bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal Profile of Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID‐19
Authors: Loftus Patricia A. , Roland Lauren T. , Gurrola Jose G. , Cheung Steven W. , Chang Jolie L. 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is associated with olfactory dysfunction, but the evolution of the olfactory loss and timeline to recovery are largely unknown. This study examines changes in smell sensitivity in COVID‐19–positive (COVID+) and COVID‐19–negative (COVID–) viral illness during the initial weeks after infection.Study DesignCross‐sectional cohort comparison.SettingNational anonymous surveys.MethodsSurvey participants were queried about smell sensitivity and general health status at the time of COVID‐19 testing and in the weeks that followed.ResultsIn total, 375 (174 COVID+, 201 COVID–) participants completed the survey and 132 (62 COVID+, 70 COVID–) participants completed the 2‐week follow‐up survey. Normal smell in the COVID+ cohort was less frequent at the time of testing and at follow up (P <. 05). Dynamic changes in smell sensitivity in the COVID+ cohort were more frequent in the initial weeks (P <. 001). In those with normosmia at the start of infection, 38% of the COVID+ cohort reported worsening smell compared to only 8% in the COVID– cohort (P <. 05). Recovery of overall health was associated with normosmia at the time of infection and improvement of smell sensitivity within weeks of infection.ConclusionThe COVID+ cohort showed greater dynamic change in smell sensitivity and a higher rate of persistent olfactory dysfunction in the weeks after infection. Normal smell at the time of COVID‐19 infection may still worsen before recovery. Overall health recovery after viral illness is associated with improvement in smell sensitivity and the absence of initial anosmia or hyposmia.
Enhancing Employee Stress Resilience (Wellness): A Study of Women Leaders in Asia Pacific
Authors: Vaidyanathan Subba , Mahapatra Gopal 
Published: December 2020

We live in an era of globalisation where technology, automation and digital networks drive disruptions in various spheres of life, work, family, health and society. They have increased productivity, ease of working and material comfort for humans worldwide, along with accelerating the pace of work and life. With the continued growth of technology, we are on the verge of Industry 4.0. The implications are changing at a fast pace and are associated with negative impact on health and wellness, as employees struggle to cope. In the last two decades, there has appeared a growing awareness of the need for total wellness, with implications for employee engagement and productivity. In the recent months, COVID-19 has caused further pressure on mental health, with employees struggling with anxiety, stress and depression, when organisations need them to be fully engaged, focused and making critical decisions. In this article, the authors highlight the need to equip employees with tools to build total resilience: physical, mental and spiritual. They propose a toolbox called ‘R-box’ (resilience box) to enhance employees’ ability to perform under stress. The toolkit is developed from the perspective that employees and leaders see themselves as corporate athletes ( Loehr & Schwartz, 2001 ) and train themselves as athletes do, so as to sustain high levels of performance and, in the process, achieve high personal growth. Considering time as a major resource constraint for low adoption, R-box uses a range of mini-interventions, focused on the four areas of ‘run’ (body movement), ‘refresh’ (nutrition), ‘restore’ (sleep) and ‘rebalance’ (mind-related). Being Strong is a programme for leaders which has been running for a few years in Asia-Pacific (APAC). ‘R-box’ is central to this programme. An exploratory study was conducted with women leaders in Southeast Asia, especially from Malaysia and Indonesia, who were a part of the Being Strong programme. In the study, the authors try to find out how the R-box toolkit, practised by the participants over 12 weeks, has impacted their ability to deal with stress and grow their resilience. This article elaborates the findings of the survey conducted in 2020, 90 days after the programme. The survey showed over 80 per cent adoption by the participants. Further, over 85 per cent of those who adopted the toolkit saw an improvement in their ability to deal with stress with enhanced resilience. This appears to demonstrate the usefulness of R-box as a powerful toolkit for enhancing resilience. Based on the above, the authors propose the study to be extended to a larger audience in Southeast Asia and beyond. They also recommend HR to play a lead role in bringing wellness, as a driver of employee engagement and productivity. This has implications for the immediate situation of COVID-19 pandemic-impacted work and life, and the future of work too.
Choosing the frequency of follow-up in longitudinal studies: Is more necessarily better?
Authors: Pullenayegum Eleanor M , Xi Yao , Lim Lily , Levin Jessie , Feldman Brian M 
Published: December 2020

Background Follow-up frequency is an important design parameter in longitudinal studies. We quantified the impact of reducing follow-up frequency on the precision of estimated regression parameters, and investigated the impact of incorrectly assuming an exchangeable correlation structure on estimates of the loss of precision resulting from reduced follow-up. Methods We estimated the loss in precision on deleting every second observation from three longitudinal cohorts: patients with Childhood Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (cSLE), the Canadian Haemophilia Prophylaxis Study (CHPS), and patients with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM). We compared these results with those from a theoretical formula assuming an exchangeable correlation structure. Results The increase in sample size needed to compensate for halving follow-up frequency was 9%, 6% and 28% for the cSLE, CHPS and JDM cohorts respectively. Under the assumption of an exchangeable correlation, the estimated increases in sample size were 22%, 11% and 10% respectively. Conclusions Reducing follow-up frequency can result in minimal loss of information, as seen in the CHPS cohort. While using a theoretical formula based on an exchangeable correlation structure is convenient, it can be inaccurate when the true correlation structure is not exchangeable.
A Possible Etiopathogenic Role of Sickle Cell Anemia in Ischemia With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries
Authors: Asamoah Kofi Tekyi 
Published: December 2020

Chest pain is a common clinical symptom, especially in patients with sickle cell anemia. Owing to the vast differential diagnosis, investigation can be challenging. Typical chest pain (angina) is often attributed to obstructive coronary artery disease, with patients being referred for exercise stress tests for confirmation. Microvascular angina is emerging as a cause of significant morbidity worldwide, clinically identical to obstructive coronary artery disease. Clinical assessment and exercise stress testing often give the same results, making differentiation difficult. Coronary angiography however shows either normal coronary arteries or a nonobstructive lesion. An incomplete understanding of the etiopathogenesis of microvascular angina may result in missed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment in some cases. Coronary microvascular dysfunction plays a key role in this phenomenon, driven by chronic inflammation, thrombotic microangiopathy, and endothelial dysfunction. This article reports the case of a young man with chest pain, linking the highlights of the pathophysiology of microvascular disease in sickle cell anemia to microvascular angina.
Therapeutic and diagnostic advances in Stickler syndrome
Authors: Snead Martin , Martin Howard , Bale Peter , Shenker Nick , Baguley David , Alexander Philip , McNinch Annie , Poulson Arabella 
Published: December 2020

The Stickler syndromes are the leading cause of inherited retinal detachment and the most common cause of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in childhood. The clinical and molecular genetic spectrum of this connective tissue disorder is discussed in this article, emphasising the key role the ophthalmologist has to play in the identification, diagnosis and prevention of blindness in the increasingly widely recognised sub-groups with ocular-only (or minimal systemic) involvement. Without diagnosis and prophylaxis in such high-risk subgroups, these patients are at high risk of Giant Retinal Tear detachment and blindness, especially in the paediatric population, where late or second eye involvement is common. Initially considered a monogenic disorder, there are now known to be at least 11 distinct phenotypic subgroups in addition to allied connective tissue disorders that can present to the clinician as part of the differential diagnosis. Plain language summary Treatment and diagnostic advances in Stickler syndrome The Stickler syndromes are a group of related connective tissue disorders that are associated with short-sight and a very high risk of blindness from detachment of the retina – the light sensitive film at the back of the eye. Other features include cleft palate, deafness and premature arthritis. It is the most common cause of retinal detachment in children and the most common cause of familial or inherited retinal detachment. In contrast to most other forms of blinding genetic eye disease, blindness from retinal detachment in Stickler syndrome is largely avoidable with accurate diagnosis and prophylactic (preventive) surgery. Recent advances in the understanding of the genetic causes of Stickler syndrome mean that the diagnosis can now be confirmed in over 95% of cases and, most importantly, the patient’s individual risk of retinal detachment can be graded. Preventative surgery is hugely effective in reducing the incidence of retinal detachment in those patients shown to be at high risk. NHS England have led the way in the multidisciplinary care for patients with Stickler syndrome by launching a highly specialist service that has been free at point of care to all NHS patients in England since 2011 ( https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/spec-services/highly-spec-services , www.vitreoretinalservice.org )
Hybrid nanocomposites of elastomeric polyurethane containing halloysite nanotubes and POSS nanoparticles: tensile, hardness, damping and abrasion performance
Authors: Mohamed Salma Taher , Tirkes Seha , Akar Alinda Oyku , Tayfun Umit 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix was reinforced with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and halloysite nanotubes (HNT), both separately and combined. Composite samples were fabricated using a melt-compounding method. Characterization of the composites obtained was performed via tensile and hardness tests, melt-flow index measurements (MFI), abrasion tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the mechanical performance, flow behaviour, tribological characteristics, thermo-mechanical response and morphological properties. The greatest tensile strength value was obtained for the smallest HNT content. Further addition of HNT resulted in agglomerations for both POSS and HNT particles. The shore hardness of TPU was enhanced by filler inclusions. The TPU/POSS composites displayed significant improvement in terms of abrasion resistance compared to TPU at lower loading levels. The DMA study showed that composites containing 0.5% POSS and 1.0% HNT displayed the greatest storage modulus. The glass-transition temperature of TPU shifted to smaller values with the addition of both nanoparticles. The HNT inclusions increased the MFI value of TPU because of their large aspect ratio. Homogeneous mixing of nanoparticles in the TPU matrix was confirmed by a SEM study of the composites. Their dispersion decreased as the concentrations of POSS and HNT increased. An adjuvant effect of POSS with HNT was achieved in their hybrid composites.
Biomarker-guided preemption of steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease with α-1-antitrypsin
Authors: Gergoudis Stephanie C. , DeFilipp Zachariah , Özbek Umut , Sandhu Karamjeet S. , Etra Aaron M. , Choe Hannah K. , Kitko Carrie L. , Ayuk Francis , Aziz Mina , Baez Janna , Ben-David Kaitlyn , Bunworasate Udomsak , Gandhi Isha , Hexner Elizabeth O. , Hogan William J. , Holler Ernst , Kasikis Stelios , Kowalyk Steven M. , Lin Jung-Yi , Merli Pietro , Morales George , Nakamura Ryotaro , Reshef Ran , Rösler Wolf , Srinagesh Hrishikesh , Young Rachel , Chen Yi-Bin , Ferrara James L. M. , Levine John E. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Steroid-refractory (SR) acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major cause of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), but its occurrence is not accurately predicted by pre-HCT clinical risk factors. The Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium (MAGIC) algorithm probability (MAP) identifies patients who are at high risk for developing SR GVHD as early as 7 days after HCT based on the extent of intestinal crypt damage as measured by the concentrations of 2 serum biomarkers, suppressor of tumorigenesis 2 and regenerating islet-derived 3α. We conducted a multicenter proof-of-concept “preemptive” treatment trial of α-1-antitrypsin (AAT), a serine protease inhibitor with demonstrated activity against GVHD, in patients at high risk for developing SR GVHD. Patients were eligible if they possessed a high-risk MAP on day 7 after HCT or, if initially low risk, became high risk on repeat testing at day 14. Thirty high-risk patients were treated with twice-weekly infusions of AAT for a total of 16 doses, and their outcomes were compared with 90 high-risk near-contemporaneous MAGIC control patients. AAT treatment was well tolerated with few toxicities, but it did not lower the incidence of SR GVHD compared with controls (20% vs 14%, P = .56). We conclude that real-time biomarker-based risk assignment is feasible early after allogeneic HCT but that this dose and schedule of AAT did not change the incidence of SR acute GVHD. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03459040.
Feasibility of three-dimensional facial imaging and printing for producing customised nasal masks for continuous positive airway pressure
Authors: Duong Kelvin , Glover Joel , Perry Alexander C. , Olmstead Deborah , Ungrin Mark , Colarusso Pina , MacLean Joanna E. , Martin Andrew R. 
Published: December 2020

RationaleDelivery of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea in children and adults. Treatment adherence is a major challenge, as many patients find the CPAP mask uncomfortable. The study aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of delivered CPAP through customised nasal masks by assessing mask leak and comfort of customised masks compared to commercially available CPAP masks.MethodsSix healthy adult volunteers participated in a crossover study including commercial masks in three different sizes (petite, small/medium and large) from the same supplier and a customised mask fabricated for each subject using three-dimensional facial scanning and modern additive manufacturing processes. Mask leak and comfort were assessed with varying CPAP levels and mask tightness. Leak was measured in real time using an inline low-resistance Pitot tube flow sensor, and each mask was ranked for comfort by the subjects.ResultsMask leak rates varied directly with CPAP level and inversely with mask tightness. When ranked for comfort, three subjects favoured the customised mask, while three favoured a commercial mask. The petite mask yielded the highest mask leaks and was ranked least comfortable by all subjects. Relative mask leaks and comfort rankings for the other commercial and customised masks varied between individuals. Mask leak was comparable when comparing the customised masks with the highest ranked commercial masks.ConclusionCustomised masks successfully delivered target CPAP settings in all six subjects, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach.
Underestimation of COVID-19 mortality during the pandemic
Authors: Kung Stacey , Doppen Marjan , Black Melissa , Braithwaite Irene , Kearns Ciléin , Weatherall Mark , Beasley Richard , Kearns Nethmi 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundThere has been considerable international variation in mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences between mortality registered as due to COVID-19 and the excess all-cause mortality reported in countries worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsEcological analysis of 22 countries compared 5-year historical all-cause mortality, reported all-cause mortality and expected all-cause mortality (calculated as historical mortality plus the reported deaths attributed to COVID-19). Data available from the first week of January 2020 to that most recently available were analysed.ResultsCompared to the preceding 5 years, there was an excess of 716 616 deaths, of which 64.3% were attributed to COVID-19. The proportion of deaths registered as COVID-19-related/excess deaths varied markedly between countries, ranging between 30% and 197% in those countries that had an excess of deaths during the period of observation. In most countries where a definite peak in COVID-19-related deaths occurred, the increase in reported all-cause mortality preceded the increase in COVID-19 reported mortality. During the latter period of observation, a few countries reported fewer all-cause deaths than the historical figures.ConclusionThe increases in all-cause mortality preceded the increase in COVID-19 mortality in most countries that had definite spikes in COVID-19 mortality. The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 was underestimated by at least 35%. Together these findings suggest that calculation of excess all-cause mortality is a better predictor of COVID-19 mortality than the reported rates, in those countries experiencing definite increases in mortality.
Genome-wide analysis of the AREB/ABF gene lineage in land plants and functional analysis of TaABF3 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Fangfang , Mei Fangming , Zhang Yifang , Li Shumin , Kang Zhensheng , Mao Hude 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have shown that ABFs (abscisic acid-responsive transcription factors) are important ABA-signaling components that participate in abiotic stress response. However, little is known about the function of ABFs inTriticum aestivum. In addition, although various ABFs have been identified in other species, the phylogenetic relationship between ABF transcription factors has not been systemically investigated in land plants.ResultsIn this study, we systemically collected ABFs from land plants and analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of theseABFgenes. TheABFgenes are present in all the land plants we investigated, including moss, lycophyte, monocots, and eudicots. Furthermore, theseABFgenes are phylogenetically divided into seven subgroups, differentiations that are supported by variation in the gene structure, protein properties, and motif patterns. We further demonstrated that the expression ofABFgenes varies among different tissues and developmental stages, and are induced by one or more environmental stresses. Furthermore, we found that three wheatABFs(TaABF1,TaABF2,andTaABF3) were significantly induced by drought stress. Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, transgenicArabidopsisplants overexpressingTaABF3displayed enhanced drought tolerance.ConclusionsThese results provide important ground work for understanding the phylogenetic relationships between plantABFgenes. Our results also indicate thatTaABFsmay participate in regulating plant response to abiotic stresses.
Parents’ health information seeking behaviour – does the child’s health status play a role?
Authors: Baumann Isabel , Jaks Rebecca , Robin Dominik , Juvalta Sibylle , Dratva Julia 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Digital media are increasingly abundant providing a wide scope of health information. To date, very little is known about parental health information seeking behaviour for child health outside of English-speaking and Nordic countries. Our study “Digital parental counsellors” examines how parents search for health information in digital media, print media and among “personal contacts”, distinguishing between the search for information about general child health and development and child’s acute illness, and comparing information seeking behaviour by disability status of the child.

Methods
The population-based sample consisted of 769 parents with children aged 0–2 in the German-speaking region of Switzerland returning the study questionnaire (30% response rate). We developed a frequency score of use of different information sources and conducted bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses to describe parental search behaviour and the association with child’s disability status.

Results
The sample consists of 88% mothers (mean age: 35.7 years SD 4.33). Children’s mean age is 16 months (SD 7.1), 49% of the children are female and 6% have a disability. Parents use digital media significantly more frequently to search for information about general health and development questions than about an acute child’s illness (p < 0.001). In case of acute child’s illness, parents refer to their paediatrician, family members and other personal contacts significantly more frequently than other information sources (p < 0.001). The use of digital media and “personal contacts” does not significantly vary between parents with and without a disabled child, whereas the use of print media does (p < 0.02). Moreover, irrespective of disability, 45% of parents resort to the Internet prior to a paediatric visit and 27% after a visit when a visit did not answer all questions.

Conclusions
Despite the high prevalence of digital media, personal contacts are still the most frequent health information resource for parents with young children, irrespective of the child’s health. Parents combine all information resources (online, print, personal network) to improve their understanding or check the validity of information received regarding their child’s health. It is thus of utmost importance, that the increasingly accessed digital information parents search for is correct, understandable and addresses parent’s concerns.

Trial registration
BASEC Req-2017-00817 (30 October 2017).