bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abstract 80: Outcomes of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia among Adolescents and Young Adults in Malawi
Authors: Kimani Stephen , Painschab Matthew , Kasokanji Edwards , Ellis Grace 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose: There is limited data on treatment and outcomes for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) among adolescents and young adults (AYA) in sub-Saharan Africa. We describe a prospective observational cohort in Malawi.
Methods: Patients aged 14 - 39 years old with untreated acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi, underwent comprehensive clinicopathologic evaluation at baseline. ALL diagnosis was confirmed onsite using immunohistochemical (IHC) and telepathology consultations involving pathologists in Malawi and the United States. Patients were treated with a modified regimen for AYA modeled after the CALGB10403 protocol. Key modifications included omission of asparaginase and hematopoietic growth factors due to unavailability, and no dose escalation for methotrexate during interim maintenance. Post-induction remission was confirmed via bone marrow biopsy.
Results: From 2015 to 2019, we enrolled 19 patients. Thirteen (68%) were female, and the median age was 19 years (IQR 17-27). Sixteen (84%) had extramedullary involvement, 10 (53%) had ECOG ≥2, and 11 (58%) had T-cell immunophenotype. None were HIV infected. Four patients died before initiating treatment. Out of 15 patients who initiated treatment, 10 completed induction, of whom 9 achieved remission. The median treatment duration was 8 months (range 0-29). After a median follow-up time of 9 months (range 1-29), no patients were lost to follow-up. Two patients (10%) remain in remission on maintenance therapy after 8 and 29 months, respectively, and 17 (89 %) have died, all from disease progression. OS at 1 year is 31.5% (95% CI 15-64%) and at 2 years is 10.5% (95% CI 3-40%).
Conclusion: Findings were poor but in line with those among pediatric ALL patients from the region. Given no toxicity-related mortality occurred, escalation of therapy is needed and being implemented. Our experience demonstrates that it is possible to achieve modest results using a complex ambulatory chemotherapy regimen modified to resource availability.
Citation Format: Stephen Kimani, Matthew Painschab, Edwards Kasokanji, Grace Ellis. Outcomes of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia among Adolescents and Young Adults in Malawi [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 80.
Abstract 85: Solutions for Selective Loss to Follow-Up: Application to HIV-Associated Cancer Cohorts in Malawi
Authors: Kudowa Evaristar , Edwards Jess , Horner Marie Josephe , Chasimpha Steady , Dzamalala  , Chagomerana Maganizo 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Survival estimates among HIV+ cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are limited and often biased due to high rates of loss to follow-up (LTFU). We explored the application of inverse probability of censoring weights (IPCW) to routinely collected HIV cohort data to correct for survival estimation bias introduced by LTFU, an approach which has been successfully utilized in high-income countries.
Methods: We estimated overall survival (OS) among HIV+ incident cancer cases enrolled between 2000 and 2010 in Malawi. Patients were identified by utilizing probabilistic linkage of two large HIV cohorts to the national cancer registry and has previously been published. LTFU was defined as missed clinic appointment with unsuccessful tracing for ≥180 days. OS was estimated using unweighted and weighted methods. Sensitivity analysis using best- and worst-case scenarios assessed the robustness of estimates from the IPCW approach.
Results: Among 883 cases, median age was 35 years (IQR: 30-41), and the most common cancers were Kaposi sarcoma (89%) and cervical cancer (5%). Median follow-up time was 5 years (IQR: 1-6), and 257 (29%) were LTFU. Males (RR: 1.69, CI: 1.37-2.07) and HIV stage IV patients (RR: 2.24, CI: 1.74-2.89) showed increased risk of LTFU. The 2-year OS were 91.1% and 89.6% for weighted and unweighted methods respectively. Sensitivity analysis estimated best and worst case 2-year OS at 91.5% and 77.4%, respectively.
Conclusion: IPCW method did not appear to significantly correct bias introduced by LTFU, likely yielding continued overestimation of OS. This may be due to limited covariate availability in routinely collected cohort data in SSA to generate appropriate censoring weights or perhaps because of incorrect cancer diagnoses without pathologic confirmation in our setting. In SSA, where comprehensive patient tracing among LTFU groups can be impractical, intensive tracing of representative samples of LTFU patients is likely needed to accurately estimate survival.
Citation Format: Evaristar Kudowa, Jess Edwards, Marie Josephe Horner, Steady Chasimpha, Dzamalala, Maganizo Chagomerana. Solutions for Selective Loss to Follow-Up: Application to HIV-Associated Cancer Cohorts in Malawi [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 85.
The Unintended Consequences of Peacebuilding and Peacekeeping Interventions Contributing to the Rise of Violent Extremism
Authors: Rrustemi Arlinda 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This article uncovers the nexus between the state- and peacebuilding efforts and religious violent extremism. Exploring an exemplary lifestory interview with a directly affected individual, the article makes use of empirical data to inform the current theoretical debates on the subject. The article shows how the inefficient state and peace building efforts unintendedly lead to a rise in religious violent extremism. These errors from the international community in Kosovo became a source of religious violent extremism in the case of Kosovo, as the exemplary lifestory shows.
Parliaments in the MENA Region: Between Timid Reform and Regression. A Comparative Survey
Authors: Grote Rainer 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Part of a special issue devoted to the role of parliaments in contemporary Arab politics, this article gives an oversight of the evolution of the constitutional rules governing the status and powers of Arab parliamentary assemblies following the “Arab spring” and during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Parliaments have traditionally played a marginal role in Arab constitutional theory and practice. Although the strengthening of the role and powers of parliaments and a rebalancing of the executive-legislative relations in favour of the latter featured prominently in the reform agendas emerging from the protest movements of the “Arab spring,” these movements proved unable to produce lasting change. The reforms have either been rolled back by oppressive governments or given way to a political pactice of renewed presidential dominance which diverges considerably from the initial aspirations of the reformers. The highly unfavourable conditions existing in most Arab countries – with internally divided democratic reform movements, entrenched military, and political elites determined to resist genuine democratic change with all means available and powerful external actors supporting the domestic status quo – are likely to ensure that parliaments will remain confined to a largely ornamental role in Arab politics in the foreseeable future.
A Doppler radar study of convective draft lengths over Darwin, Australia
Authors: Yeung Nicholas K. H. , Sherwood Steven C. , Protat Alain , Lane Todd P. , Williams Christopher 
Published: July 2021

AbstractData from an upward-pointing wind profiler radar pair at Darwin in tropical Australia are used to determine the characteristics of individual convective up- and downdrafts observed at the site. Drafts are identified as vertically contiguous regions of instantaneous upward or downward motion exceeding 0.2 ms−1. Most updrafts and downdrafts found are less than 2 km in vertical extent, and updrafts exceeding 5 km vertical length carry no more than 33% of the total upward mass flux. Updraft length correlates positively with rain rates, and on very high rain rates (greater than 20 mm/hr), average updraft lengths are ~5 km. Typical peak updraft velocities increase from ~2.5 ms−1 for the smallest to ~ 4 ms−1 for the largest drafts, while those for downdrafts remain ~ 2 ms−1 regardless of size. These results are broadly consistent with other numerical modeling studies, but contrast with the common view of deep convection as being dominated by continuous, deep drafts.
Placental HTRA1 cleaves α1-antitrypsin to generate a NET-inhibitory peptide
Authors: Campbell Robert A. , Campbell Heather D. , Bircher J. Samuel , de Araujo Claudia Valeria , Denorme Frederik , Crandell Jacob L. , Rustad John L. , Monts Josh , Cody Mark J. , Kosaka Yasuhiro , Yost Christian C. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are important components of innate immunity. Neonatal neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs]) fail to form NETs due to circulating NET-inhibitory peptides (NIPs), cleavage fragments of α1-antitrypsin (A1AT). How fetal and neonatal blood NIPs are generated remains unknown, however. The placenta expresses high-temperature requirement serine protease A1 (HTRA1) during fetal development, which can cleave A1AT. We hypothesized that placentally expressed HTRA1 regulates the formation of NIPs and that NET competency changed in PMNs isolated from neonatal HTRA1 knockout mice (HTRA1−/−). We found that umbilical cord blood plasma has elevated HTRA1 levels compared with adult plasma and that recombinant and placenta-eluted HTRA1 cleaves A1AT to generate an A1AT cleavage fragment (A1ATM383S-CF) of molecular weight similar to previously identified NIPs that block NET formation by adult neutrophils. We showed that neonatal mouse pup plasma contains A1AT fragments that inhibit NET formation by PMNs isolated from adult mice, indicating that NIP generation during gestation is conserved across species. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated PMNs isolated from HTRA1+/+ littermate control pups exhibit delayed NET formation after birth. However, plasma from HTRA1−/− pups had no detectable NIPs, and PMNs from HTRA1−/− pups became NET competent earlier after birth compared with HTRA1+/+ littermate controls. Finally, in the cecal slurry model of neonatal sepsis, A1ATM383S-CF improved survival in C57BL/6 pups by preventing pathogenic NET formation. Our data indicate that placentally expressed HTRA1 is a serine protease that cleaves A1AT in utero to generate NIPs that regulate NET formation by human and mouse PMNs.
Antibiotic susceptibility of human-associated Staphylococcus aureus and its relation to agr typing, virulence genes, and biofilm formation
Authors: Derakhshan Safoura , Navidinia Masoumeh , Haghi Fakhri 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background and objective
Carriage of virulence factors confers some evolutionary benefit to bacteria, which favors the resistant strains. We aimed to analyze whether antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus strains is affected by agr typing, biofilm formation ability, and virulence profiles.

Methods
A total of 123 S. aureus clinical isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion method, biofilm formation by microtiter plate method, as well as polymerase chain reaction screening to identify virulence genes and the accessory gene regulator (agr) types I-IV. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results
The most prevalent virulence gene was staphyloxanthin crtN, followed by hemolysin genes, capsular cap8H, toxic shock toxin tst, and enterotoxin sea, respectively. Resistant isolates were more commonly found in the agr-negative group than in the agr-positive group. Isolates of agr type III were more virulent than agr I isolates. Strong biofilm producers showed more antibiotic susceptibility and carried more virulence genes than non-strong biofilm producers. Associations were found between the presence of virulence genes and susceptibility to antibiotics. Carriage of the virulence genes and agr was higher in the inpatients; while, resistance and strong biofilms were more prevalent in the outpatients.

Conclusion
These findings indicated the presence of several virulence factors, biofilm production capacity, agr types and resistance to antibiotics in clinical S. aureus isolates. Considering the importance of S. aureus for human medicine, an understanding of virulence and resistance relationships would help to reduce the impact of S. aureus infections.
Characterization of Salmonella serotypes prevalent in asymptomatic people and patients
Authors: Xu Haiyan , Zhang Weibing , Zhang Kai , Zhang Yue , Wang Zhenyu , Zhang Wei , Li Yang , Li Qiuchun 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
Infection with Salmonella enterica usually results in diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, but some people become asymptomatic or chronic carrier as a source of infection for others. This study aimed to analyze the difference in serotype, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic profiles between Salmonella strains isolated from patients and those from asymptomatic people in Nantong city, China.

Methods
A total of 88 Salmonella strains were collected from patients and asymptomatic people from 2017 to 2018. Serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and PFGE analysis were performed to analyze the characteristics of these strains.

Results
Twenty serotypes belonging to 8 serogroups were identified in the 88 Salmonella strains. S. Typhimurium remained to be the predominant serotype in strains from both patients and asymptomatic people. Among the 27 strains from patients, S. Enteritidis and S. Rissen were shown as the other two major serotypes, while S. London, S. Derby, and S. Meleagridis were demonstrated as the other significant serotypes among the 61 strains from asymptomatic people. Antimicrobial resistance testing revealed that 84.1% of strains from both resources were multi-drug resistant. PFGE displayed a highly discriminative ability to differentiate strains belonging to S. Derby, S. Typhimurium, etc., but could not efficiently differentiate serotypes like S. Enteritidis.

Conclusions
This study’s results demonstrated that S. Typhimurium could cause human infection in both symptomatic and asymptomatic state; S. London, S. Derby, and S. Meleagridis usually cause asymptomatic infection, while S. Enteritidis infection mainly results in human diseases. The high multi-drug resistance rate detected in the antimicrobial resistance and diverse PFGE profiles of these strains implied that the strains were isolated from different sources, and the increased surveillance of Salmonella from both patients and asymptomatic people should be taken to control the disease.
Extended infusion of rituximab combined with steroids is effective in inducing remission and reducing relapse in adult minimal change disease
Authors: Liu Diankun , Zhou Zhanmei , Wang Mengyi , Nie Sheng , Li Jun , Hu Bianxiang , He Wenjuan , Wang Guobao , Ai Jun 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
Minimal change disease is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Higher relapse rate put patients at risk of steroids toxicity due to long-term exposure. Rituximab has been suggested to maintain long time remission and withdraw steroids and other immunosuppressants with fewer adverse events. However, optimal dose and dosing interval have not been explored.

Methods
Twenty-five patients were enrolled from 2017-10 to 2020-03 in Nanfang Hospital in China. Clinical and biological data were extracted from medical records and laboratory databases. Therapy composed of 375mg/m2 rituximab once three weeks for 3 dose and corticosteroid was applied. Complete remission was defined as reduction of proteinuria to 0.3g/d. Remission rate, relapse rate, steroids used before and after rituximab therapy and adverse effects were documented at a mean time of 14.71 months.

Results
Twenty-two patients achieved complete remission for an average of 3.26 months and only 3 patients experienced one relapse respectively during the follow-up period. The mean remission maintenance time was 11.6 months, and was 5 months after steroids withdrawal. Steroids dose at last follow-up was 6.09mg/d, which was significantly reduced compared to 28.15mg/d before rituximab. Relapse rate before and after rituximab was 1.43 and 0.1, respectively. Only four minor adverse events were recorded.

Conclusions
Therapy consisted of 375mg/m2 rituximab once three weeks for 3 dose combined with corticosteroid is effective in inducing remission in adult patients with minimal change disease. Both of the relapse rate and dose of steroids used are significantly decreased with fewer side effects.
Self-reported pain scores as a predictor of preterm birth in symptomatic twin pregnancy: a retrospective study
Authors: Kim Ji Hoi , Lee Seung Mi , Lee Sungyoung , Kim So Yeon , Hue Hye Jeong , Park Chan-Wook , Park Joong Shin , Jun Jong Kwan 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the self-reported pain scores as a predictor of preterm birth (PTB) in symptomatic twin pregnancy and to develop a nomogram for the prediction model.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective study of 148 cases of symptomatic twin pregnancies before 34 weeks of gestation visited at Seoul national university hospital from 2013 to 2018. With other clinical factors, self-reported pain score was evaluated by the numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores for pain intensity. By multivariate analyses and logistic regression, we developed a prediction model for PTB within 7 days. Using the Cox proportional hazards model, the curves were plotted to show the predictability of the PTB according to NRS pain score, while adjusting the other covariates.

Results
Twenty-three patients (15.5 %) delivered preterm within 7 days. By a logistic regression analysis, higher NRS pain score (OR 1.558, 95 % CI 1.093–2.221, P < 0.05), shorter cervical length (OR 3.164, 95 % CI 1.262–7.936, P < 0.05) and positive fibronectin results (OR 8.799, 95 % CI 1.101–70.330, P < 0.05) affect PTB within 7 days. Using the variables, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the prediction model was 0.917. In addition, we developed a nomogram for the prediction of PTB within 7 days.

Conclusions
Self-reported pain scores combined with cervical length and fetal fibronectin are useful in predicting impending PTB in symptomatic twin pregnancy.
Validity and reliability of the lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) in Brazil
Authors: e Silva Janiny Lima , de Sousa Mata Matheus , Câmara Saionara Maria Aires , do Céu Clara Costa Íris , de Medeiros Kleyton Santos , Cobucci Ricardo Ney , Gonçalves Ana Katherine 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
The Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) is used to assess psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and maternity. The PSEQ is a tool used in various countries and has been translated into Portuguese; however, it needs to be validated in Brazil. This study aimed to analyze the validity and reliability of the PSEQ in Brazilian pregnant women.

Method
This methodological validity study investigated internal consistency and reliability using Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients. Construct validity was assessed using Pearson’s correlation between domains and confirmatory factor analysis. To assess concurrent validity, Pearson’s correlation between the different domains of the PSEQ and Prenatal Psychosocial Profile-Portuguese Version (PPP-VP) was determined. The level of significance was set at 5%.

Results
This study included 399 pregnant women in the northeastern region of Brazil. The internal consistency and reliability of the total PSEQ score were high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.95). Validity analysis showed positive and significant correlations between all PSEQ domains, ranging from 0.14 to 0.56. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the following values of goodness of fit: RMSEA = 0.05, SRMR = 0.08, CFI = 0.61, χ2/df = 1.77. The discriminant and concurrent validities of the PSEQ were confirmed.

Conclusions
The Portuguese version of the PSEQ has adequate psychometric properties and is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy in Brazilian pregnant women.
Dietary and lifestyle inflammatory scores and risk of incident diabetes: a prospective cohort among participants of Tehran lipid and glucose study
Authors: Teymoori Farshad , Farhadnejad Hossein , Mokhtari Ebrahim , Sohouli Mohammad Hassan , Moslehi Nazanin , Mirmiran Parvin , Azizi Fereidoun 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
Inflammation is a precursor of chronic disease, which is affected by lifestyle and dietary habits. Recently empirical dietary inflammatory patterns (EDIP), dietary inflammation scores (DIS), and lifestyle inflammation scores (LIS) were developed to indicate lifestyle and dietary contributions in systemic inflammation. The current study aimed to investigate the associations between these indices and the incidence of diabetes among Tehranian adults.

Methods
A total of 4624 individuals, aged 20–75 years, who were free of diabetes at baseline (2008–2011), were followed for 5.71 years (2014–2017) to ascertain incident diabetes. Dietary intakes were collected at baseline using the food frequency questionnaire. The hazard ratio (HR) of diabetes was calculated by Cox proportional hazards regression across quartiles of EDIP, DIS, and LIS, adjusted for potential confounders.

Results
The mean ± SD for the age and BMI of the study population (45.1% male) were 40.8 ± 12.7 years and 27.1 ± 4.1 Kg.m2, respectively. At the end of the follow-up, 329 (7.1%) diabetes cases were identified. In the multivariable-adjusted model, individuals in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of EDIP (HR = 0.83; 95%CI:0.59–1.15, p for trend = 0.286), and LIS (HR = 2.41; 95%CI:1.61–3.60, P for trend < 0.001) had increased risk of diabetes. However, no significant associations were found between the score of DIS and diabetes incidents (HR = 0.83; 95%CI:0.59–1.15, p for trend = 0.286).

Conclusion
Greater adherence to EDIP and LIS scores was associated with a higher risk of diabetes, while no significant association was found between the DIS score and diabetes incident.