bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of cataract surgery on wet age‐related macular degeneration activity
Authors: Karesvuo Petteri , Elbaz Uri , Achiron Asaf , Hecht Idan , Kaarniranta Kai , Tuuminen Raimo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundWet age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and age‐related cataract are often coexisting causes of visual impairment. Yet, the timing of cataract surgery in wet AMD patients is controversial.MethodsOne hundred and eleven eyes of 111 patients with wet AMD underwent cataract surgery at Helsinki University Hospital in Finland during 2014–2018. Best‐corrected visual acuity and central subfield macular thickness (CSMT) were analysed at the time of wet AMD diagnosis, at the last recording prior to cataract surgery and at the first recording and at 1 year after surgery. The cumulative number of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti‐VEGF) injections at surgery, systemic and topical medication and postoperative anti‐VEGF burden were recorded.ResultsMean age was 78.9 ± 5.6 years at the time of surgery. Central subfield macular thickness (CSMT) significantly decreased (280.1 ± 75.0 µm preoperatively to 268.6 ± 67.6 µm at the first postoperative recording, p = 0.001, and to 265.9 ± 67.9 µm at 1 year, p = 0.003), visual acuity improved (0.70 ± 0.46 logMAR units preoperatively to 0.39 ± 0.40 at the first postoperative recording, and to 0.33 ± 0.34 at 1 year, p < 0.001 for both) and anti‐VEGF treatment intervals lengthened despite the surgery (6.53 ± 2.08 weeks prior to surgery to 7.03 ± 2.23 weeks at 1 year, p = 0.246, and to 7.05 ± 2.57 weeks at the last documented visit, p = 0.035). A CSMT increase of over 30% from the preoperative values was seen in only one case (1 out of 111 eyes, 0.9%). Macular status at surgery, wet AMD subtype, comorbidity of type II diabetes, systemic drugs and topical anti‐inflammatory medication were not associated with macular changes nor with treatment intervals after surgery. The cumulative number of anti‐VEGF injections correlated neither with CSMT change postoperatively (r = −0.051, p = 0.619) nor with CSMT change at 1 year (r = 0.091, p = 0.426).ConclusionSatisfactory visual outcomes and controlled disease activity were seen in patients with wet AMD undergoing cataract surgery. We found no evidence to support delaying surgery in patients who require it.
Impact of induction strategy change on first‐year rejection in pediatric heart transplantation at a single center—From postoperative basiliximab to either postoperative anti‐thymocyte globulin or preoperative basiliximab
Authors: Sisson Thomas Miller , Padilla Luz A. , Hubbard Meloneysa , Smith Sally , Pearce Frank Bennett , Collins Jacqueline Leslie , Carlo Waldemar F. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundOur pediatric heart transplant center transitioned from post‐bypass basiliximab (BAS) induction to either anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) or pre‐bypass BAS. The purpose of this study was to compare first‐year rejection rates before and after this change.MethodsA single‐center retrospective analysis was conducted of pediatric heart transplant recipients from 2010 to 2019. Primary outcome was first‐year rejection. Bivariate analysis, Kaplan‐Meier curves, and multivariable regression were performed across eras.ResultsForty‐three early era patients (55%) received post‐bypass BAS, and 35 late era patients (45%) received pre‐bypass BAS (n = 17) or ATG (n = 18). First‐year rejection decreased in the late era (31% vs 53%, p = .05). This finding was more pronounced after excluding infants (38% vs 73%, p = .006). Late era was associated with a decreased likelihood of rejection (all cohort OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05‐0.66; infants excluded OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04‐0.61). No differences in post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease, donor‐specific antibody, or infection were observed.ConclusionsFewer late era patients receiving ATG or pre‐bypass BAS induction had first‐year rejection compared to the early era patients receiving standard post‐bypass BAS induction. This programmatic shift in induction strategy was readily achievable and potentially effective in reducing first‐year rejection.
Determination of phenolic antioxidants in tuna fillets canned in hydrosols with HPLC‐DAD
Authors: Kalogiouri Natasa P. , Kokokiris Lambros E. , Doulgeraki Stephania , N. Papadopoulos Athanasios , Samanidou Victoria F. 
Published: April 2021

SummaryCanned tuna was fortified with a mixture of brine and hydrosols of aromatic plants (i.e. oregano, laurel, sage and lemon balm). An HPLC‐DAD method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of thirteen antioxidants in tuna fillets, including phenolic acids (gallic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid and rosmarinic acid), flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, vanillin, myricetin, rutin, quercetin, luteolin and apigenin) and one hydroxybenzaldehyde (syringaldehyde). The analytes showed satisfying recovery efficiency (82.1–92.1%), and the method presented excellent linearity (r2 > 0.99). The precision limit was ≤5.6% RSDr for intra‐day and ≤7.2% RSDR for inter‐day experiments. The determined analytes ranged between 8.86 mg (quercetin) and 512 mg (rosmarinic acid) per 100g tuna flesh (n = 10), verifying that the hydrosols fortified the tuna fillets.
Early hematological indicators of severe COVID‐19 disease in hospitalized patients: Data from a South Asian population
Authors: Sharif Fatima , Khan Samreen , Junaid Ayesha , Jahangir Sehreen , Saeed Maria , Ijaz Maira , Ahmad Imran Nazir , Kamran Shawana 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionOutbreak of corona virus disease in 2019 (COVID‐19) has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Our aim is to document hematological parameters of patients with COVID‐19 during initial stage of diagnosis and to identify early hematological indicators of severe infection.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study was conducted at Shifa International Hospital, Pakistan from April to November 2020. Patients hospitalized with COVID‐19, diagnosed on RT‐PCR and had a complete blood count (CBC) done within 48 hours of diagnosis were included. Data was analyzed using IBM® SPSS Statistics.ResultsA total of 425 patients were included in this study out of whom 272(64%) were males. The mean age was 55.61 ± 17.84 years. 95 patients (22.4%) had normal blood counts within 48 hours of COVID‐19 diagnosis. Cytopenias were seen in 193(45.4%) patients. There were 75(17.6%) mortalities during the study period. Chi‐square test showed that thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia and neutrophilic leucocytosis were significantly associated with mortality (P = .037, P < .001, P < .001 respectively) and need for ventilator (P = .009, P < .001, P < .001, respectively). Neutrophilia was also associated with development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (P < .001). On ROC analysis, Neutrophil‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.693 and 0.660 for the outcomes mortality and need for ventilator, respectively. For a subset of 288 patients who had D‐dimer levels checked within 48 hours of COVID‐19 diagnosis, the AUC for mortality and ventilator need was 0.708 and 0.671, respectively.ConclusionHematological indices are vital indicators in the prognosis and risk stratification of COVID‐19 during initial stages of disease.
Risk factors for incorrect surgical count during surgery: An observational study
Authors: Fang Juanmei , Yuan Xi , Fan Li , Du Meilan , Sui Wenjie , Ma Wenxia , Wang Haiying , Pan Ai‐fen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundIncorrect surgical counts are closely related to retained surgical items, which pose a threat to patients. However, the risk factors for incorrect surgical counts have not been identified yet.AimTo identify the risk factors associated with incorrect surgical counts during surgery in a tertiary hospital.DesignAn observational case–control study.MethodsSeventy cases of incorrect surgical counts were reviewed in this study. Data were collected from January 1, 2014, to April 4, 2019. For each case, we included four randomly selected control cases involving the same surgical procedures by the same surgeon within a 6‐month period for comparison. The medical data of these cases were extracted for further statistical analysis.ResultsA higher incidence of incorrect surgical counts was observed among surgical counts performed between 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., emergency operations, prolonged procedures, and/or after addition of surgical items.ConclusionProlonged surgical procedures, emergency operations, time of occurrence, and addition of surgical items were the risk factors related to incorrect surgical counts during surgery.
Unveiling the presence of mixed oxidation states of Europium in Li7+δEuxLa3−δZr2−δO12−δ garnet and its impact on the Li‐ion conductivity
Authors: Salimkhani Hamed , Erdem Emre , Alkan Gursel Selmiye , Yurum Alp 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRecently, lanthanides have been employed by researchers to examine their impact on the structure and properties of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) garnets. In this regard, we developed Europium oxide (Eu2O3) doped LLZO (Li7+δEuxLa3−δZr2−δO12−δ) solid electrolyte which demonstrates a cubic phase with the symmetry of Iad (No.230) at room temperature. In this investigation, different concentrations of Eu ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 atoms per formula unit (pfu) were doped into Li7La3Zr2O12 to evaluate the impact of Eu on the stability of the cubic phase and thereby the ionic conductivity. The results unveiled that upon doping Eu3+ ions, the Eu2+ state is also formed and is then self‐doped into the structure in which Rietveld refinement coupled with XPS, EPR, and solid‐state NMR suggests that Eu3+ ions most probably partially occupy Zr4+ (16a) site, the Eu2+ ions occupy La3+ (24d) site, and the Li+ ions occupy two different sites (24d and 96h). It was further found that such a site preference induces distortion at LaO8 polyhedrons opening up the neck for Li‐ions diffusion, thereby enhancing the ionic conductivity. Moreover, it was revealed that Li‐ions probably hop from 96h to 24d and then to 96h site to generate the Li‐ion movement. Overall, by introducing Eu ions into the LLZO structure, an enhanced bulk ionic conductivity of 0.30 × 10−3 S/cm at 298 K with a minimum electronic conductivity of 2.547 × 10−9 S/cm at 298 K was achieved.
Terminology and Design Capital: Examining the Pedagogic Status of Graphic Design through Its Practitioners’ Perceptions of Their Job Titles
Authors: Meron Yaron 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGraphic design has long been hampered by its indeterminate educational disciplinary status, resulting in it being subsumed within wider visual arts studies. Arguing that this permeates into professional practice, this article explores the ambivalence of professional graphic designers towards the term ‘graphic design’ itself. Drawing on interviews with practitioners and discussions in online graphic design forums, the article argues this ambivalence derives from perceptions that the term reduces the design capital held by graphic designers. In turn, this negatively influences the graphic designers’ perceptions of professional relationships with creative stakeholders. Placing the study outcomes alongside existing academic literature, this article confirms anecdotal industry narratives about graphic designers’ perceptions of their capital. Moreover, it identifies a series of nuances to these narratives, challenging stereotypical educational and industry assumptions. In doing so, it argues that practitioner ambivalence towards the term ‘graphic design’ is symptomatic of an academic gap, resulting from inadequate pedagogic engagement with the specific discipline and practice of graphic design. This poses challenges for practitioners, as well as for the organisations they work within, at the same time presenting opportunities for researchers to make further headway into the specific discipline and methods of graphic design.
Long non‐coding RNA MFAT1 promotes skeletal muscle fibrosis by modulating the miR‐135a‐5p‐Tgfbr2/Smad4 axis as a ceRNA
Authors: Lin Jinrong , Yang Xiaobao , Liu Shaohua , Luo Zhiwen , Chen Qingyan , Sun Yaying , Ding Zheci , Chen Jiwu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFibrosis after skeletal muscle injury is common in sports and can cause irreversible damage to the biomechanical properties of skeletal muscle. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been validated to act as important modulators in the fibrosis of various organs. Here, we reported a novel lncRNA (the skeletal muscle fibrosis‐associated transcript 1, lnc‐MFAT1), which was highly expressed in skeletal muscle fibrosis. We demonstrate that lnc‐MFAT1 knockdown can reduce TGFβ‐induced fibrosis in vitro and attenuate skeletal muscle fibrosis after acute contusion in mice. Further study showed that lnc‐MFAT1 acted as a competitive endogenous RNA of miR‐135a‐5p. Besides, the miR‐135a‐5p inhibition obviously promoted TGFβ‐induced fibrosis in vitro via enhancing its target genes Tgfbr2/Smad4. Moreover, we discovered that lnc‐MFAT1 regulates Tgfbr2/Smad4 expression by sponging miR‐135a‐5p to exert competing endogenous RNA function, resulting in TGFβ pathway activation. In conclusion, our study identified a crucial role of lnc‐MFAT1‐miR‐135a‐Tgfbr2/Smad4 axis in skeletal muscle fibrosis, providing a promising treatment option against skeletal muscle fibrosis.
Insights into the regulatory role of Plexin D1 signalling in cardiovascular development and diseases
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Fei , Zhang Yu , Jia Dong‐Dong , Yang Hong‐Yu , Cheng Meng‐Die , Zhu Wen‐Xiu , Xin Hui , Li Pei‐Feng , Zhang Yin‐Feng 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPlexin D1 (PLXND1), which was previously thought to mediate semaphorin signalling, belongs to the Plexin family of transmembrane proteins. PLXND1 cooperates mostly with the coreceptor neuropilin and participates in many aspects of axonal guidance. PLXND1 can also act as both a tumour promoter and a tumour suppressor. Emerging evidence suggests that mutations in PLXND1 or Semaphorin 3E, the canonical ligand of PLXND1, can lead to serious cardiovascular diseases, such as congenital heart defects, CHARGE syndrome and systemic sclerosis. Upon ligand binding, PLXND1 can act as a GTPase‐activating protein (GAP) and modulate integrin‐mediated cell adhesion, cytoskeletal dynamics and cell migration. These effects may play regulatory roles in the development of the cardiovascular system and disease. The cardiovascular effects of PLXND1 signalling have gradually been elucidated. PLXND1 was recently shown to detect physical forces and translate them into intracellular biochemical signals in the context of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the role of PLXND1 in cardiovascular development and diseases is gaining research interest because of its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target. In this review, we describe the cardiac effects, vascular effects and possible molecular mechanisms of PLXND1 signalling.
Screening and identification of autophagy‐related biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) via integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Huang Guang‐zhao , Lu Zhi‐yun , Rao Yu , Gao Hai , Lv Xiao‐zhi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIncreasing evidences have showed that autophagy played a significant role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Purpose of our study was to explore the prognostic value of autophagy‐related genes (ATGs) and screen autophagy‐related biomarkers for OSCC. RNA‐seq and clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database following extracting ATG expression profiles. Then, differentially expressed analysis was performed in R software and a risk score model according to ATGs was established. Moreover, comprehensive bioinformatics analyses were used to screen autophagy‐related biomarkers which were later verified in OSCC tissues and cell lines. A total of 232 ATGs were extracted, and 37 genes were differentially expressed in OSCC. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis demonstrated that these genes were mainly located in autophagosome membrane and associated with autophagy. Furthermore, the risk score on basis of ATGs was identified as potential independent prognostic biomarker. Moreover, ATG12 and BID were identified as potential autophagy‐related biomarkers of OSCC. This study successfully constructed a risk model, and the risk score could predict the prognosis of OSCC patients accurately. Moreover, ATG12 and BID were identified as two potential independent prognostic autophagy‐related biomarkers and might provide new OSCC therapeutic targets.
Self‐compassion training for certified nurse assistants in nursing homes
Authors: Bluth Karen , Lathren Christine , Silbersack Hickey Johanna V. T. , Zimmerman Sheryl , Wretman Christopher J. , Sloane Philip D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesCertified nursing assistants (CNAs) who work in nursing homes (NHs) face significant work and personal stress. Self‐compassion training has been shown to decrease stress postintervention in previous studies among healthcare providers and those in helping professions. This study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of self‐compassion training to address CNA stress and well‐being.DesignPre–post intervention.SettingThree mid‐size, nonprofit NHs in North Carolina.ParticipantsThirty CNAs, with a mean age of 49, 96% of whom were female, and 83% black/African American.InterventionIn one NH, participants received an 8‐week, 2.5‐h/session (20 h total) group intervention. At the time of recruitment for NHs 2 and 3, a briefer format (6‐week, 1‐h/session; 6 h total) became available and was preferred by CNAs, thus both NHs 2 and 3 participants received a 6‐h group intervention. All interventions occurred in meeting rooms within participating NHs during shift changes.MeasurementsIntervention attendance, retention, and acceptability; self‐compassion, stress, burnout, depression, and attitudes toward residents with dementia, and job satisfaction pre‐, post‐, 3‐month post‐, and 6‐month postintervention were assessed.ResultsAttendance and program satisfaction were high, and attrition was low for both training formats. Self‐compassion was significantly improved at all time periods (p < 0.001), and stress and depression improved significantly through 3 months (p < 0.05), but not 6 months. No statistically significant change in job satisfaction was noted.ConclusionSelf‐compassion interventions are feasible and acceptable for CNAs working in NHs and show promise for managing stress and improving well‐being and compassion toward residents. The briefer 6‐h format may maximize participation, while still providing benefits.
Output Comovement and Inflation Dynamics in a Two‐Sector Model with Durable Goods: The Role of Sticky Information and Heterogeneous Factor Markets
Authors: KITAMURA TOMIYUKI , TAKAMURA TAMON 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn the United States, the inflation and output of durable and nondurable goods respond to a monetary policy shock in the same direction with a delay. However, the existing New Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models that generate the positive output comovement cannot explain this delayed response in sectoral inflation. We show that adding sticky information to both goods along with heterogeneous factors of production can explain the observed patterns in sectoral inflation and output. Moreover, in line with recent empirical findings, the estimated information stickiness is larger for housing than for nondurable goods and services.
Ethylmalonic acid impairs bioenergetics by disturbing succinate and glutamate oxidation and induces mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in rat cerebellum
Authors: de Moura Alvorcem Leonardo , Britto Renata , Cecatto Cristiane , Cristina Roginski Ana , Rohden Francieli , Nathali Scholl Juliete , Guma Fátima C. R. , Figueiró Fabrício , Umpierrez Amaral Alexandre , Zanatta Geancarlo , Seminotti Bianca , Wajner Moacir , Leipnitz Guilhian 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTissue accumulation and high urinary excretion of ethylmalonic acid (EMA) are found in ethylmalonic encephalopathy (EE), an inherited disorder associated with cerebral and cerebellar atrophy whose pathogenesis is poorly established. The in vitro and in vivo effects of EMA on bioenergetics and redox homeostasis were investigated in rat cerebellum. For the in vitro studies, cerebellum preparations were exposed to EMA, whereas intracerebellar injection of EMA was used for the in vivo evaluation. EMA reduced state 3 and uncoupled respiration in vitro in succinate‐, glutamate‐, and malate‐supported mitochondria, whereas decreased state 4 respiration was observed using glutamate and malate. Furthermore, mitochondria permeabilization and succinate supplementation diminished the decrease in state 3 with succinate. EMA also inhibited the activity of KGDH, an enzyme necessary for glutamate oxidation, in a mixed manner and augmented mitochondrial efflux of α‐ketoglutarate. ATP levels were markedly reduced by EMA, reflecting a severe bioenergetic disruption. Docking simulations also indicated interactions between EMA and KGDH and a competition with glutamate and succinate for their mitochondrial transporters. In vitro findings also showed that EMA decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca2+ retention capacity, and induced swelling in the presence of Ca2+, which were prevented by cyclosporine A and ADP and ruthenium red, indicating mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). Moreover, EMA, at high concentrations, mildly increased ROS levels and altered antioxidant defenses in vitro and in vivo. Our data indicate that EMA‐induced impairment of glutamate and succinate oxidation and MPT may contribute to the pathogenesis of the cerebellum abnormalities in EE.
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Mucosal eosinophils, mast cells, and intraepithelial lymphocytes in youth with rumination syndrome
Authors: Friesen Hunter J. , Rosen John , Low Kapalu Christina , Singh Meenal , Spaeth Tracy , Cocjin Jose T. , Friesen Craig A. , Schurman Jennifer V. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundRumination syndrome has been associated with increased duodenal eosinophils and intraepithelial lymphocytes in adults. The aims of the current study were to assess densities of antroduodenal eosinophils and mast cells and duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes in youth with rumination syndrome and to compare cell densities in those with and without abdominal pain or early satiety.MethodsTwenty‐eight youth fulfilling Rome IV criteria for rumination syndrome who had undergone endoscopy were identified and compared to 10 controls. Antral and duodenal biopsies were assessed to determine densities of eosinophils, mast cells, and intraepithelial lymphocytes. Cell densities were also compared between rumination patients with and without abdominal pain and those with and without early satiety.Key resultsAntral mast cell (peak 18.5±6.5 vs. 12.5±2.7) and eosinophil (peak 9.6±5.2 vs. 4.9±2.1) densities were significantly greater in patients with rumination syndrome as compared to controls. Duodenal intraepithelial lymphocyte densities were also increased in rumination syndrome (18.9 ± 5.1 vs. 11.7 ± 1.5; p<.001). Associations were independent of the presence of abdominal pain or early satiety.Conclusions and InferencesIn conclusion, we found an increase in eosinophil and mast cell densities in the gastric antrum and an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes in the duodenum in youth with rumination syndrome which was independent of the presence of abdominal pain or early satiety. These findings suggest a potential role for inflammation in the pathophysiology of rumination syndrome. Future studies should address whether treatment directed at these cells are beneficial in treating rumination syndrome.