bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smoking Is a Risk Factor for Pahcychoroid-related Disorders in Asian Patients: a Case Control Study
Authors: Kamao Hiroyuki , Araki Syunsuke , Goto Katsutoshi , Matsuno Kento , Mizukawa Kenichi , Miki Atsushi , Kiryu Junichi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCigarette smoking has been reported as a risk factor for the development of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). However, the associations between cigarette smoking and subtypes of drusen and nAMD were incomplete, as it lacked consideration of pachydrusen or no significant drusen. Therefore, this study intended to reveal the associations between cigarette smoking and subtypes of drusen and nAMD.PurposeTo evaluate the associations between cigarette smoking and subtypes of drusen and nAMD in an Asian population.MethodsThis retrospective case-control study included 189 eyes in 189 patients with treatment-naïve nAMD, including typical AMD, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and type 3 neovascularization. The patients were stratified into never-, former-, and current-smoker groups, and drusen subtypes, including no significant drusen, soft drusen, subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs), and pachydrusen, were analyzed in each group.ResultsThe proportions of no significant drusen and pachydrusen in the fellow eyes were significantly higher in the former- and current-smoker groups (P = 0.016 and P < 0.001), respectively. There was a significantly higher proportion of PCV in the affected eyes in the current-smoker group (P = 0.041). The proportions of SDDs in the fellow eyes and type 3 neovascularization in the affected eyes were significantly higher in the never-smoker group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.037), respectively.ConclusionEver smokers (former and current smokers) had significantly higher proportions of pachychoroid-related disorders, including no significant drusen, pachydrusen, and PCV, than nonsmokers. Thus, cigarette smoking could be a risk factor for the development of pachychoroid-dependent abnormalities.
Protecting the Public Interest when Regulating Health Professionals Providing Virtual Care: A Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Leslie Kathleen , Myles Sophia , Adams Tracey L , Schiller Catharine , Shelley Jacob , Nelson Sioban 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Virtual care is transforming the nature of healthcare, particularly with the accelerated shift to telehealth and virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health profession regulators face intense pressures to safely facilitate this type of healthcare while upholding their legislative mandate to protect the public. Challenges for health profession regulators have included providing practice guidance for virtual care, changing entry to practice requirements to include digital competencies, facilitating interjurisdictional virtual care through licensure and liability insurance requirements, and adapting disciplinary procedures. This scoping review will examine the literature on how the public interest is protected when regulating health professionals providing virtual care.Methods: This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology. Academic and grey literature will be retrieved from health sciences, social sciences, and legal databases using a comprehensive search strategy underpinned by Population-Concept-Context (PCC) inclusion criteria. Articles published in English since January 2015 will be considered for inclusion. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts and full-text sources against specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Discrepancies will be resolved through discussion or by a third reviewer. One research team member will extract relevant data from the selected documents and a second will validate the extractions.Discussion: Results will be presented in a descriptive synthesis that highlights implications for regulatory policy and professional practice, as well as study limitations and knowledge gaps that warrant further research. Given the rapid expansion of virtual care provision by regulated health professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mapping the literature on how the public interest is protected in this rapidly evolving digital health sector may help inform future regulatory reform and innovation.Review registration: This protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (10.17605/OSF.IO/BD2ZX).
Myasthenia Gravis Exacerbation and Myasthenic Crisis Associated With COVID19: Case Series and Literature Review.
Authors: Rodrigues Cleonisio Leite , Freitas Hermany Capistrano , Lima Paulo Reges Oliveira , Junior Pedro Helder de Oliveira , Fernandes José Marcelino Aragão , D'Almeida José Artur Costa , Nóbrega Paulo Ribeiro 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction that can be exacerbated by many viral infections, including COVID19. Management of MG exacerbations is challenging in this scenario. We report 8 cases of MG exacerbation or myasthenic crisis associated with COVID19 and discuss prognosis and treatment based on a literature review. Most patients were female (7/8), with an average age of 47.1 years. Treatment was immunoglobulin (IVIG) in 3 patients, plasma exchange (PLEX) in 2 patients, and adjustment of baseline drugs in 3. In-hospital mortality was 25% and 37.5% in 2-month follow-up. This is the largest case series of MG exacerbation or myasthenic crisis due to COVID19 to this date. Mortality was considerably higher than in myasthenic crisis of other etiologies. Previous treatment for MG or acute exacerbation treatment did not seem to interfere with prognosis, although sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions. Further studies are needed to understand the safety and effectiveness of interventions in this setting, particularly of PLEX, IVIG, rituximab and tocilizumab.
Evolving trends in the surgical staging of endometrial cancer patients in Germany: Analysis of a nationwide registry with special emphasis on perioperative outcomes
Authors: Roth Katrin , Kaier Klaus , Stachon Peter , Mühlen Constantin von zur , Taran Florin-Andrei , Klar Maximilian , Juhasz-Böss Ingolf 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose

The present study compared the use and outcomes of open surgical staging, laparoscopic surgical staging and robotic-assisted surgical staging in all patients suffering from endometrial carcinoma undergoing surgery in Germany between 2007 and 2018.
Methods

All patients with the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma undergoing open surgical staging, laparoscopic surgical staging and robotic-assisted surgical staging were identified by international classification of diseases (ICD) or specific operational codes (OPS) within the database of the German federal bureau of statistics.
Results

Between 2007 and 2018, a total of 85,204 patients underwent surgery for endometrial carcinoma. Since 2013 laparoscopy was the leading approach in the surgical staging. The use of robotic-assisted laparoscopy increased steadily since 2011 with a share of 3% in 2018. Open surgical staging was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality than laparoscopic surgical staging (1.3% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.001), of prolonged mechanical ventilation (1.3% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.001), and of prolonged hospital stay (13.7 ± 10.2 vs. 7.2 ± 5.3, p < 0.001). 0.04% patients undergoing laparoscopy were converted to laparotomy. The perioperative outcomes of surgical staging by laparotomy compared with robotic-assisted were comparable. None of the robotic-assisted treated patients died or was converted into laparotomy. Costs were highest in the open laparotomy staging group, followed by robotic assisted. Conventional laparoscopic approach caused lowest costs (8286 ± 7533€ vs. 7083 ± 3893€ vs. 6047 ± 3509€).
Conclusion

The present analysis shows that conventional laparoscopy is the standard therapy of endometrial carcinoma with excellent in-hospital outcomes in clinical practice. Robotic-assisted laparoscopy is an emerging technology with convincing results similar to
Challenges in Preventive Practices and Risk Communication Towards COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Farah Naz , Bhuiyan MD Al Amin , Hossen Kabir , Khan Hafiz T.A , Rahman AKM Fazlur , Dalal Koustuv 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Bangladesh recently experienced a COVID-19 second wave, resulting in the highest number of new cases and deaths in a single day. This study aims to identify the challenges for COVID-19 preventive practices and risk communications and associated factors among Bangladeshi adults.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 involving 1,382 Bangladeshi adults (aged ≥ 18-years) in randomly selected urban and rural areas from all eight divisions in Bangladesh. Descriptive data analysis was conducted to highlight the challenges for preventive practices and risk communications for COVID-19. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the sociodemographic groups vulnerable to these challenges.
RESULTS
Lack of availability of protective equipment (44.4%), crowded living situations/workspaces (36.8%), inadequate information on the proper use of protective measures (21.9%), inadequate hand washing and sanitation facilities (17.6%), and negative influences of family/friends (17.4%) were identified as barriers to COVID-19 preventive practices. It was also found that males (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.01,1.7), rural residents (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.2,2), respondents with a low level of education: No schooling vs ≥ higher secondary (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 2.3,5.2), Primary vs ≥ higher secondary (OR = 2.5, 95%CI = 1.7,3.8), respondents engaged in agricultural (OR = 1.7, 95%CI = 1.2,2.4), laboring (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 2,5), and domestic (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.07,2.5) works, and people with disabilities (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1,2.6) were all likely to have difficulty in practicing effective COVID-19 protective behaviors. Respondents’ education and occupation were significant predictors of inadequate understanding of COVID-19 risk communications and was identified as a problem among 17.4% of the respondents.
CONCLUSION
A substantial percentage of Bangladeshi adults have difficulty practicing COVID-19 protective behaviors and have poor comprehension of risk communications, that is particularly prevalent in rural areas and among those with low education. This research can aid policymakers in developing tailored COVID-19 risk communications and mitigation strategies to help prevent future waves of the pandemic.
Using BCN nanostructure as anode electrode for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of organics: a statistical approach
Authors: Ebadi Sadegh , Ghasemipanah Karim , Alaie Ebrahim , Rashidi Alimorad , Khataee Alireza 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
In this study, boron carbon nitride (BCN) nanostructures were used as a photocatalyst which was synthesized in a chemical vapor deposition reactor. Photoelectrocatalysis was used for degradation organic pollutants from produced water. BCN nanostructures were coated on a coil-type copper wire to act as anode electrode in the photoelectrocatalytic process. The effect of different parameters on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency from produced water was investigated by a central composite design (CCD) to maximize photoelectrocatalysis influence as one of the most used methods of wastewater treatment. A 12 run Plackett–Burman design was used for screening of the parameters (initial COD, electrical conductivity, applied cell voltage, UV lamp wavelength, H2O2 concentration, residence time, and initial pH) which led to the selection of residence time and initial pH as effective parameters. Since the core goal of this study was to maximize the COD removal efficiency, the steepest ascent method was used to propel these two parameters to the optimum region. Finally, CCD showed that applying photoelectrocatalysis could lead to 88.79% of the COD removal efficiency which would be an optimum value at a residence time of 15.85 min and a pH value of 3.3. Ultimately, this result was confirmed by experimentation at those conditions.
Adsorption and migration of heavy metals between sediments and overlying water in the Xinhe River in central China
Authors: Zhao Yanqi , Yang Ying , Dai Rongkun , Leszek Sobkowiak , Wang Xinyi , Xiao Lizhi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Long-term polluted rivers often lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in sediments. Anthropogenic activities or biological disturbances break the adsorption balance, causing them to return from the bottom mud to the overlying water and change the aquatic environment. In order to understand the variation of heavy metals between sediments and river water, we collected the riverbed sediments in the polluted Xinhe River and carried out static continuous infiltration and dynamic uninterrupted disturbance experiments. The leaching experiment shows that the absorbability of Cd and Pb is stronger than Cr in the sediment; at the same time, the properties of the medium have a great influence on the adsorption of heavy metals. The disturbance can prompt heavy metals in the sediment to resuspend into the overlying water. The impact is the greatest during the first 12 h, and the influence degree is stronger in the relatively static water than in the moving river. In addition, pH and other factors have different degrees of influence on the desorption of heavy metals.
Tio2 and carbon nanotubes composites modify capacitive deionization anodes to improve the dechlorination efficiency in desulfurization wastewater
Authors: Ma Shuangchen , Liu Chang , Xu Yongyi , Tan Yu , Yang Dingchang , Wang Feng , Ma Lan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA new capacitive deionization (CDI) technology was used to remove Cl− from desulfurization wastewater. TiO2 and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were combined with N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) to form composites by a solvothermal method in which it is coated onto the CDI anode to improve dechlorination efficiency (DE). The morphology, surface area, wettability, crystal structure and chemical composition of the TiO2/CNTs were characterized. They showed good hydrophilicity (contact angle: 85.9°), high specific surface area (96.68 m²/g) and high specific capacitance (87.6 F/g). The experimental results illustrated that the best DE was achieved by the composites (60%T/C) under 1.2 V with the maximum electrosorption capacity toward 6.5 mg/g, and the TiO2/CNTs composites had excellent stability. Adsorption kinetics analysis was explored and analyzed. Furthermore, TiO2/CNTs composites exhibited excellent DE in actual desulfurization wastewater. The catalysis and adsorption mechanisms of the TiO2/CNTs anode were discussed in detail. This study provides a new direction for the application of TiO2/CNTs composites as adsorption materials of CDI in the Cl− of desulfurization wastewater.
The Prognostic Value of Long Non-Coding RNA SNHG7 in Human Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yu Kexun , Yuan Weijie , Huang Changhao , Xiao Lei , Xiao Runsha , Zeng Pengwei , Chen Lu , Chen Zihua 
Published: August 2021

Background:
The long non-coding RNA SNHG7 is upregulated in many types of cancer and plays a role as an oncogene. However, its overall predictive ability in human cancer prognosis has not been assessed using existing databases. Therefore, further study of its prognostic value and clinical significance in human malignancies is warranted.

Methods:
We systematically collected relevant literature from multiple electronic document databases about the relationship between SNHG7 expression level and prognosis in patients with solid cancers. We further screenped them for eligibility. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the prognostic value. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CIs were collected to evaluate the relationship between the expression of SNHG7 and clinicopathological features, including lymph node metastasis (LNM), tumour size, tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage and histological grade.

Results:
Fourteen original studies involving 971 patients were enrolled strictly following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed that SNHG7 expression significantly correlated with poor overall survival (HR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.64–2.26, p<0.001) in human cancer patients. In addition, the pooled OR indicated that overexpression of SNHG7 was associated with earlier LNM (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.44–2.32; P <0.001), and advanced TNM stage (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.44–2.30; P <0.001). Meanwhile, there was no significant heterogeneity between the selected studies, proving the reliability of the meta-analysis results.

Conclusions:
High SNHG7 expression may predict poor oncological outcomes in patients with multiple human cancers, which could be a novel prognostic biomarker of unfulfilled clinicopathological features. However, further high-quality studies are needed to verify and strengthen the clinical value of SNHG7 in different types of cancer.
Antibody Fragment and Targeted Colorectal Cancer Therapy: A Global
Systematic Review
Authors: Ghani Sepideh , Deravi Niloofar , Pirzadeh Marzieh , Rafiee Behnam , Gatabi Zahra Rezanejad , Bandehpour Mojgan , Yarian Fatemeh 
Published: August 2021

Background and aims:
Antibody-based therapeutics have been shown to be promising for the treatment of colorectal cancer patients. However, the size and long-circulating half-lives of antibodies can limit their reproducible manufacture in clinical studies. Consequently, in novel therapeutic ap-proaches, conventional antibodies are minimized and engineered to produce fragments like Fab, scFv, nanobody, bifunctional antibody, bispecific antibody, minibody, and diabody to preserve their high af-finity and specificity to target pharmaceutical nanoparticle conjugates. This systematic review for the first time aimed to elucidate the role of various antibody fragments in colorectal cancer treatment.

Method:
A systematic literature search in the web of sciences, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ProQuest was conducted. Reference lists of the articles were reviewed to identify the relevant papers. The full-text search included articles published in English during 1990–2021.

Results:
Most of the 53 included studies were conducted in vitro and in most conducted studies single-chain antibodies were among the most used antibody fragments. Most antibodies targeted CEA in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Moreover, a large number of studies observed apoptosis induction and tumor growth inhibition. In addition, few studies implicated the role of the innate immune system as an indirect mechanism of tumor growth by enhancing NK-cell killing.

Conclusion:
Antibody-based therapy was demonstrated to be of great promise in the treatment of colo-rectal cancer rather than common treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical operations. This type of specified cancer treatment can also induce the activation of the innate and specific immune systems to eradicate tumor cells.
Identification of groundwater origin using environmental isotopes (18O and 2H) in the upper catchment of Ikopa, district Antananarivo
Authors: Randriantsivery J.R. , Rajaobelison J. , Ramaroson V. , Rabesiranana N. , Fareze L. P. , Razafitsalama F. F. A. , Rakotomalala C. U. 
Published: August 2021

The upper catchment of Ikopa has great potential for surface or sub-surface water resources. The Ikopa River plays an important role in the water supply of the plain of Antananarivo. Knowing that surface water is abundant but exposed to the high risk of pollution, and groundwater remains less exploited because of the insufficiency of the study concerning the recharge and the sources of their mineralization. The objective of this research is to use the isotope method to characterize groundwater to determine their origin and recharge process. The results of chemical analysis show three different facies type of groundwater which dominated by the sodium, nitrate and chloride ions. The isotopic compositions of the waters sampled vary respectively from -7.25‰ to 5-.09‰ for δ18O and from -46.9‰ to -24.7‰ for δ2H. water form the lakes are more enriched compared to those rivers and groundwater. The diagram δ18O- δ2H shows that groundwater is recharged from local rainwater but undergoes low evaporation before infiltration. However, the results obtained from the parameters measured in situ show that a lateral recharge of groundwater from the streams feeds the neighboring aquifers. Lakes are fed by run-off during the rainy season.
Preeclampsia Biomarkers - The quest goes on
Authors: Kaur Brinderjeet , Sareen Rateesh 
Published: August 2021

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy and a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease is recently attributed to maternal endothelial dysfunction. The quest for ideal biomarker goes on. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), Placental growth Factor (PLGF) and sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) are the new biomarkers that hold promise for future. We present a short review on current biomarkers that would enable us to diagnose PE timely leading to reduced maternal morbidity and mortality , justifying the saying, ‘ a stitch in time saves nine’.
Исследования из первых принципов структурных свойств сплавов Гейслера Co-Ni-Sn
Authors: Саносян А.А. , Соколовский В.В. , Мирошкина О.Н. , Бучельников В.Д. 
Published: August 2021

С помощью первопринципного подхода исследованы структурные и магнитны свойства сплавов Гейслера Co2Ni1+xSn1-x (x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1). Получены зависимости полной энергии кристаллической структуры от степени тетрагональных искажений и выявлено наиболее выгодное кристаллическое упорядочение. Для всех рассматриваемых композиций вычислена энергия магнитокристаллической анизотропии. Показано, что все композиции с обратной гейслеровской структурой обладают анизотропией типа "легкая плоскость", тогда как в случае регулярной гейслеровской структуры наблюдается смена типа анизотропии с типа "легкая плоскость" на "легкую ось" с увеличением содержания Ni. Наибольшая величина анизотропии обнаружена для нестехиометрических композиций Co2Ni1.5Sn0.5 и Co2Ni1.75Sn0.25. Ключевые слова: сплавы Гейслера, магнитокристаллическая анизотропия, структурные свойства, устойчивость сплавов.
The Potential of Vā Part 3: Location and Identity
Authors: Simati-Kumar Benita 
Published: August 2021

The article presented is part of a series of articles that composed an exegesis, submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The series is a narrative of discovery through practice-led research. Each article reveals its purpose and significance that leads into the next series, which then eventuate to that final design proposal.
The exegesis is presented in this format, to break down the components that assisted in practice-led research. Each article can be read and unpacked on its own as a learning tool. The purpose of this edited series is for the exegesis to be more accessible and adaptable creatively to those being introduced to practice-led research.
The Potential of Vā Part 3: Location and Identity, presents the findings from the research participants in relation to the research question, including the recurring themes from the participants’ stories. As part of an exegesis-based thesis, this section presents selected photographic documentation of living spaces from the interviews. It then discusses the findings from the participant stories in relation to the literature and the research questions.