bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shadow Education Policy in Korea During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Piao (朴汇燕) Huiyan , Hwang (황현아) Hyuna 
Published: May 2021

Purpose: This study systematically reviews Korea’s shadow education policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for shadow education policy development in the future. Design/Approach/Methods: In terms of approach, this policy review analyzes selected documents using the analytical framework of shadow education policies. Selected documents comprise recently revised decrees, policies, and regulations issued by the Korean Ministry of Education, as well as policy notices issued by the Korea Association of Hagwon. Data are supplemented by triangulation with news media content. Findings: This study identifies tutoring policies at the legal level in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Government debate regarding shadow education largely centers on the closing of tutoring organizations and ensuring that online tuition fees adhere to government regulation. In respect to the expansion of the government-led shadow education partnership, the government’s increasing role in education has served to restrict the shadow education market. Originality/Value: The Korean government has adjusted its shadow education policies in response to COVID-19, altering its legal and economic status. An examination of Korea’s recent shadow education policies suggests future trends in the revision and development of shadow education in the country.
The Impact of Human Trafficking Training on Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge and Attitudes
Authors: Lee Hayoung , Geynisman-Tan Julia , Hofer Sarah , Anderson Emily , Caravan Sahar , Titchen Kanani 
Published: May 2021

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate a CME-accredited human trafficking didactic and discussion-based training for healthcare professionals by comparing participant knowledge and attitudes on human trafficking before and after attending the training. Methods: A novel 18-item survey was developed to test the knowledge of and attitudes towards human trafficking. Participants of 17 standardized trainings delivered by 4 physician-trainers over a two-year period were invited to take a pre-test and 2 post-tests at 1-week and 6-months post training. Surveys were anonymously collected and linked to each participant with a de-identified number. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with scores given to the overall and knowledge and attitude subscales. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Comparisons were made using paired t-tests or ANOVA, as appropriate. Results: Total of 424 participants submitted the pre-test and were predominantly female (81%) and students in healthcare fields (55%). Of these participants, 237 (56%) submitted the 1-week post-test. Scores increased from pre-test to 1-week post-test in both knowledge (54.7 ± 18.7%-84.5 ± 12.8%, P = .001) and attitude (49.4 ± 14.7%-71.0 ± 12.8%, P < .001) subscales. Forty-seven participants (11%) submitted the 6-month post-test, which demonstrated a decrease in knowledge score from the 1-week post-test (84.5 ± 12.8%-50.0 ± 13.6%, P < .001). However, improvements in attitude scores were sustained across time (71.0 ± 12.8%-68.8 ± 12.4%, P < .001). Conclusions: Among health professionals, the CME-accredited LIFT training leads to a short-term improvement in knowledge of human trafficking and a sustained improvement in awareness and attitudes about human trafficking.
Estimating colocalization probability from limited summary statistics
Authors: King Emily A. , Dunbar Fengjiao , Davis Justin Wade , Degner Jacob F. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Colocalization is a statistical method used in genetics to determine whether the same variant is causal for multiple phenotypes, for example, complex traits and gene expression. It provides stronger mechanistic evidence than shared significance, which can be produced through separate causal variants in linkage disequilibrium. Current colocalization methods require full summary statistics for both traits, limiting their use with the majority of reported GWAS associations (e.g. GWAS Catalog). We propose a new approximation to the popular coloc method that can be applied when limited summary statistics are available.
Our method (POint EstiMation of Colocalization, POEMColoc) imputes missing summary statistics for one or both traits using LD structure in a reference panel, and performs colocalization using the imputed summary statistics.

Results
We evaluate the performance of POEMColoc using real (UK Biobank phenotypes and GTEx eQTL) and simulated datasets. We show good correlation between posterior probabilities of colocalization computed from imputed and observed datasets and similar accuracy in simulation. We evaluate scenarios that might reduce performance and show that multiple independent causal variants in a region and imputation from a limited subset of typed variants have a larger effect while mismatched ancestry in the reference panel has a modest effect. Further, we find that POEMColoc is a better approximation of coloc when the imputed association statistics are from a well powered study (e.g., relatively larger sample size or effect size). Applying POEMColoc to estimate colocalization of GWAS Catalog entries and GTEx eQTL, we find evidence for colocalization of 150,000 trait-gene-tissue triplets.

Conclusions
We find that colocalization analysis performed with full summary statistics can be closely approximated when only the summary statistics of the top SNP are available for one or both traits. When applied to the full GWAS Catalog and GTEx eQTL, we find that colocalized trait-gene pairs are enriched in tissues relevant to disease etiology and for matches to approved drug mechanisms. POEMColoc R package is available at https://github.com/AbbVie-ComputationalGenomics/POEMColoc.
Population genetic considerations for using biobanks as international resources in the pandemic era and beyond
Authors: Carress Hannah , Lawson Daniel John , Elhaik Eran 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe past years have seen the rise of genomic biobanks and mega-scale meta-analysis of genomic data, which promises to reveal the genetic underpinnings of health and disease. However, the over-representation of Europeans in genomic studies not only limits the global understanding of disease risk but also inhibits viable research into the genomic differences between carriers and patients. Whilst the community has agreed that more diverse samples are required, it is not enough to blindly increase diversity; the diversity must be quantified, compared and annotated to lead to insight. Genetic annotations from separate biobanks need to be comparable and computable and to operate without access to raw data due to privacy concerns. Comparability is key both for regular research and to allow international comparison in response to pandemics. Here, we evaluate the appropriateness of the most common genomic tools used to depict population structure in a standardized and comparable manner. The end goal is to reduce the effects of confounding and learn from genuine variation in genetic effects on phenotypes across populations, which will improve the value of biobanks (locally and internationally), increase the accuracy of association analyses and inform developmental efforts.
Genome-wide analysis of the serine carboxypeptidase-like protein family in Triticum aestivum reveals TaSCPL184-6D is involved in abiotic stress response
Authors: Xu Xiaomin , Zhang Lili , Zhao Wan , Fu Liang , Han Yuxuan , Wang Keke , Yan Luyu , Li Ye , Zhang Xiao-Hong , Min Dong-Hong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
The serine carboxypeptidase-like protein (SCPL) family plays a vital role in stress response, growth, development and pathogen defense. However, the identification and functional analysis of SCPL gene family members have not yet been performed in wheat.

Results
In this study, we identified a total of 210 candidate genes encoding SCPL proteins in wheat. According to their structural characteristics, it is possible to divide these members into three subfamilies: CPI, CPII and CPIII. We uncovered a total of 209 TaSCPL genes unevenly distributed across 21 wheat chromosomes, of which 65.7% are present in triads. Gene duplication analysis showed that ~ 10.5% and ~ 64.8% of the TaSCPL genes are derived from tandem and segmental duplication events, respectively. Moreover, the Ka/Ks ratios between duplicated TaSCPL gene pairs were lower than 0.6, which suggests the action of strong purifying selection. Gene structure analysis showed that most of the TaSCPL genes contain multiple introns and that the motifs present in each subfamily are relatively conserved. Our analysis on cis-acting elements showed that the promoter sequences of TaSCPL genes are enriched in drought-, ABA- and MeJA-responsive elements. In addition, we studied the expression profiles of TaSCPL genes in different tissues at different developmental stages. We then evaluated the expression levels of four TaSCPL genes by qRT-PCR, and selected TaSCPL184-6D for further downstream analysis. The results showed an enhanced drought and salt tolerance among TaSCPL184-6D transgenic Arabidopsis plants, and that the overexpression of the gene increased proline and decreased malondialdehyde levels, which might help plants adapting to adverse environments. Our results provide comprehensive analyses of wheat SCPL genes that might work as a reference for future studies aimed at improving drought and salt tolerance in wheat.

Conclusions
We conducte a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the TaSCPL gene family in wheat, which revealing the potential roles of TaSCPL genes in abiotic stress. Our analysis also provides useful resources for improving the resistance of wheat.
Macrophage mediated recognition and clearance of Borrelia burgdorferi elicits MyD88-dependent and -independent phagosomal signals that contribute to phagocytosis and inflammation
Authors: Benjamin Sarah J. , Hawley Kelly L. , Vera-Licona Paola , La Vake Carson J. , Cervantes Jorge L. , Ruan Yijun , Radolf Justin D. , Salazar Juan C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundMacrophages play prominent roles in bacteria recognition and clearance, includingBorrelia burgdorferi(Bb), the Lyme disease spirochete. To elucidate mechanisms by which MyD88/TLR signaling enhances clearance ofBbby macrophages, we studied wildtype (WT) and MyD88−/−Bb-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs).ResultsMyD88−/−BMDMs exhibit impaired uptake of spirochetes but comparable maturation of phagosomes following internalization of spirochetes. RNA-sequencing of infected WT and MyD88−/−BMDMs identified a large cohort of differentially expressed MyD88-dependent genes associated with re-organization of actin and cytoskeleton during phagocytosis along with several MyD88-independent chemokines involved in inflammatory cell recruitment. We computationally generated networks which identified several MyD88-dependent intermediate proteins (RhoqandCyfip1) that are known to mediate inflammation and phagocytosis respectively.ConclusionOur findings show that MyD88 signaling enhances, but is not required, for bacterial uptake or phagosomal maturation and provide mechanistic insights into how MyD88-mediated phagosomal signaling enhancesBbuptake and clearance.
Causal relationship of CA3 back-projection to the dentate gyrus and its role in CA1 fast ripple generation
Authors: Núñez-Ochoa Miguel A. , Chiprés-Tinajero Gustavo A. , González-Domínguez Nadia P. , Medina-Ceja Laura 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Pathophysiological evidence from temporal lobe epilepsy models highlights the hippocampus as the most affected structure due to its high degree of neuroplasticity and control of the dynamics of limbic structures, which are necessary to encode information, conferring to it an intrinsic epileptogenicity. A loss in this control results in observable oscillatory perturbations called fast ripples, in epileptic rats those events are found in CA1, CA3, and the dentate gyrus (DG), which are the principal regions of the trisynaptic circuit of the hippocampus. The present work used Granger causality to address which relationships among these three regions of the trisynaptic circuit are needed to cause fast ripples in CA1 in an in vivo model. For these purposes, male Wistar rats (210–300 g) were injected with a single dose of pilocarpine hydrochloride (2.4 mg/2 µl) into the right lateral ventricle and video-monitored 24 h/day to detect spontaneous and recurrent seizures. Once detected, rats were implanted with microelectrodes in these regions (fixed-recording tungsten wire electrodes, 60-μm outer diameter) ipsilateral to the pilocarpine injection. A total of 336 fast ripples were recorded and probabilistically characterized, from those fast ripples we made a subset of all the fast ripple events associated with sharp-waves in CA1 region (n = 40) to analyze them with Granger Causality.

Results
Our results support existing evidence in vitro in which fast ripple events in CA1 are initiated by CA3 multiunit activity and describe a general synchronization in the theta band across the three regions analyzed DG, CA3, and CA1, just before the fast ripple event in CA1 have begun.

Conclusion
This in vivo study highlights the causal participation of the CA3 back-projection to the DG, a connection commonly overlooked in the trisynaptic circuit, as a facilitator of a closed-loop among these regions that prolongs the excitatory activity of CA3. We speculate that the loss of inhibitory drive of DG and the mechanisms of ripple-related memory consolidation in which also the CA3 back-projection to DG has a fundamental role might be underlying processes of the fast ripples generation in CA1.
Comparative analysis of chloroplast genome structure and molecular dating in Myrtales
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Feng , Landis Jacob B. , Wang Hong-Xin , Zhu Zhi-Xin , Wang Hua-Feng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Myrtales is a species rich branch of Rosidae, with many species having important economic, medicinal, and ornamental value. At present, although there are reports on the chloroplast structure of Myrtales, a comprehensive analysis of the chloroplast structure of Myrtales is lacking. Phylogenetic and divergence time estimates of Myrtales are mostly constructed by using chloroplast gene fragments, and the support for relationships is low. A more reliable method to reconstruct the species divergence time and phylogenetic relationships is by using whole chloroplast genomes. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the structural characteristics of Myrtales chloroplasts, compared variation hotspots, and reconstructed the species differentiation time of Myrtales with four fossils and one secondary calibration point.

Results
A total of 92 chloroplast sequences of Myrtales, representing six families, 16 subfamilies and 78 genera, were obtained including nine newly sequenced chloroplasts by whole genome sequencing. Structural analyses showed that the chloroplasts range in size between 152,214–171,315 bp and exhibit a typical four part structure. The IR region is between 23,901–36,747 bp, with the large single copy region spanning 83,691–91,249 bp and the small single copy region spanning 11,150–19,703 bp. In total, 123–133 genes are present in the chloroplasts including 77–81 protein coding genes, four rRNA genes and 30–31 tRNA genes.
The GC content was 36.9–38.9%, with the average GC content being 37%. The GC content in the LSC, SSC and IR regions was 34.7–37.3%, 30.6–36.8% and 39.7–43.5%, respectively. By analyzing nucleotide polymorphism of the chloroplast, we propose 21 hypervariable regions as potential DNA barcode regions for Myrtales. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Myrtales and its corresponding families are monophyletic, with Combretaceae and the clade of Onagraceae + Lythraceae (BS = 100%, PP = 1) being sister groups. The results of molecular dating showed that the crown of Myrtales was most likely to be 104.90 Ma (95% HPD = 87.88–114.18 Ma), and differentiated from the Geraniales around 111.59 Ma (95% HPD = 95.50–118.62 Ma).

Conclusions
The chloroplast genome structure of Myrtales is similar to other angiosperms and has a typical four part structure. Due to the expansion and contraction of the IR region, the chloroplast genome sizes in this group are slightly different. The variation of noncoding regions of the chloroplast genome is larger than those of coding regions. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Combretaceae and Onagraceae + Lythraceae were well supported as sister groups. Molecular dating indicates that the Myrtales crown most likely originated during the Albian age of the Lower Cretaceous. These chloroplast genomes contribute to the study of genetic diversity and species evolution of Myrtales, while providing useful information for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Myrtales.
First report of Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis caused by Salmonella Dublin: a case report
Authors: Xie Jiangbo , Zhang Tingting , Liu Tao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Diseases caused by nontyphoid Salmonella can range from mild, to self-limiting gastroenteritis and severe invasive infection. Relatively rarely, Salmonella may cause severe encephalopathy.

Case presentation
We report a suspected case of Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis caused by Salmonella Dublin. A young man presented with impaired consciousness, ataxia, dysarthria, limb weakness, and restricted eyeball abduction. His clinical symptoms were consistent with Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis.

Conclusions
This is the first case report of Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis caused by Salmonella Dublin in the literature. After treatment, he recovered and was discharged. Early antibiotic treatment of sepsis may control the disease and avoid serious encephalopathy.
Association of ZNF331 and WIF1 methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes with the risk and prognosis of gastric cancer
Authors: Nie Chuang , Han Xu , Wei Rongrong , Leonteva Anastasiia , Hong Jia , Du Xinyu , Wang Jing , Zhu Lin , Zhao Yashuang , Xue Yingwei , Zhou Haibo , Tian Wenjing 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) DNA methylation may serve as a surrogate marker to evaluate the susceptibility to and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC). In this study, blood-derived DNA methylation levels of two tumour-related genes, namely, ZNF331 and WIF1, and their impacts on the risk and prognosis of GC were evaluated.

Methods
In total, 398 GC cases and 397 controls were recruited for the study. Then, all cases were followed up for 5 years. ZNF331 and WIF1 promoter methylation status in PBLs was measured using a methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting method. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to analyse the correlation between gene methylation and the risk and prognosis of GC. Confounders were balanced through propensity score (PS) matching.

Results
High ZNF331 methylation significantly decreased GC risk after PS adjustment (OR = 0.580, 95% CI: 0.375–0.898, P = 0.015), which also presented in males (OR = 0.577, 95% CI: 0.343–0.970, P = 0.038). However, WIF1 methylation was not associated with GC risk. Additionally, significant combined effects between ZNF331 methylation and the intake of green vegetables and garlic were observed (OR = 0.073, 95% CI: 0.027–0.196, P < 0.001 and OR = 0.138, 95% CI: 0.080–0.238, P < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, ZNF331 and WIF1 methylation had no impact on the prognosis of GC.

Conclusion
ZNF331 methylation in PBLs may affect GC risk in combination with the consumption of green vegetables and garlic and may act as a potential biomarker of GC.
Immunotherapy for the prevention of high-risk oral disorders malignant transformation: the IMPEDE trial
Authors: Gurizzan Cristina , Lorini Luigi , Paderno Alberto , Tomasoni Michele , Zigliani Gabriele , Bozzola Anna , Ardighieri Laura , Battocchio Simonetta , Bignotti Eliana , Ravaggi Antonella , Romani Chiara , De Cecco Loris , Serafini Mara Serena , Miceli Rosalba , Bardellini Elena , Majorana Alessandra , Piazza Cesare , Bossi Paolo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMD) have a non-negligible malignant transformation rate of up to 8%. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in critical chromosomal loci has proven to be the most effective marker in defining the risk of transformation and it is found in about 28% of OPMD and may therefore identify patients carrying higher risk. To date, clinical management of OPMD is limited to surgical excision and clinical surveillance, which however do not fully prevent oral cancer development. Immune system has been shown to play a key role in transformation surveillance mechanism and an immunosuppressive imbalance may be responsible for progression to cancer. Given all these considerations, we designed a clinical trial with the aim to prevent OPMD neoplastic transformation and revert the LOH status.

Methods
This is a phase II, open label, single arm, multicentric trial involving Italian referral centres and expected to enrol 80 patients out of a total of 175 screened. Patients who meet all inclusion criteria and test positive for LOH after an incisional biopsy of the OPMD will undergo a short course of immunotherapy with 4 administration of avelumab. After 6 months since treatment start, resection of the entire OPMD will be performed and LOH assessment will be repeated. The follow-up for malignant transformation and safety assessment will last 30 months from the end of treatment, for a total planned study duration of approximately 5.5 years.

Discussion
Restoring the activity of immune system through checkpoint inhibitor may play a crucial role against malignant transformation of OPMD by reverting the balance in favour of immune control and preventing cancer occurrence.

Trial registration
This trial was prospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT04504552 on 7th August 2020.
Subretinal leakage of a retinal capillary macroaneurysm - a case report
Authors: Rehmani Ahmad S. , Banaee Touka , Makkouk Fuad 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Report a rare case of retinal capillary macroaneurysm with associated subretinal fluid.

Case presentation
A 71-year-old male underwent full ophthalmic examination including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Fluorescein Angiography (FA). Fundus examination showed moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy of both eyes with scattered microaneurysms. On initial visit, FA displayed a hyperfluorescent lesion with leakage on late frames in the left eye. OCT revealed the lesion to be spheroid with a hyperreflective wall and hyporeflective lumen in the inner retina, corresponding to a capillary macroaneurysm. Intraretinal cystic fluid surrounded the lesion. On subsequent visit 7 months later, subretinal fluid in the location of the capillary macroaneurysm was noted on OCT. Vision was maintained at 20/30–2 OD, 20/40 OS throughout. No treatment was necessary.

Conclusion
Subretinal fluid from the capillary macroaneurysm likely developed from its juxtafoveal location and discontinuity of the external limiting membrane (ELM); a barrier preventing flow of intraretinal fluid to the outer retina.