bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiologic Effects and Symptoms Associated with Extended-Use Medical Mask and N95 Respirators
Authors: Garra Gabrielle M , Parmentier Darlene , Garra Gregory 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Compliance and tolerance of facemasks for extended periods are legitimate concerns. The goal of this study was to identify the physiologic and symptomatic effects of extended-use N95 filtering facepiece respirator (N95) compared with medical masks. We hypothesized that hospital personnel wearing medical masks alone would report fewer subjective complaints compared with personnel wearing an N95 with or without overlying medical mask.

Methods
This was a nonrandomized cohort study of hospital-based healthcare personnel at a single tertiary center wearing a medical mask alone or N95 with or without overlying medical mask during routine clinical activity. Potential subjects were consented and asked to complete a structured survey, including a 10-point Likert scale for subjective symptoms: headache, lightheadedness, breathlessness, facial bruising, facial irritation, mental fatigue, physical fatigue, and yawning. Study investigators also obtained vital signs on the participants. Results between subjects wearing a medical mask and subjects wearing an N95 were compared. A sample of 144 subjects, 72 in each mask cohort, was needed to detect a 20% difference in a composite outcome of headache, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness between groups with an alpha of 0.05 and power of 0.8.

Results
We enrolled 72 subjects in each group. There were no differences in baseline demographics. Overall 77% of the cohort reported subjective symptoms while donning a mask. There was no difference in the composite outcome, no difference recorded symptoms except facial bruising, and no difference in physiologic measures between groups.

Conclusions
Most medical mask and N95 users reported symptoms during mask use. However, there was no difference in the symptom proportion or severity in either user.
Cultural Bias in Intelligence Assessment Using a Culture-Free Test in Moroccan Children
Authors: Lozano-Ruiz Alvaro , Fasfous Ahmed F , Ibanez-Casas Inmaculada , Cruz-Quintana Francisco , Perez-Garcia Miguel , Pérez-Marfil María Nieves 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objective
Previous research has shown that cognitive tests can lead to misclassification when applying non-representative norms to measure cognitive performance. The objective of this study was to investigate whether this misclassification also occurs with a non-verbal so-called “culture-free” intelligence test administered to different age groups.

Method
The intelligence of a sample of healthy Moroccan children (N = 147) ages 7, 9, and 11 was assessed using the Coloured Raven’s Progressive Matrices (CPM). Raw scores were used to study age differences, as well as misclassifications when applying the norms of three countries culturally different from Morocco (United Kingdom, Spain, and Oman).

Results
Intelligence performance was not within the normal range when non-representative norms were applied to the Moroccan raw scores. Misclassifications accounted for a large percentage of the participants that supposedly displayed intelligence deficits, especially when applying the British norms. Up to 15.68% of the healthy children fell within the “intellectually impaired” range, and up to 62.5% fell “below average,” with these percentages especially higher at older ages.

Conclusions
Our findings confirm that “culture-free” tests should be adapted to each culture and applied together with their culture’s specific norms to prevent misclassification and allow for a better, unbiased neuropsychological assessment.
What Is the Adequate PRP Dose for an Effective Treatment? An In Vitro Experimental Study on the Skin
Authors: Görgü Metin , Gökkaya Ali , Karanfil Ertuğrul 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
The clinical results of many studies on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) differ due to a lack of standardization in PRP preparation and administration as well as many variables such as PRP preparation methods, platelet concentration, and platelet activation.

Objectives
The authors sought to investigate a different variable that will affect PRP application results. How much PRP should be injected into the unit area of tissue for an effective PRP treatment?

Methods
The study was performed on fresh surplus tissues of 20 patients that were discarded in abdominoplasty and mammoplasty operations. Nine areas of 4 cm2 were marked on the skin. Fluorescein-stained PRP was injected intradermally with 3 different gauge needles at 3 different doses (0.01, 0.03, and 0.05 mL). After injections, spreads of the fluorescent dye–covered areas in horizontal and vertical planes were measured and compared. For the horizontal plane measurements, the dye spread was measured first from the surface of the skin and second from the dermal surface of the skin. In addition, the width and depth of the dye spread in the dermis were measured from vertical sections.

Results
Changing the needle diameter does not affect the width or depth (thickness) of the PRP spread in the dermis. Increasing the applied dose to 0.03 mL increases the spread to the width and depth (thickness).

Conclusions
In research evaluating the effectiveness of PRP treatments, it is necessary to report the volume of PRP to be applied per unit of tissue.
Sexual selection on jumping spider color pattern: investigation with a new quantitative approach
Authors: Zhou Wei , Yu Long , Kwek Bernetta Z W , Jin Ge , Zeng Hua , Li Daiqin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
How animals assess information encoded in individual color patches have been extensively studied, yet the role of both individual color patches and gross color pattern (i.e., the combination of color patches) remains understudied. We tested the functioning of both individual color patches and gross color pattern in sexual selection using the jumping spider Siler semiglaucus as a study system. We first quantified sexual dimorphism in S. semiglaucus in both individual patches and gross color pattern using the newly developed quantitative color pattern analysis (QCPA) framework. After detecting sexual differences in color coverage and pattern contrast, we manipulated the abdomen color pattern of males and had them engage in both female mate choice and male contest trials. Females spent more time watching males with lower pattern contrast and greater red coverage during mate assessment, suggesting that they evaluate information from both individual patches and gross color pattern of males. However, male color pattern had no significant effect on the outcomes of male contests. Thus, we suggest that the observed sexual color pattern dimorphism evolved primarily through female mate choice in S. semiglaucus. This is the first study to use QCPA framework to quantify sexual dimorphism in within-pattern conspicuousness from an intraspecific perspective in invertebrates. Our study also highlights the importance of both individual color patches and gross color pattern in sexual selection.
Density-dependent individual variation in male attractiveness in a wild field cricket
Authors: Niemelä Petri T , Tiso Stefano , Dingemanse Niels J 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Social environments modify a male’s ability to attract females and thus affect its fitness. Theory implies that an individual’s fitness should trade-off with its ability to cope with competition. Individuals are expected to solve this trade-off differently: some males should be more attractive at low but others instead at high density. This prediction has rarely been tested in the wild. We used an automated RFID-surveillance system to quantify for each hour of the day, over 30 days (i.e., almost the entire adult lifespan of our model organism), whether a male had attracted a female in its burrow. The data were collected across a range of naturally varying local densities in wild field crickets, Gryllus campestris. We also estimated whether the shape of the relationship between attractiveness and density was under selection. At the population level, attractiveness increased from low to intermediate density, suggesting an Allee effect. Attractiveness subsequently declined at higher densities, for example, because of detrimental effects of increased competition. Opposite to expectations, males that were more attractive under low densities were also more attractive under higher densities. However, the increase in attractiveness with density varied among males, suggesting that Allee effects were individual-specific. Finally, selection was not acting on density-dependent attractiveness but males that lived longer acquired more mating partners. Our study reveals that social environments shape attractiveness in wild male insects, and imply the occurrence of individual-specific Allee effect that may be evolvable.
mzRecal: universal MS1 recalibration in mzML using identified peptides in mzIdentML as internal calibrants
Authors: Marissen Rob , Palmblad Magnus 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Summary
In mass spectrometry-based proteomics, accurate peptide masses improve identifications, alignment and quantitation. Getting the most out of any instrument therefore requires proper calibration. Here, we present a new stand-alone software, mzRecal, for universal automatic recalibration of data from all common mass analyzers using standard open formats and based on physical principles.

Availability and implementation
mzRecal is implemented in Go and freely available on https://github.com/524D/mzRecal.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A national propensity score-matched analysis of emergency laparoscopic versus open abdominal surgery
Authors: Pucher P H , Mackenzie H , Tucker V , Mercer S J 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Laparoscopy has been widely adopted in elective abdominal surgery but is still sparsely used in emergency settings. The study investigated the effect of laparoscopic emergency surgery using a population database.

Methods
Data for all patients from December 2013 to November 2018 were retrieved from the NELA national database of emergency laparotomy for England and Wales. Laparoscopically attempted cases were matched 2 : 1 with open cases for propensity score derived from a logistic regression model for surgical approach; included co-variates were age, gender, predicted mortality risk, and diagnostic, procedural and surgeon variables. Groups were compared for mortality. Secondary endpoints were blood loss and duration of hospital stay.

Results
Of 116 920 patients considered, 17 040 underwent laparoscopic surgery. The most common procedures were colectomy, adhesiolysis, washout and perforated ulcer repair. Of these, 11 753 were matched exactly to 23 506 patients who had open surgery. Laparoscopically attempted surgery was associated with lower mortality (6.0 versus 9.1 per cent, P &lt; 0.001), blood loss (less than 100 ml, 64.4 versus 52.0 per cent, P &lt; 0.001), and duration of hospital stay (median 8 (i.q.r. 5–14) versus 10 (7–18) days, P &lt; 0.001). Similar trends were seen when comparing only successful laparoscopic cases with open surgery, and also when comparing cases converted to open surgery with open surgery.

Conclusion
In appropriately selected patients, laparoscopy is associated with superior outcomes compared with open emergency surgery.
The preterm social brain: altered functional networks for Theory of Mind in very preterm children
Authors: Mossad Sarah I , Vandewouw Marlee M , Smith Mary Lou , Taylor Margot J 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNeurodevelopmental difficulties emerge in very preterm born children (&lt;32-week gestation) in infancy and continue to early adulthood but little is known about their social-cognitive development. This study utilized the complementary methodological advantages of both functional MRI and magnetoencephalography to examine the neural underpinnings of Theory of Mind in very preterm birth. Theory of Mind, one of the core social-cognitive skills, is the ability to attribute mental states to others, and is crucial for predicting others’ behaviours in social interactions. Eighty-three children (40 very preterm born, 24 boys, age = 8.7 ± 0.5 years, and 43 full-term born, 22 boys, age = 8.6 ± 0.5 years) completed the study. In functional MRI, both groups recruited classic Theory of Mind areas, without significant group differences. However, reduced Theory of Mind connectivity in the very preterm born group was found in magnetoencephalography in distinct theta, alpha and beta-band networks anchored in a set of brain regions that comprise the social brain. These networks included regions such as the angular gyrus, the medial pre-frontal cortex, the superior temporal gyrus and the temporal poles. Very preterm born children showed increased connectivity compared to controls in a network anchored in the occipital gyri rather than classical social-processing regions. Very preterm born children made significantly more attribution errors and mis-construed the social scenarios. Findings offer novel insight into the neural networks, supporting social cognition in very preterm born children and highlight the importance of multimodal neuroimaging to interrogate the social brain in clinical populations.
Age at First Exposure to Tackle Football is Associated with Cortical Thickness in Former Professional American Football Players
Authors: Kaufmann David , Sollmann Nico , Kaufmann Elisabeth , Veggeberg Rosanna , Tripodis Yorghos , Wrobel Pawel P , Kochsiek Janna , Martin Brett M , Lin Alexander P , Coleman Michael J , Alosco Michael L , Pasternak Ofer , Bouix Sylvain , Stern Robert A , Shenton Martha E , Koerte Inga K 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Younger age at first exposure (AFE) to repetitive head impacts while playing American football increases the risk for later-life neuropsychological symptoms and brain alterations. However, it is not known whether AFE is associated with cortical thickness in American football players. Sixty-three former professional National Football League players (55.5 ± 7.7 years) with cognitive, behavioral, and mood symptoms underwent neuroimaging and neuropsychological testing. First, the association between cortical thickness and AFE was tested. Second, the relationship between clusters of decreased cortical thickness and verbal and visual memory, and composite measures of mood/behavior and attention/psychomotor speed was assessed. AFE was positively correlated with cortical thickness in the right superior frontal cortex (cluster-wise P value [CWP] = 0.0006), the left parietal cortex (CWP = 0.0003), and the occipital cortices (right: CWP = 0.0023; left: CWP = 0.0008). A positive correlation was found between cortical thickness of the right superior frontal cortex and verbal memory (R = 0.333, P = 0.019), and the right occipital cortex and visual memory (R = 0.360, P = 0.012). In conclusion, our results suggest an association between younger AFE and decreased cortical thickness, which in turn is associated with worse neuropsychological performance. Furthermore, an association between younger AFE and signs of neurodegeneration later in life in symptomatic former American football players seems likely.
Distinct and Common Large-Scale Networks of the Hippocampal Long Axis in Older Age: Links to Episodic Memory and Dopamine D2 Receptor Availability
Authors: Nordin Kristin , Nyberg Lars , Andersson Micael , Karalija Nina , Riklund Katrine , Bäckman Lars , Salami Alireza 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe hippocampal longitudinal axis has been linked to dissociated functional networks relevant to episodic memory. However, the organization of axis-dependent networks and their relation to episodic memory in aging remains less explored. Moreover, age-related deterioration of the dopamine (DA) system, affecting memory and functional network properties, might constitute a source of reduced specificity of hippocampal networks in aging. Here, we characterized axis-dependent large-scale hippocampal resting-state networks, their relevance to episodic memory, and links to DA in older individuals (n = 170, 64–68 years). Partial least squares identified 2 dissociated networks differentially connected to the anterior and posterior hippocampus. These overlapped with anterior–temporal/posterior–medial networks in young adults, indicating preserved organization of axis-dependent connectivity in old age. However, axis-specific networks were overall unrelated to memory and hippocampal DA D2 receptor availability (D2DR) measured with [11C]-raclopride positron emission tomography. Further analyses identified a memory-related network modulated by hippocampal D2DR, equally connected to anterior–posterior regions. This network included medial frontal, posterior parietal, and striatal areas. The results add to the current understanding of large-scale hippocampal connectivity in aging, demonstrating axis-dependent connectivity with dissociated anterior and posterior networks, as well as a primary role in episodic memory of connectivity shared by regions along the hippocampalaxis.
The Duration of Pharyngeal Gonorrhea: A Natural History Study
Authors: Barbee Lindley A , Soge Olusegun O , Khosropour Christine M , Haglund Micaela , Yeung Winnie , Hughes James , Golden Matthew R 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Pharyngeal gonorrhea is relatively common. However, the duration of untreated pharyngeal gonorrhea is unknown.

Methods
From March 2016 to December 2018, we enrolled 140 men who have sex with men in a 48-week cohort study. Participants self-collected pharyngeal specimens and completed a survey weekly. Specimens were tested using a nucleic acid amplification test at the conclusion of the study. We estimated the incidence and duration of infection. We defined incident infections as 2 consecutive positive tests, and clearance as 2 consecutive negative tests; and, after visual inspection of the data, we reclassified up to 2 weeks of missing or negative tests as positive if they occurred between 2 episodes of infections. We used Kaplan-Meier estimates to define duration of infection. Finally, we report on the frequency of single-positive tests and the time between the last negative test and the positive test.

Results
Nineteen (13.6%) of 140 participants experienced 21 pharyngeal infections (incidence, 31.7/100 person-years; 95% confidence interval, 20.7–48.6/100 person-years). The estimated median duration of pharyngeal gonorrhea was 16.3 weeks (95% confidence interval, 5.1–19.7 weeks). Twenty-two men had 25 single-positive specimens, a median of 7 days (interquartile range, 7–10 days) after their last negative test.

Conclusions
The median duration of untreated pharyngeal gonorrhea is 16 weeks, more than double previous estimates. This long duration of infection likely contributes to high levels of gonorrhea transmission.
Impaired Kv7 channel activity in the central amygdala contributes to elevated sympathetic outflow in hypertension
Authors: Sheng Zhao-Fu , Zhang Hua , Zheng PeiRu , Chen Shanyan , Gu Zezong , Zhou Jing-Jing , Phaup Jeffery G , Chang Hui-Ming , Yeh Edward T H , Pan Hui-Lin , Li De-Pei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
Elevated sympathetic outflow is associated with primary hypertension. However, the mechanisms involved in heightened sympathetic outflow in hypertension are unclear. The central amygdala (CeA) regulates autonomic components of emotions through projections to the brainstem. The neuronal Kv7 channel is a non-inactivating voltage-dependent K+ channel encoded by KCNQ2/3 genes involved in stabilizing the neuronal membrane potential and regulating neuronal excitability. In this study, we investigated if altered Kv7 channel activity in the CeA contributes to heightened sympathetic outflow in hypertension.

Methods and results
The mRNA and protein expression levels of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 in the CeA were significantly reduced in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) compared with Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats. Lowering blood pressure with coeliac ganglionectomy in SHRs did not alter Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 channel expression levels in the CeA. Fluospheres were injected into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) to retrogradely label CeA neurons projecting to the RVLM (CeA–RVLM neurons). Kv7 channel currents recorded from CeA–RVLM neurons in brain slices were much smaller in SHRs than in WKY rats. Furthermore, the basal firing activity of CeA–RVLM neurons was significantly greater in SHRs than in WKY rats. Bath application of specific Kv7 channel blocker 10, 10-bis (4-pyridinylmethyl)-9(10H)-anthracnose (XE-991) increased the excitability of CeA–RVLM neurons in WKY rats, but not in SHRs. Microinjection of XE-991 into the CeA increased arterial blood pressure (ABP) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), while microinjection of Kv7 channel opener QO-58 decreased ABP and RSNA, in anaesthetized WKY rats but not SHRs.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that diminished Kv7 channel activity in the CeA contributes to elevated sympathetic outflow in primary hypertension. This novel information provides new mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of neurogenic hypertension.
Cardiac implantable electronic devices replacements in patients followed by remote monitoring during COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Russo Vincenzo , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Pafundi Pia Clara , de Divitiis Marcello , Volpicelli Mario , Ruocco Antonio , Rago Anna , Uran Carlo , Nappi Felice , Attena Emilio , Chianese Raffaele , Esposito Francesca , Del Giorno Giuseppe , D’Andrea Antonello , Ducceschi Valentino , Russo Giovanni , Ammendola Ernesto , Carbone Angelo , Covino Gregorio , Manzo Gianluca , Montella Gianna Maria , D’Onofrio Antonio , Nigro Gerardo 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
Following coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the Italian government adopted strict rules of lockdown and social distancing. The aim of our study was to assess the admission rate for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) replacement procedures in Campania, the 3rd-most-populous region of Italy, during COVID-19 lockdown.

Methods and results
Data were sourced from 16 referral hospitals in Campania from 10 March to 4 May 2020 (lockdown period) and during the same period in 2019. We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients hospitalized for CIEDs replacement procedures during the two observational periods. The number and type of CIEDs replacement procedures among patients followed by remote monitoring (RM), the admission rate, and the type of hospital admission between the two observational periods were compared. In total, 270 consecutive patients were hospitalized for CIEDs replacement procedures over the two observation periods. Overall CIEDs replacement procedures showed a reduction rate of 41.2% during COVID-19 lockdown. Patients were equally distributed for sex (P = 0.581), and both age [median 76 years (IQR: 68–83) vs. 79 years (IQR: 68–83); P = 0.497]. Cardiac implantable electronic devices replacement procedures in patients followed by RM significantly increased (IR: +211%; P &lt; 0.001), mainly driven by the remarkable increase rate trend of both PM (IR: +475%; P &lt; 0.001) and implantable cardiac defibrillator replacement procedures (IR: +67%, P = 0.01), during COVID-19 lockdown compared with 2019 timeframe.

Conclusions
We showed a significant increase trend rate of replacement procedures among CIEDs patients followed by RM, suggesting the hypothesis of its increased use to closely monitoring and to optimize the hospital admission time during COVID-19 lockdown.