bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication in preventing metachronous gastric cancer and preneoplastic lesions. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Khan Muhammad Y. , Aslam Aysha , Mihali Albana B. , Shabbir Rawala Muhammad , Dirweesh Ahmed , Khan Salman , Adler Douglas G. , Siddiqui Ali 
Published: April 2020

Background:

Helicobacter pylori is a significant risk factor for gastric cancer. Recent trials show eradication decreases the incidence of gastric cancer in patients with early-stage gastric cancer. However, data on gastric cancer prevention are inconsistent for patients with precancerous lesions such as atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.

Aim:
The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of H. pylori eradication in gastric cancer prevention in patients with varying risk factors for gastric cancer at baseline.

Methods:
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar were searched from inception through March 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying H. pylori eradication on gastric cancer prevention. We estimated the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for each outcome using a random-effects model. P values of less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results:
Nine RCTs with total of 6967 patient were included in the analysis. There was significant reduction in gastric cancer incidence in the H. pylori group for patients with early gastric cancer status post endoscopic mucosal resection OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.33–0.67; P < 0.0001; I
2 = 0%. There was no difference in gastric cancer incidence in patients with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia at baseline for H. pylori arm OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.42–1.07; P = 0.09; I
2 = 0%). Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia improved from baseline in the H. pylori arm compared to placebo OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.41–4.81; P = 0.002; I2 = 88 and OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.66–4.11; P ≤ 0.0001; I
2 = 0%, respectively.

Conclusions:

H. pylori eradication is associated with reduced gastric cancer incidence in patients with early-stage gastric cancer and improvement in atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. There was no difference in gastric cancer incidence in patients with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia at baseline.
Population-level Benefits of Extragenital Gonorrhea Screening Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: An Exploratory Modeling Analysis
Authors: Earnest Rebecca , Rönn Minttu M. , Bellerose Meghan , Gift Thomas L. , Berruti Andrés A. , Hsu Katherine K. , Testa Christian , Zhu Lin , Malyuta Yelena , Menzies Nicolas A. , Salomon Joshua A. 
Published: April 2020

Background
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately burdened by gonorrhea and face high rates of extragenital (rectal and pharyngeal) infection, which is mostly asymptomatic and often missed by urogenital-only screening. Extragenital screening likely remains below Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–recommended levels. Because increasing screening coverage is often resource-intensive, we assessed whether improved extragenital screening among men already presenting at clinics could lead to substantial reductions in prevalence and incidence.

Methods
We calibrated an agent-based model of site- and race-specific gonorrhea infection in MSM to explicitly model multisite infection within an individual and transmission via anal, orogenital, and ororectal sex. Compared with current screening levels, we assessed the impact of increasing screening at (1) both extragenital sites, (2) only the rectal site, and (3) only the pharyngeal site among men already being urogenitally screened.

Results
All scenarios reduced prevalence and incidence, with improved screening at both extragenital sites having the largest effect across outcomes. Extragenitally screening 100% of men being urogenitally screened reduced site-specific prevalence by an average of 42% (black MSM) and 50% (white MSM), with these values dropping by approximately 10% and 20% for each race group when targeting only the rectum and only the pharynx, respectively. However, increasing only rectal screening was more efficient in terms of the number of screens needed to avert an infection as this avoided duplicative screens due to rectum/pharynx multisite infection.

Conclusions
Improved extragenital screening substantially reduced site-specific gonorrhea prevalence and incidence, with strategies aimed at increasing rectal screening proving the most efficient.
Ankle Injuries in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Solove Matthew , Turcotte Benedict Frances 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Ankle injuries are a common reason for presentation to the pediatric emergency department. An understanding of the anatomy of the ankle joint, the mechanism of injury, and a thorough history and physical examination can help narrow the differential diagnosis. This article will discuss the management of common ankle injuries, including ankle sprains, dislocations, and pediatric fractures, including transitional triplane and Tillaux fractures. A brief review of the literature regarding radiographic evaluation of the ankle and various ankle rules is also discussed.
Knowledge, attitude, practice and perception regarding COVID-19 among students in Bangladesh: Survey in Rajshahi University
Authors: Wadood Md. Abdul , Mamun ASMA , Rafi Md. Abdur , Islam Md kamrul , Mohd Suhaili , Lee Lai Lee , Hossain Md. Golam 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe number of infection and death by COVID-19 has been rapidly increasing since December 2019 in all over the world. Until now, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for this disease; WHO suggests only some protective measures like maintaining social distance, staying home, washing hands with soap or sanitizer, wearing mask etc. The objective of this study was to survey knowledge, attitude, practice and perception regarding COVID-19 among students in Rajshahi University, Bangladesh.MethodsWe collected data from 305 students of Rajshahi University for this cross-sectional study using mixed sampling from March 11 to March 19, 2020. Frequency distribution, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used in this study.ResultsOut of 305 participants, 224 (73.4%) and 81 (26.6%) were male and female students respectively. The study revealed that Rajshahi university students had average knowledge on symptoms, protective way and transmission of COVID-19. Female students were more knowledgeable than male. More than one third of the students had negative attitude to avoiding public transport and going out to public places with friends and family. The practice of students practice during our data collection period and in future was not satisfactory. More than one third of students were not keen to stay at home and avoid going to crowded places. The perception towards COVID-19 was not good; they had no idea whether the outbreak would affect their daily routine, study and financial matters, study field work and restrict leisure time of meeting family and relatives.ConclusionsWe found that general knowledge, attitude, practice and perception of the university students regarding COVID-19 were not satisfactory. This indicated that the situation was worse among common people. In Bangladesh, the number of healthcare providers is insufficient. University students can be employed as potential workforce to create awareness among mass people on prevention of COVID-19.
SIR-simulation of Corona pandemic dynamics in Europe
Authors: Nesteruk Igor 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe SIR (susceptible-infected-removed) model, statistical approach to the parameter identification and the official WHO daily data about the confirmed cumulative number of cases were used to estimate the characteristics of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Austria and Moldova. The final sizes and durations of epidemic outbreaks in these countries are calculated.
Microwave-Generated Steam Decontamination of N95 Respirators Utilizing Universally Accessible Materials
Authors: Zulauf Katelyn E. , Green Alex B. , Ba Alex N. Nguyen , Jagdish Tanush , Reif Dvir , Seeley Robert , Dale Alana , Kirby James E 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused a severe, international shortage of N95 respirators, which are essential to protect healthcare providers from infection. Given the contemporary limitations of the supply chain, it is imperative to identify effective means of decontaminating, reusing, and thereby conserving N95 respirator stockpiles. To be effective, decontamination must result in sterilization of the N95 respirator without impairment of respirator filtration or user fit. Although numerous methods of N95 decontamination exist, none are universally accessible. In this work we describe a microwave-generated steam decontamination protocol for N95 respirators for use in healthcare systems of all sizes, geographies, and means. Using widely available glass containers, mesh from commercial produce bags, a rubber band, and a 1100W commercially available microwave, we constructed an effective, standardized, and reproducible means of decontaminating N95 respirators. Employing this methodology against MS2 phage, a highly conservative surrogate for SARS-CoV-2 contamination, we report an average 6-log10 plaque forming unit (PFU) (99.9999%) and a minimum 5-log10 PFU (99.999%) reduction after a single three-minute microwave treatment. Notably, quantified respirator fit and function were preserved, even after 20 sequential cycles of microwave steam decontamination. This method provides a valuable means of effective decontamination and reuse of N95 respirators by frontline providers facing urgent need.IMPORTANCEDue to the rapid spread of COVID-19 there is an increasing shortage of protective gear necessary to keep health care providers safe from infection. The CDC reports 9,282 cases of COVID-19 among U.S. healthcare workers to date (1). N95 respirators are recommended by the CDC as the ideal method of protection from COVID-19. Although N95 respirators are traditionally single-use, the shortages have necessitated the need for re-use. Effective methods of N95 decontamination that do not affect the fit or filtration ability of N95 respirators are essential. Numerous methods of N95 decontamination exist; however, none are universally accessible. In this study we describe an effective, standardized, and reproducible means of decontaminating N95 respirators using widely available materials. The N95 decontamination method described in this work will provide a valuable resource for hospitals, healthcare centers, and outpatients practices that are experiencing increasing shortages of N95 respirators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Library of Nucleotide Analogues Terminate RNA Synthesis Catalyzed by Polymerases of Coronaviruses Causing SARS and COVID-19
Authors: Jockusch Steffen , Tao Chuanjuan , Li Xiaoxu , Anderson Thomas K. , Chien Minchen , Kumar Shiv , Russo James J. , Kirchdoerfer Robert N. , Ju Jingyue 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSARS-CoV-2, a member of the coronavirus family, is responsible for the current COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. We previously demonstrated that five nucleotide analogues inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), including the active triphosphate forms of Sofosbuvir, Alovudine, Zidovudine, Tenofovir alafenamide and Emtricitabine. We report here the evaluation of a library of additional nucleoside triphosphate analogues with a variety of structural and chemical features as inhibitors of the RdRps of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. These features include modifications on the sugar (2’ or 3’ modifications, carbocyclic, acyclic, or dideoxynucleotides) or on the base. The goal is to identify nucleotide analogues that not only terminate RNA synthesis catalyzed by these coronavirus RdRps, but also have the potential to resist the viruses’ exonuclease activity. We examined these nucleotide analogues with regard to their ability to be incorporated by the RdRps in the polymerase reaction and then prevent further incorporation. While all 11 molecules tested displayed incorporation, 6 exhibited immediate termination of the polymerase reaction (Carbovir triphosphate, Ganciclovir triphosphate, Stavudine triphosphate, Entecavir triphosphate, 3’-O-methyl UTP and Biotin-16-dUTP), 2 showed delayed termination (Cidofovir diphosphate and 2’-O-methyl UTP), and 3 did not terminate the polymerase reaction (2’-fluoro-dUTP, 2’-amino-dUTP and Desthiobiotin-16-UTP). The coronavirus genomes encode an exonuclease that apparently requires a 2’ -OH group to excise mismatched bases at the 3’-terminus. In this study, all of the nucleoside triphosphate analogues we evaluated form Watson-Cricklike base pairs. All the nucleotide analogues which demonstrated termination either lack a 2’-OH, have a blocked 2’-OH, or show delayed termination. These nucleotides may thus have the potential to resist exonuclease activity, a property that we will investigate in the future. Furthermore, prodrugs of five of these nucleotide analogues (Brincidofovir/Cidofovir, Abacavir, Valganciclovir/Ganciclovir, Stavudine and Entecavir) are FDA approved for other viral infections, and their safety profile is well known. Thus, they can be evaluated rapidly as potential therapies for COVID-19.
SUCCESSFUL MANUFACTURING OF CLINICAL-GRADE SARS-CoV-2 SPECIFIC T CELLS FOR ADOPTIVE CELL THERAPY
Authors: Leung Wing , Soh Teck Guan , Linn Yeh Ching , Low Jenny Guek-Hong , Loh Jiashen , Chan Marieta , Chng Wee Joo , Koh Liang Piu , Poon Michelle Li-Mei , Ng King Pan , Kuick Chik Hong , Tan Thuan Tong , Tan Lip Kun , Seng Michaela Su-fern 
Published: April 2020

SUMMARYBackgroundAdoptive therapy with SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells for COVID-19 has not been reported. The feasibility of rapid clinical-grade manufacturing of virus-specific T cells from convalescent donors has not been demonstrated for this or prior pandemics.MethodsOne unit of whole blood was collected from each convalescent donor following standard blood bank practices. After the plasma was separated and stored separately, the leukocytes were stimulated using overlapping peptides of SARS-CoV-2, covering the immunodominant sequence domains of the S protein and the complete sequence of the N and M proteins. Thereaftesr, functionally reactive cells were enriched overnight using an automated device capturing IFNγ-secreting cells.FindingsFrom 1×109 leukocytes, 0.56 to 1.16×106 IFNγ+ T cells were produced from each of the first two donors. Most of the T cells (64% to 71%) were IFNγ+, with preferential enrichment of CD56+ T cells, effector memory T cells, and effector memory RA+ T cells. TCRVβ spectratyping revealed oligoclonal distribution, with over-representation of subfamilies including Vβ3, Vβ16 and Vβ17. With just two donors, the probability that a recipient in the same ethnic group would share at least one donor HLA allele or one haplotype could be as high as >90% and >30%, respectively.InterpretationsThis study is limited by small number of donors and absence of recipient data; however, crucial first proof-of-principle data are provided demonstrating the feasibility of clinical-grade production of SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells for urgent clinical use, conceivably with plasma therapy concurrently. Our data showing that virus-specific T cells can be detected easily after brief stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 specific peptides suggest that a parallel diagnostic assay can be developed alongside serology testing.FundingThe study was funded by a SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medicine COVID-19 Rapid Response Research Grant.
The Bacterial Cytoskeleton Spatially Confines Functional Membrane Microdomains
Authors: Wagner Rabea Marie , Setru Sagar U. , Machta Benjamin , Wingreen Ned S. , Lopez Daniel 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTCell membranes laterally segregate into microdomains enriched in certain lipids and scaffold proteins. Membrane microdomains modulate protein–protein interactions and are essential for cell polarity, signaling and membrane trafficking. How cells organize their membrane microdomains, and the physiological importance of these microdomains, is unknown. In eukaryotes, the cortical actin cytoskeleton is proposed to act like a fence, constraining the dynamics of membrane microdomains. Like their eukaryotic counterparts, bacterial cells have functional membrane microdomains (FMMs) that act as platforms for the efficient oligomerization of protein complexes. In this work, we used the model organismBacillus subtilisto demonstrate that FMM organization and movement depend primarily on the interaction of FMM scaffold proteins with the domains’ protein cargo, rather than with domain lipids. Additionally, the MreB actin-like cytoskeletal network that underlies the bacterial membrane was found to frame areas of the membrane in which FMM mobility is concentrated. Variations in membrane fluidity did not affect FMM mobility whereas alterations in cell wall organization affected FMM mobility substantially. Interference with MreB organization alleviates FMM spatial confinement whereas, by contrast, inhibition of cell wall synthesis strengthens FMM confinement. The restriction of FMM lateral mobility by the submembranous actin-like cytoskeleton or the extracellular wall cytoskeleton appears to be a conserved mechanism in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells for localizing functional protein complexes in specific membrane regions, thus contributing to the organization of cellular processes.
Poolkeh Finds the Optimal Pooling Strategy for a Population-wide COVID-19 Testing (Israel, UK, and US as Test Cases)
Authors: Eliaz Yossi , Danovich Mark , Gasic Gregory P. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has changed the lifestyle of citizens of the world. In order for decision makers to manage the viral spread of COVID-19 both in the intra-national and the international frontiers, it is essential to operate based on data-driven assessments. It’s crucial to do so rapidly and frequently, since the nature of the viral spread grows exponentially and can burst worldwide again. A fast and accurate health status of individuals globally during a pandemic can save many lives and bring life back to a new normal. Herein, we present a data-driven tool to allow decision-makers to assess the spread of the virus among the world population. Our framework allows health agencies to maximize the throughput of COVID-19 tests among the world population by finding the best test pooling that fits the current SIR-D [1] status of the nation.
A HEURISTIC MODEL FOR SPREAD OF COVID-19 INFECTION CASES IN INDIA
Authors: Bhattacharjee Bishwajit 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA simple heuristic model for spread of COVID-19 infections in India is presented and compared with reported data up to April 10, 2020. Spread of infection is considered to be initiating from infected individuals and spread is assumed to take place in a compounding manner. Some of the data needed are taken from readily available sources in the web. The possible progress is then estimated based on model presented and possible scenarios are highlighted.
An adaptive nonlinear finite element analysis of minimal surface problem based on element energy projection technique
Authors: Jiang Kaifeng , Yuan Si , Xing Qinyan 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a new adaptive strategy for two-dimensional (2D) nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis of the minimal surface problem (MSP) based on the element energy projection (EEP) technique.Design/methodology/approachBy linearizing nonlinear problems into a series of linear problems via the Newton method, the EEP technique, which is an effective and reliable point-wise super-convergent displacement recovery strategy for linear FE analysis, can be directly incorporated into the solution procedure. Accordingly,a posteriorierror estimate in maximum norm was established and an adaptive 2D nonlinear FE strategy ofh-version mesh refinement was developed.FindingsThree classical known surfaces, including a singularity problem, were analysed. Moreover, an example whose analytic solution is unavailable was considered and a comparison was made between present results and those computed by the MATLAB PDE toolbox. The results show that the adaptively-generated meshes reflect the difficulties inherent in the problems and the proposed adaptive analysis can produce FE solutions satisfying the user-preset error tolerance in maximum norm with a fair adaptive convergence rate.Originality/valueThe EEP technique for linear FE analysis was extended to the nonlinear procedure of MSP and can be expected to apply to other 2D nonlinear problems. The employment of the maximum norm makes point-wisely error control on the sought surfaces possible and makes the proposed method distinguished from other adaptive FE analyses.
An adaptive collocation method for structural fuzzy uncertainty analysis
Authors: Wang Lei , Xiong Chuang , Shi Qinghe 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
Considering that uncertain factors widely exist in engineering practice, an adaptive collocation method (ACM) is developed for the structural fuzzy uncertainty analysis.

Design/methodology/approach
ACM arranges points in the axis of the membership adaptively. Through the adaptive collocation procedure, ACM can arrange more points in the axis of the membership where the membership function changes sharply and fewer points in the axis of the membership where the membership function changes slowly. At each point arranged in the axis of the membership, the level-cut strategy is used to obtain the cut-level interval of the uncertain variables; besides, the vertex method and the Chebyshev interval uncertainty analysis method are used to conduct the cut-level interval uncertainty analysis.

Findings
The proposed ACM has a high accuracy without too much additional computational efforts.

Originality/value
A novel ACM is developed for the structural fuzzy uncertainty analysis.
Student learning venture overseas in the transnational research partnership – a Taiwan and US PIRE case study
Authors: Hou Angela Yung Chi , Chan Sheng-Ju , Lin Lily , Hu Zoe 
Published: April 2020

PurposeTransnational learning has become a mainstream issue in recent years due to the rise of global education. There are many kinds of overseas learning, including degree-seeking, joint/double degree, student exchange, internship, service learning and so on. The scope of learning may involve research, teaching/learning and community service. The purpose of the case study is to investigate how the Taiwanese students participating in an international internship project of the US–Taiwan Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) acquire professional knowledge and soft skills, including cross-cultural awareness, interdisciplinary communication, skill development and social networking. It also explores how a joint research project contributes into a collaborative educational program.Design/methodology/approachTo better understand participants' experiences in the PRIE, this study held three focus groups and seven in-depth interviews on the students, faculty members and project managers for data collection.FindingsThree major findings are shown in the study. First, participants agreed that the overall learning experiences in knowledge acquisition or skill development have been positive. Second, participants obviously expressed their greater interests in intercultural interaction with the locals, which did not happen quite often during the internship. Third, the extent of interest in applying for the PIRE deg ree program after the internship program is escalating year by year.Research limitations/implicationsMore investigation into participants’ social and cultural engagement in similar project will be needed for future research.Practical implicationsThe results will be implicated into other cross-border education project evaluation.Originality/valueThis study manages to investigate the cross-border research initiative from different participants' perspectives and received comprehensive feedbacks.