bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cultural competency in dental education: developing a tool for assessment and inclusion
Authors: Lopez Naty , Shingler Kristin , Real Carmen , Nirkhiwale Arpit , Quick Karin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPurpose/objectivesThis study aimed to assess the cultural competency content in selected Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) courses and to explore the use of an assessment tool that may be used to standardize the integration of cultural competency in the dental school curriculum.MethodsA survey was sent to course directors to determine the inclusion of four topics related to cultural competence, the mechanisms of inclusion, and their comfort level in teaching the topics in their courses. A scan of the same courses was conducted with the use of a tool developed from an Expert Panel's recommendations for knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) to be included in curricula for teaching cultural competence.ResultsTwenty‐one course directors responded. Fifteen reported they include social determinants of health and twelve include health inequities in their courses. Faculty reported an average of 8.67 comfort level in teaching these topics but there was less comfort level in teaching cultural humility and implicit bias. Course directors used assignments, case studies, lectures, quizzes, and patient care (clinical courses) to include the topics. The scan of courses showed that the use of the Competencies for General Dentists in course syllabi covered the recommended knowledge, skills, and attitudes for cultural competence.ConclusionsThe rubric was suitable for assessing cultural competency content. The Competencies for General Dentists in course syllabi will allow the integration of the recommended KSA in dental courses to teach cultural competence. However, dental faculty may need training in the integration of KSA items in course objectives and content.
A qualitative focus group analysis: Increasing fieldwork capacity in genetic counseling training programs
Authors: Jirik Rebecca , Redlinger‐Grosse Krista , Davis Claire , Nusbaum Rachel , Reiser Catherine , Berninger Taylor 
Published: February 2024

AbstractGenetic counselors are an integral part of the healthcare system; however, the number of genetic counselors in many parts of the United States is limited, impacting access to comprehensive healthcare for all patients. One solution to addressing this deficit includes modifying genetic counseling training programs to increase student enrollment. Fieldwork capacity, driven by a limited number of rotation sites and supervisors, produces a significant bottleneck to entering the profession. Other professions have reported on techniques to increase fieldwork capacity; however, the practicality of these techniques for genetic counseling training has yet to be explored. This study seeks to investigate the perspectives of key stakeholders in genetic counseling training programs on the practicality of techniques already posited in the literature from other allied health professions. Semi‐structured focus group interviews with 25 participants were conducted at the 2019 National Society of Genetic Counselors conference. Participants included program directors and supervisors from clinical, industry, and laboratory backgrounds. The focus group responses were analyzed using directed content analysis and a split coding technique, after which several themes emerged within the larger domains of rotation structures, systems infrastructure, skill‐building methods, and other novel techniques to increase fieldwork capacity. Emerging themes included the importance of finding quality student placements rather than maximizing the quantity of participatory cases; a need for transparency about the transferability of skills learned from novel experiences; scaffolding student entrustment to expand supervisor capacity; and recognizing nuances in implementation for individual programs. Overall, the results emphasize the importance of openness in communication to manage expectations for students and supervisors, who may be more hesitant to try novel rotation placements and skill‐building techniques. Genetic counseling programs may use these results to address the bottleneck of fieldwork capacity, increasing student enrollment.
Development and Validation of Interpretable Machine Learning Models for Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Diagnosis in Patients With Lesions of PI‐RADS v2.1 Score ≥3
Authors: Ruan Mingjian , Liu Yi , Yao Kaifeng , Wang Kexin , Fan Yu , Wu Shiliang , Wang Xiaoying 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundFor patients with PI‐RADS v2.1 ≥ 3, prostate biopsy is strongly recommended. Due to the unsatisfactory positive rate of biopsy, improvements in clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) risk assessments are required.PurposeTo develop and validate machine learning (ML) models based on clinical and imaging parameters for csPCa detection in patients with PI‐RADS v2.1 ≥ 3.Study TypeRetrospective.SubjectsOne thousand eighty‐three patients with PI‐RADS v2.1 ≥ 3, randomly split into training (70%, N = 759) and validation (30%, N = 324) datasets, and 147 patients enrolled prospectively for testing.Field Strength/Sequence3.0 T scanners/T2‐weighted fast spin echo sequence and DWI with diffusion‐weighted single‐shot gradient echo planar imaging sequence.AssessmentThe factors evaluated for csPCa detection were age, prostate specific antigen, prostate volume, and the diameter and location of the index lesion, PI‐RADSv2.1. Five ML models for csPCa detection were developed: logistic regression (LR), extreme gradient boosting, random forest (RF), decision tree, and support vector machines. The csPCa was defined as Gleason grade ≥2.Statistical TestsUnivariable and multivariable LR analyses to identify parameters associated with csPCa. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Brier score, and DeLong test were used to assess and compare the csPCa diagnostic performance with the LR model. The significance level was defined as 0.05.ResultsThe RF model exhibited the highest AUC (0.880–0.904) and lowest Brier score (0.125–0.133) among the ML models in the validation and testing cohorts, however, there was no difference when compared to the LR model (P = 0.453 and 0.548). The sensitivity and negative predictive values in the validation and testing cohorts were 93.8%–97.6% and 82.7%–95.1%, respectively, at a threshold of 0.450 (99% sensitivity of the RF model).Data ConclusionThe RF model might help for assessing the risk of csPCa and preventing overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsy for men with PI‐RADSv2.1 ≥ 3.Evidence Level3Technical EfficacyStage 2
Human activities influence mule deer use of overpasses across multiple scales
Authors: Hamilton Kaela M. , Bommarito Thomas , Lewis Jesse S. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAnthropogenic linear infrastructures (ALIs), including roads, railways, and canals, provide important resources to humans, but they can affect wildlife through habitat fragmentation and reduced movement through landscapes. To mitigate these effects, overpass crossing structures (i.e., overpasses) can facilitate wildlife movement across ALIs and maintain landscape connectivity. Human activities can potentially influence spatial and temporal patterns in wildlife use of overpasses; however, little information is available about human–wildlife interactions across some types of ALIs. Using remote wildlife cameras, we evaluated human and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) use and interactions at 43 overpasses along the Central Arizona Project canal in Arizona, USA, during 2 seasons (warm and cool) from February 2021 to February 2022. Mule deer exhibited spatial avoidance of human activities at overpasses, although the effect varied across seasons and types of human activity. At a broad scale, the presence of recreationists at overpasses did not exclude mule deer from using overpasses to cross the canal; however, human presence reduced mule deer detection probability in the warm season. At a fine scale, mule deer decreased use of overpasses as activity associated with canal personnel (i.e., security and maintenance workers) increased in the cool season. For both seasons, mule deer exhibited greater overlap in daily activity patterns with recreationists compared to canal personnel. Further, mule deer shifted daily activity patterns to be more active earlier in the morning at sites with high amounts of recreational use compared to sites with lower recreational use. Because human activities can influence mule deer crossings at overpasses, managers might consider minimizing human activities at crossing locations to increase wildlife use and promote wildlife movement across canals and other types of ALIs.
Third vaccine boosters and anti‐S‐IgG levels: A comparison of homologous and heterologous responses and poor immunogenicity in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Chih‐Wen , Huang Chung‐Feng , Jang Tyng‐Yuan , Yeh Ming‐Lun , Liang Po‐Cheng , Wei Yu‐Ju , Hsu Po‐Yao , Huang Ching‐I. , Hsieh Ming‐Yen , Lin Yi‐Hung , Huang Jee‐Fu , Dai Chia‐Yen , Chuang Wan‐Long , Yu Ming‐Lung 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe immune response of patients with chronic liver disease tends to be lower after receiving their second coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine dose, but the effect of a third vaccine dose on their immune response is currently unknown. We recruited 722 patients without previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection from three hospitals. The patients received homologous (MMM) and heterologous (AZAZBNT, AZAZM) boosters, where AZ, BNT, and M denoted the AZD1222, BNT162b2, and mRNA‐1273 vaccines, respectively. Serum IgG spike antibody levels were measured at a mean 1.5 ± 0.7 (visit 1) and 5.0 ± 0.5 (visit 2) months after the third vaccine booster. A threshold of 4160 AU/mL was considered significant antibody activity. In both visits, the patients who received the MMM booster had higher anti‐S‐IgG levels than those who received the AZAZBNT and AZAZM boosters. Patients with active hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) had lower anti‐S‐IgG levels than the control group (761.6 vs. 1498.2 BAU/mL; p = 0.019) at visit 1. The anti‐S‐IgG levels decreased significantly at visit 2. The patients with significant antibody activity had a lower rate of liver cirrhosis with decompensation (0.7% decompensation vs. 8.0% non‐decompensation and 91.3% non‐liver cirrhosis, p = 0.015), and active HCC (1.5% active HCC vs. 3.7% non‐active HCC and 94.7% non‐HCC, p < 0.001). Receiving the MMM booster regimen (OR = 10.67, 95% CI 5.20–21.91, p < 0.001) increased the odds of having significant antibody activity compared with the AZAZBNT booster regimen. Patients with active HCC had a reduced immune response to the third COVID‐19 vaccine booster. These findings underscore the importance of booster vaccinations, especially in immunocompromised patients, with superior efficacy observed with the homologous mRNA‐1273 regimen.
Higher‐order inverse mass matrices for the explicit transient analysis of heterogeneous solids
Authors: Cimrman Robert , Kolman Radek , González José A. , Park K.C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractNew methods are presented for the direct computation of higher‐order inverse mass matrices (also called reciprocal mass matrices) that are used for explicit transient finite element analysis. The motivation of this work lies in the need of having appropriate sparse inverse mass matrices, which present the same structure as the consistent mass matrix, preserve the total mass, predict suitable frequency spectrum and dictate sufficiently large critical time step sizes. For an efficient evaluation of the reciprocal mass matrix, the projection matrix should be diagonal. This condition can be satisfied by adopting dual shape functions for the momentum field, generated from the same shape functions used for the displacement field. A theoretically consistent derivation of the inverse mass matrix is based on the three‐field Hamilton principle and requires the projection matrix to be evaluated from the integral of these shape functions. Unfortunately, for higher‐order FE shape functions and serendipity FE elements, the projection matrix is not positive definitive and can not be employed. Therefore, we study several lumping procedures for higher order reciprocal mass matrices considering their effect on total‐mass preserving, frequency spectra and accuracy in explicit transient simulations. The article closes with several numerical examples showing suitability of the direct inverse mass matrix in dynamics.
New analysis of atypical spermatocytic tumours reveals extensive heterogeneity and plasticity of germ cell tumours†
Authors: Rajpert‐De Meyts Ewa , Goriely Anne , Almstrup Kristian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTesticular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) derived from immature (type I) and pluripotent germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS, type II) are characterised by remarkable phenotypic heterogeneity and plasticity. In contrast, the rare spermatocytic tumour (SpT, type III), derived from mature spermatogonia, is considered a homogenous and benign tumour but may occasionally present as an anaplastic or an aggressive sarcomatoid tumour. While various oncogenic processes had been proposed, the precise mechanism driving malignant progression remained elusive until the molecular characterisation of a series of atypical SpTs described in a recent issue of The Journal of Pathology. The emerging picture suggests the presence of two distinct trajectories for SpTs, involving either RAS/mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway mutations or a ploidy shift with secondary TP53 mutations and/or gain of chromosome 12p, the latter known as pathognomonic for type II GCNIS‐derived TGCTs. Here, we discuss the implications of these findings, seen from the perspective of germ cell biology and the unique features of different TGCTs. The evolving phenotype of SpTs, induced by genomic and epigenetic changes, illustrates that the concept of plasticity applies to all germ cell tumours, making them inherently heterogenous and capable of significant transformation during progression. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
The evolving genetic etiology of conotruncal anomalies
Authors: Sacco Adalina , Talker Ronel , Sarkies Lyndall , Ashraf Tazeen , Chandler Natalie Jane , Pandya Pranav , Jowett Victoria , Hillman Sara 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic yield of genetic testing for antenatally detected conotruncal defects.MethodThis was a retrospective analysis of all antenatally detected cases of conotruncal anomalies over a 4‐year period. Patients were offered antenatal and postnatal genetic testing including QF‐PCR, microarray and exome sequencing (ES) antenatally or genome sequencing (GS) postnatally on a case‐by‐case basis.ResultsThere were 301 cases included. Overall, there were pathogenic genetic findings in 27.6% of the cases tested (53/192). The commonest finding was 22q11.21 deletion (20/192 cases, 10.4%), followed by trisomy 21 (6/192, 3.1%). There were 249 cases of isolated conotruncal anomalies, of which 59.8% (149/249) had genetic testing and 22.8% (34/149) had pathogenic findings. ES/GS was performed in five cases with no pathogenic findings. There were 52 cases of non‐isolated contruncal anomalies, of which 82.7% (43/52) had genetic testing. ES/GS was performed in 11 cases in this group and increased the yield of clinically significant diagnoses from 32.6% (14/43) to 44.2% (19/43).ConclusionGenetic abnormalities are present in over one quarter of cases of antenatally detected conotruncal anomalies. The commonest abnormality is 22q11.21 deletion. Exome sequencing or genome sequencing leads to a significant increase in genetic diagnosis in non‐isolated cases.
VAR2HP recognizing heparin‐like epitopes in targeted therapy and diagnosis of tumors
Authors: Xu Yingying , Liu Yi , Zou Ruyi , Yuan Xunyi , Wei Lin , Qin Yong , Wang Xu , Zhao Yunxue , Yang Zhenqiu , Wang Wenshuang , Li Fuchuan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in vivo occurs with high spatiotemporal specificity, and any aberrant expression of GAGs is closely related to the occurrence of diseases. In terms of tumorigenesis, the abnormally expressed GAGs have become a potential target for the diagnosis and therapy of tumors. As previously reported, VAR2HP, a protein probe that recognizes the unique heparin (Hep)‐like epitopes, interacts with a decasaccharide structure containing at least three HexA2S(1‐4)GlcNS6S disaccharides. Its recognition epitopes are overexpressed in various tumor cells and appear promising as target molecules of multiple tumors. Herein, we found that VAR2HP used as an antineoplastic carrier could promote drug enrichment in tumor sites by targeting the specific Hep‐like epitopes on tumor cells, thereby reducing the damage to normal cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, VAR2HP acting on cells alone could inhibit cell proliferation, indicating that VAR2HP as a drug carrier has a dual effect of antitumor activity. Additionally, we observed that VAR2HP significantly stained cancer tissues more strongly than neighboring nonmalignant tissues. The staining was competitively inhibited by added exogenous Hep, indicating that the Hep‐like epitopes recognized by VAR2HP were a potential target molecule in tumor diagnosis. Moreover, the VAR2HP‐bound Hep‐like epitopes were found to be overexpressed in the sera of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but not in normal persons and patients with cirrhosis. Taken together, this study shows that VAR2HP and its heparin‐like epitopes have great potential in targeted therapy of tumors and HCC diagnosis.
Recent advances in design strategies of aptamer‐based liquid biopsy
Authors: Lin Bingqian , Jiang JinTing , Zhou Xiang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLiquid biopsy represents a groundbreaking technology enabling the detection, analysis, and monitoring of circulating targets in body fluids, such as blood, to acquire crucial molecular insights into tumorigenesis and progression mechanisms. Offering non‐invasiveness and real‐time capabilities, liquid biopsy facilitates the tracking of tumor evolutionary dynamics and exploration of tumor heterogeneity, thereby holding immense value for tumor diagnosis, personalized treatment, and prognostication. Therefore, an effective analysis of circulating targets in body fluids is essential. However, the complexity of biological systems poses notable challenges to achieving high sensitivity and accuracy in liquid biopsy. Aptamers possess inherent advantages of high specificity and affinity, with the added benefit of modifiability and design flexibility to enhance their performance under different practical conditions, rendering them ideal recognition elements for liquid biopsy. This review provides a comprehensive summary of design strategies for aptamer applications in liquid biopsy, including advanced aptamer screening strategies, aptamer‐based recognition designs, and signal amplification techniques. Ultimately, we present an outlook into the future prospects and directions of aptamer applications in the liquid biopsy.
Fractionation and characterization of heat‐stable basil seed protein isolates and their utilization in high protein gluten‐free bread
Authors: Rashid Mohammad , Gülseren İbrahim 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBasil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual plant known for its essential oil and phenolic content. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize proteins from basil seeds and evaluate their potential in food fortification. The mucilage was removed from the seed by aqueous extraction and thermal hydration, whereas oil was removed via cold pressing. Basil seed protein isolate (BSPI) was obtained by an alkali extraction‐isoelectric precipitation method and contained approximately 95% protein. Once BSPI was fractionated, the samples were characterized by albumin (13.5%), globulin (16.7%), glutelin (39.5%), and prolamin (30.2%) fractions. The denaturation temperature of BSPI and its fractions ranged between 93 and 142°C. Through the analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectra, β‐sheet and β‐turn elements were found to be dominant secondary structures accounting for 89.4% in BSPI, which in turn lead to enhanced thermal stability. Since aqueous dispersibility and water holding capacity (WHC) values were acceptable, BSPI was further utilized in the manufacture of gluten‐free bread. The textural parameters of bread supplemented with 2%, or 10% basil seed protein were mostly comparable to the controls rendering basil protein fortification possible in a staple food, especially for countries where basil is produced in high quantities and is reasonably affordable.
Pumping with Modified Polyurethane Sponge: An Alternative Technology for Removing Oil Spills from Water Surface
Authors: Meng Yupu , Zhu Chuanyu , Huang Zhiwei , Wu Genhua , Wang Zhuqing 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe have prepared a super‐hydrophobic/super‐oleophilic modified sponge material (C‐PDMS‐PU) by attaching carbon powder and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to a sponge skeleton by a simple dip‐coating method using a low‐cost polyurethane sponge as the raw material. The material has a C‐PDMS composite hydrophobic coating, which can efficiently and selectively absorb oil slicks on the water surface or organic solvents underwater that are 21–26 times its weight. Relying on this adsorbent, we have built an oil collection device that can in‐situ absorb/desorb oil with a dynamic viscosity ranging from 0 CP to 172 CP on the water surface or underwater. This oil collection device is small, simple to operate, and portable, thus freeing the adsorbent from the limits of adsorption capacity while continuously and efficiently recovering the oil from the sea surface, hence achieving the integration of adsorption and separation. This new adsorbent and the oil collection device have promising applications in emergencies, such as organic solvent spills, tanker spills, and oil spills from offshore rigs.
Design, Synthesis and Activity Evaluation Against Drug‐Resistant Bacteria of 6’‐Amidine Modified Aminoglycoside Derivatives
Authors: Xu Jianguo , Zhang Xiaomei , Xu Guoqiang , Zhang Yan , Li Hui , Shi Jinsong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe issue of bacterial resistance has become a matter of significant concern globally, prompting extensive research into the development and clinical application of aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGAs) as a crucial antibacterial therapy. One of the primary mechanisms contributing to aminoglycoside antibiotic resistance is the action of aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs), which modify aminoglycoside antibiotics and consequently confer drug resistance. Chemical modification of the AME action site can eliminate functional groups vulnerable to AMEs, thus improving drug resistance. This study involves the introduction of α‐hydroxy‐γ‐aminobutyric acid and amidine to the 1 and 6′ positions of sisomicin, respectively, to produce a range of 6′‐amidine modified sisomicin derivatives of AGAs. The research evaluates the antibacterial activity, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties, pharmacokinetic properties, cytotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and drug resistance of AGAs. The outcomes of this study are significant in terms of enriching the structural understanding of aminoglycosides, providing insight into their structure–activity relationship, and producing new AGAs with high antibacterial activity, low ototoxicity, and nephrotoxicity.