bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels and affecting factors among preconception fertile women
Authors: Fan Haiyan , Hui Lingyun , Yan Xiaoting , Hou Wei , Bai E , Wang Li , Yu Xuewen 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background
Recent study found that vitamin D before conception was considered as a potential additional determinant for achieving pregnancy and live births. The study aimed to evaluate the serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and its affecting factors among preconception fertile women.

Methods
This cross-sectional study enrolled 410 women aged 22-44 years who attended a preconception genetic counseling clinic from January 2018 to May 2019. Sociodemographic characteristics and reproductive history of women were collected, and height and weight were measured. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was assayed with chemiluminescence immunoassay. Descriptive statistics were used to examine serum 25(OH)D concentration, and socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive history among preconception women. Determinants of vitamin D deficiency and it’s affecting factors were assessed using χ2 test.

Results
Findings showed 84.4% of women had serum 25(OH)D concentration below 20 ng/mL. Women working indoors, without a history of childbirth, and young women aged 22-30 years had significantly lower 25(OH)D levels compared with those non-working individuals, giving birth to a live infant, and between 31-44 years (all P<0.05). The 25(OH)D levels were the lowest in winter than in spring, summer, and autumn (all P<0.001). Women had a RR of 3.472 (95% CI: 1.319 to 9.141) in winter to develop vitamin D deficiency. Seasonal variation in serum 25(OH)D levels was not present in non-working individuals and women aged 31-44 years.

Conclusions
Vitamin D deficiency is common among preconception women especially young women and working women, which propose to screen serum 25(OH)D on preconception evaluation and emphasize need vitamin D supplements and get sunshine exposure.
Quality of life and the prevalence of urinary incontinence after surgical treatment for gynecologic cancer
Authors: Nakayama Noriko , Tsuji Tetsuya , Aoyama Makoto , Fujino Takafumi , Liu Meigen 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Purpose

To examine the rates, causes, and impact on quality of life (QOL) of urinary storage symptoms after gynecologic cancer surgery.

Methods

A questionnaire survey, including Japanese-language versions of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), was distributed to gynecologic cancer patients who underwent hysterectomy between 2008 and 2013.

Results

Of the 145 patients analyzed, 49 (33.8%) had urinary incontinence (UI) pre-surgery and 76 (52.4%) had UI post-surgery, including 34 (35.4%) first-time UI patients, with a significant difference between pre- and post-surgery. Of the 49 subjects with UI pre-surgery, 43 (87.7%) had stress incontinence, while of the 76 patients with UI post-surgery, 44 (57.1%) had stress incontinence, and 24 (31.2%) had mixed incontinence. Seven (4.8%) subjects had overactive bladder (OAB) pre-surgery, whereas 19 (13.1%) had OAB symptoms post-surgery (including 15 first-time OAB patients), with a significant difference between pre- and post-surgery. IIQ-7 scores were markedly higher for patients with mixed incontinence post-surgery than for those with stress incontinence, indicating a lower QOL. Logistic regression analysis identified the number of Cesarean sections and days of urinary bladder catheterization as risk factors for postoperative UI.

Conclusions

UI and OAB rates were higher after gynecologic cancer surgery than in the general female population. The mixed incontinence rate was markedly higher post-surgery; QOL was low for such patients due to the combination of urgency and stress incontinence. Multiple Cesarean sections and urinary bladder catheterization post-surgery were risk factors for post-surgical UI.
Prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse in women, associated factors and impact on quality of life in rural Pakistan: population-based study.
Authors: Jokhio Abdul Hakeem , rizvi raheela mohsin , Mcarthur Christine 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a gynecological condition resulting from pelvic floor dysfunction in women. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse associated factors, duration and impact on women's quality of life in rural Pakistan.

Methods

A large population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in which a three stage random sampling strategy was applied: randomly selected health centres and randomly selected Lady Health Workers from each health centre who then interviewed a random sample of women in their households. The interview used a structured questionnaire to collect symptom data. Female gynaecologists then conducted a clinical examination at the local health centres on women who reported symptoms of prolapse to verify and grade pelvic organ prolapse using Baden-Walker classification system.

Results

Among the 5064 women interviewed (95.8% response rate), 521 women had clinically confirmed POP, a prevalence of 10.3% (95% CI 9-11%). Among women with POP 37.8% had grade III or IV prolapse. The highest rate of POP (25%) was found in women aged 36-40 years and a rate of 77.2% was found in women of parity 4 or more. Among women with POP, 60.8% reported their quality of life as greatly or moderately affected; 44.3% had it for more than 5 years; and 78.7% never consulted a doctor.

Conclusions

Pelvic organ prolapse is highly prevalent in rural Pakistan and impacts on women’s everyday lives and remains mainly untreated. Measures should be taken to provide health care services to reduce this burden of disease among women.
Can Apela be a Novel Target in the Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia?
Authors: Acik Didar Yanardag , Bankir Mehmet , Baylan Filiz Alkan , Aygün Bilal 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background: It has been shown that bcl2, bcl-XL and mcl-1 protein levels are high in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, and resultantly, apoptosis does not occur chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Apelin and apela are two peptide ligands for a class A G-protein coupled receptor called apelin receptor. Studies have shown that apella inhibits apoptosis by inhibiting apoptotic proteins and activating anti-apoptotic proteins. Proteins and genes involved in apoptosis are valuable for targeted cancer therapy. We hypothesized that serum levels may be increased in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia based on the antiapoptotic effect of apelin. We compared serum apelin levels of healthy volunteers and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We aimed to draw attention to a new molecule worthy of research in targeted cancer treatment.
Methods: 42 untreated CLL patients and 41 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Serum Apela levels were measured by by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Dhanghai Sunred Biological Technology co. Ltd), automated ELISE reader (Thermo Scientific, FİNLAND) and computer program (Scanlt for Multiscan F.C.2.5.1) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Statistical analysis was made by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows 20 (IBM SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) ve MedCalc programs. Apela and variables related to CLL were correlated with Spearman correlation anlysis test. ROC analysis and Youden index method were used to determine a cut off point for apela. All p-values were 2-sided with statistical significance at 0.05 alpha levels.
Results: In our study, we found that serum apela levels were significantly higher in patients with CLL.
Conclusions: This study highlights that apela targeting may be a potential therapeutic option for treating CLL.
Keywords: Apela; apelinergic system; chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; apoptosis
Liquid biopsy in early breast cancer. A preliminary report
Authors: RULLI ANTONIO , ANTOGNELLI CINZIA , SIGGILLINO ANNAMARIA , TALESA VINCENZO , SVITLANA ZAYIK , IZZO LUCIANO , MESSINEO DANIELA , LUDOVINI VIENNA , COVARELLI PIERO 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Liquid biopsy (LB) is a technique that utilizes circulating biomarkers from cancer patients to provide information regarding the genetic landscape of the cancer. LB is emerging as an alternative and complementary diagnostic and prognostic tool to surgical biopsy and is expected to provide the tool for the implementation of precision oncology in clinical settings. In fact, it may contribute to enhance understanding of tumor heterogeneity and permitting the dynamic monitoring of treatment responses and genomic variations. Thus, LB is a promising method for the management of cancer, including breast cancer (BC), whose incidence in Italy is progressively increasing. Previous studies focused mainly on patients with advanced-stage BC. In the present study we evaluated the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), the quantity of cell free tumor DNA (cftDNA) and the analysis of the mutational profile of DNA from CTCs (ctcDNA) and cftDNA in early stage BC patients.

Methods

Matched pre- and post-surgery blood samples were collected from 47 early stage BC patients. CTCs enumeration was done using Isoflux system, molecular profile of ctcDNA and cftDNA was performed with the Spotlight 59 Panels kit on a MiSeq Illumina instrument.

Results

Eighty percent of samples was CTCs-positive, while healthy controls were all CTCs-negative. Forty-four patients provided a pre-surgery and 21 post-surgery sample. By comparing the number of CTCs post-surgery with that of pre-surgery, we found that 66% of patients showed a decreased number of CTCs, 14% of patients continued to have the same number of CTCs, while, interestingly, 19% of patients showed an increased number of CTCs. NGS of ctcDNA and cftDNA showed that 52% of samples had mutations in 9 genes (TP53, CDKN2A, FBXW7, PTPN11, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, IDH1, ALK) and in 5 genes (PIK3CA, APC ALK, KRAS, TSC1), respectively, with KRAS and ALK overlapping and TP53 being the most frequently mutated gene in ctcDNA analysis.

Conclusions

LB could facilitate early detection of minimal residual disease, aiding in the initiation of adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence and progression towards metastasis, enhance individualized treatment and longitudinal screening, thus improving the clinical management and outcome of patients with early BC.
Vasculogenic mimicry as a poor diagnostic and prognostic indicator in patients with malignant‎ melanoma: A ‎systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Zhenhua , Imani Saber , Shasaltaneh Marzieh Dehghan , Hosseinifard Hossein , Linglin Zou , Fan Yu , Wen QingLian 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), a brand-new tumor microvascular model of non-endothelial cells, is proposed as an important therapeutic target in malignant melanoma (MM). We performed a systematic review to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostics accuracy of VM for overall survival of MM patients.
Methods The quality of the included studies was assessed by QUADAS-2 tool. Diagnostic capacity of VM variables were pooled by the Meta-Disc software in term of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC).
Results A retrospective observational study was conducted based on ‎ten studies including 978 clinically melanoma patients with proportion (P). VM+ melanoma cells are associated with poor prognosis in 38% of MM group (P = 0.35, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.27-0.42, P-value < 0.001). The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.79-0.84) and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.66-0.71), respectively. Furthermore, the pooled PLR, NLR, and DOR were 2.56 (95% CI: 1.94-3.93), 0.17 (95% CI: 0.07-0.42), and 17.75 (95% CI: 5.30-59.44), respectively. Also, the AUC of SROC was 0.63, indicating the highly conserving of VM as a biomarker‎. Importantly, subgroup results suggested that VM+ tumor was significantly accurate prognostics biomarkers when diagnosed by CD31-/PAS+ staining methods in Asian MM samples (P-value > 0.001).
Conclusions Our finding supports the VM+ tumor as a promising prognostic biomarker and effective adjuvant therapeutic strategy in prognostics of Asian MM patients.
Cell Cycle Arrest and Autophagy Induced by Compound Kushen Injection in sw620 and sw480 Colorectal Cancer Cells with p53 Mutation
Authors: Sun Jie , Wang Di , Zhang Yu , Mu Qing , Li Mei , Hou Xiaoli , Chen Jingyi , Yu Xin , Wang Shaojie , Yu Weidong 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Compound Kushen Injection (CKI) has been clinically used in China for 15 years to treat various types of solid tumors, including colorectal cancer. Here we examine cell cycle arrest, induced autophagy, and mutant p53 pathways perturbed by CKI in colorectal cancer cells. We and other groups have shown that CKI alters p53 gene expression patterns and suppresses proliferation in colorectal cancer cells.

Methods

We measured the effect of CKI on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and autophagy in sw480 and sw620 colorectal cancer cells in vitro, and carcinogenesis and the progression of azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced colorectal cancer in ICR mice in vivo. We also used RNA sequencing to analyze mRNA expression altered by CKI, and further validated the expression of mutant p53 and several genes in the cell cycle pathway using reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR and western blotting. Using network pharmacology (BATMAN-TCM database), we have also predicted the active ingredients in CKI involved in regulating the expression of mutant p53.

Results

We show evidence that CKI significantly suppressed proliferation and cell cycle progression, and induced autophagy of sw480 and sw620 cells in vitro; it also inhibited the development of inflammatory colorectal cancer in vivo. We also show that the down-regulated expression of mutant p53 and adjustments in several key genes related closely to cell-cycle progression. Furthermore, N-oxysophocarpine, lupenone, and geranylacetone were predicted to be the active ingredients of CKI involved in the down-regulated expression of mutant p53.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that CKI likely acts as a potential anti-cancer therapeutic agent that targets the cell cycle pathway, suggesting a key role in the development of a novel subsidiary therapeutic approach against mutant p53 in patients with colorectal cancer.
Rural-Urban Differences in Meeting Physical Activity Recommendations and Health Status in Cancer Survivors in Central Pennsylvania
Authors: Mama Scherezade K. , Bhuiyan Nishat , Foo Wayne , Segel Joel E. , Bluethmann Shirley M. , Winkels Renate M , Wiskemann Joachim , Calo William , Lengerich Eugene J. , Schmitz Kathryn H. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background: This study explored rural-urban differences in meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations and health status in cancer survivors in central Pennsylvania and associations between PA and health status.
Methods: Cancer survivors (N=2,463) were identified through a state cancer registry and mailed questionnaires assessing PA and health status. Rural-urban residence was based on county of residence at diagnosis. Participants self-reported frequency and duration of leisure-time PA and were classified as: 1) meeting aerobic recommendations (≥150 minutes/week), 2) muscle-strengthening recommendations (≥2 times/week), 3) both aerobic and muscle-strengthening recommendations, or 4) neither recommendation. Logistic regression models examined associations between rural-urban residence and meeting PA recommendations and associations between PA and health status, adjusting for cancer type, gender and income.
Results: Nearly 600 (N=591, 24.0%) cancer survivors returned completed questionnaires (rural 9.5%, urban 90.5%). Half (50.0%) of rural cancer survivors reported no leisure-time PA compared to 35.2% of urban cancer survivors (p=.020), and urban cancer survivors were 2.6 times more likely to meet aerobic PA recommendations (95% CI: 1.1-6.4). Odds of reporting good physical and mental health were 2.3 times higher among survivors who reported meeting aerobic recommendations compared to those who did not meet PA recommendations (95% CI: 1.1-4.5), adjusting for rurality and covariates.
Conclusions: Results demonstrate persistent rural-urban differences in meeting PA recommendations in cancer survivors and its association with self-reported health. These findings underscore the need for interventions to increase PA in rural cancer survivors in an effort to improve health status and reduce cancer health disparities in this population.
Mortality by colon, lung, esophagus, prostate, cervix and breast cancers in Brazilian capitals, 2000 to 2015: a multilevel analysis
Authors: RODRIGUES NÁDIA CRISTINA PINHEIRO , O’Dwyer Gisele , Andrade Mônica Kramer de Noronha , Monteiro Denise Leite Maia , Reis Inês Reis Nascimento , Frossard Vera Cecília , Gerardi Alyssa , Rodrigues Roberto Pinheiro , Lino Valéria Teresa Saraiva 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background. In Brazil, cancer is the second most common cause of death, and the most incident types of cancer are prostate, breast, lung, colon and rectum. This study aimed to analyze the role of period, geographic and socio demographic factors in cancer-related mortality by prostate, breast, cervix, colon, lung and esophagus cancer in Brazilians capitals from 2000 to 2015.
Methods. Data from 2005-2015 cancer mortality and resident population were collected from Information Technology Department of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS), the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and the Brazilian Mortality Information (SIM). State capitals were the study’s analytic units. A multilevel Poisson model was used to estimate the adjusted risk of cancer mortality (prostate, breast, cervix, colon, lung and esophageal cancers). The adjusted models included the following variables as fixed effects: age, Gross Domestic Product, region, year squared and year of death.
Results. A statistically significant difference was found between mortality rates by gender for colon, lung and esophageal cancers. The highest mortality rates were observed in the older age group, especially for prostate and lung cancers, which values were higher than 100 deaths per 100,000. Comparing with those aged 40-59 years, men older than 59 years showed 47 times higher mortality risk for prostate cancer, 8-9 times higher for lung or colon cancers and four times higher for esophageal cancer. Compared with those aged 40-59 years, women older than 59 years old showed 5-7 times higher mortality risk for esophageal, lung or colon cancers and 2-3 times higher for breast or cervix cancers.
Conclusions. Colon cancer mortality rate increased from 2000 to 2015 for both genders, while breast and lung cancers mortality increased over the period only for women. In both genders, the highest mortality risk for lung and esophageal cancers was observed in Southern capitals. Northern capitals had a lower risk of death by prostate and breast cancer and a higher risk of death by cervix cancer.
Weight Management Merits Attention in women with infertility: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Association of Anthropometric Indices with Hormonal Imbalance in a Ghanaian Population
Authors: Owiredu William K.B.A. , Ofori Peter Ntim , Turpin Cornelius Archer , Obirikorang Christian , Acheampong Emmanuel , Anto Enoch Odame , Owiredu Eddie-Williams , Adu Evans Asamoah 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Objective

This study determined the association of anthropometric indices with hormonal imbalance among infertile women in a Ghanaian population.

Results

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (18.47 vs 8.67, p-value =0.002), and luteinisation hormone (LH) (12.43 vs 8.01, p-value =0.044) were higher in women with primary infertility compared to women presenting with secondary infertility. WC and WHtR showed significant negative partial correlation with prolactin in both primary and secondary infertile women. Also a significant negative partial correlation was observed between BMI and prolactin in secondary fertility only. WHR showed a positive association with LH in both primary and secondary infertility. WHR also showed significant positive correlation to LH/FSH ratio in secondary infertility whereas BAI showed a negative correlation to LH/FSH ratio. In a correlation analysis of anthropometric measures with hormonal profile and aetiology of infertility as a fixed factor indicated that the association between anthropometric indices and fertility hormones is largely dependent on the aetiology of infertility.
Effects of Prophylactic Swallowing Exercises on Dysphagia and Quality of Life in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving (Chemo) Radiotherapy. The Redyor Study: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial.
Authors: Guillen-Sola Anna , Bofill-Soler Neus , Marco Ester , Pera-Cegarra Oscar , Foro Palmira 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background: Squamous carcinoma of the head and neck (HNC) has a high incidence in our context. Although therapeutic radiotherapy protocols try to preserve swallowing function and essential speech organs, dysphagia is a frequent symptom in the acute and long-term phases, due to the toxic effects of therapies needed to confront the illness. Some studies have shown prophylactic oropharyngeal exercises to be quite useful in improving swallowing function after completion of chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) protocols; others have focused on their use to prevent or minimize post-CRT swallowing dysfunction. Patients’ quality of life deteriorates greatly during CRT, with a peak of maximum intensity during the days immediately after finishing CRT treatment. Afterwards, function gradually improves, although scope or timeframe remains undetermined. Available evidence suggests that exercise therapy prior to oncological treatment could potentially improve deglutition and quality of life; however, a randomized study is needed to confirm this observation.
Design/Methods: The Redyor singe-blind randomized clinical trial is designed to compare the effect of prophylactic oropharyngeal exercises on quality of life, dysphagia, and sustainability to the length of rehabilitative treatment. At enrollment, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Both groups follow the protocol described here, although one group begins the training 2 weeks before initiating CRT and the other group just after finishing the therapy. Both groups will complete standard swallow therapy for training submental muscles involved and 3 sets of 5 inspiratory and expiratory repetitions using the Orygen Dual® valve, with a progressive weekly increase in workload.
Discussion: This ongoing clinical trial, registered in 2016, is based on the hypothesis that undergoing a pre-radiotherapy rehabilitation (pre-habilitation) program will have greater benefits (less decrease in quality of life, less delay in swallowing parameters, and less severe dysphagia) compared to post-CRT rehabilitation. The primary objective is to assess dysphagia severity and evaluate quality of life due to swallowing dysfunction in HNC patients. Secondary objectives are to assess the correlation between a clinical variable and instrumental parameters in this period