bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anogenital Human Papillomavirus and HIV Infection in Rwandan Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Murenzi Gad , Kim Hae-Young , Munyaneza Athanase , Tuyisenge Patrick , Zawadi Thierry M. , Buteera Alex M. , Adedimeji Adebola , Mutesa Leon , Castle Philip E. , Anastos Kathryn , Palefsky Joel M. 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a high prevalence of anal and penile human papillomavirus (HPV) infections with MSM living with HIV (MSMLH) bearing the highest rates. Data on anogenital high-risk HPV (hrHPV) among MSM in Rwanda and the associated risk factors are scant.

Methods:
We recruited 350 self-identified MSM aged 18 years living in Kigali, Rwanda, with 300 recruited from the community and 50 from partner clinics. Anal and penile specimens from all participants were analyzed for hrHPV using the AmpFire platform. Logistic regression was used to calculate crude odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) as a measure of association between various factors and anal and penile hrHPV infection prevalence.

Results:
Anal hrHPV prevalence was 20.1%, was positively associated with having receptive anal sex with more partners (aOR: 9.21, 95% CI: 3.66 to 23.14), and was negatively associated with having insertive anal sex with more partners (aOR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.66). Penile hrHPV prevalence was 35.0%, was negatively associated with having receptive anal sex with more partners (aOR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.66), and differed significantly by HIV status, with 55.2% and 29.7% for MSMLH and HIV-negative MSM, respectively (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:
Penile hrHPV prevalence was higher than that of anal hrHPV and it was significantly higher in Rwandan MSMLH than in HIV-negative MSM. The prevalence of anal and penile HPV infections is likely variable at different locations in Africa, according to a number of factors including HIV status and sexual practices.
Addressing Uptake of HIV Testing and Linkage to Care Among Men in Côte d'Ivoire: An Evaluation of the Brothers for Life Program Implementation
Authors: Naugle Danielle A. , Dosso Abdul , Tibbels Natalie J. , Van Lith Lynn M. , Hendrickson Zoé M. , Kouadio Anne M. , Kra Walter , Kamara Diarra , Dailly-Ajavon Patricia , Cissé Adama , Seifert-Ahanda Kim , Thaddeus Sereen , Mallalieu Elizabeth C. , Kaufman Michelle R. , Hoffmann Christopher J. 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Historically, men in sub-Saharan Africa have worse outcomes along the HIV care continuum than women. Brothers for Life (BFL) is a community-based behavior change intervention for men, adapted for Côte d'Ivoire, involving group discussions that address salient gender norms and promote HIV prevention, testing, and linkage to care with support from peer navigators. The goal of this study was to describe the BFL program as implemented in Côte d'Ivoire, evaluate program implementation, and report uptake of HIV testing and treatment among BFL participants.

Setting:
Three urban and periurban sites in Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods:
The implementation evaluation assessed the fidelity and acceptability of the BFL program and the reach of program completion, testing and peer navigation using qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Results:
BFL facilitation fidelity and content fidelity were high. Semistructured interviews with BFL participants indicated that men appreciated the format and content and that the BFL program helped some participants overcome their fears and adopt more positive attitudes and behaviors around testing and treatment. Assessments of reach showed that, of the 7187 BFL participants, 81% tested for HIV as part of BFL and 2.3% (135) tested HIV-positive. Of those, 76% (102) accepted peer navigator support, and 97% (131) initiated treatment. After 6 months, 100% of the 131 men who initiated treatment remained in care.

Conclusion:
The implementation of BFL in Côte d'Ivoire successfully achieved the goals of engaging participants in discussions around HIV prevention, encouraging HIV testing, and achieving linkage to care, treatment initiation, and retention.
Update on group A streptococcal vaccine development
Authors: Dale James B. , Walker Mark J. 
Published: April 2020

Purpose of review
There is a global need for well tolerated, effective, and affordable vaccines to prevent group A streptococcal infections and their most serious complications. The aim of this review is to highlight the recent progress in the identification of promising vaccine antigens and new approaches to vaccine design that address the complexities of group A streptococcal pathogenesis and epidemiology.

Recent findings
Combination vaccines containing multiple shared, cross-protective antigens have proven efficacious in mouse and nonhuman primate models of infection. The development of complex multivalent M protein-based vaccines is continuing and several have progressed through early-stage human clinical trials. Formulations of vaccines containing universal T-cell epitopes, toll-like receptor agonists, and other adjuvants more potent than alum have been shown to enhance protective immunogenicity. Although the group A streptococcal vaccine antigen landscape is populated with a number of potential candidates, the clinical development of vaccines has been impeded by a number of factors. There are now concerted global efforts to raise awareness about the need for group A streptococcal vaccines and to support progress toward eventual commercialization and licensure.

Summary
Preclinical antigen discovery, vaccine formulation, and efficacy studies in animal models have progressed significantly in recent years. There is now a need to move promising candidates through the clinical development pathway to establish their efficacy in preventing group A streptococcal infections and their complications.
Antibody glycosylation in pregnancy and in newborns: biological roles and implications
Authors: Rice Thomas F. , Holder Beth , Kampmann Beate 
Published: April 2020

Purpose of review
Glycosylation patterns have the potential to affect the function of antibody, antibody half-life and transplacental transfer from mother to foetus. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of how glycosylation patterns of antibodies may be altered during pregnancy, vaccination and infection.

Recent findings
During pregnancy, there is preferential transplacental transfer of natural killer (NK) cell-activating antibodies that are galactosylated and sialylated, against both bacterial and viral antigens. Markers of NK cell function are also associated with a higher abundance of galactosylation and sialylation in respiratory syncytial virus-specific IgG, compared with total IgG, in infants up to 7 months of age which may suggest a role for NK-cell activating antibodies as important mediators of immunity during early infancy. Differential glycosylation patterns have been observed in some respiratory conditions, as increased nongalactosylated antibodies have been associated with the development of chronic inflammatory bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. Glycosylation patterns in children appear age-dependent, which could modulate the effector function of IgG. The clinical relevance of these findings needs to be established.

Summary
Glycosylation plays a key role in mediating antibody function. Glycosylation patterns associated with positive outcomes from infection in mothers and infants could inform the design of the next generation of vaccines for use in pregnancy and infancy.

SDC video link:

http://links.lww.com/COID/A29.
The Performance of Chest CT in Evaluating the Clinical Severity of COVID-19 Pneumonia: Identifying Critical Cases Based on CT Characteristics
Authors: Lyu Peijie , Liu Xing , Zhang Rui , Shi Lei , Gao Jianbo 
Published: April 2020

Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the clinical severity of COVID-19 pneumonia using qualitative and/or quantitative chest computed tomography (CT) indicators and identify the CT characteristics of critical cases.

Materials and Methods
Fifty-one patients with COVID-19 pneumonia including ordinary cases (group A, n = 12), severe cases (group B, n = 15), and critical cases (group C, n = 24) were retrospectively enrolled. The qualitative and quantitative indicators from chest CT were recorded and compared using Fisher exact test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results
Depending on the severity of the disease, the number of involved lung segments and lobes, the frequencies of consolidation, crazy-paving pattern, and air bronchogram increased in more severe cases. Qualitative indicators including total severity score for the whole lung and total score for crazy-paving and consolidation could distinguish groups B and C from A (69% sensitivity, 83% specificity, and 73% accuracy) but were similar between group B and group C. Combined qualitative and quantitative indicators could distinguish these 3 groups with high sensitivity (B + C vs A, 90%; C vs B, 92%), specificity (100%, 87%), and accuracy (92%, 90%). Critical cases had higher total severity score (>10) and higher total score for crazy-paving and consolidation (>4) than ordinary cases, and had higher mean lung density (>−779 HU) and full width at half maximum (>128 HU) but lower relative volume of normal lung density (≦50%) than ordinary/severe cases. In our critical cases, 8 patients with relative volume of normal lung density smaller than 40% received mechanical ventilation for supportive treatment, and 2 of them had died.

Conclusions
A rapid, accurate severity assessment of COVID-19 pneumonia based on chest CT would be feasible and could provide help for making management decisions, especially for the critical cases.
Posttraumatic headache: recent progress
Authors: Howard Levi , Schwedt Todd J. 
Published: April 2020

Purpose of review
Posttraumatic headache (PTH) attributed to mild traumatic brain injury is common and debilitating. In up to one-half of those with acute PTH, the PTH becomes persistent (PTH), enduring for longer than 3 months. The high incidence and persistence of PTH necessitate research into PTH pathophysiology and treatment. In this review, recent developments regarding the diagnostic criteria for PTH, the pathophysiology of PTH, and PTH treatment are discussed.

Recent findings
International Classification of Headache Disorders 3 diagnostic criteria for PTH attributed to head trauma require that ‘a headache of any type’ starts within 7 days of a head injury. PTH is considered ‘persistent’ when it endures for more than 3 months. Preclinical and human PTH research suggest multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms including genetic influences, neuroinflammation, increased release and inadequate clearance of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, mast cell degranulation, and brain structural and functional remodeling. Even when it has a phenotype similar to a primary headache, data suggest that PTH is distinct from primary headaches. There is a lack of high-quality evidence for the acute or preventive treatment of PTH. However, results from published studies of conventional headache therapies and newer therapies, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide mAbs and transcranial magnetic stimulation, justify the current and future randomized controlled trials.

Summary
Evidence points towards a complex pathophysiology for PTH that is at least partially distinct from the primary headaches. Although properly conducted clinical trials of PTH treatment are needed, existing work has provided important data that help to plan these clinical trials. Current and future investigations will help to identify PTH mechanisms, predictors for PTH persistence, therapeutic targets, and evidence-based treatment options.
Clinical Characteristics of Children with COVID-19: A Rapid Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Zijun , Zhou Qi , Wang Chenglin , Shi Qianling , Lu Shuya , Ma Yanfang , Luo Xufei , Xun Yangqin , Li Weiguo , Baskota Muna , Yang Yinmei , Zhai Hui , Fukuoka Toshio , Ahn Hyeong Sik , Lee Myeong Soo , Luo Zhengxiu , Liu Enmei , Chen Yaolong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundMost guidelines on COVID-19 published so far include recommendations for patients regardless of age. Clinicians need a more accurate understanding of the clinical characteristics of children with COVID-19.MethodsWe searched studies reporting clinical characteristics in children with COVID-19 published until March 31, 2020. We screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the risk of bias and quality of evidence of the included studies. We combined some of the outcomes (symptoms) in a single-arm meta-analysis using a random-effects model.ResultsOur search retrieved 49 studies, including 25 case reports, 23 case series and one cohort study, with a total of 1667 patients. Our meta-analysis showed that most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms. Eighty-three percent of the children were within family clusters of cases, and 19% had no symptoms. At least 7% with digestive symptoms. The main symptoms of children were fever (48%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 39%, 56%) and cough (39%, 95% CI: 30%, 48%). The lymphocyte count was below normal level in only 15% [95% CI: 8%, 22%] of children which is different from adult patients. 66% [95% CI: 55%, 77%] of children had abnormal findings in CT imaging.ConclusionsMost children with COVID-19 have only mild symptoms, and many children are asymptomatic. Fever and cough are the most common symptoms in children. Vomiting and diarrhea were not common in children. The lymphocyte count is usually within the normal range in children.
Potential Effectiveness and Safety of Antiviral Agents in Children with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Rapid Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shi Qianling , Zhou Qi , Wang Xia , Liao Jing , Yu Yang , Wang Zijun , Lu Shuya , Ma Yanfang , Xun Yangqin , Luo Xufei , Li Weiguo , Fukuoka Toshio , Ahn Hyeong Sik , Lee Myeong Soo , Luo Zhengxiu , Liu Enmei , Chen Yaolong , Li Qubei , Yang Kehu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 outbreak presents a new, life-threatening disease. Our aim was to assess the potential effectiveness and safety of antiviral agents for COVID-19 in children.MethodsElectronic databases from their inception to March, 31 2020 were searched for randomized controlled trials, clinical controlled trials and cohort studies of interventions with antiviral agents for children (less than 18 years of age) with COVID-19.ResultsA total of 23 studies of indirect evidence with 6008 patients were included. The risks of bias in all studies were moderate to high in general. The effectiveness and safety of antiviral agents for children with COVID-19 is uncertain: For adults with COVID-19, lopinavir/ritonavir had no effect on mortality (risk ratio [RR]= 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45 to 1.30) and probability of negative PCR test (RR=0.98, 95 CI% 0.82 to 1.18). Arbidol had no benefit on probability of negative PCR test (RR=1.27, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.73). Hydroxychloroquine was not associated with increasing the probability of negative PCR result (RR=0.93, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.18). For adults with SARS, interferon was associated with reduced corticosteroid dose (weighted mean difference [WMD]=-0.14 g, 95% CI -0.21 to -0.07) but had no effect on mortality (RR=0.72, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.88); ribavirin did not reduce mortality (RR=0.68, 95% CI % 0.43 to 1.06) and was associated with high risk of severe adverse reactions; and oseltamivir had no effect on mortality (RR=0.87, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.38). Ribavirin combined with interferon was also not effective in adults with MERS and associated with adverse reactions.ConclusionsThere is no evidence showing the effectiveness of antiviral agents for children with COVID-19, and the clinical efficacy of existing antiviral agents is still uncertain. We do not suggest clinical routine use of antivirals for COVID-19 in children, with the exception of clinical trials.
What influences COVID-19 infection rates: A statistical approach to identify promising factors applied to infection data from Germany
Authors: Mercker Moritz , Betzin Uwe , Wilken Dennis 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe recent COVID-19 pandemic is of big and world-wide concern. There is an intense discussion and uncertainty which factors and sanctions can reduce infection rates. The overall aim is to prevent an overload of the medical system. Even within one country, there is frequently a strong local variability in both – political sanctions as well as other local factors – which may influence infection rates. The main focus of study is analysis and interpretation of recent temporal developments (infection rates). We present a statistical framework designed to identify local factors which reduce infection rates. The approach is robust with respect to the number of undetected infection cases. We apply the framework to spatio-temporal infection data from Germany. In particular, we demonstrate that (1) infection rates are in average significantly decreasing in Germany; (2) there is a high spatial variability of these rates, and (3) both, early emergence of first infections and high local infection densities has led to strong recent decays in infection rates, suggesting that psychological effects (such as awareness of danger) lead to behaviour changes that reduce infection rates. However, the full potential of the presented method cannot yet be exploited, since more precise spatio-temporal data, such as local cell phone-based mobility data, are not yet available. In the nearest future, the presented framework could be applied to data from other countries at any state of infection, even during the exponential phase of the growth of infection rates.
Landscape of Gene Mutation in Synovium of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Inamo Jun 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate accumulating single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in synovium of patients with early, pre-treatment rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsI leveraged RNA-seq dataset derived from patients with RA deposited in database. To capture synovium-specific mutations, I applied standardized SNVs-calling method to paired synovium and blood samples per individual.ResultsDe novo mutational signatures constructed by non-negative matrix factorization reflected continuous relationship of synovial histology, namely lymphoid-myeloid (Lymphoid), diffuse myeloid (Myeloid) and pauci-immune fibroid (Fibroid). Using COSMIC signature, defective DNA damage repair-associated mutational signature was associated with the level of inflammation in synovitis. Further, pathway analysis based on specific genes harboring SNVs in each histological group represent different types of synovitis, with differing pathogenic process and inflammatory environment.ConclusionThis data will promote our understandings about pathogenic status of synovitis, and suggests evidence that stratified treatments would be optimal according to histological subgroup.
Novel approach reveals lipid metabolite reduction in nails of breast cancer patients as potential biomarker
Authors: Mitruka Manmohan , Gore Charusheela R. , Kumar Ajay , Sarode Sachin C , Sharma Nilesh Kumar 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDMolecular adaptations in intracellular and extracellular microenvironment of breast cancer cells promote pro-tumor metabolic reprogramming. Hence, metabolic reprogramming is seen as a crucial factor in various tumor hallmarks including drug resistance, invasiveness and metastasis. Among well-known metabolic features of breast carcinoma including Warburg effects, altered amino acid metabolism, lipid remodeling is considered as key factors in achieving pro-tumor microenvironment. Therefore, a better understanding on molecular aspects of lipid remodeling is highly appreciated that may contribute towards future therapeutics and diagnostics purpose including the need of potential biomarkers. The identification and validation of lipid biomarkers are reported in the literature, but evidence on lipid metabolites as biomarkers in nails of breast cancer patients is completely unexplored.METHODSThis study reported a novel and specifically designed vertical tube gel electrophoresis (VTGE) system to assist in the purification of metabolites in the range of (∼100-1000 Da) from nail samples. Fingernail clippings of breast cancer patients (N=10), and healthy subjects (N-12) were used for extraction and purification of metabolites. The VTGE system uses 15% polyacrylamide under non-denaturing and non-reducing conditions that makes eluted metabolites directly compatible with LC-HRMS and other analytical techniques. The characterization of lipid metabolites in nail lysates was done by positive ESI mode of Agilent LC-HRMS platform.RESULTSData suggest a novel observation that healthy and breast cancer patients show distinct accumulation of lipid metabolites specifically choline-based lipids. This is a first report that suggests that levels of choline, phosphorylcholine and lyso-PC are highly reduced and undetectable in nails of breast cancer patients over healthy subject. Furthermore, the potential use of reduced level of choline, phosphorylcholine and lyso-PC in nails of breast cancer patients is in line with current notion that these lipids are diverted to meet the pro-tumor activities in the tumor microenvironment.CONCLUSIONData strongly provide a proof of concept for the potential use of lipid metabolites including choline, phosphorylcholine and lyso-PC as a set of biomarkers in nails of breast cancer patients. However, the authors propose that validity of these lipid biomarkers may be extended to large population size of breast cancer patients for future applications in early detection, grading, staging, predicting prognosis and therapeutic targeting of breast carcinoma.
Countries should aim to lower the reproduction number ℛ close to 1.0 for the short-term mitigation of COVID-19 outbreaks
Authors: Hochberg Michael E. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic is still in its early stages and given the speed and magnitude of local outbreaks it is urgent to understand how mitigation measures translate into changes in key epidemiological and clinical outcomes. Here, we employ a mathematical model to explore the short-term consequences of lowering the reproduction number ℛ0and delaying measures on total infections and fatalities. The positive implications of mitigation generally accrue as these measures are adopted early, with the most striking effects seen when the reproductive number is lowered to a level ℛC≈1.0. As the delay in adopting measures exceeds approximately the half-way point to the peak of an outbreak, the effects of lowering ℛ0markedly decrease. Aiming for reproduction numbers close to 1.0 can substantially reduce fatality probabilities over short time scales, particularly for larger populations. We conclude that research is urgently needed on how mitigation measures impact ℛ0and how these can be optimized so as to achieve ℛC≈1.0 whilst supporting individual freedoms, society and the economy.