bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in a Cohort of Caucasians With Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: Nebbioso Marcella , Mastrogiuseppe Elvia , Gnolfo Eleonora , Bonfiglio Vincenza , Artico Marco , Moramarco Antonietta , Mallone Fabiana , Taurone Samanta , Vestri Annarita , Lambiase Alessandro 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background
To assess the prevalence of spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) macular findings in patients affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and to compare choroidal and macular structural changes in eyes affected by retinal dystrophies with healthy controls. Observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study. Three hundred seven patients with RP were consecutively enrolled and underwent clinical assessment. In particular, the SD-OCT images were used to ascertain the morphology of the posterior pole of patients with RP by evaluating the residual ellipsoid zone (EZ), volume and thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL), and subfoveal choroid thickness (SCT). At the same time, the pathological findings that reduce the vision of the patients under treatment were analyzed, such as cystoid macular edema (CME), lamellar macular hole (LMH), vitreomacular traction (VMT), epiretinal membranes (ERM), and the presence of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH).
Results
Four hundred thirty-six eyes of 218 patients with RP were studied. The mean age was 52.17 years (±17.25 SD). The mean of foveal central macular thickness (FCMT) was 270.91 µm (± 74.04 SD). The macular overall area was divided into four sections and for each section thickness and volume were noted. Considering all eyes, 103 had CME (23.62%), whose 37 (16.97% of all patients) were bilateral; 123 (28.21%) of the eyes had VMT and 36 (16.51% of all patients) of them were bilateral; ERM were found in 199 (45.75%) eyes and in 67 (30.73% of all patients) cases were bilateral. There were also found 12 (2.75%) cases of LMH, whose 3 (1.38% of all patients) cases were bilateral. Only 137 eyes (31.42%) didn’t have the alterations described above. SCT was significantly reduced compared to that of the group of control (193.03 µm ± 67.90 SD vs. 295 um ± 69.04 SD); while FCMT was higher (270.91 µm ± 74.04 SD vs. 221 um ± 37,25 SD).
Conclusions
The causes of the pathologies found are discussed after a careful evaluation of the most recent international scientific bibliography. The structural tests, in addition to the objective, subjective, and psychophysical ones, will be very useful for the monitoring and treatment of patients affected by a serious tapeto-retinal rare hereditary disease, currently the most widespread in the world.
First description of the microbial diversity in the Amarillo River (La Rioja, Argentina); a natural extreme environment where the whole microbial community paints the landscape yellow
Authors: Bernardelli Cecilia , Colman Deborah , Donati Edgardo , Urbieta María Sofía 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background. The Amarillo River is an acidic river located in the mining district of Famatina, La Rioja, Argentina, named after the vast yellow-ochreous iron precipitates deposited all through its course. Even though the area has been exploited for metals extraction, the waters of the river are naturally acidic due to environmental factors beyond mineralogy, where microbial species have a crucial role. Iron-oxidizing bacteria have been identified, however a comprehensive analysis of the entire microbial community in this extreme environment has not been conducted. In this work we explore, for the first time using high-throughput sequencing, the bacterial as well as the so long neglected fungal diversity in the Amarillo River and the Cueva de Pérez terraces, considered the prehistoric analogues of the current river basin. Furthermore, we attempt to untangle the ecological relations between bacteria and fungi using co-occurrence and network analysis. Fe(II)-enrichment cultures at different temperature and nutritional conditions, mimicking different environmental settings of the river, were also analysed to better understand the roles of prokaryotes and fungi in iron oxidation processes.Results. The findings highlight the presence of a diverse bacterial community in the river as well as the terraces, with a marked presence of uncultured Acidimicrobiia also found in other acidic environments and apparently part of a yet uncharacterised universal microbial acidic diversity. Acidophiles and iron-oxidising species, despite being in low abundances in the environmental samples, constitute the core of the microbial community, showing significant involvement in intraspecies interactions. Moreover, both environmental samples and enrichment cultures exhibit a wide diversity of fungi, highly connected with bacteria according to network analysis.Conclusions. Through the utilization of 16S-amplicon sequencing, Venn diagrams and co-occurrence networks, this work has shaded light into the intricate connections between bacterial and fungal communities of the Amarillo River. The occurrence of certain acidophiles within both the river and the ancient terraces indicates their enduring significance in the environment’s iron cycle as well as the flexibility of the system. These findings reinforce the importance of the microbial community as fundamental geological agents in the Amarillo River where their collaborative work in the precipitation of iron minerals paint the landscape yellow.
Orientia tsutsugamushi Ank5 directs ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of NLRC5 to inhibit major histocompatibility complex class I expression
Authors: Carlyon Jason , Adcox Haley , Hunt Jason , Rodino Kyle , Ottens Andrew 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

How intracellular bacteria subvert the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway is poorly understood. Here, we show that the obligate intracellular bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi uses its effector protein, Ank5, to orchestrate proteasomal degradation of the MHC class I gene transactivator, NLRC5. Ank5 uses a tyrosine in its fourth ankyrin repeat to bind the NLRC5 N-terminus while its F-box directs host SCF complex ubiquitination of K1194 in the leucine-rich repeat region that dictates NLRC5 susceptibility to Orientia- and Ank5-mediated degradation. The ability of O. tsutsugamushi strains to degrade NLRC5 correlates with ank5 genomic carriage. Ectopically expressed Ank5 that can bind but not degrade NLRC5 protects the transactivator during Orientia infection. Thus, Ank5 is an immunoevasin that uses its bipartite architecture to rid host cells of NLRC5 and MHC class I molecules. This study offers insight into how intracellular pathogens can impair MHC class I expression to benefit their survival.
Effect of an educational intervention package on the medical students’ stigma towards psychiatric patients
Authors: Amirkafi Ali , Shariat Seyed Vahid , Rasoulian Maryam , Ghalichi Leila , Mohammadi Faezeh , Shalbafan Mohammadreza 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background
Stigma towards psychiatric patients, negatively affects their adherence to treatment, prolongs the course of disease, and reduces rehabilitation success. The attitudes of health care providers have a substantial effect on the treatment seeking and the outcome of psychiatric patients.
Aims
To investigate the effect of a stigma reduction package on improving the attitude of medical students towards patients with psychiatric disorders.
Methods
We included medical students at the Iran Psychiatric Hospital in the study and divided them into two intervention and control groups using cluster randomization method. In addition to regular psychiatric training, the intervention group was trained with a package that included watching a film, stigma awareness workshop, and direct contact with psychiatric patients; each followed by group discussions. The outcome measures were assessed three times; before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention, using the Social Distance Item (SDI), Perceived Dangerousness of Mental Patients Item (PDMPS), and the short form of Opening Minds Scale for Health Care (OMS-HC).
Results
Ninety-three participants participated in the study; the intervention group included 51 (54.8%) and the control group included 42 students (45.2%). According to the scores of all three questionnaires, the stigma score reduced throughout the study (P value < 0.001). Throughout the follow-up period, the intervention group had a significantly lower score according to OMS-HC (P value = 0.032) and PDMPS questionnaires (P value = 0.002); however for the SDI this difference was not significant (P-value = 0.343).
Conclusion
The intervention package has a positive effect on students’ attitudes towards psychiatric patients. Adding stigma specific interventions to the routine psychiatric rotations’ curricula can reduce their stigma more fundamentally.
Retrospective study about clinical severity and epidemiological analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant lineage-infected patients in Hohhot, China
Authors: Wang Yanhai , Yu Guohui , Shi Jingru , Zhang Xiaqing , Huo Jianxin , Li Meng , Chen Jiaxi , Yu Liyuan , Li Yan , Han Zhiliang , Zhang Jianwen , Ren Xuna , Wang Yujie , Yuntana Wu 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: Fear of a global public health issue and fresh infection wave in the persistent COVID-19 pandemic have been enflamed by the appearance of the novel variant Omicron BF.7 lineage. Recently, it has been seeing the novel Omicron subtype BF.7 lineage has sprawled exponentially in Hohhot. More than anything, risk stratification is significant to ascertain patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 who the most need in-hospital or in-home management. The study intends to understand the clinical severity and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BF.7. lineage via gathering and analyzing the cases with Omicron subvariant in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.
Methods: Based upon this, we linked variant Omicron BF.7 individual-level information including sex, age, symptom, underlying conditions and vaccination record. Further, we divided the cases into various groups and assessed the severity of patients according to the symptoms of patients with SARS-CoV-2. Clinical indicators and data might help to predict disadvantage outcomes and progression among Omicron BF.7 patients.
Results: In this study, in patients with severe symptoms, some indicators from real world data such as white blood cells, AST, ALT and CRE in patients with Omicron BF.7 in severe symptoms were significantly higher than mild and asymptom symptoms, while some indicators were significantly lower.
Conclusions: Above results suggested that the indicators were associated with ponderance of clinical symptoms. Our survey emphasized the value of timely investigations of clinical data obtained by systemic study to acquire detailed information.
Association of Monocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio with FRS and as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Risk in Individuals with Psoriasis
Authors: Gu Xueqin , Shen Hongmei , Jiang Jiafeng , Ge Jinfang 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background
Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol Ratio (MHR) has been found to be a new inflammatory biomarker related to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The current retrospective study focused on exploring the relationship between MHR and Framingham risk score (FRS) and the prognostic significance of this relationship in mid to high risk CVDs in individuals with psoriasis vulgaris.
Methods
In the present study, 128 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 120 normal controls were involved. In addition, neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHR), MHR, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values of the two groups were retrospectively evaluated. Correlations between MHR and FRS were analyzed.
Results
NHR, MHR, and NLR values of the patients in psoriasis group with moderate to severe cardiovascular risk noticeably increased relative to the controls (p = 0.018, p = 0.002, p༜0.001, respectively). Furthermore, FRS was positively correlated to MHR, NHR, and NLR among the patients with psoriasis (p = 0.002, p = 0.017, and p < 0.001, respectively). Logistic regression identified age, sex, and MHR as the influencing factors for FRS (p < 0.05). On the basis of the ROC curve, the greatest Youden’s index (0.316) could be obtained at MHR of 0.24, with the relevant sensitivity, specificity, and area under ROC curve of 0.729, 0.413, and 0.662 (95% CI of 0.565, 0.758), respectively.
Conclusions
MHR was related to FRS, which could be adopted for predicting medium to high risk of CVDs in patients suffering from psoriasis.
Magnitude of caesarean section delivery and its associated factors among immediate postnatal women in public hospitals of AddisAbaba, 2022
Authors: Getaneh Chala , Muluken G /mariam , Lambebo Abera , Mezemir Yordanos 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background;-Caesarean section is the commonest obstetric operative procedure worldwide. Including Ethiopia, that can improve infant and maternal outcomes.
Objective: - The objective of this study is to compute the magnitude of cesarean section delivery rate and its associated factors among immediate postnatal women in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2022.
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. A total of 550 study participants were chosen using multi-stage sampling. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used for data collection; the collected data was cleared and entered into Epi Data version 3.1. Then it was exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Then, the result will be presented by table frequency, percentage, and charts. By using binary logistic regression, bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis were computed to see the association between each independent variable and the outcome variable. Adjusted odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals and a p-value of less than 0.05 will be used to declare a result as statistically significant.
. Results; - According to these results (n=550), the prevalence of cesarean sections was 45.8%, with a 95%CI of 42%–50.2%). Previous caesarean section (AOR = 15.32, 95% CI: (7.07-33.17)), eclampsia/pre eclampsia (AOR 10.69, 95% CI: (4.99-22.87)Fetal distress CS (AOR = 6.28, 95% CI: (2.98-13.24), APH (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI: (1.33-9.65), and mal presentation (AOR = 2.96, 95% CI: 14.2-6.18) were all significantly associated with caesarean section birth.
Conclusion; - In this study the rate of Caesarean delivery is unacceptably high Previous Cesarean section deliveries and Pre-eclampsia /eclampsia are the most significant factors for cesarean delivery. CS utilizations higher than WHO recommendation was not associated with a reduction in maternal and newborn mortality rates, Empowering and educating women, increasing co-services targeting mothers’ awareness might be very vital to deal with current problem.
Safranal alleviates pressure overload induced-cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction via activating AMPK signaling pathway
Authors: Sheng Weiyong , Wu Changjuan , Xu Guofan , Meng Xing , Xia Shouli , Tang Tiansheng 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Objective: The study investigated the effect and mechanism of Safranal (SFR) on cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction during pressure overload.
Methods: Cardiac hypertrophy model of pressure overload was established firstly. Then, experiment was divided into Sham (sham surgery), AB (abdominal aortic coarctation surgery), AB+SFR1 (treated with 1 mg/kg SFR), AB+SFR2 (treated with 2 mg/kg SFR), AB+SFR4 (treated with 4 mg/kg SFR) groups. Cardiac function was detected by Echocardiography and cardiac morphology and myocardial fiber diameter were detected via HE staining. Myocardial hypertrophy markers -ANP, BNP, apoptosis factors -Capase-3, Capase-9, and inflammatory factors- IL-1β, TNFα were detected by Western blot and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). To further investigate the relevant mechanism, the study was divided into Sham, AB, AB+SFR, AB+SFR+CPD (treated with AMPK inhibitor -compound C and 2 mg/kg SFR). Afterwards, the myocardial hypertrophy, cardiac function, and AMPK signaling pathway-related molecules AMPK, ACC were detected respectively.
Results: In 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg SFR treatment groups, the degree of myocardial hypertrophy mitigated, and cardiac dysfunction improved compared with AB group. Simultaneously, the myocardial apoptosis and inflammation reduced, AMPK signaling pathway-related molecules AMPK and ACC increased. When AMPK signaling pathway was inhibited, the myocardial hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction aggravated in AB+SFR+CPD group compared with the AB+SFR group, so does the myocardial inflammation and apoptosis. Namely, inhibition of AMPK signaling pathway reversed the protective effect of SFR on the cardiac hypertrophy.
Conclusions: SFR alleviated pressure overload induced-cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction via activating AMPK signaling pathway.
Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis Identifies an Immunogenic Cell Death Signature for Predicting Prognosis and Therapeutic Responses in Glioblastoma
Authors: Chen Lei , Jin Qiu , Wang Xiuyu , Zhang Bingjie 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Immunogenic cell death (ICD) represents a regulated cell death (RCD) process that can activate the adaptive immune response. Accumulating evidence supports the notion that ICD can reshape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) by releasing danger signals or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), exerting a profound impact on glioblastoma prognosis. In this study, we applied weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) to the TCGA-GBM cohort, enabling the identification of 319 ICD-related genes. Subsequently, we developed and rigorously validated an ICD-based prognostic model, effectively predicting the survival rate of GBM patients. Notably, marked disparities in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) were observed between the high- and low-score groups, underscoring the significance of our findings. In summary, we present a novel prognostic model for GBM utilizing an ICD signature. These findings highlight the potential of ICD as a promising prognostic indicator in GBM and contribute to our understanding of the intricate interplay between ICD and the tumor microenvironment. Ultimately, this research contributes to the advancement of GBM prognosis assessment, paving the way for improved patient outcomes in this challenging disease setting.
Synthesis of Ciprofloxacin conjugated gold nanoparticles and their study antibacterial effects on growth biofilm formation through Nebulizer mask against respiratory infection
Authors: Hasoon Buthenia A. , jawad kareem , Abdulsahib Sabah S. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
An effective strategy has been identified as using antibiotic conjugated nanoparticles. The main goal of this research was to increase the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by conjugating it with ciprofloxacin. The optical, structural and biological properties of gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) and their conjugated form with ciprofloxacin (CIP@AuNPs). Using a simple and cost-effective method pulsed-laser ablation technique (PLAL). were studied using UV–VIS spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction(XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), The findings demonstrated that TEM was used to determine the size and shape of nanoparticles with an average particle size of less than 20 nm. Investigated the antibacterial effects of AuNPs, antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) and CIP@AuNPs against two types of bacteria, namely, the gram-negative bacteria Klebsellia pneumonia and the gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia. The well-diffusion method demonstrated that the effectiveness of (CIP@AuNPs) was greater than that of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin alone or Au NPs alone. Bacterial isolates tested for antibacterial susceptibility to the current study's antibiotics showed high resistance to them. The antimicrobial activity test revealed the largest inhibition zone in as Streptococcus pneumonia compared to Klebsiella pneumonia, with a more potent effect for Ciprofloxacin conjugated gold nanoparticles when compared with Ciprofloxacin alone and Au NPs alone. Further research was done on their capacity to prevent biofilm formation. This finding was supported by research using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to examine how Ciprofloxacin conjugated gold nanoparticles affected the development of bacterial biofilms in nebulizer masks. The combination of ciprofloxacin-conjugated gold nanoparticles may be used as a preservative of a Nebulizer mask. Through the prevent the formation of microbial biofilms in Nebulizer mask. The Ciprofloxacin conjugated gold nanoparticles also showed antioxidant activities by DPPH assay. Consequently, these investigations reveal that the prepared particles may be useful for the development of antioxidant drugs. Conclusion: Ciprofloxacin @Au nanoparticles are effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria in vitro and seem to be a good antibacterial agent.
Association between prevalence and severity of chronic kidney disease and employment status: a nationwide study in Korea
Authors: Choi Seoyeong , Jang Suk-Yong , Choi Eunjeong , Park Yu Shin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing globally, and understanding the association between CKD and employment status is crucial. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association of CKD with employment and occupation type among patients with CKD.
Methods: We analyzed data from 36,732 Korean adults aged ≥ 30 years, who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2014 and 2021. CKD was detected based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate, and the employment status of the participants was classified into distinct categories: full-time permanent employment, unemployment, self-employment, and precarious employment. We analyzed the data using multiple logistic regression.
Results: We observed a significant association between CKD and a higher likelihood of unemployment compared to that in individuals without CKD (odds ratio, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.47–1.96). This association was more prominent in patients with severe CKD. In the multivariable logistic analysis, patients with CKD had a higher likelihood for precarious employment (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.92–1.88), self-employment (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.90–1.88), and unemployment (odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.51–2.92) compared to individuals without CKD.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that CKD is associated with a higher likelihood of unemployment and engagement in precarious employment. These findings highlight the challenges faced by patients with CKD in obtaining stable employment and emphasize the need for interventions to improve the employment outcomes of individuals with CKD.