bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validity Evidence for Procedure-specific Competence Assessment Tools in General Surgery
Authors: Ryan Joanna F. , Mador Brett , Lai Krista , Campbell Sandra , Hyakutake Momoe , Turner Simon R. 
Published: September 2021

Objective:
This study aims to provide a focused and detailed assessment of the validity evidence supporting procedure-specific operative assessment tools in general surgery.

Summary of Background Data:
Competency-based assessment tools should be supported by robust validity evidence to be used reliably for evaluation of operative skills. The contemporary framework of validity relies on five sources of evidence: content, response process, internal structure, relation to other variables, and consequences.

Methods:
A systematic search of 8 databases was conducted for studies containing procedure-specific operative assessment tools in general surgery. The validity evidence supporting each tool was assessed and scored in alignment with the contemporary framework of validity. Methodological rigour of studies was assessed with the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument. The educational utility of each tool was assessed with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education framework.

Results:
There were 28 studies meeting inclusion criteria and 23 unique tools were assessed. Scores for validity evidence varied widely between tools, ranging from 3 – 14 (maximum 15). Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument scores assessing the quality of study methodology were also variable (8.5–15.5, maximum 16.5). Direct reporting of educational utility criteria was limited.

Conclusions:
This study has identified a small group of procedure-specific operative assessment tools in general surgery. Many of these tools have limited validity evidence and have not been studied sufficiently to be used reliably in high-stakes summative assessments. As general surgery transitions to competency-based training, a more robust library of operative assessment tools will be required to support resident education and evaluation.
Prognostic Significance of Negative Lymph Node Long Axis in Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Kloft Maximilian , Ruisch Jessica E. , Raghuram Gayatri , Emmerson Jake , Nankivell Matthew , Cunningham David , Allum William H. , Langley Ruth E. , Grabsch Heike I. 
Published: September 2021

Objective:
To analyze the relationship between negative lymph node (LNneg) size as a possible surrogate marker of the host antitumor immune response and overall survival (OS) in esophageal cancer (EC) patients.

Background:
Lymph node (LN) status is a well-established prognostic factor in EC patients. An increased number of LNnegs is related to better survival in EC. Follicular hyperplasia in LNneg is associated with better survival in cancer-bearing mice and might explain increased LN size.

Methods:
The long axis of 304 LNnegs was measured in hematoxylin-eosin stained sections from resection specimens of 367 OE02 trial patients (188 treated with surgery alone (S), 179 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery (C+S)) as a surrogate of LN size. The relationship between LNneg size, LNneg microarchitecture, clinicopathological variables, and OS was analyzed.

Results:
Large LNneg size was related to lower pN category (P = 0.01) and lower frequency of lymphatic invasion (P = 0.02) in S patients only. Irrespective of treatment, (y)pN0 patients with large LNneg had the best OS. (y)pN1 patients had the poorest OS irrespective of LNneg size (P < 0.001). Large LNneg contained less lymphocytes (P = 0.02) and had a higher germinal centers/lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.05).

Conclusions:
This is the first study to investigate LNneg size in EC patients randomized to neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery or surgery alone. Our pilot study suggests that LNneg size is a surrogate marker of the host antitumor immune response and a potentially clinically useful new prognostic biomarker for (y)pN0 EC patients. Future studies need to confirm our results and explore underlying biological mechanisms.
Self-Harm and Suicide Attempts Preceding and Following Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Salagre Estela , Rohde Christopher , Østergaard Søren D. 
Published: September 2021

Objective
The beneficial effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on suicidality has been documented in clinical trials, whereas naturalistic studies on the topic are scarce and restricted to individuals with mood disorders. Here, based on population-based data from Danish registers, we aimed to investigate the course of self-harm and suicide attempts preceding and following ECT across 4 major mental disorders. This was done to examine whether data from the real-world clinical setting are compatible with the positive results from clinical trials.

Methods
We identified all patients diagnosed with unipolar depression (n = 8843), bipolar disorder (n = 2713), psychotic disorder (n = 2692), or personality disorder (n = 2085) who received ECT for the first time in the period from 2008 to 2019, as well as age-, sex-, diagnosis-, illness duration–, and admission-matched comparison groups not receiving ECT. A mirror-image model was used to examine whether the number of incidents of self-harm/suicide attempts changed following ECT (paired t test).

Results
There were substantial and statistically significant reductions in the number of incidents of self-harm/suicide attempts when comparing the month leading up to and the month following initiation of ECT for all diagnostic groups (unipolar depression: reduction, 83% [P < 0.001]; bipolar disorder: reduction, 72% [P < 0.001]; psychotic disorder: reduction, 82% [P < 0.001]; personality disorder: reduction, 83% [P < 0.001]). The analog results for the comparison groups not receiving ECT suggested that these reductions in self-harm/suicide attempts were partly mediated by a protective effect of admission.

Conclusions
Data from the real-world clinical setting are compatible with results from clinical trials with regard to the protective effect of ECT on suicidality.
Adjuvant Priming Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Vidya K.L. , Rao Prasad G. , Goyal Nishant 
Published: September 2021

Objectives
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is used as a therapeutic option for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in both clinical and research settings. There has been no consensus with regard to target area and other parameters, although 1-Hz rTMS over the supplementary motor area (SMA) is found to be promising. Priming stimulation, which involves high-frequency followed by low-frequency rTMS, has been shown to enhance neural response to low-frequency rTMS. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of adjunctive priming rTMS over the SMA in treatment-resistant OCD.

Methods
Thirty patients with OCD who were symptomatic after an adequate selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor trial were randomized into 2 groups: one group receiving active priming stimulation (6-Hz rTMS at 80% resting motor threshold) followed by 1-Hz rTMS (priming rTMS group) and the other receiving sham stimulation followed by 1-Hz rTMS (rTMS-only group). Both groups received 10 sessions of such interventions for 2 weeks. Both the rater and patients were blind to the treatment allocation. Assessments were done using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, and Clinical Global Impression—Improvement scale at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks.

Results
Both groups showed a significant improvement in all domains of psychopathology over time. The priming rTMS group was better than the rTMS-only group in reducing the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale compulsion score (P < 0.023) as well as scores of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and Clinical Global Impression—Improvement scale. None developed any adverse effects requiring medical attention.

Conclusions
Priming rTMS over the SMA is safe and has favorable effects in OCD. It seems to have a predominant effect on the reduction of compulsions, presumably rectifying the impaired response inhibition in patients with OCD.
The evolutionary landscape of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.519 and its clinical impact in Mexico City
Authors: Cedro-Tanda Alberto , Gómez-Romero Laura , Alcaraz Nicolás , de Anda-Jauregui Guillermo , Peñaloza Fernando , Moreno Bernardo , Escobar-Arrazola Marco A. , Ramirez-Vega Oscar A. , Munguia-Garza Paulina , Garcia-Cardenes Francisco , Cisneros-Villanueva Mireya , Moreno-Camacho Jose L. , Rodriguez-Gallegos Jorge , Luna-Ruiz Esparza Marco A. , Fernández Rojas Miguel A. , Mendoza-Vargas Alfredo , Reyes-Grajeda Juan Pablo , Campos-Romero Abraham , Angulo Ofelia , Ruiz Rosaura , Sheinbaum Claudia , Sifuentes-Osornio José , Kershenobich David , Hidalgo-Miranda Alfredo , Herrera Luis A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is one of the most concerning health problems around the globe. We report the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.519 in Mexico City. This variant represented up to 90% of sequenced cases in February 2021. It is characterized by three amino acid changes in the spike protein: T478K, P681H, and T732A. We report the effective reproduction number of B.1.1.519 and present evidence of its geographical origin based on phylogenetic analysis. We also studied its evolution via haplotype analysis and identified the most recurrent haplotypes. Finally, we studied the clinical impact of B.1.1.519: patients infected with variant B.1.1.519 showed a highly significant adjusted odds ratio (aOR) increase of 1.85 over non-B.1.1.519 patients for developing a severe/critical outcome (P = 0.000296, 1.33–2.6 95% CI) and a 2.35-fold increase for hospitalization (P = 0.005, 1.32–4.34 95% CI). The continuous monitoring of this and other variants will be required to control the ongoing pandemic as it evolves.
Longitudinal Analysis of the Determinants of Life Expectancy and Healthy Life Expectancy: A Causal Approach
Authors: Aanegola Rohan , Nakamura-Sakai Shinpei , Kumar Navin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the determinants of health is essential to designing effective strategies to advance economic growth, reduce disease and disability, and enhance quality of life. We undertake a comprehensive outlook on public health by incorporating three metrics - life expectancy (LE), healthy life expectancy (HLE), and the discrepancy between the two. We investigate the effects of various health and socio-economic factors on these metrics and employ causal machine learning and statistical methods such as propensity score matching, X-learners, and causal forests to calculate treatment effects. An increase in basic water services and public health expenditure significantly increased average LE, whereas high HIV prevalence rates and poverty rates reduced average LE. High GNI per capita and moderate BMI increased HLE while high HIV prevalence rates decreased HLE. High public health expenditure and high GNI per capita expand the gap between HLE and LE, whereas high HIV prevalence rates and moderate BMI diminish this gap. Results suggest that policymakers should utilize governmental resources to improve public health infrastructure rather than provide fiscal incentives to encourage private healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, more emphasis should be put on increasing educational levels of the general public by increasing educational expenditure and making educational institutions, public and private, more accountable.
Genome of a Giant (Trevally): Caranx ignobilis
Authors: Pickett Brandon D. , Glass Jessica R. , Ridge Perry G. , Kauwe John S. K. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTCaranx ignobilis, commonly known as the kingfish or giant trevally, is a large, reef-associated apex predator. It is a prized sportfish, targeted heavily throughout its tropical and subtropical range in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and it has drawn significant interest in aquaculture due to an unusual tolerance for freshwater. In this study, we present a high-quality nuclear genome assembly of a C. ignobilis individual from Hawaiian waters, which have recently been shown to host a genetically distinct population. The assembly has a contig NG50 of 7.3Mbp and scaffold NG50 of 46.3Mbp. Twenty-five of the 203 scaffolds contain 90% of the genome. We also present the raw Pacific Biosciences continuous long-reads from which the assembly was created. A Hi-C dataset (Dovetail Genomics Omni-C) and Illumina-based RNA-seq from eight tissues are also presented; the latter of which can be particularly useful for annotation and studies of freshwater tolerance. Overall, this genome assembly and supporting data is a valuable tool for ecological and comparative genomics studies of kingfish and other carangoid fishes.
Diurnal changes in the efficiency of information transmission at a sensory synapse
Authors: Moya-Díaz José , James Ben , Esposti Federico , Johnston Jamie , Lagnado Leon 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNeuromodulators adapt sensory circuits to changes in the external world or the animal’s internal state and synapses are key control sites for such plasticity. Less clear is how neuromodulation alters the amount of information transmitted through the circuit. We investigated this question in the context of the diurnal regulation of visual processing in the retina of zebrafish, focusing on ribbon synapses of bipolar cells. We demonstrate that contrast-sensitivity peaks in the afternoon accompanied by a four-fold increase in the average Shannon information transmitted from an active zone. This increase reflects higher synaptic gain, lower spontaneous “noise” and reduced variability of evoked responses. Simultaneously, an increase in the probability of multivesicular events with larger information content increases the efficiency of transmission (bits per vesicle) by factors of 1.5-2.7. This study demonstrates the multiplicity of mechanisms by which a neuromodulator can adjust the synaptic transfer of sensory information.
Comprehensive comparative genomics analysis for the emerging human pathogen Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE): A case study and Pan-subspecies genomic analysis
Authors: Saeb Amr T. M. , Tayeb Hamsa T. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundStreptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is the causal agent of various diseases that include wound infection, erysipelas, cellulitis, life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. It is capable of infecting both humans and animals. In this investigation, we present a comprehensive genomic analysis for the SDSE strain SCDR1 that belongs to Lancefield group G, emm type (stG6) and (MLST) sequence type (ST44) that is the first time to be documented in Saudi Arabia and the middle east. Besides, we present the most comprehensive comparative genomics analysis for the emerging human pathogen SDSE.MethodologyWe utilized next-generation sequencing techniques (NGS), bioinformatics, phylogenetic analysis, and comparative pathogenomics to characterize SCDR1 and all publicly available SDES genomes.ResultsWe found that SCDR1 consisted of a circular genome of 2179136 bp. Comparative analyses among bacterial genomes indicated that SCDR1 was most closely related to AC-2713 and GGS_124. Genome annotation of SCDR-1 strain showed that it contains many genes with homology to known virulence factors, including genes involved in cellular invasion, Antiphagocytosis, immune evasion, invasion of skin and soft tissue, host mortality and tissue damage, toxins, pore-forming proteins, cytotoxins, beta-hemolysis agents. Two CRISPR arrays were identified in SCDR1 that are consist of 35 CRISPR repeats and 33 CRISPR spacers. Two CAS systems were observed in the SCDR-1 genome, namely, CAS-TypeIIA and CAS-TypeIC. SDSE core Resistome is consisting of 22 genes, including folA, gyrA, gyrB, and FabK. SDSE core Virulome consisting of 38 genes including, fba, fbp54, gidA, and lsp.ConclusionOur study confirmed that the SDSE strains possess different characteristics in producing virulence factors for pathogenicity to humans and based on its genome sequence and close relationship with GAS. Our study shed light on the proposed pathogenic mechanisms of SDSE and may form the basis of molecular epidemiological research on these highly virulent bacteria.
How Dickkopf molecules and Wnt/β-catenin interplay to self-organise the Hydra body axis
Authors: Mercker Moritz , Kazarnikov Alexey , Tursch Anja , Özbek Suat , Holstein Thomas , Marciniak-Czochra Anna 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe antagonising interplay between canonical Wnt signalling and Dickkopf (Dkk) molecules has been identified in various processes involved in tissue organisation, such as stem cell differentiation and body-axis formation. Disruption of the interplay between these molecules is related to several diseases in humans. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of the β-catenin/Wnt-Dkk interplay leading to robust formation of the body axis remain elusive. Although the β-catenin/Wnt signalling system has been shown in the pre-bilaterian model organism Hydra to interact with two ancestral Dkks (HyDkk1/2/4-A and -C) to self-organise and regenerate the body axis, the observed Dkk expression patterns do not match any current pattern-formation theory, such as the famous activator-inhibitor model. To explore the function of Dkk in Hydra patterning process, we propose a new mathematical model which accounts for the two Dkks in interplay with HyWnt3/β-catenin. Using a systematic numerical study, we demonstrate that the chosen set of interactions is sufficient to explain de novo body-axis gradient formation in Hydra. The presented mutual inhibition model goes beyond the classical activator-inhibitor model and shows that a molecular mechanism based on mutual inhibition may replace the local activation/long-range inhibition loop. The new model is validated using a range of perturbation experiments. It resolves several contradictions between previous models and experimental data, and provides an explanation for the interplay between injury response and pattern formation.
BNT162b2-Elicited Neutralization of Delta Plus, Lambda, and Other Variants
Authors: Liu Jianying , Liu Yang , Xia Hongjie , Zou Jing , Weaver Scott C. , Swanson Kena A. , Cai Hui , Cutler Mark , Cooper David , Muik Alexander , Jansen Kathrin U. , Sahin Ugur , Xie Xuping , Dormitzer Philip R. , Shi Pei-Yong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBNT162b2-elicited human sera are known to neutralize the currently dominant Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant. Here, we report the ability of 20 human sera, drawn 2 or 4 weeks after two doses of BNT162b2, to neutralize USA-WA1/2020 SARS-CoV-2 bearing variant spikes from Delta plus (Delta-AY.1, Delta-AY.2), Delta-Δ144 (Delta with the Y144 deletion of the Alpha variant), Lambda, and B. 1.1.519 lineage viruses. Geometric mean plaque reduction neutralization titers against Delta-AY.1, Delta-AY.2, and Delta-Δ144 viruses are slightly lower than against USA-WA1/2020, but all sera neutralize the variant viruses to titers of ≥80.Neutralization titers against Lambda and B. 1.1.519 variants and against USA-WA1/2020 are equivalent. The susceptibility of Delta plus, Lambda, and other variants to neutralization by the sera indicates that antigenic change has not led to virus escape from vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies and supports ongoing mass immunization with BNT162b2 to control the variants and to minimize the emergence of new variants.
Effect of ORF7 of SARS-CoV-2 on the chemotaxis of monocytes and neutrophils in vitro
Authors: Wang Gang , Guan Jun , Li Guojun , Wu Fengtian , Yang Qin , Huang Chunhong , Shao Junwei , Xu Lichen , Guo Zixuan , Zhou Qihui , Zhu Haihong , Chen Zhi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently the most significant public health threats in worldwide. Patients with severe COVID-19 usually have pneumonia concomitant with local inflammation and sometimes a cytokine storm. Specific components of the SARS-CoV-2 virus trigger lung inflammation, and recruitment of immune cells to the lungs exacerbates this process, although much remains unknown about the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Our study of lung type II pneumocyte cells (A549) demonstrated that ORF7, an open reading frame (ORF) in the genome of SARS-CoV-2, induced the production of CCL2, a chemokine that promotes the chemotaxis of monocytes, and decreased the expression of IL-8, a chemokine that recruits neutrophils. A549 cells also had an increased level of IL-6. The results of our chemotaxis transwell assay suggested that ORF7 augmented monocyte infiltration and reduced the number of neutrophils. We conclude that the ORF7 of SARS-CoV-2 may have specific effects on the immunological changes in tissues after infection. These results suggest that the functions of other ORFs of SARS-CoV-2 should also be comprehensively examined.
Relationships between the “Big Five” personality types and consumer attitudes in Indian students toward augmented reality advertising
Authors: Srivastava Abhishek , Dasgupta Shilpee A. , Ray Arghya , Bala Pradip Kumar , Chakraborty Shibashish 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of the “Big Five” personality traits (extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness and neuroticism) on the adoption of augmented reality (AR), with a particular focus on the role AR may play in interactive marketing.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative-based approach was followed by a questionnaire survey, which was completed by 230 respondents comprising graduate and postgraduate students, using structural equation modelling.FindingsWhile the trait of openness was positively associated with the perceived ease of use of AR, the usefulness of AR and subjective norms, the trait of neuroticism was negatively associated with the perceived ease of use of AR. Extraversion was positively associated with subjective norms. Perceived ease of use of AR, the usefulness of AR and subjective norms were positively associated with attitudes toward AR.Practical implicationsThe data gathered will add a valuable contribution to the currently limited data available on empirical consumer behaviour research, particularly in relation to the adoption of AR for interactive marketing.Originality/valueThe findings of this study will benefit academics working on the adoption of technology in rapidly developing fields such as automation and artificial intelligence; the study also contributes to the emerging interdisciplinary domain of psychology, information systems, marketing and human behaviour.