bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Choroid and choriocapillaris changes in early-stage Parkinson’s disease: a swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Yang Li , Gao Yuzhu , Zhang Dan , Tao Yunhan , Xu Hanyue , Chen Yi , Xu Yanming , Zhang Ming 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the aging population. Previous literature has reported thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, and photoreceptor layer in PD patients. However, very few studies have used swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) to study the choroid and choriocapillaris vascular changes in PD and their correlations with altered contrast sensitivity.

Methods
PD patients and controls were enrolled in the current study. We used a CSV-1000E instrument to assess contrast sensitivity and performed SS-OCT and SS-OCTA to measure outer retinal thickness, choroidal thickness, choriocapillaris flow density, choroidal vascular volume (CVV), and choroidal vascular index (CVI).

Results
One hundred eyes of 52 PD patients and 200 eyes of 100 healthy controls were recruited in the present study. Our study found remarkably impaired contrast sensitivity in PD patients (all P < 0.05). Significant thinning of the outer retinal layer and the choroid was appreciated in the PD group compared with the healthy controls (all P < 0.05). Choriocapillaris flow density, CVI, and CVV were significantly decreased in PD patients compared with healthy controls (all P < 0.05). Contrast sensitivity was weakly associated with outer retina thickness in the 3 mm circular area, with 3 cycles per degree being the most relevant (r = 0.535, P < 0.001).

Conclusion
Our study indicates that there is a significant decrease in contrast sensitivity, outer retina thickness, choriocapillaris flow density, CVI, and CVV in PD patients. This research has also identified a positive correlation between outer retina thickness and contrast sensitivity.
Physiologic responses to exercise in survivors of critical illness: an exploratory pilot study
Authors: Mart Matthew F. , Ely E. Wesley , Tolle James J. , Patel Mayur B. , Brummel Nathan E. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
ICU survivors suffer from impaired physical function and reduced exercise capacity, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The goal of this exploratory pilot study was to investigate potential mechanisms of exercise limitation using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and 6-min walk testing (6MWT).

Methods
We enrolled adults aged 18 years or older who were treated for respiratory failure or shock in medical, surgical, or trauma ICUs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, TN, United States). We excluded patients with pre-existing cardiac dysfunction, a contraindication to CPET, or the need for supplemental oxygen at rest. We performed CPET and 6MWT 6 months after ICU discharge. We measured standard CPET parameters in addition to two measures of oxygen utilization during exercise (VO2-work rate slope and VO2 recovery half-time).

Results
We recruited 14 participants. Low exercise capacity (i.e., VO2Peak < 80% predicted) was present in 11 out of 14 (79%) with a median VO2Peak of 12.6 ml/kg/min [9.6–15.1] and 6MWT distance of 294 m [240–433]. In addition to low VO2Peak, CPET findings in survivors included low oxygen uptake efficiency slope, low oxygen pulse, elevated chronotropic index, low VO2-work rate slope, and prolonged VO2 recovery half-time, indicating impaired oxygen utilization with a hyperdynamic heart rate and ventilatory response, a pattern seen in non-critically ill patients with mitochondrial myopathies. Worse VO2-work rate slope and VO2 recovery half-time were strongly correlated with worse VO2Peak and 6MWT distance, suggesting that exercise capacity was potentially limited by impaired muscle oxygen utilization.

Conclusions
These exploratory data suggest ICU survivors may suffer from impaired muscular oxygen metabolism due to mitochondrial dysfunction that impairs exercise capacity long-term. These findings should be further characterized in future studies that include direct assessments of muscle mitochondrial function in ICU survivors.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of supervised, at-home, self-administered transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to manage long COVID symptoms
Authors: Badran Bashar W. , Huffman Sarah M. , Dancy Morgan , Austelle Christopher W. , Bikson Marom , Kautz Steven A. , George Mark S. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Although the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has now impacted the world for over two years, the persistent secondary neuropsychiatric effects are still not fully understood. These “long COVID” symptoms, also referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), can persist for months after infection without any effective treatments. Long COVID involves a complex heterogenous symptomology and can lead to disability and limit work. Long COVID symptoms may be due to sustained inflammatory responses and prolonged immune response after infection. Interestingly, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may have anti-inflammatory effects, however, until recently, VNS could not be self-administered, at-home, noninvasively.

Methods
We created a double-blind, noninvasive transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) system that can be self-administered at home with simultaneous remote monitoring of physiological biomarkers and video supervision by study staff. Subsequently, we carried out a pilot (n = 13) randomized, sham-controlled, trial with this system for four weeks to treat nine predefined long covid symptoms (anxiety, depression, vertigo, anosmia, ageusia, headaches, fatigue, irritability, brain fog). No in-person patient contact was needed, with informed consent, trainings, ratings, and all procedures being conducted remotely during the pandemic (2020–2021) and equipment being shipped to individuals’ homes. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier: NCT04638673 registered November 20, 2020.

Results
Four-weeks of at-home self-administered taVNS (two, one-hour sessions daily, delivered at suprathreshold intensities) was feasible and safe. Although our trial was not powered to determine efficacy as an intervention in a heterogenous population, the trends in the data suggest taVNS may have a mild to moderate effect in reducing mental fatigue symptoms in a subset of individuals.

Conclusions
This innovative study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of supervised self-administered taVNS under a fully contactless protocol and suggests that future studies can safely investigate this novel form of brain stimulation at-home for a variety of neuropsychiatric and motor recovery applications.
Consanguinity in the Chaouia population (Morocco): prevalence, trends, determinants, fertility, and spontaneous abortions
Authors: Cheffi Khadija , Dahbi Noura , El Khair Abderrazak , Stambouli Hamid , Elbouri Aziz , Talbi Jalal , Hilali Abderraouf , El Ossmani Hicham 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
One of the aspects that helps to understand the genetic structure of a population throughout its biological history is the description of its matrimonial practices. Thus, the objective of this study is to explore consanguinity, one of these practices, to its full extent by identifying the prevalence, determinants, and trends of a consanguineous marriage, as well as its impact on fertility and spontaneous abortions in the Chaouia population, a region located in the western center of Morocco. Therefore, a survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2020. The sample was collected by province using a stratified random sampling approach, yielding a sample of 788 people. The association between consanguinity and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, as well as reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes, was described using chi-square and ANOVA analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of a consanguineous marriage.

Results
Our findings revealed a consanguinity rate of 25.38%. The mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.012214. The most common type of union was between first cousins. This practice was strongly associated with an early age at marriage for both genders and with endogamy and immobility of couples, according to their place of birth. Consanguinity was significantly associated with fertility (p < 0.001) and spontaneous abortions (p = 0.029). The average number of pregnancies and spontaneous abortions was higher in consanguineous unions (5.18 ± 0.20/0.47 ± 0.08) compared to non-consanguineous unions (4.33 ± 0.10/0.31 ± 0.03).

Conclusions
Consanguinity is a deeply rooted social and cultural tradition in this population, providing individuals with a sense of social-economic stability while assuring their attachment to the group. Despite being highly associated with fertility, this practice has a significant influence on pregnancy outcomes, namely spontaneous abortions. Therefore, further studies are needed to examine the impact of consanguinity on various aspects of reproductive health and its association with numerous genetic abnormalities and diseases.
Josephson oscillation in the open two-site Bose-Hubbard system
Authors: Kolovsky Andrey R. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
We analyze Josephson’s oscillation of Bose particles in the open two-site Bose-Hubbard system. First, we excite the system from the vacuum state into a state suitable for observing the oscillation by using a special protocol for external driving. Next, we switch off the driving and observe the oscillation. It is shown that the main mechanism for the decay of Josephson’s oscillation is the dephasing due to the fluctuating number of particles in open systems. An analytical estimate for the decay time is obtained.
Sobre a reeducação das relações étnico-raciais na escola pública: percepções de docentes de Mossoró/RN
Authors: Da Silva Francinaldo Rita , Paiva de Carvalho Guilherme , Vieira da Silva Francisco 
Published: August 2022

O artigo analisa a percepção de docentes de escolas públicas de Mossoró/RN acerca da reeducação das relações étnico-raciais no período pós-lei 10.639/2003. Fundamenta-se principalmente nas Diretrizes Curriculares Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para a Educação das Relações Étnico-raciais e para o Ensino de História e Cultura Afro-brasileira e Africana e em autores como Madeira (2020), Munanga (2005), Gomes (2001) e Gomes (2008). O corpus de análise é composto por fragmentos extraídos de entrevistas semiestruturadas feitas com nove docentes da rede estadual da cidade de Mossoró/RN. As análises pontuam que os docentes concebem a importância da efetivação de relações étnico-raciais positivas na escola, mas enumeram alguns obstáculos, como a ausência de formação adequada e os impactos de um currículo ainda matizado por um viés racial homogeneizante.
Choirs in end-of-life care: a thematic literature review
Authors: Ryan Colleen , McAllister Margaret , Mulvogue Jennifer 
Published: August 2022

Background:Choirs are an important source of wellbeing for people experiencing palliative and end-of-life care. Threshold choirs are an innovation that could be more widely introduced, as hospital and palliative care settings have become more open to community input.Aims:Before such choirs are recommended and encouraged, evidence for their effectiveness and implementation barriers need to be known.Methods:A literature review was undertaken in 2019 and 2020 using CINAHL, PUBMED, Medline, ProQuest, Google Scholar and an internet manual search.Findings:The review identified a total of 26 research and discussion papers relevant to the topic of choir in palliative care settings.Conclusion:Following the review, guidelines were developed that may be useful to assist choirs and service providers to effectively introduce this valuable initiative. Choirs may be a creative, and uplifting arts-based activity to augment and enrich the culture of person-centred care during palliative care processes.
Nurses' perceptions of supporting a ‘good death’ in intensive care units
Authors: Stanzl Nicola , Scammell Janet 
Published: August 2022

Background: Death in the intensive care unit (ICU) is an unavoidable aspect of nursing practice. Nurses are the primary front-line healthcare professionals (HCPs) which care for dying patients in this setting. Facilitating ‘good deaths’ in the ICU has become increasingly debated due to the challenges involved, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: To explore how nurses perceive a ‘good death’ for patients in the ICU. Method: Literature published in English between 2005 and 2020 was rigorously searched and recorded using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data sources were: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE complete, APA PsycInfo, ScienceDirect, SocINDEX, SwePub, SciELO, Complementary Index, Academic Search Ultimate, Supplemental Index, Education Source and Directory of Open Access Journals. Search terms included: nurses' perceptions, ICUs, ‘good deaths’, quality of death and dignified deaths. Findings: Seven articles met the search criteria, five used qualitative methods, one used a quantitative method and one used a mixed method design. Each of these were critically analysed. A process of thematic analysis identified three prevalent themes: ensuring physical comfort, providing an appropriate physical environment and the importance of relatives. Conclusion: The review revealed that creating a less technical environment within the ICU can influence a ‘good death’, but further research is needed to establish how this can be enacted. More effective management of physical symptoms such as pain and dyspnoea are also recommended. Including care of relatives in care plans was also found to contribute toward a ‘good death’ and that this could be facilitated through improved staff education. Providing a private area for grieving relatives within the ICU has also had an impact in enabling a ‘good death’.
Effect of bromelain on mast cell numbers and degranulation in diabetic rat wound healing
Authors: Fathi Amene Nikgoftar , Babaei Sepehr , Babaei Soroush , Baazm Maryam , Sakhaie Hassan , Babaei Saeid 
Published: August 2022

Objective: Many studies have revealed the prominent roles of mast cells in wound healing, including inflammatory reactions, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix reabsorption. In the present study, we aimed to assess the probable therapeutic features of bromelain on wound contraction and mast cell degranulation in wound healing in experimental diabetic animals. Method: Male rats were grouped as control, vehicle and experiment. Skin wounds were generated in all groups. Treatments were applied with distilled water and with bromelain (BR) intraperitoneally in the vehicle and experimental groups, respectively. Following skin wound generation, animals were euthanised on days 3, 5, 7 and 15. We gathered 16,800 microscopic images to count the mast cells and degranulation level (Image J software). The wound contraction index was assessed both microscopically (Image J software) and macroscopically (time-lapse photography). The meshwork evaluation method was used to assess wound healing. Results: Time-lapse photography revealed that the BR significantly (p<0.05) accelerated wound contraction and healing. BR significantly (p<0.05) increased the total number of mast cells in all experimental groups on days 5 and 7. The count of grade III (degranulated) mast cells was reduced significantly (p<0.05) on days 5 and 7 in experimental groups compared to control and vehicle groups. Conclusion: In this study, the rate of wound healing was accelerated considerably following BR administration. In addition, this agent decreased the count of degranulated mast cells, leading to wound contraction and healing.
O MST NO SUL DA BAHIA: O caso da fazenda Santa Luzia
Authors: Dantas Saulo Lúcio 
Published: August 2022

O presente artigo tem, como escopo, analisar os discursos jurídicos e midiáticos de um determinado conflito agrário situado na região sul da Bahia, que vem se alastrando há cerca de 16 (dezesseis) anos. No seio do conflito analisado, estudamos quais são os pressupostos legais usados pelo latifúndio em busca de barrar a atuação do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra – MST, aprofundando principalmente os fundamentos jurídicos e midiáticos usados para criminalizar as atuações do MST. Para isso, fizemos uma pequena pesquisa bibliográfica com algumas teorias que tendem a explicar o fenômeno do Crime, do Sistema Penal e da Criminologia como um todo, além claro, de nos embasarmos em teorias críticas do Direito e da Sociologia. Além do mais, fontes orais dos próprios protagonistas da História real, para que estes pudessem relatar os acontecimentos ao longo dos anos. Desta forma, a metodologia usada para tal feito foi incluir também uma pesquisa de campo na área em conflito - o acampamento -, onde foram coletadas informações e depoimentos, e os fóruns da Comarca de Camacã e Itabuna - cidades do sul da Bahia -, em prol de termos acesso aos autos processuais como pesquisa documental para tentarmos desvendar o que estava por trás dos discursos jurídicos tanto dos advogados como dos juízes. Com base nesses pontos supracitados, essa pesquisa tanto no viés da exegese, como do contexto social, tem como pano de fundo o caráter de responsabilidade social que deve ter o Estado brasileiro, principalmente através do seu Poder Judiciário nos julgamentos que envolvem trabalhadores rurais organizados enquanto classe social de um lado, e do outro lado o latifúndio, acobertado pelo capital financeiro e pelo próprio Estado. Por fim, a nossa intenção não é de fazer afirmações por tantas vezes já repetidas ao longo da História Agrária Brasileira, e sim trazer à tona várias inquietações e problematizações sobre os conflitos agrários - em especial o caso da fazenda Santa Luzia -, para que o debate acerca dos direitos fundamentais da pessoa humana, a criminalização dos movimentos sociais, a (im)parcialidade do Poder Judiciário e o papel da mídia na formação de opinião pública, sejam colocados em xeque nesse jogo da vida.
COVID-19, ESTADO DE EXCEÇÃO E NECROPOLÍTICA: UMA ANÁLISE SOBRE A SITUAÇÃO DA SAÚDE PÚBLICA E DO TRABALHO.
Authors: Ramos Beatriz Santana , Lomanto Maíra Neves 
Published: August 2022

O presente estudo pretende analisar o cenário da saúde pública e da precarização do trabalho que ditam o estado de exceção permanente no país, agravado pela fascistização da política e pela instauração da pandemia do COVID-19. Com base nas informações dos relatórios emitidos pelo grupo de GeoCombate da UFBA, busca-se desvendar o panorama necropolítico-geográfico, traçando a ideia de que esse não se estabelece apenas pela escolha governamental por determinadas vidas e abandono para morte de outras, mas que o sistema capitalista exige, necessariamente, que esse quadro faça parte de sua estrutura, sobretudo nos países sulistas colonizados, como meio de reprodução e sustentação do próprio sistema, adquirindo o Direito, então, papel fundamental nessa ação.
Factors associated with secondhand smoke exposure among non-smoking employees in the workplace: A cross-sectional study in Qingdao, China
Authors: Jia Xiaocen , Wang Rui , Qiu Xiaofei , Huang Yiqing , Wang Yani , Jia Xiaorong , Li Shanpeng , Wu Yibo , Qi Fei 
Published: August 2022

Objective
This study was conducted to describe secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-smoking employees in the workplace, and identify factors related to SHS exposure in Qingdao.

Methods
The study participants covered key non-smoking places stipulated in the “Qingdao City Smoking Control Regulations,” which included three categories: restaurants, bars, and office buildings. Airborne nicotine concentration in the workplace and saliva cotinine concentration of employees were measured. The questionnaire included employees’ demographic factors, smoke-free measures in the workplace, employers’ tobacco hazard knowledge, and attitudes towards smoke-free policy.

Results
A total of 222 non-smoking employees and 46 non-smoking employers were included in the study. The median concentrations of airborne nicotine and salivary cotinine were 0.389 μg/m3 and 0.575 ng/mL, respectively. Educational status, average number of workplace smokers per day, exposure time to SHS in the workplace, and whether smoking and non-smoking areas were divided significantly related to airborne nicotine concentration. Age, educational status, exposure time to SHS in the workplace, tobacco control training and publicity, and whether the employers support the “Qingdao Tobacco Control Regulation” were significantly related to salivary cotinine concentration.

Conclusions
Despite the implementation of the “Qingdao Smoking Control Regulations” in 2013, the workplace remains an important location for SHS exposure. Interventions such as raising workers’ awareness of the risks associated with SHS exposure through health education and developing smoking prevention and cessation programs to reduce SHS exposure in the workplace are urgently needed.
Good recovery of immunization stress-related responses presenting as a cluster of stroke-like events following CoronaVac and ChAdOx1 vaccinations
Authors: Apiwattanakul Metha , Suanprasert Narupat , Rojana-Udomsart Arada , Termglinchan Thanes , Sinthuwong Chaichana , Tantirittisak Tasanee , Hanchaiphiboolkul Suchat , Angchaisuksiri Pantep , Srimahachota Suphot , Wongsawat Jurai , Stiudomkajorn Somjit , Kiertiburanakul Sasisopin , Techasaensiri Chonnamet , Laisuan Wannada , Manosuthi Weerawat , Doungngern Pawinee , Jaroenkunathum Wereyarmarst , Jivapaisarnpong Teeranart , Panjangampatthana Apinya , Chimmanee Jirapa , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya 
Published: August 2022

Background
Immunization stress-related responses presenting as stroke-like symptoms could develop following COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of immunization stress-related responses causing stroke-like events following COVID-19 vaccination in Thailand.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective study of the secondary data of reported adverse events after COVID-19 immunization that presented with neurologic manifestations. Between March 1 and July 31, 2021, we collected and analyzed the medical records of 221 patients diagnosed with stroke-like symptoms following immunization. Two majority types of vaccines were used at the beginning of the vaccination campaign, including CoronaVac (Sinovac) or ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca). Demographic and medical data included sex, age, vaccine type, sequence dose, time to event, laboratory data, and recovery status as defined by the modified Rankin score. The affected side was evaluated for associations with the injection site.

Results
Overall, 221 patients were diagnosed with immunization stress-related responses (stroke-like symptoms) following CoronaVac (Sinovac) or ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) vaccinations. Most patients (83.7%) were women. The median (interquartile range) age of onset was 34 (28–42) years in patients receiving CoronaVac and 46 (33.5–60) years in those receiving ChAdOx1. The median interval between vaccination and symptom onset for each vaccine type was 60 (16–960) min and 30 (8.8–750) min, respectively. Sensory symptoms were the most common symptomology. Most patients (68.9%) developed symptoms on the left side of the body; 99.5% of the patients receiving CoronaVac and 100% of those receiving ChAdOx1 had a good outcome (modified Rankin scores ≤2, indicating slight or no disability).

Conclusions
Immunization stress-related responses presenting as stroke-like symptoms can develop after COVID-19 vaccination. Symptoms more likely to occur on the injection side are transient (i.e., without permanent pathological deficits). Public education and preparedness are important for administering successful COVID-19 vaccination programs.