bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Failure and Revision Surgery After Cochlear Implantation in the Adult Population: A 10-year Single-institution Retrospective and Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Layfield Eleanor , Hwa Tiffany Peng , Naples James , Maina Ivy , Brant Jason A. , Eliades Steven J. , Bigelow Douglas C. , Ruckenstein Michael J. 
Published: December 2020

Objective:
To characterize failure rate and etiology after cochlear implantation; to identify predictors and describe outcomes after implant failure.

Study Design:
Retrospective chart review and systematic review of the literature using PubMed and Embase.

Setting:
Academic Cochlear Implant Center.

Subject Population:
Four hundred ninety-eight devices in 439 distinct adult patients.

Interventions:
Unilateral or bilateral cochlear implantation.

Main Outcome Measures:
Implant failure rate and etiology.

Results:
A total of 32 devices (5.9%) failed in 31 patients encompassing the following failure types in accordance with the European Consensus Statement of Cochlear Implants: 17 device failures (53.1%), 11 failures due to performance decrement/adverse reactions (34.4%), and 4 medical reasons (12.9%). There was no significant difference in age, sex, or manufacturer between patients with and without failures. Twenty-five percent of patients with failure leading to explantation had childhood onset of deafness compared to 12.1% of patients with adult-onset hearing loss (OR = 2.42; p = 0.04). Performance decrement/adverse reaction patients had an older average age at implantation compared to device failure patients (mean 68.5 yr 95% CI: 59.9–77.1 vs mean 47.6 yr, CI: 39.9–55.3, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in time to failure, sex, or device manufacturer between the different types of failures. Twenty-nine patients who experienced CI failure underwent a revision surgery, while the remaining two opted for explantation without reimplantation. One patient who underwent revision surgery subsequently presented with a second failure and underwent a second revision, which was successful.
In our systematic review, 815 citations were reviewed, and 9 studies were selected for inclusion. Overall failure rate across all studies was 5.5%. Device failure was the leading cause of failure in the majority (6/9) of studies, accounting for 40.8% of all failures. Medical reasons were the second leading cause at 33.6%, followed by performance decrement/adverse reaction (20.9%) and other (4.8%).

Conclusions:
Cochlear implant failure is a rare phenomenon. Childhood-onset of hearing loss appears to be associated with an increased risk of overall failure. Older patients are at increased risk for performance decrement/adverse reaction. Revision surgery success rates remain very high and patients with failure of any cause should be offered explantation with concurrent reimplantation.
Reliability of Primary Health Care Audiograms by Non-qualified Examiners—An Analysis of 1,224 Cases
Authors: Kokkonen Jukka , Varonen Sini 
Published: December 2020

Objective:
To evaluate the accuracy of primary health care audiograms conducted by non-qualified examiners in a non-standard acoustic environment.

Study Design:
Retrospective chart review.

Setting:
Referring primary health care institutions and hospital hearing center.

Patients:
One thousand two hundred twenty four adult patients evaluated for hearing aid fitting at North Karelia Central hospital in years 2017 and 2018.

Main Outcome Measures:
Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), mean threshold differences, and mean absolute errors were used to assess agreement between primary health care and hospital audiograms. Primary health care audiometry sensitivity, specificity and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values were calculated for hearing aid candidacy in general and open ear mold candidacy in particular.

Results:
ICC for both better ear hearing level (BEHL0.5,1,2,4
kHz) and pure-tone average (PTA0.5,1,2,4
kHz) in frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz was 0.82, and in individual full octave frequencies from 0.125 to 8 kHz ranged from 0.70 to 0.83. Mean threshold differences in BEHL0.5,1,2,4
kHz and PTA0.5,1,2,4
kHz were 1.8 and 1.6 dB and mean absolute errors 4.9 and 5.3 dB, respectively. Sensitivity for hearing aid candidacy was 0.97, specificity 0.58, PPV 0.92, and NPV 0.79.

Conclusions:
Primary health care audiometry is reasonably accurate, allowing preselection of patients to adequate hearing care pathways.
Impact of COVID-19 related unemployment on increased cardiovascular disease in a high-income country: Modeling health loss, cost and equity
Authors: Nghiem Nhung , Wilson Nick 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of health loss and health sector economic burdens in high-income countries. Unemployment is associated with increased risk of CVD, and so there is concern that the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic will increase the CVD burden.

Aims
This modeling study aimed to quantify health loss, health cost burden and health inequities among people with CVD due to additional unemployment caused by COVID-19 pandemic-related economic disruption in one high-income country: New Zealand (NZ).

Methods
We adapted an established and validated multi-state life-table model for CVD in the national NZ population. We modeled indirect effects (ie, higher CVD incidence due to high unemployment rates) for various scenarios of pandemic-related unemployment projections.

Results
We estimated the CVD-related heath loss in NZ to range from 23,300 to 36,900 HALYs (health-adjusted life years) for the different unemployment scenarios. Health inequities for Māori (Indigenous population) were 3.7 times greater compared to non-Māori (49.9 vs 13.5 HALYs lost per 1000 people).

Conclusions and policy implications
Unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to cause significant health loss and health inequities from CVD in this high-income country. Prevention measures should be considered by governments to reduce this risk, including job creation programs and measures directed towards CVD prevention.
Epidemiological feature, viral shedding, and antibody seroconversion among asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers and symptomatic/presymptomatic COVID-19 patients
Authors: Chen Yi , Li Ping , Ding Yi-Bo , Liu Miao , Liu Lei-Jie , Yi Bo , Wu Ting , Dong Hong-Jun , Lao Xu-Ying , Ding Ke-Qing , Wang Hai-Bo , Zhang Dong-Liang , Tan Xiao-Jie , Wang Zhong-Fa , Xu Guo-Zhang , Cao Guang-Wen 
Published: December 2020

SummaryNovel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is pandemic. However, data concerning the epidemiological features, viral shedding, and antibody dynamics between asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers and COVID-19 patients remain controversial. We enrolled 193 subjects infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Ningbo and Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China from January 21 to March 6, 2020. All subjects were followed up to monitor the dynamics of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG against SARS-CoV-2. Of those, 31 were asymptomatic carriers, 149 were symptomatic patients, and 14 were presymptomatic patients. Compared to symptomatic patients, asymptomatic carriers were younger and had higher levels of white blood cell and lymphocyte, lower levels of C-reactive protein and viral load, and shorter viral shedding duration. Conversion of IgM from positive to negative was shorter in asymptomatic carriers than in COVID-19 patients (P=0.030). The proportion of those persistently seropositive for IgG was higher in COVID-19 patients than in asymptomatic carriers (P=0.037). Viral load was higher in symptomatic than presymptomatic patients. Viral shedding was longer in presymptomatic patients than in asymptomatic carriers. Conclusively, asymptomatic carriers have a higher antiviral immunity to clear SARS-CoV-2 than do symptomatic patients and this antiviral immunity is not contributable to humoral immunity.
Simple biochemical features underlie transcriptional activation domain diversity and dynamic, fuzzy binding to Mediator
Authors: Sanborn Adrian L. , Yeh Benjamin T. , Feigerle Jordan T. , Hao Cynthia V. , Townshend Raphael J. L. , Aiden Erez Lieberman , Dror Ron O. , Kornberg Roger D. 
Published: December 2020

SUMMARYGene activator proteins comprise distinct DNA-binding and transcriptional activation domains (ADs). Because few ADs have been described, we tested domains tiling all yeast transcription factors for activationin vivoand identified 150 ADs. By mRNA display, we showed that 73% of ADs bound the Med15 subunit of Mediator, and that binding strength was correlated with activation. AD-Mediator interactionin vitrowas unaffected by a large excess of free activator protein, pointing to a dynamic mechanism of interaction. Structural modeling showed that ADs interact with Med15 without shape complementarity (“fuzzy” binding). ADs shared no sequence motifs, but mutagenesis revealed biochemical and structural constraints. Finally, a neural network trained on AD sequences accurately predicted ADs in human proteins and in other yeast proteins, including chromosomal proteins and chromatin remodeling complexes. These findings solve the longstanding enigma of AD structure and function and provide a rationale for their role in biology.
Modeling the flow of the COVID-19 in Germany: The efficacy of lockdowns and social behavior
Authors: Bahri Muhamad Khairul 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study develops a computer simulation in understanding the flow of the COVID-19 in Germany between January 2020 and July 2020. This aims to analyze not only the flow of the COVID-19 but also the efficacy of taken measures during the given period. The computer model is based on the SEIR concept and it is based on the system dynamics approach in which some uncertain parameters are estimated through the calibration process. Moreover, the SEIR computer model is developed by considering different flows of COVID-19 cases in older and young people in Germany. This study successfully reproduces similar patterns of infected, recovered, and death cases. Moreover, as the SEIR model can successfully reproduce similar patterns, the SEIR model can be a basis to estimate other resources such as health workers, and bed capacities.
Independent human mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicle preparations differentially affect symptoms in an advanced murine Graft-versus-Host-Disease model
Authors: Madel Rabea J. , Börger Verena , Dittrich Robin , Bremer Michel , Tertel Tobias , Phuong Nhi Ngo Thi , Baba Hideo A. , Kordelas Lambros , Buer Jan , Horn Peter A. , Westendorf Astrid M. , Brandau Sven , Kirschning Carsten J. , Giebel Bernd 
Published: December 2020

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) harvested from cell culture supernatants of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) suppress acute inflammation in preclinical models of various diseases. Furthermore, they promote regeneration of damaged tissues. Following successful clinical treatment of a steroid-refractory Graft-versus-Host-Disease (GvHD) patient with EVs prepared from conditioned media of human bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs, we aim to improve MSC-EV production and quality control towards clinical application. Observing functional differences of independent MSC-EV preparationsin vitro, we established an optimized murine GvHD model for the analysis of independent MSC-EV preparationsin vivo. To this end, T cell depleted allogeneic BM cells co-transplanted with naïve allogeneic spleen-derived T cells induced GvHD symptoms with reproducible strengths in mice being preconditioned by ionizing irradiation. Administration of MSC-EV preparations with confirmedin vitroimmune modulatory properties at three consecutive days significantly suppressed GvHD symptoms. In contrast, application of MSC-EV preparations lacking thesein vitroimmune modulating capabilities failed to suppress GvHD symptoms. Thus, our results reveal therapeutic differences among independent MSC-EV preparations that had been produced in a standardized manner. Thus, given this functional heterogeneity, any individual MSC-EV preparation considered for the clinical application should be evaluated for its potency prior to administration to patients.
An introduction to thermodynamic integration and application to dynamic causal models
Authors: Aponte Eduardo A. , Yao Yu , Raman Sudhir , Frässle Stefan , Heinzle Jakob , Penny Will D. , Stephan Klaas E. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn generative modeling of neuroimaging data, such as dynamic causal modeling (DCM), one typically considers several alternative models, either to determine the most plausible explanation for observed data (Bayesian model selection) or to account for model uncertainty (Bayesian model averaging). Both procedures rest on estimates of the model evidence, a principled trade-off between model accuracy and complexity. In the context of DCM, the log evidence is usually approximated using variational Bayes. Although this approach is highly efficient, it makes distributional assumptions and is vulnerable to local extrema. This paper introduces the use of thermodynamic integration (TI) for Bayesian model selection and averaging in the context of DCM. TI is based on Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling which is asymptotically exact but orders of magnitude slower than variational Bayes. In this paper, we explain the theoretical foundations of TI, covering key concepts such as the free energy and its origins in statistical physics. Our aim is to convey an in-depth understanding of the method starting from its historical origin in statistical physics. In addition, we demonstrate the practical application of TI via a series of examples which serve to guide the user in applying this method. Furthermore, these examples demonstrate that, given an efficient implementation and hardware capable of parallel processing, the challenge of high computational demand can be overcome successfully. The TI implementation presented in this paper is freely available as part of the open source software TAPAS.Author summaryWhen fitting computational models to data in the setting of Bayesian inference, a user has the choice between two broad classes of algorithms: variational inference and Monte Carlo simulation. While both methods have advantages and drawbacks, variational inference has become standard in the domain of modelling directed brain connectivity due to its computational efficiency, especially when the challenges to select between competing hypotheses that explain the observed data. By contrast, the high computational demand by Monte Carlo methods has so far prevented their widespread use for inference on brain connectivity, despite their capability to overcome some of the shortcomings of variational inference. In this paper, we introduce the user to thermodynamic integration (TI), a Monte Carlo method designed for model fitting and model selection. By covering its foundations and historical origins in statistical physics, we hope to convey an in-depth understanding of TI that goes beyond a purely technical treatment. In addition, we also provide examples for concrete applications, demonstrating that, given an efficient implementation and up-to-date hardware, the challenge of high computational demand can be overcome successfully.
Effect of exchange rate uncertainty on bilateral trade performance in SAARC countries: a gravity model analysis
Authors: Banik Banna , Roy Chandan Kumar 
Published: December 2020

PurposeExchange rate uncertainty leads to an indecisive environment for imports and exports that would condense international trade, foreign direct investment, trade earnings, trade volumes, economic growth and welfare. This study aims to examine, empirically, the effect of exchange rate uncertainty on bilateral trade performance, focusing on eight SAARC member economies using the popular modified gravity model of trade.Design/methodology/approachThe paper includes eight SAARC members – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka panel data set over the period 2005–2018. The authors consider both standardized value (standard deviation) and conditional variance model to determine volatility of exchange rate. Primarily, ordinary least squares, random effects and fixed effects estimation techniques are employed to investigate the impact of exchange rate volatility. Endogeneity and robustness of the findings have been tested using the simultaneity-adjusted model and dynamic panel data two-step system GMM estimation techniques.FindingsEmpirical findings endorse the view that exchange rate volatility lowers trade flows in the SAARC regions. However, this adverse effect of exchange rate uncertainty on trade is pretty small. The negative correlation between exchange rate volatility and bilateral trade remains consistent and significant after controlling of simultaneous causality, autocorrelation, year effects, country-pair heterogeneity and endogeneity irrespective of panel data estimation techniques and different measures of volatility.Originality/valueThe present paper is original work.
Semantic voice search in IETP: filling the gap for maintenance 4.0
Authors: Marques Henrique Costa , Giacotto Alessandro , Scussiatto Carlos Eduardo , Abrahão Fernando Teixeira Mendes 
Published: December 2020

PurposeA framework is being developed to help Integrated Electronic Technical Publications (IETP) consultation inside and outside the aviation maintenance hangar. The expected results are the reduction in time to access the desired IETP and to assist mechanics while performing maintenance tasks using voice recognition.Design/methodology/approachThe work is being conducted based on literature review and consultation with mechanics from the aviation industry, through questionnaires. The development will be made through study cases by building a core search engine and mobile applications to support the mechanics during the maintenance activities.FindingsThe identified problem in small maintenance shops and defence organizations suggests that IETP are not entirely accessible before and during the maintenance activity. Such organizations suffer from information and communications technology (ICT) low infrastructure capability and demand access to multiple IETP databases as they usually support different aircraft. To have access to the IETP through voice assistant application will help mechanics to access the IETP, including when they would be with dirty hands and having difficulty in using mobile devices with touch displays.Originality/valueThe framework being developed will give mechanics the ability to quickly find any existing IETP to support its maintenance task at any time and in any place with low demanding for ICT infrastructure. The architecture will support different applications, and the identified priority is for IETP viewers to the most demanding functionality of specification ASD S1000D. This approach could also help in troubleshooting activities since COVID-19 brought new demands for the social distancing for mechanics.
Improved sensitivity, accuracy and prediction provided by a high‐performance liquid chromatography screen for the isolation of phytase‐harbouring organisms from environmental samples
Authors: Rix Gregory D. , Todd Jonathan D. , Neal Andrew L. , Brearley Charles A. 
Published: December 2020

SummaryHPLC methods are shown to be of predictive value for classification of phytase activity of aggregate microbial communities and pure cultures. Applied in initial screens, they obviate the problems of ‘false‐positive’ detection arising from impurity of substrate and imprecision of methodologies that rely on phytate‐specific media. In doing so, they simplify selection of candidates for biotechnological applications. Combined with 16S sequencing and simple bioinformatics, they reveal diversity of the histidine phosphatase class of phytases most commonly exploited for biotechnological use. They reveal contribution of multiple inositol‐polyphosphate phosphatase (MINPP) activity to aggregate soil phytase activity, and they identity Acinetobacter spp. as harbouring this prevalent soil phytase activity. Previously, among bacteria MINPP was described exclusively as an activity of gut commensals. HPLC methods have also identified, in a facile manner, a known commercially successful histidine (acid) phosphatase enzyme. The methods described afford opportunity for isolation of phytases for biotechnological use from other environments. They reveal the position of attack on phytate by diverse histidine phosphatases, something that other methods lack.
Factors influencing age at natural menopause
Authors: Arinkan Sevcan Arzu , Gunacti Mert 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimWomen who experience menopause before 45 years, have an increased risk for morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify the factors influencing the age at natural menopause and to investigate whether tubal ligation alter age at natural menopause.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted on total 1660 women with natural menopause. The participants were divided into two groups as the ones having menopause before age of 45 years and after 45 years old.ResultsPositive family history, smoking and use of oral contraceptive were found to increase the risk of early menopause by 3.68, 1.34 and 1.04 times, respectively. First pregnancy at older age reduced the risk of early menopause by 0.97 and obesity reduced this risk by 0.65 (95% CI 0.47–0.90). There was no significant difference between menopausal age of patients who underwent BTL (47.46 ± 4.67 years old) and those who did not (47.68 ± 5.18 years old) (P:0.320; P > 0.05). The mean age at menopause of patients who had tubal ligation with laparoscopic cauterization and Pomeroy technique was 46.91 ± 4.07 and 47.55 ± 4.76 years old, respectively (P:0.503; P > 0.05). Besides, there was no significant difference between patients having tubal ligation at the time of cesarean section and those who did not regarding menopausal age (P:0.314; P > 0.05).ConclusionWe recommend identifying modifiable factors and informing women at risk of early menopause. Tubal ligation, when performed correctly, should not compromise ovarian function. If tubal ligation interferes with vascular supply to the ovaries, it may not be substantial enough to result in an earlier onset of menopause.
Experimental infection of cats with Cystoisospora felis
Authors: Scorza Andrea V. , Tyrrell Phyllis , Jablonski Wennogle Sara A. , Chandrashekar Ramaswamy , Lappin Michael R. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCystoisospora felis is a common parasite of cats and is diagnosed by fecal flotation, but false‐negative results can be common.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo experimentally inoculate cats with C. felis oocysts, to compare fecal flotation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results, and to describe any clinical signs consistent with infection.AnimalsSix cats.MethodsCystoisospora felis oocysts were identified morphologically from feces of a naturally infected kitten with diarrhea, sporulated oocysts (5000) were inoculated to 6 cats that were negative for fecal parasites by fecal flotation and by a fluorescent antibody assay (FA) for Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. Cats were observed daily for the presence of clinical signs consistent with infection. Fecal samples were evaluated by fecal flotation and FA up to 3 times per week post inoculation (PI) to Day 27. Thirty‐six samples collected before inoculation and from Days 8, 10, 13, 15, and 20 PI were assayed using an internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) PCR that amplifies DNA of C. felis.ResultsAll cats were negative for C. felis by both assays before inoculation. All cats shed C. felis oocysts by Day 10 PI, oocysts were not detected by fecal flotation after Day 15 PI. Cystoisospora felis DNA was amplified from 24/36 (66.6%) fecal samples from 6/6 (100%) of the cats. Oocysts were not detected by fecal flotation in 4 of the samples that were positive for C. felis DNA by PCR. Clinical signs were not recognized in any of the study cats.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceFecal flotation is a convenient assay for detection of C. felis but could occasionally give false‐negative results when compared to this ITS1 PCR.