bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value of Dynamic Contrast‐Enhanced (DCE) MRI in Predicting Response to Foam Sclerotherapy of Venous Malformations
Authors: Xia Zhipeng , Gu Hao , Yuan Ying , Xiang Shiyu , Zhang Zimin , Tao Xiaofeng 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundPreoperative imaging assessment of venous malformations (VMs) and prediction of foam sclerotherapy efficacy might be achievable by DCE‐MRI but elaborate quantitive analysis was absent.PurposeTo evaluate the value of DCE‐MRI in predicting the effectiveness of foam sclerotherapy in VMs.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationFifty‐five patients (M:F = 17:38; mean age ± SD, 15.4 ± 13.0 years) with VMs.Field Strength/SequenceThree Tesla MRI with 3D T1‐weighted volume interpolated body examination.AssessmentPatients who underwent pretreatment DCE‐MRI were divided into “effective” and “ineffective” groups according to the response to foam sclerotherapy. Clinical characteristics and morphologic features were assessed. The semiquantitative parameters, such as maximum intensity time ratio (MITR), enhancement ratio (ER), and Slope, were obtained from ROI and volume of interest (VOI). The quartile and mean values of these parameters were acquired from VOI, while mean values denoted as Mean# were acquired from ROI. Establishment of two predictive models was based on ROI and VOI respectively. Model 1 was based on morphologic parameters and ROI semiquantitative parameters, while model 2 was based on morphologic parameters and VOI semiquantitative parameters.Statistical AnalysisMann–Whitney U‐test, Cohen's kappa, multivariate logistic regression analysis (backward stepwise), and ROC analyses.ResultsThe lesion classification, presence of phlebolith, semiquantitative parameters of VOI (quartile and mean of MITR), and semiquantitative parameters of ROI (Slopemean#, MITRmean#) were significantly different between two groups. Lesion classification (P = 0.002) and MITRmean# (P = 0.027) were independent predictors for poor efficacy in model 1 as determined by multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. For model 2, lesion classification (P = 0.006) and MITR25 (P = 0.001) were independent predictors. The predictive model based on VOI (AUC = 0.961) performed better than that based on ROI (AUC = 0.909) in predicting therapeutic response.Data ConclusionDCE‐MRI is promising in predicting the response to foam sclerotherapy for VMs. The whole lesion VOI‐based model showed better performance and could instruct surgical approach in the future.Evidence Level3Technical EfficacyStage 4
Amide Proton Transfer‐Weighted Imaging and Multiple Models Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging Facilitates Preoperative Risk Stratification of Early‐Stage Endometrial Carcinoma
Authors: Meng Nan , Fang Ting , Feng Pengyang , Huang Zhun , Sun Jing , Wang Xuejia , Shang Jie , Wang Kaiyu , Han Dongming , Wang Meiyun 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundEndometrial carcinoma (EC) risk stratification is generally based on histological assessment. It would be beneficial to perform risk stratification noninvasively by MRI.PurposeTo investigate the application of amide proton transfer‐weighted imaging (APTWI), monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched exponential intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) for the evaluation of risk stratification in early‐stage EC.Study TypeProspective.PopulationEighty patients with early‐stage EC (47 classified as low risk, 20 as medium risk, and 13 as high risk by histological grade and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage).Field Strength/SequenceT1‐weighted imaging, T2‐weighted imaging, IVIM, APTWI, and DKI MRI at 3 T.AssessmentThe magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym [3.5 ppm]), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo diffusion coefficient (D*), perfusion fraction (f), distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC), water molecular diffusion heterogeneity index (α), mean kurtosis (MK), and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated and compared between low‐risk and non‐low‐risk groups.Statistical TestsIndividual sample t test, analysis of variance, and logistic regression. A P‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe α, ADC, D, DDC, and MD were significantly higher and the f, MK, and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) were significantly lower in the low‐risk group than in the non‐low‐risk group. The difference in D* between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.289). MTRasym (3.5 ppm), D, and MK were independent predictors of risk stratification. The combination of these three parameters was better able to identify low‐ and non‐low‐risk groups than each individual parameter.Data ConclusionThe IVIM, DKI, and APTWI parameters have potential as imaging markers for risk stratification in early‐stage EC.Level of Evidence2Technical EfficacyStage 3
Vitamin D and COVID‐19: Role of ACE2, age, gender, and ethnicity
Authors: Getachew Bruk , Tizabi Yousef 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) virus, disproportionally targets older people, particularly men, ethnic minorities, and individuals with underlying diseases such as compromised immune system, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The discrepancy in COVID‐19 incidence and severity is multifaceted and likely involves biological, social, as well as nutritional status. Vitamin D deficiency, notably common in Black and Brown people and elderly, is associated with an increased susceptibility to many of the diseases comorbid with COVID‐19. Vitamin D deficiency can cause over‐activation of the pulmonary renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) leading to the respiratory syndrome. RAS is regulated in part at least by angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which also acts as a primary receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2 entry into the cells. Hence, vitamin D deficiency can exacerbate COVID‐19, via its effects on ACE2. In this review we focus on influence of age, gender, and ethnicity on vitamin D‐ACE2 interaction and susceptibility to COVID‐19.
Association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms with COVID‐19 susceptibility and its outcome
Authors: Abbas Mohammad , Verma Sushma , Verma Shrikant , Siddiqui Sahabjada , Khan Faizan H. , Raza Syed T. , Siddiqi Zeba , Eba Ale , Mahdi Farzana 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection has become a global health issue and develops into a broad range of illnesses from asymptomatic to fatal respiratory diseases. SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is associated with oxidative stress that triggers cytokine production, inflammation, and other pathophysiological processes. Glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) is an important enzyme that catalyzes the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) with electrophiles to protect the cell from oxidative damage and participates in the antioxidant defense mechanism in the lungs. Thus, in this study, we investigated the role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphism with COVID‐19 susceptibility, as well as its outcome. The study included 269 RT‐PCR confirmed COVID‐19 patients with mild (n = 149) and severe (n = 120) conditions. All subjects were genotyped for GSTM1 and GSTT1 by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) followed by statistical analysis. The frequency of GSTM1−/−, GSTT1−/− and GSTM1−/−/GSTT1−/− was higher in severe COVID‐19 patients as compared to mild patients but we did not observe a significant association. In the Cox hazard model, death was significantly 2.28‐fold higher in patients with the GSTT1−/− genotype (p = 0.047). In combination, patients having GSTM1+/+ and GSTT1−/− genotypes showed a poor survival rate (p = 0.02). Our results suggested that COVID‐19 patients with the GSTT1−/− genotype showed higher mortality.
Immunological aspects and gender bias during respiratory viral infections including novel Coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19): A scoping review
Authors: Vadakedath Sabitha , Kandi Venkataramana , Mohapatra Ranjan K. , Pinnelli Venkata B. K. , Yegurla Richa R. , Shahapur Praveen R. , Godishala Vikram , Natesan Senthilkumar , Vora Kranti S. , Sharun Khan , Tiwari Ruchi , Bilal Muhammad , Dhama Kuldeep 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe human immune system is not adequately equipped to eliminate new microbes and could result in serious damage on first exposure. This is primarily attributed to the exaggerated immune response (inflammatory disease), which may prove detrimental to the host, as evidenced by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. From the experiences of Novel Coronavirus Disease‐19 to date, male patients are likely to suffer from high‐intensity inflammation and disease severity than the female population. Hormones are considered the significant pillars of sex differences responsible for the discrepancy in immune response exhibited by males and females. Females appear to be better equipped to counter invading respiratory viral pathogens, including the novel SARS‐CoV‐2, than males. It can be hypothesized that females are more shielded from disease severity, probably owing to the diverse action/influence of estrogen and other sex hormones on both cellular (thymus‐derived T lymphocytes) and humoral immunity (antibodies).
Prevalence and genetic diversity of gastroenteritis viruses in hospitalized children < 5 years of age in Maharashtra state, Western India, 2017–2019
Authors: Gopalkrishna Varanasi , Joshi Madhuri S. , Chavan Nutan A. , Shinde Manohar S. , Walimbe Atul M. , Sawant Pradeep M. , Kalrao Vijay R. , Dhongade Ram K. , Bavdekar Ashish R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFour gastroenteritis viruses were responsible for 54% of the acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases in children hospitalized between May 2017 and December 2019 in Pune city of Maharashtra state, Western India. The majority (79%) of the children were <2 years of age. The prevalence of Rotavirus A (RVA) was 30.5% followed by 14.3% for norovirus, 8.4% for adenovirus, and 5.5% for astrovirus. The severity of the disease was highest in patients with coinfections compared with the patients with a single infection or negative for all (p = 0.024). Genotyping analysis showed that the majority of the RVA‐positive samples (66%) could be typed as G3P[8], 63.6% of the norovirus as GII.4 Sydney [P16], 44% of the adenovirus as type 41%, and 56.2% of the astrovirus as astrovirus type 1. The almost equivalent prevalence of rotavirus and nonrotaviruses and acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases without known etiology in around 46% of the cases was noted in the present study. Our data highlight that after the recent inclusion of rotavirus vaccines as a part of the National Immunization schedule in India, conducting extensive AGE surveillance in children should include nonrotaviruses such as norovirus.
Genomic surveillance activities unveil the introduction of the SARS‐CoV‐2 B.1.525 variant of interest in Brazil: Case report
Authors: Pereira Felicidade , Tosta Stephane , Lima Maricélia M. , Reboredo de Oliveira da Silva Luciana , Nardy Vanessa B. , Gómez Marcela K. A. , Lima Jaqueline G. , Fonseca Vagner , de Oliveira Tulio , Lourenço Jose , Alcantara Luiz C. , Giovanetti Marta , Leal Arabela 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe appearance of new variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 has recently challenged public health authorities with respect to tracking transmission and mitigating the impact in the evolving pandemic across countries. B.1.525 is considered a variant under investigation since it carries specific genetic signatures present in P.1, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351. Here we report genomic evidence of the first likely imported case of the SARS‐CoV‐2 B.1.525 variant, isolated in a traveler returning from Nigeria.
The natural course of COVID‐19 patients without clinical intervention
Authors: Wu Daxian , Rao Qunfang , Zhang Wenfeng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe natural course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients without clinical intervention has not yet been documented. One hundred and fifty‐eight patients from two hospitals were enrolled to identify the indicators of severe COVID‐19 and observe the natural course of COVID‐19 patients without clinical intervention. The total computed tomography (CT) score, a quantitative score based on assessment of the number, quadrant, and area of the lesions in CT, tended to perform better than assessment based only on the number or area of the lesions (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0887, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the total CT score, chest tightness, lymphocyte, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were independent factors for severe COVID‐19. For patients admitted in 2 weeks from onset to hospitalization, the frequency of severe COVID‐19 was gradually increased with the delayed hospitalization. The symptoms of fatigue, dry cough, sputum production, chest tightness, and polypnea were gradually more frequent. The levels of C‐reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, LDH, and d‐dimer were also gradually increased, as well as the scores based on CT. Conversely, the lymphocyte count and the albumin level were gradually decreased with the delayed hospitalization. Detail turning points of the above alterations were observed after 10–14 days from onset to hospitalization. Total CT score was a simple and feasible score for identifying severe COVID‐19. COVID‐19 patients without clinical intervention deteriorated gradually during the initial 10–14 days but gradually improved thereafter.
CNTFET‐based active grounded inductor using positive and negative current conveyors and applications
Authors: Jogad Seema , Alkhammash Hend I. , Afzal Neelofer , Loan Sajad A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this work, we design and simulate novel 32 nm carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNTFET) as well as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)‐based negative class AB second generation current conveyors (CC) (CNTFET‐CCII and CMOS‐CCII−). The comparative analyses of various performance measuring parameters of both these CCII's have been performed. A significant improvement in current and voltage bandwidths, terminal X and Y impedances at lesser total harmonic distortions and reduced power consumption have been observed in the proposed CNTFET‐based CCII− in comparison to its CMOS‐based counterpart. Further, a CNTFET‐based active grounded inductor (AGI) has been designed and simulated for the first time using the proposed CNTFET‐CCII− and our recently designed CNTFET‐CCII+ and has been compared with the CMOS‐based AGI. To validate the performance of the simulated AGI's, single input multi output current mode filter and third‐order high pass Butterworth filter have also been designed and simulated. The simulation results reveal that the performance of the CNTFET‐AGI‐based applications are close to ideal response with less power consumption and temperature insensitivity with reduced active chip die area of 0.16 μm2 and can be efficiently used for low voltage, low power, and high frequency applications.
Identification and coregulation pattern analysis of long noncoding RNAs following subacute spinal cord injury
Authors: Wang Wenzhao , Ma Liang , Li Jun , Yang Shang‐You , Yi Zheng , Sun Mingjie , Chen Jianan , Xie Wei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to play critical regulatory roles in posttranscriptional and transcriptional regulation in eukaryotic cells. However, the characteristics of many lncRNAs, particularly their expression patterns in the lesion epicenter of spinal tissues following subacute spinal cord injury (SCI), remain unclear. In this study, we determined the expression profiles of lncRNAs in the lesion epicenter of spinal tissues after traumatic SCI and predicted latent regulatory networks. Standard Allen's drop surgery was conducted on mice, and hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the damaged area. High‐throughput sequencing was performed to identify the differential expression profiles of lncRNAs. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to evaluate the quality of the sequencing results. Bioinformatics analyses, including Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, coexpression analysis, and protein–protein interaction analysis, were performed. Targeted binding of lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA was predicted by TargetScan and miRanda. A total of 230 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified and preliminarily verified, and some potential regulatory networks were constructed. These findings improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying subacute SCI; differentially expressed lncRNAs are closely involved in pathophysiological processes by regulating multiple pathways. Further studies are essential for revealing the exact mechanism underlying competing endogenous RNA pathways in vivo and in vitro.
Metabolic regime shifts and ecosystem state changes are decoupled in a large river
Authors: Diamond Jacob S. , Moatar Florentina , Cohen Matthew J. , Poirel Alain , Martinet Cécile , Maire Anthony , Pinay Gilles 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAquatic ecosystem recovery from anthropogenic degradation can be hampered by internal feedbacks that stabilize undesirable states. The challenges of managing and predicting alternative states in lakes are well known, but state shifts in rivers and their attendant effects on ecosystem function remain understudied despite strong recent evidence that such shifts can and do occur. Using three decades of measurements of key state variables such as turbidity, nutrient concentrations, Corbicula fluminea clam densities, and chlorophyll a, including hourly dissolved oxygen, we investigated a sudden shift from phytoplankton to macrophyte dominance in the middle Loire River (France), and its associated effects on the rivers metabolic regime. We show, instead, that despite large and synchronous shifts across all state variables, changes in gross primary production and ecosystem respiration were modest (25% and 14% declines, respectively) and that these shifts lagged the ecosystem state changes by a decade or more. The shift to a macrophyte‐dominated state reduced the sensitivity of primary production to abiotic drivers, altered element cycling efficiency, flipped the net carbon balance from positive to negative, and, crucially, weakened the temporal coupling between production and respiration. This weakened coupling, detected using Granger causality, increased the temporal autocorrelation of net ecosystem production, yielding a robust early warning indicator of both state‐ and metabolic‐shifts that may provide valuable guidance for river restoration.
Energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence methodology and analysis of suspended particulate matter in seawater for trace element compositions and an intercomparison with high‐resolution inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Buck Nathaniel J. , Barrett Pamela M. , Morton Peter L. , Landing William M. , Resing Joseph A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA modification of energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (ED‐XRF) for analysis of trace element concentrations in suspended particulate matter (SPM) in seawater and intercomparison with high‐resolution inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (HR ICP‐MS) is presented. Approximately 250 SPM samples were collected on polycarbonate track‐etched filters in the Indian Ocean during the U.S. CLIVAR/CO2 Repeat Hydrography meridional section I09N cruise in 2007. Samples were first analyzed by ED‐XRF, a nondestructive technique, for Al, P, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn and subsequently digested and quantified by HR ICP‐MS, creating two blind, basin‐scale data sets used for a paired statistical comparison. Our results found (1) ED‐XRF analysis using thin‐film principles can quantify the elemental composition of SPM at nanomolar concentrations found in the open ocean; (2) there was excellent agreement between ED‐XRF and HR ICP‐MS analyses for Al, Fe, and Mn and good agreement for P and Ti; (3) analytical differences were the largest for Cu, Ni, and Zn; (4) HR ICP‐MS methods have lower detection limits for most elements when compared to the ED‐XRF; (5) ED‐XRF analysis has a closer agreement to reported values for the NIST SRM 2783 standard and lower relative standard deviations when compared to the HR ICP‐MS. We recommend continued refinement of nondestructive ED‐XRF methods as this would allow for the easy exchange of filtered samples between lab groups for intercalibration and intercomparison of basin‐scale hydrographic cruises and archival for future analysis.
Large and interacting effects of temperature and nutrient addition on stratified microbial ecosystems in a small, replicated, and liquid‐dominated Winogradsky column approach
Authors: Suleiman Marcel , Choffat Yves , Daugaard Uriah , Petchey Owen L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAquatic ecosystems are often stratified, with cyanobacteria in oxic layers and phototrophic sulfur bacteria in anoxic zones. Changes in stratification caused by the global environmental change are an ongoing concern. Increasing understanding of how such aerobic and anaerobic microbial communities, and associated abiotic conditions, respond to multifarious environmental changes is an important endeavor in microbial ecology. Insights can come from observational and experimental studies of naturally occurring stratified aquatic ecosystems, theoretical models of ecological processes, and experimental studies of replicated microbial communities in the laboratory. Here, we demonstrate a laboratory‐based approach with small, replicated, and liquid‐dominated Winogradsky columns, with distinct oxic/anoxic strata in a highly replicable manner. Our objective was to apply simultaneous global change scenarios (temperature, nutrient addition) on this micro‐ecosystem to report how the microbial communities (full‐length 16S rRNA gene seq.) and the abiotic conditions (O2, H2S, TOC) of the oxic/anoxic layer responded to these environmental changes. The composition of the strongly stratified microbial communities was greatly affected by temperature and by the interaction of temperature and nutrient addition, demonstrating the need of investigating global change treatments simultaneously. Especially phototrophic sulfur bacteria dominated the water column at higher temperatures and may indicate the presence of alternative stable states. We show that the establishment of such a micro‐ecosystem has the potential to test global change scenarios in stratified eutrophic limnic systems.
Environmental hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes
Authors: Kunhikannan Shalini , Thomas Colleen J. , Franks Ashley E. , Mahadevaiah Sumana , Kumar Sumana , Petrovski Steve 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBacterial resistance toward broad‐spectrum antibiotics has become a major concern in recent years. The threat posed by the infectious bacteria and the pace with which resistance determinants are transmitted needs to be deciphered. Soil and water contain unique and diverse microbial communities as well as pools of naturally occurring antibiotics resistant genes. Overuse of antibiotics along with poor sanitary practices expose these indigenous microbial communities to antibiotic resistance genes from other bacteria and accelerate the process of acquisition and dissemination. Clinical settings, where most antibiotics are prescribed, are hypothesized to serve as a major hotspot. The predisposition of the surrounding environments to a pool of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria facilitates rapid antibiotic resistance among the indigenous microbiota in the soil, water, and clinical environments via horizontal gene transfer. This provides favorable conditions for the development of more multidrug‐resistant pathogens. Limitations in detecting gene transfer mechanisms have likely left us underestimating the role played by the surrounding environmental hotspots in the emergence of multidrug‐resistant bacteria. This review aims to identify the major drivers responsible for the spread of antibiotic resistance and hotspots responsible for the acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes.