bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAPs) on Control of Bovine African Trypanosomosis in Pastoral Communities Surrounding Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
Authors: Kizza Daniel , Ocaido Michaeal , Mugisha Anthony , Nalule Sarah , Onyuth Howard , Musinguzi Simon Peter , Waiswa Charles 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: A survey was done among pastoral communities surrounding Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda to assess knowledge, attitude and practices about the control of bovine traypanosomosis. Methods: This was done using participatory methods and structured questionnaire.Results: The majority of the participants had ever seen tsetse flies and had ever heard about trypanosomosis with no significant difference (P > 0.05) across the five sub counties About 116 participants (73.9%) stated that trypanosomosis was a major disease in their area and across the five sub counties significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed. Farmers grazing near national parks and animals sharing grazing land and watering points with wild life respectively were considered the main causes of Bovine trypanosomosis. A significant difference (P < 0.01) in knowledge of farmers about the causes and signs of trypanosomosis in the study sub counties was observed. There was a high significant difference (P < 0.01) in control practices of trypanosomosis used in the study sub counties with the majority of farmers (58.6%) using insecticide treated cattle and significantly differed across the sub counties.Conclusion: The majority of participants had ever heard/seen tsetse flies and had ever heard about Nagana. Grazing near national parks and animal sharing grazing land and watering points with wildlife were the main causes of trypanosomosis. Insecticide treated cattle and not grazing in areas infested with tsetse flies were the major control practices of trypanosomosis. Knowledge about the disease, farmers’ attitude and control practices have overtime contributed to the pastoral communities and their cattle developing the needed resilience for survival in this high risk area.
Therapeutic Targets of Fingolimod (FTY720) in the Brains of Alzheimer's Disease Patients and the Associated Biological Mechanisms: a Network Pharmacology Study
Authors: Yin Pengqi , Xue Yang , Li Guozhong , Zhong Di 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator fingolimod (FTY720), which is commonly used as an immunomodulator in multiple sclerosis treatment, was recently reported to be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but its mechanism of action remains elusive. In this study, network pharmacology methods were applied to detect the potential pharmacological mechanisms of fingolimod in the brains of these patients. MethodsThe pharmacological macromolecular targets of fingolimod and fingolimod phosphate were downloaded from Swisstarget. Systematic intersection analysis of the expression profiles of brain tissues (709 AD tissues and 534 control tissues) was performed, and AD-associated fingolimod targets (F-ADGs) in the frontal, temporal and entorhinal cortices were analysed. The Minimal Common Oncology Data Elements method was used to detect core F-ADGs. Gene function enrichment analyses of the core F-ADGs were performed. Correlation analyses were performed to identify core F-ADGs with expression levels that were associated with the severity of AD. CIBERSORTx (https://cibersortx.stanford.edu/) was used to estimate the percentages of various immune cell populations in the cortex of each AD patient. ResultsWe found the fingolimod targets S1PR1, GNG3, GNG11 and GABBR2 were simultaneously detected in all three cortical regions. The core F-ADGs in all three cortical regions were enriched in similar biological processes, such as the G protein-coupled receptor signalling pathway, synaptic transmission, and pathways related to the function of synapses, especially GABAergic synapses. Core F-ADGs in the temporal and entorhinal cortices were also enriched in functions related to calcium signalling and cholinergic synapses. Correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of 7 core F-ADGs (S1PR1, NPY, NPY2R, GNAI1, GNG5, FPR1 and GPR183) in the frontal cortex were correlated with the severity of AD. No differences in immune cell infiltration between AD patients and normal controls were observed in any of the three cortical regions. ConclusionsThe pharmacological macromolecular targets of fingolimod and fingolimod phosphate, including S1PR1, were abnormally expressed in the cortices of multiple AD patients. The pharmacological effect of fingolimod on AD may be attributed to its ability to regulate GABA synapses, calcium signalling, and cholinergic synapses, other than regulating immune cell infiltration.
Identification of Tumor Mutation Burden and Immune Infiltrates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Multi-Omics Analysis
Authors: Yin Lu , Zhou Liuzhi , Xu Rujun 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundWe aimed to explore the tumor mutational burden (TMB) and immune infiltration in HCC and investigate new biomarkers for immunotherapy.MethodsTranscriptome and gene mutation data were downloaded from the GDC portal, including 374 HCC samples and 50 matched samples. Furthermore, we divided the samples into high and low TMB groups, and analyzed the differential genes between them with GO, KEGG, and GSEA. Cibersort was used to assess the immune cell infiltration in the samples. Finally, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify differential genes related to TMB and immune infiltration, and a risk prediction model was constructed.ResultsWe found 10 frequently mutated genes, including TP53, TTN, CTNNB1, MUC16, ALB, PCLO, MUC, APOB, RYR2, and ABCA. Pathway analysis indicated that these TMB-related differential genes were mainly enriched in PI3K-AKT. Cibersort analysis showed that memory B cells (P=0.02), CD8+ T cells (P=0.09), CD4+ memory activated T cells (P=0.07), and neutrophils (P=0.06) demonstrated a difference in immune infiltration between high and low TMB groups. On multivariate analysis, GABRA3 (P=0.05), CECR7 (P<0.001), TRIM16 (P=0.003), and IL7R (P=0.04) were associated with TMB and immune infiltration. The risk prediction model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.69, suggesting that patients with low risk had better survival outcomes.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated for the first time that CECR7, GABRA3, IL7R, and TRIM16L mutations were associated with TMB and promoted antitumor immunity in HCC.
Are we there yet? Analyzing scientific research related to COVID-19 drug repurposing
Authors: Park Namu , Ryu Hyeyoung , Ding Ying , Yu Qi , Bu Yi , Wang Qi , Yang Jeremy J , Song Min 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Drug repurposing may be a pivotal means of fulfilling urgent needs for treatment of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but current studies on drug repurposing for COVID-19 seem to show a lack of consensus in their drug candidate focus. Using bibliometric methods in a non-expert perspective, in a review of 34 published articles on the COVID-19 and drug-repurposing, we investigated obvious and less obvious points of consensus on drug candidates. To establish these two types of consensus, we first implemented document clustering. Within a set of five clustered papers, we established an obvious consensus, relying solely on the occurrence of entities by using term frequency and inverse document frequency and a comparison of mentioned drugs, finding that remdesivir and chloroquine were discussed with a certain degree of agreement. For the less obvious consensus, we created a drug entity co-occurrence network to establish low-high centrality combinations to probe the crucial drugs found in article clustering that are not plainly apparent through the mere counting of the occurrence of drug entities occurrences. Lopinavir emerged as having possibly potent effects in spite of underuse, while the mainstream of studies focus more on drugs such as chloroquine that enjoy explicit consent. Using an entitymetrics perspective, we expect that our research will support investigations of drug repurposing, expediting the process of establishing treatment for COVID-19.
Can physical activity protect against depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic? A rapid systematic review
Authors: Wolf Sebastian , Zeibig Johanna , Seiffer Britta , Welkerling Jana , Brokmeier Luisa , Atrott Beatrice , Ehring Thomas , Schuch Felipe Barreto 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the entire world population. During the first spread, most governments have implemented quarantine and strict social distancing procedures. Similar measures during recent pandemics resulted in an increase in post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression symptoms. The development of novel interventions to mitigate the mental health burden are of outmost importance. In this rapid review, we aimed to provide a systematic overview of the literature with regard to associations between physical activity (PA) and depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Sportdiscus, Web of Science) and preprint servers (MedRxivs, SportRxiv, ResearchGate and Google scholar), for relevant papers up to 25/07/2020. We identified a total of 21 observational studies (4 longitudinal, one cross-sectional with retrospective analysis and 16 cross-sectional), including information of 42,293 (age range = 6-70 years, median female = 68%) participants from 5 continents. The early evidence suggests that people who performed PA on a regular basis with higher volume and frequency and kept the PA routines stable, showed less symptoms of depression and anxiety. For instance, those reporting a higher total time spent in moderate to vigorous PA had 12% to 32% lower chances of presenting depressive symptoms and 15% to 34% of presenting anxiety. In order to maintain PA routines during Covid-19, specific volitional and motivational skills might be paramount to overcome Covid-19 specific barriers. Particularly, web-based technologies could be an accessible way to increase motivation and volition for PA and maintain daily PA routines.
Geriatric nutritional risk index predicts cancer prognosis in patients with local advanced rectal cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy followed by curative surgery
Authors: Ide Shozo , Okugawa Yoshinaga , Omura Yusuke , Yamamoto Akira , Ichikawa Takashi , Kitajima Takahito , Shimura Tadanobu , Imaoka Hiroki , Fujikawa Hiroyuki , Yasuda Hiromi , Yokoe Takeshi , Okita Yoshiki , Ohi Masaki , Toiyama Yuji 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Aim: The clinical significance of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in locally advancer rectal cancer (LARC) patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by curative surgery has not been comprehensively evaluated. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 93 LARC patients diagnosed with clinical lymph node metastasis. The GNRI formula was as follows: 1.489×albumin (g/dl)+41.7×current weight/ideal weight. Patients were categorized as GNRI low (GNRI <104.25) or high (GNRI >104.25) according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for survival analysis. The impact of GNRI status on the prognostic outcomes of curative surgery for LARC was examined. Results: There were 55 (59.14%) and 3841 (40.86%) patients in the GNRI high and low groups, respectively. Of the investigated demographic factors, age, clinical tumor invasion, C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) were significantly associated with the GNRI value. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were significantly shorter in the GNRI low group (OS: p=0.00020, DFS: p=0.0044, log-rank test). Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model showed that a low GNRI was an independent risk factor for poor OS [hazard ratio (HR) =3.22; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.37–8.23; p=0.0068) and DFS (HR=2.32; 95%CI=1.15-4.79; p=0.018). Additionally, for patients with pathological lymph node metastasis [ypN(+)], those with a low GNRI showed shorter OS and DFS (OS: p=0.033, DFS: p=0.032, log-rank test).Conclusions: GNRI is a useful marker for LARC patients diagnosed with clinical lymph node metastasis and treated by preoperative CRT followed by curative surgery.
NF-kappaB pathway as a potential target for treatment of critical stage COVID-19 patients
Authors: Kircheis Ralf , Haasbach Emanuel , Lueftenegger Daniel , Heyken Will T. , Ocker Matthias , Planz Oliver 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 show a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from mild febrile illness and cough up to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure and death. Data from patients with severe clinical manifestations compared to patients with mild symptoms indicate that highly dysregulated exuberant inflammatory responses correlate with severity of disease and lethality. Epithelial-immune cell interactions and elevated cytokine and chemokine levels, i.e. cytokine storm, seem to play a central role in severity and lethality in COVID-19. The present perspective places a central cellular pro-inflammatory signal pathway, NF-kappaB, in the context of recently published data for COVID-19 and provides a hypothesis for a therapeutic approach aiming at the simultaneous inhibition of whole cascades of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The simultaneous inhibition of multiple cytokines/chemokines is expected to have much higher therapeutic potential as compared to single target approaches to prevent cascade (i.e. triggering, synergistic, and redundant) effects of multiple induced cytokines and chemokines in critical stage COVID-19 patients.
Portable continuous wave Doppler ultrasound for primary healthcare in South Africa: can the EUnetHTA Core Model guide evaluation before technology adoption?
Authors: Mueller Debjani , Pattinson Robert C , Hlongwane Tsakane Musa , Busse Reinhard , Panteli Dimitra 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: This study had a threefold aim: to test the value of stakeholder involvement in HTA to reduce the evidence gaps and interpret findings; applicability of the EUnetHTA Core Model (CM) in South Africa on a medical device and thus ultimately provide a first overview of evidence for potential widespread adoption of the technology in a primary health care setting. Used in primary healthcare setting for obstetric use, the technology under assessment is a low-cost continuous wave Doppler ultrasound.Methods: To substantiate the evidence obtained from the literature different stakeholders were identified and consulted. The scoping of the assessment was defined by involving the policy makers to select the domains and the analogous questions relevant to the ultrasound and its use. Additionally, hospital managers were invited to respond to dichotomous questions on the criteria for procurement. The evidence generated from the four steps was used to populate the high-ranked assessment elements of the CM. Results: The HTA took into account the clinical benefit in screening low-risk pregnant women in primary healthcare settings using the technology. It incorporated the evidence on organizational, ethical, and social value of its use together with effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the technology. The domains on “health problem” and “safety” had a higher rank than the rest of the nine domains. Conclusions: A multi-stakeholder participation in the assessment process provided the necessary transparency and accountability, thus improving the quality of the recommendation resulting from the assessment. The collection of robust evidence and analysis post-introduction will enable the determination of the value of the technology in real-world settings.
Tracheostomy in 80 COVID-19 patients: a multicenter, retrospective, observational study
Authors: Tang Yun , Wu Yongran , Zhu Fangfang , Yang Xiaobo , Huang Chaolin , Hou Guo , Xu Wenhao , Hu Ming , Zhang Lu , Cheng Aiguo , Xu Zhengqin , Liu Boyi , Hu Song , Zhu Guochao , Fan Xuepeng , Zhang Xijing , Yang Yadong , Feng Huibin , Yu Lixia , Wang Bing , Li Zhiqiang , Peng Yong , Shen Zubo , Fu Shouzhi , Ouyang Yaqi , Xu Jiqian , Zou Xiaojing , Fang Minghao , Yu Zhui , Hu Bo , Shang You 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The aim of our study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia who underwent elective tracheostomies. We investigated all COVID-19 patients who underwent elective tracheostomies in intensive care units (ICUs) of 23 hospitals in Hubei Province, China, from January 8, 2020 to March 25, 2020. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, treatment, details of the tracheostomy procedure, successful weaning after tracheostomy, and living status were collected and analyzed. A total of 80 patients were included. The median duration from endotracheal intubation to tracheostomy was 17.5 [IQR 11.3-27.0] days. Most tracheotomies were performed by ICU physicians (62 (77.5%)) and using percutaneous techniques (63 (78.8%)) at the ICU bedside (76 (95.0%)). At 60 days after intubation, 31 (38.8%) patients experienced successful weaning from the ventilator, 17 (21.2%) patients were discharged from the ICU, and 43 (53.8%) patients had died. Higher 60-day mortality (22 (73.3%) vs 21 (42.0%)) was identified in patients who underwent early tracheostomy. In patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, tracheostomies were feasible to conduct by ICU physicians at bedside with few major complications. However, tracheostomies within 14 days of endotracheal intubation should be avoided.
Collateral effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on lung cancer diagnosis in Korea
Authors: Park Ji Young , Lee Ye Jin , Kim Taehee , Lee Chang Youl , Kim Hwan Il , Kim Joo-Hee , Park Sunghoon , Hwang Yong Il , Jung Ki-Suck , Jang Seung Hun 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic is predicted to significantly affect patients with lung cancer, owing to its rapid progression and high mortality. Studies on lung cancer diagnosis and treatment during an epidemic are lacking. We analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on lung cancer diagnosis in Korea, where lung cancer incidence continues to rise.Methods The number of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases in three university-affiliated hospitals during the pandemic and their clinical features were compared with lung cancer cases diagnosed during the same period in the past three years. The effectiveness of measures taken by the study hospitals to prevent nosocomial transmission was reviewed.Results Between February and June during 2017–2020. 612 patients with lung cancer were diagnosed. During the pandemic, the number of patients who sought consultation at the division of pulmonology of study hospitals dropped by 16% from the previous year. Responding to the pandemic, the involved hospitals created physically isolated triage areas for patients with acute respiratory infection symptoms. Wide-range screening and preventive measures were implemented, thus minimizing delay in lung cancer diagnosis. No patients acquired COVID-19 due to hospital exposure. The proportion of patients with stage III–IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) significantly increased (2020: 74.7% vs. 2017: 57.9%, 2018: 66.7%, 2019: 62.7%, p=0.011). The number of lung cancers diagnosed during this period and the previous year remained the same.Conclusion The proportion of patients with advanced NSCLC increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 lock-down significantly reduced the number of surgical presentations in an emergency department
Authors: Fahrner René , Bähler Stefan , Lindner Gregor 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute virus infection that was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic. As a consequence, the Swiss government decreed a public lock-down to reduce and restrict further infections. The aim of this investigation was to provide the impact of the COVID-19 lock-down on the presentations of patients in an interdisciplinary emergency department (ED).Patients, Materials and MethodsA retrospective study was performed at an interdisciplinary Swiss ED during the lock-down period. All patients who presented to the ED were enrolled in this investigation and compared to a control cohort during the same time period in 2019. Data regarding patient characteristics, medical specialty, time course of presentations during the observation period, and outpatient or hospital admission were analyzed.ResultsIn total, 7,072 patients were included in the final analysis. During the lock-down period, the number of ED presentations significantly decreased by 29% in comparison to the control period in the previous year (p<0.0001). The analysis of the time course revealed that in each week, the number of patients was lower, with a 13% to 43% reduction. Irrespective of the medical specialty, the number of presentations decreased during the COVID-19 situation, whereas this decrease was higher in surgical diseases (31%, p<0.0001) than in non-surgical presentations (3.6%, p=0.4).DiscussionThe socio-economic lock-down impacted the number of presentations in an ED. Mainly, surgical diseases and injuries were affected in terms of a reduction of presentations during the COVID-19 lock-down period.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors use and effects on prognosis of COVID-19 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Qian Wenwei , Ye Ying , Zuo Lugen , Song Ting , Xu Qing , Wang Yinghong , Tian Yun 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The influence of prior exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection remains unknown. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from the inception of each database through August 8, 2020. We included studies that reported ICI use in cancer patients and their prognosis in the context of COVID-19. Raw data from the included studies were pooled to determine effect estimates. Chi-squared and I2 tests were used to calculate heterogeneity among the included studies.Results: Eighteen studies were included for the systematic review, and 8 of those were included in the meta-analysis. Patients with prior ICI treatment exhibited a higher rate of hospitalization (OR [odds ratio] 2.6, 95% CI 1.45-4.68, p=0.001; I2=0%) and severe disease (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.14-3.43, p=0.015). However, the OR of mortality in ICI-exposed cases was similar to non-ICI exposed patients (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.60-1.34, p= 0.60; I2=49%). No statistically significant difference in mortality was observed between patients exposed to ICI and other antitumor treatments.Conclusions: Although a higher rate of hospitalization and severe disease was observed, prior exposure to ICI did not significantly increase the rate of death in the context of COVID-19.
Implementation of Low Cost SDR&nbsp;in HF Band for&nbsp;Emergency Application
Authors: Gummineni Madhuri , Polipalli Trinatha Rao 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
When events are uncontrolled due to hurricanes, the communication will breakdown. During this strenuous situation there is a need for reliable communication system to provide alert and emergency services. There remains a particular attention towards portability, reconfigurability, and interoperability in a communication system to reduce response time during emergencies. The real-time implementation helps to come across alternatives to overcome practical difficulties and challenges. This motivates us to implement a Relay Node in real-time using SDR , hence an experiment is carried out in order to gain first hand experience between different types of architecture of SDR i.e.VUSDR, HackRF One, and USRP. The architecture of Low-cost VUSDR and comparison between different types of SDR has been presented in this paper. Future scope and applications are presented.