bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meteorological Factors and the Transmissibility of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Xiamen City, China
Authors: Xu Jingwen , Yang Meng , Zhao Zeyu , Wang Mingzhai , Guo Zhinan , Zhu Yuanzhao , Rui Jia , Wang Yao , Liu Xingchun , Lin Shengnan , Luo Li , Su Yanhua , Zhao Benhua , Zhou Yulin , Frutos Roger , Chen Tianmu 
Published: January 2021

Background: As an emerging infectious disease, the prevention and control of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) poses a significant challenge to the development of public health in China. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism of the seasonal transmission characteristics of HFMD and to reveal the correlation and potential path between key meteorological factors and the transmissibility of HFMD.Methods: Combined with daily meteorological data such as average temperature, average relative humidity, average wind velocity, amount of precipitation, average air pressure, evaporation capacity, and sunshine duration, a database of HFMD incidence and meteorological factors was established. Spearman rank correlation was used to calculate the correlation between the various meteorological factors and the incidence of HFMD. The effective reproduction number (Reff) of HFMD was used as an intermediate variable to further quantify the dynamic relationship between the average temperature and Reff.Results: A total of 43,659 cases of HFMD were reported in Xiamen from 2014 to 2018. There was a significantly positive correlation between the average temperature and the incidence of HFMD (r = 0.596, p &lt; 0.001), and a significantly negative correlation between the average air pressure and the incidence of HFMD (r = −0.511, p &lt; 0.001). There was no correlation between the average wind velocity (r = 0.045, p &gt; 0.05) or amount of precipitation (r = 0.043, p &gt; 0.05) and incidence. There was a temperature threshold for HFMD's transmissibility. Owing to the seasonal transmission characteristics of HFMD in Xiamen, the temperature threshold of HFMD's transmissibility was 13.4–18.4°C and 14.5–29.3°C in spring and summer and in autumn and winter, respectively.Conclusions: HFMD's transmissibility may be affected by the average temperature; the temperature threshold range of transmissibility in autumn and winter is slightly wider than that in spring and summer. Based on our findings, we suggest that the relevant epidemic prevention departments should pay close attention to temperature changes in Xiamen to formulate timely prevention strategies before the arrival of the high-risk period.
Lung Recruitment, Individualized PEEP, and Prone Position Ventilation for COVID-19-Associated Severe ARDS: A Single Center Observational Study
Authors: Sang Ling , Zheng Xia , Zhao Zhanqi , Zhong Min , Jiang Li , Huang Yongbo , Liu Xiaoqing , Li Yimin , Zhang Dingyu 
Published: January 2021

Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may develop severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of the study was to explore the lung recruitability, individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and prone position in COVID-19-associated severe ARDS.Methods: Twenty patients who met the inclusion criteria were studied retrospectively (PaO2/FiO2 68.0 ± 10.3 mmHg). The patients were ventilated under volume-controlled mode with tidal volume of 6 mL/kg predicted body weight. The lung recruitability was assessed via the improvement of PaO2, PaCO2, and static respiratory system compliance (Cstat) from low to high PEEP (5–15 cmH2O). Patients were considered recruitable if two out of three parameters improved. Subsequently, PEEP was titrated according to the best Cstat. The patients were turned to prone position for further 18–20 h.Results: For recruitability assessment, average value of PaO2 was slightly improved at PEEP 15 cmH2O (68.0 ± 10.3 vs. 69.7 ± 7.9 mmHg, baseline vs. PEEP 15 cmH2O; p = 0.31). However, both PaCO2 and Cstat worsened (PaCO2: 72.5 ± 7.1 vs. 75.1 ± 9.0 mmHg; p &lt; 0.01. Cstat: 17.5 ± 3.5 vs. 16.6 ± 3.9 ml/cmH2O; p = 0.05). Only four patients (20%) were considered lung recruitable. Individually titrated PEEP was higher than the baseline PEEP (8.0 ± 2.1 cmH2O vs. 5 cmH2O, p &lt; 0.001). After 18–20 h of prone positioning, investigated parameters were significantly improved compared to the baseline (PaO2: 82.4 ± 15.5 mmHg. PaCO2: 67.2 ± 6.4 mmHg. Cstat: 20.6 ± 4.4 ml/cmH2O. All p &lt; 0.001 vs. baseline).Conclusions: Lung recruitability was very low in COVID-19-associated severe ARDS. Individually titrated PEEP and prone positioning might improve lung mechanics and blood gasses.
Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients Have Higher Regulatory T-Cell Proportions Compared With Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementia Patients
Authors: Fu Jiping , Duan Jinhai , Mo Jianwei , Xiao Hao , Huang Yuedong , Chen Weiping , Xiang Shaotong , Yang Fan , Chen Yongjun , Xu Shuwen 
Published: January 2021

Objectives: The role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has attracted much attention recently. Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) play an important role in modulating inflammation. We aimed to explore the Treg-related immunosuppression status at different stages of AD.Methods: Thirty healthy control (HC) subjects, 26 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 30 patients with mild probable AD-related dementia, and 28 patients with moderate-to-severe probable AD-related dementia underwent detailed clinical history taking, structural MRI scanning, and neuropsychological assessment. Peripheral blood samples were taken to measure the percentage of CD4+CD25+CD127low/− Tregs by flow cytometry and the levels of interleukin (IL-10), interleukin (IL-35), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) by ELISA.Results: The percentage of Tregs in the blood of MCI patients was the highest (9.24%); there was a significant difference between patients with MCI and patients with probable AD-related dementia. The level of TGF-β in patients with MCI (47.02 ng/ml) was significantly increased compared with patients with AD-related dementia. There were positive correlations between Treg percentage, IL-35, and Mini-mental state evaluation scores in patients with MCI and probable AD-related dementia.Conclusions: Patients with MCI have stronger Treg-related immunosuppression status compared with patients with probable AD-related dementia.
Epidemic Prevention During Work Resumption: A Case Study of One Chinese Company's Experience
Authors: Zhang Quan , Wu Yijin , Li Meiyu , Li Linzi 
Published: January 2021

Background: The COVID-19 epidemic not only brings challenges to the health of people all over the world, but also impacts the global economy, and employment. Therefore, promoting industry and business to resume work safely has become an important step to be taken by all countries in overcoming the economic recession and restarting growth.Objective: This study aims to elaborate on epidemic prevention measures a Chinese company (Company C) took during work resumption.Methods: In this study, we used a case study design, with field research method applied to data collection and analysis.Results: It has been identified that Company C took a range of measures to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19 inside the company, which involve work resumption preparation (information survey, health training, work resumption plan, epidemic prevention plan), facilities management, materials management, employee activity management, and so on.Conclusion: When the COVID-19 epidemic was initially controlled in February, the Chinese government allowed enterprises to resume work voluntarily, which did not bring about a rebound in the epidemic. One important reason is that Chinese enterprises have taken multiple measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Company C's practices could shed some light on how companies in Western countries resume their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ocular Response Analyser — a New Diagnostic Tool to Measure Corneal Biomechanical Properties and Intraocular Pressure
Authors: Varman Arulmozhi , Chockalingam Muthuraman 
Published: January 2021

Corneal biomechanical properties have been known to influence the outcome of ocular measurements and procedures for a wide range of ocular diseases. The assessment of corneal biomechanical properties has been a challenge and, for this reason, measurement of the geographical parameters of the cornea, namely corneal thickness and topography, has formed the mainstay of understanding the basis of various ocular pathologies. A newly marketed instrument, the Reichert ocular response analyser has been developed to improve the accuracy of intraocular pressure measurement by uniquely measuring and integrating corneal biomechanical data into its intraocular pressure estimates.
An Unusual Cause of Keratitis
Authors: Gupta Saroj , Aher Atul 
Published: January 2021

This report is of an unusual case of keratitis in a young healthy man who presented with minor trauma to his left eye. At examination, a characteristic ring infiltrate was seen in the centre of the cornea. Normal saline wet mount preparation of the corneal scraping showed unusual motile trophozoites of a parasite. Culture on non-nutrient agar with Escherichia coli overlay was negative. The patient was treated with topical neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin eye drops and responded well to treatment.
Cost Minimisation Study of the Impact of Generic Drugs on Glaucoma Management: 1-year Indian Experience
Authors: Sood Devindra , Pandey Alka , Sood Rajeev , Gupta Nagesh , Bajaj Ravinder Kumar , Sood Narendra Nath 
Published: January 2021

Aim: To study the medication costs of various topical glaucoma medications using data collected from real world use by patients.Methods: Patients with primary open angle glaucoma treated at glaucoma clinics in 5 hospitals (1 rural and 4 urban) in northern India from 1 January to 30 June 2008 were enrolled. The number of days each bottle of medication lasted was recorded, and the mean cost per day was computed from the maximum retail price and mean number of days each medication lasted.Results: 790 of 801 eligible patients completed the study. The mean number of days that a bottle of medication lasted was found to be highest for Xalatan® and Xalacom® at 35.23 days and 35.00 days, respectively. The brand name prostaglandin analogues all lasted for a mean of more than 30 days: Xalatan, 35.23 days (SD, 4.14 days); Lumigan®, 31.37 days (SD, 5.31 days); and Travatan®, 34.84 days (SD, 6.51 days), while the generic eye drops lasted for about 21 days: latanoprost, 20.69 days (SD, 3.69 days) and bimatoprost, 21.39 days (SD, 4.34 days). The cost of the generic medication was less than the brand name medication in all groups (for example, bimatoprost, Indian rupees 9.76 versus Indian rupees 12.33) except for brimonidine/timolol (Indian rupees 8.73 versus Indian rupees 8.66). Further analysis in 2009 showed that, for latanoprost, brimonidine and brimonidine/timolol, the difference between the brand name and generic medications decreased in 2009 over 2008 (in the latanoprost group, the cost difference over the year reduced from Indian rupees 592 in 2008 to Indian rupees 523 in 2009); the cost difference for bimatoprost increased from 2008 to 2009.Conclusion: When both cost and number of days a bottle lasts were considered over the long term, use of generic medications might not minimise the cost of glaucoma medical management by much when compared with the brand name medication.
Surgical Outcomes of Phacoemulsification Surgery in a Restructured Asian Training Hospital
Authors: Law David Zhiwei , Loon Seng Chee , Wong Wan Ling , Ebreo Marilou Sevilla , Li Xiang , Amrith Shantha 
Published: January 2021

Aim: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of phacoemulsification performed at National University Hospital, Singapore, with emphasis on the results achieved by residents.Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of surgical outcomes of patients who underwent phacoemulsification in a restructured hospital in 2008. The study included 318 eyes of patients of predominantly Asian descent. Pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, perioperative complications and associations of patient, surgical and surgeon factors were studied. One-way analysis of variance for means, chi-squared test for proportions, and multivariate analyses were performed to determine factors associated with postoperative best-corrected visual acuity outcomes. Main outcome measures included postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, degree of improvement in best-corrected visual acuity, and achievement of specific best-corrected visual acuity targets of 6/9 and 6/12 at postoperative months 1 and 3.Results: Duration of surgery of less than 20 minutes was found to be significantly associated with better postoperative best-corrected visual acuity. Level of surgical experience was also associated with betterpostoperative best-corrected visual acuity at postoperative months 1 (p < 0.001) and 3 (p = 0.004). While senior consultants produced the best postoperative best-corrected visual acuity outcomes, the results achieved by residents were comparable to those reported in prior resident-only studies. For surgeries performed by residents, the overall rate of posterior capsule rupture was 3.1% with a 0.0% rate of vitreous loss.Conclusions: The continued close guidance and training of ophthalmology residents in a restructured Asian training hospital will ensure that complication rates remain low while maintaining postoperative outcomes at safe levels.
Demographic and Aetiological Profile of Microbial Corneal Ulcer in a Hill State in North India
Authors: Malhotra Chintan , Nagpal Ramesh Chander , Soni Ribhu , Bahadur Harsh 
Published: January 2021

Aim: To ascertain the demographic and aetiological profile of microbial corneal ulcer in Uttarakhand, a predominantly hilly state of North India.Methods: In this prospective non-randomized study, 180 consecutive patients with suspected microbial corneal ulcer attending the ophthalmology outpatient department of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, India, were evaluated. Corneal scrapings were taken and subjected to microbiological analysis, including Gram stain, potassium hydroxide wet mount, and bacterial and fungal culture.Results: Among 180 patients, male sex, prior history of ocular trauma with vegetative materials,and occupation involving outdoor activity, especially agricultural work, were the major risk factors for development of corneal ulcer in the population studied. Forty percent of the ulcers were fungal, 28% were bacterial, 10% showed mixed bacterial and fungal growth, and 5% were viral. The aetiology could not be determined in 17% of patients. Fusarium spp was the most common fungal isolate (87.5%) while Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest bacterial isolate (53%).Conclusions: Fungal ulcers, especially due to Fusarium spp, were the most common type, followed by bacterial ulcers due to Gram-positive bacteria, especially S aureus. This information may be useful for empirical treatment of patients with corneal ulcer in remote areas, where microbiological diagnostic facilities are often not available.
Optic Neuritis in Southeast Asia: a Different Pattern of Disease
Authors: Cullen James F. 
Published: January 2021

This review evaluates a number of recent studies on optic neuritis carried out in Singapore. In Singapore, and probably throughout Asia, the disease is more likely to be of the anterior variety with optic disc swelling, and is sometimes associated with an underlying infective process such as syphilis or tuberculosis, or is of an autoimmune aetiology. Most cases of optic neuritis seen in Singapore are idiopathic; multiple sclerosis is rarely seen in the region, but is likely to be found only in patients with retrobulbar optic neuritis. The 4-year risk for patients in Singapore developing multiple sclerosis is only 9.1% compared with the higher figures reported from the seminal Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. The usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in the management of optic neuritis in Singapore is reported.
A case series of bilateral electric cataract in high-voltage electrical injury
Authors: Fariduddin K , Samanta S , Chakraborty C 
Published: January 2021

A 39 year-old female presented with progressive diminution of vision in the right eye for six months after sustaining an injury from a high-voltage electric current to the right side of her forehead, face, around the right eye and to the scalp. On examination with the slit lamp, the right eye showed a mature cataract and anterior subcapsular opacities, with early lental opacity in left eye. She suffered from lagophthalmos and slight conjunctival congestion in the right eye. Vision in the right eye was only perception of light and in the left eye accurate projection of rays and 6/24. From the history, the type of injury (wound of entry and exit), and slit-lamp examination confirmed a case of bilateral electric cataract. We performed manual smallincision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in right eye and in the left eye, using local anesthesia. Postoperative visual acuity was only 3/20 in the right eye and 6/6 in the left eye. In this case we have seen three circumscribed retinal lesions in the right eye; the left eye it was normal. This has been documented.The second case was a 20-year-old male, who was admitted to our center with bilateral electric cataract. He was treated the same way as the first case. He regained normal BCVA after cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.
Ultrasound biomicroscopic comparison of primary open-angle glaucoma and primary angle-closure glaucoma eyes in dark and light conditions
Authors: Young Stephanie Ming , Aquino Maria CD , Shabana Noor , Zheng Ce , Loon Seng Chee , See Jovina LS , Teng Yin , Gazzard Gus , Chew Paul TK 
Published: January 2021

Background: With the use of ultrasound biomicroscopy, we aim to look at differences in anterior segment parameters of eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in dark and light conditions.Methods: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed for 30 subjects with PACG and 30 subjects with POAG at initial presentation before any treatment. Measurements of angle opening distance (AOD-500 and AOD-750) and trabecular-iris space area (TISA-500 and TISA-750) 500 and 750 mm from the scleral spur in both dark and light conditions were made. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) and axial length (AL) were also measured.Results: The mean age of PACG patients was 67.6 ± 9.6 years and POAG patients 62.1 ± 13.9 years. The mean ACD (2.70 ± 0.53mm) in PACG patients was significantly different from that (3.32 ± 0.52mm) of POAG patients (p<0.0001). There were also significant differences (p=0.0004) in the mean AL of PACG (22.91 ± 0.86mm) and POAG (24.47 ± 1.67mm) patients. Significant differences between POAG and PACG eyes were found for TISA-500, TISA-750, AOD-500 and AOD-750 in both light and dark conditions (p<0.001 for all). The light-dark differences in PACG eyes were smaller than that of POAG eyes for all AOD and TISA values in the inferior, superior, nasal and temporal quadrants. However, with the exception of AOD-750 in the inferior quadrant (p=0.0524), there were no significant differences in light-dark changes between POAG and PACG eyes for all parameters in the 4 quadrants.Conclusions: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a useful tool in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. We found significant differences in mean AL, ACD, TISA-500, TISA-750, AOD-500 and AOD-750 between PACG and POAG eyes. However, there were no significant differences between PACG and POAG eyes in terms of light-dark difference in anterior segment parameters, except for AOD-750 in the inferior quadrant. Further evaluation of the above findings could be done in future with a larger population.
Knowledge, attitudes and practice patterns of patients with diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy in an urban eye clinic in Singapore
Authors: Lee Elin , Sanjay Srinivasan , Sangtam Tiakumzuk 
Published: January 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health concern, the prevalence of which is predicted to increase in the coming years. Consequently, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is expected to rise. Therefore, identification of prevailing knowledge, attitudes and practice patterns (KAPP) of patients to address knowledge gaps and provide preventive education about DM and DR could reduce potentially sight-threatening complications. Our objectives were to assess KAPP of patients with DM and DR, factors influencing KAPP and impact of education on their KAPP.Methods: A questionnaire based survey among diabetic patients in an eye clinic in Singapore. A response rate of 92.6% was achieved. Participants were administered a set of questions about KAPP on DM and DR before and after educating them about DR.Results: Knowledge of DM and DR was noted in 57.0% and 29.0% of participants respectively. Good attitude and practice patterns were found in nearly 60% and above of the patients. Participants with more knowledge base had better attitude and practice patterns. Higher educational level, Indian ethnicity and longer duration of DM had a positive influence on KAPP. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) impact of education on KAPP among patients with DM and DR.Conclusions: The knowledge, attitude and practice patterns among patients were variable. A low proportion of knowledge of DR was noted which increased to almost three times after education. There is a need to actively implement educational strategies among patients with DM and DR.
Congenital Absence of Meibomian Glands: report of two cases
Authors: Mafi Mostafa , Firouzeh Rahimi , Abdi Fatemeh , Esfahani Mandana , Faramarzi Nina 
Published: January 2021

A 36-year-old man with his 11-year-old son presented with ocular surface irritation symptoms and blurred vision since early childhood, on exam visual acuity of the man was 5/10(OD), 4/10(OS) and his son was 6/10(OD), 5/10(OS), other exams of these patients were similar: eyelid examination showed absence of meibomian gland orifices, after application of fluorescein dye there was a thin tear film layer and diffuse punctuate epithelial erosions on the cornea, remaining exams were unremarkable.
Combined Mobius Syndrome and Tarsal Kink Syndrome- A Unique Presentation.
Authors: Raj Dr Anuradha , Nagpal Prof. R. C. , Dhasmana Prof. Renu , Maitreya Dr. Amit 
Published: January 2021

We describe the management of the congenital entropion with tarsal kink in a case of mobius syndrome. Mobius syndrome is extremely rare congenital neurological disorder results from the underdevelopment of the sixth and seventh cranial nerves which causes facial paralysis and inability to move the eyes from side to side. A congenital malformation of the tarsus known as tarsal kink was the associated eyelid anomaly which caused upperlid entropion. A two year old girl presented with both eyelids entropion of left eye which was corrected by upper lid tarsotomy, marginal rotation and levator suturing with tarsal plate and lower lid retractors were strengthened by their advancement to the tarsal plate.