bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of annual road safety publicity and enforcement campaign on road fatalities in Japan: a time series study from 1949 to 2019
Authors: Inada Haruhiko , Tomio Jun , Nakahara Shinji , Ichikawa Masao 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundIn 1948, Japan started a short-term publicity and enforcement campaign for traffic safety nationwide, and since 1952, the campaign has been conducted twice a year for 10 days. We aimed to quantify the short-term effect of the spring sessions of the campaign, which were conducted in different months in different years, on road fatalities in Japan using data from 1949 to 2019.MethodsWe obtained national police data on the monthly number of road deaths and conducted a time series regression analysis with three steps: smoothing the long-term patterns with the natural cubic spline function, calculating the ratio of the monthly number of deaths to the corresponding smoothed value, and regressing the ratio on the number of months from January 1949 and the binary variable for the conduct of spring sessions. We repeated the analysis for four subperiods (1949–1964, 1965–1989, 1990–2004 and 2005–2019).ResultsDuring the study period, there were 632577 road deaths. Our analysis revealed that the spring sessions changed the number of deaths per day by −2.5% (95% CI −4.1% to −0.9%) in the months when they were conducted. In the four subperiods, the estimated changes were −4.5% (95% CI −8.9% to −0.1%), −2.6% (95% CI −5.0% to −0.1%), −0.1% (95% CI −2.9 to 2.7) and −3.5% (95% CI −7.9 to 0.9).ConclusionsRoad fatalities were reduced in the months when the spring sessions of the campaign were conducted, but the reduction was modest. The effect might have been somewhat larger until 1964, when Japan was a middle-income country.
TGM4: an immunogenic prostate-restricted antigen
Authors: Lopez-Bujanda Zoila A , Obradovic Aleksandar , Nirschl Thomas R , Crowley Laura , Macedo Rodney , Papachristodoulou Alexandros , O’Donnell Timothy , Laserson Uri , Zarif Jelani C , Reshef Ran , Yuan Tiezheng , Soni Mithil K , Antonarakis Emmanuel S , Haffner Michael C , Larman H Benjamin , Shen Michael M , Muranski Pawel , Drake Charles G 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundProstate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the USA; death occurs when patients progress to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Although immunotherapy with the Food and Drug Administration‐approved vaccine sipuleucel‐T, which targets prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), extends survival for 2–4 months, the identification of new immunogenic tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) continues to be an unmet need.MethodsWe evaluated the differential expression profile of castration-resistant prostate epithelial cells that give rise to CRPC from mice following an androgen deprivation/repletion cycle. The expression levels of a set of androgen-responsive genes were further evaluated in prostate, brain, colon, liver, lung, skin, kidney, and salivary gland from murine and human databases. The expression of a novel prostate-restricted TAA was then validated by immunostaining of mouse tissues and analyzed in primary tumors across all human cancer types in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Finally, the immunogenicity of this TAA was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using autologous coculture assays with cells from healthy donors as well as by measuring antigen-specific antibodies in sera from patients with prostate cancer (PCa) from a neoadjuvant clinical trial.ResultsWe identified a set of androgen-responsive genes that could serve as potential TAAs for PCa. In particular, we found transglutaminase 4 (Tgm4) to be highly expressed in prostate tumors that originate from luminal epithelial cells and only expressed at low levels in most extraprostatic tissues evaluated. Furthermore, elevated levels ofTGM4expression in primary PCa tumors correlated with unfavorable prognosis in patients. In vitro and in vivo assays confirmed the immunogenicity of TGM4. We found that activated proinflammatory effector memory CD8 and CD4 T cells were expanded by monocyte-derived dendritic cell (moDCs) pulsed with TGM4 to a greater extent than moDCs pulsed with either PAP or prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and T cells primed with TGM4-pulsed moDCs produce functional cytokines following a prime/boost regiment or in vitro stimulation. An IgG antibody response to TGM4 was detected in 30% of vaccinated patients, while fewer than 8% of vaccinated patients developed antibody responses to PSA or prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA).ConclusionsThese results suggest that TGM4 is an immunogenic, prostate-restricted antigen with the potential for further development as an immunotherapy target.
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) phenotype in fragile X premutation carriers: case series
Authors: Tassanakijpanich Nattaporn , McKenzie Forrest J , McLennan Yingratana A , Makhoul Elisabeth , Tassone Flora , Jasoliya Mittal J , Romney Christopher , Petrasic Ignacio Cortina , Napalinga Kaye , Buchanan Caroline B , Hagerman Paul , Hagerman Randi , Casanova Emily L 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundWhile an association between full mutation CGG-repeat expansions of the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) gene and connective tissue problems are clearly described, problems in fragile X premutation carriers (fXPCs) CGG-repeat range (55–200 repeats) of the FMR1 gene may be overlooked.ObjectiveTo report five FMR1 fXPCs cases with the hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) phenotype.MethodsWe collected medical histories and FMR1 molecular measures from five cases who presented with joint hypermobility and loose connective tissue and met inclusion criteria for hEDS.ResultsFive cases were female and ranged between 16 and 49 years. The range of CGG-repeat allele sizes ranged from 66 to 150 repeats. All had symptoms of hEDS since early childhood. Commonalities in molecular pathogenesis and coexisting conditions between the fXPCs and hEDS are also presented. The premutation can lead to a reduction of fragile X mental retardation protein, which is crucial in maintaining functions of the extracellular matrix-related proteins, particularly matrix metallopeptidase 9 and elastin. Moreover, elevated FMR1 messenger RNA causes sequestration of proteins, which results in RNA toxicity.ConclusionBoth hEDS phenotype and premutation involvement may co-occur because of related commonalities in pathogenesis.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among workers of the public higher education institutions of Porto, Portugal: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Meireles Paula , Amaro Joana , Pinto da Costa Joana , Lopes Mariana Mendes , Varandas Tatiana , Norton Pedro , Guimarães João Tiago , Severo Milton , Barros Henrique 
Published: June 2021

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG antibodies among workers of the three public higher education institutions of Porto, Portugal, up to July 2020.MethodsA rapid point-of-care test for specific IgM and IgG antibodies of SARS-CoV-2 was offered to all workers (SD Biosensor STANDARD Q COVID-19 IgM/IgG Duo and STANDARD Q COVID-19 IgM/IgG Combo). Testing was performed and a questionnaire was completed by 4592 workers on a voluntary basis from 21 May to 31 July 2020. We computed the apparent IgM, IgG, and combined IgM or IgG prevalence, along with the true prevalence and 95% credible intervals (95% CrI) using Bayesian inference.ResultsWe found an apparent prevalence of 3.1% for IgM, 1.0% for IgG and 3.9% for either. The estimated true prevalence was 2.0% (95% CrI 0.1% to 4.3%) for IgM, 0.6% (95% CrI 0.0% to 1.3%) for IgG, and 2.5% (95% CrI 0.1% to 5.3%) for IgM or IgG. A SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis was reported by 21 (0.5%) workers; and of these, 90.5% had a reactive IgG result. Seroprevalence was higher among those reporting contacts with confirmed cases, having been quarantined, having a previous molecular negative test or having had symptoms.ConclusionsThe seroprevalence among workers from the three public higher education institutions of Porto after the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was similar to national estimates for the same age working population. However, the estimated true seroprevalence was approximately five times higher than the reported SARS-CoV-2 infection based on a molecular test.
Maternal occupation as a nail technician or hairdresser during pregnancy and birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2011
Authors: Siegel Miriam R , Rocheleau Carissa M , Broadwater Kendra , Santiago-Colón Albeliz , Johnson Candice Y , Herdt Michele L , Chen I-Chen , Lawson Christina C 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveNail technicians and hairdressers may be exposed to chemicals with potential reproductive effects. While studies have examined birth defects in children of hairdressers, those in children of nail technicians have not been evaluated. We investigated associations between selected birth defects and maternal occupation as a nail technician or hairdresser versus a non-cosmetology occupation during pregnancy.MethodsWe analysed population-based case–control data from the multisite National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2011. Cases were fetuses or infants with major structural birth defects; controls were live-born infants without major birth defects. Expert raters classified self-reported maternal jobs as nail technician, combination nail technician-hairdresser, hairdresser, other cosmetology work or non-cosmetology work. We used logistic regression to calculate adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for associations between occupation during pregnancy and birth defects, controlling for age, smoking, education and race/ethnicity.ResultsSixty-one mothers worked as nail technicians, 196 as hairdressers, 39 as combination nail technician-hairdressers and 42 810 as non-cosmetologists. The strongest associations among nail technicians included seven congenital heart defect (CHD) groups (ORs ranging from 2.7 to 3.5) and neural tube defects (OR=2.6, CI=0.8 to 8.4). Birth defects most strongly associated with hairdressing included anotia/microtia (OR=2.1, CI=0.6 to 6.9) and cleft lip with cleft palate (OR=2.0, CI=1.1 to 3.7). All oral cleft groups were associated with combination nail technician-hairdresser work (ORs ranging from 4.2 to 5.3).ConclusionsSmall samples resulted in wide CIs. Still, results suggest associations between maternal nail technician work during pregnancy and CHDs and between hairdressing work and oral clefts.
Pain and its management: Dante’s Divine Comedy
Authors: Bianucci Raffaella , Lanini Iacopo , Donell Simon , Lippi Donatella 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Dante Alighieri died in 1321; therefore, 2021 is the 700th anniversary of his death. His best known work is the Divine Comedy, which explores Dante’s journey through the three realms of the underworld. Each realm is associated with three different sensations: Inferno, bodily (pain); Purgatorio, acoustic (music); and Paradiso, visual (light). The progression of the painful experiences and the resolution through music and light mirror the modern understanding of pain and its management. Music has both direct and indirect benefits and can help with coping. Sunlight promotes well-being and self-awareness.
Development and implementation of a postgraduate medical education-wide initiative in quality improvement and patient safety
Authors: Bowes David , Shearer Cindy , Daigle-Maloney Trisha , Dornan John , Lynk Andrew , Parker Jennie , Romao Rodrigo L P , Stevens Sarah , Allen Stefan , Warren Andrew , Ackroyd-Stolarz Stacy 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background
Quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS) have been assigned a higher profile in CanMEDS 2015, CanMEDS–Family Medicine 2017 and new accreditation standards, prompting an initiative at Dalhousie University to create a vision for integrating QIPS into postgraduate medical education.

Objective
The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of a QIPS strategy across residency education at Dalhousie University.

Methods
A QIPS task force was formed, and a literature review and needs assessment survey were completed. A needs assessment survey was distributed to all Dalhousie residency programme directors. 12 programme directors were interviewed individually to collect additional feedback. The results were used to develop a ‘road map’ of recommendations with a graduated timeline.

Results
A task force report was released in February 2018. 46 recommendations were developed with a timeframe and responsible party identified for each. Implementation of the QIPS strategy is underway, and evaluation and challenges faced will be described.

Conclusions
We have developed a multiyear strategy that is available to provide guidance and support to all programmes in QIPS. The development and implementation of this QIPS framework may serve as a template for other institutions who seek to integrate these competencies into residency training.
Changing face of medical education during a pandemic: tragedy or opportunity?
Authors: Leong Jean Mei Ching , Lam Wee Leon , Tan Shi Zhuan , Ng Chye Yew 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has changed forever the way we do certain things. Although the race for a cure and vaccine has taken centre stage, traditional face-to-face medical education has slowly metamorphosised in the background to a virtual world with innumerable webinars, virtual tutorials and lectures in the World Wide Web. Despite this seemingly ‘perfect’ solution, there remains a hidden cost. Educators are forced to learn new skills to engage students as well as manipulate the electronic platform. Impact on learning for students, both undergraduate and postgraduate from a lack of social interactions, remains unknown. In this article, the authors share their experiences from different specialities about the pros and cons of virtual learning and teaching. Suggestions and practical tips are offered to enhance the learning experience. More emphasis may need to be placed on the creation of learning communities rather than lecture-based curricula. Hybrid curricula or conferences may become the future norm. As we slowly move out of lockdown into a changed world and new ways of doing things, lessons learnt can be harnessed for future hybrid models that can combine the best of technology and physical teaching to reduce worldwide inequalities.
Statin and mortality in COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of pooled adjusted effect estimates from propensity-matched cohorts
Authors: Zein Ahmad Fariz Malvi Zamzam , Sulistiyana Catur Setiya , Khasanah Uswatun , Wibowo Arief , Lim Michael Anthonius , Pranata Raymond 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurposeStatin potentially improved outcome in patients with COVID-19. Patients who receive statin generally have a higher proportion of comorbidities than those who did not, which may introduce bias. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the association between statin use and mortality in patients with COVID-19 by pooling the adjusted effect estimates from propensity-score matching (PSM) matched studies or randomised controlled trials to reduce bias.MethodsA systematic literature search using the PubMed, Scopus and Embase databases were performed up until 1 March 2021. Studies that were designed the study to assess statin and mortality using PSM with the addition of Inverse Probability Treatment Weighting or multivariable regression analysis on top of PSM-matched cohorts were included. The effect estimate was reported in term of relative risk (RR).Results14 446 patients were included in the eight PSM-matched studies. Statin was associated with decreased mortality in patients with COVID-19 (RR 0.72 (0.55, 0.95), p=0.018; I2: 84.3%, p&lt;0.001). Subgroup analysis in patients receiving statin in-hospital showed that it was associated with lower mortality (RR 0.71 (0.54, 0.94), p=0.030; I2: 64.1%, p&lt;0.025). The association of statin and mortality was not significantly affected by age (coefficient: −0.04, p=0.382), male gender (RR 0.96 (0.95, 1.02), p=0.456), diabetes (RR 1.02 (0.99, 1.04), p=0.271) and hypertension (RR 1.01 (0.97, 1.04), p=0.732) in this pooled analysis.ConclusionIn this meta-analysis of PSM-matched cohorts with adjusted analysis, statin was shown to decrease the risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021240137.
Predictors of first pass success without hypoxemia in trauma patients requiring emergent rapid sequence intubation
Authors: West Jason Randall , O'Keefe Brandon P , Russell James T 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveThe predictors of first pass success (FPS) without hypoxemia among trauma patients requiring rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in the emergent setting are unknown.MethodsRetrospective study of adult trauma patients requiring RSI during a 5-year period comparing the trauma patients achieving FPS without hypoxemia to those who did not. The primary outcome was FPS without hypoxemia evaluated by multivariate logistic regression adjusting for the neuromuscular blocking agent used (succinylcholine or rocuronium), hypoxemia prior to RSI, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, the presence of head or facial trauma, and intubating operator level of training.Results246 patients met our inclusion criteria. The overall FPS rate was 89%, and there was no statistical difference between those receiving either paralytic agent. 167 (69%) patients achieved FPS without hypoxemia. The two groups (those achieving FPS without hypoxemia and those who did not) had similar mean GCS, mean Injury Severity Scores, presence of head or facial trauma, the presence of penetrating trauma, intubating operator-level training, use of direct laryngoscopy, hypoxemia prior to RSI, heart rate per minute, mean systolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate. In the multivariate regression analysis, the use of succinylcholine and GCS score of 13–15 were found to have adjusted ORs of 2.1 (95% CI 1.2 to 3.8) and 2.0 (95% CI 1.0 to 3.3) for FPS without hypoxemia, respectively.ConclusionTrauma patients requiring emergency department RSI with high GCS score and those who received succinylcholine had higher odds of achieving FPS without hypoxemia, a patient safety goal requiring more study.Level of evidenceIV.Study typePrognostic.
Low lying particle-hole states in $$^\mathbf{206 }$$Pb and $$^\mathbf{208 }$$Pb and the shell model
Authors: Heusler A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe nucleus $$^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$$

206

Pb

differs from the doubly magic nucleus $$^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$$

208

Pb

by two missing neutrons. In $$^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$$

208

Pb

most states at $$E_x< 7.4$$

E
x

<
7.4

MeV are described by one-particle one-hole configurations. The lowest configurations with a g$$_{{ 9}/{2}}$$

9
/
2

particle and dominant p$$_{{ 1}/{2}}$$

1
/
2

, f$$_{{ 5}/{2}}$$

5
/
2

, p$$_{{ 3}/{2}}$$

3
/
2

holes and admixtures from f$$_{{ 7}/{2}}$$

7
/
2

and a few more configurations build an ensemble of two dozen states at 3.2$$<E_x< 4.9$$

<

E
x

<
4.9

MeV. They are described by rather complete orthonormal transformation matrices of two dozen states with spins from 2$$^-$$

-

to 8$$^-$$

-

to configurations. In $$^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$$

206

Pb

a similar ensemble of states is deduced from the analysis of angular distributions measured in 1969 for the $$^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$$

206

Pb

$$({{{\textit{p}}}, {{\textit{p}}}' })$$

(

p
,

p

′

)

reaction via the g$$_{{ 9}/{2}}$$

9
/
2

IAR in $$^{207}\mathrm{Bi}$$

207

Bi

. An equivalent $$^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$$

208

Pb

$$({{{\textit{p}}}, {{\textit{p}}}' })$$

(

p
,

p

′

)

experiment was performed in 1968 at the Max–Planck–Institut für Kernphysik at Heidelberg (Germany). New spins are determined for 32 states and 22 levels in $$^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$$

206

Pb

. The comparison to corresponding states in $$^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$$

208

Pb

studied especially in 1982 yields both remarkable similarities and clear differences. Sizeable g$$_{{ 9}/{2}}$$

9
/
2

p$$_{{ 1}/{2}}$$

1
/
2

strength found in 4$$^-$$

-

and 5$$^-$$

-

states is interpreted as admixtures of $${{\textit{p}}}{_{{ 3}/{2}}}^{-2}$$

p

3
/
2

-
2

and $${{\textit{f}}}{_{{ 5}/{2}}}^{-2}$$

f

5
/
2

-
2

components to the ground state of $$^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$$

206

Pb

with dominant $${{\textit{p}}}{_{{ 1}/{2}}}^{-2}$$

p

1
/
2

-
2

character. The description of nuclear states by shell model particle-hole configurations in the lead region needs the inclusion of collective excitations at already very low excitation energies. For the two isotopes $$^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$$

206

Pb

and $$^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$$

208

Pb

a rather good agreement of excitation energies and configuration mixing is observed for states at 3.7$$<E_x< 4.7$$

<

E
x

<
4.7

MeV.
The half-life of $$^{212}$$Po
Authors: Belli P. , Bernabei R. , Boiko R. S. , Cappella F. , Caracciolo V. , Cerulli R. , Danevich F. A. , Incicchitti A. , Kasperovych D. V. , Kobychev V. V. , Polischuk O. G. , Sokur N. V. , Tretyak V. I. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe half-life of $$^{212}$$

212

Po was measured with the highest up-to-date accuracy as $$T_{1/2}=295.1(4)$$

T

1
/
2

=
295.1

(
4
)

ns by using thorium-loaded liquid scintillator.
Intermediate class of warm pseudoscalar inflation
Authors: Ebrahimi Saeid , Kamali Vahid , Alaei Asma 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHigh dissipative regime of warm pseudoscalar inflation model (Kamali in Phys Rev D 100:043520, arXiv:1901.01897 [gr-qc], 2019) with an approximately constant value of dissipation parameter Q is studied. Intermediate solution of the scale-factor related to the accelerated expansion of the Universe which is rolled out by observational data in the context of standard (cold) model of inflation is used. There is a region of free parameters phase-space of the model which is interestingly compatible with recent observational data. It is discussed that the model is also compatible with the swampland criteria in a broad range of parameters phase-space and TCC in a limited area of parameters.
Criticality-based Varying Step-number Algorithm for Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Spielberg Yitzhak , Azaria Amos 
Published: June 2021

In the context of reinforcement learning we introduce the concept of criticality of a state, which indicates the extent to which the choice of action in that particular state influences the expected return. That is, a state in which the choice of action is more likely to influence the final outcome is considered as more critical than a state in which it is less likely to influence the final outcome. We formulate a criticality-based varying step number algorithm (CVS) — a flexible step number algorithm that utilizes the criticality function provided by a human, or learned directly from the environment. We test it in three different domains including the Atari Pong environment, Road-Tree environment, and Shooter environment. We demonstrate that CVS is able to outperform popular learning algorithms such as Deep Q-Learning and Monte Carlo.