bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utilization Trends and Volume-outcomes Relationship of Endoscopic Resection for Early Stage Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Jawitz Nicole G. , Raman Vignesh , Jawitz Oliver K. , Shimpi Rahul A. , Wood Richard K. , Hartwig Matthew G. , D’Amico Thomas A. 
Published: March 2021

Objectives:
We describe utilization trends and center volume-outcomes relationship of ER of early stage esophageal cancer using a large hospitalbased registry.

Summary of Background Data:
ER is increasingly accepted as the preferred treatment for early stage esophageal cancer, however its utilization and the center volume-outcomes relationship in the United States is unknown.

Methods:
The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with cT1N0M0 esophageal cancer treated with ER or esophagectomy between 2004 and 2015. Relative frequencies were plotted over time. Restricted cubic splines and maximally selected rank statistics were used to identify an inflection point of center volume and survival.

Results:
A total of 1136 patients underwent ER and 2829 patients underwent esophagectomy during the study period. Overall utilization of ER, and relative use compared to esophagectomy, increased throughout the study period. Median annualized center ER volume was 1.9 cases per year (interquartile range 0.5–5.8). Multivariable Cox regression showed increasing annualized center volume by 1 case per year was associated with improved survival. Postoperative 30- or 90-day mortality, 30-day readmission, and pathologic T upstaging rates were similar irrespective of center volume.

Conclusions:
Utilization of ER compared to esophagectomy for stage I esophageal cancer has increased over the past decade, though many individual centers perform fewer than 1 case annually. increasing annualized center volume by one procedure per year was associated with improved survival. increased volume beyond this was not associated with survival benefit. Referral to higher volume centers for treatment of superficial esophageal cancer should be considered.
Patient-reported Comorbidity Assessment After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Chao Grace F. , Bonham Aaron J. , Ross Rachel , Stricklen Amanda , Ghaferi Amir A. 
Published: March 2021

Objective:
To determine the accuracy of postoperative patient-reported comorbidity assessment, as it may be an important mechanism for long-term follow-up in surgical patients.

Summary of Background Data:
Less than 1% of patients who qualify actually undergo bariatric surgery which may be due to concerns surrounding long-term efficacy. Longitudinal follow-up of patients’ comorbidities remains a challenge.

Methods:
Retrospective, cross-sectional study of bariatric surgery patients from 38 sites within a state-wide collaborative from 2017 to 2018. A minimum of 10 and maximum of 20 responses to a 1-year postoperative questionnaire from each site were randomly sampled. We examined percent agreement between patient-reported and medical chart audit comorbidity assessment and further evaluated agreement by intraclass correlation or κ statistic. Postoperative comorbidities assessed include weight, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, depression, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anxiety, and pain.

Results:
Five hundred eighty-five patients completed postoperative questionnaires after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The response rate was 64% during the study period. Patients reported weight with a mean difference of 2.7 lbs from chart weight (intraclass correlation = 0.964). Agreement between patient report and audit for all comorbidities was above 80% except for GERD (71%). κ statistics were greater than 0.6 (good agreement) for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and depression. Anxiety (κ = 0.45) and obstructive sleep apnea (κ = 0.53) had moderate agreement. Concordance for GERD and pain were fair (both κ = 0.38).

Conclusions:
Patient-reported comorbidity assessment has high levels of agreement with medical chart audit for many comorbidities and can improve understanding of long-term outcomes. This will better inform patients and providers with hopes of 1 day moving beyond the 1%.
Bariatric Surgery and Risk of Death in Persons With Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Coleman Karen J. , Shu Yu-Hsiang , Fischer Heidi , Johnson Eric , Yoon Tae K. , Taylor Brianna , Imam Talha , DeRose Stephen , Haneuse Sebastien , Herrinton Lisa J. , Fisher David , Li Robert A. , Theis Mary Kay , Liu Liyan , Courcoulas Anita P. , Smith David H. , Arterburn David E. , Friedman Allon N. 
Published: March 2021

Objective:
A retrospective cohort study investigated the association between having surgery and risk of mortality for up to 5 years and if this association was modified by incident ESRD during the follow-up period. Summary of Background Data: Mortality risk in individuals with pre-dialysis CKD is high and few effective treatment options are available. Whether bariatric surgery can improve survival in people with CKD is unclear.

Methods:
Patients with class II and III obesity and pre-dialysis CKD stages 3–5 who underwent bariatric surgery between January 1, 2006 and September 30, 2015 (n = 802) were matched to patients who did not have surgery (n = 4933). Mortality was obtained from state death records and ESRD was identified through state-based or healthcare system-based registries. Cox regression models were used to investigate the association between bariatric surgery and risk of mortality and if this was moderated by incident ESRD during the follow-up period.

Results:
Patients were primarily women (79%), non-Hispanic White (72%), under 65 years old (64%), who had a body mass index >40kg/m2 (59%), diabetes (67%), and hypertension (89%). After adjusting for incident ESRD, bariatric surgery was associated with a 79% lower 5-year risk of mortality compared to matched controls (hazard ratio = 0.21; 95% confidence interval: 0.14–0.32; P < 0.001). Incident ESRD did not moderate the observed association between surgery and mortality (hazard ratio = 1.59; 95% confidence interval: 0.31–8.23; P =0.58).

Conclusions:
Bariatric surgery is associated with a reduction in mortality in pre-dialysis patients regardless of developing ESRD. These findings are significant because patients with CKD are at relatively high risk for death with few efficacious interventions available to improve survival.
Sex Difference in the Tolerance of Hepatic Ischemia-reperfusion Injury and Hepatic Estrogen Receptor Expression According to Age and Macrosteatosis in Healthy Living Liver Donors
Authors: Han Sangbin , Cho Junhun , Wi Wongook , Won Lee Kyo , Hwa Cha Hyun , Lee Sanghoon , Hyun Ahn Joong , Kim Seonwoo , Sung Choi Gyu , Man Kim Jong , Ha Sang Yun , Soo Kim Gaab , Joh Jae-Won 
Published: March 2021

Background.
Hepatic estrogen signaling, which is important in liver injury/recovery, is determined by the level of systemic estrogen and hepatic estrogen receptor. We aimed to evaluate whether females’ advantage in the tolerance of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury decreases according to the age of 40 y (systemic estrogen decrease) and macrosteatosis (hepatic estrogen receptor decrease).

Methods.
We included 358 living liver donors (128 female and 230 male individuals). The tolerance of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury was determined by the slope of the linear regression line modeling the relationship between the duration of intraoperative hepatic ischemia and the peak postoperative transaminase level. Estrogen receptor content was measured in the biopsied liver samples using immunohistochemistry.

Results.
In the whole cohort, the regression slope for aspartate transaminase was comparable between female and male individuals (P = 0.940). Within the subgroup of donors aged ≤40 y, the regression slope was significantly smaller in female individuals (P = 0.031), whereas it was comparable within donors aged >40 y (P = 0.867). Within the subgroup of nonmacrosteatotic donors aged ≤40 y, the regression slope was significantly smaller in female individuals in univariable (P = 0.002) and multivariable analysis (P = 0.006), whereas the sex difference was not found within macrosteatotic donors aged ≤40 y (P = 0.685). Estrogen receptor content was significantly greater in female individuals within nonmacrosteatotic donors aged ≤40 y (P = 0.021), whereas it was not different in others of age >40 y or with macrosteatosis (P = 0.450).

Conclusions.
The tolerance of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury was greater in female individuals than in male individuals only when they were <40 y and without macrosteatosis. The results were in agreement with the hepatic estrogen receptor immunohistochemistry study.
Range and Consistency of Infection Outcomes Reported in Trials Conducted in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chan Samuel , Au Eric , Johnson David W. , Hawley Carmel M. , Tong Allison , Pascoe Elaine M. , Craig Jonathan C. , Sautenet Benedicte , Blumberg Emily A. , Brennan Daniel , Campbell Scott B. , Cao Christopher , Francis Ross S. , Huuskes Brooke , Isbel Nicole M. , Knoll Greg , Kotton Camille N. , Mamode Nizam , Muller Elmi , An Ha Phan Hai , Tedesco-Silva Helio , White David M. , Wolley Martin J. , Viecelli Andrea K. 
Published: March 2021

Background.
Infection remains a leading cause of death in kidney transplant recipients. This study aimed to assess the scope and consistency of infection outcomes reported in contemporary trials conducted in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods.
A literature review of all randomized trials and trial protocols reporting infection outcomes in adult kidney transplant recipients was identified in the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Specialized Register from January 2014 to July 2019. Characteristics and infection outcomes from the trials were analyzed.

Results.
From 102 included trials, 772 outcome measures were extracted and categorized into 216 unique measures with a median of 3.2 outcome measures per trial (range: 1–9). Measures were further grouped into 32 outcomes based on site of infection (14 outcomes) and organism (18 outcomes). The most commonly reported site-specific outcome and organism-specific outcome were systemic infection (71% trials) and cytomegalovirus infection (62% trials), respectively. Outcome metric and methods of aggregation included mean, median, proportion, proportional change, and number of patients with at least 1 episode. Across all trials, measures were assessed at 55 different time points with a range of 1–11 time points per trial.

Conclusions.
Infection outcomes in kidney transplant recipients were frequently reported by site and organism but varied widely in terms of outcome, metrics, method of aggregation, and time point of measurement. Establishment of core outcomes for infection based on the shared priorities of patients/caregivers and health professionals may improve the consistency, comparability, and usefulness of trial evidence
A single dose of SARS-CoV-2 FINLAY-FR-1A dimeric-RBD recombinant vaccine enhances neutralization response in COVID-19 convalescents, with excellent safety profile. A preliminary report of an open-label phase 1 clinical trial
Authors: Chang-Monteagudo Arturo , Ochoa-Azze Rolando , Climent-Ruiz Yanet , Macías-Abraham Consuelo , Rodríguez-Noda Laura , Valenzuela-Silva Carmen , Sánchez-Ramírez Belinda , Perez-Nicado Rocmira , González-Mugica Raúl , Hernández-García Tays , Orosa-Vázquez Ivette , Díaz-Hernández Marianniz , de los A. García-García María , Jerez-Barceló Yanet , Triana-Marrero Yenisey , Ruiz-Villegas Laura , Rodríguez-Prieto Luis , Puga-Gómez Rinaldo , Guerra-Chaviano Pedro Pablo , Zúñiga-Rosales Yaíma , Marcheco-Teruel Beatriz , Rodríguez-Acosta Mireida , Noa-Romero Enrique , Enríquez-Puertas Juliet , Porto-González Delia , Leon-Monzon Kalet , Chen Guan-Wu , Martinez Luis Herrera , Valdés-Balbín Yury , García-Rivera Dagmar , Vérez-Bencomo Vicente ,   The Soberana 01B Clinical Trial team
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe evaluated response to a single dose of the FINLAY-FR-1A recombinant dimeric-RBD base vaccine during a phase I clinical trial with 30 COVID-19 convalescents, to test its capacity for boosting natural immunity. This short report shows: a) an excellent safety profile one month after vaccination for all participants, similar to that previously found during vaccination of naïve individuals; b) a single dose of vaccine induces a >20 fold increase in antibody response one week after vaccination and remarkably 4-fold higher virus neutralization compared to the median obtained for Cuban convalescent serum panel. These preliminary results prompt initiation of a phase II trial in order to establish a general vaccination protocol for convalescents.
Application of 23 novel serological markers for identifying recent exposure to Plasmodium vivax parasites in an endemic population of western Thailand
Authors: Chotirat Sadudee , Nekkab Narimane , Kumpitak Chalermpon , Hietanen Jenni , White Michael T , Kiattibutr Kirakorn , Sa-angchai Patiwat , Brewster Jessica , Takashima Eizo , Tsuboi Takafumi , Harbers Matthias , Chitnis Chetan , Healer Julie , Tham Wai-Hong , Nguitragool Wang , Mueller Ivo , Sattabongkot Jetsumon , Longley Rhea J 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThailand is aiming for malaria elimination by the year 2030. However, the high proportion of asymptomatic infections and the presence of the hidden hypnozoite stage of Plasmodium vivax are impeding these efforts. We hypothesized that a validated surveillance tool utilizing serological markers of recent exposure to P. vivax infection could help to identify areas of ongoing transmission. The objective of this exploratory study was to assess the ability of P. vivax serological exposure markers to detect residual transmission ‘hot-spots’ in Western Thailand. Total IgG levels were measured against a panel of 23 candidate P. vivax serological exposure markers using a multiplexed bead-based assay. A total of 4255 plasma samples from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2012 of endemic areas in the Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces were assayed. We compared IgG levels with multiple epidemiological factors that are associated with an increased risk of P. vivax infection in Thailand, including age, gender and spatial location, as well as Plasmodium infection status itself. IgG levels to all proteins were significantly higher in the presence of a P. vivax infection (n=144) (t test, p<0.0001). Overall seropositivity rates varied from 2.5% (PVX_097625, merozoite surface protein 8) to 16.8% (PVX_082670, merozoite surface protein 7), with 43% of individuals seropositive to at least 1 protein. Higher IgG levels were associated with older age (>18 years, p<0.05) and males (17/23 proteins, p<0.05), supporting the paradigm that men have a higher risk of infection than females in this setting. We used a Random Forests algorithm to predict which individuals had exposure to P. vivax parasites in the last 9-months, based on their IgG antibody levels to a panel of 8 previously validated P. vivax proteins. Spatial clustering was observed at the village and regional level, with a moderate correlation between PCR prevalence and sero-prevalence as predicted by the algorithm. Our data provides proof-of-concept for application of such surrogate markers as evidence of recent exposure in low transmission areas. These data can be used to better identify geographical areas with asymptomatic infection burdens that can be targeted in elimination campaigns.
Investigation of ventilation conditions associated with CO2 concentration changes in ultrasonographic exam room from the perspective of COVID-19 infection control
Authors: Matsubayashi Roka N , Harada Shino , Tominaga Mitsuhiro 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectivesVentilation is an important factor in preventing COVID-19 infection. To clarify the state of ventilation in ultrasonic exam rooms, as an index of ventilation rate, the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in our exam rooms was measured.MethodsWe measured the CO2 concentration in each exam room before the examination and 0–15 minutes after end of the exam.The subjects were 70 cases (abdomen: 24, breast: 16, neck: 16, and musculoskeletal: 14). In infant cases, one parent accompanied the patient during the examination.ResultsThe highest CO2 concentration was 2261 ppm, observed after the breast examination. In all cases, the CO2 concentration in the exam room was highest immediately after the examination or two minutes after. Almost all cases had recovered to within 120% of the pre-examination CO2 concentrations within 15 minutes after the examination. The average CO2 concentration after ultrasonography was significantly higher for breast examinations than others.ConclusionsEven in a hospital with modern ventilation equipment, the CO2 concentration in the ultrasound room was high after the exam and it takes 15 minutes to recover to the pre-exam state. Care must be taken to ensure adequate ventilation in ultrasonographic facilities.
IFNL4 genetic variant can predispose to COVID-19
Authors: Saponi-Cortes Jose Maria R , Rivas Maria Dolores , Calle Fernando , Sanchez Muñoz-Torrero Juan F , Costo Alberto , Martin Carlos , Zamorano Jose 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInterferon lambda 4 (IFNλ4) has shown antiviral activity against RNA viruses, including some coronaviruses. Besides, genetic variants of IFNL4 can be predictive of clearance of RNA viruses. However, little is known about the effect of these genetic variants on SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we investigated whether there was a relationship of the rs12979860 polymorphism of IFNL4 with COVID-19. We found that the T allele of rs12979860 was overrepresented in the COVID-19 patients with regard to the general population without this disease (36.16% vs. 26.40%, p=6.4×10−4; OR=0.633; 95% CI=0.487,0.824), suggesting this allele could be a risk factor to COVID-19. Accordingly, the CC genotype was significantly lower in COVID-19 patients compared to controls (37.85% vs. 55.51%, p=8×10−5; OR=0.488; 95% CI=0.342,0.698). These results were not affected by sex, age, and disease severity in patients with COVID-19. Our findings suggest that, like other infectious diseases caused by RNA viruses, genetic variants of IFNL4 may predispose to COVID-19. Confirmation of our results could have a substantial impact on the prognosis and treatment of this disease.
Long-term Exposures to Air Pollutants Affect FeNO in Children: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Zhang Yue , Eckel Sandrah P. , Berhane Kiros , Garcia Erika , Muchmore Patrick , Molshatzki Noa Ben-Ari , Rappaport Edward B. , Linn William S. , Habre Rima , Gilliland Frank D. 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTFractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a marker of airway inflammation shown to be responsive to short-term air pollution exposures; however, effects of long-term exposures are uncertain. Using longitudinal assessments of FeNO and air pollutant exposures, we aimed to determine whether FeNO is a marker for chronic effects of air pollution exposures after accounting for short-term exposures effects.FeNO was assessed up to six times 2004-2012 in 3607 schoolchildren from 12 communities in the Southern California Children’s Health Study. Within-community long-term ambient air pollution exposures (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3) were represented by differences between community-specific annual averages and the eight-year average spanning the study period. Linear mixed-effect models estimated within-participant associations of annual average air pollution with current FeNO, controlling for previous FeNO, prior seven-day average pollution, potential confounders, and community-level random intercepts. We considered effect modification by sex, ethnicity, asthma, and allergy at baseline.We found FeNO was positively associated with annual average air pollution, after accounting for short-term exposures. One standard deviation higher annual PM2.5 and NO2 exposures (PM2.5:2.0 μg/m3 ; NO2:2.7 ppb) were associated, respectively, with 4.6% (95%CI:2.3%-6.8%) and 6.5% (95%CI:4.1%-8.9%) higher FeNO. These associations were larger among females. We found little evidence supporting association with PM10 or O3.Annual average PM2.5 and NO2 levels were associated with FeNO in schoolchildren, adding new evidence that long-term exposure affects FeNO beyond the well-documented short-term effects. Longitudinal FeNO measurements may be useful as an early marker of chronic respiratory effects of long-term PM2.5 and NO2 exposures in children.Key messagesWe show strong evidence that long-term exposures to air pollutants affect FeNO, independent of the well-documented associations with short-term exposures to air pollutionLongitudinal FeNO measurements may be useful as an early marker of chronic respiratory effects of long-term air pollution exposures in children.Capsule summaryAnnual average PM2.5 and NO2 were associated with FeNO in schoolchildren, adding new evidence that long-term exposure affects FeNO beyond the well-documented short-term effects.
Dynamic neurogenomic responses to social interactions and dominance outcomes in female paper wasps
Authors: Uy Floria M.K. , Jernigan Christopher M. , Zaba Natalie C. , Mehrotra Eshan , Miller Sara E. , Sheehan Michael J. 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTSocial interactions have large effects on individual physiology and fitness. In the immediate sense, social stimuli are often highly salient and engaging. Over longer time scales, competitive interactions often lead to distinct social ranks and differences in physiology and behavior. Understanding how initial responses lead to longer-term effects of social interactions requires examining the changes in responses over time. Here we examined the effects of social interactions on transcriptomic signatures at two points, at the end of a 45-minute interaction and 4 hours later, in femalePolistes fuscatuspaper wasp foundresses. FemaleP. fuscatushave variable facial patterns that are used for visual individual recognition, so we separately examined the transcriptional dynamics in the optic lobe and the central brain. Results demonstrate much stronger transcriptional responses to social interactions in the central brain compared to the optic lobe. Differentially regulated genes in response to social interactions are enriched for memory-related transcripts. Comparisons between winners and losers of the encounters revealed similar overall transcriptional profiles at the end of an interaction, which significantly diverged over the course of 4 hours, with losers showing changes in expression levels of genes associated with aggression and reproduction in paper wasps. On nests, subordinate foundresses are less aggressive, do more foraging and lay fewer eggs compared to dominant foundresses and we find losers shift expression of many genes, including vitellogenin, related to aggression, worker behavior, and reproduction within hours of losing an encounter. These results highlight the early neurogenomic changes that likely contribute to behavioral and physiological effects of social status changes in a social insect.