bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between LTA4H Promotor Polymorphism and Tuberculosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome and Its Prevention With Prednisone
Authors: Stek Cari , Shey Muki , Mnika Khuthala , Schutz Charlotte , Thienemann Friedrich , Wilkinson Robert J , Lynen Lutgarde , Meintjes Graeme 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The development of paradoxical tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) and its prevention using prednisone may potentially be mediated by the LTA4H genotype. We assessed this hypothesis in a clinical trial evaluating prednisone to prevent TB-IRIS. We did not find an association between LTA4H genotype and TB-IRIS incidence or prednisone efficacy.
Quasi-Insider Shareholder Activism: Corporate Governance at the Periphery of Control
Authors: Cohn Jonathan , Towner Mitch , Virani Aazam 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
We analyze shareholder activism by “quasi-insiders”: founders, former executives, and other individuals tangentially connected to a firm. These individuals seek control in their campaigns, use aggressive tactics, and target smaller, poorly performing firms. Their campaigns are associated with positive announcement returns. Former CEOs who engage in campaigns often depart from the target under negative circumstances before launching their campaigns soon afterward. Our results suggest that insiders at the periphery of control may intervene in firms too small for traditional activists to target. (JEL: G34, G32)
Early initiation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in patients with scleroderma renal crisis: a nationwide inpatient database study
Authors: Ida Tomoaki , Ikeda Kei , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Nakamura Kaito , Furuya Hiroki , Iwamoto Taro , Furuta Shunsuke , Miyamoto Yoshihisa , Nakajima Mikio , Sasabuchi Yusuke , Matsui Hiroki , Yasunaga Hideo , Nakajima Hiroshi 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the effectiveness of early initiation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) in patients with scleroderma renal crisis (SRC).

Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study using a nationwide inpatient database in Japan from July 2010 to March 2020. All hospitalized patients with SRC were divided into those who received ACEi within 2 days of admission (early ACEi group) and those who did not (control group). Propensity-score overlap weighting analysis was performed to adjust for confounding factors. The primary outcome was the composite of in-hospital mortality or haemodialysis dependence at discharge.

Results
Of the 475 eligible patients, 248 (52.2%) were in the early ACEi group and 227 (47.8%) were in the control group. After overlap weighting, the primary outcome was significantly lower in the early ACEi group than in the control group (40.1% vs 49.0%; odds ratio, 0.69; 95% CI: 0.48, 1.00; P = 0.049).

Conclusions
The present study showed that early initiation of ACEi was associated with lower composite outcome of in-hospital mortality or haemodialysis dependence at discharge in patients with SRC. Further prospective studies are warranted to verify the present findings.
The SLE-DAS provides an accurate and feasible flare tool in the clinical setting: a validation study
Authors: Saraiva Liliana , Cunha Rita N , Jesus Diogo , Gatto Mariele , Zen Margherita , Iaccarino Luca , da Silva José A P , Doria Andrea , Inês Luís Sousa 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Objective
To assess the criterion validity of the SLE disease activity score (SLE-DAS) flare tool and compare its performance in identifying flares against other instruments.

Methods
Patients with SLE fulfilling SLE-DAS low disease activity at baseline were included from two academic lupus clinics. During follow-up, flares were identified by the senior attending clinician, applying the expert-consensus-based definition as gold-standard. The first clinical flare from flaring patients, and the first visit after baseline in patients without flares were analysed. In each no flare/flare visits, we assessed flares by SLE-DAS (score increase ≥1.72), classic-SELENA Flare Index (c-SELENA FI), revised-SELENA FI (r-SELENA FI), and SLEDAI-2K (score increase ≥4). We estimated the sensitivity, specificity, and Cohen’s Kappa agreement of each flare tool against the gold-standard.

Results
A total of 442 patients were included and followed-up for 22.9 (14.2) months. Incidence of flares was 8.19/100 patient-years, with 69 patients experiencing flares. The SLE-DAS identified 96.6% of the expert-defined flares implying a treatment change and classified 28.0% of those as moderate/severe. Sensitivity and specificity for the gold-standard flare definition were: SLE-DAS 97.1% and 97.3%, c-SELENA FI 88.4% and 98.1%, r-SELENA FI 88.4% and 96.8%, SLEDAI-2K 56.5% and 99.2%, respectively. Kappa coefficients of these instruments were 0.902 (95% CI: 0.847, 0.957), 0.870 (95% CI: 0.805, 0.935), 0.832 (95% CI: 0.761, 0.903), and 0.663 (95% CI: 0.557, 0.769), respectively. The number of flare misclassifications was lowest with the SLE-DAS, and highest with the SLEDAI-2K.

Conclusion
The SLE-DAS accurately identifies and categorizes flares as mild or moderate/severe. It is feasible and, thus, may help the physicians’ treatment decisions in the clinical practice setting.
Retinal Neurodegeneration as a Potential Biomarker of Accelerated Aging in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Blose Brittany A , Lai Adriann , Crosta Christen , Thompson Judy L , Silverstein Steven M 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background and Hypotheses
Several biological markers are believed to reflect accelerated aging in schizophrenia spectrum disorders; however, retinal neural changes have not yet been explored as potential CNS biomarkers of accelerated aging in this population. The aim of this study was to determine whether retinal neural layer thinning is more strongly related to age in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients (SZ) than in a psychiatrically healthy control group (CON).

Study Design
Schizophrenia (n = 60) and CON participants (n = 69) underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to examine the following variables in both eyes: retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macula central subfield (CSF) thickness, macula volume, ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL) thickness, optic cup volume, and cup-to-disc ratio. Eleven participants in each group had diabetes or hypertension.

Study Results
Significant negative relationships between age and RNFL thickness, macula volume, and GCL-IPL thickness were observed in the SZ group, while no significant relationships were observed in the CON group. However, many of the findings in the SZ group lost significance when participants with diabetes/hypertension were removed from analyses. A notable exception to this was that the age × SZ interaction accounted for a unique proportion of variance in GCL-IPL thinning over and above the effect of diabetes/hypertension.

Conclusions
The results suggest that retinal atrophy occurs at an increased rate in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, potentially reflecting accelerated aging inherent to these conditions, with considerable contributions from systemic medical diseases closely linked to this population.
Mechanisms of Primed Defense: Plant Immunity Induced by Endophytic Colonization of a Mycovirus-Induced Hypovirulent Fungal Pathogen
Authors: Pedersen Connor , Marzano Shin-Yi Lee 
Published: July 2023

How mycovirus-induced hypovirulence in fungi activates plant defense is still poorly understood. The changes in plant fitness and gene expression caused by the inoculation of the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum harboring and made hypovirulent by the mycovirus soybean leaf-associated gemygorvirus-1 (SlaGemV-1) of the species Gemycircularvirus soybe1 were examined in this study. As the hypovirulent fungus (DK3V) colonized soybean Glycine max, plant transcriptomic analysis indicated changes in defense responses and photosynthetic activity, supported by an upregulation of individual genes and overrepresentation of photosystem gene ontology groups. The upregulated genes include genes relating to both pathogen-associated molecular pattern–triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity as well as various genes relating to the induction of systemic acquired resistance and the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid. Plants colonized with DK3V showed a resistant phenotype to virulent S. sclerotiorum infection. Plant height and leaf area were also determined to be larger in plants grown with the virus-infected fungus. Here, we hypothesize that inoculation of soybean with DK3V can result in the triggering of a wide range of defense mechanisms to prime against later infection. The knowledge gained from this study about plant transcriptomics and phenotype will help prime plant immunity with mycovirus-infected hypovirulent fungal strains more effectively. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Perinatal Mortality and Neonatal and Maternal Outcome per Gestational Week in Term Pregnancies: A Registry-Based Study
Authors: Cornette Jérôme , van der Stok Catharina J. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , Kornelisse René F. , van der Wilk Eline , Franx Arie , Jacquemyn Yves , Steegers Eric A. P. , Bertens Loes C. M. 
Published: July 2023

(Abstracted from Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2023;102:82–91)
A human pregnancy at term is defined as being from 37+0/7 to 41+6/7 weeks of gestation. In uncomplicated pregnancies within this range, maternal, fetal, and neonatal risks are considered low, and expectant management is associated with positive outcomes, including increased odds of vaginal birth, low risk of intervention, and greater satisfaction for the pregnant individual.
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of vernal keratoconjunctivitis in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Nche Eleanor Ngwe , Okwen Marvice Muyen , Solomon Abraham 
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic bilateral allergic inflammatory disease of the conjunctiva and cornea that affects children and young adults, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. A limbal form (tropical endemic limbo conjunctivitis) is thought to be more common in the tropics where research on this vision-impairing condition is scanty. We sought to review current literature from sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on the prevalence of VKC and its clinical presentation.

Recent findings
There is a variable prevalence of VKC in SSA, up to 32.9% of children, especially in male individuals less than 5 years old, and has been diagnosed in a 4-month-old baby. Associated factors include exposure to dust, personal and family history of atopy, Vitamin D3 deficiency and HIV. The mixed form of VKC is the most frequent form seen and conjunctival pigmentation might be an early diagnostic sign.

Summary
Childhood screening programs for VKC should be established to reduce the morbidity, decreased quality of life and school absenteeism that is seen in these patients. VKC-related research should be encouraged in this milieu to bring to light the particularities of VKC in SSA.
Pattern of Visual-Motor Integration, Visual Perception, and Fine Motor Coordination Abilities in Children Being Assessed for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Johnston Danielle , Pritchard Lesley , Branton Erin , Gross Douglas P. , Thompson-Hodgetts Sandy 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT:

Objective:
Motor skill assessment is part of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) multidisciplinary assessment. Some clinicians opt to exclude assessment of the subcomponents of visual-motor integration (visual perception and motor coordination), on the assumption that challenges will be revealed based on the assessment of visual-motor integration. The objective is to describe the visual-motor integration, visual perception, and fine motor coordination pattern of abilities in children with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure being assessed for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 91 children (65 males; mean age: 10 years, 6 months SD = 2 years, 10 months) undergoing assessment for FASD. Friedman and Wilcoxon statistics were used to compare mean visual-motor integration, visual perception, and fine motor coordination percentiles from the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, Sixth Edition (Beery-6).

Results:
Children being assessed for FASD (n = 91) had the highest normative scores in visual perception, followed by visual-motor integration and fine motor coordination (mean percentiles (SD): 35.9 (24.9), 20.6 (18.3), and 13.8 (15.5), respectively) (χ2 distribution = 46.909, p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion:
Children being assessed for FASD experience more challenges with fine motor coordination compared with visual-motor integration and visual perception tasks. This pattern differs from the pattern established for the general population in which tasks that require visual-motor integration are more challenging than tasks that isolate visual perception and fine motor coordination. These results suggest that fine motor coordination should be included in FASD diagnostic assessments and considered as an area for intervention.
Effect of permissive hypercarbia on lung oxygenation during one-lung ventilation and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing thoracic surgery
Authors: Joe Young-Eun , Lee Chang Yeong , Kim Namo , Lee Kyuho , Kang Su Jeong , Oh Young Jun 
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND
The effect of hypercarbia on lung oxygenation during thoracic surgery remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of hypercarbia on lung oxygenation during one-lung ventilation in patients undergoing thoracic surgery and evaluate the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.

DESIGN
Prospective randomised controlled trial.

SETTING
A tertiary university hospital in the Republic of Korea from November 2019 to December 2020.

PATIENTS
Two hundred and ninety-seven patients with American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status II to III, scheduled to undergo elective lung resection surgery.

INTERVENTION
Patients were randomly assigned to Group 40, 50, or 60. An autoflow ventilation mode with a lung protective ventilation strategy was applied to all patients. Respiratory rate was adjusted to maintain a partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide of 40 ± 5 mmHg in Group 40, 50 ± 5 mmHg in Group 50 and 60 ± 5 mmHg in Group 60 during one-lung ventilation and at the end of surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcome was the arterial oxygen partial pressure/fractional inspired oxygen ratio after 60 min of one-lung ventilation.

RESULTS
Data from 262 patients were analysed. The partial pressure/fractional inspired oxygen ratio was significantly higher in Group 50 and Group 60 than in Group 40 (269.4 vs. 262.9 vs. 214.4; P < 0.001) but was not significantly different between Group 50 and Group 60. The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications was comparable among the three groups.

CONCLUSION
Permissive hypercarbia improved lung oxygenation during one-lung ventilation without increasing the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications or the length of hospital stay.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT 04175379.
Recent evidence of economic evaluation of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology
Authors: Ruamviboonsuk Paisan , Ruamviboonsuk Varis , Tiwari Richa 
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review
Health economic evaluation (HEE) is essential for assessing value of health interventions, including artificial intelligence. Recent approaches, current challenges, and future directions of HEE of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology are reviewed.

Recent findings
Majority of recent HEEs of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology were for diabetic retinopathy screening. Two models, one conducted in the rural USA (5-year period) and another in China (35-year period), found artificial intelligence to be more cost-effective than without screening for diabetic retinopathy. Two additional models, which compared artificial intelligence with human screeners in Brazil and Thailand for the lifetime of patients, found artificial intelligence to be more expensive from a healthcare system perspective. In the Thailand analysis, however, artificial intelligence was less expensive when opportunity loss from blindness was included. An artificial intelligence model for screening retinopathy of prematurity was cost-effective in the USA. A model for screening age-related macular degeneration in Japan and another for primary angle close in China did not find artificial intelligence to be cost-effective, compared with no screening. The costs of artificial intelligence varied widely in these models.

Summary
Like other medical fields, there is limited evidence in assessing the value of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology and more appropriate HEE models are needed.
Computational simulation of the optical performance of an EDOF intraocular lens in post-LASIK eyes
Authors: Lago Carmen M. , de Castro Alberto , Marcos Susana 
Published: July 2023

Purpose:
To evaluate computationally the optical performance of AcrySof IQ Vivity extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses (IOLs) in post–laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eyes.

Setting:
Visual Optics and Biophotonics Laboratory, Madrid, Spain.

Design:
Experimental study.

Methods:
Computer pseudophakic eye models were implemented using reported post-LASIK corneal aberrations (refractive corrections from −7.5 to +4.5 diopters [D]) and virtually implanted with monofocal (AcrySof IQ) or EDOF (AcrySof IQ Vivity) IOLs. Retinal image quality was quantified through visual Strehl (VS). The depth of focus (DOF) was calculated from the through-focus VS curves. Halos were estimated from the light spread in the image of a pinhole. Those quantitative parameters were obtained for 5.0 and 3.0 mm pupil diameters.

Results:
Simulated virgin eyes showed VS of 0.89/0.99 with monofocal IOLs and 0.74/0.52 with EDOF IOLs for 5.0/3.0 mm pupils at best focus. VS decreased with induced spherical aberration (SA) by 25% and with induced SA + coma by 61% on average (3.0 mm pupils). The DOF was 2.50 D in virgin eyes with EDOF IOLs, 1.66 ± 0.30 and 2.54 ± 0.31 D (P < .05) on average in post-LASIK eyes for 3.0 mm pupils, monofocal and EDOF IOLs, respectively. Halos were more sensitive to SA induction for 5.0 mm pupils, and induction of positive SA (myopic LASIK) resulted in reduced halos with the EDOF when compared with the monofocal IOLs, by 1.62 (SA) and 1.86 arc min (SA + coma), on average.

Conclusions:
Computer post-LASIK pseudophakic eye models showed that the DOF was less dependent on the presence of SA and coma with EDOF IOLs and that halos were reduced with EDOF IOLs compared with the monofocal IOL for a range of SA.
Prebrief Time for Immersive Virtual and Augmented Reality Simulation
Authors: Cieslowski Bethany J. , Craig Sarah , Gummadi Sai Deepthi , Butler Kathleen 
Published: July 2023

Background:
Virtual reality and augmented technology are rapidly advancing and hold the potential to transform nursing education by offering a convenient, efficient, learner-centered way to educate students. A comprehensive and time-oriented prebrief is essential to the process.

Purpose:
This review analyzes the status of scientific exploration regarding the prebrief and time allotments for virtual and augmented reality simulation.

Methods:
Whittemore and Knafl's 5-stage method guided this integrative review. The authors searched 6 databases and selected 7 articles based on inclusion criteria.

Results:
The findings from this review demonstrated objectives, a safe learning environment, orientation, preparation materials, and time in the prebrief; yet, inconsistencies persist in the virtual and augmented reality prebrief.

Conclusions:
Defining a comprehensive and consistent prebrief is essential for high-quality simulation. A more standardized process, including time allotments, must be established for virtual and augmented reality.
Impact of Simulation Training on the Management of Shoulder Dystocia and Incidence of Permanent Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: An Observational Study
Authors: Kaijomaa Marja , Gissler Mika , Äyräs Outi , Sten Assi , Grahn Petra 
Published: July 2023

(Abstracted from BJOG 2023;130:70–77)
The incidence of brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) varies from 0.4 to 3.8 per 1000 vaginal births. It is a complication caused by traction to the cervical and thoracic nerve roots that can lead to decreased strength, complete paralysis, or limited range of motion in the affected limb in the first year of life.
Intraoperative Gentamicin Intravesical Instillation for Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection After Urogynecologic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rieger Mary M. , Shah Nemi M. , Ferrante Kimberly L. , Tan-Kim Jasmine , Jacobs Marni B. , Brubaker Linda , Alperin Marianna 
Published: July 2023

Importance
Currently available evidence for efficacy of postoperative antibiotics to prevent postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) conflicts. Oral antibiotics rely on patient adherence and can cause unwanted systemic effects. Gentamicin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with rapid bactericidal activity and, when administered intravesically, has no systemic absorption through intact urothelium.

Objective
We aimed to determine whether a single intravesical instillation of gentamicin at the conclusion of urogynecologic surgery would reduce the proportion of women treated for UTI within 6 weeks postoperatively compared with sham instillation.

Study Design
This was a multicenter, randomized (stratified by study site, route of prolapse repair ±suburethral sling, with balanced 1:1 randomization), participant-masked, sham-controlled, study. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants treated with antibiotics for UTI within 6 weeks postoperatively. An adjusted multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to determine predictors of postoperative UTI treatment.

Results
Three hundred seventy participants were randomized (gentamicin, 185; sham, 185), and data from 363 participants were analyzed (gentamicin, 183; sham, 180). Nineteen women in the gentamicin group and 20 women in the sham group were treated for UTI within 6 weeks postoperatively (10.4% vs 11.1%, P = 0.87). There were no adverse events related to the instillations. Increasing age (odds ratio, 1.028 [1.000–1.057]) and number of intraoperative transurethral instrumentations (odds ratio, 1.342 [1.080–1.668]) were independent predictors of postoperative UTI treatment.

Conclusions
In women undergoing urogynecologic surgery, postoperative intravesical gentamicin did not reduce the incidence of postoperative UTI. The number of intraoperative transurethral instrumentations is an important, potentially modifiable risk factor for postoperative UTI treatment.