bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Test–retest reliability of touchscreen DriveSafe DriveAware
Authors: Johnston Belinda J. , O’Donnell Joan M. , Manuguerra Maurizio , Davidson Andrew S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionThis prospective study examines the test–retest reliability of touchscreen DriveSafe DriveAware (DSDA). In a future study, the authors intend assessing the usefulness of DSDA to measure progress of patients undergoing treatment for neurological conditions. Evidence of test–retest reliability is required first.MethodsAustralian adults with current driver's licences (N = 39) aged 20 to 91 years (Mage = 58) recruited from a convenience sample were assessed with DSDA. The assessment was repeated 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months later to match planned assessments of patients undergoing neurosurgical treatment in future research. DSDA classification, DriveSafe subtest score, and DriveAware subtest scores were analysed as a whole sample, and in three age groups.ResultsDSDA classification and DriveAware scores were consistent over repeated tests. DriveSafe scores increased between test 1 and 2 (p = .006), and thereafter no significant change from test 2 to 4. DriveSafe scores of older participants (70+ years) increased between test 1 and 2 more notably than younger participants’ scores. No DriveSafe scores decreased over time.ConclusionDSDA classification and DriveAware scores demonstrated test–retest reliability for all age groups. DriveSafe scores did not demonstrate test–retest reliability between test 1 and 2 for participants 70+ years. However, DriveSafe scores demonstrated test–retest reliability after test 2, possibly indicating an initial learning effect for the DriveSafe score only. The authors posit that this result may have been influenced by older adults’ reduced familiarity with iPad technology at first assessment. Further longitudinal research is required to confirm whether these results are consistent in a sample population with diagnosed cognitive impairment. Future research will assess whether repeated assessment of DSDA may be useful for monitoring and screening cognitive fitness to drive in patients who have undergone neurosurgical treatment and whether declining scores may indicate cognitive changes in ability to drive.
COVID‐19 by numbers ‐ infections, cases and deaths
Authors: Brüssow Harald 
Published: December 2020

SummaryDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, governments face difficult decisions when being confronted with public health threats and economic needs. Decision making is further complicated by the different perception of the pandemic by the public. Politicians as well as the public need objective facts for guidance and numbers play here a crucial role. The current contribution compiles numbers for infections, cases and deaths with SARS‐CoV‐2 to serve as an orientation help.
Comparison of DNA yield and STR profiles from the diaphysis, mid‐diaphysis, and metaphysis regions of femur and tibia long bones
Authors: Klavens Adam , Kollmann Dana D. , Elkins Kelly M. , Zeller Cynthia B. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDNA testing of human bones is performed for identification when there is no remaining soft tissue, which often means the samples are old or environmentally compromised. Under these circumstances, it can be difficult to obtain a STR DNA profile. It is important to recover the highest quantity and quality of DNA for STR typing. This study compared the DNA recovery and STR profiles from five anatomical locations in five femora and five tibiae. These locations include the proximal metaphysis, proximal diaphysis, mid‐diaphysis, distal diaphysis, and distal metaphysis. Twenty‐five femur samples and 25 tibia samples were analyzed using the Qiagen Investigator Quantiplex Pro RGQ Kit for quantitating the extracted DNA and the Qiagen Investigator 24plex QS Kit for STR DNA typing. The highest DNA recovery of the five regions tested in both the femur and the tibia was from the midshaft diaphysis. The femur samples resulted in a significantly higher DNA recovery than the tibia samples as analyzed using a Kruskal–Wallis test (P = 0.002103). The midshaft diaphysis and distal diaphysis yielded the most complete STR DNA profiles in the femora, while the distal and proximal diaphysis yielded the most complete STR DNA profiles in the tibiae. There was no correlation between the amount of DNA recovered and the completeness of the STR DNA profile produced with low template extracts in this study.
Accuracy of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging in local staging for rectal cancer: a single local health district, real world experience
Authors: Ang Zhen Hao , De Robles Marie Shella , Kang Sharlyn , Winn Robert 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plays a key role in reducing local recurrence rates for locally advanced rectal cancer. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) is the gold standard for local clinical staging which allows clinicians to decide the treatment patients receive. A more advanced tumour or the presence of high‐risk features on pMRI mean that neoadjuvant therapy will be offered to these patients. Understanding the accuracy of pMRI in local staging for rectal cancer is therefore crucial.MethodsA retrospective cohort analysis of the accuracy of pMRI staging in a subgroup of patients who had primary rectal cancer surgery without neoadjuvant therapy was performed. Specificity and sensitivity for T‐staging, N‐staging and presence of high‐risk features (threatened circumferential resection margin and extramural venous invasion) were calculated. Patients who had previous pelvic surgery, previous pelvic radiotherapy and previous surgery for continence were excluded.ResultsA total of 114 patients were included in the analysis. MRI accurately predicts T‐stage in 56.6% and N‐stage in 55.8%. Prediction of extramural disease was accurate in 51%. A negative circumferential resection margin was accurately predicted in 98.6% of patients. Overall adherence to reporting proforma was 15.8%.ConclusionOverall, this study provided valuable information about the clinical staging of patients with rectal cancer who are at an early stage within a large regional catchment area in Australia with pMRI. These results allow us to assess the accuracy of our local staging with ramifications to the clinical decisions being made in the context of the more recent trials which questioned the need for neoadjuvant chemo‐radiotherapy in all node positive patients.
Minimally invasive surgical treatment of pilomatrixoma
Authors: Bollu Bapesh Krishna , Collin Michael , Shun Albert 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundPilomatrixoma is a benign skin tumour often presenting as a firm irregular mass in the paediatric population. The most common site is on the head and neck. Traditionally, a wide local excision has been the method of management. We propose an incision and curettage (I&C) technique for an improved cosmetic outcome.MethodsA retrospective review of children who underwent I&C for pilomatrixoma was done between January 2010 and June 2020. The I&C technique involved making a small incision over or near the lesion in a discrete location such as behind the hairline and removing the tumour piecemeal. Four to six weeks of routine post‐operative follow‐up was conducted. Patients and families were also subsequently contacted via a survey to assess for late recurrence, any other complications and ascertain their level of satisfaction with the outcome.ResultsTwenty lesions were removed in 11 patients over this time with a female predominance (seven) and most lesions were on the face (11). No patients had a recurrence in a mean follow‐up time of 6 years (1–10 years). All parents are very satisfied with the cosmetic result.ConclusionI&C may be an effective and cosmetically pleasing method to removing pilomatrixoma.
The relationship between early post‐operative ACTH / cortisol following pituitary surgery and long‐term glucocorticoid requirement – Do ultradian rhythms matter?
Authors: English Katherine A. , Chikani Viral , Jang Christina , Dimeski Goce , Olson Sarah , Inder Warrick J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether early (4‐8h) post‐operative ACTH after trans‐sphenoidal surgery (TSS) predicts long‐term hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function and to investigate early morning day 1 ACTH/cortisol variability using rapid sampling.DesignProspective observational study.MethodsParticipants undergoing TSS were included; those treated with glucocorticoids pre‐operatively received 100 mg intravenous hydrocortisone on anaesthetic induction. ACTH and cortisol were measured post‐operatively at + 4h and + 8h after induction and on day 1 every 10 minutes between 0700h and 0900h. Primary outcome: glucocorticoid requirement at 6 months.ResultsNineteen participants (10F, 9M): 6/19 (32%) were treated with replacement glucocorticoids pre‐operatively; 4 had ceased by 6 weeks post‐operatively. One patient developed new hypopituitarism post‐operatively meaning 3/19 (16%) required glucocorticoids at 6 months. Post‐operative + 4h ACTH < 14.3 pmol/L (65 ng/L) predicted secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) (sensitivity 100%, specificity 75%), whilst no participant with a post‐operative + 4h ACTH ≥ 14.3 pmol/L (65 ng/L) required glucocorticoids at 6 months. Day 1 ACTH and cortisol showed a significant circadian fall between 0700h‐0900h; ACTH 4.2 pmol/L (IQR 2.9‐5.9) to 3.7 pmol/L (IQR 2.9‐5.1) P = .006 and cortisol 549 nmol/L (IQR 337‐618) to 439 nmol/L (IQR 315‐606) P < .001, with clinically insignificant ultradian secretory pulses.ConclusionsNo participant with a post‐operative + 4h ACTH ≥ 14.3 pmol/L (65 ng/L) required glucocorticoids at 6 months; however, given only 3/19 participants had the primary outcome of interest, this must be confirmed in a larger cohort. The timing of a day 1 morning cortisol between 0700h and 0900h influences the accuracy of a single cut‐off to diagnose SAI after pituitary surgery.
Effect of experimental orthodontic pain on gray and white matter functional connectivity
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Li Fei , Yang Hong , Jin Yu , Lai Wenli , Roberts Neil , Jia Zhiyun , Gong Qiyong 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimOver 90% of patients receiving orthodontic treatment experience clinically significant pain. However, little is known about the neural correlates of orthodontic pain and which has therefore been investigated in the present study of healthy subjects using an experimental paradigm.MethodsResting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) was performed in 44 healthy subjects 24 hours after an elastic separator had been introduced between the first and the second molar on the right side of the lower jaw and in 49 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control (HC) subjects. A K‐means clustering algorithm was used to identify functional gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) resting‐state networks, and differences in functional connectivity (FC) of GM and WM between the group of subjects with experimental orthodontic pain and HC were analyzed.ResultsTwelve GM networks and 14 WM networks with high stability were identified. Compared with HC, subjects with orthodontic pain showed significantly increased FC between WM12, which includes posterior thalamic radiation and posterior cingulum bundle, and most GM networks. Besides, the WM12 network showed significant differences in FC with three GM‐WM loops involving the default mode network, dorsal attention network, and salience network, respectively.ConclusionsOrthodontic pain is shown to produce an alteration of FC in networks relevant to pain processing, which may be mediated by a WM network relevant to emotion perception and cognitive processing.
The cost‐effectiveness of dapagliflozin in treating high‐risk patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An economic evaluation using data from the DECLARE‐TIMI 58 trial
Authors: McEwan Phil , Morgan Angharad R. , Boyce Rebecca , Bergenheim Klas , Gause‐Nilsson Ingrid A.M. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Leiter Lawrence A. , Johansson Peter A. , Mosenzon Ofri , Cahn Avivit , Wilding John P.H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimTo undertake a cost‐effectiveness analysis of dapagliflozin in treating high‐risk patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), using both directly observed events in the DECLARE‐TIMI 58 trial and surrogate risk factors to predict endpoints not captured within the trial.MethodsAn established T2DM model was adapted to integrate survival curves derived from the DECLARE‐TIMI 58 trial, and extrapolated over a lifetime for all‐cause mortality, hospitalization for heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, and end‐stage kidney disease. The economic analysis considered the overall DECLARE trial population, as well as reported patient subgroups. Total and incremental costs, life‐years and quality‐adjusted life‐years associated with dapagliflozin versus placebo were estimated from the perspective of the UK healthcare payer.ResultsIn the UK setting, treatment with dapagliflozin compared to placebo was estimated to be dominant, with an expected increase in quality‐adjusted life‐years from 10.43 to 10.48 (+0.06) and a reduction in lifetime total costs from £39 451 to £36 899 (−£2552). Across all patient subgroups, dapagliflozin was estimated to be dominant, with the greatest absolute benefit in the prior heart failure subgroup (incremental lifetime costs −£4150 and quality‐adjusted life‐years +0.11).ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that dapagliflozin compared to placebo appears to be cost‐effective, when considering evidence reported from the DECLARE‐TIMI 58 trial, at established UK willingness‐to‐pay thresholds. The findings highlight the potential of dapagliflozin to have a meaningful impact in reducing the economic burden of T2DM and its associated complications across a broad T2DM population.
Current trends in removable partial prosthodontics education in dental colleges of Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Lone Muneeb , Inayat Ahsan , Muneeb Lone Maham , Farhan Khan Muhammad , Abrar Lone Mohid , Saad Shaikh Muhammad 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the current trends in undergraduate teaching of removable partial prosthodontics in various dental colleges of Pakistan.MethodologyA cross‐sectional study was conducted in which a questionnaire was sent by email to head of Prosthodontics department of thirty‐one dental institutes of Pakistan. The survey included multiple questions regarding current trends in removable partial prosthodontics education in undergraduate dental colleges.ResultsOut of thirty‐one questionnaires, twenty‐six were completely filled and returned. In 19 (73%) dental colleges, removable partial denture is taught over a period of at least two years of undergraduate education. Students of only six dental colleges fabricate 10–12 removable partial dentures during their Prosthodontic rotation. Lectures and live clinical demonstration for construction of removable acrylic dentures are reported to be carried out in all the dental schools. Simple hinge articulator is the articulator of choice in 22 (84.6%) colleges. Even though twenty‐four out of twenty‐six colleges (92.3%) teach fabrication of cast partial dentures in lectures, none of the student fabricate these dentures during their Prosthodontic rotation.ConclusionThis survey is the first to comprehensively report the teaching practices of removable denture Prosthodontics in undergraduate dental colleges of Pakistan. Faculty of all twenty‐six colleges give clinical demonstrations of acrylic partial denture construction before students start working in the dental OPD. Most of the dental colleges report use of similar impression materials and techniques in removable partial denture fabrication. More than 90% of dental colleges teach cast partial dentures theoretically, but their construction is grossly neglected in all the dental colleges. It is important that this skill is taught and practised by students in order to have the necessary skill set, so they can provide comprehensive treatment to partially dentate patients once they graduate.
Eye movement‐related brain potentials during assisted navigation in real‐world environments
Authors: Wunderlich Anna , Gramann Klaus 
Published: December 2020

AbstractConducting neuroscience research in the real‐world remains challenging because of movement‐ and environment‐related artifacts as well as missing control over stimulus presentation. The present study overcame these restrictions by mobile electroencephalography (EEG) and data‐driven analysis approaches during a real‐world navigation task. During assisted navigation through an unfamiliar city environment, participants received either standard or landmark‐based auditory navigation instructions. EEG data were recorded continuously during navigation. Saccade‐ and blink‐events as well as gait‐related EEG activity were extracted from sensor level data. Brain activity associated with the navigation task was identified by subsequent source‐based cleaning of non‐brain activity and unfolding of overlapping event‐related potentials. When navigators received landmark‐based instructions compared to those receiving standard navigation instructions, the blink‐related brain potentials during navigation revealed higher amplitudes at fronto‐central leads in a time window starting at 300 ms after blinks, which was accompanied by improved spatial knowledge acquisition tested in follow‐up spatial tasks. Replicating improved spatial knowledge acquisition from previous experiments, the present study revealed eye movement‐related brain potentials to point to the involvement of higher cognitive processes and increased processing of incoming information during periods of landmark‐based instructions. The study revealed neuronal correlates underlying visuospatial information processing during assisted navigation in the real‐world providing a new analysis approach for neuroscientific research in freely moving participants in uncontrollable real‐world environments.
Early changes of nerve integrity in preclinical carriers of hereditary transthyretin Ala117Ser amyloidosis with polyneuropathy
Authors: Chiang Ming‐Chang , Yeh Ti‐Yen , Sung Jia‐Ying , Hsueh Hsueh‐Wen , Kao Yi‐Hui , Hsueh Sung‐Ju , Chang Kai‐Chieh , Feng Fang‐Ping , Lin Yea‐Huey , Chao Chi‐Chao , Hsieh Sung‐Tsang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and purposeDisease‐modifying therapies provide new horizons for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv‐PN) to slow neuropathic progression. Initiating treatment at the earliest time requires biomarkers reflecting both small‐ and large‐fiber degeneration in carriers.MethodsThis study included examinations of pathology (intraepidermal nerve fiber [IENF] density), physiology (nerve conduction studies, autonomic function test, and nerve excitability), and psychophysics (thermal thresholds) in carriers to compare to healthy controls and asymptomatic diabetic patients.ResultsThere were 43 carriers (44.2 ± 11.4 years, p.Ala117Ser in 42 carriers), 43 controls (43.4 ± 12.7 years) including 26 noncarrier families, and 50 asymptomatic diabetic patients (58.1 ± 9.5 years). Carriers had lower IENF densities than controls and similar densities as diabetic patients. Median nerve conduction parameters, especially distal motor latency, were the most frequent neurophysiological abnormality in carriers, could differentiate carriers from controls and diabetic patients, were correlated with IENF densities in carriers but not in controls and diabetic patients, and were correlated with nerve excitability parameters in carriers but not in controls. Fifteen carriers (34.9%) with electrophysiological evidence of median nerve entrapment at the wrist had lower IENF densities and more abnormal conduction parameters than carriers without. We defined nerve dysfunction index—the ratio of median distal motor latency to IENF density—which differentiated carriers from controls.ConclusionsIn late‐onset ATTRv‐PN carriers with predominant p.Ala117Ser, median conduction parameters were the most common neurophysiological abnormalities and served as surrogate signatures of small‐ and large‐fiber impairment. Combination of median distal motor latency and IENF density can reflect early neuropathy in carriers.
Evaluation of the 2020 European Academy of Neurology virtual congress: transition from a face‐to‐face to a virtual meeting
Authors: Stamelou Maria , Struhal Walter , ten Cate Olle , Matczak Magdalena , Çalışkan Süleyman Ayhan , Soffietti Riccardo , Marson Anthony , Zis Panagiotis , di Lorenzo Francesco , Sander Anja , Deuschl Günther , de Visser Marianne , Bassetti Claudio L. A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and purposeDue to the COVID‐19 pandemic, scientific congresses are increasingly being organized as virtual congresses (VCs). In May 2020, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) held a VC, free of charge. In the absence of systematic studies on this topic, the aim of this study is to evaluate the attendance and perceived quality of the 2020 EAN VC compared to the 2019 EAN face‐to‐face congress (FFC).MethodsAn analysis of the demographic data of participants obtained from the online registration was done. A comparison of the two congresses based on a survey with questions on the perception of speakers’ performance, quality of networking and other aspects was made.ResultsOf 43,596 registered participants, 20,694 active participants attended the VC. Compared to 2019, the number of participants tripled (6916 in 2019) and the cumulated number of participants attending the sessions was five times higher (169,334 in 2020 vs. 33,024 in 2019). Out of active participants 55% were from outside Europe, 42% were board‐certified neurologists (FFC 80%) and 21% were students (FFC 0.6%). The content of the congress was evaluated as ‘above expectation’ by 56% of the attendees (FFC 41%). Of the respondents who had been exposed to earlier EAN congresses 73% preferred the FFC compared to the VC (17%).ConclusionThe VC fulfilled the main mission of organizing high quality EAN congresses despite the restrictions of the impersonal format. The geographical distribution of the participants proves the expected higher inclusivity of a VC. The large participation of students and neurologists in training opens new educational potentials for the EAN.