bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life among pregnant women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: de Araujo Gabriela , Casarin Maísa , Savian Cristiane Medianeira , Emmanuelli Bruno , Tomazoni Fernanda , Santos Bianca Zimmermann 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among pregnant women.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with pregnant women attended at public health services in a Southern Brazilian city. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors. The OHRQoL was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) was used to assess the level of dental anxiety. Dental caries was assessed by the Decayed, Missing and Filled Surfaces (DMFS) index and gingivitis was evaluated by the Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI). Poisson regression models were used to assess the association of dental anxiety and OHIP-14 scores. The results are presented as Means Ratio (MR) and its respective 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results: The sample comprised 256 pregnant women. The mean total OHIP-14 score was 8.74 (± 9.00). The average scores from specific domains ranged from 0.66 (functional limitation) to 2.20 (psychological discomfort). Pregnant women with dental anxiety (DAS ³15) have 36% higher OHIP-14 scores (MR 1.36; CI95% 1.02-1.78) showing poorer OHRQoL. Besides, participants with gingivitis have also higher OHIP-14 scores (MR 1.34; CI 95% 1.00-1.78).
Conclusion: The present study showed that pregnant women with dental anxiety and those with gingivitis were more likely to report a poorer OHRQoL.
Mapping of Rf20(t), a minor fertility restorer gene for rice wild abortive cytoplasmic male sterility in the maintainer line ‘Zhenshan97B’
Authors: Liu Yang , Xu Zuopeng , Du Yuanyue , Huang Benxi , Li Meng , Zhang Lijia , Zhao Xiangqiang , Liu Qiaoquan , Tang Shuzhu , Zhang Honggen 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Three-line hybrid rice has primarily been developed on wild abortive (WA)-type cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), and has helped increase the yield of rice globally. The development of WA-type CMS lines and hybrids was expedited through the identification and mapping of the fertility restorer gene (Rf) in maintainers. This study observed fertile plants in WA-TianfengA/Zhenshan97B//TianfengB population, indicating that the maintainer line ‘Zhenshan97B’ should carry Rfs for WA-type CMS. Several advanced backcross populations were generated with the genetic background of the ‘WA-TianfengA’, and the pollen fertility levels of the backcrossed individuals in BC3F1, BC4F1, and BC4F2 populations are governed by a new gene, Rf20(t), from ‘Zhenshan97B’. Employing bulk segregant analysis of fertile and sterile pools from the BC4F1 population, Rf20(t) was genetically mapped to a candidate region on chromosome 10. Subsequently, Rf20(t) was located between RM24883 and RM24919 through recombination analysis of molecular markers using the BC4F2 population. Implementing a substitution mapping strategy, Rf20(t) was ultimately mapped to a 245 kb region between the molecular markers STS10-122 and STS10-126 and obtained the most likely candidate gene LOC_Os10g02650, which is predicted to encode pentatricopeptide repeat-containing (PPR) protein. These results enhance our understanding of the fertility restoration of WA-type CMS lines, facilitating the development of high-quality pairs of WA-type CMS and maintainer lines.
Impact of ambient temperature on respiratory disease: a case-crossover study in Seoul
Authors: Lee Hyewon , Yoon Hee-Young 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: Respiratory diseases contribute to global morbidity and mortality, and temperature is a significant factor. We investigated the association between ambient temperature and emergency department (ED) visits for various respiratory diseases in Seoul, South Korea.
Methods: Using data from the National Emergency Department Information System (2008-2017), we analysed1,616,644 ED visits for respiratory diseases, categorised according to the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases 7th revision codes (J00-J99). Using a time-stratified case-crossover design and a distributed lag nonlinear model, we investigated the effect of temperature exposure on ED visits for respiratory diseases, calculating the relative risk (RR) for the maximum risk temperature (MaxRT) of both cold and hot extremes compared to the minimum risk temperature (MinRT).
Results: Cold temperatures (MaxRT: -9.0°C) resulted in a 2.68-fold increase (RR=2.68, 95% CI=2.26-3.14) in ED visits for total respiratory diseases, while hot temperatures (MaxRT: 29.4°C) led to a 1.26-fold increase (RR=1.26, 95% CI=1.11-1.42) compared to the MinRT (24.8°C). Cold temperatures increased the risk of most respiratory diseases, except interstitial lung disease, whereas hot temperatures increased ED visits for acute upper respiratory infections and influenza. Cold temperatures increased ED visits for all age groups, especially those aged 18-64 (RR=3.54, 95% CI=2.90-4.33), while hot temperatures significantly affected those <18 (RR=1.45, 95% CI=1.27-1.66). The risk levels were similar in both males and females, regardless of hot and cold temperatures.
Conclusion: Our findings underscore the significant impact of both cold and heat exposure on ED visits for respiratory diseases, with varying intensities and risk profiles across different population groups.
Trends in disability, chronic medical conditions, and mortality in Japanese older adults: analyses based on a national dataset
Authors: Jung Hungu , Kawamura Atsuko , Akishita Masahiro , Ishii Shinya 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize trends in disability and chronic medical conditions in adults aged 65 and older, by age. From the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (2001–2019), Patient Survey (1996–2020), and Vital Statistics (1995–2020), we documented disability rates, rates of treatment for nine chronic medical conditions (malignant neoplasms, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, fractures, osteoporosis, and joint disorders), total mortality rates, and rates of mortality from specific causes (malignant neoplasms, heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and pneumonia) in both sexes and in five age groups (65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and 85–89 years). Overall, rates of disability decreased significantly in both sexes. The rates of treatment for most of the medical conditions also significantly decreased. However, the treatment rate of diabetes mellitus, pneumonia, and fractures in adults aged 85–89 remained high or did not decrease. Both total mortality rates and rates of mortality from specific medical causes declined significantly. We suggest that although most of the disability, chronic medical conditions, and mortality rates decreased, adequate public health policies and healthcare services are necessary to decrease the need for treatment of certain medical conditions that cause disability.
Myocardial dysfunction assessed by Speckle-Tracking in good-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage patients (WFNS 1-2) A prospective observational study
Authors: de Courson Hugues , Chadefaux Grégoire , Loiseau Alexandre , Georges Delphine , Biais Matthieu 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background Cardiac complications due to non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are usually described using classical echocardiographic evaluation. Strain imaging appears to have better sensitivity than standard echocardiographic markers for the diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cardiac dysfunction defined as a Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) ≥-20% in patients with good-grade SAH (WFNS 1 or 2).Methods Seventy-six patients with good-grade SAH were prospectively enrolled and analyzed at admission for neurocritical care. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on days 1, 3, and 7 after hemorrhage. Routine measurements, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), were performed. Off-line analysis was performed by a blinded examiner, to determine 2-, 3-, and 4-cavity longitudinal strain and left ventricular GLS. GLS was considered altered if it was ≥ -20%. LVEF was considered altered if it was < 50%.Results 60.6% of patients had GLS ≥ -20% on day 1, followed by 55.3% and 56.4% on days 3 and 7, respectively. In comparison, alteration of LVEF was present in only 1.7% of patients on day 1, 1.4% on day 3, and 5.9% on day 7. The concordance rate between LVEF < 50% and GLS ≥ -20% and LVEF ≥ 50% and GLS < -20% was 46%. Troponin elevations and ECG abnormalities on day 1 were present in 50% and 52% of patients, respectively.Conclusion Strain imaging showed a higher prevalence (60.6%) of left ventricular dysfunction during the acute phase of good-grade SAH (WFNS 1 or 2) than previously described.
Sodium butyrate inhibits the malignant proliferation of colon cancer cells via the miR-183/DNAJB4 axis
Authors: Pan Dingguo , Hao Jingchao , Yang Zhaoyu , Shen Tao , Yu Kun , Li Qiang , Hu Ruixi , Wu Tao , Li Yunfeng 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive tract. It was found that butyric acid could inhibit the expression of miR-183 to slow down malignant progression of CRC in the earlystage. However, its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. This study screened the IC50 value of butyrate on inhibition of CRC cells malignant progression. Its inhibitory effects were detected by MTT assay, colony formation experiment, Transwell migration experiment and apoptosis evaluation by flow cytometry. Next, the expressions of miR-183 and DNAJB4 were respectively determined in butyrate-treated and miR-183 analog or si-DNAJB4-transfected CRC cells to further detect the role of up-regulated miR-183 or silencing DNAJB4 in CRC cells malignant progression. Subsequently, the targeted regulatory relationship between miR-183 and si-DNAJB4 was confirmed by bioinformatic prediction tools and double luciferase report genes analysis method. The regulatory mechanism of butyrate on miR-183/DNAJB4 axis signal pathway was evaluated in molecular level, andverified in nude mouse xerograft tumor model and immunohistochemical analysis tests of Ki67 positive rates. The results displayed that butyrate with increased concentration can hinder the proliferation and improve apoptosis of CRC cells by decreasing the expression of miR-183. Thus, butyrate reduces miR-183 expression and increases DNAJB4 expression via the miR-183/DNAJB4 axis, ultimately inhibiting the malignant progression and increasing apoptosis of CRC. While over expression of miR-183 down-regulate the expression of DNAJB4, which can reverse the inhibitory effect of butyrate.
The level and factors associated with caregiver burden among parents of children with cerebral palsy: A cross-sectional study in southwest China
Authors: Zhong Xiaoying , Wijesinghe Champa J. , Li Xixi , Guo Xiujing , Wang Junbang , Wu Hongjing 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This study was conducted to determine the level of care burden and its related factors in the parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Design and methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with parents of 165 children with cerebral palsy who were enrolled in children rehabilitation departments of three tertiary hospitals in Chengdu, Sichuan Province between September 2021 and December 2022. Besides demographic information, the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), the Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics (correlation and multiple linear regressions analysis).
Results
The mean (± SD) CBI score of the parents was 42.18 ± 18.79. The score of FSS and PHQ-9 demonstrated positive moderate to strong correlations with caregiver burden (r = 0.461, P < 0.001; r = 0.630, P < 0.001, respectively). The results of the multiple linear regressions analysis showed that a low level of education, long caring time and combined visual impairment, higher depression and fatigue had a influence on caregiver burden, and 46.4% of the variance in caregiver burden was explained by these factors.
Conclusions
The key predictors of caregiver burden include the level of education, caring time, children with visual impairment and the degree of depression and fatigue. Effort should be made to relieve burden in parents of children with cerebral palsy.
Optimization of SLIPI-polarization ratio imaging for droplet sizing characterization of dense sprays
Authors: Garcia S. , Stiti M. , Doublet P. , Lempereur C. , Orain M. , Berrocal E. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In this paper, the combination of structured illumination method and polarization ratio technique is successfully applied to the particle sizing of an industrial dense water spray. The polarization ratio technique is based on the acquisition of the perpendicular and parallel polarized components of Lorenz-Mie scattered light, which ratio is proportional to the surface mean diameter, D21. One of the main advantages of this technique, compared to some other laser imaging techniques for particle sizing, is that no fluorescent dye is required. This makes the technique suitable for the characterization of sprays under evaporating conditions, such as combustion applications. The aim of this work is to study the experimental parameters that influence the reliability of the technique, such as the orientation of the incident light polarization, the complex refractive index or even the scattering angle. The results show that the intensity oscillations are strongly attenuated when the incident signal is predominantly in parallel polarization. Furthermore, it is shown that the technique is applicable for refractive indices larger than 1.4, by choosing carefully the scattering angle. Additionally, in order to attenuate the strong Mie ripples, which appear in the scattered light intensity, measurements are carried out in a polydisperse spray. Finally, a 3D reconstruction of D21 is performed on a dense industrial spray, using a calibration by the phase Doppler anemometer technique. This quantitative result shows the robustness and efficiency of the technique.
Quantitative determination of macro and micro elements and heavy metals accumulated in wild fruits by ICP-OES method
Authors: Al-Juhaimi Fahad , Kulluk Duygu Akçay , Ahmed Isam A. Mohamed , Özcan Mehmet Musa 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The moisture amounts of wild fruits ranged from 51.07% (rosehip) to 88.49% (raspberry (yellow)). Wild strawberry generally contained the highest amounts of P, K and Ca. In addition, the highest Mg result was recorded in wild strawberry, fig and rosehip fruits. P and K amounts of wild edible fruits were recorded between 385.07 mg/kg (blackberry) and 2538.33 mg/kg (fig) to 6114.69 (medlar) and 18619.27 mg/kg (wild strawberry), respectively. Depending on the fruit variety and type, the microelements found in the highest amounts were Zn, Cu, Mn and B. Fe resultss of fruits were reported at very low levels. Fe results of wild edible fruits changed between 0.205 (apple) and 1.32 mg/kg ((fig). Zn and Cu values of wild edible fruits were recorded between 1.39 (apple) and 16.37 mg/kg (fig) to 1.54 (apple) and 18.42 mg/kg (wild strawberry), respectively. Cu contents of raspberry (red), raspberry (yellow), blackberry, jujube and medlar fruits were found to be very close to each other. Arsenic (As) contents of wild fruits were recorded to be higher than those of other elements. In addition, some fruits have high heavy metal contents. The heavy metal found in the highest amounts in fruits was As, followed in descending order by Ali Ba, Se, Ni and Pb. The high As content of these fruits is likely due to the As content of the soil where the plants are grown and its contamination with As-rich industrial waste. While As contents of edible wild fruits are detected between 4.21 (rosehip) and 65.74 (wild strawberry), Al results of fruits were reported between 0.027 (rosehip) and 16.02 µg/g (mulberry (white)).
Germline Variants of the MMR/EPCAM Genes in Russian Patients with Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Tsukanov Aleksey S. , Barinov Aleksey A. , Shubin Vitaly P. , Loginova Anna N. , Pikunov Dmitriy Y. , Shakhmatov Dmitriy G. , Shelygin Yuri A. , Achkasov Sergei I. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Lynch syndrome is the most common hereditary cancer syndrome caused by pathogenic variants in the MMR/EPCAM genes. The aim of this work was to study the germline variants of these genes in the largest sample of patients with Lynch syndrome in Russia. The study included all data on pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in the MMR/EPCAM genes taken from the Center’s local Registry of hereditary forms of colorectal cancer. We analyzed all available data from 141 probands with Lynch syndrome: 78 men and 63 women aged 21 to 80 years who were treated in our Center from 2012 to 2023. The number of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants found in the key genes were MLH1 – 69, MSH2 – 57, MSH6 – 10, EPCAM – 3, PMS2 – 1, PMS1 – 1. Among 141 germline variants, 17 (12.1%) were found for the first time: MLH1 – 8, MSH2 – 8, MSH6 – 1. Thirteen (9.2%) of the identified variants were related to large deletions/duplications. The most frequent pathogenic variants in the MLH1 gene were: c.1852_1854del (9 probands), c.350C>T (4) and c.1459C>T (3), and in the MSH2 gene: c.942+3A>T (9) and c.1288A>T (3). The results obtained have made it possible to establish the frequency and range of different types of germline variants in the MMR/EPCAM genes, which made it possible to optimize the algorithm for selection and diagnosing Russian patients with Lynch syndrome.
Modeling mixtures with PC-SAFT: Insights from large-scale parametrization and group-contribution method for binary interaction parameters
Authors: Rehner Philipp , Bardow André , Gross Joachim 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Vapor/liquid equilibria of mixtures are of utmost importance in the design of chemical processes. Because of the combinatorial complexity of mixtures, the available experimental data is small when considering the large molecular space. To fill this knowledge gap, molecular equations of state like PC-SAFT show promise due to their explicit consideration of intermolecular interactions that can be transferred to mixtures. In this work, we comprehensively assess and exploit PC-SAFT for modeling phase equilibria of mixtures. First, we provide binary interaction parameters for 7861 binary systems for which pure-component parameters and experimental data are available. Bubble and dew point pressures are described with a median deviation of 2.3%. Secondly, we adjust a matrix of binary group/group interaction parameters for the homosegmented and heterosegmented group-contribution (GC) methods for PC-SAFT. Amongst 1389 mixtures that can be described with the GC methods, the median deviation in bubble and dew point pressures are 6.4% for the homosegmented approach and 5.1% for the heterosegmented approach. The detailed analysis shows the importance of hydrogen bonds in mixtures of non-self-associating components with self-associating components. The parametrization is only possible by introducing a fast numerical method to calculate the derivative of bubble and dew point pressures with respect to model parameters.
Social Media Platforms and their Digital Carbon Footprints: Analyzing Awareness level of Social Media Users of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Naeem Roha , Bajwa Amir , Sattar Humayun , Naeem Bisma 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The increasing use of social media platforms has raised concerns about its environmental impact in terms of digital carbon footprint. This research aims to analyze the awareness level of social media users in Punjab, Pakistan, regarding the concept of digital carbon footprint, and to identify the pro environmental behaviors that can encourage social media users to reduce their social media usage. Quantitative approach with survey research design has been used to reach the desired objectives. The research was carried out under the umbrella of Theory of planned behavior. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select sample (n = 335) respondents between the ages of 18 and 26 from the cities i.e. Lahore, Okara, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The findings reveal a lack of awareness among social media users in Punjab regarding digital carbon footprint. However, the results also highlights the potential of pro-environmental behavior as a means to reduce social media usage which indirectly decreases the digital carbon footprint., Ultimately, this research aims to foster a more environmentally conscious digital society by promoting responsible social media use and reducing the digital carbon footprint.
Nestedness Promotes Stability in Maximum-Entropy Bipartite Food Webs
Authors: Li Zhening , Harte John 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Food web topology and energy flow rates across food web linkages can influence ecosystem properties such as stability. Stability predictions from current models of energy flow are often sensitive to details in their formulation, and their complexity makes it difficult to elucidate underlying mechanisms of general phenomena. Here, within the maximum information entropy inference framework (MaxEnt), we derive a simple formula for the energy flow carried by each linkage between two adjacent trophic layers. Inputs to the model are the topological structure of the food web and aggregate energy fluxes entering or exiting each species node. For ecosystems with interactions dominated by consumer-resource interactions between two trophic layers, we construct a model of species dynamics based on the energy flow predictions from the MaxEnt model. Mathematical analyses and simulations of the model show that a food web topology with a higher matrix dipole moment promotes stability, where the \textit{matrix dipole moment} is a simple nestedness metric that we introduce. Since nested bipartite subnetworks arise naturally in food webs, our result provides an explanation for the stability of natural communities.
The nature and application of ethical principles in the e-Learning management system - With Africa case descriptions
Authors: Msomi A.M. , Davies T.C. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The field of e-Learning is growing at an electric pace, with the greatest advancement recorded during the period of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its accessibility and the convenience it offers to students in the Continent of Africa, inter alia, there are still several gaps in our knowledge of the use of e-Learning technology in terms of personalisation and effectiveness.
A brief and updated synthesis of the rapid development in the application of ethics in the e-Learning system during the pandemic years (2020 - 2022) and shortly thereafter, is presented, highlighting the advantages, but also taking a critical look at the ethical dilemmas that characterise the system. Different solutions to tackle these dilemmas are advanced. We undertook searches mainly covering the years 2020 to 2023 using well known electronic databases. By way of Africa case descriptions, we bring out the need for additional research to elucidate the relationships between technology, pedagogy, and ethics (TPE), and propose a modus operandi for conducting such work. Results from such studies should constitute the basis for formulation of measures for instilling among African stakeholders, a culture of commitment, upholding ethical integrity, and the maintenance of equity and sustainability in e-learning management systems.