bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In silico prediction of HBD gene variants in the Iranian population
Authors: Moradi Keivan , Mohammadi Aboozar , Kazeminia Mohsen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The quantification of hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2; α2δ2) is used as a valuable test to differentiate α- and ß-thal carriers in clinical laboratories. Therefore, the HBD (δ-globin) gene variants could result in reduced levels of Hb A2 and have implications for thalassemia screening programs. The aim of the present study was to predict the consequences of HBD gene variants identified in the Iranome project.

Results
The highest number of variants was in the Persian Gulf Islanders. The variants of p.Gln132Glu (HBD: c.394C>G), p.Gly17Arg (HBD: c.49G>C), p.Thr5Ile (HBD: c.14C>T), and p.Ala28Ser (HBD: c.82G>T) presented damage results in three or more prediction tools. In addition, it seems that the p.Gly30= (HBD: c.90C>T) decreases the use of authentic splice and, instead, creates a new donor splice site (DSS) or leads to the use of a cryptic DSS.

Conclusions
Most of these variants have been associated with a decrease in Hb A2 levels. Due to the high mutational diversity in the HBB gene in the Iranian population and the use of Hb A2 quantification to differentiate α- and ß-thal carriers among Iranian clinical laboratories, some attention should be taken to a possible co-inheritance of HBD gene variants to avoid the misdiagnosis of ß-thal carriers.
The relationship between knee-ankle muscle strength and performance tests in young female adults with flexible pes planus
Authors: Bakırhan Serkan , Elibol Nuray , Özkeskin Mehmet , Özden Fatih 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
A decrease in muscular activation of the knee and ankle is one of the primary reasons for pes planus. The muscle strength of the knee and ankle in patients with pes planus may affect the performance tests which consists of daily life activities. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between knee and ankle muscle strength with performance tests in young female adults with flexible pes planus. In addition, we also aimed to observe whether the severity of pes planus affects the ankle muscle strength and performance test scores. We carried out a cross-sectional single-center study. The muscle strength measurement of knee flexion-extension, ankle dorsal-plantar flexion, and ankle inversion-eversion movements were evaluated with the manual muscle test (MMT) device. The timed up and go test (TUG), 5-repeat sit-and-stand test (5STS), and 10-m walk test (10MWT) were used to evaluate knee and ankle performance.

Results
A significant difference was found only for the five-repetitive sit-and-stand test among the classified groups considering the pes planus grade (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups for other parameters (p > 0.05). In correlation analysis, there was only a relationship between the timed up and go test (TUG) with left foot dorsal flexor muscle strength and between 10-m walk test (10MWT) with right foot invertor muscle strength (r1 = − 0.288, r2 = − 0.288, p < 0.05).

Conclusions
The results of this study reveal that the duration of 5STS was significantly lower in the second degree pes planus group. TUG test score showed low negative correlation with left foot dorsal flexor muscle strength. In addition, the scores of 10MWT exhibited poor negative correlation with right foot invertor muscle strength. Regarding other parameters, no significant correlations were found.
COVID-induced pancreatitis: case report
Authors: Wifi Mohamed-Naguib , Nabil Ahmed , Awad Abeer , Eltatawy Reham 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Although the frequent respiratory affection in COVID-19, it is well established that it could be presented with a wide variation of gastrointestinal symptoms; however, it is the effect on the pancreas remains unclear.

Case presentation
We report a case of female patient, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. A week later, the patient developed an attack of acute pancreatitis. Other causes of acute pancreatitis were excluded. Therefore, this was attributed to SARS-COV2 infection.

Conclusion
The case raises awareness about the possibility of acute pancreatitis in COVID-19. Also emphasize the importance of measuring serum amylase and lipase in patients with COVID-19.
Outcome of ultrasound-guided, single session pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Magdy Khalil M. , Hieba Ezzelregal G. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundChemical pleurodesis is frequently indicated to relieve symptoms imposed by large/recurrent malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Traditionally, a drain is left in the pleural space till the cessation of fluid accumulation before pleurodesis. Chest ultrasound can detect an amount of pleural fluid as less as 50 ml and can confirm apposition of the pleural surfaces which is required for successful pleurodesis. This work assessed the efficiency and safety of ultrasound-guided, single-session pleurodesis in cases with MPE.ResultsSeventeen of the patients completed a 2-month follow-up. The technique demonstrated a high success rate (88.2%). The mean duration from the start of pleural drainage till pleurodesis was 1.65 ± 0.70 h ranging from 1 to 3 h. A duration of 2.5 h or less was statistically proposed as a cutoff value not to exceed to predict success (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%). The mean time for total hospital stay related to pleurodesis was 9.88 ± 3.12 h (range 4–12 h). No complications attributed to the procedure were recorded. Pleural Adherence Score and Absent Sliding Score (ASS) had a highly statistically significant correlation (pvalue < 0.001).ConclusionsAn ultrasound-guided completion of the process of pleurodesis in a single session with a shorter duration of pleural fluid drainage and shorter hospital stay (can be done on a day-care basis) is efficient, safe, and cost-effective. This technique is strongly recommended to replace the traditional practice of keeping the indwelling pleural drain for several days waiting for the cessation of pleural fluid reaccumulation. An ultrasound-derived ASS can be used as early as day 1 and day 15 to confirm pleural adherence and to expect the outcome of pleurodesis.
Lou Sullivan and the Future of Gay Sex
Authors: Martin Ellis , Ozma Zach 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Editors of the recent publication We Both Laughed in Pleasure: The Selected Diaries of Lou Sullivan consider Sullivan's writing as an assertion of transmasculine embodiment and pleasure in gay sex culture via his “portal to historical thinking.” With intertextual appearances by Ann Cvetkovich, Elizabeth Freeman, John Giorno, Audre Lorde, José Esteban Muñoz, Liam O'Brien, @archivalrival, and a SCRUFF anon.
Does recall time matter in verbal autopsies? Evidence from urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Mategula Donnie , Gichuki Judy 
Published: March 2021

Background: To assign a cause of death to non-medically certified deaths, verbal autopsies (VAs) are widely used to determine the cause of death. The time difference between the death and the VA interview, also referred to as recall time, varies depending on social and operational factors surrounding the death. We investigated the effect of recall time on the assignment of causes of death by VA. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of 2002-2015 survey data of the Nairobi Urban Health Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS). The independent variable recall time was derived from the date of death and the date when the VA was conducted. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to calculate odds ratios of assigning a cause of death in defined categories of recall time. Results: There were 6218 deaths followed up between 2002 and 2016, out of which 5495 (88.3%) had VAs done. Recall time varied from 1-3001 days (median 92 days, IQR 44-169 days). Majority of the VAs (45.7%) were conducted between 1-3 months after death. The effect of recall time varied for different diseases. Compared to VAs conducted between 1-3 months, there was a 24% higher likelihood of identifying HIV/AIDS as the cause of death for VAs conducted 4-6 months after death (AOR 1.24; 95% CI 1.01-1.54; p-value = 0.043) and a 40% increased chance of identifying other infectious diseases as the cause of death for VAs conducted <1 month after death (AOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.02-1.92, p-value = 0.024). Conclusions: Recall time affected the assignment of VA cause of death for HIV/AIDS, other infectious diseases,maternal/neonatal and indeterminate causes. Our analysis indicates that in the urban informal setting, VAs should be conducted from one month up to 6 months after the death to improve the probability of accurately assigning the cause of death.
Problem Drinking Scale (SPP) – psychometrical characteristic
Authors: Kotowska Justyna , Olszewska - Turek Katarzyna , Modrzyński Robert , Celebucka Jolanta , Bętkowska - Korpała Barbara 
Published: March 2021

Cel pracyCel: Celem pracy jest adaptacja Skali Picia Problemowego (SPP) służącej do ilościowego i jakościowego badania zaburzeń używania alkoholu skonceptualizowanych według klasyfikacji DSM-5.MetodaMetoda: Przebadano 708 osób dorosłych, w różnych stopniu spożywających alkohol, w tym 91 leczących się z powodu uzależnienia, których rekrutowano w poradniach leczenia uzależnienia. Pozostałe osoby, o różnej charakterystyce socjodemograficznej, rekrutowano poprzez zastosowanie metody „kuli śnieżnej”. Trafność oceniono przez skorelowanie uzyskanych wyników z testem AUDIT, rzetelność - poprzez analizę zgodności wewnętrznej.WynikiWyniki: Przedstawiona analiza pokazuje wysoką trafność i rzetelność większości obszarów, co oznacza, że SPP jest narzędziem, które można stosować w praktyce klinicznej. Trafność kryterialną obliczono korelując wyniki SPP z AUDIT (r=0,88, p< ,01). Wyniki w poszczególnych obszarach wahają się od r=0,86 (Trudności w kontroli picia) do r=0,77 (Zależność farmakologiczna). Rzetelność obliczono metodą międzypołówkową, poszczególne wartości współczynników alfa Cronbacha z korektą Spearmana–Browna wahają się w określonych obszarach od 0,89 (Trudności w kontroli picia) do 0,65 (Ryzykowne używanie substancji). W żadnym z obszarów wyniki nie były niższe niż 0,60.WnioskiPodsumowanie: SPP jest przydatnym narzędziem badawczym umożliwiającym analizę ilościową i jakościową zaburzeń używania alkoholu. Skala ta jest pomocna w postawieniu pełnej i trafnej diagnozy klinicznej z uwzględnieniem głębokości zaburzenia i w monitorowaniu zmian w procesie terapii.
If It Is Surely Better, Do It More? Implications for Preferences Under Ambiguity
Authors: Ghili Soheil , Klibanoff Peter 
Published: March 2021

Consider a canonical problem in choice under uncertainty: choosing from a convex feasible set consisting of all (Anscombe–Aumann) mixtures of two acts f and g, [Formula: see text]. We propose a preference condition, monotonicity in optimal mixtures, which says that surely improving the act f (in the sense of weak dominance) makes the optimal weight(s) on f weakly higher. We use a stylized model of a sales agent reacting to incentives to illustrate the tight connection between monotonicity in optimal mixtures and a monotone comparative static of interest in applications. We then explore more generally the relation between this condition and preferences exhibiting ambiguity-sensitive behavior as in the classic Ellsberg paradoxes. We find that monotonicity in optimal mixtures and ambiguity aversion (even only local to an event) are incompatible for a large and popular class of ambiguity-sensitive preferences (the c-linearly biseparable class. This implies, for example, that maxmin expected utility preferences are consistent with monotonicity in optimal mixtures if and only if they are subjective expected utility preferences. This incompatibility is not between monotonicity in optimal mixtures and ambiguity aversion per se. For example, we show that smooth ambiguity preferences can satisfy both properties as long as they are not too ambiguity averse. Our most general result, applying to an extremely broad universe of preferences, shows a sense in which monotonicity in optimal mixtures places upper bounds on the intensity of ambiguity-averse behavior. This paper was accepted by Manel Baucells, decision analysis.
Introduction of a virtual trauma meeting in response to COVID-19
Authors: Burchette D , To C , Willmott H 
Published: March 2021

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on all our lives, both personally and professionally, and in many ways has been a catalyst for change. Limitations on social gathering have called the wisdom of a conventional trauma meeting into question. We have initiated our virtual trauma meeting and report our early results. Materials and methods Daily morning trauma meetings are now conducted online. Following instigation, we collated the results of a feedback form completed online to assess the relative merits of a virtual trauma meeting. Results There were 27 responses received to the electronically administered virtual trauma meeting evaluation survey, from a range of trauma and orthopaedic department personnel. There were no concerns regarding patient safety or decision making and, apart from the quality of the audio (63% dissatisfied or very dissatisfied) positive feedback outweighed negative feedback in every category. At 74%, the majority of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied overall with the virtual trauma meeting. Conclusion Trauma meetings can be safely conducted in a virtual environment with high standards of patient care maintained. Virtual trauma meeting offers service enhancements such as early subspecialty input and enhanced cross-site communication and rapid solution development to logistical difficulties. Adapting to conference call etiquette will enhance user experience and opportunity for training opportunities, but adequate investment in high-quality equipment is essential.
Out of hours magnetic resonance imaging for suspected cauda equina syndrome: lessons from a comparative study across two centres
Authors: Silva A , Sachdev B , Kostusiak M , Yousif Mubarak , Flint G , Dhir J , Furtado N , Laing R 
Published: March 2021

Background Cauda equina syndrome, a rare but disabling spinal surgical emergency, requires prompt investigation, ideally using magnetic resonance imaging as patients may require decompressive surgery. Out of hours access to magnetic resonance imaging is only routinely available in major trauma centres and neurosurgical units. Patients in regional hospitals with suspected cauda equina syndrome may require transfer for diagnostic imaging. We retrospectively studied the proportion of patients referred with suspected cauda equina syndrome who required out of hours transfer for magnetic resonance imaging and decompressive surgery. Materials ands methods Retrospective cohort study of patients referred using online referral platforms with suspected acute cauda equina syndrome and transferred out of hours between 6pm to 8am on weekdays and all day on weekends to two of the largest neurosurgical units in the UK in Birmingham and Cambridge. Results A total of 441 patients were referred across both sites with a suspicion of acute cauda equina syndrome; 339 patients were transferred for diagnostic scans and only 16 of them (4.7%) were positive for cauda equina compression, necessitating prompt decompressive surgery. Of the patients with negative magnetic resonance scans, 50% had their discharge or transfer back to referring hospitals delayed by more than 24 hours. Conclusions Over 95% of patients who were transferred for imaging did not undergo emergency decompression. The authors propose a greater role for the provision of out of hours magnetic resonance imaging in all hospitals admitting emergency patients to streamline management.
High-efficiency holographic metacoder for optical masquerade
Authors: Zhao Dong , Dong Zhaogang , Huang Kun 
Published: March 2021

Optical masquerades are a low-cost camouflage strategy that avoids the hidden objects to be recognized despite being detected. Here, we demonstrate an optical holography-based masquerade that could encode the camouflaged object (“bomb”) into another uncorrelated phase object (“dog”) by using transmissive dielectric metasurfaces with the total efficiency as high as 78% at visible wavelengths. The phase modulation in the encoded “dog” is realized by changing the inplane orientation of nanostructures. Illuminated by the circularly polarized light, the experimental hologram fabricated by using electron-beam lithography exhibits only the “dog” pattern when observing the surface of sample. To recover the hidden “bomb,” one can observe the holographic image reconstructed at the Fresnel region, which works at the broadband spectrum from 540 nm to 680 nm. Such a technique might find potential applications in information security and military affairs.
Spatial analysis of COVID-19 incidence and the sociodemographic context in Brazil
Authors: Raymundo Carlos Eduardo , Oliveira Marcella Cini , Eleuterio Tatiana de Araujo , André Suzana Rosa , da Silva Marcele Gonçalves , Queiroz Eny Regina da Silva , Medronho Roberto de Andrade 
Published: March 2021

Background
Identified in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, China, the outbreak of COVID-19 spread throughout the world and its impacts affect different populations differently, where countries with high levels of social and economic inequality such as Brazil gain prominence, for understanding of the vulnerability factors associated with the disease. Given this scenario, in the absence of a vaccine or safe and effective antiviral treatment for COVID-19, nonpharmacological measures are essential for prevention and control of the disease. However, many of these measures are not feasible for millions of individuals who live in territories with increased social vulnerability. The study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of COVID-19 incidence in Brazil’s municipalities (counties) and investigate its association with sociodemographic determinants to better understand the social context and the epidemic’s spread in the country.

Methods
This is an analytical ecological study using data from various sources. The study period was February 25 to September 26, 2020. Data analysis used global regression models: ordinary least squares (OLS), spatial autoregressive model (SAR), and conditional autoregressive model (CAR) and the local regression model called multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR).

Findings
The higher the GINI index, the higher the incidence of the disease at the municipal level. Likewise, the higher the nurse ratio per 1,000 inhabitants in the municipalities, the higher the COVID-19 incidence. Meanwhile, the proportional mortality ratio was inversely associated with incidence of the disease.

Discussion
Social inequality increased the risk of COVID-19 in the municipalities. Better social development of the municipalities was associated with lower risk of the disease. Greater access to health services improved the diagnosis and notification of the disease and was associated with more cases in the municipalities. Despite universal susceptibility to COVID-19, populations with increased social vulnerability were more exposed to risk of the illness.
On the joint role of non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity and weight status in predicting postmenopausal weight gain
Authors: Ford Christopher N. , Chang Shine , Wood Alexis C. , Manson JoAnn E. , Garcia David O. , Laroche Helena , Bird Chloe E. , Vitolins Mara Z. 
Published: March 2021

Objectives
To determine how baseline weight status contributes to differences in postmenopausal weight gain among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs).

Methods
Data were included from 70,750 NHW and NHB postmenopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI OS). Body Mass Index (BMI) at baseline was used to classify women as having normal weight, overweight, obese class I, obese class II or obese class III. Cox proportional hazards was used to estimate the hazard of a 10% or more increase in weight from baseline.

Results
In both crude and adjusted models, NHBs were more likely to experience ≥10% weight gain than NHWs within the same category of baseline weight status. Moreover, NHBs who were normal weight at baseline were most likely to experience ≥10% weight gain in both crude and adjusted models. Age-stratified results were consistent with overall findings. In all age categories, NHBs who were normal weight at baseline were most likely to experience ≥10% weight gain. Based on the results of adjusted models, the joint influence of NHB race/ethnicity and weight status on risk of postmenopausal weight gain was both sub-additive and sub-multiplicative.

Conclusion
NHBs are more likely to experience postmenopausal weight gain than NHWs, and the disparity in risk is most pronounced among those who are normal weight at baseline. To address the disparity in postmenopausal obesity, future studies should focus on identifying and modifying factors that promote weight gain among normal weight NHBs.
The Impacts of the Ontario Basic Income Pilot: A Comparative Analysis of the Findings from the Hamilton Region
Authors: McDowell Tom , Ferdosi Mohammad 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This article provides the findings of a quantitative and qualitative study of participants from the prematurely cancelled Ontario Basic Income Pilot in the Hamilton region. We compare our evidence with those of other large-scale experiments from the high-income countries between 1968 and 2019 to place OBIP’s findings in the context of evidence from randomized control experiments with similar policy conditions to Ontario’s. Our study identified a small decline in labour market participation, but improvements on a variety of quality-of-life measurements. We hypothesize that OBIPs comparatively positive results on general well-being can be attributed to its: i) generous benefit rates relative to social assistance rates; ii) 50 percent take back rate; and iii) unconditionality; iv) broad well-being/welfare design.
Applying the concept of uncertainty to the sFlt-1/PlGF cut-offs for diagnosis and prognosis of preeclampsia
Authors: Lévy Pacifique , Hamdi Safouane , Guiboudenche Jean , Haguet Marie Clothilde , Bailleul Sophie , Lefèvre Guillaume 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) assays and the corresponding ratios (sFlt-1/PlGF) have been proposed to aid in the diagnosis by exclusion and/or prognosis of preeclampsia (PE). A method for evaluating ratio uncertainties (RUs), based on the theory of error propagation, was applied to the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.

Methods
RUs were calculated using data derived from sFlt-1 and PlGF Internal Quality Control (IQC) results collected from four centers using Elecsys (Roche) or Kryptor (Thermo Fisher) sFlt-1 and PlGF assays. The corresponding ratio uncertainties were defined for each ratio value.

Results
The RUs increased linearly with the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio values. The Elecsys RUs were lower than the Kryptor RUs. Although RUs cannot eliminate differences in ratio values observed among various immunoassays, it can affect interpretation of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, especially when results are within the range of predefined PE diagnosis or prognosis cut-offs.

Conclusions
Since RUs are only a function of PlGF and sFlt-1 precision, they can be calculated for each assay from each laboratory to adjust the interpretation of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio results in the context of PE.