bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forest fires and climate attributes interact in central Himalayas: an overview and assessment
Authors: Mina Usha , Dimri A. P. , Farswan Sandhya 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background

In Uttarakhand, a state in northern India, forest fire events increased from 922 in 2002 to 41,600 in 2019, influencing forest structure and function. In the literature, it has been reported that, globally, climate change influences the intensity and expansion of forest fire events. However, with regard to Uttarakhand, studies on the relationship between climate and forest fire events were very limited. In this study, a brief review of Uttarakahand state forests, forest fire types, forest biomass carbon stock, and factors influencing forest fires was carried out, followed by assessment of the relationships between forest fires and climate attributes.

Results
This study indicated that there was a positive and significant correlation between the number of forest fires and temperature (maximum, average, and diurnal range; 0.05 ≥ P ≤ 0.001); whereas, there was a negative and non-significant correlation of forest fire with relative humidity, and a non-significant correlation of forest fire with minimum temperature and wind. The Ångstrom index and Fuel Moisture Index were found to be good indices to indicate the prevalence of favorable climatic conditions for forest fire. The results of the study indicated a vulnerability of forest floor biomass carbon to forest fire.

Conclusion
Temperature was a regulating factor in altering the forest fire potential in the district. Forest fire caused the loss of carbon sequestered in forest biomass carbon stock. In the future, due to climate change, a greater number of forest fire events may occur and disturb the carbon cycle.
Real-world (RW) prevalence of adverse events (AEs) among patients (pts) with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC).
Authors: Swami Umang , Xie Bin , Ramaswamy Krishnan , El-Chaar Nader N. , Gao Wei , Yang Hongbo , Wang Yao , Young Christopher , Mucha Lisa 
Published: March 2023

109 Background: Treatment options for mCSPC patients include adding novel hormonal therapy (NHT) with/without docetaxel (DOC) to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Uptake of these agents has been slow, and safety concerns may contribute to therapeutic inertia. This study aims to understand the RW occurrence of prespecified AEs among pts with mCSPC in the US. Methods: Claims from the PharMetrics Plus database (IQVIA, Durham, NC) were used to retrospectively estimate the proportion of pts with AEs among those with mCSPC from Jan 2014 through Jun 2021. Common AEs (≥10%) specified in FDA labels of treatments of interest or clinical trials ≥2% more prevalent than ADT alone were included in the study. Results of four clinically important AEs (fatigue, hot flash, sexual function and gastrointestinal [GI] AEs) are reported here. The proportions of pts with each of these AEs at specific timepoints plus 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated from cumulative hazard plots. Results were adjusted using inverse probability of treatment weighting across ADT alone, ADT+ nonsteroidal antiandrogen (NSAA), ADT+DOC and ADT+NHT. Results: The mean age of the overall study population (N=4145) was 66 years. At baseline, common sites of metastasis were bone only (n=1886, 45.5%) and node only (n=1237, 29.8%); the most common medications used were for pain (n=2182, 52.6%) and corticosteroids (n=1213, 29.3%). The reference group for all comparisons of AEs was ADT alone. For the entire study period, GI AEs and fatigue were significantly higher only in the ADT+DOC group ( P<0.001). Hot flash was higher in ADT+NHT ( P=0.05) and the ADT+DOC groups ( P<0.001). No statistically significant differences in sexual function AEs in the groups was noted. The table shows the proportions of pts with specified AEs. Conclusions: In this large RW study, all groups, including ADT alone, showed an increase in AE reporting over time. Most AE rates with ADT+NHT were comparable to ADT alone and ADT+NSAA, while ADT+DOC showed an increase in GI AEs, fatigue and hot flash. [Table: see text]
Financial toxicity and coping mechanisms in patients with metastatic prostate cancer: A pilot study.
Authors: Joyce Daniel D , Schulte Phillip J. , Kwon Eugene D. , Dusetzina Stacie B , Penson David F. , Tilburt Jon Charles , Boorjian Stephen A. 
Published: March 2023

125 Background: Assessments of financial toxicity among patients with metastatic prostate cancer are lacking. We sought to describe the prevalence and severity of financial toxicity, identify coping mechanisms, and assess characteristics that may be protective of financial toxicity among such patients at our institution. Methods: All patients evaluated in the advanced prostate cancer clinic at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, were approached to complete a survey between February and May 2022. The survey consisted of three parts: 1) demographic, cancer, and treatment characteristics; 2) a coping mechanism questionnaire; and 3) The Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST-FACIT) questionnaire. COST-FACIT scores range from 0-44, with lower scores signifying higher financial toxicity. Patients were defined as having either high (COST-FACIT score >24) or low (COST-FACIT score ≤24) financial toxicity. Coping mechanisms were compared between patients with low and high financial toxicity using Fisher’s exact test. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate patient characteristics associated with high COST-FACIT scores. Results: Of the 786 patients approached, 417 (53.1%) completed the survey and 281 met inclusion criteria. The median COST-FACIT score was 30 (IQR 24-36). On multivariable analysis, characteristics associated with lower financial toxicity included older age, (estimate:0.36, 95%CI 0.21-0.52), applying for patient assistance programs (estimate:4.42, 95%CI 1.72-7.11), and an annual income of at least $100,000 (estimate:7.81, 95%CI 0.97,14.66). Patients with high financial toxicity were more likely to decrease spending on basic goods (34.6% vs. 2.5%, p<0.001) and leisure activities (61.5% vs. 16.9%, p>0.001), as well as use savings (61.5% vs. 16.9%, p<0.001) to pay for their treatment. However, few patients stopped or partially filled their prostate cancer treatments due to cost. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study of patients with metastatic prostate cancer, older age, higher income, and applying for patient assistance programs were associated with lower financial toxicity. Greater self-reported financial toxicity was associated with decreased spending on basic goods, leisure activities, and tapping into savings. On rare occasion they delayed or skipped treatment. These findings are important to inform treatment shared decision-making and supportive interventions to mitigate financial toxicity in metastatic prostate cancer.
Contemporary use of wearable activity monitors in prostate cancer survivors: A scoping review.
Authors: Noorvash Brandon , Raines Carolina , Posadas Edwin Melencio , Sandler Howard M. , Freedland Stephen J. , Gresham Gillian 
Published: March 2023

127 Background: Remote monitoring of daily activity using wearable activity monitors (“wearables”) (e.g., Fitbits) provides an unintrusive method to obtain continuous, objective physical activity (PA) and sleep data outside the clinical setting. Despite their potential for improving PA assessment for cancer survivors, there is currently limited information on how wearables are being used in PCa survivors. Thus, we reviewed the literature to understand how wearables are being integrated into research and interventional studies conducted in PCa survivors. Methods: We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, and Clinicaltrials.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that involve commercially available wearables in PCa survivors, published between 2012 and 2022. Upon screening and full-text review by two independent reviewers, data were extracted from eligible studies, including study and patient characteristics, details on study interventions and outcomes, and purpose of device use. Baseline PA data were abstracted from articles with available quantitative data, including step counts, time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sleep duration, and included in a quantitative analysis. Results: Eighty studies were screened and 17 studies met eligibility criteria and were included in this review (8 RCTs; 9 observational), with a total sample size of 1,148 PCa survivors (median age 66 years, range 39-84). Wearables used included: Fitbit: (47%), pedometer (18%), smartphone (6%), Jawbone (6%), and heart rate monitor (6%). Most studies (71%) involved individual or group-based exercise interventions that were either gym-based supervised by an exercise physiologist or home-based (online web-based delivery or written recommendations), as well as remotely delivered behavioral interventions. One study compared objective (actigraphy) and subjective sleep quality measures and one was a validation study comparing Fitbit to the ActiGraph accelerometer. Study durations ranged from 1-48 weeks with median reported adherence to wearing the device of 79.5% (range 63-100%). PA data, as measured with wearables, were available in 13 studies and summarized. Conclusions: Wearables are increasingly being used to assess daily activity and monitor adherence to exercise interventions in PCa survivors. Findings suggest wearables are feasible for use in this population with high levels of adherence. Wearables can provide added value to PA and functional assessment, although more research is needed to understand how wearables can be integrated into routine patient care or used as means to track or deliver tailored interventions for PCa survivors. [Table: see text]
Differences in concomitant medication prescribing before and after novel hormonal therapy (NHT) in men with prostate cancer: A population-based study.
Authors: Yang Amy , Mei Chuchu , Banks Joshua , Nikita Nikita , Shaver Amy L , Keith Scott W. , Lu-Yao Grace L. 
Published: March 2023

138 Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer affecting American men. Two common NHTs used to treat PCa are enzalutamide and abiraterone. Due to the different mechanisms of these two NHTs, we hypothesized that the concomitant medications prescribed might be related to therapy-related adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in concomitant medications depended on the NHT prescribed. Methods: Medicare patients with a prescription of either enzalutamide or abiraterone in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare database diagnosed with prostate cancer from January 01, 2004 to December 31, 2015 were included. Medications were classified by Lexicomp’s pharmacologic category. Only oral prescriptions were included. McNemar’s test was used to compare the drug use prevalence of each category prior to and after initiation of NHT. Generalized logistic regression was used to evaluate whether changes in prescription drug class during the 6 months post-NHT initiation periods depended on the type of NHT. Results: Among the 1067 patients included, 354 were prescribed enzalutamide and 713 were prescribed abiraterone. We found statistically significant interactions between NHT (enzalutamide vs. abiraterone) and period (post vs. preinitiation NHT). Patients prescribed enzalutamide were more likely to discontinue prescriptions for steroids (p<0.01) as expected. The odds of fluoroquinolones, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and loop diuretics prescriptions were similar pre-NHT initiation for both enzalutamide and abiraterone patients; however, patients treated with enzalutamide were significantly less likely than abiraterone patients to have post-NHT initiation prescriptions for fluoroquinolones (Odds ratio (OR) 0.69 p=0.01) or loop diuretics (OR: 0.57 p<0.01). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to describe concurrent medication prescribing before and after NHT. Further studies are warranted to better understand the underlying reasons for the observed patterns.
Long-term safety and tolerability of darolutamide and duration of treatment in patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) from the ARAMIS Rollover Study.
Authors: Shore Neal D. , Luz Murilo de Almeida , Ulys Albertas , Ortiz Jorge A. , Srinivasan Shankar , Kurland Etah , Fizazi Karim 
Published: March 2023

147 Background: Darolutamide (DARO) significantly improved metastasis-free survival by ~2 y and reduced the risk of death by 31% vs placebo, with a favorable safety profile in patients (pts) with nmCRPC (ARAMIS study; NCT02200614). We report long-term safety and tolerability with continued DARO treatment in the ARAMIS Rollover Study (ROS; NCT04464226). Methods: Following the primary analysis of double-blind (DB) treatment, the ARAMIS study was unblinded, and all pts were permitted to continue on open-label (OL) DARO. After study completion, pts could continue DARO in the ROS if they had no evidence of metastases and were benefitting clinically. Of 955 pts initially randomized to DARO, 954 pts started DB DARO, 466 continued to OL DARO, and 294 entered the ROS. Pts received DARO 600 mg orally twice daily. DARO safety and treatment duration are described for the 954 pts over the DB, DB+OL, and DB+OL+ROS periods, with a data cutoff of Jan 31, 2022. Results: The median (range) treatment duration was 1.5 y (0.0–4.0) for DB DARO, 2.1 y (0.0–4.9) for DB+OL DARO, and 2.8 y (0.0–6.8) for DB+OL+ROS DARO. By the data cutoff date, 62.4% of the 954 pts had received DARO for ≥2 years, 30.1% for ≥4 years, and 12.8% for ≥5 yrs; 24.0% were still receiving DARO at data cutoff. Incidences of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) increased slightly as expected with longer observation time: any grade (DB 85.7%; DB+OL 89.8%; DB+OL+ROS 91.5%), grade 3/4 (26.3%; 31.8%; 35.5%), serious (26.1%; 32.1%; 38.5%), and leading to treatment discontinuation (8.9%; 10.5%; 12.9%). Increases in incidences of TEAEs of special interest across the DB, DB+OL, and DB+OL+ROS periods were mostly minimal. Conclusions: Approximately 30% of pts with nmCRPC remained on DARO for ≥4 y, suggesting long-term clinical benefit. The favorable safety profile of DARO was maintained with long-term exposure. No new safety concerns were observed with longer DARO treatment in the ROS. Clinical trial information: NCT04464226 . [Table: see text]
Efficacy of subsequent treatments in patients who progressed to mCRPC following treatment with apalutamide for nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC): A post-hoc analysis of the SPARTAN phase III trial.
Authors: Oudard Stephane , Hadaschik Boris A. , Antoni Laurent , Diels Joris , Luccarini Irene , Thilakarathne Pushpike , Smith Matthew Raymond , Small Eric Jay 
Published: March 2023

157 Background: Apalutamide (Apa) delays the onset of metastases and extends survival in nmCRPC. However, the benefit of subsequent therapy for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) following progression on Apa remains inadequately explored. Methods: A post-hoc analysis of SPARTAN, a randomized phase III (NCT01946204), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Apa for the treatment of men with nmCRPC was undertaken in order to assess the impact of post-protocol treatment. Patients included in this analysis were SPARTAN patients who developed mCRPC while on Apa and received a first subsequent therapy for mCRPC (the “Next Cohort”). The index date of the analysis was the initiation of first subsequent treatment for mCRPC. The baseline characteristics of the Next Cohort (reported from the time of initial randomization because updated characteristics at the index date could not be derived) were compared to those of the ITT Apa arm in SPARTAN. Subsequent overall survival (sOS) and subsequent progression-free survival per physician assessment (sPFS) were calculated from the index date using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: At study completion, 237 patients remained on Apa without progression, while 311 were included in the Next Cohort. Of these, 241 (77.5%) received abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) provided by the sponsor as an option as first subsequent treatment, 29 (9.3%) received docetaxel; 20 (6.4%) enzalutamide and 21 other treatments (6.8%). Compared to the ITT Apa arm in SPARTAN, a higher proportion of the Next Cohort had PSA doubling time ≤6 months (79.1% vs 71.5%) and a PSA value above median at baseline, and experienced poorer PSA response (51% PSA90 overall response rate vs 62%) whilst on apalutamide treatment. The median sPFS and sOS were 6.8 months (95% confidence interval, CI, 5.8-7.9) and 20.0 months (95% CI, 17.0-22.6), respectively. Choice of subsequent next treatment did not appear to have an impact on sPFS and sOS. Conclusions: Limitations of this analysis include its retrospective nature and the lack of randomization to first line mCRPC therapy and related potential confounding, and the inclusion of patients who had progressed at SPARTAN study completion with associated poorer prognosis. Nevertheless, the analysis suggests comparable efficacy of selected first line mCRPC therapies, following progression on Apa for nmCRPC. Clinical trial information: NCT01946204 . [Table: see text]
Intra-individual dose escalation of abiraterone (ABI) according to its plasma exposure in patients (pts) with progressive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mRCPC): Results of the OPTIMABI trial.
Authors: Alexandre Jerome , Oudard Stephane , Campedel Luca , Golmard Lisa , Ladoire Sylvain , Khalil Ahmed , Maillet Denis , Tournigand Christophe , Goirand Françoise , Guitton Jerome , Dariane Charles , Joly Florence , Xylinas Evanguelos , Golmard Jean Louis , Abdoul Hendy , Khoudour Nihel , Puskiel Alicja , Carton Edith , Huillard Olivier , Blanchet Benoit 
Published: March 2023

159 Background: Abiraterone acetate (ABI) improves survival in mCRPC. In a previous observational study, worse PSA response and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) were associated with mean ABI plasma through concentration (ABI Cmin) < 8.5 ng/mL within the first three months (ms) of treatment (Carton E et al. Eur J Cancer 2017). The OPTIMABI study, a multicenter non-randomized study (NCT 03458247), aimed to investigate whether a dose escalation of ABI improve PFS in underexposed progressive mCRPC pts. Methods: In step 1, pts with docetaxel-naive progressive mCRPC received ABI at the standard dose of 1000 mg/d + Prednisone 10 mg/d. Mean ABI Cmin was calculated from three monthly dosages. Pts experiencing progression within the first 6 ms and for whom mean ABI Cmin was < 8.5 ng/mL were included in step 2 and received 1000 mg twice daily (2000 mg/d) of ABI. ABI Cmin was assessed every month. The primary endpoint was the non-progression rate at 12 weeks in step 2. Identification of risk factors of 6 ms-PFS was done using Cox regression analysis. Results: From 06/2018 to 09/2021, 81 of 93 pts (median age: 72 yrs) included in step 1 were evaluable for statistical analysis. The median ABI Cmin was 10.0 (IQR: 4.5-15. 0) ng/mL over the first three ms. Inter-individual variability was 59%. The 6 ms-PFS was 68% (IC 95%: 56% - 80%) with no statistical difference between pts with mean ABI Cmin ≥ or < 8.5 ng/mL (log-rank test, p= 0.24). In multivariate analysis, liver metastasis (Hazard ratio, HR = 5.95, CI95% = 1.22–28.92; p=0.027) and creatinine clearance < 60 mL/min (HR = 3.51, CI95% = 1.12–10.99; p=0.031) were independently associated with 6 ms-PFS. Among 21 pts (25.9%), with mean ABI Cmin < 8.5 ng/mL, 8 pts (38.1%) experienced tumor progression within the first 6 ms; four of them could be included in step 2. None of them fulfilled the primary endpoint despite a significant increase in plasma ABI Cmin (p <0.036 by paired t-test). Conclusions: Despite high inter-individual variability of mean ABI Cmin, the OPTIMABI study does not support the strategy of intra-individual dose escalation according to plasma concentration of ABI in mCRPC. Underexposure to ABI (ABI Cmin < 8.5 ng/mL) was not statistically associated with shorter PFS. Clinical trial information: NCT03458247 .
Comparison of prognostic characteristics between vintage and novel androgen receptor-axis-targeted drug among Japanese patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: A multi-institutional study of Japanese Urological Oncology Group (JUOG).
Authors: Sakamoto Shinichi , Sato Kodai , Kimura Takahiro , Matsui Yasuyuki , Shiraishi Yusuke , Hashimoto Kohei , Miyake Hideaki , Narita Shintaro , Miki Jun , Nishiyama Naotaka , Ichikawa Tomohiko , Kitamura Hiroshi ,   pan Urological Oncology Group (JUOG)
Published: March 2023

163 Background: We conducted a multicenter study, 1) to verify the prognostic difference between novel androgen receptor-axis–targeted (ARAT) drug and vintage drug (Vintage) and, 2) to identify the prognostic PSA doubling time (PSADT) among Japanese non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) patients. Methods: Of 515 patients diagnosed and treated for nmCRPC at 25 JUOG participating centers, including Chiba University Hospital, 489 patients with complete clinical characteristics were included. The association between each clinical factor, including drug types, PSADT, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed, retrospectively. Results: The median age at nmCRPC diagnosis was 72 years, PSA was 3.24 ng/ml, and the observation period was 980 days. nmCRPC PFS and OS were 22 and 95 months, respectively. nmCRPC first-line therapy included Vintage + LH-RH alone: 197 cases/ARAT: 285 cases /Docetaxel (DOC): 7 cases. In the search for optimal PSADT (3-12M), PFS and OS correlated best at 10M (HR 1.64, p=0.005) and 4M (HR 2.63, p<.0001), respectively. ARAT(DOC) significantly prolonged PFS (HR 3.15, p<.0001) compared to Vintage, however, did not affect OS (HR 1.09, p=0.697) nor combined PFS (HR 0.94, p=0.733). The result was consistent, even after adjustment of the patient`s background by the propensity score matched analysis (n=145 in each arm), such as PFS (HR 0.35, p<.0001), OS (HR 1.16, p=0.598) and Combined PFS (HR 0.66, p=0.133). Multivariate analysis showed that PSADT was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (PSADT 10M: HR 3.1 p<.0001) and OS (PSADT 4M: HR 2.8, p=0.002). Conclusions: ARAT(DOC) prolonged PFS, but not OS, compared to Vintage in Japanese nmCRPC patients. PSADT (4-10M) may represent a useful tool in predicting prognosis and constructing treatment strategies for Japanese nmCRPC patients. [Table: see text]