bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disparities in Native American Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An NCDB Analysis
Authors: Al Kurnas Mohammed , Mishra Anjali , Wu Xinxin , Silberstein Peter 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is on the rise in the United States and worldwide. Native Americans have been found to have higher rates of mortality from HCC compared to the rest of the population. The purpose of this study is to identify disparities that affect Native Americans with HCC. METHODS This retrospective cohort analysis utilizing the National Cancer Database identified 275801 patients diagnosed with HCC (ICD-8170-3) between 2004 and 2020. Descriptive statistics for all HCC patients were collected. Those who identified as American Indian, Aleutian, or Eskimo were grouped as Native American, and all other races (AOR) were grouped as other. Sex, median household income, and facility type were compared between Native American patients and patients of AOR using Pearson Chi-Square test. Age at diagnosis and great circle distance between Native Americans and AOR were evaluated using independent t-test. All variables were evaluated for a significance of P < 0.05. RESULTS In total, 2078 cases were in Native Americans (0.8%) with 205246 cases in white patients (74.4%) and 40772 cases in black patients (14.8%). Native Americans had a higher proportion of female patients compared to AOR (30.8% vs. 25.8%, P < 0.05). Native Americans were less likely to be treated at an academic facility compared to AOR (42.2% vs. 51.0%, P < 0.05). Native Americans were also more likely to be lower income when compared to AOR (51.0% vs 39.6%). The average age at diagnosis was significantly lower in Native Americans compared with AOR (61.6 years vs. 64.1 years, P < 0.05). Great circle distance was significantly greater for Native Americans compared with AOR (90.8 miles vs. 40.6 miles, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Having identified significant disparities in Native Americans with HCC, we hope this can provide a starting point in studying the effects these disparities may have on treatment outcomes and overall survival.
Epidemiology of Lymphomas in Latin America
Authors: Beltran Brady , Torres Maria , Villela Luis , Idrobo Henry , von Glasenapp Alana , Valvert Fabiola , Oliver Carolina , Roa Macarena , Candelaria Myrna , Stemmelin German , Rios Rosa , Perini Guilherme , Zamora Marcela , Macias Jose , Leautaud Veronica , Flowers Christopher 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common hematological cancer worldwide. T/NK cell and viral-associated NHL (EBV, HTLV-1) are aggressive cancers that, although considered rare in the United States, are commonly seen in Latin American (LATAM) countries and carry poor outcomes with conventional therapies. This study aims to address the significant burden of NHL in LATAM by establishing the ‘Epidemiology of Lymphomas in Latin America (ELLA)’ cohort study. The purpose is to improve understanding of NHL prevalent in LATAM, develop novel prognostication models, and explore novel immunotherapeutic strategies using antigen-discovery platforms. METHODS The ELLA study proposes a prospective cohort design over 5 years, involving the enrollment of up to 3,000 newly diagnosed NHL patients in LATAM enriched for T/NK and viral-associated NHL (e.g. peripheral T cell lymphomas, EBV positive lymphomas). Clinical data will be recorded into RedCap database (powered by MD Anderson’s RedCap system); germline DNA and tumor samples will be collected at diagnosis and to perform WES and RNA seq. Current prognostic scoring systems (developed in Causian populations) will be validated and develop novel prognostic scoring systems for patients with NHL in LATAM. We will also characterize the immunologic landscape of T/NK and viral-associated NHL using the generated genomic data and for epitope discovery and mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidome validation for the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies. RESULTS The Grupo de Estudio Latinoamericano de Linfoproliferativos (GELL) has collected retrospective data and tumor samples of >5000 LATAM NHL patients. Leveraging GELL’s experience, through the establishment of the ‘ELLA’ cohort study, prospective data on NHL patients in LATAM will be gathered. To date, we have validated the IPI, R-IPI, PIT, and NCCN IPI scores in LATAM NHL patients and have developed novel prognostic models for HTLV-1-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and EBV positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Genomic sequencing of patients with these viral-associated NHL is undergoing. CONCLUSION The 'ELLA' cohort study holds promise in addressing the disparities and challenges faced by NHL patients in LATAM. By empowering local clinicians and scientists, narrowing healthcare disparities, and improving prognostication and therapeutic strategies, this study aims to improve outcomes, survivorship, and the development of clinical trials in the region.
Evaluation of Urban Versus Rural Epidemiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Africa
Authors: Mann Erin , Loon Erica , Akambase Joseph , Searle Kelly , Debes Jose 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Sub-Saharan Africa carries one of the highest burdens of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the world, with hepatitis B (HBV) as the most common cause. Globally, there is evidence that rural communities experience disproportionate cancer morbidity compared to urban ones. However, no study has examined these differences in Africa. METHODS We performed a systematic review of studies on HCC in Africa, later completing a meta-analysis using data from those studies to assess mean age, proportion of males, and of HBV positive patients in relation to location of the study. Using land-use/land cover data available from European Space Agency sentinel imagery on Africa, we categorized locations and calculated the distance in kilometers from each study site to the closest rural area (agricultural land). These distances were divided into halves and subsequent quartiles. Logistic regression models were fit to estimate 1) the association between distance to the closest rural area and HBV and 2) the association between distance to the closest rural area and gender. Weighted mean age was calculated for each quartile. RESULTS 978 studies were retrieved through electronic database search. After removing duplicates and relevance, fifty-seven articles were included. Data on 10,608 patients was used in the meta-analysis across 19 countries in Africa. 74% of patients were male and the weighted mean age was 52.5 years. Proximity to a rural area was associated with increased odds of HBV after controlling for country, with locations closest to a rural region (<3.2 km) having 3.1 times higher odds of HBV-HCC (95% CI 2.65 - 3.60, p <0.001) compared to patients in locations furthest from rural areas (>9.5 km). When analyzing only studies in West Africa, those in locations closest to rural areas also showed higher odds of HBV-HCC (OR: 1.43, 95% CI 1.15-1.76, p<0.001) compared to those furthest from rural areas. However, patients in studies between 6.3 and 9.5 km had decreased odds of HBV (OR: 0.42, 95% CI 0.28-0.63, p<0.001). No association was found between proximity to a rural area and gender or age (50, 53, 47 and 53 y/o, respectively, per distance quartile). CONCLUSION We found an association between proximity to a rural area and odds of HBV-associated HCC in Africa in the first study of its kind. Further research is needed to understand the burden of HBV-related HCC in Africa across rural and urban areas.
Exploring pVHL Regulation of α5 Integrin by the Endocytic Pathway in Relation to Kidney Cancers Resulting From VHL Disease
Authors: Dave Chandni 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE The Von-Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene encodes for a tumor suppressor protein, pVHL, which is responsible for the regulation of a family cancer syndrome. Mutations in pVHL render the protein non-functional which can lead to VHL disease and the growth of benign and malignant tumors. pVHL is part of the ubiquitin E3 ligase complex which attaches ubiquitin to target substrates. Alpha 5 (α5) integrin levels have shown to decrease in the presence of functional pVHL, however, the mechanism by which the process occurs is unclear. It is hypothesized that mutations in pVHL could inhibit integrin degradation and allow some integrins to recycle to the cell membrane leading to tumor metastasis. METHODS Endocytic pathway proteins Rab5a and Rablla were used as vesicle markers to characterize the movement of integrins on the pathway. The 786-O cell line comes from a patient that had VHL disease. 786-O VHL– cells are the parental line that do not have a functional VHL gene. 786-O VHL+ cells are a cell line in which a functional copy of the VHL gene was reintroduced as a plasmid to the parental cell line. The 786-O cell lines will be immunostained to determine changes in abundance and location of vesicles containing these proteins. RESULTS Immunostaining revealed that Rab11a has been shown to localize closer to the surface of cancerous 786-O cells in comparison to non-cancerous 786-O cells. Immunostaining of the Rab5a dominant active form Q79L was shown to form large vesicles in VHL+ cells while the dominant negative Rab5a S34N was shown to form smaller vesicles in VHL+ cells. CONCLUSION Rab11a may play a role in the mechanism behind tumor development in VHL disease because of the distinct organization of the proteins to the cell surface in cancerous 786-O cells. Rab5a dominant active and dominant negative forms have been shown to affect the formation of vesicles between VHL– and VHL+ 786-O cells. Immunostaining and immunoprecipitation assays will be conducted to determine whether Rab11a and Rab5a colocalize with α5 integrin.
Exploring Regional Disparities: Access to Non-Surgical Liver Neoplasm Treatments in Brazil
Authors: da Silva Meneses Beatriz , Eduarda de Aguiar Tavares Marcella , Krug Alana Bruna , da Silva de Carvalho Luiza , Dornelas Luana Baptistele , Vitória da Silva Vieira Laynara , Pitombo Marcos Bettini 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE To investigate the geographic accessibility of non-surgical treatments for liver neoplasms across Brazilian regions, analyzing the correlation between the patient's residential location and hospitalization site. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted following the STROBE checklist, utilizing DATASUS’s Hospital Information System. Data confidentiality and ethical approval were ensured. All percutaneous alcohol injection, radiofrequency ablation, and chemoembolization from all hospitals were searched. Based on the PICO principle: People with liver cancer in Brazil from 2013 to 2023 (Population) analyzing the correlation between the patient's residence location and the patient's place of hospitalization for percutaneous alcohol injection (Cod: 0416040179), radiofrequency ablation (Cod: 0416040187), and chemoembolization (Cod: 0416040195) (Interest) Brazilian region (Context). RESULTS In our analysis of patients undergoing liver neoplasm treatment search a total of 14104 procedures. A descriptive statistical analysis of hospitalization data unveils a noteworthy trend in patient relocation. The North showed the highest relocation rate (91.41%) only 17 inpatients at local hospitals out of a total of 198 with liver cancer. The Midwest region also stood out due to migration, with 237 patients treated at local hospitals out of a total of 467 residents, there were 230 migrations (49,25%). The South region (0.93%, 31 inpatients) smaller migration. The Southeast region, witnessing a substantial influx of 8142 hospitalizations compared to 7767 residents (increase of 4.8% due to patient migration). The Northeast region, where hospitalizations sums up to 2431, accounting for 2364 resident patients (2.83% increase due to migration). CONCLUSION The North region may see high patient mobility for medical care, contrasting with the Southeast. The healthcare gap highlights the need for equity measures and regional integration to enhance liver cancer treatment for all patients, regardless of location.
Future Fertility Among Pediatric Cancer Patients: Experiences and Perspectives of Health Workers in a Low Resource Setting
Authors: Kayiira Anthony , McLaughlin Sarah , John Jennifer Neda , Zaake Daniel , Xiong Serena , Balagadde Joyce Kambugu , Gomez-Lobo Veronica , Wabinga Henry , Ghebre Rahel 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE While fertility preservation for childhood and adolescent cancer patients is considered standard of care in the high-resource settings, it is rarely offered in low-resource settings. This study explores the experiences and perspectives of oncology healthcare professionals in Uganda to identify contextual barriers and facilitators to addressing oncofertility in low-resource settings. METHODS As part of the Understanding Reproductive Health among Survivors of Pediatric and Young adult (URHSPY) cancers project, we conducted in-depth interviews of healthcare professionals involved in the cancer care of pediatric patients at the Uganda Cancer Institute. Participants were asked about their understanding of fertility preservation for pediatric cancer patients and their perspectives on implementing this care in the institution. This qualitative approach applied ground theory methodology. Interview transcripts were openly coded and analyzed into refined categories and concepts. RESULTS Twelve healthcare professionals were interviewed. Most participants identified as female (n=9). Their role in the medical team varied from nurses (n=6), medical officers (n=3), pediatric oncologists (n=2), and pediatric oncology fellow (n=1). Six themes were noted: (1) Importance of information, (2) Importance of future fertility, (3) inadequate consideration to future fertility, (4) communication barriers, (5) inadequate knowledge, and (6) resource barriers. CONCLUSION Although healthcare providers at the Uganda Cancer Institute face contextual barriers to addressing future fertility among pediatric cancer patients, they value the importance of preserving fertility in this population. Future initiatives that aim to introduce oncofertility care in low-resource settings should prioritize educating providers and building capacity to meet the oncofertility needs in this setting.
Interactive Education Promotes Cervical Cancer Preventative Practices in Northwest Nigeria: Interactive Education Promotes Cervical Cancer Preventative Practices in Northwest Nigeria
Authors: Mfuh Anita Yafeh , Lukong Christopher , Ejembi Clara 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Cervical cancer is a significant health issue worldwide. In 2020, it accounted for 604 000 new cases and 342 000 deaths (WHO, 2022), with low- and middle-income nations contributing over 90% of new cases and related deaths worldwide (Sung, 2021). Nigeria has one of the highest rates of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa (Bruni et al, 2021). Lack of awareness about cervical cancer prevention was reported in 72.2% of studies of young people (Adewumi et al., 2022). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cervical cancer prevention interactive education program on female student`s knowledge and willingness to prevent cervical cancer in Northwest Nigeria. METHODS We employed a quasi-experimental design with a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. Respondents were of ages 18-35 years recruited by clustering faculties and using systematic sampling method. Information about cervical cancer and prevention was administered twice, with a 6-hour interval after the education by lecture method using power-point. Data analysis was by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive and inferential statistics for frequency distribution, chi square test and paired t-test were computed. RESULTS Knowledge mean score for cervical cancer improved from (11.33±7.28) at pre intervention to (21.20±47) at post intervention phase. Knowledge of cervical cancer prevention also increased, from a mean score of 0.99 to 1.44 between pre- and post-test. The intention towards preventing cervical cancer also increased from an aggregate mean score at pretest of 1.11 to 1.37 at posttest. The paired t- test also showed a difference in the mean pretest and post test score (t =4.406 p = 0.012) and implied knowledge gain for cervical cancer prevention. CONCLUSION Educational intervention was effective at improving student`s knowledge of cervical cancer and their intent to prevent it. We therefore recommend that educational interventions should be carried out among students in northwest Nigeria.
Metabolic Reprogramming and Extracranial Solid Tumor Evolution in Infants
Authors: Subramanian Poorvi , Aravindan Natarajan 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Disease progression after intensive multi modal clinical therapy poses grave concern not only on the quality of life but on the very survival of children presented with neuroblastoma. Acquired modifications of energy metabolism in the tumor cells that defy clinical therapy plays pivotal role in frequent and rapid tumor relapse. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigated the mechanisms of how these cells adopt metabolic rearrangements with therapy pressure. Our earlier findings showed the constitutive availability of retinal degeneration protein 3 (RD3) in human fetal tissues beyond retina, displayed its functional role in tumor pathogenesis, and unearthed its significance in neuroblastoma clinical outcomes. Herein, with the gene surrogate strategy, the whole genome RNA sequencing in reverse engineered (bed-to-bench) patient derived cell lines showed a patient-independent, RD3-dependent stabilization of metabolic programming. Loss of RD3 altered crucial metabolic pathways and coordinated metabolic mayhem in high-risk stage-4 disease. Evaluating the glycolysis phenotype with seahorse revealed that RD3 loss dependent increase in extracellular acidification rate (EACR) associated with glycolysis, glycolytic capacity and glycolytic reserves in therapy defying progressive disease. Critically, therapeutic delivery of RD3 (custom archived and characterized RD3 peptide candidates) significantly deregulated glycolysis in such progressive disease that lack RD3, recognizing a RD3-dependent regulation of metabolic activity. CONCLUSION Our study outcomes clearly portrayed the thus far unrealized significance of therapy pressure driven RD3 loss mediated metabolism deregulation in neuroblastoma. Crucially, these new findings will pave way for the identification of a novel targeted maintenance therapeutic strategy for treatment of this deadly disease.
Circulating Lipid Profiles Associated With Resistance to Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Lin Hui-Ming , Yang Xiaoyu , Centenera Margaret M. , Huynh Kevin , Giles Corey , Dehairs Jonas , Swinnen Johannes V. , Hoy Andrew J. , Meikle Peter J. , Butler Lisa M. , Taplin Mary-Ellen , Horvath Lisa G. 
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE Intense androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) before radical prostatectomy (RP) produced favorable pathologic responses in approximately 20% of patients. The molecular reason for the low rate of response remains unclear. Lipid metabolism is known to influence androgen receptor signaling and ARPI efficacy. The aim of the study was to identify circulating lipid profiles associated with ADT/ARPI resistance in localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two independent experimental approaches were used. Experiment 1: Post hoc analysis of the association between plasma lipidomic profiles and ADT/ARPI response was performed on patients (n = 104) from two phase II trials of neoadjuvant ADT/ARPI. Response to ADT/ARPI was defined by pathologic response. Experiment 2: Patient-derived tumor explants from RP (n = 105) were cultured in enzalutamide for 48 hours. Explant response to enzalutamide was evaluated against pre-RP plasma lipidomic profiles (n = 105) and prostate tissue lipidomic profiles (n = 36). Response was defined by Ki67 (cell proliferation marker) fold difference between enzalutamide and vehicle-treated explants. In both experiments, associations between lipid profiles and ADT/ARPI response were analyzed by latent class analysis. RESULTS Pretreatment plasma lipid profiles classified each experimental cohort into two groups with differences in ADT/ARPI response rates. The response rates of the groups were 9.6% versus 29% in experiment 1 (chi-squared test P = .012) and 49% versus 70% in experiment 2 (chi-squared test P = .037). In both experiments, the group with a higher incidence of ADT/ARPI resistance had higher plasma levels of sphingomyelin, glycosylceramides, free fatty acids, acylcarnitines, cholesterol esters, and alkyl/alkenyl-phosphatidylcholine and lower plasma levels of triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, and phosphoethanolamine (t-test P < .05). CONCLUSION Pretreatment circulating lipid profiles are associated with ADT/ARPI resistance in localized cancer in both human cohorts and explant models.
Enhancing the antibacterial and surface hardness of glass ionomer cement modified with Salvadora persica and Chlorhexidine: An in vitro study
Authors: Siddiqui Adel Zia , Sultana Nighat , Mirani Zulfiqar Ali , Alkhureif Abdulaziz Abdullah , Rehan Faisal , Siddiqui Iftikhar Ahmed 
Published: July 2024

Objective: This laboratory study evaluated the effect of Salvadora persica (S. persica) root extracts and Chlorhexidine Digluconate (CHX) on the antibacterial and surface hardness properties of glass ionomer cement (GIC).
Methods: The in vitro experimental study was conducted at the Baqai Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan, from October 2022 to March 2023. There were a total four experimental groups. The first group consisted of ethanol extract (GIC-SPEE) and second group consisted of hexane extract as (GIC-SPHE) both prepared from Salvadora persica root respectively, and mixed with liquid of GIC separately. The third group comprised chlorhexidine (GIC-CHX) that was also mixing into liquid portion of GIC and the last group was Control i.e. (cGIC). The GIC samples were prepared by using stainless steel metallic moulds with dimension (5mm x 2mm), following the manufacturer guidelines. Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans was done by disc diffusion test (DDT), and surface hardness test was done by Vickers hardness tester. Statistical analysis was performed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests (p<0.05).
Results: The antibacterial activity against S. mutans reported that the maximum zone of inhibition was obtained at 3 wt% by the GIC-SPEE, when compared with other experimental groups. For surface hardness, the highest mean and standard deviation and significant findings was reported by the group GIC-SPEE.
Conclusions: Considering the outcome of this in vitro study, it can be concluded that the addition of 3 wt% GIC-SPEE increased the surface hardness and antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.9190
How to cite this: Siddiqui AZ, Sultana N, Mirani ZA, Alkhureif AA, Rehan F, Siddiqui IA. Enhancing the antibacterial and surface hardness of glass ionomer cement modified with Salvadora persica and Chlorhexidine: An in vitro study. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(8):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.9190
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.