bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive Performance of Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Falciparum Malaria and Its Modeled Impact on Integrated Community Case Management of Malaria in Sub-Saharan African Febrile Children
Authors: Mischlinger Johannes , Dudek Veronika , Ramharter Michael 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Integrated community case management (iCCM) of malaria complements public health services to improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment of malaria. ICCM relies on standardized test-and-treat algorithms implemented by community health workers using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). However, due to a changing epidemiology of fever causes in Africa, positive RDT results might not correctly reflect malaria. In this study, we modeled diagnostic predictive values for all malaria-endemic African regions as an indicator of the programmatic usefulness of RDTs in iCCM campaigns on malaria.

Methods
Positive predictive values (PPVs) and negative predictive values (NPVs) of RDTs for clinical malaria were modeled. Assay-specific performance characteristics stem from the Cochrane Library and data on the proportion of malaria-attributable fevers among African febrile children aged &lt;5 years were used as prevalence matrix.

Results
Average country-level PPVs vary considerably. Ethiopia had the lowest PPVs (histidine-rich protein II [HRP2] assay, 17.35%; parasite lactate dehydrogenase [pLDH] assay, 39.73%), and Guinea had the highest PPVs (HRP2 assay, 95.32%; pLDH assay, 98.46%). On the contrary, NPVs were above 90% in all countries (HRP2 assay, ≥94.87%; pLDH assay, ≥93.36%).

Conclusions
PPVs differed considerably within Africa when used to screen febrile children, indicating unfavorable performance of RDT-based test-and-treat algorithms in low-PPV settings. This suggests that the administration of antimalarials alone may not constitute causal treatment in the presence of a positive RDT result for a substantial proportion of patients, particularly in low-PPV settings. Therefore, current iCCM algorithms should be complemented by information on other setting-specific major causes of fever.
Evaluation of High-Throughput SARS-CoV-2 Serological Assays in a Longitudinal Cohort of Patients with Mild COVID-19: Clinical Sensitivity, Specificity, and Association with Virus Neutralization Test
Authors: Bal Antonin , Pozzetto Bruno , Trabaud Mary-Anne , Escuret Vanessa , Rabilloud Muriel , Langlois-Jacques Carole , Paul Adèle , Guibert Nicolas , D’Aubarède-Frieh Constance , Massardier-Pilonchery Amélie , Fabien Nicole , Goncalves David , Boibieux André , Morfin-Sherpa Florence , Pitiot Virginie , Gueyffier François , Lina Bruno , Fassier Jean-Baptiste , Trouillet-Assant Sophie ,   COVID SER Study Group
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
The association between SARS-CoV-2 commercial serological assays and virus neutralization test (VNT) has been poorly explored in mild patients with COVID-19.

Methods
439 serum specimens were longitudinally collected from 76 healthcare workers with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19. The clinical sensitivity (determined weekly) of 9 commercial serological assays were evaluated. Clinical specificity was assessed using 69 pre-pandemic sera. Correlation, agreement, and concordance with the VNT were also assessed on a subset of 170 samples. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) was estimated at 2 neutralizing antibody titers.

Results
The Wantai Total Ab assay targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) within the S protein presented the best sensitivity at different times during the course of disease. The clinical specificity was greater than 95% for all tests except for the Euroimmun IgA assay. The overall agreement with the presence of neutralizing antibodies ranged from 62.2% (95%CI; 56.0–68.1) for bioMérieux IgM to 91.2% (87.0–94.2) for Siemens. The lowest negative percent agreement (NPA) was found with the Wantai Total Ab assay (NPA 33% (21.1–48.3)). The NPA for other total Ab or IgG assays targeting the S or the RBD was 80.7% (66.7–89.7), 90.3% (78.1–96.1), and 96.8% (86.8–99.3) for Siemens, bioMérieux IgG, and DiaSorin, respectively. None of the commercial assays have sufficient performance to detect a neutralizing titer of 80 (AUC &lt; 0.76).

Conclusions
Although some assays show a better agreement with VNT than others, the present findings emphasize that commercialized serological tests, including those targeting the RBD, cannot substitute a VNT for the assessment of functional antibody response.
Successful surgical treatment of a 1160 g neonate with cardiac teratoma and severe foetal hydrops: a case report
Authors: Beichl Matthias , Thanhaeuser Margarita , Ulm Barbara , Zimpfer Daniel 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Prenatally diagnosed pericardial teratoma present a rare finding with an unfavourable prognosis due to frequently associated Foetal hydrops and limited treatment options. We report a successful surgical resection of a prenatally diagnosed cardiac teratoma in a 1160 g neonate with severe Foetal hydrops and cardiac deterioration.

Case summary
The patient was transferred in utero to our institution due to prior diagnosed pericardial mass and severe foetal hydrops, which necessitated caesarean section one day after arrival at a gestational age of 28 + 0 weeks. After intubation, the patient was stabilized by surgical drainage of 60 mL of pericardial effusion. Further clinical worsening of the patient on the day of life 12 demanded urgent intervention, so that in toto resection of the tumour was performed at a bodyweight of 1160 g. Histopathological analysis revealed a teratoma and the patient is in excellent clinical condition one year after surgery.

Discussion
This case report demonstrates that an interdisciplinary, two-staged approach can be a feasible and promising treatment option in patients with prenatally diagnosed teratoma and severe Foetal hydrops in a critical circulatory state. Furthermore, it illustrated that resection of pericardial masses can be successfully performed at a bodyweight as low as 1160 g.
An unusual cause of acute pericarditis: a case report
Authors: Salarda Erika M , Ocazionez-Trujillo Daniel , Prakash Siddharth K 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Inflammation of the pericardium, or pericarditis, is a frequent cause of acute chest pain in young patients. Pericarditis is typically associated with viral infections, but other potential causes may have distinct prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Case summary
A 26-year-old man presented with typical signs and symptoms of acute pericarditis. However, imaging disclosed an anterior mediastinal mass that compressed the right ventricular outflow tract. The coarse outflow murmur convincingly mimicked a pericardial friction rub on auscultation.

Conclusion
Clinicians should be aware of alternative aetiologies to pericarditis in patients who present with prolonged or refractory symptoms.
Camilo Barcia Trelles in and beyond Vitoria's Shadow (1888–1977)
Authors: de la Rasilla Ignacio 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Credited with having fostered the renaissance of Francisco de Vitoria and the School of Salamanca in international law circles in the interwar period, Camilo Barcia Trelles has largely fallen into oblivion along with most Spanish international law professors of the Spanish Civil War generation. The first part of this article provides an outline of the long career of Barcia Trelles against the background of the radically transformed domestic and international context of the interwar years and the aftermath of World War II in both Spain and Europe. The second part surveys three key themes of Barcia Trelles’ 60-year long contribution to the study of international law and international politics. First, it analyses his early interest in the process of regionalism in Latin America and the role of North American foreign policy in the region. This is followed by an analysis of Barcia Trelles’s attention to the study of the Spanish classics of international law during the interwar period, and, finally, by an overview of his approach to the study of international law in the light of international politics during the Cold War. The conclusion briefly engages with the legacy of Barcia Trelles’ life and works in the European tradition of international law.
Matricellular Protein SPARCL1 Regulates Blood Vessel Integrity and Antagonizes Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Regensburger Daniela , Tenkerian Clara , Pürzer Victoria , Schmid Benjamin , Wohlfahrt Thomas , Stolzer Iris , López-Posadas Rocío , Günther Claudia , Waldner Maximilian J , Becker Christoph , Sticht Heinrich , Petter Katja , Flierl Christian , Gass Tobias , Thoenissen Tim , Geppert Carol I , Britzen-Laurent Nathalie , Méniel Valérie S , Ramming Andreas , Stürzl Michael , Naschberger Elisabeth 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
The understanding of vascular plasticity is key to defining the role of blood vessels in physiologic and pathogenic processes. In the present study, the impact of the vascular quiescence marker SPARCL1 on angiogenesis, capillary morphogenesis, and vessel integrity was evaluated.

Methods
Angiogenesis was studied using the metatarsal test, an ex vivo model of sprouting angiogenesis. In addition, acute and chronic dextran sodium sulfate colitis models with SPARCL1 knockout mice were applied.

Results
This approach indicated that SPARCL1 inhibits angiogenesis and supports vessel morphogenesis and integrity. Evidence was provided that SPARCL1-mediated stabilization of vessel integrity counteracts vessel permeability and inflammation in acute and chronic dextran sodium sulfate colitis models. Structure-function analyses of purified SPARCL1 identified the acidic domain of the protein necessary for its anti-angiogenic activity.

Conclusions
Our findings inaugurate SPARCL1 as a blood vessel–derived anti-angiogenic molecule required for vessel morphogenesis and integrity. SPARCL1 opens new perspectives as a vascular marker of susceptibility to colitis and as a therapeutic molecule to support blood vessel stability in this disease.
Methylome-wide Analysis Reveals Epigenetic Marks Associated With Resistance to Tuberculosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Individuals From East Africa
Authors: Stein Catherine M , Benchek Penelope , Bartlett Jacquelaine , Igo Robert P , Sobota Rafal S , Chervenak Keith , Mayanja-Kizza Harriet , von Reyn C Fordham , Lahey Timothy , Bush William S , Boom W Henry , Scott William K , Marsit Carmen , Sirugo Giorgio , Williams Scott M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is the most deadly infectious disease globally and is highly prevalent in the developing world. For individuals infected with both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the risk of active TB is 10% or more annually. Previously, we identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) a region on chromosome 5 associated with resistance to TB, which included epigenetic marks that could influence gene regulation. We hypothesized that HIV-infected individuals exposed to Mtb who remain disease free carry epigenetic changes that strongly protect them from active TB.

Methods
We conducted a methylome-wide study in HIV-infected, TB-exposed cohorts from Uganda and Tanzania and integrated data from our GWAS.

Results
We identified 3 regions of interest that included markers that were differentially methylated between TB cases and controls with latent TB infection: chromosome 1 (RNF220, P = 4 × 10–5), chromosome 2 (between COPS8 and COL6A3, P = 2.7 × 10–5), and chromosome 5 (CEP72, P = 1.3 × 10–5). These methylation results co-localized with associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), methylation QTLs, and methylation × SNP interaction effects. These markers were in regions with regulatory markers for cells involved in TB immunity and/or lung.

Conclusions
Epigenetic regulation is a potential biologic factor underlying resistance to TB in immunocompromised individuals that can act in conjunction with genetic variants.
Localization and site-specific cell–cell interactions of group 2 innate lymphoid cells
Authors: Kiniwa Tsuyoshi , Moro Kazuyo 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are novel lymphocytes discovered in 2010. Unlike T or B cells, ILC2s are activated non-specifically by environmental factors and produce various cytokines, thus playing a role in tissue homeostasis, diseases including allergic diseases, and parasite elimination. ILC2s were first reported as cells abundantly present in fat-associated lymphoid clusters in adipose tissue. However, subsequent studies revealed their presence in various tissues throughout the body, acting as key players in tissue-specific diseases. Recent histologic analyses revealed that ILC2s are concentrated in specific regions in tissues, such as the lamina propria and perivascular regions, with their function being controlled by the surrounding cells, such as epithelial cells and other immune cells, via cytokine and lipid production or by cell–cell interactions through surface molecules. Especially, some stromal cells have been identified as the niche cells for ILC2s, both in the steady state and under inflammatory conditions, through the production of IL-33 or extracellular matrix factors. Additionally, peripheral neurons reportedly co-localize with ILC2s and alter their function directly through neurotransmitters. These findings suggest that the different localizations or different cell–cell interactions might affect the function of ILC2s. Furthermore, generally, ILC2s are thought to be tissue-resident cells; however, they occasionally migrate to other tissues and perform a new role; this supports the importance of the microenvironment for their function. We summarize here the current understanding of how the microenvironment controls ILC2 localization and function with the aim of promoting the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
Physics-based smart model for prediction of viscosity of nanofluids containing nanoparticles using deep learning
Authors: Changdar Satyasaran , Bhaumik Bivas , De Soumen 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The traditional model-driven methods are not much efficient to predict the viscosity of nanofluids accurately. This study presents a novel approach of using physics-guided deep learning technique for predicting viscosity of water-based nanofluids from large dataset containing both experimental and simulated data of spherical oxide nanoparticles $\rm{Al2O3}$, $\rm{CuO}$, $\rm{SiO2}$, and $\rm{TiO2}$. Further, this study introduces a novel methodology of combining deep learning methods and physics-based models to leverage their complementary strengths. To the best of the author’s knowledge, theory-guided deep learning prediction model was never used to predict viscosity before. The theory-guided deep neural networks (TGDNN) model is trained by minimizing the mean square error (MSE) and regularization terms using Adam optimization technique. The investigations reveal that the values of R2, RMSE, and AARD% are, respectively, 0.999868, 0.001143, and 2.198887 on experimental testing dataset. The TGDNN model learns non-linear relationship among the input variables from the training data. Additionally, the results show that the proposed method performed better than the other well-known existing theoretical and computer-aided models to predict the viscosity in wide range with high level of accuracy.
Caught up or Protected by the Past? How Reputational Histories Matter for Agencies’ Media Reputations
Authors: Salomonsen Heidi Houlberg , Boye Stefan , Boon Jan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Reputation scholars have convincingly demonstrated the relevance of understanding the behavior of government agencies as motivated by reputational concerns. Yet we must still expand our understanding of how agency audiences pass reputational judgments. Combining insights from bureaucratic reputation theory with psychological theories (motivated reasoning and attribution theory), this article theorizes and tests whether agencies’ reputational histories increase the likelihood of receiving positive or negative newspaper coverage. Our findings are based on an extensive coding of 11,041 newspaper articles over a 10-year period in Denmark and Flanders (Belgium) regarding 40 agencies. We introduce a measure of reputational history from communication studies. The analysis identifies that both negative and positive reputational histories are related to the valence of newspaper coverage, suggesting that the past reputations of agencies are part of the cognitive basis upon which audiences form reputational judgment.
Improvement of the bioavailability of curcumin by a supersaturatable self nanoemulsifying drug delivery system with incorporation of a hydrophilic polymer: in vitro and in vivo characterisation
Authors: Chen Xu-long , Liang Xin-li , Zhao Guo-wei , Zeng Qing-yun , Dong Wei , Ou Li-quan , Zhang Hao-nan , Jiang Qie-ying , Liao Zheng-gen 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objectives
The current study was focused on preparing curcumin (CUR) supersaturated self-nano-emulsion (PI-CUR-SNEDDS) using hydrophilic polymer and to study the influence of polymer precipitation inhibitor on the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of the PI-CUR-SNEDDS.

Methods
PI-CUR-SNEDDS were prepared using hydrophilic polymer in order to maintain the supersaturation of CUR in nano-emulsion solution, artificial gastrointestinal fluid (AGF), and the precipitates formed, and characterised by in vitro dispersion tests, in vitro intestinal absorption and in vivo pharmacokinetic and compared with CUR-SNEDDS.

Key findings
PI-CUR-SNEDDS prepared with 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 55–60 (HPMC55-60) as precipitation inhibitor (PI) significantly improved the viscosity, physical stability and CUR’s equilibrium solubility of nanoemulsion. HPMC55-60 and CUR interact in AGF through intermolecular interactions, form hydrogen bonds, and produce amorphous precipitates. Compared with CUR-SNEDDS, the proportion of CUR in the hydrophilic phase increased by about 3-fold, and apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) in duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon increased by 2.30, 3.65, 1.54 and 2.08-fold, respectively, and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve0-12h of PI-CUR-SNEDDS also increased by 3.50-fold.

Conclusions
Our results suggested that HPMC55-60 maintained the CUR supersaturation state by forming hydrogen bonds with CUR, increasing the solution’s viscosity and drug solubilisation, thus improving the absorption and bioavailability of CUR.
Giant hepatic haemangioma rupture in a patient on direct oral anticoagulant therapy
Authors: Nguyen Marie , Lim Aaron E , Jeyarajan Eshwarshanker , Koh Mary-Ann , Ng Andrew , Townend Phillip 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Rupture of a liver haemangioma is extremely rare, with less than 100 cases reported in the literature. This is the first case known to date reporting a rupture occurring with direct oral anticoagulant therapy. A 76-year-old woman presented with acute abdominal pain and syncope in the context of commencing apixaban 4 weeks prior. Abdominal computed tomography and angiography demonstrated a large heterogenous mass in the left liver lobe with contrast blush suggestive of a bleeding tumour. Urgent transcatheter arterial embolization successfully ceased haemorrhage. Due to persistent compressive symptoms, a left lateral hepatectomy was performed. CD34 immunostaining of the tissue revealed variably sized vessels, which was consistent with a ruptured giant hepatic haemangioma. Our case substantiates the limited available literature regarding ruptured haemangiomas. Combined with previous case reports, this report will significantly contribute to our understanding of the risk factors, diagnosis and surgical indications for ruptured hepatic haemangiomas.
Model-Based Inference for Rare and Clustered Populations From Adaptive Cluster Sampling Using Auxiliary Variables
Authors: Nolau Izabel , Gonçalves Kelly C M , Pereira João B M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Rare populations, such as endangered animals and plants, drug users and individuals with rare diseases, tend to cluster in regions. Adaptive cluster sampling is generally applied to obtain information from clustered and sparse populations since it increases survey effort in areas where the individuals of interest are observed. This work proposes a unit-level model which assumes that counts are related to auxiliary variables, improving the sampling process by assigning different weights to the cells, besides referring to them spatially. The proposed model fits rare and grouped populations arranged on a regular grid in a Bayesian framework. The approach is compared to alternative methods using simulated data and a real experiment in which adaptive samples were drawn from an African buffalo population in a 24,108 square kilometer area in East Africa. Simulation studies show that the model is efficient in several settings, validating the method proposed in this paper for practical situations.
A novel TaqMan qPCR assay for rapid detection and quantification of pro-inflammatory microalgae Prototheca spp. in milk samples
Authors: Bacova Romana , Kralik Petr , Kucharovicova Ivana , Seydlova Ruzena , Moravkova Monika 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Animal or human protothecosis belongs to rather rare, endemic, pro-inflammatory infections. It is caused by achlorophyllous algae of the genus Prototheca. Especially, P. bovis (formerly P. zopfii genotype 2) is often inflected as a non-bacterial causative agent of dairy cattle mastitis. In this study, we present a multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) system for rapid and exact Prototheca spp. detection and quantification. Limit of detection, diagnostic sensitivity, and specificity were determined. For the first time, specific sequences of AccD (encoding acetyl CoA reductase) for P. bovis, cox1 (encoding cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1) for P. wickerhamii, cytB (encoding cytochrome B) for P. blashkeae and atp6 (encoding transporting ATPase F0 subunit 6) for P. ciferrii (formerly P. zopfii genotype 1) were used for species identification and quantification together with 28S rRNA sequence detecting genus Prototheca. The developed qPCR assay was applied to 55 individual cow milk samples from a herd suspected of protothecosis, 41 bulk milk samples from different Czech farms, 16 boxed milk samples purchased in supermarkets and 21 environmental samples originating from a farm suspected of protothecosis. Our work thus offers the possibility to diagnose protothecosis in the samples, where bacterial mastitis is the most commonly presumed and thereby assisting adequate corrective measures to be taken.