bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glaucoma Treatment Patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Olawoye Olusola , Washaya Jennifer , Gessesse Girum W. , Balo Komi , Agre Jeremie , Macheka Boniface , Kizor-Akaraiwe Nkiru , Pons Jonathan , Sarimiye Tarela , Ashaye Adeyinka , Garba Farouk , Chitedze Richard , Ibanga Affiong , Mahdi Abdull , Ogunro Adunola , Budengeri Patrick , Ajibode Haroun Adetunji , Tamrat Lemlem , Onakoya Adeola , Okeke Suhanyah , Giorgis Abeba T. , Okosa Chimdi Chuka , Fowobaje Kayode , Cook Stephen , Lawrence Scott , Chan Ving Fai , Azuara-Blanco Augusto , Congdon Nathan , Realini Tony ,   The STAGE Research Group
Published: July 2023

Précis:
Physicians were most likely to recommend primary medical therapy upon diagnosis of glaucoma. Laser therapy was underutilized where they were available. Physicians were more likely to recommend surgery in severe glaucoma, laser therapy in mild glaucoma, while recommendation of medical therapy did not depend on glaucoma severity.

Purpose:
To characterize treatment patterns for newly diagnosed glaucoma in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods:
This was a multicenter cross-sectional study of adults newly diagnosed with glaucoma at 27 eye care centers in 10 African countries. In addition to demographic and clinical data, physician treatment recommendations (medication, laser, surgery, or no treatment) were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 14.0.

Results:
Data from 1201 patients were analyzed. Physicians were most likely to recommend primary medical therapy upon diagnosis of glaucoma (69.4%), with laser (13.2%), surgery (14.9%), and no treatment (2.5%) recommended to the remaining patients. All sites had medical therapy available and most (25/27, 92.6%) could provide surgical treatment; only 16/27 (59.3%) sites offered laser, and at these sites, 30.8% of eyes were recommended to undergo primary laser procedures. As glaucoma severity increased, the laser was recommended less, surgery more, and medications unchanged. Patient acceptance of medical therapy was 99.1%, laser 88.3%, and surgery 69.3%.

Conclusions:
Medical therapy for first-line glaucoma management is preferred by most physicians in SSA (69%). Laser therapy may be underutilized at centers where it is available. These findings underscore the need for comparative studies of glaucoma treatments in SSA to inform the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines and of programs to reduce glaucoma blindness in SSA. Strategic approaches to glaucoma therapy in SSA must address the question of whether medical therapy is the most optimal first-line approach in this setting.
Association Between Optic Disc Perfusion Determined by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and Visual Field Progression in Glaucoma
Authors: Lee Jin Yeong , Sung Kyung Rim , Kim Joon Mo , Shin Joong Won , Kim Ko Eun 
Published: July 2023

Précis:
Reduced optic disc vessel density determined by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) was associated with visual field (VF) deterioration in glaucomatous eyes, which suggested that this parameter can be a potential biomarker that correlates well with functional deterioration.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to identify the association between optic disc perfusion evaluated by SS-OCTA and VF progression in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes.

Methods:
A total of 266 POAG eyes of 266 patients (5.4 y of mean follow-up) were included. Optic nerve head SS-OCTA was performed to evaluate the optic disc vessel density (dVD), parapapillary choroidal vessel density (pcVD), choroidal microvascular dropout (cMvD), and optic disc microvascular dropout (dMvD). VF progression was defined using Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial criteria. Factors associated with VF worsening were assessed by Cox proportional hazard analysis.

Results:
Eighty (30.1%) out of the 266 POAG eyes showed VF progression. The progression group showed a significantly higher proportion of disc hemorrhage, cMvD, and dMvD but lower dVD and pcVD than the stable group (all P<0.05). Considering the strong association between the parameters [dMvD vs. dVD (r = −0.757, P=0.010], cMvD vs. pcVD (r = −0.745, P=0.012), dMvD vs. cMvD (r = 0.802, P<0.001], dVD vs. pcVD (r = 0.862, P<0.001), CMvD vs. dVD (r= −0.698, P=0.031), and dMvD vs. pcVD (r= −0.688, P=0.034)], 6 models with different combinations of covariates compensating for multicollinearity were developed. Younger age, presence of disc hemorrhage, and lower dVD were consistently associated with progression in all models that included these parameters.

Conclusions:
Optic disc perfusion, represented as dVD, may be a useful biomarker that correlates well with functional deterioration in POAG eyes.
Successful Use of Cefiderocol to Treat a Multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in an Extremely Preterm Neonate
Authors: Koirala Archana , Krishnappa Bharath , Banh Caroline , Brandenburg Ulrike , Findlay Michael , Williams Phoebe C. M. 
Published: July 2023

Background:
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caries a morbidity and mortality risk in the preterm neonate, particularly in the context of rising global antimicrobial resistance driving infections due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Cefiderocol, a siderophilic cephalosporin, has broad Gram-negative antimicrobial activity and central nervous system penetration and is used for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia or VAP in adults. Scarce data exists on its use in neonates.

Case:
A female neonate born at 26 + 6 weeks developed VAP at 21 days of life. She was commenced on corticosteroids, vancomycin and ceftazidime but continued to deteriorate. Sputum cultures yielded Stenotrophomonas maltophilia resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime, with potential susceptibility to cefiderocol. Cerebrospinal fluid showed an elevated white cell count. In view of worsening respiratory and hemodynamic status, antibiotic treatment was changed to cefiderocol monotherapy at 30 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours. Within 72 hours of commencing cefiderocol, the neonate was successfully extubated to variable-flow continuous positive airway pressure and showed ongoing clinical improvement.

Conclusions:
Cefiderocol was integral for the care of our neonate without any immediate adverse safety consequences. We relied on dosing data from a conference abstract, due to the paucity of evidence on the use of novel antimicrobials. This lack of evidence is particularly concerning given preterm neonates are particularly vulnerable to infections with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms due to their immature immune systems, prolonged hospital stay, repeated interventions and antimicrobial exposure.
Clinical Outcomes of Ceftaroline Fosamil in the Treatment of Persistent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia
Authors: El-Lababidi Rania , Abdelsalam Manal , Hassan Amal , El Nekidy Wasim S. , Alatoom Adnan , Nusair Ahmad Rakad 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background
Limited evidence exists in the management of persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia with ceftaroline as salvage therapy. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the use of ceftaroline as salvage therapy in the treatment of persistent MRSA bacteremia (MRSAB).

Methods
Electronic medical charts of patients who received ceftaroline for the treatment of persistent MRSAB at an academic, quaternary care medical center from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021, were reviewed for clinical cure, reinfection, prior antibiotic use, source of infection, microbiological culture clearance, patient mortality, and adverse effects. Primary endpoints included clinical and microbiological success, and secondary endpoints were recurrence of infection and 60-day all-cause mortality.

Results
Nineteen patient charts were identified, and 9 patients met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. Vancomycin or daptomycin was given for a median of 7 ± 2.3 days, respectively, before the initiation of ceftaroline. The total daily dose of ceftaroline ranged from 400 to 1800 mg depending on the patients' kidney function. Five patients achieved clinical cure and 4 patients died. No patients experienced a recurrence. Three patients (33%) experienced adverse effects while on ceftaroline therapy.

Conclusions
The use of ceftaroline in persistent MRSAB demonstrated microbiological cure, clinical cure, and minimal reinfection in the reviewed patient population. Ceftaroline may be a potential treatment option for patients with persistent MRSAB as salvage therapy.
Dietary Management in Individuals With Serious Mental Illness and Comorbid Diabetes: A Focused Ethnography Study
Authors: TZENG Wen-Chii , FENG Hsin-Pei 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT

Background
Patients with serious mental illness (SMI) are more likely to have Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, studies that discuss the eating habits of patients with both T2DM and SMI are lacking.

Purpose
This study was designed to explore the beliefs and experiences of Taiwanese patients with SMI who also have T2DM.

Methods
Fieldwork for this study included 2 years of participant observation and individual interviews with 13 patients with SMI. Data from transcripts of observational field notes and interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed.

Results
The participants described their experiences and concerns regarding dietary management during the period after receiving their T2DM diagnosis. The results of the data analysis were distinguished into three categories, including (a) increased difficulty in life, (b) positive view of dietary control, and (c) inability to abide by dietary restrictions.

Conclusions
The findings suggest that healthcare professionals should work to better understand the challenges faced by patients with SMI and T2DM in implementing changes and resisting the temptation to eat unhealthy food and provide suggestions tailored to their cultural background, lifestyle, and eating characteristics.
Quantifying physical activity energy expenditure based on doubly labelled water and basal metabolism calorimetry: what are we actually measuring?
Authors: Speakman John R. , Pontzer Herman 
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review
Physical activity impacts energy balance because of its contribution to total energy expenditure. Measuring physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) is often performed by subtracting the estimated 24 h expenditure on basal metabolism (called basal energy expenditure or BEE) from the total energy expenditure (TEE) measured by doubly labelled water minus an estimate of the thermic effect of food (TEF). Alternatively it can be measured as the ratio of TEE/BEE, which is commonly called the physical activity level (PAL).

Recent findings
PAEE and PAL are widely used in the literature but their shortcomings are seldom addressed. In this review, we outline some of the issues with their use.

Summary
TEE and BEE are both measured with error. The estimate of PAEE by difference magnifies these errors and consequently the precision of estimated PAEE is about 3× worse than TEE and 25–35× worse than BEE. A second problem is that the component called PAEE is actually any component of TEE that is not BEE. We highlight how the diurnal variation of BEE, thermoregulatory expenditure and elevations of RMR because of stress will all be part of what is called PAEE and will contribute to a disconnect between what is measured and what energy expenditure is a consequence of physical activity. We emphasize caution should be exerted when interpreting these measurements of PAEE and PAL.
Composition of healthy diets for older persons
Authors: Yeung Suey S.Y. , Kwan Michelle , Woo Jean 
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review
This study aims to review recent evidence (2022–2023) on the role of diet in promoting healthy aging in older adults.

Recent findings
Current evidence of diet and healthy aging is limited to epidemiological studies. A healthy diet is beneficial for individual domains of intrinsic capacity, that is, cognition, locomotion, vitality, psychological, and/or sensory functions, with sex-specific differences reported. Only a few studies used the multidimensional concept of intrinsic capacity as an outcome. This review supports that a healthy diet for older adults consists of plenty of plant-based foods, adequate protein-rich foods, and healthy fats. Next to quantity, improving the quality and variety within food groups play a role in optimizing health. Data on the associations between adherence to national food-based dietary guidelines and intrinsic capacity are scarce.

Summary
A healthy diet, centered on plant-based foods, adequate protein-rich foods and healthy fats, potentially promotes healthy aging. Future studies may evaluate the association between adherence to healthy dietary patterns (particularly national food-based dietary guidelines) and the multidimensional concept of intrinsic capacity, with consideration of sex-specific differences. Clinical trials are warranted to inform the causal effects of diet and outcomes related to intrinsic capacity.
Evaluating the Proportion of Low-Value Blood Cultures Obtained in a Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Graham John , Ahmad Fahd A. , Bram Sarah , Srinivasan Mythili 
Published: July 2023

Background
Existing literature suggests that for some pediatric conditions, blood cultures may be of low value in specific clinical circumstances. The goals of our study were to: 1) identify common pediatric illnesses and define criteria for low-value blood cultures in children aged from 91 days to 19 years, 2) apply these criteria retrospectively to identify the patients in our emergency department (ED) who had low-value blood cultures obtained, and 3) describe this cohort and assess the proportion of true bacteremia in low-value blood cultures.

Method
The study team reviewed the literature and developed consensus criteria to identify conditions in which blood cultures were of low value for our study population. The criteria were applied retrospectively to well-appearing patients aged from 91 days to 19 years, without a central venous catheter, and evaluated in our ED with a peripheral blood culture from June 2018 to April 2020. Children admitted to the intensive care/hematology-oncology/cardiology/pulmonary units, those transferred from our ED to an outside facility, who transferred to our ED due to a positive blood culture from an outside facility, and repeat visits of a patient within 30 days from a previous visit were excluded from the study. After chart review, children with fever for 7 days or more, who were unvaccinated, immunosuppressed, had implanted devices, had a complex medical history, or had provider concerns for bacteremia/sepsis were excluded.

Results
The study population consisted of 1436 children. Children at risk for bacteremia (n = 718) were excluded. Four hundred twenty-four children had discharge diagnoses not included in our study. There were 294 (20.5%) patients who had low-value cultures per our study criteria. Nine children (9/294, 3.1%) had false-positive blood cultures, and three (3/294, 1.0%) had true-positive blood cultures.

Conclusions
We identified a cohort of patients in our ED with blood cultures obtained when available literature indicates they were of low value.
Understanding the interaction of Hsp70 with NK cells
Authors: Sahni Ruchir , Multhoff Gabriele 
Published: July 2023

AbstractHeat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70) is a highly conserved and ubiquitous molecular chaperone that plays a central role in cellular protein machinery and stress response. Membrane-bound HSP70 has emerged as an important cancer biomarker and acts as a danger signal and elicits immune response. Hsp70 membrane expression is correlated to increased sensitivity to lysis carried out by NK cells. This study uses computational approaches to decode the interaction of Hsp70 with NK cells and determines the binding site for Hsp70 on the surface of NK cells. Our findings identified CD69 and NKP46 as the most probable binding sites for Hsp70. Additionally, we confirmed the strong binding affinity between Hsp70 and the CD94-NKG2A complex.
Proneural genes form a combinatorial code to diversify neocortical neural progenitor cells
Authors: Moffat Alexandra , Oproescu Ana-Maria , Okawa Satoshi , Han Sisu , Vasan Lakshmy , Ghazale Hussein , Dennis Daniel J , Zinyk Dawn , Guillemot François , del Sol Antonio , Schuurmans Carol 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACTNeocortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are molecularly heterogeneous, yet the genes that confer distinct neuronal morphologies and connectivities during development are poorly understood. Here, we determined that a proneural gene combinatorial code diversifies cortical NPCs. By mining scRNA-seq data from murine embryonic and early postnatal cortices and generating trajectory inference models, we found that Neurog2 is predominant, and is transiently co-expressed with Ascl1 and/or Neurog1 during an apical-to-basal NPC transition state in NPCs with early pseudotime identities. To assess whether proneural gene pairs confer distinct properties, we first used Neurog2/Ascl1 reporter mice expressing unique reporters, revealing that NPCs have distinct cell division modes and cell cycle dynamics dependent on their proneural gene profile. To assess Neurog2/Neurog1 interactions, we used double knock-out mice and novel split-Cre transgenics crossed to a Rosa-diptheria-toxin-A line to delete double+cells, showing Neurog1/Neurog2 are specifically required to generate early-born neurons and to maintain NPCs. Finally, in silico mutation of a cortical Neurog2-gene regulatory network and validation using Neurog1/Neurog2 mutant and ‘deleter’ mice, identified Bclllb and Nhlh2, expressed in early-born neurons, as dependent on Neurog1/Neurog2. Our data explains how proneural genes act combinatorically to diversify gene regulatory networks, thereby lineage restricting NPCs and creating cortical neuronal diversity.
Bacterial risk evaluation of widely consumed fast foods by the younger population in Bangladesh and its potential health effects
Authors: Masud Lamia Bintay , Hossain Md. Imran , Faruk Md. Omor , Tuha Md. Akber Subahan Mahbub , Akash Sajidur Rahman , Islam Khondakar Raisul , Sahabuddin Md. , Ali Md. Sarafat 
Published: July 2023

AbstractFood-borne illness is a significant public health concern in Bangladesh, especially among the younger generation. They often consume spicy street foods, such as Fusca, Hog plum bedfellow, and Chotpoti. These foods can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, which can cause various diseases, including diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery. This study investigated the microbiological quality of three commonly consumed street foods in Bangladesh. We collected samples of Fusca, Hog plum bedfellow, and Chotpoti from different vendors in Dhaka and analyzed them in a laboratory. We found that all three of the food samples were contaminated with a variety of bacteria, including Bacillus spp., Haemophilus spp., Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. Some of these bacteria, such as Haemophilus spp., were resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. Our findings suggest that there is a high risk of food-borne illness associated with the consumption of street foods in Bangladesh. We urge vendors and consumers to take steps to improve food safety, such as proper food handling and cooking and clean water and utensils.
Heterogeneity and Functional Analysis of Cardiac Fibroblasts in Heart Development
Authors: Deng Yiting , He Yuanhang , Xu Juan , He Haoting , Li Guang 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundAs one of the major cell types in the heart, fibroblasts play critical roles in multiple biological processes. Cardiac fibroblasts are known to develop from multiple sources, but their transcriptional profiles have not been systematically compared. Furthermore, while the function of a few genes in cardiac fibroblasts has been studied, the overall function of fibroblasts as a cell type remains uninvestigated.MethodsSingle-cell mRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bioinformatics approaches were used to analyze the genome-wide genes expression and extracellular matrix genes expression in fibroblasts, as well as the ligand-receptor interactions between fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes. Single molecular in situ hybridization was employed to analyze the expression pattern of fibroblast subpopulation-specific genes. The Diphtheria toxin fragment A (DTA) system was utilized to ablate fibroblasts at each developmental phase.ResultsUsing RNA staining ofCol1a1at different stages, we grouped cardiac fibroblasts into four developmental phases. Through the analysis of scRNA-seq profiles of fibroblasts at 18 stages from two mouse strains, we identified significant heterogeneity, preserving lineage gene expression in their precursor cells. Within the main fibroblast population, we found differential expressions of Wt1, Tbx18, and Aldh1a2 genes in various cell clusters. Lineage tracing studies showed Wt1- and Tbx18-positive fibroblasts originated from respective epicardial cells. Furthermore, using a conditional DTA system-based elimination, we identified the crucial role of fibroblasts in early embryonic and heart growth, but not in neonatal heart growth. Additionally, we identified the zone- and stage-associated expression of extracellular matrix genes and fibroblast-cardiomyocyte ligand-receptor interactions. This comprehensive understanding sheds light on fibroblast function in heart development.ConclusionWe observed cardiac fibroblast heterogeneity at embryonic and neonatal stages, with preserved lineage gene expression. Ablation studies revealed their distinct roles during development, likely influenced by varying extracellular matrix genes and ligand-receptor interactions at different stages.
An investigation of the effect of sensitization on the metallurgical characteristics of dissimilarly welded austenitic-ferritic stainless steel
Authors: Sharma Anand , Shukla Sourabh , Thombre Manish , Bansod Ankur , Untawale Sachin 
Published: July 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of sensitization on the metallurgical characteristics of weld joints made up of austenitic stainless steel (AISI 316L) and ferritic stainless steel (AISI 430), using the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process with ER316L filler wires.

Design/methodology/approach
A non-consumable tungsten electrode with a diameter of 1.6 mm was used during the GTAW procedure. The filler wire, ER316L, was selected based on the recommendation provided in literature. To explore the interconnections among the structure and properties of these weldments, the techniques including scanning electron microscopy and optical analysis have been used. In addition, the sensitization behaviour of the weldments was investigated using the double loop electrochemical potentio-kinetic reactivation (DLEPR) test.

Findings
Microstructural analyses revealed the occurrences of coarsened grains with equiaxed columnar grains and migrating grain boundaries in the weld zone. The results of the DLEPR test demonstrated that heat affected zone (HAZ) of AISI 430 was more susceptible to sensitization than HAZ of AISI 316L. Microstructure analysis also revealed the precipitation of large amounts of chromium carbide at the grain boundaries region of AISI 430 welded steel, causing more sensitization and, as a result, more failure or breaking at the side of AISI 430 weld in the dissimilar weldment of AISI 316L–AISI 430.

Originality/value
The present work has been carried out to determine the appropriate welding conditions for joining AISI 316L and AISI 430, as well as the metallurgical properties of the dissimilar weldment formed between AISI 316L and AISI 430. Owing to the difficulties in measuring the performance of these types of dissimilar joints given their unique mechanical and microstructural characteristics, research on the subject is limited.