bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of vitreous/retinal pigment epithelium relative intensity in proliferative vitreoretinopathy and uveitis
Authors: Djatikusumo Ari , Victor Andi Arus , Harahap Alida Roswita , Wibowo Heri , La Distia Nora Rina , Setiabudy Rianto , Sovani Iwan , Edwar Lukman , Permadi Annisa Citra , Ardhia Seruni Hanna 
Published: July 2023

Background: Quantitative measurements of vitreous inflammation using vitreous/retinal pigment epithelium-relative intensity (VIT/RPE-Relative Intensity) have been described recently. In proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis, inducing retinal fibrosis and contraction. However, no attempts have yet to be made to analyze the severity of inflammation in PVR progression. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing OCT image sets obtained from patients divided into four groups: (1) proliferative vitreoretinopathy, (2) intermediate and posterior uveitis, (3) panuveitis, (4) normal healthy eyes in Cipto Mangunkusumo Kirana Eye Hospital between April 2021 – December 2021. OCT images were then analyzed in the ImageJ software for VIT/RPE-relative intensity. Results: A total of 19 PVR eyes, 12 intermediate-posterior uveitis eyes, 16 panuveitis eyes, and 28 normal healthy eyes were recruited for this study. The VIT/RPE-Relative Intensity was significantly higher in PVR eyes (0.415±0.178) than in intermediate-posterior uveitis (0.236±0.043, p=0.002) and panuveitis eyes (0.30±0.07, p=0.023). Compared to the normal eyes, PVR and both uveitis groups have significantly higher VIT/RPE relative intensity (p = <0.001 in each group). Conclusions: VIT/RPE-relative intensity may offer quantitative measurements of vitreous inflammation in the role of the pathogenesis of PVR. Comparison with cellular inflammation in the vitreous is required to validate this finding.
Comparative evaluation of apical debris extrusion during root canal preparation using three different rotary file systems
Authors: Rajnekar Rutuja , Mankar Nikhil , Nikhade Pradnya , Chandak Manoj 
Published: July 2023

Background: Endodontic success depends on the complete cleaning and shaping of the root canal. In order to achieve this goal, debris removal is essential. Even with improvements in instrument design, apical debris extrusion continues to be a cause of periradicular inflammation. The current study aimed to compare the amount of apically extruded debris throughout the canal instrumentation with TruNatomy, ProTaper Next, 2Shape rotary systems. Methods: A total of 60 freshly extracted single‑rooted mandibular premolars were use. An access opening was made, and a working length was estimated. The samples were arbitrarily allocated into three groups i.e. Group I: TruNatomy (n = 20), Group II: ProTaper Next (n = 20), Group III: 2Shape (n = 20). During the canal instrumentation, the extruded debris were collected in preweighed Eppendorf tubes. Post-instrumentation, the tubes were placed in a hot air oven at 140°C for five hours. For calculating the dry debris weight, the tube’s pre-instrumentation weight was deducted from the post-instrumentation weight. The data was analysed using one‑way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey’s test. Results: Extrusion of debris was noted in all the specimens. TruNatomy rotary system showed least debris extrusion in comparison to ProTaper Next and 2Shape (P < 0.05). However, the results were statistically non-significant between ProTaper Next and 2Shape (P > 0.05). Conclusions: It was noted that all instruments apically extruded debris, with TruNatomy system being related to minimum extrusion.
Exploring Customer Citizenship Behavior Through Customer–Organization Identification
Authors: Xie Lishan , Zhang Wenxuan , Guan Xinhua , Huan Tzung-Cheng 
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to investigate the influence of customer–organization identification from a customer–employee relationship perspective. Specifically, this paper examines the mediating effects of the customer–employee identification and customer–employee trust between the relationship between customer–organization identification and customer citizenship behavior. Based on social identity theory, this paper builds a research framework that is empirically tested using a sample of 465 patients or their families from one of the largest high-level hospitals in China. Structural equation modeling and a bootstrapping method were adopted to test the model and the mediation effects. Results of data analysis reveal that customer–organization identification has a direct positive influence on customer citizenship behavior, and customer–employee identification and customer–employee trust have positive mediation effects between customer–organization identification and customer citizenship behavior. Funding: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 71772186 to L. Xie and Grant 71802052 to X. Guan].
Reconfigurable coaxial single-photon LIDAR based on the SPAD array
Authors: Xue Ruikai , Kang Yan , Li Weiwei , Meng Fanxing , Wang Xiaofang , Li Lifei , Zhao Wei , Zhang Tongyi 
Published: July 2023

The single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array with time-to-digital converter (TDC) circuits on each pixel is an excellent candidate detector for imaging LIDAR systems. However, the low fill-factor of the SPAD array does not allow for efficient use of laser energy when directly adopted in a LIDAR system. Here, we design a reconfigurable coaxial single-photon LIDAR based on the SPAD array and diffractive optical elements (DOEs). We use the DOE and beam expander to shape the laser beam into a laser dot matrix. The total divergence angle of the DOE spot beam is strictly matched to the total field of view (FOV) angle of the SPAD array. Meanwhile, each focused beamlet is individually matched to every active area of the SPAD array detector, which increases the use of output energy about 100 times compared to the diffusion illumination system. Besides, the system uses the active area as the minimum pixel and can support sub-pixel scanning, resulting in higher resolution images. Through this coaxial structure, two different telescope systems after transceiver switching can be reconfigured for imaging targets at different distances. Based on our single-photon LIDAR system, we achieved 3D imaging of targets at 100 m and 180 m using two different telescope configurations.
The species distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Nocardia species in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Chaohong , Sun Qing , Yan Jun , Liao Xinlei , Long Sibo , Zheng Maike , Zhang Yun , Yang Xinting , Shi Guangli , Zhao Yan , Wang Guirong , Pan Junhua 
Published: July 2023

Background
Nocardia species can cause local or disseminated infection. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of nocardiosis are required, because it can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Knowledge of local species distribution and susceptibility patterns is important to appropriate empiric therapy. However, knowledge on the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of clinical Nocardia species remains limited in China.

Methods
The data of isolation of Nocardia species were collected from databases such as Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase as well as Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang and VIP). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Random effect models were used and tested with Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics taking into account the possibility of heterogeneity between studies.

Results
In total, 791 Nocardia isolates were identified to 19 species levels among all the recruited studies. The most common species were N. farcinica (29.1%, 230/791), followed by N. cyriacigeorgica (25.3%, 200/791), N. brasiliensis (11.8%, 93/791) and N. otitidiscaviarum (7.8%, 62/791). N. farcinica and N. cyriacigeorgica were widely distributed, N. brasiliensis mainly prevalent in the south, N. otitidiscaviarum mainly distributed in the eastern coastal provinces of China. Totally, 70.4% (223/317) Nocardia were cultured from respiratory tract specimens, 16.4% (52/317) from extra-pulmonary specimens, and 13.3% (42/317) from disseminated infection. The proportion of susceptible isolates as follows: linezolid 99.5% (197/198), amikacin 96.0% (190/198), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 92.9% (184/198), imipenem 64.7% (128/198). Susceptibility varied by species of Nocardia.

Conclusions
N. farcinica and N. cyriacigeorgica are the most frequently isolated species, which are widely distributed in China. Pulmonary nocardiosis is the most common type of infection. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole can still be the preferred agent for initial Nocardia infection therapy due to the low resistance rate, linezolid and amikacin could be an alternative to treat nocardiosis or a choice in a combination regimen.
Impact of the covid-19 pandemic on mental health and sexuality of female doctors
Authors: de Souza Ziegler Nadine , Muller Gabriel Cardozo , Grossi Fernanda Santos , Pacagnella Rodolfo de Carvalho , Hermel Julia Schneider , Vettorazzi Janete 
Published: July 2023

Background
COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s lives around the world due to restrictive measures adopted by governments. The impact of this change on female sexuality needs to be further investigated, particularly between female doctors who are more at risk as they are directly involved with health care services.

Methods
An online survey has been filled out by female doctors. The questionnaire evaluates sexual function, depression, anxiety, burnout, sociodemographic and professional data, and it was answered during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. The main outcome is female doctors’ sexual function during COVID-19 pandemic, which was evaluated by analyzing FSFI questionnaires. The secondary outcome is related to their mental health, assessed via depression, anxiety and burnout questionnaires.

Results
A sample of 388 female doctors filled out the questionnaire. The median age was 34.0 (29.0, 43.0) years old. The total FSFI median score was 23.8 [18.9, 26.8] with desire domain median of 5.0 [3.0, 7.0]. In our sample, 231 (59.5%) women had depression and/or anxiety, out of these, 191 (82.7%) had depression and 192 (83.2%), anxiety. From these samples of doctors with depression and/or anxiety, 183 (79.2%) had sexual dysfunction.

Conclusion
This finding suggests that doctors are experiencing a high risk of sexual dysfunction and mental illness during the COVID-19 outbreak. A high index of depression and/or anxiety was shown in the studied population, with almost 80% of them reaching criteria for sexual dysfunction. Working in the frontline is related to worse mental health conditions. Depression and anxiety were found as potential mediators of burnout effect on sexual function.
Validation of a French version of the Breakthrough Pain Assessment Tool in cancer patients: Factorial structure, reliability and responsiveness
Authors: Perceau-Chambard Elise , Roche Sylvain , Tricou Colombe , Mercier Catherine , Barbaret Cécile , Davies Andrew , Webber Katherine , Filbet Marilène , Serge Economos Guillaume Pierre 
Published: July 2023

Objective
Breakthrough cancer pain should be properly assessed for better-personalized treatment plan. The Breakthrough Pain Assessment Tool is a 14-item tool validated in English developed for this purpose; no French version is currently available and validated. This study aimed to translate it in French and assess the psychometric properties of a French version of the Breakthrough Pain Assessment Tool (BAT-FR).

Methods
First, translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the 14 items (9 ordinal and 5 nominal) of the original BAT tool in French language was made. Second, assessments of validity (convergent, divergent and discriminant validity), factorial structure (exploratory factor analysis) and test-retest reliability of the 9 ordinal items were done with data of 130 adult cancer patients suffering from breakthrough pain in a hospital-academic palliative care center. Test-retest reliability and responsiveness of total and dimension scores derived from these 9 items were also assessed. Acceptability of the 14 items was also assessed on the 130 patients.

Results
The 14 items had good content and face validity. Convergent and divergent validity, discriminant validity and test-retest reliability of the ordinal items were acceptable. Test-retest reliability and responsiveness of total and dimensions derived from ordinal items were also acceptable. The factorial structure of the ordinal items had two dimensions similar to the original version: “1—pain severity and impact” and “2—pain duration and medication”. Items 2 and 8 had a low contribution to the dimension 1 they were assigned and item 14 clearly changed of dimension compared with the original tool. The acceptability of the 14 items was good.

Conclusion
The BAT-FR has shown acceptable validity, reliability and responsiveness supporting its use for assessing breakthrough cancer pain in French-speaking populations. Its structure needs nevertheless further confirmation.
SIRT1 and antioxidants in infertile females: Exploration of the role of vitamin D
Authors: Alam Faiza , Shahid Maheen , Riffat Sumaira , Zulkipli Ihsan Nazurah , Syed Fatima , Ashraf Mussarat , Rehman Rehana 
Published: July 2023

Background
Deficiency of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) can trigger inflammation, mitochondrial malfunctioning, and apoptosis through the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, producing poor quality oocytes, leading to infertility. Normal vitamin D (VD) levels promote SIRT1 activity required for optimal fertility, and low levels of either may result in fertility problems owing to cell-membrane de-stabilization, increased autophagy, DNA damage leading to increased reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, in this study, we want to estimate the levels of VD, SIRT1 and antioxidants (MnSOD; manganese superoxide dismutase, GR; glutathione reductase, visfatin) and oxidants (adrenaline & cortisol) in individuals living with infertility and explore the association of VD with SIRT1 expression (levels), antioxidants, and oxidants contributing to infertility in women. The significance of this study is that it highlights the importance of maintaining optimal levels of VD for reproductive health in females.

Methods
This cross-sectional study included 342 (135 infertile and 207 fertile) female subjects. Serum levels of MnSOD, SIRT1, visfatin, GR, VD, adrenaline, and cortisol were analyzed by ELISA and were compared in fertile and infertile samples using the Mann Whitney U test.

Results
There were significantly high levels of VD, SIRT1, GR, MnSOD and visfatin in fertile female participants. However, mean adrenaline and cortisol levels were higher in infertile samples with a significant negative correlation with VD. A significant negative correlation of VD with MnSOD, SIRT1, visfatin and GR was observed (p <0.01). In VD subset groups, MnSOD levels were significantly high in VD sufficient groups however, adrenaline and cortisol levels were significantly high in groups suffering from VD deficiency.

Conclusions
Deficiency of VD is associated with a decrease in SIRT1 and other antioxidants, which may deter natural reproductive functions leading to infertility. Further studies are required to determine the cause-effect relationship of VD deficiency on conception and interpretation of the involved mechanism.
Spontaneous Pancreatic Pseudocyst-Superior Mesenteric Vein Fistula
Authors: Goble Spencer , Ayoub Alan , Boeke Scott , Matlock Robert , Malli Ahmad 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT
Pancreatic pseudocyst formation is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis. Rarely, a fistula develops between the pseudocyst and the portal venous system. We present a case of a 50-year-old man who was found to have a pancreatic pseudocyst-superior mesenteric vein fistula after being evaluated for several months of abdominal pain and weight loss. The patient was treated with endoscopic stenting of the pancreatic duct along with early enteral nutrition and suppressive antibiotics, which resulted in improvement in his condition. This case report highlights clinical presentation and the complexity of treatment of this rare diagnosis.
Vitamin A Deficiency Screening in Patients With Chronic Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease: Implications for Liver Transplant Candidates
Authors: Choudhry Hassaam S. , Zhu Aretha , Choudhry Hannaan S. , Pyrsopoulos Nikolaos , Dastjerdi Mohammad H. 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT
Chronic liver pathologies may lead to vitamin A deficiency (VAD) through impairment of vitamin A absorption, storage, and distribution. VAD can contribute to ocular pathologies, and in the article, we present 2 patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis admitted for liver transplant presenting with nonhealing central corneal epithelial defects in the eye without other known ocular pathologies. Low serum vitamin A levels were detected in both patients. Vitamin A supplementation eventually helped corneal epithelial healing within days/weeks. We suggest that VAD be screened for in all liver transplant candidates even before ocular symptoms present. This may prevent more severe VAD ocular sequelae.
Determination of prolactin reference intervals in different age groups
Authors: Kolesnikova G. S. , Malysheva N. M. , Zuraeva Z. T. , Nikankina L. V. , Melnichenko G. A. 
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND: Clinical diagnostic laboratories (CDL) have at their disposal various automated systems for the measurement of biochemical parameters and markers such as prolactin. Each of the test systems manufactures offers its own alternate design of the method, which makes standardization difficult. In endocrinological practice, the problem of result discrepancies often arises. In hormonal assays, the clinical picture of patients sometimes does not correspond to the reference values provided by the manufacturers, which determines the need to develop the method-specific reference values for a specific population. The difficulty in interpreting basal prolactin levels is not only due to a transient increase in the hormone levels caused by stress or excessive physical exertion, but also due to a significant variability of indicators in the same patient, even if all recommendations for blood sampling are followed.AIM: The aim of the study to determine the reference values in serum samples of women, men and children of different age groups for the VITROS Immunodiagnostic Systems and compare the results with the “expected prolactin levels” recommended by the method manufacturerMATERIALS AND METHODS: The monocentric study included 879 serum samples of apparently healthy subjects who were admitted to the Endocrinology Research Center. Measurements were performed using the VITROS ECi 3600 automatic chemiluminescence analyzer (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Great Britain).RESULTS: For adult men and women reference values were 66–436 and 94–500 mIU/l respectively. When comparing the results of prolactin determination in women and men of the studied cohort with the “expected values” of the VITROS ECi 3600 manufacturer a systematic shift towards an increase in lower and upper limits of the reference values was found in both ­cohorts.CONCLUSION: The obtained reference values of prolactin can be use in the determination of prolactin in the Russian population for VITROS ECi 3600 Immunodiagnostic Systems.
Zielorientierte Projektplanung (ZOPP) in regionaler Entwicklungsplanung
Authors: Nagel Gerhard 
Published: July 2023

Die Planungsmethode, die in diesem Beitrag angewandt auf erstmalige regionale Entwicklungsplanung für einen (Land‑)Kreis Chinas erläutert wird, hat ihren Ursprung hei der U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) – die im Bundesauftrag Entwicklungsprojekte durch Expertenentsendung ausführt – übernahm diesen Ansatz in den frühen 80er Jahren, um ihn unter der neuen Bezeichnung „Zielorientierte Projektplanung“, kurz ZOPP, methodisch weiter auszuarbeiten und bald allen ihren Entwicklungsprojekten als verbindliches Management-Muster aufzuerlegen. Das Wesen dieses Verfahrens liegt in einer ausgeprägten Partizipation derer, die die Nutznießer basisorientierter Entwicklungsprojekte sein sollen, der Zielbevölkerung und Zielgruppen, und in der Förderung der Effektivität der Projekte. Es kehrte in den letzten Jahren in einer „Logical Framework Matrix“ in die Projektzyklen mehrerer internationaler Entwicklungsorganisationen zurück.Regionale Entwicklungsplanung stellt eine andere Gesamtaufgabe als Projektplanung und -durchführung. Die regionale Perspektive übergreift grundsätzlich alle Wirtschaftssektoren und Verwaltungsteilgebiete einer Planungsregion, während sie Projekte und Programme in Abstimmung mit Fachplanung nur insoweit aufbereiten läßt, als Implementation kurzfristig unter den lokalen Verhältnissen im Entwicklungsland erforderlich und auch wahrscheinlich ist. In der regional breiten Perspektive mag ein Grund liegen, weshalb ZOPP bisher noch nicht unter regionaler Entwicklungsplanung angewandt worden ist. In diesem Rahmen erscheint eine ausgeprägt partizipative Routine jedoch ebenfalls angeraten, desto mehr, wenn westliche Planungsberatung von einer chinesischen Administration gewünscht ist. Es gilt dann, der Ideologie der sozialistischen „Massenlinie“ ein Verfahren mit substantiellem partizipativem Gehalt gegenüberzustellen.Dieser Beitrag befaßt sich nicht mit der übergeordneten Planungsaufgabe (die im Auftrag der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung erfüllt wurde), sondern mit der Frage, wie ZOPP darunter praktisch nutzbar gemacht werden konnte. Das Verfahren mußte gegenüber seinem Entwicklungsstand bei der GTZ beschnitten werden, dafür aber in seinem ursprünglichen Kern, den partizipativen Workshops, vertieft und über die Breite der regionalen Perspektive gezogen werden. Eine Grundbedingung für Erfolg war sicheres Vertrauen der chinesischen Partner.
Constitutive expression of HIV-1 viral proteins induces progressive synaptodendritic alterations in medium spiny neurons: implications for substance use disorders
Authors: McLaurin Kristen A. , Li Hailong , Mactutus Charles F. , Booze Rosemarie M. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Perinatally-infected adolescents living with HIV-1 (pALHIV) appear uniquely vulnerable to developing substance use disorders (SUD). Medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc), an integrator of cortical and thalamic input, have been implicated as a key structural locus for the pathogenesis of SUD. To date, however, how constitutive expression of HIV-1 viral proteins alters the development of MSNs in the NAcc has not been systematically evaluated.

Methods
An innovative ballistic labeling technique was utilized to examine MSNs in the NAcc, and associated dendritic spines, in HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) and control animals. First, a time-sequential longitudinal experimental design was implemented, whereby animals were sacrificed at 30-day intervals from postnatal day (PD) 30 to PD 180. Second, the therapeutic efficacy of S-Equol for HIV-1-associated synaptic dysfunction in MSNs was evaluated using a cross-sectional experimental design.

Results
Constitutive expression of HIV-1 viral proteins disrupted the development of MSNs, evidenced by alterations in neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis. Furthermore, age-related, progressive synaptodendritic alterations were observed in the patterning of dendritic branches and dendritic spines, as well as dendritic spine head diameter, in HIV-1 Tg, relative to control, animals. Treatment with S-Equol during the formative period, however, led to long-term enhancements in synaptic function (i.e., PD 180).

Conclusions
Developmental and progressive synaptodendritic alterations in MSNs induced by chronic HIV-1 viral protein exposure may underlie the increased propensity for pALHIV to develop SUD. Elucidating a potential neural mechanism underlying the unique vulnerability of pALHIV to SUD affords a fundamental opportunity for the evaluation of therapeutics.