bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteinuria in COVID-19: prevalence, characterization and prognostic role
Authors: Huart Justine , Bouquegneau Antoine , Lutteri Laurence , Erpicum Pauline , Grosch Stéphanie , Résimont Guillaume , Wiesen Patricia , Bovy Christophe , Krzesinski Jean-Marie , Thys Marie , Lambermont Bernard , Misset Benoît , Pottel Hans , Mariat Christophe , Cavalier Etienne , Burtey Stéphane , Jouret François , Delanaye Pierre
Published: January 2021

Background

Proteinuria has been commonly reported in patients with COVID-19. However, only dipstick tests have been frequently used thus far. Here, the quantification and characterization of proteinuria were investigated and their association with mortality was assessed.

Methods

This retrospective, observational, single center study included 153 patients, hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 28th and April 30th, 2020, in whom total proteinuria and urinary α1-microglobulin (a marker of tubular injury) were measured. Association with mortality was evaluated, with a follow-up until May 7th, 2020.

Results

According to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes staging, 14% (n = 21) of the patients had category 1 proteinuria (< 150 mg/g of urine creatinine), 42% (n = 64) had category 2 (between 150 and 500 mg/g) and 44% (n = 68) had category 3 proteinuria (over 500 mg/g). Urine α1-microglobulin concentration was higher than 15 mg/g in 89% of patients. After a median follow-up of 27 [14;30] days, the mortality rate reached 18%. Total proteinuria and urinary α1-microglobulin were associated with mortality in unadjusted and adjusted models. This association was stronger in subgroups of patients with normal renal function and without a urinary catheter.

Conclusions

Proteinuria is frequent in patients with COVID-19. Its characterization suggests a tubular origin, with increased urinary α1-microglobulin. Tubular proteinuria was associated with mortality in COVID-19 in our restropective, observational study.
Investigation on physicochemical properties of graphene oxide/nano-hydroxyapatite composites and its biomedical applications
Authors: Yang Zebin , Liu Jitao , Liu Jinkun , Chen Xiliang , Yan Tingting , Chen Qinghua
Published: January 2021

Graphene oxide/nano-hydroxyapatite (GO/nHAP) composites were synthesized by simultaneous titration method. The GO powder was uniformly dispersed ultrasonically in a solution containing Ca(NO3)2. It was co-titrated with (NH4)2HPO4, during which NH3·H2O was used to maintain pH of about 10. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that HAP had a drusy acicular crystal structure with 100–200 nm length in the composite. The Ca2+ ions were attracted by the negatively charged oxygen functional groups present on GO sheets. They also oriented the growth of hydroxyapatite preferentially along (112) plane, which was also consistent with X-ray diffractometry (XRD) results. According to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) results, the peak intensities of the C–O and C–C groups increased in the GO/nHAP composite. However, the number of –COO– and C–O–C groups was reduced as well as the position of peaks shifted due to electrostatic interactions. These results were also corroborated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). MTT assay indicated that GO/nHAP composites had a significant effect on proliferation of 293T cells and good biomimetic mineralization as shown by in vitro bioactivity assays. EDS spectroscopy confirmed that the Ca/P ratio in calcium phosphate deposits was 1.62, which was close to the ratio of 1.64 in natural bone. The biological performance of GO/nHAP composite proved it to be a promising candidate for bone regeneration and implantation.
Total- and semi-bare noble metal nanoparticles@silica core@shell catalysts for hydrogen generation by formic acid decomposition
Authors: Santucci Marco , Ermini Maria Laura , Bresciani Giulio , Griesi Andrea , Gemmi Mauro , Pampaloni Guido , Marchetti Fabio , Voliani Valerio
Published: January 2021

Catalysts are involved in a number of established and emerging chemical processes as well as in environmental remediation and energy conversion. Nanoparticles (NPs) can offer several advantages over some conventional catalysts, such as higher efficiency and selectivity. Nowadays, versatile and scalable nanocatalysts that combine activity and stability are still lacking. Here, we report a comprehensive investigation on the production and characterization of hybrid nano-architectures bringing a partial or total bare surface together with their catalytic efficiency evaluation on, as a proof-of-concept, the formic acid decomposition reaction. In this regard, formic acid (FA) is a convenient and safe hydrogen carrier with appealing features for mobile applications, fuel cells technologies, petrochemical processes and energetic applications. Thus, the design of robust catalysts for FA dehydrogenation is strongly demanded. Due to this, we produced and evaluated nano-architectures with various equilibrium between the size-increase of the active part and the barer catalytic surface. Overall, this work paves the way for the development of new approaches for green energy storage and safe delivery.
Channel flow of MHD bingham fluid due to peristalsis with multiple chemical reactions: an application to blood flow through narrow arteries
Authors: Vaidya H. , Rajashekhar C. , Prasad K. V. , Khan S. U. , Mebarek-Oudina F. , Patil A. , Nagathan P.
Published: January 2021

The present analysis emphasizes the effects of variable properties on Bingham fluid under MHD peristaltic transport. Due to the impact of mechanical forces on the applied magnetic field on the conducting fluid, the fluid stream gets altered. These principle targets drug transport and control of blood flow during surgeries; hence the impact of MHD flow with convective and porous boundary conditions is considered. Further, the implications of homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions are analyzed by considering wall properties. The governing equations are turned dimensionless by appropriate similarity transformations. The series solution is obtained for temperature, velocity, and concentration by perturbation method with lubrication approach. The graphical representation of the pertinent parameters on the physiological flow quantities is depicted by applying for MATLAB 2019b program. The obtained results reveal that the rise in the magnetic parameter diminishes the velocity and temperature profiles. Further, the impact of variable viscosity slightly improves the magnitude of the trapped bolus. The homogenous and heterogeneous reaction parameters have a converse effect on the concentration distribution. Moreover, the present investigation finds its applications to perceive the complex rheological functioning of blood flow through narrow arteries.
The Essential Role of Cross-national Research in Assessing Theories of Crime: Illustrations from Modern Control Theory
Authors: Gottfredson Michael R.
Published: January 2021

Contemporary research from around the world provides a body of consistent findings, making it an indispensable tool for the evaluation of crime theory. To be valid, general theories of crime must now be able to accommodate the results of this cross-national research. Modern Control Theory is used as an illustration for conceptualizing this body of research. Research from three critical areas relevant to general theories of crime are used to illustrate the critical nature of this research: (1) results from self-report surveys of offending and victimization; (2) research on the lack of effectiveness of criminal justice sanctions in affecting rates of crime and interpersonal violence; and (3) prevention research that is focused both on early childhood and on the settings in which much crime occurs. Each is consistent with the expectations of Modern Control Theory (Gottfredson and Hirschi in Modern control theory and the limits of criminal justice, Oxford University Press, New York, 2019) and each demands the attention of any general theory purporting to explain crime and interpersonal violence.
The Changing Dynamic of Government–Nonprofit Relationships
Authors: Grønbjerg Kirsten A. , Smith Steven Rathgeb
Published: January 2021

We advance nonprofit scholarship by using the conceptual framework of policy fields to examine differences across nonprofit fields of activity. We focus on the structure of relationships among four sectors (government, nonprofit, market, informal) and how relationships differ across policy fields (here health, human services, education, arts and culture, and religion). The fields differ notably in the economic share that each sector holds and the functional division of labor among the sectors. Systemic differences also exist in how the nonprofit sector interacts with the government, market, and informal sectors. The policy fields themselves operate within national contexts of distinctive economic and political configurations. The framework explores how government-nonprofit relationships differ across policy fields, the factors responsible for this variation, and offers predictive capacity to generate hypotheses and research designs for additional research. We provide insights on how nonprofit organizations differ in key sub-fields with direct relevance for policy and practice.
The Amorites and the Bronze Age Near East
Authors: Burke Aaron A.
Published: January 2021

In this book, Aaron A. Burke explores the evolution of Amorite identity in the Near East from ca. 2500–1500 BC. He sets the emergence of a collective identity for the Amorites, one of the most famous groups in Ancient Near Eastern history, against the backdrop of both Akkadian imperial intervention and declining environmental conditions during this period. Tracing the migration of Amorite refugees from agropastoral communities into nearby regions, he shows how mercenarism in both Mesopotamia and Egypt played a central role in the acquisition of economic and political power between 2100 and 1900 BC. Burke also examines how the establishment of Amorite kingdoms throughout the Near East relied on traditional means of legitimation, and how trade, warfare, and the exchange of personnel contributed to the establishment of an Amorite koiné. Offering a fresh approach to identity at different levels of social hierarchy over time and space, this volume contributes to broader questions related to identity for other ancient societies.
The Future of Literary Archives
Authors: Livingstone Ann
Published: January 2021

Literary archives differ from most other types of archival papers in that their locations are more diverse and difficult to predict. The essays collected in this book derive from the recent work of the Diasporic Literary Archives Network, whose focus on diaspora provides a philosophical framework which gives a highly original set of points of reference for the study of literary archives, including concepts such as the natural home, the appropriate location, exile, dissidence, fugitive existence, cultural hegemony, patrimony, heritage, and economic migration.
Effects of Solar Illumination and Substorms on Auroral Electrojets Based on CHAMP Observations
Authors: Wang Hui , Lühr Hermann
Published: January 2021

We investigate the effects of solar illumination and the substorm process on the auroral electrojets using CHAMP high‐resolution magnetic field data obtained over a period of 10 years. The eastward electrojet was found to be proportional to the ionospheric conductance induced by solar irradiation over the whole day. More notably, a stronger westward current was detected in times of lower fluxtube‐integrated conductance in both hemispheres. The relative spatial distribution and evolution of the westward electrojet and field‐aligned current (FAC) during the substorm periods were also investigated. The position of the westward current coincided with that of the upward FAC in 2000–2200 magnetic local time (MLT), in keeping with the structure of a westward traveling surge. Furthermore, the upward FAC in the local time sector of the poleward of the westward electrojet was supplied mostly by the remote closure current. The downward FACs in the poleward and upward FACs in the equatorward of the westward electrojet existed in the MLT sectors after 2200 h. Finally, the ratio of the peak intensity of the westward electrojet to that of the meridional Pedersen current, in the 2000–2200 MLT sector increased by about 250%, and the value in the 2200–0200 MLT increased by about 10%–20%. These results provide observational evidence of the increased efficiency of the Cowling channel in the night‐time during substorm periods and contribute to our understanding of the formation mechanism of the auroral electrojet.
A Multiscale Numerical Modeling Investigation on the Significance of Flow Partitioning for the Development of Quartz c‐Axis Fabrics
Authors: Bhandari Ankit , Jiang Dazhi
Published: January 2021

Quartz c‐axis fabrics in natural mylonites can vary to such an extent that they apparently give opposite senses of shear in a single thin section. Many hypotheses have been invoked to explain this. Here, we couple our self‐consistent multiscale approach for flow partitioning with the viscoplastic self‐consistent model for c‐axis fabric simulation to investigate quartz c‐axis fabric development. Quartz aggregates are regarded as microscale Eshelby inhomogeneities embedded in a macroscale medium whose effective rheology is represented by a hypothetical homogeneous equivalent medium which is assumed to be rheologically isotropic or has a planar anisotropy. We reproduced the observed quartz c‐axis fabrics. We found that although the microscale flow fields are distinct from one another and from the macroscale flow, the microscale vorticity in every inhomogeneity has the same sense as the macroscale vorticity. This implies that one can use the average of the microscale vorticity axes determined through the crystallographic vorticity axis analysis to obtain the macroscale vorticity axis. However, quartz c‐axis fabrics cannot be used to determine the vorticity number where flow partitioning is significant.
Efficient Brownian oscillators and nanoheaters based on gallium-doped ε-Fe2O3
Authors: Gu Yuanyu , Silva Nuno J. O. , Yoshikiyo Marie , Namai Asuka , Piñol Rafael , Maurin-Pasturel Guillaume , Cui Yuwen , Ohkoshi Shin-ichi , Millán Angel , Martínez Abelardo
Published: January 2021

ε-GaxFe2−xO3 nanoparticles with huge coercivity and moderate magnetization can be useful in both mechanical and heating wireless magnetic actuation due to their low tendency to agglomerate.
Ni-catalyzed reductive decyanation of nitriles with ethanol as the reductant
Authors: Wu Ke , Ling Yichen , Sun Nan , Hu Baoxiang , Shen Zhenlu , Jin Liqun , Hu Xinquan
Published: January 2021

Ethanol, as an environmentally friendly and renewable reagent, was applied as a hydride donor to convert C–CN to C–H bonds in this nickel-catalyzed protocol.
Platinum and cobalt intermetallic nanoparticles confined within MIL-101(Cr) for enhanced selective hydrogenation of the carbonyl bond in α,β-unsaturated aldehydes: synergistic effects of electronically modified Pt sites and Lewis acid sites
Authors: Zahid Muhammad , Li Jiang , Ismail Ahmed , Zaera Francisco , Zhu Yujun
Published: January 2021

PtCo/MIL-101(Cr) with high uniform dispersion Pt–Co IMNs synthesized by a polyol reduction method show higher activity for selective catalytic hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes due to the synergistic effect of PtCo and MIL-101(Cr) support.
Synergetic effect of Cu active sites and oxygen vacancies in Cu/CeO2–ZrO2 for the water–gas shift reaction
Authors: Hu Yuanwu , Wang Na , Zhou Zhiming
Published: January 2021

A positive linear correlation was established between the TOF and the ratio of oxygen vacancy concentration to Cu dispersion, demonstrating the synergetic effect of Cu active sites and oxygen vacancies for WGS.
Experimental evaluation of the stabilization of the COT orbitals by 4f orbitals in COT2Ce using a Hubbard model
Authors: Lukens Wayne W. , Booth Corwin H. , Walter Marc D.
Published: January 2021

The stabilization the ground state of COT2Ce was evaluated to be 0.3 eV using a Hubbard model and from its temperature independent paramagnetism.
Catalytic intermolecular aldol reactions of transient amide enolates in domino Michael/aldol reactions of nitroalkanes, acrylamides, and aldehydes
Authors: Morita Shunya , Yoshimura Tomoyuki , Matsuo Jun-ichi
Published: January 2021

Aldol reactions of amide enolates formed by addition of nitronates to acrylamides proceeded with catalytic amounts of KOH in DMSO.
Magnetic gas sensing: working principles and recent developments
Authors: Shinde Pratik V. , Rout Chandra Sekhar
Published: January 2021

In magnetic gas sensors, the change in the magnetic properties of the active materials is measured. In this review article, the working principles, fundamentals, recent developments, and future perspectives in magnetic gas sensors are reviewed.
Modulation of luminescence properties for [cyclometalated]-PtII(isocyanide) complexes upon co-crystallisation with halosubstituted perfluorinated arenes
Authors: Katkova Svetlana A. , Luzyanin Konstantin V. , Novikov Alexander S. , Kinzhalov Mikhail A.
Published: January 2021

C–X⋯Cl–Pt Halogen bonds and πh⋯dz2[PtII] contacts led to the 2-fold increase of phosphorescence quantum yields for [cyclometalated]-PtII(isocyanide) complexes upon co-crystallisation with halosubstituted perfluorinated arenes.
Acid etching induced defective Co3O4 as an efficient catalyst for methane combustion reaction
Authors: Bao Liurui , Chang Le , Yao Lisha , Meng Wenhao , Yu Qiang , Zhang Xin , Liu Xuehua , Wang Xianfen , Chen Wei , Li Xingyun
Published: January 2021

Development of an effective Co3O4 material as an advanced non-noble metal catalyst for methane combustion has great economic and environmental significance.
Discovery of pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4-dione derivatives as novel PARP-1 inhibitors: design, synthesis and antitumor activity
Authors: Abd El-sattar Nour E. A. , Badawy Eman H. K. , Elrazaz Eman Z. , Ismail Nasser S. M.
Published: January 2021

PARP-1 are involved in DNA repair damage and so PARP-1 inhibitors have been used as potentiators in combination with DNA damaging cytotoxic agents to compromise the cancer cell DNA repair mechanism, resulting in genomic dysfunction and cell death.
The functionalization of polyacrylamide with MoS2 nanoflakes for use in transient photodetectors
Authors: Verma Arpit , Chaudhary Priyanka , Tripathi Ravi Kant , Yadav B. C.
Published: January 2021

Herein, we report solvent-free frontal polymerization of acrylamide monomers with transitional metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), i.e. MoS2 nanoflakes.
Altered structure and dynamics of pathogenic cytochrome c variants correlate with increased apoptotic activity
Authors: Fellner Matthias , Parakra Rinky , McDonald Kirstin O. , Kass Itamar , Jameson Guy N.L. , Wilbanks Sigurd M. , Ledgerwood Elizabeth C.
Published: January 2021

Mutation of cytochrome c in humans causes mild autosomal dominant thrombocytopenia. The role of cytochrome c in platelet formation, and the molecular mechanism underlying the association of cytochrome c mutations with thrombocytopenia remains unknown, although a gain-of-function is most likely. Cytochrome c contributes to several cellular processes, with an exchange between conformational states proposed to regulate changes in function. Here, we use experimental and computational approaches to determine whether pathogenic variants share changes in structure and function, and to understand how these changes might occur. Three pathogenic variants (G41S, Y48H, A51V) cause an increase in apoptosome activation and peroxidase activity. Molecular dynamics simulations of these variants, and two non-naturally occurring variants (G41A, G41T), indicate that increased apoptosome activation correlates with the increased overall flexibility of cytochrome c, particularly movement of the Ω loops. Crystal structures of Y48H and G41T complement these studies which overall suggest that the binding of cytochrome c to apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) may involve an ‘induced fit’ mechanism which is enhanced in the more conformationally mobile variants. In contrast, peroxidase activity did not significantly correlate with protein dynamics. Thus, the mechanism by which the variants increase peroxidase activity is not related to the conformational dynamics of the native hexacoordinate state of cytochrome c. Recent molecular dynamics data proposing conformational mobility of specific cytochrome c regions underpins changes in reduction potential and alkaline transition pK was not fully supported. These data highlight that conformational dynamics of cytochrome c drive some but not all of its properties and activities.
An evolutionary non-conserved motif in Helicobacter pylori arginase mediates positioning of the loop containing the catalytic residue for catalysis
Authors: Dutta Ankita , Sarkar Ditsa , Murarka Pooja , Kausar Tasneem , Narayan Satya , Mazumder Mohit , Ainavarapu Sri Rama Koti , Gourinath Samudrala , Sau Apurba Kumar
Published: January 2021

The binuclear metalloenzyme Helicobacter pylori arginase is important for pathogenesis of the bacterium in the human stomach. Despite conservation of the catalytic residues, this single Trp enzyme has an insertion sequence (–153ESEEKAWQKLCSL165–) that is extremely crucial to function. This sequence contains the critical residues, which are conserved in the homolog of other Helicobacter gastric pathogens. However, the underlying basis for the role of this motif in catalytic function is not completely understood. Here, we used biochemical, biophysical and molecular dynamics simulations studies to determine that Glu155 of this stretch interacts with both Lys57 and Ser152. These interactions are essential for positioning of the motif through Trp159, which is located near Glu155 (His122–Trp159–Tyr125 contact is essential to tertiary structural integrity). The individual or double mutation of Lys57 and Ser152 to Ala considerably reduces catalytic activity with Lys57 to Ala being more significant, indicating they are crucial to function. Our data suggest that the Lys57–Glu155–Ser152 interaction influences the positioning of the loop containing the catalytic His133 so that this His can participate in catalysis, thereby providing a mechanistic understanding into the role of this motif in catalytic function. Lys57 was also found only in the arginases of other Helicobacter gastric pathogens. Based on the non-conserved motif, we found a new molecule, which specifically inhibits this enzyme. Thus, the present study not only provides a molecular basis into the role of this motif in function, but also offers an opportunity for the design of inhibitors with greater efficacy.
Asymmetry in catalysis: ‘unidirectional’ amino acid racemases
Authors: Bearne Stephen L.
Published: January 2021

d-Amino acids play widespread structural, functional and regulatory roles in organisms. These d-amino acids often arise through the stereoinversion of the more plentiful l-amino acids catalysed by amino acid racemases and epimerases. Such enzymes are of interest since many are recognized targets for the development of drugs or may be employed industrially in biotransformation reactions. Despite their enzyme–substrate complexes being diastereomers, some racemases and epimerases exhibit a kinetic pseudo-symmetry, binding their enantiomeric or epimeric substrate pairs with roughly equal affinities and catalyzing their stereoinversion with similar turnover numbers. In other cases, this kinetic pseudo-symmetry is absent or may be ‘broken’ by substitution of a catalytic Cys by Ser at the active site of cofactor-independent racemases and epimerases, or by altering the Brønsted base of the catalytic dyad that facilitates deprotonation of the Cys residue. Moreover, a natural Thr-containing l-Asp/Glu racemase was discovered that catalyses ‘unidirectional’ substrate turnover, unlike the typical bidirectional racemases and epimerases. These observations suggest that bidirectional Cys–Cys racemases may be re-engineered into ‘unidirectional’ racemases through substitution of the thiol by a hydroxyl group. Catalysis by such ‘unidirectional’ racemase precursors could then be optimized further by site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution to furnish useful enzymes for biotechnological applications.
Isoselenocyanates: Synthesis and Their Use for Preparing Selenium-Based Heterocycles
Authors: Bossmann Stefan H. , Neri Raul
Published: January 2021

Isoselenocyanates (ISCs) are a class of organoselenium compounds that have been recognized as potential chemotherapeutic and chemopreventative agents against cancer(s) and infectious diseases. ISC compounds are chemically analogous to their isosteric relatives, isothiocyanates (ITCs); however, they possess increased biological activity, such as enhanced cytotoxicity against cancer cells. ISCs not only serve as significant products, but also as precursors and essential intermediates for a variety of organoselenium compounds, such as selenium-containing heterocycles, which are biologically active. While syntheses of ISCs have become less difficult to accomplish, the syntheses of selenium-containing heterocycles are often difficult due to the use of highly toxic selenium reagents. Because of this, ISCs can serve as versatile reagents for the preparation of these heterocycles. In this review, the classical and recent syntheses of ISCs will be discussed, along with notable and recent synthetic work employing ISCs to access novel selenium-containing heterocycles.

1 Introduction

1.1 Selenium and Health

2 Isoselenocyanates

2.1 Preparation of Isoselenocyanates

3 Selenium-Containing Heterocycles

3.1 Notable Synthetic Work

3.2 Recent Synthetic Work

3.2.1 Synthesis of N-(3-Methyl-4-phenyl-3H-selenazol-2-ylidene)benzamide­ Derivatives

3.2.2 Synthesis and X-ray Studies of Diverse Selenourea Derivatives

3.2.3 Synthesis of Heteroarene-Fused [1,2,4]Thiadiazoles/Selenadiazoles via Iodine-Promoted [3+2] Oxidative Cyclization

3.2.4 2-Amino-1,3-selenazole Derivatives via Base-Promoted Multicomponent Reactions

4 Conclusion
Expedient Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Tetrahydro-1′H-spiro[indoline-3,4′-quinoline]-3′-carbonitrile Derivatives Using Piperidine as Catalyst
Authors: Lalitha Appaswami , Vinoth Nangagoundan , Vadivel Pullar
Published: January 2021

A convenient synthesis of 2′-amino-7′,7′-dimethyl-2,5′-dioxo-1′-(phenylamino)-5′,6′,7′,8′-tetrahydro-1′H-spiro[indoline-3,4′-quinoline]-3′-carbonitrile derivatives has been designed using different substituted isatins, various 5,5-dimethyl-3-(2-phenylhydrazinyl)cyclohex-2-enones (arylhydrazones of dimedone) and malononitrile in ethanol with piperidine as catalyst at room temperature. The structures of the synthesized compounds have been elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques. The selected compounds have also been evaluated for their antibacterial activities against human pathogenic bacteria.
A Homeopathic View of the Influence of Chronic Diseases in the Manifestation of COVID-19
Authors: da Costa Fujino Fernanda Maria Simões , Olandim Ana Amélia Campos Claro , Barnabé Vagner Doja , Coggan Jennifer Anne , Benites Nilson Roberti
Published: January 2021

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) may present variable symptoms among infected individuals, with chronic disease patients appearing as the group most susceptible to present severe pulmonary infection, while having a higher risk of developing complications from the disease. This study demonstrates the relationship between the manifestation of COVID-19 and the presence of chronic miasmatic disease, based on the works of Samuel Hahnemann. The reaction of the individual who previously presented chronic miasmatic disease, when in contact with the stimulus of the epidemic disease, depends on the type of response that the organism was generating in the face of the pre-existing situation: if it is an intense reaction and greater than that which the stimulus of COVID-19 can generate, this individual will not develop the severe form of the epidemic disease; if the reaction is less than that generated by COVID-19, more intense symptoms may appear. Understanding that the presence of a chronic miasmatic disease interferes with the manifestation of COVID-19, which may have repercussions on other organs, can change how one must act on the treatment, as this can alter the individual's health status.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein in Scaphoid Nonunion: A Systematic Review
Authors: Polmear Michael M. , Anderson Ashley B. , Lanier Paul J. , Orr Justin D. , Nesti Leon J. , Dunn John C.
Published: January 2021

Background Scaphoid nonunion can lead to carpal collapse and osteoarthritis, a painfully debilitating problem. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) has been successfully implemented to augment bone healing in other circumstances, but its use in scaphoid nonunion has yielded conflicting results.

Case Description The purpose of this study is to assess the outcomes and complications of scaphoid nonunion treated surgically with BMP.

Literature Review A literature review of all available journal articles citing the use of BMP in scaphoid nonunion surgery from 2002 to 2019 was conducted. We included studies that used BMP as an adjunct to surgical treatment for scaphoid nonunions in both the primary and revision settings with computed tomography determination of union. Demographic information, dose of BMP, tobacco use, outcomes, and complications were recorded. A total of 21 cases were included from four different studies meeting inclusion criteria.

Clinical Relevance The union rates were 90.5% overall, 100% for primary surgeries, and 77.8% for revision surgeries. Five patients (24%) experienced 11 complications, including four cases (19%) of heterotrophic ossification. Use of BMP in scaphoid nonunion surgery resulted in a 90.5% overall union rate but was also associated with complications such as heterotopic ossification. All included studies used BMP to augment bone graft, screw or wire fixation, or a combination of methods. The efficacy of BMP in scaphoid nonunion is unclear, and a sufficiently powered, randomized controlled trial is needed to determine optimal fixation methods, dosing, and morbidity of the use of BMP.

Level of Evidence This is a Level IC, therapeutic interventional study.
Early Retrieval of Spanning Plates Used for Fixation of Complex Fractures of the Distal Radius
Authors: Henry Tyler W. , Tulipan Jacob E. , McEntee Richard M. , Beredjiklian Pedro K.
Published: January 2021

Background Spanning plates are being increasingly used for the treatment of complex fractures of the distal radius. The traditional recommendation is to leave the hardware in place for at least 12 weeks.

Questions/Purpose This study assesses the comparative outcomes of spanning plates removed at or before 10 weeks. We hypothesized that acceptable healing and functional outcomes can be achieved with earlier hardware removal to allow for earlier range of motion, rehabilitation, and return to function.

Patients and Methods All patients treated for a comminuted, intra-articular distal radius fracture with a temporary spanning plate were identified. Outcomes of bridge plates removed before 10 weeks were compared with plates removed after 12 weeks. Twenty patients in the short duration cohort were compared with 40 patients in the long duration cohort.

Results All fractures healed and there were 10 complications (4 short duration, 6 long duration) and 2 reoperations (1 short duration, 1 long duration) in the study population. There were no significant differences in final Quick-DASH scores (27.4 short duration, 20.9 long duration) or radiographic alignment. Mean values for wrist extension and ulnar deviation were significantly worse in the long duration cohort, although these differences are of unclear clinical significance.

Conclusion It may be safe to remove spanning bridge plates earlier than what is traditionally recommended. Plate removal at or before 10 weeks did not detract from healing or radiographic alignment. Prospective investigations assessing the optimal duration of fixation for this technique are needed.

Level of Evidence This is a Level IV study.
Stress granules display bistable dynamics modulated by Cdk
Authors: Yahya Galal , Pérez Alexis P. , Mendoza Mònica B. , Parisi Eva , Moreno David F. , Artés Marta H. , Gallego Carme , Aldea Martí
Published: January 2021

Stress granules (SGs) are conserved biomolecular condensates that originate in response to many stress conditions. These membraneless organelles contain nontranslating mRNAs and a diverse subproteome, but our knowledge of their regulation and functional relevance is still incipient. Here, we describe a mutual-inhibition interplay between SGs and Cdc28, the budding yeast Cdk. Among Cdc28 interactors acting as negative modulators of Start, we have identified Whi8, an RNA-binding protein that localizes to SGs and recruits the mRNA of CLN3, the most upstream G1 cyclin, for efficient translation inhibition and Cdk inactivation under stress. However, Whi8 also contributes to recruiting Cdc28 to SGs, where it acts to promote their dissolution. As predicted by a mutual-inhibition framework, the SG constitutes a bistable system that is modulated by Cdk. Since mammalian cells display a homologous mechanism, we propose that the opposing functions of specific mRNA-binding proteins and Cdk’s subjugate SG dynamics to a conserved hysteretic switch.
Factors associated with virtual care access in older adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Laura , Goodarzi Zahra , Jones Aaron , Posno Ron , Straus Sharon E , Watt Jennifer A
Published: January 2021

Background

virtual care has been critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there may be inequities in accessing different virtual modalities (i.e. telephone or videoconference).

Objective

to describe patient-specific factors associated with receiving different virtual care modalities.

Design

cross-sectional study.

Setting and Subjects

we reviewed medical records of all patients assessed virtually in the geriatric medicine clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada, between 17 March and 13 July 2020.

Methods

we derived adjusted odds ratios (OR), risk differences (RDs) and marginal and predicted probabilities, with 95% confidence intervals, from a multivariable logistic regression model, which tested the association between having a videoconference assessment (vs. telephone) and patient age, sex, computer ability, education, frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale score), history of cognitive impairment and immigration history; language of assessment and caregiver involvement in assessment.

Results

our study included 330 patients (227 telephone and 103 videoconference assessments). The median population age was 83 (Q1–Q3, 76–88) and 45.2% were male. Frailty (adjusted OR 0.62, 0.45–0.85; adjusted RD −0.08, −0.09 to −0.06) and absence of a caregiver (adjusted OR 0.12, 0.06–0.24; adjusted RD −0.35, −0.43 to −0.26) were associated with lower odds of videoconference assessment. Only 32 of 98 (32.7%) patients who independently use a computer participated in videoconference assessments.

Conclusions

older adults who are frail or lack a caregiver to attend assessments with them may not have equitable access to videoconference-based virtual care. Future research should evaluate interventions that support older adults in accessing videoconference assessments.
Comparison of neonatal outcomes with use of a soybean oil–based injectable lipid emulsion vs a 4-oil emulsion product
Authors: Hudgins Dalton K , Holmes Amy P , Parman Malinda G , Harris J Brock
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Results of a study comparing the safety and efficacy outcomes with use of a soybean oil–based injectable lipid emulsion (SO-ILE) vs a 4-oil alternative product in a neonatal population are presented.

Methods

In an institutional review board–approved, multicenter retrospective review, the medical records of 328 patients who were born at a gestational age of ≤34 weeks, had a birth weight of 500 to 2,000 g, were admitted to one of 2 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) within a large health system, and received at least 7 days of a parenteral nutrition containing either lipid emulsion product were reviewed: 151 (46%) had received SO-ILE and 177 (54%) had received SMOFlipid (Fresenius Kabi). The primary outcome of the study was a composite of development of cholestasis and development of hypertriglyceridemia. Secondary outcomes included total duration of cholestasis treatment with ursodiol and change in body weight from initiation to completion of lipid emulsion treatment.

Results

The primary outcome of development of cholestasis or hypertriglyceridemia occurred in 14.6% of patients in the SO-ILE group and 18.1% of patients in the SMOFlipid group (P = 0.393). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in total days of ursodiol treatment or average body weight change during the course of lipid emulsion treatment.

Conclusion

In preterm neonates weighing 500 to 2,000 g, use of SMOFlipid did not significantly reduce the incidence of cholestasis or hypertriglyceridemia relative to the incidence with use of SO-ILE. Further research to validate these results is needed.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Complications Following Mastectomy and Prosthetic Reconstruction in Patients With and Without Prior Breast Augmentation
Authors: Chicco Maria , Ahmadi Ali R , Cheng Hsu-Tang
Published: January 2021

Background

There is limited evidence available in the literature with regard to the complication profile of mastectomy and immediate prosthetic reconstruction in augmented patients.

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare postoperative complications between women with vs without prior augmentation undergoing skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate prosthetic reconstruction.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in February 2020 for studies comparing women with vs without prior augmentation undergoing skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate prosthetic reconstruction with documentation of postoperative complications. Outcomes analyzed included early, late, and overall complications. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were obtained through meta-analysis.

Results

Our meta-analysis, which included 6 studies comparing 241 breasts with prior augmentation and 1441 without, demonstrated no significant difference between the 2 groups in rates of early (36.7% vs 24.8%: OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.94-2.64; P = 0.09), late (10.1% vs 19.9%: OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.06-4.89; P = 0.57), and overall complications (36.5% vs 31.2%: OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.76-2.00; P = 0.40). Subgroup analysis showed a significantly higher rate of hematoma formation in the augmented group (3.39% vs 2.15%: OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.00-7.16; P = 0.05), but no difference in rates of seroma, infection, mastectomy skin flap necrosis, and prosthesis loss.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis suggests that prior augmentation does not significantly increase overall postoperative complications in women undergoing skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate prosthetic reconstruction. However, the significantly higher rate of hematoma formation in augmented patients warrants further investigation and preoperative discussion.

Level of Evidence: 3
Identification of biomarkers and pathways for the SARS-CoV-2 infections that make complexities in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients
Authors: Taz Tasnimul Alam , Ahmed Kawsar , Paul Bikash Kumar , Al-Zahrani Fahad Ahmed , Mahmud S M Hasan , Moni Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to identify significant gene expression profiles of the human lung epithelial cells caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. We performed a comparative genomic analysis to show genomic observations between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. A phylogenetic tree has been carried for genomic analysis that confirmed the genomic variance between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Transcriptomic analyses have been performed for SARS-CoV-2 infection responses and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients’ lungs as a number of patients have been identified who faced PAH after being diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Gene expression profiling showed significant expression levels for SARS-CoV-2 infection responses to human lung epithelial cells and PAH lungs as well. Differentially expressed genes identification and integration showed concordant genes (SAA2, S100A9, S100A8, SAA1, S100A12 and EDN1) for both SARS-CoV-2 and PAH samples, including S100A9 and S100A8 genes that showed significant interaction in the protein–protein interactions network. Extensive analyses of gene ontology and signaling pathways identification provided evidence of inflammatory responses regarding SARS-CoV-2 infections. The altered signaling and ontology pathways that have emerged from this research may influence the development of effective drugs, especially for the people with preexisting conditions. Identification of regulatory biomolecules revealed the presence of active promoter gene of SARS-CoV-2 in Transferrin-micro Ribonucleic acid (TF-miRNA) co-regulatory network. Predictive drug analyses provided concordant drug compounds that are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection responses and PAH lung samples, and these compounds showed significant immune response against the RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2, which is beneficial in therapeutic development in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cox-nnet v2.0: improved neural-network-based survival prediction extended to large-scale EMR data
Authors: Wang Di , Jing Zheng , He Kevin , Garmire Lana X.
Published: January 2021

Cox-nnet is a neural-network-based prognosis prediction method, originally applied to genomics data. Here, we propose the version 2 of Cox-nnet, with significant improvement on efficiency and interpretability, making it suitable to predict prognosis based on large-scale population data, including those electronic medical records (EMR) datasets. We also add permutation-based feature importance scores and the direction of feature coefficients. When applied on a kidney transplantation dataset, Cox-nnet v2.0 reduces the training time of Cox-nnet up to 32-folds (n =10 000) and achieves better prediction accuracy than Cox-PH (P<0.05). It also achieves similarly superior performance on a publicly available SUPPORT data (n=8000). The high efficiency and accuracy make Cox-nnet v2.0 a desirable method for survival prediction in large-scale EMR data.

Availability and implementation

Cox-nnet v2.0 is freely available to the public at https://github.com/lanagarmire/Cox-nnet-v2.0.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Perforation rate after a diagnosis of uncomplicated appendicitis on CT
Authors: Lastunen K , Leppäniemi A , Mentula P
Published: January 2021

Background

Appendicectomy is a common emergency operation. The aim of this analysis was to study the effect of preoperative delay on disease progression, and whether a novel scoring system (Atema score) could be useful in predicting complicated appendicitis.

Methods

Patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis on CT and who underwent appendicectomy in 2014–2015 were analysed for patient characteristics, preoperative delay and outcomes.

Results

Of 837 patients with uncomplicated appendicitis on CT, 187 (22.3 per cent) were found to have complicated appendicitis at surgery. The median time estimate for perforation was 25.4 h after CT, with an hourly rate of perforation of 2 per cent. Patients with an Atema score of 6 or less and those with no appendicolith on CT and a C-reactive protein level below 51 mg/l were the slowest to develop perforation, reaching a perforation rate of 5 per cent in 7.1 and 7.6 h respectively.

Conclusion

A substantial proportion of patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis on CT have complicated appendicitis at surgery. However, in patients with no risk factors, surgery can be postponed safely for up to 7 h.
Systematic Bibliographic Database Searching for Literature Reviews: Case Study on Child Protection Decision-Making
Authors: Alfandari Ravit , Taylor Brian J
Published: January 2021

Skills of the ‘information age’ need to be applied to social work. Conceptual and practical aspects of using online bibliographic databases to identify research were explored using multi-professional decision-making in child protection as a case study. Five databases (Social Science Citation Index, Scopus, Medline, Social Work Abstracts and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for relevant studies, retrieving 6,934 records of which fifty-eight studies were identified as relevant. The usefulness of specific search terms and the process of learning from the terminology of previous searches are illustrated, as well as the value of software to manage retrieved studies. Scopus had the highest sensitivity (retrieving the highest number of relevant articles) and retrieved the most articles not retrieved by any other database (exclusiveness). All databases had low precision on this topic, despite extensive efforts in selecting search terms. Cumulative knowledge about search strategies and empirical comparison of database utility helps to increase the efficiency of systematic literature searching. Such endeavours encourage and support professionals to use the best available evidence to inform practice and policy.
Global longitudinal strain by feature-tracking cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging predicts mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease
Authors: Rankin Alastair J , Zhu Luke , Mangion Kenneth , Rutherford Elaine , Gillis Keith A , Lees Jennifer S , Woodward Rosie , Patel Rajan K , Berry Colin , Roditi Giles , Mark Patrick B
Published: January 2021

Background

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are at increased risk of premature death, with cardiovascular disease being the predominant cause of death. We hypothesized that left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) measured by feature-tracking cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) would be associated with all-cause mortality in patients with ESKD.

Methods

A pooled analysis of CMRI studies in patients with ESKD acquired within a single centre between 2002 and 2016 was carried out. CMR parameters including LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV mass index, left atrial emptying fraction (LAEF) and LV-GLS were measured. We tested independent associations of CMR parameters with survival using a multivariable Cox model.

Results

Among 215 patients (mean age 54 years, 62% male), mortality was 53% over a median follow-up of 5 years. The median LVEF was 64.7% [interquartile range (IQR) 58.5–70.0] and the median LV-GLS was −15.3% (IQR −17.24 to −13.6). While 90% of patients had preserved LVEF (>50%), 58% of this group had abnormal LV-GLS (>−16%). On multivariable Cox regression, age {hazard ratio [HR] 1.04 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.05]}, future renal transplant [HR 0.29 (95% CI 0.17–0.47)], LAEF [HR 0.98 (95% CI 0.96–1.00)] and LV-GLS [HR 1.08 (95% CI 1.01–1.16)] were independently associated with mortality.

Conclusions

In this cohort of patients with ESKD, LV-GLS on feature-tracking CMRI and LAEF was associated with all-cause mortality, independent of baseline clinical variables and future renal transplantation. This effect was present even when >90% of the cohort had normal LVEF. Using LV-GLS instead of LVEF to diagnose cardiac dysfunction in patients with ESKD could result in a major advance in our understanding of cardiovascular disease in ESKD.