bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Robotic Direct Inguinal Hernia Repair: To Plicate or Not to Plicate?
Authors: Kudsi Omar Y. , Bou-Ayash Naseem , Gokcal Fahri , Chang Karen 
Published: July 2021

Background:
Closure of the direct inguinal defect with plication in minimally invasive direct inguinal hernia repair may have potential benefits in terms of reducing postoperative surgical site events (SSEs) and recurrences. However, these advantages remain unclear, particularly in the robotic literature. This is the first comparative study to investigate the outcomes after robotic direct inguinal hernia repair (RDIHR) with defect plication.

Materials and Methods:
Among patients who underwent RIHR between 2013 and 2020, those who underwent RDIHR were selected. Patients were then stratified into 2 groups based on defect plication status, and univariate analyses were used to compare variables across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative timeframes.

Results:
A total of 225 RDIHRs were performed in 176 patients, where 74 were assigned to the Plication (+) group and 102 patients were assigned to the Plication (−) group. There was a significantly higher proportion of females in the Plication (−) group (10.8% vs. 1.4%, P=0.015), which accounts for the higher incidence of accompanying femoral hernias in this group. While most M1 hernia defects were left patent, most M2 and M3 hernias were plicated. Larger mesh sizes were used in the Plication (+) group (P<0.001). Three SSEs were observed in the Plication (−) group versus 2 SSEs in the Plication (+) group. No significant differences in postoperative outcomes were found between the 2 groups.

Conclusions:
Postoperative seroma incidence, pain scores, and recurrence rates were similar between the 2 study groups. Multicenter studies with larger populations and higher complication counts are needed to establish the role of defect plication in RDIHR.
The Effect of Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach on Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Ozyurt Erhan , Dinc Bulent 
Published: July 2021

Background:
Decreased regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) is associated with neurological events. We aimed to investigate the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation applied to the neck during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) surgery on the rSO2.

Materials and Methods:
Patients scheduled for TOETVA and open thyroidectomy (OT) were enrolled between October 2019 and November 2020. Alongside hemodynamic parameters, the rSO2 values of the patients were recorded at 5 different times. These were; before anesthesia induction (T0), 10 minutes after anesthesia induction (T1), 5 minutes after the patient was placed in the operation position (T2), 10 minutes after the CO2 insufflation in the TOETVA group, 10 minutes after the platysma incision in the OT group (T3), 10 minutes after the CO2 desufflation in the TOETVA group, 10 minutes after platysma closure in the OT group (T4), at the end of the surgery (T5).

Results:
A total of 40 patients, 20 in each group, were included in the study. The surgery duration was 113±26.9 minutes in the OT group, while it was 274.1±78.1 minutes in the TOETVA group (P=0.000). The EtCO2 values during the T3 time interval; group OT 31±2.2, group TOETVA 33.9±2.1 (P=0.000). The rSO2 values of the patients were similar, except for the T3 time interval. While the right rSO2 value we obtained during the T3 time interval in the TOETVA and OT groups were 66.9±9.1 and 73.9±7.8 (P=0.013), the left rSO2 value in the TOETVA and OT groups were 66.3±9.9 and 74.8±6.8 (P=0.003), respectively.

Conclusions:
As long as the patients stay within the limits of normocapnia, the CO2 insufflation applied during TOETVA surgery has no negative effects on rSO2.
Overview of behavioural and psychological consequences of COVID 19
Authors: Kendrick Kevin , Isaac Mohan 
Published: July 2021

Purpose of review
The paper aims to provide an overview of the psychological and behavioural impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on variations in behavioural response in different geographical areas due to the existence of different social-cultural contexts.

Recent findings
Whilst anxiety, depression and economic stressors are common findings worldwide, specific behavioural responses are heavily influenced by government stances, misinformation, conspiratorialism and competing demands of resource scarcity. This has led to very different understandings of the pandemic even in geographically close areas, and more so when comparing disparate regions such as Africa, South America and Europe. The paper also comments on the absence of robust evidence regarding increases of suicidality and violence on a global level, whilst noting evidence certainly exists in specific regions.

Summary
The psychological and behavioural impact of COVID is heavily influenced by the local lens. Beyond a very broad brush approaches, expected behaviours from one area cannot easily be extrapolated to others. Where possible, clinicians should be guided by local data, ideally placing expectations of responses in a cultural context.
Early multidrug treatment of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and decreased case fatality rates in Honduras
Authors: Ontai Sidney , Zeng Li , Hoffman Miguel Sierra , Pascua Fernando Valerio , VanBuren Vincent , McCullough Peter A 
Published: July 2021

AbstractINTRODUCTIONWithin 2 months of first detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Honduras, its government promoted nationwide implementation of multi-drug COVID-19 inpatient and outpatient treatment protocols. This was associated with a case fatality rate decrease from 9.33% to 2.97%. No decrease was seen in Mexico, a similar Latin American country that did not introduce multi-drug treatment protocols at that time.OBJECTIVEThe primary objective of the study was to use statistical process control to assess the likelihood that the decrease in case fatality rate in Honduras was due to chance, using Mexico as a control country.METHODSFourteen day running average COVID-19 case fatality rates in Honduras and Mexico were used to create Shewhart control charts during the first 6 months of the epidemic. The date of implementation in Honduras of the inpatient and outpatient multi-drug COVID-19 protocols were plotted on control charts, with a Mexican COVID-19 case fatality control chart for comparison.RESULTSThe case fatality rate for COVID-19 in Honduras dropped below the lower control limit 9 days after implementation of an inpatient and outpatient multi-drug therapeutic protocol, from an average 9.33% case fatality rate to 5.01%. The Honduran COVID-19 case fatality rate again dropped below the lower control limit to 2.97%, 17 days after launching a substantial government program to make the protocol medications accessible to underserved areas. Shewhart control chart plots of case fatality rates in Honduras suggest a plausible temporal association between the implementation dates of both the initial protocol implementation on May 3, 2020, and the outreach effort on June 10, 2020, and statistically significant control chart anomalies. No control chart anomalies were seen during that time in Mexico.CONCLUSIONDecreases in COVID-19 case fatality rates in Honduras were associated with both the initial publication a multi-drug COVID-19 therapeutic protocol and a subsequent outreach program.
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity determines estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer dormancy and reacquisition of an epithelial state drives awakening
Authors: Aouad Patrick , Zhang Yueyun , Stibolt Céline , Mani Sendurai A. , Sflomos George , Brisken Cathrin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEstrogen receptor α-positive (ER+) breast cancers (BCs) represent more than 70% of all breast cancers and pose a particular clinical challenge because they recur up to decades after initial diagnosis and treatment. The mechanisms governing tumor cell dormancy and latent disease remain elusive due to a lack of adequate models. Here, we compare tumor progression of ER+ and triple-negative (TN) BC subtypes with a clinically relevant mouse intraductal xenografting approach (MIND). Both ER+ and TN BC cells disseminate already during thein situstage. However, TN disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) proliferate at the same rate as cells at the primary site and give rise to macro-metastases. ER+ DTCs have low proliferative indices, form only micro-metastases and lose epithelial characteristics. Expression ofCDH1is decreased whereas the mesenchymal markerVIMand the transcription factors,ZEB1/ZEB2,which control epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) are increased. EMP is not detected earlier during ER+ BC development and not required for invasion or metastasis.In vivo, forced transition to the epithelial state through ectopic E-cadherin expression overcomes dormancy with increased growth of lung metastases. We conclude that EMP is essential for the generation of a dormant cell state and the development of latent disease. Targeting exit from EMP is of therapeutic potential.
Echocardiographic characterisation in critical Covid19 - an observational study
Authors: Isackson Henrik , Larsson Anders , Lipcsey Miklos , Frithiof Robert , Flachskampf Frank A. , Hultström Michael 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the acute cardiac effects of severe SARS-CoV-2.MethodsThis is an observational study generated from the first 79 patients admitted to Uppsala intensive care due to respiratory failure with SARS-CoV-2 infection. 34 underwent echocardiography of which 25 were included in the study and compared to 44 non-echo patients. Exclusion was based on absence of normofrequent sinus rhythm and mechanical respiratory support. Biomarker analysis was carried out on all patients.ResultsMortality was increased in the echo compared to non-echo group (44 % vs. 16%, p<0.05). Right sided dimensions and functional parameters were not affected. Tricuspid regurgitation velocity indicated how increased pulmonary artery pressure was associated with mortality (survivors (n=5): 2.51 ± 0.01 m/s vs. non-survivors (n=5): 3.06 ± 0.11 m/s, p<0.05). Cardiac markers and D-dimer correlated to initiation of echocardiography (hs-TnI (ng/L): echo (n=23): 133 ± 45 vs. non-echo (n=41): 81.3 ± 45, p<0.01; NTproBNP (ng/L): echo (n=25): 2959 ± 573 vs. non-echo (n=42): 1641 ± 420, p<0.001; D-dimer (mg/L): echo (n=25): 16.1 ± 3.7 vs. non-echo (n=43: 6.1 ± 1.5, p<0.01) and mortality (hs-TnI (ng/L): survivors (n=48): 59.1 ± 21 vs. non-survivors (n=17): 211 ± 105, p<0.0001; NT-proBNP (ng/L): survivors (n=47): 1310 ± 314 vs. non-survivors (n=20): 4065 ± 740, p<0.0001; D-dimer (mg/L): survivors (n=50): 7.2 ± 1.5 vs. non-survivors (n=18): 17.1 ± 4.8, p<0.01). All intervals refer to standard error of the mean. Tricuspid regurgitation velocity was correlated with troponin I (r=0.93, r2=0.74, p<0.001, n=10).ConclusionsThese results suggest that there is no clear negative effect on cardiac function in critical SARS-CoV-2. There are indications that pulmonary pressure elevation carries a negative predictive outcome suggesting pulmonary disease as the driver of mortality. Cardiac biomarkers as well as D-dimer carry predictive value.Trial registration numberPatients were included in “Clinical trials NCT04316884”Article summaryStrength and limitations of this study-The patient body is recruited from all patients admitted to ICU in need of mechanical respiratory support independent of background which makes it relevant to clinical practice.-The echocardiographic image acquisition was carried out by hospital assigned agents on clinical indication, which makes the results applicable in a clinical setting.-Since the image acquisition was carried out on a clinical indication, the results may be skewed towards the false positive if applied to all Covid19 patients.
Robust antibody levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Ali Hamad , AlTerki Abdelmohsen , Sindhu Sardar , Alahmad Barrak , Hammad Maha , Al-Sabah Salman , Alghounaim Mohammad , Jamal Mohammad H. , Aldei Ali , Mairza Mohammad J. , Husain Maitham , Deverajan Sriraman , Ahmad Rasheed , Cherian Preethi , Alkhairi Irina , Alkandari Abdullah , Abubaker Jehad , Abu-Farha Mohamed , Al-Mulla Fahd 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe emergence of effective vaccines for COVID-19 has been welcomed by the world with great optimism. Given their increased susceptibility to COVID-19, the question arises whether individuals with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and other metabolic conditions can respond effectively to the mRNA-based vaccine. We aimed to evaluate the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and neutralizing antibodies in people with T2DM and/or other metabolic risk factors (hypertension and obesity) compared to those without. This study included 262 people that took two doses of BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) mRNA vaccine. Both T2DM and non-diabetic individuals had a robust response to vaccination as demonstrated by their high antibody titers. However, both SARS-CoV-2 IgG and neutralizing antibodies titers were lower in people with T2DM. Their levels were 154±49.1 vs. 138±59.4BAU/mL for IgG and 87.1±11.6 vs. 79.7±19.5% for neutralizing antibodies in individuals without diabetes compared to those with T2DM, respectively. In a multiple linear regression adjusted for individual characteristics, comorbidities, previous COVID-19 infection and duration since second vaccine dose, diabetics had 13.86 BAU/ml (95%CI: -27.08 to -0.64BAU/ml, p=0.041) less IgG antibodies and 4.42% (95%CI: -8.53 to -0.32%, p=0.036) less neutralizing antibodies than non-diabetics. Hypertension and obesity did not show significant changes in antibody titers. Taken together, both type-2 diabetic and non-diabetic individuals elicited strong immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine; nonetheless, lower levels were seen in people with diabetes. Continuous monitoring of the antibody levels might be a good indicator to guide personalized needs for further booster shots to maintain adaptive immunity.
PCRMS: a database of predicted cis-regulatory modules and constituent transcription factor binding sites in genomes
Authors: Ni Pengyu , Su Zhengchang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMore accurate and more complete predictions of cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) and constituent transcriptional factor (TF) binding sites (TFBSs) in genomes can facilitate characterizing functions of regulatory sequences. Here, we developed a database PCRMS (https://cci-bioinfo.uncc.edu) that stores highly accurate and unprecedentedly complete maps of predicted CRMs and TFBSs in the human and mouse genomes. The web interface allows the user to browse CRMs and TFBSs in an organism, find the closest CRMs to a gene, search CRMs around a gene, and find all TFBSs of a TF. PCRMS can be a useful resource for the research community to characterize regulatory genomes.
Tropomyosin isoforms segregate into distinct clusters on single actin filaments
Authors: Obeidy Peyman , Sobey Thomas , Nicovich Philip R. , Coster Adelle C. F. , Pandzic Elvis 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTropomyosins (Tpm) are rod-shaped proteins that interact head-to-tail to form a continuous polymer along both sides of most cellular actin filaments. Head-to-tail interaction between adjacent Tpm molecules and the formation of an overlap complex between them leads to the assembly of actin filaments with one type of Tpm isoform in time and space. Variations in the affinity of tropomyosin isoforms for different actin structures are proposed as a potential sorting mechanism. However, the detailed mechanisms of spatio-temporal sorting of Tpms remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the early intermediates during actin-tropomyosin filament assembly, using skeletal/cardiac Tpm isoform (Tpm1.1) and a cytoskeletal isoform (Tpm1.6) that differ only in the last 27 amino acids. We investigated how the muscle isoform Tpm1.1 and the cytoskeletal isoform Tpm1.6 nucleate domains on the actin filament and tested whether (1) recruitment is affected by the actin isoform (muscle vs cytoskeletal) and (2) whether there is specificity in recruiting the same isoform to a domain at these early stages. To address these questions, actin filaments were exposed to low concentrations of fluorescent tropomyosins in solution. The filaments were immobilized onto glass coverslips and the pattern of decoration was visualized by TIRF microscopy. We show that at the early assembly stage, tropomyosins formed multiple distinct fluorescent domains (here termed “cluster“) on the actin filaments. An automated image analysis algorithm was developed and validated to identify clusters and estimate the number of tropomyosins in each cluster. The analysis showed that tropomyosin isoform sorting onto an actin filament is unlikely to be driven by a preference for nucleating on the corresponding muscle or cytoskeletal actin isoforms but rather is facilitated by a higher probability of incorporating the same tropomyosin isoforms into an early assembly intermediate. We showed that the 27 amino acids at the end of each tropomyosin seem to provide enough molecular information for attachment of the same tropomyosin isoforms adjacent to each other on an actin filament. This results in the formation of homogeneous clusters composed of the same isoform rather than clusters with mixed isoforms.
PiRATeMC: A highly flexible, scalable, and affordable system for obtaining high quality video recordings for behavioral neuroscience
Authors: Centanni Samuel W. , Smith Alexander C.W. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWith the recent development and rapidly accelerating adoption of machine-learning based rodent behavioral tracking tools such as DeepLabCut, there is an unmet need for a method of acquiring video data that is scalable, flexible, and affordable. Many experimenters use webcams, GoPros, or other commercially available cameras that are not only relatively expensive, but offer very little flexibility over recording parameters. These cameras are not ideal for recording many types of behavioral experiments, and can lead to suboptimal video quality. Furthermore when using relatively affordable commercially available products, it is a challenge, if not impossible, to synchronize multiple cameras with each other, or to interface with third-party equipment (for example, receiving a simple trigger to simultaneously start recording, or acting as a microcontroller for closed-loop experiments). We have developed an affordable ecosystem of behavioral recording equipment, PiRATeMC (Pi-basedRemoteAcquisitionTechnology forMotionCapture), that relies on Raspberry Pi Camera Boards that are able to acquire high quality recordings in bright light, low light, or dark conditions under infrared light. PiRATeMC offers users control over nearly every recording parameter, and can be fine-tuned to produce optimal video data in any behavioral arena. This setup can easily be scaled up and synchronously controlled in clusters via a self-contained network to record a large number of simultaneous behavioral sessions without burdening institutional network infrastructure. Furthermore, the Raspberry Pi is an excellent platform for novice and inexperienced programmers interested in using an open-source recording system, with a large online community that is very active in developing novel open-source tools. It easily interfaces with Arduinos and other microcontrollers, allowing simple synchronization and interfacing of video recording with nearly any behavioral equipment using GPIO pins to send or receive 3.3V or 5V (TTL) signals, I2C, or serial communication.
Taxonomic repositioning of twelveXanthomonas campestris, sevenXanthomonas axonopodisand onePseudomonas cissicolareference pathovars toXanthomonas citri
Authors: Bansal Kanika , Kumar Sanjeet , Patil Prabhu B. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHere on the basis of phylo-taxonogenomics criteria we present amended description of 20 pathovars toXanthomonas citrimajority (18/20) of which were first reported from India. 7/20 are currently classified asX. axonopodis, 12/20 asX. campestrisand 1/20 asPseudomonas cissicola. Here, we have generated genome sequence data for 4 pathovars and genomes of remaining 16 were used from the published data. Genome based investigation reveals that all these pathovars belong toX. citriand not toX. axonopodisorX. campestrisas previously reported. Present proposal is to aid in resolving the taxonomic confusion of theX. ctiripathovars and prevent future usage of invalid names.
Differential Interactions Between Human ACE2 and Spike RBD of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Authors: Kim Seonghan , Liu Yi , Lei Zewei , Dicker Jeffrey , Cao Yiwei , Zhang X. Frank , Im Wonpil 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is known that the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, initiating the entry of SARS-CoV-2. Since its emergence, a number of SARS-CoV-2 variants have been reported, and the variants that show high infectivity are classified as the variants of concern according to the US CDC. In this study, we performed both all-atom steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations and microscale thermophoresis (MST) experiments to characterize the binding interactions between ACE2 and RBD of all current variants of concern (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta) and two variants of interest (Epsilon and Kappa). We report that the RBD of the Alpha (N501Y) variant requires the highest amount of force initially to be detached from ACE2 due to the N501Y mutation in addition to the role of N90-glycan, followed by Beta/Gamma (K417N/T, E484K, and N501Y) or Delta (L452R and T478K) variant. Among all variants investigated in this work, the RBD of the Epsilon (L452R) variant is relatively easily detached from ACE2. Our results combined SMD simulations and MST experiments indicate what makes each variant more contagious in terms of RBD and ACE2 interactions. This study could help develop new drugs to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry effectively.Abstract FigureTOC Graphic
Metabolite patterns of patients with peripheral arterial disease in response to exercise
Authors: Bellomo Tiffany R. , Tsao Noah L. , Johnston-Cox Hillary , Borkowski Kamil , Shakt Gabrielle , Judy Renae , Moore Jonni S. , Ractcliffe Sarah J. , Fiehn Oliver , Mohler Emile , Newman John W. , Damrauer Scott M. 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTSupervised exercise therapy (SET) is an effective intervention for symptomatic peripheral artery disease. Its effect on metabolism, measured by the circulating metabolome is not well understood. Participants underwent the Gardner graded treadmill test before and after SET and blood was sampled before and after each treadmill test. We tested the average association of metabolite levels with timing of blood draws. We used five models to identify metabolites or changes in metabolites at specific time points that associate with treadmill test performance or inter-individual variability in functional performance after SET. When analyzing individual time points, high levels of anandamide (AEA) before any exercise interventions were associated with shorter, or worse, walking time. Increased arachidonic acid (AA) and decreased levels of AA precursors (dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and diacylglycerol) before any exercise was associated with shorter walking times. Participants who tolerated large increases in AA during acute exercise had longer, or better, walking times before and after SET. We identified two pathways of relevance to individual response to SET: AEA synthesis may increase the activity at endocannabinoid receptors, resulting in worse treadmill test performance. SET may help train patients withstand higher levels of AA and inflammatory signaling, resulting in longer walking times.