bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tedizolid vs Linezolid for the Treatment of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Poon Yi Kee , La Hoz Ricardo M , Hynan Linda S , Sanders James , Monogue Marguerite L 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Treatment options for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are limited by the pathogen’s intrinsic resistance profile and toxicities. Tedizolid and linezolid display in vitro activity against NTM species. However, safety data and treatment outcomes are limited in the solid organ transplant (SOT) population.

Methods
This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of adult SOT recipients receiving linezolid or tedizolid for an NTM infection from January 1, 2010, to August 31, 2019. The primary outcome compared the hematologic safety profiles of tedizolid vs linezolid. We also described nonhematological adverse drug events (ADEs) and therapy discontinuation rates. In an exploratory analysis, we assessed symptomatic microbiologic and clinical outcomes in those receiving tedizolid or linezolid for at least 4 weeks.

Results
Twenty-four patients were included (15 tedizolid, 9 linezolid). No differences were identified comparing the effects of tedizolid vs linezolid on platelet counts, absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs), and hemoglobin over 7 weeks using mixed-effects analysis of variance models. ANC was significantly decreased in both groups after 7 weeks of therapy (P = .04). Approximately 20% of patients in each arm discontinued therapy due to an ADE. Seven of 12 (58%) and 2 of 3 (67%) patients were cured or clinically cured with tedizolid- and linezolid-containing regimens, respectively.

Conclusions
This study suggests no significant safety benefit of tedizolid over linezolid for the treatment of NTM infections in SOT recipients. Tedizolid or linezolid-containing regimens demonstrated a potential benefit in symptomatic and microbiologic improvement. Larger cohorts are needed to further delineate the comparative role of linezolid and tedizolid for the treatment of NTM infections in SOT recipients.
Drug Resistance in HIV-Positive Adults During the Initial Year of Antiretroviral Treatment at Ethiopian Health Centers
Authors: Reepalu Anton , Arimide Dawit A , Balcha Taye T , Yeba Habtamu , Zewdu Adinew , Medstrand Patrik , Björkman Per 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
The increasing prevalence of antiretroviral drug resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa threatens the success of HIV programs. We have characterized patterns of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) during the initial year of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in HIV-positive adults receiving care at Ethiopian health centers and investigated the impact of tuberculosis on DRM acquisition.

Methods
Participants were identified from a cohort of ART-naïve individuals aged ≥18 years, all of whom had been investigated for active tuberculosis at inclusion. Individuals with viral load (VL) data at 6 and/or 12 months after ART initiation were selected for this study. Genotypic testing was performed on samples with VLs ≥500 copies/mL obtained on these occasions and on pre-ART samples from those with detectable DRMs during ART. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between DRM acquisition and tuberculosis.

Results
Among 621 included individuals (110 [17.5%] with concomitant tuberculosis), 101/621 (16.3%) had a VL ≥500 copies/mL at 6 and/or 12 months. DRMs were detected in 64/98 cases with successful genotyping (65.3%). DRMs were detected in 7/56 (12.5%) pre-ART samples from these individuals. High pre-ART VL and low mid-upper arm circumference were associated with increased risk of DRM acquisition, whereas no such association was found for concomitant tuberculosis.

Conclusions
Among adults receiving health center–based ART in Ethiopia, most patients without virological suppression during the first year of ART had detectable DRM. Acquisition of DRM during this period was the dominant cause of antiretroviral drug resistance in this setting. Tuberculosis did not increase the risk of DRM acquisition.
Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time secondary to factor XII deficiency in two surgical patients
Authors: Moiz Bushra , Sadiq Muhammed Wahhaab , Javed Muhammad Abdullah , Jafry Baqir Hasan , Anees Muhammad 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
Factor XII (FXII) plays a pivotal role in hemostasis, inflammation and complement system. Its deficiency is usually an incidental finding in an otherwise asymptomatic patient who is identified during his/her routine preoperative blood work. This study aimed in evaluating the clinical course of the surgical patients having FXII deficiency. Information regarding demographics, laboratory tests and management of patients was obtained through medical chart and in-house integrated laboratory management system whereas the medical literature was searched through PubMed®. During the study period, two patients were consulted for FXII deficiency prior to the various surgical procedures. Both patients had uneventful surgeries without any thrombotic events while hemorrhage observed in one patient was secondary to obstetric complications. With the limited evidence today, it is concluded that patients having FXII deficiency are not at increased risk of bleeding, thrombosis or infections during surgery, but a personalized approach is needed for planning an appropriate perioperative management.
Evaluation and management of a spontaneous corneal rupture secondary to pellucid marginal degeneration, using swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography
Authors: Papamlichael Esther , Logeswaran Abison , Papastefanou Vasilios P , Watson Martin , Coombes Andrew 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We describe a case of bilateral spontaneous corneal perforation secondary to pellucid marginal degeneration and present the associated swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-ASOCT) findings and management principles used.
A 47-year-old woman presented with ocular pain, redness, foreign body sensation and clear discharge in the right eye in 2017 and with very similar symptoms in 2019 in the left eye. Clinically she had a corneal perforation at the inferior cornea with associated loss of anterior chamber volume. Corneal topography demonstrated peripheral thinning and steepening in the contralateral eye. ASOCT images revealed full-thickness perforation, iridocorneal touch and iris stranding. The patient was managed with a combination of contact bandaging and corneal gluing.
SS-ASOCT is a useful adjunctive tool in the clinical assessment and evaluation of spontaneous corneal perforation. Alongside the clinical evaluation, it can be used to monitor the clinical response.
Endoscopic Posterior Approach for Cervicothoracic and Upper Thoracic Foraminotomies: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Kim Robert B , Kundu Bornali , Mahan Mark A 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Lower cervical and cervicothoracic radiculopathies can be challenging to treat through an anterior approach in patients with short-statured necks. With unilateral pathology, a posterior foraminotomy affords preservation of motion and avoids risks to anterior structures; yet, traditional open or even tubular retractor-based open systems are associated with postoperative muscle pain. Endoscopic approaches reduce muscle retraction and resection and are associated with shorter recovery time. This video demonstrates the endoscopic technique for performing cervicothoracic and thoracic foraminotomies. We present the case of a patient with severe left-hand weakness, particularly in grasp and hand intrinsic muscles. The differential diagnosis included a combined median and ulnar neuropathy, lower trunk plexopathy, medial cord plexopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome, and combined C8 and T1 radiculopathies. Imaging did not show brachial plexus pathology; instead, severe foraminal narrowing at the C8 and T1 roots was noted. We performed a fully endoscopic approach to decompress 2 levels of foraminal stenosis on the left side. Because the levels were adjacent, we operated through a single incision. Recovery of motor-evoked potentials to the abductor pollicis brevis was identified intraoperatively.
The patient consented to the procedure and publication.
Alcohol affordability: implications for alcohol price policies. A cross-sectional analysis in middle and older adults from UK Biobank
Authors: Moore Simon C , Orpen Bella , Smith Jesse , Sarkar Chinmoy , Li Chenlu , Shepherd Jonathan , Bauermeister Sarah 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing the price of alcohol reduces alcohol consumption and harm. The role of food complementarity, transaction costs and inflation on alcohol demand are determined and discussed in relation to alcohol price policies.MethodsUK Biobank (N = 502,628) was linked by region to retail price quotes for the years 2007 to 2010. The log residual food and alcohol prices, and alcohol availability were regressed onto log daily alcohol consumption. Model standard errors were adjusted for clustering by region.ResultsAssociations with alcohol consumption were found for alcohol price (β = −0.56, 95% CI, −0.92 to −0.20) and availability (β = 0.06, 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.07). Introducing, food price reduced the alcohol price consumption association (β = −0.26, 95% CI, −0.50 to −0.03). Alcohol (B = 0.001, 95% CI, 0.0004 to 0.001) and food (B = 0.001, 95% CI, 0.0005 to 0.0006) price increased with time and were associated (ρ = 0.57, P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionAlcohol and food are complements, and the price elasticity of alcohol reduces when the effect of food price is accounted for. Transaction costs did not affect the alcohol price consumption relationship. Fixed alcohol price policies are susceptible to inflation.
Modified poly(methyl methacrylate) bone cement in the treatment of Kümmell disease
Authors: Zhu Jinjin , Yang Shuhui , Yang Yute , Yao Teng , Liu Gang , Fan Shunwu , Zhao He , Cui Fuzhai , Wang Xiumei , Jiang Guoqiang , Fang Xiangqian 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Kümmell disease (KD) causes serious vertebral body collapse in patients. However, only a few case reports have been conducted and the number of patients with KD investigated was limited. Additionally, the frequently used poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement for KD is limited by excessive modulus and poor biocompatibility. Herein, we aimed to modify PMMA bone cement with mineralized collagen (MC), and compare the clinical effects, image performance and finite element analysis between the modified bone cement and PMMA bone cement for the treatment of phase I and II KD. Thirty-nine KD patients treated with PMMA bone cement and 40 KD patients treated with MC-modified PMMA bone cement from June 2015 to March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical procedure, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay and complications were compared between different groups. Visual analog scale, Oswestry disability index, anterior vertebral height, posterior vertebral height, computed tomography value, adjacent vertebral re-fracture, Cobb angle and wedge-shaped correction angle were evaluated. Additionally, the representative sample was selected for finite element analysis. We found that the MC-modified PMMA bone cement could achieve the same effect as that of PMMA bone cement and was associated with better vertebral height restoration in the long term.
IDAC-ALPHA: AN ALPHA DOSIMETRY SOFTWARE FOR NORMAL ORGANS AND TISSUES
Authors: Andersson M , Kluge A , Meyer T , Koumarianou E , Mattsson S 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Radiopharmaceuticals have been used for the treatment of various forms of cancer since the 1940s. In recent years, the advantages of alpha emitting radionuclides have emerged as a favourable treatment option. However, most alpha emitting radionuclides have long decay chains with long-lived daughter radionuclides. This leads to uncertainties in the dosimetry for normal organs and tissues, when established dosimetry models are employed. The aim of this project is to assign each progeny its own biokinetic behaviour. The novel dosimetry model was applied to 223Ra-dichloride, frequently used for the treatment of patients with metastatic bone disease from castration-resistant prostate cancer. In this dosimetry model, individual biokinetics for each daughter radionuclide was included. This resulted in a decrease in absorbed dose to bone surfaces and red marrow and increased absorbed dose to liver and kidney, when compared with dosimetry models assuming that the daughter nuclides follow the biokinetics of the parent radionuclide.
Distinguishing sleep from wake with a radar sensor: a contact-free real-time sleep monitor
Authors: Heglum Hanne Siri Amdahl , Kallestad Håvard , Vethe Daniel , Langsrud Knut , Sand Trond , Engstrøm Morten 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This work aimed to evaluate whether a radar sensor can distinguish sleep from wakefulness in real time. The sensor detects body movements without direct physical contact with the subject and can be embedded in the roof of a hospital room for completely unobtrusive monitoring. We conducted simultaneous recordings with polysomnography, actigraphy, and radar on two groups: healthy young adults (n = 12, four nights per participant) and patients referred to a sleep examination (n = 28, one night per participant). We developed models for sleep/wake classification based on principles commonly used by actigraphy, including real-time models, and tested them on both datasets. We estimated a set of commonly reported sleep parameters from these data, including total-sleep-time, sleep-onset-latency, sleep-efficiency, and wake-after-sleep-onset, and evaluated the inter-method reliability of these estimates. Classification results were on-par with, or exceeding, those often seen for actigraphy. For real-time models in healthy young adults, accuracies were above 92%, sensitivities above 95%, specificities above 83%, and all Cohen's kappa values were above 0.81 compared to polysomnography. For patients referred to a sleep examination, accuracies were above 81%, sensitivities about 89%, specificities above 53%, and Cohen's kappa values above 0.44. Sleep variable estimates showed no significant intermethod bias, but the limits of agreement were quite wide for the group of patients referred to a sleep examination. Our results indicate that the radar has the potential to offer the benefits of contact-free real-time monitoring of sleep, both for in-patients and for ambulatory home monitoring.
Lack of an Intron in Cytochrome b and Overexpression of Sterol 14α-Demethylase Indicate a Potential Risk for QoI and DMI Resistance Development in Neophysopella spp. on Grapes
Authors: Santos Ricardo F. , Amorim Lilian , Wood Ana K. M. , Bibiano Líllian B. J. , Fraaije Bart A. 
Published: March 2021

Asian grapevine leaf rust, caused by Neophysopella meliosmae-myrianthae and N. tropicalis, is often controlled by quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) and demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides in Brazil. Here, we evaluated the sensitivity of 55 Neophysopella spp. isolates to pyraclostrobin (QoI) and tebuconazole (DMI). To elucidate the resistance mechanisms, we analyzed the sequences of the cytochrome b (CYTB) and cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) target proteins of QoI and DMI fungicides, respectively. The CYP51 expression levels were also determined in a selection of isolates. In leaf disc assays, the mean 50% effective concentration (EC50) value for pyraclostrobin was about 0.040 µg/ml for both species. CYTB sequences were identical among all 55 isolates, which did not contain an intron immediately after codon 143. No amino acid substitution was identified at codons 129, 137, and 143. The mean EC50 value for tebuconazole was 0.62 µg/ml for N. tropicalis and 0.46 µg/ml for N. meliosmae-myrianthae, and no CYP51 sequence variation was identified among isolates of the same species. However, five N. meliosmae-myrianthae isolates grew on leaf discs treated at 10 µg/ml tebuconazole, and these were further exposed to tebuconazole selection pressure. Tebuconazole-adapted laboratory isolates of N. meliosmae-myrianthae showed an eight- to 25-fold increase in resistance after four rounds of selection that was not associated with CYP51 target alterations. In comparison with sensitive isolates, CYP51 expression was induced in the presence of tebuconazole in three out of four tebuconazole-adapted isolates tested. These results suggest a potential risk for QoI and DMI resistance development in Neophysopella spp.
Targeting alveolar‐specific succinate dehydrogenase A attenuates pulmonary inflammation during acute lung injury
Authors: Vohwinkel Christine U. , Coit Ethan J. , Burns Nana , Elajaili Hanan , Hernandez‐Saavedra Daniel , Yuan Xiaoyi , Eckle Tobias , Nozik Eva , Tuder Rubin M. , Eltzschig Holger K. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAcute lung injury (ALI) is an inflammatory lung disease, which manifests itself in patients as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Previous studies have implicated alveolar‐epithelial succinate in ALI protection. Therefore, we hypothesized that targeting alveolar succinate dehydrogenase SDH A would result in elevated succinate levels and concomitant lung protection. Wild‐type (WT) mice or transgenic mice with targeted alveolar‐epithelial Sdha or hypoxia‐inducible transcription factor Hif1a deletion were exposed to ALI induced by mechanical ventilation. Succinate metabolism was assessed in alveolar‐epithelial via mass spectrometry as well as redox measurements and evaluation of lung injury. In WT mice, ALI induced by mechanical ventilation decreased SDHA activity and increased succinate in alveolar‐epithelial. In vitro, cell‐permeable succinate decreased epithelial inflammation during stretch injury. Mice with inducible alveolar‐epithelial Sdha deletion (Sdhaloxp/loxp SPC‐CreER mice) revealed reduced lung inflammation, improved alveolar barrier function, and attenuated histologic injury. Consistent with a functional role of succinate to stabilize HIF, Sdhaloxp/loxp SPC‐CreER experienced enhanced Hif1a levels during hypoxia or ALI. Conversely, Hif1aloxp/loxp SPC‐CreER showed increased inflammation with ALI induced by mechanical ventilation. Finally, wild‐type mice treated with intra‐tracheal dimethlysuccinate were protected during ALI. These data suggest that targeting alveolar‐epithelial SDHA dampens ALI via succinate‐mediated stabilization of HIF1A. Translational extensions of our studies implicate succinate treatment in attenuating alveolar inflammation in patients suffering from ARDS.
Abortion Waiting Periods and Decision Certainty Among People Searching Online for Abortion Care
Authors: Jovel Iris , Cartwright Alice F. , Ralph Lauren , Upadhyay Ushma D. 
Published: March 2021

OBJECTIVE:
Many U.S. states mandate counseling and a waiting period before abortion, which often necessitates two separate clinic visits. These laws purport to ensure individuals are certain about their abortion decision. We examined whether exposure to these laws is associated with increased decision certainty.

METHODS:
The Google Ads Abortion Access Study is a prospective study of pregnant people considering abortion recruited when searching online using abortion care-related keywords. Eligible participants, who represented all 50 U.S. states, completed baseline and 4-week follow-up surveys. We measured decision certainty using the Decisional Conflict Scale (scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores reflect lower certainty). We used a multivariable linear mixed model to examine the association between living in states with waiting periods, two-visit requirements, or both and changes in decision certainty. We also compared baseline, follow-up, and changes in decision certainty by whether the pregnancy was ongoing or not at follow-up.

RESULTS:
The analytic sample included 750 participants who contributed relevant baseline and follow-up data. At follow-up, 396 participants had an abortion, and 354 had not. There was no significant increase in decision certainty for participants in states with waiting period laws (mean change score −1.0, 95% CI −2.8 to 2.8). In adjusted models, still seeking an abortion at 4-week follow-up was associated with decreased certainty (mean change score 8.05, 95% CI 5.13–10.97). Those still seeking abortion had significantly lower certainty (baseline score 28.8 and follow-up score 32.2) than those who had obtained an abortion (baseline score 21.8 and follow-up score 20.1, P<.01).

CONCLUSION:
Decision certainty is relatively high and stable over time among those who had had an abortion. Living in a state with a waiting period or two-visit requirement is not associated with increased decision certainty.
Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Among Individuals With and Without Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Authors: Huntley Benjamin J. F. , Mulder Isabelle A. , Di Mascio Daniele , Vintzileos William S. , Vintzileos Anthony M. , Berghella Vincenzo , Chauhan Suneet P. 
Published: March 2021

OBJECTIVE:
To compare the risk of intrauterine fetal death (20 weeks of gestation or later) and neonatal death among individuals who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared with those who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 on admission for delivery.

DATA SOURCES:
MEDLINE, Ovid, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Cochrane Library were searched from their inception until July 17, 2020. Hand search for additional articles continued through September 24, 2020. ClinicalTrials.gov was searched on October 21, 2020.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION:
The inclusion criteria were publications that compared at least 20 cases of both pregnant patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on admission to labor and delivery and those who tested negative. Exclusion criteria were publications with fewer than 20 individuals in either category or those lacking data on primary outcomes. A systematic search of the selected databases was performed, with co-primary outcomes being rates of intrauterine fetal death and neonatal death. Secondary outcomes included rates of maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS:
Of the 941 articles and completed trials identified, six studies met criteria. Our analysis included 728 deliveries to patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 3,836 contemporaneous deliveries to patients who tested negative. Intrauterine fetal death occurred in 8 of 728 (1.1%) patients who tested positive and 44 of 3,836 (1.1%) who tested negative (P=.60). Neonatal death occurred in 0 of 432 (0.0%) patients who tested positive and 5 of 2,400 (0.2%) who tested negative (P=.90). Preterm birth occurred in 95 of 714 (13.3%) patients who tested positive and 446 of 3,759 (11.9%) who tested negative (P=.31). Maternal death occurred in 3 of 559 (0.5%) patients who tested positive and 8 of 3,155 (0.3%) who tested negative (P=.23).

CONCLUSION:
The incidences of intrauterine fetal death and neonatal death were similar among individuals who tested positive compared with negative for SARS-CoV-2 when admitted to labor and delivery. Other immediate outcomes of the newborns were also similar among those born to individuals who tested positive compared with negative for SARS-CoV-2.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION:
PROSPERO, CRD42020203475.