bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting serum hormone concentration by estimation of urinary hormones through a home-use device
Authors: Pattnaik Siddharth , Das Dipankar , Venkatesan Varun Akur , Rai Aayush 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION
Can a home-use device be used to predict serum hormone levels?

SUMMARY ANSWER
A home-use device can predict urinary hormone values which are well-correlated to serum concentrations of respective hormones and hence can be used as a proxy for serum measurements.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Home-use devices that predict ovulation are calibrated against the actual day of ovulation. However, the correlation of any quantitative system to serum hormone concentrations has not been established.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A total of 73 data points obtained from 20 participants across different phases of the menstrual cycle, i.e. bleeding days, follicular phase and luteal phase were used to establish the correlation between serum hormones and urinary metabolite values. Single data points from 20 random users were used to assess the correlation established.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Participants were women in the fertile age groups and only current users of the home-use device. Selection was done based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Blood hormones were tested using chemiluminescent immunoassays and urinary measurements were taken on the home-use device at home.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and LH were correlated with urinary estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G), pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) and LH with an R2 of 0.96, 0.95 and 0.98, respectively. Repredicted serum concentration obtained by using the correlation equation had a correlation of 0.92, 0.94 and 0.93 in unknown samples.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The study was designed to include women who have normal cycle lengths regularly; therefore, the values obtained were in the normal range. Certain infertility conditions may cause the values to be higher and correlation in such cases needs to be established.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The results of this study imply a new tool that can be used by fertility specialists as a proxy for blood tests whenever required. Extended study on this system can enable its use in assisted reproductive techniques as well.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
No funding was received for this study. S.P. and D.D. are employees of the research and development division of Samplytics Technologies Pvt. Ltd. which is a forwarder for Inito Inc., USA. A.R. and V.A.V. are co-founders of Inito Inc., USA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
The trial was registered at the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) registry (Identifier: ISRCTN15534557).
The Production of Souls in International Relations
Authors: Forough Mohammadbagher 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Global politics is exceedingly soulful, but the field of international relations (IR) astonishingly soulless. The world order is undergoing tectonic shifts: the “Western” unipolar moment is receding, China is rising, and geographies of “(Afro-)EurAsia” and the “Indo-Pacific” are emerging. To align with such shifts and remap the international geography, global actors are increasingly (re)producing narratives of civilizational “souls.” Putin views Ukraine as part of the “Russian world,” imbued with the “Russian soul.” Xi's “Thought,” instilled in China's schools and constitution, intends to “engineer” the country's soul as a “civilizational state.” Von der Leyen advocates strengthening the European Union's “soul.” Biden and Trump vied for “America's soul.” But what is even a soul? I define a collective soul as a historical–spiritual space, constructed materially and ideationally, and construed as a vital force that permeates, orders, and embodies—or transubstantiates—a body politic, and engraves in it a mythical Ursprung (origin) and telos. Adopting a critical geography approach, I map out several soul-making narratives by unpacking how they “graph” their (internal, regional, or global) “geo” through “space-framing assumptions” and “space-producing practices.” They include (1) “civilizational states,” focused on China and geographies of “Sinosphere” and “Afro-EurAsia”; (2) “civilizational crossroads,” focused on the “Iranosphere”; (3) the US-led “rules-based order,” as the latest iteration of the “liberal civilization” regraphing its soul onto the “Indo-Pacific”; and (4) two European soul-producing narratives: the far-right's “Judeo-Christianism” and the mainstream “European strategic autonomy.” Finally, I discuss the implications of soulcraft—as an indispensable yet unacknowledged component of statecraft—for IR theory.
Pre-Existing Population Immunity and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Variant Establishment and Dominance Dynamics in the United States: An Ecological Study
Authors: Ankomah Pierre O , Siedner Mark J , Bhattacharyya Roby P 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
We conducted an ecological analysis of the dynamics of Delta and Omicron establishment and dominance in US states. Omicron became the dominant circulating variant later in states with higher population-level immunity. By contrast, population immunity did not impact the maximum rate of takeover by Delta or Omicron from prior variants.
Encountering Ostomies in Acute Care: Peristomal Skin Changes
Authors: Paul Julia C. , Zimnicki Katherine , Pieper Barbara A. 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT
Up to 80% of individuals with an ostomy experience a peristomal skin complication, which can result in significant healthcare issues. All clinicians working with patients with stomas need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of peristomal skin complications and basic strategies to address the most common cause of skin complications: leakage of stool or other effluent onto the skin. Use of an evidence-based, standardized instrument to guide peristomal assessment and selection of appropriate interventions can improve patient outcomes and increase meaningful collaboration between all members of the healthcare team. This case study addresses dilemmas of care during a non-ostomy-related hospitalization.
A Scoping Review and Field Guide of Theoretical Approaches and Recommendations to Studying the Decision to Adopt Hearing Aids
Authors: Iankilevitch Maria , Singh Gurjit , Russo Frank A. 
Published: December 2022

Objectives:
Given the low rates of hearing aid adoption among individuals with hearing loss, it is imperative to better understand the decision-making processes leading to greater hearing aid uptake. A careful analysis of the existing literature on theoretical approaches to studying these processes is needed to help researchers frame hypotheses and methodology in studies on audiology. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review with two aims. First, we examine theories that have been used to study research on hearing aid adoption. Second, we propose additional theories from the behavioral sciences that have not yet been used to examine hearing aid uptake but that can inform future research.

Design:
We identified peer-reviewed publications whose research was driven by one or more theoretical approaches by searching through PubMed, ProQuest PsycINFO, CINHAL Plus, Web of Science, Scopus, and OVID Medline/Embase/PsycINFO. The publications were examined by two researchers for eligibility.

Results:
Twenty-three papers were included in the analysis. The most common theoretical approaches studied include the Health Belief Model, the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change, Self-Determination Theory, and the COM-B Model. Seven other theoretical frameworks based on cognitive psychology and behavioral economics have also appeared in the literature. In addition, we propose considering nudge theory, framing effect, prospect theory, social learning theory, social identity theory, dual process theories, and affective-based theories of decision making when studying hearing aid adoption.

Conclusions:
We conclude that, although a number of theories have been considered in research on hearing aid uptake, there are considerable methodological limitations to their use. Furthermore, the field can benefit greatly from the inclusion of novel theoretical approaches drawn from outside of audiology.
A novel risk model to predict all-cause mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Authors: Pan Jianyuan , Liu Ming , Su Huimin , Ma Likun 
Published: December 2022

Background and purpose:
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a global genetic myocardial disease. In clinical practice, an indicator that could be used to identify suitable patients for percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) and assess their long-term prognosis is important for cardiologists. HOCM patients undergoing PTSMA, poor long-term prognosis has been associated with higher left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) and interventricular septal thickness (IVST). In this retrospective, multicenter study, we aimed to investigate the association between TG (TG = IVS thickness × LVOT gradient) index and acute- or long-term outcomes of HOCM patients after PTSMA and further investigate the interaction effects of LVOTG and IVST.

Methods:
The study design is based on four tertiary centers from Mid-China, and a total of 284 HOCM patients (132 males, average age 54.80 ± 11.98 years) were treated with PTSMA. A new clinic index (TG = IVS thickness × LVOT gradient) was designed. Both 30-day major cardiovascular adverse events and all-cause mortality of the HOCM patients were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards regression model adjusting for potential risk factors was applied to explore the hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality.

Results:
Total alcohol injection volume was 2.201 ± 1.025 mL. LVOTG and IVST were reduced to 40.11 ± 24.44 mmHg and 17.68 ± 4.07 mm at the last clinical check-up, respectively. Patients with low IVST (≤20 mm) or low TG index (≤1,683) had a higher rate of PTSMA-contributable complications and a higher need for a permanent pacemaker. Within the 903 patient-years follow-up, a total of 21 (9.8%) deaths occurred. The number of deaths per 100 patient-years was 0.65 and 4.06 in the high versus low TG index groups. The 8-year OS rate was 48.95% (95% CI = 39.07%–57.75%) versus 82.63% (95% CI = 74.99%–86.66%) in the high versus low TG groups, respectively (log-rank P < 0.001). The patients with both high LVOTG (>82 mmHg) and high IVST had the highest risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 18.63 vs low LVOTG, 95% CI = 1.09–319.15).

Conclusions:
The 8-year OS rate was markedly higher in patients with a low TG index (≤1,683) (48.95%) versus in patients with a high TG index (>1,683 group) (82.63%). The TG index could be a useful tool in the evaluation of HOCM patients for suitability for PTSMA.
How Far Is Too Far? Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Regionalized Rectal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Leeds Ira L. , Xu Zhaomin , Loria Anthony , Pantel Haddon J. , Mongiu Anne K. , Longo Walter L. , Reddy Vikram 
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND:
Regionalized rectal cancer surgery may decrease postoperative and long-term cancer-related mortality. However, the regionalization of care may be an undue burden on patients.

OBJECTIVE:
To assess the cost-effectiveness of regionalized rectal cancer surgery.

DESIGN:
Tree-based decision analysis.

PATIENTS:
Patients with stage II/III rectal cancer anatomically suitable for low anterior resection.

SETTING:
Rectal cancer surgery performed at a high-volume regional center rather than the closest hospital available.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Incremental costs ($) and effectiveness (quality-adjusted life year) reflected a societal perspective and were time-discounted at 3%. Costs and benefits were combined to produce the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ($ per quality-adjusted life year). Multivariable probabilistic sensitivity analysis modeled uncertainty in probabilities, costs, and effectiveness.

RESULTS:
Regionalized surgery economically dominated local surgery. Regionalized rectal cancer surgery was both less expensive on average ($50,406 versus $65,430 in present-day costs) and produced better long-term outcomes (10.36 versus 9.51 quality-adjusted life years). The total costs and inconvenience of traveling to a regional high-volume center would need to exceed $15,024 per patient to achieve economic breakeven alone or $112,476 per patient to satisfy conventional cost-effectiveness standards. These results were robust on sensitivity analysis and maintained in 94.6% of scenario testing.

LIMITATIONS:
Decision analysis models are limited to policy-level rather than individualized decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS:
Regionalized rectal cancer surgery improves clinical outcomes and reduces total societal costs compared to local surgical care. Prescriptive measures and patient inducements may be needed to expand the role of regionalized surgery for rectal cancer. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/C83.
Halomonas binhaiensis sp. nov., isolated from saline-alkali soil
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Lu Hegang , Wang Qian , Yang Haixia , Yang Hongpeng , Wu Jiang , Huang Haidong 
Published: December 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, strain Y2R2T, was isolated from a saline–alkali soil sample collected from Binhai New Area, Tianjin, PR China. Growth of strain Y2R2T was observed at 10–45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0–11.0 (optimum, pH 9.0) and in the presence of 0–15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 9.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Y2R2T was affiliated with the genus

Halomonas

and showed the highest similarity to

Halomonas huangheensis

BJGMM-B45T (99.0%) and

Halomonas cupida

DSM 4740T (98.4%). The digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values of 21.0–22.8 % and 73.3–75.7 % with the closely related species

H. huangheensis

BJGMM-B45T,

H. cupida

DSM 4740T,

H. ventosae

AL12T,

H. stenophila

N12T and

H. litopenaei

SYSU ZJ2214T were lower than the threshold recommended for species discrimination.
The major respiratory quinone of strain Y2R2T was Q-9 and the major cellular fatty acids consisted of C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c). The DNA G+C content of strain Y2R2T was 57.0 mol%. On the basis of this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain Y2R2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Halomonas

, for which the name Halomonas binhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y2R2T (=CGMCC 1.16974T=KCTC 72578T).
Mucilaginibacter aurantiaciroseus sp. nov. and Mucilaginibacter flavidus sp. nov., isolated from Renlongba glacier on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yang Lei-Lei , Pang Yu , Liu Hong-Can , Xin Yu-Hua , Liu Qing 
Published: December 2022

Strains RB4R14T and RT5R15T, two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile bacteria, were isolated from ice and cryoconite of Renlongba glacier, respectively, on the Tibetan Plateau, PR China. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA genes indicated that strains RB4R14T and RT5R15T belonged to the genus

Mucilaginibacter

with the highest similarities to

Mucilaginibacter rigui

WPCB133T (98.78 %) and

Mucilaginibacter xinganensis

BJC16-A31T (97.64 %), respectively. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains RB4R14T and RT5R15T were 42.8 and 43.1 mol%, respectively. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strains RB4R14T, RT5R15T and their close relatives were below 31.9 and 17.4 %, respectively. The average nucleotide identity values between the two novel strains and their close relatives were 79.5–82.0 and 77.9–79.3 % respectively, indicating the novelty of the two isolates at a species level. The two novel strains contained MK-7 as the major menaquinone, and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1
ω7c and/or C16 : 1
ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0-3OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipid of the two novel strains were phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic results, we propose two novel species, Mucilaginibacter aurantiaciroseus sp. nov. (RB4R14T=CGMCC 1.11911T=NBRC 114020T) and Mucilaginibacter flavidus sp. nov. (RT5R15T=CGMCC 1.23117T=NBRC 113930T).
Backtracking: Improved methods for identifying the source of a deliberate release ofBacillus anthracisfrom the temporal and spatial distribution of cases
Authors: Shingleton Joseph , Mustard David , Dyke Steven , Finnie Thomas , Williams Hannah , Bennett Emma 
Published: December 2022

AbstractReverse epidemiology is a mathematical modelling tool used to ascertain information about the source of a pathogen, given the spatial and temporal distribution of cases, hospitalisations and deaths. In the context of a deliberately released pathogen, such asBacillus anthracis(the disease-causing organism of anthrax), this can allow responders to quickly identify the location and timing of the release, as well as other factors such as the strength of the release, and the realized wind speed and direction at release. These estimates can then be used to parameterise a predictive mechanistic model, allowing for estimation of the potential scale of the release, and to optimise the distribution of prophylaxis.In this paper we present two novel approaches to reverse epidemiology, and demonstrate their utility in responding to a simulated deliberate release ofB. anthracisin ten locations in the UK and compare these to the standard grid-search approach. The two methods - a modified MCMC and a Recurrent Convolutional Neural Network - are able to identify the source location and timing of the release with significantly better accuracy compared to the grid-search approach. Further, the neural network method is able to do inference on new data significantly quicker than either the grid-search or novel MCMC methods, allowing for rapid deployment in time-sensitive outbreaks.Author summaryIn this paper we demonstrate three methods for estimating the source location and timing of a deliberate release ofBacillus anthracisbased on the temporal and spatial distribution of cases. Two of our proposed methods, a modified MCMC approach and a neural network based approach, provide significant improvements over previous methods by directly addressing the problematic parameter-likelihood surface, and, in the case of the neural network approach, addressing the slow deployment speeds of existing methods. Our results represent a major step forward in the accuracy and speed of epidemiological back-calculation.
Genetic Underpinnings and Audiological Characteristics in Children with Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Lee Chen-Yu , Lin Pei-Hsuan , Chiang Yu-Ting , Tsai Cheng-Yu , Yang Shu-Yu , Chen You-Mei , Li Chao-Hsuan , Lu Chun-Yi , Liu Tien-Chen , Hsu Chuan-Jen , Chen Pei-Lung , Hsu Jacob Shujui , Wu Chen-Chi 
Published: December 2022

AbstractObjectiveUnilateral sensorineural hearing loss is a condition commonly encountered in otolaryngology clinics. However, its molecular pathogenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the genetic underpinnings of childhood unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and analyze the associated audiological features.Study DesignRetrospective analysis of a prospectively recruited cohort Setting: Tertiary referral center Methods: We enrolled 38 children with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and performed physical, audiological, imaging, and congenital cytomegalovirus examinations as well as genetic testing using next-generation sequencing targeting 30 deafness genes. The audiological results were compared across different etiologies.ResultsCausative genetic variants were identified in eight (21.1%) patients, including five withGJB2variants, two withPAX3variants, and one withEDNRBvariant.GJB2variants were associated with mild-to-moderate unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in various audiogram configurations, whereasPAX3andEDNRBvariants were associated with profound unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in flat audiogram configurations. In addition, whole genome sequencing and extended next-generation sequencing targeting 213 deafness genes were performed in two multiplex families compatible with autosomal recessive inheritance; yet no definite causative variants were identified. Cochlear nerve deficiency and congenital cytomegalovirus infection were observed in nine and two patients without definite genetic diagnoses.ConclusionGenetic underpinnings can contribute to approximately 20% of childhood unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and different genotypes are associated with various audiological features. These findings highlight the utility of genetic examinations in guiding the diagnosis, counseling, and treatment of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in children.
Modeling of the chest wall response to prolonged bracing in pectus carinatum
Authors: Sargent Brandon , Varela Katie , Eggett Dennis , McKenna Emily , Bates Christina , Brown Rebeccah , Garcia Victor , Howell Larry 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPectus carinatum is a chest wall deformity that is often treated through the wearing of an external brace. The treatment of the deformity could benefit from a greater understanding of chest wall characteristics under prolonged loading. These characteristics are difficult to model directly but empirical studies can be used to create statistical models. 185 patients from 2018-2020 received bracing treatment. Data on the severity of the deformity, treatment pressures, and time of wear were recorded at the first fitting and all subsequent follow-up visits. This data was analyzed using a statistical mixed effects model to identify significant measures and trends in treatment. These models were designed to help quantify changes in chest wall characteristics through prolonged bracing. Two statistical models were created. The first model predicts the change in the amount of pressure to correct the deformity after bracing for a given time and pressure. The second model predicts the change in pressure response by the body on the brace after bracing for a given time and pressure. These models show a high significance in the amount of pressure and time to the changes in the chest wall response. Initial deformity severity is also significant in changes to the deformity. The statistical models predict general trends in pectus carinatum brace treatment and can assist in creating treatment plans, motivating patient compliance, and can inform the design of future treatment systems.