bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of systematic chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer: a retrospective study using Japanese clinical data
Authors: Akira Shinohara , Takumoto Yuki , Tauchi Junko , Morishita Kohki , Kawasaki Toshikatsu , Akazawa Manabu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP)and modified FOLFIRINOX (mFFX)are recommended as standard first-line treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer in Japan. Considering the emergence and associated costs of adverse events in clinical practice, it is unclear which treatment is more cost-effective: mFFX or GnP. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of mFFX and GnPin patients with metastaticpancreatic cancer in clinical practice in Jaan.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study compared patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer treated with mFFX or GnP between December 2013 and February 2017 at the National Cancer Center Hospital East. A partitioned survival model was developed featuring five mutually exclusive health states, namely, 1st line stable disease (1stSD), 1st progressive disease (1stPD), 2nd line stable disease (2ndSD), 2nd progressive disease (2ndPD), and death. A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to obtain the total costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). A 2% annual discount rate was applied to costs and outcomes. A one-way sensitivity analysis(OWSA) was performed to assess the effect of parameter uncertainty on the results. mFFX treatment involved the intravenous infusion of oxaliplatin, levofolinate, and irinotecan, while GnP treatment involved weekly intravenous administration of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Dosages were adjusted based on observed adverse events.
Results: The total costs of the mFFX and GnP arms were JPY 3,193,597 (USD 31,006) and JPY 3,913,171 (USD 37,992), respectively. Incremental total costs of JPY 719,574 (USD 6,986) were associated with GnP compared to mFFX. Total QALYs in the mFFX and the GnP arms were 0.427 and 0.435, respectively.
Conclusion: GnP was associated with slightly higher QALYs than mFFX in Japanese clinical practice and should be the preferred first-line treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer in Japan.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle (PhA) in adults with normal weight obesity and correlation of PhA with body composition
Authors: Luo Xi , Jin Weiwei 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Normal weight obesity (NWO) is defined as having a normal body mass index (BMI) accompany with a high percent body fat (PBF). Individuals with NWO have a higher risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiometabolic diseases and adverse health issues. Asian populations tend to have normal BMI with high PBF, which is concerning. The excessive adipose accumulation results in a significant reduction of health-related physical fitness and can affect the phase angle (PhA). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the body composition among Chinese adults with normal BMI, and to establish PhA reference data for NWO population.
Methods: A total of 4839 adult participants were enrolled for analysis. A four-group comparison of the PhA for participants categorized with NWO, NWO with low muscle mass, low muscle mass, and others were conducted. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the correlation between PhA and age, PBF, waist circumference (WC), visceral fat area (VFA), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) and BMI. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to determine the relationship between PhA and NWO, NWO with low muscle mass, low muscle mass, and others. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify the optimal PhA cut-off values for detecting NWO with low muscle mass in males and females.
Results: A significantly difference in PhA among participants with four groups (P <0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between PhA and WC, ASMI, BMI; but a negative correlation between PhA and age, PBF, VFA (P <0.001). The results of multivariate linear regression analysis showed that age, gender, PBF, and ASMI were independent and significant determinants of PhA in NWO participants (P <0.001). NWO, NWO with low muscle mass, low muscle mass were significantly and negatively associated with the PhA in males and females (P <0.001). These results indicated that NWO with low muscle mass was more strongly associated with the PhA than NWO and low muscle mass. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of PhA for NWO with low muscle mass was 0.786 (95% CI, 0.755-0.818, P<0.001) for males, and 0.746 (95% CI, 0.705-0.786, P <0.001) for females. The optimal cut-off value was ≤5.48° (specificity 0.660, sensitivity 0.782) for males, and ≤4.60° (specificity 0.788, sensitivity 0.565) for females.
Conclusion: A negative correlation was observed between PhA and PBF. PhA can be used as a predictor of NWO with low muscle mass, and the cut-off values were ≤5.55° for males and ≤4.79° for females. Simple and practical PhA-based prediction of pre-sarcopenic obesity in normal weight population would be useful in clinical practice.
Impact of renal impairment on chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients who are treated with trifluridine/thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor + bevacizumab for metastatic colorectal cancer: A retrospective study
Authors: Shibutani Masatsune , Tanda Hideki , Kasashima Hiroaki , Fukuoka Tatsunari , Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Maeda Kiyoshi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Although the phase III SUNLIGHT trial has demonstrated the survival benefit of the addition of bevacizumab (Bmab) to trifluridine/thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor (FTD/TPI), neutropenia, which frequently occurs during FDT/TPI + Bmab therapy, is a concern for clinicians. As TPI is excreted by the kidneys, the risk of adverse events is likely to be high in patients with an impaired renal function. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between renal impairment and the incidence of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia during FTD/TPI + Bmab therapy using real-world data.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 69 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who were treated with FTD/TPI + Bmab for more than 28 days. Patients with renal impairment with an eGFR of 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m2 were defined as the G3b group.
Results: Seven patients (10.1%) were classified into the G3b group. Among the 69 patients enrolled in this study, grade ≥3 neutropenia was observed in 34 patients (49.3%), and grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 9 patients (13.0%). Patients in the G3b group had an approximately 24% higher incidence of grade ≥3 neutropenia in comparison to others (71.4% vs. 46.8%), and the incidence of grade 4 neutropenia in the G3b group was significantly higher than that in others (42.9% vs. 9.7%, p=0.042). In an analysis limited to the G3b group, of the 5 patients who developed grade ≥3 neutropenia, four patients (80%) developed grade ≥3 neutropenia, and 2 (40%) developed grade 4 neutropenia within 30 days after initiation of FTD/TPI + Bmab therapy. However, the duration required for neutrophil count to recover to ≥1500 /mm3 and the treatment effects of the G3b group were comparable to those observed in other patients.
Conclusion: FTD/TPI + Bmab therapy is associated with a high risk of severe neutropenia within 30 days of initiation, especially in patients with a decreased renal function.
Examining the relationship between reproductive empowerment and contraceptive self-injection: tackling the endogeneity problem
Authors: Lydon Megan M , Burke Holly M , Anfinson Katherine M , Mulugeta Tihut , Anteneh Aderaw , Teklu Teferi , Chen Mario 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Self-care interventions, including contraceptive self-injectables such as subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC), are hypothesized to be empowering to users. It is also believed that those who are empowered are more likely to use self-care. Though critical for ensuring equity of these interventions, evidence for the relationship between empowerment and contraceptive self-care is scant. However, studying this relationship is challenging. In addition to the potential reversed causality between these two constructs, empowerment is determined by similar factors as the motivation for using self-care, contributing to an endogeneity problem. If not addressed, endogeneity can lead to incorrect causal assertions.
Methods: Using data from a study of 400 women from six public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia who opted to self-inject DMPA-SC, we assessed the directionality between the two constructs through two models: the first assessed the change in empowerment after participants’ first self-injection and the second assessedthe effect of empowerment on potential future use of self-injection. To address potential endogeneity, we identified instrumental variables of empowerment and then applied a two-stage regression approach to predict desire to continue self-injecting at follow-up with an instrument for empowerment, controlling for other variables.
Results: Empowerment scores among the 343 women who were followed-up were high and did not significantly change from baseline to endline. Most women (78%) wanted to continue self-injecting. The following variables were associated with endline empowerment, but not with desire to continue and were therefore used as instruments: religion, employment status and postsecondary school attendance. The final model did not identify a significant relationship between desire to continue self-injecting and empowerment. The test of exogeneity was marginally significant (p=0.08).
Conclusions: We did not find evidence of a significant relationship between reproductive empowerment and desire to continue self-injecting. Though there are limitations to this secondary data analysis, we recommend future research investigate this relationship using the methodology we demonstrate to address endogeneity inherent in answering this critical question about self-care interventions.
Characteristics of H3K27M-mutant diffuse gliomas with a non-midline location
Authors: Guidara Souhir , Seyve Antoine , Poncet Delphine , Leonce Camille , Bringuier Pierre-Paul , McLeer Anne , Sturm Dominik , Cartalat Stéphanie , Picart Thiebaud , Ferrari Anthony , Hench Jürgen , Frank Stephan , Meyronet David , Ducray François , Barritault Marc 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose: Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) with H3K27 alterations (H3K27M-DMG) are a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. In rare cases, H3K27 mutations have been observed in diffuse non-midline gliomas (DNMG). It is currently unclear how these tumors should be classified. Herein, we analyze the characteristics of DNMG with H3K27M mutations.
Methods: We reviewed the clinical, radiological and histological characteristics of all patients with an H3K27M mutated diffuse glioma diagnosed in our institution, between 2016 and 2023, to identify cases with a non-midline location. We then performed a molecular characterization (DNA methylation profiling, whole genome and transcriptome sequencing or targeted sequencing) of patients with an H3K27M-mutant DNMG and reviewed previously reported cases.
Results: Among 51 patients (18 children and 33 adults) diagnosed with an H3K27M diffuse glioma, we identified two patients (4%) who had a non-midline location. Including our two patients, 39 patients were reported in the literature with an H3K27M-mutant DNMG. Tumors were most frequently located in the temporal lobe (48%), affected adolescents and adults, and were associated with a poor outcome (median overall survival was 10.3 months (0.1-84)). Median age at diagnosis was 19.1 years. Tumors frequently harbored TP53 mutations (74%), ATRX mutations (71%) and PDGFRA mutations or amplifications (44%). In DNA methylation analysis, H3K27M-mutant DNMG clustered within or close to the reference group of H3K27M-mutant DMG. Compared to their midline counterpart, non-midline gliomas with H3K27M mutations seemed more frequently associated with PDGFRA alterations.
Conclusion: DNMG with H3K27M mutations share many similarities with their midline counterpart, suggesting that they correspond to a rare anatomical presentation of these tumors. This is of paramount importance, as they may benefit from new therapeutic approaches such as ONC201.
Profiling epithelial viral receptor expression in amniotic membrane and nasal epithelial cells at birth
Authors: Renouf Bailee , Sutanto Erika N. , Kidd Courtney , Lim James , Amin Minda , Berry Luke , Hoyne Gerard , D'Vaz Nina , Starcevich-Kicic Elizabeth , Stick Stephen M. , Iosifidis Thomas 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Children with wheeze and asthma present with airway epithelial vulnerabilities, such as impaired responses to viral infection. It is postulated that the in utero environment may contribute to the development of airway epithelial vulnerabilities. The aims of the study were to establish whether the receptors for rhinovirus (RV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are expressed in the amniotic membrane and whether the pattern of expression is similar to newborn nasal epithelium. Amniotic and newborn nasal samples expressed various receptors for RV, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 at the gene level, quantified by qPCR. In addition, protein expression of these receptors was confirmed in the amniotic samples by western blot, which were localised to the epithelial layer of the membrane using immunohistochemistry. This proof-of-concept study indicates the potential of amniotic samples to facilitate investigation into the interactions between the in utero environment and prenatal programming of epithelial innate immune responses to viruses.
Geochemistry and cyclostratigraphy of homogeneous deposits using high-resolution hand-held X-ray Fluorescence: Outcrop to subsurface correlation, sequence stratigraphy, and constraints on hiatuses (middle-Upper Eocene, Tunisia)
Authors: Messaoud Jihede Haj 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the applicability of the handheld X-ray fluorescence (HH-XRF) for studying homogenous deposits, which finds essential applications in economic geology and paleoenvironmental studies. We tested using the HH-XRF in thick mudstone series to delineate the sequence stratigraphic framework and redox conditions in the deep-water section and for outcrop to well correlation in the shallow water deposits. Samples that exhibit maximum or minimum values for Si and Ti elements were chosen for the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis to help establish sequence boundaries. A comparison of HH-XRF and ICP-MS for measuring major and minor element concentrations was applied to validate the HH-XRF data. The data was normalized by Al and Ti to reveal the major trends. Si/Al and Si/Ti measurements have proven particularly useful for delignating sequences in homogeneous deep-water mudstones and cyclostratigraphy. Changes in Mo/Al, As/Al, V/Cr, V/(V + Ni) and isolated peaks in Sulphur during the Lutetian – Bartonian transition have been related to Maximum Flooding Surfaces (MFS) or Sequence Boundaries (SB). They are, therefore, associated with condensation or no deposition rather than a significant change in oxygenation conditions in the bottom waters of the outer ramp of our basin. Consequently, they do not truly reflect dysoxia but rather the peculiar chemical conditions associated with condensation.
Studying the level of dialogical speech development in pupils with intellectual disorders as an indicator of their mental health
Authors: Haiash O. , Mykhalska S. , Myronova S. , Bielova O. 
Published: May 2024

Background. The research was aimed at studying the levels of development of dialogical speech in primary schoolchildren with intellectual disabilities (ID). In accordance with the purpose of the research, the following tasks were implemented: to carry out a theoretical analysis of the research problem; to develop criteria and indicators of the levels of dialogical speech development in younger schoolchildren with intellectual disabilities; to investigate the state and levels of development of dialogical speech in younger schoolchildren with intellectual disabilities in modern educational conditions. Materials and methods. To determine the levels of dialogical speech development, we have created a diagnostic program, criteria, and indicators for the development of dialogical speech in students with ID. Results. According to the results of the study, the high level of development of dialogical speech among primary schoolchildren with ID was not detected, 15.4 % of students showed sufficient level, 39.1 % — average level, 45.5 % had low level. Conclusion. Children with intellectual disabilities experience difficulties in independently formulating questions, choosing the necessary words in answers. In dialogue, younger schoolchildren with IP mostly use short, monotonous lines. Their answers are characterized by poor vocabulary, inaccurate use of words, morphological and syntactic agrammatism. This state of dialogical skills is due to the underdevelopment of coherent speech and basic mental operations such as analysis, synthesis, abstraction, generalization, comparison, systematization; inability to transfer acquired skills to a conversation situation, narrowing of verbal contacts, cognitive passivity. Their speech lacks emotion due to the inability of children with IP to use intonation.
The role of phenotypic factors in predicting the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis in children
Authors: Bodnia K.I. , Zosimov A.M. , Rogozhyn A.V. , Asoyan І.M. , Kondratyuk V.V. 
Published: May 2024

Background. The purpose was to study the prognostic role of some phenotypic factors in the effectiveness of tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis in children at present stage. Materials and methods. To study the role of phenotypic factors in predic­ting the effectiveness of tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis, an analysis was performed of dermatoglyphic indicators, gender, and the inactivation phenotype of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (IAH) in 76 children with tuberculin skin test conversion who underwent a 3-month course of preventive therapy with isoniazid. Dermatoglyphics of fingers and palms was determined according to the standard method [5]. The dynamics of skin sensitivity to tuberculin PPD-L according to the Mantoux test with 2 tuberculin units was used as a criterion for the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis. According to the latter, the examinees were divided into two groups: the first one consisted of 52 children in whom the size of a wheal decreased by 4 mm or more after the end of a course (effective chemoprevention); the second one included 24 patients in whom skin sensitivity to tuberculin increased or remained at the previous level or decreased by a wheal size for 3 mm or less (ineffective chemoprevention). Results. The conducted statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in 7 indicators between the groups (p < 0.05). Determination of their prognostic informativeness made it possible to rank the prognostic significance of phenotypic signs, namely: the size of the atd angle on the left palm (J = 1.7), the number of ulnar loops on the right hand (J = 1.4), the type of IAH inactivation (J = 1.3), the number of whorls on the right hand (J = 1.2), the total number of whorls (J = 1.1), the atd angle on the right palm (J = 0.7), the number of whorls on the left hand (J = 0.5). The correlation analysis between the dermatoglyphic indicators and the type of IAH inactivation showed that there are reliable connections between them (p < 0.05), but their number differs significantly in groups. In patients with ineffective chemoprophylaxis, the number of correlations (n = 13) exceeded that of the alternative group (n = 2) by more than 6 times, which indicates significant structural phenotypic differences. Conclusions. There were significant correlations between the type of IAH inactivation and dermatoglyphic indicators, but the number of such connections was 6 times higher in children with ineffective chemoprophylaxis than in the alternative group. This indicates that a more pronounced integration of dermatoglyphic genes and the ability to neutralize IAH is a favorable moment in general, but negative in relation to the effectiveness of tuberculosis prevention.
DEGRADATION ESTIMATION OF ROSUVASTATIN CALCIUM IN PHARMACEUTICAL TABLET FORMULATION
Authors: JANA KALLOL 
Published: May 2024

Objectives: The present objective was to undertaken the Rosuvastatin Calcium degradation in the tablets formulations with a rapid, economic, consistent, specific and simple analytical procedure.
Methods: The analytical RP-HPLC was validated with mobile phase composition of methyl alcohol : cyanomethane : water (45:35:20,v/v). The detection was achieved with a flow 1.0 ml/min by using octylsilane column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 µ), at 248 nm.
Results: The established analytical procedure of Rosuvastatin Calcium was validated statistically for reproducibility, accuracy, specificity as per ICH-guideline. The correlation coefficient was 0.999 with the linearity concentration range 140-260 µg/ml. The percentage recovery was achieved 99.86 to 106.12 and RSD% of precision was 0.599. The specificity was confirmed by excellent photolytic and thermal stability of Rosuvastatin Calcium. The degradation statistical recovery of Rosuvastatin Calcium in dry, wet and thermal stage ware 99.25%, 99.52 % and 99.64% respectively validated. The developed peaks in the chromatograms of alkali, oxidation and acid decomposition of Rosuvastatin Calcium were confirmed by screening the degradation peaks and the recovery percentage were found 23.16 %, 85.59 % and 66.33 % respectively.
Conclusions: The stress conditions of Rosuvastatin Calcium in degradation study is successfully developed and it is also important in stability to determined the highest lipid lowering agent in the body that block the manufacturing of cholesterol. The stress conditions like in aqueous acidic hydrolysis, oxidative, alkaline hydrolysis, thermal and photolytic degradation study was validated with a simple, cost efficient, linear, accurate, selective, specific, high performance liquid chromatography with a simple effortless mobile phase containing methyl alcohol, cyanomethane and water.