity workout. These new headaches were only left sided. Computed tomography angiography demonstrated mild to moderate areas of narrowing involving the left middle and anterior cerebral arteries, concerning for reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. She denied exposure to any known reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome precipitant medication or illicit drugs. She did endorse recent exposure to high altitude prior to erenumab therapy. She was started on verapamil 40 mg three times per day and her headache ceased within 24 h of initiating treatment. A repeat CT angiogram completed 4 weeks after the initial study noted resolution of the areas of vessel stenosis. Conclusion A case of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome developing after treatment with a calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody is presented. The timing of the new type of headache occurring 2 days post erenumab injection suggests a possible cause and effect relationship. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome as a possible treatment-related complication to the usage of calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies needs to be studied further.
Quality appraisal of existing guidelines for the management of headache disorders by the AGREE II’s method
Authors: Vaz Juliana MA , Alves Bárbara MCS , Duarte Djane B , Marques Luciene AM , Santana Rafael S 
Published: August 2021

Objective To evaluate the quality of existing clinical practice guidelines for headache management and their main recommendations. Background Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines have been developed to support the clinical decision-making. However, to achieve this goal, the quality of these guidelines must be ensured. Methods A systematic search for clinical practice guidelines for headache management was conducted in the PubMed database, in websites of known guideline developers and in websites of known headache associations. The quality appraisal was performed through the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II method. Results Twelve guidelines were evaluated. The domains of rigor of development, applicability, and editorial independence, which most influence the overall quality of guidelines, had the lowest average scores and the highest standard deviation rates (61% ± 23; 37% ± 20; 53% ± 31). The main recommendations regarding medication use for acute treatment of episodic tension-type headache and migraine in adult patients consisted of paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in all guidelines. Conclusions The statistical results indicate that the appraised guidelines have room for both individual and collective improvement. In addition, there is a well-established medication recommendation pattern among all guidelines evaluated.
Racial/Ethnic Variations in Social Determinants of Mental Health Among Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
Authors: Kim Taehyun , White Kellee , DuGoff Eva 
Published: August 2021

Objectives: We examine associations between social determinants and mental health and assess how the associations vary by race/ethnicity using a large, diverse sample of older adults. Method: A retrospective study of 444,057 older adults responding to the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey in 2015–2017 was conducted. Using a multilevel linear regression, we examined the associations between the self-reported number of unhealthy days due to mental health and social determinants, stratified by race/ethnicity. Results: Health factors were most strongly associated with unhealthy days across all racial/ethnic groups. Strength of other factors varied by race/ethnicity. Social/economic factors had stronger associations among Whites, Asians, and multiracial individuals, while such factors were not significant for American Indians/Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islanders. Discussion: We found varying degrees of associations between social determinants and poor mental health by racial/ethnic groups. These results suggest that homogeneous interventions may not meet the mental health needs of all.
Comparison of 5 Rectal Preparation Strategies for Prostate MRI and Impact on Image Quality
Authors: Sathiadoss Paul , Haroon Mohammad , Osman Heba , Ahmad Faraz , Papadatos Philip , Schieda Nicola 
Published: August 2021

Purpose: To compare 5 different rectal preparation strategies for prostate MRI. Methods: This 5-arm quality-assurance study evaluated 56 patients per arm (280 patients) including: no preparation, clear-fluids diet (CFD) beginning at 00:00 hours on the day of MRI, Fleet®-enema, enema + CFD, enema + CFD + IV-antispasmodic agent. The study was powered to 0.80 with alpha-error of 0.05. Three blinded radiologists independently evaluated T2-Weighted (T2W) and Diffusion Weighed Imaging (DWI) for: rectal diameter (maximal AP diameter), rectal content (stool, fluid, gas), rectal motion, T2W/DWI image quality, T2W image sharpness and DWI susceptibility artifact using 5-point Likert scales. Overall comparisons were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis, with pair-wise comparisons using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon sign-rank tests. Results: Rectal diameter and amount of gas were lower in enema compared to non-enema groups (p < 0.001), with smallest diameter and least gas in the enema + CFD + IV-antispasmodic group (p = 0.022-<0.001). T2W image quality and sharpness were highest in the enema + CFD groups (p < 0.001) with no difference comparing enema + CFD with/without IV-antispasmodic (p = 0.064, 0.084). Motion artifact was least in enema + CFD + IV-antispasmodic group compared to all other groups (p < 0.001), followed by the enema + CFD group (p = 0.008-<0.001). DWI image quality was highest (p < 0.001) and DWI susceptibility artifact lowest (p < 0.001) in the enema + CFD groups (p < 0.001) and did not differ comparing enema + CFD with/without anti-spasmodic (p = 0.058-0.202). Conclusions: Use of enema + clear-fluids diet before prostate MRI yields the highest T2W and DWI image quality with the least DWI artifact. IV-antispasmodic use reduces motion on T2W but does not improve image quality on T2W or DWI, or lessen DWI artifact compared to enema + clear-fluids diet.
Charge transport mechanism in dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid doped polyaniline/carbon black composites
Authors: Bibi Ariba , Shakoor Abdul 
Published: August 2021

Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) doped polyaniline and carbon black (CB) composites (PANI-DBSA/CB) were synthesized by in-situ polymerization of aniline in the aqueous dispersion of carbon black (CB) in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidant. Various composite samples with varying amounts of CB (1 wt% and 2 wt%) were synthesized and were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD studies confirmed the formation of the well-organized and semi-crystalline structure of the composites. SEM analysis revealed the increase in grain size and the granular structure of the synthesized composites. DC conductivity was measured in the temperature range from 300 K to 393 K using two probe methods. An increase in DC conductivity was found on the inclusion of carbon black at all temperatures and the most probable model of charge transport was found to be three-dimensional variable range hopping (3D-VRH). As the concentration of CB in the composites increased, activation energy was found to be decreased. The density of states, hopping length, and hopping energy were calculated, respectively, and were found to be influenced by CB incorporation.
Increasing Mortality in Korean Patients With Breast Cancer: High Mortality Rate in Elderly Breast Cancer Population Due to Suboptimal Treatment and Other Diseases
Authors: Choi Hyangsuk , Noh Hany , Kim Kwang-Min , Cho In-Jeong , Lim Seungtaek , Han Airi 
Published: August 2021

Background The incidence of breast cancer in Asia, including Korea, has rapidly increased. Each country has shown different clinical features. This study presents a comprehensive understanding of breast cancer in different age groups in Korea and determines potential measures for improving patient survival. Methods Patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer stages I to III with available clinicopathologic and follow-up data were included in the study. Kaplan–Meier survival graphs were generated for each group and compared using log-rank test. The hazard ratio for each risk factor was calculated using the Cox regression model and the 95% confidence interval. Results The final cohort included 833 patients with a mean age of 51.3±11.3 years (range, 22–89 years), and 191 (22.9%) of them were aged >60 years. Patients aged ≥60 years had worse overall survival (OS) and distant disease-free survival than those aged <60 years. Although no difference was observed in the tumor biology, elderly patients showed significant differences in practice patterns: they tended to undergo mastectomy (40.2% vs 62.8%, P<0.001), did not receive the standard chemotherapy (88.4% vs 69.3%, P < 0.001), and had a higher risk of developing second primary cancer or diseases other than breast cancer (1.2% vs 6.8%, P < 0.001), which significantly correlated with poor survival in elderly patients. Conclusion Less-than-the-standard treatment of care or development of a second primary disease resulted in poor prognosis in elderly patients in Korea. A multi-institutional and multinational study is warranted to elucidate the clinical features of breast cancer in Asian patients.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer-Related Hospitalizations in Brazil
Authors: Mafra da Costa Allini , Ribeiro Aline L. , Ribeiro Adeylson G. , Gini Andrea , Cabasag Citadel , Reis Rui M. , Fregnani José Humberto T. G. , Soerjomataram Isabelle 
Published: August 2021

Background Alongside the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, Brazil also faces an ongoing rise in cancer burden. In 2020, there were approximately 592 000 new cancer cases and 260 000 cancer deaths. Considering the heterogeneities across Brazil, this study aimed to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer-related hospital admissions at a national and regional level. Methods The national, regional, and state-specific monthly average of cancer-related hospital admission rates per 100 000 inhabitants and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated from March to July (2019: pre-COVID-19; and 2020: COVID-19 period). Thematic maps were constructed to compare the rates between periods and regions. Results Cancer-related hospital admissions were reduced by 26% and 28% for clinical and surgical purposes, respectively. In Brazil, the average hospitalization rates decreased from 13.9 in 2019 to 10.2 in 2020 per 100,000 inhabitants, representing a rate difference of −3.7 (per 100,000 inhabitants; 95% CI: −3.9 to −3.5) for cancer-related (clinical) hospital admissions. Surgical hospital admissions showed a rate decline of −5.8 per 100,000 (95% CI: −6.0 to −5.5). The reduction in cancer-related admissions for the surgical procedure varies across regions ranging between −2.2 and −10.8 per 100 000 inhabitants, with the most significant decrease observed in the south and southeastern Brazil. Conclusions We observed a substantial decrease in cancer-related hospital admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic with marked differences across regions. Delays in treatment may negatively impact cancer survival in the future; hence, cancer control strategies to mitigate the impact are needed.