bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spino-pelvic sagittal parameters in patients with degenerative thoracolumbar kyphosis combined with lumbar stenosis syndrome
Authors: Xu Shuai , Guo Chen , Liang Yan , Zhu Zhenqi , Liu Haiying 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Objective The patients diagnozed degenerative thoracolumbar kyphosis (DTLK) with lumbar spinal syndrome (LSS) were enrolled, to identify the significance of spino-pelvic parameters in this group.Methods An overall 138 (M/F=53/85) patients were enrolled with a mean follow-up of 24.6±11.1 (m). All cases were performed short-segment posterior fusion on LSS region. Radiological parameters were TLK, LL, PI, PT and SVA obtained on the X-ray. Quality of life (QOL) were evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Accorrding to age-related formula by Lafage, various thresholds on PI-LL, PT and SVA were determined, ensuing three pairs of normal and abnormal groups were respectively divided into based on these parameters. Results Both VAS and ODI statistically improved (P <0.001). At the endpoint, TLK decreased by a mean of 8.2±8.8° and cases got TLK-correction occupied 40.4%. The whole balance status (normal SVA) was improved compared to baseline (P=0.006), so was the ratio of matched PI-LL (P=0.002), but the ratio of normal PT and larger PT was of no significance (P=0.794). The final balance status was irrelevant to QOL whatever balance status at baseline. However, ODI in PI-LL matched group or in normal PT group were respectively less than that of abnormal groups (P=0.022 and P=0.019).Conclusions The mean TLK decreased even a short-segment fusion purely performed on LSS. QOL was related to PI-LL and PT, but not to SVA in DTLK patients.
COVID-19 Outbreaks and Age Mortality Patterns
Authors: Shapiro Vladimir 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
As of the Fall of 2020, many countries are still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. After the painful first massive wave in the Spring, more and more of them are facing the new outbreaks of varying impact. Understanding the mortality pattern associated with such subsequent outbreaks would help governments better prepare and save lives. These secondary outbreaks are still quite new to the scientists as the data have not been sufficient to identify robust trends. By now, US is dealing with the second outbreak of large magnitude and statistically significant analyses are finally possible. We have analyzed the weekly mortality death counts for various ages in US for the entire COVID-19 pandemic duration. Three somewhat related features involving age at death have been extracted: a) COVID-19 average age at death, b) fraction of deaths at ages 65+, and c) slope of age gradient regression line on the logarithmic scale. It turns out that during the outbreak the mortality age gradient is undergoing the following changes: a) average age at death at the peak is 4-5 years higher than at the lower point; b) fraction of deaths of 65+ is by approximately 10% higher, and c) the higher slope of the age gradient translates into an extra death risk of 5.8% every year. In other words, risks, to which an elderly population is exposed during all phases of the pandemic, rise sharply during and right after the outbreak peaks.
A Serological Survey of Brucellosis in Wildlife in Four Major National Parks of Uganda
Authors: Aruho Robert , MacLeod Ewan T. , Manirakiza Leonard , Rwego Innocent Bidason 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Brucellosis is a contagious zoonotic disease of great public health and economic significance especially in developing countries. The disease affects humans and several species of livestock and wildlife. Studies on Brucellosis in wildlife in Uganda have been limited to single populations particularly in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This study aimed at estimating the seroprevalence of Brucella spp. in wildlife in four major national parks of Uganda. This was a retrospective survey which utilized archived samples collected from wildlife during the annual disease surveillance activities between 2013 and 2017. Results: A total of 241 samples from seven species namely African buffalo (Syncerus caffer, n = 109), African elephant (Loxodonta africana, n = 22), giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi, n = 41), Uganda kob (Kobus kob thomasi, n = 36), lion (Panthera leo, n = 6), plain zebra (Equus quagga, n = 25), and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus, n = 2), were tested for antibodies using the Rose Bengal Plate Test. The overall seroprevalence in the four national parks was 31.1% (75/241; 95% CI: 25.6 - 37.2). Kidepo Valley National Park had a significantly higher seroprevalence of 55.9% (19/34; 95% CI: 39.5 - 71.1) compared to other sampled national parks (p < 0.05). Lions had significantly higher seroprevalence at 66.7% (4/6) than African buffalo at 48.6% (53/109; p < 0.0001). There were no antibodies for Brucella spp. detected in African elephant and bushbuck. Conclusion: This study shows variations in prevalence of brucellosis between species and across national parks and notably a high prevalence of brucellosis in wildlife in Uganda than that recorded elsewhere in sub-Saharan region of Africa. Potential for transmission to other wildlife and spill over to livestock is high especially in national parks with high livestock-wildlife interaction.
Effect of activity level after a posterior-stabilized TKA on the relative bone mineral density measured on standard radiographs in periprosthetic tibial bone: a five-year follow-up study
Authors: Liu Yong , He Peiheng , Li Xing , Ye Yongheng , Liu Minghao , Chen Weizhi , XU Dongliang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of activity level after a posterior-stabilized TKA on the relative bone mineral density measured on standard radiographs in periprosthetic tibial bone. Methods: A retrospective review identified 110 patients (110 knees，20 men/90 women) who underwent PS TKA with 5-year follow-up. Patients activity level was evaluated by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score, and the relative BMD in periprosthetic tibial bone was measured by ImageJ software on anteroposterior X-ray images. Clinical assessments included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC), Knee Society score, VAS score and UCLA activity score. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to assess the impact of activity levels on periprosthesis bone density.Results: During 5-year follow-up period, the bone density in the medial, lateral and distal areas decreased compared with that before surgery (p<0.0001). There was a U-shaped distribution between UCLA activity rating and rBMD loss, with the lowest rBMD loss when the UCLA activity score was between 6-8 at 1 and 3 years. The curve fitting of UCLA activity level and rBMD% showed there was a parabolic relationship between UCLA activity level and rBMD% at 1 and 3 years after surgery (P<0.001, P=0.001), while there was no significant relationship between UCLA activity level and rBMD% at 5 years after surgery (P=0.436).Conclusions: We found that activity level had a significant effect on radiographic measurements of BMD at early years after surgery and moderate activity was associated with a minimal reduction in proximal tibial BMD.
How Does Globalization Affect COVID-19 Responses?
Authors: Bickley Steve J. , Chan Ho Fai , Skali Ahmed , Stadelmann David , Torgler Benno 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vast differences in approaches to the control and containment of coronavirus across the world and has demonstrated the varied success of such approaches in minimizing the transmission of coronavirus. While previous studies have demonstrated high predictive power of incorporating air travel data and governmental policy responses in global disease transmission modelling, factors influencing the decision to implement travel and border restriction policies have attracted relatively less attention. This paper examines the role of globalization on the pace of adoption of international travel-related non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) during the coronavirus pandemic. This study aims to offer advice on how to improve the global planning, preparation, and coordination of actions and policy responses during future infectious disease outbreaks with empirical evidence.Results: The results of our survival analysis suggest that more globalized countries, accounting for the country-specific timing of the virus outbreak and other factors, are quicker to adopt international travel restrictions policies. However, countries with high government effectiveness were more cautious in the implementation of travel restrictions if they are more globalized, particularly if through formal political and trade policy integration. This finding is supported by a placebo analysis on domestic NPIs, where such a relationship is absent. Additionally, we find that globalized countries with high state capacity are more likely to have higher numbers of confirmed cases by the time a first restriction policy measure was taken. Conclusions: The findings highlight the dynamic relationship between globalization and protectionism when governments respond to significant global events such as a public health crisis. We suggest that the observed caution of policy implementation by countries with high government efficiency and globalization is a by-product of commitment to existing trade agreements, a greater desire to ‘learn from others’ and also perhaps of ‘confidence’ in a government’s ability to deal with a pandemic through its health system and state capacity. Our results suggest further research is warranted to explore whether global infectious disease forecasting could be improved by including the globalization index and in particular, the de jure trade and political (sub)dimensions and de facto interpersonal and cultural (sub)dimensions of globalization. By acting as proxies for a countries’ likelihood and speed of implementation for international travel restriction policies, such measures may predict the likely time delays in disease emergence and transmission across national borders.
Performance evaluation and ranking of regional primary health care and public health systems in Iran
Authors: Rashidian Arash , Jahanmehr Nader , Farzadfar Farshad , Khosravi Ardeshir , Shariati Mohammad , Sari Ali Akbari , damiri soheila , Majdzadeh Reza 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background

The present study has been undertaken with the aim to evaluate performance and ranking of various universities of medical sciences that are responsible for providing public health services and primary health care in Iran.
Methods

Four models; Weighted Factor Analysis (WFA), Equal Weighting (EW), Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) have been applied for evaluating the performance of universities of medical sciences. This study was commenced based on the statistical reports of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) census data from the Statistical Center of Iran, indicators of Vital Statistics, results of Multiple Indicator of Demographic and Health Survey 2010, and results of the National Survey of Risk Factors of non-communicable diseases.
Results

The average performance scores in WFA, EW, SFA, and DEA methods for the universities are 0.611, 0.663, 0.736 and 0.838, respectively. Based on the ranking of Gilan University, with an average score of 4.75, and Rafsanjan University, with an average score of 0.41, these universities have obtained the first and the last rank in the performance of their primary health care and public health systems, respectively. According to the results of all four models, the Universities of Gilan, Ardebil, and Bojnourd were the strongest ranking in this regard and the Universities of Rafsanjan, Kerman, Ahvaz, and Jiroft ranked weakest in performance.
Conclusions

The average performance of the universities of medical sciences is not acceptable at the present level in which they stand in Iran. Of course, this condition is not prevalent in all universities and there is much dispersion in the performance of universities at the country level today. Designing the evaluation system and annual ranking of universities of medical sciences by using the methodology of the present study can lead to the improvement of performance of this system and, consequently, the improvement of heath indicators, by attracting the society and attention of policymakers to the domain of primary and public health care and creating a healthy competition among different regions of the country.
Quantitative DCE-MRI : An efficient diagnostic technique for evaluating early micro-environment permeability changes in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Yang Hui , Jiang Ling , Li Jiang , Zheng Xiuzhu , Yao Qianqian , Li Changqin , Zhu Jianzhong , Qin Jian 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: In the management of early inflammatory joint of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), there is a need for reliable noninvasive quantitative monitoring biomarker to closely assess status of synovitis progression.Cognizant to this,studies geared on improving techniques for quantitative evaluation of micro-environment permeability of the joint space are necessary.Such improved techniques may provide tissue perfusion as important biological parameters and can further help in understanding the origin of early changes associated with AS.The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance and determine longitudinal relationships of early micro-environment active in the joint space of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) with a rat model by using quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).Methods: Thirty wistar male rats were randomly assigned to the model (n= 15) or control (n = 15) group. All rats underwent DCE-MRI of SIJ region at fixed time points(12, 17 and 22 weeks),between September 2018 and October 2019. Differences in permeability parameters between the two groups at the same time point were compared by using an independent samples t test. Spearman correlations of DCE-MRI parameters with different time points in model group were analyzed.All statistical analyses were performed with software.Results: At 12 weeks,the Ktrans,Kep and Ve values in the model group were slightly lower than those in control group,but all the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05).Compared with control group,the transfer constant (Ktrans)values increased significantly at 17 weeks and 22 weeks in model group,while the rate constant (Kep) and volume of extravascular extracellular space(Ve) significantly increased only at 22 weeks(p<0.05).The Ktrans,Kep and Ve were positively correlated with increasing time points (r=0.946, P＜0.01 for Ktrans; r=0.945, P＜0.01 for Kep; and r= 0.832, P＜0.01 for Ve).Conclusion: Quantitative DCE-MRI parameters are valuable for evaluating the early longitudinal relationship of micro-environment permeability changes in the joint space of SIJ.
Changes in Patient Visits and Diagnoses seen in an Academic Ophthalmology Department during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Berkenstock Meghan K , Liberman Paulina , McDonnell Peter J , Chaon Benjamin C 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND: To minimize the risk of viral transmission, ophthalmology practices limited face to face encounters to only patients with urgent and emergent ophthalmic conditions, in the weeks after the start of the COVID-19 epidemic in the United States. The impact of this is unknown. METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis of the change in the frequency of ICD-10 code use and patient volumes in the six weeks before and after the changes in clinical practice associated with COVID-19.RESULTS: The total number of encounters decreased four-fold after the implementation of clinic changes associated with COVID-19. The low vision, pediatric ophthalmology, general ophthalmology, and cornea divisions had the largest total decrease of in-person visits. Conversely, the number of telemedicine visits increased sixty-fold. The number of diagnostic codes associated with ocular malignancies, most ocular inflammatory disorders, and retinal conditions requiring intravitreal injections increased. ICD-10 codes associated with ocular screening exams for systemic disorders decreased during the weeks post COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmology practices need to be prepared to experience changes in practice patterns, implementation of telemedicine, and decreased patient volumes during a pandemic. Knowing the changes specific to each subspecialty clinic is vital to redistribute available resources correctly.
Differences in standing and sitting spinopelvic sagittal alignment for patients with posterior lumbar fusion: important considerations for the changes of unfused adjacent segments lordosis
Authors: Sun Zhuoran , Zhou Siyu , Wang Wei , Zou Da , Li Weishi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to describe the changes in spinopelvic sagittal alignment in the sitting position after posterior lumbar fusion, and to identify the factors influencing unfused adjacent segment lordosis.Methods: Consecutive patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion between December 2010 and April 2012 were recruited. Lateral full spine radiographs were obtained in the standing, erect sitting, and natural sitting positions. Spinopelvic parameters were measured preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results: The data of 63 patients were analyzed in this study. The average age was 61.6±11.0 years. When changing from standing to sitting at the final follow-up, all spinopelvic sagittal parameters with the exceptions of pelvic incidence and thoracic kyphosis were significantly altered. The most noticeable changes occurred in the natural sitting position, with the spine slumped toward achieving a C-shaped sagittal profile. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that when changing to a natural sitting position, age and fusion levels reflected the changes in lumbar lordosis (ΔLL), age and lumbosacral fusion reflected the changes in upper residual lordosis (ΔURL). Conclusion: The most noticeable changes in spinopelvic sagittal alignment occurred in the natural sitting position after lumbar fusion. Age, fusion levels, and lumbosacral fusion significantly influenced the differences in LL and URL between the standing and natural sitting position. These characteristics should be fully considered when planning spinal realignment surgery and investigating the etiological factors of junctional complications.
The Analysis of Fertility Quality of Life and the Influencing Factors of Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure
Authors: Ni Ying , Tong Chenye , Huang Limin , Zhou Wenjie , Zhang Aijun 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the current status of fertility quality of life (QoL) and explore the influencing factors for infertile women with repeated implantation failure (RIF).Methods: The sample consisted of 137 infertile women with RIF who were under treatment from January 2019 to December 2019 in the Reproductive Medical Center of Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine in China. A general information questionnaire, FertiQoL scale, perceived social support scale (PSSS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to analyse the fertility QoL and related factors of RIF patients.Results: The total fertility QoL score of RIF patients was 60.44 ± 11.60. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that residence, financial difficulties, male infertility, BMI index, depression, and family social support were the main factors that influenced the fertility QoL of RIF patients (adjusted R2 = 0.762).Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, RIF patients’ psychological status must be addressed. Corresponding interventions such as building a sound family and social support system, creating a good medical environment and offering diverse health education should be provided to improve the fertility QoL of RIF patients.
Cross-talk between transcriptome, phytohormone and HD-ZIP gene family analysis illuminates the molecular mechanism underlying fruitlet abscission in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L)&nbsp;
Authors: Qiu Zhilang , Wen Zhuang , Hou Qiandong , Qiao Guang , Yang Kun , Hong Yi , Wen Xiaopeng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
The shedding of premature sweet cherry (Prunus avium L) fruit has significantly impacted production, which in turn has a consequential effect on economic benefits.
Result
To better understand the molecular mechanism of sweet cherry fruitlet abscission, pollens viability and structure had observed from the pollination trees. Subsequently, the morphological characters of shedding fruitlet, the plant hormone titers of dropping carpopodium, transcriptome of the abscising carpopodium, as well as the HD-ZIP gene family were investigated. These findings showed that the pollens giving rise to heavy fruitlet abscission were malformed in structure, and their viability was lower than the average level. The abscising fruitlet and carpopodium characterized in red color, and embryos of abscising fruitlets were aborted, which was highly ascribed to the low pollen viability and malformation. Transcriptome analysis showed 6,462 were significantly differentially expressed, of which 2,456 genes were up-regulated and 4,006 down-regulated. Among these genes, the auxin biosynthesis and signal transduction genes (α-Trp, AUX1), was down-regulated, while 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase gene (ACO) affected in ethylene biosynthesis, was up-regulated in abscising carpopodium. About genes related to cell wall remodeling (CEL, PAL, PG EXP, XTH), were up-regulated in carpopodium abscission, which reflecting the key roles in regulating the abscission process. The results of transcriptome analysis considerably conformed with those of proteome analysis as documented previously. In comparison with those of the retention fruitlet, the auxin contents in abscising carpopodium were significantly low, which presumably increased the ethylene sensitivity of the abscission zone, conversely, the abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation was considerably higher in abscising carpopodium. Furthermore, the ratio of (TZ + IAA + GA3) / ABA also obviously lower in abscising carpopodium. Besides, the HD-ZIP gene family analysis showed that PavHB16 and PavHB18 were up-regulated in abscising organs.
Conclusion
Our findings combine morphology, cytology and transcriptional regulation to reveal the molecular mechanism of sweet cherry fruitlet abscission. It provides a new perspective for further study of plant organ shedding.