bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of maternal hepatitis B virus infection with adverse pregnancy outcomes and prenatal screening result of second-trimester: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: He Quanze , Zhou You , Wu Xiaojuan , Xue Ying , Zhang Chunhua , Lu Lu , Liu Hankui , Zhang Jianguo , Dang Xiao , Wang Ting , Li Hong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe association between maternal HBV infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes remains controversial and the prenatal screening features was not investigated though they strongly indicate adverse pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine the association between maternal HBV infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes and the result of prenatal screening.DesignThe information from 65,257 pregnant women who performed non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) in second-trimester from July 2015 to Nov 2019 in Suzhou, China were collected. The participants were divided into the group of “control” (n = 63,591) and “exposure” (n = 1,666). Meanwhile, eight types of adverse pregnancy outcomes in history and twelve prenatal screening results in the second-trimester of current pregnancy were investigated by estimating and adjusting their risk ratios (aRR) for women between HBV infected and uninfected using multivariate logic regression.ResultOur results suggested that women infected with HBV have higher risks on the biochemical pregnancy, extrauterine pregnancy and three kinds of screen result for fetal Down’s syndrome (DS) than women with HBV un-infected. Meanwhile, the diagnostic result for the positive result of fetal Down syndrome in NIPS suggested the 98% additional risk in women with HBV infected than uninfected and supported by all adjusted models.ConclusionTaken together, maternal HBV infection is an independent risk factor of biochemical pregnancy, extrauterine pregnancy, and fetal Down’s syndrome. It also indicates the influence of maternal HBV infection way across all gestation.
A follow-up study of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 from Western China
Authors: Xu Hongmei , Liu Enmei , Xie Jun , Smyth Rosalind , Zhou Qi , Zhao Ruiqiu , Zang Na , Long Xiaoru , Tang Yuyi , Estill Janne , Yang Shu , Zhu Jing , Yan Xiaofeng , Gong Fang , Tian Wenguang , Zhou Xiaqia , Mo Yunbo , Xiao Hongzhou , Tang Zhengzhen , Chen Yanni , Wang Yi , Cui Yuxia , Fang Xiuling , Li Feiyu , Tian Yong , Li Peibo , Deng Quanmin , Ren Chongsong , He Ronghui , Li Yi , Qin Hong , Wang Aiguo , Deng Hongli , Wu Jianguo , Meng Wenbo , Li Weiguo , Zhao Yao , Luo Zhengxiu , Wang Zijun , Chen Yaolong , Wong Gary , Li Qiu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo clarify the characteristic and the duration of positive nucleic acid in children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including asymptomatic children.MethodsA total of 32 children confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection between January 24 and February 12, 2020 from four provinces in Western China were enrolled in this study and followed up until discharge and quarantine 14 days later.ResultsEleven children (34%) were asymptomatic, among whom six children had normal computed tomographic (CT) scan images. Age and gender were not associated with clinical symptoms or the results of CT scan in children infected with SARS-CoV-2. The concentrations of white blood cells and neutrophils were higher in children with asymptomatic infection than in children with clinical symptoms or CT abnormalities. Patients who presented with CT abnormalities had lower D-dimer or lower total bilirubin than those who had normal CT scan but clinical symptoms. All children recovered and no one died or was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The mean duration of positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was 15.4 (SD=7.2) days and similar for both asymptomatic children and children with symptoms or CT abnormalities. We found a significant negative correlation between the lymphocyte count and the duration of positive nucleic acid test.ConclusionsChildren with asymptomatic infection should be quarantined for the same duration as symptomatic patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The clinical significance and mechanism behind the negative correlation between the number of lymphocytes and the duration of positive SARS-CoV-2 needs further study.
The impact of changes in diagnostic testing practices on estimates of COVID-19 transmission in the United States
Authors: Pitzer Virginia E. , Chitwood Melanie , Havumaki Joshua , Menzies Nicolas A. , Perniciaro Stephanie , Warren Joshua L. , Weinberger Daniel M. , Cohen Ted 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEstimates of the reproductive number for novel pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 are essential for understanding the potential trajectory of the epidemic and the level of intervention that is needed to bring the epidemic under control. However, most methods for estimating the basic reproductive number (R0) and time-varying effective reproductive number (Rt) assume that the fraction of cases detected and reported is constant through time. We explore the impact of secular changes in diagnostic testing and reporting on estimates ofR0andRtusing simulated data. We then compare these patterns to data on reported cases of COVID-19 and testing practices from different United States (US) states. We find that changes in testing practices and delays in reporting can result in biased estimates ofR0andRt. Examination of changes in the daily number of tests conducted and the percent of patients testing positive may be helpful for identifying the potential direction of bias. Changes in diagnostic testing and reporting processes should be monitored and taken into consideration when interpreting estimates of the reproductive number of COVID-19.
A web-based Diagnostic Tool for COVID-19 Using Machine Learning on Chest Radiographs (CXR)
Authors: Kana E.B. Gueguim , Kana M.G. Zebaze , Kana A.F. Donfack , Kenfack R.H Azanfack 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis paper reports the development and web deployment of an inference model for Coronavirus COVID-19 using machine vision on chest radiographs (CXR). The transfer learning from the Residual Network (RESNET-50) was leveraged for model development on CXR images from healthy individuals, bacterial and viral pneumonia, and COVID-19 positives patients. The performance metrics showed an accuracy of 99%, a recall valued of 99.8%, a precision of 99% and an F1 score of 99.8% for COVID-19 inference. The model was further successfully validated on CXR images from an independent repository. The implemented model was deployed with a web graphical user interface for inference (https://medics-inference.onrender.com) for the medical research community; an associated cron job is scheduled to continue the learning process when novel and validated information becomes available.
Conspiracy beliefs are associated with lower knowledge and higher anxiety levels regarding COVID-19 among students at the University of Jordan
Authors: Sallam Malik , Dababseh Deema , Yaseen Alaa’ , Al-Haidar Ayat , Ababneh Nidaa A. , Bakri Faris G. , Mahafzah Azmi 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe world has been afflicted heavily by the burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that overwhelmed health care systems and caused severe economic and educational deficits, in addition to anxiety among the public. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the mutual effects of belief that the pandemic was the result of a global conspiracy on knowledge and anxiety levels among students at the University of Jordan (UJ).MethodsAn electronic-based survey was conducted between March 29th 2020 and March 31st 2020. The targeted population involved all undergraduate and postgraduate students from Health, Scientific and Humanities Schools at UJ. Survey sections included 26 items on: socio-demographic information, knowledge and sources of information about the disease, attitude towards the false notion that COVID-19 stemmed from a global conspiracy and items to assess the anxiety level among students during the quarantine period.ResultsThe total number of participants was 1540 students. The majority of participants perceived the disease as moderately dangerous (n=1079, 70.1%), with males, Jordanians and participants with lower income being more inclined to feel that the disease is very dangerous (p<0.001, 0.020, and <0.001, respectively). Lower level of knowledge and higher level of anxiety about COVID-19 were associated with the belief that the disease is part of a global conspiracy (p<0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). Females and participants with lower income were more likely to believe that the disease is related to conspiracy (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Belief in global conspiracy regarding the origin of COVID-19 was associated with misinformation about the availability of vaccine and the therapeutic use of antibiotics for COVID-19 treatment (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Ministry of Health in Jordan was the most common source of information about COVID-19 reported by the participants (n=1018).ConclusionsThe false belief that COVID-19 was the result of a global conspiracy could be the consequence of lower level of knowledge about the virus and could lead to higher level of anxiety, which should be considered in the awareness tools of various media platforms about the current pandemic.
High prevalence of putative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill COVID-19 patients
Authors: Alanio Alexandre , Dellière Sarah , Fodil Sofiane , Bretagne Stéphane , Mégarbane Bruno 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe are currently facing a frightening increase in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Aiming at screening for fungal secondary pneumonia, we collected the data of our first 27 ICU patients, who underwent bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial aspirates. We classified the patients based on the recently published study on invasive aspergillosis in influenza patients (Schauwvlinghe et al., 2018.) and found 33% of our COVID-19 patients with putative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Observing such a high prevalence in COVID-infected patients was somehow unexpected since the 30% prevalence of invasive aspergillosis in influenza patients has been attributed to the action of oseltamivir on anti-Aspergillus immunity. Almost all critically ill COVID-19 patients develop ARDS and are likely to receive high-dose steroids or immunomodulatory therapies to prevent worsening as suggested by reports from China. In the COVID-19 patients with putative invasive aspergillosis, antifungal prophylactic therapy may be questioned to avoid increased lung inflammation that may compromise the outcome. This issue remains to be addressed in future clinical trials. We are strongly convinced that testing deep lung specimens for Aspergillus in severe COVID-19 patients should be recommended.
No Clear Benefit to the Use of Corticosteroid as Treatment in Adult Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 : A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Dan , Wang Juan , Jiang Qunqun , Yang Juan , Li Jun , Gao Chang , Jiang Haiwei , Ge Lintong , Liu Yongming 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is becoming an increasing global health issue which has spread across the globe. We aimed to study the effect of corticosteroids in the treatment of adult inpatients with COVID-19.MethodsA retrospective cohort of 115 consecutive adult COVID-19 patients admitted to The Third People’s Hospital of Hubei Province between Jan 18, 2020, and Feb 28, 2020 was analysed to study the effectiveness of corticosteroid. They were categorized according to whether or not corticosteroid therapy was given, and compared in terms of demographic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory indicators and clinical outcomes. The primary endpoint was defined as either mortality or intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Known adverse prognostic factors were used as covariates in multiple logistic regressions to adjust for their confounding effects on outcomes.ResultsAmong 115 patients, 73 patients (63.5%) received corticosteroid. The levels of age, C-reactive protein, D-dimer and albumin were similar in both groups. The corticosteroid group had more adverse outcomes (32.9% vs. 11.9%) and statistically significant differences were observed (p=0.013). In multivariate analysis, corticosteroid treatment was associated with a 2.155-fold increase in risk of either mortality or ICU admission, although not statistically significant.ConclusionNo evidence suggests that adult patients with COVID-19 will benefit from corticosteroids, and they might be more likely to be harmed with such treatment.
Prognostic significance of compound combined peri-operative biomarkers in gastric cancer
Authors: Powell Arfon , Coxon Alexandra , Robinson David , James Osian , Christian Adam , Roberts Ashley , Lewis Wyn 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundSurvival after gastric cancer surgery is largely attributed to tumor biology, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and surgical approach, yet other prognostic factors have been reported, including pre-operative systemic inflammatory response (SIR), and Morbidity Severity Score (MSS). The hypothesis tested was that a SIR, MMS, and pathological composite score, would be associated with disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS).MethodsConsecutive 358 patients undergoing potentially curative gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma were studied. Complications were defined as a MSS of Clavien-Dindo classification (CDSC) >1. Serum SIR measurements were performed on the day before surgery, and a composite score (CIMpN) (0-3) was developed based on CRP, morbidity, and pN-stage. Primary outcome measures were DFS and OS.ResultsPost-operative complications occurred in 138 (38.5%) patients, (8 (2.2%) deaths), and was associated with higher CRP (28.3% vs. 15.5%, p=0.003), vascular invasion (55.8% vs. 36.8%, p<0.001), and R1 status (26.1% vs. 9.5%, p=0.001). Five-year DFS and OS were 32.9% and 33.3% for patients with post-operative complications compared with 62.5% and 64.0% in controls (p<0.001). Five-year DFS and OS were 31.4% and 37.3% in patients with raised CRPs compared with 58.5% and 59.5% in controls (p=0.005, p=0.001, respectively). Five-year DFS for CIMpN scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 85.9%, 50.0%, 26.2%, and 15.4% (p<0.001) respectively. On multivariable analysis CIMpN score was independently associated with DFS [HR 3.00, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.90-4.73, p<0.001] and OS [1.93 (1.43-2.59), p<0.001].ConclusionA novel composite score, CIMpN, based on SIR, MSS and pN-stage, offers important prognostic signals.
Risk assessment of drug-induced Long QT Syndrome for some COVID-19 repurposed drugs
Authors: Michaud Veronique , Dow Pamela , Al Rihani Sweilem B. , Deodhar Malavika , Arwood Meghan , Cicali Brian , Turgeon Jacques 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe risk-benefit ratio associated with the use of repurposed drugs to treat 2019 SARS-CoV-2 related infectious disease (COVID-19) is complicated since benefits are awaited, not proven. A thorough literature search was conducted to source information on the pharmacological properties of 5 drugs and 1 combination (azithromycin, chloroquine, favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, and lopinavir/ritonavir) repurposed to treat COVID-19. A risk assessment of drug-induced Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) associated with COVID-19 repurposed drugs was performed and compared to 23 well-known torsadogenic and 10 low torsadogenic risk compounds. Computer calculations were performed using pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data, including affinity to block the rapid component of the delayed rectifier cardiac potassium current (IKr) encoded by the human ether-a-go-go gene (hERG), propensity to prolong cardiac repolarization (QT interval) and cause torsade de pointes (TdP). Seven different LQTS indices were calculated and compared. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database was queried with specific key words relating to arrhythmogenic events. Estimators of LQTS risk levels indicated a very high or moderate risk for all COVID-19 repurposed drugs with the exception for azithromycin, although cases of TdP have been reported with this drug. There was excellent agreement among the various indices used to assess risk of drug-induced LQTS for the 6 repurposed medications and 23 torsadogenic compounds. Based on our results, monitoring of the QT interval shall be performed when some COVID-19 repurposed drugs are used, as such monitoring is possible for hospitalized patients or with the use of biodevices for outpatients.
Association of infected probability of COVID-19 with ventilation rates in confined spaces: a Wells-Riley equation based investigation
Authors: Dai Hui , Zhao Bin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundA growing number of epidemiological cases are proving the possibility of airborne transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Ensuring adequate ventilation rate is essential to reduce the risk of infection in confined spaces.MethodsWe obtained the quantum generation rate by a COVID-19 infector with a reproductive number based fitting approach, and then estimated the association between infected probability and ventilation rate with the Wells-Riley equation.ResultsThe estimated quantum generation rate of COVID-19 is 14-48 /h. To ensure infected probabolity less than 1%, ventilation rate lareger than common values (100-350 m3/h and 1200-4000 m3/h for 15 minutes and 3 hours exposure, respectively) is required. If both the infector and susceptibles wear masks, the ventilation rate ensuring less than 1% infected probability is reduced to 50-180 m3/h and 600-2000 m3/h correspondingly, which is easier to be achieved by normal ventilation mode applied in some typical scenarios, including offices, classrooms, buses and aircraft cabins.InterpretationThe risk of potential airborne transmission in confined spaces cannot be ignored. Strict preventive measures that have been widely adopted should be effective in reducing the risk of airborne transmitted infection.
The effect of short-graft preparation with tape suspension and screw fixation on loss of knee extension following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of public hospital cases from 2015 - 2017
Authors: Bell Christopher , Scholes Corey , Jegatheesan Maha , Tuckerman Kirby 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe short graft with tape suspension (SGTS) is a technique for ACL reconstruction that has gained popularity in recent years. Though the construct utilises a hamstring tendon, its biomechanical properties more closely resemble a stiffer graft such as bone-patella-bone. Due to these properties, there are concerns this technique may increase the likelihood of postoperative loss of extension (LOE), particularly if the surgeon does not modify their tensioning technique. This study compared LOE in patients undergoing ACLR with the SGTS technique, versus other ACLR techniques. We hypothesised that with appropriate technique modifications, the SGTS technique would not be inferior to long hamstring graft techniques with respect to LOE observed clinically during supervised rehabilitation.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 138 patients who received primary ACLR at one of two hospitals between January 2015 and December 2017 and elected to participate in a rehabilitation program with the hospital physiotherapy department. Postoperative knee extension was assessed by a department physiotherapist until satisfactory function was achieved. Patients were classified as SGTS ACLR or non-SGTS ACLR during chart review and LOE compared at initial assessment and at the time of maximum extension, via a noninferiority analysis.ResultsThe grafts for the SGTS group (N=44) were significantly larger in diameter (median 8.5mm vs. 8.0mm, P <0.001) and less incidence of notchplasties (17.8% vs. 44.7%, P <0.001) compared with the non-SGTS group (N=94). The upper 95% confidence interval for the difference in proportions between groups did not exceed the non-inferiority margin (0.3 or 30%) at either Initial or Maximum timepoints.ConclusionsThe SGTS technique was not inferior to other hamstring-graft ACLR techniques with respect to postoperative LOE. Surgeons using or considering using the SGTS construct can rule out increased incidence of LOE as a factor in their decision-making, providing the grafts are prepared according to existing guidance and tensioned in full extension. Further studies are recommended to assess longer term functional outcomes and ultimately treatment success.
COVID-19 epidemic in Sri Lanka: A mathematical and computational modelling approach to control
Authors: Wickramaarachchi WPTM , Perera SSN , Jayasignhe S 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe ongoing COVID19 outbreak originated in the city of Wuhan, China has caused a significant damage to the world population and the global economy. It has claimed more than 50,000 lives worldwide and more than one million of people have been infected as of 04th April 2020.In Sri Lanka, the first case of COVI19 was reported late January 2020 was a Chinese national and the first local case was identified in the second week of March. Since then, the government of Sri Lanka introduced various sequential measures to improve social distancing such as closure of schools and education institutes, introducing work from home model to reduce the public gathering, introducing travel bans to international arrivals and more drastically, imposed island wide curfew expecting to minimize the burden of the disease to the Sri Lankan health system and the entire community. Currently, there are 159 cases with five fatalities and also reported that 24 patients are recovered and discharged from hospitals.In this study, we use the SEIR conceptual model and its modified version by decomposing infected patients into two classes; patients who show mild symptoms and patients who tend to face severe respiratory problems and are required to treat in intensive care units. We numerically simulate the models for about five months period considering three critical parameters of COVID transmission mainly in the Sri Lankan context; efficacy of control measures, rate of overseas imported cases and time to introduce social distancing measures by the respective authorities.