bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive assessment of groundwater for seasonal variation in hydro-geochemistry, quality, contamination and human health risk from Deccan Basaltic region, Western India
Authors: Kadam Ajaykumar , Wagh Vasant , Jacobs James , Patil Sanjay , Pawar Namdev , Umrikar Bhavana , Sankhua Rabindranath , Kumar Suyash 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Groundwater occurrence in hard rock basaltic terrains is restricted to weathered and fractured zones and pockets wherein slow movement of groundwater, prolonged rock-water interactions and higher residence time alter the natural chemistry of groundwater raising water quality issues. The qualitative geochemical analysis, contamination levels and human health risk assessment (HHRA) of groundwater is an integral step in groundwater management in the Deccan Plateau basalt flow region of India. Representative groundwater samples (68) collected from the Shivganga River basin area during pre-monsoon (PRM) and post-monsoon (POM) seasons in 2015 were analyzed for major cations and anions. According to World Health Organization (WHO) EC, total dissolved solids, hardness, bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium surpassed the desirable limit. Boron and fluoride content exceeded the prescribed desirable limit of the WHO. The pollution and drinking suitability were assessed by computing pollution index of groundwater (PIG), groundwater quality index (GWQI), and HHRA particularly for boron and fluoride toxicity. PIG values inferred that about 6% of groundwater has moderate, 24% has low, and 70% has insignificant pollution in the PRM season; while, only 1 sample (3 %) showed high pollution, 6% showed low, and 91% showed insignificant pollution in the POM season. GWQI results indicate that 27% and 15% samples are within the poor category, and only 15% and 18% of the samples fall within the excellent water quality category in the PRM and the POM season, respectively. Total hazard index (THI) revealed that 88% of children, 59% of adults, and about 38% of infants are exposed to non-carcinogenic risk, as THI values (> 1) were noted for the PRM season; while, 62% of children, 47% of adults and 24% of infants, are vulnerable to non-carcinogenic health hazard during the POM period.
Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index as a Predictive Marker of Tolerability and Vulnerability to Chemotherapy in Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Sasaki Kota , Hasui Kengo , Chen Yu , Saito Kensuke , Takahata Takenori , Sato Atsushi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Malnutrition increases chemotherapy toxicity and impairs quality of life. Previous studies have shown an association between nutrition assessment tools, such as the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI), and adverse events of chemotherapy. However, none are specific to colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, we evaluated this association by investigating adverse events needing treatment (AENT) in patients with CRC.Methods: We retrospectively classified 147 patients with CRC into the risk group (GNRI<98, 85 patients) and the no-risk group (GNRI≥98, 62 patients). We defined AENT as infection requiring antibiotics administration, grade ≥2 leukocytopenia, feasible neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia requiring transfusion, grade≥3 diarrhea, and acute organ failure. Results: We compared the two groups regarding AENT, antibiotic use, admission treatment for AENT, and mortality. Fifty-two (61.2%) and twenty-eight (45.1%) patients in the risk group and no-risk group, respectively, experienced AENT (odds ratio [OR], 0.948; [95% confidence interval, 0.919–0.978]; area under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristic curve, 0.694; [0.608–0.780]). Those in the risk group had increased antibiotic use (OR, 0.945; [0.912–0.979]) and mortality (OR, 0.845; [0.765–0.932]). AENT and performance status were not associated, while GNRI score and chemotherapy toxicity were inversely associated.Conclusion: GNRI can predict a patient’s tolerability for cytotoxic chemotherapy. Prospective studies should validate GNRI and nutrition support benefits.
A novel, automated SARS-CoV-2 saliva PCR test protects a global asymptomatic workforce
Authors: Carter Nikki , Clausen Maryam , Halpin Rebecca , Blackmore Colin , Cai Kang , Delpuech Oona , kohlmann Alexander , Magnusson Otto , March Ruth , O'Neill Daniel , Prakash Kasthuri , Sherwood James , Sundin Tabetha , Swift Jason , Tarakameh Azar , Wijdicks Marilou , Wise Daniel , Fidock Mark 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Regular PCR testing of nasopharyngeal swabs from symptomatic individuals for SARS-CoV-2 virus has become the established method by which health services are managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses such as AstraZeneca have also prioritised voluntary asymptomatic testing to keep workplaces safe and maintain supply of essential medicines to patients. We describe the development of an internal automated SARS-CoV-2 testing programme including the transformative introduction of saliva as an alternative sample type.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental and psychosocial health among patients undergoing active cancer treatment: An international survey
Authors: Dau Hallie , Howren Alyssa , Safari Abdollah , Loree Jonathan , McTaggart-Cowan Helen , Peacock Stuart , Crawford Frederick , Vera Mary A De 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: There is limited information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of patients with cancer. Our objective was to evaluate the mental and psychosocial health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals undergoing active cancer treatment and compare outcomes among those diagnosed <50 and ≥50 years of age.Methods: We administered an international, Internet-based cross-sectional survey. We used validated scales to assess anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), social isolation (LSNS6) and loneliness (UCLA3) and used multivariable regression models to identify determinants.Results: Altogether 238 (126 <50 years and 112 ≥50 years) participants undergoing active treatment for cancer completed the survey. Overall, many participants experienced anxiety (26.6%), depression (30.0%), loneliness (43.3%), and social isolation (19.8%). Younger participants were more likely to experience anxiety (GAD-7 <50 years 7.4 ± 5.1 vs. ≥50 years 5.9 ± 5.9 [p-value 0.042]) and older participants were more likely to experience social isolation (LSNS6 <50 years 17.8 ± 5.8 vs. ≥50 years 15.9± 6.0 for those [p-value 0.019]). Determinants of anxiety identified in multiple linear regression included age at cancer diagnosis (ß= -0.05; p-value 0.047), worrying about paying household expenses (ß = 1.42; p-value=0.034), social isolation (ß = 2.15; p-value 0.017) and depression (ß = 6.67; p-value<.0001). Determinants of depression included loneliness (ß = 3.77; p-value <.0001) and anxiety (ß = 6.54; p-value <.0001).Conclusions: The results of our study indicate the negative impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on patients with cancer undergoing active treatment across the age spectrum.
TUSC3 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in cervical squamous cell carcinoma via suppression of the AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Sun Fei , Jie Qiuling , Li Qi , Wei Yunjian , Long Ping , Li Hong , Yue Xiaojing , Ma Yanlin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

The expression of tumor suppressor candidate 3 (TUSC3) is associated with proliferation in several types of cancer, leading to an unfavorable prognosis. The present study aimed to assess the cellular and molecular function of TUSC3 in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).
Methods

Levels of mRNA expressions of TUSC3 were analyzed in CSCC tissues and six cell lines using qRT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was used to evaluate the protein expression level of TUSC3 in four paired specimens, 220 paraffin-embedded CSCC specimens and 60 cases of normal cervical tissues(NCTs), respectively. Short hairpin RNA interference was employed for TUSC3 knockdown. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion was evaluated using growth curve, MTT assay, wound healing and transwell assay respectively.
Results

The results demonstrated that TUSC3 mRNA and protein expression levels were down-regulated in CSCC samples. Multivariate and univariate analyses indicated that TUSC3 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with CSCC. Decreased TUSC3 expression levels were significantly associated with proliferation and an aggressive phenotype of cervical cancer cells. Moreover, the knockdown of TUSC3 promoted migration and invasion of cancer cells, while the increased expression of TUSC3 exhibited the opposite effects. The down-regulation of TUSC3 facilitated proliferation and invasion of CSCC cells through the activation of the AKT signaling pathway.
Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that the down-regulation of TUSC3 promoted CSCC cell metastasis via the AKT signaling pathway. Therefore, TUSC3 may serve as a novel prognostic marker and potential target for CSCC.
Removal of EpCAM-positive tumor cells from blood collected during major oncological surgery using the Catuvab device- a pilot study
Authors: Winter Andreas , Zacharowski Kai , Meybohm Patrick , Schnitzbauer Andreas , Ruf Peter , Kellermann Claudia , Lindhofer Horst 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background:Intraoperative blood salvage (IBS) is regarded as an alternative to allogeneic blood transfusion excluding the risks associated with allogeneic blood. Currently, IBS is generally avoided in tumor surgeries due to concern for potential metastasis caused by residual tumor cells in the erythrocyte concentrate. Methods:The feasibility, efficacy and safety aspects of the new developed Catuvab procedure using the bispecific trifunctional antibody Catumaxomab was investigated in an ex-vivo pilot study in order to remove residual EpCAM positive tumor cells from the autologous erythrocyte concentrates (EC) from various cancer patients, generated by a IBS device. Results:Tumor cells in intraoperative blood were detected in 10 of 16 patient samples in the range of 69 - 2.6x105 but no residual malignant cells in the final erythrocyte concentrates after Catuvab procedure. IL-6 and IL-8 as pro-inflammatory cytokines released during surgery, were lowered in mean 28-fold and 52-fold during the Catuvab procedure, respectively, whereas Catumaxomab antibody was detected in 8 of 16 of the final EC products at a considerable decreased and uncritical residual amount (37 ng in mean). Conclusion:The preliminary study results indicate efficacy and feasibility of the new medical device Catuvab allowing potentially the reinfusion of autologous erythrocyte concentrates (EC) produced by IBS device during oncological high blood loss surgery. An open-label, multicenter clinical study on the removal of EpCAM‑positive tumor cells from blood collected during tumor surgery using the Catuvab device is initiated to validate these encouraging results.
Forecasting lung cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence to year 2030
Authors: Jakobsen Erik , Olsen Karen Ege , Bliddal Mette , Hornbak Malene , Persson Gitte S , Green Anders 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background Lung cancer incidence and prevalence is increasing worldwide and there is a focus on prevention, early detection, and development of new treatments which will impact the epidemiological patterns of lung cancer. The clinical characteristics and the trends in incidence, mortality, and prevalence of lung cancer in Denmark from 2006 through 2015 is described and a model for predicting the future epidemiological profile of lung cancer through 2030 is introduced.Methods The study population comprised all cases of lung cancer, registered in the Danish Cancer Registry, who were alive on January 1, 2006 or had a first-time ever diagnosis of lung cancer during 2006 through 2015. Information on morphology, stage of the disease, comorbidity and survival was obtained from other Danish health registers. Based on NORDCAN data and estimated patient mortality rates as well as prevalence proportions for the period 2006 through 2015, future case numbers of annual incidence, deaths, and resulting prevalence were projected.Results A total of 44.291 patients were included in the study. A shift towards more patients diagnosed with lower stages and with adenocarcinoma was observed. The incidence increased and the patient mortality rate decreased significantly, with a doubling of the prevalence during the observation period. We project that the numbers of prevalent cases of lung cancer in Denmark most likely will increase from about 10,000 at the end of 2015 to about 23,000 at the end of 2030.Conclusions Our findings support that lung cancer is being diagnosed at an earlier stage, that incidence will stop increasing, that mortality will decrease further, and that the prevalence will continue to increase substantially. Projections of cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence are important for planning health services and should be updated at regular intervals.
Optimised ARG based Group Activity Recognition for Video Understanding
Authors: Kumar Pranjal , Chauhan Siddhartha 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Video understanding identifies and classifies various actions and events in the video. Many previous works, such as video annotations, have demonstrated promising success in generating general video understanding. However, a fine summary of human activities and their interactions using state-of-the-art video captioning techniques is still difficult to produce. The comprehensive explanation of human actions and collective behaviors is important information for real time CCTV video tracking, medical treatment, sports video analysis etc. This research suggests a form of video understanding that focuses primarily on identifying group activity by learning the similarities between the pair and the actors appearance. In order to measure the similarity between the pair appearances and construct an actor relations map, the Zero Mean Normalized Cross-Correlation (ZNCC) and the zeromean sum of absolute differences(ZSAD) are proposed to allow the graph convolution network (GCN) to learn how to distinguish group actions. We recommend that MNASNet be used as the backbone to retrieve features from any video frame. A visualization model is also developed to visualize every input video frame and predict individual behavior or collective activity with projected bounding boxes on a human object.
A Non-Ergodic Effective Amplitude Ground-Motion Model for California
Authors: Lavrentiadis Grigorios , Abrahamson Norman A. , Kuehn Nicolas M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A new non-ergodic ground-motion model (GMM) for effective amplitude spectral (EAS) values for California is presented in this study. EAS, which is defined in Goulet et al. (2018), is a smoothed rotation-independent Fourier amplitude spectrum of the two horizontal components of an acceleration time history. The main motivation for developing a non-ergodic EAS GMM, rather than a spectral acceleration GMM, is that the scaling of EAS does not depend on spectral shape, and therefore, the more frequent small magnitude events can be used in the estimation of the non-ergodic terms. The model is developed using the California subset of the NGAWest2 dataset Ancheta et al. (2013). The Bayless and Abrahamson (2019b) (BA18) ergodic EAS GMM was used as backbone to constrain the average source, path, and site scaling. The non-ergodic GMM is formulated as a Bayesian hierarchical model: the non-ergodic source and site terms are modeled as spatially varying coefficients following the approach of Landwehr et al. (2016), and the non-ergodic path effects are captured by the cell-specific anelastic attenuation attenuation following the approach of Dawood and Rodriguez-Marek (2013). Close to stations and past events, the mean values of the non-ergodic terms deviate from zero to capture the systematic effects and their epistemic uncertainty is small. In areas with sparse data, the epistemic uncertainty of the non-ergodic terms is large, as the systematic effects cannot be determined. The non-ergodic total aleatory standard deviation is approximately 30 to 40% smaller than the total aleatory standard deviation of BA18. This reduction in the aleatory variability has a significant impact on hazard calculations at large return periods. The epistemic uncertainty of the ground motion predictions is small in areas close to stations and past event.
Remote Proctored Exam for Proficiency-Testing: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Andreou Vasiliki , Peters Sanne , Eggermont Jan , Wens Johan , Schoenmakers Birgitte 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected assessment practice in higher education including a complex planning of supervision. To organise safely and reliably a remote proficiency-test for admission to the Advanced Master of General Practice (AMGP), we developed a supervisor app tracking and tracing candidates’ behaviour. Methods: A cross-sectional design was adopted with candidates applying for admission to the AMGP. The supervisor app operated on three levels to register events: recording actions, analysing behaviour, and live supervision. Each suspicious event was given a score. The outcome measures were the number of suspicious events and the exam outcome compared to the past year. To get more insight into candidates’ perceptions about the app, a post-test questionnaire was administered. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to explore quantitative data, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Results: In total, 472 (79%) candidates used the app in an off campus setting and 121 (20%) were on campus with live supervision. Test results of both groups were comparable. The app detected 22 candidates with a suspicious level >1, mainly due to background noise. All events occurred without fraud purpose. Out of 472 candidates, 304 filled in the post-test questionnaire. Two factors were extracted from the analysis and identified as candidates’ appreciation of the app and as emotional distress because of the app. Four themes were identified in the thematic analysis providing more insight on candidates’ emotional well-being. Conclusions: A supervisor app registering and recording behaviour to prevent fraud during off-campus exams is efficient without influencing the exam outcome. Although candidates’ perceptions were mixed, increased anxiety was due to the lack of clear guidelines about the app. Future research should compare in a controlled design the cost-benefit balance between the supervisor app and candidates’ awareness of being monitored combined with a safe exam browsing plug in.
bFGF Activates Integrin β1 and Subsequently Upregulates Collagens via the p-MEK1/2/p-ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway in L929 Cells
Authors: Yang Lian , Hong Shasha , Li Yang , Wang Tingting , Hong Li 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The substantial loss of collagen in the supporting tissues of the pelvic floor is characteristic of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). A bFGF-induced collagen increase has been widely recognized by scholars, but the role of bFGF in pelvic floor dysfunction and the mechanism by which bFGF promotes collagen have not been reported. Here, we elucidated this mechanism. After bFGF stimulation, L929 cells showed significantly increased expression of collagen, integrin β1, and MEK1/2 signaling proteins. Our previous studies showed that integrin β1 plays an important role in electric stimulation-induced collagen expression, which suggests an underlying mechanism. By overexpressing and silencing integrin β1, we proved that integrin β1 is also an important signal transduction protein of bFGF that promotes collagen through the MEK1/2 pathway, which is a classic collagen-promoting pathway. In summary, these findings suggest that bFGF can stimulate the expression of collagen through the integrin β1/p-MEK1/2/p-ERK/1/2 signaling pathway in L929 cells. Keyword Pelvic organ prolapse; bFGF; integrinβ1; ERK1/2; Collagen Special project for Chinese women's pelvic floor dysfunction prevention and treatment (no. 201817092) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province（no.2019CFB149）.
Effects of Organic Material on Magnetoresistance in Electron-doped Double Perovskite
Authors: Li Ya Fang , Liu Yu , Zhang Yan-Ming , Wang Jin-Feng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The Curie temperature of electron-doped Sr2FeMoO6 can be optimized significantly due to the band-filling effect, but accompanying an almost absent low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR), which is unfavorable to applications in the magnetoresistive devices operated at room-temperature. Our previous works confirmed that, a remarkable enhanced LFMR was observed in Sr2FeMoO6 by modifying the grain boundary with insulating organic small molecules (glycerin, CH2OHCHOHCH2OH). However, in this work, modifying the grain boundary strength of the La0.5Sr1.5FeMoO6 with the insulating organic macromolecules (oleic acid, CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH) or small molecules (glycerin), both of them have negligible functions on the magnetoresistance behavior in La0.5Sr1.5FeMoO6. Contrary to the glycerin-modified Sr2FeMoO6, Sr2FeMoO6/oleic acid composites don’t exhibit an obviously increased magnetoresistance property. Based on the above experimental results and the related works, it is proposed that, maintaining high spin polarization of the carriers at the Fermi level and improving the tunneling process across the grain boundary by using the suitable organic materials are decisive factors for optimizing the magnetoresistance behavior in the similar electron-doped double perovskites.
Nef Dimerization Defect Abrogates HIV Viremia and Associated Immune Dysregulation in the Bone Marrow-Liver-Thymus-Spleen (BLTS) Humanized Mouse Model.
Authors: Biradar Shivkumar , Agarwal Yash , Das Antu , Shu Sherry T. , Samal Jasmine , Ho Sara , Beatty Cole , Castronova Isabella , Mailliard Robbie B. , Smithgall Thomas E. , Bility Moses Turkle 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundLoss of function mutations in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative factor (nef) gene are associated with reduced viremia, robust T cell immune responses, and delayed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) progression in humans. Importantly, Nef persists in antiretroviral therapy-treated chronic HIV-infected individuals. In vitro studies have shown that mutations in the Nef dimerization interface significantly attenuate viral replication and impair host defense. However, in vivo, mechanistic studies on the role of Nef dimerization in HIV infection are lacking. Humanized rodents with human immune cells are robust platforms for investigating the interactions between HIV and the human immune system. The bone marrow-liver-thymus-spleen (BLTS) humanized mouse model carries human immune cells and lymphoid tissues that facilitate anti-viral immune responses. ResultsHere, we demonstrate that nef deletion abrogates HIV viremia and HIV-induced immune dysregulation in the BLTS-humanized mouse model. Furthermore, we demonstrate that preventing Nef dimerization abrogates HIV viremia and HIV-induced immune dysregulation in the BLTS-humanized mouse model. We also demonstrate that viremic control of HIV carrying deletion or dimerization defects in nef is associated with robust antiviral innate immune signaling, T helper 1 (Th1) signaling, and reduced expression of Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) on T cells.ConclusionsOur results suggest that Nef dimerization may be a therapeutic target for adjuvants in immune-mediated HIV cure strategies. Furthermore, Nef dimerization may be a therapeutic target for ameliorating the residual immune dysregulation in antiretroviral therapy-treated chronic HIV-infected individuals.