bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical validation of a spectroscopic liquid biopsy for earlier detection of brain cancer
Authors: Cameron James M , Brennan Paul M , Antoniou Georgios , Butler Holly J , Christie Loren , Conn Justin J A , Curran Tom , Gray Ewan , Hegarty Mark G , Jenkinson Michael D , Orringer Daniel , Palmer David S , Sala Alexandra , Smith Benjamin R , Baker Matthew J 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
Diagnostic delays impact the quality of life and survival of patients with brain tumors. Earlier and expeditious diagnoses in these patients are crucial to reduce the morbidities and mortalities associated with brain tumors. A simple, rapid blood test that can be administered easily in a primary care setting to efficiently identify symptomatic patients who are most likely to have a brain tumor would enable quicker referral to brain imaging for those who need it most.

Methods
Blood serum samples from 603 patients were prospectively collected and analyzed. Patients either had non-specific symptoms that could be indicative of a brain tumor on presentation to the Emergency Department, or a new brain tumor diagnosis and referral to the neurosurgical unit, NHS Lothian, Scotland. Patient blood serum samples were analyzed using the Dxcover® Brain Cancer liquid biopsy. This technology utilizes infrared spectroscopy combined with a diagnostic algorithm to predict the presence of intracranial disease.

Results
Our liquid biopsy approach reported an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.8. The sensitivity-tuned model achieves a 96% sensitivity with 45% specificity (NPV 99.3%) and identified 100% of glioblastoma multiforme patients. When tuned for a higher specificity, the model yields a sensitivity of 47% with 90% specificity (PPV 28.4%).

Conclusions
This simple, non-invasive blood test facilitates the triage and radiographic diagnosis of brain tumor patients while providing reassurance to healthy patients. Minimizing time to diagnosis would facilitate the identification of brain tumor patients at an earlier stage, enabling more effective, less morbid surgical and adjuvant care.
The Structure of American Political Discontent
Authors: Santucci Jack , Dyck Joshua J 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
We explore the role of “political discontent” as a second dimension of American public opinion. Others have shown that a second dimension tends to capture social and/or racial attitudes. What happens when indicators of discontent are included in such analyses? Using data from two surveys and the ordered optimal classification (OOC) procedure, we scale seven items from the “discontent” literature alongside a larger set of questions that has been shown to capture the two-dimensional structure of mass opinion. Discontent items dominate the second dimension in both data sets. Further, five of the seven items predict voting for “insurgents” in the 2016 presidential primaries. Second-dimension attitudes matter in elections and concern the political system writ large. By extension, the liberal-conservative heuristic gives an incomplete picture of mass political behavior.
Effects of ground-state correlations on the damping of giant dipole resonances in LS closed-shell nuclei
Authors: Tohyama Mitsuru 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The effects of ground-state correlations on the damping of isovector giant dipole resonances in the LS closed-shell nuclei 16O and 40Ca are studied using extended random phase approximation (RPA) approaches derived from the time-dependent density matrix theory. It is pointed out that unconventional two-body amplitudes of one-particle–three-hole and three-particle–one-hole types that are neglected in most extended RPA theories play an important role in the fragmentation of isovector dipole strength.
Rational design of hydrogels for immunomodulation
Authors: Bu Wenhuan , Wu Yuanhao , Ghaemmaghami Amir M , Sun Hongchen , Mata Alvaro 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe immune system protects organisms against endogenous and exogenous harm and plays a key role in tissue development, repair and regeneration. Traditional immunomodulatory biologics exhibit limitations including degradation by enzymes, short half-life and lack of targeting ability. Encapsulating or binding these biologics within biomaterials is an effective way to address these problems. Hydrogels are promising immunomodulatory materials because of their prominent biocompatibility, tuneability and versatility. However, to take advantage of these opportunities and optimize material performance, it is important to more specifically elucidate, and leverage on, how hydrogels affect and control the immune response. Here, we summarize how key physical and chemical properties of hydrogels affect the immune response. We first provide an overview of underlying steps of the host immune response upon exposure to biomaterials. Then, we discuss recent advances in immunomodulatory strategies where hydrogels play a key role through (i) physical properties including dimensionality, stiffness, porosity and topography; (ii) chemical properties including wettability, electric property and molecular presentation;and (iii) the delivery of bioactive molecules via chemical or physical cues. Thus, this review aims to build a conceptual and practical toolkit for the design of immune-instructive hydrogels capable of modulating the host immune response.
Fungal-derived selenium nanoparticles and their potential applications in electroless silver coatings for preventing pin-tract infections
Authors: Liang Xinjin , Zhang Shuai , Gadd Geoffrey Michael , McGrath John , Rooney David W , Zhao Qi 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Pin-tract infections (PTIs) are a common complication of external fixation of fractures and current strategies for preventing PTIs have proven to be ineffective. Recent advances show that the use of anti-infection coatings with local antibacterial activity may solve this problem. Selenium has been considered as a promising anti-infection agent owing to its antibacterial and antibiofilm activities. In this study, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized via a cost-effective fungi-mediated biorecovery approach and demonstrated excellent stability and homogeneity. To investigate their anti-infection potential, the SeNPs were doped in silver coatings through an electroless plating process and the silver–selenium (Ag–Se) coatings were tested for antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against Staphylococcus aureus F1557 and Escherichia coli WT F1693 as well as corrosion resistance in simulated body fluid. It was found that the Ag–Se coating significantly inhibited S.aureus growth and biofilm formation on the surface, reducing 81.2% and 59.7% of viable bacterial adhesion when compared with Ag and Ag–PTFE-coated surfaces after 3 days. The Ag–Se coating also exhibited improved corrosion resistance compared with the Ag coating, leading to a controlled release of Ag+, which in turn reduced the risk of cytotoxicity against hFOBs. These results suggest that the fungal-derived SeNPs may have potential in use as implant coatings to prevent PTIs.
THE ROLE OF DNA DOUBLE-STRAND BREAK REPAIR THROUGH NON-HOMOLOGOUS END JOINING IN THE DOSE-RATE EFFECT IN TERMS OF CLONOGENIC ABILITY
Authors: Tsuchiya Hisayo , Shimada Mikio , Tsukada Kaima , Meng Qingmei , Kobayashi Junya , Matsumoto Yoshihisa 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
It is generally and widely accepted that the biological effects of a given dose of ionizing radiation, especially those of low linear energy transfer radiations like X-ray and gamma ray, become smaller as the dose rate becomes lower. This phenomenon, known as ‘dose-rate effect (DRE),’ is considered due to the repair of sublethal damage during irradiation but the precise mechanisms for DRE have remained to be clarified. We recently showed that DRE in terms of clonogenic cell survival is diminished or even inversed in rodent cells lacking Ku, which is one of the essential factors in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Here we review and discuss the involvement of NHEJ in DRE, which has potential implications in radiological protection and cancer therapeutics.
Cost-Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Lifestyle-Enhancing Treatment for Inpatients With Severe Mental Illness: The MULTI Study V
Authors: Deenik Jeroen , van Lieshout Chris , van Driel Harold F , Frederix Geert W J , Hendriksen Ingrid J M , van Harten Peter N , Tenback Diederik E 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEconomic evaluations of lifestyle interventions for people with mental illness are needed to inform policymakers and managers about implementing such interventions and corresponding reforms in routine mental healthcare. We aimed to evaluate changes in healthcare costs 18 months after the implementation of a multidisciplinary lifestyle-enhancing treatment for inpatients with severe mental illness (MULTI) versus treatment as usual (TAU). In a cohort study (n = 114; 65 MULTI, 49 TAU), we retrospectively retrieved cost data in Euros on all patient sessions, ward stay, medication use, and hospital referrals in the quarter year at the start of MULTI (Q1 2014) and after its evaluation (Q3 2015). We used linear regression analyses correcting for baseline values and differences between groups, calculated deterministic incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for previously shown changes in physical activity, metabolic health, psychosocial functioning, and additionally quality of life, and performed probabilistic sensitivity analyses including cost-effectiveness planes. Adjusted regression showed reduced total costs per patient per quarter year in favor of MULTI (B = –736.30, 95%CI: –2145.2 to 672.6). Corresponding probabilistic sensitivity analyses accounting for uncertainty surrounding the parameters showed statistically non-significant cost savings against health improvements for all health-related outcomes in MULTI compared to TAU. It is concluded that MULTI did not increase healthcare costs while improving health outcomes. This indicates that starting lifestyle interventions does not need to be hampered by costs. Potential societal and economic value may justify investment to support implementation and maintenance. Further research is needed to study this hypothesis.
Joint associations between neighborhood walkability, greenness, and particulate air pollution on cardiovascular mortality among adults with a history of stroke or acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Liao Noelle S. , Van Den Eeden Stephen K. , Sidney Stephen , Deosaransingh Kamala , Schwartz Joel , Uong Stephen P. , Alexeeff Stacey E. 
Published: February 2022

Background:
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Neighborhood walkability and greenness may also be associated with CVD, but there is limited evidence on their joint or interacting effects with PM2.5.

Methods:
Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of CVD mortality among adults with a history of acute myocardial infarction and/or stroke living in Northern California. We assessed the independent and joint effects of walkability, greenness (Normalized Differentiated Vegetation Index [NDVI]), and PM2.5 at residential addresses, controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidities, BMI, smoking, revascularization, medications, and socioeconomic status.

Results:
Greenness had a nonlinear association with CVD mortality (P = 0.038), with notably protective effects (HR = 0.87 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 0.78, 0.97]) at higher greenness levels (NDVI ≥ 0.3) and moderate attenuation after adjusting for PM2.5 (HR = 0.92 [95% CI = 0.82, 1.03]) per 0.1 increase in NDVI. Walkability had no independent effect on CVD mortality. PM2.5 had a strong independent effect in models adjusted for greenness and walkability (HR = 1.20 [95% CI = 1.08, 1.33)) per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5. There was an interaction between walkability and PM2.5 (P = 0.037), where PM2.5 had slightly stronger associations in more walkable than less walkable neighborhoods (HR = 1.23 [95% CI = 1.06, 1.42] vs. 1.17 [95% CI = 1.04, 1.32]) per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5. Greenness had no interaction with PM2.5 (P = 0.768) nor walkability (P = 0.385).

Conclusions:
High greenness may be protective of CVD mortality among adults with CVD history. PM2.5 associated CVD mortality risk varies slightly by level of neighborhood walkability, though these small differences may not be clinically meaningful.
How Penn Medicine Is Advancing Care Delivery to Meet More Patients’ Needs
Authors: Mahoney Kevin B. , Wilson-Maher Allison P. 
Published: February 2022

Summary
The University of Pennsylvania Health System was founded in 1993 as one of the nation’s first integrated academic medical centers. Over the past 29 years, Penn Medicine has systematically built a care delivery system based on three core values: innovation, integration, and impact. The operating strategy is designed to meet the patient’s needs in a traditional brick-and-mortar hospital as well as in an increasingly virtual world. Today’s patient is demanding an omnichannel experience with superior outcomes. Although long discussed in healthcare, such a comprehensive, seamless patient experience is only possible when all four channels of care delivery—hospital, ambulatory, home, and virtual—are sustainably integrated to improve the health of the population through digital innovation and analytics.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced healthcare systems around the world to pour resources into telemedicine and other telehealth tools. This shift is fueling a dramatic shift from a piecemeal digital strategy to a comprehensive approach to the digital world where increased communication among clinicians, caregivers, and patients can lead to improved outcomes at a lower cost.
In this article, we present an illustrative case study focusing on two of four channels of care: the Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where the latest in digital innovation has been built into the walls of our most ambitious capital project to date, and Penn Medicine at Home, which provides home care services, home infusion, and hospice care to patients throughout the region. The new $1.6 billion Pavilion and its technological updates have been seamlessly woven into the longstanding Penn Medicine at Home program. As a system, we did this by learning from both the victories and the setbacks to design for a future of healthcare we could once only imagine.
Associations between duration and volume of muscle-strengthening exercise and clinically assessed hypertension among 10 519 UK adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shakespear-Druery Jane , De Cocker Katrien , Biddle Stuart J.H. , Bennie Jason 
Published: February 2022

Background:
Clinical evidence shows that muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) is important for the treatment and management of hypertension. However, the links between MSE and hypertension in epidemiological research are currently poorly understood. This study examines the association between MSE duration and volume with clinically assessed hypertension.

Methods:
Cross-sectional data (n = 10519, adults ≥ 16 years) were pooled from the Health Survey for England (2012, 2016). Self-reported MSE mode (own bodyweight; gym-based), duration, and volume were tested for associations with sphygmomanometer measured hypertension (SBP ≥ 130 mmHg or DBP ≥ 80 mmHg). Poisson regressions with robust error variance were used to calculate the prevalence ratios of hypertension (outcome variable) across MSE (exposure variables: duration (minutes [0 (reference); 10–20; 21 –59; ≥60/session]); and volume [0 (reference); low <mean; high ≥mean/week]) for each mode and the modes combined.

Results:
Most adults (81.1%) did no MSE. However, in those who did (n = 1984), undertaking any MSE, regardless of mode, duration, or volume, was associated with a reduced likelihood of hypertension (adjusted prevalence ratios 0.61–0.90). When compared with the reference groups (no MSE), some modes had more favourable associations (e.g. ≥60 min/session of own bodyweight MSE; ≥mean min/week of gym-based MSE).

Conclusion:
Irrespective of duration or volume, MSE was associated with a lower prevalence of clinically assessed hypertension. Public-health campaigns and other interventions that successfully promote small-to-moderate increases in MSE participation may reduce the prevalence of hypertension.
Monitoring socioeconomic inequalities across HIV knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and prevention in 18 sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Hamidouche Mohamed , Ante-Testard Pearl Anne , Baggaley Rachel , Temime Laura , Jean Kevin 
Published: February 2022

Objectives:
Socioeconomic inequalities in HIV prevention services coverage constitute important barriers to global prevention targets, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We aimed at monitoring these inequalities from population-based survey data in 18 SSA countries between 2010 and 2018.

Methods:
We defined eight HIV indicators aimed at capturing uptake of HIV prevention services among adult participants. Country-specific wealth-related inequalities were measured using the Relative and Slope Index of Inequalities (RII and SII, respectively) and then pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. We compared inequalities between African regions using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Results:
The sample consisted of 358 591 participants (66% women). Despite variability between countries and indicators, the meta-analysis revealed significant levels of relative and absolute inequalities in six out of eight indicators: HIV-related knowledge, positive attitudes toward people with HIV (PWH), condom use at last sexual intercourse, participation to prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs, medical male circumcision and recent HIV testing. The largest inequalities were reported in condom use, with condom use reported five times more among the richest versus the poorest [RII = 5.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.79–9.05] and in positive attitudes toward PWH, with a 32-percentage point difference between the richest and poorest (SII = 0.32, 95% CI 0.26–0.39). Conversely, no significant inequalities were observed in multipartnership and HIV seropositivity among youth. Overall, inequalities tended to be larger in West and Central vs. East and Southern African countries.

Conclusion:
Despite efforts to scale-up HIV-prevention programs, socioeconomic inequalities remain substantial over the continuum of HIV primary and secondary prevention in several SSA countries.
Contraception, fecundity, and pregnancy in women with epilepsy: an update on recent literature
Authors: King Alexa , Gerard Elizabeth E. 
Published: February 2022

Purpose of review
Caring for women with epilepsy requires specialized knowledge about potential teratogenicity of antiseizure medications, interactions with hormonal contraception, and pregnancy outcomes.

Recent findings
There has been an improvement in understanding the cognitive outcomes of infants exposed in utero in recent years. Folic acid supplementation helps mitigate the cognitive teratogenicity of antiseizure medications. Recent updates provide reassurance that seizure frequency tends to remain stable throughout pregnancy. There is conflicting evidence about the fecundity impact of epilepsy and antiseizure medications in women with epilepsy.

Summary
Recent research highlights the importance of early counseling about the risks and interactions of contraception, pregnancy, and antiseizure medications. More research is needed to understand fertility in women with epilepsy.
Demographic profiles of contact lens wearers and their association with lens wear characteristics in Trinidad and Tobago: A retrospective study
Authors: Ngozika Ezinne E , Dipesh Bhattarai , Kingsley Ekemiri K , Gabrielle Harbajan N , Anesha Crooks C , Khathutshelo Mashige P , Ilechie Alex A , Zereid Feriel M , Uchechukwu Osuagwu L 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeContact lenses (CL) remain a popular mode of refractive error correction globally and in the Caribbean, mostly among young people. However, no data on the characteristics of the CL population wearers in the Caribbean is available. This study reported on the characteristics of CL wearers and the associated factors in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).MethodsClinical records of 243 CL wearers attending the University of the West Indies (UWI) optometry clinic between 2017 and 2018 were reviewed. Data on their demographic profiles, CL wearing characteristics including lens type, material, purpose of wear, replacement schedule and care systems were extracted and analyzed. The associations between the demographic characteristics and CL wearing characteristics were also determined.ResultsAbout half of the respondents wear CL wearers and used them for various purposes such as fashion (more among those aged 18 to 30 years, 61.0%), therapeutic (more among those <18 years, 43.8%, P = 0.001) and refractive error correction purposes (more in those >40 years, P =0.001). Females were more likely to use CLs for fashion compared with males (67.0% versus 40.7%). Age (P<0.0005) and gender (P=0.030) were associated with the lens materials. Those aged 18-30 years were more likely use hydrogels compared with the younger ones (64.1% versus 25.0%). Rigid gas permeable (RGP) CL use was more common in males than females (21.8% versus 10.9%, P = 0.031). Daily disposables were predominantly used by younger respondents (18-30 year-olds, 31.3%, P < 0.001) and more in females than males (66.7% vs 49.4%, P = 0.040).ConclusionsContact lens use appears be more common among younger females for fashion and older males for refractive correction. Age, gender and employment status were the main determinants of lens wear among respondents attending the university clinic in T&T.
Can imputation in a European country be improved by local reference panels? The example of France
Authors: Herzig Anthony F. , Velo-Suárez Lourdes ,   Frex Consortium,   FranceGenRef Consortium, Dina Christian , Redon Richard , Deleuze Jean-François , Génin Emmanuelle 
Published: February 2022

AbstractFrance has a population with extensive internal fine-structure; and while public imputation reference panels contain an abundance of European genomes, there include few French genomes. Intuitively, using a ‘study specific panel’ (SSP) for France would therefore likely be beneficial. To investigate, we imputed 550 French individuals using either the University of Michigan imputation server with the Haplotype Reference Consortium panel, or in-house using an SSP of 850 whole-genome sequenced French individuals.With approximate geo-localization of both our target and SSP individuals we are able to pinpoint different scenarios where SSP-based imputation would be preferred over server-based imputation or vice-versa. We could also show to a high degree of resolution how the proximity of the reference panel to a target individual determined the accuracy of both haplotype phasing and genotype imputation.Previous comparisons of different strategies have shown the benefits of combining public reference panels with SSPs. Getting the best out of both resources simultaneously is unfortunately impractical. We put forward a pragmatic solution where server-based and SSP-based imputation outcomes can be combined based on comparing posterior genotype probabilities. Such an approach can give a level of imputation accuracy markedly in excess of what could be achieved with either strategy alone.