bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical outcomes of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy with epithelial ablation targeting actual epithelial thickness vs default laser platform values
Authors: Hashemian Mohammad Naser , Faegh Adeleh , Latifi Golshan , Abdi Parisa 
Published: September 2021

Purpose:
To investigate the clinical outcomes of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK) with actual epithelial thickness vs default software values.

Setting:
Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Design:
Prospective controlled study.

Methods:
Patients with refractive spherical error of −1.50 to −7.00 diopters (D) and refractive astigmatism up to 4.00 D were consecutively enrolled and divided into 2 groups: group 1 undergone tPRK with actual central and peripheral epithelial thickness input in right eyes, group 2 undergone tPRK with actual central and 10 mm higher peripheral epithelial thickness in right eyes. Left eyes in both groups underwent tPRK with default protocol. Outcome measures were induced refractive error, achieved optical zone (OZ), and wasted stromal tissue.

Results:
83 patients were included in this study. Mean ± SD of induced spherical equivalent was +0.15 ± 0.39 D and +0.01 ± 0.35 D in right and left eyes of group 1 (P = .01) and +0.04 ± 0.22 D and +0.03 ± 0.23 D in right and left eyes of group 2 (P = .75), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between wasted tissue between right and left eyes in group 1 and group 2 (P = .77 and P = .49, respectively). OZ contraction was significantly higher in right compared with left eyes in group 1 (P = .05), but not in group 2 (P = .95).

Conclusions:
In tPRK, refractive outcomes, wasted tissue, and OZ contraction depend little on preexisting corneal epithelial thickness in corneas with normal range epithelial thickness. However, OZ contraction may be a concern in lower amount of ablations.
Effect of decentration on the quality of vision: comparison between aspheric balance curve design and posterior aspheric design intraocular lenses
Authors: Chandra Kedarisetti Kiran , Malhotra Chintan , Jain Arun Kumar , Sachdeva Kulbhushan , Singh Shubhi 
Published: September 2021

Purpose:
To study the effect of decentration on the quality of vision in 2 aspheric intraocular lenses (IOLs): aspheric balance curve (ABC) design Vivinex iSert XY1 (Hoya Surgical Opticals, Inc.) and posterior aspheric design AcrySof IQ SN60WF (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.)

Setting:
Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.

Design:
Randomized prospective trial using a random number table.

Methods:
85 eyes were randomized to group 1 (Vivinex XY1) and group 2 (AcrySof IQ) with 40 and 45 eyes, respectively. The higher-order aberration (HOA) profile, Strehl ratio, decentration of the IOL from the visual axis (decentration from the visual axis [DVA]) and the geometric axis (decentration from the geometric axis [DGA]), angle α, and κ were recorded on the iTrace aberrometer, and contrast sensitivity was measured using the Functional Acuity Contrast Test at 12 weeks postsurgery.

Results:
A total of 85 eyes in 60 patients were evaluated in this study. The mean values of the Strehl ratio (P = .48) and the HOAs (P = .12) of both IOLs were comparable. The HOAs gradually increased with increasing DVA for both lenses at 3.0 mm, 4.0 mm, and 5.0 mm pupil sizes. On comparing the HOAs with the DGA, a statistically insignificant positive correlation was observed. The Strehl ratio did not deteriorate with an increasing angle α in the Vivinex XY1 group; however, it worsened in the AcrySof IQ group. Contrast sensitivity was comparable in both the IOLs except at 1.5 cycles per degree under photopic conditions where the AcrySof IQ was better.

Conclusions:
Decentration of the lens was best measured with respect to the visual axis. In eyes with a large α, the ABC design induced lesser HOAs and maintained a better Strehl ratio.
Intraoperative OCT vs Scheimpflug and swept-source OCT measurements for anterior eye parameters
Authors: Böhm Myriam , Müller Michael , Paul Julia , Hemkeppler Eva , Kohnen Thomas 
Published: September 2021

Purpose:
To compare agreement of anterior segment parameter measurements using an intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) of a femtosecond laser (LenSx) during interface docking to the eye with preoperative Scheimpflug tomography (Pentacam AXL) and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) (IOLMaster 700).

Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.

Design:
Retrospective study.

Methods:
Anterior segment measurements were performed in mydriasis prior to surgery using Scheimpflug tomography and SS-OCT. Postoperatively, iOCT images were analyzed using a modification of the FIJI image-processing program. Outcome measures included external anterior chamber depth (ACD), central corneal thickness (CCT), and central lens thickness (LT).

Results:
95 eyes of 66 patients who underwent planned OCT guided femtosecond laser-assisted lens surgery were included. The ACD measured with the iOCT was −0.011 ± 0.126 mm smaller (P = .389) than that with the SS-OCT and −0.059 ± 0.185 mm than with the Scheimpflug tomography (P = .003). The SS-OCT measured a −0.047 ± 0.146 mm smaller ACD than the Scheimpflug tomography (P = .002). The measurements of CCT using the iOCT and the Scheimpflug tomography (−0.705 ± 20.837 μm, P = .742) and the LT measurements using SS-OCT and iOCT (−0.050 ± 0.089 mm, P < .001) showed no clinically relevant difference. Only the ACD between the iOCT and the Scheimpflug tomography showed a clinically relevant difference.

Conclusions:
The comparison of the anterior segment parameters of iOCT with SS-OCT showed no clinically relevant differences regarding the ACD and the LT. However, Scheimpflug tomography vs iOCT measured a small clinically relevant difference for ACD. The iOCT showed no clinically relevant differences in anterior segment parameters compared with the SS-OCT. A small clinically relevant difference for ACD was found in comparison with that of a Scheimpflug device.
COVID-19 in Pregnancy
Authors: Miracle Jill E. , Ganesh Prakash R. , Rose Johnie , Terebuh Pauline , Stange Kurt C. , Wolfe Honor M. , Szabo Andrea , Gullett Heidi , Pope Rachel 
Published: September 2021

Objective:
To define the symptomatology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and associations between occupation, sociodemographic factors, and comorbidities with the severity of COVID-19 disease in pregnancy in all trimesters, regardless of hospitalization.

Methods:
We studied a retrospective cohort of a public health surveillance sample of persons with COVID-19 infection diagnosed during pregnancy. Data was collected March 2020 to August 2020 regarding symptoms, disease severity, comorbidities, obstetric history, and occupation.

Results:
One hundred sixty-three individuals were identified. Constitutional (64%) and lower respiratory symptoms (61%) were most common. Seventeen individuals (13.6%) were hospitalized, and one person (0.7%) died due to COVID-19. Risk factors for severe disease were age and an occupation that had high intensity exposure to people.

Conclusions:
Occupational exposure is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease in pregnancy, justifying policy measures to ensure protection of this vulnerable population.
Levels of procoagulant microparticles expressing phosphatidylserine contribute to bleeding phenotype in patients with inherited thrombocytopenia
Authors: Brøns Nanna , Leinøe Eva , Salado-Jimena José A. , Rossing Maria , Ostrowski Sisse R. 
Published: September 2021

Inherited thrombocytopenia is a heterogeneous group of hereditary disorders with varying bleeding tendencies, not simply related to platelet count. Platelets transform into different subpopulations upon stimulation, including procoagulant platelets and platelet microparticles (PMPs), which are considered critical for haemostasis.
We aimed to investigate whether abnormalities in PMP and procoagulant platelet function were associated with the bleeding phenotype of inherited thrombocytopenia patients.
We enrolled 53 inherited thrombocytopenia patients. High-throughput sequencing of 36 inherited thrombocytopenia related genes was performed in all patients and enabled a molecular diagnosis in 57%. Bleeding phenotype was evaluated using the ISTH bleeding assessment tool, dividing patients into bleeding (n = 27) vs. nonbleeding (n = 26). Unstimulated and ADP, TRAP or collagen-stimulated PMP and procoagulant platelet functions were analysed by flow cytometry using antibodies against granulophysin (CD63), P-selectin (CD62P), activated GPIIb/IIIa (PAC-1) and a marker for phosphatidylserine expression (lactadherin). Procoagulant platelets were measured in response to collagen stimulation. An in-house healthy reference level was available.
Overall, higher levels of activated platelets, PMPs and procoagulant platelets were found in nonbleeding patients compared with the reference level. Nonbleeding patients had higher proportions of phosphatidylserine and PMPs compared with bleeding patients and the reference level, in response to different stimulations. Interestingly, this finding of high proportions of phosphatidylserine and PMPs was limited to PMPs, and not present in procoagulant platelets or platelets.
Our findings indicate that nonbleeding inherited thrombocytopenia patients have compensatory mechanisms for improved platelet subpopulation activation and function, and that generation of phosphatidylserine expressing PMPs could be a factor determining bleeding phenotype in inherited thrombocytopenia.
Whole blood viscosity in patients with aortic stenosis
Authors: Akdi Ahmet , Gayretli Yayla Kadriye 
Published: September 2021

Whole blood viscosity (WBV) may promote endothelial shear stress, inflammation, and can accelerate the atherosclerotic process. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between WBV and aortic stenosis.
The study included 209 participants of whom 49 patients had severe aortic stenosis, 98 patients had mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis and 62 patients served as control.
WBV values were significantly higher for high shear rate (HSR) (P = 0.001) and for low shear rate (LSR) (P = 0.002) in severe aortic stenosis group. HSR and LSR were correlated with mean systolic transaortic gradient (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). WBV for both LSR and HSR were found to be independent predictors for the aortic stenosis severity (P = 0.034 and P = 0.049, respectively).
We found a significant relationship between WBV and aortic stenosis.
Evaluation of analgesic effect, joint function recovery and safety of meloxicam in knee osteoarthritis patients who receive total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Hu Feng , Wu Guoya , Zhao Quan , Wu Jian 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Meloxicam is commonly administrated to control postoperative pain in orthopedic surgery, while its efficacy in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is not clear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the postoperative analgesic effect and tolerance of meloxicam in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing TKA.
Totally, 128 knee OA patients scheduled for TKA were enrolled in this randomized, controlled, double-blind study, then randomized into meloxicam group (N = 65) and control group (N = 63) as 1:1 ratio. Patients took meloxicam or placebo from 4 hours (h) to 72 h after TKA. Patients were followed up at 6 h, 12 h, day (D)1, D2, D3, D7, month (M)1, and M3.
Pain visual analog scale score at rest was decreased in meloxicam group at 12 h, D1 and D3 compared to control group; pain visual analog scale score at flexion was reduced in meloxicam group at 6 h, 12 h, D1, D2, and D3 compared to control group. Additional and total consumption of patient-controlled analgesia were both attenuated in meloxicam group compared to control group. Furthermore, patient satisfaction score was higher on D1, D2, D3 in meloxicam group compared to control group. However, no difference of hospital for special surgery knee score score at M1 or M3 was found between the 2 groups. Moreover, the occurrence of adverse events was similar between the 2 groups.
Meloxicam displays good effect on controlling postoperative pain and improving patient satisfaction, while does not affect long-term knee function recovery or safety profile in knee OA patients undergoing TKA.
Heterogeneity by global and textural feature analysis in F-18 FP-CIT brain PET images for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Yoon Hyun Jin , Cho Kook , Kim Woong Gon , Jeong Young-Jin , Jeong Ji-Eun , Kang Do-Young 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background:
The quantification of heterogeneity for the striatum and whole brain with F-18 FP-CIT PET images will be useful for diagnosis. The index obtained from texture analysis on PET images is related to pathological change that the neuronal loss of the nigrostriatal tract is heterogeneous according to the disease state. The aim of this study is to evaluate various heterogeneity indices of F-18 FP-CIT PET images in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and to access the diagnostic accuracy of the indices using machine learning (ML).

Methods:
This retrospective study included F-18 FP-CIT PET images of 31 PD and 31 age-matched health controls (HC). The volume of interest was delineated according to iso-contour lines around standardized uptake value (SUV) 3.0 g/ml for each region of the striatum by PMod 3.603. One hundred eight heterogeneity indices were calculated using CGITA to find indices from which the PD and HC were classified using statistical significance. PD group was classified by constructing a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional phase space quantifier using these heterogeneity indices. We used 71 heterogeneity indices to classify PD from HC using ML for dimensional reduction.

Results:
The heterogeneity indices for classifying PD from HC were size-zone variability, contrast, inverse difference-moment, and homogeneity in the order of low P value. Three-dimensional quantifiers composed of normalized-contrast, code-similarity, and contrast were more clearly classified than 2-dimensional ones. After 71-dimensional reduction using PCA, classification was possible by logistic regression with 91.3% accuracy. The 2 groups were classified with an accuracy of 85.5% using the support vector machine and 88.4% using the random forest. The classification accuracy using the eXtreme Gradient Boosting was 95.7%, and feature importance was highest in order of SUV bias-corrected kurtosis, size-zone-variability, intensity-variability, and high-intensity-zone-variability.

Conclusion:
It was confirmed that PD patients is more clearly classified than the conventional 2-dimensional quantifier by introducing a 3-dimensional phase space quantifier. We observed that ML can be used to classify the 2 groups in an easy and explanatory manner. For the discrimination of the disease, 24 heterogeneity indices were found to be statistically useful, and the major cut-off values of 3 heterogeneity indices were size-zone variability (1906.44), intensity variability (129.21), and high intensity zone emphasis (800.29).
Identification of the similarly expressed genes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and transsexuals
Authors: Dong Rong , Gao Shang , Shan Meng-Jie 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common female infertility, which may be caused by excessive androgen, but its mechanism remains unknown. Transsexuals are women who take androgen drugs for a long time, and gradually have male signs. Their ovaries may have received high concentrations of androgen, which leads to the failure of ovarian reproductive function. Therefore, we searched the relevant data of PCOS and transsexuals in gene expression omnibus database, used limma package to identify the most similarly genes, and then analyzed the possible mechanism of PCOS through gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Then, the protein-protein interaction network was constructed by searching the String database, and the top 5 hub genes were identified by the cytohubba plug-in of Cytoscape. Finally, ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 E1 (UBE2E1), ubiquitin C (UBC), transcription elongation factor B subunit 1 (TCEB1), ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 N (UBE2N), and ring finger protein 7 (RNF7) genes were identified as the most similarly expressed genes between PCOS and Transsexuals. They may cause the ubiquitination of androgen receptor and eventually lead to sinus follicular growth arrest. In conclusion, 5 Central genes were identified in PCOS and transsexuals. These genes can be used as targets for early diagnosis or treatment of PCOS.
Refinement of recto-sigmoid colon vaginoplasty using a three-dimensional laparoscopic technique
Authors: Kim Jeong-ki , Na Woong , Cho Jeong Hyun , Ahn Eun Jung , Kim Eunyoung , Song In-Gyu , Han Eon Chul , Lee Dong Woon , Park Byung Kwan , Park Yong-Gum , Kim Beom Gyu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
To investigate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic vaginoplasty with a rectosigmoid colon flap for vaginal reconstruction.
Following appropriate preoperative patient counseling, 17 consecutive patients underwent vaginoplasty using a 3D laparoscopic system. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively evaluated.
Between September 2016 and February 2020, 17 patients underwent 3D laparoscopic vaginoplasty with a rectosigmoid colon flap. Of them, 15 (88%) were transgender female patients, and 2 (12%) were cisgender female patients with congenital deformities. Among the 15 transgender patients, 12 (80%) underwent de novo surgeries and 3 (20%) underwent re-do surgeries. The mean age at the time of operation was 33.0 years, and the mean total operation time was 529 ± 128 minutes. The initial intraoperative mean vaginal depth was 15.2 ± 1.3 cm, and the 30-day readmission rate was 5.9% (1/17 cases). The mean follow-up duration was 24.8 months.
Perioperative and postoperative outcomes suggest that 3D laparoscopic rectosigmoid colon vaginoplasty is a potentially acceptable, effective, and safe method for vaginal reconstruction.
Exploration of immune-related cells and ceRNA in squamous cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Lijun , Wang Hao , Xu Ke , Xu Yehong , Wang Yong , Wei Song , Zhang Zhihong 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The treatment for squamous cell lung cancer (SqCLC) is limited, and the prognosis of SqCLC is poor. In this article, we aimed to analyze and identify immune-related cells and competition endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that influence the prognosis of SqCLC. SqCLC and lung adenocarcinoma data were downloaded from TCGA-GDC. A total of 22 types of immune cell fractions were estimated using CIBERSORT. R software was used to identify any significantly different transcriptome data, including mRNA, LncRNA, and miRNA. The univariate cox regression method was applied to screen for prognosis-related lncRNA, miRNA, mRNA and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. There were 504 patients included in this study. There was a higher proportion of memory activated CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in younger women. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells were predictive of a good prognosis and reflected immune activation in SqCLC. The SFTA1P/NKX2-1-AS1, hsa-mir-503, GREM2 ceRNA axes and NKX2-1-AS1, hsa-mir-96, PROK2 ceRNA axes were found to be important for the immune function, pathogenesis, and prognosis of SqCLC. Collectively, the immune-related ceRNA and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in SqCLC are likely important determinants of SqCLC pathogenesis, prognosis, and immune status.
The effectiveness of corticosteroid injection and splint in diabetic de Quervain's tenosynovitis patients
Authors: Başar Betül , Aybar Ahmet , Basar Gökhan , Başar Hakan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background:
There is no clear information on the efficacy of corticosteroids, and splints in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of isolated corticosteroid injection therapy with splint treatment with corticosteroid injection in patients with and without DM.

Methods:
84 diabetics, and 84 healthy patients with a diagnosis of de Quervain's tenosynovitis were included in our study. The patients were randomly distributed into four subgroups with and without DM. Groups 1 and group 2 consisted of diabetic patients, while group 3 and group 4 consisted of healthy patients. Corticosteroid injections were administered to groups 1 and 3, and corticosteroid injection and splint treatment were administered to groups 2 and 4.

Results:
There was no significant difference in terms of age, gender, dominant/non-dominant hand, pre-treatment Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score and visual analog scale scores score between the four groups. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and visual analog scale scores in the four groups were found to be significantly better than pre-treatment at the 12th month. Finkelstein test results were positive in 37.5% of the patients in the first group, 35% of the patients in the second group, 20% of the patients in the third group and 9.5% of the patients in the fourth group. Groups 1 and 2 and, groups 3 and 4 were compared to evaluate the effect of the splint. While forearm-based thumb splint affected the results positively in healthy individuals, it was determined that it had no effect on the results in diabetic patients.

Conclusion:
Although corticosteroid treatment is effective in the treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis in healthy and diabetic individuals, the results are worse in diabetic patients than in healthy patients. In addition, the use of splint with corticosteroid injection in healthy individuals positively affects the results, while it does not affect the results in diabetic patients.