bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum lipid profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Shi Xiao-yan , Yao Jia , Fan Si-min , Hong Pei-pei , Xia Yu-guo , Chen Qiu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women. In addition to the reproductive consequences, PCOS is also characterized by a metabolic disorder, which may play a part in the etiology of anovulation and has important implications for long-term health as well. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in PCOS and there is a close relationship between metabolic dysfunction and vitamin D status in women with PCOS. The purpose of this systematic analysis is to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum lipid profiles in patients with PCOS.

Methods:
We will search five databases for relative studies: Medline, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov and identified all reports of randomized controlled trials published prior to July 2020. Two authors will independently scan the articles searched, extract the data from articles included, and assess the risk of bias by Cochrane tool of risk of bias. Disagreements will be resolved by discussion among authors. All analysis will be performed based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Fixed-effects model or random-effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates of weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results:
This review will be to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum lipid profiles in patients with PCOS. The results of the study will be published in a scientific journal after peer-review.

Conclusions:
These findings will provide guidance to clinicians and patients on the use of vitamin D for PCOS with dyslipidemia.

Ethics and dissemination:
This study is a protocol for a systematic review of vitamin D as a treatment of dyslipidemia in PCOS patients.

Systematic review registration:
INPLASY202050007.
First-line albumin-bound paclitaxel/carboplatin plus apatinib in advanced pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma
Authors: Kong Feng-Wei , Wang Wei-Min , Liu Lei , Wu Wen-Bin , Wang Xiang , Zhang Miao 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Rationale:
Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is an uncommon type of non-small cell lung cancer, exhibiting aggressive behavior and resistance to the conventional chemoradiotherapy. To date, the optimal treatment for PSC has not been elucidated.

Patient concerns:
Three male patients including a 69-year-old smoker (Case 1), a 45-year-old non-smoker (Case 2), and a 69-year-old smoker (Case 3) were admitted because of cough, back pain, and loss of body weight respectively.

Diagnoses:
Radiographical examinations in these patients showed bulky intrathoracic lesions, which were pathologically diagnosed as PSC staging III–IV by computed tomography–guided percutaneous biopsy and endoscopy.

Interventions:
Immunotherapy was not covered by their health insurance and they refused immune checkpoint inhibitors for financial reasons. In addition, a radical resection was not appropriate due to the advanced staging of these lesions. Therefore, first-line albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel, 260 mg/m2 of the body surface area) and carboplatin (area under curve 5) combined with oral apatinib (425 mg, daily) were administered empirically.

Outcomes:
Two patients achieved a partial response and the other case showed stable disease lasting for more than 6 months. However, 1 of them indicated progression on the 7-month follow up.

Lessons:
Nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin plus apatinib showed limited short-term efficacy in advanced, unresectable PSC. The rapid resistance of PSC to the current therapeutic regimen necessitates further researches, as more effective agents are urgently needed.
Craniometric and Volumetric Analyses of Cranial Base and Cranial Vault Differences in Patients With Nonsyndromic Single-Suture Sagittal Craniosynostosis
Authors: Vu Giap H. , Mazzaferro Daniel M. , Kalmar Christopher L. , Zimmerman Carrie E. , Humphries Laura S. , Swanson Jordan W. , Bartlett Scott P. , Taylor Jesse A. 
Published: June 2020

Purpose:
How different from “normal” are the cranial base and vault of infants with nonsyndromic, single-suture sagittal synostosis (NSSS)? This study quantitatively addresses this question utilizing computed tomography (CT) analytic technology.

Method:
Head CT scans of infants with NSSS and normocephalic controls were analyzed using Mimics to calculate craniometric angles, distances, and segmented volumes. Craniometric measurements and asymmetry indices were compared between NSSS and control groups using linear regressions controlling for age. Ratios of anterior-, middle-, and posterior-to-total cranial vault volume were compared between groups using beta regressions controlling for age.

Results:
Seventeen patients with NSSS and 19 controls were identified. Cranial index and interoccipital angle were significantly smaller in NSSS compared with controls (P = 0.003 and <0.001, respectively). Right—but not left—external acoustic meatus angle and internal acoustic meatus-to-midline distance were significantly greater in NSSS than in controls (P = 0.021 and 0.016, respectively). NSSS patients and controls did not significantly differ in any asymmetry indices, except for the articular fossa angle asymmetry index (P = 0.016). Anterior vault volume proportion was greater in NSSS relative to controls (proportion ratio = 1.63, P < 0.001). NSSS trended toward a smaller posterior vault volume proportion (P = 0.068) yet did not differ in middle vault volume proportion compared with controls.

Conclusion:
In this small study, patients with nonsyndromic, single-suture sagittal craniosynostosis had relatively similar cranial base measurements, and larger anterior vault volumes, when compared with controls. Further work is needed to confirm the possibility of rightward asymmetry of the anterior cranial base.
Burn-Induced Apoptosis of Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cell is NHE1 Dependent and Regulated by PI3K-Akt and p38 MAPK Pathways
Authors: Fang Zhuoqun , Zhang Dongliang , Yao Li , Wu Gaofeng , Zhang Zhi , Deng Xudong , Han Juntao , Yang Xuekang 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT
Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) is a ubiquitously expressed protein on mammalian plasma membranes and involved in cell apoptosis and tissue injury. Our previous study found that NHE1 inhibition prevents burn-induced acute lung injury (ALI). However, the potential mechanism of NHE1 in burn-induced ALI is still unclear. This study investigated the role of NHE1 in burn-induced apoptosis of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Based on the western blot analyses, real-time PCR, fluorescence spectroscopy, and apoptosis analysis, we found that burn serum significantly induced NHE1 activation, promoted intracellular Na+ accumulation, and elevated apoptosis ratio. Inhibition of NHE1 with cariporide reversed burn-induced intracellular Na+ accumulation and cell apoptosis. Different doses of cariporide also significantly decreased Ca2+i concentrations and calpain activity induced by burn serum. Furthermore, inhibition of PI3K contributed to the increase of NHE1 activation and cell apoptosis, whereas the inhibition of p38 MAPK led to inhibition of NHE1 activation and significant decreases of cell apoptosis. The data demonstrate that NHE1 activation facilitates burn-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, mediated by Ca2+-dependent pathway. PI3K-Akt and p38 MAPK were found to be upstream regulators of NHE1. This study provides new mechanisms underlying burn-induced ALI.
A Propensity Score–weighted Comparison of Outcomes Between Living and Standard Criteria Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Yohanna Seychelle , Naylor Kyla L. , McArthur Eric , Lam Ngan N. , Austin Peter C. , Habbous Steven , McCallum Megan K. , Ordon Michael , Knoll Greg A. , Kim Joseph S. , Garg Amit X. 
Published: June 2020

Background.
Consider a theoretical situation in which 2 patients with similar baseline characteristics receive a kidney transplant on the same day: 1 from a standard criteria deceased donor, the other from a living donor. Which kidney transplant will last longer?

Methods.
We conducted a population-based cohort study using linked administrative healthcare databases from Ontario, Canada, from January 1, 2005, to March 31, 2014, to evaluate several posttransplant outcomes in individuals who received a kidney transplant from a standard criteria deceased donor (n = 1523) or from a living donor (n = 1373). We used PS weighting using overlap weights, a novel weighting method that emphasizes the population of recipients with the most overlap in baseline characteristics.

Results.
Compared with recipients of a living donor, the rate of all-cause graft failure was not statistically higher for recipients of a standard criteria deceased donor (hazard ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8-1.6). Recipients of a standard criteria deceased donor, compared with recipients of a living donor had a higher rate of delayed graft function (23.6% versus 18.7%; odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.6) and a longer length of stay for the kidney transplant surgery (mean difference, 1.7 d; 95% CI, 0.5-3.0).

Conclusions.
After accounting for many important donor and recipient factors, we failed to observe a large difference in the risk of all-cause graft failure for recipients of a standard criteria deceased versus living donor. Some estimates were imprecise, which meant we could not rule out the presence of smaller clinically important effects.
Early Experience With COVID-19 and Solid Organ Transplantation at a US High-volume Transplant Center
Authors: Yi Stephanie G. , Rogers Alex W. , Saharia Ashish , Aoun Maria , Faour Romy , Abdelrahim Maen , Knight Richard J. , Grimes Kevin , Bullock Samantha , Hobeika Mark , McMillan Robert , Mobley Constance , Moaddab Mozhgon , Huang Howard J. , Bhimaraj Arvind , Ghobrial R. Mark , Gaber A. Osama 
Published: June 2020

Background.
The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] poses unique challenges for immunosuppressed patients. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients comprise a large proportion of this group, yet there is limited knowledge about the presentation, clinical course, and immunosuppression management of this novel infection among heart, lung, liver, pancreas, and kidney transplant recipients.

Methods.
We present 21 SOT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 1, 2020 and April 22, 2020 at a US high-volume transplant center. Diagnostic workup, clinical course, immunosuppression/antiviral management, and immediate outcomes are described.

Results.
Twenty-one (15.9%) of 132 symptomatic patients tested were positive. Mean age at diagnosis was 54.8 ± 10.9 y. Median time from transplant was 5.58 y (interquartile range 2.25, 7.33). Median follow-up was 18 d (interquartile range 13, 30). Fourteen patients required inpatient management, with 7 (50%) placed in the intensive care unit (ICU). All transplant types were represented. Nearly 43% exhibited GI symptoms. Over half (56.2%) presented with elevated serum creatinine suggestive of acute kidney injury. The majority of patients (5/7) with concomitant infections at baseline required the ICU. Eighty percent received hydroxychloroquine ± azithromycin. Ten received toclizumab and/or ribavirin; 1 received remdesivir. Antimetabolites ± calcineurin inhibitors were held or reduced. Over half of hospitalized patients (8/14) were discharged home. Only 1 mortality (4.8%) to date, in a critically ill heart/kidney patient who had been in the ICU before diagnosis.

Conclusions.
COVID-19 positive SOT at our institution had favorable short-term outcomes. Those with concomitant infections had more severe illness. More data will be available to evaluate long-term outcomes and disease impact on graft function.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Stay-At-Home Orders: Does Timing Matter?
Authors: Medline Alexandra , Hayes Lamar , Valdez Katia , Hayashi Ami , Vahedi Farnoosh , Capell Will , Sonnenberg Jake , Glick Zoe , Klausner Jeffrey D. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe many economic, psychological, and social consequences of pandemics and social distancing measures create an urgent need to determine the efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), and especially those considered most stringent, such as stay-at-home and self-isolation mandates. This study focuses specifically on the efficacy of stay-at-home orders, both nationally and internationally, in the control of COVID-19.METHODSWe conducted an observational analysis from April to May 2020 and included countries and US states with known stay-at-home orders. Our primary exposure was the time between the date of the first reported case of COVID-19 to an implemented stay-at-home mandate for each region. Our primary outcomes were the time from the first reported case to the highest number of daily cases and daily deaths. We conducted simple linear regression analyses, controlling for the case rate of the outbreak.RESULTSFor US states and countries, a larger number of days between the first reported case and stay-at-home mandates was associated with a longer time to reach the peak daily case and death counts. The largest effect was among regions classified as the latest 10% to implement a mandate, which in the US, predicted an extra 35.3 days to the peak number of cases (95 % CI: 18.2, 52.5), and 38.3 days to the peak number of deaths (95 % CI: 23.6, 53.0).CONCLUSIONSOur study supports the potential beneficial effect of earlier stay-at-home mandates, by shortening the time to peak case and death counts for US states and countries. Regions in which mandates were implemented late experienced a prolonged duration to reaching both peak daily case and death counts.
Forecasting the peak of novel coronavirus disease in Egypt using current confirmed cases and deaths
Authors: Anwar Wagida A. , Mokhtar Amany 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Egypt was reported on 14 February 2020 and the number of reported cases has increased daily. The purpose of this study is to describe the current situation of Covid-19 in Egypt and to predict the expected timing of the peak of this epidemic using current confirmed cases and deaths. We used one of the online tools; the Epidemic Calculator that utilizes, the well-known SEIR compartmental model. We utilized the daily reports published by the Egyptian Ministry of Health & Population from 14 February to 11 May 2020. Given the highest calculated case fatality rate (7.7%), the number of hospitalized individuals is expected to peak in the middle of June with a peak of hospitalized cases of 20,126 individuals and total expected deaths 12,303. We recommend strengthening of the Egyptian preventive and control measures so as to decrease the CFR and the number of cases to the least possible as we approach the epidemic peak. It is most important that appropriate quarantine measures are retained., the quarantine measures should not be relaxed before the end of June, 2020.
Evaluation of serological tests for SARS-CoV-2: Implications for serology testing in a low-prevalence setting
Authors: Bond Katherine , Nicholson Suellen , Ming Lim Seok , Karapanagiotidis Theo , Williams Eloise , Johnson Douglas , Hoang Tuyet , Sia Cheryll , Purcell Damian , R Lewin Sharon , Catton Mike , P Howden Benjamin , A Williamson Deborah 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundRobust serological assays are essential for long-term control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many recently released point-of-care (PoCT) serological assays have been distributed with little pre-market validation.MethodsPerformance characteristics for five PoCT lateral flow devices approved for use in Australia were compared to a commercial enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and a recently described novel surrogate virus neutralisation test (sVNT).ResultsSensitivities for PoCT ranged from 51.8% (95% CI 43.1 to 60.4%) to 67.9% (95% CI 59.4–75.6%), and specificities from 95.6% (95% CI 89.2–98.8%) to 100.0% (95% CI 96.1–100.0%). Overall ELISA sensitivity for either IgA or IgG detection was 67.9% (95% CI 59.4–75.6), increasing to 93.8% (95% CI 85.0–98.3%) for samples > 14 days post symptom onset. Overall, sVNT sensitivity was 60.9% (95% CI 53.2–68.4%), rising to 91.2%% (95% CI 81.8–96.7%) for samples collected > 14 days post-symptom onset, with a specificity 94.4% (95% CI 89.2–97.5%),ConclusionPerformance characteristics for COVID-19 serological assays were generally lower than those reported by manufacturers. Timing of specimen collection relative to onset of illness or infection is crucial in the reporting of performance characteristics for COVID-19 serological assays. The optimal algorithm for implementing serological testing for COVID-19 remains to be determined, particularly in low-prevalence settings.
Cytokine biomarkers of COVID-19
Authors: Deng Hai-Jun , Long Quan-Xin , Liu Bei-Zhong , Ren Ji-Hua , Liao Pu , Qiu Jing-Fu , Tang Xiao-Jun , Zhang Yong , Tang Ni , Xu Yin-Yin , Mo Zhan , Chen Juan , Hu Jie-Li , Huang Ai-Long 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe used a new strategy to screen cytokines associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cytokines that can classify populations in different states of SARS-CoV-2 infection were first screened in cross-sectional serum samples from 184 subjects by 2 statistical analyses. The resultant cytokines were then analyzed for their interrelationships and fluctuating features in sequential samples from 38 COVID-19 patients. Three cytokines, M-CSF, IL-8 and SCF, which were clustered into 3 different correlation groups and had relatively small fluctuations during SARS-CoV-2 infection, were selected for the construction of a multiclass classification model. This model discriminated healthy individuals and asymptomatic and nonsevere patients with accuracy of 77.4% but was not successful in classifying severe patients. Further searching led to a single cytokine, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which classified severe from nonsevere COVID-19 patients with a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 97.9% under a cutoff value of 1128 pg/ml. The level of this cytokine did not increase in nonsevere patients but was significantly elevated in severe patients. Considering its potent antiinflammatory function, we suggest that HGF might be a new candidate therapy for critical COVID-19. In addition, our new strategy provides not only a rational and effective way to focus on certain cytokine biomarkers for infectious diseases but also a new opportunity to probe the modulation of cytokines in the immune response.
Dynamics and Development of the COVID-19 Epidemics in the US – a Compartmental Model with Deep Learning Enhancement
Authors: Deng Qi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundCompartmental models dominate epidemic modeling. Estimations of transmission parameters between compartments are typically done through stochastic parameterization processes that depend upon detailed statistics on transmission characteristics, which are economically and resource-wide expensive to collect. We apply deep learning techniques as a lower data dependency alternative to estimate transmission parameters of a customized compartmental model, for the purposes of simulating the dynamics of the US COVID-19 epidemics and projecting its further development.MethodsWe construct a compartmental model. We develop a multistep deep learning methodology to estimate the model’s transmission parameters. We then feed the estimated transmission parameters to the model to predict the development of the US COVID-19 epidemics for 35 and 42 days. Epidemics are considered suppressed when the basic reproduction number (R0) becomes less than one.ResultsThe deep learning-enhanced compartmental model predicts that R0 will become less than one around June 19 to July 3, 2020, at which point the epidemics will effectively start to die out, and that the US “Infected” population will peak round June 18 to July 2, 2020 between 1·34 million and 1·41 million individual cases. The models also predict that the number of accumulative confirmed cases will cross the 2 million mark around June 10 to 11, 2020.ConclusionsCurrent compartmental models require stochastic parameterization to estimate the transmission parameters. These models’ effectiveness depends upon detailed statistics on transmission characteristics. As an alternative, deep learning techniques are effective in estimating these stochastic parameters with greatly reduced dependency on data particularity.
Detection of Chemotherapy-Resistant Pancreatic Cancer Using a Glycan Biomarker
Authors: Gao ChongFeng , Wisniewski Luke , Liu Ying , Staal Ben , Beddows Ian , Plenker Dennis , Aldakkak Mohammed , Hall Johnathan , Barnett Daniel , Gouda Mirna Kheir , Allen Peter , Drake Richard , Zureikat Amer , Huang Ying , Evans Douglas , Singhi Aatur , Brand Randall E. , Tuveson David A. , Tsai Susan , Haab Brian B. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsA subset of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) is highly resistant to systemic chemotherapy, but no markers are available in clinical settings to identify this subset. We hypothesized that chemotherapy-resistant PDACs express a glycan biomarker called sTRA.Methods. We tested this marker to identify treatment-resistant PDAC in multiple systems: sets of cell lines, organoids, and isogenic cell lines; primary tumors; and blood plasma from cohorts of human subjects.Results. Among a panel of 27 cell lines, high levels of cell-surface sTRA identified higher resistance to seven chemotherapeutics used against PDAC. Using primary tumors from two different cohorts, patients who were positive for a gene-expression classifier for sTRA received no statistically significant benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, in contrast to those negative for the signature. In another cohort, using direct measurements of sTRA in tissue microarrays by quantitative immunofluorescence, patients who were high in sTRA again had no statistically significant benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Further, a blood-plasma test for the sTRA glycan identified the PDACs that showed rapid relapse following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This blood test performed with 96% specificity and 56% sensitivity in a blinded cohort using samples collected before the start of treatment.Conclusion. These findings establish that tissue or plasma sTRA can identify PDACs that are resistant to neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. This capability could help apply systemic treatments more precisely and facilitate biomarker-guided trials targeting resistant PDAC.
Testing for tracing or testing just for treating? A comparative analysis of strategies to face COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Knudsen Ricardo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThere is some consensus in Europe and Asia about high testing rates being crucial to controlling COVID-19 pandemics. There are though misconceptions on what means an effective high testing rate. This paper demonstrates that the rate of tests per detected case (Tests/Case) is the critical variable, correlating negatively with the number of deaths. The higher the Tests/Case rate, the lower the death rate, as this predictor is causally related to contact tracing and isolation of the vectors of the disease. Doubling Tests/Case typically divides by about three the number of deaths. On the other hand, the per capita testing rate is a poor predictor for the performance of policies to fight the pandemics. The number of tests per 1,000 inhabitants (Tests/1,000) tends to correlate positively with the number of deaths. In some cases, high levels of Tests/1,000 just mean an epidemic that ran out of control, with an explosion of cases that demands high testing rates just to confirm the diagnosis of the seriously sick. This study also demonstrates that an early tracing strategy, with a high level of Tests/Case, reduces combined costs of testing and hospitalization dramatically. Therefore, the common claim that tracing strategies are unaffordable by poorer countries is incorrect. On the contrary, it is the most adequate, both from the economic and humanitarian points of view.