bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 on Patients with Cancer Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Bui Ai-Tram N. , Tyan Kevin , Giobbie-Hurder Anita , Klein Isaac A. , Manos Michael P. , Zubiri Leyre , Reynolds Kerry , Grover Shilpa , Weinhouse Gerald L. , Ott Patrick A. , LeBoeuf Nicole R. , Rahma Osama 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction
To evaluate the impact of Sars-Cov-2 infection on mortality and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) toxicity in patients with cancer receiving ICIs compared to those not receiving ICIs.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective matched cohort study of 25 patients receiving ICIs within 1 year of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis between March 20, 2020, and June 3, 2020, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Mass General Brigham. Cases were matched 1:1 with controls based on age, sex, and anticancer therapy within the prior 6 months.

Results
Seven of 25 (28%) patients receiving ICIs died from COVID-19 as compared with nine of 25 (36%) controls. Through multivariable analysis adjusting for age, sex, and anticancer therapy, ICI use was not associated with increased risk for COVID-19 death (OR [odds ratio] 0.36, 95% CI 0.07–1.87). Determinants of mortality included age (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.27) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 12.26, 95% CI 1.76–85.14). Statin use was protective against mortality (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.63). Two patients experienced persistent immune-related adverse events (irAEs) (hypophysitis); one had new-onset irAE (hypothyroidism) during their COVID-19 course. Patients with ICIs had significantly higher platelet (p = 0.017) and D-dimer (p = 0.037) levels. Elevated troponin levels (p = 0.01) were associated with COVID-19 death in patients using ICI.

Conclusion
There is insufficient evidence to conclude COVID-19–related outcomes are associated with ICIs, and we did not observe an increased risk of COVID-19–related death associated with ICIs. The potential protective effect of statin therapy and role of laboratory biomarkers warrant further investigation.
Implementation of a Novel Web-Based Lesion Selection Tool to Improve Acquisition of Tumor Biopsy Specimens
Authors: Xu Mingxuan , Tapia Coya , Hajjar Joud , Sabir Sharjeel , Colen Rivka , Nagarajan Priyadharsini , Aung Phyu P. , Gong Jing , Rodon Jordi , Fu Siqing , Stephen Bettzy , Roy-Chowdhuri Sinchita , Le Hung , Yang Vincent , Zarifa Abdulrazzak , Abdelsalam Mohamed Elsayed , Jhingran Anuja , Javle Milind , Pant Shubham , Carter Brett , Milton Denai R. , Sun Ryan , Karp Daniel D. , Koay Eugene Jon , Yang Yali , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Hwu Patrick , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Naing Aung 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction
For maximum utility of molecular characterization by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and better understanding of tumor microenvironment with immune correlates analysis, biopsy specimens must yield adequate tumor tissue, and sequential biopsy specimens should sample a consistent site. We developed a web-based lesion selection tool (LST) that enables management and tracking of the biopsy specimen collections.

Methods
Of 145 patients, the LST was used for 88 patients; the other 57 served as controls. We evaluated consistency of the lesion biopsied in longitudinal collections, number of cores obtained, and cores with adequate tumor cellularity for NGS. The Fisher exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to identify differences between the groups.

Results
The analysis included 30 of 88 (34%) patients in the LST group and 52 of 57 (91%) in the control group. The LST workflow ensured 100% consistency in the lesions biopsied compared with 75% in the control group in longitudinal collections and increased the proportion of patients in whom at least five cores were collected per biopsy.

Conclusions
The novel LST platform facilitates coordination, performance, and management of longitudinal biopsy specimens. Use of the LST enables sampling of the designated lesion consistently, which is likely to accurately inform us the effect of the treatment on tumor microenvironment and evolution of resistant pathways. Such studies are important translational component of any clinical trials and research as they guide the development of next line of therapy, which has significant effect on clinical utility. However, validation of this approach in a larger study is warranted.
The “virtual OR:” creation of a surgical video-based gynaecologic surgery teaching session to improve medical student orientation and supplement surgical learning during COVID-19
Authors: Stairs Jocelyn , Amir Baharak , Vair Brett 
Published: May 2021

Implication Statement
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes to clinical clerkship delivery including decreased surgical exposure. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Dalhousie University developed a novel, resident-led learning experience using a curated presentation of operative footage. This session aimed to improve medical students’ orientation to the operative environment and supplement teaching on pelvic anatomy and gynaecologic surgery in response to decreased exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical students perceived this session as valuable and felt it improved their preparedness for the operating room. This initiative has the potential to improve medical student orientation to the operative environment.
Mlearning in a mobile world: an analysis of the scientific production of mlearning in the context of language education
Authors: Fluminhan Carmem Silvia Lima , Fluminhan Júnior Antonio , Schlünzen Elisa Tomoe Moriya , Schlünzen Junior Klaus 
Published: May 2021

Mobile learning (mlearning) has been emerging as an innovation with incredible potential to transform the educational practice. However, limited research has focused on how mlearning has been investigated in the context of language teaching and learning around the world. This paper presents a survey on the educational scenario that pervades the teaching and learning English as a second or foreign language mediated by technology. This study conducted an analysis of publications (N=18) involving mlearning in the context of teaching or learning English as a foreign or second language and published from 2010 to March 2019. The aims were to verify in what perspective mlearning has been investigated in the context of teaching and/or learning a foreign or second language, what critical success factors (CSFs) have influenced the implementation of mlearning and identify possible gaps of study that need to be fulfilled in future researches. The results indicate that: i) mlearning has been most investigated in the tertiary educational level, ii) the learners` perspective has been the focus of most publications, iii) English is the target language in all studies, and iv) the dominant topic concerning this theme is mlearning technologies, apps and uses. In addition, the findings also report that 19 CSFs were pointed out in 14 publications and assimilation of curriculum (50%) was the most cited CSF. Moreover, the results indicate that there has been a recent increase of interest in mlearning related to foreign language teaching and learning. Further topics of investigation concerning mlearning in language education are suggested.
Standardized comparison of radioguided surgery with indocyanine green detection of the sentinel lymph node in early stage breast cancer patients
Authors: Fregatti Piero , Gipponi Marco , Sparavigna Marco , Diaz Raquel , Murelli Federica , Depaoli Francesca , Baldelli Ilaria , Gallo Maurizio , Friedman Daniele 
Published: May 2021

Background
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) by means of radio-guided surgery (RGS) is the standard for pathologic staging of axillary lymph nodes in breast patients. Herein, a prospective clinical study was performed to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of indocyanine green (ICG) compared to RGS.

Patients and Methods:
Between 2016 and 2017, 54 patients with early.stage breast cancer <2 cm and clinically negative lymph node underwent combined SLNB by means of ICG with HyperEye Medical System (HEMS) and standard RGS at the Breast Unit of “Ospedale Policlinico San Martino” in Genoa-Italy.

Results:
At least one sentinel lymph node was identified by ICG in 52 out of 54 patients with 96.3% detection rate of ICG as compared to 100% with RGS. ICG detection was cheaper if the cost of the device was not included; when also this cost was added, the breakeven point could have been reached when at least 118 patients undergo ICG detection of SLNB, with an expected saving of about 254.00 € per patient.

Conclusions:
The efficacy of ICG was quite acceptable and, as regards its effectiveness, the amortization of the higher costs of HEMS will be faster in high-volume as compared to low-volume centers (3 months vs. 17 months) due to the initial cost of the instrumentation.
Impact of educational intervention on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacovigilance among postgraduates of a tertiary care center, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Panneerselvam Nithya , Kathirvelu Parimala , Manoharan Rajesh 
Published: May 2021

Introduction:
Prescription of drugs should always be done in a judicious manner and with a satisfactory risk/benefit ratio. Pharmacotherapeutic agents are one of the important causes of adverse effects starting from mere inconvenience to permanent disability and death. Studies suggest that about 0.2%–24% of patients with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are subjected to hospital admission in India as well as in several highly developed industrialized countries. India contributes below 1% in terms of ADR reporting against the world rate of 5%. To enhance the reporting rate, it is important to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of all the health-care professionals with regard to the ADR reporting and the pharmacovigilance (PV).

Aim:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the basic KAP of the postgraduate (PG) students at Meenakshi Medical College and Hospital, Enathur, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India, regarding ADR monitoring and PV.

Materials and Methods:
This was a before and after comparison study with an educational intervention. A knowledge-, attitude-, and practice-based questionnaire on ADR reporting and PV program was prepared and administrated.

Results:
Participants had good theoretical knowledge regarding PV, but their attitudes and practical knowledge increased significantly after an educational intervention. The overall scores observed between pretest and posttest were found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion:
Educational intervention had proven to be an effective tool in improving the KAP of PV in the present study. Lack of motivation and training toward ADR reporting discourages PGs from reporting. Revisions are needed to include the clinical application of PV in the present academic curriculum. Ensuring a better safety profile for drugs can be done only through PV.
Pharmacological effects of active saponins from Panax ginseng Meyer
Authors: Bae Sin Ja , Rho Gyu Jin , Kim Kang Min , Kang Jae Seon 
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To investigate the pharmacological effects of the active saponins isolated from Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng) via extraction, heat treatment, and enzyme conversion.
Methods: The effects of active saponins on rat blood were determined using a multichannel analyzer. The population doubling time (PDT) of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human-derived leukocyte cancer cells (A549) was determined by cell counting. b-galactosidase was measured in human toothderived stem cells (HTS) using a β-galactosidase ELISA kit.
Results: Intraperitoneal administration of active saponins resulted in 30.09 % increase in red blood cell count and 55.55 % decrease in blood triglyceride concentrations. The stimulatory effect of active saponins (10 ng/mL) on cellular differentiation was determined based on PDT of MSCs, which decreased by 33.82 % compared to control. A 22.29 % increase in PDT of A549 cells demonstrated the suppressive effects of active saponins on cancer cell growth. Active saponins (10 ng/mL) also decreased intracellular β-galactosidase concentration by 20.42 % in HTS cells.
Conclusion: Administration of active saponins to rats extends the lifespan, promotes differentiation in MSCs, suppresses A549 cell differentiation, and reduces TG and b-galactosidase associated with aging in HTS. Thus, active saponins have potentially beneficial effects in humans.
Effect of rosuvastatin and benazepril on matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and leukotriene B4 of patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Sai Li , YanQiu Zhang , DongMei Cui , YinJun Li 
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To investigate the effects of rosuvastatin and benazepril on matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Methods: Fifty-six patients with AMI were selected. They were randomly divided into control and study groups. Thirty healthy people were used in the normal group. On the basis of conventional therapy, patients in the control group were given rosuvastatin orally, while those in the study group received rosuvastatin and benazepril orally. The duration of treatment in both groups was 3 months. Serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and LTB4, and incidence of left ventricular remodelling and recurrence of cardiovascular events were determined before and after treatment for both groups.
Results: MMP-2, MMP-9 and LTB4 levels in serum were significantly lower for the two groups after treatment, when compared to pre-treatment values, and significantly lower in the study group (p < 0.05). Left ventricular remodelling was lower in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Recurrence of cardiovascular events declined significantly in the study group, relative to control (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Rosuvastatin and benazepril significantly reduce serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and LTB4 in AMI patients, and thus can potentially prevent ventricular remodelling, improve prognosis and reduce recurrence rate.
Effect of abiraterone combined with prednisone on serum CgA and NSE in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer without previous chemotherapy
Authors: Yang Ke , Li Tieqiu , Gao Zhiyong , Zhang Weiwei 
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To investigate the influence of a combination of abiraterone and prednisone on serum chromogranin A (CgA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in patients with metastatic castrationresistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) without previous chemotherapy, so as to provide reference data for drug therapy of prostate cancer.
Methods: A total of 103 mCRPC patients without chemotherapy from January 2013 to March 2017 were included in this retrospective study. Seventy-one (71) patients received prednisone combined with abiraterone (study group), while 32 patients accepted prednisone (control group). The CgA, NSE and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the two groups were monitored, while PSA progression-free survival (PSA-PFS), radiographic PFS (rPFS), and overall survival (OS) were determined during follow-up.
Results: PSA-PFS, rPFS and OS in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The increased proportion of CgA or NSE in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 6 months of treatment (p < 0.05). The occurrences of NED before treatment and 6 months after treatment were both independent predictors of PSA and radiographic progression in the study group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The combination of prednisone and abiraterone is helpful for prognosis in mCRPC patients that are not on chemotherapy. The occurrence of NED predicts mostly poor prognosis of mCRPC patients on a combination of abiraterone and prednisone
Synergistic anti-cancer activity of combined 5-fuorouracil and gallic acid-stearylamine conjugate in A431 human squamous carcinoma cell line
Authors: Rajagopalan R. , Jain Sanjay K. , Trivedi Piyush 
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the individual and synergistic anti-cancer effects of 5-fuorouracil (5-FU) and synthesized gallic acid-stearylamine (GA-SA) conjugate in A431 human squamous cancer cell line.
Methods: Characterisation of the synthesised conjugate was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectrometry (MS). The synergistic effect of the combination therapy (5-FU/GA-SA) was assessed by determining their inhibitory concentration (IC30) whereby A431 cells were treated with 5-FU:GA–SA conjugate at various ratios ranging from 5:1 to 1:5.
Results: The cytotoxicity of 5-FU was 29 %, while that of the combination of 5-FU with GA–SA conjugate was as high as 60 %. Thus, this combination showed significant synergistic enhancement in cytotoxicity (p < 0.05). The results obtained also revealed that the IC30 values of 5-FU and the GA–SA conjugate were 1 and 10 µg/mL, respectively. The IC30 values of the combination ratios indicated that the dosages used in the study were safe in HaCaT normal cell line.
Conclusion: These results indicate that 5-FU/GA–SA conjugate at a ratio of 1:1 is effective against A431 cell line (cancer cells)) but safe in HaCaT cell lines (normal cells).
Adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico de los pacientes en hemodiálisis
Authors: Ruiz García Estíbaliz , Latorre López Luis Ignacio , Delgado Ramírez Aida , Crespo Montero Rodolfo , Sánchez Laguna José Luis 
Published: May 2021

Introducción: La mala adherencia a largo plazo es reconocida como uno de los principales problemas clínicos en la gestión de las enfermedades crónicas, y en concreto de la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada.
Objetivo: Conocer la producción científica sobre el grado de adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico en pacientes en hemodiálisis.
Metodología: Se ha realizado una revisión sistemática no metaanalítica mediante una búsqueda en las bases de datos de Scielo, PubMed y Google Académico. Se incluyeron artículos escritos en inglés y español. Se analizaron los artículos que trataban la adherencia al tratamiento en pacientes en hemodiálisis.
Resultados: Se han revisado 19 artículos, 6 revisiones y 13 estudios observacionales, publicados entre el 2007 y 2015. Se estudiaron variables sociodemográficas: edad, género, nivel socioeconómico y estudios, estado civil, raza y situación laboral; variables clínicas y psicosociales y, factores relacionados con la medicación. Se encontró que entre 15-72% de los pacientes en hemodiálisis presentan falta de adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico. La depresión se encuentra asociada a la falta de adherencia. La edad se asocia a mayor adherencia.
Conclusiones: Los pacientes en hemodiálisis presentan con frecuencia falta de adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico, aunque con una gran variabilidad,debido a las diferencias en la definición y medición de la falta de adherencia. La depresión parece ser el predictor más influyente en la falta de adhesión. Los factores demográficos y clínicos no están consistentemente asociados con la falta de adherencia, a excepción de la edad, siendo los pacientes de mayor edad los que presentan mayor adherencia.
Factors Influencing Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Perception of Educational Quality
Authors: Ahmed Sahar A. A. , Ahmed Sanaa M. , Awad Lamia A. 
Published: May 2021

Context: Quality education is a contemporary concern. Students' evaluations of teaching (SET) are universal measures and applied in almost every higher educational system in the world.
Aim: The present study aims to explore student perception of factors that influence educational quality among undergraduate nursing students.
Methods: A survey research design was utilized to achieve the aim of this study. The study conducted at obstetrics and gynecology classroom. Faculty of Nursing, El-Minia University. The subjects of the study consisted of all 3rd year nursing students (male & female) who registered in Obstetrics & Gynecological course (total number was 125 students) during the academic year 2017- 2018. Three tools were used to achieve the aim of this study; they are student achievement record, student’s evaluation of educational quality scale, and factor affecting educational quality scale (FAEQS).
Results: The results of this study revealed that students’ perception to the components of educational quality named learning experience, instructor rapport, enthusiasm, and tests grading, organization and clarity, theoretical breadth coverage, group interaction, and course texts and reading materials. The students also ranked course organization, examination system, student communication and group dynamics, availability of course materials, instructor performance, and academic values as top factors that could affect their educational quality.
Conclusions: Obstetrics and gynecology students perceive factors which affected the provision of quality education were explored incorporating four categories named the organization, student, instructor, and course-related factors. The study recommended that all institutions and departments should use self-evaluation as an essential tool in striving to educational quality, and also should consider the students’ perception of factors that might affect their educational quality. Further researches are expected to shed light in the number of higher-order factors that could affect educational quality
A Varíola nos tempos de Dom Pedro II
Authors: Gurgel Cristina Brandt Friedrich Martin , Rosa Camila Andrade Pereira da , Camercini Taise Fernandes 
Published: May 2021

Ao assumir o trono em 1840, D. Pedro II comprometeu-se a consolidar um país novo e repleto de problemas, que incluíam os cuidados à saúde de sua crescente população. Dentre os flagelos presentes estava a varíola. Possivelmente originária da Índia, em sua marcha galopante a doença alcançara o Novo Mundo a bordo de caravelas e galeões. Vitimou a população colonial brasileira em surtos recorrentes que se perpetuaram durante o período imperial. A despeito da descoberta da vacina e dos esforços governamentais, a varíola foi uma das responsáveis pelos altos índices de morbi-mortalidade brasileira durante o século XIX. Insinuou-se no flagelo de uma seca avassaladora no Ceará; matou em São Paulo, que vivenciava através da comercialização do café, um progresso jamais experimentado; e contribuiu para um panorama ainda mais triste nos sangrentos campos da Guerra do Paraguai. A luta contra a varíola mostrou-se inglória no Brasil Império. A grande extensão territorial e conseqüentes dificuldades de comunicação, além de uma grande resistência popular, contribuíram para o fracasso da vacinação, cujas repercussões seriam sentidas no século XX.
Influence of Lead Nitrate on Sulfurizing Flotation of a Copper-Cobalt Oxide Ore
Authors: MUANDA Meschack Mukunga , OMALANGA Pele Pascal Daniel 
Published: May 2021

Copper-cobalt oxide ores contain several minerals that are economically treatable by concentration techniques. The most used technique is froth flotation in which selective reagents are used to recover more valuables. It is, therefore, important to examine the optimal doses of those reagents while investigating the behaviors of minerals at the same time. This study explored the influence of lead nitrate Pb(NO3)2 on the froth flotation of oxide ore to increase valuable metals recoveries. Four factors were investigated including Pb(NO3)2 dosage, its conditioning, its addition dose in the 2nd fraction, and sulfidiser dosage. Other parameters were kept constant. The optimum was found at 25 g/t of Pb(NO3)2, conditioning together with sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) for 5 min, the addition of 5 g/t of Pb(NO3)2 in the 2nd fraction, and 3,000 g/t of sulfidiser. Recoveries in concentrates were 79.51 % Copper (Cu) and 60.27 % Cobalt (Co), with grades of 9.49 and 0.67 %, respectively. The conclusion was that the use of Pb(NO3)2 can considerably improve copper and cobalt recoveries.