bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability and Validity of the Simplified Chinese Early-onset Scoliosis Quality of Life 24-item Questionnaire
Authors: Gao Rongxuan , Sun Baosheng , Zhang Xuejun , Guo Dong , Fan Jingyi , Yao Ziming , Cao Jun , Li Hao , Sun Lin , Li Chengxin , Qi Xinyu , Bai Yunsong 
Published: October 2020

Study Design.
Questionnaire translation and validation.

Objective.
The aim of this study was to translate the Early-Onset Scoliosis 24-Item Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) into simplified Chinese and to evaluate the reliability and validity of this questionnaire in children with early-onset scoliosis (EOS) in mainland China.

Summary of Background Data.
The EOSQ-24 is a validated quality of life questionnaire in children with EOS and has been translated into multiple languages and used worldwide. However, there is currently no simplified Chinese version available for use in mainland China.

Methods.
The English version of the EOSQ-24 questionnaire was translated into simplified Chinese based on the recommendations of the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQoLA) group. The reliability of the scale was evaluated using test–retest reliability and internal consistency, and construct validity was examined through factor analysis. Hundred childrenwith EOS were enrolled in the study. To assess the test–retest reliability of the scale, the parents or caregivers of 38 of participants repeated the questionnaire after 2 weeks.

Results.
Test–retest reliability was excellent overall (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.935) and ranged from moderate to excellent for each domain (ICC = 0.681–0.945). The overall internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach α = 0.893) and had a variable range for each domain (Cronbach α = 0.560–0.889). Factor analysis was performed, and seven principal components were extracted that accounted for 70.1% of the variance.

Conclusion.
The simplified Chinese version of the EOSQ-24 scale has acceptable reliability and construct validity, and it can be used for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL), caretaker burden, and satisfaction for children with EOS in mainland China.

Level of Evidence: 3
Long-term risk of stroke and myocardial infarction in middle-aged men with a hypertensive response to exercise: a 44-year follow-up study
Authors: Giang Kok W. , Hansson Per-Olof , Mandalenakis Zackarias , Persson Carina U. , Grimby Gunnar , Svärdsudd Kurt , Wilhelmsen Lars , Börjesson Mats , Ladenvall Per 
Published: October 2020

Introduction:
Data on the prognostic value of hypertensive response to exercise in cardiovascular disease are limited. The aim was to determine whether SBP reactions during exercise have any prognostic value in relation to the long-term risk of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI).

Patients and methods:
A representative cohort of men from Gothenburg, Sweden, born in 1913, who performed a maximum exercise test at age 54 years, (n = 604), was followed-up for a maximum of 44 years with regard to stroke and MI.

Results:
Among the 604 men, the mean resting and maximum SBP was 141.5 (SD 18.8) and 212.1 (SD 24.6) mmHg, respectively. For maximum SBP, the risk of stroke increased by 34% (hazard ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.61) per 1-SD increase, while no risk increase was observed for MI. The highest risk of stroke among blood pressure groups was observed among men with a resting SBP of at least 140 mmHg and a maximum SBP of at least 210 mmHg with an hazard ratio of 2.09 (95% confidence interval 1.29–3.40), compared with men with a resting SBP of less than 140 mmHg and a maximum SBP of less than 210 mmHg, independent of smoking, blood glucose, cholesterol and BMI.

Conclusion:
Among middle-aged men with high resting and maximum blood pressure during maximum exercise workload, an increased risk of stroke was observed but not for MI. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the increased risk of stroke among individuals with hypertensive response to exercise.
Tolerance to Light of Patients Suffering From Infectious Keratitis
Authors: Courrier Emilie , Lambert Victor , Renault Didier , Garcin Thibaud , Moine Baptiste , Herbepin Pascal , Thuret Gilles , Gain Philippe 
Published: October 2020

Purpose:
With very photophobic patients, the advantages of red or near infrared light to develop new ophthalmology imaging devices seem obvious: no or little glare, possibility of long signal integration, no phototoxicity, and lesser autofluorescence of ocular tissues. Nevertheless, in this range, the shortest possible wavelength facilitates signal detection. The aim of this study was, thus, to determine the maximal irradiance tolerated with 6 wavelengths: 2 red, 2 far red, and 1 near infrared lights to determine the shortest wavelength well tolerated by patients, in comparison with the standard cobalt blue light of ophthalmology slitlamp.

Methods:
An interventional, monocentric, single-group assignment study was conducted on 30 eyes of 30 patients with infectious keratitis. Thanks to a customized machine, the photophobic eye was exposed to the 6 lights with increasing intensity. The patients switched off the light when the discomfort was too elevated. The maximal cumulative irradiance possible at 482, 650, 675, 700, 750, and 800 nm were 171, 689, 759, 862, 920, and 889 mW/cm2, respectively.

Results:
The maximal cumulative irradiance tolerated by patients increased significantly with wavelength (P < 0.001), but the difference was not significant between each increment: red at 675 nm gave a significantly higher cumulative irradiance than blue at 482 nm; red at 700 nm did not provide significant gain compared with 675 nm; and far red at 750 nm still provided additional gain compared with 700 nm, but no significant gain was observed between 750 and 800 nm. The shortest wavelengths were stopped more quickly, and more than 50% of patients reached the maximum irradiance delivered by the source at 750 and 800 nm.

Conclusions:
We demonstrate that a light source at 750 and 800 nm can be used for ophthalmic imaging with good tolerance in photophobic patients.

Clinical trial registration:
NCT03586505.
Worry About the Future Health Issues of Smoking and Intention to Screen for Lung Cancer With Low-Dose Computed Tomography
Authors: Poghosyan Hermine , Mello Susan , Robinson Kathryn N. , Tan Andy S.L. 
Published: October 2020

Background
Early diagnosis of lung cancer is key to improving the long-term prognosis for many individuals. Still, utilization rates of lung cancer screening (LCS) remain low.

Objective
To investigate the association between worry about future health issues of smoking and intention to undergo recommended LCS with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) within the next 3 months.

Methods
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using the Qualtrics Panel to recruit adult smokers between ages 54 and 75 years, with no history of lung cancer, and at least 30-pack-year smoking history (n = 152). The survey gathered demographic, socioeconomic, and psychographic information, including intention to screen for lung cancer with LDCT and worry about the future health issues of smoking. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results
Approximately 43.0% were White, 21.7% were Black, and 60.0% were female. Most (86.0%) reported intentions to undergo recommended LCS with LDCT in the next 3 months. More than one-third (32.0%) reported moderately/very worried about the future health issues of smoking. Smokers who were moderately/very worried had 20% (P = .022) higher odds of reporting an intention to undergo LCS with LDCT than those who were not at all or a little worried.

Conclusions
Most eligible adults reported intentions to undergo LCS with LDCT. Our study also highlights sex, racial, and socioeconomic differences in LCS behavior.

Implications for Practice
The study findings provide an opportunity for healthcare providers to have in-depth discussions about the benefits of LCS with those who express worry about future health issues of smoking.
Biomaterials in Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Crist Taylor E. , Mathew Prakash J. , Plotsker Ethan L. , Sevilla Alec C. , Thaller Seth R. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Deformity and tissue loss involving the craniomaxillofacial region occurs frequently as a result of trauma, oncologic resection, or a congenital malformation. In order to maximize the patient's quality of life, reconstruction of the craniomaxillofacial skeleton must seek to restore aesthetics as well as function. Advances in diagnostic technology, surgical technique, instrumentation, and innovative biomaterials used have transformed the way reconstructive surgeons approach their patients’ needs. From the advent of alloplastic reconstruction, surgeons have sought the ideal material for use in craniomaxillofacial surgery. Substances such as metals, ceramics, glasses, and more recently resorbable polymers and bioactive materials have all been utilized.
While autologous bone has remained widely-favored and the gold standard, synthetic alternatives remain a necessity when autologous reconstruction is not readily available. Today, alloplastic material, autografting via microvascular tissue transfer, hormone and growth factor-induced bone formation, and computer-aided design and manufacturing of biocompatible implants represent only a fraction of a wide range of options used in the reconstruction of the craniomaxillofacial skeleton. We present a brief review of the materials used in the repair of deformities of the craniomaxillofacial skeleton as well as a look into the potential future direction of the field.
Decision curve analysis to identify optimal candidates of liver resection for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatitis B cirrhosis : A cohort study
Authors: Chen Siyu , Lu Linbin , Hu Xinyu , Lin Shan , Zhu Lijun 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe selection criterion for liver resection (LR) in intermediate-stage (IM) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. This study aims to compare LR and transarterial chemoembolization in the range of predicted death riskMethodsThe multivariable Cox regression model (MVR) was estimated to predict mortality at 5yr. The cut-off values were determined by a two-piece-wise linear regression model, decision curve analysis with MVR model, and hazard ratio curve for treatment plotted against the predicted mortality.Results825 IM-HCC with hepatitis B cirrhosis were included for analysis (TACE, n=622; LR, n=203). The 5-yr overall survival rate of LR patients was higher than the TACE group (52.8% vs. 20.8%; P<0.0001). The line of LR and TACE were crossing with predicted death risk at 100% (P for interaction =0.008). The benefit of LR versus TACE decreased progressively as predicted death risk>0.55 (95%CI: 0.45,0.62). When predicted death risk over 0.7, decision curve analysis suggested that LR and TACE did not increase net benefit. Patients were then divided into four subgroups by the cut-off values (<0.45, 0.45≥ /<0.62, 0.62≥ /<0.7, ≥ 0.7). The stratified analysis of treatment in different subgroups, hazard ratios were 0.39 (95%CI: 0.27, 0.56), 0.36 (95%CI: 0.23, 0.56), 0.51 (95%CI: 0.27, 0.98), and 0.46 (95%CI: 0.27, 0.80), respectively.ConclusionsLR reached the maximal relative utility in the interval of 0.45 to 0.62, and both LR and TACE did not increase net benefit at the 5-yr death risk over 0.7.
Diagnostic comparison of three fully automated chemiluminescent immunoassay platforms for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
Authors: Parai Debaprasad , Dash Girish Chandra , Choudhary Hari Ram , Peter Annalisha , Rout Usha Kiran , Nanda Rashmi Ranjan , Kshatri Jaya Singh , Kanungo Srikanta , Palo Subrata Kumar , Turuk Jyotirmayee , Pati Sanghamitra , Bhattacharya Debdutta 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe whole world is battling against coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Various strategies are taken to curb the spread of the virus and to move out from the enforced lockdown stage. Serological tests are the neediest diagnostic and surveillance tool to complement the gold standard molecular diagnostic method to track down the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2. Automated chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) based analyzers become highly demanding platforms both to clinicians and policy makers for the detection anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. In this study, serum from 594 patients positive for COVID-19 and 100 samples from pre-COVID cases were tested by three automated platforms: Abbott architect i2000SR, Roche cobas e411 and Yhlo iFlash 1800 and their diagnostic accuracy were compared. All three platforms showed high specificity as claimed by manufacturer. Clinical sensitivities of the machines were calculated as 64.48% (58.67-70.3) for Abbott, 80.48% (76.62-84.34) for Roche and 76.94% (72.65-81.23) for Yhlo. The Cohen’s kappa value was determined from 0.69-0.89 when inter-rater agreements were calculated. The area under the curves (AUC) values demonstrated Roche Cobas e411 as the diagnostically most accurate platform among the three CLIA analyzers.
How deep brain stimulation and levodopa affect gait variability in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Su Zi , Patel Salil , Gavin Bronwyn , Buchanan Tim , Bogdanovic Marko , Sarangmat Nagaraja , Green Alexander L. , Aziz Tipu Z. , FitzGerald James J. , Antoniades Chrystalina A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundDisorders of gait are a very common feature of Parkinson’s Disease. We examined how deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) and dopaminergic medication affect gait and more specifically its rhythmicity.ObjectivesWe accurately quantified multiple gait parameters in Parkinson’s patients during on and off stages of their treatment (levodopa or STN DBS) to compare and contrast the treatment-induced changes in gait.MethodsWe studied 11 patients with STN DBS, 15 patients on levodopa and 42 healthy controls. They all completed the MDS-UPDRS part III along with a gait assessment protocol while wearing six nine-axis inertial measurement units (lumbar, sternal, and all four extremities).ResultsBoth medication and stimulation significantly improved stride length, while medication further significantly increased gait speed. In the lower limbs, both medication and stimulation had a normalising effect on lower limb angles, significantly increasing the foot strike angle and toe-off angle.ConclusionsSTN DBS reduced the step to step variability in a range of lower limb gait parameters in PD, while antiparkinsonian medication had no significant effect. This suggests that STN stimulation, but not dopaminergic medication, has access to circuits that control gait rhythm, and that the resulting effect of stimulation on gait is beneficial. However, the results we observed for movement of the trunk and upper limbs were strikingly different to those seen in the lower limbs. We propose a hypothesis to explain why we observe these results, focusing on cholinergic pedunculopontine projections.
Isolation of infected people and their contacts is likely to be effective against many short-term epidemics
Authors: Geffen Nathan , Low Marcus 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundIsolation of infected people and their contacts may be an effective way to control outbreaks of infectious disease, such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Models can provide insights into the efficacy of contact tracing, coupled with isolating or quarantining at risk people.MethodsWe developed an agent-based model and simulated 15, 000 short term illnesses, with varying characteristics. For each illness we ran ten simulations on the following scenarios: (1) No tracing or isolation (None), (2) isolation of agents who have tested positive (Isolation), (3) scenario 2 coupled with minimal contact tracing and quarantine of contacts (Minimum), (4) scenario 3 with more effective contact tracing (Moderate), and (5) perfect isolation of agents who test positive and perfect tracing and quarantine of all their contacts (Maximum).ResultsThe median total infections of the Isolation, Minimum, Moderate and Maximum scenarios were 80%, 40%, 17% and 4% of the no intervention scenario respectively.ConclusionsIsolation of infected patients and quarantine of their contacts, even if moderately well implemented, is likely to substantially reduce the number of infections in an outbreak. Randomized controlled trials to confirm these results in the real world and to analyse the cost effectiveness of contact tracing and isolation during coronavirus and influenza outbreaks are warranted.
Probabilistic method corrects previously uncharacterized Hi-C artifact
Authors: Shen Yihang , Kingsford Carl 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThree-dimensional chromosomal structure plays an important role in gene regulation. Chromosome conformation capture techniques, especially the high-throughput, sequencing-based technique Hi-C, provide new insights on spatial architectures of chromosomes. However, Hi-C data contains artifacts and systemic biases that substantially influence subsequent analysis. Computational models have been developed to address these biases explicitly, however, it is difficult to enumerate and eliminate all the biases in models. Other models are designed to correct biases implicitly, but they will also be invalid in some situations such as copy number variations. We characterize a new kind of artifact in Hi-C data. We find that this artifact is caused by incorrect alignment of Hi-C reads against approximate repeat regions and can lead to erroneous chromatin contact signals. The artifact cannot be corrected by current Hi-C correction methods. We design a probabilistic method and develop a new Hi-C processing pipeline by integrating our probabilistic method with the HiC-Pro pipeline. We find that the new pipeline can remove this new artifact effectively, while preserving important features of the original Hi-C matrices.
Pseudomonas aeruginosaStimulates Inflammation and Enhances KSHV-Induced Cell Proliferation and Cellular Transformation through Both LPS and Flagellin
Authors: Markazi Ashley , Bracci Paige M. , McGrath Michael , Gao Shou-Jiang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInflammation triggered by innate immunity promotes carcinogenesis in cancer. Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), a hyperproliferative and inflammatory tumor caused by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection, is the most common cancer in AIDS patients. KSHV infection sensitizes cells to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). We examined the role ofPseudomonas aeruginosa(PA), an opportunistic bacterium that can affect AIDS patients, in inflammation and cell proliferation of KSHV-transformed cells. PA stimulation increased cell proliferation and efficiency of colony formation in softagar of KSHV-transformed rat primary mesenchymal precursor (KMM) cells but had no significant effect on the untransformed (MM) cells. PA stimulation also increased cell proliferation of KSHV-infected human B-cells, Bjab, but not the uninfected cells. Mechanistically, PA stimulation resulted in increased inflammatory cytokines and activation of p38, ERK1/2, and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in KMM cells while having no obvious effect on MM cells. PA induction of inflammation and MAPKs were observed with and without inhibition of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway while a flagellin-deleted mutant of PA required a functional TLR4 pathway to induce inflammation and MAPKs. Furthermore, treatment with both LPS or flagellin alone was sufficient to induce inflammatory cytokines, activate MAPKs, and increase cell proliferation and efficiency of colony formation in softagar of KMM cells. These results demonstrate that both LPS and flagellin are PAMPs that contribute to PA induction of inflammation in KSHV-transformed cells. Because AIDS-KS patients are susceptible to PA infection, our work highlights the preventive and therapeutic potential of targeting PA infection in these patients.ImportanceKaposi’s sarcoma (KS), caused by infection of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is one of the most common cancers in AIDS patients. KS is a highly inflammatory tumor but how KSHV infection induces inflammation remains unclear. We have previously shown that KSHV infection upregulates Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), sensitizing cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) andEscherichia coli. In the current study, we examined the role ofPseudomonas aeruginosa(PA), an opportunistic bacterium that can affect AIDS patients, in inflammation and cell proliferation of KSHV-transformed cells. PA stimulation increased cell proliferation, inflammatory cytokines, and activation of growth and survival pathways in KSHV-transformed cells through two pathogen-associated molecular patterns LPS and flagellin. Because AIDS-KS patients are susceptible to PA infection, our work highlights the preventive and therapeutic potential of targeting PA infection in these patients.
Hybrid assembly of an agricultural slurry virome reveals a diverse and stable community with the potential to alter the metabolism and virulence of veterinary pathogens
Authors: Cook Ryan , Hooton Steve , Trivedi Urmi , King Liz , Dodd Christine E.R. , Hobman Jon L. , Stekel Dov J. , Jones Michael A. , Millard Andrew D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundViruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth, known to be crucial components of microbial ecosystems. However, there is little information on the viral community within agricultural waste. There are currently~2.7 million dairy cattle in the UK producing 7-8% of their own bodyweight in manure daily, and 28 million tonnes annually. To avoid pollution of UK freshwaters, manure must be stored and spread in accordance with guidelines set by DEFRA. Manures are used as fertiliser, and widely spread over crop fields, yet little is known about their microbial composition. We analysed the virome of agricultural slurry over a five-month period using short and long-read sequencing.ResultsHybrid sequencing uncovered more high-quality viral genomes than long or short-reads alone; yielding 7,682 vOTUs, 174 of which were complete viral genomes. The slurry virome was highly diverse and dominated by lytic bacteriophage, the majority of which represent novel genera (~98%). Despite constant influx and efflux of slurry, the composition and diversity of the slurry virome was extremely stable over time, with 55% of vOTUs detected in all samples over a five-month period. Functional annotation revealed a diverse and abundant range of auxiliary metabolic genes and novel features present in the community. Including the agriculturally relevant virulence factor VapE, which was widely distributed across different phage genera that were predicted to infect several hosts. Furthermore, we identified an abundance of phage-encoded diversity-generating retroelements, which were previously thought to be rare on lytic viral genomes. Additionally, we identified a group of crAssphages, including lineages that were previously thought only to be found in the human gut.ConclusionsThe cattle slurry virome is complex, diverse and dominated by novel genera, many of which are not recovered using long or short-reads alone. Phages were found to encode a wide range of AMGs that are not constrained to particular groups or predicted hosts, including virulence determinants and putative ARGs. The application of agricultural slurry to land may therefore be a driver of bacterial virulence and antimicrobial resistance in the environment.