bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The instruments for measuring students’ self-efficacy in biology learning: Validity and reliability
Authors: Rahmi Yosi Laila , Hayati Miftahul 
Published: February 2022

Creating a valid and reliable instrument is very necessary to produce a quality and accountable research. A research instrument must also be able to meet the requirements so that what you want to measure can produce accurate data. This study aims to develop a standard and quality instrument for measuring students’ s self-efficacy in Biology learning. The method used in this research is descriptive quantitative with the aim of knowing the quality of the items on the three dimensions of self-efficacy, namely the dimensions of level, strength, and generality, that it can be used to measure the self-efficacy of students in learning biology. The instrument used is a self-efficacy questionnaire consisting of 40 statements. Sample in this research is 20 students in grade XI MIPA SMAN 2 Hiliran Gumanti. The items in instrument analysis test, was conducted by a validator, namely through professional judgment or expert review. The data analysis technique used is the validity test using Pearson's Product Moment analysis and the reliability test using the Chronbach Alpha technique. The results of the study and data analysis showed that the instrument for measuring students' self-efficacy was valid and reliable. So it can be concluded that the research instrument meets the criteria for use in the next analysis, because it can measure students' self-efficacy even though there are several items that must be revised first.
Work Life Balance Auditor Influenced By Work Family Conflict And Support Supervisor
Authors: Regina Azlani Diva , Yustina Andi Ina , Mahmudah Hadi , Dewi Christine Novita 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
This research examines whether the role of supervisor support could affect the work-life balance of auditors in public accounting firms, both big four and non-big four. If so, whether it could be mediated by work-family conflict (work-interfering family and family-interfering work). A web-based survey is used to this research in deploying and delivering the questionnaires to 222 auditors from some public accounting firms listed in Indonesia. The result shows that work-interfere family has been partially mediated the relationship between supervisor support and work-life balance, while family-interfere work has not mediated that relationship. The result also demonstrates that supervisor support has a negative correlation and significant effect on work-family conflicts (work-interfere family and family-interfere work). This study suggests creating and developing organisational policies such as family-friendly policies that could help supervisors maintain auditor's life commitments by minimising work-family conflict that will affect the improvement of work-life balance.
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Leg Length Discrepancy and Nonspecific Low Back Pain: 3-D Stereophotogrammetric Quantitative Posture Evaluation Confirms Positive Effects of Customized Heel-Lift Orthotics
Authors: D’Amico Moreno , Kinel Edyta , Roncoletta Piero 
Published: February 2022

Background: The literature reports evidence of leg length discrepancy (LLD) associated with musculoskeletal disorders, alterations in spinopelvic alignment, and body posture, leading to low back pain and lumbar scoliosis. The most common conservative treatment for LLD is the use of internal or external shoe lifts although no treatment guidelines have been established.Aim: The study aimed to contribute to low back pain–LLD relationship comprehension, highlighting the benefits of LLD correction in the nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) population.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study recruited a cohort of 80 NSLBP patients (48 females, 32 males) with LLD, age (μ = 35 ± 17.2). Entire body posture, including 3-D spine shape reconstruction, was measured using a nonionizing 3-D optoelectronic stereophotogrammetric approach. After the first 3-D posture evaluation, patients were provided with customized orthotics, including 100% LLD heel lift correction. No other therapeutic interventions were considered. Pain level was assessed using the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS). The gender, age-related, and time-dependent effects of LLD equalization treatment in NSLBP patients was investigated during 2 years of follow-up. The statistical analysis was performed at the global level using multivariate methods by Hotelling T2 tests and intrasubject-level using t-test.Results and Discussion: An initial average NPRS = 7.8 was determined. In the medium-term follow-up group (4 months), the NPRS dramatically decreased (NPRS = 1.1). The pain disappeared in the long-term (2 years) follow-up group (NPRS = 0). The study results highlight that LLD equalization treatment led to clear statistically significant improvements in all the postural parameters of the frontal plane, including the underfoot load asymmetry. No worsening has been detected. An adaptation period long enough is needed to obtain progressive pain relief improvements and structural posture changes. Younger NSLBP patients showed slightly better improvements than older ones. Minimal differences between healthy young adults’ and NSLBP patients’ postures were found either in natural erect standing posture or when LLD equalization is applied.Conclusion: Heel-lift customized orthotics with 100% LLD correction are an effective short- and long-term treatment in patients with nonspecific LBP, inducing pain symptom recession and stimulating the improvement of postural parameters without contraindications.
Purification, Characterization, and Hydrolysate Analysis of Dextranase From Arthrobacter oxydans G6-4B
Authors: Liu Nannan , Li Peiting , Dong Xiujin , Lan Yusi , Xu Linxiang , Wei Zhen , Wang Shujun 
Published: February 2022

Dextran has aroused increasingly more attention as the primary pollutant in sucrose production and storage. Although enzymatic hydrolysis is more efficient and environmentally friendly than physical methods, the utilization of dextranase in the sugar industry is restricted by the mismatch of reaction conditions and heterogeneity of hydrolysis products. In this research, a dextranase from Arthrobacter oxydans G6-4B was purified and characterized. Through anion exchange chromatography, dextranase was successfully purified up to 32.25-fold with a specific activity of 288.62 U/mg protein and a Mw of 71.12 kDa. The optimum reaction conditions were 55°C and pH 7.5, and it remained relatively stable in the range of pH 7.0–9.0 and below 60°C, while significantly inhibited by metal ions, such as Ni+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, and Co2+. Noteworthily, a distinction of previous studies was that the hydrolysates of dextran were basically isomalto-triose (more than 73%) without glucose, and the type of hydrolysates tended to be relatively stable in 30 min; dextranase activity showed a great influence on hydrolysate. In conclusion, given the superior thermal stability and simplicity of hydrolysates, the dextranase in this study presented great potential in the sugar industry to remove dextran and obtain isomalto-triose.
Impact of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity on Myocardial Work by Non-invasive Left Ventricular Pressure-Strain in Non-hypertensive and Hypertensive Patients With Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Duan Qin , Zhang Dongying , Dong Qian , Liao Kangla , Yang Yunjin , Ye Liu , Ge Ping , Qin Shu 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveData regarding the influence of arterial stiffness on myocardial work (MW) has been scarce. This study was performed to investigate the association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and MW by non-invasive left ventricular pressure–strain in a population of non-hypertensive and hypertensive individuals.MethodsTwo hundred and eight participants (104 hypertensive and 104 non-hypertensive individuals) were prospectively enrolled into the study. All participants underwent conventional echocardiography, as well as 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess MW by non-invasive left ventricular pressure–strain and global longitudinal strain (GLS). baPWV measurements were made at the same day as the echocardiography. Then, participants were categorized according to baPWV tertiles. Correlation between baPWV and MW were analyzed. Predicting ability of baPWV for abnormal WM was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.ResultsThe median baPWV from the low to high tertile groups were 1286.5 (1197.5–1343.5), 1490.0 (1444.5–1544.0), and 1803.8(1708.3–1972.0) cm/s, respectively. In simple linear regression analysis, baPWV had a significant positive association with global work index (GWI), global constructed work (GCW), and global wasted work (GWW), and a negative association with global work efficiency (GWE). The association remained significant after adjusting for major confounding factors in multiple linear regression analysis. The areas under the ROC curve of baPWV for predicting abnormal GWI, GCW, GWW, and GWE were 0.653, 0.666, 0.725, and 0.688, respectively (all p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsBaPWV is significantly associated with all four components of MW using non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain method in a mixed population of non-hypertensive and hypertensive individuals.
Comparison of a Machine Learning Method and Various Equations for Estimating Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Korean Populations
Authors: Kwon Yu-Jin , Lee Hyangkyu , Baik Su Jung , Chang Hyuk-Jae , Lee Ji-Won 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundLDL-C is the primary target of lipid-lowering therapy and used to classify patients by cardiovascular disease risk. We aimed to develop a deep neural network (DNN) model to estimate LDL-C levels and compare its performance with that of previous LDL-C estimation equations using two large independent datasets of Korean populations.MethodsThe final analysis included participants from two independent population-based cohorts: 129,930 from the Gangnam Severance Health Check-up (GSHC) and 46,470 participants from the Korean Initiatives on Coronary Artery Calcification registry (KOICA). The DNN model was derived from the GSHC dataset and validated in the KOICA dataset. We measured our proposed model's performance according to bias, root mean-square error (RMSE), proportion (P)10–P20, and concordance. P was defined as the percentage of patients whose LDL was within ±10–20% of the measured LDL. We further determined the RMSE scores of each LDL equation according to Pooled cohort equation intervals.ResultsOur DNN method has lower bias and root mean-square error than Friedewald's, Martin's, and NIH equations, showing a high agreement with LDL-C measured by homogenous assay. The DNN method offers more precise LDL estimation in all pooled cohort equation strata.ConclusionThis method may be particularly helpful for managing a patient's cholesterol levels based on their atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk.
Clinical Significance and Immunometabolism Landscapes of a Novel Recurrence-Associated Lipid Metabolism Signature In Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Zhu Mingchuang , Zeng Qingpeng , Fan Tao , Lei Yuanyuan , Wang Feng , Zheng Sufei , Wang Xinfeng , Zeng Hui , Tan Fengwei , Sun Nan , Xue Qi , He Jie 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThe early-stage lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) rate has increased with heightened public awareness and lung cancer screening implementation. Lipid metabolism abnormalities are associated with lung cancer initiation and progression. However, the comprehensive features and clinical significance of the immunometabolism landscape and lipid metabolism-related genes (LMRGs) in cancer recurrence for early-stage LUAD remain obscure.MethodsLMRGs were extracted from Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used as training cohort, and samples from four Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used as validation cohorts. The LUAD recurrence-associated LMRG molecular pattern and signature was constructed through unsupervised consensus clustering, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses. Kaplan-Meier, ROC, and multivariate Cox regression analyses and prognostic meta-analysis were used to test the suitability and stability of the signature. We used Gene Ontology (GO), KEGG pathway, immune cell infiltration, chemotherapy response analyses, gene set variation analysis (GSVA), and GSEA to explore molecular mechanisms and immune landscapes related to the signature and the potential of the signature to predict immunotherapy or chemotherapy response.ResultsFirst, two LMRG molecular patterns were established, which showed diverse prognoses and immune infiltration statuses. Then, a 12-gene signature was identified, and a risk model was built. The signature remained an independent prognostic parameter in multivariate Cox regression and prognostic meta-analysis. In addition, this signature stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different recurrence rates and was well validated in different clinical subgroups and several independent validation cohorts. The results of GO and KEGG analyses and GSEA showed that there were differences in multiple lipid metabolism, immune response, and drug metabolism pathways between the high- and low-risk groups. Further analyses revealed that the signature-based risk model was related to distinct immune cell proportions, immune checkpoint parameters, and immunotherapy and chemotherapy response, consistent with the GO, KEGG, and GSEA results.ConclusionsThis is the first lipid metabolism-based signature for predicting recurrence, and it could provide vital guidance to achieve optimized antitumor for immunotherapy or chemotherapy for early-stage LUAD.
Thyroid Function and Low Free Triiodothyronine in Chinese Patients With Autoimmune Encephalitis
Authors: Qiao Shan , Zhang Shan-chao , Zhang Ran-ran , Wang Lei , Wang Zhi-hao , Jiang Jing , Wang Ai-hua , Liu Xue-wu 
Published: February 2022

Background and ObjectivesLow free triiodothyronine (FT3) is usually associated with worse functional outcome in critical illness; however, the information on thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is limited. This study aims to evaluate the clinical prognostic value of thyroid function and low-T3 syndrome in patients with multiple subtypes of AE. MethodsIn this retrospective study, we identified the hospital records of 319 candidate patients with AE admitted between January 2016 and December 2020. We then extracted the clinical features and outcomes. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were used to evaluate the patients’ neurological function. The serum levels of FT3, free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured upon admission. Normal thyroid stimulating hormone level with FT3 below the lower limit of the reference interval (2.63 nmol/L) was defined as low-T3 syndrome.ResultsA total of 237 AE cases remained after screening. Among these, 57.81% (137/237) were men and the average age at onset was 41 y (interquartile range, 12–61 y). We found that 83.54% (198/237) of the patients had a good prognosis, and 16.46% (39/237) had a poor prognosis. Abnormal thyroid function was observed in 30.80% of these patients, with a relatively greater prevalence in the group with a poor prognosis (p &lt; 0.001). The serum FT3 levels in the poor-prognosis group were significantly lower than those in the good-prognosis group (p &lt; 0.001). Low-T3 syndrome occurred in 15.19% of AE cases and was more frequent in patients with poor prognosis (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsAbnormal thyroid function in AE is frequent, and serum FT3 levels in patients with poor prognosis are significantly lower than in those with good prognosis. Low-T3 syndrome could be a potential candidate for predicting the prognosis of AE following future research.
Glycoprotein 96 in Peritoneal Dialysis Effluent-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Tool for Evaluating Peritoneal Transport Properties and Inflammatory Status
Authors: Fang Junyan , Tong Yan , Ji Ouyang , Wei Shan , Chen Zhihao , Song Ahui , Li Pu , Zhang Yi , Zhang Huiping , Ruan Hongqiang , Ding Feng , Liu Yingli 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundExtracellular vesicles (EVs) from peritoneal dialysis effluent (PDE), containing molecules such as proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs), may be potential biological markers to monitor peritoneal function or injury. Peritoneal inflammation is an important determinant of peritoneal solute transport rate (PSTR). Thus, the aim of this study is to determine whether the specific proteins capable of evaluating the PSTR could be found in PDE-EVs, and explore the underlying mechanism for the association between PSTR and peritoneal inflammation.MethodsSixty patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) were divided into two groups: high/high average transport (H/A) group (PET &gt;0.65) and low/low average transport (L/A) group (PET &lt;0.65). EVs derived from PDE (PDE-EVs) were isolated by ultracentrifugation. Proteomic analysis was performed to explore the differentially expressed proteins and identify the potential biomarkers in PDE-EVs from the two groups, and we focused on glycoprotein 96 (GP96) as it could be involved in the inflammatory process. The expression of GP96 in PDE-EVs and inflammatory cytokines was quantified by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into the peritoneum was detected using immunohistochemistry in a PD rat model.ResultsThe expression of PDE-EVs-GP96 was significantly higher in the H/A group, and was positively correlated with the PSTR and the level of the inflammatory factor interleukin (IL)-6. GP96-enriched EVs enhanced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-8 in macrophages, which was reversed by a pharmacological GP96-specific inhibitor (PU-WS13). The GP96 inhibitor also reduced local peritoneal inflammation by decreasing the infiltration of inflammatory cells and levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and chemokines (CCL2, CXCL1, and CXCL2) in a PD rat model.ConclusionsPDE-EVs-GP96 is a new promising tool to evaluate the status of peritoneal inflammation and PSTR, and the mechanism may be related to affecting the inflammatory properties of macrophages.
The Combined Model of CX3CR1-Related Immune Infiltration Genes to Evaluate the Prognosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Cai Haozheng , Chen Shijie , Li Xinyu , Liu Hanying , Zhang Ying , Zhuang Quan 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundHigh expression of chemokine (C-X3-C motif) receptor 1 (CX3CR1) was shown to contribute to the progression of many fibrotic diseases. However, there is still no study for the role of CX3CR1 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Therefore, we aimed to identify CX3CR1-related immune infiltration genes (IIGs) in IPF and establish a combined risk model to evaluate the prognosis of IPF.MethodsA discovery cohort of IPF patients (GSE70867) was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset. We identified the composition of 22 kinds of immune cells infiltration by CIBERSORT. The Cox regression model with the LASSO method was used for identifying prognostic genes and developing CX3CR1-related IIGs. Kaplan–Meier was applied to plot the survival curve of prognosis model. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to be tested by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) from 15 clinical samples, including 8 healthy controls (HC), 4 patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and 3 patients with pulmonary fibrosis (FIB).ResultsWe found that high expression of CX3CR1 in BALF contributed to the poor prognosis in IPF patients. ALR4C, RAB37, GPR56, MARCKS, PXN and RASSF2 were identified as CX3CR1-related IIGs, which were highly expressed in PBMC of UIP/FIB patients than that of HC. Moreover, the expression of PXN was higher in FIB patients’ PBMC than that of UIP ones. In the cohort of IPF patients, high infiltration of activated NK cells in BALF caused poor survival compared to low infiltration group. The infiltration of activated NK was regulated by CX3CR1-related IIGs. The combined risk model predicted that high expression of CX3CR1-related IIGs and high infiltrated activated NK cells caused poor prognosis in IPF patients.ConclusionWe identified a group of CX3CR1-related IIGs in IPF patients. This combined risk model provided new insights in the prognosis and therapy of IPF.
The Predictive Value of Dynamic Intrinsic Local Metrics in Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Ma Huibin , Huang Guofeng , Li Mengting , Han Yu , Sun Jiawei , Zhan Linlin , Wang Qianqian , Jia Xize , Han Xiujie , Li Huayun , Song Yulin , Lv Yating 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundTransient ischemic attack (TIA) is known as “small stroke.” However, the diagnosis of TIA is currently difficult due to the transient symptoms. Therefore, objective and reliable biomarkers are urgently needed in clinical practice.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether dynamic alterations in resting-state local metrics could differentiate patients with TIA from healthy controls (HCs) using the support-vector machine (SVM) classification method.MethodsBy analyzing resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data from 48 patients with and 41 demographically matched HCs, we compared the group differences in three dynamic local metrics: dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (d-ALFF), dynamic fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (d-fALFF), and dynamic regional homogeneity (d-ReHo). Furthermore, we selected the observed alterations in three dynamic local metrics as classification features to distinguish patients with TIA from HCs through SVM classifier.ResultsWe found that TIA was associated with disruptions in dynamic local intrinsic brain activities. Compared with HCs, the patients with TIA exhibited increased d-fALFF, d-fALFF, and d-ReHo in vermis, right calcarine, right middle temporal gyrus, opercular part of right inferior frontal gyrus, left calcarine, left occipital, and left temporal and cerebellum. These alternations in the dynamic local metrics exhibited an accuracy of 80.90%, sensitivity of 77.08%, specificity of 85.37%, precision of 86.05%, and area under curve of 0.8501 for distinguishing the patients from HCs.ConclusionOur findings may provide important evidence for understanding the neuropathology underlying TIA and strong support for the hypothesis that these local metrics have potential value in clinical diagnosis.