bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Markers in Status Epilepticus Prognosis
Authors: Alkhachroum Ayham , Der-Nigoghossian Caroline A. , Rubinos Clio , Claassen Jan 
Published: September 2020

Summary:
Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurologic emergency with high morbidity and mortality. The assessment of a patient's prognosis is crucial in making treatment decisions. In this review, we discuss various markers that have been used to prognosticate SE in terms of recurrence, mortality, and functional outcome. These markers include demographic, clinical, electrophysiological, biochemical, and structural data. The heterogeneity of SE etiology and semiology renders development of prognostic markers challenging. Currently, prognostication in SE is limited to a few clinical scores. Future research should integrate clinical, genetic and epigenetic, metabolic, inflammatory, and structural biomarkers into prognostication models to approach “personalized medicine” in prognostication of outcomes after SE.
Stability of Extemporaneously Prepared Preservative-Free Methylphenidate 5 mg/mL Intravenous Solution
Authors: Barra Megan E. , Edlow Brian L. , Lund James T. , Sencion Katherine , Vetrano John , Reilly-Tremblay Cherylann , Zhang Edlyn R. , Bodien Yelena , Brown Emery N. , Solt Ken 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeTo advance the implementation of consciousness-promoting therapies in patients with acute disorders of consciousness, the availability of potential therapeutic agents in formulations suitable for administration in hospitalized patients in the presence of complex comorbid conditions is paramount. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term stability of extemporaneously prepared preservative-free methylphenidate 5 mg/mL intravenous solution.MethodsA methylphenidate 5 mg/mL solution was prepared under proper aseptic techniques with Methylphenidate HCl USP powder mixed in sterile water for solution. Methylphenidate HCl 5 mg/ml solution was sterilized by filtration technique under USP <797> compliant conditions. Samples were stored refrigerated (2 - 8°C) and analyzed at approximately day 1, 30, 60, 90, 180, and 365. At each time point, chemical and physical stability was evaluated by visual inspection, pH measurement, membrane filtration procedure, turbidometric or photometric technique, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis.ResultsOver the 1-year study period, the sample retained 96.76 – 102.04% of initial methylphenidate concentration. There was no significant change in the visual appearance, pH level or particulate matter during the study period. The sample maintained bacterial and fungi sterility, and endotoxin levels were undetectable throughout the 1-year stability period.ConclusionsExtemporaneously prepared preservative-free methylphenidate 5 mg/mL intravenous solution was physically and chemically stable for up to 365 days when stored in amber glass vials at refrigerated temperatures (2 - 8°C).
Oxycodone self-administration activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase/mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase (MAPK-MSK) signaling pathway in the rat dorsal striatum
Authors: Blackwood Christopher A. , McCoy Michael T. , Ladenheim Bruce , Cadet Jean Lud 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTTo identify signaling pathways activated by oxycodone self-administration (SA), Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered oxycodone for 20 days using short-access (ShA, 3 h) and long-access (LgA, 9 h) paradigms. Animals were euthanized two hours after SA cessation and dorsal striata were used in post-mortem molecular analyses. LgA rats escalated their oxycodone intake and separated into lower (LgA-L) or higher (LgA-H) oxycodone takers. LgA-H rats showed increased striatal protein phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and MSK1/2. Histone H3, phosphorylated at serine 10 and acetylated at lysine 14 (H3S10pK14Ac), a MSK1/2 target, showed increased abundance only in LgA-H rats. RT-qPCR analyses revealed increased AMPA receptor subunits,GluA2andGluA3mRNAs in the LgA-H rats.GluA3, but notGluA2, expression correlated positively with changes in pMSK1/2 and H3S10pK14Ac. Our findings indicate that escalated oxycodone SA results in MSK1/2-dependent histone phosphorylation, which promoted increases in striatal gene expression. Our observations offer novel avenues for pharmacological interventions against oxycodone addiction.
Rapid “mix and read” assay for scalable detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patient plasma
Authors: Yue Hong , Nowak Radosław P. , Overwijn Daan , Payne N. Connor , Fischinger Stephanie , Atyeo Caroline , Baden Lindsey R. , Nilles Eric J. , Karlson Elizabeth W. , Yu Xu G. , Li Jonathan Z. , Alter Galit , Mazitschek Ralph , Fischer Eric S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe human beta coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, causative virus of COVID-19, has infected more than 15 million people globally and continues to spread. Widespread, population level testing to detect active and past infections is critical to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Antibody (serological) testing is the only option for detecting past infections outside the narrow window accessible to nucleic acid-based tests. However, currently available serological assays commonly lack scalability. Here, we describe the development of a rapid homogenous serological assay for the detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in patient plasma. We show that the fluorescence-based assay accurately detects seroconversion in COVID-19 patients from less than 1μL of plasma. Using a cohort of samples from COVID-19 infected or healthy individuals, we demonstrate detection with 100% sensitivity and specificity. This assay addresses an important need for a robust, low barrier to implementation, and scalable serological assay with complementary strengths to currently available serological platforms.
The clinical course of COVID-19 in the outpatient setting: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Blair Paul W. , Brown Diane , Jang Minyoung , Antar Annukka A.R. , Keruly Jeanne C. , Bachu Vismaya S. , Townsend Jennifer L. , Tornheim Jeffrey , Keller Sara C. , Sauer Lauren , Thomas David L. , Manabe Yukari C. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundOutpatient COVID-19 has been insufficiently characterized.ObjectiveTo determine the progression of disease and subsequent determinants of hospitalization.DesignA prospective outpatient cohort.SettingOutpatients were recruited by phone between April 21 to June 23, 2020 after receiving outpatient or emergency department testing within a large health network in Maryland, USA.ParticipantsOutpatient adults with positive RT-PCR results for SARS-CoV-2.MeasurementsSymptoms, portable pulse oximeter oxygen saturation (SaO2), heart rate, and temperature were collected by participants on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after enrollment. Baseline demographics, comorbid conditions were evaluated for risk of subsequent hospitalization using negative binomial, logistic, and random effects logistic regression.ResultsAmong 118 SARS-CoV-2 infected outpatients, the median age was 56.0 years (IQR, 50.0 to 63.0) and 50 (42.4%) were male. Among those reporting active symptoms, the most common symptoms during the first week since symptom onset included weakness/fatigue (67.3%), cough (58.0%), headache (43.8%), and sore throat (34.8%). Participants returned to their usual health a median of 20 days (IQR, 13 to 38) from the symptom onset, and only 65.5% of respondents were at their usual health during the fourth week of illness. Over 28 days, 10.9% presented to the emergency department and 7.6% required hospitalization. Individuals at the same duration of illness had a 6.1 times increased adjusted odds of subsequent hospitalization per every percent decrease in home SaO2(95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41 to 31.23, p=0.02).LimitationsSeverity and duration of illness may differ in a younger population.ConclusionSymptoms often persisted but uncommonly progressed to hospitalization. Home SaO2might be an important adjunctive tool to identify progression of COVID-19.RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT number:NCT04496466Funding SourceThe Sherrilyn and Ken Fisher Center for Environmental Infectious Diseases Discovery Program and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Predicting the Progression of Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Machine Learning: A Systematic, Quantitative and Critical Review
Authors: Ansart Manon , Epelbaum Stéphane , Bassignana Giulia , Bône Alexandre , Bottani Simona , Cattai Tiziana , Couronné Raphaël , Faouzi Johann , Koval Igor , Louis Maxime , Thibeau-Sutre Elina , Wen Junhao , Wild Adam , Burgos Ninon , Dormont Didier , Colliot Olivier , Durrleman Stanley 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe performed a systematic review of studies focusing on the automatic prediction of the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia, and a quantitative analysis of the methodological choices impacting performance. This review included 172 articles, from which 234 experiments were extracted. For each of them, we reported the used data set, the feature types, the algorithm type, performance and potential methodological issues. The impact of these characteristics on the performance was evaluated using a multivariate mixed effect linear regressions. We found that using cognitive, fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography or electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography variables significantly improved predictive performance compared to not including them, whereas including other modalities, in particular T1 magnetic resonance imaging, did not show a significant effect. The good performance of cognitive assessments questions the wide use of imaging for predicting the progression to AD and advocates for exploring further fine domain-specific cognitive assessments. We also identified several methodological issues, including the absence of a test set, or its use for feature selection or parameter tuning in nearly a fourth of the papers. Other issues, found in 15% of the studies, cast doubts on the relevance of the method to clinical practice. We also highlight that shortterm predictions are likely not to be better than predicting that subjects stay stable over time. These issues highlight the importance of adhering to good practices for the use of machine learning as a decision support system for the clinical practice.
Functional and structural biomarkers of cognitive outcomes after brain tumor resection
Authors: García Meritxell , Aguasvivas José , Gil-Robles Santiago , Pomposo Iñigo , Amorouso Lucia , Carreiras Manuel , Quiñones Ileana 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCognitive explorations have demonstrated the activation of plastic mechanisms in slow-growing brain lesions, generating structural and functional changes. Due to its incidence, it is essential to investigate the reorganization of functional areas in brain tumor patients as well as formulating new approaches for predicting patient’s quality of life after tumor resection.Following this perspective, we formulated an efficient methodology for postsurgical prognosis prediction, not only in terms of the structural damage but also to measure the neuroplastic changes associated with tumor appearence. Of note, most of previous studies employed a limited number of neuropsychological and clinical features for predicting patient prognosis. Our objective is to optimize the traditional model and to develop a method that can predict outcomes with high accuracy and identify the most significant features for cognitive impairment, working memory, executive control and language outcomes. Our approach is based on the inclusion of a large battery of neuropsychological tests as well as the introduction of grey and white matter morphological measures for model optimization. We employed Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree, and Naïve Bayes algorithms for testing the models and outcomes. Overall, SVM performance showed to be more accurate as compared to Decision Tree and Naïve Bayes. Specifically, we found that, by introducing connectivity variables (e.g., grey and white matter measures) Cognitive Status and Working Memory exhibited a predictive improvement. However, Language and Executive Control outcomes were not significantly predicted in none of the models. The importance of the present study resides in the employment of structural and functional variables for postsurgical outcome prediction. We found that connectivity variables are sensitive for predicting the postsurgical quality of life.
Equivalent SARS-CoV-2 viral loads between nasopharyngeal swab and saliva in symptomatic patients
Authors: Yokota Isao , Hattori Takeshi , Shane Peter Y , Konno Satoshi , Nagasaka Atsushi , Takeyabu Kimihiro , Fujisawa Shinichi , Nishida Mutsumi , Teshima Takanori 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCOVID-19 is diagnosed by detecting SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Emerging evidences have shown the utility of saliva, although conflicting results have been reported regarding viral loads between NPS and saliva. We conducted a study to compare the viral loads in 42 patients with COVID-19. Both NPS and saliva specimens were simultaneously obtained at a median of 6 days (range, 1-12) after symptom onset. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 34 (81%) using NPS (median Ct value [IQR]=27.4 [21.3, 35.6]) and 38 (90%) using saliva (median Ct value [IQR]= 28.9 [23.1, 33.6]). There was no significance difference between them (Wilcoxon signed rank test: P=0.79) and Kendall’s W was 0.82, showing a high degree of agreement, indicating equivalent viral loads in NPS and saliva. After symptom onset, the Ct values of both NPS and saliva continued to increase over time, with no substantial difference. Self-collected saliva has a detection sensitivity comparable to that of NPS and is a useful diagnostic tool with mitigating uncomfortable process and the risk of aerosol transmission to healthcare workers.
Email vs. Instagram recruitment strategies for online survey research
Authors: Moraes Rafael R. , Correa Marcos B. , Daneris Ândrea , Queiroz Ana B. , Lopes João P. , Lima Giana S. , Cenci Maximiliano S. , D’Avila Otávio P. , Pannuti Claudio M. , Pereira-Cenci Tatiana , Demarco Flávio F. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTIn this study, we describe and evaluate a method for reaching a target population (i.e., dentists practicing in Brazil) to engage in survey research using traditional e-mail invites compared with recruitment campaigns created on Instagram. A pre-tested questionnaire was used and participants were recruited for 10 days via a source list of email addresses and two discrete Instagram organic open campaigns. A total of 3,122 responses were collected: 509 participants were recruited by email (2.1% response rate) and 2,613 by the two Instagram campaigns (20.7% and 11.7% conversion rates), respectively. Response/min collection rates in the first 24 h ranged between 0.23 (email) and 1.09 (first campaign). In total, 98.8% of all responses were received in the first 48 h for the different recruitment strategies. There were significant differences for all demographic variables (p<0.001) between email and Instagram respondents, except for sex (p=0.373). Instagram respondents were slightly older, had more professional experience (years in practice), and a higher graduate education level than email respondents. Moreover, most email and Instagram respondents worked in the public sector and private practice, respectively. Although both strategies could collect responses from all Brazilian regions, email responses were slightly better distributed across the five territorial areas compared to Instagram. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that survey recruitment of a large sample using Instagram is feasible. However, using Instagram to engage participants is challenging and has limitations that warrant further investigation. Combination of email and Instagram recruitment led to a more diverse population and improved response rates.
The Impact of Psychology Interventions on Changing Mental Health Status and Sleep Quality in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Xiao Jing , Jiang Yu , Zhang Yu , Gu Xinyi , Ma Wenjing , Zhuang Bo , Zhou Ziqi , Sang Lingli , Luo Yitian , Lian Yulong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveWe evaluated the change in mental health and sleep quality of college students at four time periods.MethodsMental health status and sleep quality were using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) questionnaire across four time periods. Psychology interventions were carried out from the third period.ResultsStudents in the third period had higher PSQI total scores [mean (SD), 6.01 (3.27)] than those in the first period [5.60 (3.11)], second period [4.17 (2.10)] and fourth period [4.09 (2.80)]. After adjustment for covariates there was a decline of 1.89 points in the PSQI in the fourth period compared with the highest period. The SCL-90-R scores were highest in the second period [121.19 (47.83)], and were higher than the scores in the first [107.60 (52.21)] and second period [107.79 (27.20)] and lowest in the fourth period [97.82 (17.12)]. The decline in scores was 23.38 points after adjustment for covariates. The prevalence of psychological distress and sleep disturbances respectively decreased from 28.6% to 11.7% and from 10.4% to 2.6% comparing to the highest period. Sleep quality showed a significant positive correlation with mental health status.ConclusionsThe pattern of change in mental health status was different to that of sleep quality. The implementation of comprehensive psychology intervention may improve mental health and sleep quality. These findings may inform public health policy during the reopening of schools in other regions.
A simple model for detailed visual cortex maps predicts fixed hypercolumn sizes
Authors: Weigand Marvin , Cuntz Hermann 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOrientation hypercolumns in the visual cortex are delimited by the repeating pinwheel patterns of orientation selective neurons. We design a generative model for visual cortex maps that reproduces such orientation hypercolumns as well as ocular dominance maps while preserving retinotopy. The model uses a neural placement method based on t–distributed stochastic neighbour embedding (t–SNE) to create maps that order common features in the connectivity matrix of the circuit. We find that, in our model, hypercolumns generally appear with fixed cell numbers independently of the overall network size. These results would suggest that existing differences in absolute pinwheel densities are a consequence of variations in neuronal density. Indeed, available measurements in the visual cortex indicate that pinwheels consist of a constant number of ∼30, 000 neurons. Our model is able to reproduce a large number of characteristic properties known for visual cortex maps. We provide the corresponding software in ourMAPStoolboxforMatlab.In briefWe present a generative model that predicts visual map structures in the brain and a large number of their characteristic properties; a neural placement method for any given connectivity matrix.HighlightsGenerative model with retinotopy, orientation preference and ocular dominance.Prediction of constant neuronal numbers per orientation hypercolumn.Curated data shows constant ∼30, 000 neurons per pinwheel across species.Simple explanation for constant pinwheel and orientation hypercolumn ratios.Precise prediction of ∼80% nearest neighbour singularities with opposing polarity.Model asymptotically approaches realistic normalised pinwheel densities.Small brains with < ∼300 potential pinwheels exhibit salt-and-pepper maps.Different map phenotypes can exist even for similar connectivity.
Granick Revisited: Synthesizing Evolutionary and Ecological Evidence for the Late Origin of Bacteriochlorophyll via Ghost Lineages and Horizontal Gene Transfer
Authors: Ward Lewis M. , Shih Patrick M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPhotosynthesis—both oxygenic and more ancient anoxygenic forms—has fueled the bulk of primary productivity on Earth since it first evolved more than 3.4 billion years ago. However, the early evolutionary history of photosynthesis has been challenging to interpret due to the sparse, scattered distribution of metabolic pathways associated with photosynthesis, long timescales of evolution, and poor sampling of the true environmental diversity of photosynthetic bacteria. Here, we reconsider longstanding hypotheses for the evolutionary history of phototrophy by leveraging recent advances in metagenomic sequencing and phylogenetics to analyze relationships among phototrophic organisms and components of their photosynthesis pathways, including reaction centers and individual proteins and complexes involved in the multi-step synthesis of (bacterio)-chlorophyll pigments. We demonstrate that components of the photosynthetic apparatus have undergone extensive, independent histories of horizontal gene transfer. This suggests an evolutionary mode by which modular components of phototrophy are exchanged between diverse taxa in a piecemeal process that has led to biochemical innovation. We hypothesize that the evolution of extant anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria has been spurred by ecological competition and restricted niches following the evolution of oxygenic Cyanobacteria and the accumulation of O2in the atmosphere, leading to the relatively late evolution of bacteriochlorophyll pigments and the radiation of diverse crown group anoxygenic phototrophs. This hypothesis expands on the classic “Granick hypothesis” for the stepwise evolution of biochemical pathways, synthesizing recent expansion in our understanding of the diversity of phototrophic organisms as well as their evolving ecological context through Earth history.
Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 is a novel target of the γ-secretase complex
Authors: Bartolomé Alberto , Liang Jiani , Wang Pengfei , Ho David D. , Pajvani Utpal B. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAngiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key regulator of the renin-angiotensin system, but also the functional receptor of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Based on structural similarity with other γ-secretase (γS) targets, we hypothesized that ACE2 may be affected by γS proteolytic activity. We found that after ectodomain shedding, ACE2 is targeted for intramembrane proteolysis by γS, releasing a soluble ACE2 C-terminal fragment. Consistently, chemical or genetic inhibition of γS results in the accumulation of a membrane-bound fragment of ectodomain-deficient ACE2. Although chemical inhibition of γS does not alter SARS-CoV-2 cell entry, these data point to a novel pathway for cellular ACE2 trafficking.