bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facile preparation protocol of magnetic mesoporous carbon acid catalysts via soft-template self-assembly method and their applications in conversion of xylose into furfural
Authors: Toumsri P. , Auppahad W. , Saknaphawuth S. , Pongtawornsakun B. , Kaowphong S. , Dechtrirat D. , Panpranot J. , Chuenchom L. 
Published: September 2021

Furfural is a valuable dehydration product of xylose. It has a broad spectrum of industrial applications. Various catalysts containing SO
3
H have been reported for the conversion of xylose into furfural. Nevertheless, the multi-step preparation is tedious, and the catalysts are usually fine powders that are difficult to separate from the suspension. Novel magnetic mesoporous carbonaceous materials (Fe/MC) were successfully prepared via facile self-assembly in a single step. A facile subsequent hydrothermal sulfonation of Fe/MC with concentrated H
2
SO
4
at 180°C gave mesoporous carbon bearing SO
3
H groups (SO
3
H@Fe/MC) without loss of the magnetic properties. Various techniques were employed to characterize the SO
3
H@Fe/MC as a candidate catalyst. It showed strong magnetism due to its Fe particles and possessed a 243 m
2
g
−1
BET-specific surface area and a 90% mesopore volume. The sample contained 0.21 mmol g
−1
of SO
3
H and gave a high conversion and an acceptable furfural yield and selectivity (100%, 45% and 45%, respectively) when used at 170°C for 1 h with γ-valerolactone as solvent. The catalyst was easily separated after the catalytic tests by using a magnet, confirming sufficient magneticstability.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bio-derived and bioinspired sustainable advanced materials for emerging technologies (part 2)’.
A standardized system and App for continuous patient symptom logging in gastroduodenal disorders: design, implementation, and validation
Authors: Sebaratnam G , Karulkar N , Calder S , Woodhead JST , Keane C , Carson D , Varghese C , Du P , Waite S , Tack J , Andrews CN , Broadbent E , Gharibans A , O’Grady G 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundFunctional gastroduodenal disorders include functional dyspepsia, chronic nausea and vomiting syndromes, and gastroparesis. These disorders are common, but their overlapping symptomatology poses challenges to diagnosis, research, and therapy. This study aimed to introduce and validate a standardized patient symptom-logging system and App to aid in the accurate reporting of gastroduodenal symptoms for clinical and research applications.MethodsThe system was implemented in an iOS App including pictographic symptom illustrations, and two validation studies were conducted. To assess convergent and concurrent validity, a diverse cohort with chronic gastroduodenal symptoms undertook App-based symptom logging for 4-hours after a test meal. Individual and total post-prandial symptom scores were averaged and correlated against two previously validated instruments: PAGI-SYM (for convergent validity) and PAGI-QOL (for concurrent validity). To assess face and content validity, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with patients.Key ResultsApp-based symptom reporting demonstrated robust convergent validity with PAGI-SYM measures of nausea (rS=0.68), early satiation (rS=0.55), bloating (rS=0.48), heartburn (rS=0.47), upper gut pain (rS=0.40) and excessive fullness (rS=0.40); allp<0.001(n=79). The total App-reported Gastric Symptom Burden Score correlated positively with PAGI-SYM (rS=0.56; convergent validity;p<0.001), and negatively with PAGI-QOL (rS=-0.34; concurrent validity;p=0.002). Interviews demonstrated that the pictograms had adequate face and content validity.Conclusions and InferencesThe continuous patient symptom-logging App demonstrated robust convergent, concurrent, face, and content validity when used within a 4-hour post-prandial test protocol. The App will enable standardized symptom reporting and is anticipated to provide utility in both research and clinical practice.
Reduced magnitude and durability of humoral immune responses by COVID-19 mRNA vaccines among older adults
Authors: Brockman Mark A. , Mwimanzi Francis , Lapointe Hope R. , Sang Yurou , Agafitei Olga , Cheung Peter , Ennis Siobhan , Ng Kurtis , Basra Simran , Lim Li Yi , Yaseen Fatima , Young Landon , Umviligihozo Gisele , Omondi F. Harrison , Kalikawe Rebecca , Burns Laura , Brumme Chanson J. , Leung Victor , Montaner Julio S.G. , Holmes Daniel , DeMarco Mari , Simons Janet , Pantophlet Ralph , Niikura Masahiro , Romney Marc G. , Brumme Zabrina L. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundmRNA vaccines reduce COVID-19 incidence and severity, but the durability of vaccine-induced immune responses, particularly among the elderly, remains incompletely characterized.MethodsAnti-spike RBD antibody titers, ACE2 competition and virus neutralizing activities were longitudinally assessed in 151 healthcare workers and older adults (overall aged 24-98 years) up to three months after vaccination.ResultsOlder adults exhibited lower antibody responses after one and two vaccine doses for all measures. In multivariable analyses correcting for sociodemographic, chronic health and vaccine-related variables, age remained independently associated with all response outcomes. The number of chronic health conditions was additionally associated with lower binding antibody responses after two doses, and male sex with lower ACE2 competition activity after one dose. Responses waned universally at three months after the second dose, but binding antibodies, ACE2 competition and neutralizing activities remained significantly lower with age. Older adults also displayed reduced ability to block ACE2 binding by the Delta variant.ConclusionsThe humoral immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines is significantly weaker with age, and universally wanes over time. This will likely reduce antibody-mediated protection against SARS-CoV-2 and the Delta variant as the pandemic progresses. Older adults may benefit from additional immunizations as a priority.
The Histological Diagnosis of Breast Cancer by Employing scale invariant ResNet 18 With Spatial Supervised Technique
Authors: Khalid Bukhari Syed Usama , Syed Asmara , Khalid Syed Safwan , Hussain Shah Syed Sajid 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer is one of the most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality in women all over the world. Histopathological diagnosis is a vital component in the management of breast cancer. The application of artificial intelligence is yielding promising results for the better patient care.AimThe main aim of the present research project is to explore the potential of spatial supervised technique to develop scale invariant system for the histological diagnosis of breast cancer.Materials and MethodsThe anonymized images of hematoxylin and eosin stained section of the dataset, which has been acquired from the website. The slides were taken at different zoom (magnification) levels. Spatial supervised learning has been employed to make a scale invariant system. We used 400x and 40x to generate the results. For the 400x, we trained our network on a dataset of 200x,100x, and 40x images. The datasets were split into training and validation sets. The training set contained 80% digital slides of the respected dataset, and the validation set contained 20% digital slides of the respected dataset. The final result was generated by splitting the dataset of 400x into the training and test dataset. The training set contained 50% digital slides, and the test set also contained 50% digital slides. This unusual split is done to show how good spatial supervised learning works. Similarly, for 40x, we trained our networks on a dataset of 400x,200x, and 100x. The same steps were followed to obtain the 40x results.ResultsThe result analysis revealed that the ResNet 18 with spatial supervised learning on dataset of 40x yielded the F-1 score of 1.0, while ResNet 18 with supervised learning only, on dataset of 40x yielded F-1 score of 0.9823. ResNet 18 with spatial supervised learning on dataset of 400x revealed F-1 score of 0.9957, and ResNet 18 with supervised learning only, on dataset of 400x showed the F-1 score of 0.9591. For supervised learning dataset is spited into training (80%) and testing (20% of dataset).ConclusionThe analysis of digitized pathology images with the application of convolutional neural network Resnet -18 architecture with spatial supervised learning revealed excellent results, which is demonstrated by a very high F-1 score of 1.0.The development of scale invariant system with application of spatial supervised technique solved the problem of images with variable magnifications. The finding would further pave the pathway for application of deep learning for the histological diagnosis of pathological lesions.
Comprehensive Evaluation of COVID-19 Patient Short- and Long-term Outcomes: Disparities in Healthcare Utilization and Post-Hospitalization Outcomes
Authors: Salerno Stephen , Sun Yuming , Morris Emily , He Xinwei , Li Yajing , Pan Ziyang , Han Peisong , Kang Jian , Sjoding Michael W. , Li Yi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding risk factors for short- and long-term COVID-19 outcomes have implications for current guidelines and practice. We study whether early identified risk factors for COVID-19 persist one year later and through varying disease progression trajectories.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 6,731 COVID-19 patients presenting to Michigan Medicine between March 10, 2020 and March 10, 2021. We describe disease progression trajectories from diagnosis to potential hospital admission, discharge, readmission, or death. Outcomes pertained to all patients: rate of medical encounters, hospitalization-free survival, and overall survival, and hospitalized patients: discharge versus in-hospital death and readmission. Risk factors included patient age, sex, race, body mass index, and 29 comorbidity conditions.ResultsYounger, non-Black patients utilized healthcare resources at higher rates, while older, male, and Black patients had higher rates of hospitalization and mortality. Diabetes with complications, coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and blood loss anemia were risk factors for these outcomes. Diabetes with complications, coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and blood loss were associated with lower discharge and higher inpatient mortality rates.ConclusionsThis study found differences in healthcare utilization and adverse COVID-19 outcomes, as well as differing risk factors for short- and long-term outcomes throughout disease progression. These findings may inform providers in emergency departments or critical care settings of treatment priorities, empower healthcare stakeholders with effective disease management strategies, and aid health policy makers in optimizing allocations of medical resources.
Elevated plasma levels of CXCL16 in severe COVID-19 patients
Authors: Smieszek Sandra P. , Polymeropoulos Vasilios M. , Polymeropoulos Christos M. , Przychodzen Bartlomiej P. , Birznieks Gunther , Polymeropoulos Mihael H. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractGenome-wide association studies have recently identified 3p21.31, with lead variant pointing to the CXCR6 gene, as the strongest thus far reported susceptibility risk locus for severe manifestation of COVID-19. In order the determine its role, we measured plasma levels of Chemokine (C□X□C motif) ligand 16 (CXCL16) in the plasma of COVID-19 hospitalized patients. CXCL16 interacts with CXCR6 promoting chemotaxis or cell adhesion. The CXCR6/CXCL16 axis mediates homing of T cells to the lungs in disease and hyper-expression is associated with localised cellular injury. To characterize the CXCR6/CXCL16 axis in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19, plasma concentrations of CXCL16 collected at baseline from 115 hospitalized COVID-19 patients participating in ODYSSEY COVID-19 clinical trial were assessed together with a set of controls. We report elevated levels of CXCL16 in a cohort of COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Specifically, we report significant elevation of CXCL16 plasma levels in association with severity of COVID-19 (as defined by WHO scale) (P-value<0.02). Our current study is the largest thus far study reporting CXCL16 levels in COVID-19 hospitalized patients (with whole-genome sequencing data available). The results further support the significant role of the CXCR6/CXCL16 axis in the immunopathogenesis of severe COVID-19 and warrants further studies to understand which patients would benefit most from targeted treatments.
“Association between COVID-19 vaccination, infection, and risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome, Bell’s palsy, encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis: a population-based cohort and self-controlled case series analysis”
Authors: Li Xintong , Martinez-Hernandez Eugenia , Roel Herranz Elena , Delmestri Antonella , Duarte-Salles Talita , Strauss Victoria , Burn Edward , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVEWe aimed to study the association between COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the risk of immune-mediated neurological events.METHODSDesignPopulation-based historical rate comparison study and self-controlled case series (SCCS) analysis.SettingPrimary care records from the United Kingdom.ParticipantsIndividuals who received the first dose of ChAdOx1 or BNT162b2 between 8 December 2020 and 6 March 2021. A cohort with a first positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 between 1 September 2020 and 28 February 2021 was used for comparison.Main outcome measuresOutcomes included Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), Bell’s palsy, encephalomyelitis, and transverse myelitis.Incidence rates were estimated in the 28 days post first-dose vaccine, 90 days post-COVID-19, and between 2017 to 2019 for the general population cohort for background rates. Indirectly standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were estimated. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated from the SCCS when sufficient statistical power was reached.ResultsWe included 1,868,767 ChAdOx1 and 1,661,139 BNT162b2 vaccinees; 299,311 people infected with COVID-19; and 2,290,537 from the general population. SIRs for GBS were 1.91 [95% CI: 0.86 to 4.26] after ChAdOx1, 1.29 [0.49 to 3.45] after BNT162b2, and 5.20 [1.95 to 13.85] after COVID-19. In the same cohorts, SIRs for Bell’s palsy were 1.34 [1.05 to 1.72], 1.15 [0.88 to 1.50], and 1.23 [0.80 to 1.89], and for encephalomyelitis 1.62 [0.61 to 4.31], 0.86 [0.22 to 3.46], and 11.05 [5.27 to 23.17], respectively. Transverse myelitis was too rare to analyse (n<5 in all cohorts). SCCS analysis was only conducted for Bell’s palsy due to limited statistical power. We found no association between either vaccine and Bell’s palsy, with an IRR of 1.10 [0.81 to 1.46] and 1.15 [0.87 to 1.49] for BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1, respectively.ConclusionsWe found no consistent association between either vaccine and any of the studied neuroimmune adverse events studied. Conversely, we found a 5-fold increase in risk of GBS and an 11-fold of encephalomyelitis following COVID-19.
Intact corticostriatal and altered subcortical circuits in chronic pain
Authors: Park Su Hyoun , Baker Anne K. , Krishna Vinit , Martucci Katherine T. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPrevious research has demonstrated the importance of the corticostriatal circuit in chronic pain. By focusing on nucleus accumbens (NAcc) circuits related to reward, we aimed to clarify how altered brain reward systems contribute to chronic pain. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared NAcc-medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) functional connectivity in patients with fibromyalgia vs. healthy controls. Among patients, we analyzed the extent to which functional connectivity correlated with clinical measures. We also examined NAcc functional connectivity to subcortical regions. Lastly, we compared our results to a separate dataset of patients with chronic back pain. We identified robust NAcc-MPFC functional connectivity among patients with fibromyalgia and healthy controls, with no significant group differences. We found a positive correlational trend between NAcc-MPFC functional connectivity and total mood disturbance. Notably, patients with fibromyalgia showed significantly reduced functional connectivity of the right NAcc with mesolimbic circuit regions compared to controls. These results were largely similar to the results from the separate dataset. Our results provide novel evidence of intact corticostriatal but altered subcortical functional connectivity of the NAcc during resting-state in chronic pain and suggest that measured connectivity may relate to changes in mood and the level of cognitive demand during fMRI-based measurement.PerspectiveThis article indicates complex brain valuation system alterations associated with chronic pain. Our findings expand our understanding of the valuation system and its relationship to clinical presentation in patients with fibromyalgia.
Genetic underpinnings of the transition from alcohol consumption to alcohol use disorder: shared and unique genetic architectures in a cross-ancestry sample
Authors: Kember Rachel L. , Vickers-Smith Rachel , Zhou Hang , Xu Heng , Dao Cecilia , Justice Amy C. , Gelernter Joel , Vujkovic Marijana , Kranzler Henry R. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRecent GWAS of alcohol-related traits have uncovered key differences in the underlying genetic architectures of alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder (AUD), with the two traits having opposite genetic correlations with psychiatric disorders. Understanding the genetic factors that underlie the transition from heavy drinking to AUD has important theoretical and clinical implications. We utilized longitudinal data from the cross-ancestry Million Veteran Program sample to identify 1) novel loci associated with AUD and alcohol consumption [measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C)] and 2) genetic variants with direct effects on AUD not mediated through alcohol consumption. We identified 26 loci associated with AUD, including 5 ancestry-specific and 6 novel loci and 22 loci associated with AUDIT-C, including 3 ancestry-specific and 8 novel loci. In secondary GWAS that excluded individuals who report abstinence, we identify 7 additional loci for AUD and 8 additional loci for AUDIT-C. We demonstrate that, although the heterogeneity of the abstinent group biases the GWAS findings, unique variance between alcohol consumption and disorder remains after the group is excluded. Finally, using mediation analysis, we identified a set of variants with effects on AUD that are not mediated through alcohol consumption. The distinct genetic architectures of alcohol consumption and AUD suggest different biological contributions to the traits. Genetic variants with direct effects on AUD are potentially relevant to understanding the transition from heavy alcohol consumption to AUD and targets for translational prevention and treatment efforts.
Determinants of hospital outcomes for COVID-19 infections in a large Pennsylvania Health System
Authors: Shaw Pamela A. , Yang Jasper B. , Mowery Danielle L. , Schriver Emily R. , Mahoney Kevin B. , Bar Katharine J. , Ellenberg Susan S. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThere is growing evidence that racial and ethnic minorities bear a disproportionate burden from COVID-19. Temporal changes in the pandemic epidemiology and diversity in the clinical course require careful study to identify determinants of poor outcomes.We analyzed 6255 individuals admitted with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 to one of 5 hospitals in the University of Pennsylvania Health System between March 2020 and March 2021, using electronic health records to assess risk factors and outcomes through 8 weeks post-admission. Discharge, readmission and mortality outcomes were analyzed in a multi-state model with multivariable Cox models for each transition.Mortality varied markedly over time, with cumulative incidence (95% CI) 30 days post-admission of 19.1% (16.9, 21.3) in March-April 2020, 5.7% (4.2, 7.5) in July-October 2020 and 10.5% (9.1,12.0) in January-March 2021; 26% of deaths occurred after discharge. Average age (SD) at admission varied from 62.7 (17.6) to 54.8 (19.9) to 60.5 (18.1); mechanical ventilation use declined from 21.3% to 9-11%.Compared to Caucasian, Black race was associated with more severe disease at admission, higher rates of co-morbidities and low-income resident zip code. Between-race risk differences in mortality risk diminished in multivariable models; while admitting hospital, increasing age, admission early in the pandemic, and severe disease and low blood pressure at admission were associated with increased mortality hazard. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with fewer baseline co-morbidities and lower mortality hazard (0.57, 95% CI: 0.37, .087).Multi-state modeling allows for a unified framework to analyze multiple outcomes throughout the disease course. Morbidity and mortality for hospitalized COVID-19 patients varied over time but post-discharge mortality remained non-trivial. Black race was associated with more risk factors for morbidity and with treatment at hospitals with lower mortality. Multivariable models suggest there are not between-race differences in outcomes. Future work is needed to better understand the identified between-hospital differences in mortality.
Indirect effects of peaks in COVID admissions on access to surgery in the English NHS, differential effects by operation type, ethnicity and socio-economic status: a database study
Authors: Remsing Sandra C , Evison Felicity , Vohra Ravinder S , Morton Dion , Chilton Peter , Khunti Kamlesh , Lilford Richard J 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectivesDuring the COVID pandemic the UK saw two peaks in the prevalence of hospital admissions resulting in disruption of routine hospital services in the English National Health Service. This study aimed to track the effect of these peaks on various types of surgery representing differences in urgency, importance, and complexity.DesignDatabase study using the Hospital Episode Statistics database and surgical operations selected purposively, to represent different combinations of urgency, importance and complexity.SettingAll hospitals within England that carried out procedures funded by the National Health Service.Main Outcome MeasuresNumber of emergency routine surgeries; cancer-removal surgeries; transplant surgeries; renal transplants Deceased and living donors); and elective routine surgeries carried out prior to and during the COVID pandemic.ResultsWhile all surgeries declined, emergency or urgent operations held up better than elective cases. There was rapid rebound between peaks. Among emergency cases, coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction held up well in contrast to appendectomy, where indications for surgery are more elastic. Among urgent cancer and transplant operations, those with the most complex pathways were the most severely affected. The pandemic affected socio-economic and ethnic groups similarly. Disruption during the second peak was slightly less than during the first peak despite even greater COVID admission rates.ConclusionThe NHS titrated its response appropriately to the pandemic by prioritising emergency and urgent cases over elective cases. However, complex time critical conditions like organ transplants and certain cancers are also disrupted with implications for third peaks in hospital admissions that many countries are experiencing.