bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Assessment of Retinal and Choroidal Microvasculature in Asymptomatic Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis
Authors: Monferrer-Adsuara Clara , Remolí-Sargues Lidia , Navarro-Palop Catalina , Cervera-Taulet Enrique , Montero-Hernández Javier , Medina-Bessó Pascual , Castro-Navarro Verónica 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

SIGNIFICANCE
Carotid disease contributes to 15 to 20% of all ischemic strokes, one of the leading causes of permanent disabilities and mortality globally. With its growing prevalence and the inflicted disability rates, screening for anomalies that precede the onset of its serious complications is of crucial global significance.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to assess the relationship between retinal and choroidal perfusion changes with the degree of stenosis using quantitative swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with internal carotid artery stenosis.

METHODS
A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 72 eyes with carotid stenosis. According to the degree of stenosis, the participants were divided into a healthy group (group 1: 34 eyes), a mild-moderate stenosis group (group 2: 22 eyes), and a severe stenosis group (group 3: 16 eyes). Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography was performed to scan macular fovea. Capillary density values in the different retinal and choroidal layers were the major measurements for our study.

RESULTS
Mean vessel density in the midchoroid layer was significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 compared with group 1. Deep choroid disclosed significantly superior vascular density values in group 3 compared with groups 2 and 1. Superficial and deep capillary plexus showed decreased vascular density values when comparing group 3 with groups 1 and 2, although they were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS
Our report provides the first evidence that choroidal microvascular changes were correlated with severity of carotid artery stenosis. Optical coherence tomography angiography can sensitively detect subtle, early changes in the ocular blood in carotid disease representing a useful, noninvasive, and objective approach to the retinal microvasculature.
Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Value of Ro52/SSA Antibodies in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies
Authors: Pepper Elizabeth , Vilar Lilian , Ward Ian M. 
Published: September 2023

Background/Purpose
Anti-Ro52 are myositis-associated antibodies found in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). This chart review aims to evaluate the frequency, significance, and associated clinical characteristics of Ro52/SSA positivity in IIM patients.

Methods
We performed a chart review of IIM patients diagnosed between January 2006 and December 2020. All patients met either the 1975 Bohan and Peter or the European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for probable or definite myositis. Demographics, clinical and serologic parameters, treatments, and outcomes were compared in patients with anti-Ro52/SSA antibodies and patients without anti-Ro52/SSA antibodies.

Results
One hundred eighty-nine patients with IIM were tested for either Ro52 or SSA, with 45 positive for Ro52/SSA (23.8%). Patients with IIM and Ro52/SSA+ were younger at age at onset of disease (44.8 vs. 51.2 years, p = 0.008). Ro52/SSA+ was more common in antisynthetase syndrome (p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 4.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.11–9.33) and not frequently identified in clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) (p = 0.02; OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02–0.96) or immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (p = 0.003; OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.03–0.63). Of the extraskeletal muscle manifestations, interstitial lung disease (ILD) was strongly associated with Ro52/SSA+ (p < 0.001; OR, 6.61; 95% CI, 3.15–13.86), as was dysphagia (p = 0.006; OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.31–5.71). Interstitial lung disease pattern and pulmonary function testing impairment did not differ based on antibody status. There was no significant difference in outcomes between groups.

Conclusion
In this myositis cohort, Ro52/SSA+ was present in nearly one-fourth of the population and had a strong association with the antisynthetase syndrome subtype, ILD, and dysphagia. Although these disease manifestations are associated with significant morbidity, in our cohort, they were not associated with increased mortality or more severe ILD.
Dominant cardiovascular diseases treated by traditional Chinese medicine: Clinical evidence and distinctive therapeutic characteristics
Authors: Wang Jie , Hu Jun , Liu Yongmei , Jiang Zhilin , Cheng Jiawen , Chen Cong , Liu Chao , Liu Lanchun 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a long history in China has demonstrated unique advantages in treating a variety of cardiovascular diseases, with promising prospects. We exemplify the TCM advantages with 3 major cardiovascular diseases: coronary heart disease, hypertension, and chronic heart failure. With both national and international guidelines, consensus, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials as evidence, we used the modified Jadad and AMSTAR-1 scales to evaluate the evidence quality and then systematically evaluated the clinical effects and benefits of TCM on cardiovascular diseases, aiming to provide fresh insights into the research methodologies and future development directions for TCM-dominant diseases.
OpenCell: A Low-cost, Open-Source, 3-in-1 device for DNA Extraction
Authors: Gupta Aryan , Yu Justin , Challita Elio J. , Standeven Janet , Bhamla M. Saad 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHigh-cost DNA extraction procedures pose significant challenges for budget-constrained laboratories. To address this, we introduce OpenCell, an economical, open-source, 3-in-1 laboratory device that combines the functionalities of a bead homogenizer, a microcentrifuge, and a vortex mixer. OpenCell utilizes modular attachments that magnetically connect to a central rotating brushless motor. This motor couples to an epicyclic gearing mechanism, enabling efficient bead homogenization, vortex mixing, and centrifugation within one compact unit. OpenCell’s design incorporates multiple redundant safety features, ensuring both the device’s and operator’s safety. Additional features such as RPM measurement, programmable timers, battery operation, and optional speed control make OpenCell a reliable and reproducible laboratory instrument. In our study, OpenCell successfully isolated DNA fromSpinacia oleracea(spinach), with an average yield of 2.3 µg and an A260/A280 ratio of 1.77, demonstrating its effectiveness for downstream applications such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification. With its compact size (20 cm x 28 cm x 6.7 cm) and lightweight design (0.8 kg), comparable to the size and weight of a laptop, OpenCell is portable, making it an attractive component of a ‘lab-in-a-backpack’ for resource-constrained environments in low-and-middle-income countries and synthetic biology in remote field stations. Leveraging the accessibility of 3D printing and off-the-shelf components, OpenCell can be manufactured and assembled at a low unit cost of less than $50, providing an affordable alternative to expensive laboratory equipment costing over $4000. OpenCell aims to overcome the barriers to entry in synthetic biology research and contribute to the growing collection of frugal and open hardware.
ICG-Functionalized Gold Nanostars As An Effective Contrast Agent For Real-time Tumor Localization with Dynamic Optical Contrast Imaging (DOCI) and Enhanced Radiation Therapy
Authors: Alhiyari Yazeed , Liu Yang , Mukdad Laith , Odion Ren A. , Evans Lauran K. , Shori Ramesh , Vo-Dinh Tuan , John Maie St. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe primary management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma relies on complete surgical resection of the tumor. However, the establishment of negative margin complete resection is often difficult given the devastating side effects of aggressive surgery and the anatomic proximity to vital structures. Positive margin status is associated with significantly decreased survival. Currently, surgeons determine where the tumor cuts are made, by palpating the edges of the tumor and using prior imaging. After a tumor is presumed to be removed in its entirety, the surrounding tissues are sampled by frozen section histologic pathology to ensure that no microscopic disease is left behind, the efficacy of which varies and is subject to sampling error. The methodology by which frozen sections are collected whether tumor bed driven or specimen driven can also alter margin outcome. Thus, improving intraoperative detection of tumor margins is key to optimizing treatment and outcomes. Our group has developed a possible solution for this unmet clinical need. We have previously designed Dynamic Optical Contrast Imaging (DOCI), a novel imaging modality that acquires temporally dependent measurements of tissue autofluorescence. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DOCI can distinguish HNSCC from adjacent healthy tissue with a high degree of accuracy. DOCI images are captured in real time and offer an operatively wide field of view. With the addition of ICG conjugated gold nanostars (GNS) we can improve DOCI image contrast between tumors vs normal tissues as well as use the GNS for CT imaging and radiotherapeutic treatment.
Racial Disparities in Knowledge of Cardiovascular Disease by a Chat-Based Artificial Intelligence Model
Authors: Eromosele Oseiwe B. , Sobodu Temitope , Olayinka Olakeyede , Ouyang David 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundPatients and their families often explore the information available online for information about health status. A dialogue-based artificial intelligence (AI) language model (ChatGPT) has been developed for complex question and answer. We sought to assess whether AI model had knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) racial disparities, including disparities associated with CVD risk factors and associated diseases.MethodsTo assess ChatGPT’s responses to topic in cardiovascular disease disparities, we created six questions of twenty sets, with each set consisting of three questions with changes to text prompt based on differences in patient demographics. Each question was asked three times to assess variability in responses.ResultsA total of 180 responses were tabulated from ChatGPT’s responses to 60 questions asked in triplicate to assess. Despite some variation in wording, all responses to the same prompt were consistent across different sessions. ChatGPT’s responses to 63.4% of the questions (38 out of 60 questions) were appropriate, 33.3% (20 out of 60 questions) were inappropriate and 3.3% unreliable (2 out of 60 questions). Of the 180 prompt entries into ChatGPT, 141 (78.3%) were correct, 28 (15.5%) were hedging or indeterminate responses that could not be binarized into a correct or incorrect response, and 11 (6.1%) were incorrect. There were consistent themes in incorrect or hedging responses by ChatGPT, with 91% and 79% of incorrect and hedging responses related to a cardiovascular disease disparity that affects a minority or underserved racial group.ConclusionOur study showed that an online chat-based AI model has a broad knowledge of CVD racial disparities, however persistent gaps in knowledge about minority groups. Given that these models might be used by the general public, caution should be advised in taking responses at face value.
Transmission dynamics of symbiotic protist communities in the termite gut: association with host adult eclosion and dispersal
Authors: Inagaki Tatsuya , Igai Katsura , Takahashi Kazuki , Hongoh Yuichi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe fidelity of vertical transmission is a critical factor in maintaining mutualistic associations with microorganisms. The obligate mutualism between termites and intestinal protist communities has been maintained for over 130 million years, suggesting the faithful transmission of diverse protist species across host generations. Although a severe bottleneck can occur when alates disperse with gut protists, how protist communities are maintained during this process remains largely unknown. In this study, we examined the dynamics of intestinal protist communities during adult eclosion and alate dispersal in the termiteReticulitermes speratus. We found that the protist community structure in last-instar nymphs differed significantly from that in workers and persisted intact during adult eclosion, in contrast to moults between workers, in which all protists disappeared from the gut. The number of protists in nymphs and alates was substantially lower than in workers, whereas the proportion of protist species exhibiting low abundance in workers was higher in nymphs and alates. Using a simulation-based approach, we demonstrate that such changes in the protist community composition of nymphs and alates improve the transmission efficiency of whole protist species. This study thus provides novel insights into how termites have maintained mutualistic relationships with diverse gut microbiota for generations.
Detection of anti-premembrane antibody as a specific marker of four flavivirus serocomplexes and its application to serosurveillance in endemic regions
Authors: Chen Guan-Hua , Dai Yu-Ching , Hsieh Szu-Chia , Tsai Jih-Jin , Sy Ava Kristy , Jiz Mario , Pedroso Celia , Brites Carlos , Netto Eduardo Martins , Kanki Phyllis J. , Saunders Danielle R. D. , Vanlandingham Dana L. , Higgs Stephen , Huang Yan-Jang S. , Wang Wei-Kung 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACTIn the past few decades, several emerging/re-emerging mosquito-borne flaviviruses have resulted in disease outbreaks of public health concern in the tropics and subtropics. Due to cross-reactivities of antibodies recognizing the envelope protein of different flaviviruses, serosurveillance remains a challenge. Previously we reported that anti-premembrane (prM) antibody can discriminate between three flavivirus infections by Western blot analysis. In this study, we aimed to develop a serological assay that can discriminate infection or exposure with flaviviruses from four serocomplexes, including dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), West Nile (WNV) and yellow fever (YFV) viruses, and explore its application for serosurveillance in flavivirus-endemic countries. We employed Western blot analysis including antigens of six flaviviruses (DENV1, 2 and 4, WNV, ZIKV and YFV) from four serocomplexes. We tested serum samples from YF-17D vaccinees, and from DENV, ZIKV and WNV panels that had been confirmed by RT-PCR or by neutralization assays. The overall sensitivity/specificity of anti-prM antibodies for DENV, ZIKV, WNV, and YFV infections/exposure were 91.7%/96.4%, 91.7%/99.2%, 88.9%/98.3%, and 91.3%/92.5%, respectively. When testing 48 samples from Brazil, we identified multiple flavivirus infections/exposure including DENV and ZIKV, DENV and YFV, and DENV, ZIKV and YFV. When testing 50 samples from the Philippines, we detected DENV, ZIKV, and DENV and ZIKV infections with a ZIKV seroprevalence rate of 10%, which was consistent with reports of low-level circulation of ZIKV in Asia. Together, these findings suggest that anti-prM antibody is a flavivirus serocomplex-specific marker and can be employed to delineate four flavivirus infections/exposure in regions where multiple flaviviruses co-circulate.
Public perceptions of synthetic cooling agents in electronic cigarettes on Twitter
Authors: Liu Andrew H. , Hootman Julia , Li Dongmei , Xie Zidian 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAmid a potential menthol ban, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) companies are incorporating synthetic cooling agents like WS-3 and WS-23 to replicate menthol/mint sensations. This study examines public views on synthetic cooling agents in e-cigarettes via Twitter data. From May 2021 to March 2023, we used Twitter Streaming API, to collect tweets related to synthetic cooling agents with keywords such as ‘WS-23,’ ’ice,’ and ’frozen.’ Two deep learning roBERTa models, classified attitudes expressed in tweets about synthetic cooling agents and identified e-cigarette users. The BERTopic deep-learning model identified major topics of positive and negative tweets. Two proportion Z-tests were used to compare the proportions of positive and negative attitudes between e-cigarette users (vapers) and non-e-cigarette-users (non-vapers). Of 6,940,065 e-cigarettes related tweets, 5,788 non-commercial tweets related to synthetic cooling agents. The longitudinal trend analysis showed a clear upwards trend in discussions. Vapers posted most of the tweets (73.05%, 4,228/5,788). Nearly half (47.87%, 2,771/5,788) held a positive attitude toward synthetic cooling agents, which is significantly higher than those with a negative attitude (19.92%,1,153/5,788) with a P-value < 0.0001. The likelihood of Vapers expressing positive attitudes (60.17%, 2,544/4,228) was significantly higher (P< 0.0001) than that from non-vapers (14.55%, 227/1,560). Conversely, negative attitudes from non-vapers (30%, 468/1,560) was significantly (P< 0.0001) higher than vapers (16.2%, 685/4,228). Prevalent topics from positive tweets included “enjoyment of specific vape flavors,” “preference for lush ice vapes,” and “liking of minty/icy feelings.” Major topics from negative tweets included “disliking certain vape flavors” and “dislike of others vaping around them.” On Twitter, vapers are more likely to have a positive attitude toward synthetic cooling agents than non-vapers. Our study provides important insights into how the public perceives synthetic cooling agents in e-cigarettes, insights that are crucial for shaping future FDA regulations aimed at safeguarding public health.
Locating heterogeneity in Menstrual Hygiene Scheme impact on Indian adolescent girls
Authors: Sarkar Olivia , Dutta Arijita 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIndia has seen Menstrual Hygiene Scheme for 15-19 aged adolescents as a mass movement in 2011 with Intervention, Education, Communication (IEC) interventions and subsidized menstrual product. While the phenomenal increase in hygienic menstrual usage during 2010-20 is celebrated, it leaves us to question if this is the MHS in play or a gradual transition due to overall developmental drive. As the age-cohorts move out of the beneficiary net over time, sustainability of the program can only be reflected if there is a behavioral change which is captured through difference in choice patterns over duration of program exposure. Using triple difference-in- difference methodology on unit level data from NFHS 4, the results find that overall the program fails to mark any significant effect on choice of hygienic product in India. However, the low rung of the cohorts in terms of education and media exposure reap the benefit of the scheme, leaving the better-off counterparts unaffected. This concludes that the issues targeted through the scheme is holistic to reach the lowest strata of the society, but a proper choice of target cohort can considerably reduce the project cost, free it of supply side inefficiencies and enhance targeting of IEC techniques, thereby making the scheme more effective.
Kidney Damage and Associated Risk Factors in the Rural Eastern Cape, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gonzalez Ernesto Rosales , Yogeswaran Parimalanie , Chandia Jimmy , Pulido Estrada Guillermo Alfredo , Adeniyi Oladele Vincent 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe colliding epidemic of infectious and non-communicable diseases in South Africa could potentially increase the prevalence of kidney disease. This study determines the prevalence of kidney damage and known risk factors in a rural community of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient department of the Mbekweni Community Health Centre in the Eastern Cape between May and July 2022. Relevant data on demography, medical history, anthropometry and blood pressure were obtained. The glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration Creatinine (CKD-EPICreatinine) equation and the re-expressed four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation, without any adjustment for black ethnicity. Significant kidney damage was defined as low eGFR (<60mL/min per 1.73m2) and/or the presence of proteinuria. We used the logistic regression model analysis to identify the independent risk factors for significant kidney damage.ResultsThe mean (±standard deviation) age of the 389 participants was 52.3 (± 17.5) years. The prevalence of significant kidney damage was 17.2% (n=67), as estimated by the CKD-EPICreatinine,with slight difference from the MDRD equation (17.7%; n=69), while the prevalence of proteinuria was 7.2%. Risk factors for significant kidney damage were older age (OR=0.94, 95% CI 0.91 - 0.96, p<0.001) and the presence of proteinuria (OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.97 - 0.99, p 0.002). Proteinuria was strongly associated with hypertension (OR=4.46, 95% CI 1.33 - 14.92, p<0.015) and elevated serum creatinine (OR=1.01, 95% CI 1 - 1.02, p=0.004).ConclusionsThis study found a high prevalence of kidney damage (17.2%) and proteinuria (7.2%) in this rural community, largely attributed to advanced age and hypertension, respectively. Early detection of proteinuria and decreased renal function could lead to prompt preventative measures and management to delay the progression to end-stage kidney failure and mortality.