bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of idiopathic REM behavior disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cicero Calogero Edoardo , Giuliano Loretta , Luna Jaime , Zappia Mario , Preux Pierre-Marie , Nicoletti Alessandra 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Study Objectives
To provide an overall estimate of the prevalence of idiopathic REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD).

Methods
Two investigators have independently searched the PubMed and Scopus databases for population-based studies assessing the prevalence of iRBD. Data about type of diagnosis (polysomnographic diagnosis, defined iRBD [dRBD]; clinical diagnosis, probable RBD [pRBD]), continent, age range of the screened population, quality of the studies, sample size, screening questionnaires, and strategies have been gathered. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence. Heterogeneity was investigated with subgroup analysis and meta-regression.

Results
From 857 articles found in the databases, 19 articles were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. According to the type of diagnosis, five studies identified dRBD cases given a pooled prevalence of 0.68% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38–1.05) without significant heterogeneity (Cochran’s Q p = 0.11; I2 = 46.43%). Fourteen studies assessed the prevalence of pRBD with a pooled estimate of 5.65% (95% CI 4.29–7.18) and a significant heterogeneity among the studies (Cochran’s Q p &lt; 0.001; I2 = 98.21%). At the subgroup analysis, significant differences in terms of prevalence were present according to the quality of the studies and, after removing two outlaying studies, according to the continents and the screening questionnaire used. Meta-regression did not identify any significant effect of the covariates on the pooled estimates.

Conclusion
Prevalence estimates of iRBD are significantly impacted by diagnostic level of certainty. Variations in pRBD prevalence are due to methodological differences in study design and screening questionnaires employed.
Long Branch Attraction Biases in Phylogenetics
Authors: Susko Edward , Roger Andrew J 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Long branch attraction (LBA) is a prevalent form of bias in phylogenetic estimation but the reasons for it are only partially understood. We argue here that it is largely due to differences in the sizes of the model spaces corresponding to different trees. Trees with long branches together allow much more flexible internal branch length parameter estimation. Consequently, although each tree has the same number of parameters, trees with long branches together have larger effective model spaces. The problem of LBA becomes particularly pronounced with partitioned data. Formulation of tree estimation as model selection leads us to propose bootstrap bias corrections as cross-checks on estimation when long branches end up being estimated together. [Bootstrap; long branch attraction; maximum likelihood; model selection; partitioned model; phylogenetics.]
Understanding gestational and feed management practices of New England sheep producers
Authors: Kelly Miriah R , Halpern Arielle , Reed Sarah A , Zinn Steven A , Govoni Kristen E 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Several sources of information are available to producers for guidance in managing their breeding flocks; however, it is unknown if sheep producers utilize any or all of these resources. Because maternal diet during gestation can have immediate and long-lasting negative effects on growth and health of offspring, it is important for producers to insure they are providing appropriate nutritional management to ewes during breeding and gestation. Historically, New England sheep producers have not been included in USDA surveys of sheep producers, and therefore, there is a lack of information about how New England producers manage their flocks, especially in terms of nutrition and gestation. The objective was to determine flock size, breeds, pregnancy detection methods, and feeding management practices of New England sheep producers. To meet this objective, a 12-question survey was developed and disseminated to New England sheep producers via Qualtrics using e-mail survey links, with a 33.2% response rate (n = 96 responses). Data were analyzed using SPSS. Of the respondents, 61.5% have flock sizes of 11 to 50 sheep, whereas 15.6% had 10 or less and 23% had greater than 50 sheep. Most respondents (63.5%) maintain one breed of sheep; however, larger flocks (&gt;50 sheep) are more likely to maintain multiple breeds (P &lt; 0.05). The largest percentage (40.6%) use their sheep for both meat and fiber production, 38.5% for meat only, and 20.8% manage sheep for fiber only. Spring (January to May) is the primary (59.4%) lambing season. The majority (76.0%) of New England sheep producers do not have their feed chemically analyzed for nutrient composition, which presents an opportunity for improving feeding management. There were associations (P &lt; 0.05) between flock size and flock purpose, flock size and number of breeds owned, flock size and feed type, feed type and feed analysis, feed type and source of feed information, and source of feed information and state. In conclusion, New England sheep producers have flocks of varying size and purpose, and would likely benefit from outreach education on the value of diet analysis and formulation for their breeding flocks, especially during gestation. Furthermore, findings of this survey may represent the management needs of smaller flocks throughout the United States.
Disruptions to schistosomiasis programmes due to COVID-19: an analysis of potential impact and mitigation strategies
Authors: Kura Klodeta , Ayabina Diepreye , Toor Jaspreet , Hollingsworth T Deirdre , Anderson Roy M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
The 2030 goal for schistosomiasis is elimination as a public health problem (EPHP), with mass drug administration (MDA) of praziquantel to school-age children (SAC) as a central pillar of the strategy. However, due to coronavirus disease 2019, many mass treatment campaigns for schistosomiasis have been halted, with uncertain implications for the programmes.

Methods
We use mathematical modelling to explore how postponement of MDA and various mitigation strategies affect achievement of the EPHP goal for Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium.

Results
For both S. mansoni and S. haematobium in moderate- and some high-prevalence settings, the disruption may delay the goal by up to 2 y. In some high-prevalence settings, EPHP is not achievable with current strategies and so the disruption will not impact this. Here, increasing SAC coverage and treating adults can achieve the goal. The impact of MDA disruption and the appropriate mitigation strategy varies according to the baseline prevalence prior to treatment, the burden of infection in adults and the stage of the programme.

Conclusions
Schistosomiasis MDA programmes in medium- and high-prevalence areas should restart as soon as is feasible and mitigation strategies may be required in some settings.
IMAGE EVALUATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE–SUPPORTED OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IMAGING USING OCT-A1 DEVICE IN DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Authors: Kawai Kentaro , Uji Akihito , Murakami Tomoaki , Kadomoto Shin , Oritani Yasuyuki , Dodo Yoko , Muraoka Yuki , Akagi Tadamichi , Miyata Manabu , Tsujikawa Akitaka 
Published: January 2021

Purpose:
To investigate the effect of denoise processing by artificial intelligence (AI) on the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images in eyes with retinal lesions.

Methods:
Prospective, observational, cross-sectional study. Optical coherence tomography angiography imaging of a 3 × 3-mm area involving the lesions (neovascularization, intraretinal microvascular abnormality, and nonperfusion area) was performed five times using OCT-HS100 (Canon, Tokyo, Japan). We acquired AI-denoised OCTA images and averaging OCTA images generated from five cube scan data through built-in software. Main outcomes were image acquisition time and the subjective assessment by graders and quantitative measurements of original OCTA images, averaging OCTA images, and AI-denoised OCTA images. The parameters of quantitative measurements were contrast-to-noise ratio, vessel density, vessel length density, and fractal dimension.

Results:
We studied 56 eyes from 43 patients. The image acquisition times for the original, averaging, and AI-denoised images were 31.87 ± 12.02, 165.34 ± 41.91, and 34.37 ± 12.02 seconds, respectively. We found significant differences in vessel density, vessel length density, fractal dimension, and contrast-to-noise ratio (P < 0.001) between original, averaging, and AI-denoised images. Both subjective and quantitative evaluations showed that AI-denoised OCTA images had less background noise and depicted vessels clearly. In AI-denoised images, the presence of fictional vessels was suspected in 2 of the 35 cases of nonperfusion area.

Conclusion:
Denoise processing by AI improved the image quality of OCTA in a shorter time and allowed more accurate quantitative evaluation.
Physiologic prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted 18F-DCFPyL uptake in the epididymis head newly appreciated on digital PET/CT
Authors: Maliha Peter George , Singerman Julia , Abikhzer Gad , Probst Stephan 
Published: January 2021

Purpose
The published physiological distribution of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET ligands includes normal uptake in the lacrimal glands, salivary glands, bowel, liver, spleen, kidneys and parasympathetic ganglia but does not include the epididymis.

Methods
Retrospective review of 134 PSMA-targeted 2-(3-(1-carboxy-5-[(6-[18F]fluoropyridine-3-carbonyl)-amino]-pentyl)-ureido)-pentanedioic acid (18F-DCFPyL) PET/CT scans performed on a latest generation digital scanner for radiotracer uptake in the epididymal head region was correlated with multiple clinical and laboratory factors.

Results
Physiologic PSMA radiotracer uptake in the epididymal head region was present in 57% of all subjects, including 29% in those with a total serum testosterone ≤ 5 nmol/L and 65% of patients with serum testosterone > 5 nmol/L, odds ratio of 0.21 (P < 0.01).

Conclusion
Epididymal head uptake is physiologic and very common on digital PSMA PET/CT and is more frequent in patients with higher serum testosterone levels. The enhanced small structure detection of digital PET/CT is the most likely explanation for the novel visualization of this normal variant.
Estimating critical care capacity needs and gaps in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Craig Jessica , Kalanxhi Erta , Osena Gilbert , Frost Isabel 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this analysis was to describe national critical care capacity shortages for 52 African countries and to outline needs for each country to adequately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA modified SECIR compartment model was used to estimate the number of severe COVID-19 cases at the peak of the outbreak. Projections of the number of hospital beds, ICU beds, and ventilators needed at outbreak peak were generated for four scenarios – if 30, 50, 70, or 100% of patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms seek health services—assuming that all people with severe infections would require hospitalization, that 4.72% would require ICU admission, and that 2.3% would require mechanical ventilation.FindingsAcross the 52 countries included in this analysis, the average number of severe COVID-19 cases projected at outbreak peak was 138 per 100,000 (SD: 9.6). Comparing current national capacities to estimated needs at outbreak peak, we found that 31of 50 countries (62%) do not have a sufficient number of hospital beds per 100,000 people if 100% of patients with severe infections seek out health services and assuming that all hospital beds are empty and available for use by patients with COVID-19. If only 30% of patients seek out health services then 10 of 50 countries (20%) do not have sufficient hospital bed capacity. The average number of ICU beds needed at outbreak peak across the 52 included countries ranged from 2 per 100,000 people (SD: 0.1) when 30% of people with severe COVID-19 infections access health services to 6.5 per 100,000 (SD: 0.5) assuming 100% of people seek out health services. Even if only 30% of severely infected patients seek health services at outbreak peak, then 34 of 48 countries (71%) do not have a sufficient number of ICU beds per 100,000 people to handle projected need. Only four countries (Cabo Verde, Egypt, Gabon, and South Africa) have a sufficient number of ventilators to meet projected national needs if 100% of severely infected individuals seek health services assuming all ventilators are functioning and available for COVID-19 patients, while 35 other countries require two or more additional ventilators per 100,000 people.ConclusionThe majority of countries lack sufficient ICU bed and ventilator capacity to care for the projected number of patients with severe COVID-19 infections at outbreak peak even if only 30% of severely infected patients seek health services.This analysis reveals there is an urgent need to allocate resources and increase critical care capacity in these countries.
Quantitative plasma proteomics of survivor and non-survivor COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital unravels potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Authors: Flora Daniele C. , Valle Aline D. , Pereira Heloisa A. B. S. , Garbieri Thais F. , Buzalaf Nathalia R. , Reis Fernanda N. , Grizzo Larissa T. , Dionisio Thiago J. , Leite Aline L. , Pereira Virginia B. R. , Rosa Deborah M. C. , Santos Carlos F. , Buzalaf Marília A. Rabelo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe development of new approaches that allow early assessment of which cases of COVID-19 will likely become critical and the discovery of new therapeutic targets are urgent demands. In this cohort study, we performed proteomic and laboratorial profiling of plasma from 163 patients admitted to Bauru State Hospital (Bauru, SP, Brazil) between May 4thand July 4th, 2020, who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab samples. Plasma samples were collected upon admission for routine laboratory analyses and shotgun quantitative label-free proteomics. Based on the course of the disease, the patients were further divided into 3 groups: a) mild symptoms, discharged without admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) (n=76); b) severe symptoms, discharged after admission to an ICU (n=56); c) critical, died after admission to an ICU (n=31). White cells and neutrophils were significantly higher in severe and critical patients compared to mild ones. Lymphocytes were significantly lower in critical patients compared to mild ones and platelets were significantly lower in critical patients compared to mild and severe ones. Ferritin, TGO, urea and creatinine were significantly higher in critical patients compared to mild and severe ones. Albumin, CPK, LDH and D-dimer were significantly higher in severe and critical patients compared to mild ones. PCR was significantly higher in severe patients compared to mild ones. Proteomic analysis revealed marked changes between the groups in plasma proteins related to complement activation, blood coagulation, antimicrobial humoral response, acute inflammatory response, and endopeptidase inhibitor activity. Higher levels of IREB2, GELS, POLR3D, PON1 and ULBP6 upon admission to hospital were found in patients with mild symptoms, while higher levels of Gal-10 were found in critical and severe patients. This needs to be validated in further studies. If confirmed, pathways involving these proteins might be potential new therapeutic targets for COVID-19.
Public Search Interests related to COVID-19: Insights from Google Search Trends in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahamad Mazbahul G. , Ahmed Monir U. , Uden Daniel R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectivePublic response monitoring is critical to reducing COVID-19 infections and developing effective public health strategies. This study explored Google search trends to understand public responses to COVID-19 concerns in Bangladesh.MethodsWe used country-level Google search trends data to examine the association between Google search terms related to COVID-19 deaths, face masks, and COVID-19 vaccines and the actual and one-week lagged actual COVID-19 death counts from February 2, 2020, to December 19, 2020, in Bangladesh. Results: Search terms related to COVID-19 deaths, face masks, and COVID-19 vaccines increased and peaked during March and April, but then began declining gradually after June 2020. The mean relative search volume for face masks (35 points) was higher than for death information (8 points) and vaccines (16 points) throughout the study period, and searching for masks peaked (100 points) during the third week of March. Search interests for death information and face masks were negatively correlated with the actual and one-week lagged actual COVID-19 death counts.ConclusionIn response to declining trends in COVID-19-related google search terms, policymakers should strengthen ongoing risk communication and preventive information dissemination programs to control and prevent COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Technological advances in elite marathon performance
Authors: Senefeld Jonathon W. , Haischer Michael H. , Jones Andrew M. , Wiggins Chad C. , Beilfuss Rachel , Joyner Michael J. , Hunter Sandra K. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTThere is scientific and legal controversy about recent technological advances in performance running shoes that reduce the energetic cost of running and may provide a distinct competitive advantage. To better understand the potential performance-enhancing effects of Nike’s pioneering marathon racing shoes, we examined the finishing times and racing shoes of the top 50 male and 50 female runners from the World Marathon Major series in the 2010s — before and after the introduction of new Nike shoe models (4%, NEXT%, Alphafly, and other prototypes; herein referred to as neoteric Nikes). Data for racing shoes were available for 3,886 of the 3,900 performances recorded at the four annual marathons in Boston, London, Chicago, and New York. In full cohort analyses, marathon finishing times were 2.0% or 2.8 min (138.5 ± 8.1 min vs. 141.3 ± 7.4 min, P<0.001) faster for male runners wearing neoteric Nikes compared to other shoes. For females, marathon finishing times were 2.6% or 4.3 min (159.1 ± 10.0 min vs. 163.4 ± 10.7 min, P<0.001) faster for runners wearing neoteric Nikes. In a subset of within-runner changes in marathon performances (males, n = 138; females, n = 101), marathon finishing times improved by 0.8% or 1.2 min for males wearing neoteric Nikes relative to the most recent marathon in which other shoes were worn, and this performance-enhancing effect was greater among females who demonstrated 1.6% or 3.7 min improvement (P=0.002). Our results demonstrate that marathon performances for world-class athletes are substantially faster wearing neoteric Nikes than other market-leading shoes, particularly among females.
Derivation of an electronic frailty index for short-term mortality in heart failure: a machine learning approach
Authors: Ju Chengsheng , Zhou Jiandong , Lee Sharen , Tan Martin Sebastian , Liu Ying , Zhang Yuhui , Liu Tong , Chan Esther WY , Kei Wong Ian Chi , Wei Li , Zhang Qingpeng , Tse Gary 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveFrailty may be found in heart failure patients especially in the elderly and is associated with a poor prognosis. However, assessment of frailty status is time-consuming and the electronic frailty indices developed using health records have served as useful surrogates. We hypothesized that an electronic frailty index developed using machine learning can improve short-term mortality prediction in patients with heart failure.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study included patients admitted to nine public hospitals for heart failure from Hong Kong between 2013 and 2017. Age, sex, variables in the modified frailty index, Deyo’s Charlson comorbidity index (≥2), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were analyzed. Gradient boosting, which is a supervised sequential ensemble learning algorithm with weak prediction submodels (typically decision trees), was applied to predict mortality. Comparisons were made with decision tree and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsA total of 8893 patients (median: age 81, Q1-Q3: 71-87 years old) were included, in whom 9% had 30-day mortality and 17% had 90-day mortality. PNI, age and NLR were the most important variables predicting 30-day mortality (importance score: 37.4, 32.1, 20.5, respectively) and 90-day mortality (importance score: 35.3, 36.3, 14.6, respectively). Gradient boosting significantly outperformed decision tree and multivariate logistic regression (area under the curve: 0.90, 0.86 and 0.86 for 30-day mortality; 0.92, 0.89 and 0.86 for 90-day mortality).ConclusionsThe electronic frailty index based on comorbidities, inflammation and nutrition information can readily predict mortality outcomes. Their predictive performances were significantly improved by gradient boosting techniques.
Gut Microbiota Markers for Antipsychotics Induced Metabolic Disturbance in Drug Naïve Patients with First Episode Schizophrenia – A 24 Weeks Follow-up Study
Authors: Li Xue , Yuan Xiuxia , Pang Lijuan , Miao Yu , Wang Shuying , Zhang Xiaoyun , Hu Shaohua , Wang Yunpeng , Andreassen Ole A. , Song Xueqin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundWhile cardiometabolic adverse effects associated with antipsychotic treatment is an important clinical challenge, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we investigated if changes in gut microbial composition associate with the metabolic disturbance induced by the risperidone treatment of schizophrenia.MethodsNinety-four first episode, drug naïve schizophrenia patients (SZ), and 100 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled at baseline. Six metabolic parameters (glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Total cholesterol (Total-C), Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides) and body mass index (BMI) were measured for all participants. Gut microbial composition (microbials) was determined by fecal samples using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Both the metabolic parameters and the gut microbiota were analyzed at baseline (all participants) and after 12 and 24 weeks of risperidone treatment (patients).ResultsThe glucose was significantly higher in SZ than HCs at baseline (p = 0.005). After 24-weeks treatment with risperidone, the levels of BMI, glucose, HOMA-IR, Total-C, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride, were significant changed compared to baseline (p < 0.01). Six microbials showed significant changes in abundance after 24 weeks of risperidone treatment in SZ (p < 0.05), and four of these (Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Christensenellaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae) were associated with the changes in metabolic parameters (p < 0.05). At baseline, the abundance of the microbials Christensenellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae were significantly associated with changes in triglyceride, BMI and HOMA-IR after 24-week risperidone treatment.ConclusionsChanges in gut microbial composition induced by risperidone treatment may be a key pathway underlying the metabolic disturbances observed in SZ patients. While these findings warrant replication in independent samples, they provide insight into the role of microbiota in SZ treatment, which can form the basis for development of better SZ treatment strategies.