bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer: Opportunities Provided by Cancer-induced Paraneoplastic Phenomena and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Liao Wei-Chih 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Objective:
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most lethal cancer, with a 5-year survival rate of only 11%. Surgery is the only potential cure for PDAC, but approximately 85% of patients present with unresectable tumors at diagnosis. The difficulty in early detection is attributed to the fact that early PDACs cause few or nonspecific symptoms and are frequently obscure or even invisible in imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT). This review aims to briefly summarize the status of screening/surveillance for PDAC and elaborate on the potential windows of opportunity for early detection through PDAC-induced paraneoplastic phenomena and artificial intelligence (AI)-augmented image analysis.

Data Sources:
Relevant studies and review articles were searched in PubMed.

Study Selection:
Studies and articles on human subjects were selected.

Results:
Surveillance for high-risk individuals with imaging-based tools (endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance image) is now advocated, whereas screening for asymptomatic general populations is not warranted at present. Paraneoplastic syndromes, including pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes and cachexia, are prevalent in PDAC patients and may provide windows of opportunity for early detection. S100A9 and galectin-3 are novel PDAC-derived factors mediating pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes and have shown promise in facilitating the early detection of PDAC. Novel computer-aided detection tools based on AI technologies, including deep learning and radiomic analysis with machine learning, have achieved accurate detection and might supplement human interpretation to improve the sensitivity for early PDAC on CT images.

Conclusion:
Novel blood-based biomarkers and AI-augmented image analysis may be complementary and hold promise for the early detection of PDAC.
Combination of Anti-programmed Cell Death Protein 1 and Antiangiogenesis Displaying a Response Disparity between Pulmonary and Nonpulmonary Metastases
Authors: Chung Bing-Syuan , Lin Peng-Chan , Chen Shang-Hung , Yeh Yu-Min 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated immune suppression is a strategy to overcome the resistance of anti-programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) therapy. Here, we present two cases, including one case with leiomyosarcoma and the other one with microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer, receiving the combination of pembrolizumab and lenvatinib as salvage treatment. Both cases demonstrated a significant response in lung metastases; however, the nonpulmonary metastases progressed. These findings suggest that lung metastasis might have a distinct tumor immune microenvironment, and further studies to investigate the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1-based combination therapy in patients with lung-limited metastases are warranted.
Left Kidney Undifferentiated Spindle Cell Sarcoma with Myeloid Cell Leukemia-1 Amplification: Therapeutic Response to Bortezomib, Venetoclax, and Dexamethasone Therapy
Authors: Tang Cheng-Yu , Yen Chueh-Chuan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The overexpression of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) has been identified in numerous hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Currently, there are no selective MCL-1 inhibitors. Here, we present a case of left kidney undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma with MCL-1 amplification. The tumor showed primary resistance to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Combination therapy of bortezomib, venetoclax, and dexamethasone demonstrated a positive response, resulting in a stable tumor condition for 6 months. To our knowledge, this is the first report to mention the clinical efficacy of bortezomib, venetoclax, and dexamethasone therapy in an MCL-1-amplified solid tumor.
Incidental appendiceal neoplasms: Single-centre results
Authors: Ozdemir Hakan , Ozdemir Zehra Unal , Gul Mehmet O. 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Histopathological examination of appendectomy specimens may reveal malignancies. Based on these results, either appendectomy is sufficient or sometimes a further treatment protocol can be needed. In this study, malignancy-diagnosed cases on appendectomy specimen were examined.

Methods:
Patients who underwent appendectomy between January 2013 and December 2018 with a pre-diagnosis of acute appendicitis were evaluated retrospectively and those cases with malignancy were included in the study. Patients’ age, sex, tumor type, tumor diameter, tumor grade, tumor localization, surgical margin, Ki-67 index, state of lymphovascular invasion, state of peri-neural invasion, and follow-up period duration were recorded.

Results:
On examination of 2336 appendectomy specimens, 16 patients (0.7%) were found to have neuroendocrine tumors (NET), 11 patients (0.5%) were found to have low-grade mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), and five patients (0.2%) were found to have primary appendix carcinomas. Appendix tumors usually present with acute appendicitis symptoms. Despite re-operation with right hemicolectomy (RHC) being required in the treatment of adenocarcinoma cases, appendectomy provides adequate treatment in most cases with NET and LAMN. With these tumors, which usually have a benign prognosis, it is important to perform the necessary screening in the postoperative period and not to interrupt follow-up.
Comparison of safety and efficacy of Netarsudil 0.02% and Bimatoprost 0.01% monotherapy and combination therapy in primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension
Authors: Shahid Saima , Rizvi Syed Wajahat A , Khan Adeeb A , Ashraf Humayoun , Akhter Afeefa 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Purpose:
To study and compare the efficacy and safety profile of Rho-kinase inhibitor (netarsudil 0.02%) and prostaglandin analog (bimatoprost 0.01%) both as monotherapy and in combination.

Design:
Prospective, randomized, monocentric, open-label clinical trial.

Methods:
Patients ≥20 years of age with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (IOP >21 mmHg) were recruited and randomized to receive either netarsudil 0.02%, netarsudil 0.02% + bimatoprost 0.01%, or bimatoprost 0.01% once daily for a period of 12 weeks. IOP and side effects were documented at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Results:
The mean treated IOP ranged 17.51–18.57 mmHg for netarsudil, 15.80–16.46 mmHg for bimatoprost, and 14.00–14.87 mmHg for the combination therapy group. The mean IOP reduction from baseline at 4, 8, and 12 weeks was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001) in all three groups. The safety profile of netarsudil/bimatoprost combination was consistent with each constituent individually. The only frequently observed ocular adverse event was conjunctival hyperemia, which was seen mostly in netarsudil and netarsudil + bimatoprost groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
The IOP-lowering effect of netarsudil 0.02% once daily is non-inferior to bimatoprost 0.01% in patients with POAG and ocular hypertension with acceptable ocular safety, and the combination therapy achieved a higher IOP-lowering effect. This group of medications can be a useful adjunct in patients on maximal therapy.
A Comparative Clinical Study to Evaluate the Antinociceptive Efficacy of Intravenous versus Intraperitoneal Dexmedetomidine with Ropivacaine in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Khare Arvind , Thada Beena , Meena Jyoti , Jonwal Kuldeep , Mathur Veena 
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims:
Intraperitoneal (IP) local anesthetic administration has become a routine in laparoscopic surgeries. An additive to local anesthetic like alpha-2 agonist such as dexmedetomidine may enhance the efficacy of local anesthetic. Our primary objective was to compare the duration of analgesia and our secondary objectives were to compare the total amount of rescue analgesics in 24 h, hemodynamic changes, and adverse effects after the use of dexmedetomidine intraperitoneally versus intravenously in addition to 0.25% ropivacaine instillation intraperitoneally.

Materials and Methods:
Eighty patients aged 18–60 years of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were randomly allocated into two groups – Group V (n = 40) received 100 ml normal saline (NS) with 0.7 µg/kg dexmedetomidine over 15 min followed by 30 ml 0.25% ropivacaine intraperitoneally and Group P (n = 40) received 100 ml NS over 15 min followed by 30 ml 0.25% ropivacaine with 0.7 µg/kg dexmedetomidine intraperitoneally soon after removal of gallbladder at the end of surgery.

Results:
The duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group V (246.45 ± 27.00 min) as compared to Group P (112.83 ± 11.61 min) (P < 0.0001). The total amount of rescue analgesic consumption in 24 h was significantly reduced in Group V (185.00 ± 73.55 mg) as compared to Group P (225.00 ± 77.63 mg) (P < 0.05). As compared to Group P, patients in Group V had a statistically significant Ramsay Sedation Score. The hemodynamic parameters and side effect profile were comparable in both the groups.

Conclusion:
IV dexmedetomidine 0.7μg/kg is more efficacious as compared to IP dexmedetomidine along with IP ropivacaine 0.25% in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in terms of prolonged duration of analgesia and decreased requirement of rescue analgesia in 24 h.
Evaluation of Patient’s Pain Assessment Format for Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Gaurav Nishant , Gautam Sujeet , Agarwal Anil , Dhiraaj Sanjay 
Published: December 2023

Introduction:
The efficiency of pain management depends on appropriate pain assessment. Postoperative pain assessment is done by acute pain service (APS) team; patients may also assess their pain scores with the help of a patient’s pain assessment format. The present study has evaluated the efficacy of patient’s pain assessment format by comparing it with pain assessment done by the APS team.

Materials and Methods:
Thirty-five patients undergoing abdominal surgery were enrolled in this study; postoperative pain assessment was done by patient’s pain assessment format and APS team for a period of 3 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was postoperative pain score and the secondary outcome measures were postoperative nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension, pruritus, numbness, paresthesia, or weakness in the legs. Results were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney U-test and Fisher’s exact test. P <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results:
Pain scores and incidence of side effects assessed by the patient’s pain assessment format were comparable to those assessed by the APS team; however, the first reading of pain scores after surgery assessed by the patient’s pain assessment format was significantly higher than that assessed by the APS team (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Pain scores assessed by the patient’s pain assessment format were comparable to the pain scores assessed by the APS team. Hence, we recommend the use of patient’s pain assessment format as a valid tool for the assessment of postoperative pain by the APS team.
A comparative study between autologous noncultured trypsinized melanocytes–keratinocytes cell suspension and autologous noncultured nontrypsinized epidermal cells grafting (Jodhpur technique) in stable vitiligo
Authors: Saini Shivani , Sharma Deepak , Yadav Chinmai , Singrodia Rahul , Chouhan Chandraprakash , Kachhawa Dilip 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background:
Noncultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) and Jodhpur technique (JT) are two treatment options in vitiligo, in which the basic principle is the transfer of melanocytes from uninvolved skin to stable vitiligo patch in the form of either tissue graft or cellular graft.

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of two different treatment methods (NCES and JT) in stable vitiligo.

Materials and Methods:
This was a randomized comparative study, which included 45 patients with 153 stable vitiligo patches. Cases were randomly divided into two groups. Appropriate statistical analysis was done. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
Of 45 cases, female-to-male ratio was 1.36:1. Mean duration of disease and stability were found to be 10.44 ± 5.24 and 3.83 ± 2.31 years, respectively. Mean size of treated area for NCES and JT was 10.11 ± 10.31 and 10.13 ± 10.29 cm2, respectively. Earliest repigmentation was found at 3 weeks in NCES and 6 weeks in JT. At 6 weeks, repigmentation was better in NCES, whereas later JT showed better pigmentation. Follow-up was done at 8 days and 6, 10, 14, and 24 weeks. With respect to color match at 6 weeks, JT was found superior; however, at 24 weeks both showed similar efficacy. Mean reduction in daily life quality index was significantly decreased post-surgery.

Limitations:
This was a single-center, small sample size study.

Conclusion:
Melanocyte plus keratinocyte cell transfer is very effective in the treatment of stable vitiligo. On the basis of the results, JT may show significant contribution in vitiligo.
Carboxylesterase-overexpressing hTERT-immortalized human adipose stem cells in prostate tumor growth inhibition by irinotecan
Authors: Kim Jae Heon , Oh Eunjeong , Song Eun Seop , Yun Chul Won , Lee Sang Hun , Song Yun Seob 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Effective chemotherapy has not yet to be developed for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Cell-mediated enzyme prodrug therapy (EPT), including a combination of carboxylesterase (CE) and irinotecan (CPT-11), could be a possible treatment option. This study explored a cell-mediated EPT, including a combination of CE and irinotecan (CPT-11), to inhibit CRPC tumor growth using rabbit CE-overexpressing human TERT-immortalized adipose-derived stem cells (hTERT-ADSC.CE).

Materials and Methods:
An hTERT ADSC.CE cell line was established by transfection with a lentiviral vector (CLV-Ubic) encoding the rabbit CE gene. To determine the in vitro suicide effects of hTERT-ADSC.CE, cell cultures were performed using various concentrations of CPT-11 (0.01–5 μM), and to determine the in vitro cytotoxic effects of hTERT-ADSC.CE cells, PC3 and hTERT-ADSC.CE cells were co-cultured. For the in vivo model, PC3 cells (1 × 106 cells) were injected subcutaneously into the flanks of nude mice and hTERT-ADSC.CE cells were injected via an intracardiac route, followed by the continuous treatment using CPT-11 for 2 weeks. The final change in tumor volume was measured and immunohistochemical analysis was performed.

Results:
The directional and selective migration of hTERT-ADSC.CE cells toward PC3 cells was significantly stimulated by PC3 cells in vitro. The number of apoptotic PC3 cells significantly increased in the presence of hTERT-ADSC.CE and CPT-11 compared to CPT-11 alone. In the in vivo study, the inhibitory effects of hTERT-ADSC.CE combined with CPT-11 were higher than those of CPT-11 monotherapy. After treatment with CPT-11 alone or ADSC.CE in combination with CPT-11, the removed tumor tissues showed hyperchromatic nuclei and apoptotic bodies. CE-overexpressing ADSCs potentiated the inhibition of tumor growth in CRPC-bearing mice in the presence of CPT-11 prodrugs.

Conclusions:
This report suggests that cell-mediated EPT including CE and CPT-11 may be efficacious in treating CRPC
Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains protein 1 (LRIG1) is downregulated in Invasive ductal carcinoma and potential prognostic marker of breast cancer
Authors: Piracha Zahra Zahid , Saeed Umar 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
LRIG1 belongs to the family of transmembrane proteins containing leucine-rich repeats. LRIGs are considered as tumor suppressors as they negatively regulate receptor tyrosine kinases. The role of LRIG1 as an EGFR regulator makes it an important marker to be studied in various epithelial-derived cancers.

Methods:
LRIG1 expression was determined in Erbb2 + cell lines by western blotting, and cell motility was examined by cell migration assay. The AKT/GSK3-β/β-catenin pathway was determined in the presence of LRIG1 and Erbb2 by using western blotting.

Results:
So far, no study has reported the expression of LRIG1 in benign forms of tumor such as fibroadenoma. The current study aims to analyze LRIG1 expression in fibroadenoma and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) tissues. In this study, we compared the LRIG1 expression with different clinicopathological parameters of patients having IDC or fibroadenoma. LRIG1 expression was low in Erbb2+ cell lines, and more cell motility was observed. The AKT/GSK3-β/β-catenin pathway was activated when LRIG1 was downregulated; consequently, Erbb2 was upregulated. Our results indicated that LRIG1 expression can be significantly correlated with age, Nottingham index, and Her2/neu status of cancer. The expression of LRIG1 in IDC and fibroadenoma were found to be significantly different.

Conclusion:
The fibroadenoma tissue sections were found to express LRIG1 more intensely as compared to the IDC sections, which are in line with the studies reporting reduced copy number of the gene either due to gene deletion or transcriptional inhibition. This further supports that the downregulation of LRIG1 may lead to malignant tumor acting as a tumor suppressor.
Identification of key gene signatures and their characterization by expression correlation with drug sensitivity in smoking-associated oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Gollapalli Pavan , Alagundagi Dhananjay , Ghate Sudeep D. , Shetty Vijith V. , Shetty Praveenkumar , Patil Prakash 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Aims:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a most frequent type of head-and-neck cancer, is becoming more common and posing a substantial health risk. Using a network biology strategy, this study intended to find and investigate critical genes associated with OSCC.

Materials and Methods:
The extended protein–protein interaction networks for differentially expressed genes related to smoking and nonsmoking conditions of OSCC were constructed and visualized using Cytoscape software. The hub genes/proteins were determined based on degree and betweenness centrality measures and then evaluated and validated for expression using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2), and their relationship to the sensitivity of small molecules was discovered utilizing the Gene Set Cancer Analysis (GSCA) web server.

Results:
A total of 596 differentially expressed genes were screened, and four genes, interleukin (IL)-6, JUN, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), were identified as hub proteins, and their expression and overall survival in head-and-neck cancers were further investigated using GEPIA2. TNF and VEGFA gene expressions were considerably greater in cancers when compared to normal samples, while JUN and IL-6 gene expressions were not statistically significant. Further, these hub proteins are found to have a substantial favorable correlation with overall survival of head-and-neck cancer patients. Finally, GSCA was used to predict gene-specific potential drugs that act on these molecules by combining mRNA expression and drug sensitivity data from the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer and the Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal.

Conclusions:
The hub genes/proteins identified in this study could help researchers better understand the molecular processes involved in the progression and metastasis of oral cancer in smokers.
Sexual function status after adjuvant radiation including vaginal cuff brachytherapy in survivors of cancer cervix
Authors: Puri Isha , Sharma Rahul , Dewan Deepika , Angurana Shabab , Abrol Deepak , Kumar Dinesh 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Context:
Adjuvant radiation therapy plays an important role in the management of high-risk cervical cancer after radical hysterectomy or inadvertent hysterectomy. The prime concern with the use of dual modality is steep decline in sexual well-being in cervical cancer survivors. Intravaginal brachytherapy (IVBT) delivered by vaginal cylinder or ovoids is essential for local control but at the cost of impairment of sexual function.

Aim:
The purpose of this study was to assess the sexual well-being of cervical cancer survivors, who underwent surgery followed by adjuvant radiation and compare the subgroups of ovoids with sorbo brachytherapy.

Settings and Design:
This was an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study, whereby we evaluated sexual function of cervical cancer survivors by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) instrument.

Subjects and Methods:
Seventy-five women, identified as cervical cancer survivors who had received adjuvant radiation and IVBT, were administered FSFI questionnaire in face-to-face interviews.

Results:
The mean age of 75 interviewed women was 48.64 years. Fifty survivors had received IVBT with a sorbo applicator and twenty-five with ovoids. FSFI full score ranged from 4.4 to 32.40. The mean full score for the whole group was 11.3. The mean FSFI full score was 24.91 (± standard deviation [SD] 5.71) in the ovoid group versus 4.49 (± SD 0.35) in the sorbo group. On Pearson’s correlation analysis, age and type of brachytherapy were significantly correlated with FSFI full score (P = 0.006) with correlation coefficient of − 0.312 and − 0.948, respectively.

Conclusions:
Sexual dysfunction was found prevalent in 83% of cervical cancer survivors. The patients treated with IVBT with sorbo had worse sexual functioning than those treated with ovoids.
Comparison and estimation of photoneutron dose produce between 10 MV flattened and unflattened beam in Elekta Versa HD™ medical linac
Authors: Khilafath Hajee Reyaz Ali Sahib , Ganesan Bharanidharan , Sekar Nandakumar , Mohapatra Dinakrushna , Vellingiri Jayaprakash , Prakasarao Aruna , Mahadevan Pramod , Singaravelu Ganesan 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
In a high-energy medical linear accelerator (linac), if the interaction of photon energy is higher than the neutron binding energy of high atomic material, it emits a neutron field through photonuclear (γ, n) reaction.

Aim:
The current study, evaluates the photoneutron dose equivalent (PNDE) produced between the 10 MV flattened and unflattened beams as a function of field sizes in the Elekta Versa HD™ linac.

Materials and Methods:
The PNDE produced from Versa linac was recorded along the patient plane using the bubble detector personal neutron dosimeter and from the measured PNDE values, the theoretical PNDE values were simulated for various field sizes using nonlinear least-squares curve-fitting as a function of a polynomial. The percentage of deviation (PoD) and Chi-square (χ2) tests were performed between the measured and simulated PNDE values to study the reliability and validity.

Results:
The results show that the mean PoD between the measured and simulated PNDE values for respective positions of a field size of FF beam was found to be -1.99% for 0.3×0.3, -4.39% for 5×5, -3.868% for 10×10, 0.590% for 15×15, 9.18% for 20×20, -4.133% for 25×25, and 0.467% for 30×30 cm2. Similarly, the mean PoD between the measured and simulated PNDE values for flattening filter-free (FFF) beam was found to be 1.36% for 0.3×0.3, -1.39% for 5×5, -5.38% for 10×10, 4.41% for 15×15, 3.84% for 20×20, 5.69% for 25×25, and -1.75% for 30×30 cm2. The maximum deviation between the measured and simulated PNDE values lies within the range ± 5%.

Conclusions:
From the study, it is observed that the FFF beam produces lesser neutron contamination than the FF beam.