bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of top leadership culture and strategic sustainability orientation on sustainable development among Malaysian herbal‐based SMEs
Authors: Abdullahi Muhammad Auwal , Mohamed Zainalabidin , Shamsudin Mad Nasir , Sharifuddin Juwaidah , Ali Fazlin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEntrepreneurial activities cause a disastrous effect on us and our future generation due to its contribution to environmental degradation. Because of this, sustainable entrepreneurship practice becomes a resolution of ecological problems capable of addressing business change issues, public health, and safety concerns and crucial for sustainable development. Pollution was identified causing environmental degradation among the upstream and downstream players in Malaysian herbal industry. In response, the Malaysian government focused on ensuring that herbal‐based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) produce products through safe and environmentally friendly practices. Literature suggests that organizational culture influences sustainable entrepreneurship practice among small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises, hence provide them the opportunities to achieve sustainable business development. Nonetheless, its implementation among SMEs is still low due to numerous challenges. This paper intends to investigate the standpoints of herbal‐based SMEs on the influence of top leadership culture and strategic sustainability orientation on sustainable entrepreneurship practice towards achieving sustainable development. This study surveyed 300 herbal‐based SMEs in Malaysia, and data were analyzed using structural equation model. Structural equation model displays the interrelations among latent constructs and observable variables in a model. The results show that top leadership culture has both direct and indirect effect on sustainable practices through strategic sustainability orientation, accounting for 71.049% variance. Findings reveal that both top leadership culture and strategic sustainability orientation are significantly related to sustainable entrepreneurship practice among the respondents, thus substantiates and support previous findings on the crucial roles of top leadership culture and strategic sustainability orientation in enabling organizations to achieve sustainable development.
Shedding light on the determinants of eco‐innovation: A meta‐analytic study
Authors: Zubeltzu‐Jaka Eugenio , Erauskin‐Tolosa Artitzar , Heras‐Saizarbitoria Iñaki 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn the past decade a stream of studies has analyzed the determinants of eco‐innovation. Four main clusters of drivers have been identified in the literature: “technology push,” “market pull,” “regulatory push‐pull,” and “firm specific factors.” Nevertheless, the empirical quantitative and comparative analysis of those clusters is rare, scattered and inconclusive. This article aims to fill this gap by analyzing the determinants of eco‐innovation on the basis of a meta‐analytic study of quantitative empirical studies published over the period 2006 to 2017—a meta‐analysis which accounts for a total of 211,123 firms. The findings show that firms with collaborative networks and/or more environmental concern are more prone to eco‐innovate, emphasizing the role of “technology push” as the main cluster of determinants, regardless of whether a typology of eco‐innovation is included as a moderator in the meta‐analysis. Based on the results of the meta‐analytic study, the paper discusses several courses of action to foster eco‐innovation and achieve environmental benefits.
Statistical evaluation of mathematics lecture performances by soft computing approach
Authors: Gavrilović Snežana , Denić Nebojša , Petković Dalibor , Živić Nebojša V. , Vujičić Slađana 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMathematics lectures could be very challenging task for the both, teachers and pupils, since there are large education material which should be acquired throughout 1 year. Therefore there is need to improve the lectures in order to make it more interesting and attractive for pupils especially. In order to find a way how to improve the lectures, there is need to make statistical analysis in order to detect which factors are the most dominant for the mathematics lecture performance. For such a purpose, in this study soft computing approach, namely, adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was used. The ANFIS should determine what the qualitative influence of the several factors on the mathematics performance is. The results confirm that the application for education software could produce the best results in mathematics lecture.
Significant variations in the cervical cancer screening rate in China by individual‐level and geographical measures of socioeconomic status: a multilevel model analysis of a nationally representative survey dataset
Authors: Bao Heling , Zhang Lei , Wang Limin , Zhang Mei , Zhao Zhenping , Fang Liwen , Cong Shu , Zhou Maigeng , Wang Linhong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractVariations in cervical cancer screening rates in China have rarely been studied in depth. This study aimed to investigate cervical cancer screening rates in relation to both individual‐level and geographical measures of socioeconomic status (SES). Data were obtained from women aged 21 years or older by face‐to‐face interviews between August 2013 and July 2014 as part of the Chinese Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Surveillance. The geographical variables were obtained from the 2010 Chinese population census. The cervical cancer screening rates and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated and mapped. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted. Overall, only 21.4% (95% CI: 19.6–23.1%) of 91,816 women aged ≥21 years reported having ever been screened for cervical cancer and significant geographical variations at both province and county levels were identified (P < 0.01). The cervical cancer screening rates were the lowest among the poor [13.9% (95% CI: 12.1–15.7%)], uninsured [14.4% (95% CI: 10.3–18.4%)], less‐educated [16.0% (95% CI: 14.3–17.6%)], and agricultural employment [18.1% (95% CI: 15.8–20.4%)] women along with those residing in areas of low economic status [15.0% (95% CI: 11.8–18.2%)], of low urbanization [15.6% (95% CI: 13.4–17.7%)], and of low education status [16.0% (95% CI: 14.0–18.1%)]. The multilevel analysis also indicated that women with lower individual‐level measures of SES residing in areas with low geographical measures of SES were significantly less likely to receive cervical cancer screening (P < 0.0001). Despite the launch of an organized cancer screening program in China, cervical cancer screening rates remain alarmingly low and significant variations based on geographical regions and measures of SES still exist. It is therefore essential to adopt strategies to better direct limited available public resources to priority groups.
Epidemiology of multiple myeloma in 17 Latin American countries: an update
Authors: Curado Maria Paula , Oliveira Max M. , Silva Diego R. M. , Souza Dyego L. B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe objective of this study was to describe incidence, mortality rates, and trends for multiple myeloma (MM) in Latin America (LA), contributing to better knowledge on the epidemiology of MM in this continent. Incidence data were extracted from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), for the period 1990–2007. Mortality data were obtained for 17 countries from the World Health Organization, for the period 1995–2013. Annual average percentage change (AAPC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for incidence and mortality. The average incidence rate of MM was higher in Cali (Colombia). For the age‐group over 60 years old, rates were 14.2 and 12.8 per 100,000 inhabitants for men and women, respectively. Increasing incidence trends were verified for Cali (Colombia). Mortality rates were higher among men; most countries presented increasing trends, and the highest increments were observed in Guatemala (12.5% [95% CI: 10.6; 14.5] in men; 8.8% [95% CI: 7.8; 9.8] in women), Ecuador (5.5% [95% CI: 5.0; 6.0] in men; 3.7 [95% CI: 3.1; 4.3] in women), Paraguay (2.9% [95% CI: 2.3; 3.5] in men; 3.2% [95% CI: 2.1; 4.3] in women), and Brazil (1.4% [95% CI: 1.3; 1.5] in men; 0.9% [95% CI: 0.8; 1.0] in women). Multiple myeloma presented heterogeneous incidence patterns in Cali (Colombia), Quito (Ecuador), and Costa Rica. Increasing mortality trends were verified for most Latin American countries and could be related to limited access to diagnosis and new therapies.
Correlating colorectal cancer risk with field carcinogenesis progression using partial wave spectroscopic microscopy
Authors: Gladstein Scott , Damania Dhwanil , Almassalha Luay M. , Smith Lauren T. , Gupta Varun , Subramanian Hariharan , Rex Douglas K. , Roy Hemant K. , Backman Vadim 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPrior to the development of a localized cancerous tumor, diffuse molecular, and structural alterations occur throughout an organ due to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. This process is known as field carcinogenesis. In this study, we used partial wave spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy to explore the progression of field carcinogenesis by measuring samples collected from 190 patients with a range of colonic history (no history, low‐risk history, and high‐risk history) and current colon health (healthy, nondiminutive adenomas (NDA; ≥5 mm and <10 mm), and advanced adenoma [AA; ≥10 mm, HGD, or >25% villous features]). The low‐risk history groups include patients with a history of NDA. The high‐risk history groups include patients with either a history of AA or colorectal cancer (CRC). PWS is a nanoscale‐sensitive imaging technique which measures the organization of intracellular structure. Previous studies have shown that PWS is sensitive to changes in the higher‐order (20–200 nm) chromatin topology that occur due to field carcinogenesis within histologically normal cells. The results of this study show that these nanoscale structural alterations are correlated with a patient's colonic history, which suggests that PWS can detect altered field carcinogenic signatures even in patients with negative colonoscopies. Furthermore, we developed a model to calculate the 5‐year risk of developing CRC for each patient group. We found that our data fit this model remarkably well (R2 = 0.946). This correlation suggests that PWS could potentially be used to monitor CRC progression less invasively and in patients without adenomas, which opens PWS to many potential cancer care applications.
An open‐label, dose‐ranging study of Rolontis, a novel long‐acting myeloid growth factor, in breast cancer
Authors: Vacirca Jeffrey L. , Chan Arlene , Mezei Klára , Adoo Clarence S. , Pápai Zsuzsanna , McGregor Kimberly , Okera Meena , Horváth Zsolt , Landherr László , Hanslik Jerzy , Hager Steven J. , Ibrahim Emad N. , Rostom Makharadze , Bhat Gajanan , Choi Mi Rim , Reddy Guru , Tedesco Karen L. , Agajanian Richy , Láng István , Schwartzberg Lee S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis randomized, open‐label, active‐controlled study investigated the safety and efficacy of three doses of Rolontis (eflapegrastim), a novel, long‐acting myeloid growth factor, versus pegfilgrastim in breast cancer patients being treated with docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC). The primary efficacy endpoint was duration of severe neutropenia (DSN) during the first cycle of treatment. Patients who were candidates for adjuvant/neoadjuvant TC chemotherapy were eligible for participation. TC was administered on Day 1, followed by 45, 135, or 270 μg/kg Rolontis or 6 mg pegfilgrastim on Day 2. Complete blood counts were monitored daily when the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) fell to <1.5 × 109/L. Up to four cycles of TC were investigated. The difference in DSN (time from ANC <0.5 × 109/L to ANC recovery ≥2.0 × 109/L) between the Rolontis and pegfilgrastim groups was −0.28 days (confidence interval [CI]: −0.56, −0.06) at 270 μg/kg, 0.14 days (CI: −0.28, 0.64) at 135 μg/kg, and 0.72 days (CI: 0.19, 1.27) at 45 μg/kg. Noninferiority to pegfilgrastim was demonstrated at 135 μg/kg (P = 0.002) and 270 μg/kg (P < .001), with superiority demonstrated at 270 μg/kg (0.03 days; P = 0.023). The most common treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) were bone pain, myalgia, arthralgia, back pain, and elevated white blood cell counts, with similar incidences across groups. All doses of Rolontis were well tolerated, and no new or significant treatment‐related toxicities were observed. In Cycle 1, Rolontis demonstrated noninferiority at the 135 μg/kg dose and statistical superiority in DSN at the 270 μg/kg dose when compared to pegfilgrastim.
Serum exosomal microRNAs combined with alpha‐fetoprotein as diagnostic markers of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yurong , Zhang Chunyan , Zhang Pengjun , Guo Guanghong , Jiang Tao , Zhao Xiumei , Jiang Jingjing , Huang Xueliang , Tong Hongli , Tian Yaping 
Published: March 2018

AbstractExosomal microRNAs have recently been studied as the potential diagnostic marker for various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate serum exosomal microRNA profiles as HCC diagnostic marker. Transmission electron microscopy and Western blot were used to identify serum exosomes. Deep sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed microRNAs between HCC (n = 5) and liver cirrhosis (LC, n = 5) groups. Three upregulated and two downregulated microRNAs were selected for qPCR analysis. The levels of selected microRNAs were normalized to Caenorhabditis elegans miR‐39 microRNA mimics. Serum exosomal level of miR‐122, miR‐148a, and miR‐1246 was further analyzed and significantly higher in HCC than LC and normal control (NC) groups (P < 0.001), but not different from chronic hepatitis group (P > 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of candidate microRNAs. Area under the curve (AUC) of miR‐148a was 0.891 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.809–0.947] in discriminating HCC from LC, remarkably higher than alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) (AUC: 0.712, 95% CI: 0.607–0.803). Binary logistic regression was adopted to establish the diagnostic model for discriminating HCC from LC. And the combination of miR‐122, miR‐148a, and AFP increased the AUC to 0.931 (95% CI, 0.857–0.973), which can also be applied for distinguishing early HCC from LC. miR‐122 was the best for differentiating HCC from NC (AUC: 0.990, 95% CI, 0.945–1.000). These data suggest that serum exosomal microRNAs signature or their combination with traditional biomarker may be used as a suitable peripheral screening tool for HCC.
Human papillomavirus and survival of patients per histological subsite of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Haeggblom Linnea , Attoff Tove , Hammarstedt‐Nordenvall Lalle , Näsman Anders 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCurrent data advocate that oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) should be divided into subsites when evaluating the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and prognosis. More specifically, tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (BOTSCC) have much higher HPV prevalence compared to other OPSCC. Moreover, patients with HPV positive (HPV+) TSCC and BOTSCC have a better prognosis as compared to patients with HPV negative (HPV−) corresponding tumors, while the prognostic role of HPV in other OPSCC is unclear. Furthermore, in a recent report from Denmark, TSCC was further subclassified into specified TSCC (STSCC) and nonspecified TSCC (NSTSCC), with HPV significantly more prevalent in STSCC. In this study, the histopathological influence of HPV prevalence and survival in TSCC was analyzed in a TSCC cohort with known HPV status, of patients diagnosed 1970–2002 in Stockholm. In total, 139 TSCC biopsies with both tumor and adjacent normal tissue were separated into STSCC and NSTSCC. HPV was significantly more commonly found in STSCC than in NSTSCC. Patients with HPV+ STSCC had a better disease‐specific and overall survival as compared to patients with HPV+ NSTSCC, but no survival differences were observed in patients with HPV− STSCC and NSTCC. These findings confirm previous reports and suggest that TSCC subsite may also be of relevance for clinical outcome and should be further followed up in future studies.
lncRNA‐NKILA/NF‐κB feedback loop modulates laryngeal cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and radioresistance
Authors: Yang Tao , Li Shisheng , Liu Jiajia , Yin Danhui , Yang Xinming , Tang Qinglai 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLaryngeal cancer is one of the most common head and neck malignant tumors and is commonly resistant to X‐ray‐based radiotherapy. NF‐κB interacting lncRNA (NKILA) has been reported to serve as a tumor suppressor in several cancers through combining with NF‐κB: IκB complex thereby inhibiting NF‐κB activation. Herein, we demonstrated a low NKILA expression in laryngeal cancer and its correlation with shorter overall survival in patients with laryngeal cancer. NKILA serves as a tumor suppressor in laryngeal cancer by suppressing laryngeal cancer cell viability and migration, whereas promoting cell apoptosis; NKILA knockdown reverses the cytotoxicity of X‐ray radiation on laryngeal cancer cells through combining with NF‐κB: IκB complex to inhibit IκB phosphorylation, inhibit p65 nuclear translocation, and finally inhibit NF‐κB activation. NF‐κB binds to the promoter region of NKILA to activate its transcriptional activity, upregulated NKILA then inhibits IκB phosphorylation and NF‐κB activation, thus forming a negative feedback loop to sensitize laryngeal cancer cell to X‐ray radiation. In conclusion, NKILA can serve as a promising agent of enhancing the cytotoxicity of X‐ray radiation on laryngeal cancer and addressing the radioresistance of laryngeal cancer.
Importance of the site of positive surgical margin in salvage external beam radiation therapy for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Kashihara Tairo , Nakamura Satoshi , Wakita Akihisa , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Inaba Koji , Umezawa Rei , Shima Satoshi , Tsuchida Keisuke , Kobayashi Kazuma , Takahashi Kana , Murakami Naoya , Ito Yoshinori , Igaki Hiroshi , Fujimoto Hiroyuki , Uno Takashi , Itami Jun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine long‐term outcomes in patients who received salvage radiotherapy (SRT) for biochemical recurrence (BRec) of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP). One hundred and twenty patients with prostate cancer who underwent SRT for BRec after RP without evidence of clinical disease were identified in our institution from 2002 to 2014. Prescription doses to prostate beds were 64.8 Gy with a fractional dose of 1.8 Gy in 96.7% of the patients. In three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D‐CRT), the seminal vesicle bed (SVB) was not included in the radiation fields. The prognostic factors for BRec‐free survival (BRFS) and incidence of acute and late toxicities were investigated. Median follow‐up duration after SRT was 64.9 months. The 5‐year rates of BRFS, overall survival (OS), cause‐specific survival (CSS), and clinical recurrence‐free survival (CRFS) were 39.2%, 98.3%, 97.0%, and 91.9%, respectively. Only two patients experienced late grade 3 toxicity of hematuria. Multivariate analysis revealed that BRFS was significantly favorable in patients with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) values <0.5 ng/mL at the initiation of SRT and pathological Gleason score not including Gleason grade 5. In patients treated with 3D‐CRT, a positive surgical margin at the base of the prostate influenced BRFS unfavorably in comparison with positive surgical margins at other sites. SRT for patients with BRec after RP was performed very safely in our institution. However, to improve BRFS, adequate inclusion of the SVB appears mandatory, especially in cases of positive surgical margins at the base of the prostate.
Re‐irradiation of recurrent gliomas: pooled analysis and validation of an established prognostic score—report of the Radiation Oncology Group (ROG) of the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)
Authors: Combs Stephanie E. , Niyazi Maximilian , Adeberg Sebastian , Bougatf Nina , Kaul David , Fleischmann Daniel F. , Gruen Arne , Fokas Emmanouil , Rödel Claus M. , Eckert Franziska , Paulsen Frank , Oehlke Oliver , Grosu Anca‐Ligia , Seidlitz Annekatrin , Lattermann Annika , Krause Mechthild , Baumann Michael , Guberina Maja , Stuschke Martin , Budach Volker , Belka Claus , Debus Jürgen , Kessel Kerstin A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe heterogeneity of high‐grade glioma recurrences remains an ongoing challenge for the interdisciplinary neurooncology team. Response to re‐irradiation (re‐RT) is heterogeneous, and survival data depend on prognostic factors such as tumor volume, primary histology, age, the possibility of reresection, or time between primary diagnosis and initial RT and re‐RT. In the present pooled analysis, we gathered data from radiooncology centers of the DKTK Consortium and used it to validate the established prognostic score by Combs et al. and its modification by Kessel et al. Data consisted of a large independent, multicenter cohort of 565 high‐grade glioma patients treated with re‐RT from 1997 to 2016 and a median dose of 36 Gy. Primary RT was between 1986 and 2015 with a median dose of 60 Gy. Median age was 54 years; median follow‐up was 7.1 months. Median OS after re‐RT was 7.5, 9.5, and 13.8 months for WHO IV, III, and I/II gliomas, respectively. All six prognostic factors were tested for their significance on OS. Aside from the time from primary RT to re‐RT (P = 0.074) and the reresection status (P = 0.101), all factors (primary histology, age, KPS, and tumor volume) were significant. Both the original and new score showed a highly significant influence on survival with P < 0.001. Both prognostic scores successfully predict survival after re‐RT and can easily be applied in the routine clinical workflow. Now, further prognostic features need to be found to even improve treatment decisions regarding neurooncological interventions for recurrent glioma patients.
A prospective study of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products and adipokines in association with pancreatic cancer in postmenopausal women
Authors: White Donna L. , Hoogeveen Ron C. , Chen Liang , Richardson Peter , Ravishankar Milan , Shah Preksha , Tinker Lesley , Rohan Thomas , Whitsel Eric A. , El‐Serag Hashem B. , Jiao Li 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAdvanced glycation end products (AGEs) dysregulate adipokines and induce inflammation by binding to their adipocyte receptor (RAGE). Soluble RAGE (sRAGE) prevents AGEs/RAGE signaling. We performed a nested case–control study of the association between sRAGE, adipokines, and incident pancreatic cancer risk in the prospective Women's Health Initiative Study. We individually matched controls (n = 802) to cases (n = 472) on age, race, and blood draw date. We evaluated serum concentrations of sRAGE, adiponectin, leptin, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI1) using immunoassay. We used conditional logistic regression model to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pancreatic cancer over biomarker quartiles (Q1–Q4). We used principal component analysis to create two composite biomarkers and performed a confirmatory factor analysis to examine the association between composite biomarker scores (CBS) and pancreatic cancer risk. Baseline serum sRAGE concentrations were inversely associated with pancreatic cancer risk (aORQ4 vs. Q1 = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50–0.99). High MCP1 (aOR Q4 vs. Q1 = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.41–4.61) and the higher CBS including MCP1, PAI1, and leptin (aORQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.04–3.18) were also associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk among women with BMI <25 kg/m2 (P values for interaction <0.05). We found an inverse association between prediagnostic sRAGE concentrations and risk of incident pancreatic cancer in postmenopausal women. A proinflammatory CBS was associated with increased risk only in women with normal BMI. MCP1 was not modulated by sRAGE.