bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of peripheral laser photocoagulation retinopexy on macular morphology and optic nerve fiber layer thickness; A prospective case series
Authors: Johari Mohammadkarim , Khani Salman , Amini Abdulrahim , Bolkheir Alireza 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The goal of the research was to determine the incidence of microstructural alterations in the macula and optic nerve head (ONH) occurred in eyes treated with peripheral laser photocoagulation retinopexy.
Methods
Patients with retinal breaks, retinal holes, retinal dialysis, and lattice degenerations who required peripheral laser photocoagulation retinopexy were recruited in this prospective case series investigation. We performed preoperative and postoperative evaluations, including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, funduscopic examination, and macular and ONH optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Results
33 eyes of the 23 patients enrolled in this study, 14 of which were female. The mean age of the sample was 45.12 ± 9.12 years. The mean refractive error was − 2.45 ± 1.12 Diopters (D). The most prevalent reason for peripheral laser photocoagulation retinopexy was retinal thinning with symptomatic lattice degeneration (90%), followed by retinal hole and break (7%) and retinal dialysis (3%). Between preoperative and postoperative (6-month) evaluation, there was no statistically significant difference in BCVA (P = 0.82), IOP (P = 0.54), central foveal thickness in macular OCT (P = 0.39), or global retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (P = 0.51). There was no association between changes in central foveal and global RNFL thickness and total laser spot numbers (r = -0.17 P = 0.21, r = 0.06 P = 0.60, respectively). Our patients did not develop cystoid macular edema or epiretinal membrane.
Conclusion
Peripheral laser photocoagualation retinopexy is a safe procedure for treatment of retinal breaks that significantly minimizes the likelihood of development to retinal detachment.
Effects of Ultrasound Guided Caudal Epidural and Transversus Abdominis Plane Block on Postoperative Analgesia in Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Repair Surgeries
Authors: Polat Hacer , Şentürk Emre , Karadeniz Meltem Savran , Bingül Emre Sertaç , Demirel Ebru Emre , Erginel Başak , Tuğrul Kamil Mehmet 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The study is aimed to compare ultrasound (US) guided caudal epidural block (CEB) and transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) on postoperative pain scores, additional analgesic requirement and chronic pain development in pediatric bilateral open IHR.
Methods
Seventy patients aged 1–7 years undergoing bilateral open IHR were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Patients were randomized into group T (Bilateral TAPB) and group C (CEB). Postoperative FLACC scores were evaluated for pain density. If the FLACC score is more than 3; paracetamol 15 mg/kg was administered and this was recorded as an additional analgesic requirement. Chronic pain is evaluated with the “revised Bieri faces pain scale” in the postoperative 2nd month.
Results
The study was completed with 60 patients. Postoperative 15th, 30th, 45th minute, 1st, 2nd, 12th hour FLACC scores were similar in both groups. 6th and 24th hour FLACC scores were significantly lower in Group T. Additional analgesic requirement was also lower in Group T. Chronic pain development did not differ between the groups.
Conclusion
For bilateral IHR, US-guided CEB and TAPB have similar analgesic efficacy in the first 6 hours, postoperatively. However, our results exhibited that TAPB provides superior analgesia than CEB during the postoperative 24 hours.
WITHDRAWN: Effects on growth and quality of reduced protein intake in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, Girard 1852) fed diets containing graded levels of purslane weed (Portulaca oleracea L.)
Authors: Martinoli Marco , Martini Arianna , Pulcini Domitilla , Renzi Gianluca , Tonachella Nicolò , Veroli Maxim , Capoccioni Fabrizio 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In this study, 144 juveniles of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, initial mean weight 3.9 ± 0.3 g) were fed for ten weeks diets containing graded levels of purslane weed (Portulaca oleracea) resulting in a decreasing percentage of crude protein (from 17.3–1.0%). Six diets were administered: four fishmeal-based diets containing 5, 15, 25, and 50% of purslane, one diet composed of 100% purslane, and one commercial diet as control. Growth performance, fatty acid, and pigments levels of crayfish were measured. Crayfish groups fed 25% and 50% P. oleracea diets showed optimal contents in fatty acids and astaxanthin, with no negative effects on growth. Fatty acid contents in the crayfish groups revealed significant differences for SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs. As for PUFAs, the highest levels of n-3 α-linolenic (ALA) and n-6 linoleic (LA) acids were found in the groups fed 25%, 50%, and 100% purslane diets. This study shows that the most appropriate P. oleracea inclusion in the crayfish diet should range between 25% and 50%. Although the overall nutritional value of purslane is relatively low, its high inclusion in the crayfish diet seems to improve the pigment content and fatty acids quality as well as reducing daily animal protein intake, without affecting growth performance, thus contributing to achieve the goal of a more sustainable crustacean aquaculture.
Selection of green carrier solvent for the effective creation of bio-inspired liquid formulation and anti-fungal potency evaluation
Authors: Purkait Aloke , Rana Debasish , Banerjee Argha , Hazra Dipak Kumar , Biswas Pabitra Kumar , Kole Ramen Kumar 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Existing pesticide formulation solvents emit VOCs, are flammable, and are classed as hazardous air pollutants (HAP), which means they are harmful to users and phytotoxic to crops. Regulations, health, and environmental concerns have created the need for green solvents in formulations. The "green chemistry" trend has resulted in the use of less toxic solvents in emulsifiable concentration (EC) formulations. The least dangerous carrier solvent among four commonly utilised organic solvents [dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), aromatic hydrocarbon (C9), and methyl oleate] was chosen in this study after a comprehensive and comparative fungal growth inhibition assessment. We used methyl cis-9-octadecenoate (60%) as the bio-based green reserver for the effective creation of bioinspired EC formulations (30%) of Pongamia pinnata L extract using emulsifier blends based on the established toxicity order (DMF > DMSO > C9 > methyl oleate) (10 percent). In terms of emulsion stability, cold test, accelerated storage stability, flash point, and other parameters, EC1 beat the other thirteen formulations (EC1-EC13), confirming its appropriateness for commercial manufacturing. In-vitro fungicidal activities against Alternaria solani and Phytophthora spp. were investigated using four therapeutically relevant dosages of agricultural use. At the highest dose (1%), A. solani (EC50 = 0.08 percent) demonstrated the greatest growth suppression (87.4 percent), followed by Phytophthora sp. (71.1 percent) (EC50 = 0.49 percent). The study demonstrated its relevance in the development of eco-friendly green solvent-based herbal formulations as a sustainable crop protection alternative to hazardous chemical pesticides.
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B infection risks of school employees in special schools for pupils with disabilities: Results of a cross- sectional study.
Authors: Lang Felix , Schoene Klaus , Goessler Felix , Rose Dirk-Matthias , Kegel Peter 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
BackgroundAim of this project was to assess occupational biological hazards with regard to the risk of HAV and HBV and the need for occupational health care in schools for pupils with special needs.MethodsTeachers and pedagogical staff were surveyed about activities potentially providing exposure to biological agents and their individual immune status regarding HAV and HBV by questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, group comparisons and logistic regression were performed to identify factors influencing the HAV and HBV immune status.Results1398 teachers and educational staff took part. 1381 respondents reported having physical contact with pupils at work (98.8%). Daily contact was reported by 54.5% to 84.4% of all employees, according to the school' s support focus. Being scratched, bitten or spat at was reported by 66.2% up to 92.7%. Hazardous activities such as assisting with food intake to intimate care occur in all types of schools and are performed by both teachers and educational staff. The vaccination rate was reported to be 57.7% for HAV and 64.3% for HBV. In regression analyses, failing to receive vaccine counselling (OR 0.36) or instruction on infection prevention (OR 0.68) were found to be significant predictors of lower vaccination rates.ConclusionsAt special schools with any support focus, large parts of workforce perform activities involving biological hazards due to HAV and HBV. Occupational health care, including instruction on infection prevention and vaccination against HAV and HBV, should be offered to all employees.
Role of Oncogenic Long Noncoding RNA KCNQ1OT1 in Colon Cancer
Authors: Liu Gang , Shi Lei , Wang Bin , Wu Zehui , Zhao Haiyuan , Zhao Tianyu , Shi Lianghui 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
lncRNA KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) plays critical roles in the tumorigenesis of various human cancers including colorectal. However, the role of KCNQ1OT1 in colon cancer requires further investigation. Retroviral vector pSEB61 was introduced to established HCT116-siKCN cells. Cellular proliferation was measured using crystal violet staining, and cell cycle was detected using flow cytometry (FCM). RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to analyze enriched functions and singlaing pathways. RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and western blotting were used to validate downstream genes expression. Tumor xenografts in BALB/c nude mice were used to evaluate tumorigenesis effects. Our data revealed that silencing KCNQ1OT1 in HCT116 cells slowed cell growth and decreased the distribution of cells in the G2/M phase. RNA-Seq analysis results indicated the transcript data of DEGs enriched in various GO and KEGG pathways, including DNA replication and cell cycle. RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and western blotting results validated the downstream CCNE2, PCNA, and BCL2. HCT116-siKCN cells markedly suppressed tumorigenesis in BALB/c nude mice. Our study suggest that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.
An attention-based deep-learning system with fMRI functional connectivity optimized frequency EEG microstates classifies distinct temporal cortical communications of different cognitive tasks
Authors: Agrawal Swati , Chinnadurai Vijayakumar , Sharma Rinku 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Temporal analysis of global cortical communication of cognitive tasks in coarse EEG information is still challenging due to the underlying complex neural mechanisms. This study proposes an attention-based time-series deep learning framework that processes fMRI functional connectivity optimized quasi-stable frequency microstates for classifying distinct temporal cortical communications of the cognitive task. Seventy volunteers were subjected to visual target detection tasks, and their electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional MRI (fMRI) were acquired simultaneously. At first, the acquired EEG information was preprocessed, and the band passed to delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma bands and then subjected to quasi-stable frequency-microstate estimation. Subsequently, time-series elicitation of each frequency microstates is optimized with graph theory measures of simultaneously eliciting fMRI functional connectivity between frontal, parietal, and temporal cortices. The distinct neural mechanisms associated with each optimized frequency-microstate were analyzed using microstate-informed fMRI. Finally, these optimized, quasi-stable frequency microstates were employed to train and validate the attention-based Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) time-series architecture for classifying distinct temporal cortical communications of the target from other cognitive tasks. Based on the stability of transition probabilities of the optimized microstates, three different temporal sampling windows (200, 300, and 500 ms/segment) have been employed to collect the input microstates information for these time-series deep-learning systems. Our results revealed twelve distinct frequency microstates capable of deciphering target detections' temporal cortical communications from other task engagements. Particularly, fMRI functional connectivity measures of target engagement were observed significantly correlated with the right-diagonal delta (r=0.31), anterior-posterior theta (r=0.35), left-right theta (r=-0.32), alpha (r=-0.31) microstates. Further, neuro-vascular information of microstate-informed fMRI analysis revealed the association of delta/theta and alpha/beta microstates with cortical communications and local neural processing, respectively. The classification accuracies of the attention-based LSTM were higher than the traditional LSTM architectures. Particularly, the attention-based LSTM sampled microstates for 300 ms revealed a higher classification accuracy of 96% compared with other attention-based LSTM models with 200 ms (95%) and 500 ms (93%) temporal sampling windows. In conclusion, the study demonstrates reliable temporal classifications of global cortical communication of distinct tasks using an attention-based deep learning framework utilizing fMRI functional connectivity optimized quasi-stable frequency microstates.
Development and validation of a prognostic nomogram for adult patients with renal sarcoma: A retrospective study based on the SEER database
Authors: Zhu Yongkun , Mao Weipu , Zhang Guangyuan , Sun Si , Tao Shuchun , Jiang Tiancheng , Wang Qingbo , Wu Jianping , Chen Ming 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Renal sarcoma (RS) is rarely seen in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to develop a prognostic nomogram model, which could predict the probability of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in adult patients with RS.
Methods
Patients diagnosed with RS were recruited from the SEER database between 2004 and 2015, and randomized to two cohorts: the training cohort and the validation cohort. Uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses in the training cohort were used to screen independent prognostic factors for OS and CSS. Prognostic nomograms for OS and CSS were created separately for adult RS patients based on independent risk factors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and DCA (Decision curve analysis) were used to validate the nomograms.
Results
A total of 232 eligible patients were recruited, including 162 in the training cohort and 70 in the validation cohort. Sex, histological type, SEER stage, and surgery were independent prognostic factors for OS, while histological type, SEER stage, surgery, chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for CSS. Based on the above independent prognostic factors, prognostic nomograms for OS and CSS were created respectively. In the training cohort, the AUCs of the nomograms for OS and CSS were 0.742 and 0.733, respectively. In the validation cohort, the AUCs of the nomograms for OS and CSS were 0.837 and 0.758, respectively. The calibration curves of the nomograms showed high consistencies between the predicted and actual survival rates. Finally, the DCA demonstrated that the nomograms in the wide high-risk threshold had a higher net benefit than the SEER stage.
Conclusion
A prognostic nomogram for renal sarcoma was created and validated for reliability and usefulness in our study, which assisted urologists in accurately assessing the prognosis of adult RS patients.
Risk of tick-borne pathogen spillover into urban yards in New York City
Authors: Gregory Nichar , Fernandez Pilar Maria , Diuk-Wasser Maria 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The incidence of tick-borne disease has increased dramatically in recent decades, with urban areas increasingly recognised as high risk for exposure to infected ticks. Green spaces may play a key role in facilitating the invasion of ticks, hosts and pathogens into residential areas, particularly where they connect residential yards with larger natural areas (e.g. parks). However the factors mediating tick distribution across heterogeneous urban landscapes remains poorly characterized. METHODS: Using generalized linear models in a multimodel inference framework with model averaging, we determined the residential yard- and local landscape-level features associated with the presence of three tick species of current and growing public health importance in residential yards across Staten Island, NY. RESULTS: We found that the amount and configuration of canopy cover immediately surrounding residential yards strongly predicted the presence of Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum, but not that of Haemaphysalis longicornis. Within yards, we found limited evidence for a protective effect of fencing against I. scapularis and A. americanum, but not H. longicornis. For all species, the presence of log and brush piles strongly increased the odds of finding ticks in yards. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight considerable risk of tick exposure in residential yards in Staten Island and identify both yard- and landscape-level features associated with their distribution. In particular, the significance of log and brush piles for all three species supports recommendations for yard management as a means of reducing contact with ticks.
Vertical Changes in the Storm Tracks and Dynamics of Western Disturbances
Authors: Rao Vadlamudi Brahmananda , Pinheiro Henri , Attada Raju , Bhargavi V. S. L , Ramakrishna S. S.V.S , Govardhan Dandu , Gan Manoel Alonso , Karumuri Ashok , J Ramesh K 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
This study investigates the long-term horizontal and vertical changes of the storm tracks during the1979-2014 period using a cyclone tracking algorithm for all the boreal seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. During winter, the Atlantic and Pacific storm tracks are stronger and remain circumpolar. These winter storm tracks extend meridionally from polar region to 30°N, and vertically extend from the lower troposphere to the lower stratosphere. Characteristically, baroclinic instability is a common mechanism of generation associated with storm tracks and western disturbances (WDs), which often occur in northern parts of India, mostly in fall and winter. We found that observed WDs are generated by moist baroclinic instability of westerlies over Indian longitudes as their characteristics agree well with theoretically and numerically deduced ones. Indeed, these WDs observed during the boreal fall and winter seasons are ingredients of the storm tracks in the northern hemisphere, with strengthened relative vorticity at 500 hPa and moving zonally eastward towards the north Indian region triggering extreme precipitation. Thus, WDs over northern India is of great interest in the fall and winter seasons.
Identification of microstructures critically affecting material properties using machine learning framework based on metallurgists' thinking process
Authors: Noguchi Satoshi , Wang Hui , Inoue Junya 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In materials science, machine learning has been intensively researched and used in various applications. However, it is still far from achieving intelligence comparable to that of human experts in terms of creativity and explainability. In this paper, we investigate whether machine learning can acquire explainable knowledge without directly introducing problem-specific information such as explicit physical mechanisms. In particular, a potential of machine learning to obtain the capability to identify a part of material structures that critically affects a physical property without human prior knowledge is mainly discussed. The guide for constructing the machine learning framework adopted in this paper is to imitate human researchers' process of thinking in the interpretation and development of materials. Our framework was applied to the optimization of structures of artificial dual-phase steels in terms of a fracture property. A comparison of results of the framework with those of numerical simulation based on governing physical laws demonstrated the potential of our framework for the identification of a part of microstructures critically affecting the target property. Consequently, this implies that our framework can implicitly acquire an intuition in a similar way that human researchers empirically attain the general strategy for material design consistent with the physical background.
The skin microbiota of the axolotl Ambystoma altamirani is highly influenced by metamorphosis and seasonality but not by pathogen infection
Authors: Martínez-Ugalde Emanuel , Ávila-Akerberg Víctor D. , Martínez Tanya M. González , Trejo Montserrat Vázquez , Hernández Dalia Zavala , Morales Sara Anaya , Rebollar Eria A. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Microbiomes have been increasingly recognized as major contributors to host health and survival. In amphibians, bacterial members of the skin microbiota protect their hosts by inhibiting the growth of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Even though several studies describe the influence of biotic and abiotic factors over the skin microbiota, it remains unclear how these symbiotic bacterial communities vary across time and development. This is particularly relevant for species that undergo metamorphosis as it has been shown that host physiology and ecology drastically influence diversity of the skin microbiome. Results: We found that the skin microbiota of the axolotl A. altamirani is largely influenced by the metamorphic status of the host and by seasonal variation of abiotic factors such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. Despite high Bd prevalence in these samples, the bacterial diversity of the skin microbiota did not differ between infected and non-infected axolotls, although particular bacteria were correlated with Bd infection intensity. Conclusions: Our work shows that metamorphosis is a crucial process that shapes skin microbiota and that axolotls under different developmental stages response differently to environmental seasonal variations. Moreover, this study greatly contributes to a better understanding of the factors that shape amphibian skin microbiota, especially in a largely underexplored group like axolotls (Mexican Ambystoma species).