bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Cytoreductive Surgery for Metastatic Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) study of 508 patients
Authors: Hu Haopu , Lai Shicong , Wang Mingrui , Tang Xinwei , Lai Chin-hui , Wang Qi , Xu Kexin , Xu Tao , Hu Hao 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Objective
To explore the role of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in patients with metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (mUTUC) receiving different types of adjuvant therapy.
Material and Methods
Data from 9,436 anonimized records was abstracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2008–2018. Of these, 508 individuals had received adjuvant therapy subsequent to being diagnosed with mUTUC. These patients had all been treated with adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Patients were stratified into either a non-surgical or surgical group based on CRS status before adjuvant therapeutics commenced. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare OS and CSS. Cox’s proportional hazard models were then used to analyze prognostic factors related to OS and CSS.
Results
Of the 508 cases, 36.8% (n = 187) had received CRS with adjuvant treatments. The remaining 63.2% (n = 321) received either chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy alone. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that 11.6% had 3-yr OS (95%CI 7.1–17.3) for CRS with adjuvant treatment and 4.9% (95%CI 2.7–8.0) for adjuvant treatment alone (p = 0.001). The 3-yr CSS was 14.9% for CRS plus adjuvant treatment (95%CI 9.4–21.7) and 6.0% (95%CI 3.4–9.8) for adjuvant treatments alone (p = 0.003). Under multivariate regression analysis, primary ureter site OS had a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.74 (95%CI 0.58–0.95, p = 0.019) and a CSS HR of 0.72 (95%CI 0.56–0.94, p = 0.014). The CRS OS HR was 0.79 (95%CI 0.65–0.95, p = 0.015) and the CSS HR was 0.75 (95%CI 0.61–0.92, p = 0.006). Additionally, chemotherapy had an OS HR of 0.46 (95%CI 0.33–0.0.65, p < 0.001) and a CSS HR of (0.44, 95%CI 0.31–0.63, p < 0.001). Bones and liver metastases were also indicative of poorer prognosis. Validation was conducted through subgroup analysis which suggested CRS was effective only for patients who received chemotherapy or combined chemo-radiotherapy but not for radiotherapy alone.
Conclusions
CRS provided significantly increased OS and CCS for mUTUC patients who received chemotherapy or combined chemo-radiotherapy in this study. In addition, the primary tumor and metastatic sites were related to improved patient survival although this was a small, relatively homogeneous sample therefore further research is required.
The Earliest Baltic Amber in Western Europe
Authors: Murillo-Barroso Mercedes , Cólliga Araceli Martín , Martinon-Torres Marcos 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The expansion of Baltic amber through Europe has traditionally been associated to the spread of the Bell Beaker culture during the 3rd millennium BC. In Iberia, this phenomenon is particularly noticeable in the southern half. Here we present an amber bead recovered in a Late Neolithic funerary cave (3634 − 3363 2σ cal BC) from northeastern Iberia where more than 12 individuals had been buried. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) results of four samples revealed their complete resemblance with Baltic succinite reference spectra. Despite being a single bead, this finding provides the earliest evidence of the arrival of Baltic amber to the Mediterranean and Western Europe, before the Bell Beaker phenomenon and more than a millennium earlier than traditionally thought.
Sociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school: implications for diversity in medicine
Authors: Eames Danielle , MS Shelby Thomas , Norman Kaden , Simanton Edward , Weisman Anne 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background
Nontraditional students bring to medicine inherent characteristics and perspectives that enrich the learning environment and contribute to expanding diversity in medicine. However, research has shown that these students, by virtue of their sociodemographic backgrounds, face unique challenges in medical education, which ultimately place them at a disadvantage compared to traditional medical students. The purpose of this study is to explore relationships between sociodemographic factors, stress, and academic performance, in the context of student outcomes that may influence diversity in medicine.
Methods
Perceived Stress Scale-4 surveys collected at four educational milestones and exam performance data on 358 of 360 students were utilized for the purposes of this retrospective observational cohort study. Using independent samples t-test, mean stress and academic performance were compared between groups based on generational status, underrepresented in medicine (URM) status, socioeconomic status, and age at matriculation. Results were considered significant where (P < .05).
Results
First-generation college students had significantly higher stress at the end of third year clerkships (mean 7.8 vs. 6.8, P= .03). URM students had significantly lower pre-clinical exam scores (mean 81.37 vs. 83.07, P = .02). Students who were 30 years of age or older at matriculation had significantly lower exam scores on all academic performance measures.
Conclusion
Expanding the sociodemographic diversity among physicians, and by extension, medical students, has long been recognized as an important avenue to address healthcare inequities for marginalized populations in the US. Results from our study suggest that aspects of medical education undermine the success of URM and older medical students, and thwart well-being in first-generation medical students. Residency program directors continue to use USMLE test scores as a primary metric to screen applicants. Therefore, poor performance on these exams has profound consequences on career trajectory which, in turn, may be impeding progress towards increasing diversity in medicine. Stress, depression, burnout, the learning environment, and academic performance are intimately related. A deeper understanding of the interplay between sociodemographic characteristics and success in medical school, both psychosocially and academically, is prudent to achieve diversity in medicine and, ultimately, health equity.
COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and hesitancy in health and care workers and the general population: a systematic review and policy recommendations
Authors: Silva Alessandra Pereira Pereira , Castaneda Luciana , de Oliveira Ana Paula Cavalcante , Fronteira Inês , Craveiro Isabel , Maia Leila Senna , Chança Raphael , Boniol Mathieu , Ferrinho Paulo , Poz Mario Roberto Dal 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the scientific community to find and develop a vaccine to fight the disease. However, and despite the vaccines developed thus far, problems with achieving high vaccine coverages have emerged, even among high-risk groups such as health and care workers (HCW). The lack of experience with such extensive vaccination created knowledge gaps in health policy and multisector decisions worldwide.
Objective: This systematic review aims to examine factors that influence HCW's adherence to COVID-19 vaccination and national policies to vaccinate the HCW and other target groups.
Methods: Searches were performed in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Lilacs, and WHO databases, besides Google Scholar for grey literature. The eligibility criterion for inclusion was being a member of the HCW. Vaccination was the target intervention, and the COVID-19 pandemic was the context. Qualitative synthesis used a meta-aggregation approach.
Results: Nineteen articles were included in the review, with study samples varying from 48 to 5,708 participants. Most of the evidence came from cross-sectional and qualitative studies. The main findings were related to vaccine hesitancy rather than acceptance. Factors associated with HCW vaccine hesitancy included subjective feelings such as safety concerns, related to rapid vaccine development, and insufficient testing. Non-adherence to vaccination by HCW can contribute to vaccine hesitancy in the general population. Countries have adopted few public policies to address this problem, and the main concern is whether to enforce vaccination and the extent to which measures are legal. Conclusion: Despite the large number of studies identified in the review, the quality of the evidence base remains weak. Skepticism, mistrust, and hesitancy toward vaccination are global issues that can jeopardize vaccination coverage. Governments need guidance to develop gender-specific policies to inform HCW and the public about the need to adhere to vaccination in the current and future pandemic scenarios.
Spatiotemporal evolution and inter-patient heterogeneity in primary and recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kong Anthony , Bresadola Luisa , Weber David , Ritzel Christoph , Löwer Martin , Bukur Valesca , Akilli-Öztürk Özlem , Becker Julia , Schrörs Barbara , Vascotto Fulvia , Sahin Ugur , Mehanna Hisham 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are heterogeneous in terms of origin and aetiology. In addition, there is uncertainty about the spatiotemporal genetic evolution from initial diagnosis to recurrence/metastasis (R/M) after primary treatments and further disease progression following systemic treatment. Changes in the genetic profile have implications on the selection of appropriate treatments for patients, especially in the era of targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Here, we analysed a cohort of 11 HNSCC patients with metachronous R/M, among whom nine had paired primary and R/M samples suitable for next-generation sequencing (multiple R/M samples collected at different time points were available for some of the patients). At the genomic level, the R/M samples shared a fraction of the somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with the index primary tumours, but they also acquired many additional mutations, while losing only a few others. A similar behaviour was also observed when examining the changes of mutational signatures between primary and R/M samples. Overall, R/M appeared thus more genetically diverse than the respective primary tumours. The transcriptomic analysis showed that R/M samples had lower immune cell infiltration and several genes related to immune response were significantly downregulated compared to the primary samples. Our results underline the importance of analysing multiple samples per patient to obtain a more complete picture of the patient’s tumour and advocates a re-biopsy in the event of R/M and treatment failure, in order to select the most appropriate therapeutic strategy.
Smoke Exposure, Hemoglobin Levels, and the Risk of Anemia in Urban Informal Settlement in Southern Ghana
Authors: Appiah-Dwomoh Cyril , Tettey Prudence , Akyeampong Enoch , Amegbor Prince , Okello Gabriel , Botwe Paul , Quansah Reginald 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background: Even though there is evidence connecting smoke and its components to anemia, none of these studies were conducted on populations living in urban informal settlements. This study investigated the risks of anemia/HB levels in an informal settlement in Accra, Ghana. Smoke exposure was looked at from a variety of sources, including those in homes, neighborhoods, and places of work.
Methods: A questionnaire was administered during an interview to gather data on source of smoke exposure in the household, in the neighbourhood, and the workplace. A phlebotomist collected blood samples from the participants to assess their anaemia status.
Results
The population (n=329) had a high prevalence of anemia, with 49.1% of people fitting the WHO's definition of anemia, while the average hemoglobin level was 12.6±2.1g/dL. Anemia was associated with the number of different types of waste burntsimultaneously [(1 or 2: prevalence ratio (PR): 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14, 0.99-1.28: 3+: 1.16, 1.01-1.63, p-for-trend=0.0082)], fuel stacking [(mixed stacking: 1.27, 1.07-1.20: dirty stacking:1.65, 1.19-2.25, p-for-trend=0.0062)], and involvement in fish smoking (1.22, 0.99-1.06). Reduced HB levels were associated with the number of different types of waste burnt simultaneously [(1 or 2: regression coefficient (β): 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.01, -0.97- -0.99: 3+: -0.14, -0.77- -0.05)], current smoker [(yes, almost daily: -1.40, -2.01- -0.79: yes, at least once a month: -1.14, -1.79—0.48)], SHS (yes, almost daily: -0.77, -1.30- -0.21), fuel stacking [(mixed stacking-0.93, -1.33--0.21: dirty stacking-1.04, -1.60- -0.48)], any smoke exposure indicator in the neighbourhood (-0.84, -1.43- -0.25), living close to a major road (-0.62, -1.09- -0.49), and fish smoking (-0.41,-0.93- -0.12).
Conclusion
Adult populations living in informal settlements may be at risk of anemia following exposure to smoke. Governments in developing nations should put in place pragmatic measures to control smoke emissions in informal settlements to protect human health and well-being.
Substrate promiscuity of Dicer toward precursors of the let-7 family and their 3'-end modifications
Authors: Dadhwal Gunjan , Samy Hebatallah , Bouvette Jonathan , El-Azzouzi Fatima , Dagenais Pierre , Legault Pascale 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The human let-7 miRNA family consists of thirteen members that play critical roles in many biological processes, including development timing and tumor suppression, and their levels are disrupted in several diseases. Dicer is the endoribonuclease responsible for processing the precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) to yield the mature miRNA, and thereby plays a crucial role in controlling the cellular levels of let-7 miRNAs. It is well established that the sequence and structural features of pre-miRNA hairpins such as the 5'-phosphate, the apical loop, and the 2-nt 3'-overhang are important for the processing activity of Dicer. Exceptionally, nine precursors of the let-7 family (pre-let-7) contain a 1-nt 3'-overhang and get mono-uridylated in vivo, presumably to allow efficient processing by Dicer. Pre-let-7 are also oligo-uridylated in vivo to promote their degradation and likely prevent their efficient processing by Dicer. In this study, we systematically investigated the impact of sequence and structural features of all human let-7 pre-miRNAs, including their 3'-end modifications, on Dicer binding and processing. Through the combination of SHAPE structural probing, in vitro binding and kinetic studies using purified human Dicer, we show that despite structural discrepancies among pre-let-7 RNAs, Dicer exhibits remarkable promiscuity in binding and cleaving these substrates. Moreover, the 1- or 2-nt 3'-overhang, 3'mono-uridylation and 3'-oligo-uridylation of pre-let-7 substrates appear to have little effect on Dicer binding and cleavage rate. Thus, this study extends current knowledge regarding the broad specificity of Dicer and provides novel insight regarding the effect of 3'-modifications on binding and cleavage by Dicer.
Genomic and Transcriptomic Characterization of Pre-operative Chemotherapy Response in Patients with Osteosarcoma
Authors: Yang Yongkun , Huang Zhen , Yuan Mingming , Chen Rongrong , Jin Tao , Sun Yang , Deng Zhiping , Shan Huachao , Niu Xiaohui , Liu Weifeng 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Osteosarcoma is a heterogeneous disease with regard to its chemotherapy response and clinical outcomes. This study aims to investigate the genomic and transcriptomic characteristics related to pre-operative chemotherapy response. Samples from 25 osteosarcoma patients were collected to perform both whole exome and transcriptome sequencing. Osteosarcoma had the relatively high level of chromosomal copy number variant (CNV) burden. Chemotherapy responders showed the higher chromosomal CNV burden than non-responders (p = 0.0775). The percentage of COSMIC signature 3, associated with homologous recombination repair deficiency, was higher in responders (56%) than in non-responders (45%). Transcriptomic analysis suggested that 11 genes were significantly up-regulated in responders and 18 genes were up-regulated in non-responders. Both GSEA and KEGG enrichment analysis indicted that four pathways related to cardiomyopathy were up-regulated in responders, while neuroactive ligand−receptor interaction was up-regulated in non-responders. Finally, a random forest-based classifier was developed to classify chemotherapy response using 23 differentially expressed genes, with the area under the curve of 0.843 (95% CI, 0.654-1.000). Osteosarcoma had the heterogeneous mutational profile with frequent occurrence of CNVs. Transcriptomic analysis identified several signaling pathways associated with chemotherapy responsiveness to osteosarcoma. Transcriptomic characteristics classifier provides a potential research direction for predicting the chemotherapy response.
Cognitive Dynamics Estimation: A whole-brain spatial regression paradigm for extracting the temporal dynamics of cognitive processes
Authors: Chikazoe Junichi , Koyama Yutaro , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Hirayama Jun-ichiro , Jimura Koji , Sadato Norihiro 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Functional MRI (fMRI) has been instrumental to understanding how cognitive processes are spatially mapped in the brain, yielding insights into brain region and function. Here we propose a different approach to fMRI analysis, called Cognitive Dynamics Estimation (CDE), that models how cognitive processes occur over time. Conventional analysis regresses cognitive events across time to estimate voxel activity. CDE transposes this regression and uses spatial maps of cognitive processes from meta-analysis as regressors, estimating their activity over time. We show that CDE successfully estimates cognitive processing activity while demonstrating advantages over the conventional brain mapping paradigm. CDE can chart the time series of virtually any cognitive process without the need for experimental event logs that assume their onset and offset. It also alleviates the problem of multicollinearity in conventional analysis, dissociating temporally correlated processes across time. Evaluating CDE models showed its estimated time series captured the trial-by-trial fluctuation of intensity and timing of cognitive processes, including predicting participants’ task ability. As an addition to our fMRI analytic toolkit, these results suggest the potential for CDE to elucidate underexplored cognitive phenomena in the temporal domain.
Ocean Microplastic Footprint and Potential Exposure Index for Coastal Indigenous Communities
Authors: Moreno-Baez Marcia , Alava Juan José , Tekman Mine , Bergmann Melanie , Barrows Abigail , Parra-Salazar Ivan , McMullen Karly , Cisneros-Montemayor Andrés , Ota Yoshi , Vandenberg Jessica 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Plastic pollution is of growing concern, especially regarding plausible microplastic exposure with relevance to vulnerable communities’ well-being. A microplastic potential exposure index (MPEI) was developed by mapping microplastic concentration in the ocean followed by calculating the potential exposure through food consumption with implications for Indigenous coastal Peoples that are heavily reliant on seafood. The countries that comprise communities with high maximum values of MPEI are Kiribati, Greenland, the USA, Canada, and Cape Verde. This approach provides a powerful tool for decision-makers tasked with establishing precautionary public ocean policies and allocating equitable interventions for plastic waste management and pollution mitigation in exposed coastal communities.
Optimizing of ajoene and 2-vinyl-4H-1,3,dithiin synthesis during the preparation of garlic (Allium sativum L.) mustard (Brassica nigra L.) oil macerate using response surface methodology
Authors: Singha Joydeep , Dutta Nipu , Saikia Jyoti Prasad 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The optimization of ajoene and 2-vinyl-4H-1,3, dithiin during the garlic mustard oil macerate (GMM) preparation was carried out using response surface methodology. The independent variables were time of heating, temperature of heating and amount of mustard oil. The optimum preparation condition for ajoene was a temperature of 55 oC, a reaction time of 4.5 hours, and an oil volume of 2.00 factor of weight of garlic; and for 2-vinyl-4H-1,3, dithiin, the conditions were a temperature of 77.51 oC, a reaction time of 2.22 hours and oil volume of 2.25 factor of weight of garlic. The predicted value of ajoene and 2-vinyl-4H-1,3, dithiin were 2387.24 µg/ml of GMM and 4806.11 µg/ml of GMM respectively. The experimental values were found to be 2186.58 µg/ml of GMM and 4363.27 µg/ml of GMM for ajoene and 2-vinyl-4H-1,3, dithiin respectively.
addition of histidine and L-tyrosine to maturation and culture media on IVM, IVF and IVC of buffalo oocytes and embryos
Authors: El-Naga Eman M Abu , Ali Montaser Elsayed , Sindi Ramya A , Hussein Hassan A 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of amino acid addition (histidine and L-tyrosine) to the oocyte maturation medium on in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), cleavage (CR) rates, and in vitro embryonic cultivation (IVC; Morulla and Blastocyst stage) in buffaloes. Histidine (0.5, 1, and 3 mg/ml) or L-Tyrosine (1, 5, and 10 mg/ml) were added to the synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) and Ferticult media. Within two hours, the ovaries were collected and transported to the lab. Follicles with a diameter of 3 to 8 mm were aspirated to recover the cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs). The IVM, IVF, CR, and IVC (Morulla and Blastocyst) rates were evaluated. The results showed that SOF maturation media containing histidine at 0.5 mg/mL could significantly (P ≤ 0.01) improve oocyte IVM when compared to control and other concentrations. The addition of histidine to FertiCult media at 0.5, 1, and 3 mg/mL did not improve the IVM, IVF, CR, or IVC percentages. However, the embryos in the control group were unable to grow into a morula or blastocyst in the SOF or Ferticult, whereas adding L-tyrosine to the SOF or Ferticult at various concentrations improved IVC (morula and blastocyst rates). There was a significant (P ≤ 0.01) increase in IVM when hisitidine was added to SOF medium at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml compared with L-tyrosine. Also, there were significant (P ≤ 0.01) increases in IVC when L-tyrosine was added to SOF medium at concentrations of 1 and 10 mg/ml compared with histidine. In conclusion, the supplementation of the SOF and FertiCult with the amino acids histidine and lysine could improve the maturation rate of oocytes and development of in vitro-produced buffalo embryos; however, further research is needed to examine their effects on the fertilization rates of oocytes and embryonic growth at different age categories and seasonal localities for future perspectives.