bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
3D printed mask extenders: supplement to isolation masks to relieve posterior auricular discomfort
Authors: O’Connor Zachary , Huellewig Daniel , Sithiyopasakul Peeti , Morris Jason , Gan Connie , Ballard David H 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Many commonly used mask designs are secured by elastic straps looping around the posterior auricular region. This constant pressure and friction against the skin may contribute to increased wearer pain, irritation, and discomfort. The purpose of this work is to report a modified 3D printed mask extender to alleviate discomfort and increase mask wearability by relieving posterior auricular pressure from isolation masks.
Methods
Our institutional review board designated this project as non-human research and exempt. As part of resourcing 3D printing laboratories along with individual 3D printers to provide resources to healthcare workers, mask extenders were printed to relieve posterior auricular pressure from individuals wearing isolation masks. The authors modifed an existing mask extender, increasing its length with accompanying peripheral rungs for isolation mask securement. 3D printing was performed with Ultimaker S5 (Ultimaker B.V.; Geldermalsen, Netherlands) and CR-10 (Creality3D; Shenzhen, China) 3D printers using polylactic acid filaments. The author’s modified extended mask extenders were printed and freely delivered to healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, technologists, and other personnel) at the authors’ institution.
Results
The final mask extender design was printed with the two 3D printers with a maximum 7 straps printed simultaneously on each 3D printer. Mean print times ranges from 105 minutes for the Ultimaker S5 printer and 150 minutes for the CR-10. 475 mask extenders were delivered to healthcare workers at the authors’ institution, with the demand far exceeding the available supply.
Conclusion
We offer a modification of a 3D printed mask extender design that decreases discomfort and increases the wearability of isolation mask designs with ear loops thought to relieve posterior auricular skin pressure and ability to control strap tension. The design is simple, produced with inexpensive material (polylactic acid), and have been well-received by healthcare providers at our institution
The Role Of Airborne Moments In The Spread Of The Coronavirus And The Course Of The Pandemic
Authors: Bhaganagar Kiran , BhimiReddy Sudheer 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
A numerical study using Weather Research Forecast model and Lagrangian HYSPLIT dispersion model was conducted to understand the meteorological factors influencing the transport and mixing of the blob of Corona virus-filled micro-particles (of radius 0.12mm) released into the atmosphere due to coughing, sneezing by infected patient. The study is offered as an important contribution demonstrating the role of local atmospheric dynamics in coronavirus spread during the period of March 9 – April 6, 2020 in New York City, the epicenter of the coronavirus in the USA. The results demonstrate that from the initial time of release, the virus can spread up to 30 minutes in air, covering a 200-m radius at a time, moving 1 – 2 km from the original source. Turbulence energy containing large-scale horizontal “rolls” and vertical thermal “updrafts” and “downdrafts” contribute to transport and advection processes, before small-scale turbulent eddies rapidly mix and dilute virus concentration.
Clinical imaging characteristics of inpatients with COVID-19 in Heilongjiang Province, China: a retrospective study
Authors: Jiang Hao , Guo Wei , Jiang Huijie , Zhang Mingyu , Wei Lai , Pan Yongmei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objectjve: To investigate the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Heilongjiang Province. Methods: The present study carried out a retrospective analysis of 59 patients with COVID-19, including 44 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 15 patients in the non-intensive care unit. The characteristics of the two groups of patients were compared.Results: ICU care group was older and the incidence was higher than that of non-ICU group. Lymphopenia, neutrophils, and increased D-dimer levels were high-risk causes of COVID-19 patients. Compared to the non-ICU care group, the incidence of pulmonary consolidation and Ground-glass opacity combined consolidation in the ICU care group was significantly higher, all lung lobes were more likely to be involved, and the number of lung lobes involved was greater and the area around the bronchi was more likely to be involved. Of the 59 patients with COVID-19 in this group, 15 received mechanical ventilation. All the intubated patients involved lung lobes, and a large number of lesions were seen in the area around the bronchial vessels. Conclusion: Significant differences were observed in clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and CT features between the ICU and non-ICU care groups.
Clinical Experience with the AKT1 Inhibitor Miransertib in two Children with PIK3CA-related overgrowth syndrome
Authors: Forde Karina , Resta Nicoletta , Ranieri Carlotta , Rea David , Kubassova Olga , Hinton Mark , Irvine Alan D , Dvorakova Veronika 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS) refers to a group of rare disorders, caused by somatic activating mutations in PIK3CA, resulting in abnormal PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway signalling. Significant associated morbidity is frequently observed, and approved treatments are lacking. Miransertib (ARQ 092) is a novel, orally available, selective pan-AKT inhibitor with proven in vitro efficacy. Following recent results of the use of AKT inhibitors in Proteus syndrome (PS) and AKT-mutant cancers, we investigated its therapeutic use in two patients with severe PROS who had exhausted conventional treatment methods. Results Two patients, one with CLOVES variant (P1) and one with facial infiltrating lipomatosis and hemimegalencephaly (P2), were commenced on miransertib treatment on a compassionate use basis. In patient one, intra-abdominal and paraspinal overgrowth had resulted in respiratory compromise, obstructive uropathy, dysfunctional seating and lying postures, and chronic pain. In patient two, hemifacial overgrowth and hemimegalencephaly had caused difficulties with articulation and oral function, and refractory epilepsy. Miransertib treatment was continued for a median duration of 22 months (range 22-28). In patient one, alleviation of respiratory compromise was observed and functionally, seating and lying postures improved. Serial volumetric MRI analysis revealed 15% reduction in calculated volumes of fatty overgrowth between treatment commencement and end. In patient two, reduction in seizure burden and improved parent-reported quality of life measures were reported. Treatment was discontinued in both patients due to lack of sustained response, and poor compliance in year two of treatment (P2). No significant toxicities were reported. Conclusions We report the first paediatric case series of the use of miransertib in two children with PROS. Objective clinical response was observed in patient one, and improvement in key qualitative outcomes was reported in patient two. Treatment was well tolerated with no significant toxicities reported. This case series highlights the potential therapeutic utility of miransertib in selected paediatric patients with severe PROS, and further demonstrates the potential for re-purposing targeted therapies for the treatment of rare diseases. An open label, Phase 1/2 study of miransertib in children with PROS and PS is underway to more accurately assess the efficacy of miransertib in the treatment of PROS disorder (NCT03094832).
Sarcopenia as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Sakamoto Teruhisa , Yagyu Takuki , Uchinaka Ei , Miyatani Kozo , Hanaki Takehiko , Kihara Kyoichi , Matsunaga Tomoyuki , Yamamoto Manabu , Tokuyasu Naruo , Honjo Soichiro , Fujiwara Yoshiyuki 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Sarcopenia is a prognostic factor in various cancers. However, the impact of sarcopenia in patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer remains unclear. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of sarcopenia in patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer. Methods Seventy-four patients who developed postoperative recurrence of pancreatic cancer after undergoing pancreatectomies were enrolled. Sarcopenia in these patients was defined according to the psoas muscle index (PMI) measured via computed tomography at the third vertebra. Results The mean PMIs at the time of recurrence were 4.47 ± 1.27 cm 2 /m 2 for men and 3.26 ± 0.70 cm 2 /m 2 for women. Of the 74 patients, 65 (87.8%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia with low PMI. The 2-year post-recurrence survival curve in the sarcopenia group was significantly worse than that in the non-sarcopenia group ( P = 0.034). Multivariate analysis revealed that sarcopenia at the time of recurrence was an independent prognostic factor ( P = 0.023) along with a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ( P = 0.004), early recurrence ( P < 0.001) and chemotherapy after recurrence ( P < 0.001) in patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, the area under the curve (AUC) of the combination of sarcopenia and time to recurrence for predicting 2-year survival was 0.763, which was much higher than that of sarcopenia alone (AUC = 0.622). Conclusions Sarcopenia is a useful prognostic factor in patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer. The combination of sarcopenia and time of recurrence may more accurately predict post-recurrence survival than can sarcopenia alone.
Study of Economic Management Forecast and Optimized Resource Allocation Based on Cloud Computing and Neural Network
Authors: He Pinzhen 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
As various factors which affect the development of global market economy become increasingly uncertain, economy and commodity will become more and more fluctuating in economic operation. With its strong non-linear mapping capacity, artificial neural network has already been applied in many fields, time series analysis and trend prediction, for instance.Cloud computing can interact fast with service provider at the minimum management cost. This paper proposes an economic forecast and optimized resource allocation model based on cloud computing and BP neural network. Its main goal is to break down a complex prediction task into several sub-tasks, effectively reduce the workload of a single computer and enhance the operating efficiency. Meanwhile, this method can also choose the optimal neural network prediction model at an adaptive learning rate so as to make the prediction and analysis result more accurate.
Complications of femoral neck fracture fixation using a sliding hip screw with a side plate device in patients older than 65 years
Authors: Mitsugi Tatsuya , Miyamoto Hideaki , Izumi Masahiro , Matsui Kentaro , Ishii Keisuke , Suzuki Takashi , Kurozumi Taketo , Sasaki Gen , Kawano Hirotaka , Watanabe Yoshinobu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BackgroundA majority of femoral neck fractures are indicated for surgical treatment within the scope of applicable guidelines. However, the reported overall complication rate in elderly patients one year after hip fracture fixation was 33.3%. The purpose of this study was to clarify the incidence of complications one year after femoral neck fracture fixation using a sliding hip screw with a side plate device in elder than 65-year-old patients.MethodsWe studied the results of 115 cases of the internal fixation for femoral neck fractures in patients older than 65 years of age using the Twins device (HOYA Technosurgical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). We could follow up 39 of these 115 cases at one year after fixation and retrospectively investigated complications in these patients. Research outcomes were mortality, surgical site infection (SSI), loss of reduction, aseptic necrosis, late segmental collapse (LSC), nonunion, periprosthetic fracture, reoperation, and recovery of walking ability.ResultsThe patients consisted of 13 men and 26 women (mean age 80.5 years, range 65-104 years). Mortality was observed in four cases (14.2%), SSI in one case (2.5%), loss of reduction in six cases (15.4%), aseptic necrosis in seven cases (17.9%), LSC in three cases (7.6%), nonunion in eight cases (20.5%), periprosthetic fracture in three cases (7.6%), and reoperation was performed in seven cases (17.9%), respectively. In 28 cases, the patients could walk independently before injury; this decreased to 19 cases after injury (67.9%).Conclusions﻿In our study, the incidence of loss of reduction rate and periprosthetic fracture rate were relatively high. Other complications of the Twins device evaluated were equivalent to those reported previously.
Transcriptomics analysis and co-expression network revealing candidate genes for laccase activity of Lenzites gibbosa
Authors: Chen Jie , Chi Yujie , Zhao Qingquan , Hao Xin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Lenzites gibbosa is a common white-rot fungus of Polyporaceae in the cold temperate zone which cause spongy white decay of wood.
Results

In this study, the lignin degradation pathway of L. gibbosa at 5-time points under wood treatment was studied by RNA-Req technology. A total of 5232 DEGs were identified from 15 libraries. In 0–3 days, the mycelia are in the adaptive stage, and the mycelia began to proliferate within 3–5 days. After 5 days, the number of DGEs decreased significantly, the mycelium growth entered the platform stage, and the life activity was basically stable. In the secondary metabolism, oxidoreductase such as laccase, 2-oxoglutarate-Fe (II) type oxidoreductase, peroxisomal hydratase-dehydrogenase, dual-functional monooxygenase dominated and increased steadily, and manganese peroxidase appeared in the middle stage. With the accumulation of lignin intermediate products, P450 and ABC transporters were from the inhibition to the activation. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) showed that among the 24 modules 6 modules were significantly correlated with laccase activity and the most correlated were turquoise and blue module. The central hub genes were also identified, including gene_7458, gene_61, gene_7458, gene_1741, gene_11087 which were consistent with the DGEs. These genes have high connectivity, module membership, and gene significance in the module. The enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathway indicated that the genes involved in cell cycle, citrate cycle (TCA cycle), nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, mitochondrial outer membrane, succinate dehydrogenase, carboxypeptidase and exopeptidase activity, flavin adenine dinucleotide binding, oxidoreductase activity, acting on the CH-CH group of donors, quinone or related compound as acceptor pathway were highly related to laccase synthesis pathway. Construction of gene co-expression network and hypothetical L. gibbosa laccase synthesis pathway.
Conclusion

This study focused on the screening of L. gibbosa degradation of lignin-related genes. And, this is the first study reporting co-expression patterns of a gene network in L. gibbosa laccase activity after wood treatment which is helpful to understand the synthesis pathway of laccase and improve the activity of laccase, which can be used to increase the rate of lignin degradation by L. gibbosa in the further.
Drug Use Disorder Following Early Life Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-Contaminated Drinking Water: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Aschengrau Ann , Grippo Alexandra , Winter Michael R. , Shea Margaret G. , White Roberta F. , Saitz Richard 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Many studies of adults with occupational exposure to solvents such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE) have shown adverse effects on cognition, mood and behavioral problems. Much less is known about neurotoxic effects in early life at lower exposure levels seen in community settings. We recently reported that illicit drug use was more frequent among adults from Cape Cod, Massachusetts who were exposed to PCE-contaminated drinking water during gestation and early childhood than their unexposed counterparts. Using newly collected data from this population-based retrospective cohort study, the current analysis examines whether early life PCE exposure is also associated with drug use disorder over the life course.Methods: Three-hundred and sixty-three subjects with prenatal and early childhood PCE exposure and 255 unexposed subjects were studied. These individuals (median age: 40–41 years) completed self-administered questionnaires on the eleven established diagnostic criteria for drug use disorder and confounding variables. A validated leaching and transport model was used to estimate exposure to PCE-contaminated water.Results: Overall, 23.3% of subjects reported having at least one criterion for drug use disorder over their lifetime. Early life PCE exposure was associated with a modest increase in the lifetime presence of one or more diagnostic criteria for drug use disorder (adjusted RR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-1.8). Compared to unexposed subjects, PCE-exposed subjects were more likely to report having most diagnostic criteria of drug use disorder, including neglecting major roles due to drug use, physical and psychological problems related to drug use, and giving up activities due to drug use. No dose-response relationships were observed with increasing levels of PCE exposure.Conclusions: These results suggest that exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water during early life modestly increases the risk of developing diagnostic criteria for drug use disorder later in life. Because this study has several limitations, these findings should be confirmed in follow-up investigations of other exposed populations with more diverse racial and socioeconomic characteristics.
Validation of the Palliative Competency Tool: An Instrument To Qualify Medical Education (Validation of Palliative Competency Tool)
Authors: Guirro Ursula Bueno do Prado , Perini Carla Corradi , Siqueira Jose Eduardo de 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Introduction: It is necessary to determine which competencies in Palliative Care (PC) have been acquired and which ones need to be improved. The aim was to develop and validate an instrument to assess the acquisition of competencies in PC care among medical students denominated Palliative Competency Tool (Pallicomp).Materials and methods: It were consisted of developing statements based on the competencies as described by the European Association for Palliative Care. The content was validated by experts, respecting the Delphi methodology. The instrument was applied to a group of medical students (n=71) enrolled at the final of 8th semester and statically validated.Results: Of the 30 questions developed, 24 were refined and approved by experts. The tool was applied to 71 medical students, only 12.7% had excellent performance and four out of ten competencies were underperformed. The statistical validation consisted of Bartlett's sphericity test, which showed adequate correlation for factor analysis (p <0.001); the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test for sample adequacy (0.7), and Conbach's alpha coefficient for the internal consistency (α = 0.7).Conclusions: Can be concluded that it was possible to construct and validate Palliative Competency Tool (PalliComp), an instrument of qualification of competencies acquisition of PC.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Anthrax in Northern Ethiopia: a mixed approach study
Authors: Romha Gebremedhin , Girmay Weldemelak 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Anthrax is prioritized as the second diseases in Ethiopia based on its negative impacts at the household level by causing disease or production losses in livestock and sever disease in human. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) of anthrax in the communities of Eastern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was concurrently conducted with focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) from May 2019 to April 2020. A total of 862 respondents have participated in the questionnaire survey. Of which, 800 were local community members. While 62 were professionals working at animal and human health service institutions. Likewise, qualitative data were collected using six FGDs and 11 KIIs.

Results

sixty two percent (496/800) of the respondents said that they knew the disease anthrax while 38% (304/800) of them did not it. Only 9.3% (74/800) of the respondents reported germ as the causative agent of anthrax. About 56.5% (35/62) of the professional respondents said that the causative agent of the disease was bacteria while 33.9% (21/62) of them did not know it. More than sixty percent (64.1%, 513/800) did not know whether the disease was zoonotic or not. Among the listed clinical signs, 26.3% (210/800) and 36.8% (294/800) of the respondent knew at least one signs in animal and human, respectively while 21.3% (170/800) and 20.1% (161/800) knew one or more transmission routes in animal and human respectively. Moreover, 43.4% (347/800) and 45.6% (365/800) of the respondents mentioned one or more control/prevention method in animal and human, respectively. Fifty two (416/800) and 32.4% (259/800) of the questionnaire participants believed that vaccination of animals could prevent anthrax in animal and human, respectively. But although 4% (32/800) said that they had anthrax ( Megerem ) infected animals, more than 28% (9/32) of them used traditional medication for their animals. Regarding qualitative results, some of the participants knew the disease (in animals) in their own local names, Lalish and Tafia (splenomegaly), and Gulbus (abdominal cramp and shivering). Some had perceived the disease only as human disease while others recognized after they were told its clinical signs in animals and humans.

Conclusion

The KAP of the participants towards anthrax was low. Moreover, there was no similar understanding of the disease among the participants. The study also revealed that the participants did not get consistent, adequate and continuous health messages regarding the disease. Traditional belief and socio-economic factors impacted the KAP of the community towards the disease.
Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among evacuees quarantined at Jaisalmer, India
Authors: Saurabh Suman , Kumar Ritesh , Kumar Nitesh , Bhardwaj Pankaj , Nag Vijaya Lakshmi , Garg Mahendra Kumar , Misra Sanjeev 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

During COVID-19 pandemic, Indian nationals were evacuated from foreign countries to various quarantine facilities in India. Individuals arriving from Iran on 14 March 2020 were quarantined at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. All individuals were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection after completing 14 days of quarantine. Those testing positive were isolated at AIIMS Jodhpur, India. We attempt to describe the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV2 in this cohort.
Methods

Basic SEIR compartmental model was developed using daily stepwise approach in Microsoft Excel. Advanced model using standard differential equations in Python software version 3.6 was used to estimate R0 based on model fit to actual data.
Results

Forty-eight SARS-CoV-2 infections were found among the 474 evacuees. Out of them 44 (92%) were asymptomatic. R0 for the overall duration was found to be 2.29 (95% CI 1.84–2.78). Male gender and age greater than 60 years were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR = 4.33, 95% CI 2.07–9.05 and 5.32, 95% CI 3.13–9.04, respectively). Isolation of infected individuals and stricter quarantine of remaining individuals reduced the R0 from 2.41 initially to 1.17 subsequently.
Conclusion

R0 value was found comparable to the earlier studies indicating similar transmission dynamics among quarantined individuals in India. Further, universal testing and prompt isolation of infected individuals was found effecting in interrupting the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Role of asymptomatic individuals in transmission appears to be strong in the context of quarantine of evacuees.