bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TYPICAL VALUES OF DOSIMETRIC DATA FOR CARDIAC FLUOROSCOPY-GUIDED PROCEDURES IN A SOUTH AFRICAN TEACHING HOSPITAL
Authors: Sothmann P J , Groenewald W A , Doubell A F , Pitcher R D 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCurrently there are limited diagnostic reference level (DRL) data for South African (SA) public sector cardiac fluoroscopy-guided procedures (FGPs). A 4-y retrospective study of dosimetric data on 6265 patients determined typical values (50th percentile) of dosimetric data for the seven most frequent cardiac FGPs at a SA teaching hospital. Kerma-area-product (KAP), reference point air Kerma (Ka,r) and fluoroscopy time (FT) were, respectively, calculated for coronary angiography (CA) (n = 1935; 61Gy.cm2, 624 mGy, 5 min); CA with left ventriculography (n = 1687; 85Gy.cm2, 840 mGy, 3.9 min), valve screening (n = 129; 6Gy.cm2, 164 mGy, 2.3 min), percutaneous coronary intervention (n = 1922; 145Gy.cm2, 1569 mGy, 11.9 min), pacemaker implantation (n = 432; 9Gy.cm2, 100 mGy, 6.5 min), pericardial tap (n = 115; 1.9Gy.cm2, 18 mGy, 1.5 min) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (n = 45; 65Gy.cm2, 658 mGy, 14.1 min). This work presents the largest SA public sector cardiac FGP dosimetric data to date and provides a key resource for future work in this domain.
UNCERTAINTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS UTILIZING DICOM RDSR FOR SKIN DOSE ASSESSMENT IN INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY AND CARDIOLOGY
Authors: Krajinović Marko , Vujisić Miloš , Ciraj-Bjelac Olivera 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this work is to provide a comprehensive analysis of uncertainties associated with the use of software solutions utilizing DICOM RDSRs for skin dose assessment in the interventional fluoroscopic environment.

Methods and Results
Three different scenarios have been defined for determining the overall uncertainty, each with a specific assumption on the maximum deviations of factors affecting the calculated dose. Relative expanded uncertainty has been calculated using two approaches: the law of propagation of uncertainty and the propagation of distributions based on the Monte Carlo method. According to the propagation of uncertainty, it is estimated that the lowest possible relative expanded uncertainty of ~13% (at the 95% level of confidence, i.e. with the coverage factor of k = 2 assuming normal distribution) could only be achieved if all sources of uncertainties are carefully controlled, whereas maximum relative expanded uncertainty could reach up to 61% if none of the influencing parameters are controlled properly. When the influencing parameters are reasonably well-controlled, realistic relative expanded uncertainty amounts to 28%. Values for the relative expanded uncertainty obtained from the Monte Carlo propagation of distributions concur with the results obtained from the propagation of uncertainty to within 3% in all three considered scenarios, validating the assumption of normality.

Conclusions
The overall skin dose relative uncertainty has been found to range from 13 to 61%, emphasizing the importance of adequate analysis and control of all relevant uncertainty sources.
AtMC1 Associates With LSM4 to Regulate Plant Immunity Through Modulating Pre-mRNA Splicing
Authors: Wang Shune , Xue Mei , He Chan , Shen Danyu , Jiang Chunhao , Zhao Hongwei , Niu Dongdong 
Published: September 2021

Alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs is an important gene regulatory mechanism shaping the transcriptome. AtMC1 is an Arabidopsis thaliana type I metacaspase that positively regulates the hypersensitive response. Here, we found that AtMC1 is involved in the regulation of plant immunity to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and is physically associated with Sm-like4 (LSM4), which is involved in pre-mRNA splicing. AtMC1 and LSM4 protein levels both increased with their coexpression as compared with their separate expression in vivo. Like AtMC1, LSM4 negatively regulates plant immunity to P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 infection. By RNA sequencing, AtMC1 was shown to modulate the splicing of many pre-mRNAs, including 4CL3, which is a negative regulator of plant immunity. Thus, AtMC1 plays a regulatory role in pre-mRNA splicing, which might contribute to AtMC1-mediated plant immunity. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Validation of the labeled magnitude scale for the assessment of itch intensity in patients with chronic pruritus
Authors: Zeidler Claudia , Röchter Marvin , Ständer Sonja , Pereira Manuel P. 
Published: September 2021

Introduction:
The visual analogue scale (VAS), the numerical rating scale (NRS), and the verbal rating scale (VRS) are routinely used to assess pruritus intensity. However, these scales have limitations, especially the ceiling effect of linear scales (VAS, NRS) and the reduced sensitivity to change of the VRS. In the labeled magnitude scale (LMS) consisting of a vertical line with verbal anchors distributed quasi-logarithmically, the ceiling effect is reduced, allowing a higher discriminative assessment at the higher end of the scale.

Methods:
A total of 172 patients completed the LMS twice within 30–60 minutes to assess the reliability of the scale, as well as the NRS and VAS for analyses of convergent validity. Sensitivity to change of the LMS was investigated by analyzing changes in scores after a twice-daily application of an emollient containing menthoxypropanediol for 14 days.

Results:
Test-retest reliability was excellent for the LMS assessing average (Cronbach α: 0.955) and worst (Cronbach α: 0.945) pruritus intensity in the last 24 hours, while strong to very strong correlations were observed between the LMS and NRS assessing the worst (r=0.783) and average (r=0.808) pruritus intensity, respectively. Treatment with an emollient lead to a significant decrease in LMS scores (P<0.01). In patients with severe pruritus at baseline (VRS ≥3), we recorded a 30.2% improvement of average pruritus intensity using the LMS compared with a 25.0% improvement using the NRS and a 27.8% improvement of worst pruritus intensity using the LMS compared with an 11.1% improvement with the NRS. Most patients considered the LMS an appropriate instrument to assess pruritus intensity (89.6%) and would use it again (91.9%).

Discussion:
The LMS is an appropriate well-accepted instrument to assess CP. It is especially useful to detect variations in pruritus intensity in patients with severe CP.
Trends in Covid-19 hospital mortality in women and men
Authors: Ayerbe Luis , Risco-Risco Carlos , Martínez-Urbistondo Diego , Caro-Tinoco María Elena , Ayis Salma 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIntroductionIt remains unclear if the development of health services, clinical management, and scientific evidence, during the pandemic is associated with better medical outcomes, sustained in the long term, for Covid-19 patients of each gender. This study presents the trends in mortality associated with Covid-19 for women and men during the first year of the pandemic.MethodsThis study was based in 17 Spanish hospitals. Sociodemographic, clinical, and mortality data from all patients with Covid-19, who had been discharged alive, or had died after being admitted, between March 2020 and February 2021, were used.The association between time of admission and mortality was examined with multivariate logistic regression models.Results3390 Covid-19 patients were included in the study, of which 1330 were women, the age was M(SD): 66.55(16.55) Death was reported for 451 patients. There was a significant decreasing trend in mortality by time of admission for the whole year with an OR: 0.86(0.77-0.96) p=0.005. No significant trend in mortality for women was observed OR: 1.00(0.85-1.19) p=0.959, while there was a significant decreasing trend for men OR: 0.78 (0.68-0.90) p=0.001DiscussionThe health policies put in place, the scientific evidence developed by researchers, and the experienced acquired by clinicians, are likely to explain this improvement in mortality. More epidemiological and clinical studies addressing trends of mortality in patients with different sociodemographic and clinical profile and the improvement of clinical outcomes are required. Future research may address the safety and efficacy of interventions specifically in female patients.
Incidence of COVID-19 reinfection among Midwestern healthcare employees
Authors: Rivelli Anne , Fitzpatrick Veronica , Blair Christopher , Copeland Kenneth , Richards Jon 
Published: September 2021

AbstractImportanceGiven the overwhelming worldwide rate of infection and the disappointing pace of vaccination, addressing reinfection is critical. Understanding reinfection, including protection longevity after natural infection, will allow us to better know the prospect of herd immunity, which hinges on the assumption that natural infection generates sufficient, protective immunity. The primary aim of this paper is to provide data on SARS-CoV-2 reinfection over a 10-month period.ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study is to establish the incidence of reinfection of COVID-19 among healthcare employees who experienced a prior COVID-19 infection.DesignThis observational cohort study followed a convenience sample of 2,625 participants who experienced a COVID-19 infection for subsequent COVID-19 infection.SettingHealthcare employees were recruited across a large Midwestern healthcare system. Positive PCR test results were administered and recorded by the system-affiliated lab serving Illinois and Wisconsin.ParticipantsAdult healthcare system employees who enrolled in a research study focused on SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (N = 16,357) and had at least one positive PCR test result between March 1, 2020 and January 10, 2021 were included (N = 2,625).ExposurePositive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)The primary outcome is incidence of COVID-19 reinfection, defined by current CDC guidelines (i.e. subsequent COVID-19 infection ≥ 90 days from prior infection). COVID-19 recurrence, defined as subsequent COVID-19 infection after prior infection irrespective of time, is also described.ResultsOf 2,625 participants who experienced at least one COVID-19 infection during the 10-month study period, 156 (5.94%) experienced reinfection and 540 (20.57%) experienced recurrence after prior infection. Median days were 126.50 (105.50-171.00) to reinfection and 31.50 (10.00-72.00) to recurrence. Incidence rate of COVID-19 reinfection was 0.35 cases per 1,000 person-days, with participants working in COVID-clinical and clinical units experiencing 3.77 and 3.57 times, respectively, greater risk of reinfection relative to those working in non-clinical units. Incidence rate of COVID-19 recurrence was 1.47 cases per 1,000 person-days.Conclusions and RelevanceThis study supports the consensus that COVID-19 reinfection, defined as subsequent infection ≥ 90 days after prior infection, is rare, even among a sample of healthcare workers with frequent exposure.
Evaluating strategies for spatial allocation of vaccines based on risk and centrality
Authors: Singer Benjamin J , Thompson Robin N , Bonsall Michael B 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWhen vaccinating a large population in response to an invading pathogen, it is often necessary to prioritise some individuals to be vaccinated first. One way to do this is to choose individuals to vaccinate based on their location. Methods for this prioritisation include strategies which target those regions most at risk of importing the pathogen, and strategies which target regions with high centrality on the travel network. We use a simple infectious disease epidemic model to compare a risk-targeting strategy to two different centrality-targeting strategies based on betweenness centrality and random walk percolation centrality, respectively. We find that the relative effectiveness of these strategies in reducing the total number of infections varies with the basic reproduction number of the pathogen, travel rates, structure of the travel network, and vaccine availability. We conclude that, when a pathogen has high spreading capacity, or when vaccine availability is limited, centrality-targeting strategies should be considered as an alternative to the more commonly used risk-targeting strategies.
High risk landscapes of Japanese encephalitis virus outbreaks in India converge on wetlands, rainfed agriculture, wild Ardeidae, and domestic pigs
Authors: Walsh Michael G. , Pattanaik Amrita , Vyas Navya , Saxena Deepak , Webb Cameron , Sawleshwarkar Shailendra , Mukhopadhyay Chiranjay 
Published: September 2021

AbstractJapanese encephalitis constitutes a significant burden of disease across Asia, particularly in India, with high mortality in children. This zoonotic mosquito-borne disease is caused by theFlavivirus, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and circulates in wild ardeid bird and domestic pig reservoirs both of which generate sufficiently high viremias to infect vector mosquitoes, which can then subsequently infect humans. The landscapes of these hosts, particularly in the context of anthropogenic ecotones and resulting wildlife-livestock interfaces, are poorly understood and thus significant knowledge gaps in the epidemiology and infection ecology of JEV persist, which impede optimal control and prevention of outbreaks. The current study investigated the landscape epidemiology of JEV outbreaks in India over the period 2010 to 2020 based on national human disease surveillance data. Outbreaks were modelled as an inhomogeneous Poisson point process. Outbreak risk was strongly associated with the habitat suitability of ardeid birds and pig density, and shared landscapes between fragmented rainfed agriculture and both river and freshwater marsh wetlands. Moreover, risk scaled with Ardeidae habitat suitability, but was consistent across scale with respect to pig density and rainfed agriculture-wetland mosaics. The results from this work provide a more complete understanding of the landscape epidemiology and infection ecology of JEV in India and suggest important priorities for control and prevention across fragmented terrain comprised of wildlife-livestock interface that favours spillover to humans.
Local patterns of spread of influenza A(H3N2) virus in coastal Kenya over a one-year period revealed through virus sequence data
Authors: Owuor D. Collins , Ngoi Joyce M. , Nyasimi Festus M. , Murunga Nickson , Nyiro Joyce U. , Garten Rebecca , Barnes John R. , Chaves Sandra S. , Nokes D. James , Agoti Charles N. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe patterns of spread of influenza A viruses in local populations in tropical and sub-tropical regions are unclear due to sparsity of representative spatiotemporal sequence data.MethodsWe sequenced and analyzed 58 influenza A(H3N2) virus genomes sampled between December 2015 and December 2016 from nine health facilities within the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS), a predominantly rural region, covering approximately 891 km2along the Kenyan coastline. The genomes were compared with 1,571 contemporaneous global sequences from 75 countries.ResultsWe observed at least five independent introductions of A(H3N2) viruses into the region during the one-year period, with the importations originating from Africa, Europe, and North America. We also inferred 23 virus location transition events between the nine facilities included in the study. International virus imports into the study area were captured at the facilities of Chasimba, Matsangoni, Mtondia, and Mavueni, while all four exports from the region were captured from the Chasimba facility, all occurring to Africa destinations. A strong spatial clustering of virus strains at all locations was observed associated with local evolution.ConclusionOur study shows that influenza A(H3N2) virus epidemics in local populations appear to be characterized by limited introductions followed by significant local spread and evolution.
Molecular Stratification of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Reznichenko Anna , Nair Viji , Eddy Sean , Tomilo Mark , Slidel Timothy , Ju Wenjun , Conway James P. , Badal Shawn S. , Wesley Johnna , Liles John T. , Moosmang Sven , Williams Julie M. , Quinn Carol Moreno , Bitzer Markus , Karihaloo Anil , Breyer Matthew D. , Duffin Kevin L. , Patel Uptal D. , Magnone Maria Chiara , Bhat Ratan , Kretzler Matthias 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCurrent classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) into stages based on the indirect measures of kidney functional state, estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria, is agnostic to the heterogeneity of underlying etiologies, histopathology, and molecular processes. We used genome-wide transcriptomics from patients’ kidney biopsies, directly reflecting kidney biological processes, to stratify patients from three independent CKD cohorts. Unsupervised Self-Organizing Maps (SOM), an artificial neural network algorithm, assembled CKD patients into four novel subgroups, molecular categories, based on the similarity of their kidney transcriptomics profiles. The unbiased, molecular categories were present across CKD stages and histopathological diagnoses, highlighting heterogeneity of conventional clinical subgroups at the molecular level. CKD molecular categories were distinct in terms of biological pathways, transcriptional regulation and associated kidney cell types, indicating that the molecular categorization is founded on biologically meaningful mechanisms. Importantly, our results revealed that not all biological pathways are equally activated in all patients; instead, different pathways could be more dominant in different subgroups and thereby differentially influencing disease progression and outcomes. This first kidney-centric unbiased categorization of CKD paves the way to an integrated clinical, morphological and molecular diagnosis. This is a key step towards enabling precision medicine for this heterogeneous condition with the potential to advance biological understanding, clinical management, and drug development, as well as establish a roadmap for molecular reclassification of CKD and other complex diseases.One sentence summaryUnbiased grouping of patients based on kidney biopsy transcriptomics profiles generated a novel molecular categorization of chronic kidney disease.
Frequencies of TP53 Germline Variations and Identification of Two Novel 3’UTR Variants in a Series of Head and Neck Cancer Cases
Authors: Ajaz Sadia , Muneer Rabbia , Siddiqa Aisha , Memon Muhammad Ali 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTP53 is a tumour suppressor gene. Its inactivation plays a significant role in the molecular pathology of cancers. TP53 germline mutations increase the risk of developing multiple primary cancers. However, the role of alterations in TP53 germline DNA in head and neck cancers (HNCs) is not well-established. HNCs comprise one of the most frequent cancers in South Asia. The present discovery study reports the investigation of germline variations in the TP53 gene in a cohort of 30 HNC patients from Karachi, Pakistan. Blood samples were collected and genomic DNA was extracted from white blood cells. TP53 has 11 exons, where exon 1 is not transcribed. After quality control of DNA, amplification of seven selected exons along with their splice sites, two intronic regions (introns 2-3 and 3-4), and 3’UTR were carried out. Sanger sequencing was carried out in order to identify germline variations. Comparison with wild type sequence revealed rs1642785 G>C (intron 2-3) variation in 63.2%, PIN3 duplication (rs17878362) in intron 3-4 in 94.7%, and rs1042522 G>C in exon 4 (p.R72P) in 66.6% of the cases. In 3’UTR, 13.4% of the analyzed cases carried either one of two variants, i.e., 17:7669567_8delCA or 17:7669560C>G. The latter variations are reported for the first time in literature. In conclusion, we report three highly frequent germline variations and two newly discovered variations in 3’UTR of TP53 germline DNA in HNC patients from Pakistan. These results shall contribute to delineating the genetic component of HNCs with potential translational implications.
The Gut Microbiome of Youth Who Have Behavioral and Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review
Authors: Leung Cherry Y. , Weiss Sandra J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundMental health conditions have increased over the past several decades. While there is growing evidence that the gut microbiome affects mental health, there are limited studies focused on children, adolescents, and young adults. This scoping review examined the existing literature and compared findings on the relationships between the gut microbiome with mental health across these younger age groups.MethodsA literature search using PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL was performed, and bibliographies were manually searched. Eighteen articles met eligibility for our scoping review. Findings from each study were evaluated, focusing on bacterial composition and diversity among children/adolescents and young adults.ResultsThere were no studies specifically on the adolescent age group, so data was synthesized comparing the child/adolescent (2 to <18 years of age) and young adult (18-25 years of age) groups. Studies utilized several different methods for gut microbiome analysis and examined various mental health conditions. Findings for both age groups were mostly inconsistent. However, Bifidobacteria seems to be associated with better mental health. Alpha diversity was lower for children/adolescents with ADHD and high stress but higher for young adults with ADHD and Major Depressive Disorder.LimitationsThere were inconsistencies across studies, likely due to differences in mental health problems examined, populations assessed, and research designs or measurements used.ConclusionsFuture research should replicate studies to confirm findings, examine lower taxonomic levels, consider longitudinal designs to assess for directionality, and consider clinical trials to examine the effects of probiotics with the same strains to manage mental health symptoms.
Long-term Services and Supports, Cognitive Impairment, and Disease Management among Older Chinese Adults
Authors: Lin Zhuoer , Chen Xi 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTRapid population aging elevates burden of chronic and non-communicable diseases among older adults. Despite the critical role of self-management in disease prevention and control, effective management of diseases can be cognitively demanding and may require additional supports from family, friends and social services. Using nationally representative data from China, this paper documents the gradient relationship between cognitive impairment and disease management, and characterizes the differential effects of long-term care services and supports (LTSS) on disease management among older adults in different stages of cognitive impairment. In specific, we examine preventive care use and the management of hypertension, a highly prevalent but inadequately addressed chronic disease in China. We find that a severer stage of cognitive impairment is associated with poorer performance in disease prevention, hypertension awareness and management. While some of the LTSS offered by spouse, friends or community significantly facilitate active disease management behaviors, the effects are only evident among older adults with no cognitive impairment. By contrast, we find no significant effect of LTSS among cognitively impaired individuals. These findings reveal the vulnerability of older adults with cognitive impairment in disease management, and point to the importance of promoting targeted interventions to reduce barriers of receiving and utilizing LTSS, especially among cognitively impaired population.