bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex sociodemographic inequalities in consultations for low back pain: lessons from multilevel intersectional analysis
Authors: Kiadaliri Ali , Merlo Juan , Englund Martin
Published: September 2020

Sociodemographic inequalities in the occurrence of low back pain (LBP) are well-studied. This study aimed to examine complex sociodemographic inequalities in the risk of LBP consultation in the population from a socioeconomical intersectional perspective. Using register data, we identified 458,852 individuals aged 35 to 75 years residing in Skåne in 2013, with no previous LBP consultation since 2006. We created 108 strata using categories of age, sex, education, income, and nativity. With individuals nested within strata, we modelled the absolute risk of LBP consultation during 2014 in a series of multilevel logistic regression models. We quantified discriminatory accuracy (DA) of these variables by computing the variance partition coefficient and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We identified 13,657 (3.0%) people with an LBP consultation. The absolute risk ranged from 2.1% (95% credible interval: 1.9%-2.3%) among young native men with high education and high income to 4.8% (4.3%-5.5%) among young foreign-born women with medium education and low income (2.3-fold relative difference). Discriminatory accuracy of intersectional strata was very low (variance partition coefficient 1.1% (0.7-1.6); and AUC 0.56 [0.55-0.56]). Sex (35.6%) and nativity (19.2%) had the largest contributions in explaining the initially small between-strata variation in risk of LBP. The low DA of the intersectional strata indicates the existence of limited intersectional inequalities in LBP consultation. Therefore, interventions to reduce LBP risk should be universal rather than targeted to specific socioeconomic groups with a higher average risk. Before planning targeted intervention, other risk factors with higher DA need to be identified.
The time course of attentional biases in pain: a meta-analysis of eye-tracking studies
Authors: Jones Emma Blaisdale , Sharpe Louise , Andrews Sally , Colagiuri Ben , Dudeney Joanne , Fox Elaine , Heathcote Lauren C. , Lau Jennifer Y.F. , Todd Jemma , Van Damme Stefaan , Van Ryckeghem Dimitri M.L. , Vervoort Tine
Published: September 2020

Previous meta-analyses investigating attentional biases towards pain have used reaction time measures. Eye-tracking methods have been adopted to more directly and reliably assess biases, but this literature has not been synthesized in relation to pain. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the nature and time course of attentional biases to pain-related stimuli in participants of all ages with and without chronic pain using eye-tracking studies and determine the role of task parameters and theoretically relevant moderators. After screening, 24 studies were included with a total sample of 1425 participants. Between-group analyses revealed no significant overall group differences for people with and without chronic pain on biases to pain-related stimuli. Results indicated significant attentional biases towards pain-related words or pictures across both groups on probability of first fixation (k = 21, g = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.71, P = 0.002), how long participants looked at each picture in the first 500 ms (500-ms epoch dwell: k = 5, g = 0.69, 95% CI 0.034-1.35, P = 0.039), and how long participants looked at each picture overall (total dwell time: k = 25, g = 0.44, 95% CI 0.15-0.72, P = 0.003). Follow-up analyses revealed significant attentional biases on probability of first fixation, latency to first fixation and dwell time for facial stimuli, and number of fixations for sensory word stimuli. Moderator analyses revealed substantial influence of task parameters and some influence of threat status and study quality. Findings support biases in both vigilance and attentional maintenance for pain-related stimuli but suggest attentional biases towards pain are ubiquitous and not related to pain status.
Features of Intestinal Disease Associated With COVID‐Related Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
Authors: Sahn Benjamin , Eze Ogechukwu P. , Edelman Morris C. , Chougar Christina E. , Thomas Rebecca M. , Schleien Charles L. , Weinstein Toba
Published: September 2020

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) is a recently identified syndrome that appears to be temporally associated with novel coronavirus 2019 infection. MIS‐C presents with fever and evidence of systemic inflammation, which can manifest as cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurologic, and gastrointestinal (GI) system dysfunction. Presenting GI symptoms are seen in the majority, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Any segment of the GI tract may be affected; however, inflammation in the ileum and colon predominates. Progressive bowel wall thickening can lead to luminal narrowing and obstruction. Most will have resolution of intestinal inflammation with medical therapies; however, in rare instances, surgical resection may be required.
Implementation and Patient Satisfaction of Telemedicine in Spine Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Patients During the COVID-19 Shutdown
Authors: Bhuva Sheena , Lankford Craig , Patel Nayan , Haddas Ram
Published: September 2020

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the implementation and patient satisfaction of telemedicine visits in a physical medicine and rehabilitation spine practice during COVID-19.

Design

This is a prospective cohort study.

Results

Of 172 patients, 97.6% were very satisfied or satisfied (83.7% of the patients were very satisfied) with their telemedicine appointment. In 44.4% of the cases, the physical medicine and rehabilitation physician prescribed medication to the patient, and in 21.6% of the cases, either an injection or radiofrequency ablation was ordered. Most patients (87%) did not have any issues during their encounter. Lastly, 64.5% of the patients preferred telemedicine over in-person appointments, whereas 56.1% of the patients who are 60 yrs and older responded the same. A total of 67.4% of those who had a follow-up visit would choose telemedicine over in-person.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that telemedicine can provide very effective and satisfactory care in a physical medicine and rehabilitation spine practice. This was especially notable with follow-up visits where imaging and treatment plan can easily be discussed over telemedicine. Stay-at-home orders and improved reimbursement during the COVID-19 pandemic have spurred adoption of telemedicine with high patient satisfaction. We hope that physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians will be able to continue expanding patient access in the postpandemic world.
The Integrity of the Substructure of the Corpus Callosum in Patients With Right Classic Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authors: Li Rui , Chang Na , Liu Yali , Zhang Yang , Luo Yuting , Zhang Tianran , Zhao Qiang , Qi XianLong
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Patients with classic trigeminal neuralgia (CTN) have abnormalities in white matter integrity of the corpus callosum (CC). However, in CTN patients, it is unclear whether the CC substructure region is affected to varying degrees.

Material and methods:

A total of 22 patients with CTN and 22 healthy controls (HC) with matching age, gender, and education were selected. All subjects underwent 3.0 T magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging and high resolution T1-weighted imaging. The CC was reconstructed by DTI technology, which was divided into three substructure regions: genu, body, and splenium. Group differences in multiple diffusion metrics, including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD), were compared between CTN patients and HC, and correlations between the white matter change and disease duration and VAS in CTN patients were assessed.

Results:

Compared with HC group, CTN patients had extensive damage to the CC white matter. The FA of the genu (P = 0.04) and body (P = 001) parts decreased, while RD (P = 0.003; P = 0.02) and MD (P = 0.002; P = 0.04) increased. In addition, the authors observed that the disease duration and VAS of CTN patients were negatively correlated with FA.

Conclusion:

The corpus callosum substructure region has extensive damage in chronic pain, and the selective microstructural integrity damage was particularly manifested by changes in axons and myelin sheath in the genu and body of corpus callosum.
Polyotia: the Confusing Auricular Malformation
Authors: Yuan Xingang , Zhang Xuan , Fu Yuexian , Liu Yan , Xiao Jun , Qiu Lin
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Polyotia is a very rare auricular malformation, and only few cases have been reported to date. Polyotia has been ambiguously defined, and due to the instability of its shape and condition, no uniform surgical technique has been established up to now. Thus, it is necessary to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of polyotia. The aim of the present study was to present a new set of objective diagnostic criteria for discussion, and introduce our surgical design for polyotia.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed on 34 cases of polyotia, which were diagnosed and treated in our Plastic Surgery Department during a 3-year period from January 2016 to March 2019. The preoperative photographs, manifestations and operation records of these 34 cases were reviewed.

Results:

On the basis of the new set of objective diagnostic criteria, only 12 of 34 cases were diagnosed as polyotia, while the remaining 22 cases were diagnosed as accessory tragus. Polyotia was redefined as the presence of a broad-based accessory auricle in the tragus area along with accessory cavitas conchae similar to cavitas conchae. The new surgical design emphasized the use of cartilage and skin to fill up the concavity and reconstruct the tragus.

Conclusions:

The diagnosis of polyotia was presented on the basis of a new set of objective criteria, which include an accessory auricle and accessory cavitas conchae. The use of cartilage and skin to fill up the concavity and reconstruct the tragus were the emphases.
Effects of Single-Dose Preoperative Pregabalin on Postoperative Pain and Opioid Consumption in Cleft Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Said Abdullah M. , Zubovic Ema , Ha Austin Y. , Skolnick Gary B. , Naidoo Sybill D. , AuBuchon Jacob , Patel Kamlesh B.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Several studies have illustrated the efficacy of pregabalin in decreasing postoperative opioid use in adults undergoing orthognathic surgery. We aimed to study the effects of a single dose of preoperative pregabalin on total opioid consumption after orthognathic surgery in individuals with cleft lip and palate.

Methods:

This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent Le Fort I midface advancement between June 2012 and July 2019. All patients had a diagnosis of cleft lip and palate. The treatment group received a 1-time preoperative dose of pregabalin; the control group did not. Total morphine milligram equivalent (MME) consumption was calculated by adding intraoperative and postoperative opioid use during admission.

Results:

Twenty-three patients were included in this study; 12 patients received pregabalin. The pregabalin group had significantly lower total opioid consumption (total MME 70.95 MME; interquartile range [IQR]: 24.65–150.17) compared to the control group (138.00 MME; IQR: 105.00–232.48) (MU = 31.00, P = 0.031). The difference in mean pain scores in the treatment group (3.21 ± 2.03) and the control group (3.71 ± 2.95) was not statistically significant (P = 0.651, 95% confidence interval −1.75 to 2.75).

Conclusions:

A 1-time preoperative dose of pregabalin before orthognathic surgery in patients with cleft lip and palate reduced total opioid consumption during admission without increasing patient pain. A single preemptive dose of pregabalin should be considered an effective adjunct to pain management protocols in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.
Qualitative Research Study of the Calorie Count Process in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients and Identification of Opportunities for Quality Improvement
Authors: Burgess Lauren , Bartholomew Tatiana , Richards Rickelle , Bellini Sarah Gunnell
Published: September 2020

An analysis of food and nutrient intake is crucial to identify malnutrition in hospitalized pediatric patients. The purpose of this study was to describe the food/nutrient intake analysis process for hospitalized pediatric patients in the United States and identify specific areas for quality improvement. Researchers conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with registered dietitian nutritionists working in pediatric hospitals in the United States. The main themes that emerged were purpose of calorie counts, communication, training, recording intake, and nutrient analysis results. Assessment of food/nutrient intake in hospitalized pediatric patients was multidisciplinary and complex. This qualitative study highlights points for leveraging quality improvement.
The Optimal Dose of Amobarbital in the Wada Test for the Presurgical Evaluation of Patients With Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Bajammal Sumayah , Babtain Fawzi , Alqadi Khalid , Baeesa Saleh , Kurdi Khalil , Madani Nadia , Al Said Youssef
Published: September 2020

Objective

The use of amobarbital in the Wada test varied between epilepsy centers, with no unified dosing or protocols available in the literature to standardize its use. We aimed to determine the dose of amobarbital in the presurgical evaluations of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy seen between January 2004 and December 2018 in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was conducted, and those who successfully underwent a Wada test were studied. A neuropsychologist or a neurologist will assess the memory and language, using standardized testing.

Results

A total of 90 patients were studied. The mean age was 30 years (range, 16–52 years), where 49 (57%) of them were men. All patients had a routine neurological examination, including language and memory. The average dose of amobarbital given was 10.1.1 mg (range, 65.7–150 mg). There was no statistical difference between the dosing given to patients who passed or failed the memory testing (101.4 mg vs 94.7 mg,P= 0.1). Multivariate regression analysis showed that amobarbital dose needed an adjustment to patient's weight only for those older than 30 years, (P< 0.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.1–0.5), where an increase in the dose by 0.3 mg·kg−1·y−1was required to execute Wada test successfully.

Conclusion

It was only the patient's age that could influence the modification of Amobarbital dose in the Wada test, yet establishing a universal protocol is challenging because of the lack of well-defined dose determinants.
The Effect of Epilepsy and Antiepileptic Drugs on Cortical Motor Excitability in Patients With Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Hamed Sherifa Ahmed , Tohamy Amal Mohamed , Mohamed Khaled Osama , el Mageed Abd el Zaher Mohamed Abd
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used to assess cortical disinhibition/excitation with epilepsy and determine the degree of patients' response to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). However, the results of studies are variable and conflicting. We assessed cortical motor excitability in adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods

The TMS parameters used for assessment were: resting (RMT) and active (AMT) motor thresholds, cortical silent period (CSP), and central motor conduction time (CMCT).

Results and conclusions

This study included 40 adults (males, 22; females, 18) with TLE with impaired awareness or to bilateral tonic clonic seizures (mean age, 32.50 ± 3.38 years; duration of illness, 6.15 ± 2.02 years) and on treatment with AEDs (valproate, 15; carbamazepine, 15; levetiracetam, 10]. The majority (62.5%) were seizure-free for ≥1 year on AEDs before TMS testing. All had normal brain magnetic resonance imaging except two, who had mesial temporal sclerosis. Comparing the entire patients with controls, patients had significantly bihemispheric higher RMT and AMT particularly over the epileptic hemisphere and shorter CSP and CMCT in the epileptic hemisphere. Shorter CSP and CMCT were observed in patients on valproate or carbamazepine and those who were uncontrolled on medications but not with levetiracetam. Significant correlations were identified between RMT and AMT (P= 0.01) and between CSP and CMCT (P= 0.001). We conclude that chronic TLE had increased cortical disinhibition in the epileptic hemisphere which can spread outside the epileptogenic zone despite the apparent control on AEDs. The TMS studies using CSP and CMCT may help future prediction of pharmacoresistance and, therefore, the need of combined AEDs with multiple mechanisms of action.
Mandibular musculature constrains brain–endocast disparity between sarcopterygians
Authors: Challands T. J. , Pardo Jason D. , Clement Alice M.
Published: September 2020

The transition from water to land by the earliest tetrapods in the Devonian Period is seen as one of the greatest steps in evolution. However, little is understood concerning changes in brain morphology over this transition. Here, we determine the brain–braincase relationship in fishes and basal lissamphibians as a proxy to elucidate the changes that occurred over the fish–tetrapod transition. We investigate six basal extant sarcopterygians spanning coelacanths to salamanders (
Latimeria chalumnae, Neoceratodus, Protopterus aethiopicus, P. dolloi, Cynops, Ambystoma mexicanum
) using micro-CT and MRI and quantify the brain–braincase relationship in these extant taxa. Our results show that regions of lowest brain–endocast disparity are associated with regions of bony reinforcement directly adjacent to masticatory musculature for the mandible except in
Neoceratodus
and
Latimeria
. In
Latimeria
this deviation from the trend can be accounted for by the possession of an intracranial joint and basicranial muscles, whereas in
Neoceratodus
difference is attributed to dermal bones contributing to the overall neurocranial reinforcement. Besides
Neoceratodus
and
Latimeria,
regions of low brain–endocast disparity occur where there is less reinforcement away from high mandibular muscle mass, where the trigeminal nerve complex exits the braincase and where endolymphatic sacs occupy space between the brain and braincase wall. Despite basal tetrapods possessing reduced adductor muscle mass and a different biting mechanism to piscine sarcopterygians, regions of the neurocranium lacking osteological reinforcement in the basal tetrapods
Lethiscus
and
Brachydectes
broadly correspond to regions of high brain–endocast disparity seen in extant taxa.
Evidence for normal novel object recognition abilities in developmental prosopagnosia
Authors: Fry Regan , Wilmer Jeremy , Xie Isabella , Verfaellie Mieke , DeGutis Joseph
Published: September 2020

The issue of the face specificity of recognition deficits in developmental prosopagnosia (DP) is fundamental to the organization of high-level visual memory and has been increasingly debated in recent years. Previous DP investigations have found some evidence of object recognition impairments, but have almost exclusively used familiar objects (e.g. cars), where performance may depend on acquired object-specific experience and related visual expertise. An object recognition test not influenced by experience could provide a better, less contaminated measure of DPs' object recognition abilities. To investigate this, in the current study we tested 30 DPs and 30 matched controls on a novel object memory test (NOMT Ziggerins) and the Cambridge Face Memory Test (CFMT). DPs with severe impairment on the CFMT showed no differences in accuracy or reaction times compared with controls on the NOMT. We found similar results when comparing DPs with a larger sample of 274 web-based controls. Additional individual analyses demonstrated that the rate of object recognition impairment in DPs did not differ from the rate of impairment in either control group. Together, these results demonstrate unimpaired object recognition in DPs for a class of novel objects that serves as a powerful index for broader novel object recognition capacity.
Post-acute COVID-19 associated with evidence of bystander T-cell activation and a recurring antibiotic-resistant bacterial pneumonia
Authors: Gregorova Michaela , Morse Daniel , Brignoli Tarcisio , Steventon Joseph , Hamilton Fergus , Albur Mahableshwar , Arnold David , Thomas Matthew , Halliday Alice , Baum Holly , Rice Christopher , Avison Matthew B. , Davidson Andrew D. , Santopaolo Marianna , Oliver Elizabeth , Goenka Anu , Finn Adam , Wooldridge Linda , Amulic Borko , Boyton Rosemary J. , Altmann Daniel M. , Butler David K. , McMurray Claire , Stockton Joanne , Nicholls Sam , Cooper Charles , Loman Nicholas , Cox Michael J. , Rivino Laura , Massey Ruth C.
Published: September 2020

Here we describe the case of a COVID-19 patient who developed recurring ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that acquired increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in response to treatment. Metagenomic analysis revealed the AMR genotype, while immunological analysis revealed massive and escalating levels of T-cell activation. These were both SARS-CoV-2 and P. aeruginosa specific, and bystander activated, which may have contributed to this patient’s persistent symptoms and radiological changes.
Cold plasma for SARS-CoV-2 Inactivation
Authors: Chen Zhitong , Garcia Gustavo , Arumugaswami Vaithilingaraja , Wirz Richard E.
Published: September 2020

SARS-CoV-2 infectious virions are viable on various surfaces (e.g., plastic, metals, cardboard) for several hours. This presents a transmission cycle for human infection that can be broken by developing new inactivation approaches. We employed an efficient cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) with argon feed gas to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on various surfaces including plastic, metal, cardboard, basketball composite leather, football leather, and baseball leather. These results demonstrate the great potential of CAP as a safe and effective means to prevent virus transmission and infections.
Dosing Of Thromboprophylaxis And Mortality In Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients
Authors: Jonmarker Sandra , Hollenberg Jacob , Dahlberg Martin , Stackelberg Otto , Litorell Jacob , Everhov Åsa H , Järnbert-Pettersson Hans , Söderberg Mårten , Grip Jonathan , Schandl Anna , Günther Mattias , Cronhjort Maria
Published: September 2020

Background

A substantial proportion of critically ill COVID-19 patients develop thromboembolic complications, but it is unclear whether higher doses of thromboprophylaxis are associated with lower mortality rates. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association of initial dosing strategy of thromboprophylaxis in critically ill COVID-19 patients and the risk of death, thromboembolism, and bleeding.

Method

All critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to two intensive care units in March and April 2020 were eligible. Patients were categorized into three groups according to initial daily dose of thromboprophylaxis; low (2500-4500 IU tinzaparin or 2500-5000 IU dalteparin), medium (>4500 IU but <175 IU/kilogram, kg, of body weight tinzaparin or >5000 IU but <200 IU/kg of body weight dalteparin), and high dose (≥ 175 IU/kg of body weight tinzaparin or ≥200 IU/kg of body weight dalteparin). Thromboprophylaxis dosage was based on local standardized recommendations, not on degree of critical illness or risk of thrombosis. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals of death within 28 days from ICU admission. Multivariable models were adjusted for sex, age, body-mass index, Simplified Acute Physiology Score III, invasive respiratory support, and initial dosing strategy of thromboprophylaxis.

Results

A total of 152 patients were included; 67 received low, 48 medium, and 37 high dose thromboprophylaxis. Baseline characteristics did not differ between groups. Mortality was lower in high (13.5%) vs medium (25.0%) and low dose thromboprophylaxis (38.8%) groups, p=0.02. The hazard ratio of death was 0.33 (95% confidence intervals 0.13 – 0.87) among those who received high dose, respectively 0.88 (95% confidence intervals 0.43 – 1.83) among those who received medium dose, as compared with those who received low dose thromboprophylaxis. There were fewer thromboembolic events in the high (2.7%) vs medium (18.8%) and low dose thromboprophylaxis (17.9%) groups, p=0.04, but no difference in the proportion of bleeding events, p=0.16.

Conclusions

Among critically ill COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure, high dose thromboprophylaxis was associated with a lower risk of death and a lower cumulative incidence of thromboembolic events compared with lower doses.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.govNCT04412304 June 2 2020, retrospectively registered
Heterogeneous distribution of tau pathology in the behavioral variant of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Singleton Ellen H. , Hansson Oskar , Pijnenburg Yolande A. M. , Joie Renaud La , Mantyh William G. , Tideman Pontus , Stomrud Erik , Leuzy Antoine , Johansson Maurits , Strandberg Olof , Smith Ruben , Berendrecht Evi , Miller Bruce , Iaccarino Leonardo , Edwards Lauren , Storm Amelia , Wolters Emma , Coomans Emma M. , Visser Denise , Golla Sandeep S.V. , Tuncel Hayel , Bouwman Femke , Swieten John van , Papma Janne M. , Berckel Bart van , Scheltens Philip , Dijkstra Anke A. , Rabinovici Gil , Ossenkoppele Rik
Published: September 2020

Objective

The clinical phenotype of the rare behavioral variant of Alzheimer’s disease (bvAD) is insufficiently understood. Given the strong clinico-anatomical correlations of tau pathology in AD, we investigated the distribution of tau deposits in bvAD,in-vivoandex-vivo, using PET and postmortem examination.

Methods

For the tau PET study, seven amyloid-P positive bvAD patients underwent [18F]flortaucipir or [18F]RO948 PET. We converted tau PET uptake values into standardized (W-)scores, by adjusting for age, sex and MMSE in a “typical” memory-predominant AD (n=205) group. W-scores were computed within entorhinal, temporoparietal, medial and lateral prefrontal, insular and whole-brain regions-of-interest, frontal-to-entorhinal and frontal-to-parietal ratios and within intrinsic functional connectivity network templates. For the postmortem study, the percentage of AT8 (tau)-positive area in hippocampus CA1, temporal, parietal, frontal and insular cortices were compared between autopsy-confirmed bvAD (n=8) and typical AD (n=7) patients.

Results

Regional W-scores ≥1.96 (corresponding to p<0.05) were observed in three cases, i.e. case #5: medial prefrontal cortex (W=2.13) and anterior default mode network (W=3.79), case #2: lateral prefrontal cortex (W=2.79) and salience network (W=2.77), and case #7: frontal-to-entorhinal ratio (W=2.04). The remaining four cases fell within the normal distributions of the typical AD group. Postmortem AT8 staining indicated no regional differences in phosphorylated tau levels between bvAD and typical AD (all p>0.05).

Conclusion

Bothin-vivoandex-vivo, bvAD patients showed heterogeneous patterns of tau pathology. Since key regions involved in behavioral regulation were not consistently disproportionally affected by tau pathology, other factors are more likely driving the clinical phenotype in bvAD.
Large-Scale Hypothesis Testing for Causal Mediation Effects with Applications in Genome-wide Epigenetic Studies
Authors: Liu Zhonghua , Shen Jincheng , Barfield Richard , Schwartz Joel , Baccarelli Andrea A. , Lin Xihong
Published: September 2020

In genome-wide epigenetic studies, it is of great scientific interest to assess whether the effect of an exposure on a clinical outcome is mediated through DNA methylations. However, statistical inference for causal mediation effects is challenged by the fact that one needs to test a large number of composite null hypotheses across the whole epigenome. Two popular tests, the Wald-type Sobel’s test and the joint significant test using the traditional null distribution are underpowered and thus can miss important scientific discoveries. In this paper, we show that the null distribution of Sobel’s test is not the standard normal distribution and the null distribution of the joint significant test is not uniform under the composite null of no mediation effect, especially in finite samples and under the singular point null case that the exposure has no effect on the mediator and the mediator has no effect on the outcome. Our results explain why these two tests are underpowered, and more importantly motivate us to develop a more powerful Divide-Aggregate Composite-null Test (DACT) for the composite null hypothesis of no mediation effect by leveraging epigenome-wide data. We adopted Efron’s empirical null framework for assessing statistical significance of the DACT test. We showed analytically that the proposed DACT method had improved power, and could well control type I error rate. Our extensive simulation studies showed that, in finite samples, the DACT method properly controlled the type I error rate and outperformed Sobel’s test and the joint significance test for detecting mediation effects. We applied the DACT method to the US Department of Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study which included men who were aged 21 to 80 years at entry. We identified multiple DNA methylation CpG sites that might mediate the effect of smoking on lung function with effect sizes ranging from −0.18 to − 0.79 and false discovery rate controlled at level 0.05, including the CpG sites in the genes AHRR and F2RL3. Our sensitivity analysis found small residual correlations (less than 0.01) of the error terms between the outcome and mediator regressions, suggesting that our results are robust to unmeasured confounding factors.
Relationship of TSH levels with cardiometabolic risk factors in US youth aged 12-18 years and population-based reference percentiles for thyroid function tests
Authors: Chen Xinlei , Deng Shuliang , Sena Cecilia , Zhou Chuhan , Thaker Vidhu V.
Published: September 2020

Context

Thyroid hormones play an important role in the metabolic homeostasis of the body and have been associated with cardiometabolic risk.

Objective

To examine the association of cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) with TSH levels in youth at population level in the US.

Design & Setting

Cross-sectional study of youth aged 12-18 years without known thyroid abnormalities from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2012. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) was defined as TSH levels 4.5-10 mIU/L. Assessed CMRF included abdominal obesity (waist circumference > 90thpercentile), hypertriglyceridemia (TG ≥ 130 mg/dL), low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C < 40 mg/dL), elevated blood pressure (SBP and DBP ≥ 90thpercentile), hyperglycemia (FBG ≥ 100 mg/dL, or known diabetes), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR > 3.16) and elevated alanine transferase (ALT ≥50 U/L for boys and ≥44 U/L for girls). Age and sex-specific percentiles for thyroid parameters were calculated for youth with normal weight.

Results

In this cohort of youth (51.3% male), 31.2% had overweight/obesity. The prevalence of SH was 2.0 % (95% CI 1.2-3.1). The median TSH levels were higher in youth with overweight/obesity (p<.001). Adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity and level of obesity, youth with TSH in the 4thquantile had higher odds of abdominal obesity (OR 2.53 [1.43-4.46], p = .002), higher HOMA-IR (OR 2.82 [1.42-5.57], p=.003) and ≥ 2 CMRF (OR 2.20 [1.23-3.95], p=.009).

Conclusions

The prevalence of SH is low in US youth. The higher odds of insulin resistance and CMRF in youth with TSH levels > 75thpercentile requires further study.
Surgery versus external beam radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma involving the inferior vena cava or right atrium: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Han-Ah , Park Sunmin , Seo Yeon Seok , Yoon Won Sup , Shin In-Soo , Rim Chai Hong
Published: September 2020

Purpose

As the treatment efficacy of systemic therapy for patients with advanced-stage HCC is insufficient, locoregional therapies are performed in the clinical practice. We investigated the efficacy and safety of two most potent therapies, surgery and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), in patients with HCC involving the IVC and/or right atrium (RA) through comparative meta-analysis.

Method

A systematic search of Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library was performed for entries up to July 2020. The primary endpoints were 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates, while secondary endpoints were response rate, local control rate, and grade ≥3 toxicities.

Results

Eighteen studies with 22 cohorts were included, encompassing 755 patients. The pooled median OS and 1-and 2-year OS rates were 14.2 months, 55.6%, and 27.4%, respectively. The pooled median OS in the surgery and EBRT arms were 15.3 and 11.7 months, respectively. The pooled 1-year OS rate of the surgery arm was significantly higher than that of the EBRT arm (62.4%, 95% CI: 53.8–70.3 vs. 48.8%, 95% CI: 40.9–56.8; p=0.023). However, the 2-year OS rates were comparable (26.9%, 95% CI: 20.7–34.2 vs. 27.5%, 95% CI: 19.7–37.1; p=0.913). The pooled response and local control rates in the EBRT arm were 74.3% and 87.2%, respectively. In the surgical arm, the perioperative mortality and grade ≥3 complication rates were 0–7.6% and 3.9–67%, respectively. Grade ≥3 complications and radiation-induced liver disease were rarely observed in the EBRT arm.

Conclusions

Both surgery and EBRT are effective treatment options for patients with HCC involving IVC/RA invasion. Outcomes and safety should be further evaluated in well-controlled clinical trials.
Potentials of constrained sliding mode control as an intervention guide to manage COVID19 spread
Authors: Nuñez Sebastián , Inthamoussou Fernando A. , Valenciaga Fernando , De Battista Hernán , Garelli Fabricio
Published: September 2020

This work evaluates the potential of using sliding mode reference conditioning (SMRC) techniques as a guide for non-pharmaceutical interventions and population confinement to control the COVID-19 pandemic. SMRC technique allows robustly delimiting a given variable in dynamical systems. In particular, for the epidemio-logical problem addressed here, it can be used to compute day by day the contact rate reduction requirement in order to limit the intense care units occupancy to a given threshold. What is more, it could impose a given approaching rate to the health care system limits. Simulations are performed using the well-known SEIR model fitted to the Argentinian case to demonstrate what this control strategy sug-gests, while the effect of realistic period transitions between different confinement levels are also considered.
Post-operative day 3 Procalcitonin predicts post-operative infectious complications in pancreatic surgery – A systemic review and updated meta-analysis
Authors: Vasavada Bhavin , Patel Hardik
Published: September 2020

Aim of study

Aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate post-operative procalcitonin as a marker to predict post-operative infectious complications after pancreatic surgeries.

Material and Methods

Systemic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and to identify studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of Procalcitonin (PCT) as a predictor for detecting infectious complications on postoperative days (POD) 3 and 5 following pancreatic surgery. A meta-analysis was performed using random effect model and pooled predictive parameters for POD 3 and 5 were derived. Geometric means were calculated for PCT cut offs.

Results

6 studies included day 3 PCT analysis, 2 studies included both day 3 and day 5 analysis. Total data of 471 patients were derived. 161 patients developed infectious complications. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, pooled area under curve, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive and negative like hood ratio of day 3 PCT were 74%,79%,0.8453, 11.03,3.17 and 0.31 respectively. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive and negative like hood ratio of day 5 PCT were 83%,70%,12.91,2.91 and 0.25 respectively. Geometric means for PCT cut off for day 3 and 5 were 0.80 and 0.43.

Conclusion

Postoperative procalcitonin particularly day 3 procalcitonin levels predict post-operative infectious complications following pancreatic surgeries.
Features of patients that died for COVID-19 in a Hospital in the south of Mexico: A observational cohort study
Authors: Ruíz-Quiñonez Jesús Arturo , Guzmán-Priego Crystell Guadalupe , Nolasco-Rosales German Alberto , Tovilla-Zarate Carlos Alfonso , Flores-Barrientos Oscar Israel , Narváez-Osorio Víctor , del Carmen Baeza-Flores Guadalupe , Gonzalez-Castro Thelma Beatriz , Ramón López-Brito Carlos , Denis-García Carlos Alberto , Pérez-García Agustín , Juárez-Rojop Isela Esther
Published: September 2020

Background

Due to the wide spread of SARS-CoV2 around the world, the risk of death in individuals with metabolic comorbidities has dangerously increased. Mexico has a high number of infected individuals and deaths by COVID-19, as well as an important burden of metabolic diseases. However, reports about features of Mexican individuals with COVID-19 are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic features, clinical characteristics, and the pharmacological treatment of individuals who died by COVID-19 in the south of Mexico.

Methods

We performed an observational study including 185 deceased individuals with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Data were retrieved from medical records. Categorical data was expressed as proportions (%) and numerical data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Comorbidities and overlapping symptoms where plotted as Venn diagrams. Drug clusters were plotted as dendrograms.

Results

The mean age was 59.53 years. There was a male predominance (60.1%). The mean hospital stay was 4.75 ± 4.43 days. The most frequent symptoms were dyspnea (88.77%), fever (71.42%) and dry cough (64.28%). Present comorbidities were diabetes (60.63%), hypertension (59.57%) and obesity (43.61%). The main drugs used were azithromycin (60.6%), hydroxychloroquine (53.0%) and oseltamivir (27.3%).

Conclusions

Mexican individuals who died of COVID-19 had shorter hospital stays, higher frequency of shortness of breath, and higher prevalence of diabetes compared with individuals from other countries. Also, there was a high frequency of off-label use of drugs for their treatment.
Seroprevalence of immunoglobulin M and G antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in ophthalmic patients
Authors: Li Shengjie , Qiu Yichao , Tang Li , Wang Zhujian , Cao Wenjun , Xu Gezhi , Sun Xinghuai
Published: September 2020

Using serological test to estimate the prevalence and infection potential of coronavirus disease 2019 in ocular diseases patients help understand the relationship between ocular diseases and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We conducted a cross-sectional study assaying the IgG and IgM antibodies in 1331 individuals with ocular diseases by using a magnetic chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay kit, during the period from February 2020 to May 2020. In our study, the seroposivity in total ocular disease patients was 0.83% (11/1331). The patients with different ocular diseases including xerophthalmia, keratitis, conjunctival cyst, cataract, glaucoma, refractive error, strabismus and others had seroposivity of 2.94%, 12.5%, 25%, 4.41%, 2.63%, 1.6%, 2.22% and 0%, respectively. Among that, two ocular surface disease groups (keratitis and conjunctival cyst) had higher seroprevalence compared with others. All the participants were reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction negative for SARS-CoV-2 from throat swabs. Our study evaluated the seroprevalence in patients with different ocular diseases, which will help us understand the relationship between ocular disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the serological test for the presence of IgM and/or IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 might provide accurate estimate of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with ocular diseases.
Discrete escape responses are generated by neuropeptide-mediated circuit logic
Authors: Imambocus Bibi Nusreen , Wittich Annika , Tenedini Federico , Zhou Fangmin , Hu Chun , Sauter Kathrin , Varela Ednilson Macarenhas , Herédia Fabiana , Casimiro Andreia P. , Macedo André , Schlegel Philipp , Yang Chung-Hui , Miguel-Aliaga Irene , Pankratz Michael J. , Gontijo Alisson M. , Cardona Albert , Soba Peter
Published: September 2020

Animals display a plethora of escape behaviors when faced with environmental threats. Selection of the appropriate response by the underlying neuronal network is key to maximize chances of survival. We uncovered a somatosensory network inDrosophilalarvae that encodes two escape behaviors through input-specific neuropeptide action. Sensory neurons required for avoidance of noxious light and escape in response to harsh touch, each converge on discrete domains of the same neuromodulatory hub neurons. These gate harsh touch responses via short Neuropeptide F, but noxious light avoidance via compartmentalized, acute Insulin-like peptide 7 action and cognate Relaxin-family receptor signaling in connected downstream neurons. Peptidergic hub neurons can thus act as central circuit elements for first order processing of converging sensory inputs to gate specific escape responses.

One Sentence Summary

Compartment-specific neuropeptide action regulates sensory information processing to elicit discrete escape behavior inDrosophilalarvae.
A population-based seroprevalence survey of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in Beijing, China
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Gao Wenjing , Cui Shujuan , Zhang Yi , Zheng Ke , Ke Ji , Lv Jun , Yu Canqing , Sun Dianjianyi , Wang Quanyi , Li Liming
Published: September 2020

BACKGOUND

The spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been controlled in China. The seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Beijing has not been evaluated.

METHODS

In April, residents in Beijing were randomly enrolled. Blood samples were collected and antibodies to SARS- CoV-2 were tested by two colloidal gold kits. All colloidal gold positive serums were then tested by Micro- neutralization assay.

RESULTS

None of 2,184 residents participated was tested positive by micro-neutralization assay. The seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Beijing was estimated < 0.17%.

CONCLUSIONS

The seroprevalence of COVID-19 was low in April suggesting that community-wide spread was prevented in Beijing.
Crystal structure, thermal properties and detonation characterization of bis(5-amino-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium-3-yl)methane dinitrate
Authors: Li Hongya , Yan Biao , Ma Haixia , Ma Xiangrong , Sun Zhiyong , Ma Yajun
Published: September 2020

Bis(5-amino-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium-3-yl)methane dinitrate, BATZM·(NO3)2 or C5H10N8
2+·2NO3
−, was synthesized and its crystal structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the space group Pbcn (orthorhombic) with Z = 4. BATZM·(NO3)2 is a V-shaped molecule where hydrogen bonds form a two-dimensional corrugated sheet with reasonable chemical geometry and no disorder. The specific molar heat capacity (C

p,m) of BATZM·(NO3)2 was determined using the continuous C

p
mode of a microcalorimeter and theoretical calculations, and the C

p,m value is 366.14 J K−1 mol−1 at 298.15 K. The relative deviations between the theoretical and experimental values of C

p,m, HT
– H
298.15K and ST
– S
298.15K of BATZM·(NO3)2 are almost equivalent at each temperature. The detonation velocity (D) and detonation pressure (P) were estimated using the nitrogen equivalent equation according to the experimental density; BATZM·(NO3)2 has a higher detonation velocity (7927.47 ± 3.63 m s−1) and detonation pressure (27.50 ± 0.03 GPa) than 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The above results for BATZM·(NO3)2 are compared with those of bis(5-amino-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methane (BATZM) and bis(5-amino-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium-3-yl)methane dihydrochloride (BATZM·Cl2), and the effect of nitrate formation is discussed.
Structures of five salt forms of disulfonated monoazo dyes
Authors: Gardner Heather C. , Kennedy Alan R. , McCarney Karen M. , Staunton Edward , Stewart Heather , Teat Simon J.
Published: September 2020

The structures of five s-block metal salt forms of three disulfonated monoazo dyes are presented. These are poly[di-μ-aqua-diaqua[μ4-3,3′-(diazane-1,2-diyl)bis(benzenesulfonato)]disodium(I)], [Na2(C12H8N2O6S2)(H2O)4]
n
, (I), catena-poly[[tetraaquacalcium(II)]-μ-3,3′-(diazane-1,2-diyl)bis(benzenesulfonato)], [Ca(C12H8N2O6S2)(H2O)4]
n
, (II), catena-poly[[[diaquacalcium(II)]-μ-2-(4-amino-3-sulfonatophenyl)-1-(4-sulfonatophenyl)diazenium] dihydrate], {[Na(C12H10N3O6S2)(H2O)2]·2H2O}
n
, (III), hexaaquamagnesium bis[2-(4-amino-3-sulfonatophenyl)-1-(4-sulfonatophenyl)diazenium] octahydrate, [Mg(H2O)6](C12H10N3O6S2)2·8H2O, (IV), and poly[[{μ2-4-[2-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-methoxyphenyl)diazen-1-yl]benzene-1,3-disulfonato}di-μ-aqua-diaquabarium(II)] dihydrate], {[Ba(C14H13N3O7S2)(H2O)4]·2H2O}
n
, (V). Compound (III) is that obtained on crystallizing the commercial dyestuff Acid Yellow 9 [74543-21-8]. The Mg species is a solvent-separated ion-pair structure and the others are all coordination polymers with bonds from the metal atoms to sulfonate groups. Compound (I) is a three-dimensional coordination polymer, (V) is a two-dimensional coordination polymer and both (II) and (III) are one-dimensional coordination polymers. The coordination behaviour of the azo ligands and the water ligands, the dimensionality of the coordination polymers and the overall packing motifs of these five structures are contrasted to those of monosulfonate monoazo congers. It is found that (I) and (II) adopt similar structural types to those of monosulfonate species but that the other three structures do not.