bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Whole genome variants across 57 pig breeds enable comprehensive identification of genetic signatures that underlie breed features
Authors: Xu Jingya , Fu Yuhua , Hu Yan , Yin Lilin , Tang Zhenshuang , Yin Dong , Zhu Mengjin , Yu Mei , Li Xinyun , Zhou Yang , Zhao Shuhong , Liu Xiaolei 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
A large number of pig breeds are distributed around the world, their features and characteristics vary among breeds, and they are valuable resources. Understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms that explain across-breed variation can help breeders develop improved pig breeds.

Results
In this study, we performed GWAS using a standard mixed linear model with three types of genome variants (SNP, InDel, and CNV) that were identified from public, whole-genome, sequencing data sets. We used 469 pigs of 57 breeds, and we identified and analyzed approximately 19 million SNPs, 1.8 million InDels, and 18,016 CNVs. We defined six biological phenotypes by the characteristics of breed features to identify the associated genome variants and candidate genes, which included coat color, ear shape, gradient zone, body weight, body length, and body height. A total of 37 candidate genes was identified, which included 27 that were reported previously (e.g., PLAG1 for body weight), but the other 10 were newly detected candidate genes (e.g., ADAMTS9 for coat color).

Conclusion
Our study indicated that using GWAS across a modest number of breeds with high density genome variants provided efficient mapping of complex traits.
Six years of development in promoting identity formation of STEM education as a distinct field
Authors: Li Yeping 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWith the completion of six publication cycle years (August 2014 to July 2020), theInternational Journal of STEM Educationhas achieved important milestones in promoting the identity of STEM education as a distinct field. In this editorial, I specifically share the journal’s achievements since August 2019 and its emerging trends in leading research publications in STEM education, which reflect not only the journal’s growth with on-going strong support from researchers and readers internationally, but also the gradual formation of a broad field identity of STEM education.
Anatomical and functional outcomes of subthreshold micropulse laser versus intravitreal ranibizumab injection in treatment of diabetic macular edema
Authors: Abdelrahman Amr , Massoud Wagiha , Elshafei Ahmed Mohamed Kamal , Genidy Mahmoud , Abdallah Raafat Mohyeldeen Abdelrahman 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
To compare the therapeutic effects of subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) versus intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) both anatomically using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and functionally using best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG).

Methods
his study was an interventional prospective randomized comparative study. The study included 120 eyes classified into 3 groups: Group 1 included 40 eyes of 28 patients treated by SML laser, group 2 included 40 eyes of 32 patients treated by intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, and group 3 (control group for mfERG) included 40 eyes of 20 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) of more than 10 year duration with no signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR). BCVA measurements, OCT and mfERG were done for the cases before and after interference and were followed up for 6 months

Results
By the end of the follow up period, BCVA significantly improved by 31% in group 1 vs 93% in group 2 with a statistically highly significant difference between the two groups (p value < 0.001). There was also a significant decrease in central subfield thickness in both groups with more reduction in group 2 compared with group 1 (p value < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in P1 amplitude of mf-ERG in group 2 (p value < 0.002) with no significant improvement in group 1. There was a significant decrease in P1 implicit time in group 2 (p value < 0.001) while there was no significant decrease in group1.

Conclusions
Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab is a superior treatment modality for DME compared with SML regarding both anatomical and functional outcomes.
Trial registration: This study has been approved by the local ethical committee of faculty of medicine of Minia University and retrospectively registered at the clinical trial gov. with Identifier: NCT04332133.
Home-made enzymatic premix and Illumina sequencing allow for one-step Gibson assembly and verification of virus infectious clones
Authors: Zhao Mingmin , García Beatriz , Gallo Araiz , Tzanetakis Ioannis E. , Simón-Mateo Carmen , García Juan Antonio , Pasin Fabio 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAn unprecedented number of viruses have been discovered by leveraging advances in high-throughput sequencing. Infectious clone technology is a universal approach that facilitates the study of biology and role in disease of viruses. In recent years homology-based cloning methods such as Gibson assembly have been used to generate virus infectious clones. We detail herein the preparation of home-made cloning materials for Gibson assembly. The home-made materials were used in one-step generation of the infectious cDNA clone of a plant RNA virus into a T-DNA binary vector. The clone was verified by a single Illumina reaction and a de novo read assembly approach that required no primer walking, custom primers or reference sequences. Clone infectivity was finally confirmed by Agrobacterium-mediated delivery to host plants. We anticipate that the convenient home-made materials, one-step cloning and Illumina verification strategies described herein will accelerate characterization of viruses and their role in disease development.
Update on treatment and preventive interventions against COVID-19: an overview of potential pharmacological agents and vaccines
Authors: Xiao Yinan , Xu Hanyue , Guo Wen , Zhao Yunuo , Luo Yuling , Wang Ming , He Zhiyao , Ding Zhenyu , Liu Jiyan , Deng Lei , Sha Fushen , Ma Xuelei 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) triggered by the new member of the coronaviridae family, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has created an unprecedented challenge for global health. In addition to mild to moderate clinical manifestations such as fever, cough, and fatigue, severe cases often developed lethal complications including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute lung injury. Given the alarming rate of infection and increasing trend of mortality, the development of underlying therapeutic and preventive treatment, as well as the verification of its effectiveness, are the top priorities. Current research mainly referred to and evaluated the application of the empirical treatment based on two precedents, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including antiviral drugs targeting different stages of virus replication, immunotherapy modulating the overactivated inflammation response, and other therapies such as herbal medicine and mesenchymal stem cells. Besides, the ongoing development of inventing prophylactic interventions such as various vaccines by companies and institutions worldwide is crucial to decline morbidity and mortality. This review mainly focused on promising candidates for the treatment of COVID-19 and collected recently updated evidence relevant to its feasibility in clinical practice in the near future.
Quantitative Chemical Profiling of Commercial Glyceride Excipients via 1H NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Saraf Isha , Kushwah Varun , Weber Hansjoerg , Modhave Dattatray , Yeoh Thean , Paudel Amrit 
Published: December 2020

AbstractGlycerides are the main components of oils, and fats, used in formulated products in the food and cosmetic industry as well as in the pharmaceutical product industry. However, there is limited literature available on the analysis of the chemical composition of glycerides. The lack of a suitable analytical method for complete chemical profiling of glycerides is one of the bottlenecks in understanding and controlling the change in chemical composition during processing, formulation, and storage. Thus, the aim of the present study is to develop a calibration-free quantitative proton nuclear magnetic resonance (qHNMR) method for the simultaneous quantification of different components of glycerides. The qHNMR method was developed for the quantification of mono-, di-, and triglycerides; their positional isomers; free fatty acids; and glycerol content. The accuracy, precision, and robustness of the developed method were evaluated and were found suitable for the quantitative analysis of five batches of marketed excipient. The study demonstrates the potential of qHNMR method for the quantification of different components of glycerides in various marketed products. The method has the ability to identify the variability of glycerides among different batches and suppliers in terms of chemical composition and also to discern the changes during storage.
Intraperitoneal Administration of Paclitaxel Combined with S-1 Plus Oxaliplatin as Induction Therapy for Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases
Authors: Saito Shin , Yamaguchi Hironori , Ohzawa Hideyuki , Miyato Hideyo , Kanamaru Rihito , Kurashina Kentaro , Hosoya Yoshinori , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Sata Naohiro , Kitayama Joji 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of paclitaxel (PTX) has a great pharmacokinetic advantage to control peritoneal lesions and can be combined with various systemic chemotherapies. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a combination of IP-PTX and systemic S-1/oxaliplatin (SOX) for induction chemotherapy for patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) from gastric cancer (GC).

Patients and Methods
Patients with GC who were diagnosed as macroscopic PM (P1) or positive peritoneal cytology (CY1) by staging laparoscopy between 2016 and 2019 were enrolled. PTX was IP administered at 40 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8. Oxaliplatin was IV administered at 100 mg/m2 on day 1, and S-1 was administered at 80 mg/m2/day for 14 consecutive days, repeated every 21 days. Survival time and toxicities were retrospectively explored.

Results
Forty-four patients received SOX + IP-PTX with a median (range) of 16 (1–48) courses, although oxaliplatin was suspended due to the hematotoxicity or intolerable peripheral neuropathy in many patients. The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 79.5% (95% CI 64.4–88.8%) with median survival time of 25.8 months. Gastrectomy was performed in 20 (45%) patients who showed macroscopic shrinkage of PM with a 1-year OS rate of 100% (95% CI 69.5–100%). Grade 2 and 3 histological responses was achieved in four (20%) and one (5%) patients. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (11%), leukopenia (39%), and anemia (14%). There were no treatment-related deaths.

Conclusions
Combination chemotherapy using SOX + IP-PTX regimen is highly effective and recommended as induction chemotherapy for patients with PM from GC.
Peculiarities of Professional Area of University Students in the Era of Digitalization of Education
Authors: Kagosyan A. , Popova O. 
Published: December 2020

In the digital era, the success of the professional development of future specialists in the process of obtaining higher education largely depends on their professional orientation (PN). Despite the significant interest in the subject of the study, the problem of identifying the factors that affect PN remains poorly understood.
The purpose of the study is to determine the factors of the formation of PN of students enrolled in training and retraining programs, and the features of PN in the digital era.
The article reveals the content and structure of PN of future specialists in the era of digitalization. According to the results of the empirical research, the relationship of students' PN with indicators of meaningful life orientations, motives for choosing a profession and training was revealed; the relationship between students' life-meaning orientations and indicators of motives for choosing a profession and training at the stage of digitalization of education. The factors influencing the personal condition and the factors of the formation of students' personal condition, who are trained according to the programs of training and retraining of specialists, have been determined.
As a result of empirical research, it was concluded that negative influence on the formation of PN is created by factors caused by various life circumstances, lack of independence of decisions in choosing a profession, low reflection of life goals, future prospects, rigidity of volitional and personal qualities, internal conflict in the structure of personality relationships, low pleasure training and the like. At the same time, the level of PN is significantly higher among students who receive a second higher education and who understand its importance at the stage of digitalization of education.
Backtesting Marginal Expected Shortfall and Related Systemic Risk Measures
Authors: Banulescu-Radu Denisa , Hurlin Christophe , Leymarie Jérémy , Scaillet Olivier 
Published: December 2020

This paper proposes an original approach for backtesting systemic risk measures. This backtesting approach makes it possible to assess the systemic risk measure forecasts used to identify the financial institutions that contribute the most to the overall risk in the financial system. Our procedure is based on simple tests similar to those generally used to backtest the standard market risk measures such as value-at-risk or expected shortfall. We introduce a concept of violation associated with the marginal expected shortfall (MES), and we define unconditional coverage and independence tests for these violations. We can generalize these tests to any MES-based systemic risk measures such as the systemic expected shortfall (SES), the systemic risk measure (SRISK), or the delta conditional value-at-risk ([Formula: see text]CoVaR). We study their asymptotic properties in the presence of estimation risk and investigate their finite sample performance via Monte Carlo simulations. An empirical application to a panel of U.S. financial institutions is conducted to assess the validity of MES, SRISK, and [Formula: see text]CoVaR forecasts issued from a bivariate GARCH model with a dynamic conditional correlation structure. Our results show that this model provides valid forecasts for MES and SRISK when considering a medium-term horizon. Finally, we propose an early warning system indicator for future systemic crises deduced from these backtests. Our indicator quantifies how much is the measurement error issued by a systemic risk forecast at a given point in time which can serve for the early detection of global market reversals.This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance.
The evidence base for the assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals: a comment on the EU criteria for pesticides and biocides
Authors: Bozzini Emanuela 
Published: December 2020

Background: The evidence base for the regulatory assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) has proved very controversial to define. The EU has been a first mover and – after years of discussions and conflicts – adopted criteria for the pesticide and biocide sectors in 2018.
Key points: The article reviews alternative regulatory options and critically discusses some of the features of the adopted EU guidelines. It argues that they are a significant and necessary step. It further argues that while EU guidelines are certainly up to date with current developments in regulatory toxicology, they are not ambitious enough to set the pace beyond internationally agreed standards and conventions in risk regulation. Specifically, the article shows that EU regulators ‘bypassed’ some of the most difficult issues on the use and interpretation of evidence around endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Conclusions and implications: The article argues that the lack of regulatory translation of pressing scientific questions on endocrine disruption has significant consequences: it limits the applicability of EU guidelines and will likely require EU risk assessors to resort to a case-by-case approach in evaluations of pesticides and biocides. Moreover, contrary to expectations and ambitions, EU guidelines can only partially inform regulatory developments in other chemical sub-sectors and in other jurisdictions.
Reaching out and seeking help from frontline professionals: experiences of men perpetrating partner violence
Authors: Sengoelge Mathilde , Ponce Alvaro , Perry Elisabeth , Pauncz Alessandra , Geldschlager Heinrich 
Published: December 2020

Background: Research on help-seeking behaviour in partner violence has mainly focused on victims. This article reports on a multi-country qualitative study exploring the views and experiences of men perpetrating partner violence and their contact with frontline professionals. The study was part of a wider programme of training for professionals to enable disclosure of domestic violence by perpetrators (project ENGAGE).
Methods: Eleven semi‐structured interviews and one focus group discussion with seven men were conducted and thematic analysis was used to analyse their responses. Emphasis was on understanding how professionals’ responses prevented or facilitated disclosure and seeking support and/or professional help.
Results: The men revealed the difficulties they face in the process of disclosure and that help-seeking from non-specialised professionals had a negative emotional impact for most men. Four themes emerged: barriers to help-seeking for men; helpful responses from professionals; unhelpful responses to avoid; and recommendations for professionals to improve their interactions with men.
Conclusion: This study has implications for the training of frontline professionals and underlines the need for changes in services to ensure that all men consistently receive an appropriate response and are directed to perpetrator programmes or specialised services.
The effects of selected biologics and a small molecule on Health-Related Quality of Life in adult plaque psoriasis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Karpińska-Mirecka Anna , Bartosińska Joanna , Krasowska Dorota 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundThe Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is commonly used to assess the quality of life of patients with skin diseases. Clinical trials confirm the positive effect of the use of biologics and new molecules on the quality of life of patients with plaque psoriasis.Main objectivesInvestigation of the effect of infliximab, adalimumab, ixekizumab, secukinumab and tofacitinib on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) measured by the DLQI in adult plaque psoriatic patients with respect to the patients’ race, type of used agent/placebo, agent’s dosage and treatment duration as well as the DLQI score prior to and after commencement of treatment.Material and methodsSystematic literature searching for referential papers written in English using four databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov as well asandmanual searching (Google) Cochran’s (Q) and I2tests were used for evaluation of heterogeneity or the degree of variation in the true effect size estimates between the analysed studies. The standardized mean difference (the SMD; Hedge’s g score) was applied to measure the differences between the two means (i.e. two groups: treated vs non-treated or treated vs placebo). The data coding and Hedge's g values were calculated according to the guidance of MetaXL software version 5.3.Main results43 studies, in total 25,898 individuals, were evaluated by the DLQI and weighted mean scores were derived for the analysis. The mean DLQI scores ranged from 6.83 to 17.8 with the overall DLQI score of 12.12 (95%CI: 11.24 to 13.06). A random-effects model demonstrated significant considerable heterogeneity of the study results (I2= 98%; p<0.001).ConclusionInfliximab, adalimumab, ixekizumab, secukinumab and tofacitinib in adult plaque psoriatic patients improved HRQOL measured by the DLQI. The patients with lower quality of life before treatment obtained better results.
Pregnancy outcomes of women whom spouse fathered children after tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia: A systematic review
Authors: Szakács Zsolt , Hegyi Péter Jenő , Farkas Nelli , Hegyi Péter , Balaskó Márta , Erős Adrienn , Szujó Szabina , Pammer Judit , Mosdósi Bernadett , Simon Mária , Nagy Arnold , Für Gabriella , Hussain Alizadeh 
Published: December 2020

Introduction
The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has revolutionized the therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Although the efficacy of TKIs is beyond dispute, conception-related safety issues are still waiting to be explored, particularly in males. This systematic review aimed to summarize all available evidence on pregnancy outcomes of female spouses of male CML patients who fathered children after TKI treatment for CML.

Methods
We performed a systematic search in seven electronic databases for studies that reported on male CML patients who did or did not discontinue TKI treatment before conceiving, and the pregnancy outcomes of their female spouse are available. The search centered on the TKI era (from 2001 onward) without any other language or study design restrictions.

Results
Out of a total of 38 potentially eligible papers, 27 non-overlapping study cohorts were analyzed. All were descriptive studies (case or case series studies). Altogether, 428 pregnancies from 374 fathers conceived without treatment discontinuation, 400 of which (93.5%) ended up in a live birth. A total of ten offspring with a malformation (2.5%) were reported: six with imatinib (of 313 live births, 1.9%), two with nilotinib (of 26 live births, 7.7%), one with dasatinib (of 43 live births, 2.3%), and none with bosutinib (of 12 live births). Data on CML status were scarcely reported. Only nine pregnancies (from nine males) and no malformation were reported in males who discontinued TKI treatment before conception.

Conclusion
Malformations affected, on average 2.5% of live births from fathers who did not discontinue TKI treatment before conception, which is comparable with the rate of malformations in the general population. Large-scale studies with representative samples are awaited to confirm our results.