bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corneal Biomechanics and Intraocular Pressure Following Scleral Lens Wear in Penetrating Keratoplasty and Keratoconus
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Shetty Rohit , Lalgudi Vaitheeswaran G. , Roy Abhijit S. , Khamar Pooja , Vincent Stephen J. 
Published: March 2022

Objective:
To compare corneal biomechanics and intraocular pressure (IOP) in keratoconus and penetrating keratoplasty eyes before and after nonfenestrated scleral lens wear.

Methods:
Twenty-three participants were enrolled, and 37 eyes were included in the analysis (11 penetrating keratoplasty and 26 keratoconus). A range of corneal biomechanical parameters and IOP were measured using the CORVIS ST before and after 8 hr of nonfenestrated scleral lens wear (Keracare, Acculens, Denver, CO).

Results:
Before lens wear, penetrating keratoplasty eyes displayed significantly greater median values for central corneal thickness (97 μm thicker, P=0.02), IOP (3.89 mm Hg higher, P=0.01), and biomechanical parameter A2 length (0.48 mm longer, P=0.003) compared with keratoconic eyes. No significant changes in corneal biomechanical parameters or IOP were observed after scleral lens wear in either group (all P>0.05).

Conclusion:
Although nonfenestrated scleral contact lenses can induce a subatmospheric pressure after lens settling and compress tissue surrounding the limbus, no significant changes were detected in the corneal biomechanical parameters studied using CORVIS ST after scleral lens wear in eyes with penetrating keratoplasty and keratoconus.
Outcomes of a multicenter U.S. clinical trial of a new monofocal single-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL
Authors: Schallhorn Steven C. , Bonilla Michael , Pantanelli Seth M. 
Published: March 2022

Purpose:
To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the CT LUCIA 611P intraocular lens (IOL) in patients with cataracts.

Setting:
23 surgeons at 15 different clinical sites.

Design:
Prospective single-arm clinical trial.

Methods:
The study was conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption for premarket approval of a new hydrophobic acrylic IOL in the United States. Patients were followed for 12 months, and the main measured variables included uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, manifest refraction, and adverse events.

Results:
In total, 339 eyes of 339 patients were implanted with the study device, of which 310 (91.4%) reached the 12-month visit. The percentage of eyes within ±0.50 diopter (D) and ±1.00 D of emmetropia was 85.8% (266/310) and 96.8% (300/310), respectively. Manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) remained stable over the first year with the mean 12-month MRSE of −0.03 ± 0.45 D. The mean 12-month UDVA and CDVA were 0.09 ± 0.15 (≈20/25) and −0.02 ± 0.09 (≈20/19) logMAR, respectively. Of all patients, 99.4% (308/310) achieved postoperative CDVA ≥20/40. The incidence of Nd:YAG capsulotomy within the first year was 3.5% (11/310). Only 2 eyes had IOL tilt present at the 12-month postoperative visit with no associated visual symptoms. There were 2 cases of IOL decentration; one required removal of the IOL, whereas the other had no visual side effects related to decentration. There were no findings of glistening at any visit.

Conclusions:
The CT LUCIA 611P IOL demonstrated excellent safety, efficacy, and stability of refractive outcomes. No significant issues related to the biocompatibility of the IOL material were observed.
Telemedicine Across the Cancer Care Continuum
Authors: Nekhlyudov Larissa , Fleisher Lee A. , Jacobsen Paul B. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
In this commentary, we provide an overview about the surge of telemedicine services during the COVID-19 pandemic, describe the cancer care continuum and existing evidence regarding the use of telemedicine across the continuum, and offer our perspective on existing opportunities to advance the use of telemedicine in clinical care, research, and policy. While research implications are relevant to an international audience, our focus pertains specifically to health care delivery and policy in the United States.
3D-printed nails for aesthetic silicone prostheses
Authors: Lee Felix Austin , Leow Michael EL , Chiuan YEN Ching , Wang Wilson 
Published: March 2022

Background and aim:
The nail is a crucially important part that needs to be closely reproduced in aesthetic silicone prostheses. The traditional method of producing prosthetic nails is a laborious process often fraught with errors and rejects. In this article, additive manufacturing or 3D printing intervention was sought to make this process less time-consuming and more exacting.

Study design and technique:
With a focus on finger prosthesis, the process involves reverse engineering a patient’s hand using a 3D scanner to obtain a digital blue print for referencing. 3D models of the nail shapes were created using CAD software. Colors sampling is obtained using image processing software from 2D digital images. Using specifically the inkjet technology from Stratasys, batches of nails of different sizes and colors were printed, which were then used for manual adhesion to silicone finger prostheses.

Results and conclusions:
This article has demonstrated that 3D printing is able to produce nails of comparable quality with those produced by traditional methods in size, shape, curvature, and thickness. More consistent thickness, better size, and shape-matching using 3D files also minimize rejects and grinding time when finishing a prosthesis, leading to significant time savings. However, 3D-printed nails fall short in color match, surface texture, and life-likeness. Traditionally produced nails that are made using a more translucent grade of acrylic than that used in the 3D-printed nails are better able to reproduce the life-like coloration of the translucent human nail. The limitations encountered with 3D printing as applied to prosthetic nails production relate to camera settings, digital image color capture and display, differences in color system used in the printer and monitor, ambient lighting, and suitability of acrylic grade used with the proprietary 3D printing system for material translucency or opacity.
COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness against the Omicron BA.2 variant in England
Authors: Kirsebom Freja C. M. , Andrews Nick , Stowe Julia , Toffa Samuel , Sachdeva Ruchira , Gallagher Eileen , Groves Natalie , O’Connell Anne-Marie , Chand Meera , Ramsay Mary , Bernal Jamie Lopez 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe BA.1 sub-lineage of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, first detected in the UK in mid-November 2021, rapidly became the dominant strain partly due to reduced vaccine effectiveness. An increase in a second Omicron sub-lineage BA.2 was observed in early January 2022. In this study we use a test-negative case control study design to estimate vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease with BA.1 and BA.2 after one or two doses of BNT162b2, ChAdOx1-S or mRNA-1273, and after booster doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 during a period of co-circulation. Overall, there was no evidence that vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease is reduced following infection with the BA.2 sub-lineage as compared to BA.1. Furthermore, similar rates of waning were observed after the second and booster dose for each sub-lineage. These data provide reassuring evidence of the effectiveness of the vaccines currently in use against symptomatic disease caused by BA.2.
Inverse proportionality between height and duration of epidemic peaks not observed for the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan
Authors: Tomie Toshihisa 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe height of the epidemic peaks varied ten-fold, but the duration was almost constant independent of the peak height in the six times COVID-19 epidemics in Japan over the past two years. The observed relation between the peak height and duration contradicts the inverse proportionality, which is the essential conclusion derived from mathematical models for infectious diseases. We found that the peak height was inversely proportional to the number of rhinovirus patients. The literature has revealed the mechanism behind our found power of rhinovirus suppressing COVID-19. We discuss that the critical flaw of current mathematical models originates in the absence of the 0th power term of the number of infected people in the Kermack and McKendrick equation.
How the West(ern) Was Won: Solutions for Immunoblotting Large and Small Proteins
Authors: Llabata Paula , Llinàs-Arias Pere 
Published: March 2022

AbstractRelative protein quantification is a well-established technique in the vast majority of the molecular biology laboratories. However, western blot standard protocols may be unable to detect certain proteins depending on their size. When the protein of interest is out of 10-250 KDa range, its migration through the gel or transfer to the membrane are compromised, thus making its detection difficult. Here we present a set of modifications of the standard working procedure for western blotting based on the experience working with Small VCP Interacting Protein (SVIP) and Max-Gene Associated Protein (MGA), whose molecular weight are 8 and 350 kDa, respectively. We expect that these adaptations may help researchers to improve their experiments in a cost-effective manner.
The lectin LecB induces patches with basolateral characteristics at the apical membrane to promote Pseudomonas aeruginosa host cell invasion
Authors: Thuenauer Roland , Kühn Katja , Guo Yubing , Kotsis Fruzsina , Xu Maokai , Trefzer Anne , Altmann Silke , Wehrum Sarah , Heshmatpour Najmeh , Faust Brian , Landi Alessia , Diedrich Britta , Dengjel Jörn , Kuehn E. Wolfgang , Imberty Anne , Römer Winfried 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe opportunistic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa can infect mucosal tissues of the human body. To persist at the mucosal barrier, this highly adaptable pathogen has evolved many strategies, including invasion of host cells. Here, we show that the P. aeruginosa lectin LecB binds and cross-links fucosylated receptors at the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells. This triggers a signaling cascade via Src kinases and PI3K leading to the formation of patches enriched with the basolateral marker PIP3 at the apical plasma membrane. This identifies LecB as causative bacterial factor for activating this well-known host cell response that is elicited upon apical binding of P. aeruginosa. Downstream of PI3K, Rac1 is activated to cause actin rearrangement and the outgrowth of protrusions at the apical plasma membrane. LecB-triggered PI3K activation also results in aberrant recruitment of caveolin-1 to the apical domain. In addition, we reveal a positive feedback loop between PI3K activation and apical caveolin-1 recruitment, which provides a mechanistic explanation for the previously observed implication of caveolin-1 in P. aeruginosa host cell invasion. Interestingly, LecB treatment also reversibly removes primary cilia. To directly prove the role of LecB for bacterial uptake, we coated bacteria-sized beads with LecB, which drastically enhanced their endocytosis. Furthermore, LecB deletion and LecB inhibition with L-fucose diminished the invasion efficiency of P. aeruginosa bacteria. Taken together, our study identifies LecB as missing link that can explain how PI3K signaling and caveolin-1 recruitment are triggered to facilitate invasion of epithelial cells from the apical side by P. aeruginosa.ImportanceAn intriguing feature of the bacterium P. aeruginosa is its ability to colonize highly diverse niches. P. aeruginosa can, besides biofilm formation, also enter and proliferate within epithelial host cells. Moreover, research during recent years has shown that P. aeruginosa possesses many different mechanisms to invade host cells. In this study we identify LecB as novel invasion factor. In particular, we show that LecB activates PI3K signaling, which is connected via a positive feedback loop to apical caveolin-1 recruitment, and leads to actin rearrangement at the apical plasma membrane. This provides a unifying explanation for the previously reported implication of PI3K and caveolin-1 in P. aeruginosa host cell invasion. In addition, our study adds a further function to the remarkable repertoire of the lectin LecB, which is all brought about by the capability of LecB to recognize fucosylated glycans on many different niche-specific host cell receptors.
International Travel-Related Control Measures to contain The Covid-19 Pandemic: An update to a Cochrane Rapid Review
Authors: Hohlfeld Ameer , Abdullahi Leila , Abou-Setta Ahmed M. , Engel Mark E 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundCOVID-19 has proven to be more difficult to manage for many reasons including its high infectivity rate. One of the potential ways to limit its spread is by controlling international travel. The objective of this systematic review is to identify, critically-appraise and summarize evidence on international travel-related control measures.MethodsThis review is based on the Cochrane review: International travel-related control measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and followed the same methods. In brief, we searched for clinical and modelling studies in general health and COVID-19-specific bibliographic databases. The primary outcome categories were (i) cases avoided, (ii) a shift in epidemic development and, (iii) cases detected. Secondary outcomes were other infectious disease transmission outcomes, healthcare utilisation, resource requirements and adverse effects if identified in studies assessing at least one primary outcome.ResultsWe assessed 66 full-text articles that met with our inclusion criteria. Seventeen new studies (modelling = 9, observational = 8) were identified in the updated search. Most studies were of critical to moderate risk of bias. The added studies did not change the main conclusions of the Cochrane review nor the quality of the evidence (very low to low certainty). However, it did add to the evidence base for most outcomes.ConclusionsWeak evidence supports the use of international travel-related control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 via air travel. Real-world studies are required to support these conclusions.
Relative Effectiveness of Four Doses Compared to Three Dose of the BNT162b2 Vaccine in Israel
Authors: Gazit Sivan , Saciuk Yaki , Perez Galit , Peretz Asaf , Pitzer Virginia E. , Patalon Tal 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectivesThe rapid spread of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) alongside evidence of a relatively rapid waning of the third dose prompted Israel to administer a fourth dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine on January 2022. Thus far, sufficient real-world evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of a fourth dose against infection and severe COVID-19 are lacking. This study examined the short-term effectiveness of a fourth dose compared to three doses over the span of 10 weeks.DesignA retrospective test-negative case-control study, performing both a matched analysis and an unmatched multiple-tests analysis.SettingNationally centralized database of Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS), an Israeli national health fund that covers 2.5 million people.ParticipantsThe study population included 97,499 MHS members aged 60 or older who were eligible to receive a fourth vaccine dose and performed at least one PCR test during the study period. Of them, 27,876 received the fourth dose and 69,623 received only three doses.Main outcomes and measuresAnalyses focused on the period from January 10, 2022 (7 days after the fourth dose was first administered to eligible individuals) to March 13, 2022, an Omicron-dominant period in Israel. We evaluated two SARS-CoV-2-related outcomes: (1) breakthrough infection, defined as a positive PCR test performed 7 or more days after inoculation with the BNT162b2 vaccine; and (2) breakthrough infection resulting in a severe disease, defined as COVID-19-related hospitalization or COVID-19 associated mortality.ResultsA fourth dose provided considerable additional protection against both SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease relative to three doses of the vaccine. However, vaccine effectiveness against infection varied over time, peaking during the third week with a VE of 64% (95% CI: 62.0%-65.9%) and declining to 29.2% (95% CI: 17.7%-39.1%) by the end of the 10-week follow-up period. Unlike VE against infection, the relative effectiveness of a fourth dose against severe COVID-19 was maintained at high level (>73%) throughout the 9-week follow-up period. Importantly, severe disease was a relatively rare event, occurring in <1% of both fourth dose and third dose only recipients.ConclusionsA fourth dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine provided considerable additional protection against both SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease relative to three doses of the vaccine. However, effectiveness of the fourth dose against infection wanes sooner than that of the third dose.
Production of anti-spike antibodies in response to COVID vaccine in lymphoma patients
Authors: Pia Alexandra Della , (Geeny) Kim Gee Youn , Ip Andrew , Ahn Jaeil , Liu Yanzhi , Kats Simone , Koropsak Michael , Lukasik Brittany , Contractor Anamta , Amin Krushna , Ayyagari Lakshmi , Zhao Charles , Gupta Amolika , Batistick Mark , Leslie Lori A. , Goy Andre , Feldman Tatyana 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPatients with hematologic malignancies have poor outcomes from COVID infection and are less likely to mount an antibody response after COVID infection. There is limited data on the efficacy of the COVID vaccines in lymphoma patients, and to suggest the optimal timing of vaccination to elicit immunity in patients receiving immunochemotherapy. This is a retrospective study of adult lymphoma patients who received the COVID vaccine between 12/1/2020 and 11/30/2021. The primary endpoint was a positive anti-COVID spike protein antibody titer following the primary COVID vaccination series. The primary series was defined as 2 doses of the COVID mRNA vaccines or 1 dose of the COVID adenovirus vaccine. Subgroups were compared using Fisher’s exact test, and unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used for univariate (UVA) and multivariate (MVA) analyses. A total of 243 patients were included in this study; 72 patients (30%) with indolent lymphomas; 56 patients (23%) with Burkitt’s, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) combined; 55 patients (22%) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL); and 44 patients (18%) with Hodgkin and T-cell lymphomas (HL/TCL) combined. One-hundred fifty-eight patients (65%) developed anti-COVID spike protein antibodies after completing the primary COVID vaccination series. Thirty-eight of 46 (83%) patients who received an additional primary shot and had resultant levels produced anti-COVID spike protein antibodies. When compared to other lymphoma types, patients with CLL/SLL had a numerically lower seroconversion rate of 51% following the primary series whereas patients with HL/TCL appeared to have a robust antibody response with a seropositivity rate of 77% (p=0.04). Lymphoma patients are capable of mounting a humoral response to the COVID mRNA vaccines. Further studies are required to confirm our findings, including whether T-cell immunity would be of clinical relevance in this patient population.
The modified COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRSm) patient-reported outcome measure for Long Covid or Post-COVID syndrome
Authors: Sivan Manoj , Preston Nick , Parkin Amy , Makower Sophie , Gee Jeremy , Ross Denise , Tarrant Rachel , Davison Jennifer , Halpin Stephen , O’Connor Rory J , Horton Mike 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe C19-YRS was the first validated scale reported in the literature for patient assessment and monitoring in Long Covid or Post-COVID syndrome. The 22-item scale contains four subscales measuring symptom severity, functional disability, overall health and additional symptoms.ObjectivesThis study aimed to modify and refine the scale based on psychometric properties, emerging evidence on additional Long Covid symptoms, and feedback from a working group of patients and healthcare professionals.MethodsData were collected from 370 patients who completed the C19-YRS scale in a community Long COVID service. The psychometric properties of the Symptom Severity and Functional Disability subscales were assessed using a Rasch Measurement Theory framework, where all individual scale items were assessed for model fit, local dependency, response category functioning and differential item functioning (DIF) by age group and sex. Additionally, the subscales were assessed for targeting, reliability and unidimensionality. The overall health subscale is a single item, and the additional symptoms subscale is not intended to be summed, therefore neither is appropriate for Rasch analyses. Psychometric results and implications were relayed back to the working group for discussion, alongside clinical evidence of emerging and relevant symptoms not covered by the original C19-YRS.ResultsRasch analysis revealed promising psychometric properties of the symptom severity and functional disability subscales, with both displaying good targeting and reliability, although some individual measurement anomalies were noted. The original 0-10 item response category structure did not operate as intended for both the subscales. Post-hoc rescoring suggested that a 4-point response category structure would be more appropriate for both the subscales, and this aligned with patient feedback. This scoring change was implemented, alongside changes in the item composition of the symptom severity and additional symptoms subscales. The functional disability item set, and the overall health single-item subscale remained unchanged.ConclusionA modified version of the C19-YRS was developed based on a combination of psychometric evidence, clinical relevance of the content and feedback from the working group (comprising patients and healthcare professionals). Future studies including NIHR funded LOCOMOTION study will undertake large-scale, multi-centre validation of the modified C19-YRS.
Changes in m6A RNA methylation of goat lung following PPRV infection
Authors: Nabi Khan Raja Ishaq , Praharaj Manas Ranjan , Malla Waseem Akram , Hosamani Neelima , Saxena Shikha , Mishra Bina , Rajak Kaushal Kishor , Dhanavelu Muthuchelvan , Tiwari Ashok Kumar , Mishra B P , Sajjanar Basavaraj , Gandham Ravi Kumar 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPeste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute, highly contagious viral disease of goats and sheep, caused by the Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). Earlier studies suggest the involvement of diverse regulatory mechanisms in PPRV infection. Methylation at N6 of Adenosine called m6A is one such RNA modification that influences various physiological and pathological phenomena. As the lung tissue represents the primary target organ of PPRV, the present study explored the m6A changes and their functional significance in PPRV disease pathogenesis. m6A-seq analysis revealed 1289 m6A peaks to be significantly altered in PPRV infected lung in comparison to normal lung, out of which 975 m6A peaks were hypomethylated and 314 peaks were hypermethylated. Importantly, hypomethylated genes were enriched in Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 signaling and various processes associated with extracellular matrix organization. Further, of the 843 differentially m6A containing cellular transcripts, 282 transcripts were also found to be differentially expressed. Functional analysis revealed that these 282 transcripts are significantly enriched in signaling by Interleukins, extracellular matrix organization, cytokine signaling in the immune system, signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases, and Toll-like Receptor Cascades. We also found m6A reader HNRNPC and the core component of methyltransferase complex METTL14 to be highly upregulated than the m6A readers – HNRNPA2B1 and YTHDF1 at the transcriptome level. These findings suggest that alteration in m6A landscape following PPRV is implicated in diverse processes including the Interleukin signaling.