bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Importance of Preanalytical Factors in Measuring Cr and Co Levels in Human Whole Blood: Contamination Control, Proper Sample Collection and Long-Term Storage Stability
Authors: Sommer Yuliya L , Ward Cynthia D , Georgi Joaudimir Castro , Cheng Po-Yung , Jones Robert L 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
A number of errors with potentially significant consequences may be introduced at various points in the analytical process, which result in skewed, erroneous analytical results. Precautionary procedures such as contamination control, following established sample collection protocols, and having a complete understanding of the long-term stability of the elements of interest can minimize or eliminate these errors. Contamination control is critical in the quantification of Cr and Co in human whole blood. Cr and Co levels in most biological samples are low, but these elements occur naturally in the environment and are often found in commercial and consumer products, which increases the risk of contamination. In this paper, we demonstrated that lot screening process in which we pre-screen a sub-set of manufactured lots used in collecting, analyzing and storing blood samples is a critical step in controlling Cr and Co contamination. Stainless steel needles are often utilized in blood collection but are considered as a potential source of introducing metal contamination to the patient sample. We conducted two studies to determine if there is a possibility of Cr or Co leaching into the human whole blood from the needles during blood collection. We analyzed blood collected from 100 donors and blood collected in vitro in the laboratory from designated vessel containing spiked blood with higher levels of Cr and Co. Two blood tubes were consecutively collected through one needle. In both studies, Cr and Co concentration levels in the two consecutively collected tubes were compared. Based on the results from donor and in vitro blood collection studies, we concluded that there was no Cr and Co leaching from the limited sets of stainless steel needles used in these studies. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Cr and Co human whole blood samples are stable for 1 year stored at temperatures of −70, −20 and 4°C and 6 months at room temperature.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children Cared for at Texas Children’s Hospital: Initial Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes
Authors: Foster Catherine E , Moulton Elizabeth A , Munoz Flor M , Hulten Kristina G , Versalovic James , Dunn James , Revell Paula , Koy Tjin H , Arrington Amy S , Marquez Lucila , Campbell Judith 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
We describe the clinical course of 57 children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cared for through a single hospital system. Most children were mildly symptomatic, and only a few patients with underlying medical conditions required hospitalization. Systemwide patient evaluation processes allowed for prompt identification and management of patients with COVID-19.
Unraveling the mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced damage to human primordial follicle reserve: road to developing therapeutics for fertility preservation and reversing ovarian aging
Authors: Szymanska Katarzyna J , Tan Xiujuan , Oktay Kutluk 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Among the investigated mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced damage to human primordial follicle reserve are induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and resultant apoptotic death, stromal–microvascular damage and follicle activation. Accumulating basic and translational evidence suggests that acute exposure to gonadotoxic chemotherapeutics, such as cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin, induces DNA DSBs and triggers apoptotic death of primordial follicle oocytes within 12–24 h, resulting in the massive loss of ovarian reserve. Evidence also indicates that chemotherapeutic agents can cause microvascular and stromal damage, induce hypoxia and indirectly affect ovarian reserve. While it is possible that the acute reduction of the primordial follicle reserve by massive apoptotic losses may result in delayed activation of some primordial follicles, this is unlikely to be a predominant mechanism of loss in humans. Here, we review these mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced ovarian reserve depletion and the potential reasons for the discrepancies among the studies. Based on the current literature, we propose an integrated hypothesis that explains both the acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced loss of primordial follicle reserve in the human ovary.
Prognostic models for chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and external validation
Authors: van Rijn Marieke H C , van de Luijtgaarden Moniek , van Zuilen Arjan D , Blankestijn Peter J , Wetzels Jack F M , Debray Thomas P A , van den Brand Jan A J G 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background
Accurate risk prediction is needed in order to provide personalized healthcare for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. An overload of prognosis studies is being published, ranging from individual biomarker studies to full prediction studies. We aim to systematically appraise published prognosis studies investigating multiple biomarkers and their role in risk predictions. Our primary objective was to investigate if the prognostic models that are reported in the literature were of sufficient quality and to externally validate them.

Methods
We undertook a systematic review and appraised the quality of studies reporting multivariable prognosis models for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality in CKD patients. We subsequently externally validated these models in a randomized trial that included patients from a broad CKD population.

Results
We identified 91 papers describing 36 multivariable models for prognosis of ESRD, 50 for CV events, 46 for mortality and 17 for a composite outcome. Most studies were deemed of moderate quality. Moreover, they often adopted different definitions for the primary outcome and rarely reported full model equations (21% of the included studies). External validation was performed in the Multifactorial Approach and Superior Treatment Efficacy in Renal Patients with the Aid of Nurse Practitioners trial (n = 788, with 160 events for ESRD, 79 for CV and 102 for mortality). The 24 models that reported full model equations showed a great variability in their performance, although calibration remained fairly adequate for most models, except when predicting mortality (calibration slope &gt;1.5).

Conclusions
This review shows that there is an abundance of multivariable prognosis models for the CKD population. Most studies were considered of moderate quality, and they were reported and analysed in such a manner that their results cannot directly be used in follow-up research or in clinical practice.
Consensus recommendations for a dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI protocol for use in high-grade gliomas
Authors: Boxerman Jerrold L , Quarles Chad C , Hu Leland S , Erickson Bradley J , Gerstner Elizabeth R , Smits Marion , Kaufmann Timothy J , Barboriak Daniel P , Huang Raymond H , Wick Wolfgang , Weller Michael , Galanis Evanthia , Kalpathy-Cramer Jayashree , Shankar Lalitha , Jacobs Paula , Chung Caroline , van den Bent Martin J , Chang Susan , Al Yung W K , Cloughesy Timothy F , Wen Patrick Y , Gilbert Mark R , Rosen Bruce R , Ellingson Benjamin M , Schmainda Kathleen M ,   Jumpstarting Brain Tumor Drug Development Coalition Imaging Standardization Steering Committee, Arons David F , Kingston Ann , Sandak David , Wallace Max , Musella Al , Haynes Chas 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Despite the widespread clinical use of dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI, DSC-MRI methodology has not been standardized, hindering its utilization for response assessment in multicenter trials. Recently, the DSC-MRI Standardization Subcommittee of the Jumpstarting Brain Tumor Drug Development Coalition issued an updated consensus DSC-MRI protocol compatible with the standardized brain tumor imaging protocol (BTIP) for high-grade gliomas that is increasingly used in the clinical setting and is the default MRI protocol for the National Clinical Trials Network. After reviewing the basis for controversy over DSC-MRI protocols, this paper provides evidence-based best practices for clinical DSC-MRI as determined by the Committee, including pulse sequence (gradient echo vs spin echo), BTIP-compliant contrast agent dosing (preload and bolus), flip angle (FA), echo time (TE), and post-processing leakage correction. In summary, full-dose preload, full-dose bolus dosing using intermediate (60°) FA and field strength-dependent TE (40–50 ms at 1.5 T, 20–35 ms at 3 T) provides overall best accuracy and precision for cerebral blood volume estimates. When single-dose contrast agent usage is desired, no-preload, full-dose bolus dosing using low FA (30°) and field strength-dependent TE provides excellent performance, with reduced contrast agent usage and elimination of potential systematic errors introduced by variations in preload dose and incubation time.
The interplay of cell cycle and DNA repair gene alterations in upper tract urothelial carcinoma: predictive and prognostic implications
Authors: Vlachostergios Panagiotis J 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is rare but can occur sporadically outside the context of Lynch syndrome. In these cases, knowing whether non-mismatch repair (MMR), DNA damage response and repair (DDR), and cell cycle gene alterations may predict responses to chemotherapy or immunotherapy and survival is of clinical importance. This study examined the germline and somatic mutational landscape of two UTUC patients with differential responses to programmed death 1 (PD-1)/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors and queried three independent UTUC cohort studies for co-occurrence of key cell cycle and DDR genes, as well as for their associations with overall survival (OS). TP53 and RB1 emerged as potential determinants of shorter OS in UTUC cohort patients, regardless of concurrent DDR alterations, and if prospectively assessed in larger studies they might also explain resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade despite PD-L1 expression.
Jewish Ethics Regarding Vaccination
Authors: Rashi Tsuriel 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn recent years, more and more religious communities have been refusing to vaccinate their children, and in so doing are allowing diseases to spread. These communities justify resistance to vaccination on various religious grounds and make common cause with nonreligious communities who oppose vaccination for their own reasons. Today this situation is reflected primarily in the spread of measles, and vaccine hesitancy was identified by the World Health Organization as 1 of the top 10 global health threats of 2019. The present article presents the religious and ethical arguments for the obligation within Jewish tradition to vaccinate all children. Apart from the obligation on parents to vaccinate their own children, it includes the ethical arguments based on Judaism that call for parents to become organized and force schools to refuse to accept children who have not been vaccinated and demand vaccination of those who have not been inoculated.
Changes in Muscle Tone, Function, and Pain in the Chronic Hemiparetic Shoulder after Dry Needling Within or Outside Trigger Points in Stroke Patients: A Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Hernández-Ortíz Alma R , Ponce-Luceño Raquel , Sáez-Sánchez Carlos , García-Sánchez Olga , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César , de-la-Llave-Rincón Ana I 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate the effects of applying dry needling into a trigger point (TrP) or non-TrP area in people who have suffered a stroke and to investigate if the effects of dry needling are maintained at six-week follow-up.

Methods
A controlled, repeated-measures, crossover, double-blinded randomized trial was conducted. Nineteen patients with hemiparetic shoulder pain after a stroke event were randomly assigned to receive a single multimodal treatment session combined with TrP dry needling or non-TrP dry needling. The neuro-rehabilitation session included modulatory interventions targeting the central nervous system. Spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), shoulder pain intensity (numerical pain rate scale, 0–10), and upper extremity function (Motor Evaluation Scale for Upper Extremity in Stroke [MESUPES], Reaching Performance Scale [RPS]) were assessed before (baseline) and one, two, three, four, five, and six weeks after the treatment session by a blinded assessor. All participants received both sessions in a randomized order where they were followed up for six weeks before receiving the opposite treatment and then followed up for another six weeks.

Results
Changes in muscle tone (all P &gt; 0.266) and upper extremity function (MESUPES: F = 0.544, P  = 0.465; RPS close task: F = 0.820, P = 0.371; RPS far task: 0.830, P  = 0.368) were similar after both interventions at all follow-up periods. The decrease in shoulder pain was higher within the TrP dry needling group as compared with the non-TrP dry needling group, particularly at two and four weeks (P  = 0.01).

Conclusions
The effect of dry needling on muscle tone (spasticity) and upper extremity function is not related to its application in or outside of a TrP area. The effect of dry needling on shoulder pain was slightly superior when applied over a TrP in poststroke people. These effects were maintained six weeks after treatment.
Effectiveness of a Khorasan Wheat–Based Replacement on Pain Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Authors: Pagliai Giuditta , Colombini Barbara , Dinu Monica , Whittaker Anne , Masoni Alberto , Danza Giovanna , Amedei Amedeo , Ballerini Giovanna , Benedettelli Stefano , Sofi Francesco 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the effects of a replacement diet with Khorasan wheat products in patients with fibromyalgia, in comparison with a similar replacement diet with control products made from organic semi-whole-grain modern wheat.

Design
Randomized, double-blinded crossover trial.

Setting
Outpatient clinic.

Subjects
Twenty subjects (19 female and one male, mean age = 48.9 ± 12.3 years) with fibromyalgia.

Methods
Participants were randomly assigned to consume either Khorasan or control wheat products (pasta, bread, crackers, biscuits) for eight weeks and then crossed. Validated self-administered questionnaires were collected from each subject at the beginning and end of each intervention period.

Results
A general linear model for repeated measurement, adjusted for potential confounders, showed that the overall score reported from each questionnaire improved after both intervention and control periods, but the effect was more evident after the intervention with Khorasan. In particular, a statistically significant difference in Widespread Pain Index (WPI) + Severity Scale (SS) and Functional Outcome of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) was observed, which decreased significantly by 21.5% and 11.7% respectively, only after the Khorasan period, while no statistically significant variations were reported after the control period. Similarly, FM Impact Questionnaire scores decreased significantly only after the Khorasan period, with a reduction that was significantly different between the intervention and control periods (–22.5% vs –0.3%, P = 0.037). The improvement was even greater in people with higher symptom severity.

Conclusions
A dietary intervention with Khorasan wheat products seems to benefit patients with fibromyalgia, especially those with greater symptom severity.
Use of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care “6 Clicks” Basic Mobility Inpatient Short Form and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale to Predict Hospital Discharge Disposition After Stroke
Authors: Covert Stephanie , Johnson Joshua K , Stilphen Mary , Passek Sandra , Thompson Nicolas R , Katzan Irene 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Objective
Therapists in the hospital are charged with making timely discharge recommendations to improve access to rehabilitation after stroke. The objective of this study was to identify the predictive ability of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care “6 Clicks” Basic Mobility Inpatient Short Form (6 Clicks mobility) score and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score for actual hospital discharge disposition after stroke.

Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from an academic hospital in the United States for 1543 patients with acute stroke and a 6 Clicks mobility score. Discharge to home, a skilled nursing facility (SNF), or an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) was the primary outcome. Associations among these outcomes and 6 Clicks mobility and NIHSS scores, alone or together, were tested using multinomial logistic regression, and the predictive ability of these scores was calculated using concordance statistics.

Results
A higher 6 Clicks mobility score alone was associated with a decreased odds of actual discharge to an IRF or an SNF. The 6 Clicks mobility score alone was a strong predictor of discharge to home versus an IRF or an SNF. However, predicting discharge to an IRF versus an SNF was stronger when the 6 Clicks mobility score was considered in combination with the NIHSS score, age, sex, and race.

Conclusion
The 6 Clicks mobility score alone can guide discharge decision making after stroke, particularly for discharge to home versus an SNF or an IRF. Determining discharge to an SNF versus an IRF could be improved by also considering the NIHSS score, age, sex, and race. Future studies should seek to identify which additional characteristics improve predictability for these separate discharge destinations.

Impact
The use of outcome measures can improve therapist confidence in making discharge recommendations for people with stroke, can enhance hospital throughput, and can expedite access to rehabilitation, ultimately affecting functional outcomes.
Establishing prison-led contact tracing to prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 in prisons in Ireland
Authors: Clarke Mattea , Devlin John , Conroy Emmett , Kelly Enda , Sturup-Toft Sunita 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background
Preventing transmission of COVID-19 within prisons is both important and challenging. The confined conditions in prisons can encourage person-to-person spread with the potential for outbreaks occurring. Contact tracing is an important contributor to the longer-term management strategy for COVID-19 in prisons as well as in the community but is highly resource-intensive. This paper describes the approach to contact tracing taken by the Irish Prison Service (IPS).

Methods
The IPS National Infection Control Team, in collaboration with the National Quality Improvement (QI) team and Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland, implemented a programme to develop and train in-prison contact tracing teams (CTTs). CTTs were run by prison staff with experience of working with detainees, prison IT systems and CCTV. Protocols for undertaking contact tracing for both detainee and staff cases of COVID-19 were established.

Results
All prisons, and two support agencies, within the IPS now have fully functional in-prison CTTs. Every CTT has responded to at least one case COVID-19, undertaken contact tracing and instigated quarantine of contacts.

Conclusions
A partnership approach with development of prison-led CTTs can provide an effective mechanism for contact tracing of COVID-19 cases within the prison setting.
A study to assess smoking habits and smoking exposure in sportspeople
Authors: O’Sullivan B , Scully P , Curtin R J , Plant B J 
Published: June 2020

SummaryBackgroundTobacco smoking is a leading public health concern and is the most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Sportspeople are no exception and those who smoke are predisposed to the same hazardous health effects as the general public, in addition to the potential effects it may have on their sporting performance.AimWe aimed to ascertain the prevalence of tobacco consumption in a sporting population. We also endeavoured to quantify the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and assess exposure to passive smoking.DesignObservational study.MethodsA web-based e-questionnaire was distributed to participants from various sports across Ireland between November 2017 and January 2018, and data were analysed using SPSS.ResultsA total of 546 sportspeople completed the survey with more than twice as many male respondents. Of whom, 16% of participants were current smokers, with males significantly more likely to smoke (P &lt; 0.001), 26% of rugby players were current smokers which was significantly higher when compared with other sports (P &lt; 0.01), 10% of all participants were exposed to second-hand smoke for more than 1 h per day and 2% of all participants were current users of e-cigarettes.ConclusionThe prevalence of smoking in our study population was higher than other literature reports. Further studies are essential to evaluate the potential negative effects this may be having on sporting performance, career progression and indeed injury occurrence/rehabilitation. It is imperative to address the matter of smoking in athletes, not only for public health concerns but also considering they are important role models in our society.
Misperceptions of income distributions: cross-country evidence from a randomized survey experiment
Authors: Bublitz Elisabeth 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCan imperfect information, as revealed in individual misperceptions about income distributions, explain the demand for redistribution? I conduct a representative survey experiment in Brazil, France, Germany, Russia, Spain and the USA, providing a personalized information treatment on income distribution to a randomly chosen subsample. Most respondents misperceive their own position in the income distribution. These biases differ notably by country and the true income position. Correcting misperceptions slightly shifts the demand towards less redistribution in Germany and Russia. This shift appears to be driven by respondents with a negative position bias. The lack of significant treatment effects in other countries may result from different individual reactions that cancel each other out. Thus, the existence of systematic misperceptions underscores their importance for understanding preferences for redistribution.
The Place to Heal and the Place to Die. Patients and Causes of Death in Nineteenth-Century Venice
Authors: Derosas Renzo , Munno Cristina 
Published: June 2020

Summary
We used death records to highlight the main features of mid-nineteenth-century Venetian hospitals. At that time, the medicalisation of hospitals was well under way. The Civic Hospital, in particular, had up to 1,400 beds, a large medical staff and a rational structure. By contrasting hospital deaths with deaths occurring at home, we asked whether the patterns seen reflect the modernisation of the hospital system. On one hand, those admitted to hospital were mostly poor, elderly, immigrants, with little support at home, suggesting that social rather than medical conditions determined hospitalisation. On the other hand, there were differences in the causes of death, implying that the hospital pursued some therapeutic specialisation, which attracted also patients of better social standing. Notwithstanding the deep transformation that took place in the nineteenth century, the Venetian experience confirms the coexistence and interdependency of care and cure as permanent features of hospital history.