bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Saudi dental students’ perceptions on sustainable development goals and sustainable dental practice
Authors: Haque Sanjida , Nurunnabi Mohammad , Haque Tahsinul 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Objectives
This study utilised a cross-sectional survey design to assess the levels of knowledge and awareness among 841 undergraduate dental students from Saudi Arabia regarding sustainable development goals (SDGs) and sustainable dental practices (SDP).

Materials and methods
A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to adults aged between 18 and 35 years of both genders, from November 2022 to November 2023. The study has obtained appropriate ethical approval.

Results
Participants exhibited a moderate level of knowledge and awareness regarding the SDGs, while demonstrating a high level of awareness specifically related to the SDP. The presence of a correlation between gender-associated beliefs and pro-environmental behaviours is apparent. Additionally, it has been observed that participants who engage in clinical activities exhibit a heightened level of awareness concerning SDP.

Conclusions
By assessing dental students’ current knowledge and awareness of the SDGs and SDP, we can inform stakeholders in the dental industry about how to enhance sustainability competence and develop dental policy curricula. This will better prepare students to serve as educators as well as professionals, aligning with their commitment to integrating the principles and objectives of various SDGs and SDP into dental education and practice.
Three-year outcomes of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
Authors: Cai Miao , Xie Yan , Topol Eric J. , Al-Aly Ziyad 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PASC) in many organ systems. Risks of these sequelae have been characterized up to 2 years after infection, but longer-term follow-up is limited. Here we built a cohort of 135,161 people with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 5,206,835 controls from the US Department of Veterans Affairs who were followed for 3 years to estimate risks of death and PASC. Among non-hospitalized individuals, the increased risk of death was no longer present after the first year of infection, and risk of incident PASC declined over the 3 years but still contributed 9.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4–18.7) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 1,000 persons in the third year. Among hospitalized individuals, risk of death declined but remained significantly elevated in the third year after infection (incidence rate ratio: 1.29 (95% CI: 1.19–1.40)). Risk of incident PASC declined over the 3 years, but substantial residual risk remained in the third year, leading to 90.0 (95% CI: 55.2–124.8) DALYs per 1,000 persons. Altogether, our findings show reduction of risks over time, but the burden of mortality and health loss remains in the third year among hospitalized individuals.
Nf1 mutation disrupts activity-dependent oligodendroglial plasticity and motor learning in mice
Authors: Pan Yuan , Hysinger Jared D. , Yalçın Belgin , Lennon James J. , Byun Youkyeong Gloria , Raghavan Preethi , Schindler Nicole F. , Anastasaki Corina , Chatterjee Jit , Ni Lijun , Xu Haojun , Malacon Karen , Jahan Samin M. , Ivec Alexis E. , Aghoghovwia Benjamin E. , Mount Christopher W. , Nagaraja Surya , Scheaffer Suzanne , Attardi Laura D. , Gutmann David H. , Monje Michelle 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNeurogenetic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), can cause cognitive and motor impairments, traditionally attributed to intrinsic neuronal defects such as disruption of synaptic function. Activity-regulated oligodendroglial plasticity also contributes to cognitive and motor functions by tuning neural circuit dynamics. However, the relevance of oligodendroglial plasticity to neurological dysfunction in NF1 is unclear. Here we explore the contribution of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) to pathological features of the NF1 syndrome in mice. Both male and female littermates (4–24 weeks of age) were used equally in this study. We demonstrate that mice with global or OPC-specific Nf1 heterozygosity exhibit defects in activity-dependent oligodendrogenesis and harbor focal OPC hyperdensities with disrupted homeostatic OPC territorial boundaries. These OPC hyperdensities develop in a cell-intrinsic Nf1 mutation-specific manner due to differential PI3K/AKT activation. OPC-specific Nf1 loss impairs oligodendroglial differentiation and abrogates the normal oligodendroglial response to neuronal activity, leading to impaired motor learning performance. Collectively, these findings show that Nf1 mutation delays oligodendroglial development and disrupts activity-dependent OPC function essential for normal motor learning in mice.
Real-time reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay for detection of cassava brown streak viruses
Authors: Munguti Florence M. , Kilalo Dora C. , Yegon Hillary K. , Macharia Isaac , Seal Susan E. , Mwango’mbe Agnes W. , Nyaboga Evans N. , Silva Gonçalo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCassava brown streak disease (CBSD) caused by Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) is the most economically important viral disease of cassava. As cassava is a vegetatively propagated crop, the development of rapid and sensitive diagnostics would aid in the identification of virus-free planting material and development of effective management strategies. In this study, a rapid, specific and sensitive real-time reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay was developed for real-time detection of CBSV and UCBSV. The RT-RPA was able to detect as little as 2 pg/µl of purified RNA obtained from infected cassava leaves, a sensitivity equivalent to that obtained by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), within 20 min at 37 °C. Further, the RT-RPA detected each target virus directly from crude leaf and stem extracts, avoiding the tedious and costly isolation of high-quality RNA. The developed RT-RPA assay provides a valuable diagnostic tool that can be adopted by cassava seed certification and virus resistance breeding programs to ensure distribution of virus-free cassava planting materials to farmers. This is the first report on the development and validation of crude sap-based RT-RPA assay for the detection of cassava brown streak viruses (UCBSV and CBSV) infection in cassava plants.
Automated machine learning for predicting liver metastasis in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a SEER-based analysis
Authors: Liu Luojie , Zhang Rufa , Shi Ying , Sun Jinbing , Xu Xiaodan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractGastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a rare type of tumor that can develop liver metastasis (LIM), significantly impacting the patient's prognosis. This study aimed to predict LIM in GIST patients by constructing machine learning (ML) algorithms to assist clinicians in the decision-making process for treatment. Retrospective analysis was performed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and cases from 2010 to 2015 were assigned to the developing sets, while cases from 2016 to 2017 were assigned to the testing set. Missing values were addressed using the multiple imputation technique. Four algorithms were utilized to construct the models, comprising traditional logistic regression (LR) and automated machine learning (AutoML) analysis such as gradient boost machine (GBM), deep neural net (DL), and generalized linear model (GLM). We evaluated the models' performance using LR-based metrics, including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), as well as AutoML-based metrics, such as feature importance, SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) Plots, and Local Interpretable Model Agnostic Explanation (LIME). A total of 6207 patients were included in this study, with 2683, 1780, and 1744 patients allocated to the training, validation, and test sets, respectively. Among the different models evaluated, the GBM model demonstrated the highest performance in the training, validation, and test cohorts, with respective AUC values of 0.805, 0.780, and 0.795. Furthermore, the GBM model outperformed other AutoML models in terms of accuracy, achieving 0.747, 0.700, and 0.706 in the training, validation, and test cohorts, respectively. Additionally, the study revealed that tumor size and tumor location were the most significant predictors influencing the AutoML model's ability to accurately predict LIM. The AutoML model utilizing the GBM algorithm for GIST patients can effectively predict the risk of LIM and provide clinicians with a reference for developing individualized treatment plans.
Explaining the impact of mutations on quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater
Authors: Endo Noriko , Nihei Yoshiaki , Fujita Tomonori , Yasojima Makoto , Daigo Fumi , Takemori Hiroaki , Nakamura Masafumi , Matsuda Ryo , Sovannrlaksmy Sorn , Ihara Masaru 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWastewater surveillance is an effective tool for monitoring community spread of COVID-19 and other diseases. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis for wastewater surveillance is more susceptible to mutations in target genome regions than binary PCR analysis for clinical surveillance. The SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater estimated by N1 and N2 qPCR assays started to diverge around July 2022 in data from different sampling sites, analytical methods, and analytical laboratories in Japan. On the basis of clinical genomic surveillance data and experimental data, we demonstrate that the divergence is due to two mutations in the N1 probe region, which can cause underestimation of viral concentrations. We further show that this inaccuracy can be alleviated if the qPCR data are analyzed with the second derivative method or the Cy0 method instead of the crossing point method.
Machine learning models for predicting blood pressure phenotypes by combining multiple polygenic risk scores
Authors: Hrytsenko Yana , Shea Benjamin , Elgart Michael , Kurniansyah Nuzulul , Lyons Genevieve , Morrison Alanna C. , Carson April P. , Haring Bernhard , Mitchell Braxton D. , Psaty Bruce M. , Jaeger Byron C. , Gu C. Charles , Kooperberg Charles , Levy Daniel , Lloyd-Jones Donald , Choi Eunhee , Brody Jennifer A. , Smith Jennifer A. , Rotter Jerome I. , Moll Matthew , Fornage Myriam , Simon Noah , Castaldi Peter , Casanova Ramon , Chung Ren-Hua , Kaplan Robert , Loos Ruth J. F. , Kardia Sharon L. R. , Rich Stephen S. , Redline Susan , Kelly Tanika , O’Connor Timothy , Zhao Wei , Kim Wonji , Guo Xiuqing , Ida Chen Yii-Der ,   The Trans-Omics in Precision Medicine Consortium, Sofer Tamar 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe construct non-linear machine learning (ML) prediction models for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) using demographic and clinical variables and polygenic risk scores (PRSs). We developed a two-model ensemble, consisting of a baseline model, where prediction is based on demographic and clinical variables only, and a genetic model, where we also include PRSs. We evaluate the use of a linear versus a non-linear model at both the baseline and the genetic model levels and assess the improvement in performance when incorporating multiple PRSs. We report the ensemble model’s performance as percentage variance explained (PVE) on a held-out test dataset. A non-linear baseline model improved the PVEs from 28.1 to 30.1% (SBP) and 14.3% to 17.4% (DBP) compared with a linear baseline model. Including seven PRSs in the genetic model computed based on the largest available GWAS of SBP/DBP improved the genetic model PVE from 4.8 to 5.1% (SBP) and 4.7 to 5% (DBP) compared to using a single PRS. Adding additional 14 PRSs computed based on two independent GWASs further increased the genetic model PVE to 6.3% (SBP) and 5.7% (DBP). PVE differed across self-reported race/ethnicity groups, with primarily all non-White groups benefitting from the inclusion of additional PRSs. In summary, non-linear ML models improves BP prediction in models incorporating diverse populations.
Reliability and accuracy of intraoperative fluoroscopy assessment of acetabular cup anteversion in supine direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Li Weihua , Huang Yan , Zou Zehui , Liu Xuqiang , Li Xiaofeng 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPoor implantation positioning of hip prostheses is considered the primary factor affecting postoperative joint wear. Cup anteversion in direct anterior approach (DAA) total hip arthroplasty (THA) is often excessive. Intraoperative fluoroscopy (IF) are effective for improving implant placement accuracy. This study aimed to analyze IF’s reliability and accuracy in assessing intraoperative anteversion. Sixty-two consecutive hips underwent primary THA utilizing DAA alongside IF for cup placement. Intraoperative anteversion was measured using IF images, while postoperative CT and standard anteroposterior (AP) radiographs were used to calculate true anteversion component angles. Differences and correlations between intraoperative and true anteversions were analyzed, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) determined the inter- and intra-observer reliabilities. Excellent intra- and inter-observer reliabilities were observed for all radiographic and CT methods (ICC > 0.9). Strong correlations (PCC > 0.6) existed between anteversion measured on IF image and postoperative CT and AP pelvic measurements. Intraoperative anteversion measured on IF images (16.8 ± 3.2°) was smaller than anteversion measured postoperatively on AP X-rays (21.3 ± 4.7°, P < 0.001) and CT (22.0 ± 4.9°, P < 0.001), with average differences of 4.5°and 5.3°, respectively. Under several influencing factors, the accuracy of IF in assessing cup anteversion in DAA-THA may be limited. However, this still requires large-sample experiments for verification.
L-serine deficiency: on the properties of the Asn133Ser variant of human phosphoserine phosphatase
Authors: Pollegioni Loredano , Campanini Barbara , Good Jean-Marc , Motta Zoraide , Murtas Giulia , Buoli Comani Valeria , Pavlidou Despina-Christina , Mercier Noëlle , Mittaz-Crettol Laureane , Sacchi Silvia , Marchesani Francesco 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe non-essential amino acid L-serine is involved in a number of metabolic pathways and in the brain its level is largely due to the biosynthesis from the glycolytic intermediate D-3-phosphoglycerate by the phosphorylated pathway (PP). This cytosolic pathway is made by three enzymes proposed to generate a reversible metabolon named the “serinosome”. Phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP) catalyses the last and irreversible step, representing the driving force pushing L-serine synthesis. Genetic defects of the PP enzymes result in strong neurological phenotypes. Recently, we identified the homozygous missense variant [NM_004577.4: c.398A > G p.(Asn133Ser)] in the PSPH, the PSP encoding gene, in two siblings with a neurodevelopmental syndrome and a myelopathy. The recombinant Asn133Ser enzyme does not show significant alterations in protein conformation and dimeric oligomerization state, as well as in enzymatic activity and functionality of the reconstructed PP. However, the Asn133Ser variant is less stable than wild-type PSP, a feature also apparent at cellular level. Studies on patients’ fibroblasts also highlight a strong decrease in the level of the enzymes of the PP, a partial nuclear and perinuclear localization of variant PSP and a stronger perinuclear aggregates formation. We propose that these alterations contribute to the formation of a dysfunctional serinosome and thus to the observed reduction of L-serine, glycine and D-serine levels (the latter playing a crucial role in modulating NMDA receptors). The characterization of patients harbouring the Asn133Ser PSP substitution allows to go deep into the molecular mechanisms related to L-serine deficit and to suggest treatments to cope with the observed amino acids alterations.
A multicenter retrospective observational NAPOLEON2 study of nanoliposomal irinotecan with fluorouracil and folinic acid in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Kodama Tomoko , Imajima Takashi , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Otsuka Taiga , Kawahira Masahiro , Nakazawa Junichi , Hori Takeshi , Shibuki Taro , Arima Shiho , Ido Akio , Miwa Keisuke , Okabe Yoshinobu , Koga Futa , Ueda Yujiro , Kubotsu Yoshihito , Shimokawa Hozumi , Takeshita Shigeyuki , Nishikawa Kazuo , Komori Azusa , Otsu Satoshi , Hosokawa Ayumu , Sakai Tatsunori , Sakai Kenji , Oda Hisanobu , Kawahira Machiko , Arita Shuji , Honda Takuya , Taguchi Hiroki , Tsuneyoshi Kengo , Kawaguchi Yasunori , Fujita Toshihiro , Sakae Takahiro , Shirakawa Tsuyoshi , Mizuta Toshihiko , Mitsugi Kenji 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNanoliposomal irinotecan with fluorouracil and folinic acid (NFF) is a standard regimen after gemcitabine-based therapy for patients with unresectable or recurrent pancreatic cancer. However, there are limited clinical data on its efficacy and safety in the real-world. We therefore initiated a retrospective and prospective observational study (NAPOLEON-2). The results of the retrospective part were reported herein. In this retrospective study, we evaluated 161 consecutive patients who received NFF as second-or-later-line regimen. The main endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the other endpoints were response rate, disease control rate, progression-free survival (PFS), dose intensity, and adverse events (AEs). The median age was 67 years (range, 38–85 years). The median OS and PFS were 8.1 and 3.4 months, respectively. The objective response and disease control rates were 5% and 52%, respectively. The median relative dose intensity was 81.6% for nanoliposomal irinotecan and 82.9% for fluorouracil. Grade 3 or 4 hematological and nonhematological AEs occurred in 47 and 42 patients, respectively. Common grade 3 or 4 AEs included neutropenia (24%), anorexia (12%), and leukocytopenia (12%). Subanalysis of patients treated with second-line and third-or-later-line demonstrated no statistical significant difference in OS (7.6 months vs. 9.1 months, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.64–1.35; p = 0.68). In conclusion, NFF has acceptable efficacy and safety profile even in real-world clinical settings. The prospective study is in progress to validate these findings.
Automatic removal of soft tissue from 3D dental photo scans; an important step in automating future forensic odontology identification
Authors: Kofod Petersen Anika , Forgie Andrew , Bindslev Dorthe Arenholt , Villesen Palle , Staun Larsen Line 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe potential of intraoral 3D photo scans in forensic odontology identification remains largely unexplored, even though the high degree of detail could allow automated comparison of ante mortem and post mortem dentitions. Differences in soft tissue conditions between ante- and post mortem intraoral 3D photo scans may cause ambiguous variation, burdening the potential automation of the matching process and underlining the need for limiting inclusion of soft tissue in dental comparison. The soft tissue removal must be able to handle dental arches with missing teeth, and intraoral 3D photo scans not originating from plaster models. To address these challenges, we have developed the grid-cutting method. The method is customisable, allowing fine-grained analysis using a small grid size and adaptation of how much of the soft tissues are excluded from the cropped dental scan. When tested on 66 dental scans, the grid-cutting method was able to limit the amount of soft tissue without removing any teeth in 63/66 dental scans. The remaining 3 dental scans had partly erupted third molars (wisdom teeth) which were removed by the grid-cutting method. Overall, the grid-cutting method represents an important step towards automating the matching process in forensic odontology identification using intraoral 3D photo scans.
AmiA and AliA peptide ligands, found in Klebsiella pneumoniae, are imported into pneumococci and alter the transcriptome
Authors: Lux Janine , Sánchez García Lucía , Chaparro Fernández Patricia , Laloli Laura , Licheri Manon F. , Gallay Clement , Hermans Peter W. M. , Croucher Nicholas J. , Veening Jan-Willem , Dijkman Ronald , Straume Daniel , Hathaway Lucy J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractKlebsiella pneumoniae releases the peptides AKTIKITQTR and FNEMQPIVDRQ, which bind the pneumococcal proteins AmiA and AliA respectively, two substrate-binding proteins of the ABC transporter Ami-AliA/AliB oligopeptide permease. Exposure to these peptides alters pneumococcal phenotypes such as growth. Using a mutant in which a permease domain of the transporter was disrupted, by growth analysis and epifluorescence microscopy, we confirmed peptide uptake via the Ami permease and intracellular location in the pneumococcus. By RNA-sequencing we found that the peptides modulated expression of genes involved in metabolism, as pathways affected were mostly associated with energy or synthesis and transport of amino acids. Both peptides downregulated expression of genes involved in branched-chain amino acid metabolism and the Ami permease; and upregulated fatty acid biosynthesis genes but differed in their regulation of genes involved in purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis. The transcriptomic changes are consistent with growth suppression by peptide treatment. The peptides inhibited growth of pneumococcal isolates of serotypes 3, 8, 9N, 12F and 19A, currently prevalent in Switzerland, and caused no detectable toxic effect to primary human airway epithelial cells. We conclude that pneumococci take up K. pneumoniae peptides from the environment via binding and transport through the Ami permease. This changes gene expression resulting in altered phenotypes, particularly reduced growth.
Increased incidence and diverse manifestations of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Song Yong Yeon , Kim Jung Tae , Chang Young Suk , Lee Min-Woo , Lee Sung Chul 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe advent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the incidence and course of various diseases and numerous studies have investigated ocular involvement associated with COVID-19 and corresponding vaccines. In this study, we compared the incidence of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at a single center in Korea and analyzed the demographic and clinical features of patients with MEWDS presenting during the COVID-19 pandemic. We categorized patients with MEWDS into two groups according to date of diagnosis. Pre-COVID19 group included patients diagnosed during the pre-pandemic period (between March 11, 2017, and March 10, 2020), whereas post-COVID19 group included patients diagnosed during the pandemic period (between March 11, 2020, and March 10, 2023). 6 and 12 patients were included in pre-COVID19 group and post-COVID19 group, respectively. Among all hospital visits during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, 0.011% and 0.030% were due to MEWDS, indicating a significant increase during the pandemic (p = 0.029, B = 2.756). The annual incidence of patients with MEWDS in 2017–2022 were 0.73, 0.75, 0.78, 1.32, 2.49, and 2.07 per 10,000 population, respectively, corresponding to a significant increase (p = 0.039, B = 1.316). Our results imply that the incidence and manifestation of MEWDS are likely to become more diverse in the COVID-19 pandemic era.