bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder perspectives on vision screening for drivers in Gauteng: Policy review implications
Authors: Tamenti Gloria T. , Rasengane Tuwani A. , Mashige Khathutshelo P. 
Published: February 2025

Background: Effective implementation of vision screening standards at driving licensing testing centres (DLTCs) necessitates adequate administrative and resource management.Aim: To ascertain the perspectives of site managers and driver’s licence examiners regarding vision screening standards at DLTCs in Gauteng province, South Africa.Setting: The study was conducted in Gauteng province, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative study that utilised interview questionnaires to assess site managers’ and driver’s licence examiners’ perspectives on the vision screening standards at the DLTC sites.Results: A total of 30 participants, comprising 15 site managers and 15 driver’s licence examiners, were interviewed from 15 out of 32 randomly selected functional DLTCs in the Gauteng province. The current vision policy and driving practices have remained unchanged since their inception. The vision screening equipment utilised at DLTCs has transitioned from manually operated to automated systems. Nevertheless, frequent machine breakdowns, primarily attributed to inadequate maintenance plans, were among the most frequently reported barriers to efficient vision screening.Conclusion: This study highlights the need to review and update vision-related policies and practices for driver licensing in South Africa. This entails establishing a Medical Advisory Board to ensure appropriate vision screening functions for driving and reliable vision screening technology. Specifically, this will include implementing a vision-related examiner’s training programme with a certificate of competence, an electronic eye-testing interface, proactive equipment maintenance programmes, improved quality control mechanisms and standardisation of the vision screening process across all DLTCs.Contribution: This study identified challenges to the effective implementation of vision screening for driving.
Paul versus Baerveldt 350 glaucoma drainage implants: One-year comparative analysis
Authors: Oliver-Gutiérrez David , Segura-Duch Gloria , Ávila-Marrón Elena , Arciniegas-Perasso Carlos A. , Duch-Tuesta Susana 
Published: February 2025

Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness and safety of Paul glaucoma implant (PGI) and Baerveldt 350 glaucoma implant (BGI) over a 1-year follow-up period.

Methods:
This retrospective study was conducted in a private clinic. It compared 27 patients consecutively treated with the PGI to a historical cohort of 29 eyes that received the BGI prior to the introduction of the PGI between 2018 and 2023. Intervention: A new drainage device, the Paul implant, was placed in the anterior or posterior chamber of eyes with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP).

Main Outcome Measures:
The main outcome measures were success rate, final mean IOP, IOP reduction percentage, medication reduction, and complications. Statistical analyses, including adjustments for confounders, were used to compare the performance of PGI and BGI over at least a 12-month period.

Results:
Significant reductions in IOP were observed in both groups (P < 0.001). At 1 year, no significant differences were found in mean IOP (BGI: 12.0 mmHg, SD 2.9; PGI: 11.2 mmHg, SD 6.0) or medication usage (P > 0.05). The failure rates were 7% for BGI and 18% for PGI, with complete success rates of 56% for BGI and 32% for PGI. Hypertensive phases occurred in 32% of the BGI cases and in 19% of the PGI cases. No significant differences in the complication rates or postoperative visual acuity were observed between the groups.

Conclusion:
PGI and BGI exhibited comparable efficacy and safety profiles after 1 year.
Irrigating bent ab-interno needle goniectomy (i-BANG) technique
Authors: Gupta Shikha , Jhajharia Hemant , Virani Baiju M , Gupta Viney 
Published: February 2025

Background:
The bent ab-interno needle goniectomy (BANG) represents a low-cost indigenous modification designed for ab-interno excisional goniectomy. This technique employs a reverse cystitome (24 G needle) and yields outcomes equivalent to those achieved with the Kahook Dual Blade goniectomy. However, reflux bleeding from Schlemm’s canal, with or without anterior chamber shallowing, often impedes angle visualization, thereby limiting the desired treatment extent. Recommended preventive measures for managing or treating hyphema include avoiding treatment in high-risk patients (on anticoagulants), blood washing, employing cohesive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD), hydrating wounds under high air pressure tamponade, and maintaining a propped-up position postoperatively. Despite these precautions, hyphema can impair intraoperative angle visualization. Among patients experiencing hyphema, a quarter require drainage. Washing blood away by re-injecting OVD or with bimanual irrigation aspiration often leads to intraoperative delay and subsequent rebleeding.

Purpose:
This article describes a novel modification aimed at managing intraoperative angle bleeding and anterior chamber shallowing while ensuring a clear angle view, as performed in 27 eyes, including patients with primary open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma.

Synopsis:
Our surgical technique, termed irrigating BANG (i-BANG), involves bending a 1 mm 24 G needle toward the bevel at a right angle to create a goniectome. The needle hub is connected to Alcon’s CENTURION® system, and continuous infusion is initiated at 100 mmHg IOP. A 120° goniectomy is fashioned under continuous fluid infusion nasally, allowing for the clearance of any refluxing blood during the procedure. Air is injected through the side port as the irrigating needle is withdrawn, and the ports are hydrated.

Highlights:
• i-BANG achieves passive aspiration at minimal cost. • It effectively addresses intraoperative hyphema and anterior chamber shallowing. • None of the 27 patients in our study experienced procedure abandonment or incomplete treatment during i-BANG. • Only 12 eyes exhibited minimal blood layering in the angle, which was completely absent by one week postoperatively.

Video link:

https://youtu.be/YmPeoBDpN54
Frequency of Rh Antigen and Phenotypes in Voluntary Blood Donors
Authors: Rao Chandrika , Shruthi S , Srilekha A 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Context:
Rh blood group antigens are highly immunogenic and have a propensity to produce alloantibodies in multi-transfused patients. Knowledge of antigen frequency in a population is useful in compatibility issues, population genetics studies, and resolving medico-legal issues.

Aims:
To determine the frequency of Rh antigens in voluntary blood donors.

Settings and Design:
A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 381 voluntary blood donors in the blood center of a tertiary care center.

Methods and Materials:
Rh-D typing was conducted by the conventional tube method. Specific monoclonal antisera were used to detect major Rh antigens by the conventional tube method.

Statistical Analysis Used:
The collected data was recorded on an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20. The results are expressed in frequency and percentage.

Results:
Among Rh antigens, e was most common (96.6%), followed by D: 94%, C: 87.4%, c: 54.6%, and E: 17.3%. The most common phenotype in Rh-positive donors is DCe/DCe (R1R1) (43.6%), while in Rh-D-negative donors, it is dce/dce (rr) (4.5%). Rare phenotypes were encountered, among which were DCcEE and Rh E/e deletion. The Rh E/e negative antithetical antigens encountered were D CC− (0.5%) and DCc− (0.3%).

Conclusions:
The database for the antigen frequency of the Rh blood group system in the local blood donor population helps provide antigen-negative units to patients with multiple alloantibodies and compare the frequencies of Rh deletions.
Effect of 1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) Supplementation on Hexavalent Chromium [Cr(VI)]-Induced Hepatoxicities in Male Albino Rats
Authors: Yendigeri Saeed M. , Arakeri Surekha U. , Das Kusal K. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Background:
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a heavy metal, extensively used in the stainless steel industry. It causes various metabolic oxidative stress and is hepatotoxic. 1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin-D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) synthesized in the body is an antioxidant against metabolic oxidative stress.

Objectives:
The present study aimed to assess the possible protective effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation on Cr(VI) induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats.

Methods:
Twenty-four male adult Wister rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 in each group) as follows: Group-1 (control); group-2 (K2Cr2O7, 5.0 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally for 10 dosages on every alternate day), group-3 (1,25(OH)2D3, 12.5 μg/kg/d, orally daily till 20 days) and group-4 (K2Cr2O7+1,25(OH)2D3). At the end of the 10th dosage after overnight fasting, i.e., (on day 21) gravimetry was obtained, blood samples were collected for analysis of hematology, liver function tests, serum oxidative stress markers (MDA and SOD), nitrosative stress markers like nitric oxide (NO), antioxidants (ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and vitamin D3) were estimated. Histopathology of the liver was done after sacrificing the animals.

Results:
Cr(VI)-treated rats showed a significant alteration of hematological parameters, liver enzymes, and oxidative and nitrosative stress parameters as compared to their respective controls. Simultaneous supplementation of 1,25(OH)2D3 with Cr(VI) showed significant beneficial effects on rodent hematology, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defence system against hexavalent chromium-induced hepatotoxicities. Histopathology of the liver showed several hepatic damages in Cr(VI)-induced group. The recorded data showed that liver damages in the 1,25(OH)2D3 supplemented group were partially protected hepatic tissues.

Conclusion:
This study showed 1,25(OH)2D3 as a hepatoprotective antioxidant against hexavalent chromium-induced hepatotoxicity.
Outcomes of NUTRIC and mNUTRIC Scores on Critically Ill COVID Patients: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Mustafi Saurav Mitra , Khan Ayesha , Choudhury Arin , Kumar Ajay , Khurana Deepa K. , Krishna Bhavya , Sachdeva Harish C. , Gupta Nitesh 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Background:
Nutritional risk in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) admitted in intensive care units (ICU) is less researched. We planned a prospective trial to determine the utility of Nutritional risk in the Critically ill (NUTRIC) and modified NUTRIC (mNUTRIC) scores in such cases.

Materials and Methods:
Patient characteristics and data at admission of all 199 COVID-19 cases admitted to ICU were collected. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk nutrition groups using NUTRIC and mNUTRIC scores. These groups were compared in terms of 28-day ICU mortality, length of stay, calorie and protein intake, duration of ventilation, oxygen therapy, and problems of nutrition.

Results:
When compared to low nutritional risk group, the high nutritional risk group (NUTRIC score ≥6) had higher mortality at 28 and 90 days (P < 0.001). High nutritional risk of mNUTRIC score (≥5) also had greater mortality at 28 and 90 days (P < 0.001) than the low-risk group. The high nutritional risk group had shorter hospital and ICU stays and needed more days of mechanical ventilation, according to both scores (P < 0.001). Patients in the high nutrition risk category also had more incidence of myocardial infarction, adult respiratory distress syndrome, renal replacement requirement, and vasopressor use. The sensitivity and specificity of NUTRIC score were 75 and 86.5%, respectively, as compared to 82.5 and 79% of mNUTRIC.

Conclusion:
The mortality at 28 and 90 days was greater in COVID-19 patients with high nutritional risk as measured by NUTRIC and mNUTRIC scores with both the scores performing equally well.
On the on-line coloring of unit interval graphs with proper interval representation
Authors: Curbelo Israel R. , Malko Hannah R. 
Published: February 2025

We define the problem as a two-player game between Algorithm and Builder. The game is played in rounds. Each round, Builder presents an interval that is neither contained in nor contains any previously presented interval. Algorithm immediately and irrevocably assigns the interval a color that has not been assigned to any interval intersecting it. The set of intervals form an interval representation for a unit interval graph and the colors form a proper coloring of that graph. For every positive integer $\omega$, we define the value $R(\omega)$ as the maximum number of colors for which Builder has a strategy that forces Algorithm to use $R(\omega)$ colors with the restriction that the unit interval graph constructed cannot contain a clique of size $\omega+1$. In 1981, Chrobak and \'{S}lusarek showed that $R(\omega)\leq2\omega -1$. In 2005, Epstein and Levy showed that $R(\omega)\geq\lfloor{3\omega/2\rfloor}$. This problem remained unsolved for $\omega\geq 3$. In 2023, Bir\'o and Curbelo showed that $R(3)=5$. In this paper, we show that $R(4)=7$Comment: To be published in Discrete Mathematics &amp; Theoretical Computer Science (DMTCS)
A Rapid Evidence Review on Consumer Responses to Cell-Cultivated Products
Authors:   Food Standards Agency
Published: February 2025

An evidence review was undertaken to examine consumer responses to cell-cultivated products (meat, seafood, dairy and plants). Cell-cultivated products are foods made without slaughter or traditional farming. For example, cells from animals are grown in a controlled setting and then used to create the final product. Most of the available evidence only examined cell-cultivated meat. All findings are based on UK evidence, except where otherwise stated. The key findings are outlined below. A minority (16-41%) of people are willing to consume cell-cultivated meat in the UK • Willingness to consume cell-cultivated meat has not changed within the past two years (2022-2024), but appears to have increased over longer time periods. Perceived risks/concerns about cell-cultivated meat are more prevalent than perceived benefits • Over half of people (59%) think cell-cultivated meat could offer benefits, particularly for animal welfare, the environment and global food availability. • However, more people (85%) have concerns about cell-cultivated meat, particularly about its safety, unnaturalness and impacts on farmers. Peoples’ perceptions of the healthiness/nutritional value of cell-cultivated meat relative to conventional meat appear to be highly malleable • People may be influenced by the type of information they receive about the product (e.g., emphasising benefits/concerns) and the type of products compared. The terms ‘cell-cultivated’ or ‘cell-cultured’ best enable consumers to differentiate the product from conventional meat/seafood or plant-based products • However, terminology alone is insufficient to effectively communicate allergen information to consumers. People are generally unsure about whether regulation will prevent the sale of unsafe cell-cultivated meat, nevertheless, people expect these products to be regulated and clearly labelled • People perceive FSA approval of the product to be moderately to very important, and as slightly more important than other on-label claims such as ‘slaughter-free’, ‘carbon-neutral’, ‘produced without antibiotics’, and ‘non-GMO.’ Although all of these claims are still seen as moderately to very important. • People do not have a strong opinion on whether cell-cultivated meat/seafood should be sold in the same section of the supermarket as conventional meat/seafood.
Polymorphisms of HSP70 genes are involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy
Authors: Svitalkova Tana , Ambroz Antonin , Svetla Marketa , Misunova Martina , Kolesar Libor , Novota Peter 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionIdiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a group of rare systemic autoimmune diseases characterized by muscle weakness, histopathological signs of inflammation in muscle tissues, elevated serum levels of muscle-associated enzymes, inflammatory mononuclear cells infiltrating muscle tissue and progressive symmetrical proximal muscle weakness. The current view is that they begin by immune activation in response to environmental factors in genetically predisposed people, but despite the number of investigations into the genetic background, the detailed etiopathogenesis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between select polymorphisms located in the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and IIM. These genetic markers may take part in the onset of the autoimmune process, and their identification could aid in the diagnosis and classification of IIM subtypes.Material and methodsOne hundred and fifty-two adult patients suffering from IIM (82 dermatomyositis and 70 polymyositis) and 150 healthy controls were analyzed in this study. All were from the Czech Republic. SNPs of the HSP70 genes <i>HSPA1A</i> (rs1008438, rs1043618), <i>HSPA1B</i> (rs1061581, rs539689, pentanucleotide tandem duplication rs9281590) and <i>HSPA1L</i> (rs2227956) were analyzed in all patients and controls. For the detection of HLA polymorphisms, we used commercial kits from CareDx. Haplotypes were created using Arlequin 3.5.ResultsOur results confirm the association of IIM with the ancestral haplotype HLA-DRB1*03-DQB1*02. The most important MHC haplotype related to IIM and covering all polymorphisms was HLA-DQB1*02-DRB1*03:01-T-C-C-G-C-INS (<i>p</i> < 0.05, OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.15–3.13). This haplotype is associated with the risk of IIM development.ConclusionsOur results show that polymorphism typing within the MHC might be a very strong tool for recognition of IIM.
Pengaruh Current Ratio (CR), Debt To Asset Ratio (DAR), Perputaran Persediaan (Inventory Turnover) dan Ukuran Perusahaan Terhadap Profitabilitas Pada Perusahaan Property Dan Real Estate Di Bursa Efek Indonesia
Authors: Samosir Hottua 
Published: February 2025

Tujuan penelitian untuk menguji dan menganalisis Pengaruh Current Ratio, Debt to Asset Ratio, Perputaran Persediaan (Inventory Turnover), dan Ukuran Perusahaan Terhadap Profitabilitas pada Perusahaan Property dan Real Estate di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) secara parsial maupun secara simultan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian kuantitatif. Populasi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Perusahaan Property dan Real Estate yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia dengan jumlah 46 perusahaan pada periode 2012 – 2016. Sampel pada penelitian ini menggunakan penarikan data dengan cara purposive Sampling. Jumlah sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah 31 perusahaan dengan jumlah pengamatan sebanyak 155 pengamatan. Hasil yang diperoleh adalah Current Ratio secara parsial tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Profitabilitas. Debt to Asset Ratio secara parsial tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Profitabilitas, Perputaran Persediaan secara parsial tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Profitabilitas. Ukuran Perusahaan secara parsial berpengaruh dan tidak signifikan terhadap Profitabilitas. Current Ratio, Debt to Asset Ratio, Perputaran Persediaan dan Ukuran Perusahaan secar simultan tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Profitabilitas pada Perusahaan Property dan Real Estate di Bursa Efek Indonesia Periode 2012 – 2016.
Coronelismo no Rio Grande do Sul:
Authors: Ritzel Rita de Cassia 
Published: February 2025

O coronelismo foi um sistema político que teceu as relações de poder no período da República Velha (1889-1930), assim o presente artigo discute questões intrínsecas ao coronelismo. Para isso, tivemos como objetivos: identificar o surgimento do coronelismo no Brasil e sua relação com a propriedade da terra; compreender e caracterizar o coronelismo no Rio Grande do Sul e analisar a atuação de um coronel no Planalto Médio. Para contemplar os objetivos realizamos uma revisão bibliográfica buscando autores estudiosos da temática, como Victor Nunes Leal, Loiva Félix e Isléia Streit. Também analisamos o processo de Ação Cível e Crime Juízo Distrital de Cruz Alta Divisão de medição de terras como fonte primária, para auxiliar na compreensão da relação da propriedade da terra com o coronelismo no Rio Grande do Sul. Dentre as conclusões se aponta a existência do coronelismo em territórios sulinos, porém com especificidades diferentes dos demais estados do Brasil e ainda a imponente presença, no período em questão, do coronel Victor Dumoncel Filho na região do Planalto Médio.
Characteristics and outcomes of Bahraini pediatric patients sent abroad for bone marrow transplantation: A ten-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Isa Hasan M , Bucheeri Shahd T , Aldoseri Jarrah Y , Redha Ayah A , Mubarak Abdulla F , Altamimi Shaikha A , AlOraibi Ameera A , Alshaikh Mohamed I 
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a breakthrough procedure for patients with hematological and oncological conditions, particularly when all other treatments fail. Its indications vary between patients and settings, and its outcomes depend on the donor type, transplantation facility, and center expertise. In countries where transplantation facilities are lacking, sending patients abroad for transplantation might be a safe and effective alternative to leaving the patient to face eventual disease morbidity or even mortality if the procedure is not performed locally. However, studies evaluating BMT abroad are scarce.
AIM
To assess the clinical characteristics of patients who underwent BMT overseas and analyze the factors affecting their survival outcomes.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all Bahraini pediatric patients who underwent BMT between 2013 and 2024. Medical records from Salmaniya Medical Complex and Overseas Treatment Office were reviewed. Patient demographics, transplant indications, donor type, transplantation type, overseas centers, complications, and outcomes (overall and 5-year survival rates) were analyzed. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared using χ 2 test, Student’s t -test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to estimate survival predictors.
RESULTS
Of the 75 listed patients, 62 (82.7%) underwent BMT and were included, 10 (13.3%) did not, and 3 (4.0%) were awaiting transplantation. Most patients were male (n = 33, 53.2%). The mean age at transplantation was 7.8 ± 4.9 years. The main indication for treatment was acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (n = 15, 36.6%). Six patients (9.7%) required re-transplantation. Of the 68 transplants, 60 (88.2%) involved conditioning, mostly a combination of fludarabine and total body irradiation (n = 7, 11.7%). Most patients underwent allogeneic transplantation (n = 48, 77.4%), primarily from related donors (n = 47/48, 97.9%). The most common complication was infection (n = 51, 79.7%). Follow-up averaged 3.3 ± 2.5 years. The overall survival rate was 77.4%. Survival odds were better for non-AML patients and Middle Eastern centers (P = 0.015 and P = 0.032, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Bahraini males with AML primarily underwent allogeneic BMT. Non-AML patients and those transplanted in the Middle East had better survival rates, despite high complication rates.