bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuum of hepatitis C care cascade in prison and following release in the direct-acting antivirals era
Authors: Hariri Sanam , Sharafi Heidar , Sheikh Mahdi , Merat Shahin , Hashemi Farnaz , Azimian Fatemeh , Tamadoni Babak , Ramazani Rashid , Gouya Mohamad Mehdi , Abbasi Behzad , Tashakorian Mehrzad , Alasvand Ramin , Alavian Seyed Moayed , Poustchi Hossein , Malekzadeh Reza 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background

People with criminal justice involvement contribute remarkably to the rising hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden; however, the continuum of care is a major barrier to prison-based programs. We aimed to evaluate a comprehensive HCV care model in an Iranian provincial prison.

Methods

Between 2017-2018, in the Karaj Central Prison, newly admitted male inmates received HCV antibody testing and venipuncture for RNA testing (antibody-positive only). Participants with positive RNA underwent direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy (Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir). Sustained virological response was evaluated at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12).

Results

Overall, from 3,485 participants, 182 (5.2%) and 117 (3.4%) tested positive for HCV antibody and RNA, respectively. Among 116 patients who were eligible for treatment, 24% (n=28) were released before treatment and 72% (n=83) initiated DAA therapy, of whom 81% (n=67/83) completed treatment in prison and the rest were released. Of total released patients, 68% (n=30/44) were linked to care in community, and 70% (n=21/30) completed treatment, including 60% (n=12/20) and 90% (n=9/10) among those who were released before and during treatment, respectively. The overall HCV treatment uptake and completion were 89% (n=103/116) and 85% (n=88/103), respectively. From people who completed treatment, 43% (n=38/88) attended for response assessment and all were cured (SVR=100%).

Conclusions

Integrated HCV care models are highly effective and can be significantly strengthened by post-release interventions. The close collaboration of community and prison healthcare systems is crucial to promote high levels of adherence to treatment. Future studies should investigate the predictors of engagement with HCV care following release.
A cross-sectional survey assessing the preparedness of the long-term care sector to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Siu Henry Yu-Hin , Kristof Lorand , Elston Dawn , Hafid Abe , Mather Fred 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant public health emergency that impacts all sectors of healthcare. The negative health outcomes for the COVID-19 infection have been most severe in the frail elderly dwelling in Canadian long-term care (LTC) homes. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of Ontario LTC Clinicians working in LTC homes in Ontario Canada was conducted to provide the LTC clinician perspective on the preparedness and engagement of the LTC sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey questionnaire was developed in collaboration with the Ontario Long-Term Care Clinicians organization (OLTCC) and was distributed between March 30, 2020 to May 25, 2020. All registered members of the OLTCC and Nurse-led LTC Outreach Teams were invited to participate. The primary outcomes were: 1) the descriptive report of the screening measures implemented, communication and information received, and the preparation of the respondent’s LTC home to a potential COVID-19 outbreak; and 2) the level of agreement, as reported using a five-point Likert scale), to COVID-19 preparedness statements for the respondent’s LTC home was also assessed.Results: The overall response rate was 54% (160/294). LTC homes implemented a wide range of important interventions (e.g. instituting established respiratory isolation protocols, active screening of new LTC admissions, increasing education on infection control processes, encouraging sick staff to take time off, etc). Ample communications pertinent to the pandemic were received from provincial LTC organizations, the government and public health officials. However, the feasibility of implementing public health recommendations, as well as the engagement of the LTC sector in pandemic planning were identified as areas of concern. Medical director status was associated with an increased knowledge of local implementation of interventions to mitigate COVID-19, as well as endorsing increased access to reliable COVID-19 information and resources to manage a potential COVID-19 outbreak in their LTC home. Conclusions: This study highlights the communication to and implementation of recommendations in the Ontario LTC sector, despite some concerns regarding feasibility. Importantly, LTC clinician respondents clearly indicated that better engagement with LTC leaders is needed to plan a coordinated pandemic response.
IP-10 and MCP-1 as biomarkers associated with disease severity of COVID-19
Authors: Chen Yu , Wang Jinglan , Liu Chenxi , Su Longxiang , Zhang Dong , Fan Junping , Yang Yanli , Xiao Meng , Xie Jing , Xu Yingchun , Li Yongzhe , Zhang Shuyang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Patients with this disease may be more prone to venous or arterial thrombosis because of the activation of many factors involved in it, including inflammation, platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction. Interferon gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (MIP1α) are cytokines related to thrombosis. Therefore, this study focused on these three indicators in COVID-19, with the hope to find biomarkers that are associated with patients’ outcome.Methods: This is a retrospective single-center study involving 74 severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients recruited from the ICU department of the Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China. The patients were divided into two groups: severe patients and critically ill patients. The serum IP-10, MCP-1 and MIP1α level in both groups was detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The clinical symptoms, laboratory test results, and the outcome of COVID-19 patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results: The serum IP-10 and MCP-1 level in critically ill patients was significantly higher than that in severe patients (P<0.001). However, no statistical difference in MIP1α between the two groups was found. The analysis of dynamic changes showed that these indicators remarkably increased in patients with poor prognosis. Since the selected patients were severe or critically ill, no significant difference was observed between survival and death.Conclusions: IP-10 and MCP-1 are biomarkers associated with the severity of COVID-19 disease and can be related to the risk of death in COVID-19 patients.
Association between Postoperative Changes in the Gut Microbiota and Pseudopsia After Cardiac Surgery: Prospective observational study.
Authors: Maekawa Masaki , Yoshitani Kenji , Yahagi Musashi , Asahara Takashi , Shishido Yoshiyuki , Fukushima Satsuki , Tadokoro Naoki , Fujita Tomoyuki , Ohnishi Yoshihiko 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Delirium after cardiac surgery affects mortality, but the mechanism remains unclear. Previous studies have reported gut microbiota are associated with brain activity. Systemic inflammation and antibiotics can damage the gut microbiota after cardiac surgery. We aimed to investigate changes in the gut microbiota and the association between the gut microbiota and delirium after cardiac surgery.Methods: Twenty-one patients who underwent cardiac surgery were enrolled. Microbiota counts and fecal organic acid concentrations were measured in fecal samples harvested before surgery, just after surgery, and before discharge. To quantify the microbiota, we extracted total RNA fractions and examined gut microbiota composition using 16S and 23S rRNA-targeted quantitative-reverse Transcription-PCR. Postoperative delirium, insomnia, and pseudopsia were assessed for 1 week. Postoperative total bacterial counts changed significantly from 10.2±0.2 log10 cells/g of feces to 9.8±0.5 in the first postoperative samples (p=0.003) and 10.0±0.4 in the samples before discharge (p=0.039). Fecal pH was 6.9±0.6 before surgery and 7.4±0.7 in the first postoperative samples (p=0.001). Postoperative Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas counts were significantly higher in patients with postoperative pseudopsia than in patients without pseudopsia (3.2±1.3 vs. 5.4±0.9; p=0.012 and 1.7±0.8 vs. 4.6±2.7; p=0.001).Conclusions: Total bacterial counts were significantly lower after surgery and until discharge. Fecal pH was significantly higher than preoperative levels. Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas counts were significantly higher in patients with postoperative pseudopsia.
Effect of Opium Consumption on Cardiovascular Diseases – A cross- sectional study based on data of Rafsanjan cohort study
Authors: Khalili Parvin , Ayoobi Fatemeh , Mohamadi Maryam , Jamalizadeh Ahmad , Vecchia Carlo La , Esmaeili-Nadimi Ali 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: There are differences of opinion about the beneficial or detrimental effects of opium consumption on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). So, we aimed to study the association between opium use and CVDs. Methods: We used data obtained from the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS), as a part of the prospective epidemiological research studies in IrAN (PERSIAN), with detailed, validated data on opium consumption and some other exposures. A total of 10,000 adults were enrolled in the study. Logistic regression models were used to assess the possible relationships of opium consumption with the prevalence of ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and myocardial infarction (MI). Results: In this study, 9990 participants in the baseline phase of the Rafsanjan adult cohort study were included according to their completed questionnaire. Among all participants, 870 and 296 individuals were found to suffer from IHD and MI, respectively. Opium consumption was found to be relatively high in the RCS participants, especially in men (men= 2150 and women= 228). Opium use was associated with a higher odds of IHD and MI, with the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 1.51 (1.22-1.86) and 1.79 (1.31-2.45), respectively. Also, dose-response increases were observed with the highest odds ratios in the 4th quartile for MI and IHD (p-values for trend < 0.001). Increased odds were observed for the two main methods of opium consumption, i.e. oral and smoking, but oral administration had higher odds ratio.Conclusions: Opium consumption is associated with the increased odds of both IHD and MI diseases.
Clinical Signs Associated with Earlier Diagnosis of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Sicherman Nachum , Charite Jimmy , Eyal Gil , Janecka Magdalena , Loewenstein George , Law Kiely , Lipkin Paul H. , Marvin Alison R. , Buxbaum Joseph D. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The objective of this study is to gain new insights into the relationship between clinical signs and age at diagnosis. Method: We utilize a new, large, online survey of 1743 parents of children diagnosed with ASD, and use multiple statistical approaches. These include regression analysis, factor analysis, and machine learning (regression tree). Results: We find that clinical signs that most strongly predict early diagnosis are not necessarily specific to autism, but rather those that initiate the process that eventually leads to an ASD diagnosis. Given the high correlations between symptoms, only a few signs are found to be important in predicting early diagnosis. For several clinical signs we find that their presence and intensity are positively correlated with delayed diagnosis (e.g., tantrums and aggression). Even though our data are drawn from parents’ retrospective accounts, we provide evidence that parental recall bias and/or hindsight bias did not play a significant role in shaping our results. Conclusion: In the subset of children without early deficits in communication, diagnosis is delayed, and this might be improved if more attention will be given to clinical signs that are not necessarily considered as ASD symptoms. Our findings also suggest that careful attention should be paid to children showing excessive tantrums or aggression, as these behaviors may interfere with an early ASD diagnoses.
Local persistence of novel regional variants of La Crosse virus in the Northeast United States
Authors: Eastwood Gillian , Shepard John J , Misencik Michael J , Andreadis Theodore G , Armstrong Philip M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: La Crosse virus [LACV] (genus Orthobunyavirus, family Peribunyaviridae) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes pediatric encephalitis and accounts for 50-150 human cases annually in the USA. Human cases occur primarily in the Midwest and Appalachian regions whereas documented human cases occur very rarely in the northeastern USA. Methods: Following detection of a LACV isolate from a field-collected mosquito in Connecticut during 2005, we evaluated the prevalence of LACV infection in local mosquito populations and genetically characterized virus isolates to determine whether the virus is maintained focally in this region. Results: During 2018, we detected LACV in multiple species of mosquitoes, including those not previously associated with the virus. We also evaluated the phylogenetic relationship of LACV strains isolated from 2005-2018 in Connecticut and found that they formed a genetically homogeneous clade that was most similar to strains from New York State. Conclusion: Our analysis argues for local isolation and long-term persistence of a genetically distinct lineage of LACV within this region. We highlight the need to determine more about the phenotypic behavior of these isolates, and whether this virus lineage poses a threat to public health.
Magnesium Supplementation and Postoperative Recovery Quality in Children Undergoing Strabismus Surgery: A Prospective, Randomised, Controlled Study
Authors: Lee Ji-Hyun , Choi Seungeun , Lee Minkyoo , Jang Young-Eun , Kim Eun-Hee , Kim Jin-Tae , Kim Hee-Soo 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The benefits of intraoperative magnesium supplementation have been reported. In this prospective, randomized study, the effects of magnesium supplementation during general anesthesia on emergence agitation and postoperative pain in children were evaluated.Methods: A total of 66 children aged 2 to 5 years who underwent strabismus surgery were assigned to the magnesium or to the control group. Preoperative anxiety was assessed using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale. After anesthesia induction, the magnesium group received an initial loading dose of 30 mg/kg magnesium sulphate over 10 min and, then, continuous infusion of 10 mg/kg per h until 10 min before the end of the surgery. The control group received an equal volume of normal saline via the same regimen. The Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) score, pain score, and respiratory events were assessed at the postanesthetic care unit.Results: Data obtained from 65 children were analyzed. The PAED and pain scores of the two groups did not differ significantly. There were 26 of 33 (78.8%) and 27 of 32 (84.4%) children with emergence agitation in the control and the magnesium groups, respectively (odds ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.19–2.44; p = 0.561). The preoperative anxiety score was not significantly correlated with the PAED score. The incidence of respiratory events during the emergence period did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions: Magnesium supplementation during anesthesia had no significant effects on the incidence of emergence agitation or postoperative pain in children undergoing strabismus surgery.Clinical trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03132701)
Interstate Disparities in the Performances in Combatting COVID-19 in India: Efficiency Estimates Across States
Authors: Maity Shrabanti , Ghosh Nandini , Barlaskar Ummey Rummana 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background:Currently, the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic poses the greatest global health threat worldwide, and India is no exception. As an overpopulated developing country, it is very difficult to maintain social distancing to restrict the spread of the disease in India. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to examine India’s interstate performances to combat COVID-19. This study aims to explore twin objectives: to investigate the comparative efficiency of Indian states to combat COVID-19 and to unfold the factors responsible for interstate disparities in the efficiency in combatting COVID-19.Methods:The stochastic production frontier model was utilized for data analysis. The empirical analysis was facilitated by the inefficiency effects model, revealing the factors that influence interstate variability in disease management efficiency. Three types of variables, namely, output, inputs, and exogenous, were used to measure health system efficiency. The relevant variables were compiled from secondary sources. The recovery rate from COVID-19 was the output variable and health infrastructures were considered as the input variable. On the contrary, the non-health determinants considered to have a strong influence on the efficiency of states’ disease management, but could not be considered as input variables, were recognised as exogenous variables. These exogenous variables were specifically used for the inefficiency analysis. Results:The empirical results demonstrated the existence of disparities across Indian states in the level of efficiency in combatting COVID-19. A non-trivial outcome of this study was that Tamil Nadu was the best performer and Manipur was the worst performer of the investigated states. Variables such as elderly people, sex ratio, literacy rate, population density, influenced the efficiency of states, and thus, affected the recovery rate. Conclusion:This study argues for the efficient utilisation of the existing health infrastructures in India. Simultaneously, the study suggests improving the health infrastructure to achieve a long-run benefit.
CTCs Detection from Intraoperative Salvaged Blood in RCC-IVC Thrombus Patients by Negative Enrichment and iFISH Identification - A Preliminary Study
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing , Guo Xiangyang , Zong Yanan , Xu Chuanya , Wang Jilian , Zhang Bin , Liu Chang , Gong Yueqing , Xue Lixiang , Ma Lulin , Zhang Shudong , Li Yi , Zeng Hong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Intra-operative cell salvage (IOCS) and leukocyte-depleted filter (LDF) are widely used and effective in saving blood. However, the safety issue concerning reinfusion of IOCS-LDF processed blood to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus were inconclusive for fear of increased risk of cancer metastases. This study intends to analyze the circulating tumor cell (CTC) eliminating effect of IOCS-LDF in 5 RCC-IVC thrombus patients. Methods: A novel strategy integrating negative enrichment by immunomagnetic beads and immunostaining-fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes identifying aneuploid of 8 and/or 7 were used to detect CTCs from salvages blood. Blood samples were collected from 4 stages in each patient. Results: The CTCs number decreased (from 3, 4, 10, 7, 3, respectively, to all zero) after IOCS-LDF treatment. And the triploidy of chrmosome 7 and/or chromosome 8 were most common karyotype for RCC patients with IVC thrombus. Tetraploid of chromosome 8 concurred in only one sample and no polypoid (number of chromosome＞4) were found. Conclusion: IOCS-LDF might be a viable option for reduction of allogeneic product transfusion based on current preliminary outcome. More convincing conclusions are to be drawn with enlarged sample size and long-term follow-up of patients prognosis.
Long-term Results After the One-stage Posterior-only Surgical Correction of Thoraco-lumbar Kyphoscoliosis in Congenital Spine Deformity Caused by Two Ipsilateral Hemi-vertebrae
Authors: Xue Xuhong , Zhao Sheng , Miao Feng , Li Kai , Zhao Bin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Two ipsilateral hemivertebrae is less common and presents severe growth imbalance produced by the vertebral anomalies. However, there is a paucity of reports regarding this double ipsilateral thoracolumber hemivertebrae. The purpose was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the one-stage posterior-only surgical correction of thoraco-lumbar kyphoscoliosis caused by two ipsilateral hemi-vertebrae. Methods: From 2006 to 2014, a total of 14 consecutive pediatric patients with congenital thoraco-lumbar kyphoscoliosis due to two ipsilateral hemivertebrae were treated by posterior excision of hemivertebrae with short segment fusion. The following parameters were measured: coronal segmental curve, cranial and caudal compensatory curve, segmental kyphosis, lumbar lodorsis, trunk shift, apical vertebra translation and sagittal vertical axis. These results were compared and evaluated in preoperative, immediately postoperative and at the final follow-up. All patients had a minimum of 5 years of follow-up period.Results: The mean age at surgery was 11.1±4.8 years (2yos to 17yos). The mean follow-up period was 80.2±19.4 months (60mons to 117mons). There was a mean improvement of 74.2% in the segmental curve from a mean angle of 64.1° before surgery to 15.8° at the latest follow-up. The cranial and caudal curve improved of 69.8% and 69.0% from 25.6° to 7.7°, 26.9 to 8.2, respectively. The mean thoracolumbar kyphosis was 59.9° before and 13.6° after surgery, 20.8° at the final follow-up. Alignment in the coronal and sagittal plane was either maintained or improved within normal values in all patients.Conclusions: Good correction and spinal balance can be achieved by posterior-only hemivertebrectomy in patients with thoracolumbar kyphocsoliosis caused by two ipsilateral hemivertebra. The complication of neurological injury is low but a technically demanding procedure. More attention should be paid in residual curve progression after surgery.