bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of hesitancy and motivational factors for COVID-19 vaccination among patients presenting to eye care hospitals – A multicenter questionnaire-based survey
Authors: Kaur Kirandeep , Annamalai O , Gurnani Bharat , Rekha Sreedhar , Jayashree B , Venugopal Anitha , Narendran Kalpana , Ravilla Sathya T , PR Aswin , Venkatesh Rengaraj 
Published: October 2022

Purpose
To analyze the hesitancy and motivational factors related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among patients visiting for eye care.

Methods
A telephonic survey was conducted using validated questionnaires consisting of 36 questions in five sections from July 1 to July 31, 2021. Patients visiting six tertiary centers and one secondary center of our eye hospitals were interviewed over their phones, and their responses were entered onto the Google forms. The responses were recorded as demographics, health status, awareness about vaccination, factors contributing to hesitancy or acceptance to vaccinate, and general perception about the vaccine.

Results
A total of 5033 patients were surveyed. The mean age was 49.0 ± 14.2 years. A total of 563 (11.2%) patients gave a history of symptoms or were tested positive for COVID-19; 2225 (44.2%) patients were already COVID-19 vaccinated. Around 2883 (56%) patients were aware of getting infection despite vaccination, and 4092 (81.3%) perceived vaccination should be compulsory. The main reason for vaccination hesitancy was the fear of side effects (n = 487, 17.3%). The fear of getting infected was the most common reason for vaccination (n = 911, 40.9%). Factors associated with a lower proportion of vaccinated individuals included younger age (P < 0.001), female gender (P < 0.001), lower education (P < 0.001), lower income (P < 0.001), and rural residence (P = 0.33).

Conclusion
Creating awareness about the minor side effects and reassurance can allay an individual’s fears. The fear associated with the rapid spread of infection and associated mortality needs to be utilized to increase vaccination acceptance. A targeted approach toward groups with poor uptake of vaccination is necessary.
Potential impact of fluorescein angiography as a primary imaging modality in the management of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Ashraf Mohamed , Wagdy Walaa , Tawfik Mohamed A , Ahmed Islam Shereen Hamdy , Souka Ahmed 
Published: October 2022

Purpose:
To evaluate current practice patterns for Egyptian ophthalmologists in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and explore potential implications of these approaches on management.

Methods:
Cross-sectional survey conducted in Egypt amongst practicing ophthalmologists.

Results:
The study had 203 responses (~6% of all Egyptian ophthalmologists). A majority of respondents were general ophthalmologists (78.2%), practicing for five to ten years (41.9%). In patients with DR and no diabetic macular edema (DME), 33.0% of respondents would use FA in patients with mild DR, 44.3% in patients with moderate DR and 51.2% in patients with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Color imaging (CI) was used by less than 1% as the sole imaging modality for any level of DR. Approximately 70% of respondents used fluorescein angiography (FA) to grade and base treatment decisions for DR, either alone or in conjunction with dilated eye exams and/or CI. Given the known more severe appearance of DR on FA than on standard color imaging upon which treatment guidelines are based, use of FA as the primary modality over a one-year period could result in PRP that would otherwise not be suggested in approximately 78,820 eyes at an additional cost of $10.1 million US dollars. These numbers are projected to double by 2045.

Conclusion:
Given that FA detects significantly greater pathology than CI, and that treatment and follow-up recommendations are based on CI, its use as the primary imaging modality in DR grading may result in apparently significantly higher DR severity, with subsequently increased procedures and associated costs.
Perceptual learning with hand – eye coordination as an effective tool for managing amblyopia: A prospective study
Authors: Shah Shreya , Shah Mehul , Purohit Anand , Khanguda Vaibhav 
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Amblyopia is a serious condition resulting in monocular impairment of vision. Although traditional treatment improves vision, we attempted to explore the results of perceptual learning in this study.

Methods
This prospective cohort study included all patients with amblyopia who were subjected to perceptual learning. The presenting data on vision, stereopsis and contrast sensitivity were documented in a pretested online format, and the pre- and post-treatment information was compared using descriptive, cross-tabulation and comparative methods on SPSS 2.2. The mean values were obtained, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results
The cohort consisted of 47 patients (23 females and 24 males) with a mean age of 14.11 ± 7.13 years. A statistically significant improvement was detected in visual acuity after the perceptual learning session, and the median follow-up period was 17 days. Also, significant improvements were observed in stereopsis but not in the visual outcomes among the age groups.

Conclusion
Perceptual learning with hand–eye coordination is an effective method for managing amblyopia. This approach can improve vision in all age groups. However, visual improvement is significantly influenced by ocular alignment.
Comparing retinal sensitivities on blue-on-yellow and green-on-yellow perimetry in glaucoma suspects
Authors: Pokal Upasana , Swathi N , Rajalakshmi A R , Lokeshmaran A 
Published: October 2022

Purpose:
To compare the retinal sensitivities between the blue-on-yellow perimetry (BYP)/short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) and green-on-yellow perimetry (GYP) among patients with and without nuclear sclerosis among glaucoma suspects.

Methods:
After ophthalmic examination, patients were subjected to two perimetric tests: BYP and GYP. The visual field (VF) parameters were compared between the two perimeters (p < 0.05 was considered significant).

Results:
Fifty-five eyes of 39 patients with a mean age of 60.53 ± 9.70 years were included in the study. Twenty-one eyes had clear lens or pseudophakia. Twenty-six eyes had lower grades of nuclear sclerosis (NO2NC2, NO3NC3) and eight eyes had higher grades of cataract (NO4NC4, NO5NC5). The mean retinal sensitivity (RS) in BYP was 22.08 ± 5.02 (dB) and in GYP was 23.84 ± 5.50 (dB) (p = 0.08). The mean defect in BYP was -2.56 ± 4.40 (dB) and in GYP was -3.24 ± 5.05 (dB), pattern standard deviation (PSD) in BYP was 3.65 ± 1.91 (dB) and in GYP was 3.83 ± 1.99 (dB), and foveal threshold (FT) was 24.20 ± 4.32 (dB) in BYP and 28.10 ± 4.50 (dB) in GYP. The two perimeters showed good agreement by the Bland–Altman plot for all parameters. Fourteen eyes showed perimetric changes suggestive of glaucoma by BYP. In these, GYP had a sensitivity of 92.86% (95% CI of 66.13% to 99.82%) and specificity of 95.12% (95% CI of 83.47% to 99.40%).

Conclusion:
BYP and GYP show good agreement. They are comparable in clear media as well as in different grades of nuclear sclerosis. GYP showed good sensitivity and specificity compared to BYP.
Evidence-based optimisation of empirical antibiotic regimens in paediatric complicated appendicitis: a retrospective study of 94 patients
Authors: Gerber Filippo , Joseph  Jean-Marc , Crisinel  Pierre-Alex , Andrey Véronique 
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most frequent surgical emergency in the paediatric population. Complicated appendicitis accounts for 30% of cases and is inextricably linked to postoperative infectious complications. A study at our institution showed that amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant Escherichia coli in complicated appendicitis was significantly linked to postoperative infectious complications. These findings led to a change in the empirical antibiotic protocol (amoxicillin-clavulanate changed to ceftriaxone + metronidazole as of 2017), intending to reduce postoperative infectious complications in complicated appendicitis in our institution.
AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to analyse the microbiology and resistance profiles of pathogens of complicated appendicitis at our institution since implementing the new antibiotic protocol and the postoperative infectious complications rate.
METHODS: We designed a retrospective comparative cohort study. During the defined study period (01 January 2017 to 31 July 2020), medical records were analysed for cases of acute appendicitis, complicated appendicitis and postoperative infectious complications, retaining only those who fulfilled inclusion criteria. Postoperative outcomes, microbiology and antibiotic resistance of peritoneal swabs were analysed.
RESULTS: During the study period, 95 patients presented with a complicated appendicitis, and 11 (12%) developed postoperative infectious complications. The most frequent pathogens found in complicated appendicitis were E. coli (66%), Streptococcus anginosus (45%), and Bacteroides fragilis (22%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was present in 17% of complicated appendicitis. Pathogens involved in postoperative infectious complications mirrored the distribution found in complicated appendicitis without postoperative infectious complications. Antibiotic susceptibility analysis showed that 10 (15%) of E. coli strains were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate but sensitive to ceftriaxone + metronidazole, with only one strain responsible for causing a postoperative infectious complication. Six additional strains of E. coli (9%) were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate and our empirical antibiotic regimen but were not associated with an increase in postoperative infectious complications. Compared with our previous study, there was a decrease in postoperative infectious complications from 16% to 12%. Postoperative infectious complications caused by amoxicillin-clavulanate-resistant E. coli decreased from 28% to 9%.

CONCLUSION: This retrospective study demonstrated a decrease in the rate of postoperative infectious complications due to amoxicillin-clavulanate-resistant E. coli in complicated appendicitis. These findings accentuate the need to implement evidence-based treatment protocols based on local microbiology profiles and resistance rates to optimise post-operative antibiotics in complicated appendicitis.
Influence of ZP2 peptide, a synthetic analogue of the GM-GSF active center on the anticytokine activity of bacteria from <i>Enterococcus</i> genus and their ability to produce cytokine-like substances
Authors: Pashinina O. A. , Kartashova O. L. , Pashkova T. M. , Gritsenko V. A. 
Published: October 2022

Peptide ZP2, a synthetic analogue of the active center of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), exhibits a wide range of immunobiological effects, including antibacterial activity. At the same time, its effect (in sub-inhibitory concentrations) on the biological properties of Enterococcus spp., the causative agents of many infectious and inflammatory diseases remains poorly understood. The aim of our study was to analyze the nature of the effect of synthetic peptide ZP2 on anticytokine activity (ACA) and its ability to produce cytokine-like substances (CLS) in Enterococcus spp.
18 clinical isolates of Enterococcus spp. were used. Over the experiments, the bacterial strains were cultured in Schaedlers broth with ZP2 peptide at 37 C for 24 hours. No specific peptide was added in the control. ACA for IL-8, TNF and IL-17A and the production of the corresponding CLS were determined by the ELISA method. To assess ACA, the proportion of cytokine inactivation in the experiment relative to the control was calculated and expressed in pg/ml; CLS production was evaluated by the level of cytokines in the experiment and control, expressed as pg/ml. The data were subjected to statistical processing.
It was revealed that Enterococcus spp. strains are capable of secreting compounds that inactivate cytokines IL-8, IL-17A and TNF, and produce CLS in the culture medium. Intragenital and intraspecific variability was noted in the presence and frequency of occurrence and in the severity of these properties. It was found that the ZP2 peptide in E. faecium increases ACA with respect to all studied cytokines. When tested with E. faecalis, it either did not affect their ACA against TNF and IL-8, or completely inhibited ACA for IL-17A. At the same time, ZP2 blocked the production of CLS, e.g., IL-17A and IL-8 in E. faecium, but increased the production of CLS similar to TNF, and, with E. faecalis, it increased the number of IL-17A-producing isolates twofold, although the average level of production of these CLS was lower than in the control.
Enterococcus spp strains are capable of secreting compounds that inactivate cytokines IL-8, TNF and IL- 17A, and may produce substances similar to these cytokines. The synthetic peptide ZP2 has a modifying effect on the manifestation of these properties by Enterococci. Further studies of biological and pathogenetic features of Enterococci and other bacterial species, as well as modifying effects of the ZP2 peptide are required.
Dynamics of immune system parameters in development of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity in a patient with common variable immune deficiency
Authors: Sizyakina L. P. , Andreeva I. I. , Kharitonova M. V. 
Published: October 2022

With the accumulation of data on the evolving SARS-CoV-2 infection pandemic, it became clear that the risk factors for severe course of COVID-19 among the patients with primary immunodeficiency include disorders associated with dysregulation of the immune response. In this regard, it is of interest to identify possible predictors of the pronounced inflammatory reaction upon infection with coronavirus in the patients with general variable immune insufficiency. For this purpose, the dynamics of immune system parameters was studied in a patient with CVID who underwent a severe clinical variant of COVID-19, as an example of clinical case.
We present patient K., 49 years old, with CVID diagnosis verified at the age of 35 years who received regular replacement therapy with IVIG. He suffered from COVID-19 in severe form, received anti-cytokine therapy and an additional course of IVIG during the treatment. He was discharged in satisfactory condition. The quantitative and functional parameters of the T and B lineages of immune system were evaluated by flow cytofluorimetry during routine examinations before the infection and three months after the discharge from the hospital after COVID-19. It has been shown that, before the disease, there were changes in the parameters of B cells characteristic of CVID manifesting as a decrease in switched-memory B cells and plasmoblasts. Alterations in the T cell subsets were also revealed, as redistribution of the subpopulation composition towards T effectors with an increased cytolytic potential of these cells and a weakening of T cell suppression, due to decreased Treg in peripheral blood. After undergoing COVID-19, the patient developed specific IgM and IgG antibodies. The development of immune response was accompanied by an increase in the number of un-switched and switched memory B cells. At the same time, we have registered an increase in memory T cells ready for the proliferative response of T helper cells and Treg cells. The initial pro-inflammatory pattern of the T cell lineage system in our patient with CVID is explained by the implementation of the compensatory capabilities of the immune system, thus leading to activation of the cytolytic effects of cellular compartment in adaptive immune response, along with attenuation of the humoral component. Moreover, it is likely that these changes contributed to the clinical course of COVID-19 in this clinical case. Development of a specific humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 in a patient with CVID after a COVID-19 infection is accompanied by an increased proportion of memory B cells, coordinated dynamics of T cell suppression and activation parameters.
Relationships between the factors of innate immune system and results of neurocognitive function parameters in the persons living with HIV infection: interim results of the study
Authors: Knysh S. V. , Sklyar L. F. , Cherkasova Yu. S. , Chernikova A. A. , Knysh A. A. , Nevezhkina Tatiana A. , Chagina E. A. 
Published: October 2022

HIV infection is closely associated with damage to the nervous system, even despite usage of antiretroviral therapy. Thus, the patients are at a high risk for neurological complications. Due to limited permeability of the blood-brain barrier, the opportunity of its damage, both directly by the proteins of HIV-infected cells and indirectly, by immune system, e.g., inducing the production of inflammatory mediators, the involvement of the central nervous system in pathogenesis of HIV infection seems to be only a matter of time. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) comprise a poly-etiological pathological condition associated with direct and indirect damage to neurons in HIV infection. The role of interaction between the innate immune system and nervous system mediators in viral infections suggests that the specific changes in content and ratios of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines that are among the most polypotent mediators of immune regulation can be detectable in the persons prone to the development of HAND in HIV infection. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the features of serum content and the relationship between the indexes of innate immunity factors with the results of neurocognitive testing in the persons living with HIV.
123 persons were included in the study, of which 93 subjects live with HIV infection. They were divided into 3 groups according to the stages of HIV infection, according to the Russian Classification of HIV infection. 30 persons represented a group of healthy volunteers, comparable in age and gender with the members of main groups, and served as a control group. Determination of IL-1 and IL-10 contents in blood serum was carried out by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. The level of CD4+T lymphocytes was determined by flow cytometry. Neurocognitive testing using Schulte tables, the Munsterberg test was conducted by a medical psychologist, according to generally accepted methods.
A significant increase in the serum IL-10 content in subjects from the main groups was revealed as compared with the control group, as well as in group III compared with the values groups I and II. The levels of IL- 1, CD4+T lymphocytes were significantly lower in group III, compared with all other groups. The personal performance index determined by testing with Schulte tables was reduced in all groups, relative to the controls, with a significant predominance of the results in groups I and II over the results of the participants from group III. The scores in Munsterberg test were equally diminished in all the main groups compared to the control values. When assessing the Spearman coefficient, the presence of various correlation profiles was established, depending on the stage of the disease.
Features of humoral immunity in patients with mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Norka Anna O. , Vorobyev S. V. , Kuznetsova R. N. , Serebriakova M. K. , Kudryavtsev I. V. , Kovalenko S. N. , Monashenko D. N. , Korobova Z. R. 
Published: October 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important problem of the healthcare system. A lPeading role in pathogenesis belongs to the action of shock wave upon skull and brain integuments, extending from the impacted site, as well as displacement and rotation of the cerebral hemispheres relative to the fixed brain stem. As a result, a cascade of metabolic, biochemical and inflammatory changes is initiated, leading to secondary damage. TBI, depending on its mechanism, severity and type, causes various primary structural and functional brain lesions at molecular, cellular, tissue and organ levels with dysregulation of all systems in the body, dependent on its degree and extent. In most cases, the brain injury increases the risk of developing epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers disease, arkinsons disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), with mental health disorders. TBI is a long-term symptomatic process in patients with functional and structural damage. In response to a traumatic event, the damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) encountered upon tissue damage are expressed, which cause activation of the resident brain tissue cells, and secretion of multiple chemokine and cytokine by distinct cell populations. Neutrophils migrate to focal lesions, which remove damaged cells and debris. Migration of T and B cells is observed 3-7 days after the trauma. Hence, following primary injury, due to a cascade of immune reactions, a more extensive lesion, the so-called secondary trauma, is developed. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of immune response in pathogenesis of mild traumatic brain injury.
An increased number of Bm2 cells, IgDdimCD27low naive B cells and B cells with the IgDlowCD27hi (plasmablasts) phenotype was found in patients with mild brain contusion, compared to comparison group. Moreover, the number of naive mature B cells with the CD27lowCD38dim phenotype was significantly decreased compared with the controls.
Phenotypic features of innate lymphoid cells in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Boeva O. S. , Berishvili M. T. , Sizikov A. E. , Pashkina E. A. 
Published: October 2022

Currently, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered among the most common autoimmune diseases worldwide, being associated with progressing disability, systemic organ and tissue lesions, as well as social and economic losses for the state. Studies of innate lymphoid cells (ILS) seems to be actual and significant when studying development of autoimmune inflammation in RA, in particular, the issues of the cell plasticity. ILC represent tissue resident lymphoid cells that display functional diversity, like as T cells. Moreover, ILC regulate orientation of immune response by means of cytokine production. Small amounts of ILCs are present in the bloodstream, presumably for migration to target organs and tissues. Accordingly, the study of ILC in RA will promote understanding of the RA pathogenesis. It is also possible in the future to develop new therapeutic strategies based on the impact on the immunological balance, as well as reducing the inflammatory process in RA. The aim of this study was to determine the subpopulation composition and phenotypic features of ILCs in RA.
We have isolated and studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 7 patients with RA and 6 healthy donors. The isolated blood MNCs were stained with monoclonal antibodies conjugated to fluorochromes: lineage-specific (CD3/14/16/19/20/56) and anti-FceR1 alpha-FITC, anti-CD294-APC/Cy7, anti-CD127-PerCP/Cy5.5, anti-CD336-PE, anti-CD117-APC. ILCs were defined as Lin-CD127+. The numbers of CD294+ILCs (ILC2) were estimated in the general population, CD117-CD294-ILCs were defined as ILC1, and CD117+CD294-ILCs, as ILC3. The cell phenotype was analyzed with a FACS Canto II flow cytometer (BD Biosciences, USA).
We determined relative numbers of different ILC subpopulations (ILC1, ILC2, and ILC3) among the total blood MNCs. It was shown, that the number of ILC2 cells in RA patients was statistically significantly reduced compared to healthy donors, whereas no significant differences in percentage of ILC1 and ILC3 were revealed between donors and patients. We also evaluated the amount of c-Kit+ILC2; there were no significant differences in the proportion of these cells between donors and patients.
ILCs represent a population of cells that contribute to the RA pathogenesis. The role of ILC2 in RA is, presumably, protective. The ILC imbalance may contribute to the development of RA. For a better understanding of the RA pathogenesis, further studies of the subpopulation profile, phenotypic and functional characteristics of ILC are required in this disorder.