bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C related cognitive impairment: Impact of viral and host factors and response to therapy
Authors: Bar Nir , Levy Sharon , Deutsch Liat , Leshno Moshe , Rabinowich Liane , Younis Fadi , Shibolet Oren , Katchman Helena 
Published: February 2021

AbstractChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with cognitive impairment via several suggested mechanisms including direct neurotoxicity and minimal hepatic encephalopathy. The prevalence of HCV‐related cognitive impairment and whether it is reversed by anti‐viral therapy is unknown. We aimed to assess predictors and reversibility of cognitive impairment of HCV‐infected patients after successful treatment. Consecutive HCV patients treated during the EMERALD study (AbbVie 3D regimen for protease inhibitors failure) underwent neuropsychological (number connection test A [NCTA] and digital symbol test [DST]) and neurophysiological (critical flicker frequency [CFF]) tests at baseline and at 12 weeks post‐treatment. Patient self‐reported outcomes (PROs) were prospectively collected. Patients with a history of hepatic encephalopathy were excluded. Thirty‐two patients underwent the cognitive tests at baseline. Seven of them had abnormal CFF test findings. Twenty‐five (25/32, 78%) patients had repeated evaluations 3 months post‐treatment. High viral loads were significantly associated with abnormal CFF across fibrosis levels (area under the ROC curve 0.817). CFF results significantly improved following viral eradication, from 40.9 (interquartile range 38.6–42.9) at baseline to 41.5 (39.8–44), p = .042, at follow‐up. Both NCTA and DST results improved, but not significantly. There was improvement in the PROs of general health perception and vitality. The NCTA and DST results were more significantly associated with PROs than CFF. This prospective interventional study showed greater cognitive impairment in HCV patients with high viral load and demonstrated partial reversibility of HCV neurotoxicity and subsequent improvement in PROs following treatment.
Comparison of pulmonary deposition of nebulized 99mtechnetium‐diethylenetriamine‐pentaacetic acid through 3 inhalation devices in healthy dogs
Authors: Carranza Valencia Alejandra , Hirt Reinhard , Kampner Doris , Hiebl Andreas , Tichy Alexander , Rüthemann Peter , Pagitz Maximilian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundInhalation treatment frequently is used in dogs and cats with chronic respiratory disease. Little is known however about the performance of delivery devices and the distribution of aerosolized drugs in the lower airways.ObjectiveTo assess the performance of 3 delivery devices and the impact of variable durations of inhalation on the pulmonary and extrapulmonary deposition of nebulized 99mtechnetium‐diethylenetriamine‐pentaacetic acid (99mTc‐DTPA).AnimalsTen university‐owned healthy Beagle dogs.MethodsProspective crossover study. Dogs inhaled the radiopharmaceutical for 5 minutes either through the Aerodawg spacer with a custom‐made nose‐muzzle mask, the Aerochamber spacer with the same mask, or the Aerodawg spacer with its original nose mask. In addition, dogs inhaled for 1 and 3 minutes through the second device. Images were obtained by 2‐dimensional planar scintigraphy. Radiopharmaceutical uptake was calculated as an absolute value and as a fraction of the registered dose in the whole body.ResultsMean (±SD) lung deposition for the 3 devices was 9.2% (±5.0), 11.4% (±4.9), and 9.3% (±4.6), respectively. Differences were not statistically significant. Uptake in pulmonary and extrapulmonary tissues was significantly lower after 1‐minute nebulization, but the mean pulmonary/extrapulmonary deposition ratio (0.38 ± 0.27) was significantly higher than after 5‐minute nebulization (0.16 ± 0.1; P = .03). No significant differences were detected after 3‐ and 5‐minute nebulization.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceThe performance of a pediatric spacer with a custom‐made mask is comparable to that of a veterinary device. One‐minute nebulization provides lower pulmonary uptake but achieves a better pulmonary/extrapulmonary deposition ratio than does 5‐minute nebulization.
Prostatic leiomyosarcoma in a dog treated using a multimodal approach
Authors: Trovatelli Marco , Bassi Jessica , Giudice Chiara , Ferrari Roberta , Longo Maurizio , Brizzola Stefano 
Published: February 2021

AbstractProstatic leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon tumor encountered in male dogs, with only 2 cases reported in the veterinary literature with no follow‐up described. A 12‐year‐old male intact German Wirehaired Pointer presented for evaluation of straining to defecate and urinate. Whole body computed tomography (CT) examination identified a spherical multicavitary expansile mass arising from the prostate gland and severely obliterating the pelvic canal. Partial subcapsular prostatectomy was performed, and histological and immunohistochemical results were consistent with prostatic leiomyosarcoma. Metronomic cyclophosphamide and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were administered as adjuvant chemotherapy. Follow‐up CT 10 months later indicated no signs of recurrence or metastasis. To the best of our knowledge, this patient represents the first report of successful multidisciplinary treatment consisting of partial subcapsular prostatectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy for prostatic leiomyosarcoma in a dog. After 15 months of follow‐up, the patient remained recurrence‐free without metastasis.
Genome‐wide ancestry and introgression in a Zambian baboon hybrid zone
Authors: Chiou Kenneth L. , Bergey Christina M. , Burrell Andrew S. , Disotell Todd R. , Rogers Jeffrey , Jolly Clifford J. , Phillips‐Conroy Jane E. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHybridization in nature offers unique insights into the process of natural selection in incipient species and their hybrids. In order to evaluate the patterns and targets of selection, we examine a recently discovered baboon hybrid zone in the Kafue River Valley of Zambia, where Kinda baboons (Papio kindae) and grey‐footed chacma baboons (P. ursinus griseipes) coexist with hybridization. We genotyped baboons at 14,962 variable genome‐wide autosomal markers using double‐digest RADseq. We compared ancestry patterns from this genome‐wide data set to previously reported ancestry from mitochondrial‐DNA and Y‐chromosome sources. We also fit a Bayesian genomic cline model to scan for genes with extreme patterns of introgression. We show that the Kinda baboon Y chromosome has penetrated the species boundary to a greater extent than either mitochondrial DNA or the autosomal chromosomes. We also find evidence for overall restricted introgression in the JAK/STAT signalling pathway. Echoing results in other species including humans, we find evidence for enhanced and/or directional introgression of immune‐related genes or pathways including the toll‐like receptor pathway, the blood coagulation pathway, and the LY96 gene. Finally we show enhanced introgression and excess chacma baboon ancestry in the sperm tail gene ODF2. Together, our results elucidate the dynamics of introgressive hybridization in a primate system while identifying genes and pathways possibly under selection.
Nurses' perspectives on alternative communication strategies use in critical care units
Authors: Johnson Ensa , Heyns Tanya , Nilsson Stefan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundCritically ill patients have the right to communicate and participate in their treatment to avoid adverse medical outcomes due to the severity of their illness, their responsiveness, and level of consciousness. This human right has often been neglected by health care professionals, as a result of limited alternative communication support provided to patients who are unable to speak due to, for example, endotracheal intubation. Despite the successful use of alternative communication strategies in critical care units (CCUs) in other countries, limited implementation in South African hospitals has been reported.Aims and objectivesThis study aimed to determine the perspectives of South African nurses working in CCUs on the frequency of use of alternative communication strategies to support patient‐centred communication with critically ill adult patients.DesignThe study followed a quantitative non‐experimental survey research design.MethodsA total of 210 nurses working in both private and public hospitals completed a survey on their perspectives on the use of alternative communication strategies in CCUs.ResultsNurse participants reported experience working with critically ill and communication‐vulnerable patients. Nurse–patient communication mainly involved the use of pen and paper, facial expressions and gestures to obtain information relating to patients' needs and their health history. Limited use of speech‐generating communication devices was reported.ConclusionNurse training on the use and implementation of alternative communication strategies, such as communication boards or electronic speech‐generating devices, should be investigated to improve nurses' communication with communication‐vulnerable patients in South Africa.Relevance to clinical practiceThe results are applicable in clinical practice due to patients' need for alternative communication. The nurses mainly used low‐tech solutions, which are cheap and easy to access. However, there exists an opportunity to increase the use of available digital solutions.
Is it possible to influence ability, willingness and understanding among nursing home care staff to implement nutritional guidelines? A comparison of a facilitated and an educational strategy
Authors: Törmä Johanna , Pingel Ronnie , Cederholm Tommy , Saletti Anja , Winblad Ulrika 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundTranslating nutrition knowledge into care practice is challenging since multiple factors can affect the implementation process. This study examined the impact of two implementation strategies, that is external facilitation (EF) and educational outreach visits (EOVs), on the organisational context and individual factors when implementing nutritional guidelines in a nursing home (NH) setting.MethodsThe EF strategy was a one‐year, multifaceted (including support, guidance, a practice audit and feedback) intervention given to four NH units. The EOV strategy was a three‐hour lecture about the nutritional guidelines given to four other NH units. Both strategies were directed at selected NH teams, consisting of a unit manager, a nurse and 5–10 care staff. A questionnaire was distributed, before and after the interventions, to evaluate the prerequisites for the staff to use the guidelines. Three conditions were used to examine the organisational context and the individual factors: the staff's ability and willingness to implement the nutritional guidelines and their understanding of them. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation models were used for the data analysis.ResultsThe results indicated that on average, there was a significant increase in the staff's ability to implement the nutritional guidelines in the EF group. The staff exposed to the EF strategy experienced better resources to implement the guidelines in terms of time, tools and support from leadership and a clearer assignment of responsibility regarding nutrition procedures. There was no change in staff's willingness and understanding of the guidelines in the EF group. On average, no significant changes were observed for the staff's ability, willingness or understanding in the EOV group.ConclusionsA long‐term, active and flexible implementation strategy (i.e. EF) affected the care staff's ability to implement the nutritional guidelines in an NH setting. No such impact was observed for the more passive, educational approach (i.e. EOV).
Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy Due to Giant Fabella After Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Shen Ke , Bai Pengcheng , Sun Ran , Liu Lei , Wang Fei , Chen Baicheng , Wang Xiaofeng 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundCommon peroneal nerve palsy (CPNP) is a rare but serious complication following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The common peroneal nerve is one of the main molecules of the sciatic nerve. CPNP is a series of symptoms caused by common peroneal nerve injury due to paralysis and atrophy of the fibula and tibia muscles. The main clinical symptoms are: ankle joint unable to extend back, toe unable to extend back, foot droop, walking in a steppage gait, and foot dorsal skin sensation having decreased or disappeared. If treatment is not timely, severe cases may result in atrophy of the anterior tibia and lateral calf muscles. The risk factors for CPNP include mechanical stretching of the nerve, disruption of the blood supply to the nerve, and compression of the nerve. The CPNP should be treated in a timely manner and according to the cause. Its function should be restored as soon as possible to avoid serious adverse consequences. It has negative effects on patients’ life and physical and mental health. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe CPNP due to a giant fabella after TKA.Case presentationThe present study reported on a 70‐year‐old female patient. The patient underwent a primary TKA of the right knee for osteoarthritis. Relevant examinations were conducted and the operation went smoothly. Three hours postoperation, a right partial CPNP was observed, with progressive aggravation over time. On palpation, there was a 2 × 2‐cm fixed hard mass in the posterolateral aspect of the right knee, with mild tenderness to deep palpation. Radiographs demonstrated that a giant fabella was located at the posterolateral condyle of the right femur. Fabellectomy and neurolysis of the common peroneal nerve were performed. The peroneal nerve palsy resolved gradually after the operation. At 8‐month follow up after fabellectomy and neurolysis, the function of the common peroneal nerve had fully recovered.ConclusionsThe presence of giant feballa pressing on the common peroneal nerve should be considered when common peroneal nerve palsy occurs after TKA. Surgical exploration and release compression should be performed in a timely manner.
Estimating Event-Rates from Unreliable Historical Records
Authors: Rougier Jonathan 
Published: February 2021

SummaryIt is natural, when contemplating an historical record of events, to base a simple estimator of the event-rate on that recent part of the record where the recording probability is thought to be effectively 1. After all, this avoids the downward bias which would be incurred by ‘overshooting’ into a time where the recording probability was less than 1. However, there is a trade-off, because overshooting also decreases the variance of the event-rate estimator. In fact, it is always beneficial to overshoot, measured in terms of the risk of the estimator. Perhaps surprisingly, the beneficial overshoot can often be large. This paper provides these theoretical results, along with some illustrations.
Nonparametric Density Estimation Over Complicated Domains
Authors: Ferraccioli Federico , Arnone Eleonora , Finos Livio , Ramsay James O. , Sangalli Laura M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe propose a nonparametric method for density estimation over (possibly complicated) spatial domains. The method combines a likelihood approach with a regularization based on a differential operator. We demonstrate the good inferential properties of the method. Moreover, we develop an estimation procedure based on advanced numerical techniques, and in particular making use of finite elements. This ensures high computational efficiency and enables great flexibility. The proposed method efficiently deals with data scattered over regions having complicated shapes, featuring complex boundaries, sharp concavities or holes. Moreover, it captures very well complicated signals having multiple modes with different directions and intensities of anisotropy. We show the comparative advantages of the proposed approach over state of the art methods, in simulation studies and in an application to the study of criminality in the city of Portland, Oregon.
Optimizing the scientific study of suicide with open and transparent research practices
Authors: Carpenter Thomas P. , Law Keyne C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSuicide research is vitally important, yet—like psychology research more broadly—faces methodological challenges. In recent years, researchers have raised concerns about standard practices in psychological research, concerns that apply to suicide research and raise questions about its robustness and validity. In the present paper, we review these concerns and the corresponding solutions put forth by the “open science” community. These include using open science platforms, pre‐registering studies, ensuring reproducible analyses, using high‐powered studies, ensuring open access to research materials and products, and conducting replication studies. We build upon existing guides, address specific obstacles faced by suicide researchers, and offer a clear set of recommended practices for suicide researchers. In particular, we consider challenges that suicide researchers may face in seeking to adopt “open science” practices (e.g., prioritizing large samples) and suggest possible strategies that the field may use in order to ensure robust and transparent research, despite these challenges.
Contemporary methods in delayed discounting: Applications for suicidology with simulation
Authors: Gilroy Shawn P. , Tucker Raymond P. , Bauer Brian W. , Patros Connor H. G. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo present an approach for integrating recently developed methods in behavioral economics into suicidology research. At present, existing applications of delay discounting in suicidology have focused predominantly on hypothetical choices related to monetary value as a proxy to “risky” choices linked to unsafe or suicidal behavior. In this report, we outline a more targeted approach that directly indexes choices related to treatment in suicide prevention initiatives and incorporates the strengths afforded by multi‐level modeling. This more targeted approach precludes the need for multi‐step comparisons (improving power), avoids compressing choice variability across delays into individual values (improving precision), and better accommodates decision‐making at the upper and lower extremes (improving reliability).MethodWe present this analytical approach within the context of a Hypothetical Firearm Decision‐making Task with simulated participants. A simulated study is provided to illustrate how this approach can be used to evaluate how individuals make temporally delayed decisions related to treatment for suicidal behavior (i.e., temporarily limiting their access to firearms while undergoing treatment).Results and ConclusionsThe results of this simulated study are provided to illustrate how more advanced behavioral decision‐making models can be used to supplement existing research methods in suicidology.
Considerations in the assessment of help‐seeking and mental health service use in suicide prevention research
Authors: Hom Melanie A. , Stanley Ian H. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe connection of individuals at elevated suicide risk to mental healthcare services represents a critical component of suicide prevention efforts. This article provides recommendations for enhancing the assessment of help‐seeking and mental health service use within the context of suicide prevention research.MethodWe discuss evidence‐based and theoretical rationale for improving current approaches to assessing help‐seeking and mental health service use among at‐risk individuals.ResultsRecommendations are offered within three domains: (a) consideration of the spectrum of connection to care, (b) assessment of the degree to which mental healthcare services seek to and effectively target suicidal symptoms, and (c) evaluation of the sources and types of treatment and care sought and received by at‐risk individuals.ConclusionsTo further our understanding of how to bolster connection to care and improve experiences with mental healthcare services among individuals at elevated suicide risk, it is imperative that stakeholders precisely capture the degree, efficacy/effectiveness, and nature of care sought and received by individuals. In so doing, research gaps might be better identified and, ultimately, mental healthcare services might be better leveraged as tools to prevent suicide and support individuals in creating lives they perceive to be worth living.
Developing latent constructs of dialogic interaction to examine the epistemic climate: Rasch modeling
Authors: Bae Yejun , Fulmer Gavin W. , Hand Brian M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study investigates two latent constructs (Engagement and Value) of dialogic interaction to examine the epistemic climate. Since the new reform movement emphasizes creating generative learning environments, it is important to examine whether a classroom promotes students’ knowledge generation or limit students’ epistemic growth through rote memorization. At this point, it is inevitable to focus on dialogic interaction (one of the epistemic practices), because how students engage with and view dialogic interaction provides meaningful information about the epistemic climate. By employing Rasch modeling, this study tested a statistical validity of two latent constructs of dialogic interaction. The findings in this study highlight that the two latent constructs are theoretically and statistically valid and can be used to gauge the epistemic climate through students’ engagement with and value of dialogic interaction. While understanding the epistemic climate cannot solely occur through a single perspective, this study plays a significant role in adding a valid instrument. Such instruments help researchers comprehend the epistemic features of learning environments and provide a practical way to reflect students' lived experiences to learn about the overall atmosphere of the learning environment.
Validation of oral brushing as a non‐invasive technique for the identification of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma by DNA methylation and TP53 mutation analysis
Authors: Renzi Andrea , Morandi Luca , Bellei Emma , Marconato Laura , Rigillo Antonella , Aralla Marina , Lenzi Jacopo , Bettini Giuliano , Tinto Debora , Sabattini Silvia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFeline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC) is a frequent and progressively invasive tumour. Early lesions are difficult to recognize based on the sole clinical examination and may be misinterpreted as non‐neoplastic. Mutations of TP53 and epigenetic alterations of specific genes are present in FOSCC and may be early detected. Aim of this prospective study was to investigate the DNA methylation pattern of a 17‐gene panel and TP53 mutational status of FOSCC cytological samples obtained by oral brushing. Results were compared with a control group, in order to validate this non‐invasive procedure for the screening of FOSCC. In FOSCC, the same analyses were carried out on the corresponding histological sample, if available. Thirty‐five FOSCC and 60 controls were included. Mutations of TP53 were detected in 17 FOSCC brushings (48%) and in none of the controls (P < .001). Six genes (ZAP70, FLI1, MiR124‐1, KIF1A, MAGEC2 and MiR363) were differentially methylated in FOSCC and were included in a methylation score. An algorithm based on TP53 mutational status and methylation score allowed to differentiate FOSCC from controls with a 69% sensitivity and a 97% specificity (accuracy, 86%). In 19 FOSCC histological samples, TP53 mutational status was fully concordant with brushings and a positive methylation score was observed in all cases. These results are promising for the identification of FOSCC by oral brushing, although some factors may limit the accuracy of this technique and further studies are required to assess its reproducibility in clinical practice.