bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of beriberi after gastric surgery
Authors: Wilson Robert Beaumont 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBeriberi is a nutritional complication of gastric surgery, caused by deficiency of vitamin B1, or thiamine. Thiamine deficiency leads to impaired glucose metabolism, decreased delivery of oxygen by red blood cells, cardiac dysfunction, failure of neurotransmission, and neuronal death. This review describes the history and pathophysiology of beriberi as well as the relationship between beriberi and nutritional deficiencies after gastric surgery. A literature review of the history and pathophysiology of beriberi and the risk factors for thiamine deficiency, particularly after gastric resection or bariatric surgery, was performed. Recommendations for nutritional follow-up post gastric surgery are based on current national guidelines. Patients may have subclinical thiamine deficiency after upper gastrointestinal surgery, and thus beriberi may be precipitated by acute illness such as sepsis or poor dietary intake. This may occur very soon or many years after gastrectomy or bariatric surgery, even in apparently well-nourished patients. Prompt recognition and administration of supplemental thiamine can decrease morbidity and mortality in patients with beriberi. Dietary education post surgery and long-term follow-up to determine nutritional status, including vitamin and mineral assessment, is recommended for patients who undergo gastric surgery.
House Price Shocks, Credit Constraints and Household Indebtedness
Authors: Atalay Kadir , Barrett Garry F , Edwards Rebecca , Yu Chaoran 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe analyse the effect of housing wealth on household indebtedness in a life-cycle framework. Exploiting longitudinal household data and temporal and geographic variation in house prices, our empirical results indicate that households respond to increases in housing wealth by significantly increasing their debt. The effect is strongest for households that are moderately leveraged, highlighting the importance of collateral constraints. Furthermore, we uncover a weaker wealth effect from house price growth for households that have faced negative shocks to income or employment. Importantly, our findings are consistent with the theoretical predictions of the life-cycle model: households increase their mortgage debt, but not their unsecured credit card debt. A novel finding is that we uncover a moderate positive wealth effect on investment loans.
Modern cryptic species and crocodylian diversity in the fossil record
Authors: Brochu Christopher A , Sumrall Colin D 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAdvances in molecular biology and genetics are revealing that many recognized crocodylian species are complexes of two or more cryptic species. These discoveries will have a profound impact on interpretation of the crocodyliform fossil record. Our understanding of ranges of intraspecific variation in modern crocodylian morphology may be based on multiple species and thus express both intraspecific and interspecific variation. This raises questions about our ability to recognize modern species in the fossil record, and it also indicates that specimens from disparate localities or horizons may represent not single widespread species, but multiple related species. Ranges of variation in modern species require a thorough re-evaluation, and we may have to revisit previous perceptions of past crocodyliform diversity, rates of evolution or anagenetic lineages in stratigraphic succession. These challenges will not be unique to those studying crocodyliforms and will require sophisticated approaches to variation among modern and fossil specimens.
Molecular phylogeny and morphological diversity of theNiviventer fulvescensspecies complex with emphasis on species from China
Authors: Ge Deyan , Feijó Anderson , Abramov Alexei V , Wen Zhixin , Liu Zhengjia , Cheng Jilong , Xia Lin , Lu Liang , Yang Qisen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe Niviventer fulvescens species complex (NFSC), a group of abundant and taxonomically ambiguous rodent taxa, is distributed from Southeast Asia to south-eastern China. We combined molecular and morphological datasets to clarify the species composition and variation of the NFSC. Our phylogenetic analyses, using molecular data, recovered eight genetic lineages in the NFSC, including a novel, distinct lineage from Jilong, Tibet, China, which is described as a new species, N. fengi sp. nov. The species status of N. fengi is supported by a species delimitation analysis, and it is morphologically distinguished from other members of the NFSC by its greyish dorsal fur, soft hairs covering the whole body and a hairy tail. NFSC species bearing well-developed spines are found at lower elevations. A comprehensive taxonomic revision of the NFSC within China is provided, represented by five species: N. cremoriventer, N. fulvescens, N. huang, N. mekongis comb. nov. and N. fengi. A further study of this species complex, including samples from Southeast Asia, is needed.
ACE2 Expression is Increased in the Lungs of Patients with Comorbidities Associated with Severe COVID-19
Authors: Pinto Bruna G.G. , Oliveira Antonio E.R. , Singh Youvika , Jimenez Leandro , Gonçalves Andre N A. , Ogava Rodrigo L.T. , Creighton Rachel , Schatzmann Peron Jean Pierre , Nakaya Helder I. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) has resulted in several thousand deaths worldwide in just a few months. Patients who died from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often had comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive lung disease. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was identified as a crucial factor that facilitates SARS-CoV2 to bind and enter host cells. To date, no study has assessed the ACE2 expression in the lungs of patients with these diseases. Here, we analyzed over 700 lung transcriptome samples of patients with comorbidities associated with severe COVID-19 and found that ACE2 was highly expressed in these patients, compared to control individuals. This finding suggests that patients with such comorbidities may have higher chances of developing severe COVID-19. We also found other genes, such asRAB1A, that can be important for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lung. Correlation and network analyses revealed many potential regulators of ACE2 in the human lung, including genes related to histone modifications, such as HAT1, HDAC2, and KDM5B. In fact, epigenetic marks found in ACE2 locus were compatible to with those promoted by KDM5B. Our systems biology approach offers a possible explanation for increase of COVID-19 severity in patients with certain comorbidities.
COVID-19 outbreak response: a first assessment of mobility changes in Italy following national lockdown
Authors: Pepe Emanuele , Bajardi Paolo , Gauvin Laetitia , Privitera Filippo , Lake Brennan , Cattuto Ciro , Tizzoni Michele 
Published: March 2020

AbstractItaly is currently experiencing the largest COVID-19 outbreak in Europe so far, with more than 100,000 confirmed cases. Following the identification of the first infections, on February 21, 2020, national authorities have put in place an increasing number of restrictions aimed at containing the outbreak and delaying the epidemic peak. Since March 12, the whole country is under lockdown. Here we provide the first quantitative assessment of the impact of such measures on the mobility and the spatial proximity of Italians, through the analysis of a large-scale dataset on de-identified, geo-located smartphone users. With respect to pre-outbreak averages, we estimate a reduction of 50% of the total trips between Italian provinces, following the lockdown. In the same week, the average users’ radius of gyration has declined by about 50% and the average degree of the users’ proximity network has dropped by 47% at national level.
A special case of COVID-19 with long duration of viral shedding for 49 days
Authors: Tan Li , Kang Xia , Zhang Bo , Zheng Shangen , Liu Bo , Yu Tiantian , Yang Fan , Wang Qiongshu , Miao Hongming 
Published: March 2020

SUMMARYProlonged viral shedding is associated with severe status and poor prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Unexpectedly, here we report a non-severe patient with the longest duration of viral shedding. According to the investigation on the clinical and epidemiological information of this case, we concluded that this type of virus might have a low toxicity and transmissibility, but have a prolonged infective ability and was hardly to be eliminated in the body with regular therapy. However, infusion of plasma from recovered patients showed high efficiency in elimination of this virus. Our findings might shed light on the management of COVID-19.
Quantifying treatment effects of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for COVID-19: a secondary analysis of an open label non-randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lover Andrew A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHuman infections with a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) were first identified via syndromic surveillance in December of 2019 in Wuhan China. Since identification, infections (coronavirus disease-2019; COVID-19) caused by this novel pathogen have spread globally, with more than 250,000 confirmed cases as of March 21, 2020. An open-label clinical trial has just concluded, suggesting improved resolution of viremia with use of two existing therapies: hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as monotherapy, and in combination with azithromycin (HCQ-AZ). [3, 4].The results of this important trial have major implications for global policy in the rapid scale-up and response to this pandemic. The authors present results with p-values for differences in proportions between the study arms, but their analysis is not able to provide effect size estimates.To address this gap, more modern analytical methods including survival models, have been applied to these data, and show modest to no impact of HCQ treatment, with more significant effects from the HCQ-AZ combination, potentially suggesting a role for co-infections in COVID-19 pathogenesis.The trial of Gautret and colleagues, with consideration of the effect sizes, and p-values from multiple models, does not provide sufficient evidence to support wide-scale rollout of HCQ monotherapy for the treatment of COVID-19; larger randomized studies should be considered. These data also suggest further randomized-controlled studies of HCQ-AZ combination therapy should be undertaken.
Critical Care for Severe COVID-19: A Population-based Study from a Province with Low Case-fatality Rate in China
Authors: Liao Xuelian , Chen Hong , Wang Bo , Li Zhen , Zhang Zhongwei , Li Weimin , Liang Zongan , Tang Jin , Wang Jian , Shi Rui , Zhen Xiangde , Wang Maojuan , Lei Xianying , Gong Yu , Lv Sheng , Jia Chao , Chen Li , Shang Juan , Yang Min , Wei Hailong , Zhang Yuanjun , Yang Xiong , Shen Huaqiang , Xiao Xianhua , Yang Jie , Liu Chang , Wu Qin , Wang Wen , Yang Jin , Yin Wanhong , Xie Xiaoqi , Tian Yongming , Liu Huan , Shuai Bingxing , Zhang Wei , Song Xiangrong , Jin Xiaodong , Kang Yan 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundData regarding critical care for patients with severe COVID-19 are limited. We aimed to describe the clinical course, multi-strategy management, and respiratory support usage for the severe COVID-19 at the provincial level.MethodsUsing data from Sichuan Provincial Department of Health and the multicentre cohort study, all microbiologically confirmed COVID-19 patients in Sichuan who met the national severe criteria were included and followed-up from the day of inclusion (D1), until discharge, death, or the end of the study.FindingsOut of 539 COVID-19 patients, 81 severe cases (15.0%) were identified. The median (IQR) age was 50 (39-65) years, 37% were female, and 53.1% had chronic comorbidities. All severe cases were identified before requiring mechanical ventilation and treated in the intensive care units (ICUs), among whom 51 (63.0%) were treated in provisional ICUs and 77 patients (95.1%) were admitted by D1. On D1, 76 (93.8%) were administered by respiratory support, including 55 (67.9%) by conventional oxygen therapy (COT), 8 (9.9%) by high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and 13 (16.0%) by non-invasive ventilation (NIV). By D28, 53 (65.4%) were discharged, three (3.7%) were deceased, and 25 (30.9%) were still hospitalized. COT, administered to 95.1% of the patients, was the most commonly used respiratory support and met 62.7% of the respiratory support needed, followed by HFNC (19.3%), NIV ventilation (9.4%) and IV 8.5%.InterpretationThe multi-strategy management for severe COVID-19 patients including early identification and timely critical care may contribute to the low case-fatailty. Preparation of sufficient conventional oxygen equipment should be prioritized.Trial registration numberChiCTR2000029758.
The NKG2D ligand ULBP4 is not expressed by human monocytes
Authors: Lazarova Mariya , Kim Younghoon , Steinle Alexander 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTThe C-type lectin-like receptor NKG2D contributes to the immunosurveillance of virally infected and malignant cells by cytotoxic lymphocytes. A peculiar and puzzling feature of the NKG2D-based immunorecognition system is the high number of ligands for this single immunoreceptor. In humans, there are a total of eight NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) comprising two members of the MIC (MICA, MICB) and six members of the ULBP family of glycoproteins (ULBP1 to ULBP6). While MICA has been extensively studied with regard to its biochemistry, cellular expression and function, very little is known about the NKG2DL ULBP4. This is, at least in part, due to its rather restricted expression by very few cell lines and tissues. Recently, constitutive ULBP4 expression by human monocytes was reported, questioning the view of tissue-restricted ULBP4 expression. Here, we scrutinized ULBP4 expression by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocytes by analyzing ULBP4 transcripts and ULBP4 surface expression. In contrast to MICA, there was no ULBP4 expression detectable, neither by freshly isolated monocytes nor by PAMP-activated monocytes. However, a commercial antibody erroneously indicated surface ULBP4 on monocytes due to a non-ULBP4-specific binding activity, emphasizing the critical importance of validated reagents for life sciences. Collectively, our data show that ULBP4 is not expressed by monocytes, and likely also not by other peripheral blood immune cells, and therefore exhibits an expression pattern rather distinct from other human NKG2DL.
Anaesthesia and infection control in cesarean section of pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Yue LinLi , Han Lefei , Li Qiannan , Zhong Min , Wang Jun , Wan Zhenzhen , Chu Caijuan , Zeng Yi , Peng Min , Yang Lin , Li Na 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in Wuhan, China, and soon caused an ongoing pandemic globally. In this study we conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia (CSEA) and infection control measures on perinatal care quality of 30 pregnant women with confirmed and suspected COVID-19.MethodsIndividual demographic data, clinical outcomes, laboratory investigations of pregnant women and their newborns were collected from electronic medical records of the Maternal and Children Health Hospital of Hubei Province, during January 24 to February 29, 2020. Anaesthesia and surgery results were compared between pregnant women with confirmed and suspected COVID-19 infection.ResultsUsing CSEA in cesarean section was effective and safe for pregnant women with confirmed and suspected COVID-19 infection. Administration of dezocine and morphine was effective as postoperative analgesia, and well tolerated in COVID-19 patients. The assessment of surgery outcomes also showed similar results in both confirmed and suspected cases. No respiratory failure nor distress were found in the mothers with confirmed COVID-19 infection and their neonates. None of these patients experienced severe obstetric complications related to anaesthesia and surgeries. No COVID-19 infection was reported in the neonates born to the mothers with confirmed COVID-19 infection and healthcare workers in these operations.ConclusionsIn cesarean section for pregnant women with COVID-19 infection, CSEA was safe and efficient in achieving satisfactory obstetrical anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia. No cross-infection occurred in the HCWs working in these operations.
A demographic adjustment to improve measurement of COVID-19 severity at the developing stage of the pandemic
Authors: Bignami-Van Assche Simona , Ghio Daniela 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTThe need for accurate statistics has never been felt so deeply as the novel COVID-19 pathogen spreads around the world and quantifying its severity is a primary clinical and public health issue. In Italy, the magnitude and increasing trend of the case-fatality risk (CFR) is fueling the already high levels of public alarm. In this paper, we highlight that the widely used crude CFR is an inaccurate measure of the disease severity since the pandemic is still unfolding. With the goal to improve its comparability over time and across countries at this stage, we then propose a demographic adjustment of the CFR that addresses the bias arising from differential case ascertainment by age. When applied to publicly released data for Italy, we show that until March 16 our adjusted CFR was similar to that of Wuhan – the most affected Chinese region, where COVID-19 has now been contained. This indicates that our adjusted CFR improves its comparability over time, making an important tool to chart the course of the COVID-19 pandemic across countries. Since March 16, the Italian COVID-19 outbreak has entered a new phase, with the northern and southern regions following different trajectories. As a result, our adjusted CFR has been increasing between March 16 and March 20. Data at the subnational level are needed to correctly assess the disease severity in the country at this stage.
Modeling COVID-19 epidemics in an Excel spreadsheet: Democratizing the access to first-hand accurate predictions of epidemic outbreaks
Authors: Alvarez Mario Moisés , González-González Everardo , Trujillo-de Santiago Grissel 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCOVID-19, the first pandemic of this decade and the second in less than 15 years, has harshly taught us that viral diseases do not recognize boundaries; however, they truly do discriminate between aggressive and mediocre containment responses.We present a simple epidemiological model that is amenable to implementation in Excel spreadsheets and sufficiently accurate to reproduce observed data on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemics in different regions (i.e., Italy, Spain, and New York City (NYC)). We also show that the model can be adapted to closely follow the evolution of COVID-19 in any large city by simply adjusting two parameters related to (a) population density and (b) aggressiveness of the response from a society/government to epidemics. Moreover, we show that this simple epidemiological simulator can be used to assess the efficacy of the response of a government/society to an outbreak.The simplicity and accuracy of this model will greatly contribute to democratizing the availability of knowledge in societies regarding the extent of an epidemic event and the efficacy of a governmental response.
Multiple-Input Deep Convolutional Neural Network Model for COVID-19 Forecasting in China
Authors: Huang Chiou-Jye , Chen Yung-Hsiang , Ma Yuxuan , Kuo Ping-Huan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCOVID-19 is spreading all across the globe. Up until March 23, 2020, the confirmed cases in 173 countries and regions of the globe had surpassed 346,000, and more than 14,700 deaths had resulted. The confirmed cases outside of China had also reached over 81,000, with over 3,200 deaths. In this study, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was proposed to analyze and predict the number of confirmed cases. Several cities with the most confirmed cases in China were the focus of this study, and a COVID-19 forecasting model, based on the CNN deep neural network method, was proposed. To compare the overall efficacies of different algorithms, the indicators of mean absolute error and root mean square error were applied in the experiment of this study. The experiment results indicated that compared with other deep learning methods, the CNN model proposed in this study has the greatest prediction efficacy. The feasibility and practicality of the model in predicting the cumulative number of COVID-19 confirmed cases were also verified in this study.
Angular changes in implants placed in the anterior maxillae of adults: A cephalometric pilot study
Authors: Feher Balazs , Gruber Reinhard , Gahleitner Andre , Celar Ales , Necsea Philipp Luciano , Ulm Christian , Kuchler Ulrike 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivesCompletion of adolescent growth represents the earliest time point for implant placement, yet craniofacial growth persists into adulthood and may affect implant position. We aimed to assess whether implants placed in the anterior maxillae of adults show angular changes.MethodsWe conducted a cephalometric pilot study in postpubertal patients with no growth disorders, skeletal malformations, or parafunctions. The patients received a single implant in the anterior maxilla and no orthodontic or orthognathic treatment afterwards. We measured angular changes on cephalograms taken immediately and at least 5 years postoperatively in a standardized setting.ResultsIn a total of 21 patients (30.2 ± 11.5 years at surgery) after a mean follow-up time of 8.6 ± 1.3 years, 62% of implants showed counterclockwise rotations (1.8 ± 1.0 degrees) and 19% of implants showed clockwise rotations (2.4 ± 1.1 degrees). Angular changes were more frequent in males (100% vs. 58%) and patients under 30 at surgery (85% vs. 63%). Mean absolute differences were larger in males (1.8 ± 1.0 degrees vs. 1.3 ± 1.4 degrees) and patients under 30 at surgery (1.5 ± 1.4 degrees vs. 1.1 ± 1.4 degrees). Regression analysis did not identify explanatory factors for the observed changes.ConclusionsImplants placed in the anterior maxillae of adults show modest angular changes over time.Clinical relevanceChanges in implant angles have potential functional and esthetic consequences.
Haplotype networks of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the Diamond Princess cruise ship outbreak
Authors: Sekizuka Tsuyoshi , Itokawa Kentaro , Kageyama Tsutomu , Saito Shinji , Takayama Ikuyo , Asanuma Hideki , Nao Naganori , Tanaka Rina , Hashino Masanori , Takahashi Takuri , Kamiya Hajime , Yamagishi Takuya , Kakimoto Kensaku , Suzuki Motoi , Hasegawa Hideki , Wakita Takaji , Kuroda Makoto 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe Diamond Princess (DP) cruise ship was put under quarantine offshore Yokohama, Japan, after a passenger who disembarked in Hong Kong was confirmed as a COVID-19 case. We performed whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 directly from PCR-positive clinical specimens and conducted a haplotype network analysis of the outbreak. All tested isolates exhibited a transversion at G11083T, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 dissemination on the DP originated from a single introduction event before the quarantine started. Although further spreading might have been prevented by quarantine, some progeny clusters were linked to transmission through mass-gathering events in the recreational areas and direct transmission among passengers who shared cabins during the quarantine. This study demonstrates the usefulness of haplotype network analysis in identifying potential infection routes.One Sentence SummaryGenome-based tracing of SARS-CoV-2 infections among passengers and crews in Diamond Princess cruise ship during the quarantine