bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Analysis of Peripapillary Choroidal Microvascular Density in Normal Tension Glaucoma and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Lin Yongdong , Wang Hongxi , Chen Shirong , Xiao Kailin , Liu Xujia , Xie Xiaolin , Zheng Xin , Tan Li , Ma Di 
Published: September 2024

Précis:
Glaucoma patients had a reduction in the inner annulus peripapillary choroidal microvascular density (PCMD) that became worse as the glaucoma severity progressed, which might provide new evidence supporting the vascular theory.

Purpose:
To compare PCMD among normal tension glaucoma (NTG), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and healthy controls using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA).

Materials and Methods:
The study included 40 POAG, 25 NTG, and 33 healthy controls. All subjects underwent OCT and OCTA testing. The inner annulus and outer annulus PCMD, as well as peripapillary vessel density (VD), were calculated. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the vascular parameters of the 3 groups. Pearson correlation analysis or Spearman correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between PCMD and glaucomatous severity factors. The spatial positional relationship between PCMD and corresponding peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and visual field (VF) mean deviation (MD) was also assessed.

Results:
The average and 4 quadrants of the inner annulus PCMD and peripapillary VD in the 2 glaucomatous groups were significantly lower than in normal eyes (P<0.05). Strong correlations were found between inner annulus PCMD and VF MD, peripapillary VD, and RNFL in POAG patients. Similarly, the inner annulus PCMD in NTG patients was strongly correlated with peripapillary VD and RNFL (all r>0.5). Strong positional correlations were found between inner superior quadrantal PCMD and RNFL thickness in both POAG and NTG patients (r=0.566 and 0.731, respectively). Likewise, inner inferior quadrantal PCMD exhibited a strong correlation with RNFL thickness in POAG patients (r=0.608). Strong positional correlations were also found between inner superior PCMD and VF MD in both POAG and NTG patients (r=0.589 and 0.622, respectively). Inner inferior PCMD exhibited a moderate correlation with VF MD in both POAG and NTG patients (r=0.487 and 0.440, respectively).

Conclusion:
The study found that the inner annulus PCMD decreased to varying degrees in NTG and POAG patients. The inner annulus PCMD was closely related to the structural and visual function parameters of glaucoma in both NTG and POAG. Furthermore, inner PCMD demonstrated a spatial correlation with corresponding RNFL thickness and VF MD.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists in cardiovascular diseases: a bibliometric analysis from inception to 2023
Authors: Mahapatro Abinash , Bozorgi Ali , Obulareddy Sri U.J. , Jain Shika M. , Reddy Korsapati Rohan , Kumar Aroon , Patel Kristina , Soltani Moghadam Saman , Arya Arash , Jameel Alotaibi Abdulhadi , Keivanlou Mohammad-Hossein , Hassanipour Soheil , Hasanpour Maryam , Amini-Salehi Ehsan 
Published: September 2024

Background:
In recent years, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists have garnered increasing attention for their potential cardiovascular benefits beyond glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Understanding the research landscape surrounding GLP-1 agonists and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is crucial for informing clinical practice and guiding future research endeavors. This bibliometric analysis aimed to comprehensively assess the scholarly output and trends in this field, shedding light on the evolving landscape of GLP-1 agonists’ role in cardiovascular health.

Methods:
The publications concerning GLP-1 agonists in CVDs were gathered from the Web of Science Core Collection, and visualizations were created utilizing Excel 2019, Cite Space, and VOS viewer software.

Results and Conclusion:
Using bibliometric and visual methods, the research hotspots and trends regarding GLP-1 agonists in cardiovascular diseases were pinpointed. Additionally, a thriving interest in GLP-1 agonists research within cardiovascular medicine was observed, with a notable surge in publications from 2016 onwards. The analysis revealed that the United States and China are the leading contributors, accounting for over 50% of the total publications. The University of Copenhagen and the University of Toronto emerged as the most prolific institutions in this field. Co-citation analysis highlighted the influential role of landmark clinical trials, such as the LEADER, ELIXA, and EXSCEL. Keyword trend analysis identified the emergence of newer GLP-1 agonists, such as tirzepatide and semaglutide, as well as a growing focus on topics like ‘healthy obesity’ and chronic kidney disease. These findings suggest that the research landscape is evolving, with a focus on expanding the therapeutic applications of GLP-1 agonists beyond glycemic control. Overall, this bibliometric analysis provided insights into the current state and future directions of research on GLP-1 agonists and their impact on cardiovascular health, guiding future research endeavors, and informing clinical practice.
Comparing Men Who Have Sex With Men Only and Men Who Have Sex With Men and Women Visiting a Public Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic
Authors: Reese Amanda C. , Ghanem Khalil , Gilliams Elizabeth , Hamill Matthew , Page Kathleen R. , Tuddenham Susan 
Published: September 2024

Background
Men reporting same-sex behaviors are disproportionately impacted by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Differences in clinical characteristics and STIs in men who have sex with men only (MSMO), with men and women (MSMW), and with women only (MSW) are not well described.

Methods
First visits to 2 Baltimore City STI clinics 2011–2016 from MSMO and MSMW compared with an age-matched random sample of MSW were analyzed. Acute STI (aSTI) included chlamydia, gonorrhea, nongonococcal urethritis, and primary or secondary syphilis. χ
2 Tests and logistic regression examined associations.

Results
Among N = 1226 MSMO, N = 491 MSMW, and N = 1717 MSW, most identified as Black/African American; mean age (29.8 years) was similar across groups. The percentages of MSMW, MSMO, and MSW who reported ≥2 partners in the last 6 months were 73.5%, 67.2%, and 60.3%, respectively. “Always” condom use was reported by 20.4%, 17.4%, and 14.1% of MSMW, MSMO, and MSW. Overall HIV prevalence was 13.8%. Among those tested, urogenital chlamydia prevalence rates were 21.7%, 8.3%, and 3.9% (P ≤ 0.01) in MSW, MSMW, and MSMO. Urogenital gonorrhea prevalence was 11.6%, 7.7%, and 8.3% in MSMW, MSW, and MSMO, respectively. Extragenital STI (range, 2.7%–21.9%), nongonococcal urethritis (25.2%), and primary or secondary syphilis (5.3%–5.7%) positivity was similar in MSMW and MSMO. Older age was inversely associated with STI diagnosis in MSW and MSMO only; consistent condom use was protective against aSTI in MSW (adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; P < 0.01) and MSMW (adjusted odds ratio, 0.54; P = 0.03) only.

Conclusions
Differences in behaviors and clinical characteristics associated with aSTI suggest that MSMO, MSMW, and MSW have diverse sexual health needs and may require tailored interventions to improve sexual health outcomes.
A Modification to the Assessment of Problem-Solving in Play to Enhance Its Utility: Evaluation of Validity, Responsiveness, and Reliability
Authors: Molinini Rebecca M. , Koziol Natalie A , Inamdar Ketaki , Rhee Claire , Salgaonkar Arya , Harbourne Regina T. , Hsu Lin-Ya , Westcott Mccoy Sarah , Lobo Michele A. , Bovaird James , Burnsed Jennifer , Spence Christine , Stevenson Richard , Dusing Stacey C. 
Published: September 2024

Purpose:
This study investigated the psychometric properties of a 4-second interval scoring modification of the Assessment of Problem-Solving in Play (ie, Assessment of Problem-Solving in Play 4-second interval scoring [APSP-4]).

Methods:
A total of 95 children (3-48 months) with or at high risk for neuromotor delay were assessed with the APSP-4 and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III (Bayley). APSP-4 and Bayley cognitive raw scores were compared by age (construct validity) and over time (responsiveness). Twenty percent of videos were scored twice for intra- and interrater reliability.

Results:
The APSP-4 demonstrated excellent interrater (intraclass correlations [ICCs] ≥ 0.96) and intrarater (ICCs ≥ 0.99) reliability and performed similar to Bayley cognitive raw scores at different ages (rs > 0.5), and over time (r = 0.81). The motor delay had similar effects on APSP-4 and Bayley scores.

Conclusions:
Results support the validity and reliability evidence of the APSP-4 for use over time in tracking problem-solving skills in young children aged 3 to 48 months. Future research investigating clinical implementation of the APSP-4 is needed.
Challenges of patients with intrathecal baclofen pump therapy during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Qureshi Ahmad Zaheer , Shacfe Hasan , Jameel Mohammed , Sami Waqas , Moukais Imad S. , Qannam Fares , Ortega Lady Lynn Salazar , Wani Tariq 
Published: September 2024

Background:
This study was carried out to analyze the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on patients with intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy.

Methods:
Patients who came for ITB refill during the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and August 2020 were contacted, and a survey was conducted regarding challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data obtained from the chart review included demographics, diagnoses, pump information, baclofen dose, and COVID triage. Information was collected regarding travel arrangements, appointments, and problems related to ITB therapy or travel. The survey included 12 multiple-choice questions related to travel, appointment scheduling, and difficulties faced during the travel restrictions.

Results:
The study included 19 patients with ITB (mean age: 38.1±14.4) from outside Riyadh city who came for ITB refill during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the patients were males. Spinal cord injury with paraplegia was the most common diagnosis (52.6%). In total, 7 patients had either clinical (31.6%) or travel-related difficulties (15.8%). No patient had ITB withdrawal at the time of the clinic visit. Nearly half (47.4%) of the patients had to change their appointment for refill. The percentage of patients who used a car as a mode of travel pre-COVID was 42.1%, which increased to 78.9% during the pandemic. They traveled 747.4±356.6 km (7.4±3.7 h) to reach the hospital for refill. Patients needed 1–4 accompanied persons for assistance during travel, with the majority (68.4%) requiring 2 accompanied persons. Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant associations between clinical or travel difficulties and appointment changes.

Conclusions:
A pandemic or similar disaster can pose challenges to patients on ITB therapy living in areas with limited access to specialized care. In this study, none of the patients had serious complications or adverse outcomes; however, the main difficulties were attributed to travel. It is crucial to establish strategies at institutional, regional, or national levels to formulate guidelines for managing patients with ITB therapy during a pandemic.
Association of Ventricular Arrhythmias with Lamotrigine: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Kim Sodam , Welch Landon , De Los Santos Bertha , Radwański Przemysław B. , Munger Mark A. , Kim Kibum 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundWhether lamotrigine (LTG) is associated with ventricular tachycardia (VT) in bipolar disorder (BPD), partial seizures (PSZ) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTSZ) with and without structural heart disease (SHD) remains controversial. A mechanistic rational for LTG-induced re-entrant cardiac arrhythmias has recently been elucidated, leading to a real-world comparative cohort observational study being warranted.MethodsA retrospective observational comparative safety study was performed using a large healthcare claims database of adult participants analyzing the one-year cumulative VT. Analytic cohort included adult participants diagnosed with bipolar I disorder (BPD), partial seizures (PSZ) or generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTSZ). Participants were free from supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias during the 6-month baseline period before the index LTG or CTR date. Exposure to LTG versus commonly prescribed alternative agents were the control comparators (CTR). One-year cumulative ventricular tachycardia (VT) incidence was calculated separately for GTSZ, PSZ and BPD using Kaplan-Meier estimator, with participants being censored at last enrollment, treatment switching or discontinuation. The VT association hazard ratios (HR) for LTG versus CTR was adjusted for baseline characteristics.ResultsThe analytic cohort included 153,852 LTG and 213,593 CTR for BPD, 10,275 LTG and 24,971 CTR for PSZ, and 5,860 LTG and 17,506 CTR for GTSZ. Baseline cardiovascular risk profiles were higher among CTR than LTG across the three sub-analytic cohorts. The 1-year VT cumulative incidence from LTG or CTR free from was 0.79% vs 0.68% in BPD, 0.76% vs 0.58% in PSZ, and 0.93% vs 0.40% in GTSZ cohorts, The adjusted HR [95% CI] estimates were 1.326 [1.122-1.568, p<0.01], 1.403 [0.920-2.138, p=0.11], and 1.180 [0.607-2.295, p=0.63].ConclusionsIn adult participants, LTG has a strong association to increase VT risk compared to commonly prescribed alternatives.KEY POINTSQuestion:Does lamotrigine investigated in a real-world database increase the risk of ventricular tachycardia in patients with epilepsy or bipolar disease?Findings:The lamotrigine-ventricular tachycardia association was statistically significant in adult bipolar disease participants. Although limited statistical significance, the positive association is ubiquitous across epileptic conditions. Structural heart disease has a notable increased effect on the incidence on the onset of ventricular tachycardia.Meaning:Caution should be exercised in the use of lamotrigine in adult bipolar disease patients to avoid ventricular tachycardia.
The effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) on sleep quality improvement in adolescents
Authors: Wu Zuoda , He Chao , Zhao Kai 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn recent years, there has been a notable surge in sleep-related challenges among adolescents. The emergence of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) content across various social media platforms has sparked interest in its potential to address these issues. This study explored the therapeutic impact of ASMR on sleep problems in high school students.MethodsThe study involved sixty participants, divided evenly into four groups: three intervention groups (A, B, C) and one control group. For five consecutive days, the intervention groups engaged in pre-sleep ASMR listening sessions lasting 10, 20, and 30 minutes, respectively. Sleep quality was evaluated using mobile application tools and the subjective Sleep Quality Scale.ResultsThe analysis, performed utilizing repeated measures sphericity tests, revealed a significant correlation between ASMR intervention days and both objective sleep(P= 0.036) and effective sleep duration (P= 0.002). However, ASMR intervention did not significantly affect objective sleep efficiency or subjective sleep quality. These findings imply that ASMR interventions can significantly improve sleep issues in adolescents.ConclusionsASMR has been extensively promoted as a potential remedy for sleep enhancement, this study substantiates its effectiveness in tackling adolescent sleep concerns.
Sex-specific decline in prefrontal cortex mitochondrial bioenergetics in aging baboons correlates with walking speed
Authors: Adekunbi Daniel A. , Huber Hillary F. , Benavides Gloria A. , Tian Ran , Li Cun , Nathanielsz Peter W. , Zhang Jianhua , Darley-Usmar Victor , Cox Laura A. , Salmon Adam B. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMitochondria play a crucial role in brain aging due to their involvement in bioenergetics, neuroinflammation and brain steroid synthesis. Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. We investigated changes in the activities of the electron transport chain (ETC) complexes in normally aging baboon brains and determined how these changes relate to donor sex, morning cortisol levels, and walking speed. Using a novel approach, we assessed mitochondrial bioenergetics from frozen prefrontal cortex (PFC) tissues from a large cohort (60 individuals) of well-characterized aging baboons (6.6–22.8 years, approximately equivalent to 26.4–91.2 human years). Aging was associated with a decline in mitochondrial ETC complexes in the PFC, which was more pronounced when activities were normalized for citrate synthase activity, suggesting that the decline in respiration is predominantly driven by changes in the specific activity of individual complexes rather than changes in mitochondrial number. Moreover, when donor sex was used as a covariate, we found that mitochondrial respiration was preserved with age in females, whereas males showed significant loss of ETC activity with age. Males had higher activities of each individual ETC complex and greater lactate dehydrogenase activity relative to females. Circulating cortisol levels correlated only with complex II-linked respiration in males. We also observed a robust positive predictive relationship between walking speed and respiration linked to complexes I, III, and IV in males but not in females. This data reveals a previously unknown link between aging and bioenergetics across multiple tissues linking frailty and bioenergetic function. This study highlights a potential molecular mechanism for sexual dimorphism in brain resilience and suggests that in males changes in PFC bioenergetics contribute to reduced motor function with age.
No evidence for paternal age effects on sons or daughters, when accounting for paternal sperm storage
Authors: Sanghvi Krish , Gascoigne Samuel , Todorova Biliana , Vega-Trejo Regina , Pizzari Tommaso , Sepil Irem 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe age at which a father reproduces is predicted to affect not only his own fertility but also the fitness of his offspring. Specifically, offspring born to old fathers are assumed to be of a lower quality than those conceived by young fathers. However, when fathers have low mating rates, paternal age might be confounded with the duration for which mature sperm are stored in fathers prior to ejaculation.Studies that disentangle the confounding effects of paternal sperm storage duration from those of paternal age, on offspring, are lacking. We useDrosophila melanogasterto test the separate and interactive effects of paternal age and sperm storage duration (sexual rest) on the survival and lifetime reproduction of offspring.As expected, old fathers produce fewer offspring than young fathers. But surprisingly, paternal age does not influence the survival or lifetime reproductive success of either sons or daughters. Instead, sons conceived by fathers with long durations of sexual rest have lower reproductive success than sons conceived by fathers with short durations of sexual rest.We further discover that daughters of low reproductive quality selectively disappear with age, but sons do not, highlighting that demographic processes need to be accounted for when studying paternal age effects.Overall, our study suggests that paternal age effects might not be as pervasive as previously assumed. We emphasize that a more nuanced understanding of the mechanisms causing paternal age effects is required, so that studies do not misattribute effects of paternal sperm storage to age.
Revisiting sour rot of grapevine through disease-associated microbiomes: a tripartite co-infection?
Authors: Sébastien Hévin , Wilhelm Matthieu , Kehrli Patrik , Buyck Bart , Gindro Katia , Wolfender Jean-Luc , Hofstetter Valérie 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTSour rot in grapevines is thought to result from berry infection by yeasts, acetic acid bacteria and vinegar flies. Our results confirm previous studies having shown that sour rot supersedes grey mould when both diseases are present in a vineyard, but also indicate that the two diseases can cohabit at an advanced stage of grape decay. To better characterize the role of each of the actors involved in sour rot expression, we conducted experiments involving the isolation of 1593 fungi and bacteria to understand the composition and dynamics of the microbiomes associated with healthy berries, diseased berries and insect vectors. As some grape clusters became symptomatic for sour rot in the absence of acetic acid bacteria, the latter do not always appear necessary for disease expression. The yeast genusGeotrichum,is reported here for the first time to be able to initiate sour rot in grapes, similar to other yeast genera. By allowing or denying the access of insect vectors to intact or artificially wounded grapes, we demonstrate that vinegar flies accelerate disease expression but only when berries are previously injured. Furthermore, the yeast communities identified on native and introduced vinegar flies (Drosophila suzukii) are very similar and yeast-dominated. This confirms the key role of both introduced and endemic vinegar flies in the transmission of sour rot fungi. However, berry skin wounds, induced by heavy rainfall leading to high water uptake and rapid berry swelling, appear to be the main factor in disease expression.IMPORTANCEThis study sheds new light on the complex interactions between microbiomes, insect vectors and physical factors favoring the development of sour rot. While previous studies suggested that acetic acid bacteria were mandatory for sour rot expression and that the introducedDrosophila suzukiiflies were the main insect vector, our results indicate that grape sour rot can also result solely from yeast infection and that endemicDrosophilaflies are equally important in yeast transportation and transmission in the vineyard. The fruit flies accelerate the infection process leading to disease expression in the weeks prior to harvest, but we demonstrate here that they can do this only on the condition that the skin of grape berries shows already injuries, for example due to excessive water uptake after heavy rain. Consequently, sour rot of grapes is suggested to depend principally on climatic conditions during the maturation of grape berries.
A ground surface rolling method for detecting environmental DNA of terrestrial animals
Authors: Kakita Manami , Furuta Yoshikazu , Tanaka Hidenori 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBiological information obtained from environmental DNA has been helpful for conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. Methods for environmental DNA of terrestrial habitats are limited such as sampling of water near terrestrial habitat and of shoveled soil, whereas those of aquatic habitats are well-established. We developed a method using a sampler for terrestrial habitat utilizing a combination of a simple rotating body and a single-use non-woven fabric collector as a sampler, enabling sample collection from wide area of various surfaces without power supply. The sampler was applied to collect 90 ground surface and 29 water samples in a secondary nature environment, resulted in the detection of 53 species of birds and mammals in total. The result covered 92% of the species detected by cameras installed in front of the sampling areas, validating the sensitivity of the method. Time course analysis also revealed that the timing of the detection of birds matched that of the birds’ actual arrival. These results suggest that our labor-saving method could provide accurate and time-resolved data for biodiversity monitoring of terrestrial areas. Combining with established aquatic environmental analysis, the sampler would enable systematic monitoring of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, enhancing our understanding of the whole ecosystem.