bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of Zingiber officinale extract on myocardium and placenta against labetalol-induced histopathological, immune-histochemical, and ultrastructural alterations in pregnant rats
Authors: El-Borm Hend T. , Atallah Marwa N. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Labetalol is an antihypertensive drug commonly used in obstetrics for both long-term treatment and the acute management of severe maternal hypertension. However, there have not been published articles about the effects of labetalol on the myocardium and the placenta. This study aimed to estimate the histological, immune-histochemical, and ultrastructural cardio- and placental-toxicity of labetalol administration and the effectiveness of ginger against this toxicity in pregnant rats. Labetalol was daily administrated orally with or without ginger at a dose of 300 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively, during the gestation days 6 to 20.

Results
In the labetalol-administrated group, the myocardium displayed histological and ultrastructure destructive changes and a significant increase in caspase-3 expression. Labetalol also decreased the placental weight compared with the control group, caused marked degeneration and disorganization of their architecture, and increased caspase-3 expression. Co-administration of ginger after labetalol highly ameliorates the adverse effect of labetalol on both cardiac and placental tissues.

Conclusions
It is concluded that ginger can mitigate cardiac and placental toxicity induced by labetalol administration into pregnant rats.
Bio-efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against the Cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae [L.]) under laboratory conditions
Authors: Kasi Indra Kumar , Singh Mohinder , Waiba Kanchhi Maya , Monika S. , Waseem M. A. , Archie D. , Gilhotra Himanshu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have the potential to supersede larvicidal activity for the management of various insect pests.

Result
Lab experiments were conducted to test the pathogenicity of 2 EPNs local species; Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora at different (IJs/cm2) concentrations against the cabbage butterfly, Pieris brassicae (L.). The native isolate was obtained from soil samples, collected from Rajgarh, Hamachi Pradesh, India. Petri dish bioassay used the EPNs species (S. feltiae HR1 and H. bacteriophora HR2) at the concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 IJs/cm2). Based on the pathogenicity of the strains, only 2 isolates effectively showed larvicidal activity. The highest (%) (72.08 and 67.42%), at the 2nd instar larval mortality was recorded in the treatments with H. bacteriophora and S. feltiae at160 IJs/cm2, respectively. At the 4th instar larvae, respective larval mortality (85.38, 69.50%) was recorded in treatment with H. bacteriophora, and S. feltiae, respectively, at160 IJs/cm2. In case of pupae, the mortality rates were (62.12, 58.58%) for H. bacteriophora and S. feltiae, respectively, at 160 IJs/cm2; (74 and 12%) for both the tested EPNs, respectively, at 80 IJs/cm2. Percent of P. brassicae larval mortality treated with the tested EPN isolates was significantly higher than the untreated control. Results revealed that the percent of larval mortality significantly increased with the increase in time periods, being maximum at 72 h. S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora, strains showed potent larvicidal activity at low concentration even at 48 and 72 h of exposure.

Conclusion
This study revealed that the local strains of EPNs (S. feltiae HR1 and H. bacteriophora HR2) were found as a biocontrol agent against P. brassicae.
Frequency and risk factors of carotid artery disease among ischemic stroke patients in the south Egypt: hospital-based study
Authors: Khedr Eman , Tony Abeer A. , Habeel Mohamed , Nasreldein Ahmed 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Limited data are available on the frequency of carotid artery disease among cerebrovascular ischemic stroke (CVS) patients in south Egypt. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors of extracranial atherosclerosis among stroke patients using extracranial duplex ultrasound.

Results
142 patients (76.8%) were males and 43 (23.2%) were females. Their mean age was 63.3 ± 9.79 years with no significant difference between the mean age of the male and female groups. NIHSS score ranged from 3 to 25 (mean ± S.D; 11.89 ± 4.91). 66 patients (35.7%) had no atherosclerotic changes, 75 patient (40.5%) had stenosis < 70% and 44 patients (23.8%) had stenosis ≥ 70%. The most prevalent modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis were hypertension (74.8%), hyperlipidemia (70.6%), smoking (59.7%) and DM (45.4%).

Conclusion
Atherosclerosis among people in the south Egypt is relatively high in comparison to other regions in Egypt and Middle East. This is a call for performing further population-based epidemiological studies, to address the exact magnitude of the problem and invest into prevention.
Invasive mechanical ventilation complications in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Ibrahim Ghada Sobhy , Alkandari Buthaina M. , Shady Islam Ahmed Abo , Gupta Vikash K. , Abdelmohsen Mohsen Ahmed 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Since late 2019, COVID-19 infection has quickly spread substantially in all countries, forcing the appropriation of noteworthy lockdown and social separating measures. It has been considered as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Positive pressure ventilation is a non-physiological and invasive intervention that can be lifesaving in COVID-19 patients. Similar to any other interventions, it can cause its own danger and complications as it can prompt ventilator-induced lung injury and barotrauma. The aim of the work was to identify the incidence of invasive mechanical ventilation complication in COVID-19 pneumonias, and to describe patient characteristics and patterns of barotrauma in COVID-19 patients.

Results
This retrospective study included 103 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, 76 males and 27 females are on invasive mechanical ventilation. Their mean age was 56.6, ranged from 21 to 85 years old. Barotraumas event type in the studied patients, (NB: one or multiple barotrauma events occurring on the same day were considered as single event (95/103 patients-92.23%), while separate multiple events (8/103 patients-7.77%) were recorded when occurring separated by at least 24 h). Single barotrauma events were subdivided into: one event (67/95 patients—70.53%), & multiple events (28/95 patients—29.47%). The mean interval between invasive mechanical ventilation and developing barotraumas was 3–7 days included 41 patients (39.98%). We revealed a strong prevalence of COVID-19 IMV complication with worsening prognosis and subsequent higher death rates in elderly smoker or obese males, as well as those suffering from ARDS. Past medical history (hypertension, DM, chronic renal or cardiac disease) or surgical history of CABG was more liable for these types of complications.

Conclusion
Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were more liable to the higher incidence of barotraumas with presence of predisposition and high risk factors. In general, an outstanding bad prognostic outcome and a significantly high mortality rate prevailed in COVID-19 patients associated with mechanically ventilated patients.
Management of high inguinal undescended testis: a review of literature
Authors: Shreyas K. , Rathod Kirtikumar J. , Sinha Arvind 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Undescended testis is one of the most common paediatric surgical diagnoses. A lot of research has been done to date, to standardise the surgical management of intra-abdominal and extra-abdominal undescended testis. High inguinal undescended testis is a unique clinical encounter which demands additional surgical measures over conventional orchidopexy for better surgical results.

Main body of abstract
Open inguinal orchidopexy is a routine and quite straightforward operation for the majority of extra-abdominal undescended testis. However, there are instances in which the testis, even though situated in the inguinal region, poses a challenge for surgeons, to bring it in the scrotum by routine open inguinal orchiopexy. High inguinal testis can be defined as “any intra-canalicular testis present higher up in the inguinal canal and cannot be brought down easily to the scrotum by routine surgery as in standard orchiopexy (open or laparoscopy) and require additional lengthening manoeuvres”. It needs additional surgical lengthening manoeuvres like Prentiss, along with the steps of routine orchiopexy to bring it down in the scrotum. This review article describes the various nomenclatures of undescended testis, appropriate investigations and also various additional surgical measures in the management of difficult high inguinal testis.

Conclusion
High inguinal undescended testis poses a unique technical challenge even to well-experienced surgeons. It is very important that surgeons dealing with this condition are well aware of the anatomy in this region and also various different manoeuvres described to date to bring the testis down in the scrotum.
Suppressing STAT3 activity protects the endothelial barrier from VEGF-mediated vascular permeability
Authors: Wang Li , Astone Matteo , Alam Sk. Kayum , Zhu Zhu , Pei Wuhong , Frank David A. , Burgess Shawn M. , Hoeppner Luke H. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT
Vascular permeability triggered by inflammation or ischemia promotes edema, exacerbates disease progression and impairs tissue recovery. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent inducer of vascular permeability. VEGF plays an integral role in regulating vascular barrier function physiologically and in pathologies, including cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease, retinal conditions and COVID-19-associated pulmonary edema, sepsis and acute lung injury. Understanding temporal molecular regulation of VEGF-induced vascular permeability will facilitate developing therapeutics to inhibit vascular permeability, while preserving tissue-restorative angiogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that VEGF signals through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) to promote vascular permeability. We show that genetic STAT3 ablation reduces vascular permeability in STAT3-deficient endothelium of mice and VEGF-inducible zebrafish crossed with CRISPR/Cas9-generated Stat3 knockout zebrafish. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression is transcriptionally regulated by STAT3, and VEGF-dependent STAT3 activation is regulated by JAK2. Pyrimethamine, an FDA-approved antimicrobial agent that inhibits STAT3-dependent transcription, substantially reduces VEGF-induced vascular permeability in zebrafish, mouse and human endothelium. Collectively, our findings suggest that VEGF/VEGFR-2/JAK2/STAT3 signaling regulates vascular barrier integrity, and inhibition of STAT3-dependent activity reduces VEGF-induced vascular permeability.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Self-Interested Giving: The Relationship Between Conditional Gifts, Charitable Donations, and Donor Self-Interestedness
Authors: Chao Matthew , Fisher Geoffrey 
Published: September 2021

Nonprofits regularly use conditional “thank you” gifts to entice prospective donors to give, yet experimental evidence suggests that their effects are mixed in practice. This paper uses multiple laboratory experiments to test when and why thank you gifts vary in effectiveness. First, we demonstrate that although gifts often increase donations to charities that donors did not rate highly, many of the same gifts had no effects or negative effects for charities that prospective donors already liked. We replicate these findings in a second experiment that uses a different range of charity and gift options as well as different measures of participant perceptions of a charity. We also find that making gifts optional, as is common in fundraising campaigns, does not eliminate these negative gift effects. In additional experiments, we directly test for donor motives using self-report and priming experiments. We find that thank you gifts increase (decrease) the weight that donors place on self-interested (prosocial) motives, leading to changes in donation patterns. Altogether, our results suggest that practitioners may find gifts more useful when appealing to donors not already familiar with or favorably inclined to their charity, such as during donor acquisition campaigns. They may be less useful when appealing to recent donors or others who already favor the charity, in part because the gift may activate mindsets or norms that emphasize self-interested motives instead of more prosocial, other-regarding motives. This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, decision analysis.
Spectroscopic investigation and heat generation of Tm3+/Ho3+-codoped aluminosilicate glasses emitting at 2.0 µm
Authors: Eliel Gomes S. N. , Astrath Nelson G. C. , Sales Tasso O. , Rohling Jurandir H. , Malacarne Luis C. , Baesso Mauro L. , Nunes Luiz A. O. , Novatski Andressa , Catunda Tomaz , Jacinto Carlos 
Published: September 2021

T
m

3
+

/

H
o

3
+

-codoped low silica calcium
aluminosilicate (LSCAS) glasses were prepared and characterized using
optical absorption, luminescence decay, and thermal lens techniques.
The emission band at 2.0 µm exhibited an enhancement when the Ho
concentration was increased. The luminescence quantum efficiency
values were determined for both

3

F

4

and

5

I

7

levels of

T
m

3
+

and

H
o

3
+

ions, respectively. The high decrease
of the quantum efficiency of the

3

F

4

(

T
m

3
+

) level for high

H
o

3
+

concentration evidenced efficient
energy transfer processes from

T
m

3
+

to

H
o

3
+

. The heat generated in the energy
transfer processes were estimated via a thermal lens experiment, and a
rate equation model was proposed to explain the obtained result. The
experimental and estimated parameters with the proposed theoretical
model are in good agreement. Finally, the results of this work suggest
the

T
m

3
+

/

H
o

3
+

-codoped LSCAS is a promising material
for applications using the emission around 2.0 µm that is of great
interest for biomedical applications.
Simple structure dual-core photonic crystal fiber polarization beam splitter covering the O + E + S + C + L + U band based on the surface plasmon resonance effect
Authors: Qu Yuwei , Yuan Jinhui , Qiu Shi , Zhou Xian , Yan Binbin , Wu Qiang , Liu Bin , Wang Kuiru , Sang Xinzhu , Long Keping , Yu Chongxiu 
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a simple structure dual-core photonic crystal fiber (SS-DC-PCF) polarization beam splitter (PBS) based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect and symmetric dual-core coupling mode theory is proposed. For the proposed SS-DC-PCF-1 PBS, the coupling lengths (CLs) and coupling length ratio (CLR) are analyzed, and the variations of the normalized output powers with the propagation length are investigated for the chosen wavelengths 1.434, 1.451, and 1.469 µm. The extinction ratio in cores A and B are compared at the three splitting lengths (SLs) 170, 173, and 176 µm. When the optimal SL is 176 µm, the splitting bandwidth (SB) is 255 nm (1.437–1.692 µm), and the insertion loss (IL) is less than 0.043 dB. The regulations of the CLs and CLR with the change of the structure parameters are analyzed. For the proposed SS-DC-PCF-2 PBS, the optimal SL is 232 µm, the SB is 201 nm (1.249–1.450 µm), and the IL is less than 0.042 dB. Finally, it is demonstrated that the total SB of the proposed SS-DC-PCF-1 PBS and SS-DC-PCF-2 PBS is 443 nm (1.249–1.692 µm), which can cover theO+E+S+C+L+Uband, even if the gold film thickness changes by±1nm. The proposed SS-DC-PCF PBS has excellent performances, such as ultrashort SL, ultrawide SB, ultralow IL, and good error-tolerance rate. It will have important applications in all-fiber optical systems.
Surveillance for peri-elimination trachoma recrudescence: Exploratory studies in Ghana
Authors: Senyonjo Laura , Addy James , Martin Diana L. , Agyemang David , Yeboah-Manu Dorothy , Gwyn Sarah , Marfo Benjamin , Asante-Poku Adwoa , Aboe Agatha , Mensah Ernest , Solomon Anthony W. , Bailey Robin L. 
Published: September 2021

Introduction
To date, eleven countries have been validated as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, including Ghana in 2018. Surveillance for recrudescence is needed both pre- and post-validation but evidence-based guidance on appropriate strategies is lacking. We explored two potential surveillance strategies in Ghana.

Methodology/principal findings
Amongst randomly-selected communities enrolled in pre-validation on-going surveillance between 2011 and 2015, eight were identified as having had trachomatous-inflammation follicular (TF) prevalence ≥5% in children aged 1–9 years between 2012 and 2014. These eight were re-visited in 2015 and 2016 and neighbouring communities were also added (“TF trigger” investigations). Resident children aged 1–9 years were then examined for trachoma and had a conjunctival swab to test for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and a dried blood spot (DBS) taken to test for anti-Pgp3 antibodies. These investigations identified at least one community with evidence of probable recent Ct ocular transmission. However, the approach likely lacks sufficient spatio-temporal power to be reliable.
A post-validation surveillance strategy was also evaluated, this reviewed the ocular Ct infection and anti-Pgp3 seroprevalence data from the TF trigger investigations and from the pre-validation surveillance surveys in 2015 and 2016. Three communities identified as having ocular Ct infection >0% and anti-Pgp3 seroprevalence ≥15.0% were identified, and along with three linked communities, were followed-up as part of the surveillance strategy. An additional three communities with a seroprevalence ≥25.0% but no Ct infection were also followed up (“antibody and infection trigger” investigations). DBS were taken from all residents aged ≥1 year and ocular swabs from all children aged 1–9 years. There was evidence of transmission in the group of communities visited in one district (Zabzugu-Tatale). There was no or little evidence of continued transmission in other districts, suggesting previous infection identified was transient or potentially not true ocular Ct infection.

Conclusions/significance
There is evidence of heterogeneity in Ct transmission dynamics in northern Ghana, even 10 years after wide-scale MDA has stopped. There is added value in monitoring Ct infection and anti-Ct antibodies, using these indicators to interrogate past or present surveillance strategies. This can result in a deeper understanding of transmission dynamics and inform new post-validation surveillance strategies. Opportunities should be explored for integrating PCR and serological-based markers into surveys conducted in trachoma elimination settings.
Measuring endemicity and burden of leprosy across countries and regions: A systematic review and Delphi survey
Authors: Ogunsumi Dorcas O. , Lal Vivek , Puchner Karl Philipp , van Brakel Wim , Schwienhorst-Stich Eva-Maria , Kasang Christa , Chukwu Joseph , Kreibich Saskia , Parisi Sandra , Richardus Jan Hendrik , Blok David J. 
Published: September 2021

Background
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, the annual new case detection in 2019 was 202,189 globally. Measuring endemicity levels and burden in leprosy lacks a uniform approach. As a result, the assessment of leprosy endemicity or burden are not comparable over time and across countries and regions. This can make program planning and evaluation difficult. This study aims to identify relevant metrics and methods for measuring and classifying leprosy endemicity and burden at (sub)national level.

Methods
We used a mixed-method approach combining findings from a systematic literature review and a Delphi survey. The literature search was conducted in seven databases, searching for endemicity, burden and leprosy. We reviewed the available evidence on the usage of indicators, classification levels, and scoring methods to measure and classify endemicity and burden. A two round Delphi survey was conducted to ask experts to rank and weigh indicators, classification levels, and scoring methods.

Results
The literature review showed variation of indicators, levels, and cut-off values to measure leprosy endemicity and/or burden. The most used indicators for endemicity include new case detection rate (NCDR), new cases among children and new cases with grade 2 disability. For burden these include NCDR, MB cases, and prevalence. The classification levels ‘high’ and ‘low’ were most important. It was considered most relevant to use separate scoring methods for endemicity and burden. The scores would be derived by use of multiple indicators.

Conclusion
There is great variation in the existing method for measuring endemicity and burden across countries and regions. Our findings contribute to establishing a standardized uniform approach to measure and classify leprosy endemicity and burden at (sub)national level, which would allow effective communication and planning of intervention strategies.
The effect of caffeine on tinnitus: Randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ledesma Alleluia Lima Losno , Leite Rodrigues Daniele , Monteiro de Castro Silva Isabella , Oliveira Carlos Augusto , Bahmad Fayez 
Published: September 2021

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that caffeine can influence tinnitus, we recruited 80 patients with chronic tinnitus and randomly allocated them into two groups (caffeine and placebo) to analyze the self-perception of tinnitus symptoms after caffeine consumption, assuming that this is an adequate sample for generalization.MethodsThe participants were randomized into two groups: one group was administered a 300-mg capsule of caffeine, and the other group was given a placebo capsule (cornstarch). A diet that restricted caffeine consumption for 24 hours was implemented. The participants answered questionnaires (the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory—THI, the Visual Analog Scale—VAS, the profile of mood state—POMS) and underwent examinations (tonal and high frequency audiometry, acufenometry (frequency measure; intensity measure and the minimum level of tinnitus masking), transient otoacoustic emissions—TEOAE and distortion product otoacoustic emissions—DPOAE assessments) at two timepoints: at baseline and after capsule ingestion.ResultsThere was a significant change in mood (measured by the POMS) after caffeine consumption. The THI and VAS scores were improved at the second timepoint in both groups. The audiometry assessment showed a significant difference in some frequencies between baseline and follow-up measurements in both groups, but these differences were not clinically relevant. Similar findings were observed for the amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio in the TEOAE and DPOAE measurements.ConclusionsCaffeine (300 mg) did not significantly alter the psychoacoustic measures, electroacoustic measures or the tinnitus-related degree of discomfort.