bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single-Plane 3-Dimensional Isotropic Spin-Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reconstructions of Shoulder Exhibit Superior Correlation to Surgical Findings Than 2-Dimensional Dixon Multiplanar Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Haider Shamrez , Cabrera Alison , Thakur Uma , Xi Yin , Chhabra Avneesh 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to evaluate concordance of multiplanar 2-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (2D-MRI) versus 3D isotropic MRI for rotator cuff and labral tears with the reference standard of arthroscopic surgical findings.MethodsIt was an institutional review board–approved retrospective single-center study of consecutive preoperative patients with isotropic 3D-MRI on 3-Tesla scanners, multiplanar 2D-MRI, and shoulder arthroscopy. Scapular plane-oriented contiguous multiplanar reconstructions of 3D-images were evaluated by 2 experienced fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. Variables included the following: labral tear presence and rotator-cuff tear Ellman grade, thickness, and width. Sensitivities (Sen) and specificities (Spe) were calculated for binary variables. Mean squared errors (MSE) were calculated for ordinal variables. Lower MSE indicated higher concordance.ResultsSeventy-two patients (43 female) with a mean age of 50.75 ± 9.76 years were evaluated. For infraspinatus-tear presence, 3D-MRI showed higher sensitivity (0.96) and specificity (0.68) than 2D-MRI (Sen = 0.85, Spe = 0.32) (Psen= 0.005,Pspe= 0.002). For subscapularis-tear presence, 3D-MRI showed higher sensitivity (0.94) and specificity (0.73) compared with 2D-MRI (Sen = 0.83, Spe = 0.56) (Psen= 0.02,Pspe= 0.04). For supraspinatus-tear presence, there was no significant difference between 3D-MRI (Sen =0.96, Spe = 0.67) compared with 2D-MRI (Sen = 0.98, Spe = 0.83) (Psen= 0.43,Pspe= 0.63). For infraspinatus-tear thickness, 3D-MRI showed lower MSE (0.35) compared with 2D-MRI MSE (0.82) (P= 0.01). For subscapularis-tear thickness, 3D-MRI had lower MSE (0.31) compared with 2D-MRI MSE (0.51) (P= 0.007). However, no difference noted for supraspinatus-tear thickness when comparing 3D-MRI MSE (0.39) and 2D-MRI MSE (0.51) (P= 0.49). For labral-tear presence, 3D-MRI had a lower MSE (0.20) compared with 2D-MRI MSE (0.57) (P< 0.001).ConclusionsThree-dimensional MRI of the shoulder is time efficient with a shorter acquisition time and exhibits comparable with superior correlation to surgical findings than 2D-MRI for detection of labral tears and some rotator cuff tears. Three-dimensional MRI may be used in place of traditional 2D-MRI in detection of soft-tissue shoulder injury in centers equipped to do so.
Effects of the Training Data Condition on Arterial Spin Labeling Parameter Estimation Using a Simulation-Based Supervised Deep Neural Network
Authors: Ishida Shota , Isozaki Makoto , Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Takei Naoyuki , Kanamoto Masayuki , Kimura Hirohiko , Tsujikawa Tetsuya 
Published: November 2023

Objective
A simulation-based supervised deep neural network (DNN) can accurately estimate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT) from multidelay arterial spin labeling signals. However, the performance of deep learning depends on the characteristics of the training data set. We aimed to investigate the effects of the ground truth (GT) ranges of CBF and ATT on the performance of the DNN when training data were prepared using arterial spin labeling signal simulation.

Methods
Deep neural networks were individually trained using 36 patterns of the training data sets. Simulation test data (1,000,000 points), 17 healthy volunteers, and 1 patient with moyamoya disease were included. The simulation test data were used to evaluate accuracy, precision, and noise immunity of the DNN. The best-performing DNN was determined by the normalized mean absolute error (NMAE), normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE), and normalized coefficient of variation over repeated training (CVNet). Cerebral blood flow and ATT values and their histograms were compared between the GT and predicted values. For the in vivo data, the dependency of the predicted values on the GT ranges was visually evaluated by comparing CBF and ATT maps between the best-performing DNN and the other DNNs. Moreover, using the synthesized noisy images, noise immunity was compared between the best-performing DNN based on the simulation study and a conventional method.

Results
The simulation study showed that a network trained by the GT of CBF and ATT in the ranges of 0 to 120 mL/100 g/min and 0 to 4500 milliseconds, respectively, had the highest performance (NMAECBF, 0.150; NRMSECBF, 0.231; CVNET CBF, 0.028; NMAEATT, 0.158; NRMSEATT, 0.257; and CVNET ATT, 0.028). Although the predicted CBF and ATT varied with the GT range of the training data sets, the appropriate settings preserved the accuracy, precision, and noise immunity of the DNN. In addition, the same results were observed in in vivo studies.

Conclusions
The GT ranges to prepare the training data affected the performance of the simulation-based supervised DNNs. The predicted CBF and ATT values depended on the GT range; inappropriate settings degraded the accuracy, whereas appropriate settings of the GT range provided accurate and precise estimates.
Proteomic Analysis Reveals Potential Exosomal Biomarkers in Patients With Sporadic Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Plaschke Konstanze , Kopitz Jürgen , Gebert Johannes , Wolf Nadine D. , Wolf Robert Christian 
Published: November 2023

Background:
Despite substantial progress made in the past decades, the pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer disease (sAD) and related biological markers of the disease are still controversially discussed. Cerebrospinal fluid and functional brain imaging markers have been established to support the clinical diagnosis of sAD. Yet, due to the invasiveness of such diagnostics, less burdensome markers have been increasingly investigated in the past years. Among such markers, extracellular vesicles may yield promise in (early) diagnostics and treatment monitoring in sAD.

Materials and Methods:
In this pilot study, we collected the blood plasma of 18 patients with sAD and compared the proteome of extracted extracellular vesicles with the proteome of 11 age-matched healthy controls. The resulting proteomes were characterized by Gene Ontology terms and between-group statistics.

Results:
Ten distinct proteins were found to significantly differ between sAD patients and controls (P<0.05, False Discovery Rate, corrected). These proteins included distinct immunoglobulins, fibronectin, and apolipoproteins.

Conclusions:
These findings lend further support for exosomal changes in neurodegenerative disorders, and particularly in sAD. Further proteomic research could decisively advance our knowledge of sAD pathophysiology as much as it could foster the development of clinically meaningful biomarkers.
Generation and evaluation of protease inhibitor-resistant SARS-CoV-2 strains
Authors: Bouzidi Hawa Sophia , Driouich Jean-Sélim , Klitting Raphaëlle , Bernadin Ornéllie , Piorkowski Géraldine , Amaral Rayane , Fraisse Laurent , Mowbray Charles E. , Scandale Ivan , Escudié Fanny , Chatelain Eric , Lamballerie Xavier de , Nougairède Antoine , Touret Franck 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSince the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the search for antiviral therapies has been at the forefront of medical research. To date, the 3CLpro inhibitor nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid®) has shown the best results in clinical trials and the greatest robustness against variants. A second SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor, ensitrelvir (Xocova®), has been developed. Ensitrelvir, currently in Phase 3, was approved in Japan under the emergency regulatory approval procedure in November 2022, and is available since March 31, 2023. One of the limitations for the use of antiviral monotherapies is the emergence of resistance mutations. Here, we experimentally generated mutants resistant to nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvirin vitrofollowing repeating passages of SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of both antivirals. For both molecules, we demonstrated a loss of sensitivity for resistance mutantsin vitro. Using a Syrian golden hamster infection model, we showed that the ensitrelvir M49L mutation, in the multi-passage strain, confers a high level ofin vivoresistance. Finally, we identified a recent increase in the prevalence of M49L-carrying sequences, which appears to be associated with multiple repeated emergence events in Japan and may be related to the use of Xocova® in the country since November 2022. These results highlight the strategic importance of genetic monitoring of circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains to ensure that treatments administered retain their full effectiveness.
Severe acute myositis and myocarditis upon initiation of six-weekly Pembrolizumab post-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination
Authors: Watson Robert A. , Ye Weiyu , Taylor Chelsea A. , Jungkurth Elsita , Cooper Rosalin , Tong Orion , James Tim , Shine Brian , Hofer Monika , Jenkins Damian , Pell Robert , Ieremia Eleni , Jones Stephanie , Maldonado-Perez David , Roberts Ian S.D. , Coupe Nicholas , Middleton Mark R. , Payne Miranda J. , Fairfax Benjamin P. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe describe three cases of critical acute myositis with myocarditis occurring within 22 days of each other at a single institution, all within one month of receiving the initial cycle of the anti-PD-1 drug Pembrolizumab. Analysis of T cell receptor repertoires from peripheral blood and tissues revealed a high degree of clonal expansion and public clones between cases, with several T cell clones expanded within the skeletal muscle putatively recognising viral epitopes. All patients had recently received a COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccine prior to treatment and were positive for SARS-CoV2 Spike antibody. In conclusion, we report a series of unusually severe myositis and myocarditis following PD-1 blockade and the COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.
Risk Factor Profile in Different Subtypes of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Chaudhari Rajkamal , Parikh Amrita , Dalal Yagnya , Desai Dev , Parikh Ami 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionAcute ischemic stroke is a major subtype of acute stroke. More than 65% of stroke-related deaths occur in developing countries. Various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are associated with the stroke. TOAST classification categorizes ischemic stroke into five etiologic subgroups.AimsTo identify subtypes of acute ischemic stroke and compare the influence of various risk factors on them.MethodologyA prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. 200 consecutive patients diagnosed as having acute ischemic stroke were randomly enrolled. Patients were categorized into 3 groups-Group A: 18-39 years (17%); Group B: 40-60 years (20%) and Group C: >60 years (63%). Stroke subtypes were ascertained using TOAST classification. Data analysis was done. For categorical variables, data values were represented as numbers and percentages. A chi-square test was applied to find the level of significance. p value<0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe study included 136 men and 64 women. Overall male dominance (Male: Female = 2.125:1), while in Group A, strong female dominance (Male: Female = 1:4.67) was observed. The commonest subtype was embolism (29.4%) in Group A, and small vessel disease in Group B, and C ((30% & 46.03% respectively). Hypertension was the commonest risk factor (62%). A higher incidence of hypertension was found in Group A (73.02%, p = 0.002), dyslipidemia in Group B (45%, p = 0.004), valvular heart disease (29.4%, p = 0.00001), and atrial fibrillation (29.4%, p = 0.005) in Group-C. Smoking and diabetes mellitus were strongly related to the male gender (p = 0.000001, p=0.002 respectively) and valvular heart disease to the female gender (p= 0.0002).ConclusionsAwareness of risk factors and lifestyle modifications may have a bearing on stroke prevention. Cardiovascular risk factors in young patients mandate the need for robust prevention and screening.
Variant- and Vaccination-Specific Alternative Splicing Profiles in SARS-CoV-2 Infections
Authors: Lee Sung-Gwon , Furth Priscilla A. , Hennighausen Lothar , Lee Hye Kyung 
Published: November 2023

SummaryThe COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and its subsequent variants has underscored the importance of understanding the host-viral molecular interactions to devise effective therapeutic strategies. A significant aspect of these interactions is the role of alternative splicing in modulating host responses and viral replication mechanisms. Our study sought to delineate the patterns of alternative splicing of RNAs from immune cells across different SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccination statuses, utilizing a robust dataset of 190 RNA-seq samples from our previous studies, encompassing an average of 212 million reads per sample. We identified a dynamic alteration in alternative splicing and genes related to RNA splicing were highly deactivated in COVID-19 patients and showed variant- and vaccination-specific expression profiles. Overall, Omicron-infected patients exhibited a gene expression profile akin to healthy controls, unlike the Alpha or Beta variants. However, significantly, we found identified a subset of infected individuals, most pronounced in vaccinated patients infected with Omicron variant, that exhibited a specific dynamic in their alternative splicing patterns that was not widely shared amongst the other groups. Our findings underscore the complex interplay between SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccination-induced immune responses, and alternative splicing, emphasizing the necessity for further investigations into these molecular cross-talks to foster deeper understanding and guide strategic therapeutic development.
Using e-vouchers to promote use of a family planning call center: A comparative interruptive time series analysis
Authors: Meekers Dominique , Turk Lynn Abu , Olutola Olaniyi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionThis study examines the effectiveness of an e-voucher campaign to promote the use of a toll-free family planning call center (Honey&Banana), which is measured by the number of calls received by the call center.MethodsA comparative interrupted time series design is used to measure the effect of the e-voucher campaign on the call volume. The study design presumes that without the e-voucher campaign, the intervention and control groups would have parallel trends in terms of the number of calls received. The difference between the actual and anticipated number of calls received is used to estimate the effect of the campaign.ResultsBefore the e-voucher campaign, the monthly trend in the number of calls for family planning information in the intervention and control groups followed a similar pattern. As soon as the campaign was launched, the call center experienced a seven-fold increase in the number of family planning requests that were received from callers in the intervention zone, from under 400 calls per month to about 3,000 calls per month. No comparable increase occurred for the control zone. We estimate that the e-voucher campaign resulted in a net gain of over 12,000 requests for family planning information. When the campaign ended, the number of calls from the intervention zone decreases, but at least temporarily remained above the pre-intervention levels.DiscussionEarlier studies demonstrated that e-voucher campaigns can be effective for increasing use of smoking cessation hotlines. This study expands the evidence base by demonstrating the effectiveness of e-vouchers for increasing demand for family planning information hotlines. Additional research is needed to assess the long-term effects of such e-voucher campaigns, and to determine the extent to which increased use of family planning hotlines translates into improved family planning outcomes.
An Exploration of the Mental Health impact among Menopausal Women: The MARIE Project Protocol (International Arm)
Authors: Delanerolle Gayathri , Cavalini Heitor , Taylor Julie , Hinchliff Sharron , Talaulikar Vikram , Zingela Zukiswa , Toh Teck-Hock , Wong Xiu-Sing , Lee Kim-Yen , Lee Jeffrey Soon-Yit , Pati Sanghamitra , Rathnayake Nirmala , Sundarappeuma Thamudi , Mudalige Tharanga , Dasanayake Lanka , Dasanayake Damayanthi , Pathiraja Vindya , Herath Prasanna , Kurmi Om , Shetty Ashish , Irfan Muhammed , Kareem Rabia , Kemp Helen , Palo Subrata Kumar , Eleje George Uchenna , Vwalika Bellington , Zhao Wenjing , Shi Jian Qing , Phiri Peter 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACTIntroductionMenopause is characterised by the ending of the menstrual cycle as part of a natural process. However, menopause can also be caused by other health conditions, such as premature ovarian failure or cancers that may have led to an oophorectomy or a radical hysterectomy. The physiological and psychological mechanisms linked to menopause across all age groups, races and ethnicities are not well understood. The paucity of data could reduce the advancement of optimal clinical practice, leading to reduced quality of life for women. To better explore and assess menopause, we have designed theMenopAuse mental hEalth Rating (MARiE)tool.MethodsWe will conduct a prospective mixed methods study using two workstreams of WP2a and WP2b among in women and trans-men ≥18 years old that are experiencing perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause among an array of ethnicities and races. WP2a will involve a number of validated clinical assessments of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Insomnia Severity Index Scale, Menopause Rating Scale, Greene Climacteric Scale, Health Related Quality of Life, Quebec Pain Disability Scale, and Burnout Assessment Tool will be administered digitally using the Qualtrex platform. WP2b will assess the feasibility of using a novel tool called MARiE to report face validity and efficacy.Ethics approvalResearch Ethics approval reference for this study in the UK is 22/EE/0159. As required, country-specific approvals have been obtained and continue to be secured.DisseminationThe study findings will be made available using a peer-review publication journal, workshops and conferences.
Participant perceptions of disability training for health workers: a qualitative study in Ghana
Authors: Rotenberg Sara , Ryan Sara , Ziebland Sue , Ganle John 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionDisabled people often report poor treatment by health workers, and health workers often report wanting more training about how to care for disabled people. However, existing disability training for health workers is usually delivered in one-off interventions, with little follow-up, evaluation, and focus on long-term learning. This insufficiency makes it important to understand how disability training for health workers can be more effective. Therefore, we interviewed stakeholders involved in an existing disability training intervention in Ghana to understand how disability training for health workers could be improved.MethodsIn-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with 33 people involved in disability training (either as trainers or trainees) in Ghana. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants spoke about the challenges with existing training, namely how the current approach was insufficient, the consequences of informality in running training and the need for more sign language instruction. Several participants suggested improvements for training, including having external motivation (i.e., professional development credits, monetary benefits, etc.), more collaborative initiatives across institutions and government, and curriculum integration. We developed a theory of change model to show how different components of disability training support learning.DiscussionThese results show that disability training for health workers is important and that there is scope to refine and standardize training. In particular, the findings demonstrate how future initiatives to train health workers can be developed and implemented. They also emphasize the need to solicit perspectives from individuals who have experienced training in order to improve future iterations.
XBB.1.5 monovalent mRNA vaccine booster elicits robust neutralizing antibodies against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Wang Qian , Guo Yicheng , Bowen Anthony , Mellis Ian A. , Valdez Riccardo , Gherasim Carmen , Gordon Aubree , Liu Lihong , Ho David D. 
Published: November 2023

SummaryCOVID-19 vaccines have recently been updated with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 subvariant alone, but their immunogenicity in humans has yet to be fully evaluated and reported, particularly against emergent viruses that are rapidly expanding. We now report that administration of an updated monovalent mRNA vaccine (XBB.1.5 MV) to uninfected individuals boosted serum virus-neutralization antibodies significantly against not only XBB.1.5 (27.0-fold) and the currently dominant EG.5.1 (27.6-fold) but also key emergent viruses like HV.1, HK.3, JD.1.1, and JN.1 (13.3-to-27.4-fold). In individuals previously infected by an Omicron subvariant, serum neutralizing titers were boosted to highest levels (1,504-to-22,978) against all viral variants tested. While immunological imprinting was still evident with the updated vaccines, it was not nearly as severe as the previously authorized bivalent BA.5 vaccine. Our findings strongly support the official recommendation to widely apply the updated COVID-19 vaccines to further protect the public.
Planning for the End at the Beginning: A Lesson in Sharing Research Findings of a Community-based COVID-19 Seroprevalence Survey
Authors: Trolard Anne M. , Hickner Emily , Anwuri Victoria V. , Johnson Kimberly J. , Goss Charles W. , Cohen Rachel E. , Donaldson Kate , Geng Elvin , Maricque Brett B. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionSharing research findings with participants is important but challenging. We evaluated a plan to share findings with participants of a COVID-19 seroprevalence project.MethodsAn electronic survey was distributed to participants after completion of the project to determine reach of planned coverage of the findings.ResultsMost respondents (80% n=428) had not seen the coverage; but nearly all (90%, n=388) wanted to see the findings. Participants identified a brief visual report as their preferred avenue. A second follow-up survey found that 99% of those who read the report approved.DiscussionWhen researchers alone create a plan to share project findings, efforts may not reach nor be in the format desired by participants.ConclusionsThis work can serve as a model for collaborating with community to disseminate public health data.