bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The safety of JAK-1 inhibitors
Authors: Clarke Benjamin , Yates Mark , Adas Maryam , Bechman Katie , Galloway James 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
As efficacy and safety data emerge, differences between JAK inhibitor subclasses are appearing. JAK1 selective drugs, upadacitinib and filgotinib, have broadly come with the same overarching safety recommendations as other immunosuppressive drugs for RA: caution is needed regarding infection risk; monitoring for laboratory abnormalities, including lipids and muscle enzymes, is indicated. A distinguishing feature of JAK inhibitors is a risk for zoster reactivation. Numerically, overall rates of serious infection are similar among JAK inhibitor classes. There are currently no signals for diverticular perforation. VTE incidence rates were similar across comparator groups for the JAK1 selective agents. These observations are not yet conclusive evidence for different safety profiles between JAK1 selective agents and other JAK inhibitors. Differences in study population, design, and concomitant steroid use are examples of potential confounders. It is too early to draw conclusions on long-term outcomes such as malignancy and cardiovascular risk. Post-marketing pharmacovigilance studies will be essential.
Mycetoma in Sudan: experience of the Mycetoma Project from 1968 to 1991
Authors: Mahgoub Elsheikh 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
International collaboration on research on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is regarded as a norm, but it was not always so. This article is an account of a growing international collaboration on the diagnosis and treatment of mycetoma that started in Sudan in the 1960s and has grown and flourished up to the present day.
Respiratory Tract Infection Management and Antibiotic Prescription in Children: A Unique Study Comparing Three Levels of Healthcare in The Netherlands
Authors: van Aerde Koen J. , de Haan Liza , van Leur Mattijn , Gerrits Gerardus P. , Schers Henk , Moll Henriette A. , Hagedoorn Nienke N. , Herberg Jethro A. , Levin Michael , Rivero-Calle Irene , de Jonge Marien I. , de Groot Ronald , van der Flier Michiel ,   on behalf of the PERFORM Consortium
Published: January 2021

Background:
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common in children with febrile illness visiting the general practitioner (GP) or emergency department. We studied the management of children with fever and RTI at 3 different levels of healthcare in The Netherlands, focusing on antibiotic prescription.

Methods:
This prospective observational study is part of the Management and Outcome of Febrile children in Europe study. Data were used from face-to-face patient contacts of children with febrile illness in three healthcare settings in Nijmegen, The Netherlands during 2017. These settings were primary (GP), secondary (general hospital) and tertiary care (university hospital).

Results:
Of 892 cases with RTI without complex comorbidities, overall antibiotic prescription rates were 29% with no differences between the 3 levels of healthcare, leading to an absolute number of 5031 prescriptions per 100,000 children per year in primary care compared with 146 in secondary and tertiary care combined. The prescription rate in otitis media was similar in all levels: 60%. In cases with lower RTI who received nebulizations prescription rates varied between 19% and 55%.

Conclusions:
Antibiotic prescription rates for RTIs in children were comparable between the 3 levels of healthcare, thus leading to a majority of antibiotics being prescribed in primary care. Relatively high prescription rates for all foci of RTIs were found, which was not in agreement with the national guidelines. Antibiotic stewardship needs improvement at all 3 levels of healthcare. Guidelines to prescribe small spectrum antibiotics for RTIs need to be better implemented in hospital care settings.
Selecting Appropriate 3D Scanning Technologies for Prosthetic Socket Design and Transtibial Residual Limb Shape Characterization
Authors: Dickinson Alexander S. , Donovan-Hall Maggie K. , Kheng Sisary , Bou Ky , Tech Auntouch , Steer Joshua W. , Metcalf Cheryl D. , Worsley Peter R. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Plaster casting and manual rectification represent the benchmark prosthetic socket design method. 3D technologies have increasing potential for prosthetic limb design and fabrication, especially for enhancing access to these services in low-resource settings. However, the community has a responsibility to verify the efficacy of these new digital technologies. The motivation for this study was to establish benchmarking data to assess digital shape capture technologies, specifically for clinically relevant residual limb shape and landmark capture for limb survey and socket design. The objective was therefore to assess the repeatability of plaster casting in vivo and to compare this with three clinically used 3D scanners.

Materials and Methods
A comparative reliability assessment of casting and 3D scanning was conducted in 11 participants with established transtibial amputation. For each participant, two positive molds were cast by a prosthetist and digitized using a white-light 3D surface scanner. Between casts, each participant's residual limb was scanned. The deviation among scan volumes, cross-sections, and shapes was calculated.

Results
A total of 95% of the clinically relevant socket shape surface area had a deviation between manual casts of less than 2.87 mm (SD, 0.44 mm), and the average deviation was 0.18 mm (SD, 1.72 mm). The repeatability coefficient of casting was 46.1 ml (3.47%) for volume and 9.6 mm (3.53%) for perimeters. For all clinically meaningful measures, greater reliability was observed for the Omega scanner and worse for the Sense and iSense scanners, although it was observed that the Sense scanner performance was comparable to casting (95th percentile shape consistency).

Conclusions
This study provides a platform to appraise new clinical shape capture technologies in the context of best practice in manual plaster casting and starts the conversation of which 3D scanning devices are most appropriate for different types of clinical use. The methods and benchmark results may support prosthetists in acquiring and applying their clinical experience, as part of their continuing professional development.
Periodic positive solutions of superlinear delay equations via topological degree
Authors: Amster Pablo , Benevieri Pierluigi , Haddad Julián 
Published: January 2021

We extend to delay equations recent results obtained by G. Feltrin and F. Zanolin for second-order ordinary equations with a superlinear term. We prove the existence of positive periodic solutions for nonlinear delay equations −
u
″(
t
) =
a
(
t
)
g
(
u
(
t
),
u
(
t
−
τ
)). We assume superlinear growth for
g
and sign alternance for
a
. The approach is topological and based on Mawhin’s coincidence degree.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Topological degree and fixed point theories in differential and difference equations’.
Degree, quaternions and periodic solutions
Authors: Mawhin Jean 
Published: January 2021

The paper computes the Brouwer degree of some classes of homogeneous polynomials defined on quaternions and applies the results, together with a continuation theorem of coincidence degree theory, to the existence and multiplicity of periodic solutions of a class of systems of quaternionic valued ordinary differential equations.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Topological degree and fixed point theories in differential and difference equations’.
COVID-19 ARDS is characterized by a dysregulated host response that differs from cytokine storm and may be modified by dexamethasone
Authors: Sarma Aartik , Christenson Stephanie A. , Mick Eran , DeVoe Catherine , Deiss Thomas , Pisco Angela Oliveira , Ghale Rajani , Jauregui Alejandra , Byrne Ashley , Moazed Farzad , Spottiswoode Natasha , Sinha Pratik , Zha Beth Shoshana , Serpa Paula Hayakawa , Ansel K. Mark , Wilson Jennifer G. , Leligdowicz Aleksandra , Siegel Emily R. , Sirota Marina , DeRisi Joseph L. , Matthay Michael A. ,   COMET Consortium, Hendrickson Carolyn M. , Kangelaris Kirsten N. , Krummel Matthew F. , Woodruff Prescott G. , Erle David J. , Calfee Carolyn S. , Langelier Charles R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe performed comparative lower respiratory tract transcriptional profiling of 52 critically ill patients with ARDS from COVID-19 or other etiologies, or without ARDS. We found no evidence of cytokine storm but instead observed complex host response dysregulation driven by genes with non-canonical roles in inflammation and immunity that were predicted to be modulated by dexamethasone. Compared to other viral ARDS, COVID-19 was characterized by impaired interferon-stimulated gene expression.
Experiences with Primary Care in the State of Utah for Gender Diverse People: Surveying the Difficulties in Accessing Healthcare
Authors: Tristani-Firouzi Bita , Rolls Joanne , Mihalopoulos Nicole L. , Agarwal Cori A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundTransgender and non-binary communities continue to be underserved in healthcare. This study seeks to better understand the barriers and difficulties faced by transgender and non-binary patients in accessing primary care and hormone therapy in Utah.MethodsAn online survey was developed for transgender and non-binary identifying adults and was advertised via social media and the University of Utah Hospital’s website.ResultsThere were 123 respondents from Utah including 39 trans women, 49 trans men, and 35 non-binary individuals. The age ranged from 18-67 (average 30 years), and 93% were Caucasian. The majority (84%) were insured, yet 67% of respondents reported difficulty accessing primary care. Fear of discrimination and being unable to find trans-friendly providers were reported as the two largest barriers. Non-binary respondents reported fear of discrimination as a barrier to primary care at the highest percentage (92%). Nearly 3 in 4 respondents who have hormone therapy reported difficulty paying for it. One in four trans women reported accessing hormones online or from a friend.ConclusionUtah is currently drastically underequipped to provide for the healthcare needs of transgender and non-binary communities. There needs to be an increase in trans-friendly primary care providers to curb discrimination. More resources and efforts must go into training primary care providers with necessary knowledge to properly serve transgender and non-binary patients. Finally, clear anti-discrimination laws are needed for insurance companies to reduce the financial barrier to transgender health services in Utah.
A cross-sectional study on the drug usage of insomnia in the Chinese medicine hospital in Long gang, Shenzhen
Authors: Lin Jingfeng , Wang Zhenyi , Tian Danfeng , Xi Run , Han Zhenyun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntroductionInsomnia was widely distributed among the population, and it was a risk factor for many diseases. To evaluate the condition of usage of drugs in Chinese hospital of Longgang, Shenzhen, we carried this cross-sectional research. We extracted the information of drug usage, symptoms of patients by R software (version 4.0.2) from Hospital Information System (HIS). The research was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000040703.MethodsA retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in Shenzhen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (Long Gang). Insomnia patients from Jan 1, 2016 to Nov 10, 2020 were included to cross-sectional study. We analyzed the basic information, the condition of drug usage and the relation of symptoms and drug usage by R software (version 4.0.2).ResultsTotally 9439 patients were included in the study. The average age of these patients was 45.81years (SD 13.97 years). Anxiety, dreaminess, dizzy, palpitation, headache, thirsty, weakness, chest distress, annoyance, abdominal distension, bad moods, difficulty falling asleep and bitter taste were core symptoms of insomnia. Totally 14256 times (67.65%) patients received drug prescription and more than one insomnia drug was administered in 8355 patients. The 10 most used drugs ranged from more to less were Estazolam(29.99%), Zaoren Anshen Capsule(15.50%), Oryzanol(14.82%), Diazepam(14.51%), Flupentixol and Melitracen(14.30%), Alprazolam(8.12%), Zolpidem Tartrate(5.29%), vitamin B6(4.76%), Sertraline(4.03%), Clonazepam(2.97%).ConclusionThe drug usage for insomnia in the Chinese medicine hospital in Long gang, Shenzhen were mainly included benzodiazepine, nonbenzodiazepine, Chinese patent medicines, anti-anxiety and anti-depression drugs, oryzanol and vitamin B6. The usage of Oryzanol and vitamin B6 should be abused in Chinese medicine hospital, and the usage of Chinese medicine should be more rigorous evaluated. The nonbenzodiazepine should be promoted and broader understood in Chinese medicine hospital in Longgang, Shenzhen.
Lockdown Effects on Sars-CoV-2 Transmission – The evidence from Northern Jutland
Authors: Kepp Kasper Planeta , Bjørnskov Christian 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe exact impact of lockdowns and other NPIs on Sars-CoV-2 transmission remain a matter of debate as early models assumed 100% susceptible homogenously transmitting populations, an assumption known to overestimate counterfactual transmission, and since most real epidemiological data are subject to massive confounding variables. Here, we analyse the unique case-controlled epidemiological dataset arising from the selective lockdown of parts of Northern Denmark, but not others, as a consequence of the spread of mink-related mutations in November 2020. Our analysis shows that while infection levels decreased, they did so before lockdown was effective, and infection numbers also decreased in neighbour municipalities without mandates. Direct spill-over to neighbour municipalities or the simultaneous mass testing do not explain this. Instead, control of infection pockets possibly together with voluntary social behaviour was apparently effective before the mandate, explaining why the infection decline occurred before and in both the mandated and non-mandated areas. The data suggest that efficient infection surveillance and voluntary compliance make full lockdowns unnecessary at least in some circumstances.
Comparative Study - The Impact and Profile of COVID-19 Patients Who Are Indicated for Neuroimaging: Vascular Phenomena Are Been Found in the Brain and Olfactory Bulbs
Authors: Aragao Maria de Fatima Viana Vasco , Leal Mariana de Carvalho , Cartaxo Filho Ocelio Queiroga , Fonseca Tatiana Moreira , Aragao Lucas Vasco , Carneiro Leao Maria Regina Vendas , Valenca Marcelo Andrade , Andrade Pedro Henrique Pereira de , Aragao Joao Pedro Vasco , Caldas Neto Silvio da Silva , Valenca Marcelo Moraes 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo verify the impact and findings of the COVID-19 patients’ group that underwent brain scans in comparison to the group which only chest CT was performed.Method876 suspected COVID-19 patients and a subsample of 232 cases with confirmed COVID-19 who underwent brain CT/MRI scan (n=35) or only chest CT (n=197) in two radiology departments, were evaluated.Results5.59% of all suspected COVID-19 patients found had brain scans and 98.74% chest CT. There was a statistically significant difference with associations regarding the COVID-19 brain scan group for: admission to ICU, greater severity of lung injuries, the use of mechanical ventilator, seizure, sepsis, and stroke and statistical tendency for chronic renal failure and systemic arterial hypertension. 40.0% of COVID-19 patients from the brain scan group were abnormal on brain CT and/or brain MRI. 22.9% cases with any kind of bleeding or microbleeding, 8.6% with restricted diffusion lesions. One ischemic stroke case was associated with irregularity at M1 segment of the right middle cerebral artery. There was a case of left facial nerve palsy with enhancement of left geniculate ganglia. An analyse of the olfactory bulbs was possible in 12 brain MRIs and 100% had enhancement and/or microbleeding. There was no statistical difference regarding death (9.1% versus 5.2%).In conclusionthe COVID-19 patients group on which brain CT and/or MRI needed to be performed was statically associated with the more severe COVID-19 disease, an indication to ICU, a more severe form of lung disease, use of mechanical ventilator, seizure, sepsis and stroke. Less than half of patients had abnormal brain imaging scans with all of them showing vascular brain injury lesion, being more frequently microbleeding or bleeding, followed by restricted diffusion lesions. All the olfactory bulbs evaluated showed injury by vascular phenomenon, probably methahemoglobine by microbleeding or microthrombus and/or abnormal enhancement
Lived experiences of pregnant and new mothers during COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative analysis of YouTube birth stories
Authors: Ajayi Kobi V. , Harvey Idethia S. , Panjwani Sonya , Uwak Inyang , Garney Whitney , Page Robin L. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought on unprecedented changes, not only to our daily lives but also to our healthcare system. The pandemic has particularly impacted pregnant women that must give birth with tight restrictions and significant uncertainties. Birth stories have frequently been used as a way for women to describe their experiences with the birthing process. In this uncertain time, birth stories can provide valuable insight into how pregnancy and birth stressors during a pandemic can impact the patient’s overall experience. This study sought to describe and understand pregnant and new mothers’ lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsResearchers extracted relevant YouTube birth stories using predetermined search terms and inclusion criteria. The mothers’ birth stories were narrated in their second or third trimester or those who had recently given birth during the study period. Birth stories were analyzed using an inductive and deductive approach to capture different aspects of the birthing experience.ResultsOverall, eighty-three birth stories were analyzed. Within these birth stories, four broad themes and twelve subthemes emerged. Key themes included a sense of loss, hospital experiences, experiences with healthcare providers, and unique experiences during birth and postpartum. The birth stories revealed negative and positive birth experiences. Particularly, mothers were frustrated with constantly changing policies within the healthcare setting that negatively affected their birthing experience. On the other hand, support from healthcare professionals, having their partners in the delivery room, and having a positive mindset was instrumental in having a positive birth experience.ConclusionResults from this study provided a detailed description of women’s lived experience with giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare providers need to provide clear communication and compassionate patient-centered care to relieve women’s anxiety about uncertain and unpredictable policy as the pandemic continues to evolve.
The ocular tissue-specificity of differentially expressed age-related macular degeneration associated genes
Authors: Duchen Dylan , Beaty Terri 
Published: January 2021

PurposeAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the developed world. One of the most genetically well-characterized degenerative diseases, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 52 independent common or rare AMD risk associated variants. While transcriptome-wide association analyses (TWAS) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) efforts have characterized the effects of these AMD-associated genes on mRNA expression in retinal tissue, we aimed to characterize the AMD-associated transcriptional profiles of functionally distinct ocular tissues including the macular and extramacular regions of the retina and the retinal-pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid.MethodsUsing publicly available microarray data (NCBI GEO accession: GSE29801) comprised of retinal and RPE/choroidal tissue samples from 142 AMD patients and 151 healthy individuals (118 retina and 175 RPE/Choroid samples), tissue-specific differential gene expression analyses were conducted. Transcriptome analyses were focused on 878 genes surrounding known AMD-associated loci.ResultsMany genes which contain clinically significant or causal variants identified via GWAS or TWAS/eQTL studies were significantly differentially expressed and display transcriptional heterogeneity across different subtypes of ocular tissue and retinal geography in AMD-associated tissues.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the importance of spatial heterogeneity and tissue specificity in the mRNA expression of known AMD-associated genes. Genes known to harbor rare or causal AMD- associated variants are differentially expressed in functionally distinct ocular tissues of AMD patients, suggesting they might contribute to disease regardless of mutation status.
Mitochondrial DNA copy number and trimethylamine levels in the blood: new insights on cardiovascular disease biomarkers
Authors: Bordoni Laura , Petracci Irene , Pelikant-Malecka Iwona , Radulska Adriana , Piangerelli Marco , Samulak Joanna J. , Lewicki Lukasz , Kalinowski Leszek , Gabbianelli Rosita , Olek Robert A. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTAmong cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers, the mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) is a promising candidate. A growing attention has been also dedicated to trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), an oxidative derivative of the gut metabolite trimethylamine (TMA). With the aim to identify biomarkers predictive of CVD, we investigated TMA, TMAO and mtDNAcn in a population of 389 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and 151 healthy controls, in association with established risk factors for CVD (gender, age, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, glomerular filtration rate (GFR)). MtDNAcn was significantly lower in CAD patients and in hypertensive subjects; it correlates with GFR and TMA, but not with TMAO. A biomarker including mtDNAcn, gender, and hypertension (but neither TMA nor TMAO) emerged as a good predictor of CAD. Our findings support the usage of mtDNAcn as a plastic biomarker to monitor the exposure to risk factors and the efficacy of preventive interventions for a personalized CAD risk reduction.Highlights-mtDNAcn measured in whole blood is associated to the cardiovascular health status in humans;-mtDNAcn is reduced in CAD and hypertension, and inversely correlates with GFR;-mtDNA, gender and hypertension together represent a good predictive biomarker for CAD;-TMA metabolism is different in healthy and CAD subjects;-TMA and TMAO are not good predictors of CAD.
Co-circulation of two viral populations under vaccination
Authors: Acuña-Zegarra Manuel A. , Núñez-López Mayra , Comas-García Andreu , Santana-Cibrian Mario , Velasco-Hernández Jorge X. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe interaction and possibly interference between viruses infecting a host population is addressed in this work. We model two viral diseases with a similar transmission mechanism and for which a vaccine exists. The vaccine is characterized by its coverage, induced temporary immunity, and efficacy. The population dynamics of both diseases consider infected individuals of each illness and hosts susceptible to one but recovered from the other. We do not incorporate co-infection. Two main transmission factors affecting the effective contact rates are postulated: i) the virus with a higher reproduction number can superinfect the one with a lower reproduction number, and ii) there exists some induced (indirect) protection induced by vaccination against the weaker virus that reduces the probability of infection by the stronger virus. Our results indicate that coexistence of the viruses is possible in the long term, even considering the absence of superinfection. Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 are employed to exemplify this last point, observing that the time-dependent effective contact rate may induce either alternating outbreaks of each disease or synchronous outbreaks. Finally, for a particular parameter range, a backward bifurcation has been observed for dynamics without vaccination.