bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of trans-sub-Tenon's retrobulbar anesthesia for pars plana vitrectomy: a randomized trial
Authors: Xu Qian , Ren Meiqing , Guan Juanjuan , Shi Guihong , Ni Yan , Luan Jie 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Aim
To compare the efficacy and safety of trans-sub-Tenon's ciliary nerve block anesthesia and transcutaneous retrobulbar anesthesia in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Methods
A prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted at Zhongda Hospital, Affiliated with Southeast University, from February 2021 to October 2021. Patients undergoing PPV were randomly allocated into two groups: the trans-sub-Tenon's anesthesia group (ST group) and the retrobulbar anesthesia group (RB group) in the ratio of 1:1. The ST group received 2 ml ropivacaine through the Tenon capsule to the retrobulbar space, while the RB group received 2 ml ropivacaine via transcutaneous retrobulbar injection. Visual analog score (VAS) was used to evaluate pain during the whole process, including during anesthesia implementation, intraoperatively and on the first day after the operation. Movement evaluation (Brahma scores) and anesthesia-related complications were also noted.

Results
Finally, a total of 120 patients were included in the study (60 in the ST group and 60 in the RB group). There were no significant differences in baseline patient characteristics or surgical features between the two groups. The VAS pain scores for anesthesia implementation were 0.52 ± 0.47 in the ST group and 1.83 ± 0.87 in the RB group (P < 0.001). The VAS scores during the operation were 0.53 ± 0.49 in the ST group and 1.48 ± 1.02 in the RB group (P < 0.001) and those on the first day after the operation were 0.37 ± 0.38 in the ST group and 0.81 ± 0.80 in the RB group (P = 0.002). No patients required supplemental intravenous anesthesia intraoperatively. The Brahma movement scores were 0.70 ± 1.64 in the ST group (scores ranging from 0 to 8) and 2.38 ± 3.15 in the RB group (ranging from 0 to 12) (P = 0.001). Forty-two patients in each group received laser photocoagulation during surgery. Fifteen patients (36%) in the ST group could not see the flashes of the laser, compared to 8 patients (19%) in the RB group (P = 0.087). No serious sight-threatening or life-threatening complications related to anesthesia were observed in either group.

Conclusions
For PPV, trans-sub-Tenon's ciliary nerve block anesthesia was more effective in controlling pain than transcutaneous retrobulbar anesthesia during the whole surgery process, including during anesthesia implementation, intraoperatively and on the first day after the operation. Additionally, it could achieve better effect of akinesia and was relatively safe. Trans-sub-Tenon's anesthesia could be considered an alternative form of local anesthesia during vitreoretinal procedures.

Trial registration
The study protocol has been registered at ChiCTR.org.cn on February 2021 under the number ChiCTR2100043109.
Putative protective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on atrial fibrillation through risk factor modulation and off-target actions: potential mechanisms and future directions
Authors: Shetty Syona S , Krumerman Andrew 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAtrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac arrhythmia, results in substantial morbidity and mortality related to its increased risks of stroke, heart failure, and impaired cognitive function. The incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the general population is rising, making atrial fibrillation treatment and management of its risk factors highly relevant clinical targets. One well-studied risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation is diabetes mellitus. Inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), common medications used to treat diabetes mellitus, have been observed to decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation. This review discusses the SGLT2 and its role in glucose homeostasis, molecules inhibiting the transporter, possible physiological mechanisms responsible for the decreased incident atrial fibrillation in patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors and proposes mechanistic studies to further our understanding of the biological processes involved.
VEGF-B targeting by aryl hydrocarbon receptor mediates the migration and invasion of choriocarcinoma stem-like cells
Authors: Tan Qianxia , Cai Jingting , Peng Jingping , Hu Cui , Wu ChenChun , Liu Huining 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUnlike other members of the VEGF family, the function of VEGF-B in tumor progression remains to be elucidated. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the function of VEGF-B in human choriocarcinoma cells by investigating its detailed effects and molecular mechanisms. VEGF-B and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis and western blot analysis in JEG-3 cells and choriocarcinoma stem-like cells (CSLCs) and their proliferation, migration, and invasion after the transfection of short hairpin RNA VEGF-B, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; AhR agonist) treatment or StemRegenin 1 (SR1; AhR antagonist) treatment were examined by cell proliferation assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay. In addition, luciferase reporter analysis and bioinformatics data mining were used to investigate the association between VEGF-B and AhR. Upregulation of VEGF-B and AhR expression was observed in CSLCs. Following VEGF-B knockdown or SR1 treatment, the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of CSLCs were significantly decreased, contrary to the findings after TCDD treatment. It was also found that AhR enhanced VEGF-B transcriptional activity by binding to the relative promoter region. These observations indicated that VEGF-B may be an oncogene that promotes choriocarcinoma cell migration and invasion targeted by AhR. Therefore, targeting VEGF-B may provide a novel therapeutic opportunity for choriocarcinoma.
The efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with language training for motor aphasia after stroke: study protocol for a multicenter randomized sham-controlled trial
Authors: Deng Shizhe , Sang Bomo , Li Boxuan , Lu Hai , Zhang Lili , Tian Guang , Hao Ting , Zhang Yufeng , Shi Lei , Sun Kaihang , Ba Te , Li Feng , Kong Ying , Qin Mengni , Zhang Jianli , Zhao Xiaofeng , Meng Zhihong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Motor aphasia after stroke is a common and intractable complication of stroke. Acupuncture and language training may be an alternative and effective approach. However, the efficacy of acupuncture and language training for motor aphasia after stroke has not been confirmed. The main objectives of this trial are to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and low-intensity, low-dose language training in treating ischemic motor aphasia after stroke from 15 to 90 days.

Methods
This is a multicenter randomized sham-controlled clinical trial. We will allocate 252 subjects aged between 45 and 75 years diagnosed with motor aphasia after stroke with an onset time ranging from 15 to 90 days into two groups randomly in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the experimental group will be treated with “Xing-Nao Kai-Qiao” acupuncture therapy plus language training, and those in the control group will be treated with sham-acupoint (1 cun next to the acupoints) acupuncture therapy plus language training. All the patients will be given acupuncture and language training for 6 weeks, with a follow-up evaluation 6 weeks after the end of the treatment and 6 months after the onset time. The patients will mainly be evaluated using the Western Aphasia Battery and Chinese Functional Communication Profile, and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks of treatment will be recorded. The baseline characteristics of the patients will be summarized by group, the chi-squared test will be used to compare categorical variables, and repeated measures of analysis of variance or a linear mixed model will be applied to analyze the changes measured at different time points.

Discussion
The present study is designed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of traditional acupuncture therapy and language training in ischemic motor aphasia after stroke and explore the correlation between the treatment time and clinical effect of acupuncture. We hope our results will help doctors understand and utilize acupuncture combined with language training.

Trial registration
ChiCTR ChiCTR1900026740. Registered on 20 October 2019
Novel silver metformin nano-structure to impede virulence of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Abbas Hisham A. , Shaker Ghada H. , Mosallam Farag M. , Gomaa Salwa E. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus is a prevalent etiological agent of health care associated and community acquired infections. Antibiotic abuse resulted in developing multidrug resistance in S. aureus that complicates treatment of infections. Targeting bacterial virulence using FDA approved medication offers an alternative to the antibiotics with no stress on bacterial viability. Using nanomaterials as anti-virulence agent against S. aureus virulence factors is a valuable approach. This study aims to investigate the impact of metformin (MET), metformin nano (MET-Nano), silver metformin nano structure (Ag-MET-Ns) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on S. aureus virulence and pathogenicity. The in vitro results showed a higher inhibitory activity against S. aureus virulence factors with both MET-Nano and Ag-MET-Ns treatment. However, genotypically, it was found that except for agrA and icaR genes that are upregulated, the tested agents significantly downregulated the expression of crtM, sigB, sarA and fnbA genes, with Ag-MET-Ns being the most efficient one. MET-Nano exhibited the highest protection against S. aureus infection in mice. These data indicate the promising anti-virulence activity of nanoformulations especially Ag-MET-Ns against multidrug resistant S. aureus by inhibiting quorum sensing signaling system.
African smallholder farmers and the treatment of livestock diseases using ethnoveterinary medicine: A commentary
Authors: Nwafor Ifeoma Chinyelu , Nwafor Christopher Ugochukwu 
Published: June 2022

AbstractOften touted as an ancient and sustainable practice among indigenous livestock farmers in developing countries, the use of ethno-veterinary medicine is examined within the context of its efficacy. While there are undoubtedly positive implications for adopting knowledge and practice that align with nature, there is both prevalence and ambivalence to the adoption of indigenous plant knowledge and resources for the treatment of livestock infections and diseases. This situation is due to the lack of validation and standardization of the practice in low-income countries, requiring scholarly efforts in developing this indigenous knowledge system. This is a short communication piece that provides a commentary on the issues that pertain to ethno-veterinary practice among rural livestock farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
The impact of mass drug administration of antibiotics on the gut microbiota of target populations
Authors: Gough Ethan K. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAntibiotics have become a mainstay of healthcare in the past century due to their activity against pathogens. This manuscript reviews the impact of antibiotic use on the intestinal microbiota in the context of mass drug administration (MDA). The importance of the gut microbiota to human metabolism and physiology is now well established, and antibiotic exposure may impact host health via collateral effects on the microbiota and its functions. To gain further insight into how gut microbiota respond to antibiotic perturbation and the implications for public health, factors that influence the impact of antibiotic exposure on the microbiota, potential health outcomes of antibiotic-induced microbiota alterations, and strategies that have the potential to ameliorate these wider antibiotic-associated microbiota perturbations are also reviewed.
Graphical Abstract
A validation of abstracted dive profiles relayed via the Argos satellite system: a case study of a loggerhead turtle
Authors: Kishida Narumi , Okuyama Junichi , Arita Mamiko , Kume Natsuki , Fujita Kento , Nishizawa Hideaki , Torisawa Shinsuke , Mitsunaga Yasushi 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSatellite telemetry devices can record movement data of animals along with the environmental data. Such data are relayed remotely via satellite systems, but are constrained by the limited bandwidth availability. A satellite relay data logger (SRDL) that can abstract dive profiles and compress the data for transmission using a broken stick model (BSM) has been widely used in studies on dive behavior and physiology of marine animals. However, there is still uncertainty in the abstracted dive profiles. Here, we aimed to evaluate the certainty of abstracted dive profiles (via satellite communication) in terms of dive performance (dive depth, duration, and dive type) by comparing it with the actual dive data (from the retrieved tag) in a loggerhead turtle deployed with the SRDL throughout a 1.4-year foraging period. There was no significant difference in the maximum dive depth between the retrieved and satellite transmission data; however, there was a slight but significant difference in the dive duration. The dives from both datasets were classified into five types. Inconsistent dive classifications occurred in 1.7% of the data. There was no significant difference in the proportion of time spent diving between the retrieved and satellite transmission data for each type during the common recording period. In monthly scale comparisons, however, a significant difference was detected when the amount of data via satellite transmission was the smallest. Our results demonstrated that the dive data abstracted using BSM almost reconstructed the actual dive profiles with certainty in a loggerhead turtle, although slight inconsistencies were observed.
Facile fabrication of silver-nanowire-based chips using dry-film photoresist for wearable optical detection
Authors: Amicucci Chiara , Ha Heebo , Matteini Paolo , Hwang Byungil 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWith technological advances in wearable health care monitoring system, there increasing demands for the patterning technology for reliable sensors. Dry-film photoresists (DFRs) have several advantages for the patterning of silver nanowires (AgNWs), including cost-effectiveness, low toxicity of the process, and ease of mass production through a roll-to-roll process. In this study, using DFRs, we achieved the facile fabrication of AgNW-based chips for optical detection of myoglobin (Mb) via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Mb is found in accessible biological fluids such as urine and serum, which is a representative protein biomarker for human health monitoring. AgNWs were successfully patterned on polyethylene terephthalate films using DFR to form multiple spots, with a diameter of ~500 µm, that are available for detection. SERS spectra showed that the AgNW chips can efficiently detect myoglobin proteins down to levels of clinical significance. Our results will provide insights for the cost-effective production method of futuristic health care monitoring system.
Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among maintenance hemodialysis patients: an Egyptian survey study
Authors: Tharwat Samar , Khairallah Marwa K. , Nassar Mohammed Kamal , Nassar Dalia Kamal , Nagy Eman 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality especially among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. COVID-19 vaccination is important to decrease risk and severity of COVID-19 infection. However, vaccine hesitancy is a significant barrier to vaccination. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the vaccine acceptability among Egyptian MHD patients.

Methods
We conducted a paper-based survey on 237 MHD patients in 2 tertiary Egyptian hemodialysis (HD) centers. The survey consisted of a questionnaire that addressed demographic and clinical data, knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 infection and vaccines, beliefs regarding both conventional and COVID-19 vaccines, intention of COVID-19 vaccination together with motivators for and barriers against vaccination, sources of information regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

Results
According to intention to be vaccinated, the patients were divided into vaccine acceptant (VA), hesitant (VH), and resistant (VR) groups who comprised 58.3%, 26.5%, and 15.2%, respectively. Only occupational status and residency were significantly different between the three groups. In 60% of VA group, fear of infection was the main motivator for vaccination. Meanwhile, 40% of VH and VR groups reported that fear of serious side effects of vaccines was the main barrier against vaccination. Television was the primary information source (58.6%) about COVID-19 vaccination while only 18% of patients got their COVID-19 vaccine information from their nephrologists.

Conclusions
More than half of MHD patients accept to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine acceptability is not associated with age, gender, educational level, but rather with employment status and residency.
Genomic Landscape of Advanced Solid Tumors in Circulating Tumor DNA and Correlation With Tissue Sequencing: A Single Institution's Experience
Authors: Gerratana Lorenzo , Movarek Michael , Wehbe Firas , Katam Neelima , Mahalingam Devalingam , Donahue Jeannine , Shah Ami , Chae Young K. , Mulcahy Mary , Tsarwhas Dean , Villaflor Victoria , Kalyan Aparna , Hussein Maha , Patel Jyoti , Chandra Sunandana , Platanias Leonidas C. , Gradishar William , Cristofanilli Massimo , Behdad Amir 
Published: June 2022

PURPOSECirculating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising noninvasive biomarker for baseline characterization and longitudinal monitoring of a tumor throughout disease management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of ctDNA across a wide spectrum of tumor types.METHODSWe retrospectively identified 1,763 patients with advanced cancers who had next-generation sequencing of ctDNA or tumor tissue completed by a designated commercial assay at Northwestern University.RESULTSctDNA identified at least one gene alteration in 90% of patients. The number of detected alterations (NDA) and mutant allele frequency (MAF) of the most frequently mutated genes varied significantly across tumor types, with the highest MAF observed in gastric, colorectal, and breast cancers and the highest NDA observed in colorectal, lung squamous, and ovarian/endometrial cancers. TP53 was the most mutated gene in all tumor types. PIK3CA, ERBB2, BRCA1, and FGFR1 alterations were associated with breast cancer, and ESR1 mutations were exclusively detected in this tumor type. Colorectal cancer was characterized by alterations in KRAS and APC mutations, whereas KRAS, EGFR, PIK3CA, and BRAF mutations were common in lung adenocarcinoma. Concordance between blood and tissue sequencing was notably observed for truncal gene alterations (eg, APC and KRAS), whereas low concordance was often observed in genes associated with treatment resistance mechanisms (eg, RB1 and NF1). Tumor mutational burden (TMB) varied significantly across tumor types, and patients with high MAF or NDA had a significantly higher TMB score with one of the investigated platforms.CONCLUSIONThe study provided new insights into the ctDNA mutational landscape across solid tumors, suggesting new hypotheses-generating data and caveats for future histotype-agnostic workflows integrated with tissue-based biomarkers such as TMB.
Developmental and evolutionary comparative analysis of a regulatory landscape in mouse and chicken
Authors: Hintermann Aurélie , Guerreiro Isabel , Lopez-Delisle Lucille , Bolt Christopher Chase , Gitto Sandra , Duboule Denis , Beccari Leonardo 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACT
Modifications in gene regulation are driving forces in the evolution of organisms. Part of these changes involve cis-regulatory elements (CREs), which contact their target genes through higher-order chromatin structures. However, how such architectures and variations in CREs contribute to transcriptional evolvability remains elusive. We use Hoxd genes as a paradigm for the emergence of regulatory innovations, as many relevant enhancers are located in a regulatory landscape highly conserved in amniotes. Here, we analysed their regulation in murine vibrissae and chicken feather primordia, two skin appendages expressing different Hoxd gene subsets, and compared the regulation of these genes in these appendages with that in the elongation of the posterior trunk. In the two former structures, distinct subsets of Hoxd genes are contacted by different lineage-specific enhancers, probably as a result of using an ancestral chromatin topology as an evolutionary playground, whereas the gene regulation that occurs in the mouse and chicken embryonic trunk partially relies on conserved CREs. A high proportion of these non-coding sequences active in the trunk have functionally diverged between species, suggesting that transcriptional robustness is maintained, despite considerable divergence in enhancer sequences.
Inside the coupling of ladybird beetle elytra: elastic setae can facilitate swift deployment
Authors: Yuan Qiufeng , Zong Le , Zhang Jie , Wu Jianing , Yang Yunqiang , Ge Siqin 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACT
The ladybird beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) is known for swift deployment of its elytra, an action that requires considerable power. However, actuation by thoracic muscles alone may be insufficient to deploy elytra at high speed because the maximum mechanical power that elytral muscles can produce is only 70% of that required for initiation of deployment. Nevertheless, the elytra open rapidly, within 3 ms in the initial phase, at a maximum angular velocity of 66.49±21.29 rad s−1, rivaling the strike velocity of ant lion (Myrmeleon crudelis) mandibles (65±21 rad s−1). Here, we hypothesize that elytra coupling may function as an energy storage mechanism that facilitates rapid opening by releasing elastic strain energy upon deployment. To test this hypothesis and better understand the biomechanics of elytra deployment, we combined micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy to examine the microstructure of the coupling of paired elytra. We found that two rows of setae on the internal edges of the elytra coupling structure undergo elastic deformation when the elytra are locked together. Kinematics observations and mathematical modeling suggest that the elastic potential energy stored in the compressed setae generates 40% of the power required for deployment of elytra. Our findings broaden insights into how ladybirds actuate elytra opening by a strategy of using both muscles and elastic microstructures, and demonstrate a distributed pattern of actuation that adapts to geometrical constraints in elytra locking.