bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting image magnification in indirect ophthalmoscopy with Volk or similar lenses and a biomicroscope
Authors: Jinabhai Amit Navin , Charman W. Neil 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPurposeTo explore the factors affecting the linear magnification of the intermediate fundus image during indirect ophthalmoscopy with a slit‐lamp biomicroscope.MethodsA simple paraxial model, based on a ‘reduced’ eye and a ‘thin’ ophthalmoscopy lens, is used to develop equations showing the effects of the power and ametropia of the eye, and the equivalent power and position of the ophthalmoscopy lens on fundus magnification. Predicted magnifications are compared with practical results found in earlier published experimental studies, which used Volk ophthalmoscopy lenses in conjunction with physical model eyes with adjustable levels of axial ametropia.ResultsThe model's magnification predictions, as a function of the eye's ametropia, are in good agreement with previous experimental measurements, provided that the equivalent powers of the Volk lenses are used rather than their labelled nominal powers. Magnification values typically change by approximately ±10% over the practical range of each parameter if other parameters are held constant. In particular, normal variations in the equivalent power of the adult emmetropic eye result in magnifications which range from about 90–120% of the nominal value given for an eye power of +60.00 D. It is demonstrated that the recommended working distances for different powers of Volk ophthalmoscopy lenses approximate optimal matching between the various pupils of the eye‐Volk lens‐slit‐lamp biomicroscope system.ConclusionsAll the parameters considered have marked effects on magnification. The magnification values quoted by manufacturers can be regarded as only approximations of those which may be found in practice. Better estimates of magnification can be obtained by inserting the appropriate parameter values into the equations derived in this paper, using, where appropriate, the equivalent power of the indirect ophthalmoscopy lens, rather than the lens' labelled, ‘nominal’ power.
Selvester QRS score predicts improvement of LVEF in atrial fibrillation patients with systolic heart failure
Authors: Nomura Yoshihiro , Harada Masahide , Motoike Yuji , Nishimura Asuka , Koshikawa Masayuki , Ito Takehiro , Sobue Yoshihiro , Kitagawa Fumihiko , Watanabe Eiichi , Ozaki Yukio , Izawa Hideo 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundLeft‐ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) comorbid with atrial fibrillation is reversible, but recovery is limited in a subset of patients. The Selvester QRS (S‐QRS) score is an electrocardiogram‐based assessment that reportedly reflects myocardial scar/damage. We evaluated the predictability of S‐QRS score for the recovery of left‐ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in persistent AF (PeAF) patients with LVSD undergoing catheter ablation (CA).MethodCA was performed in 51 PeAF patients with reduced LVEF (<40%); S‐QRS scores were measured after restoration of sinus rhythm. LVEF was re‐evaluated at one year after CA; LVEF recovery was related to the S‐QRS score.ResultsThe median [interquartile range] S‐QRS score was 1 point [0–2]. LVEF increased from 32% [28–37] at baseline to 56% [49–57] at 1 year after CA. Thirty‐seven patients achieved normalization of LVEF (≥50%, Group A); 14 patients did not (Group B). Group A had significantly lower S‐QRS scores than Group B (0 point [0–2] vs. 2 points [2–3], p < .05). In univariate/multivariate analyses, S‐QRS score was an independent predictor of LVEF normalization. In the receiver operating characteristic curve, the cut‐off value of S‐QRS score was 2 points for prediction of the LVEF normalization (AUC = 0.79). Patients with low S‐QRS score (<2 points) had greater LVEF improvement than those with high S‐QRS score (≥2 points, ΔLVEF: 23% [17–28] vs. 17% [12–24], p < .05).ConclusionS‐QRS scoring noninvasively assesses the improvement of LVEF in PeAF patients with LVSD after CA. A high S‐QRS score may indicate underlying myocardial scar/damage associated with unknown etiologies for LVSD other than PeAF.
Wheeze is an unreliable endpoint for bronchial methacholine challenges in preschool children
Authors: Stewart Lora , Miyazawa Naomi , Covar Ronina , Mjaanes Christopher , Shimamoto Reed , Gleason Melanie , Peroni Diego , Spahn Joseph D. , Comberiati Pasquale 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundOnset of wheeze is the endpoint often used in the determination of a positive bronchial challenge test (BCT) in young children who cannot perform spirometry. We sought to assess several clinical endpoints at the time of a positive BCT in young children with recurrent wheeze compared to findings in school‐aged children with asthma.MethodsPositive BCT was defined in: (1) preschool children (n = 22) as either persistent cough, wheeze, fall in oxygen saturation (SpO2) of ≥5%, or ≥50% increase in respiratory rate (RR) from baseline; and (2) school‐aged children (n = 22) as the concentration of methacholine (MCh) required to elicit a 20% decline in FEV1 (PC20).ResultsAll preschool children (mean age 3.4 years) had a positive BCT (median provocative MCh concentration 1.25 mg/ml [IQR, 0.62, 1.25]). Twenty (91%) school‐aged children (mean age 11.3 years) had a positive BCT (median PC20 1.25 mg/ml [IQR, 0.55, 2.5]). At the time of the positive BCT, the mean fall in SpO2 (6.9% vs. 3.8%; p = .001) and the mean % increase in RR (61% vs. 22%; p < .001) were greater among preschool‐aged than among school‐aged children. A minority of children developed wheeze at time of positive BCT (23% preschool‐ vs. 15% school‐aged children; p = .5).ConclusionsThe use of wheeze as an endpoint for BCT in preschool children is unreliable, as it rarely occurs. The use of clinical endpoints, such as ≥25% increase in RR or fall in SpO2 of ≥3%, captured all of our positive BCT in preschool children, while minimizing undue respiratory distress.
National population‐based study of constipation in children in Korea, 2002–2013
Authors: Eom Tae‐Hoon , Chae Kyung‐Hee , Kim Sukil , Kim Kwang Yeon 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study is to estimate the overall prevalence and incidence of constipation in Korean children and adolescent based on health insurance claims data.MethodsThis study is a retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service – National Sample Cohort from 2002 to 2013. Patients age less than 19 years old were selected, and the prevalence and incidence of constipation were estimated.ResultsThe standardized incidence rate was 10.8 per 1,000 persons in 2004 to 14.3 per 1,000 persons in 2012. The standardized prevalence increased from 12.2 per persons in 2002 to 26.4 per persons in 2013. Females had a higher incidence rate and prevalence rate than males during the study period. The overall recurrence rates were 13.2%. The recurrence rates were 12.9% in males and 13.5% in females. The overall average constipation duration was 229 days. The duration was 222 days in males and 236 days in females.ConclusionsThis is the first study to conduct a population‐based study of all children in Korea with constipation. These data reveal the increasing burden and impact of constipation on children and could enable effective public and clinical health strategies to be planned.
Initial Excited State Dynamics of Lumichrome upon Ultraviolet Excitation
Authors: Ghosh Sudeb , Puranik Mrinalini 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLumichrome (LC) is the major photodegradation product of biologically important flavin cofactors. Since LC serves as a structural comparison with the flavins; understanding excited states of LC is fundamentally important to establish a connection with photophysics of different flavins, such as lumiflavin (LF), riboflavin (RF), flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Herein, we deduce the initial excited state structural dynamics of LC using UV resonance Raman (UVRR) intensity analysis. The UVRR spectra at wavelengths across the 260 nm absorption band of LC were measured and resulting Raman excitation profiles and absorption spectrum were self‐consistently simulated using a time‐dependent wave packet formalism to extract the initial excited state structural and solvent broadening parameters. These results are compared with those obtained for other flavins following UV excitations. We find that LC undergoes a very distinct instantaneous charge redistribution than flavins, which is attributed to the extended π‐conjugation present in flavins but missing in LC. The homogeneous broadening linewidth of LC appears to be lower than that of LF, while the inhomogeneous broadening values are comparable, indicating greater solvent interaction with excited flavin on ultrafast timescale compared with LC, whereas on longer timescale these interactions are almost similar.
The effect of soil salinity and pepino mosaic virus infection on the expression of tomato defence‐related genes
Authors: Zarrougui Nour Elhouda , Spanos Theodore , Kissoudis Christos , Livieratos Ioannis C. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTo reflect field conditions where cultivated plants are frequently exposed to multiple stresses simultaneously, the effect of salinity on the expression of defence‐related genes in tomato plants was examined in the absence and presence of pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) infection. Tomato seedlings were grown under three soil salinity regimes from the fourth day after transplantation: (a) no‐added salt (control), (b) low salinity (20 mM NaCl) and (c) high salinity (100 mM NaCl). The plants were non‐, mock‐ or PepMV‐inoculated 14 days after transplantation and systemic leaves were collected 4 days postinoculation for analysis by reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR). In noninoculated tomato plants exposed to low and high salinity, expression of the salicylic acid (SA)‐, jasmonic acid‐, ethylene‐related genes was typically down‐regulated compared to control plants, with only a slight (nonsignificant) increase in ABA2 expression. In PepMV‐infected tomato plants, a strong induction of SA‐related genes was observed, which was compromised under low and high salt stress. The induction of PR1 gene expression by PepMV infection was the highest (an 82‐fold increase) in control plants, but was significantly less (a 20‐fold increase) under conditions of low and high soil salinity. No direct correlation between SA gene expression levels and PepMV RNA accumulation became apparent. In RT‐qPCR, the levels of PepMV genomic RNA and tomato LoxD and ACS1 RNA transcripts under mild salt stress were significantly reduced (the former 6‐fold), but under high salt stress the levels of all were similar to those in the nonstressed controls.
Treating farm dairy effluent with poly‐ferric sulphate dramatically reduces phosphorus and E. coli leaching through subsurface drains—A physical drainage model study
Authors: Che Xueying , Di Hong J. , Cameron Keith C. , Dodd Rosalind 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLand application of farm dairy effluent (FDE) may lead to water contamination, by contaminants such as phosphorus (P) and E. coli. A new FDE treatment technology using poly‐ferric sulphate (PFS) has been developed to recycle wastewater in FDE for washing the farmyard. A physical drainage model study was conducted to investigate the effect of treating FDE with PFS on phosphorus and E. coli leaching through model subsurface drains. Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) and total phosphorus (TP) leaching losses from untreated effluent (FDE) averaged 3.48 kg P ha−1 and 11.44 kg P ha−1, respectively. The application of PFS‐treated effluent (TE) resulted in significantly lower DRP and TP leaching losses at 0.24 kg P ha−1 and 4.52 kg P ha−1 for fresh TE and 0.27 kg P ha−1 and 6.31 kg P ha−1 for TE stored for 3 weeks before application (TE‐S). Cumulative DRP lost to drainage water from the TE and TE‐S treatments was 93.1% and 92.2% lower than that from the FDE treatments. Compared with the FDE treatment, there was a 98.27% and 99.99% reduction in E. coli in the drainage water from the TE and TE‐S treatments. Plant biomass and P uptake were not affected by the effluent treatments. These results indicate that land application of PFS‐treated effluent, fresh or stored, on drained pasture soils can produce significant environmental benefits by reducing the concentration and amount of P and E. coli in the drainage water, without adversely impacting plant growth.
Preliminary study on the effect of season on urinary analytes in healthy Italian dairy cows
Authors: Probo Monica , Giordano Alessia , Rocca Valentina , Moretti Pierangelo , Paltrinieri Saverio 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundSeason is known to affect serum analyte concentrations in dairy cows, and the same can be hypothesized for urinary analytes, but information in this regard is lacking.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to assess the effect of seasonality on urinary variables in healthy dairy cows.MethodsTwelve Italian Holstein cows were randomly selected from a local herd, and urine specimens were collected once in each season of the year. For each cow, the lactation stage at each sampling time was also registered (lactation vs dry period), and physical examination and hematology and serum biochemistry measurements were used to assess health status. Three cows were voluntarily culled from the herd during the year; therefore, nine cows were included. Concentrations of urinary analytes recorded in each season for each cow were compared.ResultsSeasonality affected urinary protein‐to‐creatinine ratios (P = 0.012) with lower median values in summer compared with spring (P = 0.020) and autumn (P = 0.004); differences were also found in urinary sodium‐to‐urinary creatinine ratio (P = 0.009), with lower medians in summer compared with spring (P = 0.003) and autumn (P = 0.020). The direct consequences of higher summer temperatures and the acclimation strategies needed to adapt to this environment could explain the changes in urinary analytes that were recorded in the current study; in fact, decreased food and water consumption tend to increase urinary creatinine concentrations and decrease renal excretion of proteins and electrolytes.ConclusionsThe present results suggest that seasonality can affect urinary variables of healthy dairy cows.
Efficiency assessment of irrigation as an alternative method for improving the regenerative potential of non‐healing wounds
Authors: Figiel‐Dabrowska Anna , Krzesniak Natalia E. , Noszczyk Bartłomiej H. , Domanska‐Janik Krystyna , Sarnowska Anna 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe application of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) in regenerative medicine offers hope for the effective treatment of incurable or difficult‐to‐heal diseases. However, it requires the development of unified protocols for both safe and efficient cell acquisition and clinical usage. The therapeutic effect of fat grafts (containing stem cells) in non‐healing wounds has been discussed in previous studies, although the application requires local or general anaesthesia. The treatment of MSC derived from adipose tissue (ASC) could be a less invasive method, and efficient delivery could lead to more favourable outcomes, which should encourage clinicians to use such therapeutic approaches more frequently. Therefore, the aim of this study was to optimise the methods of ASC isolation, culture and administration while maintaining their high survival, proliferation and colonisation potential. The ASC were isolated by an enzymatic method and were characterised according to International Society for Cellular Therapy and International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science guidelines. To assess the opportunity to obtain a sufficient number of cells for transplantation, long‐term cell cultures in two oxygen concentrations (5% vs. 21%) were conducted. For these cultures, the population doubling time, the cumulative time for cell population doublings and the rate of cell senescence were estimated. In a developed and pre‐defined protocol, ASC can be efficiently cultured at physiological oxygen concentrations (5%), which leads to faster proliferation and slower cell senescence. Subsequently, to select the optimal and minimally invasive methods of ASC transplantation, direct cell application with an irrigator or with skin dressings was analysed. Our results confirmed that both the presented methods of cell application allow for the safe delivery of isolated ASC into wounds without losing their vitality. Cells propagated in the described conditions and applied in non‐invasive cell application (with an irrigation system and dressings) to treat chronic wounds can be a potential alternative or supplement to more invasive clinical approaches.
Large-scale, crustal-block vertical extrusion between the Hines Creek and Denali faults coeval with slip localization on the Denali fault since ca. 45 Ma, Hayes Range, Alaska, USA
Authors: Benowitz Jeff A. , Roeske Sarah M. , Regan Sean P. , Waldien Trevor S. , Elliott Julie L. , O’Sullivan Paul B. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractOblique convergence along strike-slip faults can lead to both distributed and localized deformation. How focused transpressive deformation is both localized and maintained along sub-vertical wrench structures to create high topography and deep exhumation warrants further investigation. The high peak region of the Hayes Range, central Alaska, USA, is bound by two lithospheric scale vertical faults: the Denali fault to the south and Hines Creek fault to the north. The high topography area has peaks over 4000 m and locally has experienced more than 14 km of Neogene exhumation, yet the mountain range is located on the convex side of the Denali fault Mount Hayes restraining bend, where slip partitioning alone cannot account for this zone of extreme exhumation. Through the application of U-Pb zircon, 40Ar/39Ar (hornblende, muscovite, biotite, and K-feldspar), apatite fission-track, and (U-Th)/He geo-thermochronology, we test whether these two parallel, reactivated suture zone structures are working in tandem to vertically extrude the Between the Hines Creek and Denali faults block on the convex side of the Mount Hayes restraining bend. We document that since at least 45 Ma, the Denali fault has been bent and localized in a narrow fault zone (&lt;160 m) with a significant dip-slip component, the Mount Hayes restraining bend has been fixed to the north side of the Denali fault, and that the Between the Hines Creek and Denali faults block has been undergoing vertical extrusion as a relatively coherent block along the displacement “free faces” of two lithospheric scale suture zone faults. A bent Denali fault by ca. 45 Ma supports the long-standing Alaska orocline hypothesis that has Alaska bent by ca. 44 Ma. Southern Alaska is currently converging at ~4 mm/yr to the north against the Denali fault and driving vertical extrusion of the Between the Hines Creek and Denali faults block and deformation north of the Hines Creek fault. We apply insights ascertained from the Between the Hines Creek and Denali faults block to another region in southern Alaska, the Fairweather Range, where extreme topography and persistent exhumation is also located between two sub-parallel faults, and propose that this region has likely undergone vertical extrusion along the free faces of those faults.
Prognostication and shared decision making in neurocritical care
Authors: Goostrey Kelsey , Muehlschlegel Susanne 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPrognostication is crucial in the neurological intensive care unit (neuroICU). Patients with severe acute brain injury (SABI) are unable to make their own decisions because of the insult itself or sedation needs. Surrogate decision makers, usually family members, must make decisions on the patient’s behalf. However, many are unprepared for their role as surrogates owing to the sudden and unexpected nature of SABI. Surrogates rely on clinicians in the neuroICU to provide them with an outlook (prognosis) with which to make substituted judgments and decide on treatments and goals of care on behalf of the patient. Therefore, how a prognostic estimate is derived, and then communicated, is extremely important. Prognostication in the neuroICU is highly variable between clinicians and institutions, and evidence based guidelines are lacking. Shared decision making (SDM), where surrogates and clinicians arrive together at an individualized decision based on patient values and preferences, has been proposed as an opportunity to improve clinician-family communication and ensure that patients receive treatments they would choose. This review outlines the importance and current challenges of prognostication in the neuroICU and how prognostication and SDM intersect, based on relevant research and expert opinion.
How the ‘HIV/TB co-epidemic–HIV stigma–TB stigma’ syndemic impacts on the use of occupational health services for TB in South African hospitals: a structural equation modelling analysis of the baseline data from the HaTSaH Study (cluster RCT)
Authors: Wouters Edwin , van Rensburg André Janse , Engelbrecht Michelle , Buffel Veerle , Campbell Linda , Sommerland Nina , Rau Asta , Kigozi G , van Olmen Josefien , Masquillier Caroline 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) has become an occupational health hazard in South African hospitals where healthcare workers (HCWs) are additionally confronted daily with HIV and its associated stigma, causing asyndemic. Early TB diagnosis and treatment are vital, but the uptake of these services through occupational healthcare units (OHUs) is low. The current study hypothesises that (1) the link between HIV and TB and (2) the perceived HIV stigmatisation by colleagues create (3) a double HIV–TB stigma which increases (4) internalised TB stigma and leads to (5) a lower willingness to use OHU services for TB screening and treatment.DesignA cross-sectional study using the baseline data from the HIV and TB Stigma among Healthcare workers Study (HaTSaH Study).SettingSix hospitals in the Free State province of South Africa.Participants820 HCWs of the six selected hospitals.ResultsThe study results demonstrate that the co-epidemic (β=0.399 (screening model) and β=0.345 (treatment model)) combined (interaction effect: β=0.133 (screening) and β=0.132 (treatment)) with the persistent stigmatisation of HIV is altering the attitudes towards TB (β=0.345 (screening) and β=0.400 (treatment)), where the stigmatising views of HIV are transferred to TB—illustrating the syndemic impact. Our model demonstrated that this syndemic not only leads to higher levels of internal TB stigma (β=0.421 (screening) and β=0.426 (treatment)), but also to a lower willingness to use the OHU for TB screening (probit coefficient=−0.216) and treatment (probit coefficient=−0.160). Confidentiality consistently emerged as a contextual correlate of OHU use.ConclusionsTheoretically, our results confirm HIV as a ‘syndemic generator’ which changes the social meaning of TB in the hospital context. Practically, the study demonstrated that the syndemic of TB and HIV in a highly endemic context with stigma impacts the intended use of occupational TB services.Trial registration numberPre-results of the trial registered at the South African National Clinical Trials Register, registration ID: DOH-27-1115-5204.