bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of experimental propolis-based toothpastes on dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Takeuchi Elma Vieira , Carneiro Alexandra Melo Pingarilho , Paula Brennda Lucy Freitas , Oliveira Roberta Pimentel , Barros Antônia Patricia Oliveira , Silva Cecy Martins 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background: Propolis is a natural product produced by bees, which has garnered attention due to its harmlessness and numerous beneficial biological properties. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to assess the effect of toothpastes containing different concentrations of propolis (10% and 15%) on the control of dentin hypersensitivity (DH).
Methods: Sixty-six teeth with DH were randomly divided into three treatment groups (n= 22): placebo (toothpaste without active ingredient), 10% propolis (toothpaste with 10% propolis), and 15% propolis (toothpaste with 15% propolis). DH was assessed at three distinct time points (baseline, 15 and 30 days after treatment) by tactile and evaporative stimuli, using the visual analog scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests. A significance level of 5% was used in all analyses.
Results: All the groups showed reduction in DH during the study period (p < 0.05). The experimental groups (10% and 15% propolis) showed significantly greater reduction in DH compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05) after 30 days of treatment; however, the findings of experimental groups were similar to each other (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Toothpastes containing propolis at concentrations of 10% and 15% were equally effective in controlling DH, regardless of their concentration.
Trial registration: Registered on NCT05083052. Date of Registration: 19/10/2021
Functionalized Agarose Hydrogel with in Situ Ag Nanoparticles as Highly Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for Aromatic Organic Pollutants
Authors: Wang Jin , Zhang Jihui , Song Yahui , Xu Xianmang , Cai Mengyun , Li Peichuang , Yuan Wenpeng , Xiahou Yujiao 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In the present research work, a highly recyclable catalyst of Ag-based agarose (HRC-Ag/Agar) hydrogel was successfully fabricated through a simple and efficient in situ reduction method without the aid of additional surface active agent. The interaction between the rich -OH groups in agarose and the Ag nanoparticles can effectively control the growth and dispersion of Ag nanoparticles in the HRC-Ag/Agar hydrogel. Moreover, HRC-Ag/Agar hydrogel without freeze drying and calcination can be directly used as a highly active catalysts in reducing aromatic organic pollutants (4-NP, RhB and MB) by KBH4. HRC-Ag/Agar hydrogel also show great advantages in separation and reusability of catalysts due to Ag attach to the agarose toughly via the interaction between Ag NPs and –OH groups and the chemical reactant has no significant damage to the Ag NPs, which can maintain high catalytic efficiency with no significant loss during ten cycles testing. The advantages of simple synthetic procedure, no secondary pollution, strong stability and the product easily separated make the HRC-Ag/Agar hydrogel have great potential prospect for environmental applications. The successful synthesis of the material was confirmed through SEM, EDS, XRD, Raman and FTIR techniques.
Clinical ethics consultation in Japan: What does it mean to have a functioning ethics consultation?
Authors: Nagao Noriko , Takimoto Yoshiyuki 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
Previous research shows that healthcare ethics consultation (HCEC) services were available in 25% of Japanese teaching hospitals in 2004. Although a system for HCEC in clinical settings has been established in Japan, questions exist regarding its effective functioning. A functioning HCEC system is needed in Japan. Furthermore, its impact and barriers that prevent its functioning must be identified and addressed. This survey examines the current status of HCEC in Japan through a nationwide survey to determine the extent to which the latest system is used. We qualitatively analyzed the HCEC’s benefits and problems related to consultation services in hospitals to identify the key points for HCEC and create a correctly functioning system.
Methods
A national questionnaire survey was conducted among 1028 hospitals designated for clinical training. Next, semi-structured document analysis was used to evaluate the impact and difficulties encountered after establishing HCEC. The questionnaire comprised the presence/absence of an ethics committee and HCEC services and, if available, HCEC membership; when such services were implemented; service users; and the number of cases handled since inception. In addition, the respondents also provided their impressions of the HCEC system’s impact on their hospital by describing: a) the benefits of having an HCEC system, and b) the ineffectual or harmful aspects of the HCEC system.
Results
A total of 125 questionnaires were returned from teaching hospitals. Of these, 90 (72%) reported they provided HCEC services. Additionally, 36 respondents (34.6%) reported that their existing research and clinical ethics committees had conducted HCEC services, and 35 (33.7%) respondents reported having a newly established clinical ethics committee conducting HCEC services. Three positive effects of establishing and four challenges in managing HCEC were also identified.
Conclusions
This study determined the current status of HCEC services in Japan using a nationwide survey to determine the extent of their use. The difficulties with HCEC, such as problems with scheduling requests for ethics support, uncertainty about what kind of consultation should be provided, and misunderstanding of its function, were identified.
Pregnancy outcomes and obstetrical complications of twin pregnancies with endometriosis: A single center cohort study
Authors: Shin Joong Sik , Kim Sujin , Choi Jee Youn , Hong Kirim , Shim Sohyun , Jung Yong Wook , Seong Seok Ju , Jun Hye Sun , Kim Mi-La 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background: There are many studies regarding the increased relationship between pregnancy outcomes and obstetrical complications of singleton with endometriosis such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, placenta previa, and small for gestational age. However, there was limited evidence of twin pregnancies with endometriosis. The objective of this study was to compare the pregnancy outcomes and obstetrical complications in twin pregnancies with endometriosis or without endometriosis in single institution.
Methods: Between January 2011 and July 2022, a cohort of twin pregnancies delivered at single institution was retrospectively analyzed. Patients who underwent surgical treatment before pregnancy and had histological confirmation; had visual or histological confirmation during cesarean section; and those with antenatal ultrasonographic findings of typical ovarian endometriosis and underwent vaginal delivery were included in the endometriosis group. Pregnancy outcomes and obstetrical complications were compared between the two groups.
Results: A total of 1,951 patients were examined, of whom 143 (7.3%) were included in the endometriosis group. Maternal body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower in the endometriosis group (p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in maternal age, mode of conception, and chorionicity. There were also no significant differences in pregnancy outcomes: gestational age at delivery (p=0.619), rate of delivery before 37weeks (p=0.728), and mode of delivery (p=0.698). However, some obstetrical complications showed significantly higher rates in the endometriosis group: placenta previa (p=0.038), small for gestational age <10% (p=0.039), and postpartum hemorrhage (p=0.006). Logistic regression analyses performed after adjusted for BMI showed that patient with endometriosis had a higher risk of developing placenta previa (odds ratios (OR) 2.191; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.051-4.568), and postpartum hemorrhage (OR, 2.506; 95% CI, 1.444-4.348). After multivariable analyses, postpartum hemorrhage was significantly higher in patients with endometriosis (OR, 2.264; 95% CI, 1.265-4.054).
Conclusions: Twin pregnancies with endometriosis had a significantly higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage. To confirm these outcomes, further large prospective studies are required.
Trial registration : retrospectively registered
Immune regulation and prognosis indicating ability of a newly constructed multi-genes containing signature in clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Gui Ziwei , Wu Nan , Du Juan , Shen Ningning , Yang Zhiqing , Zhao Na , Zeng Zixin , Yang Huijun , Lu Wei , Leng Zijia , Wei Rong , Ma Wenxia , Wang Chen 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common renal malignancy, although newly developing targeted therapy and immunotherapy have been showing promising effects in clinical treatment, the effective biomarkers for immune response prediction are still lacking. The study is to construct a gene signature according to ccRCC immune cells infiltration landscape, thus aiding clinical prediction of patients response to immunotherapy.
Methods Firstly, ccRCC transcriptome expression profiles from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database as well as immune related genes information from IMMPORT database were combine applied to identify the differently expressed meanwhile immune related candidate genes in ccRCC comparing to normal control samples. Then, based on protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and following module analysis of the candidate genes, a hub gene cluster was further identified for survival analysis. Further, LASSO analysis was applied to construct a signature which was in succession assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival, Cox regression and ROC curve analysis. Moreover, ccRCC patients were divided as high and low-risk groups based on the gene signature followed by the difference estimation of immune treatment response and exploration of related immune cells infiltration by TIDE and Cibersort analysis respectively among the two groups of patients.
ResultsBased on GEO and IMMPORT databases, a total of 269 differently expressed meanwhile immune related genes in ccRCC were identified, further PPI network and module analysis of the 269 genes highlighted a 46 genes cluster. Next step, Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis of the 46 genes identified 4 genes that were supported to be independent prognosis indicators, and a gene signature was constructed based on the 4 genes. Furthermore, after assessing its prognosis indicating ability by both Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis, immune relation of the signature was evaluated including its association with environment immune score, Immune checkpoint inhibitors expression as well as immune cells infiltration. Together, immune predicting ability of the signature was preliminary explored.
Conclusions Based on ccRCC genes expression profiles and multiple bioinformatic analysis, a 4 genes containing signature was constructed and the immune regulation of the signature was preliminary explored. Although more detailed experiments and clinical trials are needed before potential clinical use of the signature, the results shall provide meaningful insight into further ccRCC immune researches.
Genetic variants associated with Osteosarcoma risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hassanain Omneya , Alaa Mahmoud , Khalifa Mohamed K. , Kamal Nehal , Albagoury Aseel , Ghoneimy Ahmed M. El 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of primary bone malignancy. Common genetic variants including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with osteosarcoma risk, however, the results of published studies are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to systematically review genetic association studies to identify SNPs associated with osteosarcoma risk and the effect of race on these associations. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Scopus from inception to the end of 2019. Seventy-five articles were eligible for inclusion. These studies investigated the association of 190 SNPs across 79 genes with osteosarcoma, 18 SNPs were associated with the risk of osteosarcoma in the main analysis or in subgroup analysis. Subgroup analysis displayed conflicting effects between Asians and Caucasians. Our review comprehensively summarized the results of published studies investigating the association of genetic variants with osteosarcoma susceptibility, however, their potential value should be confirmed in larger cohorts in different ethnicities.
Comparing the effects of LLLT and gaseous ozone as a preventive measure on MRONJ following tooth extraction: A rat model
Authors: ÖZALP Öznur , GÖKSU Oğuzcan , TORU Havva Serap , ALTAY Mehmet Ali , SİNDEL Alper 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Objectives
MRONJ is a well-known severe and challenging side effect several medications since no effective treatment have been developed till date. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of low-level laser therapy and gaseous ozone on the onset of MRONJ following tooth extraction.
Materials and Methods
A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups of 10 rats each. The groups L, O and C received weekly intraperitoneal injections of zoledronic acid (0.06 mg/kg), while group S received saline solution for 4 weeks. After the 4th injection, all subjects underwent mandibular first molar extraction and adjunctive laser, or ozone were applied according to the groups. All the rats were euthanized at 4 post-operative weeks for comparative histomorphometric evaluation of bone healing in extraction sites.
Results
Laser and ozone groups demonstrated significantly higher bone formation compared to control group (p < .05), while no significant difference was found between laser and ozone groups (p = 1,00). Furthermore, the greatest bone formation was observed with the sham group (p < .05).
Conclusions
Findings of the current study support that adjunctive LLLT and ozone therapy following tooth extraction may help to prevent MRONJ and improve bone healing in subjects under BP therapy.
Clinical Relevance:
Since the introduction in 2003, great effort has been devoted to developing a certain management protocol for MRONJ. Several publications have appeared in recent years documenting promising results of adjunctive LLLT and ozone application in treatment of MRONJ. However, experimental data is limited on this regard and the present study, for the first time, aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of LLLT and ozone in prevention of MRONJ.
Prevalence and Relationship of Fabella Presence in Primary Knee Osteoarthritis Patients in a Tertiary Center: A Retrospective chart review Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlJuhani Wazzan , Alomar Razan Hussain , Alanzi Abdullah , Sultana Khizra , Aldihan Dalal , Alharbi Rana , Allahidan Raghad 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
The fabella is a sesamoid bone usually embedded within the tendon of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius, articulating with the posterior surface of the lateral femoral condyle. Recently, the fabella was associated with primary osteoarthritis. The current study aimed to estimate its incidence and distribution in patients with osteoarthritis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and its effect on disease severity and deformity in osteoarthritic knees.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective chart review study and included 901 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis between January 2016 and December 2020. All data were retrieved from the hospital data management system using a customized data collection form which included baseline demographics of the patients and specific parameters for the study such as type of knee deformity, Kellgren-Lawrence classification, OA severity, and location of fabella.
Results
Overall fabella incidence in 901 patients was 21.9% (22.4% in females, 20.1% in males) with no significant difference between sexes (χ² = 0.515, P = 0.473), but was more prevalent among older patients age 50–60 years; prevalence 28.6% (χ² = 11.178, P = 0.025). The Kellgren-Lawrence classification stage was significantly higher in knees with fabella because 117 (59.4%) patients were classified as stage 4 (χ² = 9.694, P = 0.021). Genu varum was the most prevalent deformity occurring concomitantly with fabella in osteoarthritic knees, observed in 122 patients (61.9%).
Conclusion
The presence of fabella was positively correlated with older age and higher severity of primary osteoarthritis.
Mechanism of TESC in the regulation of iodine resistance in differentiated thyroid carcinoma based on ERK-NIS axis
Authors: Guo Yawen , Cai Yefeng , Song Fahuan , Zhu Lei , Hu Yiqun , Liu Yunye , Ma Wenli , Ge Jingyan , Zeng Qian , Ding Lingling , Li Lebao , Zheng Guowan , Ge Minghua 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Purpose Most differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients have a good prognosis after surgery, but radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC) patients have a significantly reduced five-year survival rate (< 60%) and a significantly increased recurrence rate (> 30%). This study aimed to clarify the tescalcin (TESC) role in promoting the malignant PTC progression and providing a potential target for RAIR-DTC treatment. Methods We analyzed TESC expression and clinicopathological characteristics using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and performed qRT-PCR on tissue samples. TPC-1 and IHH4 proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected after transfection with TESC-RNAi. Using Western blot (WB), several EMT-related indicators were detected. Moreover, iodine uptake of TPC-1 and IHH4 after transfection with TESC-RNAi was detected. Finally, NIS, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 levels were determined by WB. Results TESC was significantly upregulated in DTC tissues and positively correlated with BRAF V600E mutation based on data analysis from TCGA and our center. Reduced expression of TESC in both IHH-4 (BRAF V600E mutation) and TPC-1 (BRAF V600E wild type) cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It downregulated the EMT pathway markers Vimentin and N-cadherin, and increased E- cadherin. Moreover, TESC knockdown significantly inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation and decreased NIS expression in DTC cells, with a remarkably increased iodine uptake rate. Conclusions TESC was highly expressed in DTC tissues and may have promoted metastasis through EMT and induced iodine resistance by downregulating NIS in DTC cells.
Resonace analysis of a coupled high-speed maglev vehicle-bridge coupled system under bounded noise
Authors: li yanxia , yu zhiwu , xu lei 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Coupled oscillations typically occur in maglev vehicle-bridge coupled systems excited by bounded noise caused by rail irregularities. The paper employed Hamilton equations to derive the corresponding canonical transformation equations and determine the critical stable regions for two kinds of resonances using the largest Lyapunov exponent. The results show that the critical stable region between the excitation amplitude and the resonant frequency ratio has a valley shape when the system has only extrinsic resonance. When considering both internal and extrinsic resonance, the critical stablity region between the excitation amplitude and resonant frequency ratio presents a small cone shape. Energy transfer from the first to the second oscillator nuder with both internal and extrinsic resonance. As the guideway irregularity coefficient increases, the maximum Lyapunov exponents of the two conditions change from negative to positive, which means that the system varies from a stable state to instability.
Do the New Rural Pension Scheme promote the health status of chronic patients in old age? —Evidence from CHARLS 2018 in China
Authors: Liang Qihong , Chen Yuxuan , Zhang Zheng , An Shengli 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
Many researchers have examined the impact of social insurance on health in elderly. However, in most cases, they have only demonstrated correlational results and have not been able to determine causal effects, possibly because confounding biases have not been fully addressed. In this study, we investigated the health effects of the New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS) on the elderly with chronic diseases in rural areas, and to explore the causal relationship and effects of NRPS and health status.
Methods
This paper used data from the 2018 China Health and Aged Care Tracking Survey (CHARLS) and applied Bayesian networks and fuzzy regression discontinuity design to conduct causal analysis. Bayesian networks were used to explore the causal directed acyclic graphs of factors related to NRPS and health status. Based on the results of Bayesian network, a fuzzy regression discontinuity design was employed to estimate the causal effect of NRPS on health status.
Results
Among rural elderly with chronic diseases, Bayesian network mapping of causal relationships among NRPS, health status and covariates showed that age was a common cause of NRPS receipt and satisfaction with health. The results of the fuzzy regression discontinuity analysis showed that the effect of receiving NRPS on the health status was positive, but there was no statistically significant difference concerning the interval estimates. The results of the subgroup analysis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma indicated that the effect of NRPS receipt on the health status of elderly people with COPD was positive. There was a statistically significant effect of receiving NRPS on self-rated health description (β1=3.177,P=0.040) and health satisfaction (β1=5.307,P=0.031) in COPD population and a statistically significant effect of receiving NRPS on health satisfaction in asthma population (β1=9.850,P=0.040).
Conclusion
This paper has confirmed the contribution and positive causal effect of NRPS on health status in a subgroup of older adults with COPD and asthma, using the CHARLS database as evidence. Thus, Chinese government should increase the take-up rate of the NRPS to enhance their positive impact on health status of elderly people with chronic diseases in rural areas.
Assembling the puzzle for conducting research through the lens of diversity and cohesion: The SALURBAL experience
Authors: Baquero Sofía , Montes Felipe , Stankov Ivana , Sarmiento Olga L. , Medina Pablo , Slesinski S. Claire , Diez-Canseco Francisco , Kroker-Lobos Maria F. , Teixeira Waleska , Vives Alejandra , Alazraqui Marcio , Barrientos-Gutiérrez Tonatiuh , Roux Ana V. Diez 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The SALURBAL (Urban Health in Latin America) Project is an interdisciplinary multinational network aimed at generating and disseminating actionable evidence on the drivers of health in cities of Latin America. We conducted a temporal multilayer network analysis where we measured cohesion over time using the structural properties of the network and assessed diversity within and between different project activities according to participant attributes. Between 2017 and 2020 the SALURBAL network comprised 395 participants across 26 countries, 23 disciplines, and 181 institutions. We found that the cohesion of the SALURBAL network increased over time (clustering coefficient increased [0.83–0.91] and shortest path decreased [1.70–1.68]). SALURBAL also exhibited balanced overall diversity within project activities (0.5–0.6) by designing activities for different purposes such as capacity building, team-building, research, and dissemination. The network’s growth was facilitated by the creation of new diverse collaborations across a range of activities over time, while maintaining the diversity of existing collaborations (0.69–0.75 between activity diversity depending on the attribute). The SALURBAL experience can serve as an example for multinational research projects aiming to build cohesive networks while leveraging heterogeneity in countries, disciplines, career stage, and across sectors.