bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Apert syndrome: A case report of prenatal ultrasound, postmortem cranial CT, and molecular genetic analysis
Authors: Zhang Weixia , Xue Hongyuan , Huang Dai , Ye Yuquan , Chen Xiao 
Published: September 2020

AbstractApert syndrome is characterized by craniosynostosis, mid‐facial hypoplasia, and symmetric syndactyly. Prenatal diagnosis is challenging until the skull and facial anomalies become more pronounced during the third trimester. We present a case in which typical sonographic signs of Apert syndrome were observed after 23 weeks of gestation. Following termination of the pregnancy, both clinical features such as craniofacial abnormalities and syndactyly and cranial 3D‐CT images showed high correlation with the previous sonographic findings. Furthermore, genetic analysis revealed a spontaneous mutation, c.755C≥G (p.S252W), in the FGFR2 gene, with this mutation implicated in the etiology of Apert syndrome.
A nationwide survey of online teaching strategies in dental education in China
Authors: Wang Kun , Zhang Linglin , Ye Ling 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectivesDue to the time and cost effectiveness, online teaching has played a significant role in the provision of education and has been a well‐accepted strategy for higher education in the world. The aim of this study was to survey the current online undergraduate education status in dental medicine in mainland China during the critical stage of the COVID‐19 outbreak, as well to provide a better understanding of practicing this learning strategy for the improvement and development of dental education.MethodsFor the cross‐sectional survey, recruitment emails regarding to the implementation of online education were sent to 42 dental colleges and universities in mainland China between March and April 2020.ResultsNinety‐seven percent of the respondents have opened online courses during COVID‐19 pandemic in China, 74% of which chose live broadcast as the major teaching way. As compared with theoretical courses, fewer specialized practical curriculums were set up online with a lower satisfaction from students in most dental schools. For the general evaluation of online learning from students of different dental schools, the “online learning content” received the highest support, while the “interaction between teachers and students” showed the lowest satisfaction. Most schools reported that the difficulty in assurance of students’ learning motivation was the main problem in online education.ConclusionsOur findings indicate the necessity and efficacy of the overall online teaching for dental education during the epidemic that can be further improved with the education model and pedagogical means to boost the informationization of dental education for future reference.
Marginal adaptation and fracture strength of endocrowns manufactured with different restorative materials: SEM and mechanical evaluation
Authors: Sağlam Gaye , Cengiz Seda , Karacaer Özgül 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEndocrowns were manufactured using different restorative materials to evaluate the marginal adaptation and fracture strength. Fifty endodontically treated mandibular first molar teeth were divided into five groups (n = 10). Endocrowns were obtained from lithium disilicate glass ceramic ingots by heat‐press technique (Group e.max Press: GEP), and from feldspathic blocks (Group Cerec: GC), polymer infiltrated ceramic network blocks (Group Enamic: GE), lithium disilicate glass ceramic blocks (Group e.max CAD: GEC), and zirconia‐reinforced glass ceramic blocks (Group Suprinity: GS) by CAD/CAM technique. After thermocycling, marginal adaptation was evaluated under scanning electron microscope at ×200 magnification. The specimens' fracture strengths were tested in universal test machine, and fracture types were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed with Kruskal–Wallis test. The highest marginal gap value was found in GEP, but no significant differences were determined among the other four groups (p > .05). Significant differences were observed among the groups in terms of fracture strength (p = .019). The fracture strength values of GEC were significantly higher than GE, GC, and GS (p < .05). Values were not significantly different between the GEC and GEP groups (p > .05). CAD/CAM endocrowns showed better marginal adaptation than heat‐pressed endocrowns. Clinically acceptable marginal gaps were seen in both endocrown types. Both CAD/CAM and heat‐pressed lithium disilicate glass ceramic endocrowns showed higher fracture strength.
Ammonia volatilization from composting with oxidized biochar
Authors: Hestrin Rachel , Enders Akio , Lehmann Johannes 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAnimal manure, agricultural residues, and other sources of biomass can be diverted from the waste stream and composted into valuable fertilizer. However, composting often results in substantial N loss through NH3 gas volatilization. We investigated biochar's capacity to improve NH3–N retention during composting of poultry manure and straw. After 7 wk, total N loss from composting with unoxidized biochar was twofold and sixfold higher than N loss from composting with oxidized biochar and without biochar (307, 142, and 51 mg N g−1 N in the initial compost feedstocks, respectively). When cumulative NH3–N loss was calculated relative to CO2–C loss to account for differences in microbial activity, NH3–N/CO2–C loss from compost with oxidized biochar was 55% lower than from compost with unoxidized biochar (82% lower based on mass balance). Oxidized biochar particles removed from compost after 7 wk retained 16.0 mg N g−1 biochar, compared with only 6.1 mg N g−1 retained by unoxidized biochar, suggesting that N retention by biochar particles provides a mechanism for reduced NH3–N loss. These data show that oxidized biochar enhanced microbial activity, doubled composting rate, and reduced NH3–N loss compared with unoxidized biochar and that biochar's physiochemical characteristics modulate its performance in compost. In particular, the presence of oxidized surface functional groups, which can be increased artificially or through environmental weathering, appear to play an important role in key compost processes. This has implications for other natural and managed systems where pyrogenic organic matter may mediate biological activity and nutrient cycles.
Effect of Billroth‐II versus Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction for gastrojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy on delayed gastric emptying: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xiao Yuqing , Hao Xiaofei , Yang Qin , Li Ming , Wen Jun , Jiang Cuina 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackground/PurposeDelayed gastric emptying (DGE) is one of the most common complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The aim of the present meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effect of Billroth‐II(B‐II) versus Roux‐en‐Y (R‐Y) reconstruction for gastrojejunostomy on DGE after PD.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed using the electronic database MEDLINE (via PubMed and OVID), EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) of the Cochrane Library to select pertinent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on this topic from January 1990 to January 2020. The primary outcome was identified as postoperative DGE. Subgroup analysis was established to compare the incidence of grade B and C DGE. Software Revman 5.3 was used for the statistical analysis, summary statistics were calculated using fixed effect model or random effect model.ResultsFive RCTs including a total of 612 patients were eligible for this meta‐analysis. The incidence of grade B and C DGE was significantly lower with the B‐II reconstruction than with the R‐Y reconstruction (8.0% vs. 14.8%, OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26‐0.95, P = 0.03) and the B‐II reconstruction took a shorter operation time (WMD=−7.18, 95% CI: [−13.09, −1.27], P = 0,02). No statistically significant difference was found between the two reconstruction methods in terms of the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), bile leak, intra‐abdominal abscess, postoperative pneumonia and the length of postoperative hospital stay.ConclusionsB‐II reconstruction after PD has a lower incidence of grade B and C DGE and shorter operation time compared with R‐Y reconstruction.
J. P. Hill and Katherine Watson's studies of the neural crest in marsupials
Authors: Smith Kathleen K. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn the early part of the 20th century, J. P. Hill and K. P. Watson embarked on a comprehensive study of the development of the brain in Australian marsupials. Their work included series from three major groups: dasyurids, peramelids, and diprotodonts, covering early primitive streak through brain closure and folding stages. While the major part of the work was on the development of the brain, in the course of this work they documented that cellular proliferations from the neural plate provided much of the mesenchyme of the branchial arches. These proliferations are now known to be the neural crest. However, except for a very brief note, published shortly after Hill's death, this work was never published. In this study, I present Hill and Watson's work on the development of the early neural plate and the neural crest in marsupials. I compare their findings with published work on the South American marsupial, Monodelphis domestica and demonstrate that patterns reported in Monodelphis are general for marsupials. Further, using their data I demonstrate that in dasyurids, which are ultra‐altricial at birth, the neural crest migrates early and in massive quantities, even relative to other marsupials. Finally, I discuss the historical context and speculate on reasons for why this work was unpublished. I find little support for ideas that Hill blocked publication because of loyalty to the germ layer theory. Instead, it appears primarily to have been a very large project that was simply orphaned as Watson and Hill pursued other activities.
Superhydrophobic needles tipped with 2‐dimensional arrays of plasmonic colloidal nanoparticles for microdroplet SERS analysis
Authors: Li Chunchun , Chai Lin , Chen Qinglu , Ye Ziwei , Xu Yikai , Bell Steven E.J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAqueous microdroplets strongly attach to metallic needles with superhydrophobic sides and flat hydrophilic tips. Such needles can be made surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)‐active by adsorbing a layer of densely packed and uniform plasmonic nanoparticles onto the hydrophilic tip. The resulting particle‐tipped needles allow dual enhancement of the Raman signals from microdroplets of low concentration analytes by combining analyte enrichment through solvent evaporation and plasmonic SERS enhancement. The combination of small sample volume, preconcentration, and SERS allows extremely low total amounts of analytes to be detected. Here, we show that with crystal violet as the model analyte, the limit of detection can reach 2 pg. The method can be readily used to fabricate superhydrophobic needles tipped with different types of plasmonic colloidal nanoparticles for enhanced Raman analysis, for example, silver cube tipped needles could be used to detect as little as 2.5 ng of trinitrotoluene.
A recipe for technological innovation: Does hedge fund activism matter? A fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis
Authors: Vacher Stéphano , Ben Arfa Nouha , Ammari Aymen 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHedge fund activism and firm characteristics can be combined to explain targets' engagements in innovative activities. The “difference in difference” regression framework is first performed and shows that target firms experience an improvement in innovation efficiency due to the presence of hedge funds (HFs) activists. The fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) perspective, is used, on the HF activism‐technological innovation relationship, which recognizes the existence of conjunctural causation. The main sets from fsQCA leading to high/presence innovation input/output display the presence of activist HFs combined to target mature firms, low leveraged ones, firms performing structural changes, and/or those that better refocus on their core innovation expertise and technologies in these areas.
Can behavioral biases improve the financial capability of microfinance clients in the tribal states of India?
Authors: Chidambaranathan Mani , Guha Samapti 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFinancial capability (FC) of the households involved in microfinance (MF) activities is better than those who are not. MF model, especially the traditional informal group structure, provides a platform for financial socialization and hence, it enables to build the FC of its members. Socioeconomic factors and behavioral economic variables significantly influence the level of FC of the households involved in MF activities. While designing FC enhancement programs, one should consider social capital structures and behavioral economic aspects.
Therapeutic Fc‐fusion proteins: Current analytical strategies
Authors: Duivelshof Bastiaan L. , Murisier Amarande , Camperi Julien , Fekete Szabolcs , Beck Alain , Guillarme Davy , D'Atri Valentina 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFc‐Fusion proteins represent a successful class of biopharmaceutical products, with already 13 drugs approved in the European Union and United States as well as three biosimilar versions of etanercept. Fc‐Fusion products combine tailored pharmacological properties of biological ligands, together with multiple functions of the fragment crystallizable domain of immunoglobulins. There is a great diversity in terms of possible biological ligands, including the extracellular domains of natural receptors, functionally active peptides, recombinant enzymes, and genetically engineered binding constructs acting as cytokine traps. Due to their highly diverse structures, the analytical characterization of Fc‐Fusion proteins is far more complex than that of monoclonal antibodies and requires the use and development of additional product‐specific methods over conventional generic/platform methods. This can be explained, for example, by the presence of numerous sialic acids, leading to high diversity in terms of isoelectric points and complex glycosylation profiles including multiple N‐ and O‐linked glycosylation sites. In this review, we highlight the wide range of analytical strategies used to fully characterize Fc‐fusion proteins. We also present case studies on the structural assessment of all commercially available Fc‐fusion proteins, based on the features and critical quality attributes of their ligand‐binding domains.
Is Lung Ultrasound Imaging a Worthwhile Procedure for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pneumonia Detection?
Authors: Fonsi Giovanni Battista , Sapienza Paolo , Brachini Gioia , Andreoli Chiara , De Cicco Maria Luisa , Cirillo Bruno , Meneghini Simona , Pugliese Francesco , Crocetti Daniele , Fiori Enrico , Mingoli Andrea 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesWe compared 2 imaging modalities in patients suspected of having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pneumonia. Blinded to the results of real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR) testing, lung ultrasound (LUS) examinations and chest computed tomography (CT) were performed, and the specific characteristics of these imaging studies were assessed.MethodsFrom March 15, 2020, to April 15, 2020, 63 consecutive patients were enrolled in this prospective pilot study. All patients underwent hematochemical tests, LUS examinations, chest CT, and confirmatory rRT‐PCR. The diagnostic performance of LUS and chest CT was calculated with rRT‐PCR as a reference. The interobserver agreement of radiologists and ultrasound examiners was calculated. Ultrasound and CT features were compared to assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Positive and negative likelihood ratios measured the diagnostic accuracy.ResultsNineteen (30%) patients were COVID‐19 negative, and 44 (70%) were positive. No differences in demographics and clinical data at presentation were observed among positive and negative patients. Interobserver agreement for CT had a κ value of 0.877, whereas for LUS, it was 0.714. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of chest CT for COVID‐19 pneumonia were 93%, 90%, 85%, and 95%, respectively; whereas for LUS, they were 68%, 79%, 88%, and 52%. On receiver operating characteristic curves, area under the curve values were 0.834 (95% confidence interval, 0.711–0.958) and 0.745 (95% confidence interval, 0.606–0.884) for chest CT and LUS.ConclusionsLung ultrasound had good reliability compared to chest CT. Therefore, our results indicate that LUS may be used to assess patients suspected of having COVID‐19 pneumonia.
Evaluation of Hemodynamics in a Murine Hindlimb Ischemia Model Using Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging
Authors: Leyba Katherine A. , Vasudevan Sandhya , O'Sullivan Thomas D. , Goergen Craig J. 
Published: September 2020

Background and ObjectivesSpatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI), an optical imaging technique capable of quantitatively measuring tissue hemodynamics over a large field‐of‐view, has captured the interest of scientists and clinicians due to its ability to image rapidly and noninvasively. The goal of this study was to apply SFDI in a preclinical murine model to assess its ability to measure hemodynamic changes due to hindlimb ischemia in vivo longitudinally.Study Design/Materials and MethodsComplete unilateral femoral artery ligation was performed on a total of nine C57BL/6J mice to induce ischemia in the left hindlimb. Changes in vascular perfusion in each mouse were monitored through SFDI acquisition of both the ischemic and control limbs throughout the course of 4 weeks. High‐frequency pulsed‐wave Doppler ultrasound was also acquired to confirm occlusion of the left femoral artery post‐ligation compared with the control limb, while histological analysis was used to quantify femoral artery lumen shape and size.ResultsTissue oxygen saturation in the ischemic limb normalized to the control limb decreased from a ratio of 0.96 ± 0.06 at baseline to 0.86 ± 0.10 at day 1, then 0.94 ± 0.06 at day 3, followed by 0.95 ± 0.14 at day 7, 0.91 ± 0.09 at day 14, 0.90 ± 0.09 at day 21, and 1.01 ± 0.09 at day 28.ConclusionThe results of this study indicate the utility of SFDI to detect hemodynamic changes in a preclinical murine model, as well as how to effectively use this tool to extract information regarding ischemia‐induced hindlimb changes. In our model, we observed a decline in tissue oxygen saturation within one day post‐ischemic injury, followed by a return to baseline values over the 4‐week study period. While reducing skin artifacts and modifying camera hardware could still improve this murine imaging approach, our multimodality study presented here suggests that SFDI can be used to reliably characterize ischemia‐mediated changes in a clinically relevant mouse model of peripheral arterial disease. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Longitudinal change of metabolite profile and its relation to multiple risk factors for the risk of developing hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huang Bo‐Yuan , Tsai Min‐Ru , Hsu Jia‐Kai , Lin Ching‐Yu , Lin Chih‐Lin , Hu Jui‐Ting , Huang Yi‐Wen , Liu Chun‐Jen , Wu Wan‐Jung , Wu Chih‐Feng , Sung Feng‐Yu , Chen Pei‐Jer , Liang Hao‐Jan , Lin Shi‐Ming , Yu Ming‐Whei 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDespite considerable knowledge of viral pathogenesis, the pathophysiological changes related to the multifactorial, multistep process of hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development remains unclear. Longitudinal metabolomics study can reveal biological process for disease progression. We performed metabolite profiling with longitudinal prediagnostic plasma samples from two nested case‐control studies of hepatitis B surface antigen carriers participating in ultrasound screening for HCC, one within a government employee cohort (870 samples from 109 HCC cases and 107 controls) and the other within a hospital‐based cohort (266 samples from 63 HCC cases and 114 controls). Of the 34 measured metabolites, tyrosine, isoleucine, and glutamine were consistently associated with HCC. In analyses combining longitudinal data, a high metabolic risk score based on the three amino acids was robustly associated with increased risk of HCC (OR = 3.71, 95% confidence interval: 2.53–5.42), even after adjustment for clinical factors, or when assessed for different times up to ≥8 years before diagnosis. Similar association was observed in an independent, prospective analysis comprising 633 randomly selected individuals of the government employee cohort. More importantly, this metabolite signature was longitudinally influenced by HBV‐infection phase and involved in gradual progression to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that the score mediated substantial proportions of the associations of key viral factors, insulin resistance, and diabetes status with HCC risk. Our results suggest that an amino‐acid dysregulation metabotype may play a role in HBV‐related HCC development, and may also be linked to common pathways that mediate increased HCC risks.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease: Current status of translational research/clinical and therapeutic implications
Authors: Manolis Antonis S. , Manolis Antonis A. , Manolis Theodora A. , Apostolaki Naomi E. , Apostolopoulos Evdoxia J. , Melita Helen , Katsiki Niki 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMitochondria provide energy to the cell during aerobic respiration by supplying ~95% of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules via oxidative phosphorylation. These organelles have various other functions, all carried out by numerous proteins, with the majority of them being encoded by nuclear DNA (nDNA). Mitochondria occupy ~1/3 of the volume of myocardial cells in adults, and function at levels of high‐efficiency to promptly meet the energy requirements of the myocardial contractile units. Mitochondria have their own DNA (mtDNA), which contains 37 genes and is maternally inherited. Over the last several years, a variety of functions of these organelles have been discovered and this has led to a growing interest in their involvement in various diseases, including cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction relates to the status where mitochondria cannot meet the demands of a cell for ATP and there is an enhanced formation of reactive‐oxygen species. This dysfunction may occur as a result of mtDNA and/or nDNA mutations, but also as a response to aging and various disease and environmental stresses, leading to the development of cardiomyopathies and other CV diseases. Designing mitochondria‐targeted therapeutic strategies aiming to maintain or restore mitochondrial function has been a great challenge as a result of variable responses according to the etiology of the disorder. There have been several preclinical data on such therapies, but clinical studies are scarce. A major challenge relates to the techniques needed to eclectically deliver the therapeutic agents to cardiac tissues and to damaged mitochondria for successful clinical outcomes. All these issues and progress made over the last several years are herein reviewed.