bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cleaning and Disinfection Perceptions and Use Practices Among Elastomeric Respirator Users in Health care
Authors: Hines Stella E. , Brown Clayton H. , Oliver Marc , Gucer Patricia , Frisch Melissa , Hogan Regina , Roth Tracy , Chang James , McDiarmid Melissa 
Published: August 2020

Background: Reusable elastomeric respirator use in health care may represent one solution to address N95 respirator shortages experienced during infectious disease outbreaks, but cleaning and disinfection requirements may limit their utility. Evidence of respirator cleaning and disinfection behaviors and practices by health care workers may inform guidance on reusable respirator use. Methods: Medical system elastomeric respirator users were surveyed about respirator cleaning and disinfection practices and perceptions via an electronic survey. Respondents were subsequently classified based on reported compliance with their assigned respirator use. To explore whether respirator cleaning and disinfection issues affected compliance with assigned device use, responses were compared between user groups and adjusted for covariates. Results: A total of 432 of 2,024 (21%) eligible elastomeric respirator users completed the survey. Most (>90%) reported that their respirator was clean, but only 52% reported that they always disinfect their respirators after use according to the hospital’s expected practice. Only 40 respondents (9%) reported regularly cleaning the respirator with soap and water, in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. Reporting of suboptimal decontamination practice was not associated with assigned device compliance, however, except among providers and respiratory therapists. Conclusion/Application to Practice: Although perceptions of cleanliness and adherence to expected decontamination practices during routine use did not appear to influence compliance with assigned respirator use overall, this did predict compliance among providers and respiratory therapists, both of whom have nonfixed workstations. Practical and effective strategies to assure easy access to and availability of clean reusable respiratory protective devices are needed to facilitate their use in health care respiratory protection programs.
Brain Characteristics Noted Prior to and Following Cranial Orthotic Treatment
Authors: DeGrazia Michele , Ahtam Banu , Rogers-Vizena Carolyn R. , Proctor Mark , Porter Courtney , Vyas Rutvi , Laurentys Cynthia T. , Bergling Emily , McLaughlin Kara , Grant Patricia Ellen 
Published: August 2020

Objective: This case report aims to assess a potential association between cranial asymmetry, brain deformation, and associated developmental delay. Study Design: Two infants born at ≥37 weeks pursuing cranial orthotic treatment for severe Deformational Plagiocephaly (DP) (cranial vault asymmetry index >8.75%) underwent developmental assessment using Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) and non-sedated brain structural and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to and following cranial orthotic treatment. Results: In both infants with DP, tractography results revealed alterations in the white matter pathways of the brain. Both infants also had low to low/normal visual receptivity and fine motor skills. After cranial orthotic treatment, cranial asymmetry improved but did not completely resolve, tractography demonstrated a change toward normalized white matter pathways, and visual receptivity and fine motor skills improved. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest a potential link between DP, altered brain structures, and developmental assessment. Further investigation with a larger sample is warranted.
Genetics and Age-Related Eye Disease Study Formulation Interaction in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Kaufman Stephen R. , Yoganathan Pradeepa , Small Kent W. , Rusia Deepam , Pachydaki Sophia I. , Conti Stephen M. , Wenz Robert E. , Gersman Mark A. , Shaya Fadi S. , Kustra Rafal 
Published: August 2020

Purpose: This work aims to determine whether previously defined genotype risk groups interact with Age-Related Eye Disease Study formulation (AREDS-F) use in progression to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). Methods: We conducted a case-only study of 265 nvAMD patients. Patients were anonymously genotyped at the complement factor H and age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 loci and segregated into genotype groups (GTGs) defined by specific combinations of risk alleles. Physicians, who were blind to patients’ GTGs, obtained patients’ AREDS-F use history. The facility performing genetic analysis was blind to the AREDS-F use history. We used logistic analysis to estimate the interaction coefficient between AREDS-F use and GTG 2 vs GTG 3 in a general-population model. Results: The odds ratio of numbers of patients reporting prior AREDS-F use to nonuse for GTG 2 vs GTG 3 was 4.18 ( P = .001). Logistic regression, correcting for nongenetic risk factors, gave an estimate of the β for interaction of AREDS-F with genotype of 1.57 ( P = .001). This estimates a corrected odds ratio associated with the effect of interaction of 4.81 between those in GTG 2 compared with those in GTG 3. Conclusions: Our data indicate an interaction between GTGs and AREDS-F use that is consistent in size and direction with previously published reports, which had found that using AREDS-F supplements significantly increases the risk of nvAMD for some users and significantly protects other users.
Use of thrombopoietin receptor agonists for immune thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: results from a multicenter study
Authors: Michel Marc , Ruggeri Marco , Gonzalez-Lopez Tomas Jose , Alkindi Salam , Cheze Stéphane , Ghanima Waleed , Tvedt Tor Henrik Anderson , Ebbo Mikael , Terriou Louis , Bussel James B. , Godeau Bertrand 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Management of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) during pregnancy can be challenging because treatment choices are limited. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (Tpo-RAs), which likely cross the placenta, are not recommended during pregnancy. To better assess the safety and efficacy of off-label use of Tpo-RAs during pregnancy, a multicenter observational and retrospective study was conducted. Results from 15 pregnant women with ITP (pregnancies, n = 17; neonates, n = 18) treated with either eltrombopag (n = 8) or romiplostim (n = 7) during pregnancy, including 2 patients with secondary ITP, were analyzed. Median time of Tpo-RA exposure during pregnancy was 4.4 weeks (range, 1-39 weeks); the indication for starting Tpo-RAs was preparation for delivery in 10 (58%) of 17 pregnancies, whereas 4 had chronic refractory symptomatic ITP and 3 were receiving eltrombopag when pregnancy started. Regarding safety, neither thromboembolic events among mothers nor Tpo-RA–related fetal or neonatal complications were observed, except for 1 case of neonatal thrombocytosis. Response to Tpo-RAs was achieved in 77% of cases, mostly in combination with concomitant ITP therapy (70% of responders). On the basis of these preliminary findings, temporary off-label use of Tpo-RAs for severe and/or refractory ITP during pregnancy seems safe for both mother and neonate and is likely to be helpful, especially before delivery.
Performance of the modified HEART score in an Asian population
Authors: Sajeed Shanaz Matthew , De Dios Michael P. , Ong Dan Wei Jun , Punyadasa Amila Clarence 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Chest pain is the most common potentially life-threatening presentation to the emergency department (ED). Furthermore, the identification of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including its risk stratification and subsequent disposition can be challenging. The original HEART score was derived as a predictive tool to risk stratify patients presenting with undifferentiated chest pain (CP) and aid physician decision-making. However, it utilized conventional troponins as its cardiac biomarker component. Our study aims to assess the utility of the modified HEART score with highly sensitive troponins in an Asian setting with mixed ethnicity to determine if it corroborates the findings of another recent Chinese study by Chun-Peng et al. (Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 13:64–69, 2016).

Methods
Clinical data from 413 patients presenting to the ED for evaluation of chest pain were analyzed. The predictive value of the modified HEART score for determining major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was then evaluated.

Results
A total of 49 patients (11.9%) had a MACE: 31 patients (7.5%) underwent PCI and 1 patient (0.2%) underwent CABG. There were 17 (4.1%) deaths.
Three risk groups were elucidated based on MACE. In the low-risk group (0–2), there were 72 patients (17.4%), with a MACE rate of 1.4%. In the intermediate-risk group (3–5), there were 233 patients (56.4%), with a MACE rate of 5.2%. In the high-risk group (6–10), there were 108 patients (26.2%), with a MACE rate of 33.3%.

Conclusion
The modified HEART score is an effective risk stratification tool in an ethnically diverse Asian population. Furthermore, it identifies low-risk patients who are candidates for early discharge from a local emergency department.
Increased serum IL-36γ levels are associated with disease severity in myasthenia gravis patients
Authors: Zhang Qiu-Xia , Li Yue , Jiang Shu-Min , Zhang Lin-Jie , Yi Ming , Wang Jing , Qi Yuan , Yang Li , Yang Chun-Sheng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundInterleukin 36 (IL-36), as a gradually recognized cytokine, is involved in the occurrence and evolution of autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, the relationship between myasthenia gravis (MG) and IL-36 is rarely reported.MethodsWe evaluated the serum levels of IL-36 (IL-36α, IL-36β and IL-36γ) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Further, clinical parameters in 97 MG patients and 49 healthy controls (HCs) were carefully measured.ResultsSerum IL-36γ levels were significantly elevated in the MG patients compared with the HCs (p < 0.0001). Compared to those in remission, patients in the acute phase exhibited higher levels of IL-36α and IL-36γ (p = 0.038 andp = 0.011, respectively). Furthermore, patients with generalized MG (GMG) exhibited markedly higher serum IL-36γ levels than those with ocular MG (OMG) (p = 0.003).ConclusionsThe serum levels of IL-36γ in patients with MG were increased and positively correlated with disease severity and may thus have potential as a serological MG marker.
Comparison of child and family reports of health-related quality of life in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients after induction therapy
Authors: Nakajima Shohei , Sato Iori , Soejima Takafumi , Koh Katsuyoshi , Kato Motohiro , Okamoto Yasuhiro , Imamura Toshihiko , Maeda Miho , Ishida Yasushi , Manabe Atsushi , Kamibeppu Kiyoko 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
This study aims at determining the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after the induction therapy, assessing the agreement between child self-reports and family proxy-reports HRQOL, and determining the factors related to this agreement, especially child age, family attendance, and children’s social relationships beyond the family.

Methods
We analyzed questionnaire data (2012–2017) from the Japanese Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group’s clinical study (ALL-B12). Participants were children with B-cell precursor ALL aged 5–18 and their family members, who mostly took care of the child during hospitalization. Participants answered the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) Generic Core Scales (PedsQL-G), and Cancer Module (PedsQL-C) to measure pediatric HRQOL. We calculated the differences between child self-reported and family proxy-reported subscale scores along with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). We conducted multiple regression analyses according to all participant pairs and age groups (young children, school age, and adolescents), with ICCs for all PedsQL-G subscales (ICC-G) and all PedsQL-C subscales (ICC-C) as the outcome variables.

Results
Five hundred twenty-two pairs of children and their families were analyzed. We observed a moderate level of agreement on most PedsQL subscales between child self-reports and family proxy-reports; however, worry had the weakest agreement for all PedsQL subscales (ICC = .32, 95% confidence interval = .24–.40). The agreement of ICC-C was positively related to family attendance in the hospitalization, only for the young children group (B = .185, p = .003).

Conclusions
We observed some differences between child self-reports and family proxy-reports of HRQOL of children with ALL. Both child self-reports and family proxy-reports captured HRQOL in the induction therapy. We suggest that attending to young children’s hospitalization affects the level of agreement between reports on their HRQOL.
Large-scale discovery of male reproductive tract-specific genes through analysis of RNA-seq datasets
Authors: Robertson Matthew J. , Kent Katarzyna , Tharp Nathan , Nozawa Kaori , Dean Laura , Mathew Michelle , Grimm Sandra L. , Yu Zhifeng , Légaré Christine , Fujihara Yoshitaka , Ikawa Masahito , Sullivan Robert , Coarfa Cristian , Matzuk Martin M. , Garcia Thomas X. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe development of a safe, effective, reversible, non-hormonal contraceptive method for men has been an ongoing effort for the past few decades. However, despite significant progress on elucidating the function of key proteins involved in reproduction, understanding male reproductive physiology is limited by incomplete information on the genes expressed in reproductive tissues, and no contraceptive targets have so far reached clinical trials. To advance product development, further identification of novel reproductive tract-specific genes leading to potentially druggable protein targets is imperative.ResultsIn this study, we expand on previous single tissue, single species studies by integrating analysis of publicly available human and mouse RNA-seq datasets whose initial published purpose was not focused on identifying male reproductive tract-specific targets. We also incorporate analysis of additional newly acquired human and mouse testis and epididymis samples to increase the number of targets identified. We detected a combined total of 1178 genes for which no previous evidence of male reproductive tract-specific expression was annotated, many of which are potentially druggable targets. Through RT-PCR, we confirmed the reproductive tract-specific expression of 51 novel orthologous human and mouse genes without a reported mouse model. Of these, we ablated four epididymis-specific genes (Spint3,Spint4,Spint5, andCes5a) and two testis-specific genes (Pp2d1andSaxo1) in individual or double knockout mice generated through the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Our results validate a functional requirement forSpint4/5andCes5ain male mouse fertility, while demonstrating thatSpint3,Pp2d1, andSaxo1are each individually dispensable for male mouse fertility.ConclusionsOur work provides a plethora of novel testis- and epididymis-specific genes and elucidates the functional requirement of several of these genes, which is essential towards understanding the etiology of male infertility and the development of male contraceptives.
In utero and childhood exposure to tobacco smoke and multi-layer molecular signatures in children
Authors: Vives-Usano Marta , Hernandez-Ferrer Carles , Maitre Léa , Ruiz-Arenas Carlos , Andrusaityte Sandra , Borràs Eva , Carracedo Ángel , Casas Maribel , Chatzi Leda , Coen Muireann , Estivill Xavier , González Juan R. , Grazuleviciene Regina , Gutzkow Kristine B. , Keun Hector C. , Lau Chung-Ho E. , Cadiou Solène , Lepeule Johanna , Mason Dan , Quintela Inés , Robinson Oliver , Sabidó Eduard , Santorelli Gillian , Schwarze Per E. , Siskos Alexandros P. , Slama Rémy , Vafeiadi Marina , Martí Eulàlia , Vrijheid Martine , Bustamante Mariona 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe adverse health effects of early life exposure to tobacco smoking have been widely reported. In spite of this, the underlying molecular mechanisms of in utero and postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke are only partially understood. Here, we aimed to identify multi-layer molecular signatures associated with exposure to tobacco smoke in these two exposure windows.MethodsWe investigated the associations of maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure with molecular features measured in 1203 European children (mean age 8.1 years) from the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) project. Molecular features, covering 4 layers, included blood DNA methylation and gene and miRNA transcription, plasma proteins, and sera and urinary metabolites.ResultsMaternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with DNA methylation changes at 18 loci in child blood. DNA methylation at 5 of these loci was related to expression of the nearby genes. However, the expression of these genes themselves was only weakly associated with maternal smoking. Conversely, childhood SHS was not associated with blood DNA methylation or transcription patterns, but with reduced levels of several serum metabolites and with increased plasma PAI1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), a protein that inhibits fibrinolysis. Some of the in utero and childhood smoking-related molecular marks showed dose-response trends, with stronger effects with higher dose or longer duration of the exposure.ConclusionIn this first study covering multi-layer molecular features, pregnancy and childhood exposure to tobacco smoke were associated with distinct molecular phenotypes in children. The persistent and dose-dependent changes in the methylome make CpGs good candidates to develop biomarkers of past exposure. Moreover, compared to methylation, the weak association of maternal smoking in pregnancy with gene expression suggests different reversal rates and a methylation-based memory to past exposures. Finally, certain metabolites and protein markers evidenced potential early biological effects of postnatal SHS, such as fibrinolysis.
The effect of travel restrictions on the geographical spread of COVID-19 between large cities in China: a modelling study
Authors: Quilty Billy J. , Diamond Charlie , Liu Yang , Gibbs Hamish , Russell Timothy W. , Jarvis Christopher I. , Prem Kiesha , Pearson Carl A. B. , Clifford Samuel , Flasche Stefan ,   CMMID COVID-19 working group, Emery Jon C. , Auzenbergs Megan , Davies Nicholas , Nightingale Emily S. , van Zandvoort Kevin , Jombart Thibaut , Deol Arminder K. , Edmunds W. John , Hellewell Joel , Funk Sebastian , Abbott Sam , Sun Fiona , Endo Akira , Rosello Alicia , Gimma Amy , Procter Simon R. , Bosse Nikos I. , O’Reilly Kathleen , Medley Graham , Munday James D. , Houben Rein M. G. J. , Kucharski Adam J. , Knight Gwenan M. , Klepac Petra , Eggo Rosalind M. , Jit Mark 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
To contain the spread of COVID-19, a cordon sanitaire was put in place in Wuhan prior to the Lunar New Year, on 23 January 2020. We assess the efficacy of the cordon sanitaire to delay the introduction and onset of local transmission of COVID-19 in other major cities in mainland China.

Methods
We estimated the number of infected travellers from Wuhan to other major cities in mainland China from November 2019 to February 2020 using previously estimated COVID-19 prevalence in Wuhan and publicly available mobility data. We focused on Beijing, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen as four representative major cities to identify the potential independent contribution of the cordon sanitaire and holiday travel. To do this, we simulated outbreaks generated by infected arrivals in these destination cities using stochastic branching processes. We also modelled the effect of the cordon sanitaire in combination with reduced transmissibility scenarios to simulate the effect of local non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Results
We find that in the four cities, given the potentially high prevalence of COVID-19 in Wuhan between December 2019 and early January 2020, local transmission may have been seeded as early as 1–8 January 2020. By the time the cordon sanitaire was imposed, infections were likely in the thousands. The cordon sanitaire alone did not substantially affect the epidemic progression in these cities, although it may have had some effect in smaller cities. Reduced transmissibility resulted in a notable decrease in the incidence of infection in the four studied cities.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that sustained transmission was likely occurring several weeks prior to the implementation of the cordon sanitaire in four major cities of mainland China and that the observed decrease in incidence was likely attributable to other non-pharmaceutical, transmission-reducing interventions.
Salivary proteomic profile of dogs with and without dental calculus
Authors: Bringel Mayara , Jorge Paula Karine , Francisco Priscila Amanda , Lowe Cadance , Sabino-Silva Robinson , Colombini-Ishikiriama Bella Luna , Machado Maria Aparecida de Andrade Moreira , Siqueira Walter Luiz 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Dogs’ saliva is a complex mixture of inorganic and organic constituents, rich in proteins. Therefore, knowing the saliva composition of these animals is extremely important to identify the presence of proteins that may be involved in physiological and pathological mechanisms of their oral cavity. The present study aimed to characterize the proteomic profile of saliva from dogs with and without dental calculus.

Results
Saliva samples were collected from 20 dogs. Before the collection, a visual clinical examination was performed and 8 subjects (40%) did not present any signs of dental calculus, while 12 (60%) presented dental calculus. After saliva collection, the samples were submitted to protein quantification (mBCA), and then they were prepared for analysis by nLC-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 658 unique proteins were identified, of which 225 were specific to dogs without dental calculus, 300 were specific to dogs with dental calculus, and 133 were common to all subjects. These proteins presented functions including transportation, immune response, structural, enzymatic regulation, signal transduction, transcription, metabolism, and some proteins perform functions as yet unknown. Several salivary proteins in dogs with dental calculus differed from those found in the group without dental calculus. Among the abundant proteins detected in periodontal affected cases, can be highlighting calcium-sensing receptor and transforming growth factor beta. Enrichment analysis reveled the presence of Rho GTPases signaling pathway.

Conclusions
This research identified salivary proteins, that should be further investigated as potencial biomarkers of chronic periodontits with dental calculus formation in dogs.