bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Video head impulse testing to differentiate vestibular neuritis from posterior circulation stroke in the emergency department: a prospective observational study
Authors: Thomas James Orton , Sharobeam Angelos , Venkat Abhay , Blair Christopher , Ozalp Nese , Calic Zeljka , Wyllie Peter , Middleton Paul M , Welgampola Miriam , Cordato Dennis , Cappelen-Smith Cecilia 
Published: May 2022

Background and aimsVertigo is a common presentation to the emergency department (ED) with 5% of presentations due to posterior circulation stroke (PCS). Bedside investigations such as the head impulse test (HIT) are used to risk stratify patients, but interpretation is operator dependent. The video HIT (v-HIT) provides objective measurement of the vestibular-ocular-reflex (VOR) and may improve diagnostic accuracy in acute vestibular syndrome (AVS). We aimed to evaluate the use of v-HIT as an adjunct to clinical assessment to acutely differentiate vestibular neuritis (VN) from PCS.Methods133 patients with AVS were consecutively enrolled from the ED of our comprehensive stroke centre between 2018 and 2021. Patient assessment included a targeted vestibular history, HINTs examination (Head Impulse, Nystagmus and Test of Skew), v-HIT and MRI>48 hours after symptom onset. The HINTS/v-HIT findings were analysed and compared between VN, PCS and other cause AVS. Clinical course, v-HIT and MRI findings were used to determine diagnosis.ResultsFinal diagnosis was VN in 40%, PCS 15%, migraine 16% and other cause AVS 29%. PCS patients were older than VN patients (mean age 68.5±10.6 vs 60.1±14.2 years, p=0.14) and had more cardiovascular risk factors (3 vs 2, p=0.002). Mean VOR gain was reduced (<0.8) in ipsilateral horizontal and (<0.7) anterior canals in VN but was normal in PCS, migraine and other cause AVS. V-HIT combined with HINTs was 89% sensitive and 96% specific for a diagnosis of VN.ConclusionsV-HIT combined with HINTs is a reliable tool to exclude PCS in the ED.
Epidemiological trends in opioid-only and opioid/polysubstance-related death rates among American Indian/Alaska Native populations from 1999 to 2019: a retrospective longitudinal ecological study
Authors: Qeadan Fares , Madden Erin F , Mensah Nana A , Tingey Benjamin , Herron Jalene , Hernandez-Vallant Alexandra , Venner Kamilla L , English Kevin , Dixit Amruta 
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesThe rate of drug overdose deaths in the USA has more than tripled since the turn of the century, and rates are disproportionately high among the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. Little is known about the overall historical trends in AI/AN opioid-only and opioid/polysubstance-related mortality. This study will address this gap.DesignThis is a retrospective longitudinal ecological study.SettingUS death records from 1999 to 2019 using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research.ParticipantsUS non-Hispanic AI/AN people age 12 years and older.MeasuresThe primary outcomes, identified via the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes, included overdose deaths due to (1) opioids only, opioids in combination with any other substance, all-opioid related overdoses; (2) combinations of opioids and alcohol, opioids and methamphetamine, opioids and cocaine, opioids and benzodiazepines; and (3) specific types of opioids.ResultsFrom 1999 to 2019, opioid-only mortality rates increased from 2.8 to 15.8 per 100 000 (p<0.001) for AI/AN women and 4.6 to 25.6 per 100 000 (p<0.001) for AI/AN men. All opioid-related mortality rates increased significantly (p<0.001) from 5.2 to 33.9 per 100 000 AI/AN persons, 3.9 to 26.1 for women and 6.5 to 42.1 for men. AI/AN also exhibited significant increases in mortality rates due to opioids and alcohol, opioids and benzodiazepines, opioids and methamphetamine, and AI/AN men experienced substantial increases in mortality due to opioids and cocaine. Mortality rates by individual opioid types increased significantly over time for heroin, natural and semi-synthetic (prescription), and synthetic opioids (fentanyl/fentanyl analogues) other than methadone.ConclusionsThese findings highlight magnification over time in opioid-related deaths and may point to broader systemic factors that may disproportionately affect members of AI/AN communities and drive inequities.
Public support for policies to phase out the retail sale of cigarettes in Australia: results from a nationally representative survey
Authors: Brennan Emily , Ilchenko Elizaveta , Scollo Michelle , Durkin Sarah J , Wakefield Melanie A 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundThere is growing international interest in a goal once considered unthinkable: phasing out the retail sales of smoked tobacco products. In this study, we examined public support for phasing out sales and specific measures for moving towards a phase-out among a nationally representative sample of Australian adults.MethodsIn December 2019, we used a probability-based online panel, Life in Australia™, to survey n=1939 Australian adults (n=1874 included in analyses due to missing data).ResultsAlmost two-thirds of respondents thought it would be ‘a good thing’ if there came a time when it was no longer legal to sell cigarettes in shops in Australia and only 16.7% thought it would be ‘a bad thing’. After the concept of a phase-out was defined as removing a product from the Australian market over a set period, such as 5 years, but still allowing purchases online from overseas companies, 50.7% indicated support for such a phase-out and 61.8% thought it should happen within 10 years. Support was greater for specific measures such as licensing tobacco retailers (75.3%) and restricting sales to places children cannot enter (76.3%). Support tended to be consistent across demographic subgroups but was stronger among never and former smokers than among current smokers.ConclusionsThere has been little public discussion in Australia about the goal of 1 day phasing out the retail sale of cigarettes. It is notable that such policies are reasonably well supported by the Australian public, with only minority opposition.
Parameter uncertainties in weighted unbinned maximum likelihood fits
Authors: Langenbruch Christoph 
Published: May 2022

AbstractParameter estimation via unbinned maximum likelihood fits is central for many analyses performed in high energy physics. Unbinned maximum likelihood fits using event weights, for example to statistically subtract background contributions via thesPlotformalism, or to correct for acceptance effects, have recently seen increasing use in the community. However, it is well known that the naive approach to the estimation of parameter uncertainties via the second derivative of the logarithmic likelihood does not yield confidence intervals with the correct coverage in the presence of event weights. This paper derives the asymptotically correct expressions and compares them with several commonly used approaches for the determination of parameter uncertainties, some of which are shown to not generally be asymptotically correct. In addition, the effect of uncertainties on event weights is discussed, including uncertainties that can arise from the presence of nuisance parameters in the determination ofsWeights.
Secretion of IL1 by Dedifferentiated Melanoma Cells Inhibits JAK1-STAT3–Driven Actomyosin Contractility of Lymph Node Fibroblastic Reticular Cells
Authors: Rovera Christopher , Berestjuk Ilona , Lecacheur Margaux , Tavernier Cassandre , Diazzi Serena , Pisano Sabrina , Irondelle Marie , Mallavialle Aude , Albrengues Jean , Gaggioli Cédric , Girard Christophe A. , Passeron Thierry , Deckert Marcel , Tartare-Deckert Sophie , Prod'homme Virginie 
Published: May 2022

AbstractFibroblastic reticular cells (FRC) are immunologically specialized myofibroblasts that control the elasticity of the lymph node, in part through their contractile properties. Swelling of tumor-draining lymph nodes is a hallmark of lymphophilic cancers such as cutaneous melanoma. Melanoma displays high intratumoral heterogeneity with the coexistence of melanoma cells with variable differentiation phenotypes from melanocytic to dedifferentiated states. Factors secreted by melanoma cells promote premetastatic lymph node reprograming and tumor spreading. Elucidating the impact of the melanoma secretome on FRC could help identify approaches to prevent metastasis. Here we show that melanocytic and dedifferentiated melanoma cells differentially impact the FRC contractile phenotype. Factors secreted by dedifferentiated cells, but not by melanocytic cells, strongly inhibited actomyosin-dependent contractile forces of FRC by decreasing the activity of the RHOA–RHO–kinase (ROCK) pathway and the mechano-responsive transcriptional coactivator Yes1 associated transcriptional regulator (YAP). Transcriptional profiling and biochemical analyses indicated that actomyosin cytoskeleton relaxation in FRC is driven by inhibition of the JAK1-STAT3 pathway. This FRC relaxation was associated with increased FRC proliferation and activation and with elevated tumor invasion in vitro. The secretome of dedifferentiated melanoma cells also modulated the biomechanical properties of distant lymph node in premetastatic mouse models. Finally, IL1 produced by dedifferentiated cells was involved in the inhibition of FRC contractility. These data highlight the role of the JAK1-STAT3 and YAP pathways in spontaneous contractility of resting FRC. They also suggest that dedifferentiated melanoma cells specifically target FRC biomechanical properties to favor tumor spreading in the premetastatic lymph node niche. Targeting this remote communication could be an effective strategy to prevent metastatic spread of the disease.Significance:Communication between dedifferentiated melanoma cells and lymph node fibroblasts reprograms the biomechanical properties of the premetastatic lymph node niche to promote tumor invasion.See related commentary by Lund, p. 1692
Tumor Expression Quantitative Trait Methylation Screening Reveals Distinct CpG Panels for Deconvolving Cancer Immune Signatures
Authors: Yu Xiaoqing , Cen Ling , Chen Y. Ann , Markowitz Joseph , Shaw Timothy I. , Tsai Kenneth Y. , Conejo-Garcia Jose R. , Wang Xuefeng 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

DNA methylation signatures in tumors could serve as reliable biomarkers that are accessible in archival tissues for tracking the epigenetic dynamics shaped by both cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. However, given the ultrahigh dimensionality and noncollapsible nature of the data, it remains challenging to screen all CpG sites to identify the most promising marker panels. In this article, we introduce the concept of tumor-based expression quantitative trait methylation (eQTM) for the prioritization and systematic mining of predictive biomarkers. In melanoma as a disease model, eQTM CpGs and genes represent new and efficient candidate targets to be investigated for both prognostic and immune status monitoring purposes. Three cis-eQTM CpGs (cg07786657, cg12446199, and cg00027570) were strongly associated with and can serve as surrogate biomarkers for the tumor immune cytolytic activity score (CYT). In addition, multiple eQTM genes could be further exploited for predicting immunoregulatory phenotypes. A targeted gene panel analysis identified one eQTM in TCF7 (cg25947408) as a novel candidate biomarker for uncoupling overall T-cell differentiation and exhaustion status in a tumor. The prognostic significance of this eQTM as an independent signature to CYT was validated by both The Cancer Genome Atlas and Moffitt melanoma cohort data. Overall, eQTMs represent a mechanistically distinct class of potential biomarkers that can be used to predict patient prognosis and immune status.

Significance:
This study provides a novel and promising approach to identify targeted epigenetic biomarkers in cancer and will spur further analysis in tumor immune phenotyping.
Dispensing patterns of mental health medications before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Canada: An interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Ying Lisa TL , Yarema Mark C , Bousman Chad A 
Published: May 2022

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the general population in all aspects of life. Estimates of mental health medication dispensing in Alberta were investigated to elucidate areas of need within mental health and pharmacy practice during the pandemic. Methods We employed an interrupted time series analysis using linear regression models to estimate community and outpatient medication dispensing trends of 46 medications used to treat mental health disorders. Three parameters were examined. The first was the medication dispensing slope before COVID-19. The second was the immediate effect of COVID-19 on dispensing (i.e., the difference in dispensing rate between the month before and after the first case of COVID-19) and the third was the medication dispensing slope during COVID-19. Results Dispensing rates of 61% ( n = 34) of the examined medications remained similar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, eight medications (i.e., amitriptyline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, bupropion, desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, and oxazepam) showed an immediate and significant increase in dispensing rate following the onset of the pandemic that was sustained over the first 13-months of the pandemic. Conclusion Initial increases in dispensing patterns of antidepressants may be attributed to a “stockpiling phenomenon” but the sustained higher levels of dispensing suggest an unfavorable shift in the population’s mental health. Monitoring of medication dispensing patterns during COVID-19 may serve as a useful indicator of the population’s mental health during the current pandemic and better prepare community pharmacists in future pandemic planning, medication dispensing strategies, and care of chronic medical conditions.
Telemedicine Services Provided to Medicare Beneficiaries by Otolaryngologists in 2020
Authors: Miller Lauren E. , Rathi Vinay K. , Xiang David , Naunheim Matthew R. , Varvares Mark A. , Gray Stacey T. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractTelemedicine utilization among otolaryngologists was rare prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic. We sought to understand rates of telemedicine utilization by otolaryngologists amid unprecedented changes in care delivery during the pandemic. Using Medicare Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary data, we performed a retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of telemedicine services provided to Medicare beneficiaries by otolaryngologists in 2020. The total number of services and amount of reimbursement received by otolaryngologists for telemedical care increased by 52,989% and 73,147% in 2020 relative to 2019: 139,094 vs 262 services and $9.9 million vs $13,536, respectively. The mean telemedicine revenue per otolaryngologist offset only 8.8% ($9304.69) of losses from the reduction in mean in‐person revenue between 2019 and 2020. Further research will be necessary to inform successful adoption of telemedicine within our field amid the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic.
Risk Factors Associated With Reoperative Surgery for Thyroid Malignancies: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hutchinson Kelly Ann , Guerra André , Payne Alexandra E. , Turkdogan Sena , Forest Veronique‐Isabelle , Hier Michael P. , Payne Richard J. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo examine various factors associated with an increased risk of reoperation for persistent or recurrent malignant thyroid cancers.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingTertiary academic hospital centers.MethodsPatients undergoing surgery for thyroid cancer at 2 tertiary academic institutions from 2006 to 2020 were included. Those who underwent a reoperative procedure were compared with patients only requiring 1 procedure. The Pearson chi‐square and independent t test were used to compare group data accordingly. Furthermore, a binomial logistic regression was performed, while machine learning models were used to construct a predictive algorithm.ResultsThis study included 2266 patients with surgically managed thyroid malignancy, of which 54 (2.4%) necessitated reoperations. Those requiring a second surgical procedure were more likely to be male (40.7% vs 20.9%, P < .001), undergo bilateral (24.1% vs 3.3%, P < .001) and lateral (16.7% vs 1.8%, P < .001) neck dissections, and have a greater number of metastatic lymph nodes (mean, 9.1 vs 3.5; P < .001) and a larger tumor size (mean, 3.0 vs 2.0 cm; P < .001). According to the binomial logistic regression model, lateral neck dissection, greater number of metastatic lymph nodes, and larger tumor size significantly increased the odds of necessitating a second procedure by 7.8 (95% CI, 2.523‐24.083), 1.1 (95% CI, 1.032‐1.152), and 1.3 (95% CI, 1.064‐1.559), respectively. Last, machine learning models could not significantly predict the occurrence of reoperation.ConclusionThis study identified patient‐ and cancer‐related characteristics associated with an increased risk of requiring reoperation for thyroid malignancies.
The incremental value of myocardial viability, evaluated by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance for mortality prediction in patients with previous myocardial infarction and symptomatic heart failure
Authors: Kazakauskaite Egle , Vajauskas Donatas , Bardauskiene Lina , Ordiene Rasa , Zabiela Vytautas , Zaliaduonyte Diana , Gustiene Olivija , Lapinskas Tomas , Jurkevicius Renaldas 
Published: May 2022

Objectives To find the imaging mortality predictors in patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI), symptomatic heart failure (HF), and reduced left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (EF). Methods for the study 39 patients were selected prospectively with prior MI, symptomatic HF, and LVEF ≤40%. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT MPI), 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (FDG PET). 31 patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Patients were divided into two groups: 1 group – cardiac death; 2 group – no cardiac death. Myocardial scars were assessed on a 5-point-scale. Follow-up data was obtained. Results Imaging features disclosed significant difference ( p < 0.05) of defect score (CMR and SPECT-PET), LV end-diastolic diameter (EDD) (TTE), LVEDD index (CMR), LV global longitudinal strain (CMR) and LV global circumferential strain (CMR) between the groups. Predictors of cardiac death were: LVEDD index (TTE) and LV global longitudinal strain. The cut-off values to predict cardiac death were: defect score (CMR) 25 (AUC, 79.5%; OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.7), SPECT-PET defect score 22 (AUC, 73.9%; OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3–0.7), LVEDD (TTE) 58 mm (AUC, 88.4%; OR 23.6, 95% CI 2.6–217.7), LVEDDi 30 mm/m2 (TTE) (AUC, 73.6%; OR 22.0, 95% CI 1.9–251.5), LVEDDi 33.6 mm/m2 (CMR) (AUC, 73.6%; OR 22.0, 95% CI 1.9–251.5), LV global longitudinal strain −13.4 (AUC, 87.8%; OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.7) and LV global circumferential strain −16.3 (AUC, 76.1%; OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–3.0). Conclusions Imaging features, such as defect score (CMR) >25, SPECT-PET defect score >22, LVEDD (TTE) >58 mm, LVEDDi (TTE) >30 mm/m2, LVEDDi (CMR) >33.6 mm/m2, LV global longitudinal strain −13.4 and LV global circumferential strain −16.3, may increase sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET and LGE CMR predicting of late mortality.
Application of machine learning approaches to predict joint strength of friction stir welded aluminium alloy 7475 and PPS polymer hybrid joint
Authors: Sandeep Renangi , Natarajan Arivazhagan 
Published: May 2022

Vehicle weight has been a critical concern in the aerospace and automobile industries for decades. Integrating dissimilar aluminium and polymer hybrid structures is beneficial for weight reduction without affecting structural performance. In the present work, aluminium alloy 7475 and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) sheets were joined using the friction stir welding (FSW) technology in lap joint configuration. A series of FSW experiments have been performed by the design matrix developed using response surface methodology. Tensile lap shear strength (TLS) is calculated for each experimental run. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the potential of machine learning algorithms to predict the TLS of the joint. It was found that the support vector machine (SVM) model with RBF kernel was the most effective for predicting the TLS. Furthermore, FSW process parameters are optimized by means of the desirability approach. The optimal set to attain maximum TLS is identified as the tilt angle of 2°, welding speed of 5.12 mm/min and tool rotational speed of 1185.92 r/min. Finally, a confirmation test was performed to validate the optimal set and the adequacy of the developed SVM model. From the confirmation test, the error percentage between experimental and prediction values is less than 5%. Metallographic analysis revealed that the joining mechanism is the macro and micromechanical interlocking assisted by chemical bonding.
Cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in people living with HIV: A cross-sectional multicenter study from Colombia comorbidities in a Colombian PLWHIV population
Authors: Valderrama-Beltrán Sandra , Martínez-Vernaza Samuel , Figueredo María , Martínez Ernesto , Blair Kevin J , Cuervo-Rojas Juliana , Arévalo Leonardo , De La Hoz Alejandro , Quiroga Camilo , Mueses Héctor , Sussmann Otto , Mantilla Mónica , Ramírez Christian , Gonzalez Claudia , Montero-Riascos Leonardo , Botero Monica , Alzate-Ángel Juan , García-Garzón Martha , Franco Julieta , Lenis William , Galindo-Orrego Ximena , Stand Javier , Fonseca Norberto , Alzamora Diana , Ramos Olga , Tobon Wilmar , Ruiz Jaime , León Sebastián , Rojas-Rojas Monica , Urrego-Reyes Juan , Beltrán-Rodríguez Claudia , Rosselli Diego , Rodriguez-Lugo Diego-Andres , Villamil-Castañeda Lina Paola , Álvarez-Moreno Carlos 
Published: May 2022

Introduction: HIV is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). There is insufficient information regarding comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors in the Colombian HIV population. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in patients from the HIV Colombian Group VIHCOL. Methods: This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in the VIHCOL network in Colombia. Patients 18 years or older who had at least 6 months of follow-up were included. A stratified random sampling was performed to estimate the adjusted prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. Results: A total of 1616 patients were included. 83.2% were men, and the median age was 34 years. The adjusted prevalence for dyslipidemia, active tobacco use, hypothyroidism, and arterial hypertension was 51.2% (99% CI: 48.0%–54.4%), 7.6% (99% CI: 5.9%–9.3%), 7.4% (99% CI: 5.7%–9.1%), and 6.3% (99% CI: 4.8%–7.9%), respectively. Conclusions: In this Colombian HIV cohort, there is a high prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors such as dyslipidemia and active smoking. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures for the prevention and management of these risk factors should be reinforced.