bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Dislodgment of Vaginal Pessaries in Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Cohort Study
Authors: Coelho Suelene C. A. , Giraldo Paulo Cesar , de Castro Edilson Benedito , Brito Luiz G. O. , Juliato Cássia R. T. 
Published: June 2020

Objective
The aim of the study was to evaluate the associated factors associated with pessary dislodgment in women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods
A cohort study with women (N = 98) with advanced POP who chose conservative treatment with ring pessary between December 2016 and 2018 identified by screening. Demographic data, history of POP, urinary, and/or bowel symptoms were collected. A medical visit was scheduled 3 and 6 months after pessary insertion to evaluate symptoms (vaginal discharge, bleeding, pain, discomfort, new-onset urinary, or fecal problems) and any pessary dislodgment. Two groups were created (women who were able to retain the pessary versus who were not able), and univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to look for risk factors for pessary dislodgment. Women who requested to have their pessaries removed during the 6-month follow-up were excluded.

Results
Ninety-three women included in the study, 78 successfully continued to use the pessary at 6 months, and 15 had pessary dislodgment (16.1%). Demographic characteristics were similar between the treatment group and the control group. After multivariate analysis, women who had their pessaries dislodged presented higher rates of previous surgery (odds ratio = 8.11; 95% confidence interval = 2.09–31.58; P = 0.003) with advanced Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system staging (odds ratio, 13.41; confidence interval, 1.97–91.36; P = 0.008).

Conclusions
The presence of advanced apical POP and previous POP surgery are risk factors for ring pessary dislodgment. This information should guide physicians for counseling patients before pessary insertion.
Integrating computer-aided engineering and computer-aided design for DNA assemblies
Authors: Huang Chao-Min , Kucinic Anjelica , Johnson Joshua A. , Su Hai-Jun , Castro Carlos E. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFunctional properties of modern engineering products result from merging the geometry and material properties of underlying components into sophisticated overall assemblies. The foundation of this design process is an integration of computer aided design (CAD) tools that allow rapid geometric modifications with robust simulation tools to guide design iterations (i.e. computer-aided engineering, CAE). Recently, DNA has been used to make nanodevices for a myriad of applications across fields including medicine, nanomanufacturing, synthetic biology, biosensing, and biophysics. However, currently these self-assembled DNA nanodevices rely primarily on geometric design, and hence, they have not demonstrated the same sophistication as real-life products. We present an iterative design pipeline for DNA assemblies that integrates CAE based on coarse-grained molecular dynamics with a versatile CAD approach that combines top-down automation with bottom-up control over geometry. This intuitive framework redefines the scope of structural complexity and enhances mechanical and dynamic design of DNA assemblies.
The prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic healthcare workers with intensive exposure to COVID-19
Authors: Xiong Shue , Guo Chunxia , Dittmer Ulf , Zheng Xin , Wang Baoju 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers with intensive exposure to COVID-19 is unclear. In this study, we investigated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in 797 asymptomatic healthcare workers with intensive exposure to COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China. Positive IgG was detected from 35 asymptomatic healthcare workers, and the prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic healthcare workers was 4.39% (35/797). None of them developed COVID-19 until May 15. 33 of them have performed at least one chest CT scan showing no viral pneumonia features, and 16 have finished at least one-time SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection with negative results. When contacting with the patients, 15 of them dressed with full personal protective equipment (PPE), and 16 worn N95 mask and gown. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation reported that the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 4.39% in asymptomatic healthcare workers with applied PPE in a high epidemic area, which may provide useful information of estimating asymptomatic infection rate in general population.
Applying Heat and Humidity using Stove Boiled Water for Decontamination of N95 Respirators in Low Resource Settings
Authors: Doshi Siddharth , Banavar Samhita P. , Flaum Eliott , Kulkarni Surendra , Kumar Shailabh , Chen Tyler , Bhattacharya Arnab , Prakash Manu 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGlobal shortages of N95 respirators have led to an urgent need of N95 decontamination and reuse methods that are scientifically validated and available world-wide. Although several large scale decontamination methods have been proposed (hydrogen peroxide vapor, UV-C); many of them are not applicable in remote and low-resource settings. Heat with humidity has been demonstrated as a promising decontamination approach, but care must be taken when implementing this method at a grassroots level. Here we present a simple, scalable method to provide controlled humidity and temperature for individual N95 respirators which is easily applicable in low-resource settings. N95 respirators were subjected to moist heat (>50% relative humidity, 65-80°C temperature) for over 30 minutes by placing them in a sealed container immersed in water that had been brought to a rolling boil and removed from heat, and then allowing the containers to sit for over 45 minutes. Filtration efficiency of 0.3-4.99um incense particles remained above 97% after 5 treatment cycles across all particle size sub-ranges. This method was then repeated at a higher ambient temperature and humidity in Mumbai, using standard utensils commonly found in South Asia. Similar temperatures and humidities were achieved and filtration efficiencies consistently remained above 94%. Higher temperatures (>70°C) and longer treatment times (>40 minutes) were obtained by insulating the outer vessel. This simple yet reliable method can be performed even without electricity access using any heat source to boil water, from open-flame stoves to solar heating, and provides a low-cost route for N95 decontamination globally applicable in resource-constrained settings.
SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples of quarantined households
Authors: Döhla Manuel , Wilbring Gero , Schulte Bianca , Kümmerer Beate Mareike , Diegmann Christin , Sib Esther , Richter Enrico , Haag Alexandra , Engelhart Steffen , Eis-Hübinger Anna Maria , Exner Martin , Streeck Hendrik , Schmithausen Ricarda Maria 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe role of environmental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear. Particularly the close contact of persons living together or cohabitating in domestic quarantine could result in high risk for exposure to the virus within the households. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the whereabouts of the virus and whether useful precautions to prevent the dissemination can be given.21 households under quarantine conditions were randomly selected for this study. All persons living in each household were recorded in terms of age, sex and time of household quarantine. Throat swabs for analysis were obtained from all adult individuals and most of the children. Air, wastewater samples and surface swabs (commodities) were obtained and analysed by RT- PCR. Positive swabs were cultivated to analyse for viral infectivity.26 of all 43 tested adults (60.47 %) tested positive by RT-PCR. All 15 air samples were PCR- negative. 10 of 66 wastewater samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 (15.15 %) as well as 4 of 119 object samples (3.36 %). No statistically significant correlation between PCR-positive environmental samples and the extent of infection spread inside the household could be observed. No infectious virus could be isolated under cell culture conditions.As we cannot rule out transmission through surfaces, hygienic behavioural measures are important in the households of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals to avoid potential transmission through surfaces. The role of the domestic environment, in particular the wastewater load in washbasins and showers, in the transmission of SARS CoV-2 should be further clarified.HighlightsWith public “shut downs” due to SARS-CoV-2, domestic infection is a main possible route of transmission.All analysed air samples were tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.15.15 % of all wastewater samples (washbasin, showers and toilets) were tested positive.Only 3.36 % of all object samples were tested positive: one remote control, two metallic door knobs and one wooden stove overlay.This study supports the hypothesis that indirect environmental transmission may only play a minor role, which needs clarifications in further studies.
Mycotoxin exposure biomonitoring in breastfed and non-exclusively breastfed Nigerian children
Authors: Ezekiel Chibundu N. , Abia Wilfred A. , Braun Dominik , Šarkanj Bojan , Ayeni Kolawole I. , Oyedele Oluwawapelumi A. , Michael-Chikezie Emmanuel C. , Ezekiel Victoria C. , Mark Beatrice N. , Ahuchaogu Chinonso P. , Krska Rudolf , Sulyok Michael , Turner Paul C. , Warth Benedikt 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA multi-specimen, multi-mycotoxin approach involving ultra-sensitive LC-MS/MS analysis of breast milk, complementary food and urine was applied to examine mycotoxin co-exposure in 65 infants, aged 1–18 months, in Ogun state, Nigeria. Aflatoxin M1was detected in breast milk (4/22 (18%)), while six other classes of mycotoxins were quantified; including dihydrocitrinone (6/22 (27%); range: 14.0–59.7ng/L) and sterigmatocystin (1/22 (5%); 1.2ng/L) detected for the first time. Seven distinct classes of mycotoxins including aflatoxins (9/42 (21%); range: 1.0– 16.2µg/kg) and fumonisins (12/42 (29%); range: 7.9–194µg/kg) contaminated complementary food. Mycotoxins covering seven distinct classes with diverse structures and modes of action were detected in 64/65 (99%) of the urine samples, demonstrating ubiquitous exposure. Two aflatoxin metabolites (AFM1and AFQ1) and FB1were detected in 6/65 (9%), 44/65 (68%) and 17/65 (26%) urine samples, respectively. Mixtures of mycotoxin classes were common, including 22/22 (100%), 14/42 (33%) and 56/65 (86%) samples having 2–6, 2–4, or 2–6 mycotoxins present, for breast milk, complementary food and urine, respectively. Aflatoxin and/or fumonisin was detected in 4/22 (18%), 12/42 (29%) and 46/65 (71%) for breast milk, complimentary foods and urine, respectively. Furthermore, the detection frequency, mean concentrations and occurrence of mixtures were typically greater in urine of non-exclusively breastfed compared to exclusively breastfed infants. The study provides novel insights into mycotoxin co-exposures in early-life. Albeit a small sample set, it highlights transition to higher levels of infant mycotoxin exposure as complementary foods are introduced, providing impetus to mitigate during this critical early-life period and encourage breastfeeding.
Syncope at SARS-CoV-2 onset due to impaired baroreflex response
Authors: Canetta Ciro , Accordino Silvia , Buscarini Elisabetta , Benelli Gianpaolo , La Piana Giuseppe , Scartabellati Alessandro , Viganò Giovanni , Assandri Roberto , Astengo Alberto , Benzoni Chiara , Gaudiano Gianfranco , Cazzato Daniele , Rossi Davide Sebastiano , Usai Susanna , Tramacere Irene , Lauria Giuseppe 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe describe clinical and laboratory findings in 35 consecutive patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal swab that presented one or multiple syncopal events at disease onset. Neurological examination and electrocardiographic findings were normal. Chest computed tomography showed findings consistent with interstitial pneumonia. Arterial blood gas analysis showed low pO2, pCO2, and P/F ratio indicating hypocapnic hypoxemia, while patients did not show the expected compensatory heart rate increase. Such mechanism could have led to syncope. We speculate that SARS-CoV-2 could have caused angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor internalization in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), thus altering the baroreflex response and inhibiting the compensatory tachycardia during acute hypocapnic hypoxemia.
POOLING FOR SARS-COV-2 CONTROL IN CARE INSTITUTIONS
Authors: Cabrera Jorge J , Rey Sonia , Pérez Sonia , Martínez-Lamas Lucía , Cores-Calvo Olaia , Torres Julio , Porteiro Jacobo , García-Comesaña Julio , Regueiro Benito 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTWorkers and residents in Care Homes are considered at special risk for the acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection, due to the infectivity and high mortality rate in the case of residents, compared to other containment areas. The aims of the present study, based in our local experience, were (a) to describe SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in institutionalized people in Galicia (Spain) during the Coronavirus pandemic and (b) to evaluate the expected performance of a pooling strategy using RT-PCR for the next rounds of screening of institutionalized people.Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 infection at Care Houses was uneven. As the virus circulation global rate was low in our area, the number of people at risk of acquiring the infection continues to be very high. In this work, we have successfully demonstrated that pooling of different groups of samples at low prevalence clusters, can be done with a small average delay on quantification cycle (Cq) values. A new surveillance system with guaranteed protection is required for small clusters, previously covered with individual testing. Our proposal for Care Houses, once prevalence zero is achieved, would include successive rounds of testing using a pooling solution for transmission control preserving testing resources. Scale-up of this method may be of utility to confront larger clusters to avoid the viral circulation and keeping them operative.
coronapp: A Web Application to Annotate and Monitor SARS-CoV-2 Mutations
Authors: Mercatelli Daniele , Triboli Luca , Fornasari Eleonora , Ray Forest , Giorgi Federico M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe avalanche of genomic data generated from the SARS-CoV-2 virus requires the development of tools to detect and monitor its mutations across the world. Here, we present a webtool,coronapp, dedicated to easily processing user-provided SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences and visualizing current worldwide status of SARS-CoV-2 mutations.The webtool allows users to highlight mutations and categorize them by frequency, country, genomic location and effect on protein sequences, and to monitor their presence in the population over time.The tool is available athttp://giorgilab.unibo.it/coronapp/for the worldwide dataset and athttp://giorgilab.unibo.it/coronannotator/for the annotation of user-provided sequences. The full code is freely shared athttps://github.com/federicogiorgi/giorgilab/tree/master/coronappData Availability StatementThe data that support the findings of this study derive from the GISAID consortium and are openly available in Github, in Rdata format for the R environment, in files results.rda and metadata.rda, at the following link:https://github.com/federicogiorgi/giorgilab/tree/master/coronapp/data
Evolution of colonial life history in styelids tunicates involves changes in complexity patterns
Authors: Gutierrez Stefania 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBiological complexity is defined as the number of modules that compose an organism or a biological system, the type of interactions between these modules, and new hierarchies that describe these interactions. These patterns in biological complexity are changing during the evolution of life-histories, such as the evolution of coloniality in animals. In relation to coloniality, it is possible to observe an increment in all the aspects defined in the concept of biological complexity. First, in colonial animals, there is an increment in the modules that compound the system (i.e. zooids) compared with a solitary organism in which the multicellular individual a unity. Consequently, this transformation of the multicellular individual, in a component of the modular architecture in colonies, involves an increase in the regulatory processes of colonial system. This is precisely the case of the colonial life history evolution from solitary ancestors in the Styelids tunicates. Therefore, the main question of this study is How is the regulation of the asexual developmental processes that occurred simultaneously in the modules of the colonies? This question was studied, by the research of colonial strategy in the styelidSymplegma.Using in vivo observations of the budding process, description and classification of the extra-corporeal blood vessels system and the blood cells, by cytohistological assays. The conclusion is that the regulation of the simultaneous developmental processes that occurred inSymplegmacolonies is mediated by the system of extra-corporeal blood vessels, which maintain physically the cohesion of the individuals, the plasma, and migratory blood cells transport signals between the individuals of the colonies.
Environmental Contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in a Non-Healthcare Setting Revealed by Sensitive Nested RT-PCR
Authors: Wong Judith Chui Ching , Hapuarachchi Hapuarachchige Chanditha , Arivalan Sathish , Tien Wei Ping , Koo Carmen , Mailepessov Diyar , Kong Marcella , Nazeem Mohammad , Lim Merrill , Ng Lee Ching 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFomite-mediated transmission has been identified as a possible route for disease spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In healthcare settings, evidence of environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 has been found in patients’ rooms and toilets. Here, we investigate environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in non-healthcare settings and assessed the efficacy of cleaning and disinfection in removing SARS-CoV-2 contamination. A total of 428 environmental swabs and six air samples was taken from accommodation rooms, toilets and elevators that have been used by COVID-19 cases. Through the use of a sensitive nested RT-PCR assay, we found two SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive samples from the room resided by a COVID-19 case, highlighting the risk of fomite-mediated transmission in non-healthcare settings and the importance of surface disinfection of spaces occupied by cases. Of note, we did not find evidence for air-borne transmission, nor of environmental contamination of elevators, which were transiently exposed to infected persons.
The Effect of Ultraviolet C Radiation Against SARS-CoV-2 Inoculated N95 Respirators
Authors: Ozog David M. , Sexton Jonathan Z. , Narla Shanthi , Pretto-Kernahan Carla D. , Mirabelli Carmen , Lim Henry W. , Hamzavi Iltefat H. , Tibbetts Robert J. , Mi Qing-Sheng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSince March 31st, 2020, during the height of the pandemic, we have decontaminated thousands of 3M 1860 respirators with Ultraviolet C (UVC) for our frontline workers. There is no published peer-reviewed data regarding the dose required to effectively disinfect SARS-CoV-2 on N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). Four different locations (facepiece and strap) on 5 different N95 FFR models (3M 1860, 8210, 8511, 9211; Moldex 1511) were inoculated with a 10 μL drop of SARS-CoV-2 viral stock (8 × 107 TCID50/mL). The outside-facing and wearer-facing surfaces of the respirators were each irradiated with a dose of 1.5 J/cm2 UVC (254 nm).Viable SARS-CoV-2 was quantified by a median tissue culture infectious dose assay (TCID50). UVC delivered using a dose of 1.5 J/cm2, to each side, was an effective method of decontamination for the facepieces of 3M 1860 and Moldex 1511, and for the straps of 3M 8210 and the Moldex 1511. This dose is an appropriate decontamination method to facilitate reuse of respirators for healthcare personnel when applied to certain models/materials. Increasing the dose may improve decontamination for the other models and straps; however, UVC radiation can degrade certain polymers in a dose dependent manner, and the effects may vary greatly between different models. Therefore, fit-testing of UVC decontaminated respirators must be performed each time a new model and/or dose is introduced into the healthcare system.
Contribution of mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy to the phenotypic variability in maternally transmitted 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Rebolledo-Jaramillo Boris , Obregon Maria Gabriela , Huckstadt Victoria , Gomez Abel , Repetto Gabriela M. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) has an incidence of 1 in 4,000. Most cases occur de novo, but about 10–15% of cases are inherited. Features include congenital heart disease, cleft palate, developmental delay, and other characteristics that can vary even among family members. The presence of nuclear mitochondrial genes in the deleted region, and the requirement of mitochondrial function for proper embryonic development, suggests that intrafamilial variability in maternally transmitted 22q11DS could be explained, at least partially, by variation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Thus, we sequenced the mtDNA of seventeen 22q11DS mother-child pairs. We identified 29 heteroplasmic variants at the 1% level, and compared the intrafamilial allele frequency change between phenotypically concordant and discordant pairs. We observed a statistically significant difference for the palatal phenotype: p-value = 0.048 (permutation test, 8 concordant vs. 9 discordant pairs), but not for the cardiac phenotype: p-value = 0.568 (6 vs. 11).Mitochondrial function has been primarily studied in mouse models of neurological 22q11DS phenotypes. Our study sets a precedent for considering human mitochondrial variation as a genetic modifier of congenital defects in this syndrome, and although our results are limited by sample size, they suggest a role for mitochondrial variation in the palatal phenotype.