bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and validation of tungsten fiducial marker-based image-guided radiotherapy
Authors: Shahid Wajeehah , Mukhtar Raheel , Rizvi Syed Faheem Askari , Shahid Samiah , Iqbal Muhammad Aamir 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this research work, a simple homemade cubic phantom was designed to validate the Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) set up and verified with the help of tungsten fiducial markers (size 2–3 mm) inserted into the cubic phantom. Phantom made up of Styrofoam, was scanned with the help of 16 slice Toshiba CT scanner where each slice was of 1 mm thickness and HU level set to −1000. A radio-opaque contrast medium was rubbed on the phantom to visualize the scanner images. Once the iso-center had been marked on a phantom with the help of in-room positioning laser and the fields (RT-LAT and AP) were applied on the contoured body of the phantom in Varian’s ARIA-11 Eclipse dosimeter software, the same position of the phantom was reproduced on Varian’s Linear Accelerator DHX. Known shifts of 3.0 to 30.0 mm from the marked iso-center were applied on the phantom by moving the couch in all six directions one by one. On each applied couch shift, an x-ray image of the phantom was acquired with the help of an MV portal imager of Linac in AP and RT-LAT direction. This image was superimposed with a reference image of phantom and shift accuracy calculated by ARIA-11 software was noted down. It turned out that irrespective of the position of the phantom on the couch, the calculated corrected shift and deviation from reference position was always between ± 1–2 mm which is the required accuracy for IGRT according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This process was repeated 40 times and each time, the corrected shift came out to be ± 1–2 mm. We can conclude that our system is safe and accurate enough to perfectly position the actual patient for IGRT.
Highly stable and printable Ag NWs/GO/PVP composite ink for flexible electronics
Authors: Wang Shang , Feng Yan , Zhang He , Peng Qiqi , Tian Yanhong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Silver nanowire (Ag NW) ink has attracted significant attention due to its excellent conductivity for flexible electronics. However, the junctions of Ag NWs are unstable without a post-treatment process. In this paper, high-dispersibility Ag NWs/graphene oxide (GO)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) composite ink has been synthesized. The mixing of PVP can improve the dispersibility of Ag NWs in water, and the GO is employed to enhance the connection between Ag NWs. Finally, The Ag NWs/GO/PVP composite ink-based flexible electrode (FE) reaches a resistivity of 8.6 mΩ cm after sintering at 100 °C for 15 min and shows superior reliability even after 6000 bending cycles. Moreover, the FE coated with composite ink shows a better performance than pure Ag NWs under high temperature and humidity conditions (70 °C, 75% Relative Humidity (RH)). The thermal stability of Ag NWs is also improved by GO, as the morphology nearly maintains their initial structure under 240 °C, indicating their potential applications in high-reliability flexible electronics.
Sampling Strategies for Internal Validation Samples for Exposure Measurement–Error Correction: A Study of Visceral Adipose Tissue Measures Replaced by Waist Circumference Measures
Authors: Nab Linda , van Smeden Maarten , de Mutsert Renée , Rosendaal Frits R , Groenwold Rolf H H 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Statistical correction for measurement error in epidemiologic studies is possible, provided that information about the measurement error model and its parameters are available. Such information is commonly obtained from a randomly sampled internal validation sample. It is however unknown whether randomly sampling the internal validation sample is the optimal sampling strategy. We conducted a simulation study to investigate various internal validation sampling strategies in conjunction with regression calibration. Our simulation study showed that for an internal validation study sample of 40% of the main study’s sample size, stratified random and extremes sampling had a small efficiency gain over random sampling (10% and 12% decrease on average over all scenarios, respectively). The efficiency gain was more pronounced in smaller validation samples of 10% of the main study’s sample size (i.e., a 31% and 36% decrease on average over all scenarios, for stratified random and extremes sampling, respectively). To mitigate the bias due to measurement error in epidemiologic studies, small efficiency gains can be achieved for internal validation sampling strategies other than random, but only when measurement error is nondifferential. For regression calibration, the gain in efficiency is, however, at the cost of a higher percentage bias and lower coverage.
Obesity alters the ovarian proteomic response to zearalenone exposure
Authors: González-Alvarez M Estefanía , McGuire Bailey C , Keating Aileen F 
Published: April 2021

AbstractZearalenone (ZEN), a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin, is detrimental to female reproduction. Altered chemical biotransformation, depleted primordial follicles and a blunted genotoxicant response have been discovered in obese female ovaries, thus, this study investigated the hypothesis that obesity would enhance ovarian sensitivity to ZEN exposure. Seven-week-old female wild-type nonagouti KK.Cg-a/a mice (lean) and agouti lethal yellow KK.Cg-Ay/J mice (obese) received food and water ad libitum, and either saline or ZEN (40 μg/kg) per os for 15 days. Body and organ weights, and estrous cyclicity were recorded, and ovaries collected posteuthanasia for protein analysis. Body and liver weights were increased (P &lt; 0.05) in the obese mice, but obesity did not affect (P &gt; 0.05) heart, kidney, spleen, uterus, or ovary weight and there was no impact (P &gt; 0.05) of ZEN exposure on body or organ weight in lean or obese mice. Obese mice had shorter proestrus (P &lt; 0.05) and a tendency (P = 0.055) for longer metestrus/diestrus. ZEN exposure in obese mice increased estrus but shortened metestrus/diestrus length. Neither obesity nor ZEN exposure impacted (P &gt; 0.05) circulating progesterone, or ovarian abundance of EPHX1, GSTP1, CYP2E1, ATM, BRCA1, DNMT1, HDAC1, H4K16ac, or H3K9me3. Lean mice exposed to ZEN had a minor increase in γH2AX abundance (P &lt; 0.05). In lean and obese mice, LC–MS/MS identified alterations to proteins involved in chemical metabolism, DNA repair and reproduction. These data identify ZEN-induced adverse ovarian modes of action and suggest that obesity is additive to ZEN-induced ovotoxicity.
Bayesian integrative analysis and prediction with application to atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease
Authors: Chekouo Thierry , Safo Sandra E 
Published: April 2021

SummaryThe problem of associating data from multiple sources and predicting an outcome simultaneously is an important one in modern biomedical research. It has potential to identify multidimensional array of variables predictive of a clinical outcome and to enhance our understanding of the pathobiology of complex diseases. Incorporating functional knowledge in association and prediction models can reveal pathways contributing to disease risk. We propose Bayesian hierarchical integrative analysis models that associate multiple omics data, predict a clinical outcome, allow for prior functional information, and can accommodate clinical covariates. The models, motivated by available data and the need for exploring other risk factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), are used for integrative analysis of clinical, demographic, and genomics data to identify genetic variants, genes, and gene pathways likely contributing to 10-year ASCVD risk in healthy adults. Our findings revealed several genetic variants, genes, and gene pathways that are highly associated with ASCVD risk, with some already implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Extensive simulations demonstrate the merit of joint association and prediction models over two-stage methods: association followed by prediction.
Phronetically Guided Use of Knowledge: Interstitial Work at Barnahus and How It Can Inform the Knowledge Debate in Social Work
Authors: Andersen Lotte C 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this article, the ‘evidence–relevance’ dilemma in the ‘knowledge for social work’ debate is approached empirically, departing from a concrete practice observed amongst social workers managing police-reported child abuse cases within the Norwegian Barnahus model (children’s house model). This practice can be conceptualised as interstitial work and is noted as providing children who are victims of abuse with holistic and context-sensitive interventions relevant to their particular situations and needs. The relevant questions addressed are what knowledge sources are used and how is knowledge applied in practice by social workers who are able to provide their clients with relevant interventions. Based on the findings and drawing on Flyvbjerg’s approach to phronetic knowledge, it is argued that for social work practice to result in knowledge-based and relevant interventions that account for the complex nature of social problems and social work reality, the use of formal knowledge sources and evidence must be ‘phronetically guided’.
Psychological factors associated with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Eugenicos M P , Ferreira N B 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundBoth depression and anxiety are identified as significant experiences in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); whether these are a consequence of the disease or an active contributor to the disease remains controversial. This review aimed to identify and critique recent evidence regarding mental health in IBD.Sources of dataPubmedⓇ, OvidⓇ, EmbaseⓇ, EBSCO PsychInfo and Google-Scholar were searched within the last 5 years (2016–2020).Areas of agreementOverall, both depression and anxiety affect disease activity, relapse and healthcare utilization.Areas of controversyThere is some controversy on whether depression and anxiety affect IBD outcomes differently depending on IBD subtype.Growing pointsThe data support the need for depression and anxiety assessment to be incorporated in the routine management of IBD patients; prompt psychiatric and psychological management may ultimately reduce disease activity, relapses and healthcare costs.Areas timely for developing researchMore longitudinal research may further enlighten the role of depression and anxiety in IBD. Similarly, randomized controlled trials to investigate and clarify the effect of psychiatric/psychological management on IBD outcomes.
Plasma markers predict changes in amyloid, tau, atrophy and cognition in non-demented subjects
Authors: Pereira Joana B , Janelidze Shorena , Stomrud Erik , Palmqvist Sebastian , van Westen Danielle , Dage Jeffrey L , Mattsson-Carlgren Niklas , Hansson Oskar 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIt is currently unclear whether plasma biomarkers can be used as independent prognostic tools to predict changes associated with early Alzheimer’s disease.In this study, we sought to address this question by assessing whether plasma biomarkers can predict changes in amyloid load, tau accumulation, brain atrophy and cognition in non-demented individuals. To achieve this, plasma amyloid-β 42/40 (Aβ42/40), phosphorylated-tau181, phosphorylated-tau217 and neurofilament light were determined in 159 non-demented individuals, 123 patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia and 35 patients with a non-Alzheimer’s dementia from the Swedish BioFINDER-2 study, who underwent longitudinal amyloid (18F-flutemetamol) and tau (18F-RO948) PET, structural MRI (T1-weighted) and cognitive testing.Our univariate linear mixed effect models showed there were several significant associations between the plasma biomarkers with imaging and cognitive measures. However, when all biomarkers were included in the same multivariate linear mixed effect models, we found that increased longitudinal amyloid-PET signals were independently predicted by low baseline plasma Aβ42/40 (P = 0.012), whereas increased tau-PET signals, brain atrophy and worse cognition were independently predicted by high plasma phosphorylated-tau217 (P &lt; 0.004). These biomarkers performed equally well or better than the corresponding biomarkers measured in the CSF. In addition, they showed a similar performance to binary plasma biomarker values defined using the Youden index, which can be more easily implemented in the clinic. In addition, plasma Aβ42/40 and phosphorylated-tau217 did not predict longitudinal changes in patients with a non-Alzheimer’s neurodegenerative disorder.In conclusion, our findings indicate that plasma Aβ42/40 and phosphorylated-tau217 could be useful in clinical practice, research and drug development as prognostic markers of future Alzheimer’s disease pathology.
Comorbidities of scars in China: a national study based on hospitalized cases
Authors: Kong Weishi , Xiao Yongqiang , Wang Baoli , Zhu Zhe , Hu Lunyang , Tang Hongtai , Wang Kangan , Fang He , Shi Ying , Long Jianyan , Gan Lanxia , Wang Haibo , Sun Yu , Xia Zhaofan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Scar comorbidities seriously affect the physical and mental health of patients, but few studies have reported the exact epidemiological characteristics of scar comorbidities in China. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of scar comorbidities in China.

Methods
The data of 177,586 scar cases between 2013 and 2018 were obtained from the Hospital Quality Monitoring System based on the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases coding system. The total distribution of scar comorbidities and their relationship with age, aetiology and body regions were analysed.

Results
Six comorbidities (contracture, malformation, ocular complications, adhesion, infection and others) were the main focus. In general, male patients outnumbered females and urban areas outnumbered rural areas. The proportion of contractures was the highest at 59,028 (33.24%). Students, workers and farmers made up the majority of the occupation. Han Chinese accounted for the majority of the ethnic. The highest proportion of scar contracture occurred at 1–1.9 years of age (58.97%), after which a significant downward trend was observed. However, starting from 50 years of age, ocular complications increased gradually and significantly, eventually reaching a peak of 34.49% in those aged &gt;80 years. Scar contracture was the most common comorbidity according to aetiology, and the highest proportion was observed in patients who were scalded (29.33%). Contractures were also the most frequent comorbidity in hands (10.30%), lower limbs (6.97%), feet (6.80%) and upper limbs (6.02%). The mean and median hospitalization durations were 12.85 and 8 days, respectively.

Conclusions
Contractures were the most common comorbidities, and different comorbidities tended to occur at different ages and with different causative factors.
DNA Methylation and Resting Brain Function Mediate the Association between Childhood Urbanicity and Better Speed of Processing
Authors: Cheng Weiqiu , Luo Na , Zhang Yuyanan , Zhang Xiao , Tan Haoyang , Zhang Dai , Sui Jing , Yue Weihua , Yan Hao 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Urbanicity has been suggested to affect cognition, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. We examined whether epigenetic modification (DNA methylation, DNAm), and brain white matter fiber integrity (fractional anisotropy, FA) or local spontaneous brain function activity (regional homogeneity, ReHo) play roles in the association between childhood urbanicity and cognition based on 497 healthy Chinese adults. We found significant correlation between childhood urbanicity and better cognitive performance. Multiset canonical correlation analysis (mCCA) identified an intercorrelated DNAm-FA-ReHo triplet, which showed significant pairwise correlations (DNAm-FA: Bonferroni-adjusted P, Pbon = 4.99E−03, rho = 0.216; DNAm-ReHo: Pbon = 4.08E−03, rho = 0.239; ReHo-FA: Pbon = 1.68E−06, rho = 0.328). Causal mediation analysis revealed that 1) ReHo mediated 10.86% childhood urbanicity effects on the speed of processing and 2) childhood urbanicity alters ReHo through DNA methylation in the cadherin and Wnt signaling pathways (mediated effect: 48.55%). The mediation effect of increased ReHo in the superior temporal gyrus underlying urbanicity impact on a better speed of processing was further validated in an independent cohort. Our work suggests a mediation role for ReHo, particularly increased brain activity in the superior temporal gyrus, in the urbanicity-associated speed of processing.
Results from a Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Demonstration Project for At-risk Cisgender Women in the United States
Authors: Blumenthal Jill , Jain Sonia , He Feng , Amico K Rivet , Kofron Ryan , Ellorin Eric , Stockman Jamila K , Psaros Christina , Ntim Gifty M , Chow Karen , Anderson Peter L , Haubrich Richard , Corado Katya , Moore David J , Morris Sheldon , Landovitz Raphael J 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) is effective for reducing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition among cisgender women. We report results from the first US observational open-label demonstration project of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among at-risk cisgender women.

Methods
Adherence Enhancement Guided by Individualized Texting and Drug Levels was a 48-week, single-arm, open-label demonstration study of daily oral TDF/FTC in cisgender women ≥18 years old at risk for HIV. Adherence was supported using 2-way text messaging and titrated adherence counseling based on rapid-turnaround tenofovir diphosphate concentrations from dried blood spots. Study visits occurred at baseline, weeks 4 and 12, and quarterly through week 48. Outcomes included TDF/FTC adherence, retention, and persistence.

Results
From June 2016 to October 2018, 136 cisgender women enrolled (mean age, 40 years (standard deviation, 11); 38% non-Hispanic Black and 19% Latina). At 48 weeks, 84 (62%) participants were retained and 62 (46%) remained on PrEP. More than one-third (12/31) of those on study but off PrEP throughout the study discontinued TDF/FTC because of side effects, and 1 adverse event led to study discontinuation. Of 120 participants with drug concentrations measured, 67 (56%) had at least 1 concentration consistent with 6 doses/week; 22 (18%) had consistent ≥6 doses/week across all study visits attended. There were no incident HIV infections and 4 incident bacterial sexually transmitted infections.

Conclusion
Adequate PrEP adherence for protective drug concentrations was not achieved for most study participants. More work needs to be done to fully explicate the reasons for nonadherence and low retention in cisgender women.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Mitigation Efforts and Testing During an In-Person Training Event—Uganda, 12–29 October 2020
Authors: Laws Rebecca L , Biraro Sam , Kirungi Wilford , Gianetti Brittany , Aibo Dorothy , Awor Anna C , West Christine , Sachathep Karampreet K , Kiyingi Herbert , Ward Jennifer , Mwangi Christina , Nkurunziza Peter , Okimait David , Currie Dustin , Ajiboye Aderonke , Moore Carole S , Patel Hetal , Sendagala Sam , Naluguza Mary , Mugisha Veronicah , Low Andrea , Delgado Stephen , Hoos David , Brown Kristin , Galbraith Jennifer S , Hladik Wolfgang , Nelson Lisa , El-Sadr Wafaa , Musinguzi Joshua , Voetsch Andrew C 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Large public-health training events may result in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. Universal SARS-CoV-2 testing during trainings for the Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment identified 28 of 475 (5.9%) individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among attendees; most (89.3%) were asymptomatic. Until COVID-19 vaccine is readily available for staff and participants, effective COVID-19 mitigation measures, along with SARS-CoV-2 testing, are recommended for in-person trainings, particularly when trainees will have subsequent contact with survey participants.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Transmission in a Georgia School District—United States, December 2020–January 2021
Authors: Gettings Jenna R , Gold Jeremy A W , Kimball Anne , Forsberg Kaitlin , Scott Colleen , Uehara Anna , Tong Suxiang , Hast Marisa , Swanson Megan R , Morris Elana , Oraka Emeka , Almendares Olivia , Thomas Ebony S , Mehari Lemlem , McCloud Jazmyn , Roberts Gurleen , Crosby Deanna , Balajee Abirami , Burnett Eleanor , Chancey Rebecca J , Cook Peter , Donadel Morgane , Espinosa Catherine , Evans Mary E , Fleming-Dutra Katherine E , Forero Catalina , Kukielka Esther A , Li Yan , Marcet Paula L , Mitruka Kiren , Nakayama Jasmine Y , Nakazawa Yoshinori , O’Hegarty Michelle , Pratt Caroline , Rice Marion E , Rodriguez Stewart Roxana M , Sabogal Raquel , Sanchez Emanny , Velasco-Villa Andres , Weng Mark K , Zhang Jing , Rivera Grant , Parrott Tonia , Franklin Rachel , Memark Janet , Drenzek Cherie , Hall Aron J , Kirking Hannah L , Tate Jacqueline E , Vallabhaneni Snigdha 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
To inform prevention strategies, we assessed the extent of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and settings in which transmission occurred in a Georgia public school district.

Methods
During 1 December 2020–22 January 2021, SARS-CoV-2–infected index cases and their close contacts in schools were identified by school and public health officials. For in-school contacts, we assessed symptoms and offered SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing; performed epidemiologic investigations and whole-genome sequencing to identify in-school transmission; and calculated secondary attack rate (SAR) by school setting (eg, sports, elementary school classroom), index case role (ie, staff, student), and index case symptomatic status.

Results
We identified 86 index cases and 1119 contacts, 688 (61.5%) of whom received testing. Fifty-nine of 679 (8.7%) contacts tested positive; 15 of 86 (17.4%) index cases resulted in ≥2 positive contacts. Among 55 persons testing positive with available symptom data, 31 (56.4%) were asymptomatic. Highest SARs were in indoor, high-contact sports settings (23.8% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 12.7%–33.3%]), staff meetings/lunches (18.2% [95% CI, 4.5%–31.8%]), and elementary school classrooms (9.5% [95% CI, 6.5%–12.5%]). The SAR was higher for staff (13.1% [95% CI, 9.0%–17.2%]) vs student index cases (5.8% [95% CI, 3.6%–8.0%]) and for symptomatic (10.9% [95% CI, 8.1%–13.9%]) vs asymptomatic index cases (3.0% [95% CI, 1.0%–5.5%]).

Conclusions
Indoor sports may pose a risk to the safe operation of in-person learning. Preventing infection in staff members, through measures that include coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination, is critical to reducing in-school transmission. Because many positive contacts were asymptomatic, contact tracing should be paired with testing, regardless of symptoms.