bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Efficacy of Ribavirin in Adults Hospitalized With Severe Covid-19: A Retrospective Analysis of 208 Patients
Authors: Gong Wei-Jing , Zhou Tao , Wu San-Lan , Ye Jia-Long , Xu Jia-Qiang , Zeng Fang , Su Yu-Yong , Han Yong , Lv Yong-Ning , Zhang Yu , Cai Xue-Feng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) spreads rapidly throughout the world. So far, no therapeutics have yet been proven to be effective. Ribavirin was recommended for the treatment of COVID-19 because of its in vitro activity. However, evidence supporting its clinical use with good efficacy is still lacking.Methods: A total of 208 confirmed severe or critical COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in Wuhan Union West Campus between 1 February 2020 and 10 March 2020 were enrolled in the retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the use of ribavirin. The primary endpoint was the time to clinical improvement. The secondary endpoints included mortality, survival time, time to throat swab SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid negative conversion, and hospital duration.Results: 68 patients were treated with ribavirin while 140 not. There were no significant between-group differences in demographic characteristics, baseline laboratory test results, treatment, and distribution of ordinal scale scores at enrollment, except coexisting diseases especially cancer (ribavirin group vs no ribavirin group, P = 0.014). Treatment with ribavirin was not associated with a difference in the time to clinical improvement (P = 0.483, HR = 0.884, 95% CI = 0.627-1.247). There were also no significant differences between-group in the number of patients with SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid negative conversion, mortality, survival time, and hospital duration. Conclusion: In hospitalized adult patients with severe or critical COVID-19, no significant benefit was observed with ribavirin treatment.
Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients with Recurrent PCR Positivity After Hospital Discharge
Authors: Wang Kaige , Zhang Qifan , Lan Dong , Li Yalun , Luo Wenxin , Zhao Shengmin , Liu Dan , Panwen Tian , Huang Zhixin , Li Weimin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with recurrent SARS-CoV-2 positivity after hospital discharge. Methods: This retrospective study included COVID-19 patients who were readmitted for recurrence of positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the risk factors associated to the duration of recurrent RNA positivity.Results: Among the 287 discharged COVID-19 patients, 33 (11.5%) patients with recurrent PCR positivity were included. Among these patients, 21 (63.7%) patients were female, their mean age was 48.7 (±19.7) years old. 22 (66.7%) patients were asymptomatic. The following clinical features were presented in other patients: cough, fatigue, sore throat, fever and expectoration. The chest CT findings revealed that 8 (24.2%) patients were characterized by deterioration compared to the previous results. The median duration of recurrent RNA positivity was 9.0 days (IQR, 6.0, 15.0). We found that increased serum SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibody titer, elevated serum creatinine level, and female gender were the risk factors for the prolonged duration of recurrent RNA positivity.Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 turned positive in a minority of discharged patients with COVID-19. Most patients experienced mild clinical course. Increased IgG antibody titer, creatinine and female gender were correlated to the prolonged RNA clearance time.
A shift towards an immature myeloid profile in peripheral blood of critically ill COVID-19 patients
Authors: Taniguchi-Ponciano Keiko , Vadillo Eduardo , Lopez-Macias Constantino , Carvente-Garcia Roberto , Mayani Hector , Ferat-Osorio Eduardo , Flores-Padilla Guillermo , Torres Javier , Gonzales-Bonilla Cesar Raul , Majluf Abraham , Albarran-Sanchez Alejandra , Galan Juan Carlos , Peña-Martínez Eduardo , Silva-Román Gloria , Vela-Patiño Sandra , Ferreira-Hermosillo Aldo , Ramirez-Renteria Claudia , Espinoza-Sanchez Nancy Adriana , Pelayo-Camacho Rosana , Bonifaz Laura , Arriaga-Pizano Lourdes , Mata-Lozano Carlos , Andonegui-Elguera Sergio , Wacher-Rodarte Niels , De-Lira-Barraza Roberto , Villanueva-Compean Humberto , Esquivel-Pi Alejandra , Ramírez-Montes-de-Oca Rubén , Anda-Garay Carlos , Noyola-García Maura , Guizar-García Luis , Cerbulo-Vazquez Arturo , Zamudio-Meza Horacio , Marrero-Rodríguez Daniel , Mercado Moises 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent causing COVID-19, has infected more than 8.7 million people with over 461000 deaths worldwide since its emergence in December 2019. Factors for severe disease, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity have been identified however, the precise pathogenesis is poorly understood. In order to understand its pathophysiology and to develop effective therapeutic strategies, it is essential to define the prevailing immune cellular subsets. We performed circulating immune cells scRNAseq from five critically ill COVID-19 patients. Immature myeloid populations, such as promyelocytes-myelocytes, metamyelocytes, band neutrophils, monocytoid precursors and activated monocytes predominated. Trajectory with pseudotime analysis supported the finding of immature cell states. Gene ontology showed myeloid cell activation in immune response, DNA and RNA processing, defense response to virus and response to type 1 interferon. Lymphoid lineage was scarce. Our results uncover a transcriptomic profiles related to immature myeloid lineages and suggest the potential induction of trained immunity.
Experimental Study of Operational Parameters on Product Size Distribution of Tumbling Mill
Authors: soleymani moslem mohammadi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
To assess the effects of the mill operating parameters such as mill speed, ball filling, slurry concentration and slurry filling on grinding process and size distribution of mill product, it was endeavored to build a pilot model with smaller size than the mill. For this aim, a pilot mill with 1m × 0.5m was implemented. There are 15 lifters with 50mm height and face angle of 30˚. In the present work, the combination of the balls (40% of the balls with 60mm diameter, 40% of the balls with 40mm diameter and 20% of the balls with 25mm diameter) was used as grinding media with 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of the total volume of the mill. The experiments were carried out at 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% of the critical speed. The feed of the mill is copper ore with the size smaller than 25.4 mm, which d80 and d50 of them are 12.7 and 8 mm, respectively and slurries with 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% of solid and the slurry filling between 0.5 and 2.5. The results showed that the best grinding and grading occurs at 70-80% of the critical speed and ball filling of 20-25%. Optimized grinding was observed when the slurry volume is 1-1.5 times of the ball bed voidage volume and the slurry concentration is between 60% and 70%. The mill grinding mechanism in this work is a combination of both impact and abrasion mechanisms.
Quality of Life of Resident Physicians at a Public University Hospital
Authors: Regazzi Isabel Cristina Ribeiro , Pernambuco Carlos Soares , Ribeiro Luiz Cláudio Pereira , Silva Alexandre Sousa da , Knupp Virginia Maria de Azevedo Oliveira , Siqueira Kamile Santos , Valentim-Silva João Rafael , Dantas Estélio Henrique Martin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective: compile a quality of life profile of medical residents in clinical and surgical specialties at a public university hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 74 doctors who enrolled in the 2015 residency program at the Graffrée Guinle University Hospital, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The data collection questionnaire used was the WHOQOL-100, developed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life group in an expanded format. Conclusion: The quality of life profile of resident physicians is unsatisfactory, since four of the quality of life domains were negative when evaluated by the WHOQOL-100 questionnaire. Religion (∆% = 16.6%) and social relations (∆% = 11.9%) can be considered protective factors related to better quality of life during the medical residency program.
Dexmedetomidine Addition For Pediatric Hernia Repair: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies
Authors: Liu Bo , Liu Wei , Yuan Liang 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Introduction: The efficacy of dexmedetomidine addition for pain control after pediatric hernia repair remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of dexmedetomidine addition on pain management for pediatric hernia repair.Methods: We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through March 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of dexmedetomidine addition on pain management for pediatric hernia repair. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.Results: Six RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for pediatric hernia repair, dexmedetomidine addition is associated with significantly reduced analgesic consumption (SMD=-1.0; 95% CI=-1.40 to -0.61; P<0.00001) and number of rescue analgesics (SMD=0.16; 95% CI=0.06 to 0.41; P=0.0002), prolonged time to first analgesia (SMD=8.16; 95% CI=4.58 to 11.73; P<0.00001) and decreased the incidence of emergence agitation (RR=0.12; 95% CI=0.03 to 0.44; P=0.001), but has no obvious impact on pain scores at 1 h (SMD=-2.00; 95% CI=-5.78 to 1.79; P=0.30) or 2 h (SMD=-0.73; 95% CI=-2.33 to 0.87; P=0.37).Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine addition is beneficial to pain control after pediatric hernia repair.
Relative Contributions of Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors on Mosquito Microbiota
Authors: Bogale Haikel Nasser , Cannon Matthew V. , Keita Kalil , Camara Denka , Barry Yaya , Keita Moussa , Coulibaly Drissa , Kone Abdoulaye K , Doumbo Ogobara K. , Thera Mahamadou A. , Plowe Christopher V. , Travassos Mark , Irish Seth , Serre David 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The commensal microbiota of mosquitoes impacts their development, immunity, and competency, and could provide a target for alternative entomological control approaches. However, despite the importance of the mosquito/microbiota interactions, little is known about the relative contribution of genetic and non-genetic factors in shaping the bacterial communities of mosquitoes.
Methods
We used a high-throughput sequencing based assay to characterize the bacterial composition and diversity of 665 individual field-caught mosquitoes, as well as their species, genotype at an insecticide resistance locus, blood meal composition, and the eukaryotic parasites and viruses they carry. We then used these data to rigorously estimate the individual effect of each parameter on the bacterial diversity as well as their relative contribution to the microbial composition.
Results
Overall, multivariate analyses did not reveal any significant contribution of the mosquito species, insecticide resistance or blood meal to the bacterial composition of the mosquitoes surveyed. Infection with parasites and viruses only contributed very marginally and the main driver of the bacterial diversity was the location where each mosquito was collected which explained roughly 20% of the variance observed.
Conclusions
This analysis shows that, when confounding factors are taken into account, the sites where the mosquitoes are collected is the main driver of the bacterial diversity of wild-caught mosquitoes, although further studies will be needed to determine how the specific components of the local environment affecting the bacterial composition.
A Rare Presentation of Schwannoma as a Purely-Cystic Superficial-Intermuscular Extra-Spinal Swelling over Upper Back.
Authors: Saha Srinjoy 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Schwannomas are rare tumours arising from peripheral nerve sheath. Here, a 44-year-old lady came to our clinic with an asymptomatic progressively-enlarging swelling over her upper back. It was fluctuant, with an absence of pain and tenderness. MRI showed a benign, purely-cystic, superficial-intermuscular, extra-spinal swelling nearby upper thoracic vertebrae. Complete surgical excision proceeded smoothly through a well-defined plane between the swelling and the muscles. It was not attached to any identifiable nerve. A 6.5x5.0x2.5 cm ovoid lesion with a glistening whitish-grey capsule was excised and wound reconstructed in layers. Histopathology showed hypercellular areas with nuclear palisading or oval-shaped Verocay bodies. Only S-100 tested positive amongst the five-antigen immunohistochemistry, thus establishing the diagnosis of a schwannoma. Postoperatively, a one-year follow-up period was uneventful. Schwannomas can surprise clinicians by arising anywhere and with atypical presentations. It needs to be in the differential diagnoses of any asymptomatic slowly-growing lesion.
Levobupivacaine inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of breast cancer cells through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.
Authors: Kwakye Akosua Kotaa , Kampo Sylvanus , Lv Jiaxin , Ramzan Muhammad Noman , Richard Seidu A. , Falagán Aglais Arredondo , Agudogo Jerry , Atito-Narh Evans , Yan Qiu , Wen Qing-Ping 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective This study aimed to test the hypothesis that levobupivacaine has anti-tumour effects on breast cancer cells Results Colony formation and transwell assay were used to determine breast cancer cells proliferation, whereas flow Cytometry (annexin V and PI staining) was used to investigate breast cancer cells apoptosis. The effects of levobupivacaine on cellular signalling and molecular response were studied with Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and western blot. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed by cell viability, morphological changes showed cell shrinkage, rounding, and detachments from plates. The results of the western blot and qPCR indicated activation of Caspase-3 and inhibition of FOXO1. The results of the flow Cytometry confirmed that levobupivacaine inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western blot analysis showed increased p21 and decreased cyclin D. However, the qPCR and western blot analysis showed that levobupivacaine significantly increased Bax expression, accompanied by a significant decreased Bcl₂ expression and inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. These findings suggested that levobupivacaine inhibits proliferation and promotes breast cancer cells apoptosis in vitro.
Gray Matter Volume Alterations Associated with Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in Patients with Mood Disorders
Authors: Wang Pengshuo , Zhang Ran , Jiang Xiaowei , Wei Shengnan , Wang Fei , Tang Yanqing 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Mood disorders are severe mental disorders related to increased suicidal behavior. Finding neural features for suicidal behavior, including suicide attempts (SAs) and suicidal ideation (SI), in mood disorders may be helpful in preventing suicidal behavior. Methods: Subjects consisted of 70 patients with mood disorders and suicidal behavior, 128 patients with mood disorders without suicidal behavior (mood disorders control, MC), and 145 health control (HC) individuals. All participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) techniques to examine gray matter volumes (GMVs).Results: Significant differences were found in GMVs of the left and right middle frontal gyrus among the patients with mood disorders and suicidal behavior, MC, and HC. Post hoc comparisons showed significant differences in the GMVs of the above regions across all three groups (P < 0.01): HC > MC > mood disorders with suicidal behavior. However, there were no significant differences in the GMVs of the left and right middle frontal gyrus between the mood disorders with SI and mood disorders with SAs groups. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that abnormal regional GMV in the middle frontal gyrus is associated with suicidal behavior in mood disorders. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether the GMV alterations in mood disorders with SI are different from these in mood disorders with SAs.
Robust association between short-term ambient PM2.5 exposure and COVID prevalence in India
Authors: Singh Prachi , Dey Sagnik , Purohit Bhavesh , Dixit Kuldeep , Chakraborty Sikim 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Novel coronavirus (COVID) outbreak is the deadliest pandemic in our lifetime. The COVID prevalence risk may be enhanced due to comorbidity from other health risk factors like air pollution. However, such evidence is still lacking in India. Using daily confirmed cases, ambient PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) exposure and meteorological parameters from 28 major states of India between March 14-June 9, 2020, in a generalized additive model, we estimate the association between short-term PM2.5 exposure and daily COVID confirmed cases. We find that a 10 mg m-3 increase in ambient PM2.5 exposure (with a lag of 0-14 days) is significantly associated with an increased COVID incidence [relative risk (RR) of 1.135 (95% uncertainty interval: 1.091-1.180)] after adjusting for the meteorological factors. A non-linear association between PM2.5 (lag 0-14) and COVID infection predicts an RR of 4.482 (3.357-5.983) for exposure at 60 mg m-3 relative to 25 mg m-3. Our results indicate a significant positive association between ambient PM2.5 exposure and COVID prevalence in India. As India is easing lockdown measures, higher outdoor air pollution may have implications on COVID transmission, information which can be helpful for general public and policymakers alike.
Enhanced Antitumor Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor-Mediated Hexokinase-2 Depletion on Ovarian Cancer Mediated by A Shift in Glucose Metabolism
Authors: Zhang Meng , Liu Qiyu , Zhang Mingxing , Cao Cong , Liu Xiaoxia , Zhang Mengyu , Li Guiling , Xu Congjian , Zhang Xiaoyan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Most cancers favor glycolytic-based glucose metabolism. Hexokinase-2 (HK2), the first glycolytic rate-limiting enzyme, shows limited expression in normal adult tissues but is overexpressed in many tumor tissues, including ovarian cancer. HK2 has been shown to be correlated with the progression and chemoresistance of ovarian cancer and could be a therapeutic target. However, the systemic toxicity of HK2 inhibitors has limited their clinical use. Since follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor (FSHR) is overexpressed in ovarian cancer but not in nonovarian healthy tissues, we designed FSHR-mediated nanocarriers for HK2 shRNA delivery to increase tumor specificity and decrease toxicity. Results: HK2 shRNA was encapsulated in a polyethylene glycol-polyethylenimine copolymer modified with the FSH β 33-53 or retro-inverso FSH β 33-53 peptide. The nanoparticle complex with FSH peptides modification effectively depleted HK2 expression and facilitated a shift towards oxidative glucose metabolism, with evidence of increased oxygen consumption rates, decreased extracellular acidification rates, and decreased extracellular lactate and glucose consumption in A2780 ovarian cancer cells and cisplatin-resistant A2780CP counterpart cells. Consequently, cell proliferation, invasion and migration were significantly inhibited, and tumor growth was suppressed even in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer. No obvious systemic toxicity was observed in mice. Moreover, the nanoparticle complex modified with retro-inverso FSH peptides exhibited the strongest antitumor effects and effectively improved cisplatin sensitivity by regulating cisplatin transport proteins and increasing apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. Conclusions: These results established HK2 as an effective therapeutic target even for cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer and suggested a promising targeted therapeutic approach.
Multi-compartment chemical characterization and risk assessment of chemicals of emerging concern in freshwater systems of western Kenya
Authors: Kandie Faith Jebiwot , Krauss Martin , Massei Riccardo , Ganatra Akbar , Fillinger Ulrike , Becker Jeremias , Liess Matthias , Torto Baldwyn , Brack Werner 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Within the last decades, there has been increasing research on the occurrence of chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) in aquatic ecosystems due to their potential adverse effects on freshwater organisms and risk to human health. However, information on CECs in freshwater environments in sub-Saharan countries is very limited. Here, we investigated the occurrence of CECs in snails and sediments collected from 48 sites within the Lake Victoria South Basin, Kenya, which have been previously investigated for water contamination. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) with a target list of 429 compounds.
Results
In total, 30 compounds have been detected in snails and 78 in sediment samples, compared to 79 previously identified compounds in water. By extending the monitoring of CECs to snails and sediments, we found 68 compounds that were not previously detected in water. These compounds include the anti-cancer drug anastrozole, detected for the first time in the Kenyan environment. Individual compound concentrations were detected up to 480 ng/g wet weight (N-ethyl-o-toluenesulfonamide) in snails and 110 ng/g organic carbon (pirimiphos-methyl) in sediments. Higher contaminant concentrations were found in agricultural sites than in areas not impacted by anthropogenic activities. Crustaceans were the organisms at greatest toxic risk from sediment contamination (toxic unit (TU) up to 0.99) with diazinon and pirimiphos-methyl driving this risk. Acute and chronic risks to algae were driven by diuron (TU up to 0.24), whereas fish were found to be at low to no acute risk (TU up to 0.007).
Conclusions
The compound classes present at highest frequencies in all matrices were pesticides and biocides. This study shows substantial contamination of surface water in rural western Kenya. By filling data gaps on contamination of sediments and aquatic biota, our study reveals that CECs pose a substantial risk on environmental health in Kenya demanding for monitoring and mitigation.
Early predictors and screening tool developing for severe patients with COVID-19
Authors: Fang Le , Xie Huashan , Liu Lingyun , Lu Shijun , Lv Fangfang , Zhou Jiancang , Xu Yue , Ge Huiqing , Yu Min , Liu Limin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a declared global pandemic, causing a lot of death. How to quickly screen risk population for severe patients is essential for decreasing the mortality. Methods This retrospective study included all the 813 confirmed cases diagnosed with COVID-19 before March 2nd, 2020 in a city of Hubei Province in China. Data of the COVID-19 patients including clinical and epidemiological features were collected through Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Predictors were selected by logistic regression, and then categoried to four different level risk factor. A screening tool for severe patient with COVID-19 was developed and tested by ROC curve. Results Seven early predictors for severe patients with COVID-19 were selected, including chronic kidney disease (OR=14.7), age above 60 (OR=5.6), lymphocyte count less than <0.8 × 109 per L (OR=2.5), Neutrophile to Lymphocyte Ratio larger than 4.7 (OR=2.2), high fever with temperature ≥38.5℃ (OR=2.2), male (OR=2.2), cardiovascular related diseases (OR=2.0). The Area Under the Curve of the screening tool developed by above seven predictors was 0.798 (95%CI: 0.747~0.849), and its best cut-off value is >4.5, with sensitivity 72.0% and specificity 75.3%. Conclusions This newly developed screening tool can be a good choice for early prediction and alert for severe case especially in the condition of overload health service.