bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of the Sensitivity and Specificity of Lateral Flow Devices in the Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mistry Dylan A , Wang Jenny Y , Moeser Mika-Erik , Starkey Thomas , Lee Lennard YW 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Lateral flow devices (LFDs) are viral antigen tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 that produce a rapid result, are inexpensive and easy to operate. They have been advocated for use by the World Health Organisation to help control outbreaks and break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 infections. There are now several studies assessing their accuracy but as yet no systematic review. Our aims were to assess the sensitivity and specificity of LFDs in a systematic review and summarise the sensitivity and specificity of these tests. Methods: A targeted search of Pubmed and Medxriv, using PRISMA principles, was conducted identifying clinical studies assessing the sensitivity and specificity of LFDs as their primary outcome compared to reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Based on extracted data sensitivity and specificity was calculated for each study. Data was pooled based on manufacturer of LFD and split based on operator (self-swab or by trained professional) and sensitivity and specificity data were calculated. Results: Twenty-four papers were identified involving over 26,000 test results. Sensitivity from individual studies ranged from 37.7% (95% CI 30.6-45.5) to 99.2% (95% CI 95.5-99.9) and specificity from 92.4% (95% CI 87.5-95.5) to 100.0% (99.7-100.0). BD Veritor was the best performing manufacturer of LFD with a sensitivity of 99.2% (95% CI 95.5-99.9) and specificity of 100.0% (98.9-100.0). Operation of the test by a trained professional or by the test subject with self-swabbing produced comparable results. Conclusions: This systematic review identified that the performance of lateral flow devices is heterogeneous and dependent on the manufacturer. Some perform with high specificity with reasonable sensitivity. Test performance does appear dependent on the operator. Potentially, LFDs could support the scaling up of mass testing to aid track and trace methodology and break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 with the additional benefit of providing individuals with the results in a much shorter time frame.
WITHDRAWN: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Health Legislation and Regulations by Dentists and Stomatologists in the Valencian Community: A KAP Analysis.
Authors: Gisbert Martina Sánchez , Grifo Marina Gisbert , Sheth Chirag C. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The main objective of this study is to analyse the background and knowledge, attitudes and practices of Spanish dentists and stomatologists registered in Alicante, Castellón and Valencia, the three provinces that make up the Valencian Community, with regard to current Spanish health legislation and regulations, and to try to quantify the relationship between level of training, specialisation, work experience, position and workplace, and degree of knowledge.
Methods
An anonymous survey was designed, consisting of thirty-three multiple-choice questions, checked beforehand by a statistician and validated by nine dentists and stomatologists from different specialisations, via an online platform called SurveyMonkey®. The validated survey included questions regarding their professional background and key questions regarding current dental law and expertise. The link and QR code (Quick Response) for taking the survey was sent via the official email address of each province's College of Dentists and Stomatologists, so that members could take the survey online for a limited period of time.
Results
Members' level of knowledge of health legislation and regulations in the Valencian Community is moderate, with only 63% of the questions answered correctly. Neither their level of education nor work experience correlates significantly with their degree of knowledge. Dentists specialising in General and Aesthetics Dentistry were found to be more knowledgeable about ethical issues. Regarding the workplace, those working as university teachers tended to stand out from the other professionals in terms of legal and ethical knowledge whilst self-employed and employee dentists show a lower level of knowledge than the rest of the sample.
Conclusions
The conclusions obtained from this study highlight the need for dentists to complete and update their knowledge of current health legislation, as having proper knowledge is a means of avoiding possible legal problems, which not only means better legal protection for the dentist but is also a means of guaranteeing adequate patient care.
Assessing the Predictability of Existing Water-to-enamel Geolocation Models Against Known Human Teeth: Do We Need Tissue-Specific δ 18O Reference Maps?
Authors: Ueda Momoko , Bell Lynne S. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Stable isotope analysis of human tissues has become a valuable tool for mapping human geolocation. This study adds to the existing knowledge of the relationship between oxygen stable isotopes in human enamel (δ 18Oenam) and drinking water (δ 18Odw) by presenting δ 18Oenam values in clinic-extracted human dental enamel with known provenance. The results from this study indicate that the theoretical isotopic relationship between 18Oenam and 18Odw is valid although weak at the city and country-level. However, differences of up to 15‰ were observed between predicted δ 18Odw values using existing models and observed values, highlighting the complexity of using enamel-to-water conversion equations. A city-specific range of δ 18Oenam values is now understood for Metro Vancouver [δ 18Ocarbonate = − 9.7‰ to − 7.2‰] and presents the possibility of both including within the city of Vancouver and excluding individuals, utilizing stable oxygen analysis as an exclusionary tool. Overall, this study’s results support the development of tissue-specific d 18Oenam geographical reference maps for human geolocation.
Efficacy of Two-Week Therapy With Bismuth Quadruple Versus Levofloxacin Concomitant for Helicobacter Pylori Infection: A Prospective Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial.
Authors: Alhalabi Marouf , Alassi Mohammed Waleed , Eddin Kamal Alaa , Cheha Khaled 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Antibiotic-resistance reduces the efficacy of conventional therapy for H.pylori infection worldwide, which necessitates using various protocols according to location. This was an open‑label randomized controlled trial. We used two modified protocols, bismuth quadruple and concomitant levofloxacin. The aim was to compare the eradication rates of previous protocols as empirical first-line treatment to cure H.pylori infection in intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol analyses (PPA) in Syrian population. We assigned seventy-eight eligible naïve patients, with a 1:1 ratio to receive two-week therapy of (bismuth subsalicylate 524 mg four times daily, doxycycline 100 mg, tinidazole 500 mg, and esomeprazole 20 mg, each twice daily) (B-group), or (levofloxacin 500 mg daily, tinidazole 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and esomeprazole 20 mg, each twice daily) (L-group). We confirmed H.Pylori eradication by stool antigen test at eight weeks. According to IIT, the eradication rates were 76.92%, and 82.05%, for the B-group and L-group respectively. According to PPA, the eradication rates were 78.9%, and 82.1% for the B-group and L-group respectively. P-value was 078. We didn’t report serious adverse effects. The eradication rates in both regimens were fair. Further trials are required to identify the preferred first-line treatment for H.pylori infection in the Syrian population.
Azobenzene-Containing Liquid Crystalline Composites for Robust Ultraviolet Detectors Based on Conversion of Illuminance-Mechanical Stress-Electric Signals
Authors: Zheng Xiaoxiong , Jia Yining , Chen Aihua 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Wearable ultraviolet (UV) detectors have attracted considerable interest in the military and civilian realms. However, semiconductor-based UV detectors are easily interfered by elongation due to the elastic modulus incompatibility between rigid semiconductors and polymer matrix. Polymer detectors containing UV responsive moieties seriously suffer from slow response time. Herein, a novel UV illuminance-mechanical stress-electric signal conversion has been proposed based on well-defined ionic liquid (IL)-containing liquid crystalline polymer (ILCP) and highly elastic polyurethane (TPU) composite fabrics, to achieve a robust UV monitoring and shielding device with a fast response time of 5 s. Due to the electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds between ILs and LC networks, the ILCP-based device can effectively prevent the exudation of ILs and maintain stable performance upon stretching, bending, washing and 1000 testing cycles upon 365 nm UV irradiation. This work provides a generalizable approach toward the development of full polymer-based wearable electronics and soft robots.
Novel Folliculin Gene Mutations in Polish Patients With Birt-hogg-dubé Syndrome
Authors: Radzikowska Elzbieta , Lechowicz Urszula , Winek Jolanta , Opoka Lucyna 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS) is a rare, autosomal dominant, inherited disease caused by mutations in the folliculin gene (FLCN). The disease is characterised by skin lesions (fibrofolliculomas, trichodiscomas, acrochordons), pulmonary cysts with pneumothoraces and renal tumours. We present the features of Polish patients with BHDS.Materials and MethodsThe first case of BHDS in Poland was diagnosed in 2016. Since then, 15 cases from 10 families have been identified. Thirteen patients were confirmed via direct FLCN sequencing, and two according to their characteristic clinical and radiological presentations.ResultsBHDS was diagnosed in 15 cases (13 women and 2 men) from 10 families. The mean ages at the time of first pneumothorax and diagnosis were 38.4 ± 13.9 and 47.7 ± 13 years, respectively. Five patients (33%) were ex-smokers (2.1 ± 1.37 packyears), and 10 (67%) had never smoked cigarettes. Twelve patients (83%) had a history of recurrent symptomatic pneumothorax. Three patients had small, asymptomatic pneumothoraces, which were only detected upon computed tomography examination. All patients had multiple bilateral pulmonary cysts, distributed predominantly in the lower and middle, peripheral, and subpleural regions of the lungs. Generally, patients exhibited preserved lung function. Skin lesions were seen in four patients (27%), one patient had renal angiomyolipoma, and one had bilateral renal cancer. Different mutations of the FLCN gene were identified (mainly in exon 6), with two novel heterozygous variants: c.490delA p.(Arg164GlyTer13) and c.40delC p.(His14ThrsfTer41). ConclusionsAll analysed patients with BHDS presented with lung lesions and with less frequent skin and renal lesions than previously reported in other populations. In addition, more frequent mutations located in exon 6 were detected, and two novel FLCN gene mutations were identified.
Consecutive Daily Administration of Intratracheal Surfactant and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuates Hyperoxia-induced Lung Injury in Neonatal Rats
Authors: Chou Hsiu-Chu , Chang Chien-Hsiang , Chen Chien-Han , Lin Willie , Chen Chung-Ming 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Surfactant therapy is a standard of care for preterm infants with respiratory distress and reduces the incidence of death and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in these patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) attenuated hyperoxia-induced lung injury. Surfactant reduced the in vitro viability of human MSCs, and the combination therapy of surfactant and MSCs did not have additive effects on hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats. The effects of 2 consecutive days of intratracheal administration of surfactant and MSCs on hyperoxia-induced lung injury were undetermined. Methods: Neonatal Sprague Dawley rats were reared in either room air (RA) or hyperoxia (85% O2) from postnatal days 1 to 14. On postnatal day 4, the rats received intratracheal injections of either 20 μL of normal saline (NS) or 20 μL of surfactant. On postnatal day 5, the rats reared in RA received intratracheal NS, and the rats reared in O2 received intratracheal NS or human MSCs (3 × 104 or 3 × 105 cells). Six study groups were examined: RA + NS + NS, RA + surfactant + NS, O2 + NS + NS, O2 + surfactant + NS, O2 + surfactant + MSCs (3 × 104 cells), and O2 + surfactant + MSCs (3 × 105 cells). The lungs were excised for analysis on postnatal day 14.Results: The rats reared in hyperoxia and treated with NS yielded significantly higher mean linear intercepts (MLIs) and cytokine levels and significantly lower vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), platelet-derived growth factor protein expression, and vascular density than did those reared in RA and treated with NS or surfactant. The lowered MLIs and cytokine levels and the increased VEGF expression and vascular density indicated that the surfactant and surfactant + MSCs (3 × 104 cells) treatment attenuated hyperoxia-induced lung injury. The surfactant + MSCs (3 × 105 cells) group exhibited a significantly lower MLI and significantly higher VEGF expression and vascular density than the surfactant + MSCs (3 × 104 cells) group did.Conclusions: Consecutive daily administration of intratracheal surfactant and MSCs can be an effective regimen for treating hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonates.
Oocyte Arrested at Metaphase II Stage Were Derived From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Vitro
Authors: Yu Xiaoli , Wang Ning , Zhang Yingxin , Wang Xiang , Qiu Yikai , Wang Hongyan , Wang Guoping , Pei Xiuying , Ren Yahui , Ha Chunfang , Chen Ping , Wang Li , Wang Huayan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundGeneration and maturation of human oocyte in vitro could facilitate studies of folliculogenesis and oogenesis. We have previously shown that human aminotic fluid stem cells giving rise to oocyte-like cells (OLCs), However, it was difficult to observe whether these OLCs enter meiotic stage. MethodsHuman induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were cultured by follicle fluid, cytokines and small molecule to induced oocyte-like cells (OLCs) formation through a three-step induction procedure. Surface marker expression and differentiation potential of germ cells were analyzed in vitro by flow cytometry, gene expression, immunocytochemistry, western blotting and RNA Sequencing.ResultsTo induce hiPSCs differentiation into OLCs, cells were firstly cultured in a primordial germ cell medium for 10 days. The cells showed the morphology similar to primordial germ cells (PGCs), highly expressing germ cell markers and primordial follicle development associated genes. The induced PGCs were then cultured in the primordial follicle-like cell medium for 5 days to form the induced follicle-like structures (iFLs), which retained both primordial oocytes-like cells and granulosa-like cells. In the third step, the detached iFLs were harvested and transferred to the OLC-medium for additional 10 days. The cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COC) structures and OLCs in different sizes (50-150 μm diameter) with zona pellucida were observed. The in vitro matured OLCs presented the polar body and arrested at metaphase II (MII) stage. Some OLCs were self-activated and spontaneously developed into multiple-cell structures similar to preimplantation embryos, indicating that OLCs were parthenogenetically activated though in vitro fertilization potential of OLCs are yet proved.ConclusionsIn vitro maturation of OLCs derived from hiPSCs provides a new means to study human germ cell formation and oogenesis.
Modeling and Optimization of Mobile Signal Strength in challenging Atmospheric Conditions
Authors: Choudhary Shilpa , Sharma Abhishek , Srivast Kashish 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

For the network planning in the field of telecommunication networks received signal strength plays an important role. The received signal strength gets affected due to the varying environment condition through which the signal propagates and it also depends on the distance between the location of signal transmitter and the receiver. So complete information about these parameters are very much requires for proper mobile network planning. By keeping all these challenges in mind, this study was aimed to determine the received signal strength for Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Second Generation (2G) and Third Generation (3G) wireless technologies with challenging environment conditions. All the experiments were conducted at Lajpat Nagar residential area which is located in New Delhi. During the experiments received signal strength for all the three above mentioned wireless technologies were monitored with respect to varying environment conditions (Temperature, Relative Humidity and Air quality index for Particulate Matter 2.5) and distance from the base station. Later the optimization of received signal strength was carried out by using response surface methodology. Measurement results showed that Second Generation (2G) signal strengths was significantly higher than Third Generation (3G) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and the best values obtained for received signal strength for Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Third Generation (3G) and Second Generation (2G) were -77.9264dBm, -60.0345dBm and -58.1280dBm respectively. ANOVA results shows good mathematical modeling between input and output responses.
A Study from Turkey: Identification of Copy Number Variants in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Özaslan Ahmet , Kayhan Gülsüm , İşeri Elvan , Ergün Mehmet Ali , Güney Esra , Perçin Ferda Emriye 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Recent studies suggest that copy number variations (CNVs) play a significant role in the aetiology of ASD. This study aims to investigate CNVs, which are thought to be an important factor in ASD etiology. In addition it was aimed to specify the clinical usefulness of chromosomal microarrays (CMA) in the examination of ASD patients in Turkish population. Of 47 children (60.34±25.60 months; 82.9% boys) with ASD were constructed the sample. The karyotype structure of all participants was found to be normal using conventional cytogenetic methods. DNA obtained from the venous blood samples of the participants was evaluated using SurePrint G3 ISCA V2 CGH 8x60K Array (Agilent Technologies Santa Clara, CA, USA). We have identified 8 CNVs, ranging in size from 55 kb to 6.5 Mb in 7 (5 boys) of 47 children with ASD of the 4 of 8 CNVs were classified as pathogenic, which were 9p24.3p24.2 deletion in 3 Mb size, 15q11-q13 duplication in 6.5 Mb size, 16p11.2 deletion in 598 kb size and 22q13.3 deletion in 55 kb size. According to results has been demonstrated that diagnostic yield of CMA in Turkish children with ASD was 8.5%. Our results indicate that CNVs contribute a part to the genetic aetiology of Turkish children with ASD. In accordance with the literature, these results emphasize the clinical importance of CMA to investigate the aetiology of ASD.
CLEC10A is a Potential Prognostic Biomarker and Immune Regulator of Tumor Microenvironment in Breast Cancer
Authors: He Jincheng , Jiang Lei , Wang Jun , Min Guangtao , Wang Xiangwen , Chen Wei , Wang Hongpeng , Yao Nan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The communication between tumor cells and immune cells influences the ecology of the tumor microenvironment in breast cancer, as well as the disease progression and clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the immunomodulatory factor CLEC10A in breast cancer. We applied the CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE calculation methods to calculate the proportion of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) and the amount of immune and stromal components in 1053 BRCA cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by COX regression analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction. Then, CLEC10A was identified as a prognostic factor by the intersection analysis of univariate COX and PPI. Further analysis revealed that CLEC10A expression was negatively correlated with the clinical pathologic characteristics (age, clinical stage) and positively correlated with survival of BRCA patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that genes in the high CLEC10A expression group were mainly enriched in immune-related activities. Genes in the low CLEC10A expression group were enriched in biochemical functions. CIBERSORT analysis of the proportion of TICs revealed that Macrophages M1, B cells memory, B cells naive, T cells CD4+ memory activated, T cells CD8+, and T cells gamma delta were positively correlated with CLEC10A expression, and Macrophages M0, Macrophages M2, Neutrophils, and NK cells resting were positively correlated with CLEC10A expression was negatively correlated, suggesting that CLEC10A may be an important factor in the immune regulation of the tumor microenvironment, especially in mediating the anti-tumor immune response of tumor-infiltrating immune cells at the tumor initiation stage. Therefore, CLEC10A expression may contribute to the prognosis of BRCA patients and provide a new idea for the immunotherapy of BRCA.
Analysis of Equivalent Thickness of Geological Media for Lab-scale Study of Radon Exhalation
Authors: Hong Changshou , Yang Yini , Wang Hong , Liu Yong , Li Xiangyang , Lei Bo , Lan Ming , Chen Yifan , Dai Xingwang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Geological media are widely distributed in nature. Lab-scale tests are frequently employed in radon studies for these media. Thus, it is critical to find the thickness of the medium at an experimental scale that is equivalent to the medium thickness in a real geological system. Based on the diffusion–advection transport of radon, theoretical models of the surface radon exhalation rate for homogeneous semi-infinite and finite-thickness systems were derived (denoted as Jse and Jfi, respectively). Analysis of the equivalency of Jse and Jfi was subsequently carried out by introducing several dimensionless parameters, including the ratio of the exhalation rates for the semi-infinite and finite-thickness models, ε, and the number of diffusion lengths required to achieve a desired ε value, n. The results showed that when radon transport in geological media is dominantly driven by diffusion, if n > 3.6626, then ε > 95% (and if n > 5.9790, then ε > 99.5%). When radon migration is dominantly driven by advection, if n > 2.5002, then ε > 95% (and if n > 4.0152, then ε > 99.5%). Therefore, if the thickness of the geological media (x0) is greater than a certain n times the radon diffusion length of the media (L), the media can be modeled as semi-infinite. To validate the model, a pure radon diffusion experiment (no advection) was developed using uranium mill tailings, laterite, and radium-bearing rocklike material with different thicknesses (x0). The theoretical model was demonstrated to be reliable and valid. This study provides a basis for determining the appropriate thickness of geological media in lab-scale experiments of radon exhalation.