bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Physical Activity/Exercise Interventions on Immune Parameters, and Inflammatory Markers for Proxy Conditions Among Adults Prone to COVID-19: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Anieto Ebuka Miracle , Ogbodo Veronica Ebere , Nwadilibe Ijeoma Blessing , Adu Omotoyosi Johnson , Smits-Engelsman Bouwien C.M. , Mohammed Jaleel , Kalu Michael Ebe 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundOlder individuals (over 60 years) with hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are at the highest risk of contracting and dying from Coronavirus (COVID-19). Compromised immunity (both innate and adaptive) and increased inflammatory response (cytokine-storm syndrome) are predictors for high mortality among this population group. Exercise/physical activity seems to be a plausible way to decrease both the risk of transmission and mortality, and improve health outcomes among this population since there is no available treatment for COVID-19. The study will investigate the effectiveness of physical activity/exercise in improving the immune parameters and reducing the inflammatory biomarkers in proxy conditions that make individuals susceptible to COVID-19.MethodsThe Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol (PRISMA-P) 2015 will guide this review. We will search ten databases (until August 2020) to include randomized control trials articles that explored the effectiveness of physical activity/exercise in improving immune parameters and reducing inflammatory biomarkers in proxy conditions (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and cancer). Two review authors will independently screen citations (title and abstract), extract data (using standardized forms), assess the risk of bias (using Cochrane risks of bias) and quality of data (using GRADE). Homogenous studies will be analyzed using the fixed-effect model of meta-analysis, while a narrative synthesis will be conducted for heterogeneous studies.DiscussionThere are no specific physical activity/exercise parameters (frequency, intensity, type of exercise and time- FITT) for interventionists to use when developing high-quality RCT for individuals vulnerable to COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to review the literature to identify and highlight the exercise FITT parameters that increase the immune outcomes and reduce inflammatory biomarkers for proxy conditions that make individuals susceptible to COVID-19. It is also important to identify the specific exercise regimen suitable and beneficial for each proxy group.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42020196907
Altered Lipid Profile is a Risk Factor for the Progression Andrecurrenceof COVID-19: From Two Retrospective Cohorts
Authors: Jin Hui , He Junji , Dong Chuan , Cao Luhong , Qi Xing , Huang Tiande , Ma Zhiyue , Gu Qingjia , He Gang , Fan Jiangang , Li Bin , Zhao Xiao long 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has spread worldwide. However, the impact of lipid profile and lipid-lowering treatment on clinical endpoints in COVID-19 have not previously been investigated. Methods In this retrospective, multicenter cohort study, we consecutively enrolled 430 adult COVID-19 patients from two Chinese hospitals (one each in Chengdu and Wuhan) admitted during February 2020 and followed-up until April 30. Demographic, metabolic profile, laboratory, treatment and clinical endpoint data including in-hospital death and recurrence of COVID-19, were collected. Results In Chengdu patients, univariable and multivariable Cox regression showed that the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) dyslipidemia on admission was associated with the recurrence of COVID-19 during the follow-up period. In Wuhan cohort, the patients with triglycerides hyperlipemia had an increased risk of in-hospital death. However, in both cohorts, statin therapy during COVID-19 course did not affect these clinical endpoints. Compared to the Chengdu cohort, the Wuhan patients tended to have more severe COVID-19 but, unexpectedly, had lower levels of serum lipid. It is of interesting to notice that the relationship between the observed biomarkers of inflammation and lipid do not match the relationship between the organ function measures and this lipid. Conclusions The baseline dyslipidemia should be considered as a risk factor for poor prognosis and recurrence of COVID-19. The lipid level may be altered during COVID-19 course, since lipidology may be distinctly affected by both inflammation and organic damage for SARS-CoV-2. Further investigation is needed on the role of use of lipid-lowering therapy among patients with COVID-19 infections.
Short- and Medium-Term Outcomes After Uniportal and Multiportal Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Lobectomy in Elderly Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhong Dian , Lin Qing , Zhang Jinqiang , Liu Yujuan , Zhan Zhiqiang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the short- and medium-term outcomes following treatment with uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy (uniportal VATS) in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on the clinical and follow-up data of 74 elderly patients with NSCLC who underwent uniportal VATS between January 2015 and January 2020. One-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to select 71 elderly patients with NSCLC who underwent multiportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy (multiportal VATS) during the same period. Results: The baseline characteristics of the two patient groups were comparable, with no statistically significant differences in postoperative complications, operation time, conversion to thoracotomy, or lymph node dissection. The amount of intraoperative blood loss and postoperative pain were lower in the uniportal VATS group than in the multiportal VATS group. The 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival of the two groups were similar. Conclusions: Uniportal VATS achieved similar short- and medium-term outcomes as Multiportal VATS in elderly patients with NSCLC.
Comparative Analysis of Bacterial and Archaeal Population Structure by Illumina Sequencing of 16S rRNA Genes in Three Municipal Anaerobic Sludge Digesters
Authors: Khan Munawwar Ali , Khan Shams Tabrez , Sequeira Milred Cedric , Faheem Sultan Mohammad 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Understanding the microbial communities in anaerobic digesters is important for better regulation, operation, and sustainable management of the sludge produced at various stages of wastewater treatment processes. Microbial communities in the anaerobic digester of the gulf region where the climatic conditions and other factors may impact the incoming feed have not been documented. Archaeal and Bacterial communities of three full-scale anaerobic digesters, namely AD1, AD3 and AD5 were analyzed by Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Among bacteria, the most abundant genus was fermentative bacteria Acetobacteroides (Blvii28). Other predominant bacterial genera in the digesters included thermophilic bacteria (Fervidobacterium and Coprothermobacter) and halophilic bacteria like Haloterrigena and Sediminibacter. This can be correlated with the climatic condition in Dubai, where the bacteria in the original feed may be thermophilic or halophilic as much of the water used in the country is desalinated seawater. Propionic acid-producing bacteria like Paludibacter and propionate oxidizing bacteria like W5 were also dominating group and were found in all the digesters. The predominant Archaea include mainly the members of phylum Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota belonging to genus Methanocorpusculum, Metallosphaera, Methanocella, and Methanococcus. The highest population of Methanocorpusculum (more than 50% of total Archaea) hydrogenotrophic archaea matches with the high population of Acetobacteroides (Blvii28) and Fervidobacterium bacteria which ferments the organic substrates to acetate and H2. Coprothermobacter, which is known to improve protein degradation by establishing a syntrophy with hydrogenotrophic archaea, was also one of the dominant genera in the digesters. This study, for the first time, contributes to an in-depth understanding of the phylogenetic diversity of a microbial community of three full-scale anaerobic digesters of a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Dubai, UAE.
Prevalence and correlates of pre-diabetes and diabetes among a national population based sample of adults in Zambia: Results of the first national STEPS survey in 2017
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: This investigation aimed to estimate the prevalence and its correlates of pre-diabetes and diabetes among 18-69 year-old persons in Zambia.Method: Nationally representative cross-sectional data were analysed from 3,608 18-69 year old persons (31 years median age) that participated in the “2017 Zambia STEPS survey,” with complete blood glucose measurement.Results: Results indicate that 8.8% of 18-69 year-olds had pre-diabetes and 7.2% diabetes. In adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis, older age, rural residence, central obesity (or overweight or obesity), hypertension, raised total cholesterol and physical inactivity were associated with pre-diabetes and/or diabetes. In addition, in unadjusted analysis, female sex, lower education, alcohol family problem and alcohol dependence were associated with pre-diabetes and/or diabetes. Only 8.4% of the study sample reported that they ever had their blood glucose examined by a health care professional. Having had blood glucose measured was higher among women (9.6%) than men (7.2%) but not significantly (P=0.08). Residents in urban areas (11.8%) had significantly more often ever their blood glucose measured than residents in rural areas (5.4%) (P<0.001). Among study participants with diabetes, 22.3% were aware, 9.4% were currently taking treatment and 17.1% had controlled their diabetes (<7.0 mmol/L).Conclusion: Almost one in ten participants had pre-diabetes and diabetes and several associated variables were detected which can aid in designing intervention strategies.
Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and Mortality Rate Attributed to Unsafe Sex and Drug Use for AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa Countries
Authors: Najafi Farid , Khosravi Fatemeh , Ghalandari Mojtaba , Darbandi Mitra 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: To reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS, it is important to identify and estimate the attributable burden of risk factors associated with HIV/AIDS. The present study aimed to estimate the attributable burden of unsafe sex and drug use in AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. Methods: We used the data in Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 to estimate the attributable burden of unsafe sex and drug use in AIDS in the MENA (22 countries) from 1990 to 2017 by sex and age. We estimated the attributable mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for the mentioned risk factors.Results: The rate of DALYs/100,000 attributed to drug use for AIDS increased 1.10 (95% CI: 0.75-1.71) to 13.39 (95% CI: 9.98- 18.17) in women of MENA countries from 1990 to 2017, and there is an increasing trend in DALY attributable to drug use for AIDS in men. The rate of DALYs/100,000 attributed to unsafe sex for AIDS increased in women of MENA countries, 5.15 (95% CI: 3.34-8.07) to 53.44 (95% CI: 38.79-75.89); and 10.06 (95% CI: 6.61-16.18) to 46.16 (95% CI: 31.30-72.66) in men. Age-standardized mortality rate attributed to drug use and unsafe sex for AIDS increased from 1990 to 2017 in both sex in MENA.Conclusion: The rate of DALYs/100,000 and age-standardized mortality rate attributed to unsafe sex and drug use increased in MENA from 1990 to 2017. While most of such countries have traditional cultures with religious believes, such increase need to be addressed in more depth by all policy makers.
A Modified Minimally Invasive Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus Allows Reduction of Malpositioned Sesamoid Bones
Authors: Palmanovich Ezequiel , Ohana Nissim , Slevin Omer , Feldman Viktor , Brin Yaron , Nyska Meir , Segal David 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Current minimally invasive distal metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus (HV) is V-shaped, which prevents correcting the rotational metatarsal head deformity and reduction of sesamoid bones. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 53 patients that underwent HV surgery by a single surgeon from 2017 to 2019 to compare outcomes of three techniques: open chevron osteotomy (n=19), minimally invasive V-shaped osteotomy (n=18), and a modified, straight minimally invasive osteotomy (n=16). Sesamoid position was graded using the Hardy and Clapham method based on standing radiographs. Results: Postoperative sesamoid position scores were significantly lower (better) following the modified osteotomy, compared with the two other techniques (1.44±0.81 vs 3.74±1.48 and 4.61±1.09, P<0.001), and mean change in score was greater (P<0.001). The modified technique yielded the largest improvements in inter-metatarsal and HV angles (P<0.05).Conclusion: The modified minimally invasive osteotomy was superior in the correction of HV deformity in all planes, including sesamoid reduction.Level of Evidence: IV
Changes in PCSK 9 and Apolipoprotein B100 in Niemann-Pick Disease After Enzyme Replacement Therapy with Olipudase Alfa
Authors: Kwok See , Garside Bethanie , Ho Jan Hoong , Liu Yifen , Dhage Shaishav , Donn Rachelle , Iqbal Zohaib , Jones Simon A. , Soran Handrean 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with olipudase alfa, a recombinant human acid sphingomyelinase (rhASM), is being developed to treat patients with ASM deficiency (ASMD), commonly known as Niemann-Pick Disease (NPD) types A or B. This study assessed the effect of ERT on lipid parameters and inflammatory markers.Methods: Serum and plasma samples from five adults with NPD type B (NPD-B) who received olipudase alfa ERT for 26 weeks were analysed. We also collected fasting blood samples from fifteen age- and sex-matched participants as reference and comparison group.We measured fasting lipid profile, apolipoproteins B48 and B100 (apoB48 and apoB100), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), proprotein convertase subtilisin/klexin type 9 (PCSK9) mass, oxidised low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α).Results: Patients with NPD-B, compared with age and sex matched reference group, had higher triglycerides, PCSK9, apoB48, oxLDL and TNF-α and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoA1. Treatment with ERT was associated with improved lipid parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), sdLDL-C, oxLDL and apoB100. Though there was an increase in apoA1, HDL-C was slightly reduced. TNF-α showed a reduction. ApoB100 decreased in parallel with a decrease in total serum PCSK9 mass after ERT.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that patients with NPD-B had a proatherogenic lipid profile and higher circulating TNF-α compared to reference group. There was an improvement in dyslipidaemia after olipudase alfa. It was possible that reductions in LDL-C and apoB100 were driven by reductions in TNF-α and PCSK9 following ERT.
Tumor-Asociated Microbiota in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Weixiong , Chen Chang-Han , Jia Minghan , Xing Xiangbin , Gao Lu , Tsai Hsin-Ting , Zhang Zhanfei , Liu Zhenguo , Zeng Bo , Yeung Sai-Ching Jim , Lee Mong-Hong , Cheng Chao 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Human intestinal tract microbiome dysbiosis plays an emerging pivotal role in tumorigenesis of gastrointestinal tract cancers. For esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the esophageal microbiota plays a critical role during the pathogenesis. The microbiome of esophageal can impact its host decades before the onset of ESCC, and can interact with the host’s physiological situation, which are affected by lifestyle factors, including diet, obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, and oral hygiene.Our objective is to analyze the composition of the ESCC-associated microbiota and characterize its contribution to the development of ESCC. The esophageal microbiota was prospectively investigated in 18 patients with ESCC and 11 patients with physiological normal (PN) esophagus by 16S rRNA gene profiling, using next-generation sequencing. Results: The microbiota composition in tumor tissues of ESCC patients is significantly different from that of patients with PN tissues. The ESCC microbiota was characterized by reduced microbial diversity, by decreased abundance of Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria and Spirochactes. Employing these taxa into a microbial dysbiosis index demonstrated that dysbiosis microbiota had good capacity to discriminate between ESCC and PN esophagus. Functional analysis of the microbiota characterized that ESCC microbiota had altered nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase functions when compared with PN group. The observations were confirmed in other validation cohorts.Conclusions: Detailed analysis of the microbiota of the ESCC patients revealed that tumor exhibit a dysbiotic microbial community when compared with PN groups. We characterized microbial compositional changes, and further identified significant enrichments of Treponema amylovorum, Streptococcus infantis, Prevotella nigrescens, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Veillonella dispar, Aggregatibacter segnis, Prevotella melaninogenica, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella tannerae, Prevotella nanceiensis and Streptococcus anginosus in ESCC oncogenic progression.Trial registration number: This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800018897). http://www.chictr.org.cn/.
Gastric Adenocarcinoma of the Fundic Gland Type: Clinicopathological Features of Eight Patients Treated With Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
Authors: Li Chengfang , Wu Xinglong , Yang Shuang , Yang Xiaorong , Yao Jin , Zheng Hong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUNDGastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type (GA-FG) has been added to the 2019 edition of the World Health Organization’s list of digestive system-associated cancers. This lesion differentiates toward the fundic gland and mostly involves chief cell-predominant differentiation with low-grade cytology. Clinicians and pathologists are still unaware of this rare disease; consequently, some cases are incorrectly diagnosed. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features of GA-FG using retrospective analyses of endoscopic and pathological findings. CASE SUMMARYEight cases of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were obtained from our institution. Patient age ranged from 4880 years (mean, 65 years). Some patients were on acid-suppressing medication. Most lesions were located in the upper third (n = 7) and one was in the middle third of the stomach. Six lesions were of the superficial flat type, while two were of the superficial elevated type. Narrow-band imaging using magnifying endoscopy showed irregular microvascular patterns (MVPs) in four cases and regular MVPs in the remaining cases. All lesions were primarily solitary and ~6 mm in diameter (largest, 12 mm). All tumors were localized in the mucosal layer with six cases of invasion into the submucosal layer. Well-formed glands of chief cells were predominant. Tumor cells were positive for pepsinogen-I, MUC6, SYN, and CD56. Lymphatic and vascular infiltration and metastatic and recurrent disease were not observed in any case.CONCLUSIONGA-FG, a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with mild atypia, can be completely removed using ESD, with a favorable prognosis in patients.
Characteristics of Gut Microbiome and Prediction of Infection in Neutropenic Children with Acute Leukemia
Authors: Wang Hongwu , Li Bixin , Li Aijia , Ni Ping , Lin Limin , Zhong Yong , Ma Lian 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Neutropenia in children with acute leukemia have a high incidence of infection and mortality. To identify and classify the potentially infected pathogens, this study compared the structural characteristics of gut microbiome in neutropenic and non-neutropenic children with acute leukemia. Results: The results showed that 6033 OUTs were observed in total, and the sequence coverage index was more than 0.97. In the analysis of alpha diversity, the colony richness index (Chao1 index) of Group A1 was significantly lower than that of Group A0 (P = 0.035). The fecal bacterial communities were dominated by the phylum Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes in both groups, with no significant difference. Higher relative abundance of genera Enterococcus (P = 0.0076), Streptococcus (P = 0.014) and species Bacteroides fragilis (P = 0.034) were observed in Group A1, but class Clostridia (P = 0.038), genera Blautia (P = 0.021) and Roseburia (P = 0.011) were more prevalent in Group A0. The relatively high abundance of Bacteroides fragilis in neutropenia with childhood acute leukemia was an independent risk factor for infection (P=0.028, 95% CI 1.024-1.241).Conclusions: The increase of Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Bacteroides fragilis, and the decrease of Clostridium, Blautia, and Roseburia may be the characteristics of intestinal flora in patients with acute leukemia. The relatively high abundance of Bacteroides fragilis in neutropenia with childhood acute leukemia may predict the occurrence of infection.
Curtailing COVID-19 spread in drain pipelines: Using interfacial hydrodynamics for removing Bacterial and Viral Biofilms
Authors: Shahabaz P P , Murallidha Janani Srree 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Drainage systems contains biological contaminants like bacteria and viruses flowing through them. Additionally, these pipelines also have organic matter known as biofilms growing on their walls. These biofilms infact act as incubation zones for further growth of bacteria and coronaviruses. Standard water treatment routines with traditional cleaning agents are known to be not be able to clean or sterilize microbes located in the inner layers of the biofilm. A recent study has identified specialised fluids which are effective in removing biofilms but these need to be used prudently. The present study proposes to use ‘ interfacial hydrodynamics’ to ensure that the cleaner-fluid (CF) is transported effectively to the location of the biofilms at the pipe walls, and allowed to be in contact with the biofilms for a sufficient amount of time so as to ensure its effective removal. The present study has used CFD technique of Multi-fluid VOF and has demonstrated that relative superficial velocities of cleaner- fluids and sewage water can be controlled, so as to achieve flow regimes that ensure delivery of cleaner fluid to the periphery of the tube walls. Our simulations indicate that most effective cleaning can be achieved by using a cleaner-fluid with a high viscosity ( ~5000 cP)). In such cases, a low- medium velocity (~0.05-0.3 m/s) of CF and water would ensure that the cleaner fluids are in constant contact with the pipe walls. Other suitable viscosity and velocity combinations have also been proposed. Flow parameters that can be used to monitor and cross-verify expected flow patterns on-site have also been proposed.