bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple Medical Students on a Clerkship Team: Do They Affect Each Others’ Grades?
Authors: Sharma Krishan K. , Chang Yuchiao , Miloslavsky Eli Michael 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Medical students are often paired together on clinical teams during their clerkships, but the effect of this practice on student performance is unknown. The primary objectives of this study were (1) to retrospectively assess whether students paired together on a medical team during their Internal Medicine sub-internship affected each other’s grade and (2) to survey medical students’ perceptions on the impact of pairing on their evaluations. Methods We examined clerkship grades of 186 student-pairs at 3 sub-internship hospital sites of Harvard Medical School from 2013-2017. To evaluate student perceptions we administered a survey to the graduating class of 2018. Results There was no significant deviation between the expected and observed distribution of student grades (p=0.39) among 186 student pairs, suggesting that pairing had no meaningful effect on the sub-internship grade. We also saw no effect when controlling for prior internal medicine clerkship performance (p=0.53). We then surveyed students in the 2018 graduating class assessing student perceptions on pairing. Of the 99 respondents (59% response rate), 90% and 87% of respondents felt that being paired affected their evaluations by resident and attending physicians, respectively. Conclusions Our analysis suggests that paired medical students do not meaningfully affect each others’ grades, despite the majority of surveyed students believing that being paired affects their evaluations. Awareness of student perceptions regarding pairing can inform clerkship structure and be utilized to address student concerns.
Collapsin response mediator protein 4 enhances radio-sensitivity through calcium-mediated cell signaling
Authors: Park Sang Yoon , Kim Jong-Tae , Park Eun Sun , Hwang Yo Sep , Yoon Hyang Ran , Baek Kyoung Eun , Jung Haiyoung , Yoon Suk Ran , Kim Bo Yeon , Cho Hee Jun , Lee Hee Gu 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Radiation therapy, an effective treatment modality against various types of cancer including colorectal cancer, reduces local recurrence rate despite damaging both normal and cancer cells. However, the presence of cancer cells resistant to radiation therapy remains a major therapeutic obstacle; thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying radiation resistance is an important step toward achieving successful outcomes in cancer treatment. Hence, in the present study, radioresistant cell lines were established and the radiation-induced genetic changes associated with radiation resistance were examined.
Methods

We generated radioresistant colorectal cancer cell lines and subjected them to RNA sequencing. To know the relationship between CRMP4 downregulation and radiation resistance, western blotting and flow cytometry were used.
Results

CRMP4 was identified as the candidate gene associated with radiation sensitivity. The intracellular Ca2+ concentrations increased when cells were exposed to radiation, which in turn, initiated apoptosis. Decreased CRMP4 expression enhanced resistance to radiation and Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Conversely, Ca2+ deficiency by BAPTA-AM caused higher cell death in CRMP4-depleted cells than in CRMP4-expressing cells.
Conclusion

Our results indicated that CRMP4 influences Ca2+ signaling pathways involved in apoptosis, and that CRMP4 is critical for radiation sensitivity in colorectal cancer as it can sensitize cancer cells to radiation therapy.
Swallowing function and the incidence of fever in older residents with special care needs: a one-year longitudinal prospective study
Authors: Izumi Maya , Sonoki Kazuo , Ohta Yuko , Fukuhara Masayo , Nagata Masaharu , Akifusa Sumio 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Infectious diseases including aspiration pneumonia are the most frequent causes of fever, common in older residents of nursing homes. We investigated whether swallowing dysfunction was related to fever in such residents.
Methods

Older residents aged ≥ 65 years from three nursing homes were included in this prospective study conducted from July 2017 to May 2019. The follow-up period was 13 months. The outcome was fever incidence in relation to swallowing function. Baseline data on the activities of daily living, cognitive function, swallowing function, respiratory function, tongue pressure, and comorbidity conditions were collected. Dates on which the body temperature of participants was more than 37.5 °C during the follow-up period were also recorded. For statistical analysis, swallowing function assessed by the modified water swallow test (MWST) scores were used to divide the participants into three groups; scores ≤ 3, 4, and 5.
Results

A total of 52 participants [median age, 89.5 (67–104)] were enrolled. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the average periods until onset of fever in participants with MWST scores of ≤ 3, 4, and 5 were 8.0 (6.0–11.0), 10.0 (7.0–12.0), and 12.0 (10.0–13.0) months, respectively. Cox’s proportional hazards regression model revealed that participants with an MWST score ≤ 3 were at a higher risk of fever compared to those with an MWST score of 5 (hazards ratio 13.0, 95% confidence interval 1.9–87.6), adjusted with possible confounders.
Conclusions

Swallowing dysfunction correlated with the risk of fever in older residents of nursing homes.
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Varicella in South Korea
Authors: Lee Young Hwa , Choe Young June , Hwang Seung-Sik , Cho Sung-Il 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Varicella is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Given its tendency to cluster geographically, spatial analyses may provide better understanding of the pattern of varicella transmission. We investigated the spatial characteristics of varicella in Korea and the risk factors for varicella at a national level.
Methods

Using national surveillance and demographic data, we examined the spatial distribution of incidence rates and their spatial autocorrelation and calculated Moran’s index. Spatial regression analysis was used to identify sociodemographic predictors of varicella incidence at the district level.
Results

An increasing tendency in the annual incidence of varicella was observed over a 12-year period (2006–2017), with a surge in 2017. There was a clear positive spatial autocorrelation of the varicella incidence rate during the surveillance period. During 2006–2014, High-High (HH) clusters were mostly confined to the northeast region and neighboring districts. Population density and the number of hospitals per 1,000 persons had negative coefficients, and the former was significant. Childhood percentage, percentage of children under 12 years of age among total population, and vaccine coverage rate had positive coefficients, but only the former was significant.
Conclusion

There was a temporal uptrend in the incidence of varicella in Korea from 2006 to 2017 in the setting of positive spatial associations. The varicella incidence according to geographic region varied with population density, childhood percentage, suggesting the importance of the community-level surveillance and monitoring strategies.
Arthroscopic Reconstruction of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament With Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System and Hamstring Tendon Autograft :A Retrospective Study
Authors: Luo Yang , Wang Zhigang , Li Zhijiang , Wei Min 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Both Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System(LARS) and hamstring tendon autograft can serve as grafts for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction but few studies compared their differences.This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic reconstruction of PCL with LARS and hamstring tendon autograft. Methods 36 patients who had received PCL reconstruction under arthroscopy were retrospectively analyzed. 15 patients received reconstruction using LARS (LARS group) and 21 using hamstring tendon autograft (HT group). The pre- and post-operative subjective scores and knee stability were evaluated. Results 36 patients were followed up for a period of 2 to 10.5 years (4.11±2.0 years on average). The last follow-up showed that functional scores and knee stability were all significantly improved in both groups (P<0.05). Six months after operation, Lysholm scores and IKDC subjective scores were higher in LARS group than in HT group (P<0.05). Nonetheless, the last follow-up showed no statistically significant differences in the functional scores and the posterior drawer test between the two groups (P>0.05). In LARS group and HT group, 12 and 9 patients, respectively had KT1000 values less than 3 mm, with the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05). In HT group, the diameter of the four-strand hamstring tendon was positively correlated with height (P<0.05),which was 7.37±0.52mm in males and 6.50±0.77 mm in females, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Both LARS and hamstring tendon could achieve good clinical efficacy for PCL reconstruction ，but patients in LARS group had faster functional recovery and better knee stability. LARS is especially suitable for those who hope to resume activities as early as possible.
Succession of the Fungal Endophytic Microbiome in Wheat is Dependent on Tissue-Specific Interactions of Host Genotype and Environment
Authors: Latz Meike Anna Christine , Kerrn Mads Herbert , Sørensen Helle , Collinge David Brian , Jensen Birgit , Brown James K M , Madsen Anne Mette , Jørgensen Hans Jørgen Lyngs 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Fungi living inside seeds, leaves and roots of plants affect many aspects of plant health. Understanding the role of plant genotype, presence of fungal inoculum in the environment, abiotic environmental factors, and interaction of those factors in shaping the plant-associated fungal microbiome is of great relevance for modern agriculture. This knowledge can have direct implications in plant disease management, plant breeding, and development of microorganism-based biocontrol agents. These are important tools also in the context of increasing sustainability and adaption of crop production to a changing climate. In order to disentangle the effects of host genotype, environmental factors, and fungi present in seed stock, air and soil on endophytic fungal communities over one generation, we conducted a large-scale pot experiment with closely related cultivars of wheat over one growth-season. We studied fungi present inside the plants (endophytic fungi), in soil and air with metabarcoding, and monitored abiotic factors during the experimental period.Results: Abiotic environmental factors, wheat genotype, and wheat tissue type were all found to influence fungal communities significantly. While the effect of wheat genotype was limited, there was evidence for host genetic control of fungal communities in leaves and roots but not in seeds. The degree of relatedness between wheat cultivars and resistance levels to the leaf disease STB was not reflected in the microbiome. The effect of host genetic control on the fungal community did not differ between abiotic environments. For the phyllosphere, abiotic environmental factors largely explained differences in fungal community abundance, diversity, and presence of pathogens between the locations, whereas location-dependent differences affected the rhizosphere communities to an only small extent. We found indications that airborne fungi are the primary source of inoculum for above-ground fungal communities of wheat, since a large proportion of leaf-associated fungi were also present in the air but not in soil and seed stocks.Conclusions: Our study demonstrates how the factors genotype, environment, and presence of fungi in the environment shape the endophytic fungal community in wheat over one growing season.
The Extended Stability of Cervical Swabs in careHPV™ Collection Medium
Authors: Tan Cheng-Siang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background:

The careHPV™ Test is a US FDA approved, CE mark, and WHO prequalified in vitro diagnostic test that is designed to screen for 14 HRHPV genotypes. The careHPV™ Test is the only commercial HPV tests validated to be used in the low resource settings, boasting the economy of processing a maximum of 90 samples per batch and a near point-of-care turnaround time of 3 hours. Cervical swabs stored in the careHPV™ Collection Medium are stable for 30 days when stored between 2–8 °C according to the manufacturer. However, we often had difficulty to consolidate enough samples for a full batch-test within 30 days, especially when screening women living in the low-density villages in the rural Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Objectives:

The aim of this study is to determine the stability and repeatability of cervical swabs preserved in careHPV™ Collection Medium stored at 4 °C over the recommended 30 days using the careHPV™ Test.
Methods:

Two groups of confirmed HRHPV positive and HRHPV negative cervical swab samples in careHPV™ Collection Medium consisting of 4 samples each were maintained at 4 °C and tested using careHPV™ Test at day-38, -123, -131, -223 and − 395.
Results:

All cervical swabs in careHPV™ Collection Medium stored at 4 °C remained stable for testing and demonstrated 100% repeatability for at least 395 days from the day of collection.
Conclusion:

The careHPV™ Test can be successfully performed on cervical swabs preserved in the careHPV Collection Medium, which are stored at 4 °C for at least 395 days.
Assessment Of Lung Function And Its Correlation With Anthropometric Measurements In Selected Population In Manipal
Authors: Rao Guruprasad , Subramaniam Barathi Singaravel , Rajeswaran Sowmiya , Lixin Anne Tan , Atsaya Nurul , Pillai Pariksha , Chandran Kallaiarasi 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Lung function test is a useful indicator that measures the presence of mild abnormalities, if any. The present study aimed to compare the lung function in people from different occupations and to correlate with anthropometric measurements and blood pressure. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students, faculty, gardeners, housekeeping, and support staff of Melaka Manipal Medical College (MMMC) and auto drivers of Manipal. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and vital capacity (VC) were recorded using a digital spirometer. Breath-holding time (BHT), and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) were measured. The data were analyzed using the Prism statistical package. Results: Forty-one males and Thirty-two females participated in this study. PEFR did not significantly differ among the different occupations but was negatively correlated with WHR in females. For VC, male students showed a significantly higher value than gardeners, whereas female students and faculty members had a considerably higher value than housekeepers. VC negatively correlated with age in males. In females, it showed a negative correlation with age, WHR, duration of indoor non-AC exposure, and systolic BP. BHT of male students and staff was significantly higher than auto drivers, and it showed a negative correlation with age, duration of outdoor exposure, and systolic BP. Lung function parameters did not correlate with indoor AC exposure in males and females. Systolic BP was significantly higher in auto drivers than students, and it increased with age in males. In females, systolic BP negatively correlated with outdoor exposure and positively correlated with indoor non-AC exposure. Among females, WHR was significantly higher in housekeepers and staff than students and faculty. Conclusion: The study results showed that vital capacity was lowest among male gardeners and female housekeepers who tend to have occupational exposure to chemicals. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and vital capacity were lower in females with a tendency towards abdominal obesity. More considerable time spent indoors was associated with lower vital capacity and higher systolic blood pressure in females.
Identification and Removal of Potential Contaminants in 16S rRNA Gene Sequence Datasets from Low Microbial Biomass Samples: An Example from the Mosquito Gut
Authors: Diaz Sebastián , Escobar Juan Sebastián , Avila Frank William 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: The bacterial gut microbiota of the female mosquito influences numerous physiological processes, including vector competence. As a low-microbial-biomass ecosystem, mosquito gut tissue is prone to contamination from the laboratory environment and from reagents commonly used to dissect and/or isolate DNA from gut tissue. In this report, we analyze five 16S rRNA datasets, including new data obtained by us, to gain insight into the impact of potential contaminating sequences on the composition, diversity, and structure of the mosquito gut microbial community. Results: We present a clustering-free approach that, based on the relative abundance of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in gut and negative control samples , allowed for the identification of candidate contaminating sequences. Some of these sequences belong to bacterial taxa previously identified as common contaminants in metagenomic studies; they have also been identified as part of the mosquito core gut microbiota, with putative physiological relevance for the host. By using different relative abundance cutoffs, we show that contaminating sequences have a significant impact on gut microbiota diversity and structure.Conclusions: The approach presented here allows the identification and removal of purported contaminating sequences in datasets obtained from low-microbial biomass samples. While it was exemplified with the analysis of gut microbiota from mosquitos, it can easily extend to other datasets dealing with similar technical artifacts.
Trachoma in Sudan: Case Series from Two Eye Care Hospitals and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Hassan Rawan Sharaf Eldein Elamein , Aabdeen Mohamed Abdulmonem Salih , Hassan Razan Sharaf Eldein Elamein , Mohamed Sagad Omer Obeid , Saad Fadwa Mohammed , Mohamed Haidar AbuAhmed 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Trachoma is a common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Although it has largely now disappeared from developed countries, it is still endemic in many developing countries. We aimed to highlight clinical stages and common related socio-demographic and household characteristics among patients with trachoma in Sudan.
Methods

A hospital-based case series descriptive study was conducted at Makah Eye Complex and Abdalfadeel-Almaz hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. We included all Trachoma patients from all age groups attending the two eye care hospitals in the period from 1st to 31st March 2015. Data was collected through clinical examination, hospital records, and face to face interview using a structured questionnaire, Also, we conducted a review of the literature to highlights the epidemiological aspect of trachoma in Sudan, using the databases of MEDLINE (PubMed) and Google Scholar.
Results

In this case series, we identified 125 patients with trachoma in the study period. Most of them were aged more than 50 years old (78.4%). Half of the participants (56%) were positive for active trachoma, 40.8% of them were having Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT), and 56% of them have Trachoma Follicles (TF). Majority of the patients have low socioeconomic status and poor personal and environmental hygiene (88%), (44%) and (74.4%), respectively.
Conclusion

Low socioeconomic status and poor personal and environmental hygiene are common socio-demographic and household characteristics among patients with trachoma. Despite the progress that has been made towards disease elimination, trachoma is still a public health problem in Sudan. Our review highlights the magnitude of trachoma and the progress towards its elimination in Sudan.
Worries and concerns about COVID-19 lockdown aggravate stress reactions among pregnant women
Authors: Suda Tetsufumi , Miura Yumiko , Katayama Motoko , Senba Hiroshi , Takahata Mioko , Nakano Sayumi 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Purpose: Since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact worldwide, numerous governments have declared lockdowns to prevent further transmission of the virus. However, both the lockdown and the outbreak itself, have influenced pregnant women’s daily lives. This study’s aim was to assess the extent to which COVID-19 lockdown had psychologically impacted pregnant women and suggest the necessary measures for reassuring them.Methods: An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted for collecting socio-demographic and COVID-19 related information. The COVID-19 lockdown-related psychological impact and mental health status were assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the short form of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), respectively. The associations between socio-demographics and COVID-19 related information, and psychometrics were assessed by conducting univariate analyses. Subsequently, multiple regression analyses were conducted to ascertain which variables were significantly associated with scores of IES-R and DASS-21 stress subscales.Results: Of the 142 participants who completed the questionnaire, 6 were excluded because they were being treated for psychiatric disorders. The presence of depression, anxiety, and stress were identified in 17.7%, 12.5%, and 12.5% of the participants, respectively. While concerns about household finance due to the COVID-19 outbreak independently contributed to the psychological impact; the presence of nasal discharge and concerns about social support were independently associated with perceived stress.Conclusions: In pandemic situations, concerns about household finances and social support due to lockdown could become targets for interventions among pregnant women.
Development and Validation of Nomograms to Predict Lung Metastases in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: A Large Cohort Study
Authors: Yuan Yufei , Guo Fanfan , Wang Ruoran , Zhang Yidan , Bai GuiQin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Lung metastasis, an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer, is associated with poor survival. We tried to develop and validate a nomogram to predict the risk of lung metastases in newly diagnosed patients with ovarian cancer.Methods Patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer from the surveillance, epidemiology and final results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively collected. The model nomogram was built based on logistic regression. The consistency index (C-index) was used to evaluate the discernment of the lung metastasis nomogram. Calibration plots was drawn to analyze the consistency between the observed probability and predicted probability of lung metastases in patients with ovarian cancer. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the overall survival rate, and the influencing factors were included in the multivariate Cox regression (P<0.05) to analyze the independent prognostic factors of lung metastases.Results A total of 16,059 eligible patients were randomly divided into training (n = 11242) and validation cohort (n = 4817). AJCC T, N stage, bone metastases, brain metastases and liver metastases were evaluated as predictors of lung metastases. Finally, a nomogram was constructed. The nomogram based on independent predictors was well calibrated and showed good discriminative ability. The C index is 0.761 (0.736-0.787) for the training cohort and 0.757（0.718-0.795）for the validation cohort. The overall survival rate of ovarian cancer patients with lung metastases was reduced. Mixed histological types, chemotherapy and primary site surgery were factors that affect the overall survival of ovarian cancer patients with lung metastases.Conclusion: The clinical prediction model had high accuracy and can be used to predict the lung metastasis risk of newly diagnosed patients with ovarian cancer, which can guide the treatment of patients with lung metastases.