bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of first-line carboplatin-paclitaxel and carboplatin-gemcitabine in patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer: a monocentric, retrospective comparison
Authors: Lobefaro Riccardo , Mariani Luigi , Peverelli Giorgia , Ligorio Francesca , Fucà Giovanni , Rametta Alessandro , Zattarin Emma , Leporati Rita , Cantarelli Beatrice , Depretto Catherine , Vingiani Andrea , Manoukian Siranoush , Scaperrotta Gianfranco , Bianchi Giulia Valeria , Capri Giuseppe , Pruneri Giancarlo , de Braud Filippo , Vernieri Claudio 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Platinum-based chemotherapy is widely used in patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the most effective platinum-based chemotherapy combination in the first-line treatment setting remains unclear. Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of first-line carboplatin-paclitaxel (CP) or carboplatin-gemcitabine (CG) combinations in advanced TNBC patients treated at “Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori” between April 2007 and April 2021. CP and CG were compared in terms of progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and incidence of adverse events (AEs). Multivariable Cox Models were used to adjust the efficacy of CP vs. CG for clinically relevant covariates. Results: Of 418 consecutive advanced breast cancer patients receiving carboplatin-based doublet chemotherapy, 88 patients had advanced TNBC and were treated in the first-line setting. Of these, 56 (63.6%) and 32 (36.4%) patients received CP and CG, respectively. Clinically relevant variables were well-balanced in the two treatment cohorts, except for a higher percentage of patients with shorter disease-free interval in the CG group (59.4% vs. 44.6%; p value 0.038). After adjusting for clinically relevant variables, patients receiving CG had significantly better PFS when compared to CP-treated patients [aHR: 0.49 (95%CI: 0.27-0.87), p value 0.014]. Of note, CG was associated with better PFS only among patients previously treated with taxanes in the (neo)adjuvant setting (aHR: 0.39; 95%CI: 0.21-0.75), but not in patients not exposed to taxanes (aHR: 1.20; 95%CI: 0.37-3.88). CG was also independently associated with better OS when compared to CP [aHR: 0.31 (95%CI: 0.15-0.64), p value 0.002]. Overall, grade 3-4 AEs were more common in patients treated with CG than in patients treated with CP (68.8% vs. 21.4%, p value 0.009). Conclusions: CG and CP are effective and well tolerated first-line platinum doublets in advanced TNBC patients. CG could be more effective than CP in patients previous exposed to taxanes despite worse toxicity profile.
Enhanced photocatalytic properties of g-C 3 N 4 /ZnO/attapulgite (CNZATP) composite nano-mineral materials on methylene blue dye degradation
Authors: Khatun Most Munera , Islam Ashraful , Yan Chunjie , Nesa Most Jinnatun 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The modified nano-ZnO semiconductor material, developed in this research, has an extensive bandgap with a distinctly prohibited bandwidth due to its morphological structure (granular, dumbbell-shaped, sheet-like, four-needle, flower-like). The carrier of photocatalytic materials was attapulgite (ATP), which was loaded with nano-zinc oxide particles. Using ATP as a carrier, a variety of various mixtures of ZnO/ATP composites were created. A scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and UV-Vis spectrophotometer (UV-Vis) were used to examine the morphology, synergistic effects, and photocatalytic properties of ZnO/ATP Nanocomposites. The target pollutant for photocatalytic degradation is methylene blue solution. When ATP is mixed with pure ZnO, the degrading performance of composite nanomaterials in methylene blue solution is considerably enhanced. The degree of methylene blue degradation increases as the amount of ATP in the composite grows, and the degradation rate of ZnO/40% ATP can reach 96 percent in 45 minutes. The amount of ATP in the system is excessive, and the adsorption effect is visible. The optimal composite ratio was determined to be ZnO/30 percent ATP. Following the discovery of the ideal composite ratio and synergy of ATP and ZnO, g-C3N4 was compounded in the aforesaid system to further increase the composite's photocatalytic activity. After compounding g-C3N4, the photocatalytic performance of the composites improves dramatically and at 45 min, the degradation rate of methylene blue reaches 97%. The absorption range and intensity of ternary composites increase, and the photogenerated electron-hole recombination rate decreases significantly. The reaction rate constant increases from 0.033 min-1 to 0.069 min-1. The degradation rate of g-C3N4/ ZnO/30% ATP to methylene blue was found to be 91.5% after 5 cycles. These characteristics indicate that a long-lasting modified nano-ZnO semiconductor with improved photocatalytic capabilities was created.
Assessing causal dependencies in climatic indices
Authors: Silini Riccardo , Tirabassi Giulio , Barreiro Marcelo , Ferranti Laura , Masoller Cristina 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
We evaluate causal dependencies between thirteen indices that represent large-scale climate patterns (El Nino/Southern Oscillation, the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, etc.) using a recently proposed approach based on an approximation of the transfer entropy. We demonstrate that this methodology identifies causal relations that are well-known, as well as it uncovers some relations which, to the best of our knowledge, have not yet been reported in the literature. We also identify significant changes in causal dependencies that have occurred in the last three decades.
Practice, Effectiveness and Factors Affecting Self-care Behaviors in Managing Chemotherapy Side effects in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Amin Aya A. , Aldin Dalia N. , El-Zawahry Heba M. , Sherif Ghada M. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background and Rationale: Chemotherapy is one of the main treatment modalities for breast cancer, however, it has many side effects. Good patients’ self-care practice to manage and cope with chemotherapy side effects can help the patients to alleviate the severity of these side effects, and improve their quality of life. This study was conducted to assess the practice of self-care behaviors among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University (CU), and their effectiveness in alleviating the chemotherapy side effects, as well as detecting factors influencing self-care practice.Patients and Methods: This is an observational cross sectional study that included adult females (> 18 years), who received at least 2 chemotherapy cycles, as outpatients at NCI. A convenience sample of 178 patients was recruited. Personal interviews and revising medical records were performed to collect the relevant data.Results: The mean age of the patients was 47.76 ± 10.5 years. The majority of the study participants were married (88.8%) and residents of urban areas (61.2%). 32.6% of them were illiterate. The overall self-care practice was 48%. Age, stage of the disease and number of experienced side effects had significant effects on the self-care behavior.Conclusion: Breast cancer patients show moderate level of self-care behavior in managing chemotherapy side effects. This highlights the need for engaging the patients into their own management by providing adequate education, and encouraging them to practice proper self-care behaviors.
Keystone phylotypes determine soil functions and nutrient cycling processes in a 33-year field fertilization experiment
Authors: Zhou Guopeng , Gao Songjuan , Chang Danna , Fan Kunkun , Liang Ting , Liang Hai , Li Shun , Zhang Jiudong , Che Zongxian , Cao Weidong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Soil microbiome plays a crucial role in terrestrial ecosystem functions. However, its response to long-term fertilization and contribution to soil functions in agricultural ecosystems are unclear. Here, we investigated soil bacterial and fungal communities along vertical profiles (0 to 100 cm) and explored the importance of soil microbiome in controlling soil functions (soil multifunctionality and functionality of C, N, and P cycling) and nutrient cycling processes (C mineralization, N2O release, and biological N-fixation) in a 33-year field fertilization experiment. Results: We obtained solid evidence that long-term fertilization (with chemical N, cow manure, straw, and green manure) enhanced the soil functions compared with no fertilizer control and that the functionality of N cycling was significantly associated with crop production. Soil functions and nutrient cycling processes were more closely correlated with the relative abundance and diversity of keystone phylotypes within the global network than the entire soil microorganism community. These keystone phylotypes were positively associated with the absolute abundance of functional genes related to C, N, and P cycling, and they also contained many essential functional microbes involved in C mineralization, N2O release, and biological N-fixation. The application of chemical N, green manure, and cow manure showed the highest abundance of amoB, nifH, and GH48 genes and Nitrosomonadaceae, Azospirillaceae, and Sphingomonadaceae within keystone phylotypes, which were significantly and positively correlated with N2O release, biological N-fixation, and C mineralization, respectively. Moreover, our results suggested that organic fertilization improved the effects of network size and keystone phylotypes on subsoil functions by facilitating the migration of soil microorganisms across soil profiles.Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of relative abundance and diversity of keystone phylotypes in controlling soil functions and nutrient cycling processes after long-term fertilization, in addition to providing selectable fertilization strategies for regulating them in agricultural ecosystems.
Targeted transcriptomics of the Mexican prickly poppy (Argemone mexicana L.) reveals diverse proteins related to benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis.
Authors: Serrano-Gamboa José Germán , Xool-Tamayo Jorge , Loza-Müller Lloyd , Tamayo-Ordoñez Yahaira , Vázquez-Flota Felipe 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
A transcriptomic approach was employed to describe a set of putatively protein-coding sequences involved in biosynthesis of berberine and sanguinarine; the two major benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA) from Argemone mexicana (L.; Papaveraceae). A robust de novo assembled transcriptome was obtained from developing seedlings. Initial screening identified 514 unigenes, from eight different Pfam domains, such as Cyt-P450 dependent proteins, which are recurrently involved in BIA biosynthesis. Additional annotation by KEGG Orthology and Gene Ontology supported putative participation of the selected proteins in alkaloid biosynthesis. Moreover, in silico structure prediction of sanguinarine reductase (SanR), dihydrobenzophenantridine oxidase (DHBO) and tetrahydroprotoberberine oxidase (STOX), involved in the last reactions of sanguinarine and berberine biosynthesis, fitted with that of previously characterized proteins from related species further supporting proper annotation. Hence, the pipeline analysis presented could provide a comprehensive description of the biosynthetic potential of this plant through the functionality associated with its transcripts.
COVID-19 can initiate and trigger henoch-schoenlein purpura; a case series
Authors: Nabavizadeh Seyed Hesamedin , Esmaeilzadeh Hossein , Alyasin Soheila , Askarisarvestani Aida 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
BackgroundAfter each peak of COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in post-COVID syndromes and long COVID-19 symptoms can be observed. Henoch-Schönlein purpura is an IgA-related vasculopathy involving small vessels, mostly in children.Case presentationthe first case was a 15-year-old boy who afflicted COVID-19 and after a while, he developed lower limb weakness, limping, abdominal pain, and proteinuria. In his kidney biopsy mesangioproliferation and IgA deposition in the mesangium were seen. The second case was a 15-year -old girl known case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura who experienced proteinuria and hematuria 10 days after COVID-19 affliction. In her kidney biopsy IgA deposition and hypercellular mesangium were found in favor of Henoch-Schönlein purpura flare up.ConclusionIt is postulated that COVID-19 can induce the first HSP flare up. It can also trigger HSP flare ups in patients with positive history of Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura.
Determinants of continuance intention to use hearing aid among older adults in Tehran (Iran)
Authors: Jorbonyan Abdolhakim , Momtaz Yadollah Abolfathi , Foroughan Mahshid , Mehrkian Saeideh 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background & Aim: Continuous use of hearing aid is an effective way of managing hearing impairment consequences in older adults. The present study seeks to evaluate the factor determining the continuance intention to use hearing aids in older adults. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in 2021. Technology Post-Acceptance Model (PAM) theoretical framework was used to develop a model for continuance intention to use hearing aids. A total of 300 hearing aid users aged 60 or above in Tehran selected through the randomized stratified method completed the self-assessment questionnaires used in the study. The model was tested using the SEM method (path analysis using the maximum likelihood estimate technique) in AMOS V.24 software. Results: The participants had a mean age of 71.38 (SD=8). 50.7% of the participants were female and 49.3% were male. The mean overall continuance intention to use hearing aids was calculated to be 10.14(2.91), and 63.3% of the participants were revealed to have success in the actual use of their hearing aids. Path analysis results indicated that continuance intention to use hearing aids was positively and significantly influenced by the main variables of the study including actual use of hearing aids, self-perceived benefit, satisfaction, confirmation, self-efficacy in using hearing aids, extroversion personality trait, self-reported hearing handicap, and perceived social support. Moreover, regression analysis revealed that the independent variables explained 60% of the variation in continuance intention to use hearing aids and 69% of actual use of hearing aids. The values of fitness indices were CMIN = 2.52, RMSEA = 0.07, IFI = 0.92 and CFI = 0.92, which suggests that the model proposed in the present study is a good fit. Conclusion: The main results of the present study help hearing care providers develop a better understanding of older users to design effective interventions and strategies and make sure of the patients' continuance intention to use hearing aids.
Postoperative analgesic effect of dexmedetomidine combined with TPVB applied to open gastrectomy for gastric cancer
Authors: Wan Weilan , Hou Zhiqi , Qiu Qiuying 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose: This study is aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of combined dexmedetomidine and thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) on gastric cancer (GC) patients undergoing open gastrectomy. Methods: From May 2019 to Nov 2020, a total of 80 GC patients preparing for open gastrectomy were enrolled in our hospital and were divided into the ropivacaine (RO) group and the ropivacaine + dexmedetomidine (RD) group ad libitum. All of the patients underwent TPVB. The characteristics, usage of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), adverse events, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, inflammatory cytokines, and T cell subgroups between the two groups were compared. Patients in the RD group showed the decreased occurrence rate of postoperative adverse events and VAS scores and improved anti-inflammation and immune function.Results: These findings implied that the application of dexmedetomidine in combination with ropivacaine in TPVB has a good postoperative analgesic effect, as well as anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing effects. Conclusion: Thus, dexmedetomidine as an adjunct analgesic may be potentially applied in clinical practice for GC patients undergoing open gastrectomy.
effect of gliding arc discharge plasma condition on microbial, physicochemical, and sensory properties of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: mousavi malihe , Hosseini Seyede Marzieh , Hosseini Hedayat , Abedi Abdol-Samad , Khani Mohammadreza , Heshmati Ali , Abhari Khadijeh , Shahraz Farzaneh , Taghizadeh Mansoureh , Akhavan Arash 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for a gliding arc plasma device using a response surface methodology and considering a low total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) count, peroxide value (PV), colour different (ΔE), and appropriate sensory properties of stored Pacific white shrimp (PWS; Litopenaeus vannamei). A Box-Behnken design was used with three independent variables: argon gas (50–100%), treatment time (2–10 min), and distance of sample (3–7 cm). Argon gas and treatment time significantly influenced TMAB, PV, ΔE, and the sensory properties of the PWS, while sample distance had less effect. The study also revealed that the use of a high concentration (100%) of argon gas in the plasma caused a decrease in TMAB (1.2 CFU/g) compared to low concentrations (50%) of argon gas (5.41 CFU/mL). The use of a high concentration of argon gas resulted in a decrease in PV and an enhancement in ΔE and in the sensory properties of the shrimp. The results show that the use of 94.15% argon gas for 7.10 min with a sample distance of 6.54 cm provides optional gliding arc plasma conditions of 76.3% desirability. Using these numbers while maintaining PV, ΔE, and sensory properties in stored PWS caused an identical reduction of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated that optimized plasma can destroy the cells of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis bacteria.
Thyroid membrane invasion: Influencing factors and an analysis of the efficacy of ultrasound evaluation
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhao Shanshan , Yao Jincao , Yu Xiuhua , Xu Dong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Pathologists have performed detailed explorations of extrathyroidal extension (ETE) in thyroid cancer, but ultrasound doctors are often not concerned with ETE on examination. We investigated factors influencing ETE and the efficacy of ultrasound evaluation of thyroid capsule invasion.Methods: We conducted this retrospective analysis of 1,933 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent thyroidectomy from 2018 to 2021. The patients were divided into three groups according to the extent of ETE: no ETE, minor ETE (mETE), and gross ETE (gETE). The differences in clinical characteristics were assessed. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of ETE, and the Kappa consistency test was used to analyze the consistency between ultrasonographic and pathological diagnoses of ETE. Results: The mETE group was more likely to have a larger tumor diameter and lymph node metastasis (LNM) than the no ETE group, and the isthmus was more likely to have mETE. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, longest diameter, lesion site, LNM, and thyroglobulin were all significant predictors of mETE. There was almost no consistency between pathological and ultrasonographic examination in terms of membrane invasion (κ = 0.069, P <0.01).Conclusion: Many clinical differences were observed between patients without ETE and patients with mETE, suggesting that mETE should be focused on. Ultrasonography is needed to describe the relationship between thyroid nodules and the capsule in patients with PTC in more detail to provide surgeons with more accurate preoperative ETE information.
A Mendelian Randomization Study on the Effect of Iron Status on Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Xu Xiaozhuo , Liu Jing , Huang Yilin , Han Xu 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Observational studies have suggested associations between iron status and myocardial infarction (MI). However, it’s role as a risk factor or as a subeffect because of myocardial infarction is uncertain. Methods: We performed a literature search of genome-wide studies that evaluate iron status. We used a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach to evaluate the causality of iron status on myocardial infarction risk, using 2 cohorts: GIS (n=23,986) and UK Biobank(n=361,194). The two-sample MR study was conducted to estimate causal relationship between iron status and MI, with the inverse-variance weighted (IVW)method, weighted-median method. Moreover, MR-Egger regression, MR-PRESSO and leave-one-out analysis were performed to evaluate the potential pleiotropy effect. Results: Genome-wide association studies of iron status were evaluated. No associations were found in relation to myocardial infarction: iron [odds ratio(OR)=1.03[95% conﬁdence interval CI,0.79-1.35];p-value=8.09×10−1], ferritin(OR=0.99[95% CI, 0.99-1.00];p-value=3.62×10−1), transferrin(OR =0.99[95% CI, 0.99-1.00];p-value=5.98×10−1), transferrin saturation(OR =0.99[95% CI, 0.99-1.00];p-value=4.55×10−1). MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out analysis did not indicate horizontal pleiotropy. Conclusion: Our MR study suggested that genetically predicted iron status was not causally associated with MI among the European populations.
Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 Protect Cultured Astrocytes agsinst Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation-induced injury via improving glutamate metabolism pathway
Authors: Qiao Yuan , Ma Qing , Tang Minke 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Glutamate is the most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. However, excessive glutamate in the extracellular cause cell apoptosis, and neurodegenerative processed after cerebral ischemia stroke. Glutamate metabolism pathway in astrocytes is necessary for glutamate clearance after ischemic stroke. This study aimed to evaluate whether ginsenoside Rb1 (20-S-protopanaxadiol aglycon) and gensenoside Rg1 (20-S-protopanaxatriol) have glutamate clearance effects against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced injury in mouse astrocytes to explore the mechanisms involved. The OGD/R model was used to mimic the pathological process of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in vitro. Astrocytes were treated with normal conditions, OGD/R, OGD/R plus Rb1, or OGD/R plus Rg1. Cell viability was measured to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Rg1 and Rb1. Glutamate uptake, Na+-K+-ATPase activity was detected to evaluate glutamate clearance function. The expression of glutamate transporter‑1 (GLT‑1) and glutamine synthetase (GS) were measured to evaluate glutamate transport function. We found that ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 increased astrocytes viability, and improved morphology of astrocytes under OGD/R. Additionally, we reported that Rb1 and Rg1 enhanced the glutamate uptake and Na+-K+-ATPase activity, and up-regulated the expression levels of glutamate transporter GLT-1 and GS. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 have different chemical structures, but exert similar protective effects against astrocyte damage induced by OGD/R. The possible mechanism is related with inhibiting glutamate accumulation by improving glutamate metabolism pathway in cultured astrocytes.