bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of mechanical properties of different polyetheretherketone endodontic post systems: An in vitro study
Authors: Ahmad Shawbo Muhamd , Dawood Shilan Nawzad , Dalloo Gollshang Ahmad Mhammed , AL-Barazanchi Tara Rasool Hussein 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Survival of endodontically treated teeth depends on efficiently restoring the missing tooth structure.
Objectives
This study is designed to assess the mechanical properties of different endodontic post systems.
Materials and methods
Human permanent maxillary central incisors (no.=58) of the same size were decorated and root-filled, and the post spaces were prepared up to 9.0 mm. Then, the specimens with prepared root canals were randomly divided into two groups; Group P allocated a prefabricated polyetheretherketone (PEEK) post and composite core, while Group C allocated a custom-made post-core of PEEK. The cementation of the posts was carried out using self-adhesive resin cement, while the nano-hybrid composite resin was used for core fabrication. After cementation, the specimens from each group were randomly divided into two subgroups according to the types of tests utilized. Of these, 28 samples (14 from each group) were for the fracture strength test, which was restored with IPS e-max CAD crown, and 30 samples (15 from each group) for the pullout resistance test. A universal testing machine was used for the test performance.
Results
The fracture resistance test showed that the values were significantly different among tested posts (P = 0.013). Group P showed the highest fracture resistance. The custom-made one-piece post and core PEEK post group (C) exhibited higher mean values of pullout resistance compared with the other group (P) (P = 0.059). In the two-piece PEEK post and composite core, the predominant type of failure was core displacement or fracture, while in the one-piece PEEK post-core, most types of losses were either in the crown or in the post.
Conclusions
The prefabricated posts are more resistant to fracture than the custom-made posts with fracture and displacement mainly of the core. In contrast, both showed similar pullout resistance.
Effects of adsorbent sampling variables on the accurate measurement of isoprene
Authors: Choi In-Young , Dinh Trieu-Vuong , Kim Ki-Joon , Lee Seungae , Kim Dong-Eun , Jun Bong-Hyun , Park Young-Min , Kim Jo-Chun 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are air pollutants that require accurate measurements and analysis. Isoprene is a VOC and an important indicator of photochemical smog. Isoprene originates from various sources, including natural substances, human respiration, and industrial activities such as semiconductor, rubber, and lumber manufacturing. However, despite the availability of multiple methods for measuring VOCs, there are currently no clear guidelines for their analysis. This study aims to improve the accuracy of isoprene sampling and analysis. This was achieved by varying the adsorbent and sampling conditions, followed by gas chromatography and thermal desorption. Various sampling temperatures and flow rates were used to determine the recovery rate of isoprene using different adsorbents. Single-bed Carbosieve SⅢ and double-bed Tenax TA/Carbosieve SⅢ and Tenax TA/Carbotrap were used as adsorbents. It was found that Carbotrap revealed a higher isoprene recovery rate, although Carbotrap had a weaker adsorption capacity than Carbosieve SⅢ. Moreover, the recovery rate of isoprene increased significantly as the sampling temperature and flow rate decreased.
Gaps in vaccine management practices during Vaccination outreach sessions in rural settings in southwestern Uganda
Authors: Flavia Atwiine , Eleanor Turyakira , Fred Bagenda 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Outreach efforts were developed to bolster people's access to and use of immunization services in underserved populations. However, there have been multiple outbreaks of diseases like measles in Uganda, prompting policy makers and stakeholders to ask many unanswered questions. This research study was created to uncover the discrepancies between vaccine management practices at immunization outreach sessions in rural South Western Uganda compared with existing standards.
Methods
For this observational descriptive study, qualitative methods were employed in 16 public health facilities across four districts of South Western Uganda (Kasese, Mitooma, Rubirizi and Rwampara). Data was gathered by means of semi-structured in-depth interviews, health facility record reviews, and observation. This enabled us to assess the vaccine management procedures prior to an immunization outreach session, the transportation means used, the set up at the outreach site, vaccine management practices during the outreach session and packing of leftover vaccines - all in relation to World Health Organization immunization practice recommendation. All interview data was transcribed and coded; categories were formed and triangulated with data from observation checklists and record reviews. Themes were generated based on a socio-ecologic framework to gain a better understanding of healthcare provider practices during immunization outreach sessions and so identify any gaps in vaccine management guidelines.
Results
Overall, 51 individuals were interviewed - including four Assistant District Health Officers in charge of maternal and child health, four cold chain technicians, 15 focal persons for the Expanded Program on Immunization, and 28 health care providers. Data collected identified several main areas of concern: insufficient vaccine integrity monitoring, improper handling and storage practices, deficient documentation, and inadequate vaccine transportation. Issues in vaccine management were similar across immunization outreach sites regardless of whether there had been any vaccine preventable disease outbreaks in the district or not. The majority of these gaps were located at the individual level but were enabled by policy/environmental-level factors.
Conclusions
The research uncovered poor vaccine management procedures during outreach immunisations sessions, which were contrary to established health worker guidelines. Specific tactics to tackle knowledge deficiencies, health worker attitude, and fewer equipment shortages could significantly improve compliance with vaccine management protocols.
Cognitive bias in slow-growing broiler chickens raised in low- or high-complexity environments: using a social-pair testing approach
Authors: Lourenço-Silva M. I. , Ulans A. , Campbell A. M. , Paz I. C.L. Almeida , Jacobs L. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractImpacts of environmental complexity on affective states in slow-growing broiler chickens are unknown. Chickens' performance in judgment bias tests (JBT) can be limited as they are tested individually, causing fear and anxiety. The objectives were to apply a social-pair JBT to assess the effect of environmental complexity on slow-growing broiler chickens` affective states, and assess the impact of personality and chronic stress on JBT performance. Six-hundred Hubbard Redbro broilers were housed in six low-complexity (similar to commercial) or six high-complexity (permanent and temporary enrichments) pens. Chicken pairs were trained (1 pair/pen) using a multimodal approach, with reward and neutral cues of opposing color and location. Three ambiguous cues were tested: near-positive, middle, and near-neutral cues. Approach and pecking behavior were recorded. Eighty-three percent of chickens (20/24) were successfully trained in 13 days. Personality and chronic stress did not impact chickens’ performance. Chickens successfully discriminated between cues. Low-complexity chickens approached the middle cue faster than high-complexity chickens, indicating that they were in a more positive affective state. The environmental complexity provided in this study did not improve affective states in slow-growing broiler chickens compared to a control. A social-pair JBT resulted in excellent learning and testing outcomes in slow-growing broilers.
An injectable, self-healing, electroconductive hydrogel loaded with neural stem cells and donepezil for enhancing local therapy effect of spinal cord injury
Authors: Liu Tiemei , Li Hongru , Cui Xiaoqian , Qi Zhiping , Yang Xiaoyu 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious injury with high mortality and disability rates, and there is no effective treatment at present. It has been reported that some treatments have positive effects in promoting neurological recovery, such as drug intervention and stem cell transplantation. Although those treatments are effective for nerve regeneration, many drawbacks have limited their development, such as low stem cell survival rates and side effects caused by systemic medication. In recent years, injectable hydrogel materials have been widely used in tissue engineering due to their good biocompatibility, biodegradability, controllable properties, and low invasiveness. The treatment strategy of injectable hydrogels combined with stem cells or drugs has made some progress in SCI repair, which can overcome the defects existing in traditional drugs and stem cell therapy.
Method
In this study, a novel injectable electroactive hydrogel (NGP) based on sodium hyaluronate oxide (SAO) and polyaniline-grafted gelatin (NH2-Gel-PANI) was developed to load neural stem cells (NSCs) and donepezil (DPL) to facilitate nerve regeneration post-SCI. To evaluate the potential of the prepared NGP hydrogel in SCI repair application, the surface morphology, self-repairing properties, electrical conductivity and cytocompatibility of the resulting hydrogel were analyzed. Meanwhile, we evaluated the neural repair ability of NGP hydrogels loaded with DPL and NSCs using a rat model of spinal cord injury.
Result
The NGP hydrogel has a suitable pore size, good biocompatibility, excellent conductivity, injectable and self-repairing properties, and its degradation rate matches the repair cycle of spinal cord injury. At the same time, DPL could be released continuously and slowly in the NGP hydrogel; thus, the NGP hydrogel could be used as an excellent carrier of drugs and cells. The results of in vitro cell experiments showed that the NGP hydrogel had good cytocompatibility and could significantly promote neuronal differentiation and axon growth of NSCs, and the hydrogel loaded with DPL could significantly enhance this effect. More importantly, the NGP hydrogel loaded with DPL showed a significant inhibitory effect on astrocyte differentiation of NSCs in vitro. Animal experiments show that the combination of NGP hydrogel + DPL + NSCs group showed the best therapeutic effect on the recovery of motor function and nerve conduction function in rats. NGP hydrogel-loaded NSCs and DPL not only significantly increased the myelin sheath area, number of new neurons and axon area but also minimized the area of the cystic cavity and glial scar and promoted neural circuit reconstruction.
Conclusions
The DPL and NSCs-laden electroactive hydrogel developed in this study is an ideal biomaterial for the treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury.
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) Optimal Value in Diagnosing Fibromyalgia: Report from a Multivariate Study on Patients with Knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Hajighadery Abdolkarim , Roodposhti Mohaddeseh Ebrahimpour , Safari Roxana , Parsaei Amirhossein , Amini Behnam , Masoumi Maryam , Shajari Rasoul , Aghaali Mohammad , Rezaei Somaye Sadat 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background:
Fibromyalgia (FM) and osteoarthritis (OA) share common clinical properties and pathologic etiologies. In the current study we aim to assess the prevalence of overlapping FM in a population of knee OA patients and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Western Ontario Macmaster (WOMAC) for FM in OA patients.
Methods:
In a single-center observational study we recruited a consecutive sample of 100 knee osteoarthritis. The OA patients were assessed for pain, stiffness and function using WOMAC and for possible FM diagnosis using ACR 2010 diagnostic criteria. In order to find independent predictors for fibromyalgia diagnosis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized. The results regression analysis was used to build the final prediction model. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Youden's J index were used to identify the best cutoff values for predictor parameters of fibromyalgia.
Results:
In a population of 100 OA patients in this study, 41 had fibromyalgia based on ACR criteria. Age (mean of 55.43±8.94 vs. 51.4±8.59; P= 0.025), BMI (25.17±3.52 vs. 23.59 ±3.77; P= 0.03) and WOMAC score (46.19±14.10 vs. 35.69±11.19; P= <0.001) were significantly higher in patients with FM than patients without FM. Univariate analysis identified that the age, BMI and WOMAC score (Ps= 0.029, 0.041, and <0.001, respectively) are significantly associated with FM diagnosis. In multivariate analysis, WOMAC score (OR: 0.93 (95% CI 0.90–0.97), P< 0.001) was identified as independent predictors for diagnosis of FM. Using Receiving operator curve, the Area under the curve (AUC) of WOMAC score was 0.715 (95%CI: 0.614-0.817) and the optimum cutoff point for WOMAC score for diagnosis of FM was 43.5.
Conclusion:
It is concluded from this study that WOMAC scores > 43.5 are useful for suggesting FM as a secondary diagnosis in knee OA patients. Future studies are necessary to establish the results of the current study in a more general context, given the limited available evidence.
Anterior Segment Structure Changes Caused by Different Luminance Light After implantable phakic contact lens Surgery
Authors: Li Xia , Wang Min , Cai Jinfeng , Dong Weiweng 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Backgrounds: To investigate the changes of anterior eye segment with implantable phakic contact lens (ICL) under mesopic and photopic conditions.
Method: 47 eyes of myopic patients who underwent ICL V4c implantation were included. 3 months after surgery, the pupil diameter (PD), vault, ACD (distance from the posterior corneal surface to the anterior lens surface), ACD-ICL (distance from the posterior corneal surface to the anterior ICL surface), and anterior chamber angle parameters were measured using the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT, Carl Zeiss AG, Germany) under completely mesopic (0 lx) and photopic (5290 lx) lighting conditions.
Results: Compared with mesopic conditions, a significant decreased vault was detected in photopic conditions (486.7±186.1um versus 643.5±191.2um, p < 0.001), while the ACD-ICL increased significantly (2.54±0.24mm versus 2.37±0.23mm, p < 0.001). The pupil was smaller in photopic condition (2.66±0.23mm versus 5.62±0.55mm, p < 0.001). ACD didn’t change(3.32±0.24mm versus 3.31±0.22mm, p = 0.079). The change of the vault was positively related to the changes of the PD (r2 = 0.301, p = 0.04). There were no statistical difference between the change of vault and the change of ACD-ICL (158.0±58.1um versus 165.9±65.3 um, p = 0.320).
Conclusion: When exposed to high intensity light after ICL surgery, the pupil constricted, vault decreased, ACA widened and ACD-ICL increased. All these changes were caused by the change of iris not the crystalline lens.
Losing Touch with Oneself: Depersonalisation Experiences Modulate Vicarious Affective Touch and Self Touch
Authors: Ciaunica Anna , Mathew Jyothisa , Deroy Ophelia , Fairhurst Merle 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Depersonalisation (DP) is characterized by distressing feelings of being detached from one’s self and body, often described as being “out of touch” with oneself. We conducted two online experiments looking at the relationship between non-clinical experiences of DP and vicarious affective touch and self touch. In Experiment 1 we found that people with lower occurrences of DP rate the perceived pleasantness of the imagined social touch as received by the self higher than if received by the other. By contrast, we found no difference in the perceived pleasantness of affective touch imagined as being received by the self vs the other in people with higher occurrences of DP experiences. In Experiment 2, we designed a new affective self-touch intervention in order to explore the effect of affective self-touch stroking on one’s dorsal forearm on the perceived pleasantness and vividness of tactile experiences as being received by the self and others . We found that both low and high DP participants, following the affective self-touch intervention, report significantly higher ratings of vividness of tactile perception. These findings may have key implications for potential sensory tactile-based interventions for people experiencing distressing feelings of DP.
In vitro and in vivo susceptibility to sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from Brazilian free wild bird
Authors: Bessa Gabriella Lima , Vitor Ricardo Wagner Almeida , Lobo Luana Margarida Sabino , Rêgo Wagner Martins Fontes , Souza Gabriela Carolina Alves , Lopes Rosálida Estevam Nazar , Costa Julia Gatti Ladeia , Martins-Duarte Erica S. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Little is known about the existence of drug-resistant Toxoplasma gondii strains and their possible impact on clinics. To expand our knowledge about the existence of natural variations on drug susceptibility of T. gondii strains in Brazil, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo susceptibility to sulfadiazine (SDZ) and pyrimethamine (PYR) of three atypical strains (Wild2, Wild3, and Wild4) isolated from free-living wild birds. In vitro susceptibility assay showed that the three strains were equally susceptible to SDZ and PYR but variations in the susceptibility were observed to SDZ+PYR treatment. Variations in the proliferation rates in vitro and spontaneous conversion to bradyzoites were also accessed for all strains. Wild2 showed a lower cystogenesis capacity compared to Wild3 and Wild4. In the in vivo analysis, showed that while Wild3 was highly susceptible to all SDZ and PYR doses, and their combination, Wild2 and Wild4 showed low susceptibility to the lower doses of SDZ or PYR. Interestingly, Wild2 was also low susceptible to the higher doses of SDZ, PYR and their combination. Our results suggest that the variability to treatment response by T. gondii isolates could possibly be related not only to drug resistance but also the strain cystogenesis capacity.
Overexpression of TAGLN2 regulated by non-coding RNAs refering to poor prognosis and tumor immune cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Di , Wang Bijun , Guo Kai , Wang Tianbing 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Transgelin-2 (TAGLN2) is an actin-binding protein. Its high expression also has a potential role in many malignant diseases. However, the relationship between its expression and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relevance to immunity remains unclear. In this study, data from the Oncomine database, TCGA database and GEPIA database were used to analyze the expression of TGALN2 in hepatocellular carcinoma. RT-PCR, qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect TAGLN2 expression in HCC tissues.TAGLN2 expression was upregulated in HCC and is a potential oncogene in HCC.Overexpression of TAGLN2 was strongly correlated with pathological stage, grade, and T-type.Cox analysis revealed that TAGLN2 was an independent risk factor for HCC prognosis. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, HCC patients with upregulated TAGLN2 expression were shown to have a poorer prognosis. Evidence was obtained using GSEA that TAGLN2 expression was closely associated with immune pathways. Subsequently, the Starbase database was used to predict the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that regulate TAGLN2 overexpression, and the SNHG16–miR-22-3P axis was identified as the most valuable upstream pathway for TAGLN2 in HCC. Next, we estimated the differences in immune infiltration of 22 tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in all HCC samples using the CIBERSORT algorithm. The results showed that the immune cells closely associated with TAGLN2 were plasma cells, CD8 T cells and M0 macrophages. TAGLN2 was positively correlated with PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA4 using the TIMER database analysis. Our results suggest that high expression of TAGLN2, regulated by ncRNAs, is associated with poor prognosis and tumor immune cell infiltration in HCC.
Coinvasion of Lactarius torminosus and silver birch as an example of an uncommon pattern of plant-fungus introduction
Authors: Pietras Marcin , Sobczak Tomasz , Kolanowska Marta 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
In this study the first record of Northern Hemisphere fungus, Lactarius torminosus (Russulales, Basidiomycota) is presented from New Zealand. The identification of collected specimens was confirmed based on macro- and micromorphological observations. Additionally, the biogeography of the fungus is also descried, based on sporocarp records. Species distribution modeling implemented in MaxEnt was used to evaluation the range of the ecological niche of L. torminosus in New Zealand and Australia. The obtained model showed, that climatic variables and distribution of a silver birch are the most decisive factors influencing the occurrence of the fungus. However obtained results emphasize the role of edaphic conditions and human vector in the expansion of foreign fungi in invasion range.
Improved Intrvenous Lentiviral Gene Therapy Based on Endothelial-specific Factor VIII for Hemophilia A
Authors: Gong Jie , Yang Rui , Zhou Min , Chang Lung-Ji 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: Hemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked monogenic disorder caused by deficiency of the factor VIII (FVIII, F8) gene in the intrinsic coagulation cascade. The current protein replacement therapy (PRT) of HA has many limitations including short term effectiveness, high cost, and life-time treatment requirement. Gene therapy has become a promising treatment for HA. Orthotopic functional F8 biosynthesis is critical to its coagulation activities.
Methods: To investigate targeted F8 expression, we developed a series of advanced lentiviral vectors (LVs) carrying either a universal promoter (EF1α) or a variety of tissue-specific promoters, including endothelial-specific (VEC), endothelial and epithelial-specific (KDR), and megakaryocyte-specific (Gp and ITGA) promoters.
Results: To examine tissue specificity, the expression of a B-domain deleted human F8 (F8BDD) gene was tested in human endothelial and megakaryocytic cell lines. Functional assays demonstrated F8 activities of LV-VEC-F8BDD and LV-ITGA-F8BDD in the therapeutic range in transduced endothelial and megakaryocytic cells, respectively. In F8 knockout mice (F8 KO mice F8null mice), intravenous (iv) injection of LVs illustrated different degrees of phenotypic correction as well as anti-F8 immune response for the different vectors. The iv delivery of LV-VEC-F8BDD and LV-Gp-F8BDD achieved 80% and 15% therapeutic F8 activities over 180 days, respectively. Different from the other LV constructs, the LV-VEC-F8BDD displayed a low F8 inhibitory response in the treated F8null mice.
Conclusions: The LV-VEC-F8BDD exhibited high LV packaging and delivery efficiencies, with endothelial specificity and low immunogenicity in the F8null mice, thus has a great potential for clinical applications.