bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary evaluation of the consistency between prediction of drug sensitivity and clinical treatment in organoid model of secondary liver cancer
Authors: Wei Wei , Guo Hui-Long , Chen Jing-Yao , Jiang Xiao-Feng 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Aim
To establish a clinically applicable organoid-based model for drug sensitivity and evaluate its predictive accuracy in determining the effectiveness of chemotherapy for secondary liver cancer arising from gastrointestinal tumors.
Methods
Relevant information and tumor tissue from four cases of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis (synchronous or metachronous), and a case of gastric cancer with liver metastasis, were collected at the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2022. Liver metastasis organoid models were established, and drug sensitivity tests for fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan were conducted. Drug sensitivity of liver metastatic organoids was assessed using IC50 values. Changes in tumor size in patients before and after clinical drug administration were calculated based on RECIST 1.1 criteria. The relationship between drug sensitivity scores of organoids and tumor size before and after treatment was analyzed.
Results
Four colorectal cancer liver metastases and one gastric cancer liver metastases were successfully cultured from patient samples. Histological staining verified the homogeneity of these models. Consistency was observed between the drug sensitivity scores of the organoids and the changes in tumor size in patients before and after clinical drug administration.
Conclusion
The organoid model drug sensitivity testing of secondary liver cancer originating from gastrointestinal tumors can effectively predict the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs in clinical practice and guide treatment decisions.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy is beneficial for a subgroup of patients with urothelial cancer and solitary metastatic disease: a single institution real-world experience
Authors: Svedman Fernanda Costa , Holmsten Karin , Jawdat Faith , Hailom Wehazit , Alm Daniel , Grozman Vitali , Ullén Anders 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Standard treatment options for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) include systemic platinum-based chemotherapy, immunotherapy, antibody-drug-conjugates, and targeted therapy. Oligometastatic disease (OMD) may be an intermediate state between localized and generalized cancer. The best treatment strategy for OMD and oligoprogressive (OPD) disease is poorly studied in mUC but local stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) could be an option to avoid or delay systemic treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of SBRT given in a real-world patient population.
Methods
All patients with mUC treated with SBRT at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden between 2009 and 2022 were included in this study. Baseline clinical characteristics, treatment data, SBRT dosimetry data and treatment outcome were collected retrospectively. The study endpoints were local control rate (LCR), progression-free-survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and feasibility of SBRT.
Results
In total 39 patients were treated with SBRT. The median follow-up was 25.6 months. The LCR was 82%. PFS and OS were 4.1 and 26.2 months, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated; all patients but one (treatment related pain) completed the planned SBRT. Number of metastases irradiated with SBRT was significantly associated with outcome; patients with only one irradiated lesion had more favourable PFS compared to individuals with 2 or more metastases (HR 4.12, 95% CI: 1.81–9.38, p = 0.001). A subgroup of patients (15%) achieved a sustained long-term survival benefit and never required systemic treatments after SBRT.
Conclusions
SBRT was well tolerated and associated with high LCR. A subpopulation of patients with single metastatic lesion achieved long-term OS and never required subsequent systemic treatment after SBRT. Prospective randomized studies are warranted to discover treatment predictive biomarkers and to investigate the role of SBRT in oligometastatic UC.
IAMPDB: A Knowledgebase of Manually Curated Insects-Derived Anti-Microbial Peptides
Authors: Samanta Sintu Kumar , Mondal Rajat Kumar , Tripathi Prabhat , Mondal Rudra Prasad , Sen Debarup , Arya Ankish , Karmakar Debayan , Pal Oshin , Dey Avijit 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Insects, a majority of animal species, rely on innate immunity and Anti-Microbial Peptides (AMPs), are a part of their innate immunity, to combat diverse parasites and pathogens. These peptides have applications ranging from agriculture to anti-microbial resistance. However, there's a lack of a specialized database, prompting the development of the Insect Anti-Microbial Peptide Database (IAMPDB) as a pioneering comprehensive Knowledgebase dedicated to Insect-derived Anti-Microbial Peptides (IAMPs), serving as a resource for researchers and industry professionals. Curated from UniProt and associated literature(s), IAMPDB currently houses 438 curated entries of IAMPs from various insect species, spanning 10 taxonomical orders of insects. Each entry is meticulously annotated with details on peptide sequences, source organisms, activities, physicochemical properties, and more. IAMPDB offers a user-friendly interface with diverse search options, interactive visualizations, and links to external databases; advanced tools, including a Peptide Sequence Alignment Toolbox and a Peptide Feature Calculation Toolbox, facilitating sequence alignment, physicochemical property calculation, and in-depth analysis. The knowledgebase is accessible at URL: https://bblserver.org.in/iampdb/.
Day 3 embryo quality is a predictor for the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in single frozen- thawed poor-quality blastocyst transfer
Authors: Yang Li , Yin Minna , Sun Ling , Xu Jian , Liu Jun , Wang Hui , Liang Yunhao , Wu Huijiao , Jiang Yu , Li Meiyi , Wu Zhufeng , Chen Zhiheng , Liu Shuai 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the utility of day 3 embryo quality in the selection of same-grade blastocysts, particularly focusing on poor-quality blastocysts, to predict clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.
Methods: Seven hundred and thirty-four frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles carried out between January 2018 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Cycles were categorized into four groups based on embryo grade: G-G group (good-quality blastocysts derived from day 3 good-quality embryos group, n=194), G-P group (good-quality blastocysts derived from day 3 poor-quality embryos group, n=230), P-Ggroup (poor-quality blastocysts derived from day 3 good-quality embryos group, n=94) and P-P group (poor-quality blastocysts derived from day 3 poor-quality embryos group, n=216). The analysis focused on the role of the day 3 embryo quality in selecting single frozen-thawed good- or poor- quality blastocyst for transfer.
Results: Good-quality blastocysts derived from day 3 poor-quality embryos had comparable pregnancy outcomes to those derived from day 3 good-quality embryos (clinical pregnancy rates: 63.91% vs. 65.98%; live birth rates: 53.04% vs. 55.15%, respectively P≥0.05). However, poor-quality blastocysts derived from day 3 good-quality embryos exhibited significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates (58.51% vs. 37.96%, P＜0.01; OR 2.006,95% CI 1.185-3.395, P＜0.05) and live birth rates (52.13% vs. 28.70%, P＜0.001; OR 2.318, 95% CI 1.355-3.966, P＜0.01) than those derived from day 3 poor-quality embryos.
Conclusion(s): Day 3 embryo quality serves as a predictor for the clinical pregnancy and live birth rate after single frozen-thawed poor-quality blastocyst transfer. When only poor-quality blastocysts are available, selecting those derived from day 3 good-quality embryo for transfer may expedite the process of achieving a live birth.
Detection of organized group movements in trajectory data
Authors: Silva Thayanne França , Maia José Everardo Bessa 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background Georeferencing sensors are available in people, animals, or objects to generate trajectory data for relevant civilian and military applications. A common task in these applications is detecting and recognizing organized group movement patterns. Methods based on Shannon Entropy and Spectral Clustering are two widely used general approaches, however, they fail to detect organized group movements for various motion patterns.Methods To address these limitations, this article proposes a Network Inference-based approach followed by clustered data analysis and evaluation of cluster quality using the DBSCAN and Silhouette Coefficient algorithms.Results In our experiments, we compared our approach against Shannon Entropy and Spectral Clustering on simulated and real data, using the organization index median in a run, as the metric. Specifically, the proposed method had superior performance in three simulated scenarios, which were Ants, Wolf Sheep Predation, and Flocking, and in two real data sets, which are Fish School Trajectories and PETS09-S2L1.Conclusion Our approach presents a promising solution for identifying organized group movements, critical for emergency decision-making and resource optimization in practical applications.
Comparison of Some Bread and Durum Wheat Cultivars in Absorption and Translocation of Cd
Authors: Fotovat Amir , Abedinzadeh Narges , Atarodi Basir 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Previous studies on the difference in accumulation and translocation of cadmium (Cd) among different wheat cultivars have typically focused on a small number of cultivars or used a culture medium with a single Cd level while selecting a specific plant vegetative stage. However, the present study aimed to assess the effect of the mentioned factors on the uptake, translocation, and accumulation of this toxic element among ten wheat cultivars grown in soil with three levels of Cd (0, 10, and 20 mg kg-1). The cultivars included five spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Pishgam, Sirvan, Rakhshan, Talaei, and Parsi) and five spring durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) (Behrang, Hana, Aran, Shabrang, and Sana). At maturity, plant organs were harvested and digested by the wet oxidation method (using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide). Then, the concentrations of the metal in grain, leaves, stem, and root were determined. Moreover, translocation Factors from shoot to grain (TFG: Sh) and root to grain (TFG: R) were calculated for the cultivars. The results revealed that different wheat cultivars exhibited varying behaviors in Cd absorption and transfer at each level of soil contamination. TFG:Sh seems to be the main agent for the difference in grain Cd accumulation in different cultivars. The highest and lowest amounts of grain Cd belonged to Behrang and Sana (durum cultivars), respectively. However, the concentration of Cd in plant organs in the control samples was not detectable. Additionally, durum wheat behavior changed at the higher level of soil Cd and in contrast to previous efforts, bread wheat cultivars surprisingly accumulated more Cd in the grain and other parts of the plant than durum cultivars at levels of 20 mg kg-1. As a result, Cd accumulation in wheat can be different among cultivars due to their physiological characteristics, regardless of whether they are durum or bread.
Development of panel of three-dimensional biomarkers to identify gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesions of the stomach - An analytical cross-sectional study
Authors: Karra Sandhya , Sinduja Ramanan , Gurushankari Balakrishnan , Elamurugan Thirthar Palanivelu , Mahalakshmy Thulasingam , Kate Vikram , Nanda Nivedita , Rajesh Nachiappa Ganesh , Murugesan Rajeswari , Raj Ruben , Shankar Gomathi 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Serological biomarkers have a predictive potential for gastric cancer (GC) and can be classified into three dimensions: stomach-specific biomarkers, GC-related environmental factors, and cancer-associated biomarkers. Inflammation impacts multiple serum markers, and relying on a single marker limits diagnostic accuracy. Combining multiple predictive markers improves GC detection. This study aimed to assess the association and combined diagnostic accuracy of a three-dimensional biomarkers panel in GC patients.
Methods
In this analytical cross-sectional study, patients were recruited into three groups: GC, precancerous conditions/lesions, and controls. The primary outcome was to assess the association and diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional biomarkers in identifying GC and precancerous conditions/lesions. The panel constituted stomach-specific markers (Pepsinogen I, Pepsinogen II, Pepsinogen I & II ratio, Trefoil factor 3, Gastrin 17), GC-related environmental factors (Blood Group Antigen Binding Adhesin A, H. pylori IgG), and cancer-associated biomarkers (Carbohydrate Antigen 19.9, Carbohydrate Antigen 125 and Osteopontin).
Results
A total of 228 patients, 76 in each group, were enrolled. The combination of all three-dimensional biomarkers showed a high discriminatory ability for diagnosing GC with AUC of 0.938, sensitivity 94.7%, specificity 81.6% and precancerous conditions/lesions with AUC 0.951, sensitivity 93.4%, specificity 92.1%. Among the three-dimensional biomarkers, the combination of TFF3, H. pylori and CA125 demonstrated a high sensitivity in identifying GC, while the combination of PGI, H. pylori, and CA125 exhibited the highest sensitivity in identifying precancerous conditions/lesions.
Conclusion
These results emphasize that combined three-dimensional biomarkers showed good discrimination and could be used as a screening panel for diagnosing GC and precancerous conditions/lesions.
Application of Ordinal Logistic Regression on Stress from Menstruation among Early Adolescent Girls in Selected Primary Schools in Livingstonia Zone, Malawi
Authors: Mwanza Brave , Soko Margret , Mnyenyembe Ancy , Zgambo Donalia , Tobias Chitani 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background Adolescence in girls is a period which is associated with stressful events like menarche, considered as the central event of female puberty. How a girl learns about menstruation and the changes it brings about may have an impact on how she responds to the menarche event. There are fewer studies on the prevalence of menstruation issues and their relationship with psychological stress in the literature. The study aimed to investigate stress from menstruation among early adolescent girls in selected primary schools in Livingstonia Zone.
Methods The study used analytical cross-sectional survey design utilizing quantitative methods of data collection. Participating schools were selected purposively, and respondents were selected using an unbiased selection method of random draws by using random computer number generator. Data was analysed using software package IBM SPSS Statistics version 27 and presented in tables and graphs.
Results The study results have revealed that most (64%) of early adolescent girls in primary schools had experienced high stress from menstruation. Factors like school topography (p=0.042), signs of menstruation (p=0.008), distance from home to school (p=0.043) and worrying about being observed washing absorbent (p=0.03) were significantly associated with stress. Adolescent girls schooling in lowland primary schools of Manchewe(AOR: 0.205, 95% CI: 0.075-0.560, p=0.002) and Thunda (AOR: 0.298, 95% CI: 0.113-0.787, p=0.014) were less likely to experience higher stress levels compared to adolescents from highland primary school of Livingstonia. In addition, adolescents who were not worried about washing the absorbent (AOR: 0.168, 95% CI: 0.033-0.867, p=0.033) were less likely to have higher stress levels compared to adolescents who were worried about washing the absorbent. Experiencing nausea (AOR: 0.310, 95% CI: 0.103-0.929, p=0.036) and headache (AOR: 0.396, 95% CI: 0.156-1.008, p=0.052) during menstruation were associated with less likelihood of having higher stress levels compared to experiencing abdominal cramps.
Conclusion We found that most adolescent girls experience stress from menstruation. The study recommends support structures for adolescent menstrual hygiene management that could include conducive school environment and training about puberty and menstrual hygiene management and educating the adolescent girls regarding the symptoms, prevention and effective management of menstruation period.
Neurobehavioral disorders among children born to mothers exposed to illicit substances during pregnancy
Authors: Chen Vincent Chin-Hung , Lee Charles Tzu-Chi , Wu Shu-I , Gossop Michael 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Preventions may be schemed if pregnant mothers’ exposure status of substance use is associated with neurodevelopmental conditions. This study explores subsequent risks for intellectual disability, autistic disorders, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders in children born to mothers exposed to illicit substances before or during pregnancy.
Method
We identified women with illicit drug use by linking the police records from the ‘Substance Abuse Control Databases’ and Taiwan Birth Registration and Birth Notification records from 2004 to 2014. Children born by mothers identified from the police records were the ‘substance-exposed cohort’. A 1:1 child’s gender, child’s birth year, mother’s birth year, and child’s first use of the health insurance card exact matched comparison cohort and another ‘propensity score (PS)- matched’ comparison cohort of children born by substance-unexposed mothers were established. Multivariate Cox regression analyses with competing risk models were performed.
Results
Higher incidences of intellectual disability (aHR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.15 ~ 5.03) and ADHD (aHR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.63 ~ 3.28) were found in children born by mothers exposed to illicit substances during pregnancy compared to exact- matched non-exposed cohorts. Adjusted risks of ADHD were significantly higher in mothers exposed to substances during pregnancy (aHR = 1.77(1.42 ~ 2.21) and before pregnancy (aHR = 1.43 (1.14 ~ 1.80) compared to PS-matched unexposed cohorts after adjusting for covariates.
Conclusions and Relevance
This is the first study that used large population-based data that revealed overall increased risks of intellectual disability and ADHD in children with prenatal exposures of illicit substances compared to those exact and propensity scores matched unexposed controls. The attenuation of such excessive hazards after adjusting for covariates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and fifth-minute APGAR score might reflect that enhanced antepartum screening and appropriate medical care may help prevent subsequent neurobehavioral disorders.
Use of Garment Waste Fabrics Making Ecofriendly, Lightweight &amp; Low Cost Bricks.
Authors: Mahmud Sheikh Hayath 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

At the present condition of environmental hazards global warming is the most alarming one. Our brick fields contribute a lot in this serious condition by producing huge carbon emissions at the time of burning bricks. Also, huge amounts of garment waste are disposed every day in our country that also pollute our river and fill the river day by day specially around Dhaka region. In this study, an attempt was made to combine the two problems to find one fruitful solution. By using garment wastes to produce ecofriendly, light weight and economic brick. Ecofriendly bricks are prepared in the laboratory by using garment waste fabrics with cement and sand that can be replaced brick fields by green brick manufacturer industry. Several sets of bricks are prepared in laboratory and tested to assure the quality of bricks by comparing it to the conventional burnt clay bricks. Satisfactory results are found for compressive strength, hardness, water absorption and unit weight test. The capacity of ecofriendly bricks against compression is very satisfying. The compressive strength for traditional burnt clay brick is 2500 psi (according to ASTM) but this modified brick poses 5500 psi. Also, some parameters are checked for eco-friendliness. This type of brick industry is free from pollution because generation of heat energy due to burning of wood is not required here. The amount of waste fabrics in a modified brick is about 14% of its weight, so it can be said that, a large amount of waste fabrics are consumed. The weight of modified lightweight brick is 2.3 kg which is 1.2 kg less than our conventional burnt clay brick. Cost analysis for making 1 brick is done which is less than the present cost of burnt clay brick. It can be highly recommended in our construction sector.
MLL and KDM5A activity during cell cycle progression depend on Ras signalling
Authors: Patra Samir , Kirtana R. , Manna Soumen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Cell cycle progression is regulated by many extracellular stimuli and intracellular signaling. Interaction between different epigenetic modifiers and transcription factors regulate the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in cell cycle control. Along with the cyclin-CDK complexes and phosphatases, RAS- signaling play crucial role to direct the cell passage through different stages of cell cycle. In this scenario, chromatin configuration is important for the progression of cell division and chromatin modifications (DNA methylation and histone modifications) helps to attain correct chromatin folds. Here, in this study we analyzed how modulation of H3K4me3 by MLL1 and KDM5A affect cell cycle progression. As slow and fast cycling cell lines exhibited differences in mechanisms of regulation, from in-silico screening and experimental demonstration we deciphered that the expression of the MAPK effector, RAS is involved to controlling the expression and activity of KDM5A and MLL proteins to balance H3K4me3 oscillation throughout cell cycle.
Knowledge Comparison amongst Telehealth Service Utilized and Unutilized Adults in Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Masuda , Akter Shimpi , Hossain Md Ikbal , Akter Nahida , Akter Sopon , Koly Anar , Mahmud Sohel , Kabir Humayun , Hasan Md. Kamrul 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Telehealth is the remote delivery of health care using various communication tools. This study compared telehealth knowledge among adults who utilized and did not utilize telehealth services and explored factors associated with knowledge. The cross-sectional study includes 1252 participants. The outcome of the study was knowledge of telehealth. The predictors of the study were sociodemographic information and participants' perceived health status were also collected. Bivariate logistic regression models are used to analyze the adjusted relationship between outcome and variables.
Results: Age, marital status, educational level, student status, and perceived health status all significantly impacted telehealth knowledge among those who did not use the service. Among the utilized group, we found age, marital status, and perceived health status were significantly associated with good knowledge.
Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of continued initiatives to improve telehealth knowledge among both those who utilize the service and those who do not, considering variations in demographics and other factors.