bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi-layer internal limiting membrane plug technique for management of large full-thickness macular holes
Authors: El Rayes Ehab N , Leila Mahmoud , Stavrakas Panagiotis 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the efficacy of the multi-layer internal limiting membrane plug (MIP) technique in promoting the closure of large full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) and improvement of visual function.

Methods
A prospective interventional non-comparative consecutive case series including patients with surgically naïve large FTMH whether primary or secondary. All macular holes were > 400 µm. All patients had 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), MIP technique, and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) 20% gas tamponade. The main outcome measures were the closure of the hole, improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and detection of complications that might develop due to surgery.

Results
The study included 15 eyes of 15 patients. The mean age was 44 years (range 10–68; SD 21.5). Primary FTMH constituted 53% of cases. The mean pre-operative minimum linear diameter (MLD) was 702 µm (range 401–1068 µm; SD 154). The mean duration of the macular hole was 6 months (range 1–24; SD 6). The mean pre-operative BCVA was 0.06 decimal units (range 0.01–0.1; SD 0.03). Post-operatively, the macular hole was closed in all patients. U- and V- type closure developed in 93% and 7% of patients, respectively. None of the patients developed W-type closure. Post-operatively, the mean post-operative BCVA was 0.2 decimal units (range 0.05–0.5; SD 0.1). The mean improvement was 5 lines of vision. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 4 months (range 1–10; SD 2.5). None of the patients developed complications attributed to the surgical technique described.

Conclusion
MIP technique is effective in promoting macular hole closure and improvement of visual function in large FTMH.
Minimally invasive surgical techniques in patients with intractable epilepsy with CT-guided stereotactic cryoablation as a superior alternative: a systematic review
Authors: Patil Arun Angelo , de Joya Jared 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Stereotactic cryoablation is a minimally invasive surgical technique that has been used to treat disorders of the brain in the past; however, in current practice, it is primarily used for the treatment of liver, kidney, lung, prostate, and breast neoplasms. In this paper, currently used surgical methods to treat medically refractory seizure disorder are reviewed, and a case is made for the use of stereotactic cryoablation.

Main body
Anterior temporal lobectomy is the gold standard for temporal. There are also several variations of this procedure. Since this is a resective surgery, it can result in neurological defects. To obviate this problem, minimally invasive surgical techniques such as radio frequency ablation and laser interstitial thermal therapy are currently being used for intracranial targets. Cryoablation offers certain advantages over thermal ablations. Cryoablation studies in brain, renal, breast, and other neoplasms have shown that cryoablation has superior abilities to monitor the ablation zone in real time via computerized tomography imaging and also has the capability to create lesions of both smaller and larger sizes. This allows for safer and more effective tumor destruction.

Short conclusion
Based on the review, the authors conclude that further investigation of the use of stereotactic cryoablation in patients with medically intractable epilepsy is needed.
Implementing proposed reforms of the Mental Health Act for people with intellectual disability and autism: the perspective of multidisciplinary professionals in intellectual disability teams
Authors: Velani Bharat , Sawhney Indermeet , Alexander Regi T. , Shardlow Sophie , Zia Asif 
Published: November 2022

Background
A recent government white paper sets out proposals for reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA). Some of these proposals affect people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism.

Aims
To explore both positive and unintended negative effects of the proposed reforms by gathering the perspectives of healthcare workers from multiple disciplines, working with intellectual disability and/or autism in community and in-patient settings.

Method
A 14-question electronic questionnaire, comprising free-text, multiple choice and five-point Likert scale responses, was sent out via email between April and July 2021, to all multidisciplinary team professionals working in specialist intellectual disability community and in-patient teams in Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

Results
There were 45 responders, of whom 53% worked in in-patient settings and 47% in out-patient teams. Respondents comprised healthcare professionals from multiple disciplines, 80% of which were non-medical. Most responders agreed with the general principles of the proposed reforms. However, 80% felt there would be potentially unintended consequences, and 76% thought that substantial investment in community services was required in advance of the proposed reforms.

Conclusions
The proposed MHA reforms may have unintended consequences for people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. The findings of this study raised key concerns that need to be explored further and addressed before the MHA reforms are implemented. These include community provision, safeguards and use of the Mental Capacity Act, the potential for under or overdiagnosis of mental illness, and effects associated with the criminal justice system.
Exclusion Tests in Unilateral Primary Aldosteronism (ExcluPA) Study
Authors: Zhu Rui , Shagjaa Tungalagtamir , Rossitto Giacomo , Caroccia Brasilina , Seccia Teresa Maria , Gregori Dario , Rossi Gian Paolo 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Context
Determining the diagnostic accuracy of “exclusion” tests for primary aldosteronism (PA) compared to the aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) is fundamental to avoid invasive subtyping in false-positive patients at screening.

Objective
To assess the accuracy of exclusion tests for PA using the diagnosis of unilateral PA as reference.

Methods
PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies published from January 1, 1970, to December 31, 2021, meeting tight quality criteria. Data were extracted following the PRISMA methodology. We performed a two-stage meta-analysis that entailed an exploratory and a validation phase based on a “golden” or “gold” diagnostic standard, respectively. Pooled specificity, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and summary area under the ROC curve (sAUROC) were calculated to analyze the accuracy of exclusion tests.

Results
A meta-analysis of 31 datasets comprising a total of 4242 patients fulfilling the predefined inclusion criteria found that pooled accuracy estimates (sAUROC) did not differ between the ARR (0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98), the captopril challenge test (CCT) (0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.97), and the saline infusion test (SIT) (0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99). Solid information could not be obtained for the fludrocortisone suppression test and the furosemide upright test, which were assessed in only 1 study each.

Conclusion
The apparently high diagnostic accuracy of the CCT and the SIT was due to the selection of patients with an elevated ARR and thus a high pretest probability of unilateral PA; however, neither test furnished a diagnostic gain over the ARR. Therefore, the systematic use of these exclusion tests in clinical practice is not justified by available evidence.
Causal Associations Between Age at Diagnosis of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Ye Chaojie , Kong Lijie , Wang Yiying , Lin Hong , Wang Shuangyuan , Zhao Zhiyun , Li Mian , Xu Yu , Lu Jieli , Chen Yuhong , Xu Min , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Bi Yufang , Wang Tiange 
Published: November 2022

AbstractContextWhether diabetes diagnosed at different age groups is causally associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is unknown.ObjectiveWe conducted 2-sample Mendelian randomization analyses to investigate the causal associations of diabetes by age at diagnosis with 5 type-specific CVDs and 11 cardiometabolic traits.MethodsWe selected 208 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for diabetes and 3, 21, 57, and 14 SNPs for diabetes diagnosed at &lt;50, 50-60, 60-70, and &gt;70 years, respectively, based on the genome-wide association study (GWASs) (24 986 cases/187 130 controls) in the UK Biobank, and extracted genetic associations with stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and CVD mortality, as well as blood pressures, adiposity measurements, and lipids and apolipoproteins from corresponding European-descent GWASs. The inverse variance-weighted method was used as the main analysis with several sensitivity analyses.ResultsDiabetes diagnosed at all 4 age groups was causally associated with increased risks of stroke (5-8%) and myocardial infarction (8-10%), higher systolic blood pressure (0.56-0.94 mmHg) and waist to hip ratio (0.003-0.004), and lower body mass index (0.31-0.42 kg/m2), waist circumference (0.68-0.99 cm), and hip circumference (0.57-0.80 cm). Diabetes diagnosed at specific age groups was causally associated with increased risks of heart failure (4%) and CVD mortality (8%), higher diastolic blood pressure (0.20 mmHg) and triglycerides (0.06 SD), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.02 mmol/L). The effect sizes of genetically determined diabetes on CVD subtypes and cardiometabolic traits were comparable and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals largely overlapped across the 4 age groups.ConclusionOur findings provide novel evidence that genetically determined diabetes subgroups by age at diagnosis have similar causal effects on CVD and cardiometabolic risks.
Circulating Bile Acids as Biomarkers for Disease Diagnosis and Prevention
Authors: Qi Li , Chen Yongsheng 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Context
Bile acids (BAs) are pivotal signaling molecules that regulate energy metabolism and inflammation. Recent epidemiological studies have reported specific alterations in circulating BA profiles in certain disease states, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and Alzheimer disease (AD). In the past decade, breakthroughs have been made regarding the translation of BA profiling into clinical use for disease prediction. In this review, we summarize and synthesize recent data on variation in circulating BA profiles in patients with various diseases to evaluate the value of these biomarkers in human plasma for early diagnosis.

Evidence Acquisition
This review is based on a collection of primary and review literature gathered from a PubMed search for BAs, obesity, T2DM, insulin resistance (IR), NAFLD, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), colon cancer, and AD, among other keywords.

Evidence Synthesis
Individuals with obesity, T2DM, HCC, CCA, or AD showed specific alterations in circulating BA profiles. These alterations may have existed long before the initial diagnosis of these diseases. The intricate relationship between obesity, IR, and NAFLD complicates the establishment of clear and independent associations between BA profiles and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Alterations in the levels of total BAs and several BA species were seen across the entire spectrum of NAFLD, demonstrating significant increases with the worsening of histological features.

Conclusions
Aberrant circulating BA profiles are an early event in the onset and progression of obesity, T2DM, HCC, and AD. The pleiotropic effects of BAs explain these broad connections. Circulating BA profiles could provide a basis for the development of biomarkers for the diagnosis and prevention of a wide range of diseases.
Afro-Gothic
Authors: Cooksey Sybil Newton , Thomas Tashima 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe introduction presents Afro-Gothic as an aesthetic and theoretical framework for understanding the various works in the special issue, which includes essays, interviews, a playlist, and a roundtable. Taking up Cauleen Smith's Crow Requiem (2015) as its point of departure, the authors discuss how the experimental video illustrates Afro-Gothic sensibilities in its allegorizing the ambient feeling of precarious and collective vulnerability to gratuitous violence that characterizes our everyday. The introduction considers how theoretical formulations of Afro-Gothic as mood (Leila Taylor) and aesthetic tool (Kobena Mercer) are especially relevant to the present study before moving on to summarize the contents of the issue. Rather than argue for the originality or definitiveness of this work, the authors propose this special issue as a contribution to a growing body of exciting scholarship by authors in the burgeoning field of black Gothic studies.
Age-related decrease in appetitive associative memory in fruit flies
Authors: König Christian , Gerber Bertram 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT
Memory scores are dynamic across developmental stages. In particular, memory scores typically decrease from late adolescence into old age, reflecting complex changes in mnemonic and sensory-motor faculties, metabolic and motivational changes, and changes in cognitive strategy as well. In Drosophila melanogaster, such age-related decreases in memory scores have been studied intensely for the association of odours with electric shock punishment. We report that odour–sucrose reward memory scores likewise decrease as the flies age. This was observed after one-trial and after two-trial conditioning, and for both immediate testing and recall tests 1 day later. This decrease was particularly pronounced in relatively young animals, in the first 2–3 weeks after adult hatching, and was more pronounced in female than in male flies.
Low power, less occupying area, and improved speed of a 4-bit router/rerouter circuit for low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoders
Authors: Senthilpari Chinnaiyan , Deena Rosalind , Lini Lee 
Published: November 2022

Background: Low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes are more error-resistant than other forward error-correcting codes. Existing circuits give high power dissipation, less speed, and more occupying area. This work aimed to propose a better design and performance circuit, even in the presence of noise in the channel. Methods: In this research, the design of the multiplexer and demultiplexer were achieved using pass transistor logic. The target parameters were low power dissipation, improved throughput, and more negligible delay with a minimum area. One of the essential connecting circuits in a decoShder architecture is a multiplexer (MUX) and a demultiplexer (DEMUX) circuit. The design of the MUX and DEMUX contributes significantly to the performance of the decoder. The aim of this paper was the design of a 4 × 1 MUX to route the data bits received from the bit update blocks to the parallel adder circuits and a 1 × 4 DEMUX to receive the input bits from the parallel adder and distribute the output to the bit update blocks in a layered architecture LDPC decoder. The design uses pass transistor logic and achieves the reduction of the number of transistors used. The proposed circuit was designed using the Mentor Graphics CAD tool for 180 nm technology. Results: The parameters of power dissipation, area, and delay were considered crucial parameters for a low power decoder. The circuits were simulated using computer-aided design (CAD) tools, and the results depicted a significantly low power dissipation of 7.06 nW and 5.16 nW for the multiplexer and demultiplexer, respectively. The delay was found to be 100.5 ns (MUX) and 80 ns (DEMUX). Conclusion: This decoder’s potential use may be in low-power communication circuits such as handheld devices and Internet of Things (IoT) circuits.
A non-invasive treatment option in solitary median maxillary central incisor syndrome
Authors: Patel Maalini , Ormondroyd Louise 
Published: November 2022

Solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) syndrome (OMIM #147250) is a disorder characterized by developmental defects of midline structures with variable expressivity. It presents dentally as a single symmetrical central incisor in the midline position. This is a case report of a child with the isolated dental feature of a single maxillary central incisor, with no medical features of SMMCI syndrome. Under the management of a multidisciplinary dental team, a non-invasive approach was undertaken to improve aesthetics. This case report describes the dental options for managing SMMCI including a non-invasive option that has not previously been reported in detail. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Dentists should be aware of SMMCI and its potential medical sequelae.
Cyclin D1 mediates pain behaviour in a rat model of breast cancer-induced bone pain by a mechanism involving regulation of the proliferation of spinal microglia
Authors: Guan Xuehai , Gong Xiaofang , Jiao Ziyin Y. , Cao Huiyu Y. , Liu Susu , Lin Chengxin , Huang Xiaofang , Lan Hongmeng , Ma Li , Xu Bing 
Published: November 2022

Aims The involvement of cyclin D1 in the proliferation of microglia, and the generation and maintenance of bone cancer pain (BCP), have not yet been clarified. We investigated the expression of microglia and cyclin D1, and the influences of cyclin D1 on pain threshold. Methods Female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish a rat model of BCP, and the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) and cyclin D1 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The proliferation of spinal microglia was detected by immunohistochemistry. The pain behaviour test was assessed by quantification of spontaneous flinches, limb use, and guarding during forced ambulation, mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, and thermal paw withdrawal latency. Results IBA1 and cyclin D1 in the ipsilateral spinal horn increased in a time-dependent fashion. Spinal microglia proliferated in BCP rats. The microglia inhibitor minocycline attenuated the pain behaviour in BCP rats. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol inhibited the proliferation of spinal microglia, and was associated with an improvement in pain behaviour in BCP rats. Conclusion Our results revealed that the inhibition of spinal microglial proliferation was associated with a decrease in pain behaviour in a rat model of BCP. Cyclin D1 acts as a key regulator of the proliferation of spinal microglia in a rat model of BCP. Disruption of cyclin D1, the restriction-point control of cell cycle, inhibited the proliferation of microglia and attenuated the pain behaviours in BCP rats. Cyclin D1 and the proliferation of spinal microglia may be potential targets for the clinical treatment of BCP. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(11):803–813.
Using fluorescent beads to emulate single fluorophores
Authors: Alemán-Castañeda Luis A. , Feng Sherry Yi-Ting , Gutiérrez-Cuevas Rodrigo , Herrera Isael , Brown Thomas G. , Brasselet Sophie , Alonso Miguel A. 
Published: November 2022

We study the conditions under which fluorescent beads can be used to emulate single fluorescent molecules in the calibration of optical microscopes. Although beads are widely used due to their brightness and easy manipulation, there can be notable differences between the point spread functions (PSFs) they produce and those for single-molecule fluorophores, caused by their different emission patterns and sizes. We study theoretically these differences for various scenarios, e.g., with or without polarization channel splitting, to determine the conditions under which the use of beads as a model for single molecules is valid. We also propose methods to model the blurring due to the size difference and compensate for it to produce PSFs that are more similar to those for single molecules.
Trends and patterns of North Korea’s disease burden from 1990 to 2019: Results from Global Burden of Disease study 2019
Authors: Lee Eun Hae , Choi Minjae , Sempungu Joshua Kirabo , Lee Yo Han 
Published: November 2022

Background
Evidence for the trends and patterns of disease burden in North Korea is limited, and in-depth analysis based on several health outcomes for a better understanding remains challenging. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the trends and patterns of disease burden in North Korea between 1990 and 2019.

Methods
We used data from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2019 study to analyze the North Korean disease burden in comparison with four groups: global, South Korea, low-sociodemographic index (SDI) countries, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia (former socialist countries). We also examined changes in the disease burden between 1990 and 2019 by disease category and age group.

Findings
In 2019, in North Korea, death rates and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates were reduced by 22.2% and 30.7%, respectively, compared to 1990. The rates showed similar trends and patterns to that in former socialist countries. However, these reductions were lower than those of the global rates and rates in low-SDI countries and South Korea. Death rates and DALY rates for under five years dramatically decreased by more than 78%, similar to the trend in South Korea. In contrast, the decline in the death rates and DALY rates of adults was less than those worldwide and in low-SDI countries and South Korea. The burden of diseases among those aged ≥30 years increased largely due to the persistently high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, and chronic respiratory diseases were the leading causes of the disease burden in both 1990 and 2019.

Interpretation
North Korea’s disease burden patterns and trends show clear improvements over the past 30 years but suggest that the current challenges of NCDs in the country are very serious. NCDs should be no longer neglected and should be prioritized in public health agendas in North Korea.
Inferior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis Resulting in Pylephlebitis in a Patient With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Becker Erica C. , Grover Dheera , Patel Sanket , Dhakras Purabi , Rossi Lisa 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT
Although uncommon, pylephlebitis is a life-threatening complication of mesenteric vein thrombosis. It is reported to affect adult men more commonly than women, with a median age of 57 years. Furthermore, few cases have been reported of pylephlebitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Owing to low prevalence, there is a paucity of data regarding the diagnosis and management of pylephlebitis. Treatment approach ranges from conservative management (antibiotics and/or systemic anticoagulation) to surgical management. We report a case of a 62-year-old man diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease with a course complicated by pylephlebitis of the inferior mesenteric vein managed successfully with antibiotics and anticoagulation.
Smysluplné konzultace dítě–rodič–učitel
Authors: Zitková Helena , Hezká Martina 
Published: November 2022

Tento příspěvek představuje inspirativní a inovativní způsob vedení konzultací ve formě dítě–rodič–učitel na prvním stupni základní školy a proces jejich implementace v praxi. Jedná se o užitečný pedagogický nástroj, který je v době zvětšující se potřeby psychosociální podpory žáků přínosný zejména pro dítě a jeho učení, ale zároveň je cenným zdrojem informací pro rodiče dítěte a samotného učitele. V bezpečném prostředí založeném na všestranné respektující komunikaci dítě na základě vlastního sebehodnocení seznamuje rodiče s procesem a výsledky svého učení. Naše zkušenost ukazuje, že takto vedené konzultace podporují emocionální stabilitu dětí, a za užitečné, smysluplné a přínosné je považují všechny zúčastněné strany.