bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unveiling motives for dentistry studies: psychometric validation of a comprehensive questionnaire among aspiring dental students
Authors: Moncayo-Rizzo Jorge , Alvarado-Villa Geovanny , Cherrez-Ojeda Iván , Gallardo Juan Carlos , Velez Leon Eleonor , Gonzalez Eras Susana Patricia 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study is to develop and validate a questionnaire for dental students in Ecuador to assess their reasons to study dentistry.

Materials and methods
A 25-item questionnaire was developed by the authors based on similar studies and a qualitative study. The questionnaire had five theoretical factors: economic, professional, vocational, social and academic reasons for study. In the first two samples, exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify the structure, and the models obtained were compared with confirmatory factor analysis in the third sample.

Results
Three samples were used, sample A with 201 participants, sample B with 623 participants, and sample C with 596 participants. Two-thirds of the participants were female and almost one-third were from coast region. The EFA applied in sample A resulted in a five-factor model with 18 items; in contrast, a three-factor model was obtained from sample B. According to the CFA in sample C, the best model was explained by three factors: labor, vocational and academic reasons. Considering two items to cross-load in labor and vocational factors, which are theoretically justified.

Conclusion
This study presents a 12-item questionnaire that assesses labor, vocational and academic reasons for studying dentistry in an Ecuadorian population.
Refinements in the use of silicone oil as an intraocular tamponade
Authors: Wilson D. Ian , te Water Naude Andrew D. , Snead Martin P. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIt is over 60 years since Paul Cibis et al. reported the experimental use of liquid silicone in the surgical management of retinal detachment. Initial experiences were complicated by significant side-effects associated with the impurities in the non-medical grade commercial silicone oils deployed at the time. These were substantially reduced (but not eliminated) by the adoption of refined high-viscosity medical grade silicone oils. Two of the major complications associated with silicone tamponade are (i) the variability of focus due to its movement and higher refractive index, and (ii) progressive emulsification, particularly with low viscosity oils. This article reviews recent and ongoing research on the causes of emulsification of intra-ocular silicone oil to understand the causes better and thereby reduce this risk, especially for those eyes where permanent tamponade is the only current option for retaining vision.
Three-year clinical outcome of XEN45 Gel Stent implantation versus trabeculectomy in patients with open angle glaucoma
Authors: Rauchegger Teresa , Krause Sarah-Maria , Nowosielski Yvonne , Huber Anna Lena , Willeit Peter , Schmid Eduard , Teuchner Barbara 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
To reliably compare the three-year clinical outcome and safety of XEN45 Gel Stent implantation (XEN) vs. trabeculectomy (TRAB) in patients with glaucoma.

Subject/methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study with patients with primary open angle or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) undergoing XEN or TRAB at the Innsbruck University Clinic of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Austria and analysed changes in IOP, numbers of IOP-lowering medications, and complete surgical success (i.e., IOP ≤ 18 mmHg, ≥20% IOP reduction and not requiring IOP-lowering medication) up to 36 months postoperatively.

Results
Between 2013 and 2019, we performed XEN Gel Stent implantation in 58 eyes and trabeculectomy in 84 eyes. From baseline to 36 months, mean IOP decreased from 23.4 to 13.8 mmHg (mean reduction 35%, 95% confidence interval 23–48%, p < 0.001) in the XEN group and from 25.1 to 11.2 mmHg (mean reduction 50%, 41–60%, p < 0.001) in the TRAB group. TRAB provided higher IOP reduction than XEN Gel Stent implantation at 12, 24, and 36 months (all p < 0.05). In XEN versus TRAB, IOP-lowering medication was required by 98.3% vs. 97.6% before surgery (p = 0.781), differed significantly at month 12 (43.2% vs. 2.0%, p < 0.001)but not at month 24 or 36. Complete surgical success was achieved in 40.0% vs. 62.8% at month 24 (adjusted odds ratio 2.70; 1.04–7.00, p = 0.040) and 27.3% vs. 56.8% at month 36 (4.36; 1.25–15.18, p = 0.021).

Conclusion
Compared to XEN, TRAB was associated with lower intraocular pressure, less IOP-lowering medication, and higher probability of achieving complete surgical success over a 36-month follow-up period.
Reversible non-volatile electronic switching in a near-room-temperature van der Waals ferromagnet
Authors: Wu Han , Chen Lei , Malinowski Paul , Jang Bo Gyu , Deng Qinwen , Scott Kirsty , Huang Jianwei , Ruff Jacob P. C. , He Yu , Chen Xiang , Hu Chaowei , Yue Ziqin , Oh Ji Seop , Teng Xiaokun , Guo Yucheng , Klemm Mason , Shi Chuqiao , Shi Yue , Setty Chandan , Werner Tyler , Hashimoto Makoto , Lu Donghui , Yilmaz Turgut , Vescovo Elio , Mo Sung-Kwan , Fedorov Alexei , Denlinger Jonathan D. , Xie Yaofeng , Gao Bin , Kono Junichiro , Dai Pengcheng , Han Yimo , Xu Xiaodong , Birgeneau Robert J. , Zhu Jian-Xin , da Silva Neto Eduardo H. , Wu Liang , Chu Jiun-Haw , Si Qimiao , Yi Ming 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNon-volatile phase-change memory devices utilize local heating to toggle between crystalline and amorphous states with distinct electrical properties. Expanding on this kind of switching to two topologically distinct phases requires controlled non-volatile switching between two crystalline phases with distinct symmetries. Here, we report the observation of reversible and non-volatile switching between two stable and closely related crystal structures, with remarkably distinct electronic structures, in the near-room-temperature van der Waals ferromagnet Fe5−δGeTe2. We show that the switching is enabled by the ordering and disordering of Fe site vacancies that results in distinct crystalline symmetries of the two phases, which can be controlled by a thermal annealing and quenching method. The two phases are distinguished by the presence of topological nodal lines due to the preserved global inversion symmetry in the site-disordered phase, flat bands resulting from quantum destructive interference on a bipartite lattice, and broken inversion symmetry in the site-ordered phase.
Identifying a key spot for electron mediator-interaction to tailor CO dehydrogenase’s affinity
Authors: Kim Suk Min , Kang Sung Heuck , Lee Jinhee , Heo Yoonyoung , Poloniataki Eleni G. , Kang Jingu , Yoon Hye-Jin , Kong So Yeon , Yun Yaejin , Kim Hyunwoo , Ryu Jungki , Lee Hyung Ho , Kim Yong Hwan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFe‒S cluster-harboring enzymes, such as carbon monoxide dehydrogenases (CODH), employ sophisticated artificial electron mediators like viologens to serve as potent biocatalysts capable of cleaning-up industrial off-gases at stunning reaction rates. Unraveling the interplay between these enzymes and their associated mediators is essential for improving the efficiency of CODHs. Here we show the electron mediator-interaction site on ChCODHs (Ch, Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans) using a systematic approach that leverages the viologen-reactive characteristics of superficial aromatic residues. By enhancing mediator-interaction (R57G/N59L) near the D-cluster, the strategically tailored variants exhibit a ten-fold increase in ethyl viologen affinity relative to the wild-type without sacrificing the turn-over rate (kcat). Viologen-complexed structures reveal the pivotal positions of surface phenylalanine residues, serving as external conduits for the D-cluster to/from viologen. One variant (R57G/N59L/A559W) can treat a broad spectrum of waste gases (from steel-process and plastic-gasification) containing O2. Decoding mediator interactions will facilitate the development of industrially high-efficient biocatalysts encompassing gas-utilizing enzymes.
A rapid inducible RNA decay system reveals fast mRNA decay in P-bodies
Authors: Blake Lauren A. , Watkins Leslie , Liu Yang , Inoue Takanari , Wu Bin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRNA decay is vital for regulating mRNA abundance and gene expression. Existing technologies lack the spatiotemporal precision or transcript specificity to capture the stochastic and transient decay process. We devise a general strategy to inducibly recruit protein factors to modulate target RNA metabolism. Specifically, we introduce a Rapid Inducible Decay of RNA (RIDR) technology to degrade target mRNAs within minutes. The fast and synchronous induction enables direct visualization of mRNA decay dynamics in cells. Applying RIDR to endogenous ACTB mRNA reveals rapid formation and dissolution of RNA granules in pre-existing P-bodies. Time-resolved RNA distribution measurements demonstrate rapid RNA decay inside P-bodies, which is further supported by knocking down P-body constituent proteins. Light and oxidative stress modulate P-body behavior, potentially reconciling the contradictory literature about P-body function. This study reveals compartmentalized RNA decay kinetics, establishing RIDR as a pivotal tool for exploring the spatiotemporal RNA metabolism in cells.
Photocobilins integrate B12 and bilin photochemistry for enzyme control
Authors: Zhang Shaowei , Jeffreys Laura N. , Poddar Harshwardhan , Yu Yuqi , Liu Chuanyang , Patel Kaylee , Johannissen Linus O. , Zhu Lingyun , Cliff Matthew J. , Yan Cunyu , Schirò Giorgio , Weik Martin , Sakuma Michiyo , Levy Colin W. , Leys David , Heyes Derren J. , Scrutton Nigel S. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPhotoreceptor proteins utilise chromophores to sense light and trigger a biological response. The discovery that adenosylcobalamin (or coenzyme B12) can act as a light-sensing chromophore heralded a new field of B12-photobiology. Although microbial genome analysis indicates that photoactive B12-binding domains form part of more complex protein architectures, regulating a range of molecular–cellular functions in response to light, experimental evidence is lacking. Here we identify and characterise a sub-family of multi-centre photoreceptors, termed photocobilins, that use B12 and biliverdin (BV) to sense light across the visible spectrum. Crystal structures reveal close juxtaposition of the B12 and BV chromophores, an arrangement that facilitates optical coupling. Light-triggered conversion of the B12 affects quaternary structure, in turn leading to light-activation of associated enzyme domains. The apparent widespread nature of photocobilins implies involvement in light regulation of a wider array of biochemical processes, and thus expands the scope for B12 photobiology. Their characterisation provides inspiration for the design of broad-spectrum optogenetic tools and next generation bio-photocatalysts.
Genetic control of DNA methylation is largely shared across European and East Asian populations
Authors: Hatton Alesha A. , Cheng Fei-Fei , Lin Tian , Shen Ren-Juan , Chen Jie , Zheng Zhili , Qu Jia , Lyu Fan , Harris Sarah E. , Cox Simon R. , Jin Zi-Bing , Martin Nicholas G. , Fan Dongsheng , Montgomery Grant W. , Yang Jian , Wray Naomi R. , Marioni Riccardo E. , Visscher Peter M. , McRae Allan F. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDNA methylation is an ideal trait to study the extent of the shared genetic control across ancestries, effectively providing hundreds of thousands of model molecular traits with large QTL effect sizes. We investigate cis DNAm QTLs in three European (n = 3701) and two East Asian (n = 2099) cohorts to quantify the similarities and differences in the genetic architecture across populations. We observe 80,394 associated mQTLs (62.2% of DNAm probes with significant mQTL) to be significant in both ancestries, while 28,925 mQTLs (22.4%) are identified in only a single ancestry. mQTL effect sizes are highly conserved across populations, with differences in mQTL discovery likely due to differences in allele frequency of associated variants and differing linkage disequilibrium between causal variants and assayed SNPs. This study highlights the overall similarity of genetic control across ancestries and the value of ancestral diversity in increasing the power to detect associations and enhancing fine mapping resolution.
Anaerobic fungi in the tortoise alimentary tract illuminate early stages of host-fungal symbiosis and Neocallimastigomycota evolution
Authors: Pratt Carrie J. , Meili Casey H. , Jones Adrienne L. , Jackson Darian K. , England Emma E. , Wang Yan , Hartson Steve , Rogers Janet , Elshahed Mostafa S. , Youssef Noha H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAnaerobic gut fungi (AGF, Neocallimastigomycota) reside in the alimentary tract of herbivores. While their presence in mammals is well documented, evidence for their occurrence in non-mammalian hosts is currently sparse. Culture-independent surveys of AGF in tortoises identified a unique community, with three novel deep-branching genera representing >90% of sequences in most samples. Representatives of all genera were successfully isolated under strict anaerobic conditions. Transcriptomics-enabled phylogenomic and molecular dating analyses indicated an ancient, deep-branching position in the AGF tree for these genera, with an evolutionary divergence time estimate of 104-112 million years ago (Mya). Such estimates push the establishment of animal-Neocallimastigomycota symbiosis from the late to the early Cretaceous. Further, tortoise-associated isolates (T-AGF) exhibited limited capacity for plant polysaccharides metabolism and lacked genes encoding several carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) families. Finally, we demonstrate that the observed curtailed degradation capacities and reduced CAZyme repertoire is driven by the paucity of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in T-AGF genomes, compared to their mammalian counterparts. This reduced capacity was reflected in an altered cellulosomal production capacity in T-AGF. Our findings provide insights into the phylogenetic diversity, ecological distribution, evolutionary history, evolution of fungal-host nutritional symbiosis, and dynamics of genes acquisition in Neocallimastigomycota.
An anisotropic lattice Boltzmann - phase field model for dendrite growth and movement in rapid solidification of binary alloys
Authors: Mao Shilin , Cao Yuting , Chen Wei , Sun Dongke 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA model coupling the lattice Boltzmann and the phase field methods with anisotropic effects is proposed, which is used to numerically describe the growth and movement of dendrites in rapid solidification of alloys. The model is quantitatively validated by the simulation of the continuous growth and the drafting-kissing-tumbling phenomenon of two falling particles, and then applied to investigate the effects of dendrite movement and interfacial non-equilibrium on evolution of dendritic patterns for Si-9.0at%As and the CET for Al-3.0wt%Cu alloys. Both the growth and remelt processes of isolated dendrites are studied, and the result reveals the remelting influences on dendrite growth and solute micro-segregation in the condition of directional solidification. This work demonstrates that the proposed model has a wide range of applicability and great potential to simulate the microstructure evolution with various solidification conditions.
A cell fate decision map reveals abundant direct neurogenesis bypassing intermediate progenitors in the human developing neocortex
Authors: Coquand Laure , Brunet Avalos Clarisse , Macé Anne-Sophie , Farcy Sarah , Di Cicco Amandine , Lampic Marusa , Wimmer Ryszard , Bessières Betina , Attie-Bitach Tania , Fraisier Vincent , Sens Pierre , Guimiot Fabien , Brault Jean-Baptiste , Baffet Alexandre D. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe human neocortex has undergone strong evolutionary expansion, largely due to an increased progenitor population, the basal radial glial cells. These cells are responsible for the production of a diversity of cell types, but the successive cell fate decisions taken by individual progenitors remain unknown. Here we developed a semi-automated live/fixed correlative imaging method to map basal radial glial cell division modes in early fetal tissue and cerebral organoids. Through the live analysis of hundreds of dividing progenitors, we show that basal radial glial cells undergo abundant symmetric amplifying divisions, and frequent self-consuming direct neurogenic divisions, bypassing intermediate progenitors. These direct neurogenic divisions are more abundant in the upper part of the subventricular zone. We furthermore demonstrate asymmetric Notch activation in the self-renewing daughter cells, independently of basal fibre inheritance. Our results reveal a remarkable conservation of fate decisions in cerebral organoids, supporting their value as models of early human neurogenesis.
A single-cell atlas enables mapping of homeostatic cellular shifts in the adult human breast
Authors: Reed Austin D. , Pensa Sara , Steif Adi , Stenning Jack , Kunz Daniel J. , Porter Linsey J. , Hua Kui , He Peng , Twigger Alecia-Jane , Siu Abigail J. Q. , Kania Katarzyna , Barrow-McGee Rachel , Goulding Iain , Gomm Jennifer J. , Speirs Valerie , Jones J Louise , Marioni John C. , Khaled Walid T. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHere we use single-cell RNA sequencing to compile a human breast cell atlas assembled from 55 donors that had undergone reduction mammoplasties or risk reduction mastectomies. From more than 800,000 cells we identified 41 cell subclusters across the epithelial, immune and stromal compartments. The contribution of these different clusters varied according to the natural history of the tissue. Age, parity and germline mutations, known to modulate the risk of developing breast cancer, affected the homeostatic cellular state of the breast in different ways. We found that immune cells from BRCA1 or BRCA2 carriers had a distinct gene expression signature indicative of potential immune exhaustion, which was validated by immunohistochemistry. This suggests that immune-escape mechanisms could manifest in non-cancerous tissues very early during tumor initiation. This atlas is a rich resource that can be used to inform novel approaches for early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
Hydrothermally grown Cu doped NiMnO3 perovskite nanostructures suitable for optoelectronic, photoluminescent and electrochemical properties
Authors: Upadhyay Shilpi , Assadullah Insaaf , Tomar Radha 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTransition metal-based perovskites have emerged as highly promising and economically advantageous semiconductor materials due to their exceptional performance in optoelectronics, photovoltaic, photocatalysis, and photoluminescence. In this study, we employed a microwave-assisted hydrothermal process to produce a Cu-doped NiMnO3 nanocomposite electrode material. The appearance of a peak corresponding to the (110) plane with a 2θ value of 36.6° confirmed the growth of the rhombohedral NiMnO3 crystal structure. The presence of metal–oxygen bonds in NiMnO3 was confirmed through FTIR spectra. XPS validates the chemical composition, providing additional support for the results obtained from XRD and FT-IR analyses. FE-SEM affirmed the anisotropic growth of small sphere-like structures that agglomerated to form broccoli-like shapes. Cu doping modified the band gap, reducing it from 2.2 to 1.7 eV and enhancing its photoluminescent (PL) activity by introducing defects. The increase in PL intensity (visible light luminescent intensity) can be attributed to a concurrent rise in complex defects and the rate of recombination of electron–hole pairs. Finally, the electrochemical activity demonstrated the pseudo-capacitor behavior of the synthesized material, with capacitance values increasing as the copper (Cu) content in the parent lattice increased.
The impact of preoperative serum lactate dehydrogenase on mortality and morbidity after noncardiac surgery
Authors: Zhu Yingchao , Xin Juan , Bi Yaodan , Zhu Tao , Liu Bin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPreoperative serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has been reported to be associated with adverse outcomes following thoracic surgery. However, its association with outcomes in noncardiac surgery as a whole has not been investigated. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from 2018 to 2020, including patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score weighting were employed to assess the link between LDH levels and postoperative outcomes. Preoperative LDH was incorporated into four commonly used clinical models, and its discriminative ability, reclassification, and calibration were evaluated in comparison to models without LDH. Among 130,879 patients, higher preoperative LDH levels (cut-off: 220 U/L) were linked to increased in-hospital mortality (4.382% vs. 0.702%; OR 1.856, 95% CI 1.620–2.127, P < 0.001), myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) (3.012% vs. 0.537%; OR 1.911, 95% CI 1.643–2.223, P < 0.001), and ICU admission (15.010% vs. 6.414%; OR 1.765, 95% CI 1.642–1.896, P < 0.001). The inverse probability of treatment-weighted estimation supported these results. Additionally, LDH contributed significantly to four surgical prognostic models, enhancing their predictive capability. Our study revealed a significant association between preoperative LDH and in-hospital mortality, MINS, and ICU admission following noncardiac surgery. Moreover, LDH provided supplementary predictive information, extending the utility of commonly used surgical prognostic scores.
Recruitment of the premotor cortex during arithmetic operations by the monkey
Authors: Okuyama Sumito , Kuki Toshinobu , Mushiake Hajime 
Published: March 2024

AbstractArithmetic operations are complex mental processes rooted in the abstract concept of numerosity. Despite the significance, the neural architecture responsible for these operations has remained largely uncharted. In this study, we explored the presence of specific neuronal activity in the dorsal premotor cortex of the monkey dedicated to numerical addition and subtraction. Our findings reveal that many of these neural activities undergo a transformation, shifting their coding from arithmetic to motor representations. These motor representations include information about which hand to use and the number of steps involved in the action. We consistently observed that cells related to the right-hand encoded addition, while those linked to the left-hand encoded subtraction, suggesting that arithmetic operations and motor commands are intertwining with each other. Furthermore, we used a multivariate decoding technique to predict the monkey’s behaviour based on the activity of these arithmetic-related cells. The classifier trained to discern arithmetic operations, including addition and subtraction, not only predicted the arithmetic decisions but also the subsequent motor actions of the right and left-hand. These findings imply a cognitive extension of the motor cortex’s function, where inherent neural systems are repurposed to facilitate arithmetic operations.