bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Air pollution and respiratory infections: the past, present, and future
Authors: Monoson Alexys , Schott Evangeline , Ard Kerry , Kilburg-Basnyat Brita , Tighe Robert M , Pannu Sonal , Gowdy Kymberly M 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAir pollution levels across the globe continue to rise despite government regulations. The increase in global air pollution levels drives detrimental human health effects, including 7 million premature deaths every year. Many of these deaths are attributable to increased incidence of respiratory infections. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented public health crisis that has claimed the lives of over 6.5 million people globally, respiratory infections as a driver of human mortality is a pressing concern. Therefore, it is more important than ever to understand the relationship between air pollution and respiratory infections so that public health measures can be implemented to ameliorate further morbidity and mortality. This article aims to review the current epidemiologic and basic science research on interactions between air pollution exposure and respiratory infections. The first section will present epidemiologic studies organized by pathogen, followed by a review of basic science research investigating the mechanisms of infection, and then conclude with a discussion of areas that require future investigation.
COVID-19 vaccine equity in Africa
Authors: Turyasingura Natasha , James Wilmot G , Vermund Sten H 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dominated global health discourse since early 2020. By early 2021, the unprecedented speed of vaccine development against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by government, academia and industry contributed biotechnological tools to reduce severe COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths. However, vaccine distribution has not been equitable. We address one element of this challenge, namely the low COVID-19 vaccination rates in African countries, which lag behind higher-income nations. We evaluate key obstacles to initiatives addressing this inequity and emphasize Africa-based research and development as a sustainable solution to ensuring vaccine equity in Africa.
PA and NP onboarding in primary care
Authors: Ortiz Pate Nathalie , Barnes Hilary , Batchelder Heather R. , Anglin Lorraine , Sanchez Mara , Everett Christine , Morgan Perri 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To describe new graduate physician associate/assistant (PA) and NP perspectives of onboarding programs in their first primary care position.

Methods:
Thirteen semistructured interviews were conducted with new graduate PAs and NPs who participated in onboarding programs. Interviews were transcribed and then analyzed using an inductive coding methodology.

Results:
Analyses revealed nine thematic concepts that are described in two frameworks. Structural components are improving competence, training on the electronic health record (EHR), promoting mentorship, orienting to organizational dynamics, tailoring ramp-up of patient scheduling, clarifying expectations, and providing clear organizational support. Psychosocial factors are creating comfort and building self-confidence.

Discussion:
The results describe and delineate important components for onboarding that administrators can incorporate into existing and future programs.

Conclusion:
Understanding participants' experiences with onboarding programs is essential for ensuring successful transition to practice for new graduate PAs and NPs.
Prospective Comparison Between Manual and Computer-Assisted (FOX) Cochlear Implant Fitting in Newly Implanted Patients
Authors: Wathour Justine , Govaerts Paul J. , Derue Lucie , Vanderbemden Suzanne , Huaux Hélène , Lacroix Emilie , Deggouj Naïma 
Published: January 2023

Objective:
A prospective, longitudinal, randomized controlled trial with an original crossover design for 1 year was conducted to compare manual fitting to artificial intelligence-based fitting in newly implanted patients.

Design:
Twenty-four patients who received their first cochlear implant (CI) were randomly assigned to the manual or Fitting to Outcome eXpert (FOX) arm; they followed the corresponding fitting procedures for 1 year. After 1 year, each patient was switched to another arm. The number of fittings, auditory outcomes (pure-tone thresholds, loudness scaling curves, spectral discrimination scores, bisyllabic word recognition in quiet and noise, and speech tracking), fitting session questionnaire, and CI parameters (T level, C level, Threshold Sound Pressure Level (T-SPL), Comfortable Sound Pressure Level (C-SPL), and loudness growth value) were compared between the two groups. Differences between the two groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test, and Holm corrections were applied for multiple statistical tests. At the end of the crossover session, patients were offered the choice to continue with their old or new map.

Results:
As early as 3 mo postactivation, the FOX group showed less variability and significantly better speech intelligibility in quiet conditions at 40 and 55 dB SPL and noise (p < 0.05) with median phoneme scores of 50%, 70%, and 50% at 55, 70, and 85 dB SPL compared with 45%, 50%, and 40%, respectively. This group showed better results at 12 mo postactivation (p < 0.05). In the manual group, 100% of the patients decided to keep the new FOX map, and 82% performed better with the FOX map. In the FOX group, 63% of the patients decided to keep the manual map, although the measurable outcome had not improved. In this group, participants reported to prefer the manual map because it felt more comfortable, even if the FOX map gave better measured outcome.

Conclusion:
Although the study size remains relatively small, the AI-FOX approach was equivalent to or even outperformed the manual approach in hearing performance, comfort, and resources. Furthermore, FOX is a tool capable of continuous improvement by comparing its predictions with observed results and is continuously learning from clinicians’ practice, which is why this technology promises major advances in the future.
Investigation of the forkhead box protein P2 gene by the next-generation sequence analysis method in children diagnosed with specific learning disorder
Authors: Yazıcı Merve , Yektaş Çiğdem , Eröz Recep , Kaplan Karakaya Elif Sümeyra , Sarıgedik Enes 
Published: January 2023

Objective
It was aimed to investigate the role of the forkhead box protein P2 (FOXP2) gene in the cause of specific learning disorder (SLD) with the next-generation sequencing method.

Material and methods
The study included 52 children diagnosed with SLD and 46 children as control between the ages of 6–12 years. Interview Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children, Present and Lifelong Version in Turkish, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)-Based Screening and Evaluation Scale for Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders, Specific Learning Disability Test Battery were applied to all participants. The FOXP2 gene was screened by the next-generation sequencing (NGS) method in all participants.

Results
A total of 17 variations were detected in the FOXP2 gene in participants. The number and diversity of variations were higher in the patient group. In the patient group, c.1914 + 8A>T heterozygous variation and three different types of heterozygous variation (13insT, 13delT and 4dup) in the c.1770 region were detected. It was found that the detected variations showed significant relationships with the reading phenotypes determined by the test battery.

Conclusion
It was found that FOXP2 variations were seen more frequently in the patient group. Some of the detected variations might be related to the clinical phenotype of SLD and variations found in previous studies from different countries were not seen in Turkish population. Our study is the first to evaluate the role of FOXP2 gene variations in children with SLD in Turkish population, and novel variations in the related gene were detected.
Refined novel techniques for long term cryo-storage using vitrification and laser warming
Authors: Lin Chiahsin , Hsieh Wen-Chung , Loeslakwiboon Kanokpron , Huang Cheng-Liang , Chen Ting-Chun , Tsai Sujune 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTVitrification and ultra-rapid laser warming technique is an important approach for cryopreservation of animal embryos and oocytes, as well as other cells with medicinal, genetic, and agricultural value. We believe that the long term cryo-storage after vitrification and for the following laser warming has only been achieved to date using our customized device which was first attempted to be developed in our study. In the present study, we focused on developing alignment and bonding techniques for special cryo-jig which were assembling jig tool and jig holder in one piece. This newly produced customized cryo-jig was demonstrated to have significantly high laser striking accuracy of 95% and a successful rewarming rate of 62%. This study was experimentally demonstrate an refined novel device for improvement of laser striking accuracy after long term cryo-storage using vitrification and laser warming technique. In addition, the customized device described herein was successfully applied to a biological sample with over a thousand coral larvae in long term cryo-storage (The first cryo-repository for coral larvae; the results related to coral cryobanking and repositry described in this preprint will be published separately in details). We anticipate that our core findings will provide further examples of cryobanking applications that use vitrification and nano-laser warming to help a wide range of cells and tissues from diverse species.
A Positive Response around 4.6 ms in Auditory Brainstem Response in Cochlear Nerve Deficiency Infants
Authors: Li Bei , Huang Meiping , Jiang Mengda , Shi Wentao , Wu Hao , Huang Zhiwu , Li Yun 
Published: January 2023

AbstractObjectivesA positive response around 4.6 ms latency (IV’ wave) was observed at high intensity level in the ears which were always diagnosed with cochlear nerve deficiency (CND). This study is aimed to investigate the relationship between the IV’ wave and CND.Study DesignRetrospective study.SettingTertiary hospitalMethodsThe raw Auditory Brainstem Response data and inner ear images of the infants were reviewed. Data were analyzed by ear and the CND ears were further divided into the IV’ wave present and IV’ wave absent group. The distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and auditory steady-state response (ASSR) results were compared between the two groups.ResultsIn total, 570 ears were included. There were 129 ears diagnosed with CND and the IV’ wave was observed in 52 ears. The latency of the IV’ wave averaged 4.60 ms at 95 dB. The positive predictive value of the IV’ wave for CND was 98.1%. The incidence of the IV’ wave in the CND is highly unlikely to occur by chance. The differences of the DPOAE amplitude between the two groups were not significant. The ASSR results of the IV’ wave present group was significantly better.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated a 4.6 ms positive response at high intensity level in the infants. The IV’ wave showed an excellent positive predictive value for CND. The extrapolated thresholds of the IV’ wave present group were better. The IV’ wave is expected to be a new indicator for the CND infants.
The Value of Admission Avoidance: Cost-Consequence Analysis of One-Year Activity in a Consolidated Service
Authors: Hernandez Carme , Herranz Carme , Baltaxe Erik , Seijas Nuria , González-Colom Rubèn , Asenjo Maria , Coloma Emmanuel , Fernandez Joaquim , Vela Emili , Carot-Sans Gerard , Cano Isaac , Roca Josep , Nicolas David 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundMany advantages of hospital at home (HaH), as a modality of acute care, have been highlighted, but controversies exist regarding the cost-benefit trade-offs.ObjectiveTo assess health outcomes and analytical costs of hospital avoidance (HaH-HA) in a consolidated service with over ten years of delivery of HaH in Barcelona (Spain).MethodsA retrospective cost-consequence analysis of all first episodes of HaH-HA, directly admitted from the emergency room (ER) in 2017–2018, was carried out. HaH-HA was compared with a propensity-score-matched group of contemporary patients admitted to conventional hospitalization (Controls). Mortality, re-admissions, ER visits, and direct healthcare costs were evaluated.RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov(26/04/2017;NCT03130283).ResultsHaH-HA and Controls (n=441 each) were comparable in terms of age (73 [SD16]vs74 [16]), gender (male, 57%vs59%), multimorbidity, healthcare expenditure during the previous year, case mix index of the acute episode, and main diagnosis at discharge. HaH-HA presented lower mortality during the episode (0 vs. 19 (4.3%);p< 0.001). At 30 days post-discharge, HaH-HA and Controls showed similar re-admission rates; however, ER visits were lower in HaH-HA than in Controls (28 (6.3%) vs 34 (8.1%); p = 0.044). Average costs per patient during the episode were lower in the HaH-HA group (€ 1,078) than in Controls (€ 2,171). Likewise, healthcare costs within the 30 days post-discharge were also lower in HaH-Ha than in Controls (p< 0.001).ConclusionsThe study showed higher performance and cost reductions of HaH-HA in a real-world setting. The identification of sources of savings facilitates scaling of hospital avoidance.FundingThis article was funded by JADECARE project- HP-JA-2019 - Grant Agreement nº951442 (2020-2023), a European Union’s Health Program 2014-2020.KEY POINTSHospital at home, modality hospital avoidance, shows high potential for value generation in real-world settings by improving health outcomes and generating cost-savings.Positive outcomes of hospital avoidance seem associated to adequate management change and digital support.
Heterogeneity of Glycan Biomarker Clusters as an Indicator of Recurrence in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Wisniewski Luke , Braak Samuel , Klamer Zachary , Gao ChongFeng , Shi Chanjuan , Allen Peter , Haab Brian B. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractOutcomes following tumor resection vary dramatically among patients with pancreatic cancer. A challenge in defining predictive biomarkers is to discern within the complex tumor tissue the specific subpopulations and relationships that drive recurrence. Multiplexed immunofluorescence is valuable for such studies when supplied with markers of relevant subpopulations and analysis methods to sort out the intra-tumor relationships that are informative of tumor behavior. We hypothesized that the glycan biomarkers CA19-9 and STRA, which detect separate subpopulations of cancer cells, define intra-tumoral features associated with recurrence. We probed this question using automated signal thresholding and spatial cluster analysis applied to the immunofluorescence images of the STRA and CA19-9 glycan biomarkers in whole-block tumor sections. The tumors (N = 22) displayed extreme diversity between them in the amounts of the glycans and in the levels of spatial clustering, but neither the amounts nor the clusters of the individual and combined glycans associated with recurrence. The combined glycans, however, marked divergent types of spatial clusters, alternatively only STRA, only CA19-9, or both. The co-occurrence of more than one cluster type within a tumor associated significantly with disease recurrence, in contrast to the independent occurrence of each type of cluster. In addition, intra-tumoral regions with heterogeneity in biomarker clusters spatially aligned with pathology-confirmed cancer cells, whereas regions with homogeneous biomarker clusters aligned with various non-cancer cells. Thus, the STRA and CA19-9 glycans are markers of distinct and co-occurring subpopulations of cancer cells that in combination are associated with recurrence. Furthermore, automated signal thresholding and spatial clustering provides a tool for quantifying intra-tumoral subpopulations that are informative of outcome.
Changes in Plasma Fatty Acid Abundance Related to Chronic Pancreatitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Gumpper-Fedus Kristyn , Crowe Olivia , Hart Phil A. , Pita-Grisanti Valentina , Velez-Bonet Ericka , Belury Martha A. , Ramsey Mitchell , Cole Rachel M , Badi Niharika , Culp Stacey , Hinton Alice , Lara Luis , Krishna Somashekar G. , Conwell Darwin L. , Cruz-Monserrate Zobeida 
Published: January 2023

AbstractObjectivesChronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease that affects the absorption of nutrients like fats. Molecular signaling in pancreatic cells can be influenced by fatty acids (FAs) and changes in FA abundance could impact CP-associated complications. Here, we investigated FA abundance in CP compared to controls and explored how CP-associated complications and risk factors affect FA abundance.MethodsBlood and clinical parameters were collected from subjects with (n=47) and without CP (n=22). Plasma was analyzed for relative FA abundance using gas chromatography and compared between controls and CP. Changes in FA abundance due to clinical parameters were also assessed in both groups.ResultsDecreased relative abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and increased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) were observed in subjects with CP in a sex-dependent manner. The relative abundance of linoleic acid increased, and oleic acid decreased in CP subjects with exocrine pancreatic dysfunction and a history of substance abuse.ConclusionsPlasma FAs like linoleic acid are dysregulated in CP in a sex-dependent manner. Additionally, risk factors and metabolic dysfunction further dysregulate FA abundance in CP. These results enhance our understanding of CP and highlight potential novel targets and metabolism-related pathways for treating CP.
Utilization and Factors Associated with Health Facility Delivery among Women of Reproductive Age in Rural Ethiopia: Mixed effect logistic regression analysis
Authors: Semagn Birhan Ewunu 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundWorldwide over 800 women lose their life each day from complication in pregnancy and child birth. Inequity by urban–rural residence is one of the most pronounced challenges in maternal health service coverage with women living in rural areas at a greater disadvantage than other women. This study aims to assess the magnitude and factors affecting the utilization of health facility delivery for the most recent live birth among women of reproductive age in rural Ethiopia.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study based on a data from Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019 dataset with a total weighted sample of 2900 women of reproductive age group in rural Ethiopia. Data cleaning, coding and labeling were done using STATA version 14 software. Multilevel mixed effect logistic regression model was employed to identify associated factors.ResultOnly 44% of reproductive-age women in rural Ethiopia gave their most recent live birth in health institutions. In the multivariable multilevel binary logistic regression analysis educational status, wealth index, marital status, household family size, attending 4+ANC, had ANC in the first trimester of pregnancy and ANC by skilled provider were found to be statistically significant factors associated with health facility delivery.ConclusionIn a rural part of Ethiopia, the prevalence of institutional delivery is low. Special emphasis should be given for mothers with no formal education, with poor household wealth index, married women, and mothers with more than five household family sizes. Furthermore implementing public health programs that target to enable women to have early first trimester Ante Natal Care, ANC by skilled provider and more frequent Ante Natal Care follow-up may increase the number of health facility deliveries.
Estimating clinical risk in gene regions from population sequencing cohort data
Authors: Fife James D. , Cassa Christopher A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWhile pathogenic variants significantly increase disease risk in many genes, it is still challenging to estimate the clinical impact of rare missense variants more generally. Even in genes such asBRCA2orPALB2, large cohort studies find no significant association between breast cancer and rare germline missense variants collectively. Here we introduce REGatta, a method to improve the estimation of clinical risk in gene segments. We define gene regions using the density of pathogenic diagnostic reports, and then calculate the relative risk in each of these regions using 109,581 exome sequences from women in the UK Biobank. We apply this method in seven established breast cancer genes, and identify regions in each gene with statistically significant differences in breast cancer incidence for rare missense carriers. Even in genes with no significant difference at the gene level, this approach significantly separates rare missense variant carriers at higher or lower risk (BRCA2regional model OR=1.46 [1.12, 1.79], p=0.0036 vs.BRCA2gene model OR=0.96 [0.85,1.07] p=0.4171). We find high concordance between these regional risk estimates and high-throughput functional assays of variant impact. We compare with existing methods and the use of protein domains (Pfam) as regions, and find REGatta better identifies individuals at elevated or reduced risk. These regions provide useful priors which can potentially be used to improve risk assessment and clinical management.
DNMT3A clonal hematopoiesis-driver mutations induce cardiac fibrosis by paracrine activation of fibroblasts
Authors: Shumliakivska Mariana , Luxán Guillermo , Hemmerling Inga , Abplanalp Wesley Tyler , Li Xue , Scheller Marina , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Leuschner Florian , Schuhmacher Bianca , Debes Alisa , Glaser Simone-Franziska , Reinholz Marion Muhly , Kirschbaum Klara , Hoffmann Jedrzej , Nagel Eike , Puntmann Valentina O. , John David , Cremer Sebastian , Zeiher Andreas M. , Dimmeler Stefanie 
Published: January 2023

AbstractHematopoietic mutations in epigenetic regulators like DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) drive clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and are associated with adverse prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). The interactions between CHIP-mutated cells and other cardiac cell types remain unknown.Here, we identify fibroblasts as potential interaction partners of CHIP-mutated monocytes using combined transcriptomic data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HF patients with and without CHIP and the cardiac tissue. We demonstrate that CHIP augments macrophage-to-cardiac fibroblasts interactions. Mechanistically, the secretome ofDNMT3A-silenced monocytes leads to myofibroblast activation, partially through epidermal growth factor (EGFR) signaling. Harboring DNMT3A CHIP-driver mutations is associated with increased cardiac interstitial fibrosis in mice and patients, and, thereby, may contribute to the poor outcome.These findings not only identify a novel pathway of DNMT3A CHIP-driver mutation-induced instigation and progression of HF, but may also provide a rationale for the development of new anti-fibrotic strategies.Graphical abstract