bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prescription Practices of Medical Cannabinoids in Children with Cerebral Palsy - A Survey of the Swiss Cerebral Palsy Registry
Authors: Morosoli Federico , Hunziker Sandra , Zuercher Kathrin , Tscherter Anne , Grunt Sebastian 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimMedical cannabinoids are prescribed to children with cerebral palsy despite limited evidence. We aimed to assess the prescription practices of cannabinoids in children with cerebral palsy with a particular focus on indications and preparations used and how well cannabinoids are tolerated. Furthermore, we investigated how physicians acquire knowledge on cannabinoid medication.MethodsWe asked physicians with expertise in the care of children with CP on their prescription practices of medical cannabinoids. Data was collected through an online survey, which was distributed by email. In addition to the demographic information of participants, we also inquired about the indications for the prescription of cannabinoids, about experiences regarding efficacy and the observed side effects of the therapy.ResultsSeventy physicians from Europe, North America and Australia completed the survey. Forty-seven participants were experienced in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy by cannabinoids. The most common indication was epilepsy (69%), followed by spasticity (64%) and pain (63%). The prescribed preparations and doses varied considerably. Half of the participants evaluated the effect of the medical cannabinoids as moderate. Twenty-nine physicians reported side effects, most frequently in the form of drowsiness (26%), somnolence (19%), fatigue (13%), and diarrhoea (13%).ConclusionsDespite the lack of evidence to date, medical cannabinoids are used to treat children with cerebral palsy in a wide variety of indications. Randomized controlled trials in this vulnerable patient group are therefore of utmost importance.Highlights-Cannabinoids are frequently used in children with CP, despite weak evidence.-Cannabinoids are prescribed in children with CP for different indications.-The most common indications are epilepsy, spasticity, and pain.-Common acute side effects are drowsiness, somnolence, fatigue, diarrhoea, and nausea.-Long-term side effects of cannabinoids in children with CP were not observed.
Hemodynamic profiles by non-invasive monitoring of cardiac index and vascular tone in acute heart failure patients in the emergency department: external validation and clinical outcomes
Authors: Harrison Nicholas E , Meram Sarah , Li Xiangrui , Medado Patrick , White Morgan B , Henry Sarah , Gupta Sushane , Zhu Dongxiao , Pang Peter S , Levy Phillip 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundNon-invasive finger-cuff monitors measuring cardiac index and vascular tone (SVRI) classify emergency department (ED) patients with acute heart failure (AHF) into three otherwise-indistinguishable subgroups. Our goals were to validate these “hemodynamic profiles” in an external cohort and assess their association with clinical outcomes.MethodsAHF patients (n=257) from five EDs were prospectively enrolled in the validation cohort (VC). Cardiac index and SVRI were measured with a ClearSight finger-cuff monitor (formerly NexFin, Edwards Lifesciences) as in a previous study (derivation cohort, DC, n=127). A control cohort (CC, n=127) of ED patients with sepsis was drawn from the same study as the DC. K-means cluster analysis previously derived two-dimensional (cardiac index and SVRI) hemodynamic profiles in the DC and CC (k=3 profiles each). The VC was subgroupedde novointo three analogous profiles by unsupervised K-means consensus clustering. PERMANOVA tested whether VC profiles 1-3 differed from profiles 1-3 in the DC and CC, by multivariate group composition of cardiac index and vascular tone.Profiles in the VC were compared by a primary outcome of 90-day mortality and a 30-day ranked composite secondary outcome (death, mechanical cardiac support, intubation, new/emergent dialysis, coronary intervention/surgery) as time-to-event (survival analysis) and binary events (odds ratio, OR). Descriptive statistics were used to compare profiles by two validated risk scores for the primary outcome, and one validated score for the secondary outcome.ResultsThe VC had median age 60 years (interquartile range {49-67}), and was 45% (n=116) female. Multivariate profile composition by cardiac index and vascular tone differed significantly between VC profiles 1-3 and CC profiles 1-3 (p=0.001, R2=0.159). A difference was not detected between profiles in the VC vs. the DC (p=0.59, R2=0.016).VC profile 3 had worse 90-day survival than profiles 1 or 2 (HR = 4.8, 95%CI 1.4-17.1). The ranked secondary outcome was more likely in profile 1 (OR = 10.0, 1.2-81.2) and profile 3 (12.8, 1.7-97.9) compared to profile 2. Diabetes prevalence and blood urea nitrogen were lower in the high-risk profile 3 (p<0.05). No significant differences between profiles were observed for other clinical variables or the 3 clinical risk scores.ConclusionsHemodynamic profiles in ED patients with AHF, by non-invasive finger-cuff monitoring of cardiac index and vascular tone, were replicatedde novoin an external cohort. Profiles showed significantly different risks of clinically-important adverse patient outcomes.
Serum SARS-CoV-2 Antigens for the Determination of COVID-19 Severity
Authors: Favresse Julien , Bayart Jean-Louis , David Clara , Gillot Constant , Wieërs Grégoire , Roussel Gatien , Sondag Guillaume , Elsen Marc , Eucher Christine , Dogné Jean-Michel , Douxfils Jonathan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe diagnostic of SARS-CoV-2 infection relies on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) performed on nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. Nevertheless, false negative results can be obtained with inadequate sampling procedures making the use of other matrices of interest. This study aims at evaluating the kinetic of serum N antigen in severe and non-severe patients and compare the clinical performance of serum antigenic assays with NP RT-PCR. Ninety patients were included and monitored for several days. Disease severity was determined according to the WHO clinical progression scale. The serum N antigen was measured with a chemiluminescent assay (CLIA) and the Single Molecular Array (Simoa). Thresholds for severity were determined. In severe patients, the peak antigen response was observed 7 days after the onset of symptoms followed by a decline. No peak response was observed in non-severe patients. Severity threshold for the Simoa and the CLIA provided positive likelihood ratio of 30.0 and 10.9 for the timeframe between day 2 and day 14, respectively. Compared to NP RT-PCR, antigenic assays were able to discriminate the severity of the disease (p = 0.0174, 0.0310 and p = 0.1551 with the Simoa, the CLIA and the NP RT-PCR, respectively). Sensitive N antigen detection in serum thus provides a valuable new marker for COVID-19 diagnosis and evaluation of disease severity. When assessed during the first 2 weeks since the onset of symptoms, it may help in identifying patients at risk of developing severe COVID-19 to optimize better intensive care utilization.
Impact of inspiratory vs expiratory incentive spirometry on obstructive, restrictive, and mixed ventilatory impairments: Study protocol Effect of incentive spirometry on respiratory impairments
Authors: Oladejo Eniola Awolola , Sooknunan Sonill Maharaj 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundRespiratory impairments are adjusted reduction in pulmonary function that manifests with adverse effects on an individual’s state of health. The basis for identifying these impairments requires differentiation between normal and abnormal ventilatory capacity to avoid inaccurate and potentially harmful drug prescriptions and a mismatch of diagnoses. Incentive Spirometry (IS) is a technique designed to help patients achieve a pre-set volume of airflow; the volume is determined from predicted values or baseline measurements.MethodsFifty-four (54) patients with Obstructive, Restrictive, or Mixed type of respiratory impairments attending the respiratory clinic of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja (LASUTH) will be assessed for eligibility for the study. The study design will be a double-blind, randomized control trial with six intervention groups and three placebo control groups.The study’s independent variable will be an Inspiratory Incentive Spirometry (IIS) and Expiratory Incentive Spirometry (EIS), while Obstructive, Restrictive, and Mixed respiratory impairments will serve as the dependent variable for the study. Baseline Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) will be assessed on entry into the study, and after every procedure, six minutes’ walk (6MWT) test and CAT assessment test will be assessed at every two (2) weeks interval of the study. Data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of repeated ANOVA; P<0.05.DiscussionThe study outcome will determine the relationship between inspiratory and expiratory incentive spirometry on respiratory impairments and deduce the best fit device for the respective impairment.Trial Registrationwww.pactr.org: PACTR202005904039357
Limited immune responses after three months of BNT162b2 vaccine in SARS-CoV-2 uninfected elders living in long-term care facilities
Authors: Trigueros Macedonia , Pradenas Edwards , Palacín Dolors , Ávila-Nieto Carlos , Trinité Benjamin , Bonet-Simó Josep Maria , Isnard Mar , Moreno Nemesio , Marfil Silvia , Rovirosa Carla , Puig Teresa , Grau Eulàlia , Chamorro Anna , Martinez Ana , Toledo Ruth , Font Marta , Ara Jordi , Carrillo Jorge , Mateu Lourdes , Blanco Julià , Clotet Bonaventura , Prat Nuria , Massanella Marta 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundSARS-CoV-2 vaccination is the most effective strategy to protect elders living in long-term care facilities (LTCF) against severe COVID-19, but primary vaccine responses are less effective in older adults. Here, we characterized the humoral responses following 3 months after mRNA/BNT162b2 vaccine in institutionalized elders.MethodsPlasma levels of specific SARS-CoV-2 total IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies were measured before and 3 months after vaccination in elders living in LTCF. Neutralization capacity was assessed in a pseudovirus neutralization assay against WH1 (original) and B.1.617.2/Delta variants. A group of younger adults was used as reference group.ResultsThree months after vaccination, uninfected-elders presented reduced specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels and significantly lower neutralization capacity against the WH1 and Delta virus compared to vaccinated uninfected younger individuals. In contrast, COVID-19 recovered elders showed significantly higher specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels after vaccination than younger counterparts, while showing similar neutralization activity against WH1 virus and increased neutralization capacity against Delta variant. Despite previously infected elders elicit potent cross-reactive immune responses similarly to younger individuals, higher quantities of specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies are required to reach the same neutralization levels.ConclusionsWhile hybrid immunity seems to be active in previously infected elders after three months from mRNA/BNT162b2 vaccination, humoral immune responses are diminished in COVID-19 uninfected vaccinated residents living in LTCF. These results suggests that a vaccine booster dose should be prioritized for this particularly vulnerable population.Word summaryWhile previously infected and vaccinated elders living in LTCF had comparable neutralizing antibody levels to younger individuals, vaccinated uninfected-residents showed limited neutralization capacity against both original and delta variants. Hybrid immunity seems to be active in elders and can be relevant to design vaccine boosting campaigns.
Artificial intelligence in the respiratory sounds analysis and computer diagnostics of bronchial asthma
Authors: Gelman A. , Sokolovsky V. , Furman E. , Kalinina N. , Furman G. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractUsing a database containing audio files of respiratory sound records of asthmatic patients and healthy patients, a method of computer-aided diagnostics based on the machine learning technique – creation of neural networks, has been developed. The database contains 952 records of respiratory sounds of asthma patients at different stages of the disease, aged from several months to 47 years, and 167 records of volunteers. Records were carried out with a quiet breathing at four points: in the oral cavity, above the trachea, on the chest, the second intercostal space on the right side, and at a point on the back.The developed method of computer-aided diagnostics allows diagnosing bronchial asthma with high reliability: sensitivity of 89.3%, specificity of 86%, accuracy of about 88% and Youden’s index of 0.753.The program learned once makes it possible to diagnose bronchial asthma with high reliability regardless of patient’s gender and age, a stage of disease, as well as the point of sound recording.The developed method can be used as an additional screening method for the diagnostics of bronchial asthma and serve as the basis for development of computer control methods, including remote control (telemedicine) of patient’s condition and the effectiveness of the applied drugs in real time.
COVID-19 testing systems and their effectiveness in small, semi-isolated groups for sports events
Authors: Kamo Masashi , Murakami Michio , Naito Wataru , Takeshita Jun-ichi , Yasutaka Tetsuo , Imoto Seiya 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this study, we quantitatively assessed the effectiveness of systems for COVID-19 testing in small groups of sport teams that are semi-isolated from the general population by countermeasures against infection. Two types of group were assumed, and the dynamics of infection within each group was modeled by using a compartment model of infectious disease. One group (Group A) comprised domestic professional sports teams that play many games over a season while remaining within a relatively small region. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were routinely conducted once every 2 weeks, and the number of infected individuals that could not be removed after identification by testing or checking for symptoms was defined as the risk. The other group (Group B) comprised teams that travel across borders for mass-gathering events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The teams were isolated for 2 weeks at their destination; frequent testing and checking for symptoms was conducted, and any infected individuals were removed. The number of infected individuals participating in games after the isolation period was defined as the risk. In Group A, the number of infected individuals detected by routinely conducted PCR testing was lower than the number of infected individuals detected by checking for symptoms, indicating that routine testing every 2 weeks was not very effective. In Group B, daily PCR testing was the most effective, followed by daily antigen testing. Dual testing, in which individuals with a positive antigen test were given an additional PCR test, was the least effective with an effect equal to PCR testing every other day. These results indicate that repeated testing does not necessarily increase the detection of infected individuals.
Parsing Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria for Cohort Query by a Multi-Input Multi-Output Sequence Labeling Model
Authors: Tian Shubo , Yin Pengfei , Zhang Hansi , Erdengasileng Arslan , Bian Jiang , He Zhe 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTo enable electronic screening of eligible patients for clinical trials, free-text clinical trial eligibility criteria should be translated to a computable format. Natural language processing (NLP) techniques have the potential to automate this process. In this study, we explored a supervised multi-input multi-output (MIMO) sequence labelling model to parse eligibility criteria into combinations of fact and condition tuples. Our experiments on a small manually annotated training dataset showed that that the performance of the MIMO framework with a BERT-based encoder using all the input sequences achieved an overall lenient-level AUROC of 0.61. Although the per-formance is suboptimal, representing eligibility criteria into logical and semantically clear tuples can potentially make subsequent translation of these tuples into database queries more reliable.
Identifying Dietary Consumption Patterns from Survey Data: A Bayesian Nonparametric Latent Class Model
Authors: Stephenson Briana J.K. , Wu Stephanie M. , Dominici Francesca 
Published: November 2021

SummaryDietary intake is one of the largest contributing factors to cardiovascular health in the United States. Amongst low-income adults, the impact is even more devastating. Dietary assessments, such as 24-hour recalls, provide snapshots of dietary habits in a study population. Questions remain on how generalizable those snapshots are in nationally representative survey data, where certain subgroups are sampled disproportionately to comprehensively examine the population. Many of the models that derive dietary patterns account for study design by incorporating the sampling weights to the derived model parameter estimates post hoc. We propose a Bayesian overfitted latent class model that accounts for survey design and sampling variability. Compared to other standard approaches used for survey data, our model showed improved identifiablity of the true population prevalence and pattern distribution in simulation. Using dietary intake data from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we demonstrated the utility of our model to derive dietary patterns in adults considered low-income (at or below the 130% poverty income threshold), to understand if and how these patterns generalize in a smaller sub-population. A total of five dietary patterns were identified and characterized. Reproducible code/data are provided on GitHub to encourage further research and application in this area.
Distinct neurocognitive bases for social trait judgments of faces in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Yu Hongbo , Cao Runnan , Lin Chujun , Wang Shuo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties in social processes, interactions, and communication. Yet, the neurocognitive bases underlying these difficulties are unclear. Here, we triangulated the ‘trans-diagnostic’ approach to personality, social trait judgments of faces, and neurophysiology to investigate (1) the relative position of autistic traits in a comprehensive social-affective personality space and (2) the distinct associations between the social-affective personality dimensions and social trait judgment from faces in individuals with ASD and neurotypical individuals. We collected personality and facial judgment data from a large sample of online participants (N = 89 self-identified ASD; N = 308 neurotypical controls). Factor analysis with 33 sub-scales of 10 social-affective personality questionnaires identified a 4-dimensional personality space. This analysis revealed that ASD and control participants did not differ significantly along the personality dimensions of empathy and prosociality, antisociality, or social agreeableness. However, the associations between these dimensions and judgments of facial trustworthiness and warmth differed across groups. Neurophysiological data also indicated that ASD and control participants might rely on distinct neuronal representations for judging trustworthiness and warmth from faces. These results suggest that the atypical association between social-affective personality and social trait judgment from faces may contribute to the social and affective difficulties associated with ASD.
Theta activity during encoding interacts with NREM sleep oscillations to predict memory generalization
Authors: Gibson Tamara , Cross Zachariah R. , Chatburn Alex 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRelatively little is known regarding the interaction between encoding-related neural activity and sleep-based memory consolidation. One suggestion is that a function of encoding-related theta power may be to ‘tag’ memories for subsequent processing during sleep. This study aimed to extend previous work on the relationships between sleep spindles, slow oscillation-spindle coupling and task-related theta activity with a combined Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) and nap paradigm. This allowed us to examine the influence of task- and sleep-related oscillatory activity on the recognition of both encoded list words and associative theme words. Thirty-three participants (29 females, mean age = 23.2 years) learned and recognised DRM lists separated by either a 2hr wake or sleep period. Mixed-effects modelling revealed the sleep condition endorsed more associative theme words and fewer list words in comparison to the wake group. Encoding-related theta power was also found to influence sleep spindle density, and this interaction was predictive of memory outcomes. The influence of encoding-related theta was specific to sleep spindle density, and did not appear to influence the strength of slow oscillation-spindle coupling as it relates to memory outcomes. The finding of interactions between wakeful and sleep oscillatory-related activity in promoting memory and learning has important implications for theoretical models of sleep-based memory consolidation.
Pandemic, Primary Health Workers and work trajectories: A Memoing Representational Study
Authors: Nayar K Rajasekharan , Gupta Ujjwala , Vijayan Bindhya , SB Sunitha , VS Kapila , Sivanand Shringa , SH Krishna , Fazaludeen Koya Shaffi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMore than 65 per cent of the population in India lives in rural areas with the highest overall burden of disease. The Indian rural health care system is composed of the three-tier system comprising Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres, and Community Health Centres with a considerable shortfall in health facilities at different levels - 18 per cent at Sub centre level, 22 per cent at PHC level and 30 per cent at CHC level. The real facts and figures of the epidemic in rural areas are not known yet except for broad distribution patterns. The course of events with respect to preventive strategies to control COVID-19 especially the experiences in states like Kerala which has comparatively well-developed health infrastructure are important as a lesson for managing future emergencies. In the present study, the responses and experiences of the frontline health workers including ASHA workers toward the pandemic are documented. We followed a Memoing approach- largely similar to in-depth interviews- based on conversations with primary level health workers including ASHA workers and Junior Health Staff. The conversations which lasted for about one hour and in some cases more were presented by the respondents as experiential representations and memoranda on which reflective notes were prepared by the authors who conversed with the staff. The conversations mainly echoed the complaints, concerns and criticisms of the staff regarding the program and the severe limitations that they faced in COVID control. Based on the narratives as well as representations, we could identify interlinked dominant and minor specific-context related issues which are important for equity-based universal health coverage. Firstly, training of primary health workers in Primary Emergency Health care is important in order to counter unpleasant human interactions and also for maintaining security. The training is also important to counter misinformation which is hampering positive health actions. Secondly, it is important to reinvigorate the medical loop and preventive protocols in health programs to strengthen the health service system at the grassroots level especially enhance the trust between the workers and the people. COVID 19 pandemic is an opportunity to recognize and reinforce the role of primary care workers and formulate gender-sensitive and effective control strategies.