bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated Serum Total IgE Levels in Patients with Chronic Urticaria Indicate Insensitivity to Antihistamine Treatment
Authors: Gao Ying-Xia , Han Yue , Yao Xu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective:
Serum total IgE (tIgE) levels are elevated in patients with chronic urticaria (CU); however, the nature of the elevated serum tIgE level in CU patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between elevated serum levels of tIgE in patients with CU and the sensitivity of these patients to antihistamine treatments.

Methods:
Blood samples of 302 patients with CU were collected, and their levels of serum tIgE were measured. The patients were divided into two groups according to their serum tIgE level: High serum tIgE level group (≥150 U/mL) and Low serum tIgE level group (<150 U/mL). The correlations between the serum tIgE and disease severity as well as the sensitivity of patients to antihistamine treatments were assessed. Data were statistically analyzed using t-tests and Chi-square tests.

Results:
Higher rates of positive autologous serum skin test results (χ
2 = 5.707, P = 0.017) and skin scratch test results (χ
2 = 5.878, P = 0.015), higher CU scores (average: 2.88 ± 0.73 vs. 2.18 ± 0.59, t = 6.377, P < 0.001), and longer disease course durations (median: 8.5 vs. 14.6, z = 5.525, P < 0.001) were observed in patients with high levels of serum tIgE compared with those with low levels of serum tIgE; moreover, patients with higher levels of serum tIgE were less sensitive to antihistamine therapies compared with those with lower levels of serum tIgE (χ
2 = 16.783, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
Our study indicates that the high serum tIgE level is associated with the disease severity as well as with low sensitivity to antihistamine treatment of patients.
Gonorrhea in China, 2018
Authors: Yue Xiao-Li , Gong Xiang-Dong , Li Jing , Wang Ya-Jie , Gu Heng 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective:
Gonorrhea is a globally widespread sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This study is aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of gonorrhea cases reported in China in 2018 and provide evidence for strategies making in the gonorrhea prevention and control programme.

Methods:
Gonorrhea cases were extracted from National Notifiable Disease Report System (NNDRS) covering 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in the mainland of China. The overall incidence rate was calculated, as were rate per province, sex, age group, and occupation group.

Results:
In 2018, 133,156 new cases of gonorrhea were reported in China, corresponding to an incidence rate of 9.59 cases per 100,000 population and having a 36.03% increase from 2014 (7.05 cases per 100,000 population). Zhejiang, Hainan, Guangdong, Fujian provinces, and Shanghai city had a higher reported rate (14.05-28.00 per 100,000 population). Hebei, Tianjin, Tibet, Heilongjiang, and Jilin provinces had a lower reported rate (1.56-5.19 per 100,000 population). The males had a much higher incidence than the females (15.81 per 100,000 vs. 3.08 per 100,000) and a faster rising rate (38.32% vs. 27.27%). The highest rate was detected in the aged 25–29 years both of male and female (46.37 and 6.60 per 100,000, respectively), followed by those aged 30–34 years (41.12 and 6.39 per 100,000, respectively). The largest proportion of gonorrhea cases was among the farmers accounting for 27.74%, followed by the unemployed persons (24.67%), business persons (17.02%) and industrial workers (9.50%).

Conclusion:
In general, gonorrhea has an increasing trend from 2014 and remains a common notifiable disease in China in 2018. Young males who are sexually active are high risk populations for gonococcal infection. The southeast coastal areas with developed economy have a higher rate of gonorrhea reported. Corresponding strategies on disease prevention and control should be performed on the high risk populations and regions.
A Case Report of Pterygium Inversum Unguis Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Li , Teng Yan , Chen Hao , Ju Mei , Liu Yi , Liu Mu-Sang 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Introduction:
Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) refers to a disorder that distal portion of the nail bed adheres to ventral surface of the nail plate, leading to the absence of the distal groove. This is not a common condition in existing literature, thus its pathogenesis has not been elucidated. The occurrence can be congenital, idiopathic, or secondary.
Here we present a case of PIU associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Case presentation:
A 33-year-old woman presented with distal nail bed of the bilateral fingers (excluding the thumbs) adheres to the ventral surface of the nail plate, associated with a malar rash, photosensitivity, and arthritis, whose further laboratory examinations confirmed immunologic disorders. All these clinical characteristics and laboratory results point to the diagnosis of PIU secondary to SLE. Treatment of SLE and topical application of tretinoin 0.025% were performed and resulted in the improvement of most discomforts but PIU. There has no aggravation or alleviation of the PIU during a year of follow-up.

Discussion:
Acquired form of PIU is reportedly associated with connective tissue diseases or other conditions, which may be caused by abnormal distal circulation or exposure to certain chemical stimuli. Some therapies may be available, while the most effective strategy is to treat potential disorder. Clinicians should be vigilant to find out the underlying causes of PIU, so as to obtain better therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion:
We observed a rare disorder of PIU associated with SLE. Hence when identifying a patient of PIU, comprehensive evaluations and long-term follow-up are imperative to to detect the development of connective tissus diseases, such as SLE.
Research Progress of MicroRNAs and Related Factors in the Pathogenesis of Lichen Planus
Authors: Li Yuan-Yuan , Wang Jun , Zhang Cui-Ping , Yang Pei , Wang Ying-Ying 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
More evidences show that microRNAs play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammation and autoimmune diseases including Lichen planus, and are an attractive therapeutic target. MicroRNA family plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression, which involves cell proliferation, apoptosis, growth, differentiation and metabolism, vascularization, immune response and other biological processes. The changes of expression profile and expression level are closely related to the occurrence and development of many diseases, such as tumor, inflammatory disease and autoimmune disease relevant. However, there are few reports on microRNA in the pathogenesis of LP. This review summarizes the research advance of microRNAs (microRNAs -137, microRNAs -125b, microRNAs -138, microRNAs -27b, microRNAs -203) and their downstream proteins in LP.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Polaprezinc Plus Proton Pump Inhibitor and Rebamipide Plus Proton Pump Inhibitor Treatments for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection-induced Ulcers
Authors: Jung Da Hyun , Park Jun Chul , Lee Yong Chan , Lee Sang Kil , Shin Sung Kwan , Chung Hyunsoo , Park Jae Jun , Kim Jie-Hyun , Youn Young Hoon , Park Hyojin 
Published: April 2020

Goals:
We assessed the efficacy of polaprezinc plus proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)-induced ulcer healing compared with rebamipide plus PPI treatment.

Background:
ESD has been widely used as a local treatment option that cures gastric neoplasms. However, it causes large and deep artificial ulcers, and there are no guidelines with regard to the optimal treatment durations and drug regimens for ESD-induced ulcers. Polaprezinc is effective for promoting ulcer healing and helps enhance the quality of ulcer healing.

Study:
Two hundred ten patients with ESD-induced ulcers were randomly allocated to treatment with polaprezinc (150 mg/d) plus pantoprazole (40 mg/d) or treatment with rebamipide (300 mg/d) plus pantoprazole (40 mg/d). We evaluated the ulcer healing rate and condition of the ulcer at 4 weeks after dissection. The χ2 or Fisher exact test and the Student t test were used.

Results:
The ulcer healing rates at 4 weeks after dissection in the polaprezinc plus pantoprazole treatment group were not inferior compared with those in the rebamipide plus pantoprazole treatment group, both in the intention-to-treat analysis (90.3% and 91.4%, respectively, P=0.523) and per-protocol analysis (89.9% and 91.1%, respectively, P=0.531). The short procedure time was an independent predictive factor for a high ulcer healing rate (odds ratio: 0.975; 95% confidence interval: 0.958-0.993; P=0.006).

Conclusion:
The polaprezinc plus PPI treatment showed noninferiority to rebamipide plus PPI treatment in the ulcer healing rate at 4 weeks after ESD.
Returning to work after head and neck cancer
Authors: Miller Abi 
Published: April 2020

Purpose of review
There is a lack of evidence worldwide on return to work (RTW) in head and neck cancer (HNC), possibly because traditionally those suffering with it were typically at retirement age and survival rates were low. However, in the last 30 years, HNC survival rates have increased, resulting in more people living with the after-effects of treatment for longer, and many are of working-age. The HNC population is also changing because of a 20% increased incidence of oral and pharyngeal HNCs especially in the under 65 years of age, likely accounted for by the surge in human papilloma virus positive related HNCs.

Recent findings
The literature suggests that people who have had treatment for HNC return to work less than other cancers. The knowledge base on RTW after HNC is emergent and conclusions are currently difficult to draw. The process of returning and remaining in work is complex, affected by multiple factors and interactions. There is little evidence about work-related experiences from the perspectives of HNC survivors.

Summary
There is an urgent need for more in-depth exploration of the needs and concerns of HNC survivors returning to work after treatment, with the ultimate aim of work-related intervention development.
Checkpoint Inhibitor–Associated Arthritis
Authors: Ghosh Nilasha , Tiongson Michael D. , Stewart Carolyn , Chan Karmela K. , Jivanelli Bridget , Cappelli Laura , Bass Anne R. 
Published: April 2020

Objective
We performed a systematic literature review to identify all reports of immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated inflammatory arthritis to describe it phenotypically and serologically.

Methods
PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for reports of musculoskeletal immune-related adverse events secondary to ICI treatment. Publications were included if they provided individual patient level data regarding the pattern of joint involvement. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize results.

Results
A total of 4339 articles were screened, of which 67 were included, encompassing 372 patients. The majority of patients had metastatic melanoma (57%), and they were treated with anti-PD1 or anti-PDL1 therapy (78%). Median time to onset of arthritis was 4 months (range, 1 day to 53 months). Forty-nine percent had polyarthritis, 17% oligoarthritis, 3% monoarthritis, 10% arthralgia, and 21% polymyalgia rheumatica. More than half of patients were described as having a “rheumatoid arthritis–like” presentation. Nine percent tested positive for rheumatoid factor or anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. Seventy-four percent required corticosteroids, and 45% required additional medications. Sixty-three percent achieved arthritis control, and 32% were ultimately able to discontinue antirheumatic treatments. Immune checkpoint inhibitors were continued in 49%, transiently withheld in 11%, and permanently discontinued due to musculoskeletal immune-related adverse events in 13%.

Conclusions
Half of reported immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated arthritis cases present with polyarthritis (often RA-like), but only 9% are seropositive. Polymyalgia rheumatica is also common. Most patients respond to steroids alone, but about half require additional medications. Further studies are needed to determine long-term musculoskeletal outcomes in these patients, and the impact of arthritis treatment on cancer survival.
Proactive social distancing mitigates COVID-19 outbreaks within a month across 58 mainland China cities
Authors: Du Zhanwei , Xu Xiaoke , Wang Lin , Fox Spencer J. , Cowling Benjamin J. , Galvani Alison P. , Meyers Lauren Ancel 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn early 2020, cities across China enacted strict social distancing measures to contain emerging coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks. We estimated the speed with which these measures contained community transmission in each of 58 Chinese cities. On average, containment was achieved 7.83 days (SD 6.79 days) after the implementation of social distancing interventions, with an average reduction in the reproduction number (Rt) of 54.3% (SD 17.6%) over that time period. A single day delay in the implementation of social distancing led to a 2.41 (95% CI: 0.97, 3.86) day delay in containment. Swift social distancing interventions may thus achieve rapid containment of newly emerging COVID-19 outbreaks.
Novel Immunoassay for Diagnosis of OngoingClostridioides difficileInfections Using Serum and Medium Enriched for Newly Synthesized Antibodies (MENSA)
Authors: Haddad Natalie S. , Nozick Sophia , Kim Geena , Ohanian Shant , Kraft Colleen , Rebolledo Paulina A. , Wang Yun , Wu Hao , Bressler Adam , Thi Le Sang Nguyet , Kuruvilla Merin , Cannon L. Edward , Lee F. Eun-Hyung , Daiss John L. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDClostridioides difficileinfections (CDI) have been a challenging and increasing serious concern in recent years. While early and accurate diagnosis is crucial, available assays have frustrating limitationsOBJECTIVEDevelop a simple, blood-based immunoassay to accurately diagnose patients suffering from active CDI.MATERIALS AND METHODSUninfected controls (n=95) and CDI patients (n=167) were recruited from Atlanta area hospitals. Blood samples were collected from patients within twelve days of a positive CDI test and processed to yield serum and PBMCs cultured to yield medium enriched for newly synthesized antibodies (MENSA). Multiplex immunoassays measured Ig responses to ten recombinantC. difficileantigens.RESULTSSixty-six percent of CDI patients produced measurable responses toC. difficileantigens in their serum or MENSA within twelve days of a positive CDI test. Fifty-two of the 167 CDI patients (31%) were detectable in both serum and MENSA, but 32/167 (19%) were detectable only in MENSA, and 27/167 (16%) were detectable only in serum.DISCUSSIONWe describe the results of a multiplex immunoassay for the diagnosis of ongoing CDI in hospitalized patients. Our assay resolved patients into four categories: MENSA-positive only, serum-positive only, MENSA- and serum-positive, and MENSA- and serum-negative. The MENSA positive-only patients accounted for 30% and may be attributed to nascent antibody secretion in MENSA prior to seroconversion. Conversely, the serum positive-only subset may have been more advanced in their disease course. Immunocompromise and misdiagnosis may have contributed to the 34% of CDI patients who were not identified using MENSA or serum immunoassays.IMPORTANCEWhile there was considerable overlap between patients identified through MENSA and serum, both methods detected additional, unique patients. The combined use of both MENSA and serum to detect CDI patients resulted in the greatest identification of CDI patients. Together, longitudinal analysis of MENSA and serum will provide a more accurate evaluation of successful host humoral immune responses in CDI patients.
Clinical and historical features associated with severe COVID-19 infection: a systematic review
Authors: Pigoga JL , Friedman A , Broccoli M , Hirner S , Naidoo AV , Singh S , Werner K , Wallis LA 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundThere is an urgent need for rapid assessment methods to guide pathways of care for COVID-19 patients, as frontline providers need to make challenging decisions surrounding rationing of resources. This study aimed to evaluate existing literature for factors associated with COVID-19 illness severity.MethodsA systematic review identified all studies published between 1/12/19 and 19/4/20 that used primary data and inferential statistics to assess associations between the outcome of interest - disease severity - and historical or clinical variables. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the WHO Database of Publications on Coronavirus Disease were searched. Data were independently extracted and cross-checked independently by two reviewers using PRISMA guidelines, after which they were descriptively analysed. Quality and risk of bias in available evidence were assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework. This review was registered with PROSPERO, registration number CRD42020178098.ResultsOf the 6202 relevant articles found, 63 were eligible for inclusion; these studies analysed data from 17648 COVID-19 patients. The majority (n=57, 90·5%) were from China and nearly all (n=51, 90·5%) focussed on admitted adult patients. Patients had a median age of 52·5 years and 52·8% were male. The predictors most frequently associated with COVID-19 disease severity were age, absolute lymphocyte count, hypertension, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), and history of any pre-existing medical condition.ConclusionThis study identified multiple variables likely to be predictive of severe COVID-19 illness. Due to the novelty of SARS-CoV-2 infection, there is currently no severity prediction tool designed to, or validated for, COVID-19 illness severity. Findings may inform such a tool that can offer guidance on clinical treatment and disposition, and ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality due to the pandemic.
Metropolitan Wastewater Analysis for COVID-19 Epidemiological Surveillance
Authors: Randazzo Walter , Cuevas-Ferrando Enric , Sanjuán Rafael , Domingo-Calap Pilar , Sánchez Gloria 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a rapidly emerging pandemic which has enforced extreme containment measures worldwide. In the absence of a vaccine or efficient treatment, cost-effective epidemiological surveillance strategies are urgently needed.MethodsHere, we have used RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 detection in a series of longitudinal metropolitan wastewaters samples collected during the earliest stages of the epidemic in the Region of Valencia, Spain.ResultsWe were able to consistently detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in samples taken when communicated cases in that region were only incipient. We also find that the wastewater viral RNA context increased rapidly and anticipated the subsequent ascent in the number of declared cases.InterpretationOur results strongly suggest that the virus was undergoing community transmission earlier than previously believed, and show that wastewater analysis is a sensitive and cost-effective strategy for COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance. Routine implementation of this surveillance tool would significantly improve our preparedness against new or re-occurring viral outbreaks.
Facing the COVID-19 epidemic in NYC: a stochastic agent-based model of various intervention strategies
Authors: Hoertel Nicolas , Blachier Martin , Blanco Carlos , Olfson Mark , Massetti Marc , Limosin Frédéric , Leleu Henri 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGlobal spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created an unprecedented infectious disease crisis worldwide. Despite uncertainties about COVID-19, model-based forecasting of competing mitigation measures on its course is urgently needed to inform mitigation policy. We used a stochastic agent-based microsimulation model of the COVID-19 epidemic in New York City and evaluated the potential impact of quarantine duration (from 4 to 16 weeks), quarantine lifting type (1-step lifting for all individuals versus a 2-step lifting according to age), post-quarantine screening, and use of a hypothetical effective treatment against COVID-19 on the disease’s cumulative incidence and mortality, and on ICU-bed occupancy. The source code of the model has been deposited in a public source code repository (GitHub®). The model calibrated well and variation of model parameter values had little impact on outcome estimates. While quarantine is efficient to contain the viral spread, it is unlikely to prevent a rebound of the epidemic once lifted. We projected that lifting quarantine in a single step for the full population would be unlikely to substantially lower the cumulative mortality, regardless of quarantine duration. By contrast, a two-step quarantine lifting according to age was associated with a substantially lower cumulative mortality and incidence, up to 71% and 23%, respectively, as well as lower ICU-bed occupancy. Although post-quarantine screening was associated with diminished epidemic rebound, this strategy may not prevent ICUs from being overcrowded. It may even become deleterious after a 2-step quarantine lifting according to age if the herd immunity effect does not had sufficient time to become established in the younger population when the quarantine is lifted for the older population. An effective treatment against COVID-19 would considerably reduce the consequences of the epidemic, even more so if ICU capacity is not exceeded.
Performing risk stratification for COVID-19 when individual level data is not available – the experience of a large healthcare organization
Authors: Barda Noam , Riesel Dan , Akriv Amichay , Levi Joseph , Finkel Uriah , Yona Gal , Greenfeld Daniel , Sheiba Shimon , Somer Jonathan , Bachmat Eitan , Rothblum Guy N. , Shalit Uri , Netzer Doron , Balicer Ran , Dagan Noa 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWith the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is an urgent need for risk stratification tools to support prevention and treatment decisions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) listed several criteria that define high-risk individuals, but multivariable prediction models may allow for a more accurate and granular risk evaluation. In the early days of the pandemic, when individual level data required for training prediction models was not available, a large healthcare organization developed a prediction model for supporting its COVID-19 policy using a hybrid strategy. The model was constructed on a baseline predictor to rank patients according to their risk for severe respiratory infection or sepsis (trained using over one-million patient records) and was then post-processed to calibrate the predictions to reported COVID-19 case fatality rates. Since its deployment in mid-March, this predictor was integrated into many decision-processes in the organization that involved allocating limited resources. With the accumulation of enough COVID-19 patients, the predictor was validated for its accuracy in predicting COVID-19 mortality among all COVID-19 cases in the organization (3,176, 3.1% death rate). The predictor was found to have good discrimination, with an area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve of 0.942. Calibration was also good, with a marked improvement compared to the calibration of the baseline model when evaluated for the COVID-19 mortality outcome. While the CDC criteria identify 41% of the population as high-risk with a resulting sensitivity of 97%, a 5% absolute risk cutoff by the model tags only 14% to be at high-risk while still achieving a sensitivity of 90%. To summarize, we found that even in the midst of a pandemic, shrouded in epidemiologic “fog of war” and with no individual level data, it was possible to provide a useful predictor with good discrimination and calibration.