bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between hearing impairment, school performance and cognitive function in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease
Authors: Raiza Fontes Barros Bomfim Joara , Orge Anunciação Bacelar Carolina , Marques da Silva Neto Marinho , Salles Cristina , Marice Teixeira Ladeia Ana , Renata Rissatto‐Lago Mara 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the association among hearing impairment, school performance, and cognitive function in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease.MethodsThirty‐one participants with sickle cell disease (SCD) and 31 healthy participants in the control‐comparison group (CG), both aged 8–17 years underwent auditory system evaluation (pure tone audiometry and acoustic reflex), were screened for the risks of (central) auditory processing disorder and dysfunction of cognitive function using the Scale of Auditory Behaviors (SAB) and the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), respectively, and were interviewed to obtain clinical data and data on school performance.ResultsIn the SCD group, eight (25.8%) participants presented with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The group with SCD and SNHL presented a higher occurrence of poor school performance than the group of participants with SCD without SNHL (p = 0.016). The MMSE score for aspects related to attention and calculation in the SCD group with SNHL was lower than in the SCD group without SNHL (p = 0.016). In the SAB, the SCD group with SNHL presented a lower score than the SCD group without SNHL in aspects related to academic performance and attention.ConclusionHearing impairment in children and adolescents with SCD, specifically SNHL, is associated with poor school performance and enhances the risk of cognitive impairment in terms of attention and calculation.
SymRK‐dependent phosphorylation of Gα protein and its role in signaling during soybean (Glycine max) nodulation
Authors: Roy Choudhury Swarup , Pandey Sona 
Published: January 2022

SUMMARYHeterotrimeric G proteins, comprised of Gα, Gβ and Gγ subunits, influence signaling in most eukaryotes. In metazoans, G proteins are activated by G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR)‐mediated GDP to GTP exchange on Gα; however, the role(s) of GPCRs in regulating plant G‐protein signaling remains equivocal. Mounting evidence suggests the involvement of receptor‐like kinases (RLKs) in regulating plant G‐protein signaling, but their mechanistic details remain scarce. We have previously shown that during Glycine max (soybean) nodulation, the nod factor receptor 1 (NFR1) interacts with G‐protein components and indirectly affects signaling. We explored the direct regulation of G‐protein signaling by RLKs using protein–protein interactions, receptor‐mediated in vitro phosphorylations and the effects of such phosphorylations on soybean nodule formation. Results presented in this study demonstrate a direct, phosphorylation‐based regulation of Gα by symbiosis receptor kinase (SymRK). SymRKs interact with and phosphorylate Gα at multiple residues in vitro, including two in its active site, which abolishes GTP binding. Additionally, phospho‐mimetic Gα fails to interact with Gβγ, potentially allowing for constitutive signaling by the freed Gβγ. These results uncover an unusual mechanism of G‐protein cycle regulation in plants where the receptor‐mediated phosphorylation of Gα not only affects its activity but also influences the availability of its signaling partners, thereby exerting a two‐pronged check on signaling.
A reevaluation of the tectonic history of the Dashwoods terrane using in situ and isotope-dilution U-Pb geochronology, western Newfoundland
Authors: Hodgin* Eben B. , Macdonald Francis A. , Karabinos Paul , Crowley James L. , Reusch Douglas N. 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT
Synthesis of the Ordovician Taconic orogeny in the northern Appalachians has been hindered by along-strike variations in Laurentian, Gondwanan, and arc-generated tectonic elements. The Dashwoods terrane in Newfoundland has been interpreted as a peri-Laurentian arc terrane that collided with the Laurentian margin at the onset of the Taconic orogeny, whereas along strike in New England, the Moretown terrane marks the leading edge of peri-Gondwanan arcs. The peri-Laurentian affinity of the Dashwoods terrane hinges on the correlation of its oldest metasedimentary rocks with upper Ediacaran to Lower Ordovician rift-drift deposits of the Laurentian Humber margin in western Newfoundland. Here, we report U-Pb dates and trace-element geochemistry on detrital zircons from metasedimentary rocks in the southern Dashwoods terrane that challenge this correlation and provide new insights into the Taconic orogeny. Based on age and trace-element geochemistry of detrital zircons analyzed by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA-ID-TIMS), we identified ca. 462–445 Ma sedimentary packages with a mixed provenance consisting of Laurentian, Gondwanan, and arc-derived Cambrian–Ordovician sources. These deposits overlap in age with Upper Ordovician strata of the Badger Group of the Exploits subzone, which also contain Laurentian detritus. We infer dominantly east-directed transport of Laurentian detritus from the Taconic collision zone across a postcollisional arc–back-arc complex at ca. 462–455 Ma followed by dominantly west-directed transport of detritus from the Red Indian Lake arc at ca. 455–445 Ma. Our analysis of zircon inheritance from Dashwoods igneous rocks suggests that 1500–900 Ma Laurentian crystalline basement of the Humber margin is an unlikely source of Dashwoods inherited zircon. Instead, a more cosmopolitan Laurentian inheritance may be best explained as sourced from subducted Laurentian sediment. Our results demonstrate that the sampled metasedimentary units from the southern Dashwoods terrane do not correlate with rift-drift strata of the Humber margin as previously proposed, nor with the basement of the Moretown terrane; yet, these Middle to Upper Ordovician successions suggest the potential for an alternative plate-tectonic model in which the Taconic orogeny may have been initiated by collision of Gondwanan arc terranes that closed the main tract of the Iapetus Ocean along the Baie Verte–Brompton Line.
Direct numerical evaluation of multi-loop integrals without contour deformation
Authors: Pittau Roberto , Webber Bryan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe propose a method for computing numerically integrals defined via $$i \epsilon $$

i
ϵ

deformations acting on single-pole singularities. We achieve this without an explicit analytic contour deformation. Our solution is then used to produce precise Monte Carlo estimates of multi-scale multi-loop integrals directly in Minkowski space. We corroborate the validity of our strategy by presenting several examples ranging from one to three loops. When used in connection with four-dimensional regularization techniques, our treatment can be extended to ultraviolet and infrared divergent integrals.
Climate Information Services Available to Farming Households in Northern Region, Ghana
Authors: Baffour-Ata Frank , Antwi-Agyei Philip , Nkiaka Elias , Dougill Andrew J. , Anning Alexander K. , Kwakye Stephen Oppong 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Climate information services can build the resilience of African farmers to address the increasing threats associated with climate change. This study used household surveys with 200 farmers and focus group discussions to identify the types of climate information services available to farming households in two selected districts (Tolon and Nanton) in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study also identified the dissemination channels and the barriers faced by farmers in their access and use of climate information services for building climate resilience in Ghanaian farming systems. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the determinants of farmers’ access to climate information services. Results show that 70% of the surveyed farmers had access to varied forms of climate information services. The most prevalent meteorological variables accessible to them were rainfall, temperature, and windstorms in the form of daily and weekly weather forecasts, with only very limited availability and use of seasonal climate forecasts. Radio, television, and advice from extension agents were reported as the major dissemination channels by study respondents. A majority of the farmers reported lack of communication devices, mistrust in weather and climate forecasts, and lack of visual representations in the forecasts as major barriers to access and use of climate information services. The results highlight the importance of timely and reliable access to climate information services in enhancing farmers’ decision-making capacities and the need for training and recruitment of more extension agents to work with farmers on linking climate information services to targeted actions on crop and land management.
Diagnostic criteria for acute headache attributed to ischemic stroke and for sentinel headache before ischemic stroke
Authors: Lebedeva Elena R. , Ushenin Anton V. , Gurary Natalia M. , Gilev Denis V. , Olesen Jes 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Defining the relationship between a headache and stroke is essential. The current diagnostic criteria of the ICHD-3 for acute headache attributed to ischemic stroke are based primarily on the opinion of experts rather than on published clinical evidence based on extensive case-control studies in patients with first-ever stroke. Diagnostic criteria for sentinel headache before ischemic stroke do not exist. The present study aimed to develop explicit diagnostic criteria for headache attributed to ischemic stroke and for sentinel headache.

Methods
This prospective case-control study included 550 patients (mean age 63.1, 54% males) with first-ever ischemic stroke and 192 control patients (mean age 58.7, 36% males) admitted to the emergency room without any acute neurological deficits or severe disorders. Standardized semi-structured interview forms were used to evaluate past and present headaches during face-to-face interviews by a neurologist on admission to the emergency room in both groups of patients. All headaches were diagnosed according to the ICHD-3. We tabulated the onset of different headaches before a first-ever ischemic stroke and at the time of onset of stroke. We divided them into three groups: a new type of headache, the previous headache with altered characteristics and previous unaltered headaches. The same was done for headaches in control patients within one week before admission to the hospital and at the time of entry. These data were used to create and test diagnostic criteria for acute headache attributed to stroke and sentinel headache.

Results
Our previous studies showed that headache at onset of ischemic stroke was present in 82 (14.9%) of 550 patients, and 81 (14.7%) patients had sentinel headache within the last week before a stroke. Only 60% of the headaches at stroke onset fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of ICHD-3. Therefore, we proposed alternative criteria with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97%. Besides, we developed diagnostic criteria for sentinel headache for the first time with a specificity of 98% and a sensitivity of 100%.

Conclusions
We suggest alternative diagnostic criteria for acute headache attributed to ischemic stroke and new diagnostic criteria for sentinel headache with high sensitivity and specificity.
Visual functions and disability in Iranian adults: a population-based study
Authors: Hashemi Hassan , Mehravar Fatemeh , Asgari Soheila , Emamian Mohammad Hassan , Fotouhi Akbar 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Vision-related quality of life is related to severity of visual impairments and show the impact of eye diseases on daily activities. This study aims to assess visual functions and disability and its association with age, gender, education, marital status, and economic status in adults aged 45–69 years.

Methods
Data in this population-based study were from the second phase of the Shahroud eye cohort study and collected by using a Short-Form Visual Functioning Scale. The scores of visual function and disability were calculated based on Rasch-transformed scores of the National Eye Institute visual functioning questionnaire, where a more negative score indicates a better situation. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the factors associated with visual functions.

Results
Among 4737 participants the visual function data for 4715 people were analyzed. The visual function of 75.3, 17.1 and 7.5% of participants were “ideal and good”, “moderate”, and “bad and very bad”, respectively, while 0.06% were unable for vision. The running mean of the visual function was calculated to be − 3.95 ± 0.02. The visual performance was worse in females than the males (β = 0.14, p = 0.005). Visual function improved with increasing levels of education (β = − 1.06, p < 0.001). It was worse in low-economic (β = 0.016, p = 0.005) and moderate-economic (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) participants than high-economic ones.

Conclusion
The visual function of Iranian adults aged 45–69 years was moderate. The male gender, higher education and the higher economic status had a better visual function.
Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Panax notoginseng formula (A&P) improves renal mesangial cell damage in diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting the inflammatory response of infiltrated macrophages
Authors: Lin Xiao , Lei Xiao-qin , Yang Jie-ke , Jia Jian , Zhong Xia , Tan Rui-zhi , Wang Li 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease with scantly effective treatment. Numerous evidences indicated that macrophages play an important role in the occurrence and pathogenesis of DN by secreting inflammatory cytokines. Mincle is mainly expressed in macrophages and promotes kidney inflammation and damage of acute kidney injury. However, the role of Mincle in DN is unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of Mincle-related macrophage inflammation on DN, and whether it can be identified as the therapeutic target for Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Panax notoginseng Formula (A&P), a widely used Chinese herbal decoction for DN treatment.

Methods
In vivo experiments high-fat and high-sugar diet and streptozotocin was used to establish a diabetic nephropathy model, while in vitro experiments inflammation model was induced by high-glucose in mouse Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages (BMDM) cells and mouse mesangial (MES) cells. Kidney pathological staining is used to detect kidney tissue damage and inflammation, Western blotting, Real-time PCR and ELISA are performed to detect Mincle signaling pathway related proteins and inflammatory cytokines.

Results
Mincle was mainly expressed in infiltrated macrophage of DN kidney, and was significant decreased after A&P administration. The in vitro experiments also proved that A&P effectively down-regulated the expression of Mincle in macrophage stimulated by high glucose. Meanwhile, the data demonstrated that A&P can reduce the activation of NFκB, and the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in DN kidney or BMDM cells. Notably, we set up a co-culture system to conform that BMDM cells can aggravate the inflammatory response of mesangial (MES) cells under high glucose stimulation. Furthermore, we found that the anti-injury role of A&P in MES cells was dependent on inhibition of the Mincle in macrophage.

Conclusion
In summary, our study found that A&P is effective in reducing renal pathological damage and improving renal function and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy by a mechanism mainly related to the inhibition of the Mincle/Card9/NFκB signaling pathway.
ABO blood grouping and COVID-19: a hospital-based study in Eastern India
Authors: Behera Birasen , Rout Bidyutprava , RajashreePanigrahy  , Kar Subrat Kumar , Sahoo Debasish , Sahu Kundan Kumar , Otta Sarita 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Blood group has been stated to be one of the risk factors associated with viral diseases like dengue, hepatitis virus, Norwalk virus and even the coronavirus associated with 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak. In addition, anti-A antibodies in experimental models have been shown to inhibit the interaction between coronavirus and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) receptor of the host target cell, the major receptor involved in viral pathogenesis. Thus, several workers propose an association between ABO blood type and coronavirus disease- 2019 (COVID-19) disease in many previous studies. The present study was undertaken in the Eastern part of India in line with these authors to study the association of ABO blood group of patients with COVID susceptibility and severity.

Methods
This is a retrospective study over a period of 6 months from June 2020 to November 2020 where patients who underwent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) test for SARS-COV2 and having a recorded patient blood group type were considered. The qRT-PCR positive admitted cases were considered as cases, and qRT-PCR negative cases were considered as controls. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel format and analyzed by statistical method to obtain association.

Results
Consecutively obtained 5000 qRT-PCR positive patients (cases) and 11,700 (controls) were included in the present study. The mean age of cases was higher (54.24 vs. 34. 67) than the controls. Among the cases, the highest number (2379; 47.6%) of samples belonged to A blood group followed by B (1278; 25.6%) while among the control group O blood group had the highest prevalence (4215; 36%). Blood group A had a higher odd of testing positive (Odds ratio-2.552; CI 2.381–2.734; p < 0.0001) than all other blood groups. A blood group is also associated with higher risk of ICU admission (Odds ratio- 1.699; 95% CI 1.515–1.905) and 65.3% of this group is also associated with high viral load which gives an indication of higher disease severity.

Conclusion
Blood group A is associated with an increased susceptibility to COVID 19 infection than other blood groups. Cases of this blood group are also associated with more critical care needs and a higher viral load on testing.
To coagulate, ligate, or both: a randomized study comparing the safety and efficacy of two endoscopic approaches for managing gastric antral vascular ectasia in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Abdo Mahmoud , Moustafa Ahmed , Mostafa Ibrahim , Abdelbary Mohammed Salah , Elatar Gamaleldin , Rahim Ali Abdel , Abdelhamid Mohamed , Abdelhalim Hanan 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an uncommon but important cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the standard therapy for GAVE. Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) is an emerging, safe and effective treatment for GAVE. The best way of applying EBL in the management of GAVE is not clear yet.

Aim
We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of APC alternating with EBL versus EBL alone for managing GAVE in cirrhotic patients.

Patients and methods
Forty cirrhotic patients with bleeding GAVE were randomized to receive either APC alternating with EBL (20 patients) or EBL alone (20 patients) until GAVE lesions are eradicated. Gastroscopy was done 6 months after eradication of GAVE lesions to document recurrence. Cessation of bleeding, rise of hemoglobin level, need for transfusion, hospitalization, complications, number of sessions, and recurrence of GAVE in both groups were statistically analyzed.

Results
Patients in both groups showed significantly high rate of bleeding cessation, improvement in hemoglobin levels, reduction in transfusions, and hospitalizations. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the recurrence of GAVE between the two groups. There were no complications seen in the combined therapy group. Twenty percent of the patients in the EBL group had complications including hypertrophied polyp formation and post-band ulcerations.

Conclusion
APC alternating with EBL and EBL alone are effective methods in the treatment of bleeding GAVE. Combined therapy has the potential to decrease the number of banding sessions and the number of rubber bands required to treat GAVE, consequently decreasing the incidence of band-related complications.
980-nm diode laser excision of a giant pregnancy epulis
Authors: Li Lifeng , Liu Yanming 
Published: January 2022

The pure pregnancy epulis is mostly vascular, and generally shrinks or disappears with the drop in estrogen levels following delivery. However, the fibrous epulis or granulomatous epulis may enlarge rapidly in the early stages of pregnancy, necessitating surgical resection after pregnancy. This report described a 25-year-old patient with a post-term pregnancy. She had a lump on the buccal side of left mandibular molar region that was associated with intermittent hemorrhage and eating difficulty. Since the patient feared the conventional surgery, the 980-nm diode laser excision was performed to remove the epulis two weeks after delivery, with the involved teeth preserved. The new technique of 980-nm diode semiconductor laser may be a potential good option to treat pregnancy epulis, with less discomfort and involved teeth preserved.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.5102
How to cite this:Li L, Liu Y. 980-nm diode laser excision of a giant pregnancy epulis. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.5102
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty provides excellent long-term survivorship and function in patients with a good-sized femoral head
Authors: Gani Muhammad Haseeb , Zahoor Ubaid , Hanna Sammy A. , Scott Gareth 
Published: January 2022

Aims To establish the survivorship, function, and metal ion levels in an unselected series of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasties (HRAs) performed by a non-designer surgeon. Methods We reviewed 105 consecutive HRAs in 83 patients, performed by a single surgeon, at a mean follow-up of 14.9 years (9.3 to 19.1). The cohort included 45 male and 38 female patients, with a mean age of 49.5 years (SD 12.5) Results At the time of review 13 patients with 15 hips had died from causes unrelated to the hip operation, and 14 hips had undergone revision surgery, giving an overall survival rate of rate of 86.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 84.2 to 89.1). The survival rate in men was 97.7% (95% CI 96.3 to 98.9) and in women was 73.4% (95% CI 70.6 to 75.1). The median head size of the failed group was 42 mm (interquartile range (IQR) 42 to 44), and in the surviving group was 50 mm (IQR 46 to 50). In all, 13 of the 14 revised hips had a femoral component measuring ≤ 46 mm. The mean blood levels of cobalt and chromium ions were 26.6 nmol/l (SD 24.5) and 30.6 nmol/l (SD 15.3), respectively. No metal ion levels exceeded the safe limit. The mean Oxford Hip Score was 41.5 (SD 8.9) and Harris Hip Score was 89.9 (14.8). In the surviving group, four patients had radiolucent lines around the stem of the femoral component, and one had lysis around the acetabular component; eight hips demonstrated heterotopic ossification. Conclusion Our results confirm the existing understanding that HRA provides good long-term survival and function in patients with adequate-sized femoral heads. This is evidenced by a 97.7% survival rate among men (larger heads) in our series at a mean follow-up of 14.9 years. Failure is closely related to head sizes ≤ 46 cm. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(1):68–76.