bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Structuring of English Sentences by Chadian EFL Learners
Authors: Nkongho Magdaline Bakume , Mbaiornom Ernest 
Published: April 2021

Recent studies have shown that there is a positive attitude and an increase motivation in the learning of English language by Chadian learners. Despite this, the learners’ linguistic performances remain poor especially in their written productions which are often characterised by grammatical deviances and incomprehensible sentences. This study investigates several kinds of deviances that occur in the structure of English sentences produced by Chadian learners of English as Foreign Language (EFL). The study was carried out using corpora as the method for data collection. Thus, data were drawn from 175authentic narrative paragraphs written by 175Terminale A4 students from Lycée Adoum Dallah, Moundou in Chad. The analyses were based on Interlanguage and Error Analysis Theories. Findings revealed that miss elective errors were the widespread errors committed by Chadian learners of EFL as this category represents 39.17% of deviances. The results also indicate that sentences produced by Chadian learners of EFL were frequently affected by additive errors (27.76%) and omissionerrors (26.47%). Lastly, the study equally found that misordering errors were less committed as this category of errors represents a small proportion (6.58%) of deviances. These categories of errors were attributed to French language influences and intralingual factors.
The Use of Translation as a Learning Strategy: A Case Study of Students of the University of Bahrain
Authors: Thani Aisha S. , Ageli Nuri R. 
Published: April 2021

The use of native language in learning English is a controversial issue. Some studies advocate its use while others are against it. As far as Arab Bahraini students are concerned, there are no studies that show whether translation is useful for students with different language proficiency and therefore, this study is filling a gap in knowledge in this area. This research aims to determine to what extent translation as a learning strategy is used by 4th year students and Orientation program students at the University. One hundred students from both groups participated in a survey with two sets of questionnaires related to beliefs and strategy use. The results of this qualitative and quantitative study have revealed that the majority of orientation students use translation as a learning strategy and hold positive beliefs about it, whereas a small percentage of the 4th year English major students still use translation as a learning strategy although they hold negative beliefs about it. As a result, it is recommended that students at public schools should have more exposure to English language during English classes, enabling them to think directly in the target language without being pressured to use translation. As a result, the number of students in the University orientation program will ultimately decrease due to the improvement of their language proficiency.
A Morpho-phonemic Analysis on Sasak Affixation
Authors: Syarifaturrahman Wahyu Kamil , Sutarman  , Abdussamad Zainudin 
Published: April 2021

The current study analyses the morpho-phonemic in Sasak affixation especially in Ngeno-Ngene dialect. This study is a qualitative research in nature. The data were collected via field linguistic method using three techniques of data collection: observation, interview, and note-taking. The study used a qualitative research method to describe all morphophonemic process of affixation in Ngeno-Ngene dialect of Sasak language. The results of the study revealed that there are two affixes that undergo morphophonemic process, namely, prefix be-, pe-, ng-, t-, me- and simulfix ke-an. Prefix be- can cause epenthesis (additional r ), prefix pe- causes epenthesis (additional n and mi) and assimilation ( kn), prefix ng- causes assimilation (k ŋ), prefix t- causes epenthesis (additional e) and prefix me- causes assimilation (pm). The simulfix ke-an in this dialect causes epenthesis in which there will be lexical addition ‘r,m,n’ when the simulfix ke-an is used.
The Study of the Coherence of English Learning Strategies Used for Understanding Science Modules by Science Students in the EFL Reading Process
Authors: Ruangnoi Kritchada , Srimanee Jarinya , Abidin Mohamad Jafre Bin Zainol 
Published: April 2021

This study investigates the effectiveness of reading strategies employed by Thai EFL lower secondary students of the scientific ability program at one private and two government secondary schools in Thailand's southern province. The study integrated cognitive, metacognitive, determination, social, and memory strategies into the reading treatment. The results are expected to enhance the student’s regulation in applying the reading strategies instruction techniques. The study's participants were thirty Thai EFL students from Grade 7 in a government secondary school in southern Thailand. The data were analyzed and interpreted quantitatively and qualitatively. The training program consisted of five reading strategies, eight scientific reading modules, and a variety of enriching and engaging activities. Therefore, the thematic analysis of the interview data revealed overall satisfaction and enhanced students and teachers’ positive attitudes towards Science in English and the benefits of using reading for developing a Science curriculum.
Perbedaan Indeks Debris Sebelum dan Sesudah Konsumsi Buah Pir Pada Anak 7-9 Tahun
Authors: Pamewa Kurniaty , Febriany Mila , Hasanuddin Nur Rahmah , Mattalitti St. Fadhillah Oemar , Bachtiar Rachmi , Saputri Iin Indriani 
Published: April 2021

Pendahuluan. Salah satu faktor pendukung yang menyebabkan terjadinya karies gigi yaitu debris atau sisa-sisa makanan yang menempel pada gigi. Buah pir (Pyrus communis) juga mengandung senyawa katekin yang mampumenghambat perlekatan bakteri Streptococcus mutans pada pembentukan gigi serta mendenaturasi protein sel bakteri sehingga bakteri tersebut mati. Tujuan. Untuk mengetahui perbedaan indeks debris sebelum dan sesudah konsumsi buah pir pada anak usia 7-9 tahun di SD Inpres Tidung Makassar. Bahan dan Metode. Pra eksperimental dengan rancangan penelitian menggunakan pretest-posttest one groups only dan pengambilan sampel dengan purposive sampling. Populasi penelitian adalah siswa-siswi SD Inpres Tidung Makassar pada usia 7-9 tahun. Hasil. Penelitian dengan menggunakan uji Wilcoxon didapatkan hasil rata-rata indeks debris sebelum konsumsi buah pir 1.474 (SD=±0.447) dan sesudah konsumsi buah pir 0.340 (SD=±0.298). Hasil uji Wilcoxon mendapatkan 0,000 (p<0,05) hal ini menandakan bahwa terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan p-value yang diperoleh lebih kecil dari 0,05 artinya terdapat perbedaan indeks debris sebelum dan sesudah konsumsi buah pir pada anak usia 7-9 tahun. Kesimpulan. Terdapat perbedaan indeks debris sebelum dan sesudah konsumsi buah pir pada anak usia 7-9 Tahun di SD Inpres Tidung Makassar.
Analysis of the Screening Results for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Involving 7.85 Million Newborns in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Zhuoguang , Huang Lianjing , Du Caiqi , Zhang Cai , Zhang Mini , Liang Yan , Luo Xiaoping 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundCongenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of congenital genetic diseases caused by defective steroidogenesis. Our study aims to systematically analyze the screening results for CAH in Chinese newborns.MethodsStudies were searched from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library and some Chinese databases up to September, 2020. Meta-analysis was performed after quality assessment and data extraction.ResultsAfter a review of 2 694 articles, we included 41 studies enrolling 7 853 756 newborns. In our study, we found that the incidence of CAH in China was 0.43‱ [95% confidence intervals(CI), (0.39‱, 0.48‱)], or 1/23 024 [95%CI, (1/25 757,1/20 815)]. 27 studies were included for analysis of the screening positive rate, which gave a rate of 0.66% [95%CI, (0.54%, 0.78%)]. As for the recall rate of positive cases, 17 studies were included and showed that the recall rate reached 86.17% [95%CI, (82.70%, 89.64%)]. Among the CAH patients, the ratio of males to females was 1.92:1 (119:62), and the ratio of salt wasting (SW) to simple virilization (SV) type was 3.25:1 (104:32). The average 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) value of CAH was 393.40 ± 291.85 nmol/L (Range 33-1 300 nmol/L); there was no significant difference between male and female patients (437.17 ± 297.27 nmol/L v.s. 322.25 ± 293.04 nmol/L, P=0.16), but a significant difference was found between SW and SV patients (483.29 ± 330.07 nmol/L v.s. 73.80 ± 7.83nmol/L, P=0.04).ConclusionWe systematically analyzed the current situation of neonatal CAH screening in China, which will deepen our understanding for future CAH screening and early diagnosis.
Clinical Manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Associations With the Vaginal Microbiome: A Cross-Sectional Based Exploratory Study
Authors: Hong Xiang , Qin Pengfei , Yin Jiechen , Shi Yong , Xuan Yan , Chen Zhengqi , Zhou Xu , Yu Hong , Peng Danhong , Wang Bei 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundPrevious studies suggest that the vaginal microbiome is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the clinical manifestations of PCOS are heterogeneous. Whether the vaginal microbiome is related with different clinical symptoms was unknown.Materials and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 89 female patients with PCOS admitted to Zhongda Hospital (Nanjing, China) were included. Basic demographic information, health-related behaviors, clinical manifestations and sex hormone levels were comprehensively recorded for all patients. Vaginal swabs were acquired for microbiota sequencing of the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene.ResultsThe prevalence of bacterial vaginitis and vulvovaginal candidiasis was 15.7% and 13.5%, respectively, within the PCOS patients, which were the most important factors affecting the vaginal microbiome (permutational multivariate analysis of variance test, R2 = 0.108, P = 0.001). The vaginal microbiome was associated with specific clinical manifestations of PCOS, including acanthosis nigricans, intermenstrual bleeding, pregnancy history, testosterone level and anti-müllerian hormone level, with P values &lt; 0.05. The abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus was higher (P = 0.010) while that of Lactobacillus iners was lower (P = 0.036) among PCOS patients with elevated testosterone levels. Other potential bacterial biomarkers were not statistically significant after adjusting for confounding factors. No evidence of associations of other common manifestations of PCOS, such as obesity and acne, with the vaginal microbiome was obtained.ConclusionVaginal bacterial species among PCOS patients with variable clinical manifestations, especially differences in testosterone levels, are distinct. Further studies are essential to investigate the microbiota and molecular mechanisms underpinning this disease.
HLA-A*11:01:01:01, HLA-C*12:02:02:01-HLA-B*52:01:02:02, Age and Sex Are Associated With Severity of Japanese COVID-19 With Respiratory Failure
Authors: Khor Seik-Soon , Omae Yosuke , Nishida Nao , Sugiyama Masaya , Kinoshita Noriko , Suzuki Tetsuya , Suzuki Michiyo , Suzuki Satoshi , Izumi Shinyu , Hojo Masayuki , Ohmagari Norio , Mizokami Masashi , Tokunaga Katsushi 
Published: April 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was announced as an outbreak by the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2020 and as a pandemic in March 2020. The majority of infected individuals have experienced no or only mild symptoms, ranging from fully asymptomatic cases to mild pneumonic disease. However, a minority of infected individuals develop severe respiratory symptoms. The objective of this study was to identify susceptible HLA alleles and clinical markers that can be used in risk prediction model for the early identification of severe COVID-19 among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. A total of 137 patients with mild COVID-19 (mCOVID-19) and 53 patients with severe COVID-19 (sCOVID-19) were recruited from the Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan for the period of February–August 2020. High-resolution sequencing-based typing for eight HLA genes was performed using next-generation sequencing. In the HLA association studies, HLA-A*11:01:01:01 [Pc = 0.013, OR = 2.26 (1.27–3.91)] and HLA-C*12:02:02:01-HLA-B*52:01:01:02 [Pc = 0.020, OR = 2.25 (1.24–3.92)] were found to be significantly associated with the severity of COVID-19. After multivariate analysis controlling for other confounding factors and comorbidities, HLA-A*11:01:01:01 [P = 3.34E-03, OR = 3.41 (1.50–7.73)], age at diagnosis [P = 1.29E-02, OR = 1.04 (1.01–1.07)] and sex at birth [P = 8.88E-03, OR = 2.92 (1.31–6.54)] remained significant. The area under the curve of the risk prediction model utilizing HLA-A*11:01:01:01, age at diagnosis, and sex at birth was 0.772, with sensitivity of 0.715 and specificity of 0.717. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first article that describes associations of HLA alleles with COVID-19 at the 4-field (highest) resolution level. Early identification of potential sCOVID-19 could help clinicians prioritize medical utility and significantly decrease mortality from COVID-19.
Associations Between Sputum Torque Teno Virus Load and Lung Function and Disease Severity in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Xie Yu , Xue Qing , Jiao Weike , Wu Jianhui , Yu Yan , Zhao Lili , Xu Yu , Deng Xinyu , Fang Guiju , Zheng Yali , Gao Zhancheng 
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Viral load of Torque Teno virus (TTV) is elevated in immunosuppressed patients. The weakened immune response is typical in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, the relationship between TTV and COPD is still unknown.Patients and Methods: We enrolled 91 patients admitted to hospitals with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) between January 2017 and August 2017 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID, NCT03236480). Sputum samples were gathered during hospitalization and the 120-day follow-up. TTV distribution and genogroups were assessed, and the associations between viral loads and clinical parameters were analyzed.Results: TTV DNA was detected in 95.6% of COPD patients, and the viral load was nearly invariable at the stable and exacerbation states. Most TTV DNA-positive patients carried four distinct genotypes. Sputum load of TTV was positively associated with RV/TLC (r = 0.378, p = 0.030), and negatively correlated with FEV1/pre and FEV1/FVC (r = −0.484, −0.432, p = 0.011, 0.024, respectively). Neutral correlation between the TTV DNA load and COPD assessment test (CAT) scores (r = 0.258, p = 0.018) was observed.Conclusion: Sputum loads of TTV DNA could be a novel indicator for lung function and disease severity assessment in COPD patients.
Delta Shock Index During Emergency Department Stay Is Associated With in Hospital Mortality in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Huang Yi-Syun , Chiu I-Min , Tsai Ming-Ta , Lin Chun-Fu , Lin Chien-Fu 
Published: April 2021

Background: Delta shock index (SI; i.e., change in SI over time) has been shown to predict mortality and need for surgical intervention among trauma patients at the emergency department (ED). However, the usefulness of delta SI for prognosis assessment in non-traumatic critically ill patients at the ED remains unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between delta SI during ED management and in-hospital outcomes in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).Method: This was a retrospective study conducted in two tertiary medical centers in Taiwan from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017. All adult non-traumatic patients who visited the ED and who were subsequently admitted to the ICU were included. We calculated delta SI by subtracting SI at ICU admission from SI at ED triage, and we analyzed its association with in-hospital outcomes. SI was defined as the ratio of heart rate to systolic blood pressure (SBP). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay (HLOS) and early mortality. Early mortality was defined as mortality within 48 h of ICU admission.Result: During the study period, 11,268 patients met the criteria and were included. Their mean age was 64.5 ± 15.9 years old. Overall, 5,830 (51.6%) patients had positive delta SI. Factors associated with a positive delta SI were multiple comorbidities (51.2% vs. 46.3%, p &lt; 0.001) and high Simplified Acute Physiology Score [39 (29–51) vs. 37 (28–47), p &lt; 0.001). Patients with positive delta SI were more likely to have tachycardia, hypotension, and higher SI at ICU admission. In the regression analysis, high delta SI was associated with in-hospital mortality [aOR (95% CI): 1.21 (1.03–1.42)] and early mortality [aOR (95% CI): 1.26 (1.07–1.48)], but not for HLOS [difference (95% CI): 0.34 (−0.48 to 1.17)]. In the subgroup analysis, high delta SI had higher odds ratios for both mortality and early mortality in elderly [aOR (95% CI): 1.59 (1.11–2.29)] and septic patients [aOR (95% CI): 1.54 (1.13–2.11)]. It also showed a higher odds ratio for early mortality in patients with triage SBP &lt;100 mmHg [aOR (95% CI): 2.14 (1.21–3.77)] and patients with triage SI ≥ 0.9 [aOR (95% CI): 1.62 (1.01–2.60)].Conclusion: High delta SI during ED stay is correlated with in-hospital mortality and early mortality in patients admitted to the ICU via ED. Prompt resuscitation should be performed, especially for those with old age, sepsis, triage SBP &lt;100 mmHg, or triage SI ≥ 0.9.
SphK2/S1P Promotes Metastasis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Through the PAK1/LIMK1/Cofilin1 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Shi Weiwei , Ma Ding , Cao Yin , Hu Lili , Liu Shuwen , Yan Dongliang , Zhang Shan , Zhang Guang , Wang Zhongxia , Wu Junhua , Jiang Chunping 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) features a poor prognosis, which is partially attributed to its high metastatic rate. However, there is no effective target for systemic TNBC therapy due to the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors (ER, PR, and HER-2, respectively) in cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the role of sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) and its catalyst sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in TNBC metastasis and the effect of the SphK2-specific inhibitor ABC294640 on TNBC metastasis.MethodsThe function of SphK2 and S1P in TNBC cell metastasis was evaluated using transwell migration and wound-healing assays. The molecular mechanism of SphK2/S1P mediating TNBC metastasis was investigated using Western blot, histological examination, and immunohistochemistry assays. The antitumor activity of ABC294640 was examined in an in vivo TNBC lung metastatic model.ResultsSphingosine kinase 2 promoted TNBC cell migration through the generation of S1P. Targeting SphK2 with ABC294640 inhibited TNBC lung metastasis in vivo. p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), p-Lin-11/Isl-1/Mec-3 kinase 1 (LIMK1), and Cofilin1 were the downstream signaling molecules of SphK2/S1P. Inhibition of PAK1 suppressed SphK2/S1P-induced TNBC cell migration.ConclusionSphingosine kinase 2/sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes TNBC metastasis through the activation of the PAK1/LIMK1/Cofilin1 signaling pathway. ABC294640 inhibits TNBC metastasis in vivo and could be developed as a novel agent for the clinical treatment of TNBC.
Clinical Features Observed in General Practice Associated With the Subsequent Diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Kwasny Mary J. , Oleske Denise M. , Zamudio Jorge , Diegidio Robert , Höglinger Günter U. 
Published: April 2021

Background: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that is difficult for primary care physicians to recognize due to its progressive nature and similarities to other neurologic disorders. This case-control study aimed to identify clinical features observed in general practice associated with a subsequent diagnosis of PSP.Methods: We analyzed a de-identified dataset of 152 PSP cases and 3,122 matched controls from electronic medical records of general practices in Germany. We used a random forests algorithm based on machine learning techniques to identify clinical features (medical conditions and treatments received) associated with pre-diagnostic PSP without using an a priori hypothesis. We then assessed the relative effects of the features with the highest importance scores and generated multivariate models using clustered logistic regression analyses to identify a subset of clinical features associated with subsequent PSP diagnosis.Results: Using the random forests approach, we identified 21 clinical features associated with pre-diagnostic PSP (odds ratio ≥2.0 in univariate analyses). From these, we constructed a multivariate model comprising 9 clinical features with ~90% likelihood of identifying a subsequent PSP diagnosis. These features included known PSP symptoms, common misdiagnoses, and 2 novel associations, diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular disease, which are possible modifiable risk factors for PSP.Conclusion: In this case-control study using data from electronic medical records, we identified 9 clinical features, including 2 previously unknown factors, associated with the pre-diagnostic stage of PSP. These may be used to facilitate recognition of PSP and reduce time to referral by primary care physicians.
Downregulation of GLYAT Facilitates Tumor Growth and Metastasis and Poor Clinical Outcomes Through the PI3K/AKT/Snail Pathway in Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Tian Xin , Wu Lina , Jiang Min , Zhang Zhenyong , Wu Rong , Miao Jianing , Liu Caigang , Gao Song 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundThe Glycine N-acyltransferase (GLYAT) gene encodes a protein that catalyzes the transfer of acyl groups from acyl CoA to glycine, resulting in acyl glycine and coenzyme A. Aberrant GLYAT expression is associated with several malignant tumors, but its clinical importance in human breast cancer (BC), has yet to be fully addressed. This study aims to evaluate the clinical function of GLYAT in BC patients.MethodsGLYAT expression was determined by immune blot and immunohistochemistry in three BC cell lines and primary cancer tissues. The MDA-MB 231 cell line was used for GLYAT gene knockdown experiments while the MCF7 cell line for overexpression experiments. Colony formation experiments, soft agar experiments, and transwell assays were utilized for further inspection of cell proliferation and migration capabilities. Immunofluorescence and western blot were used to detect markers of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and changes in the PI3K/AKT/Snail pathway. The role of GLYAT in tumor growth and metastasis was also assessed in nude mice in vivo. Also, a correlation analysis was performed between clinicopathological features and GLYAT expression in BC patients.ResultsGLYAT was decreased in human BC tissues and cell lines. Functional analysis showed that knockdown of GLYAT augmented BC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. However, this phenomenon was reversed when GLYAT was overexpressed in the transfected cells. Moreover, downregulation of GLYAT promoted the migratory properties of BC cells, likely through the activation of PI3K/AKT/Snail signaling, which subsequently induced the EMT. IHC analysis indicated that GLYAT was decreased in human BC tissues and lower GLYAT expression was correlated with histological grade, tumor TNM stage, Ki-67 status, and poorer survival in BC patients. Furthermore, lower GLYAT expression seemed as an independent risk factor related to poor prognosis in BC patients based on Cox regression analyses.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that downregulation of GLYAT expression in human breast cancer is correlated with EMT via the PI3K/AKT/Snail pathway and is also associated with histological grade, tumor TNM stage, Ki-67 status, and poor survival in breast cancer patients.