bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Online Dental Teaching Practices During the&nbsp;COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey From China
Authors: Jiang Zhiwei , Zhu Danji , Li Jialu , Ren Lingfei , Yang Guoli 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China in December 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic hindered dental education and schools had to be closed. Online dental teaching provided an alternative teaching tool for dental education. However, it is not clear whether online dental teaching is efficient and what students preferred.Aim To investigate the effect of online dental teaching practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.Methods A total of 104 undergraduate dental students and 57 standardized resident physician training students from Zhejiang University were investigated. A 12-item survey was conducted. This investigation included teaching method, frequency of classes, degree of satisfaction, preferred teaching method, whether to participate in a course about COVID-19 prevention, and the effects of teaching. The percentage of the items were then calculated and evaluated.Results A total of 161 students participated in this survey. All students had online dental classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lecture-based learning (LBL), case-based learning (CBL), problem-based learning (PBL), and research-based learning (RBL) were selected as classroom subjects. Students were more satisfied with LBL and CBL than PBL and RBL. The majority of students had more than 4 classes per week. The most selected protective measures were hand washing, wearing masks, and wearing gloves. A total of 46.6% students had courses on COVID-19. After training, the students consciously chose to wear face masks and protective clothing.Conclusions Online dental teaching practices were effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students preferred LBL and CBL and were satisfied with the classes. Courses on COVID-19 helped students understand how to prevent COVID-19 in dental clinics.
High-Selective Oxidation of n-Propanol to Propionic Acid Catalysed by Amino-Acid-Based Polyoxometalates
Authors: Liu Minxue , Yu Fengli , Yuan Bing , Xie Congxia , Yu Shitao 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Propionic acid as a very valuable chemical is in high demand, and it is industrially produced via the oxo-synthesis of ethylene or ethyl alcohol and via the oxidation of propionaldehyde with oxygen. It is urgent to discover a new preparation method for propionic acid via a green route. Recyclable amino-acid-based organic-inorganic heteropolyoxometalates were first used to high-efficiently catalyse the selective oxidation of n-propanol to propionic acid with H2O2 as an oxidant.Result: A series of amino-acid-based heteropoly catalysts using different types of amino acids and heteropoly acids were synthesized, and the experimental results showed proline-based heteropolyphosphatotungstate [ProH]3PW12O40 exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the selective catalytic oxidation of n-propanol to propionic acid owing to its high capacity as an oxygen transfer agent and suitable acidity. Under optimized reaction conditions, the conversion of n-propanol and the selectivity of propionic acid reached 88% and 75%, respectively. Over four cycles, the conversion remained at ˃80%, and the selectivity was ˃60%. [ProH]3PW12O40 was also used to catalyse the oxidations of n-butanol, n-pentanol, n-hexanol, and benzyl alcohol. All the reactions had high conversions, with the corresponding acids being the primary oxidation product.Conclusions: Proline-based heteropolyoxometalate [ProH]3PW12O40 has been successfully used to catalyse the selective oxidation of primary alcohols to the corresponding carboxylic acids with H2O2 as the oxidant. The new developed catalytic oxidation system is mild, high-efficient, and reliable. This study provides a potential green route for the preparation propionic acid.
Chances of Pregnancy After Dropping Out From Infertility Treatments: Evidence From A Social Survey in Japan
Authors: Hirakawa Marie , Usui Emiko , Mitsuyama Nahoko , Oshio Takashi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Previous studies have examined the factors that predict whether a patient will discontinue infertility treatments. However, little is known about a patient’s chances of pregnancy after dropping out.Method: Drawing from a nationwide Internet survey in Japan with 1,930 respondents, we used data from 199 individuals (109 women and 90 men) who had undergone an infertility treatment. Besides conducting a descriptive analysis to examine the probability of pregnancy after the treatment, we estimated linear probability models to investigate the extent to which the probability of pregnancy was affected by dropping out after controlling for a couple’s attributes.Results: Among the 199 respondents who had experienced an infertility treatment, 91 (45.7% of the entire sample) became pregnant during the treatment, and 108 (54.3%) dropped out. Among these 108 dropouts, 66 (33.2%) eventually became pregnant. After controlling for a couple’s attributes, we found that treatment discontinuation reduced the probability of pregnancy by 35.4% (standard error: 5.0%). A relatively limited reduction in the chances of pregnancy was also observed after a patient dropped out of any of the three treatment stages (timed intercourse, artificial insemination with the husband’s semen, and in vitro fertilization).Conclusions: The results suggest that dropping out from infertility treatments does not preclude any chance of a future pregnancy; in fact, the chances remain relatively high. Further analysis of a patient’s chances of pregnancy after dropping out is required to evaluate the effectiveness of infertility treatments appropriately. Additionally, more follow-up attention should be provided to dropout patients.
Saccharated Ferric Oxide Attenuates Haematopoietic Response Induced by Epoetin Beta Pegol in Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis
Authors: Iwasaki Takahide , Nakanishi Takeshi , Okada Shioko , Hanawa Nobuto , Hasuike Yukiko , Kuragano Takahiro , Fujimori Akira 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Decreased erythropoietin levels and impaired iron metabolism due to excessive hepcidin levels are responsible for renal anaemia in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Recently, erythroferrone (ERFE) has been identified as a factor that regulates hepcidin. In addition, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which has been recognized as a phosphorus-regulating hormone, appears to be involved in haematopoietic regulation. Clarification of the detailed mechanism of haematopoiesis could lead to the improvement of renal anaemia treatment.Methods: Epoetin beta pegol (CERA) was administered to patients undergoing haemodialysis at week 0, and the same amount of CERA with saccharated ferric oxide (SFO) was administered at week 4. The changes in haematopoiesis-related biomarkers, including ERFE, intact FGF23 (iFGF23), C-terminal FGF23 (cFGF23), and inflammatory markers, were examined.Results: Administration of CERA increased ERFE levels, decreased hepcidin levels, and stimulated iron usage for haematopoiesis, leading to an increase in reticulocytes (Ret) and haemoglobin (Hb). Simultaneous administration of SFO with CERA (CERA + SFO) significantly attenuated the responses of ERFE, Ret, and Hb compared with CERA alone. Although iFGF23 levels were not affected by either CERA or CERA + SFO, cFGF23 was significantly elevated from baseline after CERA. Since cFGF23 levels were not affected by CERA + SFO, cFGF23 levels after CERA + SFO were significantly lower than those after CERA alone. The ratio of iFGF23 to cFGF23 (i/cFGF23 ratio) was significantly higher after CERA + SFO than that after CERA alone. In addition, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were significantly higher after CERA + SFO than after CERA alone.Conclusion: Administration of SFO suppressed haematopoietic responses induced by CERA. Elevation of i/cFGF23 ratio and hsCRP could account for the inhibitory effects of SFO on haematopoiesis.This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (ID UMIN000016552).
Young Women With Breast Cancer in Brazil: A Population‐Based Study Epidemiology of Breast Cancer in Young Women
Authors: Monte Rebecca Lapenda do , Silva Thais Loyola da , Santos Ythalo Hugo da Silva , Navarro Diana Taissa Marinho , Oliveira Teresa Cristina Andrade de , Petta Tirzah 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in woman. The incidence in young women has been increasing in the last decade, mainly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to report the incidence of breast cancer in young patients (≤ 40 y) from 2007 to 2014 in a poor region of Brazil. Results: There were a total of 660 cases within a period of 8 years, with an average of 82 cases per year, and with median age of 36 years, ranging from 16 to 40 years. The most frequent cases were invasive carcinoma of no special type (87%), stage II (34.2%), positive for the progesterone receptor (PR, 51.6%), and for estrogen receptor (ER, 59.1%) and positive familial history of cancer (44.5%). These patients are mainly from the urban area (90%) and poorly educated (66.6% completed elementary school). Significant differences were observed for overall survival for the independent variables: age group (p = 0.012), clinical staging (p< 0.001), PR (p= 0.003), ER (p= 0.029) and pregnancy (p= 0.021). No significant difference was found between the survival curves of patients HER2+ or HER2-. The standardized rates for age (ASR) per 100,000 was 3.0-5.3%, which is low when compared to the Global Cancer Observatory (ASR 8.3%) or Brazil (ASR 10.8%). Conclusion: although the incidence of young women has increased in the country, especially in the study region, it has remained stable in the population studied in the last 8 years.
Chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA editing in plants
Authors: Kim Jin-Soo , Kang Beum-Chang , Bae Su-Ji , Lee Seonghyun , Lee Jeong Sun , Kim Annie , Lee Hyunji , Baek Gayoung , Seo Huiyun , Kim Jihun 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Plant organelles, including mitochondria and chloroplasts, contain their own genomes, which encode hundreds of genes essential for respiration and photosynthesis, respectively. Gene editing in plant organelles, an unmet need for plant genetics and biotechnology, has been hampered by the lack of appropriate tools for targeting DNA in these organelles. In this study, we developed a Golden Gate cloning system, composed of 16 expression plasmids (8 for delivery of the resulting protein to mitochondria and the other 8 for delivery to chloroplasts) and 424 TALE sub-array plasmids, to assemble DddA-derived cytosine base editor (DdCBE) plasmids and used the resulting DdCBEs to promote point mutagenesis in mitochondria and chloroplasts efficiently. Our DdCBEs induced base editing in lettuce or rapeseed calli at frequencies of up to 25% (mitochondria) and 38% (chloroplasts). We also showed DNA-free base editing in chloroplasts by delivering DdCBE mRNA to lettuce protoplasts. Furthermore, we generated lettuce calli resistant to streptomycin, an antibiotic that binds to 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) irreversibly, leading to inhibition of protein synthesis, by introducing a point mutation in the chloroplast 16S rRNA gene.
Bacterial F-type ATP synthases follow a well-choreographed assembly pathway
Authors: Huu Khanh Vu , Zangl René , Hoffmann Jan , Morgner Nina 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
F-type ATP synthases are multiprotein complexes composed of two separate coupled motors (F1 and FO) generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as the universal major energy source in a variety of relevant biological processes in mitochondria, bacteria and chloroplasts. In the past decades, ATP synthases have become a subject of high interest, as a target for therapeutic use in the treatment of a variety of diseases. While the structure of many ATPases is solved today, the precise assembly pathway of F1FO-ATP synthases is mostly still unclear. To probe the bacterial F1 assembly of Acetobacterium woodii, we studied the self-assembly of purified proteins under different environments. We report assembly requirements, important assembly intermediates in vitro and in vivo, the crucial role of nucleotide binding (as opposed to ATP hydrolysis) and correlate results with complex activity. Finally, we propose a model for the assembly pathway for the formation of a functional F1 complex.
Static And Dynamic Pupillometric Changes With Silodosin; Selective α1 Adrenoceptor Blocker
Authors: Karaca Umut , Kaya Engin , Ayyildiz Onder , Ozge Gokhan , Kucukevcilioglu Murat , Mutlu Fatih 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Backround: Intraoperative floopy iris syndrome is a variant of the small pupil syndrome that has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients currently or previously treated with the α1 adrenergic blockers. It is important for cataract surgeons to predict the probable complications, preoperatively. The aim of our study is to evaluate the static and dynamic pupil characteristics of patients treated with silodosin –a selective α1 adrenergic blocker- for Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH) and to compare these values with healthy subjects using an automatic quantitative pupillometry system.Methods: A total of 74 BPH patients treated with silodosin for six months (group 1) and 30 healthy subjects (group 2) were enrolled in this prospective multidisciplinary cross-sectional study. Static and dynamic pupillometric measurements were obtained under optimized conditions and the results were compared between the two groups.Results: Seventy four male patients with a mean age of 63,35±7,21 (46-77) years with BPH treated with silodosin and 30 normal male subjects with a mean age of 63,07±4,73 (52-71) years were analyzed. There were statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to scotopic pupil diameter (PD), high photopic PD, and low photopic PD (p<0.001, for each one). Patient group has statistically significant higher values of amplitude and velocity of pupil contraction and lower values of duration of pupil contraction and latency, duration and velocity of pupil dilation.Conclusion: Static and dynamic pupil characteristics of subjects treated with silodosin for BPH is different from healthy eyes. In addition, our results may have shed light on understanding the risk for IFIS before cataract surgery and thus surgeons can be on the alert and take precautions.
Two-stage Prediction Model for in-hospital Mortality of Patients With Influenza Infection
Authors: Cheong Chan-Wa , Chen Chien-Lin , Li Chih-Huang , Seak Chen-June , Tseng Hsiao-Jung , Hsu Kuang-Hung , Ng Chip-Jin , Chien Cheng-Yu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Infleunza is a challenging issue in public health. The mortality and morbidity associated with epidemic and pandemic influenza puts a heavy burden on health care system. Most patients with influenza can be treated on an outpatient basis but some required critical care. It is crucial for frontline physicians to stratify influenza patients by level of risk. Therefore, this study aimed to create a prediction model for critical care and in-hospital mortality.Methods: This retrospective cohort study extracted data from the Chang Gung Research Database. This study included the patients who were diagnosed with influenza between 2010 and 2016. The primary outcome of this study was critical illness. The secondary analysis was to predict in-hospital mortality. A two-stage-modeling method was developed to predict hospital mortality. We constructed a multiple logistic regression model to predict the outcome of critical illness in the first stage, then S1 score were calculated. In the second stage, we used the S1 score and other data to construct a backward multiple logistic regression model. The area under the receiver operating curve was used to assess the predictive value of the model.Results: In the present study, 1,680 patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall ICU admission and in-hospital mortality was 10.36% (174 patients) and 4.29% (72 patients), respectively. In stage I analysis, hypothermia (OR = 1.92), tachypnea (OR = 4.94), lower systolic blood pressure (OR = 2.35), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.87), leukocytosis (OR = 2.22), leukopenia (OR = 2.70), and a high percentage of segmented neutrophils (OR = 2.10) were associated with ICU admission. Bandemia had the highest odds ratio in the Stage I model (OR = 5.43). In stage II analysis, C-reactive protein (OR = 1.01), blood urea nitrogen (OR = 1.02) and stage I model’s S1 score were assocaited with in-hospital mortality. The area under the curve for the stage I and II model was 0.889 and 0.766, respectively.Conclusions: The two-stage model is a efficient risk-stratification tool for predicting critical illness and mortailty. The model may be an optional tool other than qSOFA and SIRS criteria.
Proteomic Characterisation of Serum Proteins From Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) With Cardiomyopathy Syndrome (CMS)
Authors: Costa Janina , Thompson Kim , Pozo Jorge del , McLean Kevin , Inglis Neil , Sourd Philippe , Bordeianu Andrei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS), caused by piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV), is a serious challenge to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) aquaculture. Regrettably, husbandry techniques are the only tool to manage CMS outbreaks, and no prophylactic measures are available at present. Early diagnosis of CMS is therefore desirable, preferably with non-lethal diagnostic methods, such as serum biomarkers. To identify candidate biomarkers for CMS, the protein content of pools of sera (4 fish/pool) from salmon with CMS (4 pools) and from clinically healthy salmon (3 pools) were compared using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Overall, seven proteins were uniquely identified in the sera of clinically healthy salmon, while twenty seven proteins were unique to the sera of CMS salmon. Of the latter, 24 have been associated with cardiac disease in humans. These were grouped as leakage enzymes (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glycogen phosphorylase and carbonic anhydrase); host reaction proteins (acute phase response proteins - haptoglobin, fibrinogen, α2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin; and complement-related proteins); and regeneration/remodelling proteins (fibronectin, lumican and retinol). Clinical evaluation of the suitability of these proteins as biomarkers of CMS, either individually or as part of a panel, is a logical next step for the development of early diagnostic tools for CMS.
Restoration and Risk Reduction of Lead Mining Waste by Phosphate-Enriched Biosolid Amendments
Authors: Li Na , Tang Xi , Yang John , Sun Zhanxiang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Lead (Pb) contamination in environment has been identified as a threat to human health and ecosystems. In an effort to reduce the health and ecological risks associated with Pb mining wastes, a field study was conducted to stabilize Pb using phosphate (P)-enriched biosolid amendments in contaminated mining wastes (average of 1004 mg Pb kg-1) located within the Jasper County Superfund Site, southwest Missouri. Experiments consisted of six treatments, including Mizzou Doo (MD); Spent mushroom compost (SMC); Turkey litter compost (TLC); Composted chicken litter (CCL); Composed sewage sludge (CSS); and Triple superphosphate (TSP). Tall fescue seeds were planted following treatments and soil and plant samples collected and analyzed 8-10 years post treatment. Results indicated that all biosolid treatments resulted in effective reductions of bioaccessible, leachable and phytoavailable Pb in the treated waste. The treatments had no toxicological effect to soil microbial community. Analysis of the Pb fractionation revealed that the Pb risk reduction was acomplished by transforming labile Pb to relatively stable species through chemical stabilization reactions as induced by treatments. The solid-phase microprobe analysis confirmed the formation of pyromorphite or pyromorphite-like minerals after treatment. Among the six amendments examined, SMC and MD treatments were shown most effective in context of Pb stabilization and risk reduction. This study demonstrated that the efficacy of Pb stabilization and risk reduction by P-enriched biosolid amendments was long-term and environmental-sound, which could be potentially applied as a cost-effective remedial technology to restore contaminated mining site and safeguard human health and ecosystems from Pb contamination.
Experimental Infection of Asian House Geckos (Hemidactylus Frenatus) With Enterococcus Lacertideformus Demonstrates Multiple Routes of Disease Transmission and The Relative in-Vivo Efficacy of Antibiotic Treatments
Authors: Agius Jessica , Rose Karrie , Emery Jon-Paul , Phalen David 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The disease caused by Enterococcus lacertideformus is multisystemic and ultimately fatal. Since its emergence, the disease has significantly impacted the captive breeding programs of the Extinct in the Wild Christmas Island Lister’s gecko (Lepidodactylus listeri) and blue-tailed skink (Cryptoblepharus egeriae). The bacterium’s pathogenicity, inability to grow in-vitro, and occurrence beyond the confines of Christmas Island necessitated the development of an experimental infection and treatment model. Asian house geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) were challenged with a single dose of E. lacertideformus either by mouth, application to mucosal abrasion or skin laceration, subcutaneous injection, coelomic injection, or via co-housing with an infected gecko. Five healthy geckos acted as controls. Each transmission route resulted in disease in at least 40% (n = 2) geckos, expanding to 100% (n = 5 groups) when E. lacertideformus was applied to skin laceration and mucosal abrasion groups. Incubation periods post-infection ranged between 54 and 102 days. To determine the efficacy of antibiotic treatment, infected geckos were divided into six groups (enrofloxacin 10mg/kg, PO, q24, amoxicillin clavulanic acid 10 mg/kg, PO, q24, enrofloxacin 10mg/kg combined with amoxicillin clavulanic acid 10 mg/kg, PO, q24, rifampicin 15mg/kg, PO, q24, clarithromycin 15mg/kg, PO, q24, and untreated controls) for 21 days. Response to treatment was assessed by change in lesion size, bacterial dissemination, and histological evidence of a host immune response. Irrespective of the antibiotic given, histology revealed that geckos inoculated by skin laceration were observed to have more extensive disease spread compared to other inoculation routes. The reduction in the average surface area of gross lesions was 83.6% for geckos treated with enrofloxacin, followed by the combination therapy amoxicillin clavulanic acid and enrofloxacin (62.4%), amoxicillin clavulanic acid (58.2%), rifampicin (45.5%), and clarithromycin (26.5%). Lesions in geckos untreated with antibiotics increased in size between 100% to 300%. In summary, enrofloxacin and amoxicillin clavulanic acid show promising properties for the treatment of E. lacertideformus infection in geckos. The Asian house gecko E. lacertideformus infection model therefore provides foundational findings critical to the development of effective therapeutic and prophylactic treatment protocols aimed at conserving the health of infected and at-risk reptiles.