bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health Disparities Among People Infected With Influenza, Rhode Island, 2013-2018
Authors: Otero Kori , Mermel Leonard A. 
Published: August 2020

Objectives Health disparities are associated with poor outcomes related to public health. The objective of this study was to assess health disparities associated with influenza infection based on median household income and educational attainment. Methods We geocoded people with documented confirmed influenza infection by home address to identify the US Census 2010 tract in which they lived during 4 influenza surveillance seasons (2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018) in Rhode Island. We dichotomized influenza as severe if the person with influenza infection was hospitalized (ie, inpatient) or as nonsevere if the person was not hospitalized (ie, outpatient). We examined 2 socioeconomic factors: median household income (defined as low, medium low, medium high, and high) and educational attainment (defined as a ratio among people who completed <high school, high school, some college, or ≥bachelor’s degree). We calculated relative rates (RRs) to determine the associated level of risk for each socioeconomic factor. Results The incidence of influenza per 100 000 person-years was significantly higher in populations with low vs high median household income (620 vs 303; P < .001) and in populations with low vs high educational attainment (583 vs 323; P < .001). The RR of a severe infection in the quartile with the lowest educational attainment (0.57) was significantly higher than the RR in the other 3 quartiles of educational attainment (range, 0.36-0.39; P = .01). However, the RR of a severe infection was higher in the 3 quartiles of median household income (range, 0.38-0.40) than in the quartile with the lowest median household income (0.29). Conclusions People in Rhode Island with a lower socioeconomic status are at greater risk of an influenza infection than people with higher socioeconomic status. The reasons for these disparities require further investigation.
The Role of Anti-Endothelial Cell Autoantibodies and Immune Response in Acute Low-Tone Hearing Loss
Authors: Chen Diyan , Wang Zhujian , Jia Gaogan , Mao Huanyu , Ni Yusu 
Published: August 2020

Objective: Immunity is associated with acute low tone hearing loss. However, the exact pathophysiology of immunity-mediated acute low tone hearing loss remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the presence, therapeutic effectiveness, and immunopathological mechanisms of anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies (AECEs) in patients with acute low-frequency hearing loss. Material and Methods: Forty-nine patients who were treated as inpatients having acute low-frequency hearing loss and additional symptoms, such as ear fullness, tinnitus, dizziness, or hyperacusis, were enrolled in this study. Serum samples from these patients were collected for laboratory serum autoimmunity detection, including AECAs, antinuclear antibodies, immunoglobulin, and circular immune complex. Therapeutic responses to combination therapy in short-term outcome and serum cytokine levels were compared between AECA-positive and AECA-negative patients. Results: Anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies–positive patients tended to show significantly less response to standard therapy compared with AECAs controls ( P < .05). Moreover, some serum cytokine levels elevated in both AECAs− and AECAs+ groups. Positive ratio of interleukin-8 and concentrations of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α were found higher in AECAs+ groups ( P < .05). Conclusion: The results supported that AECAs might wield influence on the short-term outcome of acute low-tone hearing loss (ALHL) treatment. Furthermore, AECA-mediated acute low-frequency hearing loss possibly involved dysregulation of inflammation process and release of cytokines.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Hypertrophic Laryngeal Diseases
Authors: Han Honglei , Lyu Qiuping , Zhao Jianhui 
Published: August 2020

Objectives: To evaluate the characteristics of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in patients with different hypertrophic laryngeal diseases and to explore the relationship between LPR and these diseases. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed. The clinical data of 154 patients were collected. According to their diagnoses, patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included 49 patients with vocal cord polyps. Group 2 contained 52 patients with vocal cord leukoplakia. Group 3 included 53 patients with laryngeal carcinoma. The reflux symptom indexes (RSIs), reflux finding scores (RFSs), and Ryan scores of all patients were evaluated and compared. Results: Patients with vocal cord polyps were the youngest of the 3 groups, and those with laryngeal carcinoma were the oldest. A male preponderance emerged in each group. In total, 128 patients (83.12%) had positive RSI/RFS values and 60 (60/146, 41.1%) patients had positive Ryan scores. The positive RSI/RFS rates of both groups 1 and 2 (89.80% and 92.16%, respectively) were significantly higher than that of group 3 (69.81%). Moreover, the positive Ryan score rates in both groups 1 and 2 (39.58% and 53.85%, respectively) were significantly higher than that of group 3 (28.26%). Conclusions: Laryngopharyngeal reflux occurs in many patients with vocal cord polyps, vocal cord leukoplakia, and vocal cord carcinoma, indicating that LPR may be important in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Laryngopharyngeal reflux occurs more common in patients with vocal cord polyps and leukoplakia and less common in those with laryngeal carcinoma, suggesting the role of LPR on these diseases may be different.
Interaction of heparin and protamine in presence of overdosage: in vitro study
Authors: Hanke Alexander A , Severloh Ines , Flöricke Felix , Weber Christian F , Lang Thomas 
Published: August 2020

Background Heparin is used for anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass. After weaning from bypass, protamine is administered to neutralize the effects of heparin and thus reestablish hemostasis. Rotational thrombelastometry has been shown to discriminate between heparin and other impairing effects on coagulation. We analyzed the interaction of heparin and protamine under different conditions of overdosage in an in-vitro trial. Methods Blood samples were taken from 17 healthy volunteers, separated, and spiked in vitro with heparin, protamine for heparin neutralization, an overdosage of protamine, and two dosages of re-heparinization to evaluate heparin effects under the condition of protamine overdosage. All samples were analyzed in a standard ROTEM rotational thromboelastometry device after intrinsic activation with and without addition of heparinase. Coagulation time, maximum clot firmness, and clot formation time were recorded. Results Heparin led to prolongation of coagulation and clot formation times in the test without heparinase. Adequate protamine addition normalized the test, and overdosage of protamine led to significant prolongation of both times. Addition of heparin in the presence of protamine overdosage normalized these parameters. Conclusion We reconfirmed that the ROTEM device enables discrimination of the effects heparin and protamine on coagulation and detection of the coagulation-impairing effects of protamine overdosage. Furthermore, we were able to show a positive effect on coagulation times by heparin in the presence of protamine overdosage. Because this was an in-vitro study, these findings need to be confirmed in vivo, requiring further research.
An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil, increases anxiety and cortisol levels in adult zebrafish
Authors: Giacomini Ana CVV , Bueno Barbara W , Marcon Leticia , Scolari Naiara , Genario Rafael , Demin Konstantin A , Kolesnikova Tatyana O , Kalueff Allan V , de Abreu Murilo S 
Published: August 2020

Background: A potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil is a cognitive enhancer clinically used to treat neurodegenerative diseases. However, its complete pharmacological profile beyond cognition remains unclear. The zebrafish ( Danio rerio) is rapidly becoming a powerful novel model organism in neuroscience and central nervous system drug screening. Aim: Here, we characterize the effects of 24-h donepezil administration on anxiety-like behavioral and endocrine responses in adult zebrafish. Methods: We evaluated zebrafish anxiety-like behaviors in the novel tank, the light-dark and the shoaling tests, paralleled by assessing brain acetylcholinesterase activity and whole-body cortisol levels. Results: Overall, donepezil dose-dependently decreased zebrafish locomotor activity in the novel tank test and reduced time in light in the light-dark test, likely representing hypolocomotion and anxiety-like behaviors. Donepezil predictably decreased brain acetylcholinesterase activity, also increasing whole-body cortisol levels, thus further linking acetylcholinesterase inhibition to anxiety-like behavioral and endocrine responses. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings suggest negative modulation of zebrafish affective behavior by donepezil, support the key role of cholinergic mechanisms in behavioral regulation in zebrafish, and reinforce the growing utility of zebrafish models for studying complex behavioral processess and their neuroendocrine and neurochemical regulation.
The role of the mTOR pathway in models of drug-induced reward and the behavioural constituents of addiction
Authors: Ucha Marcos , Roura-Martínez David , Ambrosio Emilio , Higuera-Matas Alejandro 
Published: August 2020

Background: Exposure to drugs of abuse induces neuroadaptations in critical nodes of the so-called reward systems that are thought to mediate the transition from controlled drug use to the compulsive drug-seeking that characterizes addictive disorders. These neural adaptations are likely to require protein synthesis, which is regulated, among others, by the mechanistic target of the rapamycin kinase (mTOR) signalling cascade. Methods: We have performed a narrative review of the literature available in PubMed about the involvement of the mTOR pathway in drug-reward and addiction-related phenomena. Aims: The aim of this study was to review the underlying architecture of this complex intracellular network and to discuss the alterations of its components that are evident after exposure to drugs of abuse. The aim was also to delineate the effects that manipulations of the mTOR network have on models of drug reward and on paradigms that recapitulate some of the psychological components of addiction. Results: There is evidence for the involvement of the mTOR pathway in the acute and rewarding effects of drugs of abuse, especially psychostimulants. However, the data regarding opiates are scarce. There is a need to use sophisticated animal models of addiction to ascertain the real role of the mTOR pathway in this pathology and not just in drug-mediated reward. The involvement of this pathway in behavioural addictions and impulsivity should also be studied in detail in the future. Conclusions: Although there is a plethora of data about the modulation of mTOR by drugs of abuse, the involvement of this signalling pathway in addictive disorders requires further research.
Retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics of 405 patients with COVID-19
Authors: Zhan Ting , Liu Meng , Tang Yalin , Han Zheng , Cheng Xueting , Deng Junsheng , Chen Xiaoli , Tian Xia , Huang Xiaodong 
Published: August 2020

Objective This study was performed to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods We analyzed the electronic medical records of 405 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in the Third Hospital of Wuhan. Results The patients’ median age was 56 years, 54.1% were female, 11.4% had a history of smoking, and 10.6% had a history of drinking. All cases of COVID-19 were community-acquired. Fever (76.8%) and cough (53.3%) were the most common clinical manifestations, and circulatory system diseases were the most common comorbidities. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 61.2% of the patients, and 2.9% of the patients were asymptomatic. Computed tomography showed ground-glass opacities in most patients (72.6%) and consolidation in 30.9%. Lymphopenia (72.3%) and hypoproteinemia (71.6%) were observed in most patients. About 20% of patients had abnormal liver function. Patients with severe disease had significantly more prominent laboratory abnormalities, including an abnormal lymphocyte count and abnormal C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, D-dimer, and albumin levels. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 causes a variety of severe respiratory illnesses similar to those caused by SARS-CoV-1. Older age, chronic comorbidities, and laboratory abnormalities are associated with disease severity.
Antioxidant effect of acetyl-l-carnitine against cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity
Authors: Bayrak Serdar , Aktaş Safiye , Altun Zekiye , Çakir Yasemin , Tütüncü Merve , Kum Özşengezer Selen , Yilmaz Osman , Olgun Nur 
Published: August 2020

Objective Cisplatin (CDDP) toxicity is a dose-limiting clinical problem in clinical practice, mainly because of nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity. However, the mechanism of CDDP-induced cardiotoxicity is poorly understood. Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) is an antioxidant agent with protective effects against the side effects of various chemotherapeutics. CDDP-induced cardiotoxicity and the protective role of ALCAR were evaluated in this study. Methods Morphological changes were evaluated in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3, superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2), inducible nitrite oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2, and Bcl-2 was performed using the hearts of athymic nude mice carrying xenograft neuroblastoma tumors. Mice were randomized (six/group) to the control, CDDP (16 mg/kg), and ALCAR (200 mg/kg)+CDDP (16 mg/kg) groups. Results were analyzed using nonparametric tests. Results No difference was observed in the rates of cardiac necrosis, dilated/congested blood vessels, hemorrhage, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, edema, and pyknotic nuclei among the groups. SOD-2 expression was increased in the CDDP group but not in the ALCAR+CDDP group. iNOS, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 levels were not significantly different among the groups. Conclusions ALCAR might be a candidate protective agent for CDDP-induced cardiotoxicity. SOD-2, as a member of the oxidant system, should be evaluated in further studies as a biomarker of cardiotoxicity.
Cognitive functions of children with brain tumor in the treatment process
Authors: Önal Gözde , Huri Meral 
Published: August 2020

Introduction This study assesses the cognitive functions of children with brain tumor, including orientation, spatial perception, praxis, visuomotor constructions and thinking operations. The aim of the study was to assess the cognitive functions of children with brain tumor in the treatment process and the effects of different treatments on cognitive functionality. Method Cognitive functions of children with brain tumor ( n = 102) and children with typical development ( n = 90) were assessed with the Dynamic Occupational Therapy Assessment for Children. Children with brain tumor were divided into four subgroups according to the treatment they received. Multiple comparisons were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and binary comparisons were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results Cognitive functions of children with brain tumor were weaker than children with typical development. Children who received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and both chemotherapy and radiotherapy had weaker cognitive functions. Conclusions Children with brain tumor whose treatment process is continuing are cognitively affected and their occupational performance in daily living tasks is weakened. In these children, cognitive- and occupation-based early intervention approaches should be developed and implemented. Especially when children start receiving radiotherapy, it may also be useful to start cognitive occupational therapy programs simultaneously for preserving children’s cognitive functionality.
Prevalence and Predictors of Reincarceration after Correctional Center Release: A Population-based Comparison of Individuals with and without Schizophrenia in Ontario, Canada: Prévalence et prédicteurs de la réincarcération après la libération d’un centre correctionnel : une comparaison dans la population-de personnes souffrant ou non de schizophrénie en Ontario, Canada
Authors: Mahentharan Mayuri , Kouyoumdjian Fiona G. , de Oliveira Claire , Iwajomo Tomisin , Simpson Alexander I. F. , Jones Roland , Kurdyak Paul 
Published: August 2020

Objectives: Individuals with schizophrenia are overrepresented in correctional facilities relative to their population-based prevalence. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate and predictors of reincarceration of individuals with schizophrenia after release from correctional facilities. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that included all people released from Ontario’s provincial correctional facilities from January 1 to December 31, 2010. Individuals with schizophrenia were identified using a population-based algorithm. The primary outcome was time to reincarceration. Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, neighborhood income quintile, urban/rural residence), health service utilization (primary care physician visits, psychiatrist visits, psychiatric and nonpsychiatric hospitalizations, emergency department visits), and other clinical comorbidity. Survival analysis was used to examine the association between schizophrenia and reincarceration. Results: Among 46,928 individuals, N = 3,237 (7%) had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Approximately 67.5% of these individuals were reincarcerated within 5 years following their first release in 2010, compared to 58.8% of individuals without schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia were 40% (HR = 1.39, 95% CI, 1.33 to 1.45) more likely to be reincarcerated following release than the control group after adjusting for demographic characteristics. This association reduced to 8% (HR = 1.08, 95% CI,1.03 to 1.14) after adjusting for prior health service utilization, prior correctional involvement, and comorbidities. Conclusion: Individuals with schizophrenia were more likely to experience reincarceration after release from correctional facilities. This risk is partly explained by prior correctional involvement, health service utilization, and comorbidities. Future research should focus on risk factors predicting the higher reincarceration rate and interventions to reduce correctional involvement.
The multi-targets mechanism of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus based on network pharmacology
Authors: Xie Bo , Geng Qingwei , Xu Jinhui , Lu Haojie , Luo Haixin , Hu Yebei , Song Xiuzu 
Published: August 2020

Background Network pharmacology is used with bioinformatic tools to broaden the understanding of drugs’ potential targets and the intersections with key genes of particular disease. Here we applied network pharmacology to collect testable hypotheses about the multi-targets mechanism of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) against systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Firstly, we predicted the potential targets of HCQ. Secondly, we got the related genes of SLE returned from databases. Thirdly, the intersections of the potential targets (HCQ) and related genes (SLE) were analyzed with gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment. Finally, we validated our predictions of the potential targets by performing docking studies with HCQ. Results The results suggest that the efficacy of HCQ against SLE is mainly associated with the targets of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and CDK1, which regulate PI3K/Akt/GSK3β as well as interferon (IFN) signaling pathway. Biological process of the network associated with the three targets is concentrated in the inhibition of immune response, negative regulation of gene expression and regulation of immune system process. Molecular docking analysis proves that hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking are the main forms of interaction. Conclusions Our research provides protein targets affected by HCQ in the treatment of SLE. Three key targets (CDK2, ESR1 and CDK1) involving 1766 proteins become the multi-targets mechanism of HCQ in the treatment of SLE. As well, the research also provides a new idea for introducing network pharmacology into the evaluation of the drugs with multi-targets in dermatology.
Estimating the natural progression of non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer lesions using screening data
Authors: Weedon-Fekjær Harald , Li Xiaoxue , Lee Sandra 
Published: August 2020

Objectives In addition to invasive breast cancer, mammography screening often detects preinvasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions. The natural progression of DCIS is largely unknown, leading to uncertainty regarding treatment. The natural history of invasive breast cancer has been studied using screening data. DCIS modeling is more complicated because lesions might progress to clinical DCIS, preclinical invasive cancer, or may also regress to a state undetectable by screening. We have here developed a Markov model for DCIS progression, building on the established invasive breast cancer model. Methods We present formulas for the probability of DCIS detection by time since last screening under a Markov model of DCIS progression. Progression rates were estimated by maximum likelihood estimation using BreastScreen Norway data from 1995–2002 for 336,533 women (including 399 DCIS cases) aged 50–69. As DCIS incidence varies by age, county, and mammography modality (digital vs. analog film), a Poisson regression approach was used to align the input data. Results Estimated mean sojourn time in preclinical, screening-detectable DCIS phase was 3.1 years (95% confidence interval: 1.3, 7.6) with a screening sensitivity of 60% (95% confidence interval: 32%, 93%). No DCIS was estimated to be non-progressive. Conclusion Most preclinical DCIS lesions progress or regress with a moderate sojourn time in the screening-detectable phase. While DCIS mean sojourn time could be deduced from DCIS data, any estimate of preclinical DCIS progressing to invasive breast cancer must include data on invasive cancers to avoid strong, probably unrealistic, assumptions.