bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Potential Value of Mixed Reality in Neurosurgery
Authors: Zhang Chaochao , Gao Haijun , Liu Ziqiang , Huang Haiyan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Mixed reality (MR) merges virtual information into the real world through computer technology, in which the real environment and virtual objects can get spliced in the same image or space at real time so that it can effectively express and integrate the virtual and real worlds and allow high feedback interaction. This technology combines the many advantages of virtual realityand augmented reality, and has a promising future in the medical field. At present, MR technology is just at the beginning stage in the medical field in the world, whose application in neurosurgery is also rarely reported. Given this, the authors described the research progress of MR in neurosurgery including preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance, doctor-patient communication, teaching rounds, physician training, and so on.
COVID-19 Trends in Florida – August 10 – November 14, 2020
Authors: Jones Rebekah D. , Romer Jacob E. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractLimited research on the prevalence and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in K-12 environments has led to a flurry of speculative, qualitative, non-data-driven analysis with potentially dangerous implications for public health policy. Twenty-four US states provide, at a minimum, outbreak data in K-12 schools. Student enrollment across Florida’s 67 districts totals more than 2.67 million, with five of the ten most populated districts in the country in the state. This study uses Florida as a case study in COVID-19 trends in schools. With no state-wide mask mandate, varying levels of virtual-instruction participation, and a range of rural, suburban, and urban environments, Florida represents the wide range of learning environments and COVID-19 approaches to mitigation observed across the country. The Covid Monitor began tracking case data in K-12 schools in July 2020, and has since reported more than 200,000 confirmed cases of the virus in the K-12 environment nationwide – the largest date repository for cases in schools. The Covid Monitor’s national database allows for analysis of the characteristics and trends of cases in schools over time. The results may inform decisions about continued in-person and virtual learning access and promotion across the United States, as well as mitigation measures related to reopening policies across districts responsive to model results. These results also provide a baseline for monitoring trends and evaluating mitigation strategies.Table of Contents SummaryUsing the most comprehensive database of K-12 COVID-19 case data in the country, Florida provides clues for understanding student and staff cases in schools.What’s known on this subjectFlorida schools began reopening to in-person instruction in August and reported 15,393 student and staff cases of COVID-19 as of November 14, 2020. Incidence of COVID-19 cases in K-12 students and staff is of urgent public health concern.What this study addsCOVID-19 cases reported in Florida schools were most influenced by community case rates and percent of students attending face-to-face. Student case rates were highest in high schools (4.5 per 1,000); staff case rates were highest in elementary levels (4.5-4.8).
Flexible multiplane structured illumination microscope with a four-camera detector
Authors: Johnson Karl A. , Noble Daniel , Machado Rosa , Hagen Guy M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFluorescence microscopy provides an unparalleled tool for imaging biological samples. However, producing high-quality volumetric images quickly and without excessive complexity remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrate a simple multi-camera structured illumination microscope (SIM) capable of simultaneously imaging multiple focal planes, allowing for the capture of 3D fluorescent images without any axial movement of the sample. This simple setup allows for the rapid acquisition of many different 3D imaging modes, including 3D time lapses, high-axial-resolution 3D images, and large 3D mosaics.
Chromosome 8 gain is associated with high-grade transformation in MPNST
Authors: Dehner Carina , Moon Chang In , Zhou Zhaohe , Zhang Xiyuan , Miller Chris , Xu Hua , Wan Xiaodan , Yang Kuangying , Mashl Jay , Gosline Sara J.C. , Wang Yuxi , Zhang Xiaochun , Godec Abigail , Jones Paul A. , Dahiya Sonika , Bhatia Himanshi , Primeau Tina , Li Shunqiang , Pollard Kai , Ding Li , Pratilas Christine A. , Shern Jack F. , Hirbe Angela C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractOne of the most common malignancies affecting adults with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), an aggressive and often fatal sarcoma which commonly arises from benign plexiform neurofibromas. Despite advances in our understanding of MPNST pathobiology, there are few effective therapeutic options, and no investigational agents have proven success in clinical trials. To further understand the genomic heterogeneity of MPNST, and to generate a preclinical platform that encompasses this heterogeneity, we developed a collection of NF1-MPNST patient derived xenografts (PDX). These PDX were compared to the primary tumors from which they were derived using copy number analysis, whole exome and RNA sequencing. We identified chromosome 8 gain as a recurrent genomic event in MPNST and validated its occurrence by FISH in the PDX and parental tumors, in a validation cohort, and by single cell sequencing in the PDX. Finally, we show that chromosome 8 gain is associated with inferior overall survival in soft tissue sarcomas. Taken together, these data suggest that chromosome 8 gain is a critical event in MPNST pathogenesis, and may account for the aggressive nature and poor outcomes in this sarcoma subtype.
Dynamical Indicators of Resilience from Physiological Time Series in Geriatric Inpatients: Lessons Learned
Authors: Rector Jerrald L. , Gijzel Sanne M. W. , van de Leemput Ingrid A. , van Meulen Fokke B. , Olde Rikkert Marcel G. M. , Melis René J. F. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe concept of physical resilience may help geriatric medicine objectively assess patients’ ability to ‘bounce back’ from future health challenges. Indicators hypothesized to forecast resilience after a stressor have been developed under two paradigms with different perspectives: Critical Slowing Down (CSD) and Loss of Complexity (LoC). This study explored if and how these indicators, based on fluctuations in physiologic signals, can validly reflect the physical resilience of geriatric inpatients.MethodsGeriatric patients (n = 121, 60% female) had their heart rate and physical activity continuously monitored using a chest-worn sensor. Measures of health functioning (multimorbidity, frailty and Activities of Daily Living [ADL]) were obtained by questionnaire at admission. Indicators from both paradigms (CSD: variance, autocorrelation, cross-correlation; LoC: [multivariate] multiscale entropy) were extracted from both physiological signals. The relationships among indicators and their associations with health functioning were assessed by correlation and linear regression analyses, respectively.ResultsGreater complexity and higher variance in physical activity were associated with lower frailty (β = –0.28, p=.004 and β = –0.37, p<.001, respectively) and better ADL function (β = 0.23, p=.022 and β = 0.38, p<.001). The associations of physical activity variance with health functioning was not in the expected direction based on the Critical Slowing Down paradigm.ConclusionsAssociations between dynamical resilience indicators tested here and measures of health functioning were not all in the expected direction. In retrospect, these observations stress the importance of matching the underlying assumptions of the resilience paradigm to the homeostatic role of the variable monitored.
SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity in individuals with prior seasonal coronavirus infection
Authors: Gombar Saurabh , Bergquist Timothy , Pejaver Vikas , Hammarlund Noah E. , Murugesan Kanagavel , Mooney Sean , Shah Nigam , Pinsky Benjamin A. , Banaei Niaz 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA sizable fraction of healthy blood donors have cross-reactive T cells to SARS-CoV-2 peptides due to prior infection with seasonal coronavirus. Understanding the role of cross-reactive T cells in immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has implications for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. We show that individuals with documented history of seasonal coronavirus have a similar SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and COVID-19 severity as those with no prior history of seasonal coronavirus. Our findings suggest prior infection with seasonal coronavirus does not provide immunity to subsequent infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Test-trace-isolate-quarantine (TTIQ) intervention strategies after symptomatic COVID-19 case identification
Authors: Ashcroft Peter , Lehtinen Sonja , Bonhoeffer Sebastian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe test-trace-isolate-quarantine (TTIQ) strategy, where confirmed-positive pathogen carriers are isolated from the community and their recent close contacts are identified and pre-emptively quarantined, is used to break chains of transmission during a disease outbreak. The protocol is frequently followed after an individual presents with disease symptoms, at which point they will be tested for the pathogen. This TTIQ strategy, along with hygiene and social distancing measures, make up the non-pharmaceutical interventions that are utilised to suppress the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here we develop a tractable mathematical model of disease transmission and the TTIQ intervention to quantify how the probability of detecting and isolating a case following symptom onset, the fraction of contacts that are identified and quarantined, and the delays inherent to these processes impact epidemic growth. In the model, the timing of disease transmission and symptom onset, as well as the frequency of asymptomatic cases, is based on empirical distributions of SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics, while the isolation of confirmed cases and quarantine of their contacts is implemented by truncating their respective infectious periods. We find that a successful TTIQ strategy requires intensive testing: the majority of transmission is prevented by isolating symptomatic individuals and doing so in a short amount of time. Despite the lesser impact, additional contact tracing and quarantine increases the parameter space in which an epidemic is controllable and is necessary to control epidemics with a high reproductive number. TTIQ could remain an important intervention for the foreseeable future of the COVID-19 pandemic due to slow vaccine rollout and highly-transmissible variants with the potential for vaccine escape. Our results can be used to assess how TTIQ can be improved and optimised, and the methodology represents an improvement over previous quantification methods that is applicable to future epidemic scenarios.1Author summaryDetecting symptomatically-infected individuals and isolating them from the community is used slow the spread of an infectious disease. Additional contact tracing and quarantine can further interrupt chains of disease transmission. These measures are employed globally to control the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here we use a mathematical model to quantify how effective the test-trace-isolate-quarantine (TTIQ) intervention can be against SARS-CoV-2 spread, and how delays and inaccuracies in these processes can reduce this effectiveness. With this framework we seek to improve and optimise the TTIQ intervention and to understand the problems that we could face with new variants and/or vaccine escape. We show that increasing the detection of new infections, and doing so with minimal delay after symptom onset, is key to an effective intervention.
A Comprehensive Epithelial Tubo-Ovarian Cancer Risk Prediction Model Incorporating Genetic and Epidemiological Risk Factors
Authors: Lee Andrew , Yang Xin , Tyrer Jonathan , Gentry-Maharaj Aleksandra , Ryan Andy , Mavaddat Nasim , Cunningham Alex P. , Carver Tim , Archer Stephanie , Leslie Goska , Kalsi Jatinderpal , Gaba Faiza , Manchanda Ranjit , Gayther Simon A. , Ramus Susan J. , Walter Fiona M. , Tischkowitz Marc , Jacobs Ian , Menon Usha , Easton Douglas F. , Pharoah Paul P.D. , Antoniou Antonis C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundEpithelial tubo-ovarian cancer (EOC) has high mortality partly due to late diagnosis. Prevention is available but may be associated with adverse effects. A multifactorial risk model based on known genetic and epidemiological risk factors (RFs) for EOC can help identify females at higher risk who could benefit from targeted screening and prevention.MethodsWe developed a multifactorial EOC risk model for females of European ancestry incorporating the effects of pathogenic variants (PVs) inBRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51C, RAD51DandBRIP1, a polygenic risk score (PRS) of arbitrary size, the effects of RFs and explicit family history (FH) using a synthetic model approach. The PRS, PV and RFs were assumed to act multiplicatively.ResultsBased on a currently available PRS for EOC that explains 5% of the EOC polygenic variance, the estimated lifetime risks under the multifactorial model in the general population vary from 0.5% to 4.6% for the 1stto 99thpercentiles of the EOC risk-distribution. The corresponding range for females with an affected first-degree relative is 1.9% to 10.3%. Based on the combined risk distribution, 33% of RAD51D PV carriers are expected to have a lifetime EOC risk of less than 10%. RFs provided the widest distribution, followed by the PRS. In an independent partial model validation, absolute and relative 5-year risks were well-calibrated in quintiles of predicted risk.ConclusionThis multifactorial risk model can facilitate stratification, in particular among females with FH of cancer and/or moderate- and high-risk PVs. The model is available via the CanRisk Tool (www.canrisk.org).
Mismatch: A comparative study of vitamin D status in British-Bangladeshi migrants
Authors: Smith Nicholas , Sievert Lynnette Leidy , Muttukrishna Shanthi , Begum Khurshida , Murphy Lorna , Sharmeen Taniya , Gunu Richard , Chowdhury Osul , Bentley Gillian R 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and objectivesLow levels of vitamin D among dark-skinned migrants to northern latitudes and increased risks for associated pathologies illustrate an evolutionary mismatch between an environment of high ultraviolet (UV) radiation to which such migrants are adapted and the low-UV environment to which they migrate. Recently, low levels of vitamin D have also been associated with higher risks for contracting COVID-19. South Asians in the UK have higher risk for low vitamin D levels. In this study, we assessed vitamin D status of British-Bangladeshi migrants compared to white British residents and Bangladeshis still living in Bangladesh (‘sedentees’).MethodologyThe cross-sectional study compared vitamin D levels among 149 women aged 35-59, comprising British-Bangladeshi migrants (n=50), white UK neighbors (n=54) and Bangladeshi sedentees (n=45). Analyses comprised multivariate models to assess serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), and associations with anthropometric, lifestyle, health and migration factors.ResultsVitamin D levels in Bangladeshi migrants were very low: mean 25(OH)D = 32.2nmol/L ± 13.0, with 29% of migrants classified as deficient (<25nmol/L) and 94% deficient or insufficient (≤50nmol/L). Mean levels of vitamin D were significantly lower among British-Bangladeshis compared to Bangladeshi sedentees (50.9nmol/L ± 13.3), presumably due to less exposure to sunlight following migration; levels were also lower than in white British women (55.3nmol/L ± 20.9). Lower levels of vitamin D were associated with increased body mass index and low iron status.Conclusions and implicationsRecommending supplements to Bangladeshi migrants could prevent potentially adverse health outcomes associated with vitamin D deficiency.Lay summaryVitamin D deficiency is one example of mismatch between an evolved trait and novel environments. Here we compare vitamin D status of dark-skinned British-Bangladeshi migrants in the UK to Bangladeshis in Bangladesh and white British individuals. Migrants had lower levels of vitamin D and are at risk for associated pathologies.
Predicting Hospital Utilization and Inpatient Mortality of Patients Tested for COVID-19
Authors: Davis Connor , Gao Michael , Nichols Marshall , Henao Ricardo 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTUsing structured elements from Electronic Health Records (EHR), we seek to:i) build predictive models to stratify patients tested for COVID-19 by their likelihood for hospitalization, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and inpatient mortality, andii) identify the most important EHR-based features driving the predictions. We leveraged EHR data from the Duke University Health System tested for COVID-19 or hospitalized between March 11, 2020 and August 24, 2020, to build models to predict hospital admissions within 4 weeks. Models were also created for ICU admissions, need for mechanical ventilation and mortality following admission. Models were developed on a cohort of 86,355 patients with 112,392 outpatient COVID-19 tests or any-cause hospital admissions between March 11, 2020 and June 4, 2020. The four models considered resulted in AUROC=0.838 (CI: 0.832-0.844) and AP=0.272 (CI: 0.260-0.287) for hospital admissions, AUROC=0.847 (CI: 0.839-855) and AP=0.585 (CI: 0.565-0.603) for ICU admissions, AUROC=0.858 (CI: 0.846-0.871) and AP=0.434 (CI: 0.403-0.467) for mechanical ventilation, and AUROC=0.0.856 (CI: 0.842-0.872) and AP=0.243 (CI: 0.205-0.282) for inpatient mortality. Patient history abstracted from the EHR has the potential for being used to stratify patients tested for COVID-19 in terms of utilization and mortality. The dominant EHR features for hospital admissions and inpatient outcomes are different. For the former, age, social indicators and previous utilization are the most important predictive features. For the latter, age and physiological summaries (pulse and blood pressure) are the main drivers.
Development of a Soluble KIT (sKIT) Electrochemical Aptasensor For Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Chung Saeromi , Sicklick Jason K. , Ray Partha , Hall Drew A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA conformational changing aptamer based electrochemical sensor was developed for the detection of soluble KIT, a cancer biomarker, in human serum. The sensor was fabricated with a ferrocene labeled aptamer (Kd< 5 nM) conjugated to a gold electrode. Quantitative KIT detection was performed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The experimental parameters such as the ratio of aptamer to spacer, aptamer immobilization time, pH, and KIT incubation time were optimized by EIS, and the sensing surface was characterized with voltammetry. The assay specificity was investigated using interfering species showing high specificity towards the target protein. The aptasensor exhibited a wide dynamic range from 10 pg/mL to 100 ng/mL in buffer with a detection limit of 1.15 pg/mL. The sensor also exhibited a linear response with increased KIT concentrations spiked in human serum. The applicability of the sensor was successfully demonstrated using cancer cell conditioned media. The proposed aptasensor can be used in continuous or intermittent approach for cancer therapy monitoring and diagnostics (theranostics).
Community Perceptions of Vaccination Among Influential Stakeholders: Qualitative Research in Rural India
Authors: Dhaliwal Baldeep K. , Chandrashekhar Riti , Rattani Ananya , Seth Rajeev , Closser Svea , Jain Anika , Bloom David E. , Shet Anita 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn India and other low- and middle-income countries, multiple family and community members are influential in caregivers’ perceptions of vaccination. Existing literature indicates the primary caregiver, typically the mother, is instrumental in vaccine decision-making, but this may vary in contexts. We investigated the role of stakeholders in India who influence caregivers’ vaccination perceptions, as this is essential to developing strategies to promote vaccine acceptance and improve uptake.MethodsThis research was conducted in 2019 in Mewat District in Haryana, an area in India with extremely low vaccination coverage. We conducted six focus group discussions with 60 participants in the following categories: fathers of children under-5 years old, expectant mothers, mothers-in-law, community health workers, and community influencers such as locally elected officials and religious leaders.ResultsOur results highlighted four themes that influence vaccine uptake. First, while caregivers associated vaccination with reductions in specific diseases, they also noted that vaccination services brought broad health gains, including improved nutrition, antenatal guidance, and social support. Second, community health workers critically influenced, positively or negatively, caregivers’ vaccination perceptions. Third, community health workers faced gaps in their education such as limited training on vaccine side-effects, placing them at a disadvantage when dealing with families. Finally, we found that mothers-in-law, fathers, and religious leaders influence caregivers’ perceptions of vaccination.ConclusionsCommunication of broader benefits of vaccines and vaccination services by community health workers could be impactful in increasing vaccine acceptance. Vaccine uptake could potentially be improved by facilitating community health workers’ ownership over vaccine acceptance and uptake by involving them in the design and implementation of interventions to target mothers and mothers-in-law. A ‘bottom-up’ approach, leveraging community health workers’ knowledge to design interventions, and giving a voice to key members of the household and society beyond mothers alone, may sustain health improvement in low vaccine coverage areas.
fullsibQTL: an R package for QTL mapping in biparental populations of outcrossing species
Authors: Gazaffi Rodrigo , Amadeu Rodrigo R. , Mollinari Marcelo , Rosa João R. B. F. , Taniguti Cristiane H. , Margarido Gabriel R. A. , Garcia Antonio A. F. 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTAccurate QTL mapping in outcrossing species requires software programs which consider genetic features of these populations, such as markers with different segregation patterns and different level of information. Although the available mapping procedures to date allow inferring QTL position and effects, they are mostly not based on multilocus genetic maps. Having a QTL analysis based in such maps is crucial since they allow informative markers to propagate their information to less informative intervals of the map. We developedfullsibQTL, a novel and freely availableRpackage to perform composite interval QTL mapping considering outcrossing populations and markers with different segregation patterns. It allows to estimate QTL position, effects, segregation patterns, and linkage phase with flanking markers. Additionally, several statistical and graphical tools are implemented, for straightforward analysis and interpretations.fullsibQTLis anRopen source package withCandRsource code (GPLv3). It is multiplatform and can be installed fromhttps://github.com/augusto-garcia/fullsibQTL.