bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Academic Productivity in Plastic Surgery: A Comparison of US and International Medical Graduates
Authors: Edalatpour Armin , Nkana Zeeda H. , Bentz Michael L. , Afifi Ahmed M. 
Published: October 2020

Introduction:
International medical graduates (IMGs) make up nearly 10% of plastic surgeons in the United States, yet there is little information regarding their relative contributions to the field of academic plastic surgery. This study compares the research productivity and academic rank of IMG academic plastic surgeons and their US medical graduate (USMG) counterparts.

Method:
A cross-sectional study was performed to include all IMG and USMG full-time academic plastic surgeons in the United States. For each IMG and USMG academic plastic surgeon, bibliometric variables such as the Hirsch index (h-index), i10-index, total number of publications, total number of citations, and greatest number of citations for a single published work were computed.

Results:
One-hundred and forty-four full-time IMG and 828 USMG academic plastic surgeons met inclusion criteria. There were no significant differences between IMGs and USMGs regarding h-index, i10-index, total number of publications, and total number of citations. Both IMGs and USMGs have higher numbers of publications following graduation from a plastic surgery residency or fellowship as compared to pre-residency or fellowship (37.2 ± 71.5 versus 8.0 ± 19.2 and 45.0 ± 73.1 versus 9.1 ± 15.5, respectively).

Conclusions:
IMG and USMG plastic surgeons have nearly equivalent research productivity. Both cohorts continue to have high research outputs following graduation from a plastic surgery residency or fellowship.
Sexually Inactive Status in Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse Before Colpocleisis and Postoperative Satisfaction and Regret Rate
Authors: Wang Yi-Ting , Zhang Kun , Yang Jun-Fang , Yao Ying , Wang Hui-Fang , Han Jin-Song 
Published: October 2020

Purpose
The aim of the study was to investigate the sexually inactive status of patients with pelvic organ prolapse before colpocleisis and postoperative satisfaction and regret rate.

Methods
A retrospective study of patients with pelvic organ prolapse who underwent colpocleisis was conducted in our hospital from January 2007 to April 2019. Records were reviewed before surgery for general clinical characteristics, duration, and reasons for being sexually inactive. Follow-up was conducted by telephone about patient satisfaction, Patient Global Impression of Improvement score, and regret rate after surgery.

Results
The mean age of the 247 patients was 73.8 ± 5.58 years. A total of 76.9% (190/247) described the duration of being sexually inactive, and the mean time was 12.6 ± 8.69 years. The 247 patients gave the following reasons for being sexually inactive: 52.2% (129/247) were widowed and 37.2% (92/247) reported the physical health factors of their spouses or sexual partners. The first male factor was nervous system disease (37.0%, 34/92). A total of 5.3% (13/247) were patient-related factors and 5.3% (13/247) were factors of both the male and female. A total of 195 patients underwent follow-up, the rate was 78.9% (195/247), and the follow-up time was 39.7 ± 37.5 (2–140) months. A total of 98.5% (192/195) of patients were very satisfied. A total of 98.9% (193/195) of patients were very much improved or improved in Patient Global Impression of Improvement score. A total of 1.02% (2/195) of patients regretted having colpocleisis nearly 2 years later.

Conclusions
The main reason for being sexually inactive was having been widowed. Colpocleisis was associated with high satisfaction rates and low regret rate.
The characteristics of oxygen concentration and the role of correction factor in real-time GI Breath Test
Authors: Lee Siu Man , Falconer Imogen HE , Madden Trudi , Laidler Peter O 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTA high quality end-expiratory breath sample is required for a reliable GI breath test result. Oxygen (O2) concentration in the breath sample can be used as a quality marker. This study investigated the characteristics of oxygen concentration in breath sample and the issues with using a correction factor in real-time breath test. The results indicated 95.4% of 564 patients were able to achieve an O2 concentration below 14% in their end-expiratory breath. A further 293 samples were studied and revealed that the distribution of O2 concentration was between 16.5% and 9.5%. Applying a correction factor to predict the end-expiratory H2 and CH4 values led to an average error of −36.4% and −12.8% respectively. The correction factor algorithm based on limiting O2 at 14% would have resulted in false negative result for 50% of the positive cases. This study has also indicated the continuous O2 measurement is essential to ensure breath sample quality by preventing secondary breathing during real-time breath collection.
The importance of the human factor during the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: the successful case of the Italian strategy
Authors: Scarpazza Cristina , Musumeci Gianluca , Ciani Andrea S. Camperio 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn Italy, 311,364 cases and 35,851 deaths of people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were registered as of September 29th, 2020. To avoid the spreading of the virus, mathematical models predicting the course of infection’s spread1 become the basis to plan stringent countermeasures. We applied a published algorithm to real data up to September 27th, modeling two scenarios where predicted and real data were compared: a conservative scenario with a lockdown still ongoing and a scenario reflecting what actually happened in Italy, where the lockdown has been removed. Results revealed that the number of individuals in life-threatening condition is much lower than predicted, as well as the number of symptomatic individuals. Contrarily, the number of asymptomatic individuals is much higher than predicted. This suggest that human beings are not passive victims, but active fighters able to change the course of the infection creating adaptive strategies against the infection’s spread.
A global atlas of genetic associations of 220 deep phenotypes
Authors: Sakaue Saori , Kanai Masahiro , Tanigawa Yosuke , Karjalainen Juha , Kurki Mitja , Koshiba Seizo , Narita Akira , Konuma Takahiro , Yamamoto Kenichi , Akiyama Masato , Ishigaki Kazuyoshi , Suzuki Akari , Suzuki Ken , Obara Wataru , Yamaji Ken , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Asai Satoshi , Takahashi Yasuo , Suzuki Takao , Shinozaki Nobuaki , Yamaguchi Hiroki , Minami Shiro , Murayama Shigeo , Yoshimori Kozo , Nagayama Satoshi , Obata Daisuke , Higashiyama Masahiko , Masumoto Akihide , Koretsune Yukihiro , FinnGen Kaoru Ito , Terao Chikashi , Yamauchi Toshimasa , Komuro Issei , Kadowaki Takashi , Tamiya Gen , Yamamoto Masayuki , Nakamura Yusuke , Kubo Michiaki , Murakami Yoshinori , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Kamatani Yoichiro , Palotie Aarno , Rivas Manuel A. , Daly Mark J. , Matsuda Koichi , Okada Yukinori 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCurrent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) do not yet capture sufficient diversity in populations and scope of phenotypes. To expand an atlas of genetic associations in non-European populations, we conducted 220 deep-phenotype GWASs (diseases, biomarkers, and medication usage) in BioBank Japan (n=179,000), by incorporating past medical history and text-mining of electronic medical records. Meta-analyses with the UK Biobank and FinnGen (ntotal=628,000) identified ∼5,000 novel loci, which improved the resolution of genomic map of human traits. This atlas elucidated landscape of pleiotropy as represented by MHC locus, where we conducted HLA fine-mapping. Finally, we performed statistical decomposition of matrices of phenome-wide summary statistics, and identified latent genetic components, which pinpointed responsible variants and biological mechanisms underlying current disease classifications across populations. The decomposed components enabled genetically-informed subtyping of similar diseases (e.g., allergic diseases). Our study suggests a potential avenue for hypothesis-free re-investigation of human diseases through genetics.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors in health care workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Galanis Petros , Vraka Irene , Fragkou Despoina , Bilali Angeliki , Kaitelidou Daphne 
Published: October 2020

SummaryBackgroundHealth care workers (HCWs) represent a high risk population for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.AimTo determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs, and to find out the factors that are associated with this seroprevalence.MethodsThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were applied for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Databases including PubMed/MEDLINE and pre-print services (medRχiv and bioRχiv) were searched from inception up to August 24, 2020.FindingsForty-nine studies, including 127,480 HCWs met the inclusion criteria. The estimated overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs was 8.7% (95% CI: 6.7-10.9%). Seroprevalence was higher in studies that were conducted in North America (12.7%) compared to those in Europe (8.5%), Africa (8.2), and Asia (4%). Meta-regression showed that increased sensitivity of antibodies test was associated with increased seroprevalence. The following factors were associated with seropositivity: male gender, Black, Asian, and Hispanic HCWs, work in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) unit, patient-related work, frontline health care workers, health care assistants, personal protective equipment shortage, self-reported belief for previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, previous positive polymerase chain reaction test, and household contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.ConclusionThe seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs is high. Excellent adherence to infection prevention and control measures, sufficient and adequate personal protective equipment, and early recognition, identification and isolation of HCWs that are infected with SARS-CoV-2 are imperative to decrease the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Permutation tests for comparative data
Authors: Saulsbury James G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe analysis of patterns in comparative data has come to be dominated by least-squares regression, mainly as implemented in phylogenetic generalized least-squares (PGLS). This approach has two main drawbacks: it makes relatively restrictive assumptions about distributions and can only address questions about the conditional mean of one variable as a function of other variables. Here I introduce two new non-parametric constructs for the analysis of a broader range of comparative questions: phylogenetic permutation tests, based on cyclic permutations and permutations conserving phylogenetic signal. The cyclic permutation test, an extension of the restricted permutation test that performs exchanges by rotating nodes on the phylogeny, performs well within and outside the bounds where PGLS is applicable but can only be used for balanced trees. The signal-based permutation test has identical statistical properties and works with all trees. The statistical performance of these tests compares favorably with independent contrasts and surpasses that of a previously developed permutation test that exchanges closely related pairs of observations more frequently. Three case studies illustrate the use of phylogenetic permutations for quantile regression with non-normal and heteroscedastic data, testing hypotheses about morphospace occupation, and comparative problems in which the data points are not tips in the phylogeny.
Investigating hsCRP as a clinical inflammation marker for human Bisphenol A food contamination offers protocol suggestions for conducting replicable, causal dietary intervention studies
Authors: Perdue W. Lewis , Reus Victor I. , Yeamans-Irwin Rebecca L. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTDietary intervention studies thus far have failed to be replicable or causal. The results, therefore, have failed to provide clinicians and the general public with consistent and useful information on which to base reliable food-related health decisions. This is particularly relevant regarding plastic-derived chemicals (PDCs), such as Bisphenol A, now that the federal CLARITY-BPA program has failed to achieve scientific consensus. Investigators propose a novel human dietary protocol that is both replicable and causal, based upon BPA’s demonstrated inflammatory effects in humans. This first-of-a-kind dietary intervention study explores a potential causal relationship between human serum levels of BPA and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), a proven clinical indicator of inflammation. Investigators used the equivalent of a USDA-defined “typical diet” followed by a PDC-reduced diet to compare blood levels of hsCRP. This proof-of-concept investigation is the first to use an easily accessible, medically-accepted clinical laboratory test to directly measure human health effects of PDC reduction. Unexpected new complications discovered during the investigation indicate that these results may yet be inconclusive for direct causal relationship. However, the novel lessons and techniques developed as a result of those discoveries offer further specific and improved methods and best practices that can enable future dietary interventions to produce replicable, causal results.
Circulating tumor DNA is readily detectable among Ghanaian breast cancer patients supporting non-invasive cancer genomic studies in Africa
Authors: Ahuno Samuel Terkper , Doebley Anna-Lisa , Ahearn Thomas U. , Yarney Joel , Titiloye Nicholas , Hamel Nancy , Adjei Ernest , Lamptey Joe-Nat Clegg- , Edusei Lawrence , Awuah Baffour , Song Xiaoyu , Vanderpuye Verne , Abubakar Mustapha , Duggan Maire , Stover Daniel , Nyarko Kofi , Bartlet John M S , Aitpillah Francis , Ansong Daniel , Gardner Kevin L , Boateng Felix Andy , Bowcock Anne M. , Caldas Carlos , Foulkes William D. , Wiafe Seth , Wiafe-Addai Beatrice , Garcia-Closas Montserrat , Kwarteng Alexander , Ha Gavin , Figueroa Jonine D. , Polak Paz 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTCirculating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing studies could provide novel insights into the molecular pathology of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. ctDNA was readily detected in 15 blood samples collected in Ghana at the time of suspected breast cancer. Genomic alterations previously associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes were observed in the majority of patients. This supports the use of liquid biopsies for diagnosis, surveillance and clinical management of breast cancer in Ghana.
Effect of Seating Arrangement on Class Engagement in Team-based Learning: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Andrew Seet Hong An , Tan Emmanuel , Rajalingam Preman 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionThis study investigated the effects of seating distance and orientation on engagement in novice and experienced learners in a large classroom explicitly designed for Team-based Learning (TBL). Learning what affects TBL engagement may improve its implementation.MethodsParticipants were novice first-year and experienced second-year undergraduate medical students in Singapore (male=103, female=57). Their age ranged from 18 to 23 (M=19.5, SD=1.06). This quasi-experimental study considered two factors. Firstly, the distance from the teams’ table to the tutor’s table. Secondly, students’ orientation at each table, with either their front or back facing the tutor. Engagement was measured using two instruments, Situational Cognitive Engagement Measure and Classroom Engagement Survey at two TBL sessions – before and after swapping seating arrangements.ResultsFor experienced students, seating distance did not significantly affect engagement (p=0.08–0.89). Novice student’s engagement levels decreased significantly for those who moved further; M=3.30 to 2.98 (p=0.009–0.023). However, overall engagement also decreased post-swap regardless of direction moved; M=3.26 to 3.00 (p=0.004). For both cohorts, seating orientation did not significantly affect engagement (p=0.07–0.62). Those unaffected by seating arrangement commended the classroom’s design, such as screens all around and quality audio-visual system. Novice students exhibited a stronger preference to sit nearer to the tutor than experienced students. Both groups preferred sitting with their front- facing the tutor.DiscussionWithin specially designed TBL classrooms, seating distance and orientation did not significantly affect engagement. Technologically enhanced team-centric spaces provide a favorable environment for TBL, though students’ preferences for seats may change with more TBL experience.
Fluctuating High Throughput Serological Assay Results in Recurrent Convalescent Plasma Donors
Authors: Luchsinger Larry L. , Rehmani Shiraz , Opalka Andrew , Strauss Donna , Hillyer Christopher D. , Shi Patricia , Sachais Bruce S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe clinical and scientific communities rely on serology testing to analyze the degree of antibody-mediated immunity afforded to recovered patients from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Neutralizing antibodies present in COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) remains a practical therapy to treat COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. However, it remains unclear how long antibody levels persist in CCP donors after recovery. An accurate estimation of antibody kinetics in CCP donors provide an important observation to further define the extent of long-term immunity in recovered patient and simultaneously inform CCP collection processes in efforts to improve CCP dosing and therapeutic outcome. In this study, we analyzed 63 donors and measured antibody levels using two high throughput screening assays (HTSA) designed to detect antibodies targeting the spike protein (S1) and nucleocapsid protein (NP) of SARS-CoV-2 and monitored antibody levels between 2-8 consecutive donations. We show that anti-S1 antibody levels, as measured using the Ortho Total Ig HTSA, increased over time in repeat CCP donors while anti-NP antibody levels, as measured using the Abbott IgG HTSA, were unchanged or decreased over time. When we normalized these data, we found that both the absolute levels of anti-S1 antibodies and the ratio between S1 and NP antibodies tends to increase over time. These data have important implications for the convalescent donation process, patient protection from future infection and characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 immune response.
Understanding bias when estimating life expectancy from age at death: A simulation approach applied to Morquio Syndrome A
Authors: Yin Xue , Ahn Jaeil , Boca Simina M. 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundLife expectancy can be estimated accurately from a cohort of individuals born in the same year and followed from birth to death. Due to the difficult and time-consuming nature of following a cohort prospectively, life expectancy is often assessed based on death data, which may lead to potentially biased estimates. This is more likely to be a problem in rare diseases such as Morquio syndrome A.MethodTo investigate how accurate the estimation of life expectancy is using death data, we simulate the survival of individuals with Morquio syndrome A under four different survival scenarios. In each scenario, we estimate the mean and median survival times within a defined period and compare them with the true life expectancy.ResultsWhen life expectancy is constant during the entire period, using death data does not result in a biased estimate of life expectancy. However, when life expectancy increases during the follow-up period, using only death data leads to a substantial underestimation of life expectancy.ConclusionLife expectancy can change over time, along with changes in the environment and/or biomedical innovation. When the life expectancy is increasing — as is often expected to be the case in rare diseases — estimating it based on contemporary death data will result in a downward bias. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how estimates of life expectancy are obtained and to interpret them in an appropriate context, and to assess estimation methods within a sensitivity analysis framework, similar to the simulations performed herein.
Targeting influenza at the topologically conserved substructures
Authors: Ahamed Zubair , Vandana Kamjula , Bhuvaneswari Kakunuri 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTH9N2 avian influenza virus is a low pathogenic endemic strain in the domestic poultry of most of the Asian countries. Attempts have extensively failed in eradicating its diverse strains. To find the drug against the evolutionarily conserved substructures, the target protein sequence is analyzed through sequence and modelled structure for mapping the structurally conserved topology. The available drugs are screened against the deciphered topological map through the predicted ADMET and drug-likelihood scores. This study helps to build a theoretical framework to make the foremost potent drug.
Differences in pulmonary innate lymphoid cells are dependent on mouse age, sex and strain
Authors: Loering Svenja , Cameron Guy J. M , Bhatt Nirmal P , Belz Gabrielle T , Foster Paul S , Hansbro Philip M , Starkey Malcolm R 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInnate lymphoid cells (ILC) are resident in the lung and are involved in both the maintenance of homeostasis and the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases. In this study, murine lung ILC were characterised using flow cytometry and the impact of mouse age, sex and strain were assessed. Lung ILC were found as early as postnatal day 4 and numbers peaked at 2 weeks, and then decreased as the lung matured. During postnatal lung development, ILC expressed differential amounts of ILC2-associated cell surface antigens including ST2, CD90.2 and ICOS. UsingIl5venusIl13td-tomatodual reporter mice, neonates were found to have increased constitutive IL-13 expression compared to adult mice. Neonates and adults had similar ratios of IL-5+CD45+leukocytes, however, these cells were mostly composed of ILC in neonates and T cells in adults. Sex-specific differences in ILC numbers were also observed, with females having greater numbers of lung ILC than males in both neonatal and adult mice. Female lung ILC also expressed higher levels of ICOS and decreased KLRG1. Mouse strain also impacted on lung ILC with BALB/c mice having more ILC in the lung and increased expression of ST2 and ICOS compared with C57BL/6J mice. Collectively, these data show that lung ILC numbers, cell surface antigen expression, IL-5 and IL-13 levels differed between neonatal and adult lung ILC. Additionally, cell surface antigens commonly used for ILC2 quantification, such as ST2, CD90.2, and ICOS, differ depending on age, sex and strain and these are important considerations for consistent universal identification of lung ILC2.