bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Cohort Study Comparing Importance of Clinical Factors in Determining Diagnosis and Treatment for Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome
Authors: Zhang Lisa , Creighton Francis X. , Carey John P. 
Published: September 2021

Objective:
To determine which clinical factors have the strongest impact on determining diagnosis and decision for surgical repair for superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS).

Patients:
A total of 81 patients presented with a suspicion for SCDS between October 2017 and October 2018. 38 patients ultimately were diagnosed with SCDS, and 28 chose surgical repair.

Methods:
Clinical factors of subjective patient symptoms (autophony, sensitivity to loud sounds, vertigo induced by loud sounds, dizziness, hearing their own heartbeats or other visceral organs) and audiogram findings (low frequency conductive hearing loss [CHL], bone-conduction hyperacusis, low cVEMP threshold [<80 db nHL], increased oVEMP [>17 μV] amplitudes) were analyzed with logistic regression to identify factors that predicted those who would ultimately be diagnosed with SCDS and those who would have surgical repair. Preoperative high-resolution CT imaging was performed on all patients.

Results:
Significant predictors of presence of SCDS from logistic regression included low frequency CHL and increased oVEMP amplitude (p = 0.002 [OR 40, 95%CI 3.8-413], p = 0.001 [OR 93, 95%CI 6.8-1267], respectively). These were also significant predictors of individuals who chose to have surgical repair (p = 0.004 [OR 47, 95%CI 3.5-620], p = 0.001 [OR 126, 95%CI 8.2-1941], respectively). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) for these two variables are 93% for diagnosing SCDS and 94% for predicting choice for surgical repair.

Conclusions:
Low frequency CHL and increased oVEMP amplitude are the strongest predictive factors for making a diagnosis of SCDS and for choosing surgical repair.
Transcutaneous Osseo-integrated Auditory Devices: Analysis of Two Different Implants in Adults With Different Audiological Inclusion Criteria
Authors: Plasencia Daniel Perez , Suárez Antonia Alemán , Barreiro Silvia Borkoski , de Miguel Angel Ramos , Macias Angel Ramos 
Published: September 2021

Objective:
To determine and compare audiological and speech/language discrimination results in patients with osteo-integrated auditory devices, by comparing two different systems including different audiological indications in adult population.

Study Design:
Descriptive and analytic, cross-sectional, cohort, and retrospective case review.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Materials and Methods:
Fifty patients >14 years old, with conductive, mixed, or unilateral sensorineural hearing loss were compared. The variables studied were the following: pure tone audiometry results, air-bone gap, and the percentage of speech/language discrimination using Disyllabic Word Test. The patients were tested preoperative and 12 months after surgical procedure. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of the both systems was carried out.

Results:
With both implants, pure tone audiometry results and the difference in auditory thresholds and between the air-bone gap improved significantly. Speech discrimination increased significantly after implantation too. A significant difference was observed after implantation of both devices. Patients implanted with one of the implants showed better audiological results, but no significant differences were found with the other device. So, it was shown that the type of device and the type of hearing loss have no influence on the audiological results or complications.

Conclusion:
Both implants represent a good choice for audiological rehabilitation in patients with transmissive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, or unilateral sensorineural hearing loss with a high success and low complication rates.
An Analysis of Ptosis following Subfascial Breast Augmentation: Calculations That Explain Dogma
Authors: Brown Tim 
Published: September 2021

Background:
Implant placement can improve ptosis due to the position of the nipple, inframammary crease, and base of the breast acting together. The interrelationship between these was quantified via changes in morphometry following subfascial augmentation, and explains the circumstances under which dogma holds true.

Methods:
One hundred seventy-five patients underwent a series of static measurements before and 3 months after subfascial breast augmentation. Ptosis in the nipple and base of the breast was calculated before and after surgery.

Results:
All measurements except that of the the lateral sternal margin increased after surgery. All grades of ptosis reduced following surgery. There was lowering of the base in grade 1 patients, but not for other grades. Increased base ptosis correlated with reduced lateral sternal margin (1.9 cm compared with 2.9 cm; left, H5 = 24.7, p < 0.01; right, H5 = 24.5, p < 0.01). Implant volume did not correlate with change in ptosis at the nipple or base. Reduced ptosis was associated with implants that are a narrow match of implant to breast (0.52 to 0.95) (left, H5 = 28.3, p < 0.01; right, H5 = 24.9, p < 0.01). Decreasing ptosis correlated with lower lateral sternal margin compared to breasts that increased ptosis. Change in ptosis following surgery does not correlate with having children.

Conclusions:
Subfascial placement has varying effects on ptosis. Non-ptotic or mildly ptotic breasts appear to improve due to a disproportionate descent of the inframammary crease relative to the nipple and base. Patients with little breast tissue are more susceptible to an increase in "bottoming out," particularly if broad implants are used. A ratio matching implant to the base width has predictive value on outcome.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
Therapeutic, IV.
Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccine in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lv Meng , Luo Xufei , Shen Quan , Lei Ruobing , Liu Xiao , Liu Enmei , Li Qiu , Chen Yaolong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimTo identify the safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine in children and adolescents.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review. Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, WHO COVID-19 database, and CNKI were searched on 23 July 2021. International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) was also searched to collect ongoing trials. We included published researches or ongoing clinical trials related to the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine in children or adolescents (aged ≤18 years). Meta-analysis was performed if the consistency of the included studies was high. If not, descriptive analyses were performed.ResultsEight published studies with 2851 children or adolescents and 28 ongoing clinical trials were included. Among eight published studies, two (25.0%) were RCTs, two (25.0%) case series, and four (50.0%) case reports. The results showed selected COVID-19 vaccines had a good safety profile in children and adolescents. Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, and chest pain were the most common adverse events. Some studies reported a few cases of myocarditis and pericarditis. Two RCTs showed that the immune response to BNT162b2 in adolescents aged 12-15 years was non-inferior to that in young people aged 16-25 years, while a stronger immune response was detected with 3μg CoronaVac injection. Only one single RCT showed the efficacy of BNT162b2 was 100% (95% CI: 75.3 to 100). Of the 28 ongoing clinical trials, twenty-three are interventional studies. Fifteen countries are conducting interventional clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines in children and adolescents. Among them, China (10, 43.5%) and United Stated (9, 39.1%) were the top two countries with the most trials. BNT162b2 was the most common vaccine, which is under testing.ConclusionSome of the COVID-19 vaccines have potential protective effects in children and adolescents, but awareness is needed to monitor possible adverse effects after injection. Clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine in children and adolescents with long follow-up, large sample size, and different vaccines are still urgently needed.
Mask Interventions in K12 Schools Can Also Reduce Community Transmission in Fall 2021
Authors: Mele Jessica , Rosenstrom Erik , Ivy Julie , Mayorga Maria , Patel Mehul D. , Swann Julie 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTThe dominance of the COVID-19 Delta variant has renewed questions about the impact of K12 school policies, including the role of masks, on disease burden.1 A recent study showed masks and testing could reduce infections in students, but failed to address the impact on the community,2 while another showed masking is critical to slow disease spread in communities, but did not consider school openings under Delta.3 We project the impact of school-masking on the community, which can inform policy decisions, and support healthcare system planning. Our findings indicate that the implementation of masking policies in school settings can reduce additional infections post-school opening by 23-36% for fully-open schools, with an additional 11-13% reduction for hybrid schooling, depending on mask quality and fit. Masking policies and hybrid schooling can also reduce peak hospitalization need by 71% and result in the fewest additional deaths post-school opening. We show that given the current vaccination rates within the community, the best option for children and the general population is to employ consistent high-quality masking, and use social distancing where possible.
Robust induction of B cell and T cell responses by a third dose of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
Authors: Liu Yihao , Zeng Qin , Deng Caiguanxi , Li Mengyuan , Li Liubing , Liu Dayue , Liu Ming , Ruan Xinyuan , Mei Jie , Mo Ruohui , Zhou Qian , Liu Min , Peng Sui , Wang Ji , Zhang Hui , Xiao Haipeng 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccines have shown remarkable efficacy in clinical trials, especially in reducing severe illness and casualty. However, the waning of humoral immunity over time has raised concern over the durability of immune memory following vaccination. Thus, we conducted a non-randomized trial among the healthcare professionals (HCWs) to investigate the long-term sustainability of SARS-CoV-2-specific B cells and T cells stimulated by inactivated vaccines and the potential need for a third booster dose. Although neutralizing antibodies elicited by the standard two-dose vaccination schedule dropped from a peak of 29.3 AU/ml to 8.8 AU/ml 5 months after the second vaccination, spike-specific memory B and T cells were still detectable, forming the basis for a quick recall response. As expected, the faded humoral immune response was vigorously elevated to 63.6 AU/ml by 7.2 folds 1 week after the third dose along with abundant spike-specific circulating follicular helper T cells in parallel. Meanwhile, spike-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were also robustly elevated by 5.9 and 2.7 folds respectively. Robust expansion of memory pools by the third dose potentiated greater durability of protective immune responses. Another key finding in this trial was that HCWs with low serological response to 2 doses were not truly “non-responders” but fully equipped with immune memory that could be quickly recalled by a third dose even 5 months after the second vaccination. Collectively, these data provide insights into the generation of long-term immunological memory by the inactivated vaccine, which could be rapidly recalled and further boosted by a third dose.
A comparative study of Bacterial culture isolates, site of infections and drug resistance pattern between COVID and non COVID patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital: A Pilot study
Authors: Halder Arup , Mukherjee Deep Narayan , Seal Soumyadeep , Dasgupta Hindol , Chakraborty Mainak 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIntroductionSARS-CoV2 which is a corona virus also predisposes patient to secondary bacterial infection by various mechanisms like-damaging the respiratory epithelium, profoundly affecting the innate and adaptive immunity, antagonising Interferon responses that enhance bacterial adherence, colonisation and invasion to respiratory tissue. In addition, prolonged hospital stay, invasive therapeutic devices, widespread use of empiric antibiotics and most importantly use of immune-suppressants like Steroid or Tocilizumab further increases the chances of bacterial infection. As opposed to this concept-physical distancing, frequent hand washing and use of gloves and protective gear by the healthcare workers also diminishes the chance of secondary bacterial infection. The present study is done to delineate the bacteriological profile, infection site predisposition or to gain knowledge on antibiotic sensitivity pattern.MethodRetrospective data will be analyzed from June 2020, when the first COVID wave came to June 2021, corresponding to second COVID wave. The present study is a pilot study before collecting and analyzing the whole data Only those samples which were positive for bacterial isolates were randomly selected and the COVID status and drug resistance patterns were checked.Results and discussionThe most common organism found was Klebsiella. Acinetobacter was also found in few patients. But most striking finding was that COVID positive patients showed higher incidence of antibiotic resistance with Acinetobacter. Though E Coli was also found commonly in COVID positive patients, they were not drug resistant.ConclusionMDR infections are common in COVID patients. Acinetobacter and Klebsiella are prone to develope MDR infections. While E.Coli is also common in COVID patients, chance of drug resistance is less among them.
RISK FACTORS FOR EARLY NATURAL MENOPAUSE: EVIDENCE FROM THE 1958 AND 1970 BRITISH BIRTH COHORTS
Authors: Peycheva Darina , Sullivan Alice , Hardy Rebecca , Bryson Alex , Conti Gabriella , Ploubidis George 
Published: September 2021

AbstractUsing data from two generations of British women followed from birth through childhood and into adulthood, we investigate risk factors for the onset of natural menopause before the age of 45 (known as early menopause). We focus on key stages during the life course to understand when risk factors are particularly harmful. We find that earlier cessation of menstruation is influenced by circumstances at birth. Women born in lower social class families, whose mother smoked during the pregnancy or who were short-term breastfed (one month or less) were more likely to undergo menopause before 45. Early menopause is also associated with poorer cognitive ability and smoking in childhood. Adult health behaviour also matters. Smoking is positively correlated with early menopause, while regular exercise (one to several times a week) and moderate frequency of alcohol drinking (one to three times a month) in women’s early thirties are associated with a reduced risk of early menopause. The occurrence of gynaecological problems by women’s early thirties is also linked to early menopause. We note that some of these factors (e.g. health behaviours) are modifiable and thus the risks may be preventable.
Pairwise genetic meta-analyses between schizophrenia and substance dependence phenotypes reveals novel association signals
Authors: Greco Laura A. , Reay William R. , Dayas Christopher V. , Cairns Murray J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAlmost half of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia also present with a substance use disorder, however, little is known about potential molecular mechanisms underlying this comorbidity. We used genetic analyses to enhance our understanding of the molecular overlap between these conditions. Our analyses revealed a positive genetic correlation between schizophrenia and the following dependence phenotypes: alcohol (rg= 0.3685,SE= 0.0768,P =1.61 × 10−06), cannabis use disorder (rg= 0.309,SE= 0.0332,P =1.19 × 10−20) and nicotine dependence (rg= 0.1177,SE= 0.0436,P =7.0 × 10-03), as well as lifetime cannabis use (rg= 0.234,SE= 0.0298,P =3.73 × 10−15) and drinks per week (rg= 0.0688,SE= 0.0217,P =1.5 × 10−03). We further constructed latent causal variable (LCV) models to test for partial genetic causality and found evidence for a potential causal relationship between alcohol dependence and schizophrenia (GCP =0.6,SE= 0.22,P =1.6 × 10−03). This putative causal effect with schizophrenia was not seen using a continuous phenotype of drinks consumed per week, suggesting that distinct molecular mechanisms underlying dependence are involved in the relationship between alcohol and schizophrenia. To localise the specific genetic overlap between schizophrenia and substance use disorders, we conducted a gene-based and gene-set pairwise meta-analysis between schizophrenia and each of the four individual substance dependence phenotypes in up to 790,806 individuals. These bivariate meta-analyses identified 44 associations not observed in the individual GWAS, including five shared genes that play a key role in early central nervous system development. These genes may play an important role in substance dependence in schizophrenia, and, as a result, could represent important targets for future treatment or early intervention, as comorbid substance dependence is associated with poor treatment adherence, greater chronicity and increased mortality.
Behavior in mice subjected to a Token Slot-machine: effect of Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress
Authors: Sfregola Arwen Emy , Brizard Bruno , Le Guisquet Anne-Marie , Tillet Clémence , Lefèvre Eulalie , Bruni Luigino , Belzung Catherine 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSeveral studies have succeeded in teaching animals (primates, pigeons, rats, but not mice) the value of tokens by having them executing a task using a vending-machine apparatus, where in order to receive the primary reinforcement (food), the animals had to perform a specific action that allowed them to obtain the secondary reinforcement (tokens: metal balls). We tried to assess this kind of behavior in mice that had previously been trained to use some tokens, with the aim of rewarding them not with food, but with other tokens, as a result of a token economy task. We found that mice exhibit economic behavior. Further on, our research tried to investigate the effect of stress on their operant decision-making. Therefore, the mice were divided into two groups: a Control group (n=10) and a group subjected to an Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress (UCMS) treatment (n=8). We found that chronic stress increases some aspects of sub-optimal economic activity.Summary statementWe designed an original model enabling to assess behavior in mice that had previously been trained to use some tokens, with the aim of rewarding them not with food, but with other tokens. Further on, our research investigated the effect of stress on their operant decision-making.
Detailed Overview of the Buildout and Integration of an Automated High-Throughput CLIA Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 Testing on a Large Urban Campus
Authors: Landaverde Lena , McIntyre David , Robson James , Fu Dany , Ortiz Luis , Chen Rita , Oliveira Samuel M.D. , Fan Andy , Barrett Amy , Burgay Stephen P. , Choate Stephen , Corbett David , Doucette-Stamm Lynn , Gonzales Kevin , Hamer Davidson H. , Huang Lilly , Huval Shari , Knight Christopher , Lindquist Diane , Lockard Kelly , Macdowell Trevor L. , Mauro Elizabeth , McGinty Colleen , Miller Candice , Monahan Maura , Moore Randall , Platt Judy , Roy Jeffrey , Schroeder Tracey , Tolan Dean R. , Zaia Ann , Brown Robert A. , Waters Gloria , Densmore Douglas , Klapperich Catherine M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn 2019, the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in Wuhan, China, and by early 2020 the cases were identified in the United States. SARS-CoV-2 infections increased in the US causing many states to implement stay-at-home orders and additional safety precautions to mitigate potential outbreaks. As policies changed throughout the pandemic and restrictions lifted, there was an increase in demand for Covid-19 testing which was costly, difficult to obtain, or had long turn-around times. Some academic institutions, including Boston University, created an on-campus Covid-19 screening protocol as part of planning for the safe return of students, faculty, and staff to campus with the option for in-person classes. At BU, we stood up an automated high-throughput clinical testing lab with the capacity to run 45,000 individual tests weekly by fall of 2020, with a purpose-built clinical testing laboratory, a multiplexed RT-PCR test, robotic instrumentation, and trained CLIA certified staff. There were challenges to overcome, including the supply chain issues for PPE testing materials, and equipment that were in high demand. The Boston University Clinical Testing Laboratory was operational at the start of the fall 2020 academic year. The lab performed over 1 million SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Molecular Programs of Glomerular Hyperfiltration in Early Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Stefansson Vidar T. N. , Nair Viji , Melsom Toralf , Looker Helen C. , Mariani Laura H. , Fermin Damian , Eichinger Felix , Menon Rajasree , Subramanian Lalita , Harder Jennifer L. , Hodgin Jeffrey B. , Nelson Peter J. , Eriksen Bjørn O. , Nelson Robert G. , Kretzler Matthias 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHyperfiltration (HF) is a state of high glomerular filtration rate (GFR) observed in early diabetes that damages glomeruli, resulting in an iterative process of increasing filtration load on fewer and fewer remaining functional glomeruli. To delineate underlying cellular mechanisms of damage induced by HF, transcriptional profiles of kidney biopsies from Pima Indians with type 2 diabetes with or without early-stage diabetic kidney disease (DKD) were grouped into two HF categories based on annual iothalamate GFR measurements. Twenty-six participants with a peak GFR measurement within two years of biopsy were categorized as the “HF group”, and 26 in whom biopsy preceded peak GFR by >2 years were considered “pre-HF”. The HF group had higher hemoglobin A1c, higher urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, increased glomerular basement membrane width and lower podocyte density compared to the pre-HF group. A glomerular 1240-gene transcriptional signature identified in the HF group was enriched for endothelial stress response signaling genes, including from endothelin-1, tec-kinase and TGF-β1 pathways, with the majority of the transcripts mapped to endothelial and inflammatory cell clusters in kidney single cell transcriptional data. This analysis reveals molecular pathomechanisms contributing to development of HF and early DKD and involving putative ligand-receptor pairs and downstream intracellular targets linked to cellular crosstalk between endothelial and mesangial cells.
Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant infections bearing the S:E484Q and S:T95I mutations in July and August 2021 in France
Authors: Verdurme Laura , Danesh Gonché , Trombert-Paolantoni Sabine , Sofonea Mircea T. , Noel Valérie , Foulongne Vincent , Montès Brigitte , Tuaillon Edouard , Haim-Boukobza Stéphanie , Roquebert Bénédicte , Alizon Samuel 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAnalysing 92,598 variant screening tests performed on SARS-CoV-2 positive samples collected in France between 1 July and 31 August 2021 shows an increase of Kappa-like infections. Full genome sequencing reveals that these correspond to Delta variants bearing the S:E484Q mutation. Most of these sequences belong to a phylogenetic cluster and also bear the S:T95I mutation. Further monitoring is needed to determine if this trend is driven by undocumented superspreading events or an early signal of future viral evolutionary dynamics.