bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Local Inflammatory Profile and Predictors of Treatment Success in Subarachnoid Neurocysticercosis
Authors: Harrison Sarah , Thumm Lauren , Nash Theodore E , Nutman Thomas B , O’Connell Elise M 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Subarachnoid neurocysticercosis (SANCC) represents the most severe and difficult to treat form of neurocysticercosis. The inflammatory response contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the disease. This study sought to understand the nature and evolution of the inflammation associated with SANCC, and evaluate for predictors of time to cure.

Methods
There were 16 subjects with SANCC (basilar cistern, sylvian fissure, and/or spinal involvement) during active infection who had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokine and chemokine profiling, of whom 9 had a second CSF sample at (or following) the time of cure. The relationships between clinical parameters and cytokine/chemokine results were assessed.

Results
Compared to pools of healthy donor CSF, those with active SANCC showed a significant (P &lt; .05) increase in chemokines and cytokines associated with Type 1 immunity (interferon [IFN] γ, interleukin [IL] 12p70, C-X-C Motif Ligand 10 CXCL-10); Type 2 immunity (IL-10, IL-13); IFNα2; and the chemokines Macrophage inflammatory protein MIP-1α/CCL3, MIP-1ß/CCL4, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor VEGF that appears to be locally (central nervous system [CNS]) produced. Compared to those with active disease, those with CSF taken at the time of cure showed a significant decrease in most of these chemokines and cytokines. Despite this, CSF from cured SANCC patients had levels of IL-10 (P = .039), CXCL-10 (P = .039), and IL-12p70 (P = .044) above those seen in CSF from uninfected subjects. High ratios of IL-12p70/IL-10 early in infections were associated with a shorter time to cure (r = −0.559; P = .027), and a high Taenia solium burden (by quantitative polymerase chain reaction) was associated with longer times to cure (r = 0.84; P = .003).

Conclusions
SANCC is associated with a marked, CNS-localized cytokine-/chemokine-driven inflammatory response that largely decreases with curative therapy, though some analytes persisted above the normal range. The relative balance between proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines may be an important determinant for a cure in SANCC.
Case-fatality From Orally-transmitted Acute Chagas Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Bruneto Eduardo G , Fernandes-Silva Miguel M , Toledo-Cornell Cristina , Martins Silvia , Ferreira João M B , Corrêa Valeria R , da Costa Joicely M , Pinto Ana Yecê das N , de Souza Dilma do S M , Pinto Maria Carmelinda G , Neto José Albuquerque de F , Ramos Alberto N , Maguire James H , Silvestre Odilson M 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Orally-transmitted acute Chagas disease (CD) is emerging as an important public health problem. The prognosis of acute infection following oral transmission is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze and summarize data on orally-transmitted acute CD. We searched for publications from 1968 to 31 January 2018. We included studies and unpublished data from government sources that reported patients with acute orally-transmitted CD. We identified 41 papers and we added 932 unpublished cases. In all, our study covered 2470 cases and occurrence of 97 deaths. Our meta-analysis estimated that the case-fatality rate was 1.0% (95% CI 0.0–4.0%). Lethality rates have declined over time (P = .02). In conclusion, orally-transmitted acute CD has considerable lethality in the first year after infection. The lethality in symptomatic cases is similar to that from other routes of infection. The lethality rate of orally-acquired disease has declined over the years.
Relationship Between the ABO Blood Group and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Susceptibility
Authors: Zhao Jiao , Yang Yan , Huang Hanping , Li Dong , Gu Dongfeng , Lu Xiangfeng , Zhang Zheng , Liu Lei , Liu Ting , Liu Yukun , He Yunjiao , Sun Bin , Wei Meilan , Yang Guangyu , Wang Xinghuan , Zhang Li , Zhou Xiaoyang , Xing Mingzhao , Wang Peng George 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTo explore any relationship between the ABO blood group and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility, we compared ABO blood group distributions in 2173 COVID-19 patients with local control populations, and found that blood group A was associated with an increased risk of infection, whereas group O was associated with a decreased risk.
Protocolized Urine Sampling is Associated with Reduced Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections: A Pre- and Postintervention Study
Authors: Frontera Jennifer A , Wang Erwin , Phillips Michael , Radford Martha , Sterling Stephanie , Delorenzo Karen , Saxena Archana , Yaghi Shadi , Zhou Ting , Kahn D Ethan , Lord Aaron S , Weisstuch Joseph 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Standard urine sampling and testing techniques do not mitigate against detection of colonization, resulting in false positive catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). We aimed to evaluate whether a novel protocol for urine sampling and testing reduces rates of CAUTI.

Methods
A preintervention and postintervention study with a contemporaneous control group was conducted at 2 campuses (test and control) of the same academic medical center. The test campus implemented a protocol requiring urinary catheter removal prior to urine sampling from a new catheter or sterile straight catheterization, along with urine bacteria and pyuria screening prior to culture. Primary outcomes were test campus CAUTI rates, compared between each 9-month pre- and postintervention epoch. Secondary outcomes included the percent reductions in CAUTI rates, compared between the test campus and a propensity score–matched cohort at the control campus.

Results
A total of 7991 patients from the test campus were included in the primary analysis, and 4264 were included in the propensity score–matched secondary analysis. In the primary analysis, the number of CAUTI cases per 1000 patients was reduced by 77% (6.6 to 1.5), the number of CAUTI cases per 1000 catheter days was reduced by 63% (5.9 to 2.2), and the number of urinary catheter days per patient was reduced by 37% (1.1 to 0.69; all P values ≤ .001). In the propensity score–matched analysis, the number of CAUTI cases per 1000 patients was reduced by 82% at the test campus, versus 57% at the control campus; the number of CAUTI cases per 1000 catheter days declined by 68% versus 57%, respectively; and the number of urinary catheter days per patient decreased by 44% versus 1%, respectively (all P values &lt; .001).

Conclusions
Protocolized urine sampling and testing aimed at minimizing contamination by colonization was associated with significantly reduced CAUTI infection rates and urinary catheter days.
The redistributive consequences of paying off the national debt: Ricardo and his plan
Authors: Barba Aldo 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This article analyses Ricardo’s plan for paying off the national debt by a tax on property. The main thesis is that the capital levy, although apparently conceived as equally shared among all the components of the owning class, would imply substantial redistribution of wealth. The argument is developed by discussing the quantitative estimates provided by Ricardo about the amount of capital to be subjected to taxation. By establishing a connection between these estimates and the main statistical figures that were at the centre of the economic debate at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, it is shown in what manner the burden of this extraordinary measure would be divided between capitalists and landlords.
Hypergraphs for predicting essential genes using multiprotein complex data
Authors: Klimm Florian , Deane Charlotte M , Reinert Gesine 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Protein–protein interactions are crucial in many biological pathways and facilitate cellular function. Investigating these interactions as a graph of pairwise interactions can help to gain a systemic understanding of cellular processes. It is known, however, that proteins interact with each other not exclusively in pairs but also in polyadic interactions and that they can form multiprotein complexes, which are stable interactions between multiple proteins. In this manuscript, we use hypergraphs to investigate multiprotein complex data. We investigate two random null models to test which hypergraph properties occur as a consequence of constraints, such as the size and the number of multiprotein complexes. We find that assortativity, the number of connected components, and clustering differ from the data to these null models. Our main finding is that projecting a hypergraph of polyadic interactions onto a graph of pairwise interactions leads to the identification of different proteins as hubs than the hypergraph. We find in our data set that the hypergraph degree is a more accurate predictor for gene essentiality than the degree in the pairwise graph. In our data set analysing a hypergraph as pairwise graph drastically changes the distribution of the local clustering coefficient. Furthermore, using a pairwise interaction representing multiprotein complex data may lead to a spurious hierarchical structure, which is not observed in the hypergraph. Hence, we illustrate that hypergraphs can be more suitable than pairwise graphs for the analysis of multiprotein complex data.
Mobile health applications for the detection of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review
Authors: Lopez Perales Carlos Ruben , Van Spall Harriette G C , Maeda Shingo , Jimenez Alejandro , Laţcu Decebal Gabriel , Milman Anat , Kirakoya-Samadoulougou Fati , Mamas Mamas A , Muser Daniele , Casado Arroyo Ruben 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Aims
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and an important risk factor for stroke and heart failure. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature and summarize the performance of mobile health (mHealth) devices in diagnosing and screening for AF.

Methods and results
We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups: 28 studies aimed at validating smart devices for AF diagnosis, and 15 studies used smart devices to screen for AF. Evaluated technologies included smartphones, with photoplethysmographic (PPG) pulse waveform measurement or accelerometer sensors, smartbands, external electrodes that can provide a smartphone single-lead electrocardiogram (iECG), such as AliveCor, Zenicor and MyDiagnostick, and earlobe monitor. The accuracy of these devices depended on the technology and the population, AliveCor and smartphone PPG sensors being the most frequent systems analysed. The iECG provided by AliveCor demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity between 66.7% and 98.5% and 99.4% and 99.0%, respectively. The PPG sensors detected AF with a sensitivity of 85.0–100% and a specificity of 93.5–99.0%. The incidence of newly diagnosed arrhythmia ranged from 0.12% in a healthy population to 8% among hospitalized patients.

Conclusion
Although the evidence for clinical effectiveness is limited, these devices may be useful in detecting AF. While mHealth is growing in popularity, its clinical, economic, and policy implications merit further investigation. More head-to-head comparisons between mHealth and medical devices are needed to establish their comparative effectiveness.
Effectiveness of a On-site Medicalization Program for Nursing Homes With COVID-19 Outbreaks
Authors: Bernabeu-Wittel M , Ternero-Vega J E , Nieto-Martín M D , Moreno-Gaviño L , Conde-Guzmán C , Delgado-Cuesta J , Rincón-Gómez M , Díaz-Jiménez P , Giménez-Miranda L , Lomas-Cabezas J M , Muñoz-García M M , Calzón-Fernández S , Ollero-Baturone M 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Nursing homes are highly vulnerable to the occurrence of COVID-19 outbreaks, which result in high lethality rates. Most of them are not prepared to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.

Method
A coordinated on-site medicalization program (MP) in response to a sizeable COVID-19 outbreak in 4 nursing homes was organized, with the objectives of improving survival, offering humanistic palliative care to residents in their natural environment, and reducing hospital referrals. Ten key processes and interventions were established (provision of informatics infrastructure, medical equipment, and human resources, universal testing, separation of “clean” and “contaminated” areas, epidemiological surveys, and unified protocols stratifying for active or palliative care approach, among others). Main outcomes were a composite endpoint of survival or optimal palliative care (SOPC), survival, and referral to hospital.

Results
Two hundred and seventy-two of 457 (59.5%) residents and 85 of 320 (26.5%) staff members were affected. The SOPC, survival, and referrals to hospital occurred in 77%, 72.5%, and 29% of patients diagnosed before the start of MP, with respect to 97%, 83.7%, and 17% of those diagnosed during the program, respectively. The SOPC was independently associated to MP (OR = 15 [3–81]); and survival in patients stratified to active approach, to the use of any antiviral treatment (OR = 28 [5–160]). All outbreaks were controlled in 39 [37–42] days.

Conclusions
A coordinated on-site MP of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks achieved a higher SOPC rate, and a reduction in referrals to hospital, thus ensuring rigorous but also humanistic and gentle care to residents.
Form, Structure, and Function: How Plants vs. Animals Solve Physical Problems
Authors: Müller Ulrike K , Poppinga Simon 
Published: August 2020

SynopsisPlants and animals have evolved solutions for a wide range of mechanical problems, such as adhesion and dispersal. Several of these solutions have been sources for bio-inspiration, like the Lotus Effect for self-cleaning surfaces or Velcro for adhesion. This symposium brought together plant and animal biomechanics researchers who tackle similar problems in different systems under the unifying theme of structure–function relations with relevance to bio-inspiration. For both communities it holds true that the structural systems, which have evolved in the respective organisms to address the mechanical challenges mentioned above, are often highly complex. This requires interdisciplinary research involving “classical” experimental biology approaches in combination with advanced imaging methods and computational modeling. The transfer of such systems into biomimetic technical materials and structures comes with even more challenges, like scalability issues and applicability. Having brought all these topics under one umbrella, this symposium presented the forefront of biophysical basic and application-oriented international research with the goal of facilitation knowledge transfer across systems and disciplines.
The utilization of cluster externalities and recessionary shocks
Authors: Holtermann Linus , Hundt Christian , Steeger Jonas , Bersch Johannes 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this article, we examine the impact of cluster externalities on the economic performance of firms. Specifically, we focus on how the utilization of these externalities by firms is affected by the macroeconomic instability caused by the recessionary shock of 2008/2009 and on how the impact of the crisis affects firms with different combinative capabilities. Using data from more than 16,000 manufacturing and business service firms located in 390 German regions, we employ within-firm regression techniques to estimate the impact of cross-level interactions between firm- and cluster-level determinants on phase-related differences in firm performance between a pre-crisis (2004–2007) and a crisis period (2009–2011). Our empirical results suggest that firms particularly benefit from the interaction of broad combinative capabilities and variety-driven cluster externalities, thereby implying that externalities are effectively utilized by firms. Furthermore, the results indicate that both strength and direction of these cross-level interactions strongly depend on the prevailing macroeconomic cycle: while the utilization of cluster externalities works best within a stable macroeconomic environment (2004–2007), it is seemingly interrupted when being exposed to economic turmoil (2009–2011). Yet, the crisis-induced interruption of the utilization is mainly restricted to the national recession in 2009. As soon as the macroeconomic pressure diminishes (2010–2011), we observe a reversion of the utilization mechanisms to the pre-crisis level.
Off-pump hypoplastic aortic arch ± aortic coarctation repair via median sternotomy using a temporary shunt
Authors: Al Halees Zohair , Abdullah Ibrahim 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
An off-pump technique was developed to surgically manage the problem of aortic arch hypoplasia frequently associated with coarctation of the aorta and borderline size left-sided structures. The technique was successfully utilized in 5 patients adequately repairing the arch without any side effects.
Management of isolated dissection of the abdominal aorta: a single-centre experience
Authors: Wang Yingliang , Liu Dehan , Ye Tianhe , Dong Xiangjun , Su Yangbo , Liang Huimin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Isolated abdominal aortic dissection (IAAD) is a rare disease. Currently, there is no consensus on the management of IAAD. Our goal was to report our experience with the management of IAAD.

METHODS
A cohort of 45 consecutive patients with IAAD was treated between January 2010 and December 2018. We reviewed the demographics, clinical features, therapeutic modalities and follow-up results.

RESULTS
A total of 33 patients had successful endovascular repair (EVAR) and 12 patients underwent conservative treatment initially. During a mean follow-up of 16.6 months, 2 of the patients in the EVAR group had endoleak; neither of them needed reintervention. Complete or partial thrombosis of the false lumens was seen in all patients (88% and 12%) on the latest computed tomographic angiography images, and a significant enlargement of the true lumen and regression of the false lumen and maximal abdominal aortic diameter were observed in all patients (P &lt; 0.001). In the group receiving conservative treatment, 3 patients were lost to follow-up; 1 patient died; 2 patients had small re-entry sites, neither of which needed intervention; 1 patient had EVAR; and the others remain symptom-free. The latest computed tomographic angiography images showed that 1 patient had spontaneous healing with complete thrombosis of the false lumen, 7 patients had partial thrombosis and the diameter of the maximal abdominal aortic and false lumen remained stable or was less decreased.

CONCLUSIONS
For patients with IAAD, close surveillance is necessary. In addition, EVAR is an effective therapeutic method with a high technical success rate and low complication rate for carefully selected patients.
Postnatal exposure to hypobaric hypoxia and its impact on inflammation and injury indexes after a cardiac valve procedure
Authors: Jiang Qin , Li Hanyu , Huang Xiyu , Yu Lu , Lueck Sabrina , Hu Shengshou 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOBJECTIVESThere is accumulating evidence that hypobaric hypoxia adaptation confers cardiac protection. We investigated whether postnatal exposure to a high-altitude hypoxia environment results in less inflammation injury and better clinical indexes after a cardiac valve procedure.METHODSA total of 326 consecutively eligible patients undergoing mitral valve surgery from May 2013 through May 2019 in Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital were retrospectively included and stratified by the altitude of residence: the northwest Sichuan plateau residents (altitude 3000–4000 m, group A, n = 101) and the Sichuan basin residents (altitude &lt;1000 m, group B, n = 225). The primary end point indexes included myocardial injury and inflammatory response indexes, which were assessed by measurements of the levels of cardiac troponin I and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and of the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, in addition to lactate levels. Secondary end point outcomes were ventilation time, chest tube drainage volume and length of stay in the intensive care unit and the hospital.RESULTSNo differences in baseline data except for haemoglobin concentration were observed between the 2 groups. The serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin I and lactate and the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio at each time point within 24 h postoperatively were lower in group A than in group B, respectively. The ventilation time was 9 ± 5 and 11 ± 7 h in group A and in group B, respectively (P = 0.004). The chest tube drainage volume was 647 ± 231 and 715 ± 164 ml in group A and in group B, respectively (P = 0.003).CONCLUSIONSCompared with the low-altitude residents, high-altitude patients exposed to postnatal hypoxia experienced less severe inflammatory reactions, less ischaemic injury and favourable postoperative recovery when undergoing a primary mitral valve procedure.
Transient Lymphopenia and Interstitial Pneumonia With Endotheliitis in SARS-CoV-2–Infected Macaques
Authors: Koo Bon-Sang , Oh Hanseul , Kim Green , Hwang Eun-Ha , Jung Hoyin , Lee Youngjeon , Kang Philyong , Park Jae-Hak , Ryu Choong-Min , Hong Jung Joo 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Using a reliable primate model is critical for developing therapeutic advances to treat humans infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we exposed macaques to high titers of SARS-CoV-2 via combined transmission routes. We observed acute interstitial pneumonia with endotheliitis in the lungs of all infected macaques. All macaques had a significant loss of total lymphocytes during infection, which were restored over time. These data show that SARS-CoV-2 causes a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-like disease in macaques. This new model could investigate the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the immune system to test therapeutic strategies.
Emergence of livestock-associated MRSA ST398 from bulk tank milk, China
Authors: Cui Mingquan , Li Jiyun , Ali Tariq , Kalim Khisrao , Wang Hejia , Song Li , Li Zekun , Ren Xiaoxia , Ma Feiyang , Zou Ming , Shen Shan , Xu Shixin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo detect livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) ST398 from bulk tank milk in China and to determine the phenotypic and genomic characteristics of the strains.MethodsLA-MRSA ST398 strains were isolated from bulk tank milk samples in Shanghai and their susceptibilities to antimicrobials were determined using the broth dilution method. Genomic characterization of MRSA ST398 strains was performed by WGS and their evolutionary relationships were assessed by phylogenetic analysis.ResultsTwo LA-MRSA ST398 isolates were recovered from bulk tank milk samples in two geographically distant farms in China. Whole-genome analysis strongly suggested that the LA-MRSA ST398 strains were closely related to the highly virulent hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) ST398 strains in China.ConclusionsThe presence of LA-MRSA ST398 in bulk tank milk might be a serious threat to public health, highlighting the need for active surveillance of LA-MRSA in healthy cattle in China.