bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Average Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Measurement in Eyes with Refractive Errors
Authors: Shpak Alexander A. , Korobkova Maria V. 
Published: October 2021

SIGNIFICANCE
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) play an important role in the diagnosis of glaucoma and optic atrophy. However, the interpretation of these measurements in patients with refractive errors, especially of a high degree, presents great difficulties. Optical coherence tomography instruments from most manufacturers do not take into account the effect of refractive errors, especially of a high degree, on quantitative measurements of pRNFL.

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to develop a simple and easy method for evaluation of average pRNFL in eyes with refractive errors.

METHODS
Average pRNFL was measured by Cirrus HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA) in 183 healthy White subjects (183 eyes) older than 40 years, with an axial length of the eye from 22.5 to 24.5 mm and spherical equivalent of refraction from −1.63 to 2.0 D.

RESULTS
For an average pRNFL, normative database of eyes with refraction close to emmetropia was constructed. The calculated first and fifth percentiles for age groups 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, and 71 to 85 years were 81 and 83, 79 and 81, 78 and 80, and 76 and 79 μm, respectively. Littmann-Bennett formula was modified to calculate a table containing first and fifth percentiles for eyes with axial lengths of 19 to 30 mm in the same age groups.

CONCLUSIONS
For the correct interpretation of the measurements of pRNFL in patients with refractive errors, an original table was proposed, which provides a quick assessment of the results obtained on the Cirrus HD-OCT device. The proposed new formulas make it easy to calculate a similar table for any optical coherence tomography device using existing databases or after collecting a normative database of eyes with refraction close to emmetropia.
Case Series: Small Full-thickness Macular Hole Treated with Topical Dorzolamide and Bevacizumab Intravitreal Injections
Authors: Feria Anzaldo Estephania , El Hamichi Sophia , Gold Aaron , Latiff Azeema , Berrocal Audina M. , Murray Timothy 
Published: October 2021

SIGNIFICANCE
This article reports two cases reported of combined treatment with topical dorzolamide and intravitreal bevacizumab injections, successfully treating small full-thickness macular hole without the need for traditional macular hole surgery.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to report the potential effectiveness of combination treatment with topical dorzolamide and bevacizumab intravitreal injection therapy for small macular holes.

CASE REPORTS
Case 1 was a 68-year-old woman presented with distorted and decreased vision in her right eye for 9 months. Fundus examination showed a full-thickness macular hole, which was confirmed with spectral domain optical coherence tomography measuring 96 μm. Treatment with topical dorzolamide and intravitreal bevacizumab 1.25 mg/0.05 mL injections was initiated. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed gradual improvement of the full-thickness macular hole with complete hole closure and visual improvement in just 1 month. Case 2 was a 73-year-old woman who presented with distorted and decreased vision in her right eye for 8 months. Fundus examination showed a full-thickness macular hole in the right eye, confirmed with spectral domain optical coherence tomography, measuring 76 μm. Treatment with topical dorzolamide and intravitreal bevacizumab 1.25 mg/0.05 mL injections was initiated. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed gradual improvement of the full-thickness macular hole with complete closure at 2 months and improvement in visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS
The combination of topical dorzolamide and bevacizumab intravitreal injection is a reasonable consideration for small macular holes with vascular components before considering surgery. Both cases had early macular closure in less than 3 months.
Effects of Robot-Assisted Gait Training in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Ozsoy-Unubol Tugba , Ata Emre , Cavlak Muyesser , Demir Serkan , Candan Zeynep , Yilmaz Figen 
Published: October 2021

Objective
This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of conventional and robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) programs on fatigue, mood, and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis who have fatigue.

Methods
In this single-blinded, randomized controlled study, 37 patients with multiple sclerosis were randomized into two groups: RAGT (n = 18) and conventional gait training (n = 19). The RAGT group had gait training with RoboGait, whereas the conventional gait training group received conventional physiotherapist-assisted gait training. Outcome measures were the Fatigue Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54, Extended Disability Status Scale, Functional Ambulation Category, Berg Balance Test, and 6-min walk test.

Results
Baseline demographic, clinic, and functional data were similar. Both groups showed improvements in the Fatigue Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale–Depression, Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life, Berg Balance Test, and 6-min walk test scores after treatment. Only the RAGT group showed an improvement in Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale–Anxiety score. The RAGT group had better Fatigue Severity Scale, and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale scores.

Conclusion
In combination with the standard rehabilitation program, both RAGT and conventional gait training are effective for multiple sclerosis. However, RAGT has superior effects in terms of fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, it may be preferred in multiple sclerosis patients who exhibit prominent symptoms of fatigue, depression, or anxiety.
Quality healthcare services under National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana: perspectives from health policy implementers and beneficiaries
Authors: Kipo-Sunyehzi Daniel Dramani 
Published: October 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the factors that affect the quality of healthcare services in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) at the local level in Ghana from the perspectives of health policy implementers and beneficiaries in public-private organisations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper has adopted a mixed research method with both qualitative and quantitative data, with in-depth interviews, document analysis and focus groups discussions. A total of 107 participants took part in the interviews and the questionnaire survey.FindingsThe study found that these factors greatly affect the quality of healthcare services from the implementers’ perspectives — referrals, effectiveness in monitoring, timeliness, efficiency, reimbursement, compliance with standard guidelines of Ghana Health Service (GHS) and accreditation process. For the beneficiaries, three healthcare services factors are important, including medical consultations, diagnostic services and the supply of drugs and medicines. Some other factors are found to be the least prioritized healthcare services, namely the issuance of prescription forms, verification of identification (ID) cards and staff attitude. However, the study found that implementers and beneficiaries exhibited a mixed reaction (perspectives) on accessing some healthcare services. In some healthcare services where the implementers perceived that beneficiaries have more access to such services, the beneficiaries think otherwise, an irony in the perspectives of the two actors.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the extant literature on the perspectives of policy implementers and beneficiaries on factors that affect the quality of healthcare services in general and specifically on the implementation of NHIS in Ghana with the public-private dimension.
Physician’s perception of E-consultation adoption amid of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Dash Ajitabh , Sahoo Anjan Kumar 
Published: October 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate physicians’ perceptions of e-consultation adoption, which has the potential to bridge existing gaps in the current health-care system, using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) framework.

Design/methodology/approach
The judgemental sampling method was embraced to collect primary data from 337 physicians from Delhi-National Capital Region who had experience with e-consultation. A number of hypotheses was developed and tested using structural equation model based on UTAUT2.

Findings
The study’s findings revealed an affirmative and significant relation between a physician’s intention to embrace e-consultation and facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, social influence and performance expectancy; however, habit and experience are not significantly linked to it.

Originality/value
This study will not only add to the existing body of knowledge about e-consultation adoption, but it will also assist electronic health service providers in devising strategies to encourage the usage of e-consultation services in emerging economies such as India where people are deprived of the right to access better health care due to lack of physical infrastructure.
Genome‐wide identification and characterization of basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factors in Spodoptera litura upon pathogen infection
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhu Mengyao , Li Qilin , Tang Ting , Wen Liang , Zhong Jielai , Zhang Ruonan , Yu Xiao‐Qiang , Lu Yuzhen 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBasic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factors play an important role in a wide range of metabolic and developmental processes in eukaryotes, and bHLH proteins also participate in immune responses, especially in plants. However, their roles in insects upon entomopathogen infection are unknown. In this study, 54 bHLH genes in 41 families were identified in a polyphagous pest, Spodoptera litura, including a new bHLH gene in group B, which is specifically present in Lepidoptera and was thus named Lep. The conserved amino acids in the bHLH domain, structural architecture, and chromosomal distribution of bHLH genes in S. litura were analyzed. The bHLH genes in Plutella xylostella and Apis mellifera were also updated, and genome‐wide comparison and phylogenetic analysis of bHLH members in 5 holometabolous insects were performed. The expression profiles of S. litura bHLH (SlbHLH) genes in 3 tissues at different developmental stages and their responses to S. litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltNPV), Nomuraea rileyi (Nr), and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) infection were investigated. More SlbHLHs in group B were expressed and differentially expressed during pathogen infections, and SlbHLHs tended to be downregulated in the midgut of S. litura larvae after B. thuringiensis treatment. Our study provides an overview of bHLH family members in S. litura and their responses to different pathogens used for pest biocontrol. These findings on bHLH members may contribute to uncovering the mechanism of host–pathogen interaction.
Fast model‐based ordination with copulas
Authors: Popovic Gordana C. , Hui Francis K. C. , Warton David I. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Visualising data is a key step in data analysis, allowing researchers to find patterns, and assess and communicate the results of statistical modelling. In ecology, visualisation is often challenging when there are many variables (often for different species or other taxonomic groups) and they are not normally distributed (often counts or presence–absence data). Ordination is a common and powerful way to overcome this hurdle by reducing data from many response variables to just two or three, to be easily plotted.

Ordination is traditionally done using dissimilarity‐based methods, most commonly non‐metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS). In the last decade, however, model‐based methods for unconstrained ordination have gained popularity. These are primarily based on latent variable models, with latent variables estimating the underlying, unobserved ecological gradients.

Despite some major benefits, a drawback of model‐based ordination methods is their speed, as they typically take much longer to return a result than dissimilarity‐based methods, especially for large sample sizes.

We introduce copula ordination, a new, scalable model‐based approach to unconstrained ordination. This method has all the desirable properties of model‐based ordination methods, with the added advantage that it is computationally far more efficient. In particular, simulations show copula ordination is an order of magnitude faster than current model‐based methods, and can even be faster than nMDS for large sample sizes, while being able to produce similar ordination plots and trends as these methods.
Linking entomofauna and farmland management to enhance ecosystem services in Mediterranean drylands
Authors: Faria Nuno , Morales Manuel B. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPlanning for biodiversity conservation and management requires understanding the underlying ecological and socio‐economic trade‐offs. In this study held in extensive grasslands of Southern Portugal, we investigated: (a) how pollinators, potential agricultural pests and natural enemies relate with yield (above‐ground vegetation biomass) and vegetation quality (crude protein content [CPC]), two important provisioning services provided by grasslands; and (b) how the abundance of target taxa can be favoured or controlled through farmland management. We expected to provide preliminary knowledge into the effects of annual weather variability on both modulating the association of the target taxa with vegetation biomass and CPC, thereby conditioning the management measures required to optimise those services. Vegetation and arthropods were sampled in May from 2012 to 2014. Linear mixed models were used to examine the relationship of arthropod abundance with yield, vegetation quality and management variables. Vegetation biomass better explained the abundance of bees, leafhoppers and ladybird beetles, whereas aphids and ichneumonid wasps were more associated to CPC (bees presented contrasting annual responses). Higher stocking rates favoured higher abundance of aphids, and contrasting annual responses were found for chalcid wasps and bees. Higher cultivation frequency was related with lower abundance of aphids, spiders, chalcid wasps and ladybird beetles. There was high annual variability in the relationship of target groups with vegetation biomass and CPC, as well as in the effects of management variables on target groups. Therefore, annual changes in trade‐offs between the potential for ecosystem services (pollination, biological control) and disservices (crop pest‐infestation) associated with these groups may be foreseen, according to yearly conditions.
An articulation of geopolitics otherwise? Indigenous language‐use in spaces of Arctic geopolitics
Authors: Medby Ingrid A. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis paper takes up the call for political geographers to engage more directly with Wittgenstein's later philosophy of language, namely his emphasis on language as activity and practice. In particular, it considers his approach to linguistic demonstration over representation, whereby the reader is not ‘told’ but ‘shown.’ This arguably instructive conceptualisation of the functioning of language is here applied to a space of geopolitics, focusing on the political potentialities of articulating an Arctic otherwise through selective bilingualism and language‐use. More specifically, the paper centres on the particular use of North Sámi language in a conference space otherwise dominated by English and Norwegian. The act of ‘articulating otherwise’ is not here an act of defiance but rather an invitation for re‐conceptualisation. In making Indigenous voices heard on their own terms, it is not only the words but even more so the act of their utterance that carries political power. The paper therefore argues that political geographers ought to (re)direct attention to language‐use and the socio‐political practices of linguistic world‐making. By drawing on Wittgenstein's approach to language‐use, what here becomes clear is that geopolitical questions too are negotiated not through given answers but rather through the interactive process of reaching these together – insights that in turn allow us to consider how agency and change may play out through language‐use, potentially articulating geopolitics otherwise.
Risk prediction for metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma using digital multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification
Authors: Yoshikawa Yoshie , Yamada Yusuke , Emi Mitsuru , Atanesyan Lilit , Smout Jan , de Groot Karel , Savola Suvi , Nakanishi‐Shinkai Yukako , Kanematsu Akihiro , Nojima Michio , Ohmuraya Masaki , Hashimoto‐Tamaoki Tomoko , Yamamoto Shingo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPrecise quantification of copy‐number alterations (CNAs) in a tumor genome is difficult. We have applied a comprehensive copy‐number analysis method, digital multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (digitalMLPA), for targeted gene copy‐number analysis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Copy‐number status of all chromosomal arms and 11 genes was determined in 60 ccRCC samples. Chromosome 3p loss and 5q gain, known as early changes in ccRCC development, as well as losses at 9p and 14q were detected in 56/60 (93.3%), 31/60 (51.7%), 11/60 (18.3%), and 33/60 (55%), respectively. Through gene expression analysis, a significant positive correlation was detected in terms of 14q loss determined using digitalMLPA and downregulation of mRNA expression ratios with HIF1A and L2HGDH (P = .0253 and .0117, respectively). Patients with early metastasis (<1 y) (n = 18) showed CNAs in 6 arms (in median), whereas metastasis‐free patients (n = 34) showed those in significantly less arms (3 arms in median) (P = .0289). In particular, biallelic deletion of CDKN2A/2B was associated with multiple CNAs (≥7 arms) in 3 tumors. Together with sequence‐level mutations in genes VHL, PBRM1, SETD2, and BAP1, we performed multiple correspondence analysis, which identified the association of 9p loss and 4q loss with early metastasis (both P < .05). This analysis indicated the association of 4p loss and 1p loss with poor survival (both, P < .05). These findings suggest that CNAs have essential roles in aggressiveness of ccRCC. We showed that our approach of measuring CNA through digitalMLPA will facilitate the selection of patients who may develop metastasis.
Ultra‐high strength medium‐entropy (Ti,Zr,Ta)C ceramics at 1800°C by consolidating a core‐shell structured powder
Authors: Yang Qing‐Qing , Wang Xin‐Gang , Wu Ping , Wang Xiao‐Fei , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Guo‐Jun , Jiang Dan‐Yu 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe report for the first time the synthesis of a core‐shell structured composite powder with a core of Zr(Ti,Ta)C and a shell of Ti,Ta(Zr)C at 1700°C and investigate the formation mechanism for the core‐shell structure. The medium‐entropy (Ti,Zr,Ta)C ceramics with fine grains (1.1 ± 0.4 μm) and relative density of 94.8% was prepared by hot‐pressing at 2100°C. The flexural strength of (Ti,Zr,Ta)C at 1000°C (493 ± 21 MPa) was close to the room temperature (511 ± 52 MPa). As the temperature increased from 1600°C to 1800°C, the flexural strength was increased significantly, with an ultra‐high flexural strength of 725 ± 32 MPa at 1800°C. The existence of the core‐shell structure in the powder suppressed the grain growth due to the sluggish diffusion effect. The ultra‐high strength of (Ti,Zr,Ta)C ceramics was attributed to its fine microstructures, high fracture toughness, and the reinforced the grain boundary strength.
PKM2 promotes angiotensin‐II‐induced cardiac remodelling by activating TGF‐β/Smad2/3 and Jak2/Stat3 pathways through oxidative stress
Authors: Zhang Xiyu , Zheng Cuiting , Gao Zhenqiang , Wang Lingling , Chen Chen , Zheng Yuanyuan , Meng Yan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHypertensive cardiac remodelling is a common cause of heart failure. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiac remodelling remain unclear. Pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) is a key regulator of the processes of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, but the roles in cardiac remodelling remain unknown. In the present study, we found that PKM2 was enhanced in angiotensin II (Ang II)‐treated cardiac fibroblasts and hypertensive mouse hearts. Suppression of PKM2 by shikonin alleviated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis in Ang‐II‐induced cardiac remodelling in vivo. Furthermore, inhibition of PKM2 markedly attenuated the function of cardiac fibroblasts including proliferation, migration and collagen synthesis in vitro. Mechanistically, suppression of PKM2 inhibited cardiac remodelling by suppressing TGF‐β/Smad2/3, Jak2/Stat3 signalling pathways and oxidative stress. Together, this study suggests that PKM2 is an aggravator in Ang‐II‐mediated cardiac remodelling. The negative modulation of PKM2 may provide a promising therapeutic approach for hypertensive cardiac remodelling.
FRET‐based assay for intracellular evaluation of α‐synuclein aggregation inhibitors
Authors: Galkin Maksym , Priss Anastasiia , Topcheva Oleksandra , Yushchenko Dmytro A. , Shvadchak Volodymyr V. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAggregation of small neuronal protein α‐synuclein (αSyn) in amyloid fibrils is considered to be one of the main causes of Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of this aggregation is a promising approach for disease treatment. Dozens of compounds able to inhibit αSyn fibrillization in solution were developed during the last decade. However, the applicability of most of them in the cellular environment was not established because of the absence of a suitable cell‐based assay. In this work, we developed an assay for testing αSyn aggregation inhibitors in cells that is based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between labeled αSyn molecules in fibrils. The assay directly reports the amount of fibrillized αSyn and is more reliable than the assays based on cell viability. Moreover, we showed that cell viability decline does not always correlate with the amount of misfolded αSyn. The developed FRET‐based assay does not interfere with the aggregation process and is suitable for high‐throughput testing of αSyn aggregation inhibitors. Its application can sort out non‐specific inhibitors and thus significantly facilitate the development of drugs for Parkinson`s disease.
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Big five personality traits and performance: A quantitative synthesis of 50+ meta‐analyses
Authors: Zell Ethan , Lesick Tara L. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe connection between personality traits and performance has fascinated scholars in a variety of disciplines for over a century. The present research synthesizes results from 54 meta‐analyses (k = 2028, N = 554,778) to examine the association of Big Five traits with overall performance.MethodQuantitative aggregation procedures were used to assess the association of Big Five traits with performance, both overall and in specific performance categories.ResultsWhereas conscientiousness yielded the strongest effect (ρ = 0.19), the remaining Big Five traits yielded comparable effects (ρ = 0.10, 0.10, −0.12, and 0.13 for extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness). These associations varied dramatically by performance category. Whereas conscientiousness was more strongly associated with academic than job performance (0.28 vs 0.20), extraversion (−0.01 vs 0.14) and neuroticism (−0.03 vs −0.15) were less strongly associated with academic performance. Finally, associations of personality with specific performance outcomes largely replicated across independent meta‐analyses.ConclusionsOur comprehensive synthesis demonstrates that Big Five traits have robust associations with performance and documents how these associations fluctuate across personality and performance dimensions.