bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with low prevalence of Fuchs' uveitis syndrome in Japan
Authors: Yoneda Yu , Usui Yoshihiko , Tanaka Rie , Hase Keitaro , Namba Kenichi , Kamoi Koju , Takase Hiroshi , Takeuchi Masaki , Matsumiya Wataru , Kusuhara Sentaro , Takeda Atsunobu , Yawata Nobuyo , Yanai Ryoji , Hiyama Tomona , Harada Yosuke , Hashida Noriyasu , Maruyama Kazuichi , Nakai Kei , Taguchi Ryo , Kaburaki Toshikatsu , Mizuki Nobuhisa , Goto Hiroshi , Fujino Yujiro , Takeuchi Masaru 
Published: September 2022

AimTo investigate the causes of low prevalence of Fuchs' uveitis syndrome (FUS) in Japan.MethodsMedical records of 160 patients diagnosed with FUS at 14 uveitis specialty facilities in Japan were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsIn 160 FUS patients, mean follow-up period before referral to our uveitis facilities was 31.6 ± 50.9 months. The most common reason for referral was idiopathic uveitis (61.9%), followed by cataract (25.0%), high intraocular pressure (IOP) including glaucoma (16.3%), and FUS (14.4%). Unilateral involvement was 96.9%. The most frequent ocular finding of FUS was anterior inflammation (91.9%), followed by stellate-shaped keratic precipitates (88.1%), cataract/pseudophakia (88.1%), diffuse iris atrophy (84.4%), vitreous opacity (62.5%), heterochromia (53.1%) and high IOP including glaucoma (36.3%). As treatments of these ocular findings, cataract surgery was performed in 52.5%, glaucoma surgery in 10.6%, and vitrectomy in 13.8%. Mean logMAR VA was 0.28 ± 0.59 at the initial visit, and decreased significantly to 0.04 ± 0.32 at the last visit. Proportions of FUS patients with BCVA &lt;0.1 and 0.1 to &lt;0.5 decreased, while that of ≥0.5 increased at the last visit compared with the initial visit.ConclusionsOcular findings of FUS in Japanese FUS patients were consistent with the characteristic features. The low prevalence of FUS in Japan may be a result of being overlooked and misdiagnosed as mild idiopathic uveitis, cataract, and/or glaucoma.
Reliability of TMS measurements using conventional hand-hold method with different numbers of stimuli for tibialis anterior muscle in healthy adults
Authors: Su Bin , Jia Yanbing , Zhang Li , Li Duo , Shen Qianqian , Wang Chun , Chen Yating , Gao Fanglan , Wei Jing , Huang Guilan , Liu Hao , Wang Lin 
Published: September 2022

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the reliability of corticomotor excitability measurements using the conventional hand-hold transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) method for the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in healthy adults and the number of stimuli required for reliable assessment.Methods: Forty healthy adults participated in three repeated sessions of corticomotor excitability assessment in terms of resting motor threshold (rMT), slope of recruitment curve (RC), peak motor evoked potential amplitude (pMEP), and MEP latency using conventional TMS method. The first two sessions were conducted with a rest interval of 1 h, and the last session was conducted 7–10 days afterward. With the exception of rMT, the other three outcomes measure elicited with the block of first 3–10 stimuli were analyzed respectively. The within-day (session 1 vs. 2) and between-day (session 1 vs. 3) reliability for all four outcome measures were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement, and minimum detectable difference at 95% confidence interval.Results: Good to excellent within-day and between-day reliability was found for TMS-induced outcome measures examined using 10 stimuli (ICC ≥ 0.823), except in pMEP, which showed between-day reliability at moderate level (ICC = 0.730). The number of three stimuli was adequate to achieve minimum acceptable within-day reliability for all TMS-induced parameters and between-day reliability for MEP latency. With regard to between-day reliability of RC slope and pMEP, at least seven and nine stimuli were recommended respectively.Conclusion: Our findings indicated the high reliability of corticomotor excitability measurement by TMS with adequate number of stimuli for the TA muscle in healthy adults. This result should be interpreted with caveats for the specific methodological choices, equipment setting, and the characteristics of the sample in the current study.Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100045141.
Balance control impairments in Fabry disease
Authors: Peultier-Celli Laetitia , Jaussaud Roland , Kaminsky Pierre , Deibener-Kaminsky Joëlle , Feillet François , Perrin Philippe 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundFabry disease (FD) is a rare inherited lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. This deficiency leads to an accumulation of glycosphingolipids leading to progressive and multisystemic disease, including renal, cardiac, and neurological damages. FD may also have neuro-otological and visual impairments, which can generate postural control alterations, inner ear, and vision being involved in this function. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of FD on postural control.MethodsIn total, fourteen adult patients (8 men/6 women, mean age = 37.6 ± 11.4 years) and two children (mean age = 11 years) with FD and 19 healthy adults (12 men/7 women, mean age = 36.5 ± 16.9 years) and two healthy children (mean age = 10.5 years) took part in this study. Postural control was evaluated by a sensory organization test combining three visual situations (eyes open, eyes closed, and sway referenced visual surround motion) with two platform situations (stable platform and sway referenced platform motion), aiming to calculate a composite equilibrium score (CES), a high score being representative of good postural control. Somatosensory (RSOM), visual (RVIS), and vestibular (RVEST) contributions to postural control were calculated, a low score reflecting a poor use of the indicated sensory input.ResultsThe CES was lower in adult patients with FD compared with the healthy subjects (p &lt; 0.001). RVIS (p = 0.001) and RVEST (p = 0.003) were lower in patients with FD compared with the control group, whereas no difference in RSOM was observed.ConclusionInner ear and visual pathologies associated with the central nervous system impairments are factors of postural control impairments. Physical activities, which can also be rehabilitative, by maintaining or increasing the weight of proprioception, may help diminish dependency on altered sensorial inputs.
Palestinian Patients with Cancer at King Hussein Cancer Center
Authors: Mansour Razan , Amarin Justin Z. , Al-Ani Abdallah , Al-Hussaini Maysa , Mansour Asem 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundThe Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) routinely refers Palestinian patients with cancer to King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), the largest cancer center in the Middle East.AimsWe aimed to describe the characteristics of Palestinian patients with cancer.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of all Palestinian patients with cancer who were treated at KHCC during 2018 and 2019, of which demographic and clinical characteristics were presented.ResultsWe initially started with 521 cases, out of which 41 (7.9%) cases were excluded due to misdiagnosis as malignant on pathology review. We included 480 patients with a confirmed diagnosed of cancer. Most patients were adults (88.8%) with a mean age of 50.0 ± 15.0 years ranging from 19 to 87 years. The most common cancer sites in adult men, who comprised 46.9% of the cohort were the hematolymphoid system (23.5%), followed by the digestive system (17.5%), and lung and pleura (11.5%). In women (53.1%), the most common cancer sites were the breast (46.0%), followed by the digestive system (15.0%), and the hematolymphoid system (10.2%). Children and adolescents accounted for 11.3% of the total cases, among which the hematolymphoid system was the most common cancer site (50%), followed by the brain (14.8%). About 36.0% of all patients presented with advanced-stage disease (i.e., distant metastasis).ConclusionThe most common cancer sites in our cohort are generally similar to data from the Palestinian territories. Many patients presented with advanced-stage disease, which signals the need for awareness campaigns and screening programs. Benign tumors are misdiagnosed in many patients as cancer. The limited resources and facilities including human resources remain important challenges to the proper and timely diagnosis and management of cancer among Palestinians living in the Palestinian Territories.
COMMD4 is a novel prognostic biomarker and relates to potential drug resistance mechanism in glioma
Authors: Liu Zongheng , Peng Long , Sun Yidan , Lu Zhichao , Wu Bing , Wang Weichen , Zhang Xiaomei , Hao Haiyan , Gong Peipei 
Published: September 2022

Background: Glioma as the most frequently discovered tumor affecting the brain shows significant morbidity and fatality rates with unfavorable prognosis. There is an urgent need to find novel therapeutic targets to overcome the low chemotherapeutic efficacy of glioma. This research examined whether the copper-metabolism-domain protein, COMMD4, had predictive and therapeutic significance in glioma.Methods: Using the freely accessible CGGA (The Chinese Glioma Atlas) and TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) databases, we examined the function of COMMD4 in GBM and LGG. CIBERSORT and TIMER were utilized to assess the associations between COMMD4 and immune cells. The Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was employed to examine the functional data. Furthermore, the link between COMMD4 expression and predicted treatment response was evaluated via CellMiner Cross-Database. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR was conducted to examine COMMD4 expression in human glioma. Finally, Migration and invasion of glioma cells (U-87, U-251) were assessed using transwell assays. R was used to analyze the statistical data.Results: According to our findings, COMMD4 expression level was higher in patients having grade-dependent glioma who also showed an unfavorable prognosis. Furthermore, qRT-PCR confirmed the high expression of COMMD4 in glioma tissues and cells. Additionally, using integrated correlation analysis, we acquired significant prognostic findings between isocitrate dehydrogenase 1(IDH1) and COMMD4. Meanwhile, a link between COMMD4 and many tumor-infiltrating immune cells was observed. GSEA and drug response analysis revealed the potential mechanism of COMMD4 in drug resistance of glioma.Conclusion: The current findings validated COMMD4 as a novel biological marker, which might offer insights into the possible drug resistance mechanisms and the impact of the immune microenvironment on glioma. COMMD4 might be used to predict glioma prognosis.
Indirect effect of alpha-1-antitrypsin on endotoxin-induced IL-1β secretion from human PBMCs
Authors: Janciauskiene Sabina , Tumpara Srinu , Schebb Nils Helge , Buettner Falk F. R. , Mainka Malwina , Sivaraman Kokilavani , Immenschuh Stephan , Grau Veronika , Welte Tobias , Olejnicka Beata 
Published: September 2022

Human alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) encoded by theSERPINA1gene, is an acute phase glycoprotein that regulates inflammatory responsesviaboth protease inhibitory and non-inhibitory activities. We previously reported that AAT controls ATP-induced IL-1β release from human mononuclear cells by stimulating the release of small bioactive molecules. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the identity of these putative effectors released from human PBMCs in response to AAT, which may inhibit the LPS-induced release of IL-1β. We pre-incubated human PBMCs alone or with different preparations of AAT (4 mg/ml) for 30 min at 37°C, 5% CO2, and collected cell supernatants filtered through centrifugal filters (cutoff 3 kDa) to eliminate AAT and other high molecular weight substances. Supernatants passed through the filters were used to culture PBMCs isolated from the autologous or a heterologous donors with or without adding LPS (1 μg/ml) for 6 h. Unexpectedly, supernatants from PBMCs pre-incubated with AAT (Zemaira®), but not with other AAT preparations tested or with oxidized AAT (Zemaira®), lowered the LPS-induced release of IL-1β by about 25%–60% without affectingIL1BmRNA. The reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry did not confirm the hypothesis that small pro-resolving lipid mediators released from PBMCs after exposure to AAT (Zemaira®) are responsible for lowering the LPS-induced IL-1β release. Distinctively from other AAT preparations, AAT (Zemaira®) and supernatants from PBMCs pre-treated with this protein contained high levels of total thiols. In line, mass spectrometry analysis revealed that AAT (Zemaira®) protein contains freer Cys232 than AAT (Prolastin®). Our data show that a free Cys232 in AAT is required for controlling LPS-induced IL-1β release from human PBMCs. Further studies characterizing AAT preparations used to treat patients with inherited AAT deficiency remains of clinical importance.
Increasing plasma L-kynurenine impairs mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation prior to the development of atrophy in murine skeletal muscle: A pilot study
Authors: Palzkill Victoria R. , Thome Trace , Murillo Ania L. , Khattri Ram B. , Ryan Terence E. 
Published: September 2022

Introduction: L-Kynurenine (L-Kyn), a product of tryptophan (Trp) catabolism, has been linked with impairments in walking speed, muscle strength/size, and physical function. The purpose of this pilot study was to develop a dietary model that elevates plasma L-Kyn levels in mice and characterize its impact on muscle health and function.Methods: Four-month-old C57BL6J male mice were randomized to either a L-Kyn supplemented (150 mg/kg) or chow diet for 10 weeks. Plasma L-Kyn and Trp levels were measured via mass spectrometry. Primary outcomes included assessments of muscle weights, myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA), nerve-stimulated contractile performance, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Additional experiments in cultured myotubes explored the impact of enhancing L-Kyn metabolism.Results: Mice randomized to the L-Kyn diet displayed significant increases in plasma L-Kyn levels (p = 0.0028) and the L-Kyn/Trp ratio (p = 0.011) when compared to chow fed mice. Food intake and body weights were not different between groups. There were no detectable differences in muscle weights, myofiber CSA, or contractile performance. L-Kyn fed mice displayed reductions in mitochondrial OXPHOS (p = 0.05) and maximal ADP-stimulated respiration (p = 0.0498). In cultured myotubes, overexpression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha prevented atrophy and proteolysis, as well as deficits in mitochondrial respiration with L-Kyn treatment.Conclusion: Dietary feeding of L-Kyn increases plasma L-Kyn levels and the L-Kyn/Trp ratio in healthy male mice. Mitochondrial impairments in muscle were observed in mice with elevated L-Kyn without changes in muscle size or function. Enhancing L-Kyn metabolism can protect against these effects in culture myotubes.
Farm-related determinants of food insecurity among livestock dependent households in two agrarian districts with varying rainfall patterns in Ghana
Authors: Nuvey Francis Sena , Nortey Priscillia Awo , Addo Kennedy Kwasi , Addo-Lartey Adolphina , Kreppel Katharina , Houngbedji Clarisse Abikpo , Dzansi Gladys , Bonfoh Bassirou 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundDespite availability of sufficient arable land, many African countries continue to dawdle in agricultural productivity due to over-reliance on rainfall patterns. Thus, undernourishment levels are disproportionately high in Africa. Even though they play key roles in agricultural production, the food security (FS) levels of livestock dependent households are understudied. Our study assessed the FS level and its determinants in livestock farming households in Ghana.MethodsWe compared the FS levels of 287 cattle producing households in two representative agrarian districts with varying rainfall patterns in Ghana (dry vs. wet), using a cross-sectional survey. We assessed household's FS using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. FS scores and categories were computed, and using generalized linear models, we assessed factors that explained variations in the FS levels among households.ResultsThe median herd size of households was 31 cattle (lower quartile = 24, upper quartile = 60 cattle), with a majority (91%) engaged in crop cultivation. Households reported experiencing an average of eight adverse events over a five-year recall period (2014–2018) mainly from animal diseases, cattle theft, and pasture shortages. Most households (81%) were food insecure (moderate = 40%, severe = 41%). In an adjusted model, households raising cattle in the dry district [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 5.43, 95% CI: 1.94, 15.2] and being married (aOR = 9.48, 95% CI: 2.35, 38.3) were associated with moderate food insecurity. While households raising cattle in the dry district [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.44, 12.0], being married (aOR = 3.55, 95% CI: 1.03, 12.2), and increase in number of adverse events experienced (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.96), were associated with increased odds of severe food insecurity. Household's odds of severe food insecurity decreased with each additional head of cattle in their herds (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99). We find no evidence of effect modification by farming district on other predictor's effect on food insecurity.ConclusionMost of the livestock dependent households are food insecure. The food insecurity levels are worse for households farming in dry areas, those married and who experience increased frequency of adverse events. Government policy interventions focusing on maintaining healthy, secure, and productive animal herds would contribute to improving the productivity of household herds, food safety and food security.
Seasonal and Microphysical Characteristics of Fog at a Northern Airport in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Boudala Faisal S. , Wu Di , Isaac George A. , Gultepe Ismail 
Published: September 2022

Reduction in visibility (Vis) due to fog is one of the deadliest severe weather hazards affecting aviation and public transportation. Nowcasting/forecasting of Vis reduction due to fog using current models is still problematic, with most using some type of empirical parameterization. To improve the models, further observational studies to better understand fog microphysics and seasonal variability are required. To help achieve these goals, the seasonal and microphysical characteristics of different fog types at Cold Lake airport (CYOD), Alberta, Canada were analyzed using hourly and sub-hourly METAR data. Microphysical and meteorological measurements obtained using the DMT Fog Monitor FM-120 and the Vaisala PWD22 were examined. The results showed that radiation fog (RF) dominates at CYOD in summer while precipitation, advection and cloud-base-lowering fogs mostly occur in fall and winter. All fog types usually form at night or early morning and dissipate after sunrise. The observed dense fog events (Vis < 400 m) were mainly caused by RF. The observed mean fog particle spectra (n(D)) for different fog types and temperatures showed bimodal n(D) (with two modes near 4 μm and 17–25 μm; the maximum total number concentration (Nd) was 100 cm−3 and 20 cm−3, respectively, corresponding to each mode). Parameterizations of Vis as a function of liquid water content (LWC) and Nd were developed using both the observed Vis and calculated Vis based on n(D). It was found that the observed Vis was higher than the calculated Vis for warm fog with LWC > 0.1 gm−3 and most of the mass was contributed by the large drops. Based on the observed Vis, the relative error of the visibility parameterization as a function of both LWC and Nd (32%) was slightly lower than that (34%) using LWC alone for warm fogs.
Growth Promotion of Guava “Pear” (Psidium guajava cv.) by Sinorhizobium mexicanum in Southern Mexican Agricultural Fields
Authors: Rincón-Molina Clara Ivette , Martínez-Romero Esperanza , Manzano-Gómez Luis Alberto , Rincón-Rosales Reiner 
Published: September 2022

Biofertilizers formulated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria represent an alternative to chemical fertilizers because they increase soil fertility and protect the environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the effects on the growth of guava “pear” (Psidium guajava cv.) after inoculation with a nitrogen fixing bacterium Sinorhizobium mexicanum ITTG-R7T. The study was carried out in an agricultural rural area of Chiapas, Mexico, where farmers do not have programs of regenerative agriculture. First, the agricultural soil was subjected to physicochemical and metagenomic analysis in order to determine the soil quality and its bacterial community composition. Likewise, multifunctional biochemical tests and plant inoculation assays were evaluated to determine the potential of S. mexicanum ITTG-R7T as plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). The site was rain fed and had silty clay loam soil with abundant Bacillaceae. S. mexicanum ITTG-R7T showed different properties as PGPB such as the production of indole compounds, synthesis of extracellular enzymes, phosphate solubilization, synthesis of siderophores, ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase, and nitrogenase activity (ARA). When the strain ITTG-R7 T was combined with chemical nutrients, it had the highest positive effect on the growth and development of guava plants. Guava biofertilization with ITTG-R7T had a significant influence (p < 0.05) mainly on the total plant height (368.83 cm), number of flowers (36.0) and the amount of chlorophyll (2.81 mg mL−1) in comparison with the other treatments evaluated. ITTG-R7T is a promising strain for improving the guava crop yield.
Family Planning Counseling Capacity in Improving Family Knowledge During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Putri Santy  
Published: September 2022

Practical steps are needed to overcome various demographic challenges, and one of the programs considered important is Family Planning (KB). Through family planning, standardize birth, ideal birth interval and reproductive age, control pregnancy period, and promote, guarantee and support reproductive rights to build high-quality families. Family planning programmes enable women to manage their pregnancies and reduce maternal mortality. Given the importance of counseling in the success of family planning programs, this review study aimed to further explore the ability of family planning counseling to increase family knowledge during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is a systematic review using online databases namely Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest. The keywords used were Family Planning, Family Knowledge, Pandemic, Covid-19 . The selection process used the PRISMA protocol, resulting in 15 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The results of the study show that most family planning cadres had high skill levels during the epidemic, but the overall level of family knowledge was still low. This is due to obstacles such as community cultural development, a limited number of family planning teachers, limited family planning service facilities and infrastructure, and lack of public awareness of family planning work. But overall, family planning programs are supported by the community and religious leaders, capable field workers, and scientific and technological developments. Families' knowledge of family planning relies on consultants, especially medical staff and family planning consultants, as sources of information. Mass media resources are very limited.