bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic effects of black ginseng and aged garlic extracts for the amelioration of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice
Authors: Jiang Guihun , Ramachandraiah Karna , Murtaza Mian Anjum , Wang Lili , Li Shanji , Ameer Kashif 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that can lead to carcinoma, cirrhosis, and death. Since no approved medications are available, dietary interventions that include bioactive compounds have been recommended. This study investigated the effects of black ginseng extracts (BGE) and aged black garlic extracts (AGE) on high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. Micrograph of liver tissues of mice fed with BGE and AGE showed less lipid droplets. The BGE and AGE supplements individually and in combination lowered the marker enzymes, aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels indicating their hepatoprotective effects. Compared to the plants extracts alone, the combination of the extracts resulted in lower total cholesterol (TC) and low‐density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL‐C), which are risk markers for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Diets with the combination of BGE and AGE supplements had higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities, and lower malondialdehyde indicating the synergistic effects of the extracts. Irrespective of the diet type, all treated groups showed lower tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) values as compared to HFD, which indicated overall immunomodulatory effect of both extracts. Therefore, the innovative formulation formed by the combination of BGE and AGE can provide hepatoprotective effects via modulating glycometabolism, lipometabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation in mice.
Characteristics and Prognosis of De Novo Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Sustained Virologic Response
Authors: Toyoda Hidenori , Hiraoka Atsushi , Uojima Haruki , Nozaki Akito , Shimada Noritomo , Takaguchi Koichi , Abe Hiroshi , Atsukawa Masanori , Matsuura Kentaro , Ishikawa Toru , Mikami Shigeru , Watanabe Tsunamasa , Itobayashi Ei , Tsuji Kunihiko , Arai Taeang , Yasuda Satoshi , Chuma Makoto , Senoh Tomonori , Tsutsui Akemi , Okubo Tomomi , Ehira Takuya , Kumada Takashi , Tanaka Junko 
Published: May 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can de novo develop in patients with chronic hepatitis C even after the achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR). We characterized de novo HCC after SVR, comparing it with HCC that developed in patients during persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Characteristics, survival rates, and recurrence rates after curative treatment in 178 patients who developed initial HCC after SVR diagnosed between 2014 and 2020 were compared with those of 127 patients with initial HCC that developed during persistent HCV infection diagnosed between 2011 and 2015; HCC was detected under surveillance in both groups. HCC was less advanced and liver function worsened less in patients with SVR than in patients with persistent HCV. The survival rate after diagnosis was significantly higher for patients with SVR than for patients with persistent HCV (1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates, 98.2%, 92.5%, and 86.8% versus 89.5%, 74.7%, and 60.8%, respectively; P < 0.001). By contrast, the recurrence rate after curative treatment was similar between groups (1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year recurrence rates, 11.6%, 54.6%, and 60.4% versus 24.0%, 46.7%, and 50.4%, respectively; P = 0.7484). Liver function improved between initial HCC diagnosis and recurrence in patients with SVR (P = 0.0191), whereas it worsened in the control group (P < 0.001). In addition, patients with SVR could receive curative treatment for recurrence more frequently than patients with persistent HCV (80.4% versus 47.8%, respectively; P = 0.0008). Conclusion: Survival of patients with de novo HCC after SVR was significantly higher than that of patients in whom HCC developed during persistent HCV infection, despite similar rates of recurrence after curative treatment. A higher prevalence of curative treatment for recurrent HCC and improved liver function contributed to this result.
Cascade embedding triethyltryptophanium iodide ionic liquid (TrpEt3+I−) on silicated titanomagnetite core (Fe3‐xTixO4‐SiO2@TrpEt3+I−): A novel nano organic–inorganic hybrid to prepare a library of 4‐substituted quinoline‐2‐carboxylates and 4,6‐disubstituted quinoline‐2‐carboxylates
Authors: Nikoofar Kobra , Molaei Yielzoleh Fatemeh 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA library of substituted quinolone‐2‐carboxylates (4,6‐disubstituted quinolone‐2‐carboxylates, 6‐substituted quinoline dialkyl‐2,4‐dicarboxylates, and 6‐substituted 4‐[2‐methoxy‐2‐oxoethyl]quinoline‐2‐methylcarboxylates) was obtained through different scopes of one‐pot and one‐step MCRs such as (a) three‐component reaction of aromatic amines, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, and terminal alkenes/ketones; (b) pseudo three‐component reaction of anilines and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates; and (c) pseudo three‐component reaction of anilines and methyl propiolate under solvent‐free conditions at 100°C. The promoter of these annulation processes is a novel inorganic–organic core–shell that was obtained from silicated titanomagnetite, tryptophan amino acid, and ethyl iodide. The tryptophan embedded on the silicated titanomagnetite core (Fe3‐xTixO4‐SiO2) followed by alkylation with ethyl iodide subsequently result in in situ preparation of triethyltryptophanium iodide ionic liquid (TrpEt3+I−). The final nanohybrid (Fe3‐xTixO4‐SiO2@TrpEt3+I−) was characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscope, EDAX, FT‐IR, TGA/DTG, vibrating sample magnetometer, and X‐ray fluorescence techniques. The highlighted features of the protocol are as follows: (a) synthesis of a vast range of substituted quinolines through a straightforward method from simple substrates under solvent‐free conditions, (b) utilizing various scopes of functionalities as substrates, (c) simple separation of the nano promoter via an external magnet, (d) regioselectivity in the cascade annulation procedure, and (e) recovery and reusability of the nanocomposite within three runs without significant activity loss.
The role of Twitter in dental education: A systematic review
Authors: van Schaijik Bede , Alshawa Aladdin , Hamadah Omar , Alshehri Mohammed , Kujan Omar 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe rapid growth of social media in recent years has highlighted uses beyond their original purposes, particularly in education. Twitter is a free, open access social network with high potential to enhance interactive learning. The use of Twitter in dental education has been far less investigated; therefore, the objective of this systematic review is to explore the current uses and to examine the impact of Twitter on dental education, and to analyze and predict potential models of Twitter for future application in dental training, education, and teaching.MethodsFive databases (PubMed, Embase, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) and the gray literature using keywords related to Twitter and dental education were searched. Articles were screened for inclusion, and two researchers independently extracted the data using a standardized data collection template and analyzed the quality of the included articles using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument.ResultsOf the 121 articles identified from the initial search, 68 remained after duplications were removed. Article screening removed 61 articles leaving 7 eligible for inclusion and data extraction. Five studies were cross‐sectional and two were cohort studies, and all involved survey‐based designs with 998 respondents in total. Quality assessment gave a score range between 8 and 12.5 out of a total of 18 points.ConclusionsOur study supports the potential for Twitter as a useful learning tool in dental education. Features, including the open access nature of Twitter as well as the low level of ads and free registration, make it appealing to students as well as a useful tool for interactive learning. However, there are significant barriers to its use, including privacy and concerns about professionalism. Higher quality and greater impact research is required.
Modeling population‐wide testing of SARS‐CoV‐2 for containing COVID‐19 pandemic in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Shimizu Kazuki , Kuniya Toshikazu , Tokuda Yasuharu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTo break the chains of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission and contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, population‐wide testing has been practiced in various countries. However, scant research has addressed this topic in Japan. In this modeling exercise, we extracted the number of daily reported cases of COVID‐19 in Okinawa from October 1 to November 30, 2020, and explored possible scenarios for decreasing COVID‐19 incidence by combining population‐wide screening and/or social distancing policy. We reveal that permanent lockdown can be theoretically replaced by mass testing but sufficient target population at an adequate frequency must be mobilized. In addition, solely imposing a circuit breaker will not bring a favorable outcome in the long run, and mass testing presents implications for minimizing a period of lockdown. Our results highlight the importance of incentivizing citizens to join the frequent testing and ensure their appropriate isolation. This study also suggests that early containment of COVID‐19 will be feasible in prefectures where the mobility is low and/or can be easily controlled for its geographic characteristics. Rigorous investment in public health will be manifestly vital to contain COVID‐19.
Development of a core set of single nucleotide polymorphism markers for genetic diversity analysis and cultivar fingerprinting in cowpea
Authors: Wu Xinyi , Wang Baogen , Wu Suqi , Li Sujuan , Zhang Yan , Wang Ying , Li Yanwei , Wang Jian , Wu Xiaohua , Lu Zhongfu , Li Guojing 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCowpea is an important legume crop worldwide. However, the diversity and relationship of current accessions remain unclear due to a lack of robust genetic information. A set of 40,089 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) adapted to the Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) SNP genotyping platform were developed from the existing Illumina Cowpea iSelect Consortium Array for cowpea germplasm genetic diversity assessment and variety identification. Using the genotypic data of 299 cowpea accessions obtained from this SNP assay, a precore pool of 434 SNPs and 50 informative core SNPs was selected and validated for use in future genetic diversity analyses of cowpea germplasm. By further genotyping 75 commercial cultivars using the set of 50 core SNPs, pairwise genotype alignment and dendrogram analysis both showed that each cultivar could be uniquely identified by this core set of markers. The KASP markers developed in this study provide a flexible marker resource for both basic and applied research of cowpea. The precore SNP pool and the core SNP set also provide valuable tools for genetic variation assessment and variety rights protection for cowpea breeders.
Taste‐strip gustometry in cochlear implanted patients
Authors: Beutner Dirk , Vent Julia , Seehawer Julia , Luers Jan Christoffer , Lang‐Roth Ruth , Wrobel Christian 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveInvestigation of the gustatory function in a large cohort of cochlear implanted patients using lateralized taste‐strip tests.Patients and MethodsOne hundred and seven unilaterally or bilaterally profoundly hearing impaired or deaf patients who received cochlear implants (n = 113) were included in this study. Data on gustometry, subjective gustatory dysfunction, and the detailed surgical procedure were acquired retrospectively. Gustatory function, assessed using lateralized taste‐strip tests, was performed the day before, 3 days after cochlear implantation, and on the day of the initial CI adjustment (39 days ±7.3 SD).ResultsAveraged taste‐strip scores of the cohort declined significantly from preoperatively 12.3 [11.8; 12.7] (mean [95% confidence intervals]) to 10.5 [9.7; 11.2] on the implanted side about 6 weeks after surgery. Patients with intraoperatively exposed and rerouted, or a severed, chorda tympani nerve (CTN) showed significantly reduced unilateral postoperative scores (10.1 [8.8; 11.4] and 9.3 [8.1; 10.5], respectively), when compared to not exposing or to leaving a bony layer over the CTN. Total taste‐strip test scores showed a significant decline 6 weeks postoperatively in CI‐patients expressing a subjective gustatory dysfunction (from 23.6 [21.4; 25.8] to 17.5 [14.2; 20.8]), as opposed to patients with a documented subjectively normal taste.ConclusionWe consider postoperative gustatory dysfunction as a relevant side effect post cochlear implantation, at least within the first month. Taste‐strip based gustometry is a suitable diagnostic tool to assess taste function in CI patients and is recommended to be performed routinely.Level of Evidence3, retrospective, nonrandomized follow‐up study.
Association between subjective well‐being and perception of medical care system among patients with Marfan syndrome: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Shimizu Tomoko , Shimizu Yasuko 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study investigated the association between subjective well‐being and perception for collaboration among clinical departments of adult Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients.MethodsWe performed a self‐administered questionnaire survey to ask about current medical treatment and support systems and subjective well‐being for 114 patients with MFS aged 18–64 years. It was hypothesized that patients’ perception of collaboration between clinical departments would raise their subjective well‐being. Mean value differences were predicted by a multiple regression analysis model, with supportive medical staff, age, sex, aorta dissection, family history, marriage status, and educational background adjusted.ResultsPatients’ perception of collaboration between clinical departments and being married raised SWLS scores (mean difference for patients’ perception of collaboration versus not = 3.41, 95% CI = 0.28, 6.53, p = .03; for married versus single = 5.22, 95% CI = 1.75, 8.69, p = .003).ConclusionOur results have suggested that it is necessary to maintain and enhance the medical treatment system with the patients for improving the subjective well‐being of MFS patients. In addition, the result indicated the need for intervention to the patients themselves and also their family so that it allows patients to receive physical and emotional support from people close to them.
A novel missense variant in cathepsin C gene leads to PLS in a Chinese patient: A case report and literature review
Authors: Yu Hui , He Xun , Liu Xiangqin , Zhang Houbin , Shen Zhu , Shi Yi , Liu Xiaoqi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundPapilon‐Lefevre syndrome (PLS; OMIM 245000) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by aggressive periodontitis and palmoplantar keratoderma. The prevalence of PLS in the general population is one to four cases per million. Although the etiology and pathogenic mechanisms underlying PLS remain largely unclear, existing evidence shows loss‐of‐function mutations of the cathepsin C gene (CTSC; OMIM 602365) could cause PLS. Here we found a novel variant of the CTSC gene in a Chinese PLS family and predicted the effect of the variant on the physic–chemical characters and tertiary structure of the protein.MethodsThe 1–7 coding exons and exon–intron boundaries of CTSC gene of the proband and her family were amplified and sequenced directly, and Chromas was used to read sequencing files. Furthermore, the PolyPhen‐2, PROVEAN, and Mutation Taster were utilized to predict the pathogenicity of the variant. Besides, the physic–chemical and structural characters of the protein were analyzed by ProtParam, ProtScale, and SWISS‐MODEL.ResultsOur study identified a novel homozygous variant c.763T>C (p.Cys255Arg) in exon 6 of the CTSC gene, and it was a likely pathogenic variant as predicted by PolyPhen‐2, PROVEAN, and Mutation Taster. Moreover, ProtParam and Protscale revealed the variant increased the isoelectric point and hydrophilicity of the protein, and the SWISS‐MODEL analysis suggested the variant was located in a critical domain for protein activity.ConclusionOur study analyzed a Chinese family with PLS and identified a novel missense variant in the CTSC gene. Besides, this study retrospectively summarized 113 variants of CTSC in the world and highlighted the features of 27 CTSC variants in Chinese PLS patients. In addition, this study paid much particular attention to the relationship between CTSC variants and different phenotypes.
Review of laser‐diode pumped Ti:sapphire laser
Authors: Liu Han , Sun Sijia , Zheng Li , Wang Geyang , Tian Wenlong , Zhang Dacheng , Han Hainian , Zhu Jiangfeng , Wei Zhiyi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTi:sapphire laser has an important position in ultrashort pulse generation and wavelength tuning. The use of expensive frequency‐doubled diode‐pumped solid‐state laser as the pump source limits the promotion of its application to a certain extent. With the maturity of high‐power blue‐green laser diodes (LDs), low‐cost LD directly pumped Ti:sapphire laser becomes possible. After more than 10 years of development, the output parameters of LD pumped Ti:sapphire lasers have been greatly improved. Moreover, the lasers have been applied to optical frequency combs, multiphoton microscopy imaging, and so forth, both of which have achieved impressive results.
The influence of family social support on quality of life of informal caregivers of cancer patients
Authors: García‐Carmona Margarita , García‐Torres Francisco , Jacek Jabłoński Marcin , Gómez Solís Ángel , Jaén‐Moreno María José , Moriana Juan A. , Moreno‐Díaz María José , Aranda Enrique 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimCaregivers of cancer patients are at high risk of experiencing impairments in terms of anxiety, depression and quality of life. This study examines the mediation capacity that perceived emotional support can have after diagnosis and six months later between depression and anxiety after diagnosis and quality of life in informal caregivers of cancer patients.DesignA sample of 67 informal caregivers of cancer patients was used. This study is longitudinal, ex post facto prospective, with convenience sampling.MethodsParticipants completed the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form (SF‐36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Data were collected between March 2017 and November 2018.ResultsSpearman's correlation analysis showed that anxiety, depression and perceived emotional support were related to quality of life. The mediation analysis showed that the relationship between depression after diagnosis and quality of life six months later was mediated by perceived emotional support.
The lived experiences of frontline nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in Qatar: A qualitative study
Authors: Villar Ralph C. , Nashwan Abdulqadir J. , Mathew Rejo G. , Mohamed Ahmed S. , Munirathinam Sathish , Abujaber Ahmad A. , Al‐Jabry Mahmood M. , Shraim Mujahed 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimThis study aims to explore the lived experiences of frontline nurses providing nursing care for COVID‐19 patients in Qatar.DesignQualitative, Phenomenological.MethodsNurses were recruited from a designated COVID‐19 facility using purposive and snowball sampling. The participants were interviewed face‐to‐face using semi‐structured interview questions from 6 September–10 October 2020. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method.ResultA total of 30 nurses were interviewed; (76.7%) were deployed for >6 months. Three major themes were drawn from the analysis: (a) Challenges of working in a COVID‐19 facility (subthemes: working in a new context and new working environment, worn out by the workload, the struggle of wearing protective gear, fear of COVID‐19, witnessing suffering); (b) Surviving COVID‐19 (subthemes: keeping it safe with extra measures, change in eating habits, teamwork and camaraderie, social support); and (c) Resilience of Nurses (subthemes: a true calling, a sense of purpose).
Numerical approximations of chromatographic models
Authors: Bozorgnia Farid , Seyed Allaei Sonia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA numerical scheme based on modified method of characteristics with adjusted advection (MMOCAA) is proposed to approximate the solution of the system liquid chromatography with multi components case. For the case of one component, the method preserves the mass. Various examples and computational tests numerically verify the accuracy and efficiency of the approach.
Ageing contributes to phenotype transition in a mouse model of periodic paralysis
Authors: Suetterlin Karen J. , Tan S. Veronica , Mannikko Roope , Phadke Rahul , Orford Michael , Eaton Simon , Sayer Avan A. , Grounds Miranda D. , Matthews Emma , Greensmith Linda , Hanna Michael G. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundPeriodic paralysis (PP) is a rare genetic disorder in which ion channel mutation causes episodic paralysis in association with hyper‐ or hypokalaemia. An unexplained but consistent feature of PP is that a phenotype transition occurs around the age of 40, in which the severity of potassium‐induced muscle weakness declines but onset of fixed, progressive weakness is reported. This phenotype transition coincides with the age at which muscle mass and optimal motor function start to decline in healthy individuals. We sought to determine if the phenotype transition in PP is linked to the normal ageing phenotype transition and to explore the mechanisms involved.MethodsA mouse model of hyperkalaemic PP was compared with wild‐type littermates across a range of ages (13–104 weeks). Only male mice were used as penetrance is incomplete in females. We adapted the muscle velocity recovery cycle technique from humans to examine murine muscle excitability in vivo. We then examined changes in potassium‐induced weakness or caffeine contracture force with age using ex vivo muscle tension testing. Muscles were further characterized by either Western blot, histology or energy charge measurement. For normally distributed data, a student's t‐test (± Welch correction) or one‐ or two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine significance. For data that were not normally distributed, Welch rank test, Mann Whitney U test or Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA was performed. When an ANOVA was significant (P < 0.05), post hoc Tukey testing was used.ResultsBoth WT (P = 0.009) and PP (P = 0.007) muscles exhibit increased resistance to potassium‐induced weakness with age. Our data suggest that healthy‐old muscle develops mechanisms to maintain force despite sarcolemmal depolarization and sodium channel inactivation. In contrast, reduced caffeine contracture force (P = 0.00005), skeletal muscle energy charge (P = 0.004) and structural core pathology (P = 0.005) were specific to Draggen muscle, indicating that they are caused, or at least accelerated by, chronic genetic ion channel dysfunction.ConclusionsThe phenotype transition with age is replicated in a mouse model of PP. Intrinsic muscle ageing protects against potassium‐induced weakness in HyperPP mice. However, it also appears to accelerate impairment of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release, mitochondrial impairment and the development of core‐like regions, suggesting acquired RyR1 dysfunction as the potential aetiology. This work provides a first description of mechanisms involved in phenotype transition with age in PP. It also demonstrates how studying phenotype transition with age in monogenic disease can yield novel insights into both disease physiology and the ageing process itself.