bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protocol for longitudinal assessment of SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses in healthcare professionals in Hannover, Germany: the prospective, longitudinal, observational COVID-19 Contact (CoCo) study
Authors: Jablonka Alexandra , Happle Christine , Cossmann Anne , Stankov Metodi V. , Scharff Anna Zychlinsky , Ernst Diana , Behrens Georg M.N. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundDuring the current pandemic, healthcare professionals (HCP) have been at the frontline of the crisis. Serological screening may help in identifying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) prevalence. However, given the rapidly evolving situation in spring 2020, many questions regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection risk and utility of serological testing remained unanswered. To address these questions, we initiated the COVID-19 Contact (CoCo) study at Hannover Medical School, a large university hospital in Northern Germany and affiliated care providers.MethodsThe CoCo study is an ongoing, prospective, longitudinal, observational study in HCP and individuals with potential contact to SARS-CoV-2. It monitors anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin serum levels and collects information on symptoms of respiratory infection, work and home environment, and self-perceived SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. Inclusion criteria are (1) working as HCP in clinical care at our university centre, affiliated hospitals or private practices, (2) written informed consent and (3) age >18 years. Exclusion criteria are (1) refusal to give informed consent and (2) contraindication to venepuncture. Study participants are asked to provide weekly to six-monthly samples (7.5 ml serum and 7.5 ml EDTA blood) and fill out a questionnaire. Since March 2020, around 1250 HCP have been included in the study. At each study visit, sera are screened for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein 1 (S1) immunoglobulin G (IgG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive or borderline positive samples are re-assessed with an alternative serological test. Individual results for each study participant are made available online via a dedicated study website. This study also aims to compare different serological testing assays, as well as explore further humoral and cellular immune markers. Study protocols are continually adapted to the rapidly evolving situation of the current pandemic.DiscussionThis ongoing prospective study will aim to answer central questions on the prevalence and kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2-humoral immune responses and the validity of serological testing of HCP in a region with high healthcare standard and comparatively low COVID-19 prevalence. As such, our results are highly relevant to other regions and may support HCP around the world in managing this unprecedented situation.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trial Registry, DRKS00021152. Registered 4th April 2020 -retrospectively registered,https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00021152Protocol summary
Top 100 cited systematic reviews and meta-analyses in the major journals of oral and maxillofacial surgery : a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Almoraissi Essam Ahmed , Galvão Endi Lanza , Nikolaos Christidis Saulo , Falci Gabriel Moreira 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTThe aim of this bibliometric research was to identify and analyze the top 100 cited systematic reviews in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Using the Web of Science-database without restrictions on publication year or language, a bibliometric analysis was performed for the five major journals of oral and maxillofacial surgery: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Journal of Cranio-maxillofacial Surgery, British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Surgery Oral medicine Oral pathology Oral radiology. The most top-cited systematic review was published in 2015 with a total of 200 citations on survival and success rates of dental implants, consistent with the finding that “pre- and peri-implant surgery and dental implantology”, and “craniomaxillofacial deformities and cosmetic surgery” were the most frequently-cited topics (22% each). The International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery displayed have got most citations in total and in average per publication. The outcome of this article can be used as a source of information not just for researchers but also for clinicians and students, and of which areas have a large impact on the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery but cannot reflect the quality of the included systematic reviews.
The Moderating Role of Parental Sleep Knowledge on Children with Developmental Disabilities and Their Parents’ Sleep
Authors: Halstead Elizabeth J. , Jones Alexandra , Esposito Gianluca , Dimitriou Dagmara 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundChildren with intellectual and developmental difficulties often experience 2 sleep problems, which in turn may impact parental sleep patterns. This study explored the role of parental sleep knowledge as a moderator on the relationship between child sleep and parental sleep impairment.Methods582 parents or caregivers (92.6% mothers) of children with different developmental disabilities (Age M = 9.34, 29.5 % females) such as Down’s syndrome, participated in an online survey. Multiple regression analysis was conducted.ResultsParental sleep knowledge of child sleep was a moderating variable in the relationship between child sleep nocturnal duration and parental sleep impairment. Although overall, sleep knowledge was high in this sample, two specific knowledge gaps were identified namely child sleep duration requirements, and the recognition of signs of a well-rested child.ConclusionThis study has provided evidence that increased parental sleep knowledge can positively impact both child and parental sleep outcomes.
McQ – An open-source multiplexed SARS-CoV-2 quantification platform
Authors: Vonesch Sibylle C , Bredikhin Danila , Dobrev Nikolay , Villacorta Laura , Kleinendorst Rozemarijn , Cacace Elisabetta , Flock Julia , Frank Max , Jung Ferris , Kornienko Julia , Mitosch Karin , Osuna-López Mireia , Zimmermann Jürgen , Göttig Stephan , Hamprecht Axel , Kräusslich Hans-Georg , Knop Michael , Typas Athanasios , Steinmetz Lars M , Benes Vladimir , Remans Kim , Krebs Arnaud R 
Published: December 2020

McQ is a SARS-CoV-2 quantification assay that couples early-stage barcoding with high-throughput sequencing to enable multiplexed processing of thousands of samples. McQ is based on homemade enzymes to enable low-cost testing of large sample pools, circumventing supply chain shortages.Implementation of cost-efficient high-throughput methods for detection of RNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 is a potent strategy to curb ongoing and future pandemics. Here we describe Multiplexed SARS-CoV-2 Quantification platform (McQ), an in-expensive scalable framework for SARS-CoV-2 quantification in saliva samples. McQ is based on the parallel sequencing of barcoded amplicons generated from SARS- CoV-2 genomic RNA. McQ uses indexed, target-specific reverse transcription (RT) to generate barcoded cDNA for amplifying viral- and human-specific regions. The barcoding system enables early sample pooling to reduce hands-on time and makes the ap-proach scalable to thousands of samples per sequencing run. Robust and accurate quantification of viral load is achieved by measuring the abundance of Unique Molecular Identifiers (UMIs) introduced during reverse transcription. The use of homemade reverse transcriptase and polymerase enzymes and non-proprietary buffers reduces RNA to library reagent costs to 92 cents/sample and circumvents potential supply chain short-ages. We demonstrate the ability of McQ to robustly quantify various levels of viral RNA in 838 clinical samples and accu-rately diagnose positive and negative control samples in a test-ing workflow entailing self-sampling and automated RNA ex-traction from saliva. The implementation of McQ is modular, scalable and could be extended to other pathogenic targets in future.
An Accurate Model for SARS-CoV-2 Pooled RT-PCR Test Errors
Authors: Daon Yair , Huppert Amit , Obolski Uri 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPCR testing is an important tool to mitigate outbreaks of infectious diseases. One way of increasing testing throughput is by simultaneously testing multiple samples for the presence of a pathogen, a technique known aspooling. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly testing individuals for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 is conducted in large amounts. Since testing is often a bottleneck in mitigating the spread of SARS-CoV-2, pooling is increasing in popularity. Most analyses of the error rates of pooling schemes assume that including more than a single infected sample in a pooled test does not increase the probability of a positive outcome. We challenge this assumption with experimental data and suggest a novel probabilistic model for the outcomes of pooled tests. As an application, we analyze the false-negative rates of one common pooling scheme known as Dorfman pooling. We show that the false-negative rates of Dorfman pooling increase when the prevalence of infection decreases. However, low infection prevalence is exactly the condition under which Dorfman pooling achieves highest throughput. We therefore implore the cautious use of pooling and development of pooling schemes that consider correctly accounting for tests’ error rates.
FarmApp: a new cognitive assessment method for young people with intellectual disability
Authors: Brkić Diandra , Ng-Cordell Elise , O’Brien Sinéad , Martin Jessica , Scerif Gaia , Astle Duncan , Baker Kate 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundA major challenge when investigating intellectual disability (ID) is the selection of assessment tools that are sensitive to cognitive diversity within the ID population. This study introduces a new touchscreen-based method, FarmApp, which aims to measure competence in relatively low-level cognitive processes (selective attention, short-term visuospatial memory, longer-term recognition memory) which contribute to complex aspects of learning and behaviour.MethodsHere we describe the FarmApp design, testing and analysis procedures. We report the feasibility and validity of the method, and demonstrate its utility for measuring change over time, and for comparing groups defined by aetiology.ResultsWe found that FarmApp can be completed by a higher proportion of young people with ID than traditional psychometric tests. FarmApp performance correlates with standardised neuropsychological tests of attention and working memory, and with questionnaire measures of ADHD-relevant behavioural difficulties. Individual performance slopes over a two-week period correlate with general ability and behavioural difficulties, indicating that FarmApp is sensitive to meaningful dynamic variation in cognitive performance. Finally, we compared the FarmApp performance of two groups of young people with ID, defined by the physiological function of ID-associated genetic variants (functional network groups: chromatin-related and synaptic-related), and found that groups differ on attention parameters but not on memory ones.ConclusionFarmApp is a feasible, valid and useful alternative to traditional neuropsychological tests. It can increase access to cognitive assessment for individuals with ID. It adds the opportunity to monitor variation in performance over time and determine capacity to acquire task competence in addition to baseline ability. Our comparison between functional network groups supports the proposal that cognitive processes contributing to ID are differentially influenced by specific genetic aetiologies. In summary, we introduce a new tool for cognitive assessment in ID, with the potential for multiple future applications in clinical practice and research.
The epidemiology and direct medical costs of diseases associated with human papillomavirus infection among men in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Righolt Christiaan H. , Pabla Gurpreet , Mahmud Salaheddin M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is little information on the economic burden of human papillomavirus-related diseases (HPV-RDs) among men. We used province-wide clinical, administrative and accounting databases to measure the direct medical costs of HPV infections in men in Manitoba (Canada).MethodsWe included all males aged 9 years and older with health insurance coverage in Manitoba between January 1997 and December 2016. We identified HPV-RD patient cohorts and matched each patient to HPV-RD-free men. We estimated the net direct medical cost (excess cost of hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and prescription drugs) of patients compared to their matches for anogenital warts (AGWs) and HPV-caused cancers. We adjusted costs to 2017 Canadian dollars. For each condition, we attributed costs to HPV based on the etiological fraction caused by HPV infection.ResultsWe found that the median net direct medical cost was about $250 for AGW patients and $16,000 for invasive cancer patients. The total cost was about $49 million or $2.6 million per year. Overall, 54%-67% ($26-$33 million) was attributable to HPV infection according different estimates of the attributable fraction. The net annual attributable cost was $2.37-$2.95 per male resident and $161-$200 per male newborn. The estimated potential savings was 30% for the bivalent vaccine and 56%-60% for the quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccines.ConclusionsOverall, HPV’s economic burden on males remains significant, the average cost of treating all conditions attributable to HPV was about $180 per male newborn. Invasive cancer accounted for the majority of these costs.
Treatment of Severe COVID-19 with Convalescent Plasma in the Bronx, NYC
Authors: Yoon Hyun ah , Bartash Rachel , Gendlina Inessa , Rivera Johanna , Nakouzi Antonio , Bortz Robert H. , Wirchnianski Ariel S. , Paroder Monika , Fehn Karen , Serrano-Rahman Leana , Babb Rachelle , Sarwar Uzma N. , Haslwanter Denise , Laudermilch Ethan , Florez Catalina , Dieterle M. Eugenia , Jangra Rohit K. , Fels J. Maximilian , Tong Karen , Mariano Margarette C. , Vergnolle Olivia , Georgiev George I. , Herrera Natalia G. , Malonis Ryan J. , Quiroz Jose A. , Morano Nicholas C. , Krause Gregory J. , Sweeney Joseph M. , Cowman Kelsie , Allen Stephanie , Annam Jayabhargav , Applebaum Ariella , Barboto Daniel , Khokhar Ahmed , Lally Brianna J. , Lee Audrey , Lee Max , Malaviya Avinash , Sample Reise , Yang Xiuyi A. , Li Yang , Ruiz Rafael , Thota Raja , Barnhill Jason , Goldstein Doctor Y. , Uehlinger Joan , Garforth Scott J. , Almo Steven C. , Lai Jonathan R. , Gil Morayma Reyes , Fox Amy S. , Chandran Kartik , Wang Tao , Daily Johanna P. , Pirofski Liise-anne 
Published: December 2020

AbstractConvalescent plasma with severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies (CCP) may hold promise as treatment for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We compared the mortality and clinical outcome of patients with COVID-19 who received 200mL of CCP with a Spike protein IgG titer ≥1:2,430 (median 1:47,385) within 72 hours of admission to propensity score-matched controls cared for at a medical center in the Bronx, between April 13 to May 4, 2020. Matching criteria for controls were age, sex, body mass index, race, ethnicity, comorbidities, week of admission, oxygen requirement, D-dimer, lymphocyte counts, corticosteroids, and anticoagulation use. There was no difference in mortality or oxygenation between CCP recipients and controls at day 28. When stratified by age, compared to matched controls, CCP recipients <65 years had 4-fold lower mortality and 4-fold lower deterioration in oxygenation or mortality at day 28. For CCP recipients, pre-transfusion Spike protein IgG, IgM and IgA titers were associated with mortality at day 28 in univariate analyses. No adverse effects of CCP were observed. Our results suggest CCP may be beneficial for hospitalized patients <65 years, but data from controlled trials is needed to validate this finding and establish the effect of ageing on CCP efficacy.
Pre-existing cardiovascular disease rather than cardiovascular risk factors drives mortality in COVID-19
Authors: O’Gallagher Kevin , Shek Anthony , Bean Daniel M. , Bendayan Rebecca , Teo James T. H. , Dobson Richard J. B. , Shah Ajay M. , Zakeri Rosita 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe association between cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, established CV disease (CVD), and susceptibility to CV complications or mortality in COVID-19 remains unclear.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study of consecutive adults hospitalised for severe COVID-19 between 1stMarch and 30thJune 2020. Pre-existing CVD, CV risk factors and associations with mortality and CV complications were ascertained.FindingsAmong 1,721 patients (median age 71 years, 57% male), 349 (20.3%) had pre-existing CVD (CVD), 888 (51.6%) had CV risk factors without CVD (RF-CVD), 484 (28.1%) had neither. Patients with CVD were older with a higher burden of non-CV comorbidities. During follow-up, 438 (25.5%) patients died: 37% with CVD, 25.7% with RF-CVD and 16.5% with neither. CVD was independently associated with in-hospital mortality among patients <70 years of age (adjusted HR 2.43 [95%CI 1.16-5.07]), but not in those ≥70 years (aHR 1.14 [95%CI 0.77-1.69]). RF-CVD were not independently associated with mortality in either age group (<70y aHR 1.21 [95%CI 0.72-2.01], ≥70y aHR 1.07 [95%CI 0.76-1.52]). Most CV complications occurred in patients with CVD (66%) versus RF-CVD (17%) or neither (11%; p<0.001). 213 [12.4%] patients developed venous thromboembolism (VTE). CVD was not an independent predictor of VTE.InterpretationIn patients hospitalised with COVID-19, pre-existing established CVD appears to be a more important contributor to mortality than CV risk factors in the absence of CVD. CVD-related hazard may be mediated, in part, by new CV complications. Optimal care and vigilance for destabilised CVD are essential in this patient group.
Can non-disabled adults reproduce the stiff-knee gait of individuals with stroke?
Authors: Bacca Odair , Celestino Melissa , Barela José , Lima Anna , Barela Ana 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study investigated whether a mechanical constraint of knee flexion in non-disabled individuals could help with reproducing the gait pattern of individuals with stroke. Eleven non-disabled adults (26.6±6.5 years old) and 12 individuals with stroke (52.0±12.8 years old) walked at a self-selected comfortable speed as kinematic and electromyographic data were acquired. Non-disabled adults also walked with an orthosis that limited to 45 degrees of knee flexion. The hip, knee, and ankle joint angles and the muscle activation of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis and lateralis, tibialis anterior, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis were analyzed. The results demonstrated that non-disabled adults presented similar lower limb excursion to individuals with stroke that affects most joints, although, they displayed a different muscle activation level for most muscles. These results suggest that a mechanical constraint of knee flexion leads to temporal and joint excursion alterations in the lower limb of non-disabled individuals, thereby enabling the reproduction of a gait pattern similar to individuals with stroke. It is also observed that these individuals use different strategies to control muscle activation, which might be related to the lack of control in coordinating muscle activation during gait that is present in individuals with stroke.
Analgesic α-conotoxins modulate GIRK1/2 channels via GABABreceptor activation and reduce neuroexcitability
Authors: Bony Anuja R. , McArthur Jeffrey R. , Finol-Urdaneta Rocio K. , Adams David J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractActivation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK or Kir3) channels leads to membrane hyperpolarization and dampening of neuronal excitability. Here we show that the analgesic α-conotoxin Vc1.1 potentiates inwardly rectifying K+currents (IKir) mediated through native and recombinant GIRK1/2 channels by activation of the G protein-coupled GABABreceptor (GABABR) via aPertussistoxin (PTX)-sensitive G protein. Recombinant co-expression of human GIRK1/2 subunits and GABABR in HEK293T cells resulted in a Ba2+-sensitive IKirpotentiated by baclofen and Vc1.1 which was inhibited by PTX, intracellular GDP-β-S, or the GABABR-selective antagonist CGP 55845. In adult mouse DRG neurons, GABABR-dependent GIRK channel potentiation by Vc1.1 and baclofen hyperpolarizes the cell resting membrane potential with concomitant reduction of excitability consistent with Vc1.1 and baclofen analgesic effectsin vivo. This study provides new insight into Vc1.1 as an allosteric agonist for GABABR-mediated potentiation of GIRK channels and may aid in the development of novel non-opioid treatments for chronic pain.
Antiherpetic medication and incident dementia: observational cohort studies in four countries
Authors: Schnier Christian , Janbek Janet , Williams Linda , Wilkinson Tim , Laursen Thomas Munk , Waldemar Gunhild , Richter Hartmut , Kostev Karel , Lathe Richard , Haas Jürgen 
Published: December 2020

IntroductionRecent meta-analysis of the association between herpesvirus infection and dementia concluded that the evidence for an association to date is insufficient.Methods2.5 million individuals aged ≥65 years were followed up using linked electronic health records in four national observational cohort studies. Exposure and outcome were classified using coded data from primary and secondary care. Data were analyzed using survival analysis with time-dependent covariates.ResultsResults were heterogeneous, with a tendency towards decreased dementia risk in individuals exposed to antiherpetic medication. Associations were not affected by treatment number, herpes subtype, dementia subtype, or specific medication. In one cohort, individuals diagnosed with herpes but not exposed to antiherpetic medication were at higher dementia risk.DiscussionShort-term antiherpetic medication is not markedly associated with incident dementia. Because neither dementia subtype nor herpes subtype modified the association, the small but significant decrease in dementia incidence with antiherpetic adminstration may reflect confounding and misclassification.