bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and psychometric properties of surveys to assess patient and family caregiver experience with care transitions
Authors: Sorra Joann , Zebrak Katarzyna , Carpenter Deborah , Famolaro Theresa , Rauch John , Li Jing , Davis Terry , Nguyen Huong Q. , McIntosh Megan , Mitchell Suzanne , Hirschman Karen B. , Levine Carol , Clouser Jessica Miller , Brock Jane , Williams Mark V. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study was to develop and administer surveys that assess patient and family caregiver experiences with care transitions and examine the psychometric properties of the surveys. The surveys were designed to ask about 1) the transitional care services that matter most to patients and their caregivers and 2) care outcomes, including the overall quality of transitional care they received, patient self-reported health, and caregiver effort/stress.

Methods
Survey items were developed based on a review of the literature, existing surveys, focus groups, site visits, stakeholder and expert input, and patient and caregiver cognitive interviews. We administered mail surveys with telephone follow up to patients recently discharged from 43 U.S. hospitals. Patients identified the caregivers who helped them during their hospital stay (Time 1 caregiver) and when they were home (Time 2 caregiver). Time 1 and Time 2 caregivers were surveyed by telephone only. The psychometric properties of the survey items and outcome composite measures were examined for each of the three surveys. Items that performed poorly across multiple analyses, including those with low variability and/or a high missing data, were dropped except when they were conceptually important.

Results
The analysis datasets included responses from 9282 patients, 1245 Time 1 caregivers and 1749 Time 2 caregivers. The construct validity of the three proposed outcome composite measures—Overall Quality of Transitional Care (patient and caregiver surveys), Patient Overall Health (patient survey) and Caregiver Effort/Stress (caregiver surveys) —was supported by acceptable exploratory factor analysis results and acceptable internal consistency reliability. Site-level reliability was acceptable for the two patient outcome composite measures, but was low for Caregiver Effort/Stress (< 0.70). In all surveys, the Overall Quality of Transitional Care outcome composite measure was significantly correlated with other outcome composite measures and most of the single-item measures.

Conclusions
Overall, the final patient and caregiver surveys are psychometrically sound and can be used by health systems, hospitals, and researchers to assess the quality of care transitions and related outcomes. Results from these surveys can be used to improve care transitions, focusing on what matters most to patients and their family caregivers.
End of treatment cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is predictive of radiation response and overall survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sumner Whitney , Kim Sangwoo S. , Vitzthum Lucas , Moore Kevin , Atwood Todd , Murphy James , Miyauchi Sayuri , Califano Joseph A. , Mell Loren K. , Mundt Arno J. , Sharabi Andrew B. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Image guidance in radiation oncology has resulted in significant improvements in the accuracy and precision of radiation therapy (RT). Recently, the resolution and quality of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for image guidance has increased so that tumor masses and lymph nodes are readily detectable and measurable. During treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), on-board CBCT setup imaging is routinely obtained; however, this CBCT imaging data is not utilized to predict patient outcomes. Here, we analyzed whether changes in CBCT measurements obtained during a course of radiation therapy correlate with responses on routine 3-month follow-up diagnostic imaging and overall survival (OS).

Materials/methods
Patients with oropharyngeal primary tumors who received radiation therapy between 2015 and 2018 were included. Anatomical measurements were collected of largest nodal conglomerate (LNC) at CT simulation, end of radiation treatment (EOT CBCT), and routine 3-month post-RT imaging. At each timepoint anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral (ML) and craniocaudal (CC) measurements were obtained and used to create a 2-dimensional (2D) maximum.

Results
CBCT data from 64 node positive patients were analyzed. The largest nodal 2D maximum and CC measurements on EOT CBCT showed a statistically significant correlation with complete response on 3-month post-RT imaging (r = 0.313, p = 0.02 and r = 0.318, p = 0.02, respectively). Furthermore, patients who experienced a 30% or greater reduction in the CC dimension had improved OS (Binary Chi-Square HR 4.85, p = 0.028).

Conclusion
Decreased size of pathologic lymph nodes measured using CBCT setup imaging during a radiation course correlates with long term therapeutic response and overall survival of HNSCC patients. These results indicate that CBCT setup imaging may have utility as an early predictor of treatment response in oropharyngeal HNSCC.
A rare disease patient-reported outcome measure: revision and validation of the German version of the Systemic Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (SScQoL) using the Rasch model
Authors: Kocher Agnes , Ndosi Mwidimi , Denhaerynck Kris , Simon Michael , Dwyer Andrew A. , Distler Oliver , Hoeper Kirsten , Künzler-Heule Patrizia , Redmond Anthony C. , Villiger Peter M. , Walker Ulrich A. , Nicca Dunja 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Rare disease patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) require linguistic adaptation to overcome the challenge of geographically dispersed patient populations. Importantly, PROMs such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) should accurately capture responses to patient-identified concerns. The Systemic Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (SScQoL) is a 29-item tool validated in six languages. Previous evaluation of the German version revealed problems with dichotomous responses. This study aimed to revise the German SScQoL, extend the response structure, and evaluate content and construct validity, reliability and unidimensionality.

Methods
The instrument validation study involved revising the German SScQoL response structure, cognitive debriefing with patients and validation using Rasch analysis. The revised SScQoL was completed by Swiss-German-speaking patients with SSc within the Swiss MANagement Of Systemic Sclerosis (MANOSS) study. Rasch analysis was employed to test the validity, reliability and unidimensionality of the revised instrument.

Results
Based on cognitive debriefing with patients (n = 6) dichotomous items were extended to a polytomous 4-point response structure. A total of 78 patients completed the revised SScQoL. Initial analysis of the 29 items suggested the scale lacked fit to the model (χ2 = 51.224, df = 29, p = 0.007). Grouping items into five domains resulted in an adequate fit to the Rasch model (χ2 = 5.343, df = 5, p = 0.376) and unidimensionality (proportion of significant independent t tests: 0.045, 95% CI 0.016–0.114). Overall, the scale was well targeted, had high internal consistency (Person Separation Index, PSI = 0.931) and worked consistently in patients with different demographic and clinical characteristics.

Conclusions
The revised German SScQoL has a 4-point response structure and is a valid, reliable measure. Rasch analysis is useful for validating continuous response structure of quality of life measures. Further evaluation of measurement equivalence with other German-speaking cultures is required for multinational comparisons and data pooling.
Three-dimensional printed hydroxyapatite bone tissue engineering scaffold with antibacterial and osteogenic ability
Authors: Zhongxing Liu , Shaohong Wu , Jinlong Li , Limin Zhang , Yuanzheng Wang , Haipeng Gao , Jian Cao 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe development of an effective scaffold for bone defect repair is an urgent clinical need. However, it is challenging to design a scaffold with efficient osteoinduction and antimicrobial activity for regeneration of bone defect. In this study, we successfully prepared a hydroxyapatite (HA) porous scaffold with a surface-specific binding of peptides during osteoinduction and antimicrobial activity using a three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. The HA binding domain (HABD) was introduced to the C-terminal of bone morphogenetic protein 2 mimetic peptide (BMP2-MP) and antimicrobial peptide of PSI10. The binding capability results showed that BMP2-MP and PSI10-containing HABD were firmly bound to the surface of HA scaffolds. After BMP2-MP and PSI10 were bound to the scaffold surface, no negative effect was observed on cell proliferation and adhesion. The gene expression and protein translation levels of type I collagen (COL-I), osteocalcin (OCN) and Runx2 have been significantly improved in the BMP2-MP/HABP group. The level of alkaline phosphatase significantly increased in the BMP2-MP/HABP group. The inhibition zone test against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli BL21 prove that the PSI10/HABP@HA scaffold has strong antibacterial ability than another group. These findings suggest that 3D-printed HA scaffolds with efficient osteoinduction and antimicrobial activity represent a promising biomaterial for bone defect reconstruction.
Linguistic adaptation and psychometric evaluation of Italian version of children’s sleep habits questionnaire
Authors: Borrelli Melissa , Scala Iris , Festa Paola , Bruzzese Dario , Michelotti Ambrosina , Cantone Elena , Corcione Adele , Fragnito Martina , Miranda Vincenzo , Santamaria Francesca 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
The Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) is a parent-report questionnaire used to examine sleep behavior in children. Linguistic adaptation of CSHQ into several languages and/or psychometric analysis of reliability have been published.

Main text
Our aim was to translate the original 33-items CSHQ from English to Italian and to examine its reliability for use in 4–10 years-old children of Italy. After translation and back-translation procedure of the original CSHQ, the Italian CSHQ (CSHQ-IT) was administered to 69 mothers of healthy children. Reliability of CSHQ-IT was examined by the internal consistency of the scale (using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient), and by the test-retest analysis obtained by asking mothers who had completed the CSHQ-IT at baseline to re-complete it after a two-week interval (measured with the Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient, CCC). The CSHQ-IT showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.81 for the total scale). The total CSHQ-IT score showed a strong correlation in retests (CCC 0.87; 95% Confidence Interval, 0.80; 0.92).

Conclusion
CSHQ-IT is a valuable tool for evaluating sleep behavior in children 4–10 years-old in Italy. Future research should be implemented to provide definitive validity of CSHQ-IT in children with sleep-disordered breathing.
Management of severe trauma worldwide: implementation of trauma systems in emerging countries: China, Russia and South Africa
Authors: Zhou Jing , Wang Tianbing , Belenkiy Igor , Hardcastle Timothy Craig , Rouby Jean-Jacques , Jiang Baoguo ,   for the International Trauma Rescue & Treatment Association (ITRTA) Study Group, Demetriades Demetrios , Oestern Hans J. , Iwase Hiroaki , Zhang Mao , Bouzat Pierre , Coats Timothy J. , Gauss Tobias , An Youzhong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAs emerging countries, China, Russia, and South Africa are establishing and/or improving their trauma systems. China has recently established a trauma system named “the Chinese Regional Trauma Care System” and covered over 200 million populations. It includes paramedic-staffed pre-hospital care, in-hospital care in certified trauma centers, trauma registry, quality assurance, continuous improvement and ongoing coverage of the entire Chinese territory. The Russian trauma system was formed in the first decade of the twenty-first century. Pre-hospital care is region-based, with a regional coordination center that determines which team will go to the scene and the nearest hospital where the victim should be transported. Physician-staffed ambulances are organized according to three levels of trauma severity corresponding to three levels of trauma centers where in-hospital care is managed by a trauma team. No national trauma registry exists in Russia. Improvements to the Russian trauma system have been scheduled. There is no unified trauma system in South Africa, and trauma care is organized by public and private emergency medical service in each province. During the pre-hospital care, paramedics provide basic or advanced life support services and transport the patients to the nearest hospital because of the limited number of trauma centers. In-hospital care is inclusive with a limited number of accredited trauma centers. In-hospital care is managed by emergency medicine with multidisciplinary care by the various specialties. There is no national trauma registry in South Africa. The South African trauma system is facing multiple challenges. An increase in financial support, training for primary emergency trauma care, and coordination of private sector, need to be planned.
The identification and semi-quantitative assessment of gastrointestinal nematodes in faecal samples using multiplex real-time PCR assays
Authors: Reslova Nikol , Skorpikova Lucie , Kyrianova Iveta Angela , Vadlejch Jaroslav , Höglund Johan , Skuce Philip , Kasny Martin 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
The diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in ruminants is routinely based on morphological/morphometric analysis of parasite specimens recovered by coprological methods, followed by larval culture (LC) techniques. Such an approach is laborious, time-consuming, requires a skilled expert, and moreover suffers from certain limitations. Molecular tools are able to overcome the majority of these issues, providing accurate identification of nematode species and, therefore, may be valuable in sustainable parasite control strategies.

Methods
Two multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for specific detection of five main and one invasive GIN species, including an internal amplification control to avoid false-negative results, were designed targeting SSU rRNA and COI genetic markers, as well as established ITS1/2 sequences. The assays were optimized for analysis of DNA extracted directly from sheep faeces and verified for Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Nematodirus battus, Chabertia ovina, and Ashworthius sidemi. Semi-quantitative evaluation of infection intensity was enabled using a plasmid construct and a dilution series of sheep faeces with a known number of nematode eggs. Assays were tested on 44 individually collected faecal samples from three farms, and results were compared to those from faecal egg counts (FEC) using the concentration McMaster technique and LC.

Results
Multiplex real-time PCR assays showed great specificity to target nematodes. During the analysis of faecal samples, the assays proved to have higher sensitivity in strongylid-type egg detection over FEC by revealing three false-negative samples, while showing moderate agreement in evaluation of infection intensity. The multiplex assays further clarified GIN species identification compared to LC, which had confused determination of Teladorsagia spp. for Trichostrongylus spp.

Conclusions
Our multiplex assays proved to be a rapid and accurate approach enabling simultaneous and reliable GIN species identification from faeces and semi-quantitative estimation of the number of eggs present. This approach increases diagnostic value and may add a high degree of precision to evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy, where it is important to identify species surviving after treatment.

Graphical Abstract
A nationwide survey of the tabanid fauna of Cameroon
Authors: Sevidzem Silas L. , Koumba Aubin A. , Yao-Acapovi Genevieve L. , Mavoungou Jacques F. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundTabanids are a neglected group of haematophagous dipterans despite containing 4434 species, regrouped in > 144 genera. They are mechanical vectors of important pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and protozoa of humans and domesticated and wild animals. As it is > 50 years since the publication of a preliminary nationwide record of the tabanids of Cameroon identified 84 species, updated information is needed. The aim of this study was to provide current data on the species composition, abundance and distribution of tabanids in the five main agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Cameroon.MethodsFrom 2015 to 2017, a systematic entomological study using Nzi, Vavoua, Biconical and Sevi traps (n = 106) was conducted in 604 trapping points over 11,448 trap-days in the five main AEZs of Cameroon.ResultsA total of 25,280 tabanids belonging to 25 species were collected, including eight species not previously documented in Cameroon, namelyTabanus latipes(1 female),Tabanus ricardae(1 female),Tabanus fasciatus(32 females and 6 males),Haematopota pluvialis(18 females),Haematopota decora(19 females and 3 males),Haematopota nigripennis(18 females),Chrysops distinctipennis(47 females and 5 males) andAncala fasciata(34 females and 7 males). The distribution maps of the newly identified tabanids differed between AEZs, with most tabanids collected from the Guinean savanna. The highest apparent density of tabanids was recorded in the Sudan Savanna region, and the mean apparent densities of species with sites was statistically significantly different (Student t-test: 2.519,df = 24,P = 0.019). The highest species diversity was found in the rainforest.ConclusionsThis study increased the list of tabanids recorded in Cameroon from 84 species in the preliminary record to 92 species, with most of the newly identified species occurring in the Guinea Savanna AEZ. The high diversity and abundance of tabanids in the livestock/wildlife interface areas of the rain forests and Sudan Savanna AEZs, respectively, suggest risk of mechanical transmission of pathogens. Investigations of the microbiota of tabanids in the different AEZs to define their role as disease vectors are proposed.Graphical abstract
Multiple diagnostic tests demonstrate an increased risk of canine heartworm disease in northern Queensland, Australia
Authors: Panetta Jessica L. , Calvani Nichola Eliza Davies , Orr Bronwyn , Nicoletti Aldo Gianfranco , Ward Michael P. , Šlapeta Jan 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a life-threatening infection of dogs with a global distribution. Information on the prevalence of D. immitis and associated risk factors for canine heartworm antigen positivity—and thus disease—in Australia is scarce or outdated. The current reference method for D. immitis diagnosis in dogs is via the detection of heartworm antigen in blood using commercially available microwell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Heat treatment of canine plasma prior to testing has been suggested to increase test sensitivity. The aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of D. immitis in dogs confined to shelters in Queensland, Australia. The impact of heat treatment on antigen test results was also assessed.

Methods
Blood samples (n = 166) were collected directly from dogs in seven shelters across Queensland (latitudinal span of approx. 1700 km) into EDTA blood collection tubes. A commercially available ELISA (DiroCHEK®) was used to detect canine heartworm antigen in untreated and heat-treated plasma. Whole blood was concurrently tested for the presence of microfilariae and D. immitis DNA using a modified Knott’s test and real-time PCR, respectively. Risk factors (age, gender, source, location) associated with the odds of positivity for canine heartworm were assessed using binary logistic regression models.

Results
A total of 16 dogs (9.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.9–15.2%) were positive for canine heartworm based on combined test results. Heat treatment did not impact on the positivity of D. immitis antigen within samples (Cohen’s kappa = 0.98), but the optical density was significantly increased in paired plasma samples for D. immitis antigen-positive samples (Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test, two-tailed P < 0.01). Location of the dog in a shelter in northern Queensland was the only risk factor significantly associated with the odds of a dog being more likely to be D. immitis antigen positive (odds ratio: 4.39; 95% CI: 1.26–13.51). All samples positive for the modified Knott’s test were also positive for D. immitis DNA by PCR.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated the presence of heartworm-positive dogs in shelters in Queensland, with positive animals significantly more likely to occur in northern Queensland than southern Queensland. Sustained testing for the presence of D. immitis microfilariae and antigen remain important diagnostic tools in areas with known and re-emerging canine heartworm activity.

Graphical Abstract
The DNA methylation landscape of multiple myeloma shows extensive inter- and intrapatient heterogeneity that fuels transcriptomic variability
Authors: Derrien Jennifer , Guérin-Charbonnel Catherine , Gaborit Victor , Campion Loïc , Devic Magali , Douillard Elise , Roi Nathalie , Avet-Loiseau Hervé , Decaux Olivier , Facon Thierry , Mallm Jan-Philipp , Eils Roland , Munshi Nikhil C. , Moreau Philippe , Herrmann Carl , Magrangeas Florence , Minvielle Stéphane 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Cancer evolution depends on epigenetic and genetic diversity. Historically, in multiple myeloma (MM), subclonal diversity and tumor evolution have been investigated mostly from a genetic perspective.

Methods
Here, we performed an analysis of 42 MM samples from 21 patients by using enhanced reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (eRRBS). We combined several metrics of epigenetic heterogeneity to analyze DNA methylation heterogeneity in MM patients.

Results
We show that MM is characterized by the continuous accumulation of stochastic methylation at the promoters of development-related genes. High combinatorial entropy change is associated with poor outcomes in our pilot study and depends predominantly on partially methylated domains (PMDs). These PMDs, which represent the major source of inter- and intrapatient DNA methylation heterogeneity in MM, are linked to other key epigenetic aberrations, such as CpG island (CGI)/transcription start site (TSS) hypermethylation and H3K27me3 redistribution as well as 3D organization alterations. In addition, transcriptome analysis revealed that intratumor methylation heterogeneity was associated with low-level expression and high variability.

Conclusions
We propose that disrupted DNA methylation in MM is responsible for high epigenetic and transcriptomic instability allowing tumor cells to adapt to environmental changes by tapping into a pool of evolutionary trajectories.