bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Histological and microRNA Signatures of Corneal Epithelium in Keratoconus
Authors: Wang Yu Meng , Ng Tsz Kin , Choy Kwong Wai , Wong Hoi Kin , Chu Wai Kit , Pang Chi Pui , Jhanji Vishal 
Published: March 2018

PURPOSE:
To illustrate the histopathology of keratoconic corneal epithelia and its micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) regulation.

METHODS:
Corneal epithelia were collected from 27 patients with keratoconus and 26 normal patients after surgery or by impression cytology. The miRNA profile was determined using miRNA microarray. The biological roles of miRNA target genes were delineated by gene ontology and pathway analyses. The expressions of significant miRNAs were validated using TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas protein localization and expression of the miRNA target genes were examined by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting analyses.

RESULTS:

Histological assessment showed that corneal epithelia in patients with keratoconus were thinner with loosely packed cells compared to normal patients. Microarray analysis revealed that 12 miRNAs were significantly downregulated in keratoconic corneal epithelia. Gene ontology analysis demonstrated that the predicted miRNA target genes participated in cell junction, cell division, and motor activity, whereas pathway analysis highlighted the involvement of syndecan-mediated signaling pathway. TaqMan PCR validated the altered expression of six miRNAs in corneal epithelia from surgery (
hsa-miR-151a-3p
,
hsa-miR-138-5p
,
hsa-miR-146b-5p
,
hsa-miR-194-5p
,
hsa-miR-28-5p
, and
hsa-miR-181a-2-3p
) and four miRNAs in squamous corneal epithelial samples collected from impression cytology (
hsa-miR-151a-3p
,
hsa-miR-195-5p
,
hsa-miR-185-5p
, and
hsa-miR-194-5p
). In addition, higher S100A2 expression was found in the epithelial basal cell layer of keratoconic corneal epithelia.

CONCLUSIONS:
The miRNA and histological analyses in this study demonstrated structural and biological changes in keratoconic corneal epithelia, broadening the understanding of keratoconus pathology. In addition, impression cytology is useful to collect corneal epithelial tissues for gene expression analysis.

[
J Refract Surg.
2018;34(3):201–211.]
Progression of Keratoconus in Patients While Awaiting Corneal Cross-linking: A Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Romano Vito , Vinciguerra Riccardo , Arbabi Esmaeil M. , Hicks Nick , Rosetta Pietro , Vinciguerra Paolo , Kaye Stephen B. 
Published: March 2018

PURPOSE:
To assess topographical changes in patients with keratoconus while awaiting corneal cross-linking (CXL) treatment.

METHODS:

In this prospective, double-center, observational clinical study, patients with keratoconus were enrolled. Progression was defined as a change in the curvature within the cone area of at least 1.00 diopter (D) on tangential map and a thinning of 20
μ
m at the thinnest point after measurements taken at least 3 months apart. Morphological parameters were assessed at baseline (day of listing for CXL) and on the day of CXL treatment, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, keratometry (maximum, minimum, and mean), and thinnest corneal thickness using corneal tomography (Pentacam; Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany).

RESULTS:

One hundred four eyes of 104 patients were included. The waiting time was 84.8 ± 62.9 days. Twenty-five percent of patients showed evidence of progression while waiting for treatment. Patients who progressed while waiting for treatment were younger (22.2 ± 6.79 years) compared to those who did not show evidence of progression (25.4 ± 5.62 years) (
P
= .02). Stratification by age groups showed a significant worsening of maximum keratometry of 1.18 ± 1.37 D in patients younger than 18 years compared to those 18 to 26 years of age and those older than 26 years (
P
= .002 and .042, respectively). The multivariate model confirmed that the progression steepening of the maximum keratometry while waiting for treatment was associated with age (
P
= .028).

CONCLUSIONS:
The results suggest that stratification of waiting time according to the patient's age is required to reduce the risk of further progression of keratoconus.

[
J Refract Surg.
2018;34(3):177–180.]
Predictability of Tunnel Depth for Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments Implantation Between Manual and Femtosecond Laser Techniques
Authors: Monteiro Tiago , Alfonso José F. , Franqueira Nuno , Faria-Correia Fernando , Ambrósio Renato , Madrid-Costa David 
Published: March 2018

PURPOSE:
To compare the predictability of intrastromal tunnel depth creation for intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) implantation between manual dissection and femtosecond laser using a high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

METHODS:
This multicenter study included patients with keratoconus who had Ferrara-type ICRS implantation at Hospital de Braga using manual dissection and at the Fernandez-Vega Ophthalmological Institute using the femtosecond laser technique. The intended depth of implantation was compared to the achieved postoperative ICRS depth of each case, measured using a swept-source AS-OCT (CASIA SS-1000; Tomey Corporation, Nagoya, Japan) at three points (proximal, central, and distal end of the implant).

RESULTS:

The study included 105 eyes in the manual group and 53 eyes in the femtosecond laser group. The differences of the intended versus the achieved depth were statistically higher in the manual group for all positions measured (Wilcoxon ranked-sum,
P
< .001). In the manual group, there were significant differences between the mean values of intended and achieved depth after surgery for the three locations measured (Wilcoxon signed-rank,
P
< .05), whereas there were no significant differences in the femtosecond laser group. In the manual group, the proximal part of the stromal tunnel was significantly shallower (−40.87 ± 69.03
μ
m) than the central (−25.54 ± 71.00
μ
m) and distal (−26.52 ± 73.22
μ
m) parts (Friedman test,
P
< .05).

CONCLUSIONS:
ICRS implantation assisted by a femtosecond laser provides a more precise procedure considering dissection depth when compared with the manual dissection technique. Such an advantage may provide more predictable clinical results and safer procedures with the femtosecond laser.

[
J Refract Surg.
2018;34(3):188–194.]
Evaluation of the Accuracy of Two Marking Methods and the Novel toriCAM Application for Toric Intraocular Lens Alignment
Authors: Pallas Andreas , Yeo Tun Kuan , Trevenen Michelle , Barrett Graham 
Published: March 2018

PURPOSE:
To compare the accuracy of two common reference marking methods for toric intraocular lens alignment before and after using the novel toriCAM application.

METHODS:
In this prospective, randomized study, 22 participants were randomly allocated to two groups, either freehand or slit-lamp–assisted marking. Corneal markings at 0° and 180° were made using either method. The toriCAM application on a smartphone was then used to assess the rotational alignment of these markings and compared to the actual alignment as measured by the Zaldivar calipers on the iTrace Topographer (Tracey Technologies, Houston, TX) as a reference. The errors in marking with and without using the application were analyzed for all patients in each cohort and determined for each marking method.

RESULTS:

Twenty eyes of 11 patients were marked using the freehand method and 20 eyes of the other 11 patients were marked using the slit-lamp method. The mean absolute error of all markings before toriCAM adjustment was 3.18° ± 2.22°. This was significantly reduced to 1.28° ± 1.34° after using the application (
P
< .001). This improvement was also noted separately in the freehand and slit-lamp groups. Comparison of the freehand and slit-lamp methods did not show any statistically significant difference in accuracy at both time points.

CONCLUSIONS:
The novel toriCAM application is able to significantly improve the accuracy of reference marking for both freehand and slit-lamp methods.

[
J Refract Surg.
2018;34(3):150–155.]
Réponse de quatre variétés de Anacardium occidentale L. aux techniques de greffage horticole en pépinière
Authors: Mamoudou Abdoul Touré , Elhadji Faye , Ramatoulaye Goudiaby 
Published: March 2018

La production de noix de Anacardium occidentale L. au Sénégal est faible et de qualité médiocre par rapport à ses concurrents directs (Guinée Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, etc.). Cette situation s’explique par l’absence d’utilisation de variétés sélectionnées et améliorées, le vieillissement des plantations, le manque de formation des producteurs entre autres. Peu d’études ont été effectuées sur le greffage de l’espèce en utilisant différents morphotypes et techniques de greffage. L’objectif de l’étude était de contribuer à améliorer la multiplication efficace des meilleures variétés de Anacardium occidentale L. Pour ce faire, un test de greffage du matériel juvénile et adulte en utilisant quatre (4) porte-greffes correspondant aux « variétés » de Anacardium occidentale L. Costa Rica, Henry, James et Bénin jaune et deux techniques de greffage (fente terminale et anglaise simple) a été réalisé. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le taux de survie des greffons juvéniles a atteint 95,83 % indifféremment de la technique de greffage. Le taux de survie a été aussi fonction de la technique de greffage (p < 0,001) et du type de greffons (p < 0,001). Les variétés porte-greffes n’ont pas d’influence sur le taux de survie (p = 0,49) des greffons et sur les techniques de greffage (p = 0,07). La croissance en hauteur, le nombre de feuilles et le nombre de bourgeons des plants de Anacardium occidentale L. sont plus élevés avec les plants juvéniles qu’avec les plants adultes.
Two new species of fossil Eomerope (Mecoptera: Eomeropidae) from the Ypresian Okanagan Highlands, far-western North America, and Eocene Holarctic dispersal of the genus
Authors: Archibald S. Bruce , Rasnitsyn Alexandr P. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTwo new species of Eocene Eomerope Cockerell (Mecoptera: Eomeropidae) are described from the Ypresian Okanagan Highlands deposits of British Columbia, Canada: Eomerope simpkinsaenew species from the Allenby Formation near the town of Princeton, and Eomerope eonearcticanew species from the McAbee locality near the towns of Cache Creek and Ashcroft. Eomerope eonearctica is very close to the coeval Eomerope asiatica Ponomarenko from Primorskiy Kray in Pacific-coastal Russia, consistent with Eocene intercontinental dispersal, which is well documented in numerous plant and animal taxa.
Role Models' Influence on Specialty Choice for Residency Training: A National Longitudinal Study
Authors: Yoon John D. , Ham Sandra A. , Reddy Shalini T. , Curlin Farr A. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Background
Role models in medical school may influence students' residency specialty choice.

Objective
We examined whether medical students who reported clinical exposure to a role model during medical school would have an increased likelihood of selecting the role model's specialty for their residencies.

Methods
We conducted a 5-year prospective, national longitudinal study (2011–2016) of medical students from 24 US allopathic medical schools, starting from the middle of their third year. The primary outcome measure was type of residency specialty choice 4 years after graduation. Main predictors were the clinical specialty of a student's most admired physician and the relative importance of 7 potentially influential factors for specialty choice in the fourth year of medical school.

Results
From 919 eligible participants, 564 (61%) responded to the first survey; 474 of the respondents (84%) completed the follow-up survey. We excluded 29 participants who were not in their fourth year by the time of the follow-up survey. Of the follow-up respondents, 427 (96%) had specialty data 4 years after graduation. In our multivariate models, exposure to an admired generalist physician prior to medical school (odds ratio [OR] = 2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–4.73) and during medical school (OR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.69–4.05) had the strongest odds with respect to training in a generalist residency 4 years after graduation. Role model exposure also predicted specialty choice among those training in surgical and radiology, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, and dermatology (ROAD) specialties.

Conclusions
Personal exposure to role models in medical school is an important predictor of residency training in that role model's specialty.
Relationship between ionospheric plasma bubble occurrence and lightning strikes over the Amazon region
Authors: Sousasantos Jonas , Sobral José Humberto Andrade , Kherani Esfhan Alam , Saba Marcelo Magalhães Fares , de Campos Diovane Rodolfo 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The vertical coupling between the troposphere and the ionosphere presents
some remarkable features. Under intense tropospheric convection, gravity
waves may be generated, and once they reach the ionosphere, these waves may
seed instabilities and spread F and equatorial plasma
bubble events may take place. Additionally, there is a close association
between severe tropospheric convection and lightning strikes. In this work an investigation covering an equinox period (September–October) during the deep solar minimum (2009) presents the relation between lightning strike activity and spread F (equatorial plasma bubble) detected over a low-latitude Brazilian region. The results show a considerable correlation
between these two phenomena. The common element in the center of this
conformity seems to be the gravity waves. Once gravity waves and lightning
strikes share the same source (intense tropospheric convection) and the
effects of such gravity waves in the ionosphere include the seeding of
instabilities according to the gravity waves magnitude, the monitoring of the
lightning strike activity seems to offer some information about the
subsequent development of spread F over the equatorial region. Keywords. Ionosphere (equatorial ionosphere)
BV-constructies in de zorgsector: van schijn naar werkelijkheid
Authors: Klaassen A.G.H. 
Published: March 2018

BV-constructies in de zorgsector: van schijn naar werkelijkheid
Zijn BV-constructies in de zorgsector in strijd met het verbod op winstuitkering en het bezoldigingsmaximum? Deze vraag kan ontkennend worden beantwoord. Over of het in strijd is met de geest van de relevante wetten kan verschillend worden gedacht. De auteur doet voorstellen tot aanpassing van het wetsvoorstel Wet toetreding zorgaanbieders en de Governancecode Zorg.
Wet versterking positie curator: is de positie van de curator daadwerkelijk versterkt?
Authors: de Kloe H.J. , Ortiz Aldana F. 
Published: March 2018

Wet versterking positie curator: is de positie van de curator daadwerkelijk versterkt?
Op 1 juli 2017 is de Wet versterking positie curator in werking getreden. In deze bijdrage wordt onderzocht of de curator er met deze wet rechten en instrumenten bijgekregen heeft en of zijn positie daadwerkelijk is versterkt. De inlichtingen- en medewerkingsplicht in de Faillissementswet wordt geanalyseerd en vergeleken met de situatie vóór de wetswijziging.
Theoretical and Normative Frameworks for Legal Research: Putting Theory into Practice
Authors: Taekema Sanne 
Published: March 2018

Theoretical and Normative Frameworks for Legal Research: Putting Theory into Practice
Legal doctrinal scholarship engages with the problems of legal practice: it systematizes, comments on, evaluates and debates what goes on in law. These activities do not occur in a vacuum: they are embedded in scholarly traditions and theories. This paper discusses the role of the theoretical frameworks used in legal research and has two related aims. First, it aims to provide some practical conceptualizations and guidelines regarding theoretical and normative frameworks that are useful to understand and conduct legal research. Second, it aims to investigate the relationships between different kinds of normative frameworks and their relationship to empirical work. In the second part, an argument is made for a pragmatist understanding of the interplay between normative theorizing and empirical study. How do these work together in judgments about the state of the law?
Evaluación del Pensamiento Computacional en Educación Primaria
Authors: De la Fuente Héctor Arranz , Pérez García Adolfina 
Published: March 2018

<p>Es sabido que el Pensamiento Computacional carece de un marco de referencia común que determine cuál es su definición y los componentes que la forman (Zapata-Ros, 2015) y este hecho provoca un vacío en el desarrollo de metodologías y herramientas de evaluación (Román, 2015). En consecuencia, existe la necesidad de llevar a cabo estudios que evidencien el efecto del aprendizaje de la programación informática en el desarrollo del Pensamiento Computacional (Zapata-Ros, 2015), ya que estos no abundan entre la literatura especializada (Cearreta, 2015). </p><p>Con la idea de aportar nuevo contenido que ayude a la construcción de conocimiento sobre cómo evaluar el Pensamiento Computacional en alumnos de Educación Primaria, el presente artículo tiene 1 objetivo principal: <em>i)</em> valorar el desarrollo del Pensamiento Computacional a partir del uso de la herramienta Scratch. Para ello, se lleva a cabo un estudio, desde un enfoque descriptivo, con alumnos de Educación Primaria (N=28) donde, a partir del uso de un cuestionario (Cearreta, 2015) como herramienta de recogida de información cuantitativa, realizar un análisis descriptivo de los resultados.</p><p>Los resultados presentan indicativos de como el uso de Scratch afecta al desarrollo de las dimensiones (conceptos, prácticas y perspectivas computacionales) del Pensamiento Computacional (Brennan y Resnick, 2012). </p>
The association between elevated serum uric acid levels and islet β-cell function indexes in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hu Yimeng , Liu Jie , Li Huiqiong , Zhu Hui , Liu Linjie , Yuan Yin , Chen Jing , Wang Ye , Hu Xuemei , Xu Yancheng 
Published: March 2018

Background
Serum uric acid (UA) has been reported as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, whether serum UA is associated with insulin resistance and insulin secretion, and the effect of gender on it in the case of the existed association, both remain undefined.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was designed and performed, which enrolled a total of 403 newly diagnosed T2DM patients (mean age, 50.21 ± 13.34 years (62.5% males)). Clinical characteristics and islet function indexes of all participants were analyzed based on gender-specific tertiles of serum UA levels. In addition, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to investigate covariates associated with islet function indexes.

Results
The mean levels of serum UA were 331.05 μmol/L (interquartile range (IQR): 60.6, 400.9 μmol/L) and 267.9 μmol/L (IQR: 204.7, 331.9 μmol/L) in men and women, respectively. The values of insulin secretion indexes involving AUCins30/glu30, AUCins120/glu120 and total insulin disposition index (DI120) in females were significantly higher than those in males. Apart from the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance of men, serum UA was positively associated with insulin secretion and insulin resistance indexes both in men and women. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed serum UA exerted an independent impact on insulin secretion in females, but not on insulin resistance. In males, islet function was simultaneously affected by serum UA age, body mass index (BMI), and serum lipids.

Conclusion
Serum UA harbored a positive correlation with insulin secretion and insulin resistance indexes in newly diagnosed T2DM patients, which was influenced by gender, BMI, serum lipids. Hence, serum UA may be considered as a predictor for islet function in clinical practice.
Last Millennium Meridional Shifts in Hydroclimate in the Central Tropical Pacific
Authors: Higley Melinda C. , Conroy Jessica L. , Schmitt Susan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractReconstructing past changes in the spatial structure of tropical Pacific hydroclimate requires archives of past moisture balance across spatial gradients of precipitation. To date, only one, 600‐year, terrestrial record of hydroclimate is available for the central tropical Pacific (CTP) from Washington Lake, Washington Island, limiting the ability to test the hypotheses regarding the location of the CTP Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in the last millennium. A new lake sediment record from Lake 30, Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati, 3° south of Washington Island, provides additional constraints on past CTP ITCZ position. Lake 30 geochemical and sedimentological data indicate an episode of increased microbial mat development and gypsum precipitation from 900 to 1200 CE, coincident with the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA). We infer drier conditions during the MCA at Kiritimati as the Washington Lake proxy record indicates wetter conditions, suggesting that the CTP ITCZ was displaced northward during the MCA relative to its position today. At the transition between the MCA and the Little Ice Age (LIA), Lake 30 sediment becomes predominantly carbonate, suggesting a transition to wetter conditions and a southward shift of the ITCZ relative to its MCA position. However, a tropical Pacific synthesis of hydroclimate‐sensitive proxy records does not point to a consistent spatial or temporal pattern of variability in the MCA and LIA, suggesting multiple influences on centennial‐scale tropical Pacific hydroclimate during the last millennium.
Pore‐Scale Hydrodynamics in a Progressively Bioclogged Three‐Dimensional Porous Medium: 3‐D Particle Tracking Experiments and Stochastic Transport Modeling
Authors: Carrel M. , Morales V. L. , Dentz M. , Derlon N. , Morgenroth E. , Holzner M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBiofilms are ubiquitous bacterial communities that grow in various porous media including soils, trickling, and sand filters. In these environments, they play a central role in services ranging from degradation of pollutants to water purification. Biofilms dynamically change the pore structure of the medium through selective clogging of pores, a process known as bioclogging. This affects how solutes are transported and spread through the porous matrix, but the temporal changes to transport behavior during bioclogging are not well understood. To address this uncertainty, we experimentally study the hydrodynamic changes of a transparent 3‐D porous medium as it experiences progressive bioclogging. Statistical analyses of the system's hydrodynamics at four time points of bioclogging (0, 24, 36, and 48 h in the exponential growth phase) reveal exponential increases in both average and variance of the flow velocity, as well as its correlation length. Measurements for spreading, as mean‐squared displacements, are found to be non‐Fickian and more intensely superdiffusive with progressive bioclogging, indicating the formation of preferential flow pathways and stagnation zones. A gamma distribution describes well the Lagrangian velocity distributions and provides parameters that quantify changes to the flow, which evolves from a parallel pore arrangement under unclogged conditions, toward a more serial arrangement with increasing clogging. Exponentially evolving hydrodynamic metrics agree with an exponential bacterial growth phase and are used to parameterize a correlated continuous time random walk model with a stochastic velocity relaxation. The model accurately reproduces transport observations and can be used to resolve transport behavior at intermediate time points within the exponential growth phase considered.