bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in breast cancer surgery at Brazil's public health system
Authors: Freitas‐Júnior Ruffo , Gagliato Debora Melo , Moura Filho João Wesley Cabral , Gouveia Pollyana Alves , Rahal Rosemar Macedo Sousa , Paulinelli Régis Resende , Oliveira Luis Fernando Pádua , Freitas Paola Ferreira , Martins Edesio , Urban Cicero , Lucena Clécio Ênio Murta 
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESTo analyze time trend patterns in Breast Cancer (BC) surgeries performed at Brazil's Public Health System, known as SUS from 2008 to 2014.METHODSEcological study of time series, based on the database system from SUS. Information on surgical procedures performed for BC treatment was collected. Analysis of the absolute number of surgeries was performed using Poisson Regression through Jointpoint Regression, and the trends were calculated through the annual percentage change (APC), with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%, and statistical significance when P < 0.05.RESULTSData analysis from 193.596 breast surgeries revealed a reduced number of simple mastectomies (APC −4.4%; CI −7.4 to −1.4; P < 0.05); stable trends in radical mastectomy with lymphadenectomy (APC −1.0%; CI −2.4 to 0.5; P = 0.1) and breast conserving surgery (APC 0.4%; CI −1.6 to 2.4; P = 0.6). Also, we observed a reduced number of axillary lymphadenectomy dissection (APC −16.8%; CI −26.8 to −5.4; P < 0.05); increased trends in breast reconstruction with implants after 2011 (APC 9.1%; CI 0.1‐18.8; P < 0.05) and with flaps after 2012 (APC 61.3%; CI 41.3‐84.0; P < 0.05). The overall rate of patients with breast reconstruction increased from 15% in 2008 to 29.2% in 2014.CONCLUSIONSWe found a significant increase in breast reconstruction in public health system in Brazil, and also a reduction in simple mastectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy.
Predictable features attract urban coyotes to residential yards
Authors: Murray Maureen H. , St. Clair Colleen Cassady 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTSeveral species of urban‐adapted carnivores, including coyotes (Canis latrans), use anthropogenic resources in residential areas, which may increase rates of encounters and conflict with people. These negative interactions might be reduced with more understanding of individual variation in the use of residential areas and if attractants were better predicted by residents and targeted for securement or removal. We fitted 19 urban coyotes with global positioning system (GPS) collars (11 healthy, 8 with sarcoptic mange [Sarcoptes scabiei]) and compared their selection for residential areas at different times of day. We also identified 173 clusters of GPS locations (representing foraging and bedding sites) and paired them with available sites to measure selection for anthropogenic food, shelter, and visual cover. Seventeen of 19 coyotes avoided residential areas in general, but lesser avoidance of residential areas occurred in animals that used these areas during the day. Backyards selected by coyotes were 66.7 times less likely to have fences, 22.2 times more likely to contain anthropogenic food, and had 3.3 times as much visual cover than available yards. Diseased coyotes were 9 times more likely than healthy animals to select for yards with anthropogenic food. Our results suggest that coarse measurements of habitat selection via land cover classes may underestimate the attraction to wildlife of particular features in residential areas. Greater management of these features by municipal governments, residents, and communities might reduce animal use, disease transmission, and human‐wildlife conflict for diverse species in urban areas. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Erythropoietin accelerates functional recovery after moderate sciatic nerve crush injury
Authors: Geary Michael B. , Li Haiyan , Zingman Alissa , Ketz John , Zuscik Michael , De Mesy Bentley Karen L. , Noble Mark , Elfar John C. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionErythropoietin (EPO) has been identified as a neuroregenerative agent. We hypothesize that it may accelerate recovery after crush injury and may vary with crush severity.MethodsMice were randomized to mild, moderate, or severe crush of the sciatic nerve and were treated with EPO or vehicle control after injury. The sciatic function index (SFI) was monitored over the first week. Microstructural changes were analyzed by immunofluorescence for neurofilament (NF) and myelin (P0), and electron microscopy was used to assess ultrastructural changes.ResultsIn moderate crush injuries, EPO significantly improved SFI at 7 days post‐injury, an effect not observed with other severity levels. Increases in the ratio of P0 to NF were observed after EPO treatment in moderate crush injuries. Electron microscopy demonstrated endothelial cell hypertrophy in the EPO group.ConclusionsEPO accelerates recovery in moderately crushed nerves, which may be through effects on myelination and vascularization. Injury severity may influence the efficacy of EPO. Muscle Nerve 56: 143–151, 2017.
An Optically Isotropic Antiferroelectric Liquid Crystal (OI‐AFLC) Display Mode Operating over a Wide Temperature Range using Ternary Bent‐Core Liquid Crystal Mixtures
Authors: Bergquist Leah , Zhang Cuiyu , Ribeiro de Almeida Roberta R. , Pellegrene Brittany , Salamonczyk Miroslaw , Kim Matthew , Hwang Jung‐Im , Kim Kyeong‐Jin , Lee Joun‐Ho , Jákli Antal , Hegmann Torsten 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe report on the synthesis and characterization of bent‐core liquid crystal (LC) compounds and the preparation of mixtures that provide an optically isotropic antiferroelectric (OI‐AFLC) liquid crystal display mode over a very wide temperature interval and well below room temperature. From the collection of compounds synthesized during this study, we recognized that several ternary mixtures displayed a modulated SmCaPA phase down to below −40 °C and up to about 100 °C on both heating and cooling, as well as optical tilt angles in the transformed state of approximately 45° (optically isotropic state). The materials were fully characterized and their liquid crystal as well as electro‐optical properties analyzed by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, synchrotron X‐ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy, and electro‐optical tests.
Crystal structure of TBC1D15 GTPase‐activating protein (GAP) domain and its activity on Rab GTPases
Authors: Chen Yan‐Na , Gu Xin , Zhou X. Edward , Wang Weidong , Cheng Dandan , Ge Yinghua , Ye Fei , Xu H. Eric , Lv Zhengbing 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTBC1D15 belongs to the TBC (Tre‐2/Bub2/Cdc16) domain family and functions as a GTPase‐activating protein (GAP) for Rab GTPases. So far, the structure of TBC1D15 or the TBC1D15·Rab complex has not been determined, thus, its catalytic mechanism on Rab GTPases is still unclear. In this study, we solved the crystal structures of the Shark and Sus TBC1D15 GAP domains, to 2.8 Å and 2.5 Å resolution, respectively. Shark‐TBC1D15 and Sus‐TBC1D15 belong to the same subfamily of TBC domain‐containing proteins, and their GAP‐domain structures are highly similar. This demonstrates the evolutionary conservation of the TBC1D15 protein family. Meanwhile, the newly determined crystal structures display new variations compared to the structures of yeast Gyp1p Rab GAP domain and TBC1D1. GAP assays show that Shark and Sus GAPs both have higher catalytic activity on Rab11a·GTP than Rab7a·GTP, which differs from the previous study. We also demonstrated the importance of arginine and glutamine on the catalytic sites of Shark GAP and Sus GAP. When arginine and glutamine are changed to alanine or lysine, the activities of Shark GAP and Sus GAP are lost.
Functional clues from the crystal structure of an orphan periplasmic ligand‐binding protein from Treponema pallidum
Authors: Brautigam Chad. A. , Deka Ranjit K. , Liu Wei Z. , Tomchick Diana R. , Norgard Michael V. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe spirochete Treponema pallidum is the causative agent of syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection of major global importance. Other closely related subspecies of Treponema also are the etiological agents of the endemic treponematoses, such as yaws, pinta, and bejel. The inability of T. pallidum and its close relatives to be cultured in vitro has prompted efforts to characterize T. pallidum's proteins structurally and biophysically, particularly those potentially relevant to treponemal membrane biology, with the goal of possibly revealing the functions of those proteins. This report describes the structure of the treponemal protein Tp0737; this polypeptide has a fold characteristic of a class of periplasmic ligand‐binding proteins associated with ABC‐type transporters. Although no ligand for the protein was observed in electron‐density maps, and thus the nature of the native ligand remains obscure, the structural data described herein provide a foundation for further efforts to elucidate the ligand and thus the function of this protein in T. pallidum.
Androgen Deprivation Accelerates the Prostatic Urethra Wound Healing After Thulium Laser Resection of the Prostate by Promoting Re‐Epithelialization and Regulating the Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Wang Xing‐Jie , Zhuo Jian , Luo Guang‐Heng , Zhu Yi‐Ping , Yu Dian‐Jun , Zhao Rui‐Zhe , Jiang Chen‐Yi , Shi Yun‐Feng , Li Hao , Chen Lei , Hao Kui‐Yuan , Han Xia , Zhao Sheng , Bei Xiao‐Yu , Jing Yi‐Feng , Xia Shu‐Jie 
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUNDComplications after a thulium laser resection of the prostate (TmLRP) are related to re‐epithelialization of the prostatic urethra. Since prostate growth and development are induced by androgen, the aim of this study was to determine the role and explore the mechanism of androgen in wound healing of the prostatic urethra.METHODSBeagles that received TmLRPs were randomly distributed into a castration group, a testosterone undecanoate (TU) group, and a control group. The prostate wound was assessed once a week using a cystoscope. Histological analysis was then carried out to study the re‐epithelialization of the prostatic urethra in each group. The inflammatory response in the wound tissue and urine was also investigated.RESULTSThe healing of the prostatic urethra after a TmLRP was more rapid in the castration group and slower in the TU group than that in the control group. Castration accelerated re‐epithelialization by promoting basal cell proliferation in the wound surface and beneath the wound and by accelerating the differentiation of basal cells into urothelial cells. Castration reduced the duration of the inflammatory phase and induced the conversion of M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages, thus accelerating the maturation of the wound. By contrast, androgen supplementation enhanced the inflammatory response and prolonged the inflammatory phase. Moreover, the anti‐inflammatory phase was delayed and weakened.CONCLUSIONAndrogen deprivation promotes re‐epithelialization of the wound, regulates the inflammatory response, and accelerates wound healing of the prostatic urethra after a TmLRP. Prostate 77:708–717, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Degradation of dimethyl disulphide in soil with or without biochar amendment
Authors: Han Dawei , Yan Dongdong , Cao Aocheng , Fang Wensheng , Liu Pengfei , Li Yuan , Ouyang Canbin , Wang Qiuxia 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDDimethyl disulphide (DMDS) is a new and effective alternative to methyl bromide for soil fumigation. The effect of biochar on the fate of DMDS in soil is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to determine the degradation kinetics of DMDS in different soils and evaluate the effect of biochar amendment on DMDS degradation using incubation experiments.RESULTSThe degradation half‐life of DMDS was between 1.05 and 6.66 days under non‐sterile conditions, and 12.63 to 22.67 days under sterile conditions in five types of soil. Seven out of the eight tested biochar amendments (BC‐2 to BC‐8) delayed the degradation of DMDS in soil, increasing the half‐life of DMDS in Fangshan soil from 1.05 to 1.16–5.87 days following amendment with 1% (w/w) biochar. The degradation rate of DMDS in Fangshan soil accelerated as the amendment rate of BC‐1 increased, and decreased as the amendment rate of BC‐7 increased.CONCLUSIONBiodegradation is an important degradation route for DMDS in soil, and DMDS degraded faster in alkaline soil. The effects of biochar amendments on DMDS degradation in soil are determined by complex multiple factors (such as surface area, pH and physicochemical composition), rather than by any single property of biochar. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Initial reaction mechanism between HO· and bisphenol‐F: Conformational dependence and the role of nonbond interactions
Authors: Bian Cheng , Li Yu , Wang Shujuan , Jing Xinli 
Published: February 2017

AbstractHydroxyl radical (HO·) plays an important role in the initial pyrolysis of hydroxyl‐containing polymers, such as phenolic resin (PR). In this study, the reaction mechanism between HO· and bisphenol‐F (BPF) or tetra‐methyl substituted BPFs, which were taken as the model molecules of PR, was studied with the density functional theory approach. The results based on the Fukui function and reduced density gradient function showed that, both the hydroxyls and the carbon atoms in the phenolic groups are the reactive sites for HO· attack. The hydroxyls are most likely to be attacked by HO· owing to the strong electrostatic potential around the hydroxyls and the low reaction barriers, especially for cis‐ o‐o' type BPF. The strong p—π (CH—π and OH—π) interaction between the phenolic rings in BPF leads to decreased conjugative effect of the phenolic rings, which further lead to decreased addition barriers and reaction rate constant.
Practical verifiably encrypted signatures based on discrete logarithms
Authors: Shao Zuhua , Gao Yipeng 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBecause the discrete‐log‐based signature scheme on finite groups can be adapted to elliptic curves most efficiently, it has been developed widely in the mobile Internet. However, how to verifiably encrypt such signatures is a long‐lasting open problem. In this paper, we present the first verifiably encrypted discrete‐log signature scheme based on undeniable signatures, whose security depends on the discrete logarithm problem and the computational Diffie–Hellman problem in the random oracle model. Our security proof is under a strong security model against three types of inside adversaries with more powers. The proposed scheme can be deployed directly in the current Internet environment; nothing more than each party has an ElGamal key pair on a common finite group. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevention of preterm birth with pessary in twins (PoPPT): a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Berghella V. , Dugoff L. , Ludmir J. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate whether cervical pessary placement prevents preterm birth (PTB) in twin gestations with a short mid‐trimester cervical length (CL) on transvaginal sonography (TVS).MethodsThis was a multicenter randomized controlled trial of asymptomatic women with a twin gestation and a TVS‐CL of ≤ 30 mm at 18 + 0 to 27 + 6 weeks' gestation. TVS‐CL was measured at the time of the fetal anatomy scan at 18 + 0 to 23 + 6 weeks and at subsequent scheduled ultrasound scans prior to 28 weeks. Women with a TVS‐CL of ≤ 30 mm at 18 + 0 to 27 + 6 weeks were randomized to receive either the Bioteque™ cup cervical pessary or no pessary. Randomization was stratified by gestational age, study site and chorionicity. Women with a monoamniotic twin gestation, twin–twin transfusion syndrome, early selective intrauterine growth restriction or placenta previa were excluded. Cervical pessaries were inserted by maternal‐fetal medicine staff centrally trained in proper placement. No other treatment for women with a short cervix was recommended. Primary outcome was PTB < 34 weeks. The trial was stopped early before complete enrollment.ResultsA total of 421 women with a twin gestation were screened for TVS‐CL, and 85 (20%) had a TVS‐CL of ≤ 30 mm. Of these, 80 (94%) met the eligibility criteria and 46 (58%) of the eligible women agreed to randomization. Twenty‐three (50%) women were randomized to pessary placement and 23 (50%) to no pessary. Demographic characteristics, including median gestational age (21.0 vs 21.2 weeks; P = 0.69) and TVS‐CL (16.7 vs 22.9 mm; P = 0.45) at randomization, were similar between the pessary and no‐pessary groups, except for level of education (more than high school education: 48% vs 78%, respectively; P = 0.03) and proportion of spontaneous conceptions (83% vs 43%, respectively; P = 0.01). There were no significant differences between the pessary and no‐pessary groups in rate of primary outcome, PTB < 34 weeks (39% vs 35%; relative risk, 1.13 (95% CI, 0.53–2.40)), as well as other outcomes, including PTB < 37 weeks and < 28 weeks, gestational age at delivery, birth weight and composite adverse neonatal outcome.ConclusionTreatment with cervical pessary was not associated with the prevention of PTB in women with a twin gestation and a mid‐trimester TVS‐CL of ≤ 30 mm in this small underpowered randomized controlled trial. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Some thoughts on the monitoring and preservation of waterlogged archeological sites in eastern England
Authors: French Charles 
Published: February 2017

This study reviews five hydrological monitoring projects used on archeological sites in the waterlogged landscapes of fenland East Anglia and east Yorkshire in England. The project design, recorded variables, and implications of each are discussed. In particular, the importance of understanding the landscape context is paramount, and retrieving an appropriate dataset over a sufficiently lengthy period of time to obtain reliable results and predictability. Some of the lessons learnt and outstanding problems are explored. As former wetlands are fast disappearing around the world through dewatering and a host of wider development threats such as urbanization and gravel extraction, the low intrusion suite of methods described here for measuring the degree and certainty of organic preservation is doubly important for establishing the viability of preservation in situ schemes for waterlogged archeological sites. This is crucial to get right, as wetland archeological records are an irreplaceable resource which offer extraordinarily full and diverse datasets of human lifeways which are all too often either poorly preserved or erroneously interpreted because of the skewed datasets recovered from dryland sites. WIREs Water 2017, 4:e1204. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1204This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Methods
Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented
Holy water: the works of water in defining and understanding holiness
Authors: Oestigaard Terje 
Published: February 2017

Holy water has a central role in shaping the understanding and beliefs of holiness in general, but how does holy water work, and what defines holy water? By analyzing holy water in three different religious traditions—Christianity in Northern Europe, Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and Hinduism—the aim is to discuss the metaphysical essence of water in human understanding and ideas of holiness embodied in water. On the one hand, holy water represents purity and has to be protected from defilement, but on the other hand, many holy rivers are severely polluted. This seeming paradox will be analyzed by focusing on actual beliefs and uses of holy water in ritual and religious practices. Holy water transmits purity and holiness, but it also transfers, transports, and transforms impurities. In the process of obtaining spiritual purity, devotees may pollute the holy because holy water is believed to have a divine agency. By comparing ritual practices and beliefs in three distinct religious traditions in Europe, Africa, and Asia, it is possible to enhance the understanding of the ways holiness and holy water are perceived to work in cultural‐specific religious worldviews based on essential capacities of water cross‐culturally. This directs the attention to the structuring mechanisms at work because water is conceptualized and used as holy in remarkably similar ways in many religions.WIREs Water2017, 4:e1205. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1205This article is categorized under:Human Water > Value of WaterScience of Water > Water Quality
Determining Patient Preferences for Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: Observation, Surgery or Molecular Tests
Authors: Lee Daniel Joonil , Xu Jason J. , Brown Dale H. , Gilbert Ralph W. , Gullane Patrick J. , Irish Jonathan C. , Rotstein Lorne E. , Goldstein David P. , de Almeida John R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundGene‐expression classifiers (GEC) and genetic mutation panels (GMP) have been shown to improve preoperative diagnostic evaluations of indeterminate thyroid nodules. Despite the improvement, uncertainty regarding the proper management exists. Patient preferences may better inform the management of these indeterminate thyroid nodules.MethodsHypothetical scenarios were administered to two groups of patients: those with previous FNA‐confirmed indeterminate thyroid nodules (Group A, n = 50) and those presenting to a general otolaryngology clinic for other reasons (Group B, n = 50). We evaluated patient preferences for surgery, observation and the use of molecular tests while varying the risk of malignancy, cost and diagnostic properties of the tests.ResultsThe mean threshold for choosing surgery over observation was a 38.6% risk of malignancy on FNA. When offered either GEC, GMP or both (with their inherent imperfect diagnostic properties) in addition to the indeterminate FNA, 85.0% of respondents picked at least one of the molecular tests over either observation or surgery if the test(s) were free of charge. However, only 51.7% of respondents chose at least one of the tests when asked to pay the current cost of the test(s) (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, sex, the presence of an indeterminate FNA diagnosis and income level significantly predicted the desire to proceed with a molecular test above standard management.ConclusionPatient preferences for thyroid nodule management are dependent on the risk of malignancy, prognosis of cancer and costs. Patients prefer molecular tests over standard management with indeterminate thyroid nodules, but the costs of the test(s) reduce the desire.