bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optometrische Schulreihenuntersuchungen
Authors: Kaymak Hakan , Neller Kai , Funk Saskia , Langenbucher Achim , Seitz Berthold , Schwahn Hartmut 
Published: May 2021

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Wir stellen ein Projekt zur Verbesserung der Augengesundheit bei Schulkindern vor: Jährliche optometrische Reihenuntersuchungen mit Fokus auf die Früherkennung der Schulmyopie. Die logistische Machbarkeit wird am Beispiel eines Pilotprojektes an einem staatlichen Gymnasium in Nordrhein-Westfalen beleuchtet. Die erhobenen biometrischen Parameter tragen außerdem zur Erhebung epidemiologischer Daten bei.

Material und Methoden
An organisierten Untersuchungstagen wurde bei den Schulkindern der 5. bis 7. Klassen (Alter 9 bis 16 Jahre) die objektive und subjektive Refraktion ermittelt, auf Auffälligkeiten im Binokularsehen getestet und der photopische und mesopische Pupillendurchmesser bestimmt. Mittels berührungsfreier Biometrie wurden die Hornhautradien, zentrale Hornhautdicke, Vorderkammertiefe, Linsendicke und die Achslänge der Augen gemessen. Mittels optischer Kohärenztomographie (OCT) wurde außerdem die zentrale Aderhautdicke der Augen bestimmt. Mit Fragebögen wurden die Sehgewohnheiten der Schulkinder erfragt.

Ergebnisse
Im Herbst 2019 nahmen 274 Schulkinder (11,2 ± 1,2 Jahre) freiwillig an den Untersuchungen teil; 22 % (61) zeigten eine Myopie (sphärisches Äquivalent ≤ −0,50 dpt), hiervon waren 11 % (7) bisher unkorrigiert (unkorrigierter Fernvisus < 0,8); 8 % (5) der Schulkinder zeigten eine Zunahme der Myopie um mehr als −0,5 dpt verglichen mit ihrem aktuellen Brillenwert (Fernvisus mit Brillenwert < 0,8). Eine Schulklasse mit ca. 25 Kindern kann innerhalb von 2 Schulstunden optometrisch untersucht werden.

Diskussion
Die Notwendigkeit der optometrischen Reihenuntersuchung ist objektiv gegeben, da insgesamt 4,4 % (12) myope Schulkinder identifiziert werden konnten, die aufgrund ihrer Brillenkorrektion einen Fernvisus von kleiner 0,8 aufwiesen. Durch die Ermittlung der Achslänge und der Einordnung dieses Wertes in Abhängigkeit des Alters in die Literatur kann das individuelle Myopierisiko abgeschätzt und Eltern und Kinder können sensibilisiert werden, um dem Missstand zu begegnen. Die geplanten Wiederholungsuntersuchungen werden genauere Aussagen zum Bulbuswachstum bei Schulkindern liefern.
El Niño teleconnection to the Euro-Mediterranean late-winter: the role of extratropical Pacific modulation
Authors: Benassi Marianna , Conti Giovanni , Gualdi Silvio , Ruggieri Paolo , Materia Stefano , García-Serrano Javier , Palmeiro Froila M. , Batté Lauriane , Ardilouze Constantin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEl Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) represents the major driver of interannual climate variability at global scale. Observational and model-based studies have fostered a long-standing debate on the shape and intensity of the ENSO influence over the Euro-Mediterranean sector. Indeed, the detection of this signal is strongly affected by the large internal variability that characterizes the atmospheric circulation in the North Atlantic–European (NAE) region. This study explores if and how the low-frequency variability of North Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) may impact the El Niño-NAE teleconnection in late winter, which consists of a dipolar pattern between middle and high latitudes. A set of idealized atmosphere-only experiments, prescribing different phases of the anomalous SST linked to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) superimposed onto an El Niño-like forcing in the tropical Pacific, has been performed in a multi-model framework, in order to assess the potential modulation of the positive ENSO signal. The modelling results suggest, in agreement with observational estimates, that the PDO negative phase (PDO−) may enhance the amplitude of the El Niño-NAE teleconnection, while the dynamics involved appear to be unaltered. On the other hand, the modulating role of the PDO positive phase (PDO+) is not reliable across models. This finding is consistent with the atmospheric response to the PDO itself, which is robust and statistically significant only for PDO−. Its modulation seems to rely on the enhanced meridional SST gradient and the related turbulent heat-flux released along the Kuroshio–Oyashio extension. PDO− weakens the North Pacific jet, whereby favoring more poleward propagation of wave activity, strengthening the El Niño-forced Rossby wave-train. These results imply that there might be conditional predictability for the interannual Euro-Mediterranean climate variability depending on the background state.
Megadroughts and pluvials in southwest Australia: 1350–2017 CE
Authors: O’Donnell Alison J. , McCaw W. Lachlan , Cook Edward R. , Grierson Pauline F. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDeclining winter rainfall coupled with recent prolonged drought poses significant risks to water resources and agriculture across southern Australia. While rainfall declines over recent decades are largely consistent with modelled climate change scenarios, particularly for southwest Australia, the significance of these declines is yet to be assessed within the context of long-term hydroclimatic variability. Here, we present a new 668-year (1350–2017 CE) tree-ring reconstruction of autumn–winter rainfall over inland southwest Australia. This record reveals that a recent decline in rainfall over inland southwest Australia (since 2000 CE) is not unusual in terms of either magnitude or duration relative to rainfall variability over the last seven centuries. Drought periods of greater magnitude and duration than those in the instrumental record occurred prior to 1900 CE, including two ‘megadroughts’ of > 30 years duration in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. By contrast, the wettest > decadal periods of the last seven centuries occurred after 1900 CE, making the twentieth century the wettest of the last seven centuries. We conclude that the instrumental rainfall record (since ~ 1900 CE) does not capture the full scale of natural hydroclimatic variability for inland southwest Australia and that the risk of prolonged droughts in the region is likely much higher than currently estimated.
Diverticular disease is associated with an increased incidence rate of depression and anxiety disorders
Authors: Loosen Sven H. , Paffenholz Pia , Luedde Tom , Kostev Karel , Roderburg Christoph 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Diverticular disease represents a gastrointestinal disorder of high prevalence in developed countries that often leads to psychological distress. Here, we aimed at evaluating a potential association between diverticular disease and depression or anxiety disorders in outpatients in Germany.

Methods
Using the Disease Analyzer database featuring data of over 8 million patients treated in German general practices, we identified 61.556 patients with diverticular disease (ICD-10: K57) who were 1:1 matched by age, sex, index year, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index to 61.556 patients without diverticular disease. The association between diverticular disease and depression or anxiety disorders was evaluated in Cox regression models.

Results
Within 5 years after the initial diagnosis of diverticular disease, 14.0% of patients with and 10.6% of individuals without diverticular disease were diagnosed with depression (HR 1.34, 95%CI 1.29–1.39, p < 0.001). Similarly, the incidence of anxiety disorder was significantly higher in patients with diverticular disease (HR 1.55, 95%CI 1.46–1.64, p < 0.001). Finally, the prescription rate for antidepressant drugs was significantly higher in diverticular disease patients compared to individuals without diverticular disease (9.4% vs. 6.1%, HR 1.56, 95%CI 1.49–1.62, p < 0.001). These associations were confirmed for different age groups and both sexes.

Conclusion
Our data provide evidence that diverticular disease is associated with an increased incidence of depression and anxiety disorders. Despite that fact that confounding factors such as deprivation and patient personality have to be taken into account, we suggest that patients with diverticular disease are regularly screened for symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.
The use of an in-vitro batch fermentation (human colon) model for investigating mechanisms of TMA production from choline, l-carnitine and related precursors by the human gut microbiota
Authors: Day-Walsh Priscilla , Shehata Emad , Saha Shikha , Savva George M. , Nemeckova Barbora , Speranza Jasmine , Kellingray Lee , Narbad Arjan , Kroon Paul A. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels have been shown to correlate with increased risk of metabolic diseases including cardiovascular diseases. TMAO exposure predominantly occurs as a consequence of gut microbiota-dependent trimethylamine (TMA) production from dietary substrates including choline, carnitine and betaine, which is then converted to TMAO in the liver. Reducing microbial TMA production is likely to be the most effective and sustainable approach to overcoming TMAO burden in humans. Current models for studying microbial TMA production have numerous weaknesses including the cost and length of human studies, differences in TMA(O) metabolism in animal models and the risk of failing to replicate multi-enzyme/multi-strain pathways when using isolated bacterial strains. The purpose of this research was to investigate TMA production from dietary precursors in an in-vitro model of the human colon.

Methods
TMA production from choline, l-carnitine, betaine and γ-butyrobetaine was studied over 24–48 h using an in-vitro human colon model with metabolite quantification performed using LC–MS.

Results
Choline was metabolised via the direct choline TMA-lyase route but not the indirect choline–betaine-TMA route, conversion of l-carnitine to TMA was slower than that of choline and involves the formation of the intermediate γ-BB, whereas the Rieske-type monooxygenase/reductase pathway for l-carnitine metabolism to TMA was negligible. The rate of TMA production from precursors was choline > carnitine > betaine > γ-BB. 3,3-Dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB) had no effect on the conversion of choline to TMA.

Conclusion
The metabolic routes for microbial TMA production in the colon model are consistent with observations from human studies. Thus, this model is suitable for studying gut microbiota metabolism of TMA and for screening potential therapeutic targets that aim to attenuate TMA production by the gut microbiota.

Trial registration number
NCT02653001 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov), registered 12 Jan 2016.
Home-based devices in dermatology: a systematic review of safety and efficacy
Authors: Cohen Marc , Austin Evan , Masub Natasha , Kurtti Alana , George Christopher , Jagdeo Jared 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThere is increasing demand for home-based devices for the treatment of dermatologic conditions and cosmesis. Commercially available devices include intense pulsed light, laser diodes, radiofrequency, light-emitting diodes, and ultraviolet B phototherapy. The objective of this report is to evaluate the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of home-based devices for the treatment of skin conditions. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cinahl was conducted on November 9, 2020 using PRISMA guidelines. Original research articles that investigated the efficacy and safety of home-based devices for dermatologic use were included. Bibliographies were screened for additional relevant articles. Strength of evidence was graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. Clinical recommendations were then made based on the quality of the existing literature. After review, 37 clinical trials were included—19 were randomized controlled trials, 16 were case series, and 2 were non-randomized controlled trials. Ultimately, from our analysis, we recommend the home-based use of intense pulsed light for hair removal, laser diodes for androgenic alopecia, low power radiofrequency for rhytides and wrinkles, and light-emitting diodes for acne vulgaris. Trials investigating ultraviolet B phototherapy for psoriasis revealed mixed evidence for home treatments compared to clinic treatments. All devices had favorable safety profiles with few significant adverse events. Limitations to our review include a limited number of randomized controlled trials as well as a lack of data on the long-term efficacy and safety of each device.
A matter of atrophy: differential impact of brain and spine damage on disability worsening in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ruggieri Serena , Petracca Maria , De Giglio Laura , De Luca Francesca , Giannì Costanza , Gurreri Flavia , Petsas Nikolaos , Tommasin Silvia , Pozzilli Carlo , Pantano Patrizia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAs atrophy represents the most relevant driver of progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), we investigated the impact of different patterns of brain and spinal cord atrophy on disability worsening in MS. We acquired clinical and MRI data from 90 patients with relapsing–remitting MS and 24 healthy controls (HC). Clinical progression at follow-up (mean 3.7 years) was defined according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale-Plus. Brain and spinal cord volumes were computed on MRI brain scans. After normalizing each participants’ brain and spine volume to the mean of the HC, z-score cut-offs were applied to separate pathologically atrophic from normal brain and spine volumes (accepting a 2.5% error probability). Accordingly, MS patients were classified into four groups (Group I: no brain or spinal cord atrophy N = 40, Group II: brain atrophy/no spinal cord atrophy N = 11, Group III: no brain atrophy/ spinal cord atrophy N = 32, Group IV: both brain and spinal cord atrophy N = 7). All patients’ groups showed significantly lower brain volume than HC (p < 0.0001). Group III and IV showed lower spine volume than HC (p < 0.0001 for both). Higher brain lesion load was identified in Group II (p = 0.049) and Group IV (p = 0.023) vs Group I, and in Group IV (p = 0.048) vs Group III. Spinal cord atrophy (OR = 3.75, p = 0.018) and brain + spinal cord atrophy (OR = 5.71, p = 0.046) were significant predictors of disability progression. The presence of concomitant brain and spinal cord atrophy is the strongest correlate of progression over time. Isolated spinal cord atrophy exerts a similar effect, confirming the leading role of spinal cord atrophy in the determination of motor disability.
Placenta histopathology in SARS-CoV-2 infection: analysis of a consecutive series and comparison with control cohorts
Authors: Bertero Luca , Borella Fulvio , Botta Giovanni , Carosso Andrea , Cosma Stefano , Bovetti Marialuisa , Carosso Marco , Abbona Giancarlo , Collemi Giammarco , Papotti Mauro , Cassoni Paola , Benedetto Chiara 
Published: May 2021

AbstractInfection by SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to involve a wide range of organs and tissues, leading to a kaleidoscope of clinical conditions. Within this spectrum, an involvement of the fetal-maternal unit could be expected, but, so far, the histopathological evaluation of placentas delivered by women with SARS-CoV-2 infection did not show distinct hallmarks. A consecutive series of 11 placentas, delivered by 10 women with COVID-19 admitted to our Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic have been investigated and compared to a control cohort of 58 pre-COVID-19 placentas and 28 placentas delivered by women who had a previous cesarean section. Four out of eleven placentas showed changes consistent with chronic villitis/villitis of unknown etiology (VUE), while in one case, chronic histiocytic intervillositis was diagnosed. Thrombo-hemorrhagic alterations were observed in a subset of cases. Compared to the control cohort, chronic villitis/VUE (p < 0.001), chronic deciduitis (p = 0.023), microvascular thrombosis (p = 0.003), presence of infarction areas (p = 0.047) and of accelerated villous maturation (p = 0.005) showed higher frequencies in placentas delivered by women with COVID-19. Chronic villitis/VUE (p = 0.003) and accelerated villous maturation (p = 0.019) remained statistically significant by restricting the analysis to placentas delivered after a previous cesarean section. The observed differences in terms of pathological findings could be consistent with SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, but just a subset of alterations remained statistically significant after adjusting for a previous cesarean section. A careful consideration of potential confounders is warranted in future studies exploring the relationship between COVID-19 and pregnancy.
What we actually know about the pathogenicity of Bacteroides pyogenes
Authors: Majewska Anna , Kierzkowska Marta , Kawecki Dariusz 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate the pathogenic potential of Bacteroides pyogenes, rarely identified in clinical laboratories anaerobic bacteria. To increase the knowledge about this poorly understood anaerobic microorganism, the study also includes cases of infections described so far in the literature. Only the use of 16S rRNA sequencing and mass spectrometry technique allowed the identification of B. pyogenes from clinical specimens. We reported 13 severe human infections caused by B. pyogenes. Bacteria were cultured from the wound after biting by animals, chronic infections within the oral cavity, from patients with histologically or radiological proven osteomyelitis, surgical site infection, and from urine sample collected after a urological procedure. Most (9/13) of the patients required hospitalization. Almost 70% of them needed urgent admission via the emergency room. Two inpatients due to a life-threatening condition were admitted to the intensive care unit. Almost 50% of isolates were resistant to penicillin. All resistant to penicillin strains were isolated from skin and mucous membrane infections.
Effectiveness of fast-track pathway for diabetic foot ulcerations
Authors: Meloni Marco , Lazaro-Martínez Jose Luis , Ahluwalia Raju , Bouillet Benjamin , Izzo Valentina , Di Venanzio Michela , Iacopi Elisabetta , Manu Chris , Garcia-Klepzig José Luis , Sánchez-Ríos Juan Pedro , Lüedemann Claas , De Buruaga Víctor Rodriguez-Saenz , Vouillarmet Julien , Guillaumat Jérôme , Aleandri Anna Rita , Giurato Laura , Edmonds Micheal , Piaggesi Alberto , Van Acker Kristien , Uccioli Luigi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Aim
To investigate the effectiveness of fast-track pathway (FTP) in the management of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) after 2 years of implementation.

Methods
The study group was composed of patients who referred to a specialized DF centre due to DFUs. Those were divided in two groups: early referral (ER) and late referral (LR) patients. According to FTP, ER were considered patients who referred after 2 weeks in the case of uncomplicated non-healing ulcers (superficial, not infected, not ischemic), within 4 days in the case of complicated ulcers (ischemic, deep, mild infection) and within 24 h in the case of severely complicated ulcers (abscess, wet gangrene, fever). Healing, healing time, minor and major amputation, hospitalization, and survival were evaluated. The follow-up was 6 months.

Results
Two hundred patients were recruited. The mean age was 70 ± 13 years, 62.5% were male, 91% were affected by type 2 diabetes with a mean duration of 18 ± 11 years. Within the group, 79.5% had ER while 20.5% had LR. ER patients showed increased rates of healing (89.9 vs. 41.5%, p = 0.001), reduced healing time (10 vs. 16 weeks, p = 0.0002), lower rates of minor (17.6 vs. 75.6%, p < 0.0001) and major amputation (0.6 vs. 36.6%, p < 0.0001), hospitalization (47.1 vs. 82.9%, p = 0.001), and mortality (4.4 vs. 19.5%, p = 0.02) in comparison to LR. At multivariate analysis, ER was an independent predictor of healing, while LR was an independent predictor for minor and major amputation and hospitalization.

Conclusion
After the FTP implementation, less cases of LR were reported in comparison to ER. ER was an independent predictor of positive outcomes such as healing, healing time, limb salvage, hospitalization, and survival.
Irrational risk aversion in an ant
Authors: De Agrò Massimo , Grimwade Daniel , Bach Richard , Czaczkes Tomer J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAnimals must often decide between exploiting safe options or risky options with a chance for large gains. Both proximate theories based on perceptual mechanisms, and evolutionary ones based on fitness benefits, have been proposed to explain decisions under risk. Eusocial insects represent a special case of risk sensitivity, as they must often make collective decisions based on resource evaluations from many individuals. Previously, colonies of the antLasius nigerwere found to be risk-neutral, but the risk preference of individual foragers was unknown. Here, we tested individualL. nigerin a risk sensitivity paradigm. Ants were trained to associate one scent with 0.55 M sucrose solution and another with an equal chance of either 0.1 or 1.0 M sucrose. Preference was tested in a Y-maze. Ants were extremely risk-averse, with 91% choosing the safe option. Based on the psychophysical Weber–Fechner law, we predicted that ants evaluate resources depending on their logarithmic difference. To test this hypothesis, we designed 4 more experiments by varying the relative differences between the alternatives, making the risky option less, equally or more valuable than the safe one. Our results support the logarithmic origin of risk aversion in ants, and demonstrate that the behaviour of individual foragers can be a very poor predictor of colony-level behaviour.
Genomic Characterization of the Barnacle Balanus improvisus Reveals Extreme Nucleotide Diversity in Coding Regions
Authors: Alm Rosenblad Magnus , Abramova Anna , Lind Ulrika , Ólason Páll , Giacomello Stefania , Nystedt Björn , Blomberg Anders 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBarnacles are key marine crustaceans in several habitats, and they constitute a common practical problem by causing biofouling on man-made marine constructions and ships. Despite causing considerable ecological and economic impacts, there is a surprising void of basic genomic knowledge, and a barnacle reference genome is lacking. We here set out to characterize the genome of the bay barnacleBalanus improvisus(= Amphibalanus improvisus) based on short-read whole-genome sequencing and experimental genome size estimation. We show both experimentally (DNA staining and flow cytometry) and computationally (k-mer analysis) thatB. improvisushas a haploid genome size of ~ 740 Mbp. A pilot genome assembly rendered a total assembly size of ~ 600 Mbp and was highly fragmented with an N50 of only 2.2 kbp. Further assembly-based and assembly-free analyses revealed that the very limited assembly contiguity is due to theB. improvisusgenome having an extremely high nucleotide diversity (π) in coding regions (average π ≈ 5% and average π in fourfold degenerate sites ≈ 20%), and an overall high repeat content (at least 40%). We also report on high variation in the α-octopamine receptor OctA (average π = 3.6%), which might increase the risk that barnacle populations evolve resistance toward antifouling agents. The genomic features described here can help in planning for a future high-quality reference genome, which is urgently needed to properly explore and understand proteins of interest in barnacle biology and marine biotechnology and for developing better antifouling strategies.