bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of subfoveal choroidal thickness alteration in relation to presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Tyagi Manoj , Gupta Shivani , Jain Shashi , Dwivedi Anamika , Jain Aashi 
Published: September 2023

To assess alteration in subfoveal choroidal thickness in diabetics with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and compare it with severity of DR.All patients attending the ophthalmic OPD fulfilling inclusion and met no exclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. All eyes underwent comprehensive and standardized ophthalmic examination. The SFCT (subfoveal choroidal thickness) was measured using high definition enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography using Cirrus HD OCT Model 500. The mean SFCT in diabetics was significantly lesser than age matched controls. It was also significantly lesser in diabetics with diabetic retinopathy as compare to diabetics without diabetic retinopathy. The SFCT was significantly decreased with increasing severity of diabetic retinopathy. The mean SFCT was also decreased in diabetic with diabetic macular edema (DME) and PRP treated DR as compared to diabetic without DME and PRP untreated DR respectively. The SFCT could be a marker of severity of diabetic retinopathy. It was decreased in diabetics as compared to nondiabetics and was significantly decreased with increasing severity of DR and in presence of DME. PRP also significantly decreases SFCT.
Small incision cataract surgery in rural communities in Uttar Pradesh: A clinical study of postoperative complications and visual outcomes at a tertiary eye hospital
Authors: Samreen Shaeeza 
Published: September 2023

To study the incidence of postoperative complications and visual outcome following manual small incision cataract surgery.This is a hospital-based retrospective study comprised of 1020 eyes of 1020 cataract patients above 31 years without any systemic illness. This study was overseen in a rural tertiary hospital in North India from November 2020 to February 2021. All patients were analyzed according to their history, age, sex and a thorough clinical examination was done. Manual small incision cataract surgery was done for all patients, and they were examined on the first postoperative day and after 1 month.In our study 57% of patients are male and 43% are female. The maximum number of patients were in the age group of 61–70 years. Intraoperative complications PC rent noticed in 1 case zonular dehiscence in 2 patients, and 3 patients were left aphakic. On the first post-op day, Striate keratopathy was 2%, Residual cortex 3%, FM Threads 9%, Anterior uveitis cells 3%, Blood clots & Dispersive hyphema 3%, Epithelial defects 1%, Corneal edema 4% were seen. Post-operative uncorrected vision at day one 83% of cases achieved good visual acuity (≥ 6/18) and the rest 16% were borderline acuity (&#60;6/18-6/60), which at 1-month post-operative day good visual acuity improved to 87% of cases. Small incision cataract surgery (SICS) with Posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) is an approved method of community-premised cataract surgery to overcome the large cataract reserve in our country it gives consistently good visual acuity post-operatively and negligible complications.
Rola informacji w zarządzaniu kryzysowym. Wybrane aspekty
Authors: Żebrowski Andrzej , Szkurłat Izabela 
Published: September 2023

Zmieniające się środowisko funkcjonowania państwa (państw) generuje wiele złożonych zagrożeń, które utrudniają, a niekiedy i uniemożliwiają wykonywanie podstawowych zadań przez jednostki, grupy społeczne, naród i państwo. Skala i dynamika zachodzących zagrożeń, bardzo często zaskakuje rządzących i społeczeństwo. Celem niedopuszczenia do sytuacji kryzysowej uprawnione podmioty cywilne i wojskowe muszą zabezpieczać swoje potrzeby informacyjne w sposób ciągły; doceniać znaczenie informacji, potrafić je wykorzystać, by nie dopuścić do wystąpienia sytuacji kryzysowej lub zminimalizować jej następstwa. Oznacza to konieczność budowania systemu informacyjnego państwa, a także podsystemów na każdym poziomie jego funkcjonowania, które będą podstawą dla procesu decyzyjnego. Stawianie zadań, rozliczanie i umiejętne wykorzystywanie posiadanych zasobów informacyjnych w procesie zarządzania kryzysowego państwem pozwala na jego bezpieczne funkcjonowanie w otoczeniu wewnętrznym i środowisku międzynarodowym.
DECOMPOSITION MECHANISM AND DISSOCIATION CONSTANTS OF BICARBONATE IONS
Authors: Kontsevoi Serhii 
Published: September 2023

Using carbonic acid to explain pH changes in aqueous solutions is invalid due to its undetectability under normal temperature and pressure conditions. Instead, two reversible reactions involving the decomposition of HCO3- ions into OH- and CO2 or H+ and CO32- should be employed. The second reaction (H-mechanism) is well known as the basis for the second dissociation constant of “carbonic acid”. For the first reaction (OH-mechanism), the formula has been derived from the first imaginary constant of the same acid. That is, the researchers experimentally determined the proposed constant based on the results of pH value, CO2 and HCO3- concentrations, but calculated the imaginary constant from these values. The pH increase observed following filtration on the cationic resin in Na+ form is attributed to the weakened HCO3- decomposition via the H-mechanism, resulting in decreased H+ and CO32- concentrations. A significant decrease in Ca2+ concentration (from 5.0 to 0.05 mmol/dm3) is the main reason for the observed phenomenon, as it leads to a decrease in the driving force of calcium carbonate formation. The mechanism of bicarbonate ions decomposition based on two reactions has been confirmed experimentally. An increase in the pH of the mixture of CaCl2 and NaHCO3 solutions (both with the same pH and concentration) indicates the H-mechanism, while a decrease in the pH indicates the OH-mechanism decomposition of bicarbonate ions. The pH value at which the pH does not change indicates a change in the decomposition mechanism. The change in the HCO3- dissociation mechanism depends on hardness and alkalinity, and the pH of this change decreases from softened water (pH 8.30) to seawater (pH 7.5).
Insights into solid dosage forms with nonlinear optical imaging
Authors: Tomberg Teemu , Arbiol Enguita Alba Maria , Strachan Clare 
Published: September 2023

Microscopic chemical and solid-state structures and their changes in solid drugs and dosage forms can profoundly affect pharmaceutical performance and patient safety. Despite this, their detailed spatially-resolved analysis can be difficult or impossible with established analytical technologies. Multimodal non-linear optical imaging represents opportunities for sensitive and specific chemical and solid-state pharmaceutical imaging. Non-linear optical imaging encompasses several nonlinear optical phenomena, including coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), and sum frequency/second harmonic generation (SFG/SHG). Imaging in 3D with (sub)micron resolution is rapid, non-destructive, possible in situ in aqueous media, and generally does not require prior sample preparation. This mini-review explores several applications of non-linear optical imaging for solid drug and dosage form analysis.
Future Opportunities in the Field of Drug Delivery Research
Authors: Kohn Joachim , Michniak-Kohn Bozena 
Published: September 2023

Much of the priorities in drug delivery research are focused on targeted drug delivery for cancer therapies and a wide range of controlled drug release systems for commonly used active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In this “thousand words article” we highlight some of the emerging health threats and future opportunities for drug delivery research.
Important emerging health threats include viral pandemics beyond COVID, antibiotic-resistant pathogens, the need for new antifungal therapies, and emerging diseases caused by increasing pollution and climate change. Fundamentally new drugs may be needed. For example, one little known research effort focuses on the development of new antibiotics based on metal-organic frameworks. Finally, new delivery approaches will be needed. This is illustrated by the development of a topical peptide delivery system as a wound dressing for burn patients, combining biotechnology (a new peptide) with polymer science (a new topical delivery system) to address a medical need (burn injury) for which there is currently no effective treatment. Another important trend is the shift in our collective understanding of impact, moving away from “counting papers” to considering the societal benefit of the research including its potential for commercialization. To remain relevant in the coming decade, we need to anticipate and embrace future challenges. This is particularly important for younger scientists.
Dynamics of topological phonon boundary modes in polymer chains and supramolecular lattices on surfaces
Authors: Polthier Konrad , Rondomanski Jakub , González José Cojal , Rabe Jürgen , Palma Carlos-Andres 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

In topological band theory, non-trivial phonon boundary modes feature desirable properties for atomically-precise technologies, such as robustness against defects, waveguiding and one-way transport. Topological phonon properties remain to be studied both theoretically and experimentally in molecular materials at the atomistic level, such as polymer chains and self-assembled supramolecular lattices, especially under thermal fluctuations. Here we show by means of molecular simulations that polymer chains and supramolecular lattices following a modified Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) phonon model, express robust topological phonon boundary modes under thermal fluctuations. Our results may find applications in the realization of Hall effect phonon analogues in macromolecular and supramolecular systems at interfaces.
Examining the effectiveness of food literacy interventions in improving food literacy behaviour and healthy eating among adults belonging to different socioeconomic groups...a systematic scoping review
Authors: Manna Arijita , Vidgen Helen , Gallegos Danielle 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

In high-income countries, significant diet-related health inequalities exist between people of different socioeconomic backgrounds. Individuals who face socioeconomic challenges are less likely to meet dietary guidelines, leading to increased incidence and prevalence of morbidity and mortality associated with dietary risk factors. To promote healthy eating, strategies may focus on individual-level factors (e.g., knowledge, skills and behaviour) along with broader societal factors (e.g., social determinants of health). The concept of food literacy is considered an individual-level factor and has been framed as a skill set that individuals must possess to effectively navigate the complexities of the modern food system. Food literacy interventions can be a complementary but effective tool for encouraging healthy eating behaviour among diverse populations, including those facing socioeconomic disadvantage. However, there is limited evidence to guide the design of food literacy intervention for vulnerable population groups. In the process of developing an ideal portfolio of solutions and strategies to promote food literacy and healthy eating for people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, this systematic scoping review aims to comprehensively examine the effects of food literacy interventions on promoting food literacy behaviours and healthy eating in adults (18 years and above) from various socioeconomic groups (SEGs) in high-income countries.
Method
The review includes both qualitative and quantitative papers obtained from academic databases, including Medline (via EBSCOhost), Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. In addition to the electronic search, manual forward and backward citation searching will be conducted to identify additional relevant papers. Food literacy interventions will be evaluated across four domains: planning and management, selection, preparation, and consumption. Papers included in the review will be analysed for process, impact and outcome evaluation. The main outcome of a food literacy intervention is the modification in eating behaviour, while the mechanism for this action will be through impact measure of food literacy behaviours. Implementation factors will be extracted for process evaluation. This review will also include a range of dietary behaviour measures, such as diet quality index and dietary intake indicator. The screening process for all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data will be carried out by two reviewers independently. In case of any potential conflicts, they will be resolved through discussion. The quality of quantitative studies will be reviewed using ‘JBI critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. The ‘Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ)’ will be used to report on the quality of qualitative papers.
Modeling the cortical response elicited by wrist manipulation via a nonlinear delay differential embedding
Authors: Duran-Santos Martin , Salazar-Varas Rocio , Etcheverry Gibran 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Regarding motor processes, modeling healthy people’s brains is essential to understand people with motor impairments’ brain activity. However, little research has been undertaken when external forces disturb limbs, having limited information on physiological pathways. Therefore, in this paper, a nonlinear delay differential embedding model is used to estimate the brain response elicited by externally controlled wrist movement in healthy individuals. The aim is to improve the understanding of the relationship between a controlled wrist movement and the generated cortical activity of healthy people, helping to disclose the underlying mechanisms and physiological relationships involved in the motor event. To evaluate the model, a public database from the Delft University of Technology is used, which contains electroencephalographic recordings of ten healthy subjects while wrist movement was externally provoked by a robotic system. In this work, the cortical response related to movement is identified via Independent Component Analysis and estimated based on a nonlinear delay differential embedding model. To validate the model, a cross-validation analysis is performed, achieving 90.21% ± 4.46% Variance Accounted For, and Correlation 95.14% ± 2.31%. The proposed methodology allows to select the model degree, to estimate a general predominant operation mode of the cortical response elicited by wrist movement. The obtained results revealed two facts that had not previously been reported: the movement’s acceleration affects the cortical response, and a common delayed activity is shared among subjects. Going forward, this approach may pave the way for further analysis of various treatments effectiveness for people with upper limbs motor impairments.
Effects of novel androgen receptor signaling inhibitors on PSMA PET signal intensity in patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer: a prospective exploratory serial imaging study
Authors: Sonni Ida , Gafita Andrei , Unterrainer Lena M. , Alano Rejah M. , Lira Stephanie , Shen John , Drakaki Alexandra , Grogan Tristan , Rettig Matthew B. , Czernin Johannes , Calais Jeremie 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
PSMA expression is influenced by hormonal status. We evaluated changes in PSA and whole-body 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT (WB-PSMA PET) after initiation of androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSi). Methods: Prospectively enrolled patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) initiating ARSi underwent serial PSA measurements and WB-PSMA PET at baseline, 1-week, and 3-months post-ARSi. We correlated WB-PSMA PET metrics and PSA kinetics after ARSi to 1-year clinical outcome. Results: Due to low enrollment rate the study was closed before reaching the recruitment goal of 30 patients. Nine patients were enrolled. At 1-year, unfavorable outcome was documented in 6/9 (66%) patients. Nine/9 patients completed PSMA PET at 1-week, 5/9 at 3-months. Changes in PSA, PSMA-VOL, SUVmean and SUVmax were -12%, +5%, +3%, and +10% at 1-week, -42%, -16%, -15% and -17% at 3-months, respectively. Conclusions: Our prospective trial involving 9 mCRPC patients initiating ARSi did not show significant modulation of PSMA expression measured on WB-PSMA PET at 1-week. This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04279561).
Differential Smad2/3 linker phosphorylation is a crosstalk mechanism of Rho/ROCK and canonical TGF-β3 signaling in tenogenic differentiation
Authors: Melzer Michaela , Niebert Sabine , Heimann Manuela , Ullm Franziska , Pompe Tilo , Scheiner-Bobis Georgios , Burk Janina 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β3 is a well-known inducer for tenogenic differentiation, signaling via the Smad2/3 pathway. Furthermore, other factors like extracellular matrix or mechanical force can induce tenogenic differentiation and possibly alter the response to TGF-β3 by signaling via the Rho/ROCK pathway. The aim of this work was to investigate the interplay of Rho/ROCK and TGF-β3/Smad signaling in tenogenic differentiation, with the Smad2/3 molecule hypothesized as a possible interface. Cultured as monolayers or on collagen I matrices, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) were treated with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 (10 µM), TGF-β3 (10 ng/ml) or both combined. Control cells were cultured accordingly, without Y-27632 and/or without TGF-β3. At different time points, MSC were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. Cultivation of MSC on collagen matrices and ROCK inhibition supported tenogenic differentiation and fostered the effect of TGF-β3. The phosphorylation of the linker region of Smad2 was reduced by cultivation on collagen matrices, but not by ROCK inhibition. The latter, however, led to increased phosphorylation of the linker region of Smad3. In conclusion, collagen matrices and the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway influence the TGF-β3/Smad2/3 pathway by regulating different phosphorylation sites of the Smad linker region.
Synthesis and surface properties study of novel fluorine-containing methacrylate polymers for applications on coating materials
Authors: zhang Jiaqing , He Lingxin , Guo Yi , Hao Jingcheng , Liu Shiyi , Zhang Ding 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
A fluorinated methacrylate-containing monomer (FMA) containing perfluorinated branched short chains was successfully synthesized from industrial perfluoro ethyl isopropyl ketone. The homopolymer of fluorine monomer and a series of copolymers copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were prepared by free radical polymerization and characterized by NMR, FT-IR, XRD, and GPC. Moreover, the thermal stability and surface properties of the coverslip and cotton fabrics treated with polymer solution were investigated , it was found that the introduction of MMA and HEMA reduced the preparation cost of the polymer and the adhesion to the material surface. Further, with the increase of FMA feeding, the thermal stability of the copolymer was improved, the surface energy and roughness of the material surface were affected and its hydrophobic and oleophobic ability was significantly strengthened. When the mass fraction of FMA reached 30%, the hydrophobic and oleophobic property of the copolymer tended to be the same as that of the homopolymer, which proved that the polymerization of FMA with other monomers was an excellent solution to achieve both economy and functionality.
Establishment and validation of a prognostic model associated with systemic immune inflammatory index (SII) before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Xiang Xiaoyong , Tang Yuan , Li Ning , Liu Wenyang , Chen Silin , Zhao Yin , Shi Jinming , Zeng Qiang , Ma Huiying , Wang Shulian , Liu Yueping , Song Yongwen , Lu Ningning , Qi Shunan , Zhou Haitao , Zhang Haizeng , Li Yexiong , Jin Jing 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of systemic immune inflammation index (SII) on the prognosis, and to determine whether the combination of SII and traditional risk factors could enhance prognosis prediction of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).
Methods and Materials: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 288 patients with LARC. Clinical variables and hematological parameters of peripheral blood of patients before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were incorporated into further analyses. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). According to LASSO penalized Cox and multivariate Cox regression analyses, four independent prognostic risk factors were screened to constructed tow prognostic models and have verified the role of SII in the model. The ROC curve (Receiver operating characteristic ) was applied to determine the optimal cut-off values for SII, and then according to the optimal cut-off value, LARC patients were divided into high- and low-SII groups to perform Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests.
Results: Multivariate cox regression (stepwise method) analysis revealed that SII, cN, radiotherapy regimen and received surgery were independent prognostic risk factors. The nomogram model based on the four factors showed that SII shared the largest contributions to prognosis, followed by surgery, cN staging and radiotherapy regimen. The nomogram including SII (AIC, 621.17; C‑index, 0.778) possessed superior prognostic value compared with the nomogram without SII (AIC, 628.35; c-index,0.756). The optimal cut-off value of SII was 587.03 for predicting OS yielded by ROC curve analysis. KM survival analysis showed that the survival of patients with low SII was significantly better than that of patients with high SII (p＜0.0001).
Conclusions: The levels of SII before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy have important predictive value for the prognosis of patients with LARC, and combining SII with the traditional risk factors may improve predictive performance.