bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sensorimotor deficits in distance runners with medial plantar pain
Authors: Funk Colton , Fraser John J. , Resch Jacob , Hertel Jay 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTContextMedial plantar pain is a complex and multifactorial condition experienced by some distance runners, which makes etiological differentiation and diagnosis challenging.ObjectiveTo assess plantar sensation, pain perception and sensitivity, intrinsic foot strength, and foot morphology before and after a 9.7 km run in long-distance runners with and without medial plantar pain.DesignDescriptive laboratory studySettingLaboratory.PatientsSeven distance runners with medial plantar pain (four males, three females; aged 22.3±3.7 years; BMI 22.3±3.5 kg/m2) and seven matched healthy controls (four males, three females; aged 20.3±1.0 years; BMI 22.0±1.7 kg/m2) were recruited from a public university.Intervention(s)Participants ran a six-mile course in their own footwear at a self-selected pace.Main Outcome MeasuresPain visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain thresholds (PPT), plantar sensation, foot morphology, weight-bearing dorsiflexion (WBDF), forefoot joint mobility, toe flexion, intrinsic foot muscle strength, and a seated neural provocation test were analyzed pre-and post-run utilizing mixed model group by time ANOVAs, post hoc effect size point estimates, and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsA significant group by time interaction was observed for PPT at the mid-arch (Control: pre: 83.0±27.4N, post: 79.5±22.6N; Symptomatic: pre: 90.5±31.9N, post: 70.1±32.7 N; p=.03) and posterior tibialis (PT) (Control: pre: 75.7±19.5 N, post: 65.7±14.2N; Symptomatic: pre: 75.8±20.4 N, post: 51.1±11.9 N; p=.05) sites. PPT in the posterior tibialis significantly decreased in the symptomatic group following the run (ES=1.5, 95% CI: 0.3, 2.7). Both groups demonstrated significantly decreased plantar sensation thresholds at the base of the 5th metatarsal (p=.04), PPT at the calcaneal tuberosity (p=.001), and increased TMT extension (p=.01) and WBDF (p=.01) following the run.ConclusionsThe etiology of medial plantar pain observed in our sample was likely attributed to central sensitization and running-induced sensory changes. Clinicians should include sensorimotor testing when managing patients with medial plantar pain.Key PointsMedial plantar pain is a unique pathologic entity that has not been previously well described and likely caused by central sensitization. Clinicians should include sensorimotor testing and interventions when managing patients with medial plantar pain.
Co-development of a best practice checklist for mental health data science: A Delphi study
Authors: Kirkham E.J. , Crompton C.J. , Iveson M.H. , Beange I. , McIntosh A. , Fletcher-Watson S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundMental health research is commonly affected by difficulties in recruiting and retaining participants, resulting in findings which are based on a sub-sample of those actually living with mental illness. Increasing the use of Big Data for mental health research, especially routinely-collected data, could improve this situation. However, steps to facilitate this must be enacted in collaboration with those who would provide the data - people with mental health conditions.MethodsWe used the Delphi method to create a best practice checklist for mental health data science. Twenty participants with both expertise in data science and personal experience of mental illness worked together over three phases. In the Phase 1, participants rated a list of 63 statements and added any statements or topics that were missing. Statements receiving a mean score of 5 or more (out of 7) were retained. These were then combined with the results of a rapid thematic analysis of participants’ comments to produce a 14-item draft checklist, with each item split into two components: best practice now and best practice in the future. In Phase 2, participants indicated whether or not each item should remain in the checklist, and items that scored more than 50% endorsement were retained. In Phase 3 participants rated their satisfaction with the final checklist.ResultsThe final checklist was made up of 14 “best practice” items, with each item covering best practice now and best practice in the future. At the end of the three phases, 85% of participants were (very) satisfied with the two best practice checklists, with no participants expressing dissatisfaction.ConclusionsIncreased stakeholder involvement is essential at every stage of mental health data science. The checklist produced through this work represents the views of people with experience of mental illness, and it is hoped that it will be used to facilitate trustworthy and innovative research which is inclusive of a wider range of individuals.
Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccinations: a cross-sectional community survey in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md. Saiful , Siddique Abu Bakkar , Akter Rejina , Tasnim Rafia , Sujan Md. Safaet Hossain , Ward Paul R , Sikder Md. Tajuddin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundSeveral vaccines have been approved against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and distributed globally in different regions. However, general community knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccinations are poorly understood. Thus, the study aimed to investigate community knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccinations in Bangladesh.MethodsAn exploratory and anonymous population-based e-survey was conducted among 1658 general individuals (55.6% male; mean age=23.17±6.05 years; age range=18-65 years). The survey was conducted using a semi-structured and self-reported questionnaire containing informed consent along with four sections (i.e., socio-demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions). Multiple linear regression was performed to determine the variables predicting knowledge, and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccinations.ResultsThe mean scores of knowledge and attitudes were 2.83±1.48 (out of 5) and 9.34±2.39 (out of 12) respectively. About a quarter of participants thought that the COVID-19 vaccination available in Bangladesh is safe, only 60% will have the vaccination and about two-thirds will recommend it to family and friends. In the multiple regression model, higher SES, having university/ higher levels of education, holding nuclear families and having previous history of essential vaccines uptake were associated with knowledge; whilst attitudes were significantly associated with being female and having previous history of essential vaccines uptake. Just over half of the participants thought that everyone should be vaccinated and 61% responded that health workers should be vaccinated first on priority basis. 95% vaccine should be administered free of charge in Bangladesh and almost 90% believed that the COVID-19 vaccine used in Bangladesh may have side effects.ConclusionsThe findings reflect inadequate knowledge but more positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine among the general population in Bangladesh. In order to improve knowledge, immediate health education programs need to be initiated before mass vaccination schedule.
Retrospective study of the first wave of COVID-19 in Spain: analysis of counterfactual scenarios
Authors: Steinegger Benjamin , Granell Clara , Rapisardi Giacomo , Gómez Sergio , Matamalas Joan T. , Soriano-Paños David , Gómez-Gardeñes Jesús , Arenas Alex 
Published: February 2021

One of the most important questions on the COVID-19 pandemic is ascertaining the correct timing to introduce non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), based mainly on mobility restrictions, to control the rising of the daily incidence in a specific territory. Here, we make a retrospective analysis of the first wave of the epidemic in Spain and provide a set of useful insights to optimize actions in the near future. We have reconstructed the exposure times, from infection to detectability, to correctly estimate the reproduction number Rt. This enables us to analyze counterfactual scenarios to understand the impact of earlier or later responses, decoupling containment measures from natural immunity. Our results quantify the differences in the number of fatalities for earlier and later responses to the epidemic in Spain.Teaser“We propose a backward analysis of pandemic incidence in a region to determine the correct timing of authorities’ non-pharmaceutical interventions to fight COVID-19”
An exploratory study on the correlation of population SARS-CoV-2 cycle threshold values to local disease dynamics
Authors: Tso Chak Foon , Garikipati Anurag , Green-Saxena Abigail , Mao Qingqing , Das Ritankar 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionDespite limitations on the use of cycle threshold (CT) values for individual patient care, population distributions of CT values may be useful indicators of local outbreaks.MethodsSpecimens from the greater El Paso area were processed in the Dascena COVID-19 Laboratory. Daily median CT value, daily transmission rate R(t), daily count of COVID-19 hospitalizations, daily change in percent positivity, and rolling averages of these features were plotted over time. Two-way scatterplots and linear regression evaluated possible associations between daily median CT and outbreak measures. Cross-correlation plots determined whether a time delay existed between changes in the daily median CT value and measure of community disease dynamics.ResultsDaily median CT was negatively correlated with the daily R(t), the daily COVID-19 hospitalization count (with a time delay), and the daily change in percent positivity among testing samples. Despite visual trends suggesting time delays in the plots for median CT and outbreak measures, a statistically significant delay was only detected between changes in median CT and COVID-19 hospitalization count.ConclusionsThis study adds to the literature by analyzing samples collected from an entire geographical area, and contextualizing the results with other research investigating population CT values.
Convalescent plasma for preventing critical illness in COVID-19: A phase 2 trial and immune profile
Authors: Sturek Jeffrey M. , Thomas Tania A. , Gorham James D. , Sheppard Chelsea A. , Raymond Allison E. , Guex Kristen Petros De , Harrington William B. , Barros Andrew J. , Madden Gregory R. , Alkabab Yosra M. , Lu David , Liu Qin , Poulter Melinda D. , Mathers Amy J. , Thakur Archana , Kubicka Ewa M. , Lum Lawrence G. , Heysell Scott K. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTRationaleThe COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an unprecedented event requiring rapid adaptation to changing clinical circumstances. Convalescent immune plasma (CIP) is a promising treatment that can be mobilized rapidly in a pandemic setting.ObjectivesWe tested whether administration of SARS-CoV-2 CIP at hospital admission could reduce the rate of ICU transfer or 28 day mortality.MethodsIn a single-arm phase II study, patients >18 years-old with respiratory symptoms documented with COVID-19 infection who were admitted to a non-ICU bed were administered two units of CIP within 72 hours of admission. Detection of respiratory tract SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction and circulating anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers were measured before and at time points after CIP transfusion.Measurements and Main ResultsTwenty-nine patients were transfused CIP and forty-eight contemporaneous controls were identified with comparable baseline characteristics. Levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgM, and IgA anti-spike, anti-receptor-binding domain, and anti-nucleocapsid significantly increased from baseline to post-transfusion for all proteins tested. In patients transfused with CIP, the rate of ICU transfer was 13.8% compared to 27.1% for controls with a hazard ratio 0.506 (95% CI 0.165-1.554), and 28-day mortality was 6.9% compared to 10.4% for controls, hazard ratio 0.640 (95% CI 0.124-3.298).ConclusionsTransfusion of high-titer CIP to patients early after admission with COVID-19 respiratory disease was associated with reduced ICU transfer and 28-day mortality but was not statistically significant. Follow up randomized trials may inform the use of CIP for COVID-19 or future coronavirus pandemics.
A comparison of performance metrics for cloth face masks as source control devices for simulated cough and exhalation aerosols
Authors: Lindsley William G. , Blachere Francoise M. , Beezhold Donald H. , Law Brandon F. , Derk Raymond C. , Hettick Justin M. , Woodfork Karen , Goldsmith William T. , Harris James R. , Duling Matthew G. , Boutin Brenda , Nurkiewicz Timothy , Noti John D. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUniversal mask wearing is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help control the spread of COVID-19. Masks reduce the expulsion of respiratory aerosols (called source control) and offer some protection to the wearer. However, masks vary greatly in their designs and construction materials, and it is not clear which are most effective. Our study tested 15 reusable cloth masks (which included face masks, neck gaiters, and bandanas), two medical masks, and two N95 filtering facepiece respirators as source control devices for aerosols ≤ 7 µm produced during simulated coughing and exhalation. These measurements were compared with the mask filtration efficiencies, airflow resistances, and fit factors. The source control collection efficiencies for the cloth masks ranged from 17% to 71% for coughing and 35% to 66% for exhalation. The filtration efficiencies of the cloth masks ranged from 1.4% to 98%, while the fit factors were 1.3 to 7.4 on an elastomeric manikin headform and 1.0 to 4.0 on human test subjects. The correlation coefficients between the source control efficacies and the other performance metrics ranged from 0.31 to 0.66 and were significant in all but one case. However, none of the alternative metrics were strong predictors of the source control performance of cloth masks. Our results suggest that a better understanding of the relationships between source control performance and metrics like filtration efficiency, airflow resistance, and fit factor are needed to develop simple methods to estimate the effectiveness of masks as source control devices for respiratory aerosols.
Mortality in COVID-19 amongst women on Hormone Replacement Therapy or Combined Oral Contraception: A cohort study
Authors: Dambha-Miller Hajira , Hinton William , Joy Mark , Feher Michael , Lusignan Simon de 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the association between Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or Combined Oral Contraception (COCP) use, and the likelihood of death in women with COVID-19.DesignA cohort studySetting465 general practices in England within the Oxford-Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) primary care database.Population1,863,478 women aged over 18 yearsMethodsWe identified a cohort of women with COVID-19 from the computerised medical records of the RCGP RSC database. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to quantify the association between HRT or COCP use, and all-cause mortality among women with COVID-19 in unadjusted and adjusted models.ResultsThere were 5451 COVID-19 cases within the cohort. HRT was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of all-cause mortality in COVID-19 (adjusted OR 0.22, 95%□CI 0.05 to 0.94). There were no reported events for all-cause mortality in women prescribed COCPs. This prevented further examination of the impact of COCP.ConclusionsWomen on HRT with COVID-19 had a lower likelihood of death. Further work is needed in larger cohorts to examine the association of COCP in COVID-19. Our findings support the current hypothesis that oestrogens may contribute a protective effect against COVID-19 severity.FundingThis study was funded by a School for Primary Care National Institute for Health Research grant (SPCR2014-10043).
Fat-enlarged Axillary Lymph Nodes are Associated with Node-Positive Breast Cancer in Obese Patients
Authors: diFlorio-Alexander Roberta M. , Song Qingyuan , Dwan Dennis , Austin-Strohbehn Judith A. , Muller Kristen E. , Kinlaw William B. , MacKenzie Todd A. , Karagas Margaret R. , Hassanpour Saeed 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPurposeObesity-associated fat infiltration of organ systems is accompanied by organ dysfunction and poor cancer outcomes. Obese women demonstrate variable degrees of fat infiltration of axillary lymph nodes (LNs), and they are at increased risk for node-positive breast cancer. However, the relationship between enlarged axillary nodes and axillary metastases has not been investigated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between axillary metastases and fat-enlarged axillary nodes visualized on mammograms and breast MRI in obese women with a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer.MethodsThis retrospective case-control study included 431 patients with histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer. The primary analysis of this study included 306 patients with pre-operative MRI and body mass index (BMI) > 30 (201 node-positive cases and 105 randomly selected node-negative controls) diagnosed with invasive breast cancer diagnosed between April 1, 2011, and March 1, 2020. The largest visible LN was measured in the axilla contralateral to the known breast cancer on breast MRI. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between node-positive status and LN size adjusting for age, BMI, tumor size, tumor grade, tumor subtype, and lymphovascular invasion.ResultsA strong likelihood of node-positive breast cancer was observed among obese women with fat-expanded lymph nodes (adjusted OR for the 4th vs. 1st quartile for contralateral LN size on MRI: 9.70; 95% CI: 4.26, 23.50; p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve for size of fat-enlarged nodes in the contralateral axilla identified on breast MRI had an area under the curve of 0.72 for predicting node-positive breast cancer and this increased to 0.80 when combined with patient and tumor characteristics.ConclusionFat expansion of axillary lymph nodes was associated with a high likelihood of axillary metastases in obese women with invasive breast cancer independent of BMI and tumor characteristics.
The impact of COVID-19 on children with oesophageal atresia and/or tracheo-oesophageal fistula (OA/TOF)
Authors: Stewart A. , Smith C. , Eaton S. , De Coppi P. , Wray J. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTPurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global health crisis of unparalleled magnitude. The direct risk to the health of children is low. However, disease containment measures have society-wide impacts. This study explored the pandemic experiences of parents of children with oesophageal atresia/tracheo-oesophageal fistula in the UK.DesignAn online forum was conducted using a private group on Facebook, in collaboration with a patient support group. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes.ResultsThe online forum ran between 7th November-18th December 2020 with 109 participants. Themes related to healthcare and non-healthcare impacts. Parents experienced changes and limitations to healthcare access, anxiety regarding health risks, “collateral” damage to well-being because of isolation and an impact on finances and employment. Parents described a transition from worry about direct health risks to concern about the impact of isolation on socialisation and development. A process of risk-benefit analysis led some to transition to a more “normal life”, while others continued to isolate. Benefits to their child’s health from isolation, positive experiences with remote healthcare and a gradual easing of anxiety were also identified.Implications and relevanceThis study highlights the wide-ranging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and their families. Although focussed on oesophageal atresia/tracheo-oesophageal fistula, the emerging themes will be relevant to many children with complex, chronic health conditions. There are implications for healthcare delivery, including telehealth, during and after the pandemic period. Accurate and consistent messaging is required. Third sector organisations are ideally positioned support this.
Adrenaline (epinephrine) compared to selective beta-2-agonist in adults or children with acute asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Baggott Christina , Hardy Jo , Sparks Jenny , Sabbagh Doñah , Beasley Richard , Weatherall Mark , Fingleton James 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundInternational asthma guidelines recommend against adrenaline administration in acute asthma unless associated with anaphylaxis or angioedema. However, administration of intra-muscular adrenaline in addition to nebulised selective β2-agonist is recommended for acute severe or life-threatening asthma in many pre-hospital guidelines. We conducted a systematic review to determine the efficacy of adrenaline in comparison to selective β2-agonist in acute asthma.MethodsWe included peer-reviewed publications of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that enrolled children or adults in any healthcare setting and compared adrenaline by any route to selective β2-agonist by any route for an acute asthma exacerbation. The primary outcome was treatment failure, as indicated by hospitalisation, stay >24hrs in emergency department, need for intubation, or death.ResultsThirty-eight of 1,140 studies were included, involving 2,275 participants. Overall quality of evidence was low. There was significant statistical heterogeneity, I2=56%. The pooled odds ratio for treatment failure with adrenaline versus selective β2-agonist was 0.99 (0.74 to 1.34), p=0.96. There was strong evidence that recruitment age-group was associated with different estimates of the risk of treatment failure; with studies recruiting adults-only having a lower risk of treatment failure with adrenaline. It was not possible to determine whether adrenaline in addition to selective β2-agonist improved outcomes.ConclusionThe limited evidence available suggests that adrenaline and selective β2-agonists have similar efficacy in acute asthma and does not support the use of adrenaline in addition to selective β2-agonists in acute asthma. There is a need for high-quality double-blind RCTs to address this issue.PROSPERO registration number CRD42017079472
Moment-to-moment brain signal variability reliably predicts psychiatric treatment outcome
Authors: Månsson Kristoffer N. T. , Waschke Leonhard , Manzouri Amirhossain , Furmark Tomas , Fischer Håkan , Garrett Douglas D. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBiomarkers of psychiatric treatment response remain elusive. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has shown promise, but low reliability has limited the utility of typical fMRI measures as harbingers of treatment success. Strikingly, temporal variability in brain signals has already proven a sensitive and reliable indicator of individual differences, but has not yet been examined in relation to psychiatric treatment outcomes. Here, 45 patients with social anxiety disorder were scanned twice (11 weeks apart) using simple task-based and resting-state fMRI to capture moment-to-moment neural variability. After fMRI test-retest, patients underwent a 9-week cognitive-behavioral therapy. Reliability-based 5-fold cross-validation showed that task-based brain signal variability was the strongest contributor in a treatment outcome prediction model (total rACTUAL,PREDICTED = .77) - outperforming self-reports, resting-state neural variability, and standard mean-based measures of neural activity. Notably, task-based brain signal variability showed excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .80), even with a task length less than 3 minutes long. Rather than a source of undesirable “noise”, moment-to-moment fMRI variability may instead serve as a highly reliable and efficient prognostic indicator of clinical outcome.