bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of fasting duration on myocardial fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in diabetic and nondiabetic patients
Authors: Huang Yung-Cheng , Hsu Chien-Chin , Wu Yi-Chen , Chen Hong-Jie , Chiu Nan-Tsing 
Published: December 2020

Objective
To detect cardiac hypermetabolic lesions using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with PET/computed tomography (PET/CT), the efficiency of long fasting and temperature condition for lowering physiological myocardial FDG uptake is controversial and may be confounded by other factors. We thus aimed to investigate the impact of fasting duration and ambient temperature on myocardial uptake in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

Methods
FDG PET/CT scans (n = 666) were reviewed and the myocardial uptake was visually graded on a four-point scale and quantified using standardized uptake value (SUV). The associations between myocardial uptake and fasting duration, diabetes status, ambient temperature parameters, age, gender, and BMI were evaluated.

Results
Intraobserver [κ = 0.94; intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.99] and interobserver (κ = 0.91; ICC = 0.99) reliabilities of both visual and SUV measurements were all excellent. Fasting duration and diabetes status were found to be significantly associated with myocardial FDG uptake, but the ambient temperature parameters and other factor were not. Patients with intense (Grade 4) myocardial uptake had a shorter fasting duration (P = 0.011). The SUVmax of myocardium was significantly higher in nondiabetic than diabetic patients (P < 0.001). Fasting duration ≥ 12 h in diabetic and ≥16 h in nondiabetic patients was associated with low prevalence of Grade 4 uptake (4.2%, P = 0.016; 2.3%, P = 0.028).

Conclusion
Fasting for long enough durations but not ambient temperature was associated with decreased physiological myocardial FDG uptake. A fasting duration of more than 12 h for diabetic, 16 h for nondiabetic patients is a simple and valuable recommendation.
Prognostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography metabolic parameters measured in the primary tumor and suspicious lymph nodes before neoadjuvant therapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Tustumi Francisco , Duarte Paulo Schiavom , Albenda David Gutiérrez , Takeda Flávio Roberto , Sallum Rubens Antonio Aissar , Junior Ulysses Ribeiro , Buchpiguel Carlos Alberto , Cecconello Ivan 
Published: December 2020

Background

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) metabolic parameters are prognostic indicators in several neoplasms. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the maximum and average standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVavg), metabolic tumor value (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) measured in the primary tumor and suspicious lymph nodes preneoadjuvant therapy in patients submitted to surgical resection for esophageal cancer.

Methods
A cohort of 113 patients with esophageal cancer who performed 18F-FDG PET/CT preneoadjuvant therapy was assessed. The association of the SUV, MTV, and TLG measured in the primary tumor and in the suspicious lymph nodes with the overall survival was assessed. It was also analyzed other potentially confounding variables such as age, sex, clinical stage, and histologic subtype. The analyses were performed using Kaplan–Meier curve, log-rank test, and Cox regression.

Results
The univariate analyses showed that the MTV and TLG in the primary tumor, the SUV in the suspicious lymph nodes, the age, the histologic subtype, and the clinical stage were associated with survival after surgery (P ≤ 0.05). In the Cox regression multivariate analyses, all variables identified in the univariate analyses but the clinical stage were associated with survival after surgery (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion
In esophageal cancer patients, some of the 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters measured in the primary tumor and in the suspicious lymph nodes before the neoadjuvant therapy are independent indicators of overall survival and appear to be more important than the clinical stage in the prognostic definition of this group of patients.
Disclosure Concerns and Viral Suppression in People Newly Initiating HIV Care: The Role of Internalized HIV Stigma
Authors: Yigit Ibrahim , Bayramoglu Yunus , Weiser Sheri D. , Johnson Mallory O. , Mugavero Michael J. , Turan Janet M. , Turan Bulent 
Published: December 2020

Background:
Research on how disclosure concerns affect health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH) has yielded inconsistent results. Theoretically, disclosure concerns could predict either poorer antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence (PLWH worried about disclosure may not want to take their medication in front of others) or better ART adherence (stronger concerns may enhance treatment adherence to avoid unintentional disclosure). Furthermore, internalized stigma (which is positively associated with disclosure concerns) predicts worse ART adherence (an effect potentially in the opposite direction of the direct effect of disclosure concerns).

Setting/Methods:
One hundred eighty-six PLWH initiating HIV care at 4 US clinics completed measures of disclosure concerns, internalized stigma, and ART adherence. Viral load data were obtained from medical records. We examined the indirect effect of disclosure concerns on outcomes, adjusting for the suppressor effect of internalized stigma. That is, we examined whether the association between disclosure concerns and ART adherence/viral suppression is stronger and positive when controlling for the effect of internalized stigma.

Results:
Disclosure concerns were more strongly associated with better viral suppression and ART adherence when internalized stigma was in the model, suggesting that internalized stigma suppressed this association. Similarly, internalized stigma led to higher disclosure concerns, which in turn led to better ART adherence and higher likelihood of viral suppression. However, internalized stigma also had a direct effect in the opposite direction of this indirect effect.

Conclusions:
Findings highlight the importance of addressing effects of internalized stigma and disclosure concerns jointly when attempting to understand effects on health outcomes among new-to-care PLWH.
Trauma patient transport times unchanged despite trauma center proliferation: A 10-year review
Authors: Jones Michael D. , Paulus Jordan A. , Jacobs Jordan V. , Bogert James N. , Chapple Kristina M. , Soe-Lin Hahn , Weinberg Jordan A. 
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCTION
In certain regions of the United States, there has been a dramatic proliferation of trauma centers. The goal of our study was to evaluate transport times during this period of trauma center proliferation.

METHODS
Aggregated data summarizing level I trauma center admissions in Arizona between 2009 and 2018 were provided to our institution by the Arizona Department of Health Services. We evaluated patient demographics, transport times, and injury severity for both rural and urban injuries.

RESULTS
Data included statistics summarizing 266,605 level I trauma admissions in the state of Arizona. The number of state-designated trauma centers during this time increased from 14 to 47, with level I centers increasing from 8 to 13. Slight decreases in mean Injury Severity Score (rural, 9.4 vs. 8.4; urban, 7.9 vs. 7.0) were observed over this period. Median transport time for cases transported from the injury scene directly to a level I center remained stable in urban areas at 0.9 hours in both 2009 and 2018. In rural areas, transport times for these cases were approximately double but also stable, with median times of 1.8 and 1.9 hours. Transport times for cases requiring interfacility transfer before admission at a level I center increased by 0.3 hours for urban injuries (5.3–5.6 hours) and 0.9 hours for rural injuries (5.6–6.5 hours).

CONCLUSION
Despite the threefold increase in the number of state-designated trauma centers, transport time has not decreased in urban or rural areas. This finding highlights the need for regulatory oversight regarding the number and geographic placement of state-designated trauma centers.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Care management, level IV, Epidemiological, level III.
Spirosoma endbachense sp. nov., isolated from a natural salt meadow
Authors: Rojas Julian , Ambika Manirajan Binoy , Ratering Stefan , Suarez Christian , Geissler-Plaum Rita , Schnell Sylvia 
Published: December 2020

A Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated I-24T, was isolated from soil of a natural salt meadow. Strain I-24T was aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive and grew optimally at pH 7 and 25 °C. Comparative 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that strain I-24T has closest similarities to

Spirosoma agri

KCTC 52727T (95.9 %) and

Spirosoma terrae

KCTC 52035T (95.5 %). Strain I-24T contained summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
ω7c/C16 : 1
ω6c) and C16 : 1
ω5c as the major fatty acids, the predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine as well as an unidentified phosphoaminolipid. The draft genome of strain I-24T consists of 10 326 072 base pairs with 9153 predicted coding sequences and a G+C content of 47.7 mol%. Clear distinctions between strain I-24T and

S. agri

KCTC 52727T or

S. terrae

KCTC 52035T were shown in the pairwise average nucleotide identity results with values of 76.71 and 74.01 %, respectively. Moreover, the digital DNA–DNA relatedness values to these strains were 20.8 and 19.0 %. Based on its phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain I-24T represents a novel species of the genus

Spirosoma

, for which the name Spirosoma endbachense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is I-24T (DSM 111055T=KCTC 72613T).
Role of favipiravir in the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe COVID-19: a single-center, prospective, observational, sequential cohort study from Hungary
Authors: Szabo Balint Gergely , Lenart Katalin Szidonia , Petrik Borisz , Gaspar Zsofia , Balogh Zsofia , Banyai Zsuzsanna , Banyasz Emese , Budai Jozsef , Czel Eszter , Fried Katalin , Hanuska Adrienn , Kiss-Dala Noemi , Lorinczi Csaba , Nemesi Krisztina , Kadar Janos , Nagy Eva Livia , Osvald Akos , Petrovicz Edina , Riczu Alexandra , Szanka Judit , Szathmary Beata , Szombati Andrea , Toth Szilvia , Varnai Zsuzsanna , Woller Orsolya , Szlavik Janos , Lakatos Botond 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundPreliminary data suggests that favipiravir might have a role in COVID-19 treatment. Our aim was to assess the role of favipiravir in the treatment of COVID-19.MethodsA single-center, prospective, observational, sequential cohort study was performed among consecutive adults hospitalized with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 between March– July,2020. Patients were screened for inclusion bya prioricriteria, and were included in the favipiravir cohort if SOC+FVP, or the non-favipiravir group if SOC±other antiviral medications without FVP were administered for >48 hours. Treatment allocation was done per national guidelines. For COVID-19 diagnosis and severity, ECDC and WHO definitions were utilized, and dailyper protocolhospital follow-up was done. Primary composite end-point was disease progression (14-day all-cause death, need for mechanical ventilation, or immunomodulatory therapy). For statistical comparison, Fisher’s exact test and Mann– Whitney U-test were used.ResultsIn all, 75 patients were included per cohort. In the FVP cohort, chronic heart disease (36/75, 48.0% vs. 16/75, 21.3%, p<0.01) and diabetes mellitus (23/75, 30.7% vs. 10/75, 13.3%, p<0.01) were more prevalent, hospital LOS (18.5±15.5 days vs. 13.0±8.5 days, p<0.01) was higher. Disease progression (17/75, 22.7% vs. 10/75, 13.3%, p=0.13), 14-day all-cause death (9/75, 12.0% vs. 10/75, 13.3%, p=0.8) and need for mechanical ventillation (8/75, 10.7% vs. 4/75, 5.3%, p=0.22) were similar between groups. Immunomodulatory therapies were administered frequently among patients receiving FVP (10/75, 13.3% vs. 1/75, 1.3%, p<0.01).ConclusionsIn this study, favipiravir did not seem to affect disease progression. Further data are needed to position this drug among the anti-SARS-CoV-2 armamentarium.
Positive correlation between long term emission of several air pollutants and COVID-19 deaths in Sweden
Authors: Helander Lars 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSeveral recent studies have found troubling links between air pollution and both incidence and mortality of COVID-19, the pandemic disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigate whether such a link can be found also in Sweden, a country with low population density and a relatively good air quality in general, with low background levels of important pollutants such as PM2.5 and NO2. The investigation is carried out by relating normalized emission levels of several air pollutants to normalized COVID-19 deaths at the municipality level, after applying a sieve function using an empirically determined threshold value to filter out noise. We find a fairly strong correlation for PM2.5, PM10 and SO2, and a moderate one for NOx. We find no correlation neither for CO, nor (as expected) for CO2. Our results are statistically significant and the calculations are simple and easily verifiable. Since the study considers only emission levels of air pollutants and not measurements of air quality, climatic and meteorological factors (such as average wind speeds) can trivially be ruled out as confounders. Finally, we also show that although there are small positive correlations between population density and COVID-19 deaths in the studied municipalities (which are for the most part rural and non densely populated) they are either weak or not statistically significant.
Expression patterns ofHMGA2in the placenta during pregnancy
Authors: Burchardt Lars , Gottlieb Andrea , Helmke Burkhard M. , Wosniok Werner , Kuepker Wolfgang , Bullerdiek Jörn 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundHigh-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2)expression can be detected in many embryonic and fetal tissues but becomes down-regulated during postnatal life except for many benign and malignant tumors. In the latter case, its expression has been correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasive growth. The placenta contributes essentially to proper development of the embryo and the fetus. In a tumor-like manner it shows rapid invasive growth during the first weeks of gestation. To address the possible role of HMGA2 during placental development, we have measured its expression throughout the prenatal period and in term placentae by mRNA quantification as well as by immunohistochemistry.MethodsExpression ofHMGA2andHPRTwas measured on 89 fetal placentas, encompassing calendar gestational age of five to 41 weeks, using quantitative real time-PCR. In eleven cases in addition immunohistochemistry was used to determine the localization of HMGA2 and to compare with data obtained by quantitative real time-PCR.ResultsThe expression ofHMGA2was found to be inversely correlated with gestational age (p< 0.001). For the first part of the first trimester the level ofHMGA2is high. After that the expression shows a decline down to a baseline level where it remains until birth. HMGA2 protein was mainly detected in the nuclei of the stromal cells in the placental villi.ConclusionsDuring pregnancy, the expression ofHMGA2follows a non-linear pattern of decrease. In the first trimester, from two to three weeks after the implantation of the conceptus until the blood supply is established (hypoxic phase), the expression is high, indicating a critical role during early development and in the control of its invasive behavior, respectively.
Six-month antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers assessed by virus neutralisation and commercial assays
Authors: Bal Antonin , Trabaud Mary-Anne , Fassier Jean-Baptiste , Rabilloud Muriel , Saker Kahina , Langlois-Jacques Carole , Guibert Nicolas , d’Aubarede Constance , Paul Adèle , Alfaiate Dulce , Massardier-Pilonchery Amélie , Pitiot Virginie , Morfin-Sherpa Florence , Lina Bruno , Pozzetto Bruno , Trouillet-Assant Sophie 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe conducted a prospective study in healthcare workers (n=296) of the University Hospital of Lyon, France. Serum samples (n=296) collected six months after disease onset were tested using three commercial assays: the Wantai Ab assay detecting total antibodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the S protein, the bioMerieux Vidas assay detecting IgG to the RBD and the Abbott Architect assay detecting IgG to the N protein. The neutralising antibody (NAb) titre was also determined for all samples with a virus neutralisation assay (VNA) using live virus. The positivity rate was 100% with the Wantai assay, 84.8% with the bioMerieux assay and 55.4% with the Abbott assay. Only 51% of HCWs were positive for the presence of NAb. Less than 10 % of HCWs had a NAb titre greater than 80. At a neutralising titre of 80, the area under the curves [IC 95%] was 0.71 [0.62-0.81], 0.75 [0.65-0.85] and 0.95 [0.92-0.97] for Wantai, Abbott and Vidas respectively. The data presented herein suggest that commercial assays detecting antibodies against the N protein must not be used in long-term seroprevalence surveys while the Wantai assay could be useful for this purpose. VNA should remain the gold standard to assess the protective antibody response, but some commercial assays could be used as first-line screening of long-term presence of NAb.
Cardiac Gq receptors and calcineurin activation are not required for the hypertrophic response to mechanical left ventricular pressure overload
Authors: Yu Ze-Yan , Gong Hutao , Wu Jianxin , Dai Yun , Kesteven Scott H , Fatkin Diane , Martinac Boris , Graham Robert M , Feneley Michael P 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRationaleGq-coupled receptors are thought to play a critical role in the induction of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) secondary to pressure overload, although mechano-sensitive channel activation by a variety of mechanisms has also been proposed, and the relative importance of calcineurin- and calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII)-dependent hypertrophic pathways remains controversial.ObjectiveTo determine the mechanisms regulating the induction of LVH in response to mechanical pressure overload.Methods and ResultsTransgenic mice with cardiac-targeted inhibition of Gq-coupled receptors (GqI mice) and their non-transgenic littermates (NTL) were subjected to neurohumoral stimulation (continuous, subcutaneous angiotensin II (AngII) infusion for 14 days) or mechanical pressure overload (transverse aortic arch constriction (TAC) for 21 days) to induce LVH. Candidate signalling pathway activation was examined. As expected, LVH observed in NTL mice with AngII infusion was attenuated in heterozygous (GqI+/-) mice and absent in homozygous (GqI-/-) mice. In contrast, LVH due to TAC was unaltered by either heterozygous or homozygous Gq inhibition. Gene expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and α-skeletal actin (α-SA) was increased 48 hours after AngII infusion or TAC in NTL mice; in GqI mice, the increases in ANP, BNP and α-SA in response to AngII were completely absent, as expected, but all three increased after TAC. Increased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells c4 (NFATc4), indicating calcineurin pathway activation, occurred in NTL mice with AngII infusion but not TAC, and was prevented in GqI mice infused with AngII. Nuclear and cytoplasmic CaMKIIδ levels increased in both NTL and GqI mice after TAC but not AngII infusion, with increased cytoplasmic phospho- and total histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) and increased nuclear myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) levels.ConclusionCardiac Gq receptors and calcineurin activation are required for neurohumorally mediated LVH but are not required for LVH induced by mechanical pressure overload (TAC); the latter is mediated by activation of the CaMKII-HDAC4-MEF2 pathway.
A first assessment of the distribution and abundance of large pelagic species at Cocos Ridge seamounts (Eastern Tropical Pacific) using drifting pelagic baited remote cameras
Authors: Cambra Marta , Lara-Lizardi Frida , Peñaherrera Cesar , Hearn Alex , Ketchum James T. , Zarate Patricia , Chacón Carlos , Suárez-Moncada Jenifer , Herrera Esteban , Espinoza Mario 
Published: December 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the link between seamounts and large pelagic species (LPS) is critical for guiding management and conservation efforts in open water ecosystems. The seamounts along the Cocos Ridge in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) are thought to play a critical role for LPS moving between Cocos Island (Costa Rica) and Galapagos Islands (Ecuador). However, to date, research efforts to understand pelagic community structure beyond the borders of these oceanic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been limited. This study used drifting-pelagic baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) to characterize the distribution and relative abundance of LPS at Cocos Ridge seamounts. Our drifting-pelagic BRUVS detected a total of 21 species including sharks, large teleosts, small teleosts, dolphins and one sea turtle, of which 4 are threatened species. Relative abundance and richness of LPS was significantly higher at shallow seamounts (<400m) compared to deeper ones (>400m) suggesting that seamount depth could be an important driver structuring LPS assemblages along the Cocos Ridge. Our cameras provided the first visual evidence of the schooling behaviour ofS. lewiniat two shallow seamounts outside the protection limits of Cocos and Galapagos Islands. However, further research is still needed to demonstrate a positive association between LPS and Cocos Ridge seamounts. Our findings showed that drifting pelagic BRUVS are an effective tool to survey LPS in fully pelagic ecosystems of the ETP. This study represents the first step towards the standardization of this technique throughout the region.
Integrated scRNA-seq analysis identifies conserved transcriptomic features of mononuclear phagocytes in mouse and human atherosclerosis
Authors: Zernecke Alma , Erhard Florian , Weinberger Tobias , Schulz Christian , Ley Klaus , Saliba Antoine-Emmanuel , Cochain Clément 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRationaleAccumulation of mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells) in the vessel wall is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Although single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has shed new light on immune cell transcriptional diversity in atherosclerosis, it is still unknown whether the transcriptional states of mononuclear phagocytes are conserved between mouse and human atherosclerosis.ObjectiveTo integrate and compare macrophage and dendritic cell transcriptomes in mouse and human atherosclerosis.Methods and resultsWe integrated 12 scRNA-seq datasets of immune cells isolated from healthy or atherosclerotic mouse aortas, and scRNA-seq data from 11 patients (n=4 coronary vessels, n=7 carotid endarterectomy specimens) from two independent studies. Integration of mouse data recovered previously described macrophage populations and identified novel subpopulations with discrete transcriptomic signatures within populations of aortic resident (Lyve1), inflammatory (Il1b), as well as foamy (Trem2hi) macrophages. We identified unique transcriptomic features distinguishing aortic intimal resident macrophages from atherosclerosis-associatedTrem2himacrophages. Also, populations ofXcr1+type 1 classical dendritic cells (cDC1),Cd209a+cDC2 and mature DCs (Ccr7, Fscn1) were detected. In humans, we uncovered macrophage and dendritic cell populations with gene expression patterns similar to those observed in mice in both vascular beds. In particular, core transcripts of thefoamy/Trem2hisignature (TREM2, SPP1, GPNMB, CD9) mapped to a specific population of macrophages in human lesions. Cross-species data integration demonstrated transcriptionally proximal macrophage and dendritic cell populations in mice and humans.ConclusionsWe demonstrate conserved transcriptomics features of macrophages and dendritic cells in atherosclerosis in mice and humans, emphasizing the relevance of mouse models to study mononuclear phagocytes in atherosclerosis.