bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ascorbic Acid as an Adjunctive Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Multicenter Propensity Score Matched Study
Authors: Sulaiman Khalid Al , Juhani Ohoud Al , Salah Khalid Bin , Badreldin Hisham A. , Harthi Abdullah Al , Alenazi Mohammed , Alharbi Aisha , Algarni Rahmah , Harbi Shmeylan Al , Alhammad Abdullah , Vishwakarma Ramesh , Aldekhyl Sarah 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Ascorbic acid represents an appealing option for clinicians to utilize in the context of a global health pandemic of COVID-19 patients due to its proposed clinical efficacy, relative safety, and low cost.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using ascorbic acid in supplemental dose as adjunctive therapy in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Methods: This was a multi-center, non-interventional, retrospective cohort study. All critically ill adult patients admitted to ICU with a confirmed COVID-19 between March 1st to December 31st, 2020 were included in the final analysis. The study was conducted at two large governmental tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The purpose was to investigate the association between clinical outcomes with ascorbic acid use as an adjunctive therapy in COVID-19 after propensity score matching using baseline severity scores, systemic use of corticosteroids and study centers. Results:A 739 patients were included in this study; 296 patients were included after propensity score matching. There was no association between the administration of ascorbic acid and in-hospital mortality nor 30-day ICU mortality (OR (95%CI): 0.77 (0.476, 1.234), p-value=0.2738 and OR (95%CI): 0.73 (0.438 ,1.204), p-value=0.215 respectively). Using ascorbic acid was associated with lower incidence of thrombosis compared with the non-ascorbic acid group (6.1% vs. 13% respectively); OR (95%CI): 0.42 (0.184, 0.937), p-value=0.0342).Conclusion:Supplemental dose of ascorbic acid as an adjunctive therapy in COVID19 critically ill patients was not associated with mortality benefits; but associated with lower incidence of thrombosis. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.
Expression Pattern of CircRNA in Naringin-induced Fate Dicision of BMSCs
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Liao Jian-zhao , Li Shi-bin , Zhou Yi , Chen Long-hao , Zhang Xiao-yun , Huang You-rong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective

To investigate the effect of Naringin (NG) on the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro.
Methods

BMSCs with different concentrations of NG were treated. The cell morphology, proliferation, toxicity analysis of each group, the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and the expressions of markers related to osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, osteogenic marker protein and CircRNAs were observed by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)method, Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction༈RT-PCR༉ method, etc. We used Miranda to predict the microRNA targets of CircRNAs and the targets of CircRNA-miRNA interaction, and constructed a CircRNA-microRNA co-expression network by analyzing the correlation between differentially expressed CircRNAs and microRNAs. The diagram of CircRNA-microRNA network was created with Cytoscape.
Results

The research results showed that NG of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200µg/mL played an important role in accelerating the proliferation of BMSCs in vitro. It is found that osteocalcin (OCN), Sp7 transcription factor(SP7) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) were significantly enhanced in mRNA and protein expression levels. Furthermore, 633 CircRNAs showed an upward trend of expression, while 762 CircRNAs showed a downward trend of expression. Compared to those in the control group, the expression level of CircTll 1 decreased significantly (P < 0.01), the expression level of CircFkbp5 increased (P < 0.05), and the expression level of Circzbtbl6-2 and CircCped1 increased significantly (P < 0.001). In addition, we analyzed the target mRNAs of miR-342-3p by GO and Panther pathways and found that Circ14046, Circ10410 and Circ7511 were not only closely related to calcium signaling pathway, but also to the regulation of actin cytoskeleton involved in cell growth and differentiation.
Conclusion

This paper confirmed that Circ14046, Circ10410 and Circ7511 were related to osteogenic differentiation. NG may induce osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through Circ14046/Circ10410/Circ7511 targeting miRNA-mRNA axis.
GMP Production of 6- [18F] Fluoro-L-DOPA for PET/CT Imaging by Different Synthetic Routes: A Three Center Experience
Authors: Andersen Valdemar Lykke , Soerensen Mikkel Agerbaek , Dam Johan Hygum , Langkjaer Niels , Petersen Henrik , Bender Dirk Andreas , Fugloe Dan , Huynh Tri Hien Viet 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The radiofluorinated levodopa analogue 6-[18F]F-l-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxy-6-18F-l-phenylalanine) is a commonly employed radiotracer for PET/CT imaging of multiple oncological and neurological indications. An unusually large number of different radiosyntheses have been published to the point where two different Ph. Eur. monographs exist depending on whether the chemistry relies on electrophilic or nucleophilic radiosubstitution of appropriate chemical precursors. For new PET imaging sites wishing to adopt [18F]FDOPA into clinical practice, selecting the appropriate production process may be difficult and dependent on the clinical needs of the site. Methods: Data from four years of [18F]FDOPA production at three different clinical sites in Denmark are collected and compared. These three sites, Aarhus (AUH), Odense (OUH), and Herlev University Hospitals (HUH), produce the radiotracer by different radiosynthetic routes with AUH adopting an electrophilic strategy, while OUH and HUH employ two different nucleophilic approaches. Production failure rates, radiochemical yields, and molar activities are compared across sites and time. Additionally, the clinical use of the radiotracer over the time period considered at the different sites are presented and discussed.Results: The electrophilic substitution route suffers from being demanding in terms of cyclotron operation and maintenance. This challenge, however, was found to be compensated by a production failure rate significantly below that of both nucleophilic approaches; a result of simpler chemistry. The five-step nucleophilic approach employed at HUH produces superior radiochemical yields compared to the three-step approach adopted at OUH but suffers from the need for more comprehensive synthesis equipment given the multi-step nature of the procedure, including HPLC purification. While the procedure at OUH furnishes the lowest radiochemical yield of the synthetic routes considered, it produces the highest molar activity. This is of importance across the clinical applications of the tracer discussed here, including dopamine synthesis in striatum of subjects with schizophrenia and congenital hyperinsulinism in infants.Conclusion: For most sites either of the two nucleophilic substitution strategies should be favored. However, which of the two will depend on whether a given site wishes to optimize the radiochemical yield or the ease of the use.
All-Metal Terahertz Metamaterial Biosensor for Protein Detection
Authors: Wang Gangqi , Zhu Fengjie , Lang Tingting , Liu Jianjun , Hong Zhi , Qin Jianyuan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, a terahertz (THz) biosensor based on all-metal metamaterial is theoretically investigated and experimentally verified. This THz metamaterial biosensor uses stainless steel materials that are manufactured via laser-drilling technology. The simulation results show that the maximum refractive index (RI) sensitivity and the figure of merit (FOM) of this metamaterial sensor are 294.95 GHz/RIU and 4.03, respectively. Then, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was chosen as the detection substance to assess this biosensor’s effectiveness. The experiment results show that the detection sensitivity is 72.81 GHz/(ng/mm2) and the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.035 mg/mL. This THz metamaterial biosensor is simple, cost-effective, easy to fabricate, and have great potential in various biosensing applications.
Shear Modulus of Single Wood Pulp Fibers From Torsion Tests
Authors: Dauer Michael , Wolfbauer Angela , Seidlhofer Tristan , Hirn Ulrich 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The shear modulus of pulp fibers is difficult to measure and only very little literature is available on the topic. In this work we are introducing a method to measure this highly relevant fiber property utilizing a custom built instrument. From the geometry of the fiber, the fiber twisting angle and the applied torque, the shear modulus is derived by de Saint Venant's theory of torsion. The deformation of the fiber is applied by a moving coil mechanism. The support of the rotating part consists of taut bands, making it nearly frictionless, which allows easy control of the torque to twist the fiber. A permanent magnet moving coil meter was fitted with a sample holder for fibers and torque references. Measurements on fine metal bands were performed to validate the instrument. The irregular shape of the fibers was reconstructed from several microtome cuts and an apparent torsion constant was computed by applying de Saint Venant's torsion theory. Fibers from two types of industrial pulp were measured: thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and Kraft pulp. The average shear modulus was determined as 2.13 GPa for TMP and 2.51 GPa for kraft fibers, respectively. The TMP fibers showed a smaller shear modulus but, due to their less collapsed state, a higher torsional rigidity than the kraft fibers.
A nomogram to predict the upgrading rate of ISUP grades of RP in patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy and transperineal prostate biopsy
Authors: Zhang Zhilei , Qin Fei , Ma Guofeng , Yuan Hang , Yu Yongbo , Sun Yefeng , Jiang Yanxia , Jiao Wei , Zhang Mingxin , Niu Haitao 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Backgroud: This study was aimed to develop and internally validate a nomogram for risk of upgrade of ISUP (International Society of Urology Pathology) grade group from biopsy tissue to RP (radical prostatectomy) final histology.Methods: 166 patients with prostate cancer were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups based on ISUP upgrade status from needle biopsy to radical prostatectomy specimen, these being the 'ISUP upgrade' group and the 'no ISUP upgrade' group. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the significant independent factors for ISUP upgrade. A nonogram was then developed based on these independent factors, which would predict risk of ISUP upgrade. The C-index, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the predicting model. Internal validation was evaluated by using the bootstrapping validation. Results: There were 47 patients in the ISUP upgrade group and 119 patients in the no ISUP upgrade group respectively. Patients in the ISUP upgrade group tended to be of younger age, smaller PV (prostate volume), lower GS (Gleason score) of PB (prostate biopsy) tissue than the no ISUP upgrade group (p=0.043, p=0.041, p < 0.001, p =0.04, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GS ≤6 (OR=14.236, P=0.001), prostate biopsy approach (TB-SB (transperineal prostate systematic biopsy) VS TR-SB (transrectal prostate systematic biopsy), OR=0.361, P=0.03) and number of positive cores < 10 (OR=0.396, P=0.04) were the independent risk factors for ISUP upgrade. A prediction nomogram model of ISUP upgrade was built based on these significant factors above, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve of which was 0.802. The C-index for the prediction nomogram was 0.798 (95%CI: 0.655–0.941) and the nomogram showed good calibration. High C-index value of 0.772 could still be reached in the interval validation. Decision curve analysis also demonstrated that the threshold value of RP-ISUP upgrade risk was 3% to 67%. Conclusion: A novel nomogram incorporating PSA, GS of PCa, ways of prostate biopsy and number of positive cores was built with a relatively good accuracy to assist clinicians to evaluate the risk of ISUP upgrade in the RP specimen, especially for the low-risk prostate cancer diagnosed by TR-SB.
Willingness of Medical Undergraduates to Work as Volunteers for anti-epidemic of COVID-19: Reflections on Medical Education in the post-epidemic era of China
Authors: Feng Ye , Zhang Xin , Wang Hui , Pan Yutong , Chen Shunrui , Chen Zhaoqiong , Chen Jian , Liu Xin , Chen Weizhong , Zhang Can , Mou Chunxiao 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective To identify the willingness of medical undergraduates to work as volunteers for fighting COVID-19 and effect factors of willingness to volunteer. Methods A cross-sectional online questionnaire survey which consisted of three sections with 26 items was conducted. The primary outcome was the willingness to volunteer. Descriptive analysis was used for the results of characteristics, a univariant analysis was performed by chi-square test and a multivariate analysis was performed by multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 5499 questionnaires were issued and 5379 effective questionnaires were finally recovered. There were 1797 males (33.4%) and 3582 females (66.6%), with an average age of 20±1.5 years old. 3553(66.1%) students wanted to volunteer. Male was associated with less adjusted OR (0.68, 0.56 to 0.81) for willingness. The undergraduates in school of public health was most (3.81, 2.26 to 6.40) willing to work. The undergraduates who had often participated in voluntary activities but not regularly was 3.23(2.03-5.16) times more willing than those that never participate. Conclusion It suggested that medical educators should emphasize voluntary activities in undergraduate medical education and continue to insistence of medical humanities and public health education to improve the social responsibility and professional identity of medical undergraduates.
Preserving the vitality of adjacent teeth by microsurgical enucleation of a large radicular cyst: A case report with 4-year follow-up
Authors: Elhakim Ahmed , Kim Sunil , Kim Euiseong , Elshazli Alaa H. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Radicular cysts may enlarge considerably, cause extensive bone destruction, and jeopardize the integrity of the associated vital teeth. The different treatment approaches are aimed mainly at eliminating the cystic epithelial membrane while reducing the risk of injury to vital structures. Contrary to other treatment modalities, preapical surgery offers an unequivocal single occasion resolution for the patient. However, it has been associated with higher risk of collateral damages.Case presentation: When a patient presented with a large radicular cyst originating from a maxillary lateral incisor, the adjacent central and canine teeth initially failed to exhibit responses to sensibility tests but showed signs of vitality. Microsurgical management was aimed at enucleating the cystic membrane while maintaining adjacent teeth vitality by preserving their apical vascular supply. Upon careful and controlled cyst enucleation under the dental operating microscope, the neurovascular bundle of one of the involved teeth was visualized and its integrity was maintained throughout the procedure.Results: The procedure was successful and follow up recalls revealed recovery of normal sensibility of tooth 11 and 13 with complete bone regeneration around their apices.Conclusions: The findings of this report demonstrate that teeth adjacent to radicular cysts albeit vital, may fail to respond to sensibility tests and that their vitality can be successfully preserved by utilizing the appropriate microsurgical techniques for direct cyst enucleation.
Tuning Catalytic Activity of Dimolybdenum Paddlewheel Complexes by Ligands:Mechanism Study on the Radical Addition Reaction of CCl4 to 1-Hexene
Authors: Wang Ling , Kang Lixia , Huo Suhong , Zhang Xueying , Li Xiaoyan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The detailed catalytic mechanism of a series of paddlewheel complexes [Mo2L4] featuring Mo-Mo quadruply-bond on radical addition of CCl4 to 1-hexene was studied using density functional theory. Different ligands of Mo-Mo bond are investigated to illustrate the ligand effect on the catalytic activity. The results show that the Mo-Mo quadruply-bond paddlewheel complexes have high catalytic activity on the title reaction. The whole reaction involves 4 steps. Firstly, the C-Cl bond of first CCl4 is activated by [Mo2L4] catalyst, [Mo2L3Cl] and CH3COOCCl3 are obtained; Then the second CCl4 adds to [Mo2L3Cl] to produce [Mo2L3Cl2] and CCl3 radical; CCl3 radical interacts with 1-hexene to get an addition, the addition product which reacts with one Cl atom of [Mo2L3Cl2] to get the last product nBuCHClCH2CCl3 and regenerate [Mo2L3Cl]. The addition of the first CCl4 to [Mo2L4] catalyst is the rate-determining step of the whole reaction. Because this step is not in the catalytic cycle, the reaction would speed up after a certain period of time. The catalytic activity of dimolybdenum paddlewheel complex is depended on the natural population analysis (NPA) charge of Mo and the redox potential E(Mo24+/Mo25+). The higher NPA of Mo atom and higher E(Mo24+/Mo25+) of the catalyst, the higher catalytic activity it has. Our calculated results provide an explanation for experimental observations and useful insights for further development of bimetallic catalysts in radical addition reactions.
Is rosuvastatin protective against sepsis associated encephalopathy? A secondary analysis of the SAILS trial
Authors: Yu Shiyuan , Ge Zengzheng , Gao Yanxia , Walline Joseph Harold , Zhu Huadong , Li Yi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Sepsis is a common cause of death in emergency departments and sepsis associated encephalopathy is a major complication of sepsis. Rosuvastatin may have a cerebral protective role based on its vascular endothelial protective and anti-inflammatory functions. Our study aims to explore the potential for a protective function of rosuvastatin against sepsis associated encephalopathy.
Methods

Sepsis patients without any neurological dysfunction on admission were prospectively enrolled in the ‘Rosuvastatin for Sepsis-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome’ study (SAILS trial, ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00979121). Patients were divided into rosuvastatin and placebo groups. This is a secondary analysis of this dataset. Baseline characteristics, therapy outcomes and adverse drug events were reported between groups.
Outcomes:

86 patients were eligible for our study. 51 of them were treated with rosuvastatin. There were significantly fewer cases of sepsis associated encephalopathy in the rosuvastatin group than in the placebo group (32.1% vs 57.1%, p = 0.028). However, the highest CK level was significantly higher in the rosuvastatin group than in the placebo group (204.8 ± 425.31 vs 89.3 ± 78.29, p = 0.034).
Conclusions

Rosuvastatin is likely to have a protective role against sepsis associated encephalopathy, but may result in higher adverse events. Future large, multicenter randomized controlled trials are still needed to determine if rosuvastatin is appropriate for preventing sepsis associated encephalopathy.
Towards Automated Ligamentous Injury Evaluation in Syndesmotic Ankle Lesions
Authors: Peiffer Matthias , Burssens Arne , Mits Sophie De , Heintz Thibault , Waeyenberge Michiel Van , Buedts Kris , Victor Jan , Audenaert Emmanuel 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
PurposeForced external rotation is hypothesized as the key mechanism of syndesmotic ankle injuries. This complex trauma pattern ruptures the syndesmotic ligaments, inducing a three-dimensional deviation from the normal distal tibiofibular joint configuration. However, current diagnostic imaging modalities are impeded by a two-dimensionalassessment, without taking into account ligamentous stabilizers. Therefore, our aim is two-fold: (1) to construct an articulated statistical shape model of the normal ankle with inclusion of ligamentous morphometry and (2) to apply this model in the assement of a clinical cohort of paient with syndesmotic ankle injuries.Methods Three-dimensional models of the distal tibiofibular joint were analyzed in asymptomatic controls (N= 76; Mean age 63 +/- 19 years),patients with syndesmotic ankle injury (N = 13; Mean age 35 +/- 15 years), and their healthy contralateral equivalent (N = 13). Subsequently, the statiscal shape model was generated after aligning all ankles based on the distal tibia. The position of the syndesmotic ligaments was predicted based on previously validated iterative shortest path calculation methodology. Evaluation of the model was described by means of accuracy, compactness and generalization. Canonical Correlation Analysis was performed to assess the influence of syndesmotic lesions on the distal tibiofibular joint congruency.ResultsOur presented model contained an accuracy of 0.23 +/- 0.028 mm. Mean prediction accuracy of ligament insertions was 0.53 +/- 12 mm. A statistically significant difference in anterior syndesmotic distance was found between ankles with syndesmotic lesions and healthy controls (95% CI [ 0.32 , 3.29], p = 0.017). There was a significant correlation between presence of syndesmotic injury and the morphological distal tibiofibular configuration (r = 0.873, p <0,001). ConclusionIn this study, we constructed a bony and ligamentous statistical model representing the distal tibiofibular joint Furthermore, the presented model was able to detect an elongation injury of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament after traumatic syndesmotic lesions in a clinical patient cohort.
Linkage and Association Mapping Identifies Loci and Develops Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR&nbsp;Markers for Improving Wheat Grain Protein Content
Authors: Jiang Peng , Zhang Peng , Wu Lei , He Yi , Li Chang , Ma Hongxiang , Zhang Xu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Wheat grain protein content (GPC) is an important quality indicator. The GPC of wheat grown in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River is often low. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is an effective tool for improving quantitative traits; however, except Gpc-B1, most markers have not been effectively applied in GPC improvement, although many related loci have been identified. Linkage analysis using a recombinant inbred line population from the cross of core parents of Ningmai 9 and Yangmai 158 and association mapping using the local cultivated varieties were performed and nine candidate intervals were identified. The appropriate kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers associated with GPC were successfully developed and applied in 1163 F4 breeding lines. Three markers, Kgpc-2B, Kgpc-2D, and Kgpc-4A, were validated to be significantly related to GPC by large-scale association mapping, and they were combined to achieve the highest efficiency to enhance GPC. We applied these markers in 164 F6 breeding lines and obtained 15 lines with high GPC, indicating their high selective efficiency. Further, strategies for gene exploration in the three significant intervals were proposed. These results were expected to provide a novel route for improving GPC in wheat quality breeding.