bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID‐19 in cancer patients: The impact of vaccination on outcomes early in the pandemic
Authors: Khawaja Fareed , Angelidakis Georgios , Feldman Adina , Ravi Vinod , Woodman Eric , Bhatti Micah , Ariza‐Heredia Ella , Elhajj Peter , Spallone Amy , Jiang Ying , Chemaly Roy F. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundWith the rapid evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic, the development of effective and safe vaccines was of utmost importance to protect vulnerable individuals, including cancer patients. Studies comparing the clinical outcomes of cancer patients with or without vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have not demonstrated clear benefit. We aimed to determine the protective effects of COVID‐19 vaccination by comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated cancer patients after the initial phase of vaccine roll‐out and to identify risk factors associated with hospitalization, severe COVID‐19, and 30‐day COVID‐19 attributable mortality.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of cancer patients with COVID‐19 diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction on nasal swabs between January 1, 2021 and July 30, 2021. Outcomes of interest included hospitalization, severe COVID‐19, and 30‐day COVID‐19 attributable mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with clinical outcomes, using vaccination status as a variable of interest in all models.ResultsKey risk factors, such as age ≥ 60 years; comorbidities including diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and lung diseases; and specific cancer types (leukemia and lymphoma) were independently associated with hospital admission for COVID‐19, severe COVID‐19, and 30‐day COVID‐19 attributable mortality in cancer patients regardless of their vaccination status. Vaccinated patients were protected against severe COVID‐19 but with no impact on hospitalization or mortality due to COVID‐19.ConclusionOur study highlights a significant benefit of COVID‐19 vaccination for cancer patients—specifically its protection against severe COVID‐19.
Efficacy and safety of fruquintinib dose‐escalation strategy for elderly patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer: A single‐arm, multicenter, phase II study
Authors: Tan Sirui , Zhang Shunyu , Zhou Nan , Cai Xiaohong , Yi Cheng , Gou Hongfeng 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundFruquintinib has demonstrated significant improvement in overall survival (OS) among previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. However, the utilization of fruquintinib has been constrained by various toxicities, such as hand‐foot skin reaction (HFSR) and hypertension, particularly in elderly patients with reduced tolerance to the standard dosage. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib dose‐escalation strategy for elderly refractory mCRC patients.Patients and MethodsThis open‐label, single‐arm, phase II trial included patients aged 65 years or over with mCRC who had progressed after two or more lines of chemotherapy. Fruquintinib was administered for 21 consecutive days of a 28‐day treatment cycle. The starting dose of fruquintinib was 3 mg/day and escalated to 4 mg/day in Week 2 and 5 mg/day in Week 3 if no significant drug‐related toxicity was observed. The highest tolerated dose from Cycle 1 would be administered in Cycle 2 and all subsequent cycles. Before commencing treatment, all enrolled patients underwent a G8 questionnaire and comprehensive geriatric assessments. The primary endpoint of the study was progression‐free survival (PFS).ResultsA total of 29 patients were enrolled and all started fruquintinib at 3 mg/day. Fifteen patients (51.7%) were subsequently escalated to 4 mg/day and 4 (13.8%) to 5 mg/day. Only four (13.8%) patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events (AEs). The median PFS was 3.8 months (95% CI, 2.7–4.9), and the median OS was 7.6 months (95% CI, 6.5–8.7). Treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs) were observed in all 29 patients (100%). The most frequently occurring (>10%) TRAEs greater than Grade 3 were HFSR (20.7%), hypertension (20.7%), and diarrhea (10.3%).ConclusionOur study indicated that a dose of 4 mg/day was well tolerated by most elderly patients, suggesting that fruquintinib dose‐escalation strategy during the first cycle could serve as a viable alternative to the standard 5 mg/day dosing.
Synthesis of azide‐modified glycerophospholipid precursor analogs for detection of enzymatic reactions
Authors: Ueshima Rina , Kikuma Takashi , Sano Kanae , Toda Nahoko , Greimel Peter , Takeda Yoichi 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGlycerophospholipids (GPLs) are major cell membrane components. Although various phosphorylated molecules are attached to lipid moieties as their headgroups, GPLs are biosynthesized from phosphatidic acid (PA) via its derivatives, diacylglycerol (DAG) or cytidine diphosphate diacylglycerol (CDP‐DAG). A variety of molecular probes capable of introducing detection tags have been developed to investigate biological events involved in GPLs. In this study, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel analytical tools suitable to monitor the activity of GPL biosynthetic enzymes in vitro. Our synthetic targets, namely, azide‐modified PA, azide‐modified DAG, and azide‐modified CDP‐DAG, were successfully obtained from solketal as their common starting material. Moreover, using CDP‐diacylglycerol‐inositol 3‐phosphatidyltransferase (CDIPT), an enzyme that catalyzed the final reaction step in synthesizing phosphatidylinositol, we demonstrated that azide‐modified CDP‐DAG worked as a substrate for CDIPT.
Comparison of MANTA versus Perclose Prostyle large‐bore vascular closure devices during transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Barbash Israel M. , Wasserstrum Yishay , Erlebach Magdalena , Guetta Victor , Ziegelmüller Johannes , Segev Amit , Fefer Paul , Maor Elad , Lange Rüdiger , Ruge Hendrik 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundNew vascular closure devices (VCD) are being introduced for achieving hemostasis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, no safety or efficacy data have been published compared to other contemporary VCD.AimTo compare the safety and efficacy of suture‐based Perclose Prostyle as compared to plug‐based MANTA device.MethodsA total of 408 consecutive TAVI patients from two high volume TAVI centers were included in the present study. Patients were grouped according to VCD: Prostyle versus MANTA. Propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariable analysis were utilized to compare clinical endpoints between the two groups. The primary endpoint was any vascular complication (VC) according to VARC‐3 criteria.ResultsAfter PSM, a total of 264 patients were analyzed, of them 132 in each group. Overall baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable. Primary end‐point was similar between MANTA as compared to Prostyle (16.7% vs. 15.3% respectively, p = 0.888). The main driver for VC among MANTA group were minor vascular complications (15.2%). Conversely, minor and major VC contributed equally to the primary endpoint among Prostyle group (7.6%) (p = 0.013). No outcome predictors were identified in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsVCD for transfemoral TAVI using the new‐generation Prostyle device or the MANTA device achieved comparable VARC‐3 VC rates.
Cyclometalated gold(III)‐hydride under oriented external electric fields: a new strategy to modulate its reactivity?
Authors: Li Yin‐Qi , Cheng Xin , Jiang Shan , Song Wen‐Xuan , Chen Jing‐Hua , Sun Wei‐Ming 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSelected gold complexes have been regarded as promising anti‐cancer agents because they can bind with protein targets containing thiol or selenol moieties, but their clinical applications were hindered by the unbiased binding towards off‐target thiol‐proteins. Recently, a novel gold(III)‐hydride complex (abbreviated as 1) with visible light‐induced thiol reactivity has been reported as potent photo‐activated anticancer agents (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2020, 132, 11139). To explore new strategies to stimuli this potential antitumor drug, the effect of oriented external electric fields (OEEFs) on its geometric structure, electronic properties, and chemical reactivity was systematically investigated. Results reveal that imposing external electric fields along the Au−H bond of 1 can effectively activate this bond, which is conducive to its dissociation and the binding of Au site to potential targets. Hence, this study provides a new OEEF‐strategy to activate this reported gold(III)‐hydride, revealing its potential application in electrochemical therapy. We anticipate this work could promote the development of more electric field‐activated anticancer agents. However, further experimental research should be conducted to verify the conclusions obtained in this work.
Comprehensive evaluation of benign and malignant etiologies of different serous effusions with the International System for Reporting Serous Fluid Cytopathology: A multi‐institutional study in Taiwan
Authors: Lu Chun‐Han , Liu Chih‐Yi , Jhuang Jie‐Yang , Chen Chien‐Chin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe International System for Reporting Serous Fluid Cytopathology (ISRSFC) was introduced globally in 2019 in response to the absence of a standardized reporting system for serous fluid cytology. This study presents experiences implementing this system across three distinct hospitals in Taiwan.MethodsA total of 6177 serous fluid specimens in three hospitals in Taiwan between 2018 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and reclassified according to the ISRSFC. Cytohistological correlation and chart review were further performed to investigate etiologies and risks of malignancy (ROMs).ResultsReclassification showed that 34 (0.7%) of 4838 pleural effusions were nondiagnostic (ND), 4086 (84.5%) were negative for malignancy (NFM), 201 (4.2%) were atypia of undetermined significance (AUS), 92 (1.9%) were suspicious for malignancy (SFM), and 425 (8.8%) were malignant (MAL). The 1231 ascites cases contained 13 (1.1%) ND, 1004 (81.6%) NFM, 53 (4.3%) AUS, 31 (2.5%) SFM, and 130 (10.6%) MAL specimens. In pleural effusions, the ROM was 2.9% for ND, 14.0% for NFM, 52.2% for AUS, 85.9% for SFM, and 95.1% for MAL. In ascites, it was 15.4% for ND, 19.1% for NFM, 52.8% for AUS, 83.9% for SFM, and 92.3% for MAL. In pericardial effusions, it was 0.0% for ND, 11.6% for NFM, 30.8% for AUS, 100.0% for SFM, and 95.2% for MAL. Different effusions' most common benign and malignant etiologies were also disclosed.ConclusionsThese multi‐institutional data have determined the diagnostic usefulness of the ISRSFC, which provides pathologists and physicians with invaluable assistance in correctly classifying effusions for further management.
Comparison of monkey and human retrosplenial neurocytology
Authors: Vogt Brent A. , Rosene Douglas L. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractRetrosplenial cortex (RSC) has unique problems for human neuroimaging studies as its divisions are small, at the lower end of functional scanner spatial resolution, and it is buried in the callosal sulcus. The present study sought to define the cytoarchitecture of RSC in human and monkey brains along its entire anteroposterior extent. The results show anterior extensions, a newly defined dichotomy of area 30, a new area p30, and an area p29v in monkey that differentiates into three divisions in human. Accordingly, anterior (a), intermediate (i), and posterior (p) divisions of areas 29l, 29m, 30l, and 30m were identified. Posterior area 29 has higher neuron packing in the granular layer than anterior and intermediate divisions of area 29. A newly detected dysgranular area p30 has larger neurons in layers II–IIIab than a30 and i30 and with substantially higher NFP expression in layer IIIab of posterior areas than areas a30 and i30. Medial area 30 has larger pyramids and higher NFP expression in all layers than area 30l. The new area p30 was seen between areas p29m and p30I in both species. Finally, a ventral area p29v is present in monkeys. This latter area appears to differentiate into three divisions in human with the most extensive granular layer adjacent to layer I in p29vm and p29vl. Functional imaging has identified pRSC as part of a cognitive map which is engaged in spatial navigation and localization of personally relevant objects.
Shrinking Devices: Shape‐Memory Polymer Fabrication of Micro‐and Nanostructured Electrodes
Authors: González‐Martínez Eduardo , Moran‐Mirabal Jose 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSince their discovery in the 1940s, shape memory polymers (SMPs) have been used in a broad spectrum of applications for research and industry.[1] SMPs can adopt a temporary shape and promptly return to their original form when submitted to an external stimulus. They have proven useful in fields such as wearable and stretchable electronics,[2] biomedicine,[3] and aerospace..[4] These materials are attractive and unique due to their ability to “remember” a shape after being submitted to elastic deformation. By combining the properties of SMPs with the advantages of electrochemistry, opportunities have emerged to develop structured sensing devices through simple and inexpensive fabrication approaches. The use of electrochemistry for signal transduction provides several advantages, including the translation into inexpensive sensing devices that are relatively easy to miniaturize, extremely low concentration requirements for detection, rapid sensing, and multiplexed detection. Thus, electrochemistry has been used in biosensing,[5] pollutant detection,[6] and pharmacological[7] applications, among others. To date, there is no review that summarizes the literature addressing the use of SMPs in the fabrication of structured electrodes for electrochemical sensing. This review aims to fill this gap by compiling the research that has been done on this topic over the last decade.
Exploring the Reactivity of Flavins with Nucleophiles Using a Theoretical and Experimental Approach
Authors: Zubova Ekaterina , Pokluda Adam , Dvořáková Hana , Krupička Martin , Cibulka Radek 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCovalent adducts of flavin cofactors with nucleophiles play an important role in non‐canonical function of flavoenzymes as well as in flavin‐based catalysis. Herein, the interaction of flavin derivatives including substituted flavins (isoalloxazines), 1,10‐ethylene‐bridged flavinium salts, and non‐substituted alloxazine and deazaflavin with selected nucleophiles was investigated using an experimental and computational approach. Triphenylphosphine or trimethylphosphine, 1‐nitroethan‐1‐ide, and methoxide were selected as representatives of neutral soft, anionic soft, and hard nucleophiles, respectively. The interactions were investigated using UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as by DFT calculations. The position of nucleophilic attack estimated using the calculated Gibbs free energy values was found to correspond with the experimental data, favouring the addition of phosphine and 1‐nitroethan‐1‐ide into position N(5) and methoxide into position C(10a) of 1,10‐ethylene‐bridged flavinium salts. The calculated Gibbs free energy values were found to correlate with the experimental redox potentials of the flavin derivatives tested. These findings can be utilized as valuable tools for the design of artificial flavin‐based catalytic systems or investigating the mechanism of flavoenzymes.
Biophysical factors and agronomic practices associated with Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin contamination of maize in multiple agroecosystems in Ethiopia
Authors: Deressa Temesgen , Adugna Girma , Suresh L. M. , Bekeko Zelalem , Opoku Joseph , Vaughan Martha , Proctor Robert H. , Busman Mark , Burgueño Juan , Prasanna B. M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn Ethiopia, Fusarium ear rot (FER) reduces yield, quality, and safety of maize and negatively impacts the economics of maize growers. However, there is almost no published information on geographic distribution, severity, or causal agents of FER in Ethiopia or levels of preharvest fumonisin contamination, biophysical factors, and agronomic practices associated with FER. Therefore, we surveyed 480 agricultural fields located in 10 Ethiopian zones to assess the incidence and severity of FER as well as agricultural practices and biophysical factors associated with each field. We also determined the concentration of fumonisin in samples taken from the fields. Results revealed that FER was prevalent with varied disease intensity and yield loss levels among the assessed zones. The highest percent severity index (PSI) was recorded in Mirab Wellega (33.2%), with a correspondingly maximum estimated mean grain yield loss of 13.6%, while the minimum disease severity 11.3% and yield loss 5.4% were recorded from the Ilubabor zone. Fumonisins (FB1, FB2, FB3, and FB4) were detected in 98% of the samples, and the levels ranged from 5 to 7517 μg kg−1 (mean, 540 μg kg−1 and median 82.4 μg kg−1). The mean fumonisin contamination of 1524.4, 1316.8, 744.5, and 742.6 μg kg−1 was recorded for Mirab Welega, Misraq Wellega, Assosa, and Hawassa zones, respectively. In total, about 11.3% of the maize samples exceeded the maximum tolerable total fumonisin limit set by the European Union in maize flour (>1000 μg kg−1) and are not suitable for human consumption. Disease severity highly significantly (p < 0.0001) correlated with biophysical factors such as insect infestation (r = 0.60, p < 0.0001) and weed infestation (r = 0.64, p < 0.0001) and agronomic practices such as nitrogen phosphorus sulfur fertilizer application rate (r = −0.39, p < 0.0001) and insecticide spray frequency (r = −0.55, p < 0.0001). Other agronomic practices such as earlier or later sowing date and inter‐cropping systems significantly reduced (p < 0.001) FER incidence, PSI, and the associated grain yield loss. There was significant (p < 0.0001) variation among maize cultivars currently under production in reaction against FER disease intensity. Moreover, the result of the present study attests a strong positive association (p < 0.001) between disease intensity and maize fumonisin concentrations. Generally, the study revealed a wider distribution of FER and fumonisin contamination of maize in the southwest major maize‐growing belts of Ethiopia. Thus, appropriate integrated pre‐harvest ear rot management strategies including the use of resistant cultivars and suitable agronomic practices are recommended for the management of FER and the associated mycotoxins in Ethiopia.
Axial ratio bandwidth improvement of compact planar monopole antenna with dual‐band and dual‐sense
Authors: Mondal Kalyan , Bag Biplab , Sarkar Partha Pratim 
Published: December 2023

SummaryA small size, dual‐band and dual‐sense monopole antenna is proposed to improve the axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW). The proposed antenna is considered on a low‐cost lossy FR4 substrate with parasitic strips (PSs) and partial ground plane of half guided wavelength dimensions. The dimension of the antenna in terms of wavelength is
, where
is the wavelength at the lowest resonant frequency. The circularly polarized (CP) mode is created for strong orthogonal electric fields
and
. The obtained phase difference (PD) between two electric fields
and
is varied from
to
under ARBW. The achieved ARBW is 3.68–3.8 GHz, 4.84–12.58 GHz, and impedance bandwidth (IBW) is 3.51–3.82 GHz and 4.28–15 GHz. The applications of the proposed antenna are International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for 5G, C‐band IEEE 802.11a wireless local area network (WLAN) at 5 GHz (5.15–5.825 GHz) and X‐band wireless systems.
The WHO system versus the Papanicolaou society of cytopathology system for reporting pancreaticobiliary cytology for risk stratification—which is better?
Authors: Kundu Reetu , Kollabathula Arpitha , Gupta Nalini , Rohilla Manish , Rana Surinder Singh , Nada Ritambhra , Kalra Naveen , Basher Rajender Kumar , Gupta Parikshaa , Dey Pranab , Gupta Rajesh , Dutta Usha , Srinivasan Radhika 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundRecently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a reporting system for pancreaticobiliary cytopathology. We applied this classification for pancreatic lesion samples by fine needle aspiration (FNA) and compared the results to the previous classification of the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology (PSC) system for risk stratification.MethodsThe computerized database was searched for all pancreatic endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) and transabdominal ultrasound‐guided FNA (TUS‐FNA) samples from 2016 to 2020 and cases were reassigned as per the PSC and the WHO diagnostic categories. Cases with follow‐up, clinicoradiological, and/or histopathology were included in the study. The risk of malignancy (ROM) was calculated across all diagnostic categories based on clinical data, imaging data, and histopathology wherever available.ResultsThere were a total of 625 pancreatic FNA. In 230 cases, follow‐up information was available which included 116 EUS and 114 TUS‐FNA samples. The ROM for PSC categories I–VI was 40%, 19.7%, 28.6%, 57.1%, 94.7%, and 97.9% and for the WHO categories (I–VII), it was 60%, 21.3%, and 35.7%, not representative, not applicable, 94.7% and 94.9%. The overall sensitivity and specificity of PSC was 68.2% and 96.2% when categories V and VI were taken as positive and 78.9% and 93.3% for WHO when categories VI and VII were taken as positive.ConclusionsPancreatic FNA samples reported as per the WHO system showed better sensitivity as compared to the PSC system resulting in better risk stratification and consequently better patient management. The overall high specificity and moderate sensitivity reaffirm the utility of FNA in pancreatic lesions.
Bilateral intra‐lymph node Warthin's tumor as a potential diagnostic pitfall mimicking metastatic carcinoma
Authors: Santos‐Sousa Ana Lívia , Camilo‐Júnior Deolino João , Conrado‐Neto Sebastião , Bernabé Daniel Galera , Xavier‐Júnior Jose Candido C. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWarthin's tumor (WT) is a benign and frequent salivary gland tumor primarily affecting the parotid gland. In some cases, this tumor can involve the extra parotid region and affect cervical lymph nodes. Fine‐needle aspiration can be the first step in the diagnostic approach to lymphadenopathy; however, specimens from intra‐nodal WT can present a potential pitfall, leading to a misdiagnosis of metastasis. Here, we report an unusual case of a patient with bilateral WT in parotid lymph nodes misdiagnosed as metastases. In addition, we highlight the cytopathological aspects of WT to alert cytopathologists about this challenging diagnosis.