bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Albumin Level as a Predictor of Outcome in Patients Admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Units
Authors: Bekhit Osama E. , Yousef Remon M. , Abdelrasol Hoiyda A. , Mohammed Mohammed A. 
Published: November 2021

Objective
The aim of this study was to assess serum albumin level on admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) as a prognostic indicator.

Methods
A prospective study was conducted in Fayoum University Children's Hospital. The study subjects' demographics and clinical and laboratory data were recorded. Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM-III) score was calculated. Serum albumin level was assessed within 24 hours from admission. Outcomes included mortality, PICU and hospital stay, need and duration of mechanical ventilation, and inotrope use.

Results
The incidence of admission hypoalbuminemia was 26%. The study subjects had a significantly higher mortality rate than subjects with normal albumin levels (42.3% vs 17.6%, respectively, P = 0.011). Each unit of increase in serum albumin decreased the risk of mortality by 28.9% (odds ratio, 0.289; confidence interval, 0.136–0.615, P = 0.001). Serum albumin showed a fair discriminatory power (area under the curve, 0.738). At a cutoff point of ≤3.7 g/dL, albumin had a 79.2% sensitivity, 67.1% specificity, 43.2% positive predictive value, and 91.1% negative predictive value. Incorporation of serum albumin with PRISM-III score was more predictive of mortality than either predictors alone (area under the curve, 0.802). No significant difference was found between the 2 groups regarding either PICU and hospital stay as well as the need and duration of ventilation.

Conclusions
In PICUs, admission hypoalbuminemia is a good predictor of mortality. Further studies to confirm the value of adding serum albumin to PRISM-III score are recommended.
Impaired Hand Function and Its Association With Self-Perceived Hand Functional Ability and Quality of Life in Parkinson Disease
Authors: Wong-Yu Irene S.K. , Ren Longjun , Mak Margaret K.Y. 
Published: November 2021

ObjectiveComprehensive hand function in people with Parkinson disease (PD) has been underevaluated. The objectives were to compare self-perceived and objective hand functions of PD and controls, compare outcomes between more and less affected hand subgroups, and evaluate relationship between self-perceived and objective outcomes in subgroups.DesignA total of 165 PD and 82 healthy participants completed the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, Purdue Pegboard Test, grip strength test, and Manual Ability Measure-16 in a cross-sectional study. PD participants completed the Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39. Associations between objective and self-perceived/quality of life outcomes in PD groups were analyzed, and nondominant and dominant more affected subgroups performance was compared.ResultsPD participants had significantly worse performance in most Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test and all Purdue Pegboard Test items, lower Manual Ability Measure-16 scores, and poorer handgrip strength. Weak associations were found between dexterity, but not grip strength, and self-perceived functional hand ability and Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 scores in PD subgroups. For nondominant more affected subgroup, poorer dexterity was associated with better Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 Activity of Daily Living domain scores.ConclusionPeople with mild to moderate PD were shown to have poorer manual dexterity, reduced grip strength, and lower self-perceived functional hand ability than controls. Associations between dexterity and self-perceived outcomes highlight the importance of unimanual and bimanual training.
Development and Implementation of an International Virtual Didactic Series for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Graduate Medical Education During COVID-19
Authors: Haring R. Sterling , Rydberg Leslie K. , Mallow Michael K. , Kortebein Patrick , Verduzco-Gutierrez Monica 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Coronavirus disease of 2019 presented significant challenges to residency and fellowship programs. Didactic lectures were particularly affected as redeployment of faculty and trainees, limitations on in-person gathering, and other barriers limited opportunities for educational engagement. We sought to develop an online didactic series to address this gap in graduate medical education.
Lecturers were recruited via convenience sample and from previous Association of Academic Physiatrists presenters from across the United States and Canada; these presented via Zoom during April and May 2020. Lecturers and content reflected the diverse nature of the specialty. Learning objectives were adapted from the list of board examination topics provided by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Fifty-nine lectures were presented. Maximum concurrent live viewership totaled 4272 and recorded lecture viewership accounted for an additional 6849 views, for a total of at least 11,208 views between the date of the first lecture (April 9, 2020) and May 1, 2021. Live viewers of one of the lectures reported participating from several states and 16 countries.
The Association of Academic Physiatrists–led virtual didactics augmented graduate medical education during the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic, and data confirm that the lectures have continued to enjoy a high level of viewership after the cessation of live lectures.
Twelve-Week Daily Gluteal and Hamstring Electrical Stimulation Improves Vascular Structure and Function, Limb Volume, and Sitting Pressure in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Barton Thomas , Low David A. , Thijssen Dick H.J. , Romviel Suzanne , Sloots Maurits , Smit Christof A.J. , Janssen Thomas W.J. 
Published: November 2021

Objective
We examined the long-term effects of low-intensity electrical stimulation on (micro)vasculature and sitting pressure of a home-based, wearable electrical stimulation device in a pilot feasibility study.

Design
In a cohort observation before-after trial, nine middle-aged male (n = 8) and female (n = 1) individuals (48 ± 15 yrs) with American Spinal Injury Association A–C classified chronic (1–24 yrs) spinal cord injury underwent 12 wks of self-administered daily, low-intensity gluteal and hamstring electrical stimulation (50 Hz, 6 hrs [30-min electrical stimulation, 15-min rest]). Common femoral artery diameter and blood blow were determined with ultrasound, skin vascular function during local heating was assessed using Laser-Doppler flowmetry, thigh volume was estimated using leg circumferences and skinfolds, and interface sitting pressure was measured using pressure mapping.

Results
Resting common femoral artery diameter increased (0.73 ± 0.20 to 0.79 ± 0.22 cm, P < 0.001) and baseline common femoral artery blood flow increased (0.28 ± 0.12 to 0.40 ± 0.15 l/min, P < 0.002). Gluteal cutaneous vascular conductance showed a time*temperature interaction (P = 0.01) with higher conductance at 42°C after 12 wks. Ischial peak pressure decreased (P = 0.003) by 32 ± 23 mm Hg and pressure gradient decreased (23 ± 7 to 16 ± 6 mm Hg, P = 0.007). Thigh volume increased (+19%, P = 0.01).

Conclusions
Twelve-week daily home-based gluteal and hamstring electrical stimulation is feasible and effective to improve (micro)vasculature and sitting pressure, and electrical stimulation may have clinical implications for ameliorating pressure ulcers and (micro)vascular complications in spinal cord injury.
Compliance to antenatal psychosocial assessment practice among midwives: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Tessema Marta , Birhanu Dagmawit , Mizana Biru Abdissa , Belay Admasu , Tura Gurmesa , Abera Muluemebet , Birhanu Zewdie , Feyissa Garumma Tolu 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction and aims:
As directed by the WHO, antenatal care providers have good opportunities to identify and refer mothers who are struggling with psychosocial problems. In Ethiopia, the pooled prevalence of perinatal depression is 25.8%, which is almost two-fold of the pooled global prevalence. Though this is an indication of the need for prompt interventions, there is no assessment targeted to this population. Therefore, the aim of this project was to promote an antenatal psychosocial assessment practice among midwives.

Methods:
Using the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Evidence System, 66 first visit antenatal care assessment opportunities were observed in both baseline and follow-up audit using three audit criteria. Fourteen midwives were interviewed for the first criterion. On the basis of the results, the gaps and barriers were analyzed using Getting Research into Practice strategies.

Result:
The baseline audit result revealed a 0% compliance rate for all evidence-based antenatal psychosocial assessment audit criteria. This scenario disclosed that there had not been psychosocial problem assessment practice at antenatal clinic. However, the postimplementation result showed that an average 91.5% practice of evidence-based antenatal psychosocial assessment was applied as per standards.

Conclusion:
Carrying out discussions on evidence summary with providers, on-the-job training, using local leaders’ opinions, and involving relevant stakeholders appeared to be the key methods in improving compliance to best available evidence in antenatal psychosocial assessment.
A SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Containing Mutation in the Probe Binding Region Used for qRT-PCR Test in Japan Exhibited Atypical PCR Amplification and Might Induce False Negative Result
Authors: Rajib Samiul Alam , Ogi Yasuhiro , Hossain Md. Belal , Ikeda Terumasa , Tanaka Eiichi , Kawaguchi Tatsuya , Satou Yorifumi 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTA recent pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused severe health problems and substantially restricted social and economic activities. To cope with such an outbreak, the identification of infected individuals with high accuracy is vital. qRT-PCR plays a key role in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The N protein-coding region is widely analyzed in qRT-PCR for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Japan. We recently encountered two cases of SARS-CoV-2-positive specimens showing atypical amplification curves in the qRT-PCR. We performed whole-genome sequencing and found that the virus was a Delta-type variant of SARS-CoV-2 with a single nucleotide mutation in the probe-binding site. To evaluate the extent of spread of the variant in the area, we performed whole viral genome sequencing of samples collected from 61 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the same time and in the same area. There were no other cases with the same mutation, indicating that the variant had not spread in the area. Furthermore, we performed phylogenetic analysis with various SARS-CoV-2 sequences deposited in the public database. Hundreds of variants were reported globally, and one in Japan were found to contain the same mutation. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the variant was very close to other Delta variants endemic in Japan but quite far from the variants containing the same mutation reported from outside Japan, suggesting that the variant would have been sporadically generated in some domestic areas. These findings propose two key points: i) mutations in the region used for SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR can cause abnormal amplification curves; therefore, the qRT-PCR result should not just be judged in an automated manner, but also manually checked by the examiner to prevent false-negative results, and ii) various mutations can be generated sporadically and unpredictably; therefore, efficient and robust screening systems are needed to promptly monitor the emergence of de novo variants.
Strategy for a rapid screening and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants by real time RT-PCR: a key tool that allowed control and delay in Delta spread in Cordoba, Argentina
Authors: Castro Gonzalo M. , Sicilia Paola , Bolzon María Laura , López Laura , Barbás María Gabriela , Pisano María Belén , Ré Viviana E. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundSARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) and interest (VOI) present mutations in reference to the original virus, being more transmissible. We implemented a rapid strategy for the screening of SARS-CoV-2 VOC/VOIs using real time RT-PCR and performed monitoring and surveillance of the variants in our region.Methodsconsecutive real-time RT-PCRs for detection of the relevant mutations/deletions present in the Spike protein in VOC/VOIs (TaqMan™ SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Panel, Applied Biosystems) were implemented. An algorithm was established and 3941 SARS-CoV-2 RNA samples (Cts<30) obtained from oropharyngeal swabs from infected individuals in Córdoba, Argentina, between January and October 2021, were analyzed.Resultsthe strategy of choice included a first screening of 3 mutations (N501Y, E484K, L452R) followed by the detection of other mutations/deletions based on the results. The analyses of the samples showed introductions of VOCs Alpha and Gamma in February and March 2021, respectively. Since then, Alpha presented a low to moderate circulation (1.7% of the SARS-CoV-2 currently detected). Gamma showed an exponential increase, with a peak of detection in July (72%), until reaching a current frequency of 41.1%. VOC Delta was first detected in July in travellers and currently represents 35% of detections in the community. VOI Lambda presented a gradual increase, showing a current frequency of 29%.Conclusionswe report a useful tool for VOC/VOI detection, innovative for Argentina, capable to quickly and cost-effectively monitor currently recognized variants. It was key in the early detection of Delta, being able to implement measures to delay its dissemination.
Mutant IDH Inhibitors Induce Lineage Differentiation in IDH-mutant Oligodendroglioma
Authors: Spitzer Avishay , Gritsch Simon , Weisman Hannah R. , Gonzalez Castro L. Nicolas , Nomura Masashi , Druck Nicholas , Chanoch-Myers Rony , Lee Christine K. , Nagashima Hiroaki , Miller Julie J. , Arrillaga-Romany Isabel , Louis David N. , Wakimoto Hiroaki , Pisano Will , Wen Patrick Y. , Ligon Keith L. , Cahill Daniel P. , Suvà Mario L. , Tirosh Itay 
Published: November 2021

SummaryRecent data showed promising signs of objective tumor responses in subsets of patients with low grade glioma treated with inhibitors of mutant IDH (IDHi) (1). However, the molecular and cellular underpinnings of such responses are not known. Here, we profiled 6,039 transcriptomes by single-cell or single-nucleus RNA-sequencing isolated from three IDH-mutant oligodendroglioma patients with clinical response to IDHi. Importantly, the tissues were sampled on-drug, four weeks from treatment initiation and our dataset includes a matched pre- and on-treatment sample pair. We integrate our findings with analysis of 8,241 transcriptomes from seven untreated samples, 134 bulk samples from the TCGA and experimental models.(2,3) We find that IDHi treatment induces a robust differentiation towards glial lineages, accompanied by a depletion of stem-like cells and a reduction of cell proliferation. Our study provides the first evidence in patients of the differentiating potential of IDHi on the cellular hierarchies that drive oligodendrogliomas.
HLA-A*03:01 is associated with increased risk of fever, chills, and more severe reaction to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Bolze Alexandre , Neveux Iva , Barrett Kelly M. Schiabor , White Simon , Isaksson Magnus , Dabe Shaun , Lee William , Grzymski Joseph J. , Washington Nicole L. , Cirulli Elizabeth T. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective, but some individuals experience unpleasant reactions to vaccination. As the majority of adults in the US have received a COVID-19 vaccine this year, there is an unprecedented opportunity to study the genetics of reactions to vaccination via surveys of individuals who are already part of genetic research studies. Here, we have queried 17,440 participants in the Helix DNA Discovery Project and Healthy Nevada Project about their reactions to COVID-19 vaccination. Our GWAS identifies an association between severe difficulties with daily routine after vaccination and HLA-A*03:01. This association was statistically significant only for those who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2; p=4.70E-11), but showed a trending association in those who received the Moderna vaccine (mRNA-1273; p=0.005) despite similar sample sizes for study. In Pfizer-BioNTech recipients, HLA-A*03:01 was associated with a two-fold increase in risk of severe vaccine reactions. The effect was consistent across ages, sexes, and whether the person had previously had a COVID-19 infection. The reactions experienced by HLA-A*03:01 carriers were driven by associations with chills, fever, fatigue, and in general feeling unwell.
Association between Fat-Infiltrated Axillary Lymph Nodes on Screening Mammography and Cardiometabolic Disease
Authors: Song Qingyuan , diFlorio-Alexander Roberta M. , Patel Sohum D. , Sieberg Ryan T. , Margron Michael J. , Ansari Saif M. , Karagas Margaret R. , Mackenzie Todd A. , Hassanpour Saeed 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveEctopic fat deposition within and around organs is a stronger predictor of cardiometabolic disease status than body mass index. Fat deposition within the lymphatic system is poorly understood. This study examined the association between the prevalence of cardiometabolic disease and ectopic fat deposition within axillary lymph nodes (LNs) visualized on screening mammograms.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 834 women presenting for full-field digital screening mammography. The status of fat-infiltrated LNs was assessed based on the size and morphology of axillary LNs from screening mammograms. The prevalence of cardiometabolic disease was retrieved from the electronic medical records, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, dyslipidemia, high blood glucose, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.ResultsFat-infiltrated axillary LNs were associated with a high prevalence of T2DM among all women (adjusted odds ratio: 3.92, 95% CI: [2.40, 6.60], p-value < 0.001) and in subgroups of women with and without obesity. Utilizing the status of fatty LNs improved the classification of T2DM status in addition to age and BMI (1.4% improvement in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve).ConclusionFat-infiltrated axillary LNs visualized on screening mammograms were associated with the prevalence of T2DM. If further validated, fat-infiltrated axillary LNs may represent a novel imaging biomarker of T2DM in women undergoing screening mammography.
Trajectory of rich club properties in structural brain networks
Authors: Riedel Levin , van den Heuvel Martijn P. , Markett Sebastian 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMany organizational principles of structural brain networks are established before birth and undergo considerable developmental changes afterwards. These include the topologically central hub regions and a densely connected rich club. While several studies have mapped developmental trajectories of brain connectivity and brain network organization across childhood and adolescence, comparatively little is known about subsequent development over the course of the lifespan. Here, we present a cross-sectional analysis of structural brain network development in N = 8,066 participants aged 5 to 80 years. Across all brain regions, structural connectivity strength followed an ‘inverted-U’-shaped trajectory with vertex in the early 30s. Connectivity strength of hub regions showed a similar trajectory and the identity of hub regions remained stable across all age groups. While connectivity strength declined with advancing age, the organization of hub regions into a rich club did not only remain intact but became more pronounced, presumingly through a selected sparing of relevant connections from age-related connectivity loss. The stability of rich club organization in the face of overall age-related decline is consistent with a “first come, last served” model of neurodevelopment, where the first principles to develop are the last to decline with age. Rich club organization has been shown to be highly beneficial for communicability and higher cognition. A resilient rich club might thus be protective of a functional loss in late adulthood and represent a neural reserve to sustain cognitive functioning in the aging brain.
The evidence for anthocyanins in the betalain-pigmented genus Hylocereus is weak
Authors: Pucker Boas , Brockington Samuel F. 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTHere we respond to Zhou et al., 2020 “Combined Transcriptome and Metabolome analysis of Pitaya fruit unveiled the mechanisms underlying Peel and pulp color formation” published in BMC Genomics. Given the evolutionary conserved anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in betalain-pigmented species, we are open to the idea that species with both anthocyanins and betalains might exist. However, in absence of LC-MS/MS spectra, apparent lack of biological replicates, and no comparison to authentic standards, the findings of Zhou et al., 2020 are not a strong basis to propose the presence of anthocyanins in betalain-pigmented pitaya. In addition, our re-analysis of the datasets indicates the misidentification of important genes and the omission of key anthocyanin synthesis genes ANS and DFR. Finally, our re-analysis of the RNA-Seq dataset reveals no correlation between anthocyanin biosynthesis gene expression and pigment status.
VIVID: a web application for variant interpretation and visualisation in multidimensional analyses
Authors: Tichkule Swapnil , Myung Yoochan , Naung Myo T. , Ansell Brendan R. E. , Guy Andrew J. , Srivastava Namrata , Mehra Somya , Caccio Simone M. , Mueller Ivo , Barry Alyssa E. , van Oosterhout Cock , Pope Bernard , Ascher David B. , Jex Aaron R. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLarge-scale comparative genomics- and population genetic studies generate enormous amounts of polymorphism data in the form of DNA variants. Ultimately, the goal of many of these studies is to associate genetic variants to phenotypes or fitness. We introduce VIVID, an interactive, user-friendly web application that integrates a wide range of approaches for encoding genotypic to phenotypic information in any organism or disease, from an individual or population, in three-dimensional (3D) space. It allows mutation mapping and annotation, calculation of interactions and conservation scores, prediction of harmful effects, analysis of diversity and selection, and 3-dimensional (3D) visualisation of genotypic information encoded in Variant Call Format (VCF) on AlphaFold2 protein models. VIVID enables the rapid assessment of genes of interest in the study of adaptive evolution and the genetic load, and it helps prioritising targets for experimental validation. We demonstrate the utility of VIVID by exploring the evolutionary genetics of the parasitic protistPlasmodium falciparum, revealing geographic variation in the signature of balancing selection in potential targets of functional antibodies.