bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A chest-CT and clinical chemistry based flowchart for rapid COVID-19 triage at emergency departments – a multicenter study
Authors: Kurstjens Steef , Göttgens Eva-Leonne , Smit Bob , Postma Bent , Kluge Carl , van der Horst Armando , Lamboo Eva H.J. , – Te Slaa Caroline M.M. Janssen , Herpers Robert , Kluiters-de Hingh Yvette C.M. , Mée Arthur du , Veuger Marjan , van Marum Rob , de Jager Peter , Elisen Marc G. L. M. , Kusters Ron , Schuijt Martin , Thelen Marc H. M. 
Published: November 2020

SummaryBackgroundDue to the large number of patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), rapid diagnosis at the emergency department (ED) is of critical importance. In this study we have developed a flowchart based on two well-known diagnostic methods: the ‘corona-score’ and the ‘CO-RADS’. This flowchart can be used in hospitals that use chest-CT, instead of chest X-ray, for COVID-19 suspected patients at the ED.MethodsED patients (n=1904) from the Jeroen Bosch Hospital, Amphia Hospital, HagaHospital, Elisabeth TweeSteden Hospital, Bernhoven Hospital and Slingeland Hospital were included. A laboratory-based ‘corona-score’, without radiology, called the ‘lab-corona-score’ was combined with a chest-CT based radiology scoring system (CO-RADS), to develop a flowchart. The performance was assessed by sensitivity/specificity analyses using the RT-PCR outcome or the physician’s final diagnosis as golden standard.ResultsOut of the 1904 patients, 611 (32.1%) patients tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The lab-corona-score alone had an AUC of 0.86, a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 88% using cut-off values of 0-2 (negative) and 8-10 (positive). Of 255 patients, from the Amphia and Slingeland Hospitals, a CO-RADS score was determined. The flowchart, which combined the ‘CO-RADS’ with the ‘lab-corona-score’, was developed based on data from Slingeland Hospital (sensitivity 97%, specificity 96%). Hereafter, the performance of the flowchart was validated using an independent dataset from Amphia hospital, and reached a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 93%. A decision could be made in 79% of the patients, which was correct in 95% of the cases.ConclusionThis flowchart, based on radiology (CO-RADS) and clinical chemistry parameters (lab-corona-score), results in a rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 at the ED.
Method development and characterization of the low molecular weight peptidome of human wound fluids
Authors: van der Plas Mariena J.A. , Cai Jun , Petrlova Jitka , Saleh Karim , Kjellström Sven , Schmidtchen Artur 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWound infections are significant challenges globally, and there is an unmet need for better diagnosis of wound healing status and infection. The wound healing process is characterized by proteolytic events that are the result of basic physiological processes, but also dysfunctional activations by endogenous and bacterial proteases. Peptides, downstream reporters of these proteolytic actions, could therefore serve as a promising tool for diagnosis of wounds.Here, we demonstrate a method for the characterisation of the peptidome of wound fluids. We compare acute non-infected wound fluids obtained post-surgery with plasma samples and find significantly higher protein and peptide numbers in wound fluids, which typically were also smaller in size as compared to plasma-derived peptides. Furthermore, we analyse wound fluids collected from dressings after facial skin graft surgery and compare three uninfected, healing wounds with three inflamed Staphylococcus aureus infected wounds. The results identify unique peptide patterns of various proteins, including coagulation and complement factors, proteases and antiproteinases.Together, the work defines a workflow for analysis of peptides derived from wound fluids and demonstrate a proof-of-concept that such fluids can be used for analysis of qualitative differences of peptide patterns from larger patient cohorts, providing potential biomarkers for wound healing and infection.
Estimation of the severeness rate, death rate, household attack rate and the total number of COVID-19 cases based on 16 115 Polish surveillance records
Authors:   The MOCOS International Research Group, Adamik Barbara , Bawiec Marek , Bezborodov Viktor , Biecek Przemyslaw , Bock Wolfgang , Bodych Marcin , Burgard Jan Pablo , Krueger Tyll , Migalska Agata ,   MOCOS, Ożański Tomasz , Pabjan Barbara , Rosińska Magdalena , Sadkowska-Todys Malgorzata , Sobczyk Piotr , Szczurek Ewa 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundEstimating the actual number of COVID-19 infections is crucial for steering through the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. It is, however, notoriously difficult, as many cases have no or only mild symptoms. Surveillance data for in-household secondary infections offers unbiased samples for COVID-19 prevalence estimation.MethodsWe analyse 16 115 Polish surveillance records to obtain key figures of the COVID-19 pandemic. We propose conservative upper and lower bound estimators for the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Further, we estimate age-dependent bounds on the severe case rate, death rate, and the in-household attack rate.ResultsBy maximum likelihood estimates, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Poland as of July 22nd, 2020, is at most around 13 times larger and at least 1.6 times larger than the recorded number. The lower bound on the severeness rate ranges between 0.2% for the 0–39 year-old to 5.7% for older than 80, while the upper bound is between 2.6% and 34.1%. The lower bound on the death rate is between 0.04% for the age group 40–59 to 1.34% for the oldest. Overall, the severeness and death rates grow exponentially with age. The in-household attack ratio is 8.18% for the youngest group and 16.88% for the oldest.ConclusionsThe proposed approach derives highly relevant figures on the COVID-19 pandemic from routine surveillance data, under assumption that household members of detected infected are tested and all severe cases are diagnosed.MOCOSThe MOCOS (MOdellingCOronaSpread) international research group is an interdisciplinary scientific consortium. The following authors are MOCOS members: Barbara Adamik, Marek Bawiec, Viktor Bezborodov, Przemyslaw Biecek, Wolfgang Bock, Marcin Bodych, Jan Pablo Burgard, Tyll Krueger, Agata Migalska, Tomasz Ożański, Barbara Pabjan, Magdalena Rosińska, Piotr Sobczyk and Ewa Szczurek
Maternal late-pregnancy serum unmetabolized folic acid concentrations are not associated with infant allergic disease - A prospective cohort study
Authors: Best Karen P , Green Tim J , Sulistyoningrum Dian , Sullivan Thomas R , Aufreiter Susanne , Prescott Susan L , Makrides Maria , Skubisz Monika , O’Connor Deborah L , Palmer Debra J 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe increase in childhood allergic disease in recent decades has coincided with increased folic acid intakes during pregnancy. Circulating unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) has been proposed as a biomarker of excessive folic acid intake.ObjectiveWe aimed to determine if late-pregnancy serum UMFA and total folate concentrations were associated with allergic disease risk in the offspring at one year of age in a population at high risk of allergy.MethodsThe cohort consisted of 561 mother-infant pairs from Western Australia. To be eligible the infant had a first-degree relative (mother, father or sibling) with a history of medically diagnosed allergic disease. Maternal serum was collected between 36 and 40 weeks of gestation. UMFA concentrations were measured by tandem mass spectrometry using stable isotope dilution, folate concentrations were determined using the microbiological method with standardized kits. Infant allergic disease outcomes of medically diagnosed eczema, steroid treated eczema, atopic eczema, IgE-mediated food allergy, allergen sensitization and medically diagnosed wheeze were assessed at 1 year of age.ResultsMedian (IQR) for UMFA and serum folate was 1.6 (0.6-4.7) and 53.2 (32.6-74.5) nmol/L, respectively. Of the infants, 34.6% had medically diagnosed eczema, 26.4% allergen sensitization and 14.9% had an IgE-mediated food allergy. In both adjusted and unadjusted models there was little evidence of association between UMFA or serum folate and any of the infant allergy outcomes.ConclusionIn this cohort of children at high risk for allergic disease there was no association between maternal UMFA or serum folate measured in late pregnancy and allergic disease outcomes at 1 year of age.
Features of α-HBDH in COVID-19 patients with different ages,outcomes and clinical types: a cohort study
Authors: Zhu Haoming , Qu Gaojing , Yu Hui , Huang Guoxin , Chen Lei , Zhang Meiling , Wan Shanshan , Pei Bin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has spread all over the world and brought extremely huge losses. At present, there is no study to systematically analyse the features of hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH) in COVID-19 patients with different ages, clinical types and outcomes.MethodsElectronic medical records including demographics, clinical manifestation, α-HBDH test results and outcomes of 131 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with confirmed result of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral infection, were extracted and analyzed.ResultsThe α-HBDH value in ≥61 years old group, severe group and critical group, death group all increased at first and then decreased, while no obvious changes were observed in other groups. And there were significant differences of the α-HBDH value among different age groups (P<0.001), clinical type groups (P<0.001) and outcome groups (P<0.001). The optimal scale regression model showed that α-HBDH value (P<0.001) and age (P<0.001) were related to clinical type.Conclusionsα-HBDH value increases in some COVID-19 patients, obviously in ≥61 years old, death and critical group, indicating that patients in these three groups suffer from more serious tissues and organs damage, higher α -HBDH value and risk of death. The obvious difference between death and survival group in early stage may provide a approach to judge the prognosis. The accuracy of the model to distinguish severe/critical type and other types is 85.84%, suggesting that α-HBDH could judge the clinical type of COVID-19 patients accurately. In brief, α-HBDH is an important indicator to judge the severity and prognosis of COVID-19.
Visual Scoring of Chest CT at Hospital Admission Predicts Hospitalization Time and Intensive Care Admission in Covid-19
Authors: Ahlstrand Erik , Cajander Sara , Cajander Per , Ingberg Edvin , Löf Erika , Wegener Matthias , Lidén Mats 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe extent and character of lung involvement on chest computerized tomography (CT) have a prognostic value in covid-19 but there is lack of consensus on how to assess and stage CT features. A scoring system of lung involvement in covid-19, Örebro covid-19 Scale (ÖCoS) was implemented in clinical routine on April 1 2020 in Örebro Region, Sweden. The ÖCoS-severity score measures the extent of lung involvement while ÖCoS-temporal stage characterizes the parenchymal involvement. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ÖCoS scores in relation to clinical outcome of covid-19.MethodsPopulation based study including data from all hospitalized patients with covid-19 in Örebro Region during March to July 2020. Chest CT scores at the time of hospital admission and ICU admission were analyzed in relation to hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, time to ICU admission and admission to ICU or death.FindingsIn the 381 included patients, there was a close correlation of the ÖCoS-severity score on admittance to hospital and the hospital length of stay. The ÖCoS-severity score on hospital admittance was a strong predictor for both a severe outcome in regards to ICU admittance or death and the time to ICU admittance. On admittance to ICU, both ÖCoS-severity score and temporal stage were correlated with the ICU length of stay.InterpretationChest CT visual scoring on admission to hospital predicts the clinical course in covid-19 pneumonia.FundingThis work was supported by the Örebro Region, Sweden.
Growth of respiratory droplets in cold and humid air
Authors: Ng Chong Shen , Chong Kai Leong , Yang Rui , Li Mogeng , Verzicco Roberto , Lohse Detlef 
Published: November 2020

The ambient conditions surrounding liquid droplets determine their growth or shrinkage. However, the precise fate of a liquid droplet expelled from a respiratory puff as dictated by its surroundings and the puff itself has not yet been fully quantified. From the view of airborne disease transmission, such as SARS-CoV-2, knowledge of such dependencies are critical. Here we employ direct numerical simulations (DNS) of a turbulent respiratory vapour puff and account for the mass and temperature exchange with respiratory droplets and aerosols. In particular, we investigate how droplets respond to different ambient temperatures and relative humidity (RH) by tracking their Lagrangian statistics. We reveal and quantify that in cold and humid environments, as there the respiratory puff is supersaturated, expelled droplets can first experience significant growth, and only later followed by shrinkage, in contrast to the monotonic shrinkage of droplets as expected from the classical view by William F. Wells (1934). Indeed, cold and humid environments diminish the ability of air to hold water vapour, thus causing the respiratory vapour puff to super-saturate. Consequently, the super-saturated vapour field drives the growth of droplets that are caught and transported within the humid puff. To analytically predict the likelihood for droplet growth, we propose a model for the axial RH based on the assumption of a quasi-stationary jet. Our model correctly predicts super-saturated RH conditions and is in good quantitative agreement with our DNS. Our results culminate in a temperature-RH map that can be employed as an indicator for droplet growth or shrinkage.Significance StatementInfluence of environmental conditions on airborne diseases transmission is an important issue, especially during the pandemic of COVID-19. Human-to-human transmission is mediated by the transport of virus-laden respiratory droplets. Here we investigate the problem from a fluid mechanics perspective by conducting numerical simulations to quantify the fate of respiratory droplets in a warm humid coughing puff under different ambient conditions. We reveal a non-intuitive regime with considerable growth of respiratory droplets, dominated by a super-saturated vapour field, preferentially occurring in cold and humid environments. We further propose a theoretical model that accurately predicts the condition for droplet growth. Our work should inform socializing policies and ventilation strategies for controlling indoor ambient conditions to mitigate dispersion of droplets from asymptomatic individuals.
The Interplay between Maternal Smoking and Genes in Offspring Birth Weight
Authors: Pereira Rita Dias , Rietveld Cornelius A. , van Kippersluis Hans 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIt is well-established that both the child’s genetic endowments as well as maternal smoking during pregnancy impact offspring birth weight. In this paper we move beyond the natureversusnurture debate by investigating the interaction between genetic endowments and this critical prenatal environmental exposure – maternal smoking – in determining birth weight. We draw on longitudinal data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) study and replicate our results using data from the UK Biobank. Genetic endowments of the children are proxied with a polygenic score that is constructed based on the results of the most recent genome-wide association study of birth weight. We instrument the maternal decision to smoke during pregnancy with a genetic variant (rs1051730) located in the nicotine receptor gene CHRNA3. This genetic variant is associated with the number of cigarettes consumed daily, and we present evidence that this is plausibly the only channel through which the maternal genetic variant affects the child’s birth weight. Additionally, we deal with the misreporting of maternal smoking by using measures of cotinine, a biomarker of nicotine, collected from the mother’s urine during their pregnancy. We confirm earlier findings that genetic endowments as well as maternal smoking during pregnancy significantly affects the child’s birth weight. However, we do not find evidence of meaningful interactions between genetic endowments and an adverse fetal environment, suggesting that the child’s genetic predisposition cannot cushion the damaging effects of maternal smoking.
Differences and similarities in diagnostic methods and treatments for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a scoping review
Authors: Scholze Alessandro Rolim , Melo Emiliana Cristina , Major Carina Bortolato , Cruz Carolina Fordellone Rosa , de Souza Alcântara Léia Regina , Dalcol Camila , Ferreira Seiva Fábio Rodrigues , de Fátima Mantovani Maria , Mattei Ângela Tais , Silveira Henrique Spaulonci , de Almeida Chuffa Luiz Gustavo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimsWe investigate a range of studies related to COVID-19 with focus on scientific evidence reporting the main diagnosis and treatments of the disease.Main MethodsScoping review conducted in the databases, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Embase, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science, and the gray Google Scholar literature, until May 2020. We follow PRISMA-SCR and the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The identified studies were independently selected by peers. The qualitative data extracted were synthesized and organized into categories, and the quantitative data were generated through descriptive and inferential statistics.Key-findings6060 articles were identified, of which 30 were included in this review. The publications are predominantly from China (n=22, 73.3%), and with a type of cross-sectional study (n=12, 40.0%), followed by a cohort (n=7, 23.0%). Among them, 16 studies addressed the diagnosis, and computed tomography was considered as non-invasive complementary method for detecting and evaluating the progression of COVID-19. Laboratory tests have been used to detect enzymatic or viral activities, and to monitor the inflammation associated with COVID-19. 14 studies included different therapeutic associations, such as Lopinavir/Ritonavir (LPV/r) and Arbidol, Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, Tocilizumab and Remdesivir, and Corticosteroids/Plasminogen.SignificanceThe evidence related to diagnostic methods are clear, and include tomography and laboratory tests. Medicinal or associated medications for the treatment of COVID-19, although showing a reduction in signs and COVID-19-related symptoms, can cause adverse effects of mild or severe intensity depending on viral load and inflammatory activity. Additional studies should be performed to identify the most reliable treatment for COVID-19.
Rapid, simplified whole blood-based multiparameter assay to quantify and phenotype SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells
Authors: Riou Catherine , Schäfer Georgia , du Bruyn Elsa , Goliath Rene T. , Stek Cari , Mou Huihui , Hung Deli , Wilkinson Katalin A. , Wilkinson Robert J. 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTRapid tests to evaluate SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses are urgently needed to decipher protective immunity and aid monitoring vaccine-induced immunity. Using a rapid whole blood assay requiring minimal amount of blood, we measured qualitatively and quantitatively SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 T cell responses in 31 healthcare workers, using flow cytometry. 100% of COVID-19 convalescent participants displayed a detectable SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 T cell response. SARS-CoV-2-responding cells were also detected in 40.9% of participants with no COVID-19-associated symptoms or who tested PCR negative. Phenotypic assessment indicated that, in COVID-19 convalescent participants, SARS-CoV-2 CD4 responses displayed an early differentiated memory phenotype with limited capacity to produce IFNγ. Conversely, in participants with no reported symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 CD4 responses were enriched in late differentiated cells, co-expressing IFNγ and TNFα and also Granzyme B. This proof of concept study presents a scalable alternative to PBMC-based assays to enumerate and phenotype SARS-CoV-2-responding T cells, thus representing a practical tool to monitor adaptive immunity in vaccine trials.SummaryIn this proof of concept study, we show that SARS-CoV-2 T cell responses are easily detectable using a rapid whole blood assay requiring minimal blood volume. Such assay could represent a suitable tool to monitor adaptive immunity in vaccine trials.
Sleep quality does not mediate the association between chronodisruption and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Carpio-Arias Tannia Valeria , Arias Diana Carolina Mogrovejo , Nicolalde-Cifuentes Tomas Marcelo , Tapia-Veloz Estephany Carolina , De Zeeuw Chris I. , Vinueza-Veloz María Fernanda 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTAimsThe objective of the present work was to determine to what extent sleep quality may mediate the association between CD, metabolic syndrome (MS) and body composition (BC).MethodologyCross-sectional study which included 300 adult health workers, 150 of whom were night shift workers and thereby exposed to CD. Diagnosis of MS was made based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Body mass index (BMI), fat mass percentage, and visceral fat percentage were measured as indicators of BC. Data were analyzed using logistic, linear regression and structural equation models.ResultsThe odds of health workers exposed to CD to suffer from MS was 22.13 (IC958.68 - 66.07) when the model was adjusted for age, gender, physical activity and energy consumption. CD was also significantly associated with an increase in fat mass and visceral fat percentages, but not to BMI. Surprisingly, there was not enough evidence supporting the hypothesis that sleep quality contributes to the association between CD and MS or BC.ConclusionsSleep quality does not mediate the negative effects of CD on health and BC.