bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes in adult male COVID-19 patients with mild clinical symptoms: a single-center observational study
Authors: Yan Bailing , Song Lei , Guo Jia , Wang Yangyang , Peng Liping , Li Dan 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Majority of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) exhibit mild symptoms. Identification of COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who might develop into severe or critical illness is essential to save lives.Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational study in a dedicated make-shift hospital for adult male COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms between February and March 2020. Baseline characteristics, medical history, and clinical presentation were recorded. Laboratory tests and chest computed tomography were performed. Patients were observed until they were either transferred to a hospital for advanced care owing to disease exacerbation or were discharged after improvement. Patients were grouped based on their chest imaging findings or short-term outcomes.Results: A total of 125 COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms were enrolled. Of these, 7 patients were transferred for advanced care while 118 patients were discharged after improvement and showed no disease recurrence during an additional 28-day follow-up period. Eighty-five patients (68.0%) had abnormal chest imaging findings. Patients with abnormal chest imaging findings were more likely to have disease deterioration and require advanced care as compared to those with normal chest imaging findings. Patients with deteriorated outcomes were more likely to have low peripheral blood oxygen saturation and moderately-elevated body temperature. There were no significant differences between patients with deteriorated or improved outcomes with respect to age, clinical presentation, or comorbidities.Conclusions: Abnormal chest imaging findings, low peripheral blood oxygen saturation, and elevated temperature were associated with disease deterioration in adult male COVID-19 patients with mild clinical symptoms. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04346602. Registered 12 April 2020- Retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S0009RA3&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0003F4L&ts=2&cx=-ajpsbw
Comparison of initial HRCT features of COVID-19 pneumonia and other viral pneumonias
Authors: Huang Yilong , Jiang Yuanming , Wu Li , Yi Wenfang , Ma Jiyao , Wang Peng , Xie Ying , Li Zhipeng , Li Xiang , Hong Minchang , Zhou Jialong , Duan Chuwei , Yang Yunhui , Zhao Wei , Yuan Feng , Han Dan , He Bo 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Multicenter retrospective comparison of the first high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other viral pneumonias.Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical and imaging data from 254 cases of confirmed viral pneumonia in 20 hospitals in Yunnan Province, China, from March 1, 2015, to March 15, 2020. According to the virus responsible for the pneumonia, the pneumonias were divided into non-COVID-19 (133 cases) and COVID-19 (121 cases). The non-COVID-19 pneumonias included 3 types: cytomegalovirus (CMV) (31 cases), influenza A virus (82 cases), and influenza B virus (20 cases). The differences in the basic clinical characteristics, lesion distribution, location and imaging signs among the four viral pneumonias were analyzed and compared.Results: Fever and cough were the most common clinical symptoms of the four viral pneumonias. Compared with the COVID-19 patients, the non-COVID-19 patients had higher proportions of fatigue, sore throat, expectorant and chest tightness (all p<0.000). In addition, in the CMV pneumonia patients, the proportion of patients with combined acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and leukopenia were high (all p<0.000). Comparisons of the imaging findings of the four viral pneumonias showed that pulmonary lesions of COVID-19 were more likely to occur in the peripheral and lower lobes of both lungs, while those of CMV pneumonia were diffusely distributed. Compared with the non-COVID-19 pneumonias, COVID-19 pneumonia was more likely to present as ground-glass opacity (GGO), intralobular interstitial thickening, vascular thickening and halo sign (all p<0.05). In addition, in the early stage of COVID-19, extensive consolidation, fibrous stripes, subpleural lines, crazy-paving pattern, tree-in-bud, mediastinal lymphadenectasis, pleural thickening and pleural effusion were rare (all p<0.05).Conclusion: The HRCT findings of COVID-19 pneumonia and other viral pneumonias overlapped significantly, but many important differential imaging features could still be observed.
Socio-demographic risk factors of esophageal carcinoma: A case control study in a tertiary care hospital, Kabul Afghanistan
Authors: Saadaat Ramin , Abdul-Ghafar Jamshid , Atta Nooria , Ali Tazeen Sayed 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Introduction Esophageal cancer (EC) is 7th most common cancer in world in term of incidence and 6th common cancer in term of mortality. In Afghanistan, EC is the most common cancer in males. The socio-demographic status has been known as associated factor for EC. We carried out this study to determine the associated risk factors with EC in a tertiary hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Methodology Unmatched case control study of socio-demographic risk factors and EC was conducted at French Medical Institute for Mother and Children (FMIC). We enrolled and analyzed 132 EC cases and 132 normal controls to find out the associated risk factors for EC Result In current study Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) was the predominant EC type (75.8%). The mean age of the case group is 59.48 ± 9.9 years and in control group is 48.05 ± 11.02, (OR: 1.070, 95% CI, p-value <0.001). Majority of the cases group are male (69.6%) (OR: 3.538, 95% CI, p-value 0.022). Participants living in rural areas have the 25-times higher risk of EC than living in urban regions. Un-educated and lower education are highly associated with the risk of EC (OR: 11.21, 95% CI, p-value: <0.001) as well as, having low Socioeconomic status was also highly associated with the increased risk of EC (OR: 14.08, 95% CI, p-value: <0.001). Having family history in first degree family highly associated with the risk of EC (OR: 4.581, 95% CI, p-value <0.001). Although, the majority of the EC patients were unemployed (93.3%) of which 75% were farmer comparing to control which comprises 55.3% of unemployed statistically in multivariate analysis it showed no significant association with EC. In addition, living area according country zones and provinces, weight and height and ethnicity showed no significant association with EC. Conclusion The study concluded that EC is common cancer in older age groups and, predominance in males. In addition, living in rural areas, being un-educated or having lower education, belonging to low socioeconomic status, and having positive family history in first degree relatives are associated with high risk of EC in our study.
Maximal lymph nodal diameter in staging system of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Pan Xin-Bin , Qu Song , Li Ling , Chen Long , Liang Shi-Xiong , Zhu Xiao-Dong 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The value of maximal lymph nodal diameter in staging system of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not well established.Methods: NPC patients were extracted from SEER database between 2004 and 2016. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were compared among three groups based on the maximal lymph nodal diameter: ≤3.0 cm, >3.0-6.0 cm, and >6.0 cm. Included patients were randomly divided into training set and validated set with 1:1 ratio. In training set, X-tile plots were created by dividing maximal lymph nodal diameter into three populations. All possible divisions of the maximal lymph nodal diameter were assessed. Two cut-off values were calculated by the X-tile plots in training set. The two cut-off values were evaluated in validated set.Results: The 10-year OS and CSS were different between the three groups. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that maximal lymph nodal diameter >6.0 cm was an independent risk prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR]=1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-2.43; P<0.001) and CSS (HR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.51-2.61; P<0.001). The cut-off values of maximal lymph nodal diameter were 1.3 cm and 5.0 cm using X-tile plots in the training set. In the validated set, the maximal lymph nodal diameter >5.0 cm was a risk prognostic factor for OS and CSS.Conclusions: The maximal lymph nodal diameter of 5.0 cm may be a reasonable cut-off value for N stage.
Serum surfactant protein A and D may be novel biomarkers of COVID-19 pneumonia severity
Authors: Saito Atsushi , KURONUMA KOJI , Moniwa Keigo , Kodama Kentaro , Takahashi Satoshi , Takahashi Hiroki , Chiba Hirofumi 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 is currently undergoing a pandemic worldwide, including in Japan, and many lives have been lost. So, there is an urgent need to develop new biomarkers for estimating progression or prognosis of COVID-19 patient. Lung-specific serum biomarkers, SP-A, SP-D and KL-6 have been used clinically for diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILDs), but their use in COVID-19 has not been investigated. To determine whether serum levels of SP-A, SP-D and KL-6 correlate with the severity of COVID-19 as indicated by clinical symptoms and radiological findings. Methods: In a cohort of 46 consecutive COVID-19 patients, laboratory data including serum SP-A, SP-D and KL-6 concentrations of 82 blood samples were analyzed and compared between severe and non-severe cases. In addition, the disease severity as indicated by these markers and chest HRCT images were compared.Results: Serum SP-A was significantly elevated from the early stage of pneumonia. In addition, serum SP-A and SP-D were significantly higher in severe than in non-severe cases. KL-6 was also significantly higher in severe-cases, but its mean was below the cut-off level for ILDs. AUC and their cut-off levels to detect severe cases in patients with COVID-19 infection were 0.796 for 94.9 ng/ml of SP-A, 0.827 for 116 ng/ml of SP-D and 0.640 for 275 U/ml of KL-6. HRCT image severity scores showed moderate correlations with SP-A (ρ=0.5996, p<0.001), SP-D (ρ=0.6268, p<0.001), and weak with KL-6 (ρ=0.3489, p<0.001). In the typical course of patients whose pneumonia worsened from non-severe to severe, the serum SP-A and SP-D levels increased nearly in parallel with clinical findings and HRCT images.Conclusions: Lung-specific serum SP-A and SP-D level increased with symptom and radiological findings. These elevations can be detected from relatively early pneumonia. These results indicated that these might become a novel biomarker in COVID-19 pneumonia.
Impact of Lockdown on Chain Break of Pandemic COVID-19: The Current Status and Forecast
Authors: Prasad P. Siva , Prasad P. Hari 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an outbreak of epidemic disease origin in Wuhan city, China. The virus transmits rapidly in worldwide and the rate of fatality also elevated by passing each day. But, action taken by World Health Organization failed to stop outbreak of COVID-19. Wuhan city in China has controlled the pandemic disease with lockdown strategy and present all other countries also followed the same strategy for a month. Hence, present study has been designed to observe the impact of lockdown on COVID-19 in worldwide population and future prophecy with present circumstances. Online database ( www.channelnewsasia.com) was used to ensure that number of COVID-19 cases, death and recovery are recorded in the period of 20 days lockdown (6th - 26th April 2020) in worldwide and as well as country wise population. The data shows significant elevation of COVID-19 cases was observed since 71447, on Feb 18th to 1.3 million by 6th April and then to 2.96 million by 26th April 2020 in worldwide. The fatality rate of COVID-19 were shown to be increased from 2.48% on Feb 18th to 5.51% by 6th April and then to 6.95% on 26th April 2020 in worldwide. We have found increased morbidity (2.21 folds) and fatality (6.95%) of COVID-19 in worldwide and country wise population. In fact lockdown might help to reduce register new cases, but not made zero. However, present situation demands continuation of lockdown and social distance should be maintained with strict rules otherwise probabilities are more to reach unimaginable number of cases in coming days.
Multi-attribute Group Decision-making for Online Education Live Platform Selection Based on Linguistic Intuitionistic Cubic Fuzzy Aggregation Operators
Authors: Liu Hao bin , Liu Yi , Xu Lei , Abdullah Saleem 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to propose a multi-attribute group decisionmaking (MAGDM) method for online education live platform selection based on proposed novel aggregation operators (AOs) under linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy set (LICFS). Firstly, the Archimedean coupla and co-coupla are extended to handle linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy information (LICFI) and the operational law of linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy variables (LICFVs) based on extended copula (EC) and extended co-copula (ECC) are given. In addition, linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy copula weighted average (LICFCWA) operator and linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy copula weighted geometric (LICFCWG) operator are proposed based on EC and ECC under LICFI; Meanwhile, some special forms of LICFCWA/LICFCWG have been obtained by different types generators of ECs and ECCs. Thirdly, a novel MAGDM approach based on proposed LICFCWA/LICFCWG is constructed to solve the selection problem of the online education live platform in the period of the COVID-19, and a detailed parameter analysis was carried out. Fourthly, LICFS will degenerate into linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy set (LIFS) and intuitionistic cubic fuzzy set (ICFS), respectively, under different situations. Finally, some comparisons are carried out with other existing proposed MAGDM approaches. By comparing different types of experiments, the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed approach are also showed.
Relationship Between Door-to-Embolization Time and Clinical Outcomes After Transarterial Embolization in Trauma Patients With Severe Pelvic Fracture
Authors: Kim Hohyun , Jeon Chang Ho , Kim Jae Hun , Kwon Hoon , Kim Chang Won , Kim Gil Hwan , Lee Chan Kyu , Lee Sang Bong , Jang Jae Hoon , Kim Seon Hee , Yeom Seok Ran 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: While transarterial embolization (TAE) is an effective way to control arterial bleeding associated with pelvic fracture, the clinical outcomes according to door-to-embolization (DTE) time are unclear. This study investigated how DTE time affects outcomes in patients with severe pelvic fracture.Methods: Using a trauma database between November 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019, trauma patients undergoing TAE were retrospectively reviewed. The final study population included 204 patients treated with TAE. The relationships between DTE time and patients’ outcomes were evaluated. Multivariate binomial logistic regression analyses, multivariate linear regression analyses, and multivariate Cox hazard proportional regression analyses were performed to estimate the impacts of DTE time on clinical outcomes.Results: The median DTE time was 150 min (interquartile range, 123–186). The mortality rates at 7 and 28 days and overall were 8.3%, 13.7%, and 15.7%, respectively. DTE time served as an independent risk factor for mortality at 7 and 28 days (adjusted odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14–2.30, p = 0.007; adjusted odds ratio = 1.48, CI = 1.05–2.07, p = 0.023, respectively). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, the adjusted hazard ratio of DTE time for mortality at 28 days was 1.28 (CI = 1.08–1.30, p = 0.005). In addition, there was a positive relationship between DTE time and requirement for packed red blood cell transfusion during the initial 24 h and a negative relationship between DTE time and ICU-free days to day 28.Conclusions: Shorter DTE time was associated with better survival at 7 and 28 days, as well as other clinical outcomes, in patients with severe pelvic fracture who underwent TAE. Efforts to minimize DTE time are recommended to improve the clinical outcomes in patients with pelvic fracture treated with TAE.
The Cardiac Injury in Hospitalized Patients with Severe COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
Authors: Lu Sen , He Hongli , Liu Rong an , Wu Yaqiu , Deng Lei , Wang Pin , Huang Weiwei , Peng Yong , Xiao Hongwen , Li Gang , Huang Xiaobo 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic since December 2019, while the date on the relationship between cardiac injury and mortality in patients with COVID-19 is limited.Methods: All consecutive lab-confirmed critically ill COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital from December 30, 2019 to March 18, 2020, were enrolled. Data of patients were collected. The prevalence of cardiac injury and its association with in-hospital mortality was analyzed.Results: Among the 50 ICU patients, 36 patients (72.0%) were complicated with cardiac injury and 14 patients (28.0%) without cardiac injury. Patients with cardiac injury had higher white blood cell counts, values of d-dimer, levels of lactate concentration, APACHE II score and lower PaO2/FiO2 at the time of admission than those without cardiac injury. The in-hospital case fatality ratio was higher in the cardiac injury than non-cardiac injury group (75.0% vs 21.4%;p=0.002).Multivariable-adjusted logistic proportional hazard regression analysis showed that a significantly higher risk of death in patients with cardiac injury than those without cardiac injury (OR, 5.876; 95% CI, 1.039–33.228).Conclusions: Cardiac injury is a common compilation and associated with higher risk of in-hospital death in patients with severe COVID-19.
Dynamic Gill and Mucous Microbiomes Track an Amoebic Gill Disease Episode in Farmed Atlantic Salmon
Authors: Birlanga Victor Blasco , McCormack Grace , Ijaz Umer Zeeshan , McCarthy Eugene , Smith Cindy , Collins Gavin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Amongst gill disorders in Atlantic salmon, amoebic gill disease (AGD) is currently one of the most common and virulent, resulting in large losses for the aquaculture industry. However, our understanding of the role of the gill microbiome during AGD development is limited. Thus, we undertook a longitudinal study with the main objective of characterising the microbiome of gill, and mucous, samples from farmed Atlantic salmon before, and during, an AGD episode. Using a newly optimised DNA extraction protocol, we sequenced rRNA genes from 90 Atlantic salmon gill microbiomes from a fish farm (West coast of Ireland) over the course of a summer season. The first aetiological agent of AGD, Neoparamoeba perurans , was quantified using PCR targeting 18S rRNA genes. The same analyses were done using mucous samples as suitable, non-lethal alternatives to gill samples. Microbiome features across the sampling campaign were distinguished, focusing on patterns before and during the AGD episode. Results The richness and balance of the prokaryotic community on gills were trending upwards prior to the first appearance of AGD symptoms. The microbiome changed significantly, with reduced diversity and balance, after the AGD episode was confirmed, and the changing bacterial community was driven by competitive exclusion. However, this trend was reversed with the application of a first, and a second, freshwater bath treatment. Mucous samples behaved similarly. The variance of the entire prokaryotic community from both gill and mucous samples was significantly affected by the abundance of N. perurans . Rubritalea sp. were abundant in every gill and mucous sample; however, other genera ( Dyadobacter, Shewanella and Pedobacter ) were maximally abundant in gill and mucous samples 12 days prior to the first detection of AGD symptoms. Conclusions Gill and mucous microbiomes changed significantly after the first AGD symptoms were evident, correlating with N. perurans concentrations and supporting a connection between the development of the AGD and the gill microbiome. Those changes, however, were reversed by the application of multiple freshwater treatments, which returned gills to a more healthy state. Despite differences between microbiome features from gill and mucous samples, the data establish mucous scrapings as suitable, non-lethal substitutes for partial characterisation of the whole prokaryotic community from fish gills. The genus Shewanella was widely present, and significantly more abundant, immediately before the first AGD symptoms than during the AGD episode, marking this out as a feasible, putative target in identifying proxies for early detection of AGD.
Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate Reduced Intestinal Morbidities Requiring Surgery in Preterm Infants With Extremely Low Gestational Age: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kim Seh Hyun , Kim Yoo-Jin , Shin Seung Hyun , Cho Hannah , Shin Seung Han , Kim Ee-Kyung , Kim Han-Suk , Hong Subeen , Lee Seung Mi 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Antenatal magnesium sulfate is widely used as a tocolytic, for maternal seizures, and for seizure prophylaxis in preeclampsia. Recent studies have suggested that antenatal magnesium sulfate use is associated with favorable neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. However, there are concerns regarding the neonatal effects of antenatal magnesium sulfate, especially regarding gastrointestinal morbidities. This study aims to explore the effects of antenatal magnesium sulfate on intestinal morbidities requiring surgery in preterm infants.Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 181 preterm infants who were born at less than 28 weeks of gestational age. Subjects were categorized as infants exposed to antenatal magnesium sulfate and those not exposed to antenatal magnesium sulfate.Results Antenatal magnesium sulfate was associated with a lower incidence of surgical conditions of the intestine (OR 0.393, 95% CI 0.170–0.905). Multivariate analysis showed that the duration of antenatal magnesium sulfate use was associated with surgical conditions of the intestine (adjusted OR 0.766, 95% CI 0.589–0.997). In the < 26 weeks of gestational age subgroup, use of antenatal magnesium sulfate was significantly associated with decreased intestinal morbidities requiring surgery (adjusted OR 0.234, 95% CI 0.060–0.922).Conclusion Antenatal magnesium sulfate use appears to have a protective effect on intestinal morbidities requiring surgery in preterm infants in a duration-dependent manner. Association of antenatal magnesium sulfate use and decreased intestinal morbidities requiring surgery was more distinct in preterm infants < 26 weeks of gestational age.