bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of different doses of radiation on the morphogical, mechanical and chemical properties of the primary and permanent teeth—an in vitro study
Authors: Duruk Gülsüm , Acar Burçin , Temelli Öztun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background. Radiotherapy, applied to the head and neck region, can cause radiation side effects such as reduction of saliva and radiation caries. The aim of this study was to perform an in vitro assessment of the effects of radiation therapy on the morphological, mechanical, and chemical properties of primary and permanent teeth.Methods. 92 extracted human teeth (46 impacted wisdom teeth, 46 primary molar teeth) were used. The teeth were divided into two directions: the mesiodistal direction and the vestibulolingual direction. The vestibular sections were used for the vickers analysis, and lingual sections were used for the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis. The teeth in the experimental group were fixed to wax models. Each model had an equal number of teeth (n=7). The doses were applied to the teeth for 6 weeks; 5 week days and 2Gy daily. After the radiotherapy was conducted weekly, a wax model was taken from radiation reception. Along with the elemental contents (Na, K, Mg, P, and Ca) of the teeth, enamel and dentin microhardness was evaluated, and SEM analyzes were performed on 8 teeth. These teeth were compared with the other non-irradiated sections. Results. Radiation caused a decrease in microhardness of enamel and dentin(p<0.05). In the elemental analysis by ICP-OES, it was observed that there were decreases in all doses, while the highest decrease was in 60Gy dose(p<0.01). In the experimental groups, amorphous structures were encountered in SEM images.Conclusions. Radiation has negative effects on the teeth structure and additional studies are needed in this regard. This study indicates that radiotherapy patients are at a higher risk for dental caries.
A Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Associated with COVID-19 among Undergraduate Students in China
Authors: Peng Yaling , Pei Chenchen , Zheng Yan , Wang Juan , Zhang Kui , Zheng Zhaohui , Zhu Ping 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a great threat to public health, which has greatly impacted the study and life of undergraduate students in China. Objective: This study aims to perform a survey of their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) associated with COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed to gather information regarding the COVID-19 related KAP among undergraduates during the home isolation in the outbreak. Subjects were recruited from 10 universities in Shaanxi Province, China. Enrollees voluntarily and anonymously submitted their answers to a pre-designed questionnaire online. Results: A total of 872 subjects (female, 534; male, 338) were enrolled with ages from 17 to 25 years old. This cohort included 430 medical and 442 non-medical students, 580 freshmen and 292 higher school year students. There were 453 from public schools and 442 from private school, residing in 28 regions and provinces at the time of study. Results showed that appropriate knowledge was acquired by 82.34% subjects; the levels were significantly higher in undergraduates from public universities and medical majors than those from private schools and non-medical majors ( P ＜0.05). 73.81% subjects reported positive attitudes; females showed significantly higher levels of positive attitudes than males ( P ＜0.05). Proactive practice was found in 87.94% subjects. Using a common scoring method, the overall scores for Knowledge, Attitude and Practice were 4.12±0.749 (range: 0~5), 8.54±1.201 (range: 0~10), and 8.91±1.431 (range: 0~10), respectively. There was a positive correlation between attitude and practice (r=0.319, P <0.05) in the study group. Total KAP score was 21.57±2.291 (range: 0~25), which was significantly different among gender groups and major groups. Conclusions: Most undergraduates acquired necessary knowledge, positive attitude and proactive practice in response to COVID-19 outbreak; but their KAP scores significantly varied by gender, major and school types.
LTBP1 plays a potential bridge between depressive disorder and glioblastoma
Authors: Fu Xiaojun , Zhang Pei , Song Hongwang , Wu Chenxing , Li Shengzhen , Li Shouwei , Yan Changxiang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant tumor in human brain. Diagnosis and treatment of GBM may lead to psychological disorders such as depressive and anxiety disorders. There was no research focusing on the correlation between depressive/anxiety disorder and the outcome of GBM. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of depressive/anxiety disorder correlated with the outcome of GBM patients, as well as the overlapped mechanism bridge which could link depressive/anxiety disorders and GBM.Methods: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) were used to investigate the psychological condition of GBM patients in our department. To further explore the potential mechanism, bioinformatic methods were used to screen out genes that could be indicators of outcome in GBM, followed by gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Further, cellular experiments were conducted to evaluate the proliferation, migration capacity of primary GBM cells from the patients.Results: It was revealed that patients with higher PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores had significantly worse prognosis than their lower-scored counterparts. Bioinformatic mining revealed that LTBP1 could be a potential genetic mechanism in both depressive/anxiety disorder and GBM. Primary GBM cells with different expression level of LTBP1 should significantly different proliferation and migration capacity. GO, KEGG analysis confirmed that extracellular matrix (ECM) was the most enriched function of LTBP1. PPI network showed the interaction of proteins altered by LTBP1. Hub genes COL1A2, COL5A1 and COL10A1, as well as mesenchymal marker CD44 and Vimentin were statistically higher expressed in LTBP1 high group; while proneural marker E-cadherin was significantly higher expressed in low LTBP1 group.Conclusion: There is closely correlation between depressive/anxiety disorders and GBM. LTBP1 could be a potential bridge linking the two diseases through the regulation of ECM.
Prevalence of Malnutrition Inflammation Complex Syndrome among Patients on Maintenance Haemodialysis at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bramania Puneet Kishore , Ruggajo Paschal , Bramania Rimal , Mahmoud Muhiddin , Furia Francis Fredrick 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Malnutrition, inflammation, and combination thereof are predictors of poor outcomes in haemodialysis patients. Malnutrition Inflammation Complex Syndrome (MICS) is an accelerator of atherosclerosis and portends high mortality. Early recognition and treatment of MICS may help to improve the clinical outlook of such patients. This study investigated the prevalence of MICS and its associated factors among patients on maintenance haemodialysis at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional observational study done among 160 adult patients on maintenance haemodialysis at MNH in 2019. All participants provided written informed consent. Questionnaires were used to collect data and patients’ blood was tested for complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, transferrin, creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, and albumin. The Malnutrition Inflammation Score was used to assess MICS and its severity. Data analysis was done using the SPSS 20 software.Results: Of the 160 patients included in the study, 111 (69.4%) were male. The mean age (±SD) of patients and mean duration (±SD) on haemodialysis were 52.2(13.3) years and 22(18) months respectively. MICS was prevalent in 46.3% (mild in 24.4% and moderate to severe in 21.9%). Long-term haemodialysis (>4years) was an independent predictor of MICS [Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR 5.04 (95% CI: 1.33–19.2), p<0.05]. Hypercholesterolaemia was a negative predictor of MICS [AOR 0.11 (95% CI: 0.01-0.97), p<0.05]. Patients with MICS had significantly lower mean body mass index, albumin, total cholesterol, transferrin, haemoglobin and serum creatinine levels. The presence of MICS was higher in underweight patients and those who had inflammation. Haemodialysis adequacy did not correlate with MICS.Conclusion: Malnutrition Inflammation Complex Syndrome is relatively common among patients on haemodialysis in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Our study has shown a longer duration on haemodialysis to be associated with the occurrence of MICS; on the contrary, having hypercholesterolaemia seems to be protective against MICS consistent with the concept of reverse epidemiology. Patients on haemodialysis should be assessed regularly and accordingly treated for malnutrition and inflammation which if left unattended, compounds morbidity, and mortality among these patients.
D-mannose ameliorates autoimmune phenotypes in mouse models of lupus
Authors: Wang Haiting , Teng Xiangyu , Abboud Georges , Li Wei , Ye Shuang , Morel Laurence 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disorder of immune regulation characterized by overproduction of autoantibodies. D-mannose is a C-2 epimer of glucose that exhibits immunoregulatory effects in models of autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, induced rheumatoid arthritis, and airway inflammation. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of D-mannose treatment in mouse models of lupus.Methods: The effect of D-Mannose was evaluated by flow cytometry on the in vitro activation of C57BL/6 (B6) murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells and their ability to induce antigen specific CD4+ T cell proliferation and activation. The effect of D-mannose administration in vivo on the frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in B6 mice was assessed by flow cytometry. D-mannose was administered to two models of lupus: the chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) induced model and the B6.lpr spontaneous model. Autoantibody production was measured by ELISA and immune activation by flow cytometry. Results were compared by two-tailed statistics: unpaired or paired t tests, or Mann-Whitney U tests depending on whether the data was normally distributed.Results: D-mannose inhibited the maturation of bone marrow dendritic cells and their induction of antigen-specific T cell proliferation and activation in vitro. In vivo, D-mannose increased the frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in unmanipulated control mice. In the cGVHD model of induced lupus, D-mannose treatment decreased autoantibody production, with a concomitant reduction of the frequency of effector memory and follicular helper T cells as well as germinal center B cells and plasma cells. These results were partially validated in the B6.lpr model of spontaneous lupus. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that D-mannose ameliorates autoimmune activation in models of lupus, at least partially due to its expansion of Treg cells, the induction of immature conventional dendritic cells and the downregulation of effector T cells activation. D-Mannose showed however a weaker immunomodulatory effect in lupus than in other autoimmune diseases.
Cluster analysis of resistance combinations in Escherichia coli from different human and animal populations in Germany 2014-2017
Authors: Suwono Beneditta , Eckmanns Tim , Kaspar Heike , Merle Roswitha , Zacher Benedikt , Kollas Chris , Weiser Armin A. , Noll Ines , Feig Marcel , Tenhagen Bernd-Alois 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Recent findings on Antibiotic Resistance (AR) have brought renewed attention to the comparison of data on AR from human and animal sectors. This is however, a major challenge since the data is not harmonized. This study performs a comparative analysis of data on resistance combinations in Escherichia coli (E. coli) from different routine surveillance and monitoring systems for human and different animal populations in Germany. Data on E. coli isolates were collected between 2014 and 2017 from human clinical isolates, non-clinical animal isolates from food-producing animals and food, and clinical animal isolates from food-producing and companion animals from national routine surveillance and monitoring for AR in Germany. Sixteen possible resistance combinations to four antibiotics - ampicillin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin – for these populations were used for hierarchical clustering (Euclidian and average distance). All analyses were performed with the software R 3.5.1 (Rstudio 1.1.442). Data of 333,496 E. coli isolates and forty-one different human and animal populations were included in the cluster analysis. Three main clusters were detected. Within these three clusters, all human populations (intensive care unit (ICU), general ward and outpatient care) showed similar relative frequencies of the resistance combinations and clustered together. They demonstrated similarities with clinical isolates from different animal populations and most isolates from pigs from both non-clinical and clinical isolates. Isolates from healthy poultry demonstrated similarities in relative frequencies of resistance combinations and clustered together. However, they clustered separately from the human isolates. All isolates from different animal populations with low relative frequencies of resistance combinations clustered together and likewise separately from the human populations. Cluster analysis has been able to demonstrate the linkage among human isolates and isolates from various animal populations based on the resistance combinations. Further analyses based on these findings might promote a better one-health approach for AR in Germany.
Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis revealed key biomarkers associated with the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Li Xin , Wang Chenxin , Zhang Xiaoqing , Liu Jiali , Wang Yu , Li Chunpu , Guo Dongmei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Objective: To reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of HCM and find new effective therapeutic strategies using a systematic biological approach.Methods: The WGCNA algorithm was applied to building the co-expression network of HCM samples. A sample cluster analysis was performed using the hclust tool and a co-expression module was constructed. The WGCNA algorithm was used to study the interactive connection between co-expression modules and draw a heat map to show the strength of interactions between modules. The genetic information of the respective modules was mapped to the associated GO terms and KEGG pathways, and the Hub Genes with the highest connectivity in each module were identified. The Wilcoxon test was used to verify the expression level of hub genes between HCM and normal samples, and the "pROC" R package was used to verify the possibility of hub genes as biomarkers. Finally, the potential functions of hub genes were analyzed by GSEA software. Results: Seven co-expression modules were constructed using sample clustering analysis. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis judged that the turquoise module is an important module. The hub genes of each module are RPL35A for module Black, FH for module Blue, PREI3 for module Brown, CREB1 for module Green, LOC641848 for module Pink, MYH7 for module Turquoise and MYL6 for module Yellow. The results of the differential expression analysis indicate that MYH7 and FH are considered true hub genes. In addition, the ROC curves revealed their high diagnostic value as biomarkers for HCM. Finally, in the results of the GSEA analysis, MYH7 and FH highly expressed genes were enriched with the "proteasome" and a "PPAR signaling pathway," respectively.Conclusions: The MYH7 and FH genes may be the true hub genes of HCM. Their respective enriched pathways, namely the "proteasome" and the "PPAR signaling pathway," may play an important role in the development of HCM.
Focal brain ischemia in mice does not cause electrophysiological signs of critical illness neuropathy
Authors: Huehnchen Petra , Toyka Klaus Viktor , Gertz Karen , Endres Matthias , Boehmerle Wolfgang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Objective: Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) is a common complication of severe systemic illness treated in intensive care medicine. Ischemic stroke leads to an acute critical injury of the brain with hemiparesis, immunosuppression and subsequent infections, all of which require extended medical treatment. Stroke-induced sarcopenia further contributes to poor rehabilitation and is characterized by muscle wasting and denervation in the paralytic, but also the unaffected limbs. Therefore, we asked whether stroke leads to an additional CIP-like neurodegeneration. Results: Focal brain ischemia was induced in adult mice by 60-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) following reperfusion and led to functional deficits and marked hemispheric brain atrophy. Nerve conduction function and muscle potentials were measured in the ipsilateral sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscle with electroneurography/-myography on days 10, 22, 44 after stroke. An additional crush-injury to the sciatic nerve was included in two sham mice as positive control (sham+). We found no differences in nerve conduction function nor spontaneous electromyographic activity between MCAo and sham animals. Sham+ mice developed marked reduction of the motor action potential amplitudes and conduction velocities with pathologic spontaneous activity. In conclusion, we found no peripheral nerve dysfunction/ degeneration as signs of a CIP-like phenotype after MCAo.
Uncovering the Effects of COVID-19 Responses on the Lives of Commercial Sex Workers: A Phenomenological Study in Bahir Dar City Administration, Ethiopia
Authors: Belete Yohannes Mersha 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background

The novel coronavirus pandemic is the most shocking and unprecedented human tragedy of the 21st century, and it is regarded as a human, social and economic crisis. It is affecting every society throughout the world, but some groups of the society are suffering more because of it. Commercial sex workers are one of the groups adversely affected by the measures taken by governments to contain the spread of COVID-19. However, little is yet known about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on sex workers across the globe. Hence, the main objective of this qualitative study is to shed light on the untold effects of COVID-19 responses on the lives of commercial sex workers by taking Bahir Dar City Administration, Ethiopia as a case in point.
Methods

To meet the objective of the study, a qualitative method with phenomenology research design was used. Twelve female sex workers were selected through snowball sampling technique. Telephone interviews were held with each of them. The data extracted from the participants were analyzed using thematic qualitative data analysis technique, and member checking system was employed to validate the quality of the data.
Results

The results indicate that commercial sex workers have encountered unique problems after the enforcement of coronavirus-related regulations and laws. Sex workers have lost their job, and most of them have faced problems to cover their basic need expenses. They are at high risk to be starved in this coronavirus period. Financial problems have forced them to practice unprotected sex and sleep with unhygienic clients. This implies that coronavirus pandemic can be associated with the spread of HIV among sex workers. Their suffering has been further exacerbated by lack of support from the government, stigma at shopping places and structural stigma. Moreover, the nature of their job has exposed them to be easily infected with coronavirus. All these agonies have plunged sex workers into the depths of frustration and anxiety.
Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that government measures in response to COVID-19 have put many commercial sex workers in a dire situation. This suggests that there is an urgent need to support them and the government should provide economic and social supports to lessen the effects of COVID19 on the lives of sex workers.
A New Method for Quantifying Labial White Spot Lesions
Authors: Erbe Christina , Hartmann Luisa , Schmidtmann Irene , Ohlendorf Daniela , Wehrbein Heinrich 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence as well as incidence of White Spot Lesions (WSL) before and after labial multibracket appliance (MB) therapy. The goal was also to determine the intensity of WSL based on the Enamel Decalcification Index (EDI) by Banks & Richmond (1994). Moreover, this study investigated the scope of WSL by using a newly-developed evaluation tool. Materials & methods: Digital photographs of 121 patients (63 ♂, 58 ♀) with labial metal brackets were analyzed retrospectively before and after MB therapy. The patients were 12.5±2.1 years old. The treatment took 3.1±1.4 years. Adult patients as well as patients with structural or restaurative modifications were excluded from the study. All patients received standardized prophylactic instructions. The labial surfaces of anterior teeth, canine teeth, and premolars in the upper (UJ) and lower jaws (LJ) were evaluated by using the Enamel Decalcification Index (EDI) by Banks & Richmond (1994, levels 0-3) and a specially developed scaled graticule with concentric circles to quantify the extent of WSL (in %). The statistical data analysis was based on crosstabulations and logistic regression. Results: Before MB, 69.4% of the patients had WSL. After MB therapy, 97.5% of the patients presented at least one WSL. The incidence amounted to 28.1%. Before MB, 18.4% of the tooth surfaces (TS) showed an EDI level of 1-3. After MB, 51.8% of the TS featured WSL. Before and after MB, the prevalence for WSL was higher on UJ and LJ canine teeth and premolars than on incisors. 18.2% of the TS showed a WSL to the extent of ≥ 20-100% before MB and 52.3% after MB. The majority (40.8%) of the newly-developed WSL concerned ≥ 40% of TS. The incidence in the UJ was highest for the first and second premolars (71-79%), followed by the lateral incisors (61-63%). In the LJ, the incidence was highest for the second and first premolars (64-76%) and lowest for incisors (22-35%). The logistic regression showed a statistically increased risk to develop WSL after MB for lateral incisors, UJ canine teeth, and for UJ and LJ premolars in male patients. The probability for developing a new distal WSL is higher than developing gingival, mesial, and occlusal WSL. Conclusion: Labial MB therapy is found to drastically increase the risk of developing WSL. Particularly, premolars and canine teeth showed an increased prevalence. In using the specially developed evaluation index, we were able to verify through simple handling and intra-rater reliability a concise quantification of the extent of labial WSL.