bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of photoreceptor density in a 3D simulation of panretinal laser photocoagulation
Authors: Nishida Kentaro , Takahashi Shizuka , Sakaguchi Hirokazu , Sato Shigeru , Kanai Masanori , Shiraki Akihiko , Wakabayashi Taku , Hara Chikako , Fukushima Yoko , Sakimoto Susumu , Sayanagi Kaori , Kawasaki Ryo , Nishida Kohji 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
During panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), the outer retina, especially the photoreceptors, are destroyed. During such procedures, the impact of the retinal photocoagulation, which is performed in the same photocoagulated area, may change if it is applied to different locations with different photoreceptor densities. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the influence of photoreceptor density on PRP.

Methods
We constructed a three-dimensional (3D) average distribution of photoreceptors with 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software using previously derived photoreceptor density data and calculated the number of photoreceptors destroyed by scatter PRP and full-scatter PRP (size 400-μm on the retina, spacing 1.0 spot) using a geometry-based simulation. To investigate the impact of photoreceptor density on PRP, we calculated the ratio of the number of photoreceptors destroyed to the total number of photoreceptors, termed the photoreceptor destruction index.

Results
In this 3D simulation, the total number of photoreceptors was 96,571,900. The total number of photoreceptors destroyed by scatter PRP and full-scatter PRP were 15,608,200 and 19,120,600, respectively, and the respective photoreceptor destruction indexes were 16.2 and 19.8%, respectively.

Conclusions
Scatter PRP is expected to have 4/5 of the number of photoreceptors destroyed by full-scatter PRP.
Climatic modification effects on the association between PM1 and lung cancer incidence in China
Authors: Guo Huagui , Li Xin , Li Weifeng , Wu Jiansheng , Wang Siying , Wei Jing 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Nationwide studies that examine climatic modification effects on the association between air pollution and health outcome are limited in developing countries. Moreover, few studies focus on PM1 pollution despite its greater health effect.

Objectives
This study aims to determine the modification effects of climatic factors on the associations between PM1 and the incidence rates of lung cancer for males and females in China.

Methods
We conducted a nationwide analysis in 345 Chinese counties (districts) from 2014 to 2015. Mean air temperature and relative humidity over the study period were used as the proxies of climatic conditions. In terms of the multivariable linear regression model, we examined climatic modification effects in the stratified and combined datasets according to the three-category and binary divisions of climatic factors. Moreover, we performed three sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of climatic modification effects.

Results
We found a stronger association between PM1 and the incidence rate of male lung cancer in counties with high levels of air temperature or relative humidity. If there is a 10 μg/m3 shift in PM1, then the change in male incidence rate relative to its mean was higher by 4.39% (95% CI: 2.19, 6.58%) and 8.37% (95% CI: 5.18, 11.56%) in the middle and high temperature groups than in the low temperature group, respectively. The findings of climatic modification effects were robust in the three sensitivity analyses. No significant modification effect was discovered for female incidence rate.

Conclusions
Male residents in high temperature or humidity counties suffer from a larger effect of PM1 on the incidence rate of lung cancer in China. Future research on air pollution-related health impact assessment should consider the differential air pollution effects across different climatic conditions.
Tributyltin perturbs femoral cortical architecture and polar moment of inertia in rat
Authors: Li Mingjun , Cheng Dong , Li Hui , Yao Wenhuan , Guo Dongmei , Wang Shu’e , Si Jiliang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Tributyltin, a well-known endocrine disruptor, is widely used in agriculture and industry. Previous studies have shown that tributyltin could cause deleterious effects on bone health by impairing the adipo-osteogenic balance in bone marrow.

Methods
To investigate further the effects of tributyltin on bone, weaned male SD rats were treated with tributyltin (0.5, 5 or 50 μg·kg− 1) or corn oil by gavage once every 3 days for 60 days in this study. Then, we analyzed the effects of tributyltin on geometry, the polar moment of inertia, mineral content, relative abundances of mRNA from representative genes related to adipogenesis and osteogenesis, serum calcium ion and inorganic phosphate levels.

Results
Micro-computed tomography analysis revealed that treatment with 50 μg·kg− 1 tributyltin caused an obvious decrease in femoral cortical cross sectional area, marrow area, periosteal circumference and derived polar moment of inertia in rats. However, other test results showed that exposure to tributyltin resulted in no significant changes in the expression of genes detected, femoral cancellous architecture, ash content, as well as serum calcium ion and inorganic phosphate levels.

Conclusions
Exposure to a low dose of tributyltin from the prepubertal to adult stage produced adverse effects on skeletal architecture and strength.
Stochastic perturbation of the Lighthill–Whitham–Richards model via the method of stochastic characteristics
Authors: Müller Nora , Bock Wolfgang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this paper we apply the method of stochastic characteristics to a Lighthill–Whitham–Richards model. The stochastic perturbation can be seen as errors in measurement of the traffic density. For concrete examples we solve the equation perturbed by a standard Brownian motion and the geometric Brownian motion without drift.
Recovery of bird communities following the construction of a large-scale hydroelectric dam
Authors: Nasruddin-Roshidi Affan , Mansor Mohammad Saiful , Ismail Nor Adibah , Ngadi Ehwan , Izzat-Husna Mohd , Husin Shahril Mod , Mohd-Taib Farah Shafawati , Illias Rahmah , Nor Shukor Md 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundHabitat degradation is known to have a major impact on the composition of bird communities, yet how these communities recover following such disturbance is less understood. This study examined bird community changes from pre-logging to recovery over the course of habitat disturbance caused by the development of the Hulu Terengganu Hydroelectric Dam Project in Peninsular Malaysia, between 2007 and 2018. Bird surveys were conducted using point count observations and mist netting in the dam area from the pre-logging phase until the operation phase.ResultsIt was observed that while bird species significantly declined after large-scale habitat clearance between the pre-logging and construction phases, they showed positive signs of recovery from the inundation to operation phases. These findings indicate that the bird community is still recovering, and the permanent loss of habitat required by most of the original species has not occurred, as evidenced by recolonisation. Bird species composition differed across phases due to varying habitat conditions. The turnover rate and immigration rate (recolonisation and newly recorded species) were higher between the construction and operation phases. It was also observed that insectivorous birds were more heavily affected than others by changes to the landscape, which highlights the versatility, survivability and tolerance of certain species to extreme disturbance and habitat modification.ConclusionAlthough the operation phase showed an incremental change in bird species richness due to recolonisation and newly recorded species, this value remains far from that of the pre-logging phase. We predict that bird species recovery will continue to increase for some time before reaching a plateau among the newly created islands, reservoir and catchment area of the dam.
Implementation of isoniazid preventive therapy in southern Lima, Peru: an analysis of health center characteristics
Authors: Zegarra-Chapoñan Roberto , Bonadonna Lily Victoria , Yuen Courtney M. , Martina-Chávez Martha Brigida , Zeladita-Huaman Jhon 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) prevention through the use of preventive treatment is a critical activity in the elimination of TB. In multiple settings, limited staffing has been identified as a barrier to managing preventive treatment for TB contacts. This study aims to determine how health center staffing, service type, and TB caseload affects implementation of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for TB contacts in southern Lima.

Methods
We conducted an ecological study in 2019 in southern Lima, Peru. Through the review of medical records, we identified contacts of TB patients who initiated IPT during 2016–2018, and who were 0–19 years old, the age group eligible for IPT according to Peruvian guidelines. We assessed bivariate associations between health center characteristics (numbers of physicians and nurses, types of services available, annual TB caseload) and IPT initiation and completion using binomial logistic regression.

Results
Among 977 contacts, 69% took more than a week to start IPT and 41% did not complete IPT. For those who successfully completed IPT, 58% did not complete full medical follow-up. There was no significant difference in IPT completion or adherence based on whether health centers had more physicians and nurses, more comprehensive services, or higher TB caseloads. Among contacts, female sex was associated with delay in initiating IPT (P = 0.005), age 5–19 years old was associated with completion of IPT (P = 0.025) and age < 5 years old was associated with completion of clinical evaluations (P = 0.041).

Conclusions
There are significant gaps in IPT implementation in health centers of southern Lima, Peru, but insufficient staffing of health centers may not be responsible. Further research is needed to identify how IPT implementation can be improved, potentially through improving staff training or monitoring and supervision.

Graphic abstract
Illness perceptions predict distress in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Muscat Priscilla , Weinman John , Farrugia Emanuel , Callus Roberta , Chilcot Joseph 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) report increased distress associated with their clinical diagnosis. Distress in patients with predialysis CKD, has been linked to several adverse events; including increased risk of hospitalisation, early dialysis initiation and even death, suggesting that distress is a matter of great concern during routine care in predialysis CKD.

Aims
The present study aimed to assess the nature of illness perceptions and the level of distress in a CKD cohort diagnosed with different stages of kidney disease. It also aimed to explore the correlates of distress and to create a model for distress and its associated predictors making use of hierarchical regression analysis.

Methods
A sample of 200 patients diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease were recruited for this study from the nephrology outpatient clinics of Mater Dei Hospital, Malta. The participants were assessed for their; illness perceptions, treatment beliefs, level of depression and anxiety, coping style, as well as treatment adherence. Routine clinical information was also collected for participants, including a co-morbidity score.

Results
A percentage of 33.5% of the participants reported moderate distress, whilst 9.5% reported severe distress. Stronger illness identity, a perception of timeline as being increasingly chronic or cyclical in nature, greater consequences and higher emotional representations were associated with more advanced stages of CKD. In contrast, lower personal and treatment control and poorer illness coherence were associated with more advanced stages of CKD. Results from the hierarchical regression analysis showed that illness perceptions contributed significantly to distress over and above the clinical kidney factors. Being female, having low haemoglobin and specific illness perceptions including; perceptions of greater symptomatology, longer timeline, low personal control and strong emotional representations, as well as resorting to maladaptive coping, were all significantly associated with distress symptoms. Nevertheless, illness perceptions accounted for the greatest variance in distress thus indicating that the contribution of illness perceptions is greater than that made by the other known covariates.

Conclusion
Illness perceptions hold a principal role in explaining distress in CKD, relative to other traditional covariates. For this reason, illness perceptions should be addressed as a primary modifiable component in the development of distress in CKD.
The power of interest: minoritized women’s interest in engineering fosters persistence beliefs beyond belongingness and engineering identity
Authors: Verdín Dina 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundsThis study examined how developing an engineering identity through the interplay between interest, recognition, and performance/competence beliefs and establishing a sense of belonging supported women’s persistence beliefs in engineering. Persistence belief in this study is captured through women’s certainty of graduating with an engineering degree. Students’ levels of motivation, affective states, and actions are based on what students believe to be true. Data were gathered from a survey administered to engineering students at nine institutions across the USA. Only female engineering students were used in the analysis. Students were further grouped into categories based on the representation of their race/ethnicity in engineering; 121 women were identified as minoritized in engineering, and 252 were identified as part of the majority group in engineering. Structural equation modeling was used to understand how the development of an engineering identity and modes of belonging (i.e., belonging in the major and in the classroom environment) supported women’s certainty to graduate with an engineering degree. All latent constructs were examined for measurement invariance; partial measurement invariance was achieved. Equality constraints on the structural paths of the model were not enforced to allow for differences across groups.ResultsSeeing oneself as an engineer (i.e., internal recognition) did not support minoritized women’s certainty to persist toward degree completion, whereas this internal recognition supported majority women’s persistence. Belonging in the major and belonging in the classroom environment did not support minoritized women’s certainty to persist. Establishing a sense of belonging in the classroom environment supported majority women’s certainty to persist. Minoritized women’s persistence toward degree completion was supported by their interest in engineering and their confidence in performing well in engineering coursework. However, interest in engineering was two times more influential toward minoritized women’s persistence than their performance competence beliefs.ConclusionThese findings provide educators with a nuanced understanding of how identity development and modes of belonging differentially affect women’s persistence beliefs. These findings suggest that educators need to understand the powerful influence minoritized women’s interest in engineering has on their persistence beliefs and create mechanisms to continuously reinforce interest.
Inhibitory effect of low-molecular-weight peptides (0–3 kDa) from Spirulina platensis on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in L02 human liver cells
Authors: Ma Jun , Zeng Xiankun , Zhou Min , Cheng Le , Ren Difeng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSpirulina platensis protein hydrolysates were prepared by digesting protein extracts with papain, and the hydrolysates were separated into 30, 10, and 3 kDa weights using membrane ultrafiltration. The 0–3 kDa low-molecular-weight Spirulina peptides (LMWSPs) proved the highest chemical antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging activities and total antioxidant capacity. Cellular antioxidant ability of LMWPs fractions against 2000 μg/mL H2O2 induced oxidative damage of L02 cells were investigated. The MTT assay results displayed that LMWSPs at different concentrations (0–1000 μg/mL) had proliferation effect on the L02 cells and that treatment of the L02 cells with the 1000 μg/mL LMWSPs (0–3 kDa) significantly prevented H2O2-induced oxidative damage compared with control cells. Moreover, the 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe assay showed that the levels of ROS and NO were significantly lower in the experimental group that was treated with the peptides for 24 h than in the control group. Furthermore, using the corresponding kits, the treatment inhibited the reduction of SOD activity and the increase of MDA contents in the L02 cells. Therefore, LMWSPs (0–3 kDa) may have potential applications in antioxidant and liver health products.
Laparoscopic appendectomy for metastatic cervical cancer presenting as appendicitis
Authors: Fukai Shota , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Mizokami Ken 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Metastatic lesions to the appendix are rare. They usually present with acute appendicitis or remain asymptomatic and are diagnosed incidentally. Metastases to the appendix have been reported from a number of primary tumor sites including ovary, colon, gastric and lung. We report a laparoscopic appendectomy for a metachronous metastatic lesion to the appendix from the uterine cervix.

Case presentation
A 68-year-old woman, who underwent radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer 16 years previously, presented with nausea and gradually worsening right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed an enlarged appendix and periappendiceal fat stranding. She was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Pathological findings showed adenocarcinoma in the submucosa and muscularis propria. Gastrointestinal endoscopy and positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET–CT) did not show other lesions. Immunohistochemical analysis showed cytokeratin 7 (CK7) positive, cytokeratin 20 (CK20) negative, estrogen receptor (ER) 70–80% and progesterone receptor (PgR) 40–50%. The ER and PgR expression was similar to the cervical lesion 16 years previously, and the diagnosis was a metastatic lesion to the appendix from the uterine cervix.

Conclusions
Metastasis to the appendix from cancer of the uterine cervix is a rare lesion.
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic study of extracts of Guibourtia tessmanii (harms) J. Léonard from Gabon
Authors: Obiang Cédric Sima , Misso Rick Léonid Ngoua Meye , Atome Guy Roger Ndong , Obame Rany Berty Mbeng , Ondo Joseph Privat , Engonga Louis Clément Obame , Emvo Edouard Nsi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundGabonese flora abounds in a significant reserve of plants in medical matter. Thus, medicinal plants occupy a significant place in African pharmacopeia. Aim of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties of extracts ofGuibourtia tessmanii(Harms) J. Léonard.MethodsThe test for sensitivity to microorganisms was performed by the diffusion method, while the MICs and MBCs were evaluated by the microdilution technique. Antioxidant tests were performed by scavenging the DPPH and ABTS radicals. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by protein denaturing and membrane stabilization methods. The cytotoxicity was evaluated on the tadpoles of the green frog.ResultsThe antibacterial activity shows that the Gt F2 fraction and the water-acetone extract produced the greatest inhibitions. The water, water-ethanol and water-acetone extracts exhibited bactericidal effects on the majority of bacteria. In the case of trapping of the DPPH radical, the IC50values varied from 6.92 ± 0.48 to 16.64 ± 0.20 μg/mL. For the decolouration of ABTS, oxidation was mainly inhibited by the water-acetetone, water-ethanol extracts and some fractions. The water and water-acetone extracts showed good inhibition of denaturation. The hemolysis test confirmed the good activities of the extracts. The lethal test showed that the LC50drops from 171.37 ± 9.25 to 58.25 ± 7.21 μg/mL after 24 and 96 h of exposure. In tadpoles exposed to 7.81 μg / mL of extracts, the first mortalities (12.5%) were observed on the second day of exposure. From the ninth day, the mortality rate increased (25%) until the 16th day.ConclusionOur results show thatGuibourtia tessmaniimay be a promising product for the isolations of molecules responsible for biological activities.
White-nose syndrome-related changes to Mid-Atlantic bat communities across an urban-to-rural gradient
Authors: Deeley Sabrina , Johnson Joshua B. , Ford W. Mark , Gates J. Edward 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
White-nose Syndrome (WNS) has reduced the abundance of many bat species within the United States’ Mid-Atlantic region. To determine changes within the National Park Service National Capital Region (NCR) bat communities, we surveyed the area with mist netting and active acoustic sampling (2016–2018) and compared findings to pre-WNS (2003–2004) data.

Results
The results indicated the continued presence of the threatened Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared bat) and species of conservation concern, including Perimyotis subflavus (Tri-colored bat), Myotis leibii (Eastern Small-footed bat) and Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown bat). However, we documented a significant reduction in the abundance and distribution of M. lucifugus and P. subflavus, a decrease in the distribution of M. septentrionalis, and an increase in the abundance of Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown bat).

Conclusions
Documented post-WNS M. septentrionalis recruitment suggests that portions of the NCR may be important bat conservation areas. Decreases in distribution and abundance of P. subflavus and M. lucifugus indicate probable extirpation from many previously occupied portions of the region.