bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The number of load-bearing joint pains is related to locomotive syndrome. the Miyagawa study
Authors: Kitaura Yukie , Nishimura Akinobu , Senga Yoshiyuki , Sudo Akihiro 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Locomotive syndrome (LS) is defined as a condition in which a person's movement ability is impaired due to locomotive disorders. It is presumed that pains in the load-bearing joint are involved in the decline in mobility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between LS and the number of load-bearing joint pains in Japanese cohort.Methods: We surveyed 507 participants in the 8th-11th evaluations of the Miyagawa study. LS was defined as ≥ 16 points on the GLFS-25 questionnaire. The site of the painful joint was interviewed. The ratio of complications of multiple load-bearing joint pain was investigated. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between LS and load-bearing joint pains.Results: The LS group (21.9%) had a 5.36 odds ratio [OR] for 2 pain sites and 8.96 OR for more than 3 pain sites, which was statistically significant compared to the no-LS group. 87.0% of participants with hip pain also had other load-bearing joint pain.Conclusions: People with hip pain tend to have other load-bearing joint pain. Since pain in 2 or more load-bearing joints is significantly associated with LS, early treatment of load-bearing joint pain and to suppress the number of load-bearing joint pain might be useful in preventing LS.
Added Prognostic Value of Plaque Burden to Computed Tomography Angiography and Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed Ibrahim , Han Yushui , Rifai Mahmoud Al , Alnabelsi Talal , Nabi Faisal , Chang Su Min , Chamsi-Pasha Mohammed A. , Nasir Khurram , Mahmarian John J , Cainzos-Achirica Miguel , Al-Mallah Mouaz H 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) - derived measures of coronary artery disease (CAD) burden such as segment involvement score (SIS), which quantifies the number of segments with plaque, have been shown to independently predict incident cardiovascular events. We aimed to compare the added prognostic value of plaque burden to CCTA anatomic assessment and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) physiologic assessment in a high-risk cohort undergoing both tests.Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent clinically indicated CCTA and SPECT myocardial imaging for suspected CAD at a tertiary care cardiology practice were included. Stenosis severity and SIS were determined from CCTA, and presence of ischemia was determined from SPECT. Patients were followed for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, inclusive of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting 90-days after imaging test.)Results: A total of 956 patients were included. Mean age was 61.1 ± 14.2 years, 54% were men, 89% had hypertension, 81% had diabetes, 84% had dyslipidemia and 56% had recorded chest pain. Obstructive stenosis (left main ≥ 50%, all other coronary segments ≥ 70%) and ischemia were observed in similar number of patients (14%). After a median follow-up of 31 months, 102 patients (11%, 29.2 events per 1000 person-year) experienced a MACE. In multivariable Cox regression models, SIS significantly predicted outcomes and improved risk discrimination in models with CCTA obstructive stenosis (HR 1.15 95% CI 1.09 - 1.21 p= <0.001; Harrel’s C 0.74, p=0.008) and SPECT ischemia (HR 1.14 95% CI 1.08 - 1.20, p<0.001; Harrel’s C 0.76, p=0.019). Results were consistent using subgroups by plaque composition (calcified vs non-calcified) and lower thresholds of CCTA stenosis. Conclusion: Our results suggest that in high-risk patients with suspected CAD, plaque burden adds incremental prognostic value over established measures in predicting incident cardiovascular outcomes.
Differential role of cAMP, cGMP and Ca2+ and involvement of kinases and CBP-CREB-CRE pathway in regulation of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 gene in the pineal organ of air-breathing catfish, Clarias gariepinus
Authors: Nonibala Hijam , Gupta Braj Bansh Prasad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Transcription of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 (aanat2) gene leads to formation of AANAT2 - the rate-limiting enzyme in melatonin synthesis pathway in photosensitive fish pineal organ. However, unlike in avian and mammalian pineal gland, there is practically no information on signal transduction pathway(s) involved in regulation of aanat2 gene transcription in the fish pineal organ. Therefore, we investigated the role of important molecular components of signalling via cAMP, cGMP, Ca2+ involving PKA, PKG, PKC, MeK and p38 MAP kinase as well as possible role of serine/threonine phosphatases, CREB and CBP using their specific inhibitors and/or activators in aanat2 gene transcription in the fish pineal organ maintained under in vitro culture-conditions. db-cAMP and db-cGMP stimulated the expression of aanat2 gene. db-cAMP- and cGMP-induced aanat2 gene expression was significantly reduced in the presence of H-89 (specific inhibitor of PKA), KT5823 (specific inhibitor of PKG), chelerythrine chloride (specific inhibitor of PKC), U0126 ethanolate (specific inhibitor of MeK) and SB 202190 monohydrochloride hydrate (specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase). Inhibitors of PP1 and PP2A significantly increased aanat2 gene expression as well as significantly reduced cAMP- and cGMP-induced gene transcription, while inhibitor of PP2B had no effect on aanat2 gene expression. Inhibitors of both CREB and CBP-CREB interaction completely blocked cAMP-induced aanat2 gene transcription. Based on these findings, we suggest that cAMP, cGMP and Ca2+ stimulate aanat2 gene transcription via PKA, PKG and PKC, respectively. Further, protein phosphatases and CBP-CREB-CRE pathway are actively involved in regulation of on aanat2 gene expression in the fish pineal organ.
Title: MDA5 score--A Novel Lung Computed Tomography Scoring Method for Anti-Melanoma Differentiation-associated Gene 5-positive Dermatomyositis
Authors: Xu Wenwen , Wu Wanlong , Zhang Danting , Chen Zhiwei , Zheng Yu , Tao Xinwei , Zhao Jiangfeng , Wang Kaiwen , Wang Xiaodong , Ye Shuang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5-positive dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (MDA5+ DM-ILD) is a life-threatening disease. This study aimed to develop a novel pulmonary CT visual scoring method for assessing the prognosis of the disease, and an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm-based analysis and an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-based scoring were conducted as comparators. A prospective cohort of hospitalized patients with MDA5+ DM-ILD was analyzed. Since most fatalities occur within the first half year of the disease course, the primary outcome was the six-month all-cause mortality since the time of admission. A ground glass opacity (GGO) and consolidation-weighted CT visual scoring model for MDA5+ DM-ILD, namely ‘MDA5 score’, was then developed with C-index values of 0.80 (95%CI 0.75–0.86) in the derivation dataset (n = 116) and 0.84 (95%CI 0.71–0.97) in the validation dataset (n = 57), respectively. While, the AI algorithm-based analysis, namely ‘AI score’, yielded C-index 0.78 (95%CI 0.72–0.84) for the derivation dataset and 0.77 (95%CI 0.64–0.90) for the validation dataset. These findings suggest that the newly derived ‘MDA5 score’ may serve as an applicable prognostic predictor for MDA5+ DM-ILD and facilitate further clinical trial design. The AI based CT quantitative analysis provided a promising solution for ILD evaluation.
Design and calculation of photoelectric properties of type-II superlattice photodetectors with diffraction ring structure
Authors: Du Yanan , Xu Yun , Cheng Bo , Song Guofeng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The photoelectric properties of type-II superlattices (T2SLs) infrared detectors with diffraction ring resonance structure are calculated and studied in this paper. In order to improve the quantum efficiency (QE), diffraction rings are designed on the top surface of T2SLs detectors to control the incident light inside. The maximum QE of ordinary detector is about 30%, while the detector with square diffraction rings is about 80%, and the detector with circular diffraction rings is about 60%. It shows that the structures with diffraction ring can significantly improve the QE of photodetectors. In addition, the size and shape of the resonator are studied. it is obvious that the optimization effect of the square diffraction ring is better than that of the circular diffraction ring, and the square diffraction ring is insensitive to the size change, so it is suitable for the manufacture of practical photodetectors. At the same time, the dark current mechanism of the detector is analyzed and the corresponding specific detectivity is calculated.
On the machine swing dynamics: a perspective&nbsp;
Authors: Medewar Prashant G. , Sharma Shambhu N. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A formal approach to rephrase nonlinear filtering of stochastic differential equations is the Kushner setting in applied mathematics and dynamical systems. Thanks to the ability of the Carleman linearization, the ‘nonlinear’ stochastic differential equation can be equivalently expressed as a finite system of ‘bilinear’ stochastic differential equations with the augmented state under the finite closure. Interestingly, the novelty of this paper is to embed the Carleman linearization into a stochastic evolution of the Markov process. To illustrate the Carleman linearization of the Markov process, this paper embeds the Carleman linearization into a nonlinear swing stochastic differential equation. Furthermore, we achieve the nonlinear swing equation filtering in the Carleman setting. Filtering in the Carleman setting has simplified algorithmic procedure. The concerning augmented state accounts for the nonlinearity as well as stochasticity. We show that filtering of the nonlinear stochastic swing equation in the Carleman framework is more refined as well as sharper in contrast to benchmark nonlinear EKF. This paper suggests the usefulness of the Carleman embedding into the stochastic differential equation to filter the concerning nonlinear stochastic differential system. This paper will be of interest to nonlinear stochastic dynamists exploring and unfolding linearization embedding techniques to their research.
A Novel Approach for Prioritization of Critical Factors Affecting the Performance of health care based on Best-Worst Method: A prospective approach
Authors: Shojaei Payam , pourmohammadi Kimia , Bastani Peivand , Hatam Nahid , Hayati Ramin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objectives: The Best-Worst Method is considered as a novel and innovative way to identify and prioritize ever-changing internal and external factors affecting health care performance. Results: After screening the large number of factors using the “content validity ratio”, a Pairwise comparisons were conducted between the best and the worst criteria and the other one. Then Modeling the research problem through linear programming and finding the optimal weights.the most effective internal factors from the experts’ viewpoint were the financial indicators such as “the ratio of personnel wage costs to the total revenues”. The most important external factor that was “structure of the payment system and strategic service purchasing by insurance”.external factors had greater impacts on the performance of public hospitals than internal factors. Therefore, when assessing the performance and improvement interventions of hospital, not only internal indicators should be measured, but also external factors, including political and economic policies and approaches governing the health system need to be taken into account.
Diagnostic accuracy of IGF-1 for screening growth hormone deficiency: a prospective, single-center, diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Iwayama Hideyuki , Kitagawa Sachiko , Sada Jyun , Miyamoto Ryosuke , Hayakawa Tomohito , Kuroyanagi Yoshiyuki , Muto Taichiro , Kurahashi Hirokazu , Ohashi Wataru , Takagi Junko , Okumura Akihisa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) for screening growth hormone deficiency (GHD) to determine the usefulness of IGF-1 as a screening test.
Methods

On 298 consecutive children who had short stature or decreased height velocity, we measured IGF-1 levels and performed growth hormone (GH) secretion test using clonidine, arginine, and, in cases with different results of the two tests, L-dopa. Patients with congenital abnormalities were excluded. GHD was defined as peak GH ≤ 6.0 ng/mL in the two tests.
Results

We identified 60 and 238 patients with and without GHD, respectively. The mean IGF-1 (SD) was not significantly different between the GHD and non-GHD groups (p = 0.23). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated the best diagnostic accuracy at an IGF-1 cutoff of −1.493 SD, with sensitivity of 0.685, specificity of 0.417, positive predictive value of 0.25, negative predictive value of 0.823, and area under the curve of 0.517. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient showed that IGF-1 (SD) was weakly correlated with age, bone age, height velocity before examination, weight (SD), and BMI (SD) and very weakly correlated with height (SD), target height (SD), and maximum GH peak.
Conclusion

IGF-1 level had poor diagnostic accuracy as a screening test for GHD. Correlation analysis revealed that none of the items increased the diagnostic power of IGF-1. Therefore, IGF-1 should not be used alone in the screening of GHD. A predictive biomarker for GHD should be developed in the future.
The effect of Epstein – Barr Virus Viremia on the Progression to Severe COVID-19
Authors: Im Jae Hyoung , Nahm Chung Hyun , Je Young Soo , Lee Jin-Soo , Kwon Hea Yoon , Chung Moon-Hyun , Jang Ji-Hun , Kim Jeong Soo , Lim Jun Hyeok , Park Mi Hwa , Baek Ji Hyeon 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can reactivate several latent viruses. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a latent virus that is frequently reactivated in patients with critical illnesses. Recently, a high incidence of viremia has been reported in patients with severe COVID-19. However, it is unclear whether EBV viremia is the result of the severity of COVID-19 or if it affects the severity of COVID-19. Therefore, we conducted a cohort study to evaluate the effects of EBV on the progression of COVID-19.MethodsWe compared the incidence of EBV viremia between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups. Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II and lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in patients with COVID-19. We also observed that patients with COVID-19 with EBV viremia progressed to severe pneumonia more often than those without EBV viremia.ResultsTwo hundred and nine patients with COVID-19 were compared with the control (non-COVID-19) group. The incidence of EBV viremia was lower in the COVID-19 group than in the non-COVID-19 group (17.1% vs. 26.8%, P=0.034). In the subgroup analysis of the COVID-19 group, the EBV-positive group patients had more severe COVID-19 infection than the EBV-negative group (SAPS II, 22.3 vs. 17.4%; P=0.002). However, progression to moderate or severe pneumonia in patients with mild COVID-19 was rather high in the EBV-negative group (not statistically significant), contrary to our expectations.ConclusionsAlthough the severity of COVID-19 may affect EBV viremia, there is no evidence that EBV viremia is a factor that exacerbates pneumonia in patients with early COVID-19. The effect of EBV viremia on prolonged organizing pneumonia should be further studied.
Nationwide Outcomes of Simultaneous Resection of Primary Colorectal Cancer and Synchronous Liver Metastases
Authors: Bowers Kara D , Rice Allison , Parreco Joshua , Castillo Alvaro 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background Of the few studies comparing simultaneous versus staged resection of primary colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases, most are limited to resections performed at the same facility. This study was performed to compare outcomes of simultaneous versus staged resection in these patients, including resections performed at a different center. Methods The Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for all patients undergoing colorectal cancer and metastatic liver resections in the US from 2010 to 2014. Patients undergoing simultaneous resections were compared to patients who underwent liver and colon resections on separate admissions, both liver first and colon first. The outcomes of interest were in-hospital mortality, complications, and total cost. Results During the study period, there were 6,219 patients undergoing resection of primary colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases. Separate admission resection was performed at a different hospital in 45.8%. Compared to simultaneous resection, there was a reduced risk for mortality in patients undergoing colon first (OR 0.28, p<0.01) and there was no significant difference in performing liver resection first (OR 0.30, p=0.05). Simultaneous resection was associated with a decreased mean total cost of admissions compared to separate admission resection ($37,278 ±​$34,353 versus $47,985 ​±$​ 28,342, p<0.01). Conclusions Nearly half of separate admission resections of primary colorectal cancer and liver metastases are performed at different hospitals and likely missed by single-center studies. Undergoing colon resection first on a separate admission is costlier, yet patients have more favorable outcomes. Further studies are needed to reveal the underlying factors responsible for these improved outcomes.
Changes in mental well-being in Hong Kong before and during social unrest and COVID-19
Authors: Wong Ming Yin Stephanie , Siu Ling Tsz Theresa , Hui Lai Ming Christy , Chan Kit Wa Sherry , Lee Ho Ming Edwin , Chang Wing Chung , Suen Yi-nam , Chen Yu Hai Eric 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose Understanding the impact of co-occurring population- and individual-level stressful events on mental well-being should inform future intervention design. This study examined the association of two population-level stressful events (social unrest and COVID-19) and personal stressors with life satisfaction in Hong Kong.Methods This study analyzed data on life satisfaction, experience of stressful life events (SLEs), rumination, and resilience, from two representative population telephone surveys conducted in 2018 (n = 1,514) and 2020 (n = 1,258). The association between life satisfaction and personal SLEs was further compared between the two samples using moderation analysis. Using data from the 2020 survey, the effect of different types of SLEs, rumination, and resilience on life satisfaction was investigated using hierarchical regression analysis.Results The study achieved a response rate of 56.2% and 68.9% for surveys 2018 and 2020, respectively. Life satisfaction of the population decreased significantly in 2020, accompanied by an overall increase in SLEs. Moderation analysis revealed that the relationship between personal SLEs and life satisfaction was significantly greater in 2018 than in 2020. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that an increase in all kinds of SLEs and higher levels of rumination were significantly associated with lower life satisfaction in 2020.Conclusion The significant reduction in life satisfaction reported in this study suggests that measures to support the mental health of populations that have experienced multiple simultaneous, large-scale stressors would be crucial. During distinctive phases as such, rumination may be a potential target for improving overall mental health.
Towards Understanding ChAdOx1 nCov-19 Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT)
Authors: Greinacher Andreas , Selleng Kathleen , Wesche Jan , Handtke Stefan , Palankar Raghavendra , Aurich Konstanze , Lalk Michael , Methling Karen , Völker Uwe , Hentschker Christian , Michalik Stephan , Steil Leif , Schönborn Linda , Beer Martin , Franzke Kati , Rangaswamy Chandini , Mailer Reiner K. , Thiele Thomas , Kochanek Stefan , Krutzke Lea , Siegerist Florian , Endlich Nicole , Warkentin Theodore E. , Renné Thomas 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 vaccine ChAdOx1 nCov-19 rarely causes vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) that—like autoimmune heparin-induced thrombocytopenia—is mediated by platelet-activating anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies.MethodsWe investigated vaccine, PF4, and VITT patient-derived anti-PF4 antibody interactions using dynamic light scattering, 3D-super-resolution microscopy, and electron microscopy. Mass spectrometry was used to analyze vaccine composition. We investigated the mechanism for early post-vaccine inflammatory reactions as potential co-stimulant for anti-PF4 immune response. Finally, we evaluated VITT antibodies for inducing release of procoagulant DNA-containing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and measured DNase activity in VITT patient serum.ResultsBiophysical analyses showed formation of complexes between PF4 and vaccine constituents, including virus proteins that were recognized by VITT antibodies. EDTA, a vaccine constituent, increased microvascular leakage in mice allowing for circulation of virus- and virus-producing cell culture-derived proteins. Antibodies in normal sera cross-reacted with human proteins in the vaccine and likely contribute to commonly observed acute ChAdOx1 nCov-19 post-vaccination inflammatory reactions. Polyphosphates and DNA enhanced PF4-dependent platelet activation by VITT antibodies. In the presence of platelets, PF4 enhanced VITT antibody-driven procoagulant NETs formation, while DNase activity was reduced in VITT sera, with granulocyte-rich cerebral vein thrombosis observed in a VITT patient.ConclusionsChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine constituents (i) form antigenic complexes with PF4, (ii) EDTA increases microvascular permeability, and (iii) vaccine components cause acute inflammatory reactions. Antigen formation in a proinflammatory milieu offers an explanation for anti-PF4 antibody production. High-titer anti-PF4 antibodies activate platelets and induce neutrophil activation and NETs formation, fueling the VITT prothrombotic response.