A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study of Medical Oncologists

Funding Information: We would like to thank Andrea Bothwell who wrote the manuscript outline and first draft on behalf of Springer Healthcare Communications. We also thank Prof. Carina Silva (ESTEsL – Escola Superior de Tecnologias de Saúde de Lisboa) who performed the preliminary statistical analysis of this study. This medical writing assistance and statistical analysis was funded by CUF Oncologia. Funding Information: Diogo Alpuim Costa has received honoraria from the Portuguese Navy, CUF Oncologia, and NTT DATA, and has served as a speaker, advisory board member, or has received research or education funding from CUF Oncologia, AstraZeneca, Hoffmann-La Roche, Merck KGaA, Novartis, Pfizer, Uriage, Daiichi Sankyo, Gilead, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Nanobiotix, Puma Biotechnology Inc., Sanofi, and Seagen Inc. Margarida Brito has participated as advisory board member for Roche, Novartis, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and Pfizer. Mário Fontes-Sousa has served as a speaker or advisory board member for Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Gilead, Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Servier. Diogo Martins-Branco received honoraria and advisory board fees from Janssen, Pfizer, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Angelini, AstraZeneca, and Novartis, meeting and travel grants from LEO Farmacêuticos, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Ipsen, Janssen, and Roche, and institutional grants from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. José Guilherme Gonçalves Nobre, João Paulo Fernandes, Marta Vaz Batista, Ana Simas, Carolina Sales, Helena Gouveia, Leonor Abreu Ribeiro, Andreia Coelho, Mariana Inácio, André Cruz, Mónica Mariano, Joana Savva-Bordalo, Ricardo Fernandes, André Oliveira, Andreia Chaves, Mafalda Sampaio-Alves, and Noémia Afonso have nothing to declare. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).Introduction: Cancer care providers have faced many challenges in delivering safe care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional survey-based study investigated the impact of the pandemic on clinical practices of Portuguese medical oncologists caring for patients with breast cancer. Methods: An anonymous online survey comprising 42 questions gathered information regarding COVID-19 testing, treatment in (neo)adjuvant and metastatic settings, and other aspects of breast cancer management. Practices before and during the pandemic were compared, and potential differences in outcomes according to respondents’ regions, case volumes, and practice type were explored. Results: Of 129 respondents, 108 worked in the public health system, giving a representative national picture of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer management. Seventy-one percent of respondents reported a reduction in visits for new cases of breast cancer, and there was a shift towards increased use of telemedicine. Clinical decision-making was largely unaffected in the most aggressive indications (i.e., triple-negative, HER2-positive, visceral crisis). The use of neoadjuvant therapy increased when access to surgery was difficult, whereas dose-dense regimens decreased, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor treatment decreased for less aggressive disease and increased for more aggressive disease. The use of oral formulations and metronomic chemotherapy regimens increased, and clinical trial participation decreased. Some differences by respondents’ region and case volume were noted. Conclusion: Medical oncologists in Portugal implemented many changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of which were logical and reasonable responses to the current healthcare emergency; however, the true impact on patient outcomes remains unknown.publishersversionepub_ahead_of_prin

A comprehensive assessment of the transcriptome of cork oak (Quercus suber) through EST sequencing

Background: Cork oak (Quercus suber) is one of the rare trees with the ability to produce cork, a material widely used to make wine bottle stoppers, flooring and insulation materials, among many other uses. The molecular mechanisms of cork formation are still poorly understood, in great part due to the difficulty in studying a species with a long life-cycle and for which there is scarce molecular/genomic information. Cork oak forests are of great ecological importance and represent a major economic and social resource in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. However, global warming is threatening the cork oak forests by imposing thermal, hydric and many types of novel biotic stresses. Despite the economic and social value of the Q. suber species, few genomic resources have been developed, useful for biotechnological applications and improved forest management. Results: We generated in excess of 7 million sequence reads, by pyrosequencing 21 normalized cDNA libraries derived from multiple Q. suber tissues and organs, developmental stages and physiological conditions. We deployed a stringent sequence processing and assembly pipeline that resulted in the identification of ~159,000 unigenes. These were annotated according to their similarity to known plant genes, to known Interpro domains, GO classes and E.C. numbers. The phylogenetic extent of this ESTs set was investigated, and we found that cork oak revealed a significant new gene space that is not covered by other model species or EST sequencing projects. The raw data, as well as the full annotated assembly, are now available to the community in a dedicated web portal at http://www.corkoakdb.org. Conclusions: This genomic resource represents the first trancriptome study in a cork producing species. It can be explored to develop new tools and approaches to understand stress responses and developmental processes in forest trees, as well as the molecular cascades underlying cork differentiation and disease response.Peer Reviewe

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Revision of the species of Belostoma Latreille, 1807 (Insecta: Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) from southeastern Brazil

The species of the Neotropical genus Belostoma Latreille, 1807 from southeastem Brazil are reviewed for the first time. ln this work the following 22 species were recorded and redescribed: Belostoma anurum (Herrich-Schãffer), B. aurivi/lianum (Montandon), B. bergi (Montandon), B. bosqi De Carlo, B. candidu/um Montandon, B. costalimai De Carlo, B. cummingsi De Cario, B. da//asi De Cario, B. denta/um (Mayr), B. di/atatum (Dufour), B. discretum Montandon, B. e/ongatum Montandon, B. foveolatum (Mayr), B. horvathi Montandon, B. micantulum (Stâl), B. noua/hieri Montandon, B. oxyurum (Dufour), B. plebejum (Stâl), B. ribeiroi De Carlo, B. sanctulum Montandon, B. stollii (Amyot & Serville), and B. testaceopal/idum Latreille. Four new records from this region are reporteei: B. bergi, B. bosqi, B. dilata/um, and B. efongatum. Probably, B. minar (Palisot de Beauvois) does not occur in southeastern Brazil. The single record of this species in the region is a case of núsidentification. Six new synonynúes are established: B. candidulum Montandon, 1903 (= B. amici Piza-Jr., 1975), B. ribeiroi De Carlo, 1933 (= B. /undbladi De Carlo, 1963), B. stollii (Amyot & Serville, 1843) (= B. brasiliensis De Carlo, 1950, B. planum Lauck, 1963 and B. stolii Nieser & Melo, 1997), and B. testaceopallidum Latreille, 1807 (= B. grandico//um De Carlo, 1934). Lectotypes are designated for B. aurivillianum, B. bergi, and B. discretum. A neotype is designated for B. costa/imai. The male of B. foveolatum is described for the first time. Two distinct forms in the phallus of this species were identified Four characters have proven useful for species delinútation: the ratio between the largest width of pronotum and its length in the núddle line, the aspect of the prosternai keel, the pilosity pattem in the connexivum, and the ratio between the width of the ventral diverticulum and its length in ventral view. Lists with the morphological terms and characters suggested for these species are included, together with synonyms proposed by other taxononústs and morphologists.CAPESFUJBFAPERJAs espécies do gênero neotropical Be/ostoma Latreille, 1807, da região Sudeste do Brasil, foram revistas pela primeira vez. Neste trabalho, foram registradas e redescritas 22 espécies: Be/ostoma anurum (Herrich-Schãffer), B. aurivillianum (Montandon), B. bergi (Montandon), B. bosqi De Cario, B. candidulum Montandon, B. costalimai De Carlo, B. cummingsi De Carlo, B. dallasi De Carlo, B. dentatum (Mayr), B. di latatum (Dufour), B. discretum Montandon, B. elongatum Montandon, B. foveolatum (Mayr), B. horvathi Montandon, B. micantulum (Stâl), B. noualhieri Montandon, B. oxyurum (Dufour), B. plebejum (Stâl), B. ribeiroi De Carlo, B. sanctulum Montandon, B. stollii (Amyot & Serville) e B. testaceopallidum Latreille. Quatro registros são novos para essa região: B. bergi, B. bosqi, B. dilatatum e B. elongatum. Provavelmente, B. minor (Palisot de Beauvois) não ocorre na região Sudeste pois o único registro dessa espécie para a região é baseado em uma identificação incorreta. Seis novas sinonímias foram propostas: B. candidulum Montandon, 1903 (= B. amici Piza-Jr., 1975), B. ribeiroi De Cario, 1933 (= B. lundbladi De Carlo, 1963), B. stollii (Amyot & Serville, 1843) (= B. brasiliensis De Carlo, 1950, B. planum Lauck, 1963 e B. stolii Nieser & Melo, 1997) e B. testaceopallidum Latreille, 1807 (= B. grandicollum De Carlo, 1934). Foram designados lectótipos para B. aurivillianum, B. bergi e B. discretum, e um neótipo para B. costalimai. O macho de B. foveolatum é descrito pela primeira vez, e duas variações no falo dessa espécie foram encontradas. Quatro caracteres mostraram-se mais importantes para a identificação das espécies: a relação entre a maior largura do pronoto e o seu comprimento na porção mediana, o formato da carena prosternai, o padrão da pilosidade do conectivo, e a relação entre a largura do divertículo ventral e o seu comprimento, em vista ventral. Uma lista com termos morfológicos e os caracteres sugeridos para as espécies é incluída, além dos seus sinônimos, correspondentes a termos propostos por outros taxonomistas e morfologistas

Produtividade de uma pastagem submetida a regimes de fertilização anual com azoto, fósforo, potássio ou boro

Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o efeito de longo prazo da fertilização de um lameiro na recuperação dos nutrientes aplicados e na produção de biomassa. Os lameiros são característicos de zonas de montanha, onde existe reduzida experiência da prática de fertilização com fertilizantes minerais. O ensaio está instalado em Bragança desde a primavera de 2013. Os regimes de fertilização em estudo são aplicação anual de azoto (80 kg N ha-1, na forma de nitrato de amónio), fósforo (150 kg P2O5 ha-1, na forma de superfosfato 18%), potássio (100 kg K2O ha-1, na forma de cloreto de potássio) e boro (3 kg B ha-1, na forma de tetraborato de sódio), e uma modalidade testemunha. Anualmente é feita a avaliação de biomassa, usando caixas de exclusão de 0,50 x 0,50 m, em dois cortes, um no fim do inverno e outro no fim da Primavera. O corte de fim de inverno simula a produção de biomassa na fase de pastoreio e o corte de fim de primavera simula a biomassa produzida na fase de produção de feno. Após 11 cortes de vegetação, a aplicação de azoto aumentou de forma significativa a produção de biomassa sobre os restantes tratamentos. As restantes modalidades fertilizadas não aumentaram a produção de biomassa relativamente à testemunha. Na exportação de nutrientes na biomassa, os valores de cada nutriente tendem a ser mais elevados no talhão correspondente à aplicação desse nutriente e também no talhão fertilizado com azoto. No primeiro caso devido ao aumento da concentração do nutriente na biomassa e no segundo devido ao efeito do azoto no aumento de biomassa.Financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia e FEDER, através do programa PT2020, no âmbito do financiamento do CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Viability and Vigor of Annona squamosa, L. Seeds in Different Substrates

The Annona squamosa belongs to the Annonaceae family and is native to Tropical Americas and the West Indies. Its fruit can be consumed fresh, but it is also used in various foods such as purees, ice creams, mousses, yogurts, and traditional juices. For this reason, its economic relevance in Brazil has been significant, driven by the growing demand in the consumer market. The production of quality seedlings depends on various factors, with substrate composition being of great importance. The germination of seeds, root initiation, and rooting are directly linked to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of the substrate. The experiment was conducted at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Tocantins, in the city of Gurupi - TO, between March 4, 2022, and August 22, 2022. Seeds of Annona squamosa were taken from the fruit itself and sown in the following substrates: Washed sand; Commercial substrate + rice husk + chicken manure; Black soil; Black soil + coconut shell powder + commercial substrate. The substrate black soil + coconut shell powder + commercial substrate provided higher viability and vigor values in Annona squamosa seeds

Germination and Initial Growth Performance of Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) in Different Substrates

Seed germination is considered the crucial phase in the establishment and development of plants. Knowledge about the appropriate conditions for seed germination is of fundamental importance, mainly due to the influence and different responses that they can present depending on several factors such as seed viability, light, water, oxygen, temperature, and substrate, among others. Therefore, the main objective of the work was to evaluate the germination and the initial development of the A. macrocarpa in the function of different substrates. The experimental design adopted was completely randomized, where six different substrates were used in four replications. The treatments consisted of S1 (Commercial Substrate); S2 (Washed Sand); S3 (Commercial Substrate 50% + Vermiculite 50%); S4 (Commercial substrate 50% + Rice straw 25% + Pine bark powder 25%); S5 (Black Soil); S6 (Black Soil 75% + Sawdust 25%). The evaluated characteristics were germination percentage (%), emergence speed index, shoot and root length (cm), shoot and root fresh mass (gram), and shoot and root dry mass (gram). The use of commercial substrate + vermiculite stood out for most of the analyzed characteristics, being germination (78.57%), aerial part fresh mass (0.1187g), root fresh mass (0.0263g), aerial part dry mass (0.0689g) and root dry mass (0.0149g). The lowest averages observed for all characteristics were with the use of black soil substrate

Productive performance, egg quality and the morphometry of the organs of Japanese quails (Cotournix cotournix japônica) kept at different temperatures

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance, egg quality and the morphometry of the organs of Japanese quails (Cotournix cotournix japônica) when kept in comfort and under thermal stress. 192 nine-week-old quail were used, distributed in a completely randomized design at two temperatures (T1 = 24 °C and T2 = 32 °C), with 12 replicates of eight birds each, with an experimental period of 63 days, divided into three 21-day periods. Feed intake (g fowl-1 day-1), water consumption (mL fowl-1 day-1), egg production (%), egg weight (g), egg mass (g fowl- 1 day-1) and feed conversion (kg kg-1 and kg dozen-1). Laying quails after their production cycle are marketed as beef animals. It is observed that the average final live weight was reduced (P = 0.0362) by 27.58 g in birds kept at a temperature of 32 oC, which can compromise its commercial value. The feed intake of the birds was reduced (P = 0.0051) by 14.75% with an increase in ambient temperature. Birds kept at a temperature of 32 oC for 12 h daily showed a reduction in feed intake, final weight, yolk, and gizzard weight, but without affecting egg production, weight and mass