bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sarcoidal Granuloma Annulare–Like Dermatitis and Vasculitis With Granulomatous Features: An Atypical Case of Giant Cell Arteritis
Authors: Kye Yae , Hales Molly , See Sharlene Helene C. , Nguyen Cuong V. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract:
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a diagnosis that clinicians should not miss because of the accompanying risk of irreversible vision loss. GCA can present without the classic symptoms of headache and temporal artery tenderness, which may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Cutaneous findings, although rare, have been associated with GCA. Accordingly, it is imperative to be aware of the broad clinical and histological presentations of GCA, including the cutaneous findings, because they may prove to be harbingers of impending disease. We present a unique case of GCA where 2 distinct cutaneous morphologies, sarcoidal granuloma annulare–like dermatitis and leukocytoclastic vasculitis with granulomatous features, presented simultaneously before the classic symptoms of headache and unilateral vision loss.
Comparison of Loading-Displacement Relationships and Energy-Storing Properties of the Jaipur Foot Against Low-, Mid-, and High-Activity Prosthetic Feet Using Static Proof Testing
Authors: Telford Jeremy C. , Arnold Graham P. , Drew Tim 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The Jaipur foot is a low-cost prosthetic foot developed in Jaipur, India. Despite its worldwide use, few data are available on its mechanical properties. In general, there is a lack of objective data on the mechanical performance of prosthetic feet, hindering the objectivity of the prosthetic foot prescription process. The aim of this project was to compare the properties of the Jaipur foot with three prosthetic feet of differing activity levels (a SACH foot and two ESPFs) used commonly in the UK National Health Service (NHS), specifically evaluating loading-displacement relationships and energy-storing properties.

Materials and Methods
Static proof testing was performed on the four prosthetic feet (BMVSS Jaipur foot, 1D10 Dynamic, 1C30 Trias, and 1C60 Triton) using ISO:10328 methods. Loading-displacement graphs for the forefoot and heel were produced, from which instantaneous stiffness at forces typical of walking and running was produced and energy-storing properties were calculated.

Results
The Jaipur foot demonstrated the highest heel stiffness at both walking and running forces, the highest forefoot stiffness at walking forces, and the lowest energy return of the four feet overall. The ESPFs demonstrated the lowest forefoot stiffness, along with the highest energy returns.

Conclusions
Although low cost and cultural requirements should be taken into account, these data have demonstrated the inferior energy-storing properties of the Jaipur foot compared with Western prosthetic feet, using ISO methods to allow future cross-study comparison.

Clinical Relevance
The mechanical and energy-storing data from this study can be compared with other research using ISO methods to make the prosthetic prescription process more objective, allowing the most appropriate choices to be made for patients.
eGADA: enhanced Genomic Alteration Detection Algorithm, a fast genomic segmentation algorithm based on Sparse Bayesian Learning
Authors: Huang Yu S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstracteGADA is an enhanced version of GADA, which is a fast segmentation algorithm utilizing the Sparse Bayesian Learning (or Relevance Vector Machine) technique from Tipping 2001. It can be applied to array intensity data, NGS sequencing coverage data, or any sequential data that displays characteristics of stepwise functions. Improvements by eGADA over GADA include:a) a customized Red-Black tree to expedite the final backward elimination step of GADA;b) code in C++, which is safer and better structured than C;c) use Boost libraries extensively to provide user-friendly help and commandline argument processing;d) user-friendly input and output formats;e) export a dynamic library eGADA.so (packaged via Boost.Python) that offers API to Python;f) other bug fixes/optimization. The code is published athttps://github.com/polyactis/eGADA.
“Emotional stress is more detrimental than the virus itself”: Towards an understanding of HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among internal migrant men in South Africa
Authors: Nardell Maria F. , Govathson Caroline , Garnier Salomé , Watts Ashley , Babalola Dolapo , Ngcobo Nkosinathi , Long Lawrence , Lurie Mark N. , Miot Jacqui , Pascoe Sophie , Katz Ingrid T. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionSouth Africa has one of the highest rates of internal migration on the continent, largely comprised of men seeking labor in urban centers. South African men who move within the country (internal migrants) are at higher risk than non-migrant men of acquiring HIV yet are less likely to test or use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, little is known about the mechanisms that link internal migration and challenges engaging in HIV services.MethodsWe recruited 30 internal migrant men (born outside Gauteng Province) for in-depth qualitative interviews at sites in Johannesburg (Gauteng) where migrants may gather (i.e., factories, homeless shelters). Interviewers used open-ended questions, based in the Theory of Triadic Influence, to explore experiences and challenges with HIV testing and/or PrEP. A mixed deductive inductive content analytic approach was used to review data and explain why participants may or may not use these services.ResultsMigrant men come to Johannesburg to find work, but their struggle to survive without reliable income causes daily stress. Stress and time constraints limit their availability to seek health services, and many men lack knowledge about the opportunity for PrEP should they test negative. In addition, migrants must also adjust to life in Johannesburg, where they may be unfamiliar with where to access HIV services and lack social support to help them do so. Migrants may also continue to travel intermittently for work or social purposes, which can make it hard to take a daily pill like PrEP. Yet Johannesburg also presents opportunities for HIV services for migrant men, especially those who perceive greater availability and anonymity of HIV information and services in the city as compared to their rural homes of origin.ConclusionsBringing HIV services to migrant men at community sites may ease the burden of accessing these services. Including PrEP counseling and services alongside HIV testing may further encourage men to test, particularly if integrated into counseling for livelihood and coping strategies, as well as support for navigating health services in Johannesburg.
AORTA Gene: Polygenic prediction improves detection of thoracic aortic aneurysm
Authors: Pirruccello James P. , Khurshid Shaan , Lin Honghuang , Weng Lu-Chen , Zamirpour Siavash , Kany Shinwan , Raghavan Avanthi , Koyama Satoshi , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Lindsay Mark E. , Ellinor Patrick T. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundThoracic aortic disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the US, and aortic diameter is a heritable contributor to risk. Could a polygenic prediction of ascending aortic diameter improve detection of aortic aneurysm?MethodsDeep learning was used to measure ascending thoracic aortic diameter in 49,939 UK Biobank participants. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted in 39,524 participants and leveraged to build a 1.1 million-variant polygenic score withPRScs-auto. Aortic diameter prediction models were built with the polygenic score (“AORTA Gene”) and without it. The models were tested in a held-out set of 4,962 UK Biobank participants and externally validated in 5,469 participants from Mass General Brigham Biobank (MGB), 1,298 from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), and 610 participants fromAll of Us.ResultsIn each test set, the AORTA Gene model explained more of the variance in thoracic aortic diameter compared to clinical factors alone: 39.9% (95% CI 37.8-42.0%) vs 29.2% (95% CI 27.1-31.4%) in UK Biobank, 36.5% (95% CI 34.4-38.5%) vs 32.5% (95% CI 30.4-34.5%) in MGB, 41.8% (95% CI 37.7-45.9%) vs 33.0% (95% CI 28.9-37.2%) in FHS, and 34.9% (95% CI 28.8-41.0%) vs 28.9% (95% CI 22.9-35.0%) inAll of Us. AORTA Gene had a greater AUROC for identifying diameter ≥4cm in each test set: 0.834 vs 0.765 (P=7.3E-10) in UK Biobank, 0.808 vs 0.767 in MGB (P=4.5E-12), 0.856 vs 0.818 in FHS (P=8.5E-05), and 0.827 vs 0.791 (P=7.8E-03) inAll of Us.ConclusionsGenetic information improved estimation of thoracic aortic diameter when added to clinical risk factors. Larger and more diverse cohorts will be needed to develop more powerful and equitable scores.
Utilizing the Amide Proton Transfer Technique to Characterize Diffuse Gliomas Based on the WHO 2021 Classification of CNS Tumors
Authors: Filimonova Elena , Pashkov Anton , Borisov Norayr , Kalinovsky Anton , Rzaev Jamil 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeDiffuse gliomas present a significant challenge for healthcare systems globally. While brain MRI plays a vital role in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring, accurately characterizing gliomas using conventional MRI techniques alone is challenging. In this study, we explored the potential of utilizing the amide proton transfer (APT) technique alone or in combination with other quantitative MRI sequences to predict tumor grade and type based on the WHO 2021 Classification of CNS Tumors.MethodsForty-two adult patients with histopathologically confirmed brain gliomas were included in the study. They underwent 3T MRI imaging, which involved APT, arterial spin labeling (ASL), and diffusion-weighted imaging sequences. Multinomial and binary logistic regression models were employed to classify patients into clinically relevant groups based on MRI findings and demographic variables.ResultsWe found that the best model for tumor grade classification included patient age along with APT values. The highest sensitivity (88%) was observed for Grade 4 tumors, while Grade 3 tumors showed the highest specificity (79%). For tumor type classification, our model incorporated four predictors: APT values, necrosis, and the presence of hemorrhage. The glioblastoma group had the highest sensitivity and specificity (87%), whereas balanced accuracy was the lowest for astrocytomas, indicating that the model performs better at detecting patients with glioblastoma rather than astrocytomas.ConclusionThe APT technique shows great potential for noninvasive evaluation of diffuse gliomas. The changes in the classification of gliomas as per the WHO 2021 version of the CNS Tumor Classification did not affect its usefulness in predicting tumor grade or type.
RareCRHR2andGRM8variants identified as candidate factors associated with eating disorders in Japanese patients
Authors: Oka Akira , Hadano Shinji , Ueda Mahoko Takahashi , Nakagawa So , Komaki Gen , Ando Tetsuya 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEating disorders (EDs) are a type of psychiatric disorder characterized by pathological eating and related behavior and considered to be highly heritable. The purpose of this study was to explore rare variants expected to display biological functions associated with the etiology of EDs. We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of affected sib-pairs corresponding to disease subtype through their lifetime and their parents. From those results, rare single nucleotide variants (SNVs) concordant with sib-pairs were extracted and estimated to be most deleterious in the examined families. Two non-synonymous SNVs located on corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) and glutamate metabotropic receptor 8 (GRM8) were identified as candidate disease susceptibility factors. The SNV ofCRHR2was included within the cholesterol binding motif of the transmembrane helices region, while the SNV ofGRM8was found to contribute to hydrogen bonds for an α-helix structure. CRHR2 plays important roles in the serotoninergic system of dorsal raphe nuclei, which is involved with feeding and stress-coping behavior. Moreover, GRM8 modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission, and is also considered to have effects on dopaminergic and adrenergic neurotransmission. Further investigation regarding the biological function of these variants may provide an opportunity for elucidate the pathogenesis of EDs.
Protection conferred by COVID-19 vaccination, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, or hybrid immunity against Omicron-associated severe outcomes among community-dwelling adults
Authors: Lee Nelson , Nguyen Lena , Austin Peter C. , Brown Kevin A. , Grewal Ramandip , Buchan Sarah A , Nasreen Sharifa , Gubbay Jonathan , Schwartz Kevin L , Tadrous Mina , Wilson Kumanan , Wilson Sarah E , Kwong Jeffrey C 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionWe assessed protection conferred by COVID-19 vaccines and/or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection against Omicron-associated severe outcomes during successive sublineage-predominant periods.MethodsWe used a test-negative design to estimate protection by vaccines and/or prior infection against hospitalization/death among community-dwelling, PCR-tested adults aged ≥50 years in Ontario, Canada between January 2, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the relative change in the odds of hospitalization/death with each vaccine dose (2−5) and/or prior PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (compared with unvaccinated, uninfected subjects) up to 15 months since the last vaccination or infection.ResultsWe included 18,526 cases with Omicron-associated severe outcomes and 90,778 test-negative controls. Vaccine protection was high during BA.1/BA.2 predominance, but was generally <50% during periods of BA.4/BA.5 and BQ/XBB predominance without boosters. A third/fourth dose transiently increased protection during BA.4/BA.5 predominance (third-dose,6-month: 68%, 95%CI 63%−72%;fourth-dose,6-month: 80%, 95%CI 77%−83%), but was lower and waned quickly during BQ/XBB predominance (third-dose,6-month: 59%, 95%CI 48%−67%; 12-month: 49%, 95%CI 41%−56%;fourth-dose,6-month: 62%, 95%CI 56%−68%, 12-months: 51%, 95%CI 41%−56%). Hybrid immunity conferred nearly 90% protection throughout BA.1/BA.2 and BA.4/BA.5 predominance, but was reduced during BQ/XBB predominance (third-dose,6-month: 60%, 95%CI 36%−75%;fourth-dose,6-month: 63%, 95%CI 42%−76%). Protection was restored with a fifth dose (bivalent; 6-month: 91%, 95%CI 79%−96%). Prior infection alone did not confer lasting protection.ConclusionProtection from COVID-19 vaccines and/or prior SARS-CoV-2 infections against severe outcomes is reduced when immune-evasive variants/subvariants emerge and may also wane over time. Our findings support a variant-adapted booster vaccination strategy with periodic review.
Predicting graft and patient outcomes following kidney transplantation using interpretable machine learning models
Authors: Salaün Achille , Knight Simon , Wingfield Laura , Zhu Tingting 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTThe decision to accept a deceased donor organ offer for transplant, or wait for something potentially better in the future, can be challenging. Clinical decision support tools predicting transplant outcomes are lacking. This project uses interpretable methods to predict both graft failure and patient death using data from previously accepted kidney transplant offers. Using more than twenty years of transplant outcome data, we train and compare several survival analysis models in single risk settings. In addition, we usepost hocinterpretability techniques to clinically validate these models. Neural networks show comparable performance to the Cox proportional hazard model, with concordance of 0.63 and 0.79 for prediction of graft failure and patient death, respectively. Recipient and donor ages, primary renal disease, the number of mismatches at DR locus, and calculated reaction frequency at transplant appear to be important features for transplant outcome prediction. Owing to their good predictive performance and the clinical relevance of theirpost hocinterpretation, neural networks represent a promising core component in the construction of future decision support systems for transplant offering.
Association of cultural participation with morbidity and mortality in the Welsh Population: An observational study
Authors: Jones Daniel Peter , Hurt Lisa , Daniel Rhian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundClinical interventions based on cultural participation have consistently demonstrated improved patient outcomes. At the population level, prospective cohort studies show a protective association between cultural participation and all-cause mortality. However, the latter is limited by a narrow choice of methods and outcomes. We sought to address this by using multiple methods to investigate the effects of cultural participation on both morbidity and mortality.MethodsFirst, we conducted multivariable linear and logistic regression models using the National Survey of Wales 2015-2019. This featured attendance at cultural events/activities as an exposure and self-reported health (SRH), as well as specific health conditions, as an outcome with sequential adjustment for confounders related to demographics, socio-economic position (SEP), and lifestyle behaviours. To complement this, we conducted a multivariable panel regression model using cultural expenditure data from English and Welsh local authorities and life expectancy data from the Office for National Statistics.ResultsWhen adjusting for age, sex, SEP, and lifestyle behaviours, we found that overall cultural participation had a small positive association with SRH (4.8% improvement in SRH score, 95% confidence intervals [4.0-5.6%], p<0.0001, n=15374) and lower likelihood of cardiovascular disease, and anxiety/depression. Similar, albeit smaller, positive associations were seen between SRH and individual cultural activities, including library, museum, and heritage site visits. However, we did not identify any association between local authority cultural expenditure and local life expectancy.ConclusionWe identified new evidence for a positive association between cultural participation and morbidity. However, additional evidence will be required to better establish causal inference.What is already known on this topic?Several observational studies show that cultural participation is associated with reduced mortality and clinical trials also support the use of cultural interventions.What this study adds?This study provides evidence for beneficial associations between cultural participation, self-reported health, and certain chronic conditions even when taking account of known confounders.How this study might affect research, practice or policy?This study further emphasises the importance of arts and culture for health and the need for further research in this area of epidemiology.
Non-detection of emerging and re-emerging pathogens in wastewater surveillance to confirm absence of transmission risk: a case study of polio in New York
Authors: Larsen David A , Hill Dustin , Zhu Yifan , Alazawi Mohammed , Chatila Dana , Dunham Christopher , Faruolo Catherine , Ferro Brandon , Godinez Alejandro , Hanson Brianna , Insaf Tabassum , Lang Dan , Neigel Dana , Neyra Milagros , Pulido Nicole , Wilder Max , Yang Nan , Kmush Brittany , Green Hyatt 
Published: August 2023

AbstractInfectious disease surveillance systems, including wastewater surveillance, can alert communities to the threat of emerging pathogens. We need methods to infer understanding of transmission dynamics from non-detection. We estimate a sensitivity of detection of poliovirus in wastewater to inform the sensitivity of wastewater surveillance for poliovirus using both a clinical epidemiology and fecal shedding approach. We then apply freedom from disease to estimate the sensitivity of the wastewater surveillance network. Estimated sensitivity to detect a single poliovirus infection was low, <11% at most wastewater treatment plants and <3% in most counties. However, the maximum threshold for the number of infections when polio is not detected in wastewater was much lower. Prospective wastewater surveillance can confirm the absence of a polio threat and be escalated in the case of poliovirus detection. These methods can be applied to any emerging or re-emerging pathogen, and improve understanding from wastewater surveillance.
Usability and Accuracy of the SWIFT-ActiveScreener: Preliminary evaluation for use in clinical research
Authors: Liu Jenny J.W. , Ein Natalie , Gervasio Julia , Easterbrook Bethany , Nouri Maede S. , Nazarov Anthony , Richardson J. Don 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSystematic reviews (SRs) employ standardized methodological processes for synthesizing empirical evidence to answer specific research questions. These processes include rigorous screening phases to determine eligibility of articles against strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Despite these processes, SRs are a significant undertaking, and this type of research often necessitates extensive human resource requirements, especially when the scope of the review is large. Given the substantial resources and time commitment required, we investigated a way in which the screening process might be accelerated while maintaining high fidelity and adherence to SR processes. More recently, researchers have increasingly turned to artificial intelligence-based (AI) software to expedite the screening process. This paper evaluated the accuracy and usabiity of a novel, machine learning program, Sciome SWIFT-ActiveScreener (ActiveScreener) in a large SR of mental health outcomes following treatment for PTSD. ActiveScreener exceeded the expected 95% accuracy of the program to predict inclusion or exclusion of relevant articles, and was reported to be user friendly by both novice and seasoned screeners. Our results showed that ActiveScreener, when used appropriately, may save considerable time and human resources when performing SR.