bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indices of insulin-like growth factors family in the lung tissue of patients with non-small cell lung cancer after COVID-19 of various severity
Authors: Kit O. I. , Frantsiyants E. M. , Kharagezov D. A. , Bandovkina V. A. , Cheryarina N. D. , Pogorelova Yu. A. , Lazutin Yu. N. , Milakin A. G. , Leyman I. A. , Stateshny O. N/ 
Published: March 2023

Purpose of the study. An analysis of levels of IGF and their carrying proteins in lung tissues of cancer patients depending on the severity of the previous COVID-19 infection.Patients and methods. The study included 60 patients with histologically verified non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) T1–3NхM0 receiving treatment at the Thoracic Department, National Medical Research Centre for Oncology, in 2020–2021. The control group included 30 NSCLC patients after asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 disease (15 males and 15 females); the main group included 30 (15 men and 15 women) patients after severe or moderate to severe COVID-19 infection. The mean age of patients was 59.11 ± 2.89 years; no significant differences were noted between the control and main groups. All participants gave their informed consent prior to the study approved by the Ethics Committee of National Medical Research Centre for Oncology. Qualitative assessment of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-1,2,3 levels in the tissues of the tumor, peritumoral area and resection line were measured by ELISA (Mediagnost, Germany). The statistical analysis was performed in the Statistica 10 program, the differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.Results. Regardless of the gender, levels of IGF-I and IGF-II in tumor and resection line samples in patients of the main group were higher than in the control group on average by 1.5–2.2 times, and IGFBP-1 in the tumor was lower by 1.3 times in men and by 5 times in women. The ratio of IGF and IGFBP-1-3 in patients of the control group in perifocal tissues changed towards the parameters in the tumor tissue. IGF/IGFBP-1-3 in men of the main group were lower or did not differ from the indices in the intact tissue, while in women they increased, similarly to the tumor tissue.Conclusion. An increase in the ratio of IGF and carrier proteins in the tumor tissue of patients in the main group indicated an excessive accumulation of IGF in it, which may contribute to more aggressive growth of malignant tumors. The most pronounced disorders in the system of insulin-like growth factors were found in the tissues of the tumor and intact lung of patients with previous severe and moderate to severe COVID-19.
Evidence for Nitrogen-bearing Species on Umbriel: Sourced from a Subsurface Ocean, Undifferentiated Crust, or Impactors?
Authors: Cartwright Richard J. , DeColibus Riley A. , C. Castillo-Rogez Julie , Beddingfield Chloe B. , Grundy William M. , Nordheim Tom A. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Near-infrared spectra of Umbriel and the other classical Uranian moons exhibit 2.2 μm absorption bands that could result from ammonia (NH3) bearing species, possibly exposed in the geologically recent past. However, Umbriel has an ancient surface with minimal evidence for recent endogenic activity, raising the possibility that more refractory species are present, and/or that NH3 is retained over long timescales. We analyzed 33 spectra of Umbriel to investigate its 2.2 μm band, along with three other absorption features we identified near 2.14, 2.22, and 2.24 μm. We assessed the subobserver longitudinal distributions of these four bands, finding that they are present across Umbriel and may be spatially associated with geologic features such as craters and large basins. We compared the bands to 15 candidate constituents. We found that Umbriel’s 2.14 μm and 2.22 μm bands are most consistent with the spectral signature of organics, its 2.24 μm band is best matched by NH3 ice, and its 2.2 μm band is consistent with the signatures of NH3–H2O mixtures, aluminum-bearing phyllosilicates, and sodium-bearing carbonates. However, some of these candidate constituents do not match Umbriel’s spectral properties in other wavelength regions, highlighting the gaps in our understanding of the Uranian moons’ surface compositions. Umbriel’s 2.14 μm band may alternatively result from a 2
ν

3 overtone mode of CO2 ice. If present on Umbriel, these candidate constituents could have formed in contact with an internal ocean and were subsequently exposed during Umbriel’s early history. Alternatively, these constituents might have originated in an undifferentiated crust or were delivered by impactors.
Quantifying Corneal Topographic Astigmatism (CorT Total) in Keratoconic Eyes
Authors: Alpins Noel , Ong James K. Y. , Randleman J. Bradley , Stamatelatos George 
Published: March 2023

Purpose:
To determine optimal corneal regions from which to derive corneal topographic astigmatism (CorT) in kerato-conic eyes.

Methods:
In this retrospective study, potential measures of corneal astigmatism are calculated from raw total corneal power data (179 eyes from 124 patients) from a corneal tomographer. The measures are derived from annular corneal regions varying in both extent and center position, and evaluated according to the variability of the ocular residual astigmatism (ORA) in the cohort. This variability is quantified by the ORArms, which is the root-mean-squared distance of the ORAs from their summated vector mean in double angle space. The lower the ORArms, the better the corneal astigmatism measure corresponds to manifest refractive cylinder.

Results:
Corneal astigmatism measures derived from regions centered on corneal vertex had ORArms values (mild: 1.07 diopters [D], moderate: 1.61 D, severe: 2.65 D) as low or lower than other measures derived from regions centered on thinnest point, corneal apex (front or back), or pupil center. Corneal astigmatism measures derived from a region centered 30% of the way toward thinnest point from corneal vertex appeared to have even lower ORArms values (mild: 1.05 D, moderate: 1.45 D, severe: 2.56 D). None of the corneal astigmatism measures corresponded closely with manifest refractive cylinder for severe keratoconus (ORArms > 2.50 D).

Conclusions:
For keratoconic eyes, the CorT should be derived from an annular region centered 30% of the way toward thinnest point from corneal vertex, although when the keratoconus is mild, a standard corneal-vertex–centered CorT performs just as well.

[
J Refract Surg
. 2023;39(3):206–213.]
Corneal Epithelial Remodeling in a 6-Month Follow-up Period in Myopic Corneal Refractive Surgeries
Authors: Zhu ManMan , Xin Yue , Vinciguerra Riccardo , Wang Zheng , Warsame Abdullahi Mohamud , Wang Chong , Zhu DaTian , Qu ZhanXin , Wang Pu , Zheng XiaoBo , Wang JunJie , Wang QinMei , Ye YuFeng , Chen ShiHao , Bao FangJun , Elsheikh Ahmed 
Published: March 2023

Purpose:To investigate corneal epithelial thickness changes during a 6-month follow-up period after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK), femtosecond laser–assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).Methods:This prospective study included 76 eyes of 76 participants who underwent myopic refractive surgery (23 FS-LASIK, 22 SMILE, and 31 tPRK). Epithelial thickness and anterior curvature were averaged over 4 regions (subdivided into 25 areas) and measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and Scheimpflug tomography before the operation (pre) and at 1 or 3 days (pos1-3d), 1 week (pos1w), and 1 month (pos1m), 3 months (pos3m), and 6 months (pos6m) postoperatively.Results:The epithelial thickness of the three groups was similar in both the pre and pos6m (allP> .05), but the tPRK group fluctuated the most during the follow-up period. The largest increase was in the inferior-temporal paracentral area (7.25 ± 2.58 μm for FS-LASIK; 5.79 ± 2.41 μm for SMILE; 4.88 ± 5.84 μm for tPRK; allP< .001). Only the epithelial thickness of tPRK increased from pos3m to pos6m (P< .05), whereas all changes for FS-LASIK and SMILE were not significant (P> .05). A positive correlation of thickness changes with curvature gradient in the paracentral region of tPRK was found (r= 0.549,P= .018), but not in other regions in all groups.Conclusions:Epithelial remodeling followed different trends after different surgeries from the early postoperative stage onward, but exhibited similar values at pos6m. Although remodeling after FS-LASIK and SMILE stabilized by pos3m, it remained unstable at pos6m after tPRK. These changes may affect corneal profile and lead to deviation from the intended surgical outcome.[J Refract Surg. 2023;39(3):187–196.]
Visual Performance at Different Distances After Implantation of an Isofocal Optic Design Intraocular Lens
Authors: Bernabeu-Arias Gonzalo , Beckers Sebastian , Rincón-Rosales José Luis , Tañá-Rivero Pedro , Bilbao-Calabuig Rafael 
Published: March 2023

Purpose:
To evaluate refractive and visual outcomes at different distances after implantation of an isofocal optic design intraocular lens (IOL) following cataract surgery.

Methods:
This multicentric, retrospective/prospective, open-label, observational study considered 183 eyes of 109 patients who were implanted with the ISOPURE 123 (PhysIOL) IOL. The main outcome measures were refractive error and monocular and binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA), and distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity (DCIVA) at 66 and 80 cm, uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), and distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) at 40 cm. Binocular visual acuity at different vergences (defocus curve) was also measured. Patients were evaluated at least 120 days postoperatively.

Results:
A total of 95.7% of the eyes were within ±1.00 diopter (D) and 73.2% of the eyes were within ±0.50 D; the mean postoperative spherical equivalent was -0.12 ± 0.42 D. There were 90.54% and 98.57% of patients presenting a cumulative binocular UDVA and CDVA value of 20/25 or better, respectively; 80.65% and 50.0% of patients presented a binocular DCIVA value of 20/25 or better at 80 and 66 cm, respectively; and 41.94% of patients presented a binocular DCNVA value of 20/40 or better. The through-focus curve showed good visual acuity at far and intermediate distances with a depth of focus value of 1.50 D. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions:
The current study shows that this isofocal optic design IOL provides excellent visual performance for far vision and functional intermediate vision with an extended range of vision. This lens is an effective option for providing functional intermediate vision and correcting aphakia.

[
J Refract Surg
. 2023;39(3):150–157.]
Psychometric properties of a clinical assessment tool in the postgraduate midwifery programme, Botswana
Authors: Rasetshwane Itumeleng , Sepeng Nombulelo V. , Mooa Ramadimetja S. 
Published: March 2023

Background: The psychometric properties of a clinical assessment tool used in the postgraduate midwifery programme in Botswana have not been evaluated. A lack of reliable and valid clinical assessment tools contributes to inconsistencies in clinical assessment in midwifery programmes.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the internal consistency and content validity of a clinical assessment tool used in the postgraduate midwifery programme in Botswana.Method: For internal consistency, we calculated the total-item correlation and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. For content validity, subject matter experts completed a checklist to evaluate the relevance and clarity of each competency in the clinical assessment tool. The checklist included questions with Likert-scale responses, indicating the level of agreement.Results: The clinical assessment tool had a good reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.837. The corrected item total correlation values ranged from –0.043 to 0.880 and the Cronbach’s alpha (if item deleted) ranged from 0.079 to 0.865. Overall content validity ratio was 0.95, and content validity index was 0.97. Item content validity indices ranged from 0.8 to 1.0. The overall scale content validity index was 0.97 and the scale content validity index using universal agreement was 0.75.Conclusion: The clinical assessment tool used in the postgraduate midwifery programme in Botswana has acceptable reliability. Most of the competencies included in the clinical assessment tool were relevant and clear. Certain competencies need to be reviewed to improve the reliability and validity of the clinical assessment tool.Contribution: The clinical assessment tool currently used in the postgraduate midwifery programme in Botswana had acceptable internal consistency reliability and validity.
Identity formation at the dawn of liturgical inculturation in the Ethiopian Episcopal Church
Authors: Kama Phumezile , Klaasen John S. 
Published: March 2023

This article reflects on the impact of the inculturation of liturgy in the Ethiopian Episcopal Church (EEC) on identity formation within the context of African Christianity. In the EEC, the quest for African Christian identity formation is essential in understanding the role of black culture at the advent of the inculturation of liturgy. Inculturation can be viewed as the meeting and interaction of the Christian gospel and local cultures where neither the liturgy nor the cultures are superior than the other. Thus, it is vital to understand the inculturation of liturgy and its implications for African Christian identity in the EEC. There is a need for an official guiding principle or doctrinal and theological position on use of language and instruments associated with ancestor veneration at all levels of the EEC. The aim of this article is to clarify how the transformation of the EEC liturgy shaped the African Christianity’s identity of its members. It also attempts to provide clarification on the use of language, symbols, and instruments associated with traditional healers in the liturgy and how it creates identity confusion within the EEC. Lastly, we discuss some of the limitations in the liturgical inculturation endeavour in the EEC.Contribution: This article contributes to a wider discourse of Christian identity formation from the perspective of the coming together of Christianity and African culture. It also contributes to the quest of EEC members for being authentic Christians while also being proud Africans. Specifically, it contributes to the EEC’s quest for African identity through the inculturation of liturgy.
Reductionism or holism? The two faces of biology
Authors: Walker Joseph A. , Cloete Thomas E. 
Published: March 2023

Reductionism and holism, that is, antireductionism, are two of the prevailing paradigms within the philosophy of biology. Reductionists strive to understand biological phenomena by reducing them to a series of levels of complexity with each lower level forming the foundation for the subsequent level, by mapping such biological phenomena inasmuch as possible to the principal phenomena within the fundamental sciences of chemistry and physics. In this way, complex phenomena can be reduced to assemblages of more elementary explananda. Holism, in counterpart, claims that there independently exist phenomena arising from ordered levels of complexity that have intrinsic causal power and cannot be reduced in this way. When dealing with the nature of biology and its unique foundations of essentialism, determinism and ethics, the pedagogical lens through which these foundations are conveyed to learners could provide a limited perspective if only the reductive approach is followed as it would not sensitise learners to the true complexity of the phenomenon of life and the study thereof, and it is the purpose of this article to frame the reductionist–antireductionist debate in order to illustrate this.Contribution: This article contributes new knowledge to the field of the philosophy of science; more specifically, the philosophy of biology by critically evaluating the pervasive dialectic between the theoretical frameworks of reductionism and antireductionism and alluding to the pedagogical consequences thereof.
The shaping stratum of the Markan passion narrative
Authors: Hombana Mphumezi 
Published: March 2023

This study is an attempt to investigate the shaping stratum of the Markan passion narrative (PN). The ultimate focus is on discovering the factors behind the text of Mark that influenced the shaping of the passion account. Since early form criticism, there has been an assumed tradition of an early existing passion account prior to the Markan narrative, to which we do not have access in our contemporary world. However, this study argues that the PN is shaped not only by a tradition to which we do not have access, as argued by previous form critics but also perhaps by how one would describe any crucifixion in antiquity. As we possibly know, this could be true of any early tradition, including the PN in Mark. In other words, this paper is thus proposing a shift from a possible oral source (tradition) to general literary influences that shaped the Markan PN. This means we can see possible influences that determine what would be part of a narrative of a noble death from within Graeco-Roman and Jewish literary influences despite the fact that we cannot get hold of Mark’s traditional sources. This paper utilises historical criticism as the method to investigate the shaping stratum of the Markan PN.Contribution: So, an access to these literary influences serves as an adequate tool to aid the contemporary reader to adequately understand Mark’s PN as the death and resurrection of Jesus are the integral part in the whole story of Christianity. An understanding of this remarkable account is very significant for churches in Africa and worldwide too.
Prayerful persistence: Luke 18:1–8 through the lens of resilience
Authors: Potgieter Annette 
Published: March 2023

The parable of the widow and the unjust judge is unique to Luke. It forms part of three other parables shedding light on the coming of the Son of Man. It also bears striking resemblances with the parable of the friend at midnight, but unlike the friend of midnight, persistence is a focal point for interpreting the parable. There is an intersection between the parable of the unjust judge and resilience theory. Resilience may be understood as the ability to have positive, better-than-expected outcomes in the face of adversity. The widow persists and manages to persuade the judge to aid her plight. Accordingly, this article explored the intersections between resilience theory and the parable of the unjust judge as an interpretive aid.Contribution: This article explored a multidisciplinary approach to Luke 18:1–8. Resilience theory was incorporated with exegesis, thereby offering another hermeneutical lens to the text that enriches our understanding.
Compliance of medical practitioners with diabetic treatment guidelines in West Rand, Gauteng
Authors: Ohanson Nneka J. , Pretorius Deidré 
Published: March 2023

Background: Diabetes mellitus is increasing globally and is associated with multiple complications. Guidelines have been formulated to standardise care among people living with diabetes mellitus (DM), but research shows poor compliance with treatment guidelines. The aim of this study was to assess how well healthcare practitioners in a district hospital in Gauteng complied with the most recent diabetic treatment guideline, Society for Endocrinology Metabolism and Diabetes South Africa (SEMDSA) 2017.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional review of patient record living with diabetes was done. This study was conducted in the out-patient department of Dr Yusuf Dadoo hospital in the West Rand, Gauteng. A total of 323 records of patients seen from August 2019 to December 2019 were reviewed, and some of the basic variables were assessed according to the most recent diabetic treatment guidelines SEMDSA 2017.Results: Files were audited in four categories: comorbidities, examinations, investigations and the presence of complications. Six monthly glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was assessed in 40 (12.4%), annual creatinine assessed in 179 (55.4%) and lipogram in 154 (47.7%) of patients. More than 70% of patients had uncontrolled glycaemia and two people were screened for erectile dysfunction.Conclusion: Monitoring and control parameters were infrequently done as per guideline recommendations. The resultant effects were poor glycaemic control and thus numerous complications.Contribution: Targeted strategies to improve medical practitioner compliance to guidelines including further research to study factors associated with poor compliance with guidelines are needed to improve the overall care of people living with DM in the West Rand and thus minimise the risk of complications among patients in the district.
Theological basis of community development: A public inquiry from a practical theological view
Authors: Nanthambwe Patrick 
Published: March 2023

Development has become a central topic in theological discussions on a global scale. Poverty and underdevelopment have been the subject of ongoing discussion in theological circles over the role of the churches in addressing these issues. Hence, the controversy regarding theology and progress has emerged. While it has been widely understood in theological discussions that theology must confront public challenges, few works have evaluated the grounds that compel a theological reflection on development. To this purpose, there is a crucial point that must be investigated about theology and development: how substantial are the arguments for the theology and development debate? Furthermore, how are such arguments biblically supported? This essay evaluates the arguments for a theology of development through the lens of public practical theology in order to provide answers to the problems posed above. Through literary analysis, the study proceeds to analyse the basis for theology and development from a biblical perspective, so demonstrating that God’s aim for his creation is development that strikes a balance between economic, environmental, and social elements. This article contributes to the conversation of the necessity of theological reflection on development.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article contributes to the discussion between theological disciplines and development studies to provide a greater understanding of the significance of this debate to the church’s engagement with public issues such as development. The findings of this study are unquestionably valuable for churches in developing a public practical theology and enriching theological thought and church practice through community development.