bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bias correction for inverse variance weighting Mendelian randomization
Authors: Mounier Ninon , Kutalik Zoltán 
Published: April 2023

AbstractInverse‐variance weighted two‐sample Mendelian randomization (IVW‐MR) is the most widely used approach that utilizes genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics to infer the existence and the strength of the causal effect between an exposure and an outcome. Estimates from this approach can be subject to different biases due to the use of weak instruments and winner's curse, which can change as a function of the overlap between the exposure and outcome samples. We developed a method (MRlap) that simultaneously considers weak instrument bias and winner's curse while accounting for potential sample overlap. Assuming spike‐and‐slab genomic architecture and leveraging linkage disequilibrium score regression and other techniques, we could analytically derive, reliably estimate, and hence correct for the bias of IVW‐MR using association summary statistics only. We tested our approach using simulated data for a wide range of realistic settings. In all the explored scenarios, our correction reduced the bias, in some situations by as much as 30‐fold. In addition, our results are consistent with the fact that the strength of the biases will decrease as the sample size increases and we also showed that the overall bias is also dependent on the genetic architecture of the exposure, and traits with low heritability and/or high polygenicity are more strongly affected. Applying MRlap to obesity‐related exposures revealed statistically significant differences between IVW‐based and corrected effects, both for nonoverlapping and fully overlapping samples. Our method not only reduces bias in causal effect estimation but also enables the use of much larger GWAS sample sizes, by allowing for potentially overlapping samples.
COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant and postpartum Kenyan women
Authors: Marwa Mary M. , Kinuthia John , Larsen Anna , Dettinger Julia C. , Gomez Laurén A. , Awino Pascal , Abuna Felix , Watoyi Salphine , Ochieng Ben , Ngumbau Nancy , John‐Stewart Grace , Pintye Jillian 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe authors evaluated factors contributing to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine hesitancy among pregnant and postpartum women to inform vaccine scale‐up strategies.MethodsThis observational study utilized data from pregnant and postpartum women attending four public maternal child health (MCH) clinics in Western Kenya. From October 2020 to July 2022, nurses assessed COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy, defined as reporting “unlikely” or “very unlikely” to the question, “If a vaccine for COVID‐19 were available today, what is the likelihood that you would get vaccinated?”ResultsAmong 1023 women (235 pregnant, 788 postpartum), 20% reported worsened MCH care during the pandemic and most (92%) perceived themselves or family members to be at risk for COVID‐19, yet 54% of women reported COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy was more frequent among women reporting worsened MCH care (P < 0.001) since the pandemic and those who did not trust the government as a source of COVID‐19 information (P = 0.016). Over the 2‐year period, willingness to receive the vaccine almost doubled (38% to 71%, P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that sustaining access to quality MCH services may decrease COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy. Willingness to receive the vaccine doubled over the 2‐year period in our cohort, suggesting increased trust for use and acceptance in the unique context of the pregnancy/postpartum period.
The structure of adolescent mental health problems: The role of effortful control and school safety
Authors: Rezun Ekaterina V. , Slobodskaya Helena R. , Semenova Nadezhda B. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIntroductionAdolescent mental health problems are widespread; however, there are still very few data on risk and protective factors for general and specific psychopathology. This study examined the structure of common mental health problems in Russian adolescents and the associations of temperamental effortful control and perceived school safety to the latent factors of adolescent mental health, taking age and gender into account.MethodsData were collected on 1850 adolescents (53% female) aged 12–18 using the self‐report Eurasian Child Mental Health Study questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the abbreviated Effortful Control scale of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire‐Revised. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the structure of common mental health problems and to examine the associations with age, effortful control, and school safety.ResultsThe five‐correlated‐factors model comprising internalizing, body dissatisfaction, psychosomatics, externalizing, and substance use, and the bifactor‐(S‐1) models with internalizing and externalizing as reference domains and four specific factors showed an adequate fit to the data and sufficient reliability and validity. Analyses established full metric invariance of these models across gender. Effortful control showed a general association with adolescent mental health problems and a specific association with externalizing problems. School safety showed specific negative associations with externalizing and substance use and with girls' internalizing problems.ConclusionsThese findings provide a strong basis for further cross‐cultural research into the structure and determinants of adolescent mental health and highlight the need for effective interventions.
Comparative analysis between STANDARD‐E Covi‐FERON ELISA with pre‐existing IFN‐γ release assays and determination of the optimum cutoff value for assessment of T‐Cell response to SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Jang Jieun , Widyasari Kristin , Kim Sunjoo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundInterferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) release assays (IGRAs) are useful for the assessment of the T‐cell response to severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). We aimed to assess the performance of the newly developed IGRA ELISA test compared to the pre‐existing assays and to validate the cutoff value in real‐world conditions.MethodsWe enrolled 219 participants and assessed agreement between STANDARD‐E Covi‐FERON ELISA with Quanti‐FERON SARS‐CoV‐2 (QFN SARS‐CoV‐2), as well as with T SPOT Discovery SARS‐CoV‐2 based on Cohen's kappa‐index. We further determined the optimal cutoff value for the Covi‐FERON ELISA according to the immune response to vaccinations or infections.ResultsWe found a moderate agreement between Covi‐FERON ELISA and QFN SARS‐CoV‐2 before vaccination (kappa‐index = 0.71), whereas a weak agreement after the first (kappa‐index = 0.40) and second vaccinations (kappa‐index = 0.46). However, the analysis between Covi‐FERON ELISA and T SPOT assay demonstrated a strong agreement (kappa‐index >0.7). The cut‐off value of the OS (original spike) marker was 0.759 IU/mL with a sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 78.7%, and that of the variant spike (VS) marker was 0.663 IU/mL with a sensitivity and specificity of 77.8% and 80.6%, respectively.ConclusionThe newly determined cut‐off value may provide an optimum value to minimize and prevent the occurrence of false‐negative or false‐positive during the assessment of T‐cell immune response using Covi‐FERON ELISA under real‐world conditions.
Preventing sexual violence among high school students through norms correction and bystander intervention: A school‐based cluster trial of Your Voice Your View
Authors: Orchowski Lindsay M. , Malone Sandra , Sokolovsky Alexander W. , Pearlman Deborah N. , Rizzo Christie , Zlotnick Caron , Berkowitz Alan , Fortson Beverly L. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractRisk for sexual violence begins early in the lifespan; thus, interventions are needed to decrease the risk for sexual violence among high school youth. The current study evaluates the Your Voice Your View (YVYV) sexual violence prevention program using a school‐based cluster trial among 26 high schools in the Northeastern United States. YVYV, includes: 1) a series of four classroom workshops designed to engage students as allies in violence prevention through bystander intervention skills training, address risks for sexual aggression, and reduce risk for victimization; 2) a Lunch and Learn teacher training workshop; and 3) a 4‐week social norms poster campaign based on normative data from the school. Schools were matched based on size and demographics and randomly assigned to the intervention group or a wait‐list control group. A sample of 2685 10th grade students enrolled in the research and completed assessments at baseline, 2‐month and 6‐month follow‐up periods. The magnitude of the difference in sexual aggression did not vary by condition at either follow‐up period. The magnitude of 6‐month differences in experiencing unwanted sexual intercourse varied significantly by condition (IRR = 0.33 [0.14–0.76]), demonstrating a small protective effect favoring intervention schools (Cohen's f2 = 0.012). These findings highlight the promise of multicomponent interventions grounded in bystander intervention skills training, risk reduction, and social norms theory as a promising, comprehensive approach for sexual violence prevention among youth.
Infection pattern and immunological characteristics of Epstein‐Barr virus latent infection in cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zuo Yan , Xiao Han , Lv Dongmei , Huang Miaomiao , Wang Lianzi , Liu Jiaqing , Zhang Ke , Shen Jilong , Wang Zhongxin , Wu Qiang , Xu Yuanhong 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPrevious studies reported the association between Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), but its infection pattern and clinical significance unclear. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the infection pattern, clinicopathology, outcomes, and immunology of this entity in central China. We evaluated a total of 104 untreated CSCC tumor tissue specimens using in situ hybridization for EBV‐encoded small RNAs (EBERs), and by employing flowcytometry fluorescence hybridization for human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping. The expression of EBV latency proteins and immune biomarkers was evaluated and quantified by immunohistochemistry. EBERs transcripts were detected in 21 (20.2%) cases overall (in malignant epithelial cells of 13 cases and in lymphocytes of 8 cases). EBV belonged to latency type I infection in CSCC. The high‐risk (HR)‐HPV was detected in all of EBV‐positive CSCC, and the difference of detection rate of HR‐HPV was significant when compared with EBV‐negative CSCC (p = 0.001). The specific clinicopathology with increased frequency of advanced clinical stages, tumor‐positive lymph nodes, neural invasion, and increased infiltration depth (all p value < 0.05) were observed in cases with EBV. However, EBV infection was found to have no impact on prognosis of patients with CSCC. Increased densities of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+‐tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (p = 0.005) and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 (CTLA‐4)+‐TILs (p = 0.017) and higher expression of programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) (p = 0.002) and programmed cell death‐1 ligand 1 (PD‐L1) (p = 0.040) were associated with EBV latent infection in CSCC, and these immunological changes were more likely to be associated with the infection in lymphocytes rather than tumor cells. Moreover, in patients with HPV‐positive CSCC, similar significant differences were still found. In conclusions, EBV‐positive CSCC may have specific infection pattern and clinicopathology and can exhibit an immunosuppressive microenvironment dominated by Treg cells aggregation and immune checkpoint activation.
Disparities in access to robotic technology and perioperative outcomes among patients treated with radical prostatectomy
Authors: Logan Charles D. , Mahenthiran Ashorne K. , Siddiqui Mohammad R. , French Dustin D. , Hudnall Matthew T. , Patel Hiten D. , Murphy Adam B. , Halpern Joshua A. , Bentrem David J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundMost radical prostatectomies are completed with robotic assistance. While studies have previously evaluated perioperative outcomes of robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), this study investigates disparities in access and clinical outcomes of RARP.Study DesignThe National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to identify patients who received radical prostatectomy for cancer between 2010 and 2017 with outcomes through 2018. RARP was compared to open radical prostatectomy (ORP). Odds of receiving RARP were evaluated while adjusting for covariates. Overall survival was evaluated using a propensity‐score matched cohort.ResultsOverall, 354 752 patients were included with 297 676 (83.9%) receiving RARP. Patients who were non‐Hispanic Black (82.8%) or Hispanic (81.3%) had lower rates of RARP than non‐Hispanic White (84.0%) or Asian patients (87.7%, p < 0.001). Medicaid or uninsured patients were less likely to receive RARP (75.5%) compared to patients with Medicare or private insurance (84.4%, p < 0.001). Medicaid or uninsured status was associated with decreased odds of RARP in adjusted multivariable analysis (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.49–0.76). RARP was associated with decreased perioperative mortality and improved overall survival compared to ORP.ConclusionPatients who were underinsured were less likely to receive RARP. Improved access to RARP may lead to decreased disparities in perioperative outcomes for prostate cancer.
Mid‐IR Supercontinuum Noise Reduction Using a Short Piece of Normal Dispersion Fiber ‐ A General Mechanism
Authors: Hansen Rasmus Eilkœr , Smith Callum Robertson , Moltke Asbjørn , Petersen Christian Rosenberg , Raghuraman Sidharthan , Yoo Seongwoo , Bang Ole 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMid‐infrared (IR) supercontinuum (SC) lasers are important in applications such as pollution detection, stand‐off detection, and non‐destructive testing. The performance in many applications is limited by the noise level of the supercontinuum laser. High noise typically results in low sensitivities or a need for long integration times. In this paper, a simple technique to reduce the noise of high noise soliton‐based SC sources is introduced by adding a short piece of normal dispersion fiber to force the spectrally distributed solitons to spectrally broaden through self‐phase modulation and thereby overlap to average out the noise. The noise reduction is demonstrated experimentally and numerically using a ZBLAN fiber based mid‐IR SC source and adding a short piece of highly nonlinear arsenic‐sulfide fiber. However, the method is generally applicable to any soliton‐based near‐IR or mid‐IR SC source. Its efficiency is underlined by experimentally comparing it to SC generation in fibers in which a second zero‐dispersion wavelength provides the spectral alignment noise reduction mechanism.
Targeted therapy using larotrectinib and venetoclax for the relapsed/refractory T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia harboring a cryptic ETV6‐NTRK3 fusion
Authors: Zhou Kuangguo , Gong Duanhao , He Cheng , Xiao Min , Zhang Meilan , Huang Wei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOutcomes for patients with relapsed and refractory (R/R) T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) are dismal, with few available treatments. Recently, identification of cancer patients harboring neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions is constantly increasing, especially with the advent of NTRK inhibitors. However, the role of ETV6‐NTRK3 in T‐ALL has not been investigated. This case represented the first detailed report of T‐ALL patient harboring a cryptic ETV6‐NTRK3 fusion with an unfavorable prognosis, not only because of leukemia resistant to the standard multiagent chemotherapy but also early relapse after allo‐HSCT. Acquired EP300 mutation was found at relapse, which could explain the cause of recurrence and affect the follow‐up treatment. Combined targeted therapy like larotrectinib allied with pan‐targeted BCL‐2 inhibitor venetoclax, may be a potential maintenance treatment in R/R ETV6‐NTRK3 positive leukemia after allo‐HSCT. The leukemic clonal evolution might be revealed through transcriptome sequencing and overcome by drugs with universal targets. Our case demonstrated that both comprehensive profiling techniques (such as transcriptome sequencing, multiparameter flow cytometry, and digital droplet polymerase chain reaction) and a multimodality treatment strategy were critical for anticipating an early relapse and personalized therapy of R/R T‐cell leukemia.
High‐gain UWB double slot vivaldi antenna loaded with metasurface and semi‐elliptical slots
Authors: Zou Qian , Gu Zhen , Xie Rensheng , Zhang Zhongxiang , Zhang Hualiang , Ding Jun 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn this work, an ultra‐wideband double slot Vivaldi antenna (DSVA) loaded with a novel wideband nonresonant metasurface is proposed to enhance the gain. The semi‐elliptical slots are etched on both sides of the ground plane of the DSVA to improve the current distribution. In addition, the nonresonant metasurface composed of WiFi‐shaped unit cells could maintain a stable high refractive index in the operating bandwidth of 1−18 GHz, which could bend the outgoing wave to the end‐fire direction. Both the original antenna and the proposed antenna are simulated, fabricated, and characterized. The measured results are in good accordance with the simulated ones. The return losses of both antennas are less than −10 dB in the frequency range of 2−13.4 GHz, while the gain of the proposed antenna is improved from 13.6 to 16.3 dBi with a maximum gain enhancement of 3.1 dB.
Networks of C‐reactive protein and depression symptoms in patients with stable coronary heart disease: Findings from the Heart and Soul Study
Authors: Lee Chiyoung , Whooley Mary A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveResearch addressing the associations between C‐reactive protein (CRP) and depression among patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) has produced inconsistent results. This might be attributable to varying associations of CRP with specific depression symptom profiles. We responded to this challenge using various network analysis techniques.MethodsA total of 967 outpatients with documented CHD were drawn from the baseline cross‐sectional data of the Heart and Soul Study. We first estimated mixed graphical models that included CRP and individual depression symptoms, before and after adjusting for relevant covariates, to explore whether CRP is correlated with specific facets of depression. We also investigated whether CRP levels moderated the associations between specific depression symptoms using moderated network models. Finally, we performed a network comparison test and compared the symptom network properties between non‐elevated and elevated CRP groups.ResultsIn the network model without covariates, CRP was positively associated with fatigue, appetite changes, and psychomotor problems. CRP maintained its negative association with concentration difficulty regardless of covariate adjustment. Few symptom‐symptom associations, especially those involving appetite changes, were moderated by CRP. Further, the elevated CRP group showed greater overall symptom connectivity as compared to the non‐elevated group.ConclusionThis study segues into CRP‐depression relationship with sophisticated methodology.
Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Instrument
Authors: Sharif‐Nia Hamid , Hanifi Nasrin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAimThis study was designed to characterize the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Instrument (P‐SVEST).DesignThis study was a methodological and cross‐sectional study.MethodsThe SVEST was back‐translated into Persian and 10 experts assessed its content validity. Construct validity was determined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a total of 754 critical care and emergency nurses.ResultsThe results of exploratory factor analysis showed that the P‐SVEST had four factors. These four factors accounted for 51.67% of the total variance. Also, these factors were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis (root mean square error of approximation = (90%. confidence interval) = 0.058 [0.045, 0.071], goodness‐of‐fit index = 0.932, comparative fit index = 0.956, non‐normal fit index = 0.918, incremental fit index = 0.957 and Tucker–Lewis index = 0.944). Coefficients of Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, composite reliability and maximum reliability for all of the factors were >0.7, demonstrating satisfied internal consistency.
Effectiveness of a standardised patient simulation programme in undergraduate nursing students 6 months after implementation: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Cabañero‐Martínez María José , Escribano Silvia , Sánchez‐Marco María , Juliá‐Sanchis Rocío 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAimsThe objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardised patient simulation programme and to analyse to what extent the students transferred the skills covered in the simulation to clinical practice 6 months after the intervention.DesignA quasi‐experimental study was carried out, with measurements taken pre‐, post‐ and 6 months after the implementation of a standardised patient simulation programme in a single group.MethodsEligible to participate were all final year nursing undergraduates during the 2020–2021 academic year. In total, 41 undergraduate nursing students took part in all stages of the study. It was measured attitude towards communication, self‐efficacy, communication skills and resilience. The degree to which communication skills were used in the real setting was also assessed.ResultsThe students' scores for self‐efficacy and perceived communication skills improved and were maintained after six months. Regarding to resilience, improvement was even evident six months following the intervention. In terms of the transfer to clinical practice, the students were making moderate to high use of the communication skills learned in the simulation.
Lack of freedom predicted poor self‐reported health among family caregivers of children with disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Europe
Authors: Savela Roosa‐Maria , Nykänen Irma , Välimäki Tarja 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAimWe aim to assess the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on self‐reported health and quality of life among family caregivers of children with disabilities across Europe.DesignCross‐sectional study.MethodsData from the survey by the Eurocarers and IRCCS‐INRCA were used. The data were collected between November 2020 and March 2021 from 16 European countries. Data analysis was done using regression analysis to identify family caregivers' self‐reported health and well‐being predictors.ResultsThis study included 289 caregivers. The mean age of children was 12 years. Their family caregiver's mean age was 44, and they were mainly women. Experience of lack of freedom predicted family caregivers' poor self‐reported health and quality of life. Children's interrupted health and social services also predicted family caregivers' poor self‐reported mental well‐being. Longitudinal evidence on the pandemic's effects and a diverse view of family caregivers of children with disabilities are needed to plan effective post‐pandemic health services and nursing practice.No Patient or Public Contribution.