bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy is similarly beneficial for five-year overall survival in locally advanced gastric cancer patients
Authors: Kumar Sah Birendra , Zhenjia Yu , Sheng Lu , Yanan Zheng , Zhenglun Zhu , Jian Li , Chen Li , Min Yan , Zhenggang Zhu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: Different types of neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens have been compared for gastric cancer, mostly in terms of radiological downgrading or pathological tumor regression; however, no large-scale multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) has conducted a head-to-head comparison of the overall survival rate between perioperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) and postoperative or adjuvant chemotherapy(AC). We explored whether the five-year overall survival rate was greater in patients who received perioperative chemotherapy plus surgery than in those who underwent surgery first and then underwent postoperative chemotherapy.
Methods: Altogether, 77 patients with a clinical diagnosis of cTNM stage III were included. Five-year overall survival (OS) rates were compared between patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery (NAC) and those who underwent surgery first plus adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). Propensity score matching was used to adjust for disparity between the two groups. A Kaplan-Meier plot was created for survival analysis, and the log-rank method was used to compare the differences in OS.
Results: A total of 34 patients were in the NAC and 43 patients were in the AC group, respectively. There was no significant difference in age (median, 64 vs. 66 years), cTNM staging, or extent of gastrectomy between the two groups (p<0.05). The median follow-up time was 58 months (range: 53-65 months). The five-year overall survival (OS) rates for patients in the NAC and AC groups were 61.8% and 73.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the five-year overall survival rates (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in the severity of postoperative complications between the two groups (p>0.05).
Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the five-year overall survival rate between patients who underwent perioperative chemotherapy plus surgery and those who underwent surgery plus postoperative chemotherapy alone. A well-controlled prospective study is necessary to confirm whether perioperative chemotherapy is superior to postoperative chemotherapy in patients with GC.
Biological toxicity of sulfamethoxazole in aquatic ecosystem on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Zhou Jie , Yun Xiao , Wang Jiting , Li Qi , Wang Yanli , Zhang Wenjing , Fan Zhicheng 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The pollution of antibiotics in the water has also become a hot topic in recent years, especially the pollution of sulfonamide antibiotics, which seriously affects the development and growth of aquatic organisms. This study evaluated the impacts of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on antioxidant, immune, histopathological dynamic changes, and gut microbiota of zebrafish. SMX was carried out five groups: 0 (C), 3 mg/L (T3), 6 mg/L (T6), 12 mg/L (T12), and 24 mg/L (T24), with 5 replicates per group for an 8-weeks chronic toxicity test. It was found that SMX is considered to have low toxicity to adult zebrafish. SMX with the concentration not higher than 24 mg/L has no obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of fish. Under different concentrations of SMX stress, oxidative damage and immune system disorder were caused to the liver and gill, with the 12 and 24 mg/L concentration being the most significant. At the same time, it also causes varying degrees of pathological changes in both intestinal and liver tissues. As the concentration of SMX increases, the composition and abundance of the gut microbiota in zebrafish significantly decrease.
Long-term health-related quality of life and mental health in patients with immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Mulas Olga , Efficace Fabio , Costa Alessandro , Baldi Thomas , Zerbini Filippo , Mantovani Daniela , Morelli Emanuela , Perra Daniela , Nasa Giorgio La , Caocci Giovanni 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder. Treatment advances have lowered morbidity rates, but past acute events can still cause long-term consequences, reducing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and determining cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression. We aimed to investigate these aspects and the role of caplacizumab and rituximab: 39 patients were evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the FACIT-Fatigue, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Functional Assessment in Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function questionnaires. The median age at study inclusion was 50 years (IQR 38–60), and the median follow-up from diagnosis was 97 months (IQR 14–182); 82% of patients were female, and 36% had one or more recurrences. Caplacizumab was administered in 16 patients (41%) as well as rituximab. ITTP patients reported lower physical and mental HRQoL scores compared to the general population. No differences in physical or mental domains were observed between patients treated or not with caplacizumab, while those who received rituximab reported lower scores in mental health. Neurological impairment at diagnosis correlated with worse fatigue. The majority of patients (72%) reported anxiety or depression (82%). iTTP had a significant impact on the long-term cognitive function, fatigue, depression, and anxiety levels of patients, with a negative effect on their HRQoL. Our findings underscore the need to pay special attention to patients’ long-term physical and mental health, regardless of the medical treatments received.
Radiomics Model Building from Multiparametric MRI to Predict Ki-67 Expression in Patients with Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Shen Yelong , Wu Si Yu , Wu Yanan , Cui Chao , Li Haiou , Yang Shuang , Liu Xuejun , Chen Xingzhi , Huang Chencui , Wang Ximing 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Objectives To examine the correlation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and T1 contrast enhanced (T1-CE) with Ki-67 in primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). And to assess the diagnostic performance of MRI radiomics-based machine-learning algorithms in differentiating the high-proliferation and low-proliferation group of PCNSL.Methods 83 patients with PCNSL were included in this retrospective study. ADC, DWI and T1-CE sequences were collected and their correlation with Ki-67 was examined using Spearman’s correlation analyses. The radiomics features were extracted respectively, and the features were screened by machine learning algorithm and statistical method. Radiomics models of nine different sequence permutations were constructed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive performance of all models. Delong test was utilised to compare the differences of models.Results Relative mean apparent diffusion coefficient (rADCmean) (ρ=-0.354, p = 0.019), relative mean diffusion weighted imaging (rDWImean) (b = 1000) (ρ = 0.273, p = 0.013) and relative mean T1 contrast enhancement (rT1-CEmean) (ρ = 0.385, p = 0.001) was significantly correlated with Ki-67. Interobserver agreements between the two radiologists were almost perfect for all parameters (rADCmean ICC = 0.978, 95%CI 0.966–0.986; rDWImean (b = 1000) ICC = 0.931, 95% CI 0.895–0.955; rT1-CEmean ICC = 0.969, 95% CI 0.953–0.980). The best prediction model in our study used a combination of ADC, DWI, and T1-CE achieving the highest AUC of 0.869, while the second ranked model used ADC and DWI, achieving AUC of 0.828.Conclusion rDWImean, rADCmean and rT1-CEmean was correlated with Ki-67. The radiomics model based on MRI sequences combined is promising to distinguish low proliferation PCNSL from high proliferation PCNSL.
Exploring the Impact of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) on the Quality of Life of Lebanese Women andUnraveling the Determinants: A FertiQoL Questionnaire Validation
Authors: Silva Silva , Souaid Suzanne Maroun , salameh Pascale 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Infertility is a growing global concern, and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has emerged as a popular solution. Women receiving treatment for infertility deal with a range of physical and psychological challenges. However, there is limited understanding of the specific factors that impact their quality of life. This study looked at the current state of fertility quality of life among Lebanese women undergoing IVF and analyzed the factors that influence it.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to September 2020 among women undergoing IVF all over Lebanon. The survey collected demographic characteristics and treatment data and included the fertility quality of life scale (FertiQoL), The couple’s satisfaction Index (CSI-4), the wellbeing index (WHO-5), and the patient-doctor relationship questionnaire (PDRQ-9). General Linear Model was used to explore the predictors of fertility quality of life.
RESULTS: In total, 403 women completed the survey. Participants had a mean of total FertiQoL score of 61.98 (SD = 21.15). The mean CSI-4 and WHO-5 scores were 10.15 (SD = 5.76) and 11.15 (SD = 6.56), respectively. The mean PDRQ-9 score was 29.33 (SD = 8.5). The General Linear Model showed that conceiving duration failure, no children status, facing a stigma, being underweight, and having no income were risk factors for diminished fertility quality of life. While male factor infertility, being a sedentary office worker and having religious or cultural beliefs that influence the perspective on IVF positively influenced the total score. CSI-4 and WHO-5 score had also a positive significant association with FertiQol.
CONCLUSION: Lebanese women undergoing IVF have relatively acceptable quality of life. This study in Lebanon revealed that women's quality of life depends on various factors, and the validated FertiQoL measurement tool has demonstrated its reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.949. Further studies with a larger sample size are necessary to validate our results and gain deeper insights.
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy prevents lasting damage to salivary glands but not oral mucositis.
Authors: Agurto Maria Gonzalez , Carpenter Guy , Bozorgi Sophie , Koller Garrit , Fenlon Michael , Warburton Fiona , Bruce Kenneth , Burke Mary , Banerjee Avijit 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the salivary protein composition variations in head and neck cancer patients (HNC) undergoing Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and examined the correlation with the clinical onset/severity of oral mucositis (OM).
Methods
Saliva samples/clinical data were obtained from 40 HNC patients pre-IMRT(T0) and post-IMRT (T1=6m, T2=12m) treated at Guy’s Hospital (ethics approval/consent).
Salivary flow rate (SFR), protein concentration (TPC) and secretion rate (TPSR) were determined from unstimulated, whole-mouth saliva samples and compared to pre-treatment levels. Clinical parameters/side effects such as OM was assessed, salivary proteins were quantified using BCA assay, SDS-PAGE/PAS-staining determined MUC5B and MUC7, ELISA assays: IgA, cystatin S and albumin; α-amylase activity by kinetic assays.
Results
95 % patients experienced OM during IMRTwith 33 reaching grade 2&3. Furthermore, 6 months post-IMRT, a significant reduction, in SFR, TPSR, α-amylase and cystatin S compared with baseline. Remarkably IMRT did not significantly alter MUC5B/MUC7, and IgA secretion rates at any timepoint. Moreover, there were significant/negative correlations between IgA concentration at T0 with OM onset/severity during the cancer treatment, (p = 0.006).
Conclusion
This study reveals that IMRT prevents damage to salivary glands but does not prevent OM, suggesting that salivary mucins may not be involved in the onset /severity of OM.
Multimodal imaging based on MRI to distinguish benign and malignant tongue tumors and T stage
Authors: Jiang Huaxiang , Gong Lianggeng , Qin Zishun 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: The differentiation of benign and malignant tumors and the stage of malignant tumors is very important to determine the treatment plan and evaluate the prognosis of tumor patients. At present, the application of MRI multimodal imaging to the accurate diagnosis of tongue tumors is not sufficient.
Objective: To construct an optimal prediction model based on MRI multimodal imaging to distinguish benign and malignant tongue tumors and T-stage.
Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 124 patients (100 malignant and 24 benign) with tongue tumors who underwent enhanced MRI scans before surgery from January 2017 to December 2022.The surgical tissue was confirmed by pathological examination and was included in the predictive T stage cohort study, which classified T1 and T2 as T1-2 and T3 and T4 as T3-4. The radiomic features were extracted by cross-sectional T2-weighted imaging (T2), weighted diffusion imaging (DWI) and enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CET1).After reduction and selection, support vector machine (SVM) and logistic regression (LR) were used to construct the radiomics model. The clinical model was established by screening independent risk factors using single multifactor analysis. Combined with radiomics and clinical features, a combined model was constructed and a nomogram was constructed. Using ROC curve analysis to evaluate performance compare model, using decision curve analysis (DCA) decisioncurveanalysis, comparative evaluation the clinical value of each model.
Results: In the prediction of benign and malignant tongue tumors, the AUC values of the imaging model training set were: CET1 was 0.885, T2 was 0.870, DWI was 0.827, and ALL was 0.993.The test set AUC was 0.720 for CET1, 0.778 for T2, 0.724 for DWI, and 0.793 for ALL. AUC value of clinical omics model: training set 0.885, test set 0.750; AUC value of the columnium: training set 0.889, test set 0.938.In the identification of T stage of tongue cancer, the AUC values of the training set were: CET1 0.815, T2 0.822, DWI 0.883, Clinic 0.566, nomogram 0.932, and the AUC values of the test set were: CET1 is 0.616, T2 is 0.505, DWI is 0.343, Clinic is 0.611, nomogram is 0.646.
Conclusion: The nomogram constructed with the combination of multi-modal imaging features and clinical features is better than the single mode or single clinical model in differentiating the benign and malignant and T stage of tongue tumors. The multi-modal imaging model based on MRI can provide a non-invasive and effective aid for clinical decision-making of tongue tumors, and provide a valuable reference for clinicians in individual clinical decision-making system.
The addition of bortezomib to rituximab, high-dose cytarabine and dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma - a randomized, open-label phase III trial of the European mantle cell lymphoma network
Authors: Fischer Luca , Jiang Linmiao , Dürig Jan , Schmidt Christian , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Bouabdallah Krimo , Solal-Celigny Philippe , Scholz Christian , Feugier Pierre , de Wit Maike , Trappe Ralf , Hallek Michael , Graeven Ullrich , Hänel Mathias , Hoffmann Martin , DELWAIL Vincent , Macro Margaret , Greiner Jochen , Giagounidis Aristoteles , Dargel Beate , Durot Eric , Foussard Charles , Silkenstedt Elisabeth , Weigert Oliver , Pott Christiane , Klapper Wolfram , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Unterhalt Michael , Hoster Eva , Ribrag Vincent , Dreyling Martin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The therapy of relapsed or refractory (r/r) mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients remains a major clinical challenge to date. We conducted a randomized, open-label, parallel-group phase-III trial hypothesizing superior efficacy of rituximab, high-dose cytarabine and dexamethasone with bortezomib (R-HAD+B) versus without (R-HAD) in r/r MCL ineligible for or relapsed after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Primary endpoint was time to treatment failure (TTF), secondary endpoints included response rates, progression free survival, overall survival, and safety.
128 of 175 planned patients were randomized to R-HAD+B (n=64) or R-HAD (n=64). Median TTF was 12 vs. 2.6 months (p=0.045, MIPI-adjusted HR 0.69; 95%CI 0.47-1.02). Overall and complete response rates were 63 vs. 45% (p=0.049) and 42 vs. 19% (p=0.0062). A significant treatment effect was seen in the subgroup of patients >65 years (aHR 0.48, 0.29-0.79) and without previous ASCT (aHR 0.52, 0.28-0.96). Toxicity was mostly hematological and attributable to the chemotherapeutic backbone. Grade ≥3 Leukocytopenia and lymphocytopenia were more common in R-HAD+B without differences in severe infections between both arms.
Bortezomib in combination with chemotherapy can be effective in r/r MCL and should be evaluated further as a therapeutic option, especially if therapy with BTK inhibitors is not an option. Trial registration: NCT01449344.
Bulk segregant analysis of tomato to identify polymorphism associated with tomato-Phytoplasma solani interaction using RNA-sequencing data
Authors: Sarwar Muhammad Aqeel , Khan Sultan Habibullah , Faridi Rabia , Jamil Mahnoor , Norman David J. , Ali Gul Shad , Afzal Zunaira 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a globally significant crop that faces challenges from various pathogens, including Phytoplasma solani. Phytoplasmas are obligate parasitic bacteria that disrupt plant metabolism and manipulate host defenses. Our current understanding of tomato-Phytoplasma solani interaction is very limited and currently nothing is known at the whole genome or transcriptome level. Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) is a powerful method for identifying markers linked to target genes for desired traits. BSR-seq combines BSA with RNA-seq, allows the identification of SNP markers based on transcriptome data.
Results
In this study, we have analyzed and compared the transcriptome of a resistant and a susceptible wild tomato accession and their healthy and diseased F2 bulks in response to P. solani infection using the RNA-seq technology. Variant analysis through PyBSASeq pipeline detected 145142 SNPs among bulks and an average of 101 SNPs per sliding window were found. Five, three and one; three regions on chromosome 1, 7, 8 and 9 respectively, exhibited statistical significance for the G-test statistic in the healthy F2 bulk. We have identified 1305 and 173 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in resistant vs susceptible comparison of parent and bulk samples respectively. Functional annotation of DEGs revealed substantial transcriptional reprogramming of diverse physiological and cellular processes, particularly the response to stimulus and response to bacterium upon P. solani treatment. By comparison of differential expression and variant analysis, two genes were found linked to resistance development in tomato against P. solani.
Conclusion
The BSR-seq analysis provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of tomato-P. solani interactions. Two candidate genes, Solyc01g079140 and Solyc07g017980 were found linked to the P. solani infection in tomatoes. Our results lay out a strong foundation for future studies aimed at improving genetic resistance of tomato cultivars against Phytoplasma solani.
Correlation between D-dimer levels and unfavorable outcomes in patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage after surgery
Authors: Xiao ZhenKun , Mao Xingyu , Liang RiChu , Yang Yong-Mei , Peng Fei , Liu Ai-Hua , Duan Yong-Hong 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

D-dimer is associated with poor prognosis in hemorrhagic stroke. We determined correlations between poor prognosis and D-dimer in spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (SSTICH). A total of 557 patients with SSTICH were enrolled and categorized into two subgroups according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score: favorable (0–2) and unfavorable (3–5) outcomes. D-dimer levels were measured within 24 hours and quantified at admission, at post-surgery, and during hospitalization until discharge (mean and peak). A binary logistic regression model was constructed based on between-group differences. The risk of poor prognosis after surgery was 21.874-fold higher with admission D-dimer levels ≥ 2.80 mg/L than < 0.65 mg/L (odds ratio [OR], 21.874; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.353–46.214; P < 0.001). Postoperative mean D-dimer levels ≥ 6.31 mg/L incurred a 7.109-fold higher risk of poor prognosis (OR, 7.109; 95% CI, 3.623–13.95; P < 0.001). Patients with overall mean D-dimer levels ≥ 5.85 mg/L had a 8.164-fold higher risk of poor prognosis (OR, 8.164; 95% CI, 4.152–16.054; P < 0.001). The highest D-dimer level ≥ 10 mg/L posed a 5.798-fold higher risk of poor prognosis (OR, 5.798; 95% CI, 3.64–13.14; P < 0.001). Elevated D-dimer levels independently predict postoperative unfavorable prognosis in patients with SSTICH, and the risk increases with higher D-dimer levels.
Risk stratification based on immune signature and prediction of immune checkpoint inhibitor’s efficacy for bladder urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Ma Lu , Zhao Shutian , Xu An , Wang Zhou , Qian Haining 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose：To investigate the impact of the tumor immune microenvironment on survival and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA).
Materials and Methods: We constructed a prognostic immune signature based on the TCGA dataset and verified its predictive accuracy on both internal and total data sets. Firstly, we screened immune genes associated with prognosis based on univariate Cox risk regression analysis. Secondly, LASSO model is used for variable selection and regularization to avoid over-fitting. Thirdly, we also carried out immune status or immunophenoscore (IPS) analysis. Immune genes used in constructing a immune-related multivariate Cox risk regression analysis, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis is used to evaluate the performance of high-risk and low-risk groups in tumor mutation load, patients' response to ICI treatment, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and other aspects.
Results: This immunomarker consists of 6 immune-related genes, which we confirmed to be an independent prognostic element for BLCA patients. We found that patients in the high-risk group had poorer overall survival, while patients in the low-risk group had better overall survival. Although the difference was not significant, high-risk score patients had fewer mast cell rest and neutrophils, and more memory activation of b cell infants and t cell CD4, which was closely associated with clinical outcome. In addition, the tumor mutational burden (TMB) was significantly reduced in the low-risk group. When using IPS as a substitute for ICI response, we found that patients with low-risk scores had significantly higher IPS.
Conclusion: Our study concluded that 6 immune-related genes signature may be related to prognosis and prediction of ICI treatment, but further verification is needed.