bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A forgotten sunspot record during the Maunder Minimum (Jean Charles Gallet, 1677)
Authors: Carrasco Víctor M S , Vaquero José M , Gallego María C 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTWe have located a forgotten record of sunspot observations made by Jean Charles Gallet in the year 1677, in the middle of the Maunder Minimum (the period between 1645 and 1715 characterized by very low solar activity). Gallet observed one sunspot group from April 9 to 15 and another from October 1 to 6. While the group observed in April was also recorded by other astronomers of that time, no observer recorded the group observed by Gallet in 1677 October. Moreover, Gallet indicated the latter group was composed by four different spots and provided astrometric measurements of the main spot. We have calculated the latitudes corresponding to the main sunspot recorded in the October. The mean latitude is around 10º south. Therefore, this sunspot was observed in the southern hemisphere, as were most of the spots observed during the Maunder Minimum.
Black hole evolution in a quantum-gravitational framework
Authors: Park I Y 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
We investigated black hole evolution on a quantum-gravitational scattering framework with the aim of tackling the black hole information paradox. With this setup, various pieces of system information are explicit from the start and unitary evolution is manifest throughout. The scattering amplitudes factorize into a perturbative part and a non-perturbative part. The non-perturbative part is dominated by an instanton-type contribution, i.e. a black hole analogue of the Coleman–De Luccia bounce solution, and we propose that the Hawking radiation be identified with the particles generated by the vacuum decay. Our results indicate that the black hole degrees of freedom are entangled not only with the Hawking modes but also with the pre-Hawking modes. The Wald’s entropy charge measures their entanglement. The full quantum-gravitational entropy is defined as the vacuum expectation value of the Wald entropy charge. With this definition, a shifted Page-like curve is generically generated and its quantum extension is readily defined.
Relationship between political partisanship and COVID-19 deaths: future implications for public health
Authors: Chen Hsueh-Fen , Karim Saleema A 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 has impacted more than 200 countries. However in the USA, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been politically polarized. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between political partisanship and COVID-19 deaths rates in the USA.

Methods
This study used longitudinal county-level panel data, segmented into 10 30-day time periods, consisting of all counties in the USA, from 22 January 2020 to 5 December 2020. The outcome measure is the total number of COVID-19 deaths per 30-day period. The key explanatory variable is county political partisanship, dichotomized as Democratic or Republican. The analysis used a ZINB regression.

Results
When compared with Republican counties, COVID-19 death rates in Democratic counties were significantly higher (IRRs ranged from 2.0 to 18.3, P &lt; 0.001) in Time 1–Time 5, but in Time 9–Time10, were significantly lower (IRRs ranged from 0.43 to 0.69, P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion
The reversed trend in COVID-19 death rates between Democratic and Republican counties was influenced by the political polarized response to the pandemic. The findings support the necessity of evidence-based public health leadership and management in maneuvering the USA out of the current COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future public health crises.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Management
Authors: Duncan Karen V. , Polites Stephanie , Krishnaswami Sanjay , Scottoline Brian P. 
Published: April 2021

Background:
Although it is well established that standardized treatment protocols improve outcomes for infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), there remains variance between existing protocols.

Purpose:
The purpose of this article was to review current literature on protocols for CDH management in the preoperative period and to describe a care pathway integrating best practice elements from existing literature with volume-targeted ventilation strategies previously in place at a major tertiary care center in the Pacific Northwestern United States.

Methods/Search Strategy:
A systematic review of literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines to identify current publications on CDH protocols and examine them for similarities and differences, particularly regarding ventilation strategies.

Findings/Results:
Although existing protocols from multiple regions worldwide shared common goals of reducing barotrauma and delaying surgery until a period of clinical stabilization was achieved, their strategies varied. None included volume-targeted ventilation with pressure limitation as a method of avoiding ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI).

Implications for Practice:
Institutions that routinely manage infants with CDH should have a standardized treatment protocol in place, as this is shown to improve outcomes. This may include volume-targeted ventilation with pressure limitation as a successful VILI-limiting strategy.

Implications for Research:
While standardized protocols have been shown to increase survival rate for infants with CDH, more research is needed to determine what these protocols should include. Specifically, there is a need for future study on the most appropriate ventilation mode for this population.
Evaluation of association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and azoospermia: Retraction
Authors: Tan Guang-Xing , Jiang Lin , Li Gang-Qin , Bai Kuan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground:Infertility affects childbearing age couples all over the world. One of the important reasons for infertility is genetic factors. Our study evaluated the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and azoospermia.Methods:Multiple databases like MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and China journal full-text database were used to search for relevant studies, and full-text articles involved in the evaluation of MTHFR and azoospermia. The results were evaluated using STATA 12.0. Heterogeneity analysis, sensitivity analysis, and bias analysis were also performed on the data.Results:Thirteen related studies eventually met the inclusion criteria. Significant association between C677T polymorphism and azoospermia (relative risk [RR] = 0.94 [0.90, 0.99],I2 = 60.9%,P = .002), and between A1298C polymorphism and azoospermia (RR = 0.98 [0.94, 1.02],I2 = 56.3%,P = .011) was observed. Meanwhile, in subgroup analysis, Caucasians had higher risk than Mongolians in association between MTHFR and azoospermia.Conclusion:There was association between MTHFR polymorphism and azoospermia. Caucasian populations had higher risk than Mongolian populations in association between MTHFR and azoospermia.
Schizophrenia hospitalization in the US 2005–2014
Authors: Chen Ethan , Bazargan-Hejazi Shahrzad , Ani Chizobam , Hindman David , Pan Deyu , Ebrahim Gul , Shirazi Anaheed , Banta Jim E. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Primarily we aimed to examine the crude and standardized schizophrenia hospitalization trend from 2005 to 2014. We hypothesized that there will be a statistically significant linear trend in hospitalization rates for schizophrenia from 2005 to 2014. Secondarily we also examined trends in hospitalization by race/ethnicity, age, gender, as well as trends in hospitalization Length of Stay (LOS) and inflation adjusted cost.
In this observational study, we used Nationwide Inpatient Sample data and International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revisions codes for Schizophrenia, which revealed 6,122,284 cases for this study. Outcomes included crude and standardized hospitalization rates, race/ethnicity, age, cost, and LOS. The analysis included descriptive statistics, indirect standardization, Rao-Scott Chi-Square test, t-test, and adjusted linear regression trend.
Hospitalizations were most prevalent for individuals ages 45–64 (38.8%), African Americans were overrepresented (25.8% of hospitalizations), and the gender distribution was nearly equivalent. Mean LOS was 9.08 days (95% confidence interval 8.71–9.45). Medicare was the primary payer for most hospitalizations (55.4%), with most of the costs ranging from $10,000-$49,999 (57.1%). The crude hospitalization rates ranged from 790–1142/100,000 admissions, while the US 2010 census standardized rates were 380–552/100,000 from 2005–2014. Linear regression trend analysis showed no significant difference in trend for race/ethnicity, age, nor gender (P > .001). The hospitalizations’ overall rates increased while LOS significantly decreased, while hospitalization costs and Charlson's co-morbidity index increased (P < .001).
From 2005–2014, the overall US hospitalization rates significantly increased. Over this period, observed disparities in hospitalizations for middle-aged and African Americans were unchanged, and LOS has gone down while costs have gone up. Further studies addressing the important disparities in race/ethnicity and age and reducing costs of acute hospitalization are needed.
Improvement in plasma D-dimer level in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection can be an indicator of fibrinolysis suppression
Authors: Manzoor Daniel , Bui Chau , Makhoul Elias , Luthringer Daniel , Marchevsky Alberto , Volod Oksana 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Rationale:
Fibrinolysis shutdown associated with severe thrombotic complications is a recently recognized syndrome that was previously seldom investigated in patients with severe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. It presents a unique therapeutic dilemma, as anticoagulation with heparin alone is insufficient to address the imbalance in fibrinolysis. And while the use of fibrinolytic agents could limit the disease severity, it is often associated with bleeding complications. There is a need for biomarkers that will guide the timely stratification of patients into those who may benefit from both anticoagulant and fibrinolytic therapies.

Patient concerns:
All 3 patients presented with shortness of breath along with comorbidities predisposing them to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. One patient (Patient 3) also suffered from bilateral deep venous thrombosis.

Diagnoses:
All 3 patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and were eventually diagnosed with respiratory failure necessitating intubation.

Interventions:
All 3 patients required mechanical ventilation support, 2 of which also required renal replacement therapy. All 3 patients were also placed on anticoagulation therapy.

Outcomes:
In Patients 1 and 2, the initial D-dimer levels of 0.97 μg/ml fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU) and 0.83 μg/ml FEU were only slightly elevated (normal <0.50 μg/ml FEU). They developed rising D-dimer levels to a peak of 13.21 μg/ml FEU and >20.0 μg/ml FEU, respectively, which dropped to 1.34 μg/ml FEU 8 days later in Patient 1 and to 2.94 μg/ml on hospital day 13 in Patient 2. In Patient 3, the D-dimer level on admission was found to be elevated to >20.00 μg/ml FEU together with imaging evidence of thrombosis. And although he received therapeutic heparin infusion, he still developed pulmonary embolism (PE) and his D-dimer level declined to 5.91 μg/ml FEU. Despite “improvement” in their D-dimer levels, all 3 patients succumbed to multi-system organ failure. On postmortem examination, numerous arterial and venous thromboses of varying ages, many consisting primarily of fibrin, were identified in the lungs of all patients.

Lessons:
High D-dimer levels, with subsequent downtrend correlating with clinical deterioration, seems to be an indicator of fibrinolysis suppression. These findings can help form a hypothesis, as larger cohorts are necessary to demonstrate their reproducibility.
Self-reported motivators for HIV testing in the treat-all era among HIV positive patients in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Mokhele Idah , Sineke Tembeka , Langa Jonas , Onoya Dorina 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
To explore associations between self-reported ill-health as a primary motivator for HIV-testing and socio-demographic factors.
Four local primary healthcare clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A total of 529 newly HIV diagnosed adults (≥18 years) enrolled from October 2017 to August 2018, participated in the survey on the same day of diagnosis.
Testing out of own initiative or perceived HIV exposure was categorized as asymptomatic. Reporting ill-health as the main reason for testing was categorized as symptomatic. Modified Poisson regression was used to evaluate predictors of motivators for HIV testing.
Overall, 327/520 (62.9%) participants reported symptoms as the main motivator for testing. Among the asymptomatic, 17.1% reported potential HIV exposure as a reason for testing, while 20.0% just wanted to know their HIV status. Baseline predictors of symptom-related motivators for HIV testing include disclosing intention to test (aPR 1.4 for family/friend/others vs partners/spouse, 95% CI: 1.1–1.8; aPR 1.4 for not disclosing vs partners/spouse, 95% CI: 1.1–1.7), and HIV testing history (aPR 1.2 for last HIV test >12-months ago vs last test 12-months prior, 95% CI: 1.0–1.5; aPR 1.3 for never tested for HIV before vs last test 12-months prior, 95%CI:1.0–1.6).
Findings indicate that newly diagnosed HIV positive patients still enter care because of ill-health, not prevention purposes. Increasing early HIV testing remains essential to maximize the benefits of expanded ART access.
Depression among physicians and other medical employees involved in the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: ALGhasab Naif Saad , ALJadani Ahmed Hamed , ALMesned Sulaman Saud , Hersi Ahmad Salah 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Health care employees are the front liners whom are directly involved in the management of COVID-19 at high risk of developing psychological distress and other mental health illness. We aim to assess the burden of depression during this pandemic on health care employees treating COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. We also will shed the light on the best solutions of how to encounter depression.
A cross-sectional, hospital-based survey conducted via a region-stratified, 2-stage cluster sample was conducted for 554 participants in >15 hospitals from April 29, 2020, to June 30, 2020. Depression is measured using the established PHQ9 score system. We grade PHQ9 depression scores as: normal, 0 to 4, mild, 5 to 9, significant (moderate or severe), 10 to 27. χ
2/Fisher exact test was used; significant association between level of depression and survey characteristics were made. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
A total of 554 participants completed the survey. A total of 18.9% (n = 105) were aged <29 years, 51.2% (n = 284) were between 30 to 39 years and female represent 70% of all participants. Of all participants, 53.7% (n = 298) were nurses, and 38.6% (n = 214) were physicians; 68.5% (n = 380) worked in central area hospitals in Saudi Arabia. No significant (P = .432, 95% confidence interval [CI]) association was observed between sex and depression classifications. However, female had high proportion of significant depression 75.0% (n = 76) was observed as compared to male 24.8% (n = 25). Depression was significant in Saudis 61.4% (n = 62) (P < .001, 95% CI) and medical staff who encountered corona patients 51.5% (n = 52) (P < .002, 95% CI). Hospital preparedness associated with more freedom of depression symptoms 69.1% (n = 199/288) (P < .001, 95% CI).
Frontline young health care workers especially physician in Saudi Arabia reported a high rate of depression symptoms. Countermeasures for health care workers represent a key component for the mental and physical well-being as part of public health measures during this pandemic. Attention to hospital preparedness and adequacy of personal protective equipment contributed to milder depression symptoms. Further studies need to be conducted on crisis management and depression.
Study on the gene signature related to immune microenvironment on viral and nonviral infections of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Qian Hong , Song Shanglin , Tian Yunling , Qi Lei , Gao Haihong , Yuan Lingyan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be divided into viral infection (VIR) and nonviral (NVIR) infection. Two types of HCC performed different tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) which directly affected prognosis of HCC. This study aimed to identify an effective 2 types of HCC prognostic gene signature that related to immune TIME.
The differential expression genes (DEGs) were analyzed by Limma R package from the Cancer Genome Atlas. Immune related genes getting from IMMport database were matched to DEGs for testing prognosis. Prognostic index (PI) consisted of prognostic immune related genes was calculated in different types of HCC by COX regression and the correlation with the abundance of immune infiltrates, including 6 type cells, via gene modules. Tumor immune estimation resource database was applied to analyze TIME. Finally, the correlations between PI of DEGs and TIICs were analyzed by the Spearman method.
Results showed that PI consisted of 11 messenger RNAs in VIR and 12 messenger RNAs in NVIR groups. The PI related to HCC prognosis has different correlations with immune infiltrating cells in VIR and NVIR groups. The PI value of DEGs has significant correlations with neutrophils (R = 0.22, P-value = .029) and dendritic (R = 0.21, P-value = .036) infiltration levels in VIR group. However, in NVIR group, the result showed there were no significant correlations between PI and other 5 type cell infiltration levels (P-value > .05).
The 11-gene signature in VIR and 12-gene signature in NVIR group selected based on data from the Cancer Genome Atlas database had a different correlation with immune infiltrating cells of HCC patients.
Nomogram for predicting the survival of patients with small cell carcinoma of the esophagus
Authors: Qie Shuai , Wang Xue-feng , Ran Yu-ge , Liu Miao-ling , Cui Gui-min , Shi Hong-yun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study aims to establish an effective prognostic nomogram for small cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE).
A total of 552 patients with SCCE from 1975 to 2016 were extracted from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients, and a nomogram was constructed. The nomogram was then validated internally by using a consistency index (C-index) and a correction curve to evaluate its predictive value.
The Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that age, stage, surgery, primary site, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the prognostic factors of SCCE (P < .1), and they were used to construct the nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram for predicting survival was 0.749 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.722–0.776). The data were randomly divided into a modeling group and a validation group based on 7:3 for internal validation. The C-indices of the modeling and validation groups were 0.753 and 0.725, respectively, and they were close to 0.749. The calibration curves exhibited good consistency between the predicted and actual survival rates.
The nomogram of the survival and prognosis of patients with SCCE in this study had a good predictive value and could provide clinicians with accurate and practical predictive tools. It could also be used to facilitate a rapid and accurate assessment of patients’ survival and prognosis on an individual basis.
Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of miR-638 in cancer patients
Authors: Hu Lixia , Huang Mengqin , Yuan Qianqian , Kong Fanliang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
MiR-638 is believed to be involved in human cancers. However, the prognostic value of miR-638 in human carcinomas is controversial and inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the association between miR-638 expression and clinical outcomes in the patients with various cancers.

Methods:
We searched Pubmed, Embase, Wanfang, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) up to September 1, 2020 to identify relevant studies. Hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to correlate expression of miR-638 with prognosis and clinicopathological features.

Results:
A total of 18 studies involving 1886 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed that low miR-638 expression was significantly correlated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.46–2.98, P < .001), but not with disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.71, 95% CI: 0.31–9.56, P = .540). Subgroup analysis found that low miR-638 expression was associated with worse OS in patients with digestive system cancer (HR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.85–3.30, P < .001), the reported directly from articles group (HR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.34–3.33, P < .001), survival curves group (HR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.07–3.80, P = .029), in studies with sample size ≥100 (HR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.34–3.35, P = .001), and in studies with sample size <100 (HR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.09–3.75, P = .025). Moreover, cancer patients with low miR-638 expression were prone to tumor size (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.03–2.09, P = .035), earlier lymph node metastasis (present vs absent, OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.63–3.14, P < .001), earlier distant metastasis (present vs absent, OR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.45–4.67, P < .001), TNM stage (III-IV vs I-II, OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.35–2.99, P = .001), and portal vein invasion (present vs absent, OR = 4.39, 95% CI:2.23–8.64, P < .001), but not associated with age, gender, tumor differentiation, and vascular invasion.

Conclusions:
MiR-638 may serve as a promising indicator in the prediction of prognosis and clinicopathological features in patients with different kinds of cancers.
Plasma S100β and neuron-specific enolase, but not neuroglobin, are associated with early cognitive dysfunction after total arch replacement surgery
Authors: Wan Zilin , Li Yaxiong , Ye Huishun , Zi Yunfeng , Zhang Guojing , Wang Xiaoyan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
To investigate whether plasma concentrations of S100β protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and neuroglobin (NGB) correlate with early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in patients undergoing total arch replacement.
This prospective study analyzed 40 patients who underwent total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation at our hospital between March 2017 and January 2019. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) preoperatively, on the day after extubation and on day 7 after surgery. Plasma levels of S100β, NSE, and NGB POCD were assayed preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 24 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. POCD was defined as a decrease of at least 1 unit in the MMSE score from before surgery until day 7, and patients were stratified into those who experienced POCD or not. The 2 groups were compared in clinicodemographic characteristics and plasma levels of the 3 proteins.
Plasma levels of all 3 biomarkers increased significantly during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Levels of S100β and NSE, but not NGB, were significantly higher in the 15 patients who showed POCD than in the remainder who did not. For prediction of early POCD, S100β showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–0.87), sensitivity of 48%, and specificity of 87%. The corresponding values for NSE were 0.77 (95%CI 0.60–0.94), 92%, and 67%. Together, S100β and NSE showed an AUC of 0.81 (95%CI 0.66–0.96), sensitivity of 73%, and specificity of 80%. NGB did not significantly predict early POCD (AUC 0.62, 95%CI 0.43–0.80).
Plasma S100β protein and NSE, but not NGB, may help predict early POCD after total arch replacement.