bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rising incidence of late stage breast cancer after COVID-19 outbreak. Real-world data from the Italian COVID-DELAY Study
Authors: Mentrasti Giulia , Cantini Luca , Vici Patrizia , D’Ostilio Nicola , Verde Nicla La , Chiari Rita , Paolucci Vittorio , Crocetti Sonia , De Filippis Chiara , Pecci Federica , Lisa Francesca Sofia Di , Traisci Donatella , Cona Maria Silvia , Nicolardi Linda , Pizzuti Laura , Gildetti Simona , Oldani Simone , Mora Arianna Della , Rocchi Marco Luigi Bruno , Berardi Rossana 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Purpose
Breast cancer (BC) patients’ (pts) management was affected by a global reorganization after Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our multicenter study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on access to diagnosis, staging and treatment for BC pts compared to pre-pandemic.
Methods
Medical records of all consecutive newly diagnosed BC pts referred to 6 Italian Institutions between March and December 2020 were assessed. Monthly access rate and temporal intervals between date of symptoms onset, radiological, cytohistological diagnosis and treatment start were analyzed and compared with those of 2019.
Results
A reduction (25%) in newly diagnosed BC pts was observed compared to 2019 (666 vs 890). New BC pts in 2020 were less likely to be diagnosed with early stage (stage 0-I-II) BC (77% vs 83%, p<0.01), had a worse ECOG PS (19.8% had PS>0 in 2020 vs 16.5% in 2019, p<0.01) and fewer patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis in 2020 (54% vs 71%, p<0.01). COVID-19 did not negatively impact in terms of access to diagnosis, staging and treatment. Time intervals between symptom onset and radiological diagnosis, symptom onset and cytohistological diagnosis, cytohistological diagnosis and treatment start were maintained or even improved. However, less BC cases were discussed in multidisciplinary tumor meetings during 2020 (60% vs 73%, p<0.01).
Conclusions
Our data proved an alarming reduction of BC early stage diagnoses in 2020. Despite the upheaval generated by COVID-19, our study shed light on the effective performance delivered by Italian Oncology Departments to guarantee diagnostic-therapeutic pathways.
Dynamic Evaluation and Prediction of the Ecological Environment Quality of the Urban Agglomeration on the Northern Slope of Tianshan Mountains
Authors: Yibo Yan , Ziyuan Chai , Zibibula Simayi , Haobo Yan , Xiaodong Yang , Shengtian Yang 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In order to timely understand the dynamic changes of the ecological environment quality and future development laws of the urban agglomeration on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, combined with the actual situation of the urban agglomeration, 11 indicators are selected from the three aspects of natural ecology, social ecology, and economic ecology. Based on RS and GIS technology methods, Principal component analysis, coefficient of variation and analytic hierarchy process are used to reduce the dimensions of the indicators, and the ecological environmental quality (EQI) from 2000 to 2018 is dynamically evaluated, and the CA-Markov model is introduced to simulate the development status in 2026 predict.The main results are as follows: the overall ecological environment of the area shows a gradually improving distribution change from southwest to northeast; the proportion of ecological environment classification shows a gradually decreasing change pattern; the spatial differentiation of ecological environment quality shows a significant spatial positive correlation; from the influencing factors It can be seen that natural ecological factors occupy a major position; the prediction accuracy verification shows that the CA-Markov model is suitable for the prediction of the ecological environment quality in the region and has high accuracy; the comprehensive regional ecological environment quality indexes are 5.7392, 6.1856 and 6.4366, respectively, and the forecast in 2026 The value is predicted to be 6.6285, indicating that the overall ecological environment quality of the region has been improved and developed well. The research reveals the law of dynamic changes and future development of the ecological environment quality in the region, which can be used as a theoretical reference for the formulation of ecological environmental protection measures in the region.
Incidence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis under the Normal State of COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control
Authors: Wu Ziwei , Chen Ziyi , Long Siyu , Wu Aiping , Wang Hongsheng 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has driven public health intervention strategies, including keeping social distance, wearing masks in crowded places, and having good health habits, to prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). However, it is unknown whether the use of these intervention strategies influences morbidity in other human infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.Methods: In this study, three prediction models were constructed to compare variations in PTB incidences after January 2020 without or with intervention includes strict and normalized interventions, when the COVID-19 outbreak began in China. The non-interventional model was developed with an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model that was trained with the monthly incidence of PTB in China from January 2005 to December 2019. The interventional model was established using an ARIMA model with a continuing intervention function that was trained with the monthly PTB incidence in China from January 2020 to December 2020.Results: Starting with the assumption that no COVID-19 outbreak had occurred in China, PTB incidence was predicted, and then the actual incidence was compared with the predicted incidence. A remarkable overall decline in PTB incidence from January 2020 to December 2020 was observed likely due to the influence of intervention policies for COVID-19. If the same intervention strategy is applied for the next 2 years, the monthly PTB incidence would reduce on average by about 1.03 per 100,000 people each month compared with the incidence predicted by the non-interventional model. The annual incidence estimated 59.15 under normalized intervention per 100,000 in 2021, and the value would decline to 50.65 with strict interventions.Conclusions: Our models quantified the knock-on effect on PTB incidence of the intervention strategy used to control the transmission of COVID-19 in China. Combined with the feasibility of the strategies, these results suggested that continuous normalized interventions would play important roles in the future prevention and control of PTB.
A method for determination of kinetic friction coefficient under dynamic loading conditions
Authors: Mitrovic Slobodan , Brzakovic Ljiljana , Kocovic Vladimir , Busarac Nina , Tadic Branko 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In general, the kinetic friction coefficient can, under any contact loading condition, be determined using methods completely different from the existing methods based on the measurements of contact load and friction force. The proposed method refers to the determination of kinetic friction coefficient using the dynamic equation of motion for a rotating body, where the active force acts on the rotating body only at the initial moment of motion, while body masses, which are concentrically and eccentrically distributed in relation to the axis of rotation, provide a static and dynamic component of a desired 'sleeve-bearing' contact load. If the body angle of rotation change is experimentally determined as a function of time, then, based on the dynamic equation of motion, it is possible to determine the current friction coefficient values for the entire time period from the start of the motion to the rotation stop. It can be said that acceleration is a physical and energy indicator for friction and energy dissipation in tribomechanical systems, and that it defines the complete dynamics of the friction process itself.
Assessment of knowledge of surgical and clinical skills among medical students and residents in Syria: A cross-sectional study.
Authors: Ataya Jamal , Ismail Abdullah Ismail , Kousa Alyamama , Shahoud Zein Shahoud , Alhalabi Rawan Alhalabi , Ghanem Rita , Zaitouna Mazen 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background:Based on the importance of surgical and clinical skills for any doctor, regardless of his specialty, it was necessary to assess the knowledge and familiarity of medical students and recent graduates with these skills, perhaps this assessment would be a constructive step towards improving the professional reality of all doctors in our country.Methods:We surveyed medical students in Syrian Universities by a questionnare which was published via online students platforms. Main topics of the questionnaire concerned basic surgical and clinical skills by twenty questions that were taken from international references.Results:The final sample was 500 questionnaires and 77% of the students had an intermediate assessment. A relationship was noted with the University where they studied and the gender of participants. The percentage of correct answers ranged from 29% to 76.8% for surgical skills and from 9% to 98.4% for clinical skills.Conclusions:We have noticed a defect in many students in applying their theoretical knowledge in a good practical way, so we suggested that these faculties adopt systematic plans to develop the teaching of these skills and provide efficient scientific expertise in addition to improving training methods by reducing the number of Students and placing them in an appropriate environment with securing the necessary laboratories and equipment.
The effect of monochromatic, combined, and mixed light-emitting diode light regimes on growth traits, fear responses and slaughter-carcass characteristics in broiler chickens
Authors: Sayin Yunus , Kaplan Onur , Karaduman Esra , Haqyar Dost Mohammad , Narinç Doğan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
This study aims to determine the effects of blue and green monochromatic, blue-green combination, and blue-green mixed led lighting systems on growth, fear, and carcass characteristics of broilers reared in an extensive indoor system. Experimental groups were formed as follows; 1-conventional (incandescent), 2-blue, 3-green, 4-blue-green combined (blue for the first ten days, then green), 5-green-blue combined (green for the first ten days, then blue), and 6-blue-green intermittent (alternating every 5 minutes) monochromatic lightings. It was detected that the average values of the body weight of chickens at 42 and 56 days of age in the green-blue group were higher than those of the other treatment groups (both P<0.05). It was determined that the broilers in the green and green-blue groups had higher means of the β0 parameter of Gompertz model. The tonic immobility, emergence test, home cage avoidance test, a looming human test, and box-plus experimenter test were applied to determine the fear responses. It was determined that the worst results for fear responses of broilers were in the intermittent lighting group and green-blue combined group. As a result, it was determined that the application of green monochromatic lighting in the first ten days of the fattening period and blue monochromatic lighting in the following period positively affected growth and slaughter-carcass characteristics. However, it was found that broilers reared under green-blue combined lighting had high fear levels.
Plants control the structure of pathogenic and saprotrophic fungal communities in soil in a 50-year maize monoculture experiment
Authors: Wachowska Urszula , Rychcik Bogumił 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Aims
Saprotrophic soil fungi participate in biomass mineralization, inhibit pathogen development and promote plant growth. Pathogens accumulate in soil and decrease crop yields. The structure of fungal communities is determined mainly by the organic matter content and pH of soil. Little is known about the influence of crop rotation and long-term monoculture on saprotrophic fungi that decompose plant roots and crop residues as sources of soil biomass.
Methods
Fungal communities that promote plant growth (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), yeasts, Trichoderma spp.), cellulolytic fungi and pathogenic species were analyzed in a 6-year crop rotation system (maize – spring barley – peas – winter rapeseed – winter wheat – sugar beets) and in 50-year maize monoculture. Fungal DNA was extracted from the rhizosphere and plant roots, and the ITS2 region of fungal rDNA was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. In both treatments, weeds were controlled chemically (terbuthylazine + mesotrione + s-metolachlor) or mechanically.
Results
A total of 311 fungal species were identified. The biodiversity of soil fungi, in particular AMF and yeasts, was higher in monoculture than in crop rotation. Maize pathogens were more frequently identified in monoculture, whereas species of the genus Trichoderma were more prevalent in crop rotation. Herbicides clearly increased the abundance of cellulolytic fungi of the phyla Mucoromycota and Mortierellomycota, Mortierella spp. and Minimedusa polyspora. The abiotic properties of soil were affected by the cropping sequence. The content of organic carbon (Corg) and the availability of P and Mg decreased in monoculture. Maize yields were bound by a strong positive correlation with the availability of macronutrients and Corg in soil, as well as a weak positive correlation with the abundance of Trichoderma spp., Mucoromycota and Mortierellomycota.
Conclusions
Fungi exert a complex and ambiguous effect on maize biomass yields, whereas a decrease in the macronutrient content of soil in monoculture strongly decreases maize yields. In the long term, the cropping sequence considerably influences the structure of the soil microbiome which can be a reservoir of unique species and species that minimize the negative effects of monoculture in agroecosystems.
Menthol carbonates as potent antiparasitic agents: synthesis and in vitro studies along with computer-aided approaches
Authors: Clemente Camila M. , Robledo Sara M. , Ravetti Soledad 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Despite the number of deaths and the significant economic and social costs associated with Chagas, Leishmaniasis and Malaria diseases worldwide, available drugs are limited and have serious side effects and high toxicity for the patient. Therefore, there is an urgent need for safe, low-cost, and effective treatments. Natural products are an important source of bioactive compounds and there is current interest in finding natural bioactive molecules that can be used for treating these parasitic diseases. In the present study we proposed to evaluate the in vitro antiparasitic activity of new menthol derivatives against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania braziliensis and Plasmodium falciparum; moreover, we propose to explore their mode of action through in silico approaches.Methods: A series of carbonate prodrugs (1-9) were synthesized from menthol with different aliphatic alcohols. Spectroscopic techniques were used to confirm the structures of the synthesized compounds. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was assessed using U-937 cells. In vitro trypanocidal, leishmanicidal and antiplasmodial activity were evaluated using a T. cruzi, L. braziliensis and P. falciparum organism, respectively. In addition, in silico studies were also performed through molecular dynamics simulations and MM-PBSA analysis.Results: The assay revealed that most of the compounds were highly active against intracellular amastigotes of T. cruzi and L. braziliensis, and had moderate activity against the total forms of P. falciparum. Compound 2 was one of the drugs that showed a high selectivity index (SI) for the three organisms evaluated. The prediction of the ADME properties suggests that all the compounds have drug-like molecular properties and the probability to be lead candidates. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM-PBSA studies indicate that menthol at the substrate binding site of TcDHODH, LbDHODH and PfDHODH is structurally stable in the same order as the natural substrate; also, interactions of menthol with residues involved in the inhibition of TcDHODH and PfDHODH proteins were predicted.Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that menthol prodrugs are promising antiparasitic agents; however, the mechanisms of action proposed in this study need to be experimentally verified by future enzymatic assays.
Significance of Tumor Heterogeneity of p-Smad2 and c-Met in HER2-positive Gastric Carcinoma with Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Tsujio Gen , Maruo Koji , Yamamoto Yurie , Sera Tomohiro , Sugimoto Atsushi , Kasashima Hiroaki , Miki Yuichiro , Yoshii Mami , Tamura Tatsuro , Toyokawa Takahiro , Tanaka Hiroaki , Muguruma Kazuya , Ohira Masaichi , Yashiro Masakazu 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Tumor heterogeneity has frequently been observed in gastric cancer (GC), but the correlation between patients' clinico-pathologic features and the tumoral heterogeneity of GC-associated molecules has not been clarified. We investigated the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the tumoral heterogeneity of driver molecules in GC.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the case of 504 patients who underwent a gastrectomy at the department of Gastroenterological Surgery Osaka City University and 389 cases of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TGCA) data. The clustering analysis was performed based on eight cancer-associated molecules including HER2, c-Met, and p-Smad2, using the protein expression revealed by our immunohistochemical study of the patients and TGCA cases. We determined the correlations between HER2 expression and the other molecules based on the degree of lymph node metastasis.Results: Immunohistochemical staining data showed that a 43 of the 504 patients with GC (8.5%) were HER2-positive. In the HER2-positive cases, the expressions of c-Met and p-Smad2 were increased in accord with the lymph-node metastatic level. The overall survival of the HER2-positive GC patients with both p-Smad2 and c-Met expression was significantly (p=0.030) poorer than that of the patients with p-Smad2-negative and/or c-Met-negative expression. The results of the TCGA data analysis revealed that 58 of the 389 GC cases (14.9%) were ERBB2-positive. MET expression was more frequent in the N1 metastasis group than the N0 group. In the high lymph-node metastasis (N2 and N3) group, SMAD2 expression was more frequent in addition to ERBB2 and MET expression.Conclusion: p-Smad2 and c-Met signaling might play important roles in lymph node metastasis in HER2-positive GC.
Tubo-Ovarian Mass with raised CA-125 in 21-year-old female
Authors: Purwar Roli , Soni Kishan , Tilak Ragini , Verma Ashish , Pandey Manoj 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Peritonitis associated with fungal species Curvularia lunata seldom occurs with only five cases reported in literature, all in middle age patients with comorbidities undergoing dialysis. Case Report: A 21-year-old female who was referred to surgical oncology OPD with a diagnosis of ovarian malignancy, based on raised cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) and suspected tubo-ovarian mass (TOM) on MRI. Review of the MRI showed pelvic collection with TOM, suggestive of infective pathology. Ultrasound guided aspiration of the cystic collection identified the presence of Curvularia lunata. She was treated with oral Itraconazole which showed symptomatic improvement and radiological response. In the follow-up period the patient developed chest wall swelling, aspiration and geneXpert® revealed MDR tuberculosis and treatment was started. Conclusions: Unusual causes of TOM and raised CA 125 should be kept in mind when dealing with young patients, as the possibility of epithelial ovarian cancer in this age is very low.
Comparison between Q-M type B and C2 abdominal radical hysterectomy for FIGO 2018 stage IB1 cervical cancer:a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Liu Pan , Li Pengfei , Liu Ping , Liu Chang , Xu Yan , Ma Ben , Lin Lihong , Zhao Weidong , Lu Anwei , Yao Jilong , Wang Zhonghai , Bin Xiaonong , Lang Jinghe , Chen Chunlin 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Objective: To compare the oncological results and surgical outcomes of abdominal Q-M type B and type C2 radical hysterectomy (RH) for patients with FIGO 2018 stage IB1 cervical cancer.Methods: We retrospectively compared the oncological results and surgical outcomes of 1158 cervical cancer patients treated with Q-M type B (n=775) or type C2 (n=383) RH between January 2004 and December 2018 at 47 hospitals in mainland China.Results: The type B group and type C2 group showed similar 5-year DFS and OS rates (OS: 98.5% vs 98.0%, P=0.461; DFS: 94.3% vs 93.3%, p=0.461) in the total study population. Multivariable analysis revealed that Q-M type B RH was not associated with a worse 5-year OS rate (hazard ratio [HR]=1.493; 95% CI=0.522-4.269, P=0.455 95% CI: 0.522-4.269;p=0.455) or DFS rate (HR=1.169;95%CI: 0.650-2.101;p=0.603). Compared with type C2, type C resulted in a significantly shorter operating time (215 min vs. 188 min, P＜0.001). The defecation time and atherization time were less in the type B group than in the type C2 RH group (3.04 d vs. 2.81 d, P<0.001; 10.59 d vs. 8.97 d, P<0.001). Additionally, intraoperative complications occurred with Q-M type C2 RH compared with Q-M type B RH (OR = 11.287, 95% CI= 4.667-27.300, P＜0.001). Conclusion: Among cervical cancer patients with FIGO 2018 stage IB1 disease, the oncological outcomes of Q-M type B RH and Q-M type C2 RH were similar, and Q-M type B RH was associated with a shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss and fewer intraoperative complications. This suggests that Q-M type B RH might be an rational option for FIGO 2018 stage IB1 cervical cancer.
Interactions between invasive and native harvestmen
Authors: Toft Søren , Brodersen Karen Eva , Hansen Thomas Hagen , Vo Tuyen 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The harvestman Opilio canestrinii arrived in Denmark around 1980 and quickly became a dominant species in urban habitats. This was followed by nearly complete disappearance of the formerly co-dominant Leiobunum gracile . A second invasive species, Dicranopalpus ramosus , arrived in 2007 and is still under population increase. Old forests have been a refuge for L. gracile , but both invasive species are now invading this habitat. We investigated the possible presence of exploitative and interference competition in relation to limited food resources between the three species in the laboratory using pairs of individuals, either heterospecific ( O. canestrinii/L. gracile ; D. ramosus/L. gracile ) or conspecific ( L. gracile/L. gracile ) and offered food resources that were insufficient for both individuals. O. canestrinii gained significantly more weight than other species. L. gracile exhibited less startle behaviour and a higher contact time with its partner in the conspecific than in the heterospecific treatment. Overall, O. canestrinii performed better than L. gracile , when faced with food scarcity and restricted space, whereas D. ramosus did not. Thus, competition (both exploitative and interference) is a possible mechanism for explaining the disappearance of L. gracile from urban habitats following the successful establishment of O. canestrinii in Denmark; additionally, O. canestrinii may be a potential future threat to L .gracile in forests.