bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Marine microplastics as vectors of major ocean pollutants and its hazards to the marine ecosystem and humans
Authors: Amelia Tan Suet May , Khalik Wan Mohd Afiq Wan Mohd , Ong Meng Chuan , Shao Yi Ta , Pan Hui-Juan , Bhubalan Kesaven 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMicroplastic pollutes water, land, air, and groundwater environments not only visually but also ecologically for plants, animals, and humans. Microplastic has been reported to act as vectors by sorbing pollutants and contributing to the bioaccumulation of pollutants, particularly in marine ecosystems, organisms, and subsequently food webs. The inevitable exposure of microplastic to humans emphasises the need to review the potential effects, exposure pathways, and toxicity of microplastic toward human health. Therefore, this review was aimed to reveal the risks of pollutant sorption and bioaccumulation by microplastic toward humans, as well as the dominant types of pollutants sorbed by microplastic, and the types of pollutants that are bioaccumulated by microplastic in the living organisms of the marine ecosystem. The possible factors influencing the sorption and bioaccumulation of pollutants by microplastic in marine ecosystems were also reviewed. The review also revealed the prevailing types of microplastic, abundance of microplastic, and geographical distribution of microplastic in the aquatic environment globally. The literature review revealed that microplastic characteristics, chemical interactions, and water properties played a role in the sorption of pollutants by microplastic. The evidence of microplastic posing a direct medical threat to humans is still lacking albeit substantial literature has reported the health hazards of microplastic-associated monomers, additives, and pollutants. This review recommends future research on the existing knowledge gaps in microplastic research, which include the toxicity of microplastic, particularly to humans, as well as the factors influencing the sorption and bioaccumulation of pollutants by microplastic.
A methodological investigation of healthy tissue, hepatocellular carcinoma, and other lesions with dynamic 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT imaging
Authors: Geist Barbara Katharina , Xing Haiqun , Wang Jingnan , Shi Ximin , Zhao Haitao , Hacker Marcus , Sang Xinting , Huo Li , Li Xiang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
The study aimed to establish a 68Ga-FAPI-04 kinetic model in hepatic lesions, to determine the potential role of kinetic parameters in the differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from non-HCC lesions.

Material and methods
Time activity curves (TACs) were extracted from seven HCC lesions and five non-HCC lesions obtained from 68Ga-FAPI-04 dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) scans of eight patients. Three kinetic models were applied to the TACs, using image-derived hepatic artery and/or portal vein as input functions. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was taken for the lesions, the hepatic artery, and for the portal veins—the mean SUV for all healthy regions. The optimum model was chosen after applying the Schwartz information criteria to the TACs, differences in model parameters between HCC, non-HCC lesions, and healthy tissue were evaluated with the ANOVA test.

Results
A reversible two-tissue compartment model using both the arterial as well as venous input function was most preferred and showed significant differences in the kinetic parameters VND, VT, and BPND between HCC, non-HCC lesions, and healthy regions (p < 0.01).

Conclusion
Several model parameters derived from a two-tissue compartment kinetic model with two image-derived input function from vein and aorta and using SUVmax allow a differentiation between HCC and non-HCC lesions, obtained from dynamically performed PET scans using FAPI.
Correlation of Lawsonia intracellularis positivity in quantitative PCR and herd factors in European pig herds
Authors: Arnold Mirjam , Crienen Annelies , Swam Hanny , Berg Stephan v. , Jolie Rika , Nathues Heiko 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundLawsonia intracellularisis causing diarrhea, poor growth and sudden death in pigs. It can be found in most pig populations leading to large economic losses worldwide. Many potential risk factors for the occurrence of disease or seropositivity have been described. The current study therefore focused on herd characteristics in European countries associated with direct detection of the pathogen determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsA median number of less than 30 nursery pigs per pen was correlated to less positive nursery pigs (p < 0.01) and generally less samples positive per herd (p < 0.05) as well as a lower median of genome equivalents determined per herd (p < 0.05). Routine use of zinc oxide at/ around weaning, which was mentioned by 41.0% of all farmers, was correlated to higher number of positive nursery pigs (p < 0.01) as well as higher median genome equivalents determined per herd (p < 0.05). Slatted flooring of more than 78.0% of the surface in nursery units was correlated to lower number of positive animals (p < 0.05) and a lower median of genome equivalents per herd (p < 0.05). A weight of more than 7.8 kg at weaning was correlated to a higher number of positive growing pigs (p < 0.05) as well as general higher number of positive samples/ herd (p < 0.01).ConclusionsWeaning and subsequent accommodation of nursery pigs seem to be of particular importance in prevention of infection withLawsonia intracellularisand the spread of the pathogen within the herd.
Composition and biological assays of the leaf essential oil of Asparagus flagellaris (Kunth) Bak
Authors: Odeja Oluwakayode O. , Ibok Michael Gabriel , Okpala Ejike O. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Asparagus flagellaris leaves are ethnomedicinally used to treat syphilis, gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), with no reports on the volatile constituents. This study was aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively characterise the composition of essential oil, evaluates the free radical scavenging and antimicrobial capacity of the essential oil.

Methods
The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation method using all-glass Clevenger-type apparatus, while the identification and quantification of constituents were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. The antioxidant activity on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was evaluated and the oil was also tested against 10 strains of microorganisms consisting of 6 bacteria: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and 4 fungi: Candida albicans, Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus spp. using broth dilution and surface plate methods, respectively.

Results
A pale yellow essential oil with a characteristic scent was obtained, with a yield of 0.80% (w/w). A total of 28 compounds accounting for 97.41% of the total oil contents were identified. The oil was predominated by Thymol and its derivatives, accounting for 57.48%. The most abundance (% area) constituents of the essential oil were 5-Thymyl tiglate (18.49%), Thymyl-2-methyl butyrate (17.34%), Thymol hydroquinone dimethyl ether (10.52%), Thymol methyl ether (9.42%) and 5-Propyl-1, 3-benzodioxole (4.59%). The essential oil showed a significant free radical scavenging activity compared to the standard antioxidant drugs used in this study, with % inhibition varying from 88.06 ± 0.0001 to 93.05 ± 0.0006. The leaf essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity on all the tested organisms at 500–125 μg/mL, with an 18–10 mm inhibitory zone.

Conclusion
The leaf essential oil of A. flagellaris contains notable chemical compounds responsible for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Do Millennials pay attention to Corporate Social Responsibility in comparison to previous generations? Are they motivated to lead in times of transformation? A qualitative review of generations, CSR and work motivation
Authors: Rank Susanne , Contreras Francoise 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this qualitative review is to analyze empirical studies on whether the existing generations differ in their work beliefs, i.e. in their internal CSR perceptions and their leadership motivation, especially Generation Y (born after 1980), in contrast to previous generations. According to the literature review, there is some evidence demonstrating that Generation Y is slightly different from the preceding Generation X in their work beliefs in some internal CSR features. However, this generation is not as special as suggested in popular media. As most research is conducted in the USA and Europe, as well as a few studies in Asia and Africa, the necessity of conducting more empirical research in different cultures is highlighted. The research outlook shows important implications for human resource management (HRM) as to whether HRM needs to handle employees differently across generations, or a general change in work values is occurring in this disruptive twenty-first century.
Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with metabolic syndrome, with or without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Rakha Mohamed , Saleh Omayma , Abdelgawad Mohamed S. , El Baiomy Azza 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is considered a risk factor of GIT diseases, e.g., gastric and duodenal ulcers and gastric carcinomas. It is transmitted through feco/oral route and can be diagnosed by many methods, e.g., stool antigen test (SAT). Metabolic syndrome (MET S) is considered a circle of metabolic derangements that can cause some complications as ischemic changes and heart diseases. Metabolic syndrome may also cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) resulting in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC.

Results
The study included 300 subjects recruited from Obesity Clinic and Diabetes & Endocrinology Unit, Specialized Medical Hospital, Mansoura University. Two hundred of metabolic syndrome patients were subdivided into two groups according to the presence or absence of NAFLD, in addition to 100 subjects not having metabolic syndrome and served as control group. We found that HP infection is more frequent in MET S with NAFLD patients (73%) than in MET S without NAFLD (47%) with (P value < 0.001) emphasizing that HP infection increases the risk of NAFLD development in patients with MET S.
The study proved that HP infection is associated with increased degree of fibrosis significantly (P value < 0.001) with progression to marked fibrosis which may complicate with NASH with over all predictive value of 75% especially in patients with hyperglycemia.

Conclusions
Our findings show that a circle of metabolic abnormalities seems to be attributed to HP infection in MET S patients increasing the risk of fatty liver and progression to marked fibrosis especially with coexistent hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and upper body obesity.
Diagnosis and early eradication of HP infection will help in decreasing metabolic disturbances and possibility of NAFLD, and protect against marked fibrosis progression.
Exploration of 1, 2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate derivatizing reagent for determination of chlorthalidone in tablets: a spectrophotometric investigation
Authors: Chaudhari Suraj R. , Shirkhedkar Atul A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundChlorthalidone is a diuretic medicinal agent used to treat hypertension. Lowering hypertension results in the prevention of strokes, heart attacks and kidney-related problems.ResultsIn this work, the spectrophotometric investigation was employed to examine the reaction between chlorthalidone and 1, 2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate. A reaction is performed at the alkaline environment (pH 9.2) and heated at a moderate temperature of 60 ± 1 °C using a water bath. The red colour product was produced, and it displayed a maximum absorbance at 440.50 nm. Further, the advancement of response conditions was explored by UV/visible spectrophotometer. The stoichiometric of the reaction was considered by using Job’s plot and the reaction mechanism of the proposed work was drawn. The established approach obeyed the calibration curve in the concentration range of 2–12 μg/mL with a regression coefficient superior to 0.994. The accuracy of the method, assessed by employing the % recovery, was in the range of 99.06–99.60% with the % relative standard deviation being less than 2%. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.58 μg/mL and 1.72 μg/mL, respectively.ConclusionA UV/visible spectrophotometric investigation for the analysis of the chlorthalidone in the tablet matrix was successfully established and validated. The established investigation was found to be simple and accurate, and because of its ease of use, the proposed strategy could be applied for quality control investigation of chlorthalidone in pharmaceutical matrices.
Impact and utility of COLONTOWN, an online CRC patient and caregiver support group in clinical trial design.
Authors: George Manju , Smith Jesse Joshua , Miller Eric David , Romesser Paul Bernard , Seybold Nancy 
Published: January 2021

140 Background: Online cancer patient and caregiver support groups have burgeoned in the recent years; many provide critical emotional support and experiential wisdom to newly diagnosed patients. We outline below our experience engaging patients in clinical trial design working with COLONTOWN, a 5000+ member, online colorectal cancer (CRC) patient and caregiver support and educational community. Effective trial design is a complicated and lengthy process that requires input from multiple sources. Complex trial design can be particularly challenging, where opinions are mixed and a clear path forward may not be visible. Informed patient perspectives from support groups can be invaluable in such situations. Methods: Principal Investigators (PIs) for the oligometastatic CRC ERASure trial and the Janus rectal cancer trial worked with the lead author, a patient who is the Scientific Director of COLONTOWN. An interactive survey strategy was adopted and followed to solicit group feedback. COLONTOWN members (n = 70-120) were enthusiastic to participate and share the logic behind poll choices, and their personal experiences. Poll participation led to additional scientific discussion and improved community engagement around the survey questions. Poll data and highlights of the discussion were collected and passed on to study PIs in a de-identified manner. Results: Feedback from COLONTOWN helped PIs gauge patient enthusiasm for trial concepts and provide patient perspective and clarity to controversial questions in study design. This was particularly useful where data to support more than one option was available and the guidance from the NCI Task Force or cooperative group was split. The perspective from COLONTOWN was invaluable and used alongside NCI Task Force and cooperative group feedback to make decisions to move the trial concept forward. Conclusions: Support groups such as COLONTOWN are a versatile, valuable, underutilized and available resource that can be used to tap into patient perspectives during any clinical trial design process. Ideally, when utilized early, structured patient input can provide unique insights to PIs developing clinical trial concepts that could eliminate barriers and shorten the inception part of trial design. Increased awareness and knowledge of trial design support provided by such cancer communities could facilitate the development of patient-friendly trials to promote better accrual.
Checkmate 577:Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a randomized, double-blind phase III study of nivolumab (NIVO) versus placebo (PBO) as adjuvant treatment in patients (pts) with resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer (EC/GEJC).
Authors: Van Cutsem Eric , Singh Prianka , Cleary James M. , Kelly Ronan Joseph , Moehler Markus H. , Kuzdzal Jaroslaw , Mendez Guillermo , Motoyama Satoru , Elimova Elena , Grootscholten Cecile , Sun Xiaowu , Taylor Fiona , Lawrance Rachael , Padilla Brad , Moreno-Koehler Alejandro , Zhang Jenny , Blum Steven I. , Ajani Jaffer A. 
Published: January 2021

167 Background: NIVO is the first adjuvant therapy to provide a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) versus PBO in resected EC/GEJC following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy as demonstrated by CheckMate 577. NIVO was well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile. This analysis provides additional information on the exploratory HRQoL endpoints in this clinical trial. Methods: The effect of NIVO versus PBO on HRQoL, including general and disease-related symptoms, functioning, disease burden, and overall QoL, was assessed using FACT-E and EQ-5D-3L patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires administered at baseline (BL), every 4 weeks during the 12-month treatment period, and at post-treatment follow-up visits (up to 2 years after last dose). Longitudinal change from BL in PRO scores over 12 months was assessed using descriptive statistics. Additionally, mixed model for repeated measures and time to deterioration analyses evaluated the difference between treatment with NIVO and PBO (data not shown). Results: 794 pts with EC/GEJC were randomized 2:1 to NIVO (n = 532) or PBO (n = 262). PRO completion rates were ≥ 95% at BL and ~ 90% at 12 months on treatment. Mean (SD) BL HRQoL scores were similar between treatment arms for the FACT-E total score (NIVO: 133.40 [20.97]; PBO: 134.03 [20.40]); esophageal cancer subscale (ECS; NIVO: 50.2 [9.3]; PBO: 50.1 [8.9]); EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale (NIVO: 70.4 [22.3]; PBO: 69.1 [24.1]); and EQ-5D Utility Index (NIVO: 0.820 [0.179]; PBO: 0.831 [0.163]) based on the UK value set. Descriptive analyses showed a trend for increases from baseline at most time points through week 49 for both NIVO and PBO treatment groups for FACT-E total score, ECS, and EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale and Utility Index. Conclusions: Preliminary results from CheckMate 577 demonstrated that pts on NIVO treatment showed trends of improvement in both esophageal-specific and general HRQoL. Similar trends were also observed in pts treated with PBO over 1 year. Pts treated with NIVO did not experience a reduction in HRQoL, further supporting clinical data to demonstrate treatment benefit and tolerability for adjuvant NIVO in pts with resected EC/GEJC. Clinical trial information: NCT02743494.
Update results of paclitaxel and cisplatin in combination with anlotinib as first-line regimen for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC): A multicenter, single-arm, open-label phase Ⅱ clinical trial.
Authors: Wang Junsheng , Luo Suxia , Li Ning , Wu Tao , Hong Yonggui , Guo Yanzhen , Cheng Yufeng , Li Baosheng , Tan Bingxu 
Published: January 2021

181 Background: The prognosis of pts with advanced ESCC remains dismal clinically. Paclitaxel and cisplatin were used as the standard first-line regimen in ESCC for almost two decades. As a novel multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor mainly targeting antiangiogenic single pathway, anlotinib was demonstrated to be an effective second-line monotherapy for pts with advanced or recurrent ESCC in China. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel and cisplatin combined with anlotinib as first-line therapy for advanced ESCC. Methods: Pts with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable, locally advanced ESCC, who had not received (neo) adjuvant therapy/radical surgery within 6 months were recruited in this study. Eligible subjects were given paclitaxel (135mg/m2, iv, q3w) and cisplatin (60~75mg/m2, iv, d1~3, q3w) plus anlotinib (10mg, po, d1~14, q3w) for 4~6 cycles during initial therapy. For those without progressive disease, maintenance treatment was administrated with anlotinib monotherapy (10mg, po, d1~14, q3w) until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The tumor response was assessed by investigator according to RECIST version 1.1 using CT scans every two cycles. And the calculated sample size of this study was 47. The primary endpoint was PFS, secondary endpoints were safety, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and duration of response (DOR). Results: From Oct 2019 to Aug 2020, 27 pts were available for efficacy and safety evaluation. In best overall response assessment, there were 7.4% CR (2/27), 66.7% PR (18/27) and 25.9% SD (7/27). ORR was 74.1% (95%CI: 53.7. ~ 88.9), and DCR was 100.0% (95%CI: 87.2~100.0). The median PFS of the 27 pts was not yet available. The safety profile indicated that the most common drug-related adverse events were myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reaction, fatigue, hypertension, constipation, hypokalemia and hepatotoxicity. The common grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were myelosuppression (18.5%), hypertension (7.4%). Conclusions: The current results indicated that paclitaxel and cisplatin combined with anlotinib as first line therapy for advanced ESCC exhibited encouraging efficacy and manageable adverse events. The conclusion should be validated in more pts consecutively. Clinical trial information: NCT04063683. [Table: see text]
Racial ethnic disparities in clinical/pathological features, treatment, and survival among patients with early-onset colorectal cancer.
Authors: Lyudmer Michael , Patel Riya Jayesh , Chergui Adel , Tolu Seda Serra , Rao Devika , Kaubisch Andreas , Chuy Jennifer W. , Elrafei Tarek N. , Acuna-Villaorduna Ana , Goel Sanjay 
Published: January 2021

21 Background: Globally, the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer has risen. Racial disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) are well-described, however data in EO by race/ethnicity is lacking. We aim to compare the presenting features, treatment, and survival features of patients with metastatic early-onset CRC (EO). Methods: Patients with metastatic CRC diagnosed between 2010-2019 at two NYC hospitals were identified by tumor registry (n = 646). Clinical/pathological features, treatment and survival data was collected by chart review and compared between Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) and Hispanics (H) using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Kaplan Meier curves were plotted to compare overall survival (OS) among groups. Stata v15 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 646 CRC patients, 126 (21.5%) were NHW, NHB or H diagnosed with EO with a frequency ranging from 16.6% in NHW to 26.1% in H. Non statistically significant lower frequencies of male gender, low/moderate grade, left-sided tumors,and higher frequency of KRAS mutations were seen in NHB (Table). Metastectomy was performed in 20 patients (13.9%) and did not differ between groups. There was no difference in the use of chemotherapy or biologics in general (Table), but NHW were more likely to get cetuximab than NHB (OR:4.5, p = 0.02) and H (OR:4.7, p = 0.02).There were no differences in median OS (1.8 vs. 2.2 vs. 2 years, p = 0.9)or 1-year OS (72% vs 72.3% vs 70.8%) in NHW, NHB and H, respectively. A lower 5-year OS was seen in NBH (14.5%) and Hispanics (24.4%) compared to NHW (44%). Conclusions: EO-CRC is more frequently seen in minority racial/ethnic groups. Despite no differences in the use of chemotherapy or biologic treatment in general, NHB have a lower 5-year survival rate compared to NHW and H. [Table: see text]