bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring Fatigue in TBI: Development of the TBI-QOL Fatigue Item Bank and Short Form
Authors: Kisala Pamela A. , Bushnik Tamara , Boulton Aaron J. , Hanks Robin A. , Kolakowsky-Hayner Stephanie A. , Tulsky David S. 
Published: September 2019

Objective:
To develop a traumatic brain injury (TBI)-specific, item response theory (IRT)-calibrated Fatigue item bank, short form, and computer adaptive test (CAT) as part of the Traumatic Brain Injury-Quality of Life (TBI-QOL) measurement system.

Setting:
Five TBI Model Systems rehabilitation centers in the US

Participants:
Adults with complicated mild, moderate, or severe TBI confirmed by medical record review.

Design:
Cross-sectional field testing via phone or in-person interview.

Main Measures:
TBI-QOL Fatigue item bank, short form, and CAT.

Results:
A total of 590 adults with TBI completed 95 preliminary fatigue items, including 86 items from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and 9 items from the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL) system. Through 4 iterations of factor analysis, 22 items were deleted for reasons such as local item dependence, misfit, and low item-total correlations. Graded response model IRT analyses were conducted on the 73-item set, and Stocking-Lord equating was used to transform the item parameters to the PROMIS (general population) metric. A short form and CAT, which demonstrate similar reliability to the full item bank, were developed. Test-retest reliability of the CAT was established in an independent sample (Pearson's r and intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.82 [95% confidence interval: 0.72-0.88]).

Conclusions:
The TBI-QOL Fatigue item bank, short form, and CAT provide rehabilitation researchers and clinicians with TBI-optimized tools for assessment of the patient-reported experience and impact of fatigue on individuals with TBI.
Development of the TBI-QOL Headache Pain Item Bank and Short Form
Authors: Tulsky David S. , Tyner Callie E. , Boulton Aaron J. , Kisala Pamela A. , Heinemann Allen W. , Roth Elliot J. , Carlozzi Noelle E. 
Published: September 2019

Objective:
To develop, calibrate, and evaluate the test-retest reliability of a new patient-reported outcome measure of headache pain relevant for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Setting:
Six TBI Model Systems rehabilitation centers in the United States.

Participants:
Adults with medically confirmed documentation of TBI.

Design:
Cross-sectional calibration field testing and test-retest reliability analyses.

Main Measures:
Traumatic Brain Injury—Quality of Life Headache Pain item bank.

Results:
Thirteen headache pain items were calibrated as a unidimensional measure using data from 590 participants. The new measure was reliable (α = .98; item-total correlation range: 0.71-0.91). Item parameter estimates were estimated using Samejima's Graded Response Model and a 10-item calibrated short form was created. Simulation testing confirmed that both the computer-adaptive test and the short-form administrations were equivalent to the full item bank. One- to-2-week test-retest reliability of the computer-adaptive test was high (Pearson r and intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.81). Approximately two-thirds of the sample reported at least 1 headache symptom.

Conclusion:
The Traumatic Brain Injury—Quality of Life Headache Pain item bank and short form provide researchers and clinicians with reliable measures of the subjective experience of headache symptoms for individuals with a history of TBI.
Management of Postoperative Inflammation and Dry Eye After Cataract Surgery
Authors: Kato Kumiko , Miyake Kensaku , Hirano Koji , Kondo Mineo 
Published: September 2019

Abstract:
Surgical intervention is the most effective treatment for decreased vision resulting from cataracts. Although the current procedures for cataract surgery are safe and effective, it is well known that several complications can develop after surgery. Postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME) is a well-known complication, and prophylactic medications such as steroids and/or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are routinely used for its prevention. Ocular surface abnormalities, such as dry eye, have also been reported to develop after cataract surgery. However, the causative mechanisms for postoperative dry eye have not been definitively determined. At present, there are no prophylactic medications that are commonly used to prevent the development of postoperative dry eye. Although nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are very effective in reducing the incidence and degree of postoperative CME, it is known that they can cause adverse side effects, including ocular surface abnormalities. Thus, perioperative medications must be carefully selected to improve surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Here, we summarize the results of recent studies on postoperative dry eye and CME that can develop after cataract surgery. We suggest appropriate combinations of medications that can be used to minimize these postsurgical complications.
Densitometry Analysis of Corneal Backscatter After Pre-Descemet Endothelial Keratoplasty for Pseudophakic Bullous Keratopathy
Authors: Kumar Dhivya Ashok , Agarwal Amar , Jaganathasamy Nagaraj 
Published: September 2019

Purpose:
To quantify corneal backscattering by densitometry analysis after pre-Descemet endothelial keratoplasty (PDEK).

Design:
This is a prospective observational case series.

Methods:
Setting: Tertiary care hospital. Participants: Postoperative PDEK eyes with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥20/40 without comorbidity. Observation procedure: Slit-lamp examination, Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam; Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), endothelial cell density (cells/mm2), and central corneal thickness (Visante; Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, Germany) were performed. Corneal densitometry values for the entire depth of the cornea were compared between post-PDEK eyes and fellow eyes (non-PDEK). Main outcome measures: Mean densitometry (grayscale units, GSUs) of the anterior, posterior, central, total depth and concentric zones (0–2, 2–6, 6–10, and 10–12 mm) of the cornea.

Results:
Overall, 35 eyes (21 PDEK eyes and 14 control eyes) were evaluated. The mean total densitometry values in the anterior, central, and posterior corneas were 40.7 ± 7.6 GSU, 25.3 ± 4.8 GSU, and 20.9 ± 3.4 GSU, respectively. On inter-zone comparison between central and peripheral cornea, there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between 0 to 2 mm and 6 to 12 mm zones. There was no correlation between endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness with densitometry. However, there was a significant correlation of BCVA with corneal densitometry in 0 to 2 mm (r = 0.519, P = 0.016) and 6 to 2 mm (r = 0.556, P = 0.009) zones. In eyes with BCVA 20/20, there was no significant difference between PDEK and control eyes in the total corneal densitometry in the entire depth of the cornea (P = 0.662).

Conclusions:
Clinically clear corneas with visual acuity 20/20 showed no difference in the total corneal densitometry as compared to their fellow eye. Corneal backscatter was higher in the anterior cornea and in the central 0 to 6 mm zone.
Meibomian Gland Morphology: The Influence of Structural Variations on Gland Function and Ocular Surface Parameters
Authors: Llorens-Quintana Clara , Rico-del-Viejo Laura , Syga Piotr , Madrid-Costa David , Iskander D. Robert 
Published: September 2019

Purpose:
To objectively and quantitatively characterize meibomian gland morphology and to investigate the influence of morphological variations on gland function and ocular surface and tear film parameters.

Methods:
One hundred fifty subjects were enrolled. The examinations included tear osmolarity, tear meniscus height, bulbar conjunctival hyperemia, noninvasive tear film breakup time, lid margin thickness, foam secretion, meibomian gland expressibility, count of functioning glands, corneal and conjunctival staining, fluorescein breakup time, lid wiper epitheliopathy, and Schirmer test. Patient symptoms were assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire. Images from noncontact meibography were analyzed using an automated method that objectively estimates dropout area, number of glands, gland length and width, and gland irregularity.

Results:
Gland irregularity highly correlated with dropout area (r = −0.4, P < 0.001) and showed significant partial correlations with fluorescein breakup time (r = 0.162, P = 0.049) and the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire (r = −0.250, P = 0.002) Subjects with dropout area <32% were divided into 2 groups: high and low irregularity. Gland expressibility was statistically significantly different between the 2 groups (U = 319.5, P = 0.006). In the high irregularity group, gland irregularity correlated with the Schirmer test (r = 0.530, P = 0.001) and corneal fluorescein staining (r = −0.377, P = 0.021).

Conclusions:
Automated morphological analysis of meibomian gland structure provides additional quantitative and objective information regarding gland morphology. The link between dropout area and gland function is not clear. Assessment of gland irregularity might better predict gland function and its effects on ocular surface and tear film parameters.
Myopathic Blepharoptoses: A New Classification System
Authors: Burnstine Michael , Greer Christine , Lee Diana K. , Kim Jonathan W. 
Published: September 2019

The authors present a comprehensive and effective myopathic ptosis classification scheme to optimize surgical management and facilitate subspecialty care.

Purpose:
Myopathic blepharoptoses (ptoses) is a complex group of disorders. To date, no formal categorization scheme has been developed based on associated ocular and systemic findings, genetic fingerprint, treatment, and prognosis for each ptosis in this group. We report a new classification scheme for myopathic ptoses.

Methods:
Literature review and classification development.

Results:
A new classification scheme of myopathic ptoses includes isolated static myopathic ptosis (congenital ptosis), static myopathic ptosis associated with aberrant innervation and those associated with periocular abnormalities, and progressive myopathic ptoses that affect the levator muscle and other muscle groups in childhood and adulthood.

Conclusions:
Making the distinction of myopathic ptosis type early will maximize patient outcomes by optimizing surgical and systemic management and facilitating the recruitment of subspecialists to care for patients with these challenging conditions.
African American Women's Perceptions of Cardiovascular Disease After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Jones Loretta , Williams Susan , Bydalek Kathryn , Elkins Casey , Fruh Sharon 
Published: September 2019

Background
The primary cause of death among African American women older than 50 years is cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease affects more than 16.8 million Americans and occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that provide blood to the heart. This often leads to a partial or complete blockage, causing a myocardial infarction (heart attack). There is limited research regarding the lived experiences of African American women before and after a myocardial infarction.

Objective
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of African American women living in the southern region of the United States who have experienced a myocardial infarction.

Methods
A hermeneutic phenomenological framework guided the study. Semistructured, audiotaped interviews were conducted to elicit narratives from 7 participants. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and then coded and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis framework.

Results
The findings revealed 6 major themes: life before myocardial infarction, causes of my myocardial infarction, myocardial infarction warning signs, life after myocardial infarction, cardiac rehabilitation, and family support. Lifestyle changes must be implemented to prevent a second blockage. Attending cardiac rehabilitation and incorporating regular physical exercise are recommended to help prevent further heart damage and to improve quality of life.
Piloting a Tool to Measure Patient-Perceived Barriers to Dermatology Access
Authors: Cyr Melissa E. , Guthrie Barbara J. , Board Rhonda M. , Boucher Daryl , Benneyan James C. 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT

Background
With malignant melanoma incidence rates at a historic national high and greater tumor thickness being the most significant prognostic determinant, early lesion detection and treatment remain the most crucial factors for improving health outcomes.

Objective
The aim of this study was to design and pilot a survey instrument to document patients’ perceived barriers to dermatology care access.

Methods
A retrospective, descriptive design and a convenience sample of 50 adult participants via a conceptually derived survey were used. Data analyses included descriptive statistics and frequencies; the survey was designed to be analyzed in a subsequent study with other types of data that were not collected as part of this pilot.

Results
Twenty-one (42%) of participants reported receipt of dermatology care, five (10%) reported no care, and 24 (48%) did not respond to this question. Overall, 30 surveys (60%) were returned incomplete to varying degrees.

Limitations
Limitations included a small sample size from a homogenous population with access to dermatology care. The reliability and validity of this tool were not evaluated.

Conclusions
It was unclear whether lower completion rates were attributed to the survey or study design, but several research-driven suggestions were made that may be helpful in improving this tool for future use.
External Factors Associated With Community Cohesion in Women Living With HIV
Authors: Hardin Robin N. , Thurston Idia B. , Howell Kathryn H. , Kamody Rebecca C. , Kaufman Caroline C. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Although community cohesion has been identified as a protective factor associated with positive health outcomes, less is known about factors that increase community cohesion for women living with HIV (WLWH). We examined risk/protective factors associated with community cohesion in WLWH (N = 56) in the US Mid-South (M
age = 41.2 years, SD = 9.01). Participants completed hour-long interviews. Hierarchical linear regression modeling was used to examine factors associated with community cohesion. The final model was significant, F(5, 50) = 6.42, p < .001, adj. R
2 = 33%; greater social support (b = .38, p < .01) and resilience (b = .27, p < .05) were significantly associated with better community cohesion. Given the protective benefits of community connectedness, findings suggest that nurses and community providers work with WLWH to harness friend- and family-support networks. In addition, strategies to enhance access to resilience resources would enable WLWH to recover from adversity.
Early Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Patients With Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in an Emergency Setting
Authors: Conte Giorgio , Di Berardino Federica , Zanetti Diego , Iofrida Elisabetta Francesca , Scola Elisa , Sbaraini Sara , Filipponi Eliana , Cinnante Claudia , Gaini Lorenzo Maria , Ambrosetti Umberto , Triulzi Fabio , Pignataro Lorenzo , Capaccio Pasquale 
Published: September 2019

Objective:
The role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) is controversial due to the inhomogeneity of clinical and MR protocols. The aim of this work is to relate early MR findings obtained immediately after the admission, with the clinical presentation, the audiological findings, and the outcomes of treatment.

Study Design:
Prospective observational study.

Setting:
Tertiary referral university center.

Patients:
Forty-seven patients (22 M, 25 F; age: 54.4 ± 17.5 yr) consecutively referred to the Department of Emergency for ISSHL.

Interventions:
All patients underwent the diagnostic and therapeutic work-up for ISSHL, and MR imaging within 72 hours from the admission, independently of the symptoms onset. All patients received the same treatment (systemic steroid therapy, intratympanic steroid injection, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy).

Main Outcome Measure(s):
MR patterns, clinical, and laboratory findings.

Results:
MR imaging was positive in 25 of 47 cases (53%), with a perfect agreement between clinical and MR examinations (Cohen K = 1) upon the affected ear. Three different radiological patterns were observed: labyrinthine haemorrhage (n = 5), acute inflammatory process (n = 14), isolated blood–labyrinth barrier breakdown (n = 6). By binary logistic regression, only vertigo was associated with a positive MR imaging [B = 2.8; p = 0.011; OR = 9.5 (95% CI: 2.2–40.8)] and the latter was the only variable associated with an unfavorable outcome [(B = 2.8; p = 0.02 OR = 12.8 (95% CI: 2.9–56.7)].

Conclusion:
Patients affected by ISSHL with associated vertigo show a higher likelihood of having a positive MR imaging, which, in turn, seems to predict an unfavorable outcome.
Time to antibody detection and associated factors for presence of anti-drug antibodies in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with anti-TNF therapy
Authors: Moses Jonathan , Lambert-Jenkins Kristin , Momotaz Hasina , Sattar Abdus , Debanne Sara M. , Splawski Judy , Sferra Thomas J. 
Published: September 2019

Background:Loss of response in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with biologic medications can be due to development of anti-drug antibodies. Natural history of anti-drug antibodies development has not been well described in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. The primary aim of this study was to describe a single-center experience for the temporal onset of anti-drug antibodies detection.Methods:We performed a retrospective, single-center chart review of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients at the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital from 2010 to 2015. Patients were treated with infliximab or adalimumab and had at least two evaluations for anti-drug antibodies with the homogenous mobility shift assay. Demographics, laboratory and medication data, and clinical disease activity were collected.Results:A total of 75 subjects are included in the analysis. Eighty-one percent of subjects were treated with infliximab. Eleven subjects developed anti-drug antibodies; average time to anti-drug antibodies detection was 13.2 ± 7.3 months. Longer duration of inflammatory bowel disease, L1 location in Crohn’s disease, and not having immunomodulatory therapy before biologic was associated with higher risk of antibody detection. Antibody detection occurred more frequently with infliximab vs. adalimumab. Time-to-antibody detection for infliximab and adalimumab was 14.83 and 23.48 months, respectively.Conclusion:Chances of anti-drug antibodies detection in the infliximab group were higher than the adalimumab group. Time-to-antibody detection was 8.65 months longer in patients who received adalimumab when compared to infliximab. These results may have implications for long-term therapy and help guide use of concomitant immunomodulators.
Evidence for positive priming of leaf litter decomposition by contact with eutrophic pond sediments
Authors: Fortino Kenneth , Hoak Jessica , Waters Matthew N 
Published: September 2019

AbstractOrganic matter processing controls the flow of carbon and nutrients through ecosystems. Heterotrophic metabolism within ponds is supported by both terrestrial leaf litter and autochthonous production. We investigated the potential for the priming of leaf litter decomposition in small ponds using microcosms. We incubated senescent tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) leaf discs in the dark for 130 days either in contact with eutrophic pond sediments or isolated from sediment contact. Leaves that had been in contact with the sediments were significantly less tough and lost more carbon mass following the incubation than leaves that were not in contact with the sediments, indicating that they were decomposing faster. We calculated a positive priming effect of the sediments of 42% and 77% based on the change in toughness and C mass loss, respectively. We further found that leaf discs that were in contact with the sediments had significantly less fungal biomass, measured as ergosterol mass, and less leaf-derived N in fungal biomass than the leaf discs isolated from the sediments. These results indicate that the presence of the more labile organic matter of the sediments alters the rate of organic matter mineralization and the cycling of nitrogen and carbon.
Immunoinformatics Prediction of Epitope Based Peptide Vaccine Against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis PPE65 family Protein
Authors: Elhag Mustafa , Mohamed Sati Anfal Osama , Saadaldin Moaaz Mohammed , Hassan Mohammed A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease with varying rates of mortality and morbidity among infected individuals which estimates for approximately two million deaths/year. The number of deaths could increase by 60% if left untreated. It mainly affects immune-compromised individuals and people of third world, due to poverty, low health standards, and inadequate medical care. It has varying range of manifestations that is affected by the host immune system response, the strain causing the infection, its virulence, and transmissibility.Materials and methodsA total of 1750Mycobacterium TuberculosisPPE65 family protein strains were retrieved from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database on March 2019 and several tools were used for the analysis of the T- and B-cell peptides and homology modelling.Results and conclusionFour strong epitope candidates had been predicted in this study for having good binding affinity to HLA alleles, good global population coverage percentages. These peptides are YAGPGSGPM, AELDASVAM, GRAFNNFAAPRYGFK and a single B-cell peptide YAGP.This study uses immunoinformatics approach for the design of peptide based vaccines for M. tuberculosis. Peptide based vaccines are safer, more stable and less hazardous/allergenic when compared to conventional vaccines. In addition, peptide vaccines are less labouring, time consuming and cost efficient. The only weakness is the need to introduce an adjuvant to increase immunogenic stimulation of the vaccine recipient.
Centrosome and ciliary abnormalities in fetal akinesia deformation sequence human fibroblasts
Authors: Jühlen Ramona , Martinelli Valérie , Vinci Chiara , Breckpot Jeroen , Fahrenkrog Birthe 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCiliopathies are clinical disorders of the primary cilium with widely recognised phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Here we found impaired ciliogenesis in fibroblasts derived from individuals with fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS), a broad spectrum of neuromuscular disorders arising from impaired foetal movement. We show that cells derived from FADS individuals have shorter and less primary cilia (PC), in association with alterations in post-translational modifications in α-tubulin. Similarly, siRNA-mediated depletion of two known FADS proteins, the scaffold protein rapsyn and the nucleoporin NUP88, resulted in defective PC formation. Consistent with a role in ciliogenesis, rapsyn and NUP88 localised to centrosomes and PC. By proximity-ligation assays, we show that rapsyn and NUP88 are adjacent and that both proteins are adjoining to all three tubulin isoforms (α, and γ rapsyn-NUP88 interface, as well as their contact to microtubules, is perturbed in the examined FADS cells. We suggest that the perturbed rapsyn-NUP88-tubulin interface leads to defects in PC formation and that defective ciliogenesis contributes to the pleiotropic defects seen in FADS.SummaryFibroblasts derived from fetal akinesia individuals are characterised by ciliary defects and rapsyn and NUP88 are required for proper formation of the primary cilium.