bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual field defects after vigabatrin treatment during infancy: retrospective population‐based study
Authors: Jonsson Henna , Lehto Mikko , Vanhatalo Sampsa , Gaily Eija , Linnankivi Tarja 
Published: October 2021

AimTo investigate the prevalence of vigabatrin‐attributed visual field defect (VAVFD) in infantile spasms and the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in detecting vigabatrin‐related damage.MethodWe examined visual fields by Goldmann or Octopus perimetry and the thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) with spectral‐domain OCT at school age or adolescence.ResultsOut of 88 patients (38 females, mean age at study 15y, SD 4y 3mo, range 6y 4mo–23y 3mo [n=65] or deceased [n=21] or moved abroad [n=2]) exposed to vigabatrin in infancy, 28 were able to perform formal visual field testing. Two had visual field defect from structural causes. We found mild VAVFD in four patients and severe VAVFD in one patient. Median vigabatrin treatment duration for those with normal visual field was 11 months compared to 19 months for those with VAVFD (p=0.04). OCT showed concomitant attenuated RNFL in three children with VAVFD, and was normal in one. The temporal half of the peripapillary RNFL was significantly thinner in the VAVFD group compared to the normal visual field group.InterpretationThe overall prevalence of VAVFD is lower after exposure in infancy compared to 52% which has been reported after exposure in adulthood. The risk increases with longer treatment duration. Further studies should identify infants particularly susceptible to VAVFD and clarify the role of OCT.
Independent effects of amyloid and vascular markers on long‐term functional outcomes: An 8‐year longitudinal study of subcortical vascular cognitive impairment
Authors: Kang Sung Hoon , Woo Sook‐young , Kim Seonwoo , Kim Jun Pyo , Jang Hyemin , Koh Seong‐Beom , Na Duk L. , Kim Hee Jin , Seo Sang Won 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeSubcortical vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI) is characterized by the presence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) markers. Some SVCI patients also show Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy markers. However, the effects of these imaging markers on long‐term clinical outcomes have not yet been established. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine how these imaging markers influence functional disability and/or mortality.MethodsWe recruited 194 participants with SVCI from the memory clinic and followed them up. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging at baseline, and 177 (91.2%) participants underwent beta‐amyloid (Aβ) positron emission tomography. We examined the occurrence of ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. We also evaluated functional disability and mortality using the modified Rankin scale. To determine the effects of imaging markers on functional disability or mortality, we used Fine and Gray competing regression or Cox regression analysis.ResultsDuring a 8.6‐year follow‐up period, 46 of 194 patients (23.7%) experienced a stroke, 110 patients (56.7%) developed functional disabilities and 75 (38.6%) died. Aβ positivity (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 2.73), greater white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume (SHR = 3.11) and ≥3 microbleeds (SHR = 2.29) at baseline were independent predictors of functional disability regardless of the occurrence of stroke. Greater WMH volume (hazard ratio = 2.07) was an independent predictor of mortality.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that diverse imaging markers may predict long‐term functional disability and mortality in patients with SVCI, which in turn may provide clinicians with a more insightful understanding of the long‐term outcomes of SVCI.
The photosynthetic response of C3 and C4 bioenergy grass species to fluctuating light
Authors: Lee Moon‐Sub , Boyd Ryan A. , Ort Donald R. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBioenergy grass species are a renewable energy source, but their productivity has not been fully realized. Improving photosynthetic efficiency has been proposed as a mechanism to increase the productivity of bioenergy grass species. Fluctuating light, experienced by all field grown crops, is known to reduce photosynthetic efficiency. This experiment aimed to evaluate the photosynthetic performance of both C3 and C4 bioenergy grass species under steady state and fluctuating light conditions by examining leaf gas exchange. The fluctuating light regime used here decreased carbon assimilation across all species when compared to expected steady state values. Overall, C4 species assimilated more carbon than C3 species during the fluctuating light regime, with both photosynthetic types assimilating about 16% less carbon than expected based on steady state measurements. Little diversity was observed in response to fluctuating light among C3 species, and photorespiration partially contributed to the rapid decreases in net photosynthetic rates during high to low light transitions. In C4 species, differences among the four NADP‐ME species were apparent. Diversity observed among C4 species in this experiment provides evidence that photosynthetic efficiency in response to fluctuating light may be targeted to increase C4 bioenergy grass productivity.
The Importance of Groundwater in Critical Zone Science
Authors: Singha Kamini , Navarre‐Sitchler Alexis 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe critical zone (CZ)—from treetops to groundwater—is an increasingly studied part of the earth system, where scientists study interactions between water, air, rock, soil, and life. Groundwater is both a boundary and an essential store in this integrated system, but is often not well considered in part because of the difficulty in accessing it and its slow movement relative to other parts of the system. Here, we describe some fundamental areas where groundwater hydrology is of fundamental importance to CZ science, including sustaining streamflow and vegetation, reacting with minerals to produce dissolved solutes and regolith, and influencing energy fluxes across the land‐atmosphere interface. As the timing and type of precipitation change with climate, groundwater may play an even more important role in CZ processes as a sustainable water source for plants and streamflow. Many open questions also exist about the role of CZ processes on groundwater. Many data streams are needed and important to quantifying the integrated response of the CZ to groundwater and vice versa, but long‐term data records are often incomplete or discontinued due to limited funding. We argue that the long timescales of processes that involve groundwater necessitate data collection efforts beyond typical federal funding timespans. Sustaining monitoring networks and developing new ones aimed at testing hypotheses related to slow‐moving, groundwater‐controlled CZ processes should be a scientific priority, and here we outline some open questions that we hope will motivate groundwater scientists to get involved in CZ science.
Advanced mosasaurs from the Upper Cretaceous Nakaminato Group in Japan
Authors: Kato Taichi , Nakajima Yasuhisa , Shiseki Kohei , Ando Hisao 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPlotosaurus is a highly aquatically adapted mosasaur, which is supposed to inhabit the deep ocean basin. The geographic occurrence of this genus has been limited only to the west coast of North America. In this study, two Plotosaurus‐type mosasaur caudal vertebrae derived from the Upper Cretaceous Nakaminato Group in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, are described with discussion on the paleobiogeographic significance of the Late Cretaceous mosasaur fauna in the Northwestern Pacific region. The two specimens are an intermediate caudal vertebra found in a beach cobble, which presumably originated from the Hiraiso Formation (upper Campanian), and a terminal caudal vertebra found in situ in the lower Isoai Formation (lower Maastrichtian). Because their relative centrum lengths (ratio of centrum length/centrum height, ~0.7) are very close to that of Plotosaurus, the specimens are referred to cf. Plotosaurus sp. The two specimens provide the first evidence that highly specialized Plotosaurus‐type mosasaurs inhabited the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, suggesting that such forms had a wider distribution than previously recognized and might have existed since the late Campanian in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.
An overview of pruritus in autoimmune connective tissue diseases
Authors: Pathania Yashdeep Singh 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAutoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTD) are a broad spectrum of diseases including dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue diseases. Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation leading to scratching. It is most commonly seen in dermatomyositis patients among ACTD. Itch can be mild to severe, hampering daily activities. It is often associated with disease severity. Apart from ACTD, pruritus may be due to antimalarial agents or due to adverse effects of medications used in ACTD. Therefore, it is prudent to find the pathogenesis of pruritus for adequate treatment. Pruritus in ACTD is underreported and undertreated. The article gives a comprehensive view of pruritus in ACTD, its pathogenesis, and management.
Evaluating Polish nurses' working conditions and patient safety during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Malinowska‐Lipień Iwona , Wadas Tadeusz , Gabryś Teresa , Kózka Maria , Gniadek Agnieszka , Brzostek Tomasz , Squires Allison 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAimTo study the relationship between Polish nurses' working conditions and their attitudes towards patient safety during the COVID‐19 pandemic.BackgroundFacing the COVID‐19 pandemic, caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, healthcare worldwide has been reorganised. How these changes affected patient safety for hospitalised persons is not well understood.IntroductionDifficult working conditions related to the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic may affect the provision of safe and effective care by healthcare staff.MethodsThis observational research was performed on the group of 577 nurses working during the COVID‐19 pandemic in isolation infection wards (n = 201) and non‐infectious diseases wards (n = 376) in Polish hospitals. The evaluation of working conditions was performed with an author's questionnaire, while the evaluation of factors influencing attitudes towards safety of the hospitalised patients was performed using Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. The STROBE checklist was used to report this study.ResultsThe procedures developed by management in advance for COVID‐19 patient treatment had a statistically significant influence on nurses' ‘evaluation of teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, perception of management and work conditions’. Providing management with the ability to perform a swab polymerase chain reaction SARS‐CoV‐2 test for hospital staff in the workplace, and psychological support from professionals and employers were statistically significant for higher ratings of ‘teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, stress recognition, perception of management and work conditions’ by the Polish nurses. Hospital workload during the COVID‐19 pandemic was significantly correlated with lower evaluation of work conditions.DiscussionOur study reinforces the existing literature on many fronts and demonstrates how even when operating under the COVID‐19 pandemic conditions, some factors remain critical for fostering a culture of patient safety. Reinforcing patient safety practices is a imperative under these conditions.Conclusions and implications for nursingWorking conditions influence nurses' attitudes towards safety of the hospitalised patients. These are largely modifiable factors related to the workplace and include prior preparation of procedures, restrictions to extending daily work hours and psychological counselling for the staff.
Intercropping with Guiera senegalensis in a semi‐arid area to mitigate early‐season abiotic stress in A. hypogea and P. glaucum
Authors: Bayala Roger , Diedhiou Ibrahima , Bogie Nathaniel A. , Bright Matthew B. H. , Badiane Yacine Ndour , Ghezzehei Teamrat A. , Dick Richard P. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRecent research has shown that the native shrub, Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel, interplanted with crops dramatically increases crop yield in the Sahel. However, little is known about the crop development when grown alongside shrubs. The objectives were to determine the effect of shrub presence on crop development under varying fertilizer rates in northern Senegal. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.)) response in the presence or absence of shrubs was investigated from 2013 to 2016 under low to adequate rainfall. The experiment had a split‐plot factorial design with presence or absence shrubs (+shrub, −shrub) as the main plot (elevated densities of 1200 to 1500 shrubs ha−1) and fertilizer rate (0, 0.5, 1 or 1.5 times the recommended N–P–K rate) as the subplot factors. Major developmental phases, leaf counts and plant height were determined. Shrub presence made crops grow up to four times taller and reach 50% flowering when −shrub plots did not reach 50% in 2013 and 2015 (millet). Changes to crop development, even in low rainfall years, indicate that shrub intercropping buffers against crop water stress. Thus, under drought conditions, shrub‐based agroforestry can contribute to reduce fertilizer necessity and to mitigate against climate change.
The effectiveness of goal setting on glycaemic control for people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Whitehead Lisa , Glass Courtney , Coppell Kirsten 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAimThis review assessed the effectiveness of interventions using a goal‐setting approach on glycaemic control for people diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.DesignA systematic review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for conducting systematic reviews of primary research studies was conducted.Data SourcesRandomized controlled trials and experimental studies with a minimum follow‐up period of 6 months were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome was change in glycaemic control as measured by glycated haemoglobin (%) and/or fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl). A systematic search of seven electronic databases was completed in October 2020.Review MethodsPapers meeting the inclusion criteria were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools for critical appraisal followed by data extraction. A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation assessment was conducted to assess the overall certainty of the evidence. Fixed‐effect meta‐analyses were completed to demonstrate the mean effect for each outcome of interest.ResultsTwenty one studies were included in this review. Goal setting was more effective than usual care for glycaemic control in prediabetes at 6 months and at 12 months for fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) and glycated haemoglobin (%). Goal setting was more effective than usual care for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes for fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) at 6 months, fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) at 12 months, glycated haemoglobin (%) at 6 months and glycated haemoglobin (%) at 12 months.ConclusionThe evidence suggests goal setting is effective in supporting people to achieve glycaemic targets in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
The application of local rotating flap and latissimus dorsi flap in thoracic deformity correction
Authors: Zhang Xinling , Yang Xin , Wang Guanhuier , Chen Yujie , Zhao Zhenmin , Bi Hongsen , Chen Jing 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundWound healing problem is one of the main complications after correction of chest wall deformity. Orthopedic flap tissue repair technique has a clear significance in non‐healing wound and defect wound and provides a new choice for poor wound healing after orthopedic surgery of chest wall deformity.ObjectiveTo investigate, the application value of modified local rotary flap and latissimus dorsi myocutcutaneous flap in the treatment of poor wound healing after orthodontic treatment of chest wall deformity.MethodA retrospective analysis was performed on patients who admitted to our department from August 2012 to November 2019 due to non‐healing incision after surgery for thoracic deformity. Skin flap was selected according to the size of the wound surface, and the effect of skin flap repair was observed. The clinical data of the included patients were recorded, and the preoperative and postoperative wound conditions were evaluated.ResultsThis study included 13 patients with chest wall deformity who received plastic surgery tissue using flap technique for wound repair, 11 cases used modified local rotation skin flap, and 2 cases used modified latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. The mean age of the 13 patients was 18.54 ± 4.14 years old, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 17.02 ± 2.16 kg/m2, and the mean preoperative nonunion time of the incision was 64.77 ± 93.01 days. Five patients had positive bacteria culture on the wound surface, including 3 cases of Staphylococcus aureus, 1 case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 1 case of Staphylococcus epidermidis. All the 13 patients achieved primary grade A healing.ConclusionThe modified local rotary flap and latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap have a significant effect on the postoperative correction of chest wall deformity, which can ensure wound healing while retaining the orthopedic plate to the maximum extent to ensure the effect of the correction.
Ten‐year clinical performance of zirconia posterior fixed partial dentures
Authors: Matta Ragai‐Edward , Eitner Stephan , Stelzer Simon Paul , Reich Sven , Wichmann Manfred , Berger Lara 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundWith the constantly increasing demand for metal‐free solutions in dental therapy, numerous ceramic restorations have found their way into everyday clinical practice, but long‐term clinical data are limited.ObjectiveThe aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate three‐ and four‐unit fixed partial dentures in the posterior region made of zirconium dioxide frameworks veneered with feldspathic porcelain after 10 years in clinical use.MethodsBased on the two studies published in 2009 and 2012, in which the all‐ceramic FDPs were evaluated after 3 and 5 years of function, a clinical evaluation of a total of 17 restorations after 10 years with regard to their condition and long‐term stability was carried out in the course of this study. The restorations were fabricated using feldspathic ceramic‐veneered, yttria‐stabilised, tetragonal zirconium dioxide as the framework material. The data collection was based on modified CDA criteria and included, for example, the shape, shade, surface condition and the success and survival rates of the restorations.ResultsThe all‐ceramic prostheses embodied excellent biocompatibility and colour reproduction. As a result of an increased incidence of chipping fractures, the success rate was 60%. The survival rate, however, was 88.2%, as 2 of the 17 restorations were lost.ConclusionAll‐ceramic concepts for FDP constructions in the posterior region achieved satisfactory results in terms of durability after 10 years. The main problem was chipping, as has been generally recognised. Nevertheless, the materials were characterised by excellent aesthetics and biocompatibility, which ultimately makes them a good alternative to conventional restorative options.Trial registrationThis study is registered in DRKS—German Clinical Trials Register with the register number DRKS00021743.
Antibacterial, antibiofilm and anti-quorum sensing activities of Muntingia calabura L. leaf extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: MosaChristas K. , Kowsalya E. , Karthick R. , Jaquline C.R.I. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemicals, antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-quorum sensing (QS) properties of methanol extract of Muntingia calabura L. leaves against biofilm-forming strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antioxidant potential of M. calabura methanol leaf extract was evaluated using a radical scavenging assay. Since the findings were so promising, the study aims to screen the phytochemical profiles using qualitative and quantitative approaches and to expand the investigation to anti-QS activity. The antibacterial activity was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration against pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive biofilm-forming bacterial strains using an agar well diffusion plate method. Muntingia calabura methanol leaf extract was most potent against P. aeruginosa. The QS controlled virulence factors in P. aeruginosa is significantly inhibited by M. calabura leaf extract. The microscopy images revealed a major reduction in P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. Interestingly, M. calabura leaf extract was not toxic to Vero cell line. These findings make M. calabura a strong candidate for new antimicrobial and anti-QS herbal agents.
Hypoxia as a physiological cue and pathological stress for coral larvae
Authors: Alderdice Rachel , Pernice Mathieu , Cárdenas Anny , Hughes David J. , Harrison Peter L. , Boulotte Nadine , Chartrand Katie , Kühl Michael , Suggett David J. , Voolstra Christian R. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOcean deoxygenation events are intensifying worldwide and can rapidly drive adult corals into a state of metabolic crisis and bleaching‐induced mortality, but whether coral larvae are subject to similar stress remains untested. We experimentally exposed apo‐symbiotic coral larvae of Acropora selago to deoxygenation stress with subsequent reoxygenation aligned to their night‐day light cycle, and followed their gene expression using RNA‐Seq. After 12 h of deoxygenation stress (~2 mg O2/L), coral planulae demonstrated a low expression of HIF‐targeted hypoxia response genes concomitant with a significantly high expression of PHD2 (a promoter of HIFα proteasomal degradation), similar to corresponding adult corals. Despite exhibiting a consistent swimming phenotype compared to control samples, the differential gene expression observed in planulae exposed to deoxygenation‐reoxygenation suggests a disruption of pathways involved in developmental regulation, mitochondrial activity, lipid metabolism, and O2‐sensitive epigenetic regulators. Importantly, we found that treated larvae exhibited a disruption in the expression of conserved HIF‐targeted developmental regulators, for example, Homeobox (HOX) genes, corroborating how changes in external oxygen levels can affect animal development. We discuss how the observed deoxygenation responses may be indicative of a possible acclimation response or alternatively may imply negative latent impacts for coral larval fitness.