bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does the use of different scaffolds have an impact on the therapeutic efficacy of regenerative endodontic procedures? A systematic evaluation and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Feng , Sheng Kai , Yu Lintong , Wang Jun 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
In the regenerative endodontic procedures, scaffolds could influence the prognosis of affected teeth. Currently, there is controversy regarding the postoperative evaluation of various scaffolds for pulp regeneration. The objective of this study was to access whether other scaffolds, used alone or in combination with blood clot (BC), are more effective than BC in regenerative endodontic procedures.

Methods
We systematically search the PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, and Google Scholar databases. Randomized controlled trials examining the use of BC and other scaffold materials in the regenerative endodontic procedures were included. A random effects model was used for the meta-analysis. The GRADE method was used to determine the quality of the evidence.

Results
We screened 168 RCTs related to young permanent tooth pulp necrosis through electronic and manual retrieval. A total of 28 RCTs were related to regenerative endodontic procedures. Ultimately, 12 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the relevant meta-analysis. Only 2 studies were assessed to have a low risk of bias. High quality evidence indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the success rate between the two groups (RR=0.99, 95% CI=0.96 to 1.03; 434 participants, 12 studies); low-quality evidence indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the increase in root length or root canal wall thickness between the two groups. Medium quality evidence indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in pulp vitality testing between the two groups.

Conclusions
For clinical regenerative endodontic procedures, the most commonly used scaffolds include BC, PRP, and PRF. All the different scaffolds had fairly high clinical success rates, and the difference was not significant. For regenerative endodontic procedures involving young permanent teeth with pulp necrosis, clinical practitioners could choose a reasonable scaffold considering the conditions of the equipment and patients.
Machine learning to predict untreated dental caries in adolescents
Authors: Bomfim Rafael Aiello 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to predict adolescents with untreated dental caries through a machine-learning approach using three different algorithms

Methods
Data came from an epidemiological survey in the five largest cities in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, consumption of unhealthy foods and behaviours (use of dental floss and toothbrushing) were collected using Sisson’s theoretical model, in 615 adolescents. For the machine learning, three different algorithms were used: (1) XGboost; (2) decision tree and (3) logistic regression. The epidemiological baseline was used to train and test predictions to detect individuals with untreated dental caries, through eight main predictor variables. Analyzes were performed using the R software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). The Ethics Committee approved the study..

Results
For the 615 adolescents, xgboost performed better with an area under the curve (AUC) of 84% versus 81% for the decision tree algorithm. The most important variables were the use of dental floss, unhealthy food consumption, self-declared race and exposure to fluoridated water.

Conclusions
Family health teams can improve the work process and use artificial intelligence mechanisms to predict adolescents with untreated dental caries, and, in this way, schedule dental appointments for the treatment of adolescents earlier.
When dying does not go well: a qualitative study
Authors: Breitsameter Christof 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies deal with the question of what constitutes a "satisfactory death". A smaller number of studies deal with unsatisfactory dying processes. And only a few shed light on unsatisfactory deaths that take place in hospices and palliative care units, which see themselves as places conducive to a "good" death. What also remains largely undiscussed are the ethical aspects that accompany the observation of an unsatisfactory course of death.MethodThe research was carried out as an exploratory and qualitative study. The data collection and analysis were based on the methods of the "grounded theory".ResultsNotions of a bad death are articulated here, though hardly by the affected persons and their relatives themselves, but rather by the professionals. Principally, descriptions of unsatisfactory dying processes refer to deficient success in symptom control, whereby the principle of autonomy is of particular importance. The focus here is not only on the needs of patients, but also on the needs of staff. The manifestation of such notions is related to the requirements arising from a practice that apparently evokes a need for accountability in the form of communicative reassurance.ConclusionAn idealised definition of "dying well" is in danger of losing sight of the contextual specifics of the practice involved, which can lead to ethically problematic situations.
A questionnaire survey on the implementation of palliative care in the emergency department in China
Authors: Li Yan , Zhu Huadong , Xu Jun , Yang Jing 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objectives
This study was conducted to characterize the need for palliative care and its effect on patients with end-stage disease in the emergency department (ED).

Design
This was a prospective cohort study. A questionnaire survey was administered to patients with end-stage disease who were admitted to the resuscitation room of the ED and expected to live less than 6 months.

Results
A total of 82 of 2095 patients admitted to the resuscitation room were included. Only 1 (1.22%) patient had ever received palliative care before admission. Nine patients received palliative care consultation after admission, and they were more likely to select medical places of death accompanied by their families and do not resuscitate orders at the end of life after consultation (P < 0.05). Whether the disease had previously been actively treated and the number of children impacted the choice of treatment at the end of life (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Among patients with end-stage disease admitted to the ED, knowledge of palliative care was lacking. Palliative care could help them avoid the damage caused by pointless resuscitation.
The pharyngeal taste organ of a blood-feeding insect functions in food recognition
Authors: Ortega-Insaurralde Isabel , Latorre-Estivalis José Manuel , Costa-da-Silva Andre Luis , Cano Agustina , Insausti Teresita C. , Morales Héctor Salas , Pontes Gina , de Astrada Martín Berón , Ons Sheila , DeGennaro Matthew , Barrozo Romina B. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Obligate blood-feeding insects obtain the nutrients and water necessary to ensure survival from the vertebrate blood. The internal taste sensilla, situated in the pharynx, evaluate the suitability of the ingested food. Here, through multiple approaches, we characterized the pharyngeal organ (PO) of the hematophagous kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus to determine its role in food assessment. The PO, located antero-dorsally in the pharynx, comprises eight taste sensilla that become bathed with the incoming blood.

Results
We showed that these taste sensilla house gustatory receptor neurons projecting their axons through the labral nerves to reach the subesophageal zone in the brain. We found that these neurons are electrically activated by relevant appetitive and aversive gustatory stimuli such as NaCl, ATP, and caffeine. Using RNA-Seq, we examined the expression of sensory-related gene families in the PO. We identified gustatory receptors, ionotropic receptors, transient receptor potential channels, pickpocket channels, opsins, takeouts, neuropeptide precursors, neuropeptide receptors, and biogenic amine receptors. RNA interference assays demonstrated that the salt-related pickpocket channel Rproppk014276 is required during feeding of an appetitive solution of NaCl and ATP.

Conclusions
We provide evidence of the role of the pharyngeal organ in food evaluation. This work shows a comprehensive characterization of a pharyngeal taste organ in a hematophagous insect.
Paxlovid use is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular diseases in COVID-19 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Weijie , Wang Yu-Hsun , Huang Ching-Hua , Hsieh Tsung-Hsueh , Ibarburu Gema Hernández , Wei James Cheng-Chung 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Paxlovid has been shown to be effective in reducing mortality and hospitalization rates in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is not known whether Paxlovid can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in COVID-19-surviving patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs).

Methods
TriNetX data from the US Collaborative Network were used in this study. A total of 5,671,395 patients with AIRDs were enrolled between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021. People diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in the cohort (n = 238,142) from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. The Study population was divided into two groups based on Paxlovid use. Propensity score matching was used to generate groups with matched baseline characteristics. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals of cardiovascular outcomes, admission rate, mortality rate, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate were calculated between Paxlovid and non-Paxlovid groups. Subgroup analyses on sex, age, race, autoimmune diseases group, and sensitivity analyses for Paxlovid use within the first day or within 2–5 days of COVID-19 diagnosis were performed.

Results
Paxlovid use was associated with lower risks of cerebrovascular complications (HR = 0.65 [0.47–0.88]), arrhythmia outcomes (HR = 0.81 [0.68–0.94]), ischemic heart disease, other cardiac disorders (HR = 0.51 [0.35–0.74]) naming heart failure (HR = 0.41 [0.26–0.63]) and deep vein thrombosis (HR = 0.46 [0.24–0.87]) belonging to thrombotic disorders in AIRD patients with COVID-19. Compared with the Non-Paxlovid group, risks of major adverse cardiac events (HR = 0.56 [0.44–0.70]) and any cardiovascular outcome mentioned above (HR = 0.76 [0.66–0.86]) were lower in the Paxlovid group. Moreover, the mortality (HR = 0.21 [0.11–0.40]), admission (HR = 0.68 [0.60–0.76]), and ICU admission rates (HR = 0.52 [0.33–0.80]) were significantly lower in the Paxlovid group than in the non-Paxlovid group. Paxlovid appears to be more effective in male, older, and Black patients with AIRD. The risks of cardiovascular outcomes and severe conditions were reduced significantly with Paxlovid prescribed within the first day of COVID-19 diagnosis.

Conclusions
Paxlovid use is associated with a lower risk of CVDs and severe conditions in COVID-19-surviving patients with AIRD.
Effective synthesis of high-content fructooligosaccharides in engineered Aspergillus niger
Authors: Wan Xiufen , Wang Lu , Chang Jingjing , Zhang Jing , Zhang Zhiyun , Li Kewen , Sun Guilian , Liu Caixia , Zhong Yaohua 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Aspergillus niger ATCC 20611 is an industrially important fructooligosaccharides (FOS) producer since it produces the β-fructofuranosidase with superior transglycosylation activity, which is responsible for the conversion of sucrose to FOS accompanied by the by-product (glucose) generation. This study aims to consume glucose to enhance the content of FOS by heterologously expressing glucose oxidase and peroxidase in engineered A. niger.

Results
Glucose oxidase was successfully expressed and co-localized with β-fructofuranosidase in mycelia. These mycelia were applied to synthesis of FOS, which possessed an increased purity of 60.63% from 52.07%. Furthermore, peroxidase was expressed in A. niger and reached 7.70 U/g, which could remove the potential inhibitor of glucose oxidase to facilitate the FOS synthesis. Finally, the glucose oxidase-expressing strain and the peroxidase-expressing strain were jointly used to synthesize FOS, which content achieved 71.00%.

Conclusions
This strategy allows for obtaining high-content FOS by the multiple enzymes expressed in the industrial fungus, avoiding additional purification processes used in the production of oligosaccharides. This study not only facilitated the high-purity FOS synthesis, but also demonstrated the potential of A. niger ATCC 20611 as an enzyme-producing cell factory.
The critical pharmaceutical situation in Sudan 2023: A humanitarian catastrophe of civil war
Authors: Hemmeda Lina , Tiwari Angad , Kolawole Barakat Olajumoke , Ayoobkhan Fathima Shehnaz , Fatima Kainat , Shabani Moshi Moshi , Kundu Mrinmoy , Anugu NagaSpurthy Reddy , Richard Riya Mary , Ibrahim Danya , Ahmed Khabab Abbasher Hussien Mohamed 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe situation in Sudan have deteriorated since the ongoing war outbreak in April 2023. This article sheds light on the pharmacological status in Sudan in terms of shortage of supply, rising demands, and regulatory issues. The ongoing civil war has acutely impacted the dilapidated pharmaceutical status of Sudan, patients have suffered from the paucity of medical services forcing an out-of-control rise in underreported morbidity and mortality. To mitigate this uprising issue, an increase in stakeholder communication is crucial to deal with this national threat and establish a system for reporting the shortage.
Effects of sustained viral response on lipid in Hepatitis C: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mei Tingting , Huang Xiaojie , Tang Shan , Liu Menglu , Zhang Wenyan , Yu Haibin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Direct-acting Antiviral Agents (DAAs) influence serum lipids of patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV). This paper presents an analysis of the relevant literature to investigate the effects of DAAs in treating hepatitis C to achieve a sustained viral response (SVR) on lipid parameters.

Methods
PubMed,Web of science, Embase and Central databases were searched, with a deadline of September 2023. Studies on the effects of sustained viral response on lipid parameters after DAAs treatment for hepatitis C were selected. The required information was extracted from the included studies, and then the Stata 12.0 was used to analyze the data quantitatively.

Results
Of 32 studies, the results showed that total cholesterol (TC) levels increased from the end of treatment (WMD = 20.144, 95%CI = 3.404, 36.884,P = 0.018) to one year after treatment (WMD = 24.900, 95%CI = 13.669, 36.131, P < 0.001). From the end of treatment (WMD = 17.728, 95%CI = 4.375, 31.082, P = 0.009) to one year after treatment (WMD = 18.528, 95%CI = 7.622, 29.433, P < 0.001), the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were also increased. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were elevated from 4 weeks after treatment (WMD = 6.665, 95%CI = 3.906, 9.424, P < 0.001) to 24 weeks after treatment (WMD = 3.159,95% CI = 0.176, 6.142, P = 0.038). Triglyceride (TG) levels showed no significant change after the treatment.

Conclusions
Hepatitis C patients who achieved SVR on DAAs showed the increase of lipid levels and the improvement of hepatic inflammation indicators AST and ALT. This may provide evidence-based medical evidence for the follow-up and monitoring of blood lipids and hyperlipidemia treatment.

Registration
PROSPERO CRD42020180793.
Strategies for labelling of exogenous and endogenous extracellular vesicles and their application for in vitro and in vivo functional studies
Authors: Boudna Marie , Campos Andres Delgado , Vychytilova-Faltejskova Petra , Machackova Tana , Slaby Ondrej , Souckova Kamila 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis review presents a comprehensive overview of labelling strategies for endogenous and exogenous extracellular vesicles, that can be utilised both in vitro and in vivo. It covers a broad spectrum of approaches, including fluorescent and bioluminescent labelling, and provides an analysis of their applications, strengths, and limitations. Furthermore, this article presents techniques that use radioactive tracers and contrast agents with the ability to track EVs both spatially and temporally. Emphasis is also placed on endogenous labelling mechanisms, represented by Cre-lox and CRISPR-Cas systems, which are powerful and flexible tools for real-time EV monitoring or tracking their fate in target cells. By summarizing the latest developments across these diverse labelling techniques, this review provides researchers with a reference to select the most appropriate labelling method for their EV based research.
Characterizing neuroinflammation and identifying prenatal diagnostic markers for neural tube defects through integrated multi-omics analysis
Authors: Wang Wenshuang , Ji Yanhong , Dong Zhexu , Liu Zheran , Chen Shuang , Dai Lei , Su Xiaolan , Jiang Qingyuan , Deng Hongxin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations of the central nervous system resulting from the incomplete closure of the neural tube during early embryonic development. Neuroinflammation refers to the inflammatory response in the nervous system, typically resulting from damage to neural tissue. Immune-related processes have been identified in NTDs, however, the detailed relationship and underlying mechanisms between neuroinflammation and NTDs remain largely unclear. In this study, we utilized integrated multi-omics analysis to explore the role of neuroinflammation in NTDs and identify potential prenatal diagnostic markers using a murine model.

Methods
Nine public datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and ArrayExpress were mined using integrated multi-omics analysis to characterize the molecular landscape associated with neuroinflammation in NTDs. Special attention was given to the involvement of macrophages in neuroinflammation within amniotic fluid, as well as the dynamics of macrophage polarization and their interactions with neural cells at single-cell resolution. We also used qPCR assay to validate the key TFs and candidate prenatal diagnostic genes identified through the integrated analysis in a retinoic acid-induced NTDs mouse model.

Results
Our analysis indicated that neuroinflammation is a critical pathological feature of NTDs, regulated both transcriptionally and epigenetically within central nervous system tissues. Key alterations in gene expression and pathways highlighted the crucial role of STATs molecules in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in regulating NTDs-associated neuroinflammation. Furthermore, single-cell resolution analysis revealed significant polarization of macrophages and their interaction with neural cells in amniotic fluid, underscoring their central role in mediating neuroinflammation associated with NTDs. Finally, we identified a set of six potential prenatal diagnostic genes, including FABP7, CRMP1, SCG3, SLC16A10, RNASE6 and RNASE1, which were subsequently validated in a murine NTDs model, indicating their promise as prospective markers for prenatal diagnosis of NTDs.

Conclusions
Our study emphasizes the pivotal role of neuroinflammation in the progression of NTDs and underlines the potential of specific inflammatory and neural markers as novel prenatal diagnostic tools. These findings provide important clues for further understanding the underlying mechanisms between neuroinflammation and NTDs, and offer valuable insights for the future development of prenatal diagnostics.
Impact of myelofibrosis on patients with myelodysplastic syndromes following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Zhu Panpan , Lai Xiaoyu , Liu Lizhen , Shi Jimin , Yu Jian , Zhao Yanmin , Yang Luxin , Yang Tingting , Zheng Weiyan , Sun Jie , Wu Wenjun , Zhao Yi , Cai Zhen , Huang He , Luo Yi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The prognostic significance of myelofibrosis (MF) grade in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) following an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains elusive.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed data from 153 patients with MDS who underwent allo-HSCT and divided the patients into the MF-0/1 (N = 119) and MF-2/3 (N = 34) cohorts to explore the impact of MF on outcomes of allo-HSCT.

Results
The 2-year rates of relapse, non-relapse mortality (NRM), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were 10.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.9%–17.7%), 16.3% (95% CI 10.2%–23.6%), 76.6% (95% CI 69.0%–85.1%), and 72.8% (95% CI 65.0%–81.5%) in the MF-0/1 cohort, and 16.9% (95% CI 5.8%–32.9%), 14.7% (95% CI 5.3%–28.7%), 71.8% (95% CI 57.6%–89.6%), and 68.4% (95% CI 53.6%–87.2%) in the MF-2/3 cohort, respectively. No significant difference in the outcomes of allo-HSCT was observed between the two cohorts. Both univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that MF-2/3 in patients with MDS had no effect on the prognosis of transplantation. In addition, major/bidirectional ABO blood type between donors and recipients was an independent risk factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.55; 95% CI 1.25–5.21; P = 0.010) and PFS (HR, 2.21; 95% CI 1.10–4.42; P = 0.025) in the multivariate analysis. In the subgroup of patients diagnosed with MDS with increased blasts (MDS-IB), it was consistently demonstrated that the clinical outcomes of the MF-2/3 cohort were comparable with those of the MF-0/1 cohort. The risk factors for OS and PFS in patients with MDS-IB were non-complete remission at transplantation and major/bidirectional ABO blood type.

Conclusions
In conclusion, MF grade had no significant effect on prognosis of allo-HSCT in patients diagnosed with MDS. Major/bidirectional ABO blood type should be carefully considered in the context of more than one available donor.
Border-associated macrophages in the central nervous system
Authors: Sun Rui , Jiang Haowu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTissue-resident macrophages play an important role in the local maintenance of homeostasis and immune surveillance. In the central nervous system (CNS), brain macrophages are anatomically divided into parenchymal microglia and non-parenchymal border-associated macrophages (BAMs). Among these immune cell populations, microglia have been well-studied for their roles during development as well as in health and disease. BAMs, mostly located in the choroid plexus, meningeal and perivascular spaces, are now gaining increased attention due to advancements in multi-omics technologies and genetic methodologies. Research on BAMs over the past decade has focused on their ontogeny, immunophenotypes, involvement in various CNS diseases, and potential as therapeutic targets. Unlike microglia, BAMs display mixed origins and distinct self-renewal capacity. BAMs are believed to regulate neuroimmune responses associated with brain barriers and contribute to immune-mediated neuropathology. Notably, BAMs have been observed to function in diverse cerebral pathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, and gliomas. The elucidation of the heterogeneity and diverse functions of BAMs during homeostasis and neuroinflammation is mesmerizing, since it may shed light on the precision medicine that emphasizes deep insights into programming cues in the unique brain immune microenvironment. In this review, we delve into the latest findings on BAMs, covering aspects like their origins, self-renewal capacity, adaptability, and implications in different brain disorders.