bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinal manifestations in patients following COVID-19 infection: A consecutive case series
Authors: Goyal Mallika , Murthy Somasheila I , Annum Sridhar 
Published: May 2021

Purpose:
To describe retinal manifestations seen in patients associated with COVID-19 infection at a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital in Southern India.

Methods:
In this retrospective chart review, all consecutive cases presenting to the Retina-Uveitis service from May 2020 to January 2021 with retinal manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection or its sequelae or as a result of treatment given for COVID-19 were included.

Results:
Of the 7 patients, 3 were female, and 4 were male. Four patients had onset of symptoms during the active phase of COVID-19 infection. Four had bilateral and three had unilateral involvement. The manifestations ranged from mild to vision threatening. Vision threatening manifestations included infections: endogenous endophthalmitis, candida retinitis and tubercular choroidal abscess and bilateral pre-foveal hemorrhages. Milder manifestations included paracentral acute middle maculopathy, central serous chorio-retinopathy and voriconazole induced visual symptoms. Final visual acuity was 6/36 or better in the four severe cases and 6/9 or better in the mild cases.

Conclusion:
This study highlights the retinal manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection and its sequelae. As these patients presented with an association with COVID-19 (either during or after recovery), ophthalmologists should be vigilant and screen for such entities in case of complaints of visual symptoms or in the presence of systemic sepsis. The outcomes can be good with prompt and aggressive management.
Evaluation of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness in the diagnosis of preperimetric glaucoma and comparison to retinal nerve fiber layer
Authors: Deshpande Gunjan A , Gupta Richa , Bawankule Prashant , Raje Dhananjay , Chakraborty Moumita 
Published: May 2021

Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic ability of optic nerve head (ONH), RNFL, and GC-IPL parameters in differentiating eyes with PPG from normals.

Methods:
This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study. We studied 73 eyes of 41 patients and compared them to 65 eyes of 34 normal persons. Each patient underwent detailed ocular examination, standard automated perimetry, GC-IPL, ONH, and RNFL analysis. PPG was defined as eyes with normal visual field results and one or more localized RNFL defects that were associated with a glaucomatous disc appearance (e.g., notching or thinning of neuroretinal rim) and IOP more than 21 mm Hg. Diagnostic abilities of GC-IPL, ONH, and RNFL parameters were computed using area under receiver-operating curve (AUROC), sensitivity and specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs).

Results:
All GC-IPL parameters differed significantly from normal. The ONH, RNFL, and GC-IPL parameters with best area under curves (AUCs) to differentiate PPG were vertical cup to disc ratio (0.76), inferior quadrant RNFL thickness (0.79), and inferotemporal quadrant GC-IPL thickness (0.73), respectively. Similarly, best LRs were found for clock hour 5, 6, and 12 thicknesses among RNFL; inferior sector and inferotemporal sector thicknesses among GC-IPL parameters.

Conclusion:
Diagnostic abilities of GC-IPL parameters were comparable to RNFL parameters in differentiating PPG patients from normals. The likelihood of ruling in a disease was greater with GC-IPL parameters.
Dry eye disease and retinal nerve fiber layer changes in chronic smokers
Authors: Narnoli Prasansha , Dhasmana Renu , Khanduri Rakhee 
Published: May 2021

Purpose:
To study the effect of smoking on tear film parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) in chronic smokers.

Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study, which included 60 (120 eyes) smokers who have smoked at least 10 pack-year and an equal number of healthy subjects as a control for comparison. In addition to history, a detailed slit-lamp examination was done to evaluate the anterior and posterior segments. All patients underwent Schirmer’s I test (SIT) with Whatman-41 filter paper, tear meniscus height (TMH), and RNFL with a Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and tear film breakup time (TBUT) with 2% fluorescein and cobalt blue filter using slit-lamp biomicroscopy.

Results:
The (mean ± SD) age of the participants was 56.48 ± 10.38 years. There was a statistically significant reduction in tear film parameters in smokers compared to nonsmokers (P = 0.000). The incidence of MGD was found to be higher in smokers when compared to nonsmokers with a P value of 0.000. RNFL in all four quadrants was also significantly reduced in smokers compared to nonsmokers (P = 0.00).

Conclusion:
This study shows that chronic smoking leads to an increased incidence of dry eye disease and is associated with RNFL thinning. Smoking can result in cumulative RNFL loss in patients with ocular neurodegenerative disorder and OCT of these patients may have to be interpreted keeping this in mind.
Initial growth of corn under application of cattle manure
Authors: Alves GOMES Lucimara , Da SILVA Francisco de Assis , Freire PEREIRA Francisco Hevilasio , Campos JUNIOR José Eustáquio , NOBREGA Jackson Silva , Dos Santos DIAS Mirandy dos 
Published: May 2021

Objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento inicial de plantas de milho aos 30 dias após a semeadura cultivadas em solo salino sob duas formas de aplicação de esterco bovino. O experimento foi realizado na Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia Agroalimentar (CCTA) Pombal-PB, no período de abril a maio de 2015, utilizando o híbrido da variedade de milho AG 1051. O arranjo experimental foi realizado em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, correspondente a 4 doses de esterco bovino (1, 3, 5 e 7% da capacidade do recipiente) e duas formas de aplicação (aplicado na camada superficial do solo e incorporação total ao solo), com 4 repetições, totalizando 32 unidades experimentais. O plantio foi realizado em vasos com capacidade de 10 dm3 de solos, semeado manualmente quatro sementes por vaso. As avaliações ocorreram aos trinta dias após a semeadura, sendo avaliada a altura de planta (AP), diâmetro do colmo (DC), Número de folhas (NF) e a massa seca de folha, caule e total. Quando comparado as formas de aplicação, as plantas de milho se desenvolveram melhor quando o esterco foi incorporado total ao solo. Foi observado que a dose de 7% promoveu um maior crescimento e a cúmulo de massa em plantas de milho aos 30 dias após a semeadura.
Mathematical simulation of the theoretical-hydraulic behavior of micro sprinklers and microtubes along the lateral line
Authors: PINHEIRO Antonio Gebson , Da SILVA Jhon Lennon Bezerra , De Oliveira SILVA Douglas Alberto , Dias BATISTA Pedro Henrique , De Moraes RODRIGUES Joez André , Da SILVA Marcos Vinícius 
Published: May 2021

A irrigação localizada caracteriza-se como o método de irrigação com alta eficiência na aplicação de água e insumos por meio da fertirrigação. Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar o comportamento teórico-hidráulico de microaspersores e microtubos por meio de simulações matemáticas ao longo da linha lateral em sistema de irrigação, sendo o emissor em estudo da carborundum, cuja característica de bocal verde e claro. O trabalho foi desenvolvido através de simulações matemáticas através do Software Microsoft Excel® para um emissor tipo microaspersor e microtubos. Os valores estatísticos foram a média, desvio padrão, coeficiente de variação (CV) e coeficiente de uniformidade estatísticos (CUE). A simulação com microaspersores e microtubos obteveram valores do CUE para a pressão e vazão variando entre 94,42 e 98,09%, classificados como excelentes, apresentando-se de baixa variabilidade (CVs entre 1,00 e 5,00%). Neste sistema, foi verificado que a uniformidade de aplicação de água ao longo da linha lateral está intimamente relacionada com a variação de pressão e vazão dos emissores. Os modelos matemáticos foram eficazes no dimensionamento do gradiente de pressão ao longo da linha lateral tanto para os microaspersores quanto para os microtubos.
Biological attributes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., Fabaceae) grown in pots with different sources of organic fertilization
Authors: PINHEIRO Rodrigo Almeida , SANTOS Daniel Rocha , CABRAL Maria Jéssica dos Santos , SILVA Renato de Almeida , BARROS Rubens Pessoa de 
Published: May 2021

O feijão caupi (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., fabaceae) é uma leguminosa de importância socioeconômica, principalmente para as regiões Norte e Nordeste do Brasil, fazendo parte da dieta alimentar nessas regiões. O estudo objetivou acompanhar a germinação e o desenvolvimento fenológico do feijão caupi (V. unguiculata L.), cultivado em vasos com substratos orgânicos, verificando as características biológicas e produtivas da adubação orgânica. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação no Campus I da Universidade Estadual de Alagoas, durante os meses de maio a agosto de 2019. Inicialmente realizou-se a semeadura dos grãos em sementeira com substrato comercial Bioplant®. A germinação das sementes foi acompanhada, e posteriormente os dados foram analisados através da regressão linear para avaliar o coeficiente de variação de Pearson. Logo após ocorreu o transplantio para os vasos que foram organizados em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Foram utilizados: T1- solo sem adição de adubo; T2- solo + esterco bovino; T3- solo + esterco caprino e T4- solo + cama de aviário, colocados em vasos na proporção 2:1 (para cada dois vasos de solo, um de esterco foi adicionado). A avaliação do índice de velocidade de germinação das sementes - IVG, a partir da regressão linear, revelou o R2= 0,98. No índice de germinação – IG, apresentando R2= 0,79 de sementes germinadas. Através do teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade pode-se constatar que os tratamentos de esterco bovino e cama de aviário apresentaram resultados significativos para a maioria das variáveis analisadas. O substrato Bioplant® é recomendado para a germinação de sementes de feijão, assim como as fontes de matéria orgânica utilizadas nesse estudo podem ser aplicadas no cultivo de feijão caupi em vasos, melhorando os atributos biológicos e produtivos da planta.
Response of coriander irrigated with saline water
Authors: FRANÇA Thaíse Santos , PAZ Kelvya Mikaelle Vieira da , SOUZA Amanda Ferreira de , SANTOS Lúcia Jacinto da Silva SANTOS , SANTOS Márcio Aurélio Lins dos 
Published: May 2021

O coentro é uma das hortaliças folhosas mais produzidas por pequenos produtores na região de Arapiraca, e estes fazem uso de água proveniente de pequenas fontes que possuem qualidade inferior. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho do coentro irrigado com diferentes lâminas de água. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente protegido (estufa) na área experimental da Universidade Federal de Alagoas/Campus Arapiraca. O delineamento escolhido para a condução do experimento foi o Delineamento Inteiramente Casualizado (DIC), com 5 lâminas de água com condutividade de 3,10 dSm-1 (L1=50, L2= 75, L3= 100, L4=125 e L5= 150%), considerando a Evapotranspiração da Cultura (ETc), com 4 repetições, totalizando 20 parcelas experimentais. Foram utilizadas sementes de coentro cultivar Verdão. As variáveis analisadas foram altura da haste (AH) aos 10, 20 e 30 dias após a germinação, número de hastes (NH), massa seca aérea (MSA), massa seca da raiz (MSR) e massa seca total (MST). Todos os dados foram tabulados e submetidos à análise de variância. Conclui-se que a água com CEágua igual a 3,10 dSm-1 não influenciou no desenvolvimento do coentro.
Performance response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., asteraceae) cultivated with potted manure
Authors: Rocha Santos Daniel , PINHEIRO Rodrigo Almeida , SILVA Jecilãine Efigênia da , SOUSA Taynara Alves de , BARROS Rubens Pessoa de 
Published: May 2021

O girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) pertence à família asteraceae, é cultivado em todos os continentes, tem importância econômica. Seu cultivo necessita de fertilizantes orgânicos, que além de ter custo baixo de aquisição, melhora as propriedades químicas, físicas e biológicas do solo e reciclagem dos nutrientes no sistema solo-planta. Objetivou-se com esse estudo verificar o desempenho do girassol (H. annuus) com esterco aviário cultivado em vasos comparando com outras fontes de matérias orgânicas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com 4 tratamentos (solo com esterco aviário, solo + esterco bovino, solo + esterco caprino e solo sem adubo (Testemunha) com 5 repetições. Foi realizada a solarização por 5 dias, para eliminar possíveis microrganismos fitopatogênicos. No período da pré-colheita as variáveis: altura da planta - AP e diâmetro do caule - DC analisadas pelo teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade tiveram resultados significativos no tratamento com a utilização de solo com esterco aviário. No período da pós-colheita da biomassa do girassol, as variáveis tamanho da raiz - TR, massa fresca total - MFT e massa seca total - MST mostraram resultados significativo no tratamento de solo com esterco aviário. A produção vegetal do girassol nos períodos de pré-colheita da fenologia da planta e pós-colheita, obtiveram resultados significativos com a adição de matéria orgânica utilizada.
Allometric and phenological study of Chinese boldo (Plectranthus ornatus Codd Lamiaceae) grown with different sources of organic matter
Authors: SOUSA Taynara Alves de , SANTOS Daniel Rocha , SILVA Jecilãine Efigênia da , PINHEIRO Rodrigo Almeida , CABRAL Maria Jéssica dos Santos , BARROS Rubens Pessoa de 
Published: May 2021

O Boldo chinês (Plectranthus ornatus, Codd) é uma planta medicinal originária dos países do Mediterrâneo e Oriente pertencente à família Lamiaceae. A adubação orgânica fornece às plantas medicinais melhor desenvolvimento em suas características, proporcionando maior rendimento e produtividade. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os dados alométricos das folhas e acompanhar a fenologia das plantas de boldo chinês (P. ornatos) cultivada em diferentes fontes de adubação orgânica. A pesquisa foi realizada em casa de vegetação no Campus I Universidade Estadual de Alagoas, durante os meses de Janeiro a maio de 2019. Os procedimentos realizados foram o cálculo médio ponderado da área foliar (L x C) e o acompanhamento fenológico das plantas de boldo chinês. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado (DIC), com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: solo sem adição de adubo (T1), solo com adição de esterco aviário (T2), solo com adição esterco caprino (T3) e solo com adição esterco bovino (T4). As variáveis analisadas pelo teste de Tukey ao nível de 5% de probabilidade demonstraram que a alometria das folhas foi significativa, o solo com adubo aviário se destacou. Nos resultados obtidos na pré-colheita e pós-colheita, o tratamento de solo com adubo aviário mostrou maior significância aos outros adubos orgânicos e da testemunha.
Co-administration of Colchicine and Allopurinol alleviates vascular calcification induced by hyperuricemia via suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress
Authors: Ji Yang , Wang Maojing , Sun Libo , Ding Wei , Cai Shanglang , Zhao Qing 
Published: May 2021

IntroductionOxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of VC in patients with hyperuricemia, while lowering the uric acid level accordingly reduces the risk of VC. Additionally, both ALL and COL suppress inflammatory response and oxidative stress. However, it is unclear whether novel therapeutic strategies, such as combined administration of COL and ALL, can achieve a better performance in lowering hyperuricemia. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of co-administration of COL and ALL in the treatment of VC.Material and methodsVon Kossa staining was performed to evaluate the aortic vascular calcification in HUC rats treated under different therapeutic conditions. Quantitative real-time PCR was carried out to analyze the expression of genes involved in the pathogenesis of hyperuricemia.ResultsCombined administration of COL and ALL alleviated the aortic vascular calcification in HUC rats. The aberrant up-regulation of genes related to differentiation, BMP2, RUNX2, OC and ALP, was effectively reversed by the combined treatment of COL and ALL in HUC rats and cellular models. Besides, the dysregulation of enzymes and cytokines involved in oxidative and inflammatory responses was restored by the combined treatment of COL and ALL.ConclusionsIn this study, we tested the therapeutic effect of ALL combined with COL on the treatment of VC in animals with hyperuricemia by examining their influence on oxidative stress and inflammation. Our work helped to gain a deeper insight into the molecular mechanism of hyperuricemia, and revealed that the efficiency of the combined treatment with COL and ALL out-performed the mono-therapy of any single compound.
ST2L expression on monocyte subsets is associated with the severity of acute coronary syndrome and plaque vulnerability
Authors: Ju Peinan , Zhuang Jianhui , Singh Shekhar , Lyu Yuyan , Li Xiankai , Xu Yawei 
Published: May 2021

IntroductionPro-inflammatory monocyte infiltration and conversion to macrophages is an established risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and plaque instability visualized by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Increased serum levels of soluble ST2 isoform (sST2) predict poor outcomes in patients with ACS. However, whether the transmembrane ST2 isoform (ST2L) could early assess the severity of ACS and the vulnerability of plaques remains elusive.Material and methodsFlow cytometry and ELISA were performed to evaluate the levels of ST2L on different monocyte subsets in ACS patients and serum concentration of sST2. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated and polarized to M1 or M2 phenotype, which levels of ST2L expression were detected by Quantitative RT-PCR and Immunoblots.ResultsThe proportion and absolute number of ST2L on monocyte subsets 1 (Mon1) and Mon2 significantly declined, accompanied with increased serum sST2, in ACS patients comparing with controls. However, only proportion of ST2L+/Mon2 remained closely associated with the severity of atherosclerotic plaques. Patients with thin cap fibrous atheroma (TCFA) calculated by OCT had lower absolute number (Non-TCFA 1.26×104 ± 0.63×104/ml vs. TCFA 0.92×104 ± 0.37×104/ml, P = 0.034) and lower percentage (Non-TCFA 17.65% ± 3.10% vs. TCFA 13.17% ± 2.29%, P < 0.001) of ST2L+/Mon2 than those without TCFA. In multivariate analysis, the proportion of ST2L+/Mon2 was considered as an independent determinant for TCFA. In BMDMs, sST2 and ST2L were highly expressed in M2 macrophage.ConclusionsCompared to circulating sST2, the proportion of ST2L expressing on Mon2 subsets was more strongly associated with the severity of ACS and plaque vulnerability.
LncRNA GACAT3 contributes to osteoarthritis progression by suppressing growth and inducing apoptosis of chondrocytes through miR-195/TGF-β/Smad5 axis
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Bo , Wei Chunxia , Huang Xiaoqun 
Published: May 2021

IntroductionLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified as an important regulator involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). We aimed to evaluate whether lncRNA GACAT3 regulate OA progression by miR-195/TGF-β/Smad5 axis.Material and methodsExpression levels in tissue or chondrocytes were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Effects of GACAT3 on cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis were evaluated. Targeted interactions of GACAT3, miR-195 and Smad5 were confirmed by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and biotin-coupled miRNA capture assay. Transfected or non-transfected cells were treated with TGF-β1 to verify role of TGF-β in mechanisms of OA progression.ResultsGACAT3 was overexpressed in OA tissues and associated with OA severity. After GACAT3 overexpression, the ability of cell viability and proliferation as well as proliferation-related genes was inhibited with enhanced level of apoptosis-related genes and Smad5. miR-195-5p was negatively targeted by GACAT3 and reversed effects caused by GACAT3. miR-195-5p negatively targeted Smad5. In the presence of TGF-β1, miR-195-5p mimics inhibited activation of Smad1/5, Smad5 and Smad2 compared with negative control. Immunofluorescence showed that miR-195-5p inhibited Smad1/5 activation and transfer to nucleus. In the presence of TGF-β1, GACAT3 facilitated the activation of TGF-β signaling. In clinical sample analysis, GACAT3 was positively correlated with Smad5 expression in OA patients.ConclusionsWe confirmed the up-regulation of GACAT3 in OA patients, and found that GACAT3 regulated the chondrocytes phenotypes by miR-195/TGF-β/Smad5 axis and in turn contributed to OA progression. Findings indicated that GACAT3 may act as a novel therapeutic target for controlling OA progression.
Dysregulation of microRNA-125b is involved in the pathogenesis of post-operative infection via modulating the STAT3/procalcitonin (PCT) signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Li , Yang Mingzhu , Jin Xuan 
Published: May 2021

IntroductionProcalcitonin (PCT) has been reported to function as a predictive biomarker of post-operative infection. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the regulation of PCT expression.Material and methods72 children diagnosed with post-operative infection and 58 children without post-operative infection were recruited in this study. Computational analysis, luciferase assay, real-time PCR, Western-blot analysis, and assays of post-operative C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and PCT were performed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the regulation of PCT expression.ResultsMiR-125b was found to repress STAT3 expression with putative binding sites in 3’UTR of STAT3. The levels of PCT and miR-125b in non-infection group remained stable from day 0 to day 5, while the level of PCT was increased in the infection group along with a decreased level of miR-125b from day 1 to day 5. The post-operative levels of CRP and ESR in both non-infection and infection groups were evidently increased in a time-dependent manner, but the levels of miR-106b and miR-20a in both non-infection and infection groups remained stable. The area under the curve (AUC) values of PCT, CRP, ESR, miR-125b, miR-106b and miR-20a demonstrated that only miR-125b and PCT were involved in infection. Transfection with miR-125b reduced STAT3 expression, while the activation of STAT3 by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment up-regulated PCT production. Finally, miR-125b down-regulated the expression of PCT by targeting STAT3.ConclusionsTaken together, we suggested that miR-125b was involved in the prognosis and diagnosis of poster-operative infection by modulating the signaling pathway of miR-125b/STAT3/PCT.