bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Chest Computed Tomography Features in Young and Older Adults With Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19)
Authors: Zhu Tingting , Wang Yujin , Zhou Shuchang , Zhang Na , Xia Liming 
Published: April 2020

Objective:
To analyze the most common computed tomography (CT) findings of pneumonia caused by new coronavirus in younger patients (60 and younger) and older adults (older than 60).

Materials and Methods:
The chest CT images of 72 symptomatic patients with corona virus disease (COVID-19) were analyzed retrospectively, including 44 younger patients (47.5±8.7 y old) and 28 older patients (68.4±6.0 y old). CT findings including density (pure ground-glass opacities, ground-glass opacities with consolidation, consolidation), the number of lobes involved, lesion distribution, and the main accompanying signs were analyzed and compared.

Results:
Characteristic CT findings included the lobes of bilateral lung extensively involved, ground-glass opacity and ground-glass opacity with consolidation in the peripheral area, sometimes accompanied by interlobular septal thickening, and subpleural line and pleural thickening. Compared with the younger group, the proportion of extensive involvement of lung lobes was higher in the elderly group (71.4% vs. 36.4%, P=0.009), and subpleural line and pleural thickening were more likely to occur (50.0% vs. 25.0%, and 71.4% vs. 40.9%, P=0.030 and 0.011, respectively).

Conclusion:
Elderly and younger patients with corona virus disease have some common CT features, but older patients are more likely to have extensive lung lobe involvement, and subpleural line and pleural thickening. These differentiated characteristics may be related to the progress and prognosis of the disease.
Impact of Donor Age on the Outcome of Living-donor Liver Transplantation: Special Consideration to the Feasibility of Using Elderly Donors
Authors: Kadohisa Masashi , Inomata Yukihiro , Uto Keiichi , Hayashida Shintaro , Ohya Yuki , Yamamoto Hidekazu , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Hibi Taizo 
Published: April 2020

Background.
The use of elderly donors (≥60 y) in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine the safety of surgery for elderly donors and the impact of donor age on LDLT outcomes.

Methods.
We, retrospectively, reviewed 470 cases of LDLT at Kumamoto University Hospital from December 1998 to March 2017.

Results.
Donors were divided into 5 groups according to age: 20–29 (n = 109), 30–39 (n = 157), 40–49 (n = 87), 50–59 (n = 81), and ≥60 (n = 36). At our institution, elderly donor candidates required additional preoperative work-up. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications and duration of postoperative hospital stay among the 5 donor groups. Regardless of graft type, elderly donors were comparable to younger donor groups (<30 y) in postoperative recovery of liver function. Risk-adjusted overall survival rates of recipients among donor groups were not significantly different. Additionally, donor age was not significantly associated with 6-month graft survival of adult and pediatric recipients.

Conclusions.
Elderly candidates ≥60 years of age can safely be selected as LDLT donors after meticulous preoperative work-up.
CD38 Antibody Daratumumab for the Treatment of Chronic Active Antibody-mediated Kidney Allograft Rejection
Authors: Doberer Konstantin , Kläger Johannes , Gualdoni Guido A. , Mayer Katharina A. , Eskandary Farsad , Farkash Evan A. , Agis Hermine , Reiter Thomas , Reindl-Schwaighofer Roman , Wahrmann Markus , Cohen Gerald , Haslacher Helmuth , Bond Gregor , Simonitsch-Klupp Ingrid , Halloran Philip F. , Böhmig Georg A. 
Published: April 2020

Background.
Late antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major cause of transplant failure. Potential therapeutic targets are plasma cells and natural killer (NK) cells, both expressing high levels of CD38.

Methods.
Here, we report the use of CD38 monoclonal antibody daratumumab (9-mo course) in a kidney allograft recipient diagnosed with smoldering myeloma and anti-HLA class II donor-specific antibody-positive chronic active AMR 13 years after transplantation. Patient monitoring included serial HLA single-antigen testing, peripheral blood immune cell phenotyping, as well as follow-up allograft and bone marrow biopsies at 3 and 9 months, including analyses of rejection-related gene expression patterns.

Results.
Daratumumab led to persistent CD138+ cell depletion in the bone marrow and blood and substantially decreased NK cells counts in blood and graft tissue. At the same time, donor-specific antibody in serum disappeared, and in vitro alloantibody production by CD138+ cells enriched from bone marrow aspirates was abrogated. A 3-month follow-up biopsy revealed a complete resolution of microcirculation inflammation (g+ptc: 3 to 0) and molecular AMR activity (AMR score: 0.79 to <0.2). The same biopsy showed (subclinical) tubulointerstitial inflammation, which prompted steroid treatment. Over an observation period of 12 months, graft function stabilized.

Conclusions.
Targeting CD38 for plasma cell and NK cell depletion may be an effective strategy to counteract AMR. Our results may encourage the design of future trials to clarify the role of this innovative treatment concept in organ transplantation.
Multimodal Imaging in a Case of Peripapillary Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Associated With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Igwe Chinedu N. , Nderitu Paul , Eframidis Stefanos , Eleftheriadis Haralabos , O'Sullivan Eoin 
Published: April 2020

Abstract:
Optical coherence tomography angiography is one of the latest noninvasive imaging modalities for visualizing the vasculature of retina and choroid. We describe its application in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of a patient with peripapillary choroidal neovascular membrane in the setting of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, who responded well to a course of ranibizumab intravitreal injections.
Structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genome and predictions of the human interactome
Authors: Vandelli Andrea , Monti Michele , Milanetti Edoardo , Armaos Alexandros , Rupert Jakob , Zacco Elsa , Bechara Elias , Ponti Riccardo Delli , Tartaglia Gian Gaetano 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTSpecific elements of viral genomes regulate interactions within host cells. Here, we calculated the secondary structure content of >2000 coronaviruses and computed >100000 human protein interactions with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The genomic regions display different degrees of conservation. SARS-CoV-2 domain encompassing nucleotides 22500 – 23000 is conserved both at the sequence and structural level. The regions upstream and downstream, however, vary significantly. This part codes for the Spike S protein that interacts with the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Thus, variability of Spike S may be connected to different levels of viral entry in human cells within the population.Our predictions indicate that the 5’ end of SARS-CoV-2 is highly structured and interacts with several human proteins. The binding proteins are involved in viral RNA processing such as double-stranded RNA specific editases and ATP-dependent RNA-helicases and have strong propensity to form stress granules and phase-separated complexes. We propose that these proteins, also implicated in viral infections such as HIV, are selectively recruited by SARS-CoV-2 genome to alter transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of host cells and to promote viral replication.
The Covid-19 infection in Italy: a statistical study of an abnormally severe disease
Authors: De Natale Giuseppe , Ricciardi Valerio , De Luca Gabriele , De Natale Dario , Di Meglio Giovanni , Ferragamo Antonio , Marchitelli Vito , Piccolo Andrea , Scala Antonio , Somma Renato , Spina Emanuele , Troise Claudia 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe statistically investigate the Coronavirus Disease 19 (hereinafter Covid-19) epidemics, which is particularly invasive in Italy. We show that the high apparent mortality (or Case Fatality Ratio, CFR) observed in Italy, as compared with other countries, is likely biased by a strong underestimation of infected cases. To give a more realistic estimate of the mortality of Covid-19, we use the most recent estimates of the IFR (Infection Fatality Ratio) of epidemic, based on the minimum observed CFR, and furthermore analyse data obtained from the ship Diamond Princess, a good representation of a ‘laboratory’ case-study from an isolated system in which all the people have been tested. From such analyses we derive more realistic estimates of the real extension of the infection, as well as more accurate indicators of how fast the infection propagates. We then point out from the various explanations proposed, the dominant factors causing such an abnormal seriousness of the disease in Italy. Finally, we use the deceased data, the only ones estimated to be reliable enough, to predict the total number of infected people and the interval of time when the infection in Italy could stop.
Sequence variation among SARS-CoV-2 isolates in Taiwan
Authors: Gong Yu-Nong , Tsao Kuo-Chien , Hsiao Mei-Jen , Huang Chung-Guei , Huang Peng-Nien , Huang Po-Wei , Lee Kuo-Ming , Liu Yi-Chun , Yang Shu-Li , Kuo Rei-Lin , Liu Ming-Tsan , Yang Ji-Rong , Chiu Cheng-Hsun , Yang Cheng-Ta , Shih Shin-Ru , Chen Guang-Wu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTaiwan experienced two waves of imported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first from China in January to late February, followed by those from other countries starting in early March. Additionally, several cases could not be traced to any imported cases and were suspected as sporadic local transmission. Twelve full viral genomes were determined in this study by Illumina sequencing either from virus isolates or directly from specimens, among which 5 originated from clustered infections. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that these sequences were in different clades, indicating that no major strain has been circulating in Taiwan. A deletion in open reading frame 8 was found in one isolate. Only a 4-nucleotide difference was observed among the 5 genomes from clustered infections.
Computational Prediction of the Comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 vs. Human Interactome to Guide the Design of Therapeutics
Authors: Dick Kevin , Biggar Kyle K. , Green James R. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the disease pathogenesis of the novel coronavirus, denoted SARS-CoV-2, is critical to the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics. The global propagation of the viral disease, denoted COVID-19 (“coronavirus disease 2019”), has unified the scientific community in searching for possible inhibitory small molecules or polypeptides. Given the known interaction between the human ACE2 (“Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2”) protein and the SARS-CoV virus (responsible for the coronavirus outbreakcirca. 2003), considerable focus has been directed towards the putative interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and ACE2. However, a more holistic understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 vs. human inter-species interactome promises additional putative protein-protein interactions (PPI) that may be considered targets for the development of inhibitory therapeutics.To that end, we leverage two state-of-the-art, sequence-based PPI predictors (PIPE4 & SPRINT) capable of generating the comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 vs. human interactome, comprising approximately 285,000 pairwise predictions. Of these, we identify the high-scoring subset of human proteins predicted to interact with each of the 14 SARS-CoV-2 proteins by both methods, comprising 279 high-confidence putative interactions involving 225 human proteins. Notably, the Spike-ACE2 interaction was the highest ranked for both the PIPE4 and SPRINT predictors, corroborating existing evidence for this PPI. Furthermore, the PIPE-Sites algorithm was used to predict the putative subsequence that might mediate each interaction and thereby inform the design of inhibitory polypeptides intended to disrupt the corresponding host-pathogen interactions.We hereby publicly release the comprehensive set of PPI predictions and their corresponding PIPE-Sites landscapes in the following DataVerse repository: 10.5683/SP2/JZ77XA. All data and metadata are released under a CC-BY 4.0 licence. The information provided represents theoretical modeling only and caution should be exercised in its use. It is intended as a resource for the scientific community at large in furthering our understanding of SARS-CoV-2.
Early surveillance and public health emergency disposal measures between novel coronavirus disease 2019 and avian influenza in China: a case-comparison study
Authors: Zhang Tiantian , Shi Wenming , Wang Ying , Bai Ge , Dai Ruiming , Wang Qian , Luo Li 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is spreading rapidly throughout China and the world. Hence, early surveillance and public health emergency disposal are considered crucial to curb this emerging infectious disease. However, studies that investigated the early surveillance and public health emergency disposal for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 outbreak in China are relatively few. We aimed to compare the strengths and weaknesses of early surveillance and public health emergency disposal for prevention and control between COVID-19 and H7N9 avian influenza, which was commended by the international community, in China.MethodsA case-comparison study was conducted using a set of six key time nodes to form a reference framework for evaluating early surveillance and public health emergency disposal between H7N9 avian influenza (2013) in Shanghai, China and COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.FindingsA report to the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China, for the first hospitalized patient was sent after 6 and 20 days for H7N9 avian influenza and COVID-19, respectively. In contrast, the pathogen was identified faster in the case of COVID-19 than in the case of H7N9 avian influenza (12 days vs. 31 days). The government response regarding COVID-19 was 10 days later than that regarding avian influenza. The entire process of early surveillance and public health emergency disposal lasted 5 days longer in COVID-19 than in H7N9 avian influenza (46 days vs. 41 days).ConclusionsThe identification of the unknown pathogen improved in China between the outbreaks of avian influenza and COVID-19. The longer emergency disposal period in the case of COVID-19 could be attributed to the government’s slower response to the epidemic. Improving public health emergency management could lessen the adverse social effects of emerging infectious diseases and public health crisis in the future.
THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF THE ASRM GUIDELINES ON FERTILITY PATIENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Turocy Jenna , Robles Alex , Hercz Daniel , D’Alton Mary , Forman Eric J. , Williams Zev 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo survey fertility patients’ agreement with ASRM recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the emotional impact on them.DesignAn online survey was sent to current fertility patientsSettingNew York City academic fertility practice at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemicPatient(s)Fertility patients seen within the last yearIntervention(s)NoneMain Outcome Measures(s)Patient agreement with the ASRM recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the emotional impact rated on a Likert scale.Result(s)A total of 518 patients completed the survey for a response rate of 17%. Fifty percent of respondents had a cycle canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those who had a cycle cancelled, 85% of respondents found it to be moderately to extremely upsetting with 22% rating it to be equivalent to the loss of a child. There was no difference on the emotional impact based on the type of cycle cancelled. Fifty-five percent of patients agreed that diagnostic procedures such as hysterosalpingograms should be cancelled while 36% of patients agreed all fertility cycles should be cancelled. Patients were slightly more likely to agree with the ASRM guidelines if they have an upcoming cycle cancelled (p = 0.041). Of all respondents 82% would have preferred to have the option to start a treatment cycle in consultation with their doctor.Conclusion(s)Given the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical, financial and emotional impact of this unprecedented threat cannot be underestimated in our fertility patients.
Short-term outcomes associated with temozolomide vs. PCV chemotherapy for 1p/19q-codeleted WHO grade III anaplastic oligodendrogliomas: a national evaluation
Authors: Lamba Nayan , McAvoy Malia , Kavouridis Vasileios K. , Smith Timothy R. , Touat Mehdi , Reardon David A. , Iorgulescu J. Bryan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPURPOSEThe optimal chemotherapy regimen between temozolomide (TMZ) and procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) remains uncertain for newly-diagnosed anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO). We therefore addressed this question using a national database.METHODSPatients newly-diagnosed with 1p/19q-codeleted W.H.O. grade III AO between 2010-2016 were identified from the National Cancer Database. Predictors of receiving first-line single-agent TMZ vs. multi-agent PCV were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Overall survival (OS) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier techniques and evaluated by multivariable Cox regression.RESULTS1,360 AO patients were identified: 74.5% (n=1,013) treated with TMZ, 9.6% (n=131) with PCV, and 15.9% (n=216) with no chemotherapy in the first-line setting. In multivariable logistic analysis, PCV utilization increased from 2010 to 2016 (OR=1.38/year, 95%CI: 1.22-1.56, p<0.001) and was less commonly utilized in privately insured patients (OR=0.38 vs. uninsured, 95%CI: 0.15-0.97, p=0.04). In survival analyses (33.1% reached endpoint), there was no difference in unadjusted OS between TMZ (5yr-OS 60.1%, 95%CI: 55.9-64.1) and PCV (5yr-OS 61.1%, 95%CI: 45.6-73.5; p=0.42). There remained no OS difference between TMZ and PCV in the 75.9% (n=1,032) of AO patients that also received radiotherapy (p=0.51), in the Cox regression analysis adjusted by age, extent of resection, and radiotherapy (TMZ vs. PCV HR=1.31, 95%CI: 0.83-2.08, p=0.24), and in subgroup analyses that incorporate KPS or MGMT status.CONCLUSIONSIn a national database of AOs managed in the ‘real-world’ setting, there is no difference in the short-term mortality between first-line TMZ and PCV chemotherapy. These findings provide preliminary data while we await the long-term results from the CODEL trial.
Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19 and Impact on Public Health Policy
Authors: Shayak B , Sharma Mohit , Rand Richard H , Singh Awadhesh Kumar , Misra Anoop 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTIn this work we construct a mathematical model for the transmission and spread of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19. Our model features delay terms to account for (a) the time lapse or latency period between contracting the disease and displaying symptoms, and (b) the time lag in testing patients for the virus due to the limited numbers of testing facilities currently available. We find that the delay introduces a significant disparity between the actual and reported time-trajectories of cases in a particular region. Specifically, the reported case histories lag the actual histories by a few days. Hence, to minimize the spread of the disease, lockdowns and similarly drastic social isolation measures need to be imposed some time before the reported figures are approaching their peak values. We then account for the social reality that lockdowns can only be of a limited duration in view of practical considerations. We find that the most effective interval for imposing such a limited-time lockdown is one where the midpoint of the lockdown period coincides with the actual peak of the spread of the disease in the absence of the lockdown. We further show that the true effectivity of imposing a lockdown may be misrepresented and grossly underestimated by the reported case trajectories in the days following the action.
Sickness behaviour reduces network centrality in wild vampire bats
Authors: Ripperger Simon P. , Stockmaier Sebastian , Carter Gerald G. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSickness behaviours, like lethargy, can slow the spread of pathogens across a social network. We conducted a field experiment to investigate how sickness behaviour reduces individual connectedness in a high-resolution dynamic social network. We captured adult female vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) from a wild roost. To create ‘sick’ bats, we injected a random half of the bats (n=16) with the immune-challenging substance, lipopolysaccharide, and injected control bats with saline (n=15). Over the next three days, we used proximity sensors to continuously track their associations under natural conditions. The ‘sick’ bats showed a clear decrease in social connectedness (degree, strength, and eigenvector centrality). Bats in the control group encountered fewer ‘sick’ bats and also spent less time near them. These effects varied by time of day and declined over 48 hours. High-resolution proximity data allow researchers to define network connections based on how a pathogen spreads (e.g. the minimum contact time or distance for transmission). We therefore show how the estimate of the sickness effect changes as network ties are defined using varying distances and durations of association. Tracking the effects of sickness behaviour on high-resolution dynamic social networks can help create more sophisticated simulations of pathogen transmission through structured populations.
Recombination and purifying selection preserves covariant movements of mosaic SARS-CoV-2 protein S
Authors: Tagliamonte Massimiliano S. , Abid Nabil , Ostrov David A. , Chillemi Giovanni , Pond Sergei L. Kosakovsky , Salemi Marco , Mavian Carla 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn depth evolutionary and structural analyses of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) isolated from bats, pangolins, and humans are necessary to assess the role of natural selection and recombination in the emergence of the current pandemic strain. The SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein unique features have been associated with efficient viral spread in the human population. Phylogeny-based and genetic algorithm methods clearly show that recombination events between viral progenitors infecting animal hosts led to a mosaic structure in the S gene. We identified recombination coldspots in the S glycoprotein and strong purifying selection. Moreover, although there is little evidence of diversifying positive selection during host-switching, structural analysis suggests that some of the residues emerged along the ancestral lineage of current pandemic strains may contribute to enhanced ability to infect human cells. Interestingly, recombination did not affect the long-range covariant movements of SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein monomer in pre-fusion conformation but, on the contrary, could contribute to the observed overall viral efficiency. Our dynamic simulations revealed that the movements between the host cell receptor binding domain (RBD) and the novel furin-like cleavage site are correlated. We identified threonine 333 (under purifying selection), at the beginning of the RBD, as the hinge of the opening/closing mechanism of the SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein monomer functional to hACE2 binding. Our findings support a scenario where ancestral recombination and fixation of amino acid residues in the RBD of the S glycoprotein generated a virus with unique features, capable of extremely efficient infection of the human host.