bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral mucositis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relation to the conditioning used prior to transplantation
Authors: Wysocka-Słowik Aleksandra , Gil Lidia , Ślebioda Zuzanna , Kręgielczak Agnieszka , Dorocka-Bobkowska Barbara 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis study was designed to investigate the frequency and severity of oral mucositis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, in relation to the type of conditioning used. Eighty patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia were assigned to two groups based on the conditioning regimen used before transplantation. The intensity of oral inflammatory lesions induced by chemotherapy (oral mucositis) was evaluated according to a 5-point scale recommended by World Health Organization. Oral mucosa was investigated in all patients before the transplantation and during two subsequent stages of the post-transplantation procedure in relation to the conditioning regimen used. Mucositis in the oral cavity was observed in the majority of patients (66%) in the first week after transplantation, whereas the largest percentage of patients suffering oral lesions (74%) occurred in the second week after transplantation. A significantly higher percentage of patients with mucositis was observed in the group which underwent myeloablation therapy (74% of MAC and 50% of RIC patients in the first week; 83% of MAC and 53% of RIC patients in the second examination).The severity of mucositis after transplantation was higher in the MAC patients compared to the RIC patients. The highest mean value of the mucositis index was recorded in the second week in the MAC group (1.59). In AML sufferers receiving allo-HSCT, oral mucositis is a significant complication of the transplantation. This condition is more frequent and more severe in patients after treatment with myeloablation therapy.
Impact of Tibetan Plateau on North African precipitation
Authors: Chen Zhihong , Wen Qin , Yang Haijun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays an important role in regulating the global hydrologic cycle. Using a fully coupled climate model, we conduct sensitivity experiments to quantify the impact of the TP on North Africa precipitation. Removing the TP in the model can enhance North African precipitation. Specifically, North Africa precipitation increases substantially during the rainy season (from May to October) though it remains unchanged during the dry season (from November to April). During the rainy season, the TP’s absence in the model causes an anomalous moisture transport from the Indian Ocean and tropical Atlantic to North Africa, which enhances the moisture convergence over North Africa and increases precipitation there. Later on, the change in the Atlantic, that is, cooling (warming) in the North (South) Atlantic forces a southward cross-equatorial moisture transport anomaly from North Africa to the equatorial Atlantic, decreasing the moisture convergence over North Africa and thus precipitation. In general, the moisture convergence is strengthened in most regions of North Africa due to the TP removal, so the resultant precipitation is increased. During the dry season, atmospheric convection center over the Africa continent is located mainly south of the equator, and there is almost no anomalous moisture transport toward North Africa in response to the TP removal. These results suggest that the uplift of the TP may have led to North African aridity.
Treatment of juvenile recurrent parotitis with irrigation therapy without anesthesia
Authors: Geisthoff Urban W. , Droege Freya , Schulze Cathrin , Birk Richard , Rudhart Stefan , Maune Steffen , Stuck Boris A. , Hoch Stephan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
No standardized treatment regimen exists for juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP). The investigators hypothesized that irrigation with saline only without local anesthesia will be an effective and beneficial option.

Methods
Using a retrospective study design, a series of children with typical symptoms of JRP who were treated with at least one irrigation therapy were evaluated. This treatment consisted of irrigation of the affected gland with 3–10 ml saline solution without any type of anesthesia. The outcome variables were patient/parent satisfaction, frequency and duration of acute JRP episodes, and the need for antibiotics before and after irrigation therapy.

Results
The case series was composed of six boys aged 3.3–7.7 years who experienced one to eight sessions of irrigation therapy. The period of follow-up was 9–64 months. We observed a total resolution of symptoms in two children and an improvement in the other four. No relevant side effects were seen.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that irrigation therapy is a reasonable, simple, and minimally invasive treatment alternative for JRP. In contrast to sialendoscopy or sialography, there is no need for general anesthesia or radiation exposure.
Examining the effect of Libet clock stimulus parameters on temporal binding
Authors: Ivanof Bianca E. , Terhune Devin B. , Coyle David , Gottero Marta , Moore James W. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTemporal binding refers to the subjective temporal compression between actions and their outcomes. It is widely used as an implicit measure of sense of agency, that is, the experience of controlling our actions and their consequences. One of the most common measures of temporal binding is the paradigm developed by Haggard, Clark and Kalogeras (2002) based on the Libet clock stimulus. Although widely used, it is not clear how sensitive the temporal binding effect is to the parameters of the clock stimulus. Here, we present five experiments examining the effects of clock speed, number of clock markings and length of the clock hand on binding. Our results show that the magnitude of temporal binding increases with faster clock speeds, whereas clock markings and clock hand length do not significantly influence temporal binding. We discuss the implications of these results.
Nodal status in luminal A invasive breast cancer: relationships with cytotoxic CD8 + and regulatory FOXP3 + cells tumor-associated infiltrate and other prognostic factors
Authors: Glajcar Anna , Łazarczyk Agnieszka , Tyrak Katarzyna Ewa , Hodorowicz-Zaniewska Diana , Streb Joanna , Okoń Krzysztof , Szpor Joanna 
Published: June 2021

AbstractLuminal A breast cancers are generally associated with low metastatic potential and good prognosis. However, there is a proportion of patients, who present with metastases in lymph nodes. The aim of our study was to determine the association between the number of positive lymph nodes and infiltrates of tumor-associated cytotoxic CD8 + (CTLs), regulatory FOXP3 + T cells (Tregs), as well as other prognostic factors. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD8 + and FOXP3 + was performed in 87 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary breast cancer tissues, and cell infiltrate was assessed under light microscope. We observed that node-positive cases were associated with higher numbers of Treg cells and lower CTL/Treg ratio. There was also an inverse correlation between the CTL/Treg ratio and the number of metastatic lymph nodes. Similar relationships were found between the number of metastatic lymph nodes and Treg density or CTL/Treg ratio in pT1 BC. An elevated intratumoral CTL/Treg ratio was associated with pN0 stage. The relationship between lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and Treg density was also noted in node-negative tumors. In addition, more advanced nodal stage was related to LVI, higher pT, and lower PR expression. The numbers of CD8 + and FOXP3 + were also associated with tumor size, histologic grade, PR expression, and mitotic index. The results of our study suggested that the levels of tumor-infiltrating regulatory and cytotoxic cells as well as the balance between them play a role in lymphovascular spread of luminal A breast cancers.
Living donor liver transplantation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma including macrovascular invasion
Authors: Bhatti Abu Bakar Hafeez , Naqvi Wajih , Khan Nusrat Yar , Zia Haseeb Haider , Dar Faisal Saud , Khan Zahid Amin , Rana Atif 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
The indications for liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continue to evolve. The aim of this study was to report outcomes in patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCC outside traditional criteria including macrovascular invasion (MVI).

Methods
We reviewed outcomes in patients who met the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria (n = 159) and our center-specific criteria (UCSF+) (largest tumor diameter ≤ 10 cm, any tumor number, AFP ≤ 1000 ng/ml) (n = 58). We also assessed outcomes in patients with MVI (n = 27).

Results
The median follow was 28 (10.6–42.7) months. The 5 year overall survival and risk of recurrence (RR) in the UCSF and UCSF + group was 71% vs 69% (P = 0.7) and 13% vs 36% (P = 0.1) respectively. When patients with AFP > 600 ng/ml were excluded from the UCSF + group, RR was 27% (P = 0.3). Among patients with MVI who had downstaging (DS), 4/5(80%) in low-risk group (good response and AFP ≤ 100 ng/ml) and 2/10 (20%) in the high-risk group (poor response or AFP > 100 ng/ml) were alive at the last follow-up. When DS was not feasible, 3/3 (100%) in the low-risk group (AFP ≤ 100 ng/ml + Vp1-2 MVI) and 1/9 (9.1%) in the high-risk group (AFP > 100 or Vp3 MVI) were alive. The 5 year OS in the low-risk MVI group was 85% (P = 0.003).

Conclusion
With inclusion of AFP, response to downstaging and degree of MVI, acceptable survival can be achieved with LDLT for HCC outside traditional criteria.
Association of recipient and donor interleukin 6 polymorphisms 174 and 597 with outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children
Authors: Wetzel Laura , Wittig Susan , Gruhn Bernd 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The success of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is compromised by complications such as infection, relapse, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The investigation of non-HLA immunogenetics, particularly of cytokines, could identify predictors of an unfavorable outcome after allogeneic HSCT. In this study, we examined the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the promoter region of interleukin 6 (IL6) on the development of GVHD after pediatric allogeneic HSCT.

Methods
In this retrospective analysis, we included 320 pediatric patients with a median age of 10 years who underwent an allogeneic HSCT and their respective donors. We used TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction to analyze the SNPs IL6-174 (G/C) and IL6-597 (G/A). The IL6-174 polymorphism was examined in 300 recipients and 295 donors. The IL6-597 polymorphism was analyzed in 299 recipients and 296 donors. We investigated the influence of the IL6-174 and IL6-597 polymorphisms on overall survival, event-free survival, relapse incidence, transplant-related mortality, and the occurrence of GVHD.

Results
G polymorphism at position 174 of the recipient IL6 gene was associated with a higher incidence of acute GVHD (GG vs. GC/CC; P = 0.024). Patients with IL6-597 GG genotype developed acute GVHD more frequently than individuals with an A allele (GG vs. GA vs. AA; P = 0.013). IL6-174 GG homozygous recipients had a more frequent occurrence of chronic GVHD (GG vs. GC/CC; P = 0.049). We observed a significant increased risk of chronic GVHD in recipients with IL6-597 GG genotype (GG vs. GA vs. AA; P = 0.043). Polymorphisms of donors did not affect the incidence of acute GVHD and chronic GVHD. In multivariate analysis, the IL6-174 and IL6-597 SNPs were independent significant risk factors for acute GVHD (P = 0.030; P = 0.007, respectively) as well as for chronic GVHD (P = 0.045; P = 0.015, respectively). In addition, older age at time of transplantation turned out to be a significant risk factor for chronic GVHD (P = 0.003).

Conclusion
Our study identified the IL6-174 and IL6-597 GG genotypes of pediatric allogeneic HSCT recipients as genetic risk factors for the development of acute GVHD and chronic GVHD. After evaluations in further studies, these findings could implicate the adjustment of prophylactic measures to reduce the occurrence of acute GVHD and chronic GVHD.
Filters and congruences in sectionally pseudocomplemented lattices and posets
Authors: Chajda Ivan , Länger Helmut 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTogether with J. Paseka we introduced so-called sectionally pseudocomplemented lattices and posets and illuminated their role in algebraic constructions. We believe that—similar to relatively pseudocomplemented lattices—these structures can serve as an algebraic semantics of certain intuitionistic logics. The aim of the present paper is to define congruences and filters in these structures, derive mutual relationships between them and describe basic properties of congruences in strongly sectionally pseudocomplemented posets. For the description of filters in both sectionally pseudocomplemented lattices and posets, we use the tools introduced by A. Ursini, i.e., ideal terms and the closedness with respect to them. It seems to be of some interest that a similar machinery can be applied also for strongly sectionally pseudocomplemented posets in spite of the fact that the corresponding ideal terms are not everywhere defined.
The association between wearable activity monitor metrics and performance status in oncology: a systematic review
Authors: Kos Milan , Pijnappel Esther N. , Buffart Laurien M. , Balvers Britt R. , Kampshoff Caroline S. , Wilmink Johanna W. , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M. , van Oijen Martijn G. H. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The expanding armamentarium of wearable activity monitors (WAMs) offers new opportunities to supplement physician-assessed performance status (PS) with real-life patient activity data. These data could guide clinical decision making or serve as a measure of treatment outcome. However, information on the association between physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) monitored with wearables (i.e., WAM metrics) and PS in patients with cancer is needed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to examine the association between WAM metrics and PS in patients with cancer.

Methods
We searched MEDLINE and Embase for studies that assessed the association between WAM metrics and performance status among adults with cancer. We extracted information on study design and population, WAM type and different activity metrics, outcome definitions, and results. Included studies were subjected to risk of bias assessment and subsequent best evidence synthesis.

Results
Fourteen studies were included in this review. All studies reported on different combinations of WAM metrics including: daily steps (n = 8), SB (n = 5), mean activity counts (n = 4), dichotomous circadian rest-activity index (n = 3), and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (n = 3). Much heterogeneity was observed regarding study population, WAM used, and reporting of results. We found moderate evidence for a positive weak-to-moderate association between WAM-assessed PA and PS and a weak-to-moderate negative association between WAM-assessed SB metrics and PS.

Conclusion
Weak-to-moderate associations between WAM metrics and PS suggest that WAM data and physician-assessed PS cannot be used interchangeably. Instead, WAM data could serve as a dynamic and objective supplement measurement of patients’ physical performance.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors–related encephalitis in melanoma and non-melanoma cancer patients: a single center experience
Authors: Taliansky A. , Furman O. , Gadot M. , Urban D. , Bar J. , Shapira-Frumer R. , Kaufman B. , Asher N. , Leibowitz-Amit R. , Itay A. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has greatly improved survival for patients with a number of malignant diseases in recent years. Neurological immune-related adverse events (n-irAE) of varying severity have been reported in the literature. We aimed to identify the incidence of n-irAE, focusing on immune-related encephalitis (IRE), in patients treated with ICI for multiple non-hematological malignancies in our institution.

Methods
All patients with histologically verified cancer that received treatment with ICI at the Sheba Medical Center between January 2017 and August 2019 were surveyed. Medical records for each patient were reviewed and information regarding n-irAE was recorded.

Results
In total, 1993 patients were included. Eleven cases of IRE were recorded, affecting 0.55% of patients overall, eight had non-melanoma cancer. Eight patients had made a full recovery.

Conclusions
IRE is a n-irAE more frequent than previously reported, particularly in non-melanoma patients. The diagnostic criteria and optimal treatment needs to be determined. ICI re-challenge after IRE can be considered for selected patients.
Improvement of grey wolf optimizer with adaptive middle filter to adjust support vector machine parameters to predict diabetes complications
Authors: Jeyafzam Fereshteh , Vaziri Babak , Suraki Mohsen Yaghoubi , Hosseinabadi Ali Asghar Rahmani , Slowik Adam 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn medical science, collecting and classifying data from various diseases is a vital task. The confused and large amounts of data are problems that prevent us from achieving acceptable results. One of the major problems for diabetic patients is a failure to properly diagnose the disease. As a result of this mistake in diagnosis or failure in early diagnosis, the patient may suffer from complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and cutting off the toes. Nowadays, doctors diagnose the disease by relying on their experience and knowledge and performing complex and time-consuming tests. One of the problems with current diabetic, diagnostic methods is the lack of appropriate features to diagnose the disease and consequently the weakness in its diagnosis, especially in its early stages. Since diabetes diagnosis relies on large amounts of data with many parameters, it is necessary to use machine learning methods such as support vector machine (SVM) to predict the complications of diabetes. One of the disadvantages of SVM is its parameter adjustment, which can be accomplished using metaheuristic algorithms such as particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO), genetic algorithm, or grey wolf optimizer (GWO). In this paper, after preprocessing and preparing the dataset for data mining, we use SVM to predict complications of diabetes based on selected parameters of a patient acquired by laboratory test using improved GWO. We improve the selection process of GWO by employing dynamic adaptive middle filter, a nonlinear filter that assigns appropriate weight to each value based on the data value. Comparison of the final results of the proposed algorithm with classification methods such as a multilayer perceptron neural network, decision tree, simple Bayes, and temporal fuzzy min–max neural network (TFMM-PSO) shows the superiority of the proposed method over the comparable ones.
An Inverse Problem Involving a Viscous Eikonal Equation with Applications in Electrophysiology
Authors: Kunisch Karl , Trautmann Philip 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this work we discuss the reconstruction of cardiac activation instants based on a viscous Eikonal equation from boundary observations. The problem is formulated as a least squares problem and solved by a projected version of the Levenberg–Marquardt method. Moreover, we analyze the well-posedness of the state equation and derive the gradient of the least squares functional with respect to the activation instants. In the numerical examples we also conduct an experiment in which the location of the activation sites and the activation instants are reconstructed jointly based on an adapted version of the shape gradient method from (J. Math. Biol. 79, 2033–2068, 2019). We are able to reconstruct the activation instants as well as the locations of the activations with high accuracy relative to the noise level.
Right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolic excision is safe, leads to an increased lymph node yield and to increased survival: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Anania G. , Davies R. J. , Bagolini F. , Vettoretto N. , Randolph J. , Cirocchi R. , Donini A. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
The introduction of complete mesocolic excision (CME) for right colon cancer has raised an important discussion in relation to the extent of colic and mesenteric resection, and the impact this may have on lymph node yield. As uncertainty remains regarding the usefulness of and indications for right hemicolectomy with CME and the benefits of CME compared with a traditional approach, the purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the two procedures in terms of safety, lymph node yield and oncological outcome.

Methods
We performed a systematic review of the literature from 2009 up to March 15th, 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two hundred eighty-one publications were evaluated, and 17 met the inclusion criteria and were included. Primary endpoints analysed were anastomotic leak rate, blood loss, number of harvested lymph nodes, 3- and 5-year oncologic outcomes. Secondary outcomes were operating time, conversion, intraoperative complications, reoperation rate, overall and Clavien–Dindo grade 3–4 postoperative complications.

Results
In terms of safety, right hemicolectomy with CME is not inferior to the standard procedure when comparing rates of anastomotic leak (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.38–1.79), blood loss (MD −32.48, 95% CI −98.54 to −33.58), overall postoperative complications (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67–1.00), Clavien–Dindo grade III–IV postoperative complications (RR 1.36, 95% CI 0.82–2.28) and reoperation rate (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.26–1.75). Traditional surgery is associated with a shorter operating time (MD 16.43, 95% CI 4.27–28.60) and lower conversion from laparoscopic to open approach (RR 1.72, 95% CI 1.00–2.96). In terms of oncologic outcomes, right hemicolectomy with CME leads to a higher lymph node yield than traditional surgery (MD 7.05, 95% CI 4.06–10.04). Results of statistical analysis comparing 3-year overall survival and 5-year disease-free survival were better in the CME group, RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.27–0.66 and RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17–0.56, respectively.

Conclusions
Right hemicolectomy with CME is not inferior to traditional surgery in terms of safety and has a greater lymph node yield when compared with traditional surgery. Moreover, right-sided CME is associated with better overall and disease-free survival.