bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges for cancer patients returning home during SARS-COV-19 pandemic after medical tourism - a consensus report by the emirates oncology task force
Authors: Al-Shamsi Humaid O. , Abu-Gheida Ibrahim , Rana Shabeeha K. , Nijhawan Neil , Abdulsamad Ahmed S. , Alrawi Sadir , Abuhaleeqa Mohamed , Almansoori Taleb M. , Alkasab Thamir , Aleassa Essa M. , McManus Martine C. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global health crisis. Numerous cancer patients from non-Western countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), seek cancer care outside their home countries and many are sponsored by their governments for treatment. Many patients interrupted their cancer treatment abruptly and so returned to their home countries with unique challenges. In this review we will discuss practical challenges and recommendations for all cancer patients returning to their home countries from treatment abroad.

Method
Experts from medical, surgical and other cancer subspecialties in the UAE were invited to form a taskforce to address challenges and propose recommendations for patients returning home from abroad after medical tourism during the SARS-COV-19 Pandemic.

Results
The taskforce which consisted of experts from medical oncology, hematology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology and palliative care summarized the current challenges and suggested a practical approaches to address these specific challenges to improve the returning cancer patients care.
Lack of medical documentation, pathology specimens and radiology images are one of the major limitations on the continuation of the cancer care for returning patients. Difference in approaches and treatment recommendations between the existing treating oncologists abroad and receiving oncologists in the UAE regarding the optimal management which can be addressed by early and empathic communications with patients and by engaging the previous treating oncologists in treatment planning based on the available resources and expertise in the UAE. Interruption of curative radiotherapy (RT) schedules which can potentially increase risk of treatment failure has been a major challenge, RT dose-compensation calculation should be considered in these circumstances.

Conclusion
The importance of a thorough clinical handover cannot be overstated and regulatory bodies are needed to prevent what can be considered unethical procedure towards returning cancer patients with lack of an effective handover. Clear communication is paramount to gain the trust of returning patients and their families. This pandemic may also serve as an opportunity to encourage patients to receive treatment locally in their home country. Future studies will be needed to address the steps to retain cancer patients in the UAE rather than seeking cancer treatment abroad.
Gynaecological cancer in Caribbean women: data from the French population-based cancer registries of Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana (2007–2014)
Authors: Joachim Clarisse , Véronique-Baudin Jacqueline , Desroziers Laure , Chatignoux Édouard , Belliardo Sophie , Plenet Juliette , Macni Jonathan , Ulric-Gervaise Stephen , Peruvien Jessica , Bhakkan-Mambir Bernard , Deloumeaux Jacqueline 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
For the first time, we present regional-level cancer incidence and world-standardized mortality rates for cancers for Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana.

Methods
For Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana, incidence data come from population-based cancer registries, and cover the periods 2007–2014, 2008–2014 and 2010–2014 respectively. Standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated using the world population.

Results
In the 3 regions, all cancers combined represent 3567 new cases per year, of which 39.8% occur in women, and 1517 deaths per year (43.4% in women). Guadeloupe and Martinique present similar world-standardized incidence rates. Among gynaecological cancers, breast cancer, the second most common cancer type in the 3 regions, has an incidence rate 35 to 46% lower than in mainland France. On the other hand, cervical cancer has a higher incidence rate, particularly in French Guiana. For both endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer, no significant differences in incidence rates are found compared to mainland France.
Regarding mortality, world-standardized mortality rates are similar between Guadeloupe and Martinique, and higher than in French Guiana. This situation compares favourably with mainland France (all cancers). Among gynaecological cancers, the mortality rate is lower for breast cancer in all regions compared to mainland France, and also lower for ovarian cancer in Martinique and Guadeloupe, but higher (albeit non-significantly) in French Guiana.

Conclusion
The ethno-geographic and socio-demographic characteristics in this population of mainly Afro-Caribbean origin could partially explain these disparities. Major disparities exist for certain cancer sites: excess incidence and excess mortality for cervical cancer; lower, but increasing incidence of breast cancer.
One-step heating strategy for efficient solubilization of recombinant spider silk protein from inclusion bodies
Authors: Cai Hui , Chen Gefei , Yu Hairui , Tang Ying , Xiong Sidong , Qi Xingmei 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Spider silk is a proteinaceous fiber with remarkable mechanical properties spun from spider silk proteins (spidroins). Engineering spidroins have been successfully produced in a variety of heterologous hosts and the most widely used expression system is Escherichia coli (E. coli). So far, recombinantly expressed spidroins often form insoluble inclusion bodies (IBs), which will often be dissolved under extremely harsh conditions in a traditional manner, e.g. either 8 mol/L urea or 6 mol/L guanidine hydrochloride, highly risking to poor recovery of bioactive proteins as well as unexpected precipitations during dialysis process.

Results
Here, we present a mild solubilization strategy—one-step heating method to solubilize spidroins from IBs, with combining spidroins’ high thermal stability with low concentration of urea. A 430-aa recombinant protein (designated as NM) derived from the minor ampullate spidroin of Araneus ventricosus was expressed in E. coli, and the recombinant proteins were mainly present in insoluble fraction as IBs. The isolated IBs were solubilized parallelly by both traditional urea-denatured method and one-step heating method, respectively. The solubilization efficiency of NM IBs in Tris-HCl pH 8.0 containing 4 mol/L urea by one-step heating method was already comparable to that of 7 mol/L urea with using traditional urea-denatured method. The effects of buffer, pH and temperature conditions on NM IBs solubilization of one-step heating method were evaluated, respectively, based on which the recommended conditions are: heating temperature 70–90 °C for 20 min, pH 7.0–10, urea concentration 2–4 mol/L in normal biological buffers. The recombinant NM generated via the one-step heating method held the potential functions with self-assembling into sphere nanoparticles with smooth morphology.

Conclusions
The one-step heating method introduced here efficiently solubilizes IBs under relatively mild conditions compared to the traditional ones, which might be important for the downstream applications; however, this protocol should be pursued carefully in terms of urea-induced modification sensitive applications. Further, this method can be applied under broad buffer, pH and temperature conditions, conferring the potential to apply to other thermal stable proteins.
Perceived xerostomia, stress and periodontal status impact on elderly oral health-related quality of life: findings from a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Botelho João , Machado Vanessa , Proença Luís , Oliveira Maria João , Cavacas Maria Alzira , Amaro Luís , Águas Artur , Mendes José João 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
To investigate if self-perceived xerostomia and stress are significant variables on the Oral-Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of elderly patients, considering the periodontal status, oral hygiene habits and sociodemographic characteristics simultaneously.

Methods
The study cohort included 592 participants (320 females/272 Males), aged 65 years or older, representing the elder inhabitants of the Study of Periodontal Health in Almada-Seixal (SoPHiAS). Patients answered a socio-demographic and oral hygiene habits questionnaire. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), Summated Xerostomia Inventory-5 (SXI-5) and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) were used. Full-mouth circumferential periodontal inspection was carried out. Multivariable regression analyses were used considering the level of periodontitis, clinical characteristics, the number of teeth, SXI, PSS-10, age, gender and oral hygiene habits.

Results
Self-perceived xerostomia and stress showed a positive significant correlation with OHRQoL and each of its domains. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated the significant impact of SXI-5 (B = 1.20, p <  0.001) and PSS-10 (B = 0.35, p <  0.001) on the OHRQoL. SXI-5 (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.28, p <  0.001) and PSS-10 (OR = 1.03, p = 0.022) were associated with a more frequently affected OHRQoL. The number of missing teeth, being male, mean probing depth and mean clinical attachment loss were also significant towards a frequently affected OHRQoL. Conversely, age was negatively associated with a lower OHRQoL.

Conclusion
Self-perceived xerostomia and stress are significant variables towards OHRQoL in elderly patients. Future studies should consider these self-perceived xerostomia and stress when investigating the impact of periodontitis and missing teeth on quality of life of older adults.
Small nucleolar RNAs signature (SNORS) identified clinical outcome and prognosis of bladder cancer (BLCA)
Authors: Cao Rui , Ma Bo , Yuan Lushun , Wang Gang , Tian Ye 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are a new non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which have not been widely investigated and are identified to be involved in tumorigenesis. But the function of snoRNAs in BLCA has not been reported yet.

Methods
SnoRNAs signature (SNORS) was constructed through LASSO cox regression analysis. Integrated analysis of candidate snoRNAs was performed to detect the correlation between copy number variation (CNV)/DNA methylation/protein/mRNA/alternative splicing (AS). Then we built a nomogram integrating independent prognostic factors to assist the clinical utility.

Results
We have screened out 15 prognostic differentially expressed snoRNAs (DESs) and constructed SNORS consisting of 5 candidate snoRNAs which could appropriately stratify patients into low or high SNORS groups with distinct prognosis. Then we found 5 candidate snoRNAs might be regulated by their own CNV and DNA methylation. Moreover, 5 candidate snoRNAs were significantly correlated mRNA and alternative splicing (AS), which might regulate diverse biological process in tumorigenesis, such as “extracellular matrix”, “epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)”, etc. signaling pathways. Furthermore, SNORS was an independent prognostic factor, which was strikingly correlated with clinical outcome. Through inporating with other variables, we have established a predictive nomogram, which was more effectively to predict prognosis than any other variables alone.

Conclusion
Our findings first highlighted an important role of snoRNAs in BLCA and established a potential prognostic model which could serve as a biomarker for BLCA.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors: single institution experience in Slovakia
Authors: Lajtman Erik 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and quality of life among endometrial cancer survivors.

Methods
Women diagnosed with endometrioid endometrial cancer at the Slovakian university hospital between January 2010 and December 2018 were identified. Three hundred ninety women diagnosed with endometrial cancer were invited to participate. Quality of life was measured using the EORTC (European Organisation for Reseach and Treatment of Cancer) quality of life questionnaires (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-EN24). Univariate and multiple regression analyses were used to determine associations between BMI and quality-of-life outcome variables.
T-test was used to determine differences between groups.

Results
337 (95.2%) women completed the questionnaire. 131 (38.8%) were pre-obese, 111 (32.9%) were class I and II obese and 29 (8.6%) were class III obese. Women with highher BMI experienced poorer physical, emotional and social functioning compared to normal weignt and pre-obese pacients (p <  0.05). Class I-III obese women had significantly more lymphoedema (59% v. 41%, p = 0.048) and dyspnea (73% v. 27%, p = 0.029), and experienced more fatigue (68% v, 32%, p = 0.036) and pain (65% v. 35%, p = 0.041).

Conclusions
Class I-III obesity was associated with poorer quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors. Increasing BMI was inversely associated with QoL. Pre-obese and obese patients should be informed about greater incidence of pain, fatigue and dyspnea. Lifestyle changes (e.g., dietary interventions, physical activity) might reduce obesity and improve quality of life among endometrial cancer survivors.
Mechanism of cadmium immobilization in phosphate-amended arable soils
Authors: Ruangcharus Chuanpit , Kim Sung Un , Hong Chang Oh 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLittle is known about the exact mechanism of cadmium (Cd) immobilization by phosphate (P) in arable soil containing low Cd concentration. This study was designed to describe this mechanism in detail. We determined the phosphorus (P) addition rate allowing Cd to precipitate as Cd minerals in Cd-contaminated arable soils and identified the main species of Cd minerals formed by the reaction of Cd and P, using the chemical equilibrium model MINTEQ. To determine the amount of Cd adsorption to soil adsorbed P, 0 –10,000 mgPL−1 of K2HPO4 solution was reacted with soil, then the P adsorbed soil was reacted with a CdCl2 solution (500 mg Cd L−1). Cadmium might not precipitate as Cd minerals such as Cd3(PO4)2 and CdCO3 with a recommended application rate of P fertilizer in field scale. Cadmium might be immobilized by Cd2+ adsorption instead of precipitation under a low P application system. Phosphate adsorption increased the negative charge of soil and Cd adsorption. The contributions of the increase in pH- and P-induced negative charges to the total increase in the soil negative charge were 93.2 and 6.8%, respectively. The increase in Cd adsorption caused by P adsorption was mainly attributed to the increase in pH-induced negative charge.
Hybrid gradient descent spider monkey optimization (HGDSMO) algorithm for efficient resource scheduling for big data processing in heterogenous environment
Authors: Seethalakshmi V. , Govindasamy V. , Akila V. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBig Data constructed based on the advancement of distributed computing and virtualization is considered as the current emerging trends in Data Analytics. It is used for supporting potential utilization of computing resources focusing on, on-demand services and resource scalability. In particular, resource scheduling is considered as the process of resource distribution through an effective decision making process with the objective of facilitating required tasks over time. The incorporation of heterogeneous computing resources by the Big Data consumers also permits the option of reducing energy usage and enhanced resource efficiency. Further, optimal scheduling of resources is considered as an NP hard problem due to the dynamic characteristics of the resources and fluctuating users’ demand. In this paper, a Hybrid Gradient Descent Spider Monkey Optimization (HGDSMO) algorithm is proposed to efficient resource scheduling by handling the issues and challenges in the Hadoop heterogenous environment. The proposed HGDSMO algorithm uses the Gradient Descentand foraging and social behavior of the spider monkey optimization algorithm involved in the objective of effective resource allocation. It is designed as the efficient task scheduling approach that balances the load of the cloud by allocating them to appropriate VMs depending on their requirements. It is also proposed as a dynamic resource management scheme for efficiently allocating the cloud resources for effective execution of clients’ tasks. The simulation results of the proposed HGDSMO algorithm confirmed to be potent in throughput, load balancing and makespan compared to the baseline hybrid meta-heuristic resource allocation algorithms used for investigation.
Unambiguous identification of fungi: where do we stand and how accurate and precise is fungal DNA barcoding?
Authors: Lücking Robert , Aime M. Catherine , Robbertse Barbara , Miller Andrew N. , Ariyawansa Hiran A. , Aoki Takayuki , Cardinali Gianluigi , Crous Pedro W. , Druzhinina Irina S. , Geiser David M. , Hawksworth David L. , Hyde Kevin D. , Irinyi Laszlo , Jeewon Rajesh , Johnston Peter R. , Kirk Paul M. , Malosso Elaine , May Tom W. , Meyer Wieland , Öpik Maarja , Robert Vincent , Stadler Marc , Thines Marco , Vu Duong , Yurkov Andrey M. , Zhang Ning , Schoch Conrad L. 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTTrue fungi (Fungi) and fungus-like organisms (e.g.Mycetozoa,Oomycota) constitute the second largest group of organisms based on global richness estimates, with around 3 million predicted species. Compared to plants and animals, fungi have simple body plans with often morphologically and ecologically obscure structures. This poses challenges for accurate and precise identifications. Here we provide a conceptual framework for the identification of fungi, encouraging the approach of integrative (polyphasic) taxonomy for species delimitation, i.e. the combination of genealogy (phylogeny), phenotype (including autecology), and reproductive biology (when feasible). This allows objective evaluation of diagnostic characters, either phenotypic or molecular or both. Verification of identifications is crucial but often neglected. Because of clade-specific evolutionary histories, there is currently no single tool for the identification of fungi, although DNA barcoding using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) remains a first diagnosis, particularly in metabarcoding studies. Secondary DNA barcodes are increasingly implemented for groups where ITS does not provide sufficient precision. Issues of pairwise sequence similarity-based identifications and OTU clustering are discussed, and multiple sequence alignment-based phylogenetic approaches with subsequent verification are recommended as more accurate alternatives. In metabarcoding approaches, the trade-off between speed and accuracy and precision of molecular identifications must be carefully considered. Intragenomic variation of the ITS and other barcoding markers should be properly documented, as phylotype diversity is not necessarily a proxy of species richness. Important strategies to improve molecular identification of fungi are: (1) broadly document intraspecific and intragenomic variation of barcoding markers; (2) substantially expand sequence repositories, focusing on undersampled clades and missing taxa; (3) improve curation of sequence labels in primary repositories and substantially increase the number of sequences based on verified material; (4) link sequence data to digital information of voucher specimens including imagery. In parallel, technological improvements to genome sequencing offer promising alternatives to DNA barcoding in the future. Despite the prevalence of DNA-based fungal taxonomy, phenotype-based approaches remain an important strategy to catalog the global diversity of fungi and establish initial species hypotheses.
The myofibroblast at a glance
Authors: Pakshir Pardis , Noskovicova Nina , Lodyga Monika , Son Dong Ok , Schuster Ronen , Goodwin Amanda , Karvonen Henna , Hinz Boris 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
In 1971, Gabbiani and co-workers discovered and characterized the “modification of fibroblasts into cells which are capable of an active spasm” (contraction) in rat wound granulation tissue and, accordingly, named these cells ‘myofibroblasts’. Now, myofibroblasts are not only recognized for their physiological role in tissue repair but also as cells that are key in promoting the development of fibrosis in all organs. In this Cell Science at a Glance and the accompanying poster, we provide an overview of the current understanding of central aspects of myofibroblast biology, such as their definition, activation from different precursors, the involved signaling pathways and most widely used models to study their function. Myofibroblasts will be placed into context with their extracellular matrix and with other cell types communicating in the fibrotic environment. Furthermore, the challenges and strategies to target myofibroblasts in anti-fibrotic therapies are summarized to emphasize their crucial role in disease progression.
Analysis of factors affecting delay accuracy of subfemtosecond liquid crystal variable retarders
Authors: Qi Xuhao , Fan Wei , Huang Dajie , Xia Gang , Cheng He , Shi Zhidong 
Published: July 2020

To obtain a wide range of high-precision time-delay controllable devices, a 100-µm-thick nematic liquid crystal (LC) cell was fabricated using the LC HTD028200-200. Factors influencing the delay calibration accuracy of LC variable retarders (LCVRs) were analyzed theoretically and experimentally. Subsequently, within the total voltage tuning range of 0–5 V, the LCVR had a delay of 4.977–97.404 fs, total delay range of 90 fs, tuning accuracy of

±
0.216

f
s

, and tuning resolution of 0.128 fs. This device will play an important role in spectral imaging.
The Optimal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Schedule: A Trapezoid or a Triangle?
Authors: Regev Eitan , Strawczynski Michel 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In this paper we ask the following question: Is the optimal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) schedule a trapezoid, as widely used by policy-makers, or is it a triangle? We show that a trapezoid is optimal only when the wage distribution among the working poor is even with a discrete jump for higher wage groups. Since this pattern is not in line with the observed wage distributions of countries, we conclude that the optimal schedule is a triangle. Our simulations show that the use of a trapezoid implies a substantial loss in terms of Social Welfare.
Buformin suppresses osteosarcoma via targeting AMPK signaling pathway
Authors: Ding Yan , Lv Shiqiao , Li Guangrun , Cui Jinpeng , Chen Yunzhen 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundBuformin has been reported to be a powerful anticancer drug by activating the AMPK signal. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of buformin on osteosarcoma.Material and methodsCellular proliferative abilities were determined by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays. Cellular invasion was investigated using a transwell system. Cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of key proteins. Synergistic effects of buformin and cisplatin were validated in seven fresh osteosarcoma tissues.ResultsBuformin suppressed the growth of U-2 OS cells in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 69.1 µM). Moreover, buformin induced cell cycle arrest (P < 0.001) and impaired cellular invasion (P = 0.038). Phosphorylation of AMPK was upregulated by buformin, while phosphorylation of S6, cyclin D1, and MMP9 were significantly downregulated. In addition, buformin notably induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lactate and eventually decreased ATP production. In both U-2 OS cells and the primary cultured osteosarcoma tissues, buformin increased tumor sensitivity to cisplatin.ConclusionsBuformin could suppress tumor growth and invasion of osteosarcoma through directly targeting the AMPK signaling pathway. Moreover, buformin inhibited the abnormal metabolism and notably increased the cytotoxicity of cisplatin, and therefore represents a new potential treatment option for osteosarcoma.