bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic accuracy of symptoms as a diagnostic tool for SARS-CoV 2 infection: a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 2,173 patients&nbsp;
Authors: Romero-Gameros Carlos Alfonso , Colin-Martínez Tania , Waizel-Haiat Salomón , Vargas-Ortega Guadalupe , Ferat-Osorio Eduardo , Guerrero-Paz José Alberto , Intriago-Alor Marielle , López-Moreno Mayra Alejandra , Cuevas-García Carlos Fredy , Zubieta Victoria Mendoza , Martínez-Ordaz Jose Luis , González-Virla Baldomero 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to be a priority health problem; According to the World Health Organization data from October 13, 2020, 37,704,153 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported, including 1,079,029 deaths, since the outbreak. The identification of potential symptoms has been reported to be a useful tool for clinical decision-making in emergency departments to avoid overload and improve the quality of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of symptoms as a diagnostic tool for SARS -CoV-2 infection.Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, prospective and analytical study was carried out, during the period of time from April 14 to July 21, 2020. Data (demographic variables, medical history, respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms) were collected by emergency physicians. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was made using SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. The diagnostic accuracy of these characteristics for COVID-19 was evaluated by calculating the positive and negative likelihood ratios. A Mantel-Haenszel and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of symptoms with COVID-19.Results: A prevalence of 53.72% of SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed. The symptom with the highest sensitivity was cough 71%, and a specificity of 52.68%. The symptomatological scale, constructed from 6 symptoms, obtained a sensitivity of 83.45% and a specificity of 32.86%, taking ≥ 2 symptoms as a cut-off point. The symptoms with the greatest association with SARS-CoV-2 were: anosmia odds ratio (OR) 3.2 (95% CI; 2.52-4.17), fever OR 2.98 (95% CI; 2.47-3.58), dyspnea OR 2.9 (95% CI; 2.39-3.51]) and cough OR 2.73 (95% CI: 2.27-3.28).Conclusion: The combination of symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a highly predictive model for a rapid and accurate diagnosis of the disease, in the absence of auxiliary diagnostic studies. Evaluating the symptoms in isolation and in combination could be an appropriate strategy to be used in the emergency services to guide behavior in the face of the disease.Trial registration: Institutional registration R-2020-3601-145, Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks 17 CI-09-015-034, National Bioethics Commission: 09 CEI-023-2017082.
In silico comparative study of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and antigenic proteins in BCG, OPV, MMR and other vaccines: evidence of possible putative protective effect
Authors: Haddad-Boubaker Sondes , Othman Houcemeddine , Touati Rabeb , Ayouni Kaouther , Lakhal Marwa , Mustapha Imen Ben , Ghedira Kais , Kharrat Maher , Triki Henda 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) is a viral pandemic disease that induces severe pneumonia in human. Until now, no effective therapeutic interventions or specific vaccines have been developed. In this paper, we attempt to investigate the putative implication of 12 vaccines, including BCG, OPV and MMR in the protection against COVID-19. First, we compared sequences of the main antigenic proteins in the investigated vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Then, we investigated identified segments using a combination of structural and antigenicity prediction tools to predict their immunogenic effect.Results: A total of 14 highly similar segments were identified in investigated vaccines. After mapping on S and N proteins and analysis of the antigenicity prediction, three segments, in Hepatitis B, Tetanus and Measles proteins showed structural and antigenic properties that can induce possible putative protective effect.Conclusions: HBV, Tetanus and Measles vaccines should constitute a good candidate for a clinical trial to evaluate their real protective effect against COVID-19.
Microbial diversity characterization of seawater in a pilot study using Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read sequencing
Authors: Liem Michael , Regensburg-Tuïnk Tonny , Henkel Christiaan , Jansen Hans , Spaink Herman 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Objective: Currently the majority of non-culturable microbes in sea water are yet to be discovered, Nanopore offers a solution to overcome the challenging tasks to identify the genomes and complex composition of oceanic microbiomes. In this study we evaluate the utility of Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing to characterize microbial diversity in seawater from multiple locations. We compared the microbial species diversity of retrieved environmental samples from two different locations and time points.Results: With only three ONT flow cells we were able to identify thousands of organisms, including bacteriophages, from which a large part at species level. It was possible to assemble genomes from environmental samples with Flye. In several cases this resulted in >1 Mbp contigs and in the particular case of a Thioglobus singularis species it even produced a near complete genome. k-mer analysis reveals that a large part of the data represents species of which close relatives have not yet been deposited to the database. These results show that our approach is suitable for scalable genomic investigations such as monitoring oceanic biodiversity and provides a new platform for education in biodiversity.
Aspects of the development of Ixodes anatis under different environmental conditions in the laboratory and in the field
Authors: Bansal Natasha , Pomroy William , Heath Allen C , Castro Isabel 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundNumerous laboratory and fewer field-based studies have found that ixodid ticks develop more quickly and survive better at temperatures between 18 and 26°C and relative humidity between 75% and 94%. Ixodes anatis Chilton, 1904, is an endophilic, nidicolous species endemic to North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli, NIBK) and the tokoeka (Apteryx australis) and little is known about the environmental conditions required for its development. Our aims in this study were to determine and compare the conditions of temperature and RH that ensured the best survival, and the shortest interstadial periods for the kiwi tick, in the laboratory and outdoors inside artificial kiwi burrows.MethodsWe collected free walking engorged ticks off wild kiwi hosts and placed them in the laboratory at various fixed temperature and humidity regimes. We also placed sets of different stages of these ticks in artificial kiwi burrows and in both cases, recorded the times taken for the ticks to moult to the next stage.ResultsWe found that larvae and nymphs both showed optimum development between 10-20°C, which is lower than many other species of ixodid ticks. However, larvae moulted quicker and survived better when saturation deficits were <1-2 mmHg (RH>94%) while for nymphs the optimum saturation deficits were 1-10 mmHg.ConclusionsWe believe that the kiwi tick has adapted to stable, but relatively cool and humid conditions in the burrows reflecting the evolutionary consequences of its association with the kiwi.
Effectiveness of Tuina manipulation in patients with knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lv Zhizhen , Zhu Qingguang , Guo Guangxin , Sun Wuquan , Cheng Yanbin , Kong Lingjun , Fang Min , Wu Zhiwei , Xu Shanda , Zhou Xin , Zhang Shuaipan , Yao Chongjie 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Previous studies reported that Tuina manipulation showed benificial effects in management of musculoskeletal disorders . However, there was no enough evidence to support the effectiveness of Tuina manipulation for KOA. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Tuina manipulation on pain and dysfunction of patients with KOA compared with health care education.Methods/Design: This study is a single-centre, two-arm, open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT). A total of 170 eligible KOA patients will be randomly assigned to the Tuina manipulation group or the health care education group in a 1:1 ratio. In the Tuina manipulation group, patients will receive a 30 min treatment including pain point assessment and manual therapy. The health care education group will receive 45 min of lecture and discussion. All treatments will be conducted three times a week for four weeks. The primary outcome is the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Secondary outcomes include the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The results will show the evidence of the effect of Tuina manipulation for KOA compared with health care education.Discussion: The design and methodology of the trial is rigorous and allows the collection of valuable data to assess the effect of a specific Tuina regimen for the treatment of KOA. Therefore, the trial will provide a solid foundation for future clinical research on KOA and Tuina therapy.Trial registration: This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 24 February 2020 (ChiCTR2000030154), http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx
Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve physical capacity, dyspnea and quality of life following pulmonary embolism (the PeRehab study): Study protocol for a two-centre randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Haukeland-Parker Stacey , Jervan Øyvind , Johannessen Hege Hølmo , Gleditsch Jostein , Stavem Knut , Steine Kjetil , Spruit Martijn A , Holst Rene , Tavoly Mazdak , Klok Erik , Ghanima Waleed 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Recently, a large group of patients with persistent dyspnea, poor physical capacity and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following pulmonary embolism (PE) has been identified and clustered under the name “post pulmonary embolism syndrome” (PPS). These patients seem good candidates for pulmonary rehabilitation. The aim of the study is to explore whether a pulmonary rehabilitation program can improve physical capacity, dyspnea and HRQoL in PPS patients.Methods: A two-centre randomized controlled trial (RCT) is being performed at Østfold Hospital and Akershus University Hospital in Norway. Patients with PPS are 1:1 randomized into an intervention or a control group. The intervention consists of a supervised, outpatient rehabilitation program twice weekly (1 hour) for 8 weeks provided by experienced physiotherapists. The intervention involves individually adapted exercises based on existing pulmonary rehabilitation programs (relaxation, interval and resistance training), and an educational session including topics such as normal anatomy and physiology of the respiratory and circulatory system, information on PE/PPS, breathing strategies, and benefits of exercise/physical activity. Patients randomized to the control group receive usual care without specific instructions to exercise. Participants in the intervention and control groups will be compared based on assessments conducted at baseline, 12 weeks and 36 weeks after inclusion using the incremental shuttle walk test (primary outcome) and endurance shuttle walk test (exercise capacity), Sensewear activity monitor (daily physical activity), the Modified Medical Research Council scale, the Shortness of Breath questionnaire (dyspnea), and EQ-5D-5L and the Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life Questionnaire (HRQoL).Recruitment of 190 patients is currently ongoing.Discussion: Results from this study may provide a currently untreated group of PPS patients with an effective treatment resulting in reduced symptoms of dyspnea, improved exercise capacity and better HRQoL following PE.Trial registration: NCT03405480, Clinical Trials (registered prospectively.Protocol version 1 (from original protocol September 2017).The study protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines (Additional file 1).
Descriptive study of how proportioning marks determines the performance of nursing students in a pharmacology course.
Authors: Doggrell Sheila 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: In programs with higher proportions of marks allocated to ongoing assessment, the students have higher overall marks than those with a lower proportion allocated to assessment. Little or no attention has been made to how the allocation affects the academic success of students in individual courses. The purpose of this study was to determine how the allocation of marks to examinations, tutorials and an assignment affects the performance of nursing students in a pharmacology course. Methods: For students who passed a pharmacology course (i) the marks for examinations and ongoing assessment (tutorials and/or an assignment) were compared, and (ii) regression line and correlation analysis was undertaken to determine any association between these marks. In addition, for completing students, modelling was undertaken to determine the effects of changing the allocation of marks on passing and failing rates.Results: Nursing students who passed a pharmacology course obtained significantly lower marks in examinations than ongoing assessment, and for the ongoing assessment, lower marks in the assignment than tutorials. Regression line analysis showed that the marks in ongoing assessment (tutorials and/or the assignment) versus examination marks were a poor line-fit. The correlation coefficients between ongoing assessment and examinations were weak to moderate. A high percentage of students passed the course (> 90%) and, modelling for completing students, showed that decreasing the marks for examination would have led to slightly more students passing the pharmacology course with higher grades. In contrast, increasing the marks for examination would have dramatically decreased the number of students passing the course, and their grades.Conclusions: The allocation of marks can have a major effect on student performance. As ongoing assessment is only a weak or moderate indicator of performance in examination this has implications for students who rely on passing examinations for their advancement. For instance, nursing students in some countries (e.g. USA) are required to pass examinations prior to registration, whereas in others (e.g. Australia) they are not. Consideration needs to be given as to whether it is appropriate for nursing students who fail examinations to pass courses/programs.
Efficacy of acupuncture for sciatica: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.
Authors: Yu Fang-Ting , Ni Guang-Xia , Cai Guo-Wei , Wan Wen-Jun , Zhou Xiao-Qing , Meng Xiu-Li , Li Jin-Ling , Tu Jian-Feng , Wang Li-Qiong , Yang Jing-Wen , Fu Hai-Yang , Zhang Xin-Chang , Li Jing , Wang Yan-Fu , Zhang Beng , Zhang Xiao-Hui , Zhang Hao-Lin , Shi guangxia , Liu Cun-Zhi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Acupuncture is widely used for pain diseases while evidence of its efficacy for sciatica is insufficient. We aim to explore the feasibility and efficacy of acupuncture with different acupoint selecting strategies for sciatica induced by lumbar disc herniation.Methods: This is a multicenter, three-arm, patient-assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial. 90 patients will be assigned randomly into 3 groups including disease-affected meridians (DAM) group, non-affected meridians (NAM) group, and sham acupuncture (SA) group in a 1:1:1 ratio. The trial involves a 4-week treatment along with follow-up for 22 weeks. The primary outcome is the change of leg pain intensity measured by the Visual-Analogue Scale (VAS) from baseline to week 4 after randomization. Secondary outcomes include functional status, back pain intensity, and quality of life. Adverse events will also be recorded.Discussion: The results will inspire the optimal acupuncture strategy for sciatica and help establish a better design as well as power calculation for a full-scale study. Trial registration: ChiCTR2000030680 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, http://www.chictr.org.cn, registered on 9th March 2020).
Attendant’s experience with the Personalized citizen assistance for social participation (APIC)
Authors: Gagnon Karine , Levasseur Mélanie 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: To promote healthy aging, the social participation needs of older adults must be better met. Previous studies have shown the benefits of the Personalized citizen assistance for social participation (APIC), but few explored its influence on attendants. This study explored the assistance experience of attendants in providing the APIC to older adults with disabilities.Methods: A qualitative design inspired by a phenomenological approach was used with six female attendants who participated in individual interviews.Results: The APIC attendants felt useful, developed meaningful relationships with their older adults, and improved their self-knowledge. Attendants had the opportunity to reflect on their lives and self-aging. They contributed to older adults’ functional independence, motivation, and participation in social activities. Attendants encountered challenges related to withdrawn behavior in older adults, such as refusing to participate in activities.Conclusions: Considering the identified benefits of the APIC for attendants, further studies should explore personalized assistance to preserve older adults’ health.
Modeling Familial Predictors of Proband Outcomes in Neurogenetic Disorders: Initial Application in XYY Syndrome
Authors: Wilson Kathleen E. , Fish Ari M. , Mankiw Catherine , Xenophontos Anastasia , Warling Allysa , Whitman Ethan , Clasen Liv , Torres Erin , Blumenthal Jonathan , Raznahan Armin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Disorders of gene dosage can significantly increase risk for psychopathology, but outcomes vary greatly amongst carriers of any given chromosomal aneuploidy or sub-chromosomal copy number variation (CNV). One potential path to advance precision medicine for neurogenetic disorders is modeling penetrance in probands relative to observed phenotypes in their non-carrier relatives. Here, we seek to advance this general analytic framework by developing new methods in application to XYY syndrome – a sex chromosome aneuploidy that is known to increase risk for psychopathology.Methods: We analyzed a range of cognitive and behavioral domains in XYY probands and their non-carrier family members (n = 58 families), including general cognitive ability (FSIQ), as well as continuous measures of traits related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Proband and relative scores were compared using covariance, regression and cluster analysis. Comparisons were made both within and across traits.Results: Proband scores were shifted away from family scores with effect sizes varying between 0.9 and 2.4 across traits. Only FSIQ and vocabulary scores showed a significant positive correlation between probands and their non-carrier relatives across families (R2 ~ 0.4). Variability in family FSIQ also cross-predicted variability in proband ASD trait severity. Cluster analysis across all trait-relative pairings revealed that variability in parental psychopathology was more weakly coupled to their XYY versus their euploid offspring.Conclusions: We present a suite of generalizable methods for modeling variable penetrance in aneuploidy and CNV carriers using family data. These methods update estimates of phenotypic penetrance for XYY and suggests that the predictive utility of family data is likely to vary for different traits and different gene dosage disorders. Trial registrations: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00001246, “89-M-0006: Brain Imaging of Childhood Onset Psychiatric Disorders, Endocrine Disorders and Healthy Controls.” Date of registry: 01/10/1989.
Cost-Related Medication Nonadherence in Canada: A Systematic Review of Prevalence, Predictors, and Clinical Impact
Authors: Holbrook Anne Marie , Wang Mei , Lee Munil , Chen Zhiyuan , Garcia Michael , Nguyen Laura , Ford Angela , Manji Selina , Law Michael R 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Cost-related nonadherence to medications (CRNA) is common in many countries and thought to be associated with adverse outcomes. The characteristics of CRNA in Canada, with its patchwork coverage of increasingly expensive medications, is unclear. Objectives Our objective in this systematic review was to summarize the literature evaluating CRNA in Canada in three domains: prevalence, predictors, and effect on clinical outcomes.Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library from 1992 to December 2019 using search terms covering medication adherence, costs, and Canada. Eligible studies, without restriction on design, had to have original data on at least one of the three domains specifically for Canadian participants. Articles were identified and reviewed in duplicate. Risk of bias was assessed using design-specific tools.Results: Twenty-six studies of varying quality (n=483,065 Canadians) were eligible for inclusion. Sixteen studies reported on the overall prevalence of CRNA, with population-based estimates ranging from 5.1% to 10.2%. Factors predicting CRNA included high out of pocket spending, low income or financial flexibility, lack of drug insurance, younger age, and poorer health. A single randomized trial of free essential medications with free delivery in Ontario improved adherence but did not find any change in clinical outcomes at one year. Conclusion: CRNA affects many Canadians. The estimated percentage depends on the sampling frame, the main predictors tend to be financial, and its association with clinical outcomes in Canada remains unproven.
Incidence of Huntington disease in a northeastern Spanish region: A 13-year retrospective study at tertiary care centre
Authors: Bailo Paula Sienes , Lahoz Raquel , Marín Juan Pelegrín Sánchez , Álvarez Silvia Izquierdo 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Despite the progress in the knowledge of Huntington disease (HD) in recent years, the epidemiology continues uncertain, so the study of incidence becomes relevant. This is important since various factors (type of population, diagnostic criteria, disease-modifying factors, etc.) make these data highly variable. Therefore, the genetic diagnosis of these patients is important, since it unequivocally allows the detection of new cases.Methods: Descriptive retrospective study with 179 individuals. Incidence of HD was calculated from the ratio of number of symptomatic cases newly diagnosed per 100 000 inhabitants per year during the period 2007-2019 in Aragon (Spain). Results: 50 (27.9%) incident cases of HD (CAG repeat length ≥36) were identified from a total of 179 persons studied. The remaining 129/179 (73.4%) were HD negative (CAG repeat length <36). 29 (58.0%) females and 21 (42.0%) males were confirmed as HD cases. The overall incidence was 64.8 per 100 000 patient-years. 11/50 positive HD cases (22.0%) were identified by performing a predictive test, without clinical symptoms. The minimum number of CAG repeats found was 10 and the most common CAG length among HD negative individuals was 16.Conclusions: Our incidence lied within the range reported for other Caucasian populations. Implementation of new techniques has allowed to determine the exact number of CAG repeats, which is especially important in patients with triplet expansions in an HD intermediate and/or incomplete penetrance allele, both in diagnostic, predictive and prenatal tests.