bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P625 Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in IBD patients in the second and third wave compared with the first wave and with the data of general population
Authors: Guerra Marina I , Algaba A , Castro S , Jiménez L , Garza D , Aller M D M , Granja A , Guardiola A , Gil M , Ruiz P , Bermejo F 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
Our aims were: 1.) to compare the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in IBD patients in the second and third wave with respect to the results published in our site in the first wave (I. Guerra et al. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2021 Jan 1;27(1):25–33) and 2.) to compare the date of the second and third wave with data of general population from the Autonomous Community of Madrid

Methods
Cohort, observational study in IBD patients followed in our IBD Unit with SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 2020 and May 2020 (first wave) and between July 2020 to March 2021 (second-third wave). All data were collected by telephone interview and reviewing the electronical medical records

Results
The demographic characteristics of the patients included are shown in Table 1.
Regarding clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in both group of patients are represented in Table 2.
The severity of disease was not related to immunomodulators and/or biological treatments in both cohorts.
The number of COVID-19 cases by date in our IBD Unit in comparison with the cases in the Community of Madrid are shown in the Figure 1.

Conclusion
The patients diagnosed in the first wave were older and more symptomatic. Although the number of severe cases was higher in the first wave, influenced by the limited availability of tests in that period, no difference was found in mortality or in the percentage of ICU admissions.Severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection was not related to immunosuppression and in the second-third wave the IBD treatment was maintained more frequently.The distribution of cases in our series was in concordance with the data obtained in the general population.
P674 Definition of a microbial signature as a predictor of anti-TNFα treatment response
Authors: Oliver L , Busquets D , Amoedo J , Ramió-Pujol S , Malagón M , Serrano M , Bahí A , Lluansí A , Gilabert P , Miquel-Cusachs J O , Sàbat M , Guardiola J , Serra-Pagès M , Garcia-Gil J , Aldeguer X 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) evolve with alternate outbreaks and remissions of variable duration. Tumour necrosis factor α antagonists (anti-TNFα) have enhanced the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), improving the patient’s quality of life by reducing the number of surgeries and hospitalizations. Despite these advances, about 10–30% of patients do not respond to the treatment after the induction period.
Recent studies have pointed, on one hand, gut microbiota can play a role in the anti-TNFα treatment response as gram-positive bacteria can modulate the response of NOD proteins and, on the other hand, gram-negative bacteria can stimulate TLR4 receptors causing activation of NFkß.
This study aimed to define a microbial signature that could be used to predict the response of patients with CD and UC to anti-TNFα treatment.

Methods
This observational study consisted of obtaining a stool sample from 38 IBD patients before starting an anti-TNFα treatment. Patients were recruited at Hospital Universitari Dr. Josep Trueta (Girona) and Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge (l’Hospitalet de Llobregat).
During the one-year follow-up period, disease activity levels, faecal calprotectin evolution, and anti-TNFα antibody levels were analysed to assess response to treatment, differentiating 2 groups: responders and non-responders.
From each sample, DNA was purified and used in a qPCR for the quantification of the following markers: F. prausnitzii (Fpra) and its phylogroups (PHG-I and PHG-II), E. coli (Eco), A. muciniphila (Akk), Ruminococcus sp. (Rum), Bacteroidetes (Bac), M. smithii (Msm), and the total bacterial load (Eub).

Results
In this proof of concept, the predictive ability to identify anti-TNFα treatment responders was analysed. Individually, none of biomarkers demonstrated the ability to differentiate between groups with high sensitivity and specificity. However, an algorithm consisting of the combination of 5 microbial markers (Msm, Fpra, PHGII, Rum, and Eub) showed a high capacity to discriminate between responders and non-responders. The algorithm proved high sensitivity and specificity reporting values ​​of 93.33% and 100%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 75% for predicting response to biologic treatment.

Conclusion
A specific microbial signature could beneficiate patients with IBD by predicting the therapeutic effectiveness of an anti-TNFα treatment, which could lead to a personalized therapy, improving the patients’ quality of life, saving costs, and gaining time in patient recovery.A larger prospective study will be needed to validate these results.
P502 Dietary habits and nutritional status in children and adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: an italian multicenter case-control study (NUTRIBD study)
Authors: Gatti S , Vallorani M , Zoppi E , Aloi M , Bramuzzo M , Felici E , Panceri R , Ciacchini B , Catassi G , Grazian F , Catassi C 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
Nutrition is involved in several aspects of pediatric IBD, ranging from disease etiology to induction and maintenance of disease. Presence of nutritional deficiencies can influence clinical outcomes and affect the immune system, growth and sexual maturation in children. Few studies assessed the dietary intake of IBD’s pediatric patients and investigated whether their dietary intakes meet the recommended daily allowances (RDA).

Methods
Children and adolescents with a diagnosis of IBD (&gt; 1 year) and healthy controls (age and gender matched) were prospectively enrolled in 5 pediatric Italian IBD units. Daily dietary intake in the previous 6 months was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Energy intake (EI) and macro and micronutrients intakes were compared to the national RDA (LARN) and EI to the predicted total energy expenditure (TEE) based on the Schofield equation. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measured through the KIDMED score. Clinical and auxological data were recorded

Results
110 IBD subjects and 110 controls (median age±SD: 14,6 ±2,2 and 13,8±2,8 years, p= 0,45) were enrolled. Weight and height z-scores were significantly lower in IBD compared to controls (p= 0,0005 and p=0,036).Weight, height and BMI z-score did not differ between CD and UC. EI (Kcal/day), the EI/RDA ratio (%) and the EI/TEE ratio (%) were significantly lower in IBD compared to the controls (1893 vs 2068 kcal/day, p= 0,009; 71,5% vs 84,7%, p&lt; 0,0001; 79,8% vs 90,8%, p=0,007). When distributing patients by clinical disease activity, the TEE was lower in patients with active disease compared to patients in remission (1850 vs 1915; p=0,039). A significant correlation was not found between age, gender, type of disease, disease activity, and EI/RDA % and EI/TEE %. Total protein and fat intake were lower in children with IBD compared to controls. Conversely the total carbohydrate intake did not differ between IBD patients and controls (median 289,8 vs 311,7 gr/day, p= 0,077) while the percentage of carbohydrate to EI was higher (CHO % : 61 vs 58; p=0,012). Total charbohydrates intake was significantly lower in patients with active disease compared to patients in remission (265.7 vs 294.3 gr/day; p=0,002). IBD patients reported a lower intake of the main dietary micronutrients compared to controls. A poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet was more frequent in IBD children (37.2% vs 22.7%, p= 0,013).

Conclusion
The diet of Italian children and adolescents with IBD differs substantially from the general pediatric population and frequently does not meet the RDA. Our data suggest the need of an accurate evaluation of the dietary intake and nutritional status in order to prevent nutritional deficiencies and promote health.
Coffee price dynamics: an analysis of the retail-international price margin
Authors: Ghoshray Atanu , Mohan Sushil 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe examine the dynamics of the margin between retail and international coffee prices from 1980 to 2018. We find no significant trend in the margin using a robust procedure for estimating a trend. Further, we establish that any deviations in the margin are transitory for the full sample as well as the periods prior to and after the demise of the ICA, but with asymmetric adjustment. One of the reasons for the observed asymmetry could be market concentration in the coffee supply chain at the coffee roasting level, which allows coffee roasters to keep a higher share of the profits.
Long Term Prognostic Impact of Sex-specific Longitudinal Changes in Blood Pressure. The EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Population Cohort Study
Authors: Pana Tiberiu A , Luben Robert N , Mamas Mamas A , Potter John F , Wareham Nicholas J , Khaw Kay-Tee , Myint Phyo K 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Aims
We aimed to determine the sex differences in longitudinal systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) trajectories in mid-life and delineate the associations between these and mortality (all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular) and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in old age.

Methods and results
Participants were selected from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer, Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) cohort study. Sex-specific trajectories were determined using group-based trajectory models using three clinic BP measurements acquired between 1993 and 2012 (mean exposure ∼12.9 years). Multivariable Cox regressions determined the associations between trajectories and incident outcomes over the follow-up (median follow-up 9.4 years). A total of 2897 men (M) and 3819 women (F) were included. At baseline, women were younger (F-55.5, M-57.1), had a worse cardiometabolic profile and were less likely to receive primary CVD prevention including antihypertensive treatment (F-36.0%, M-42.0%). Over the exposure period, women had lower SBP trajectories while men exhibited more pronounced SBP decreases over this period. Over the follow-up period, women had lower mortality (F-11.9%, M-20.5%) and CVD incidence (F-19.8%, M-29.6%). Compared to optimal SBP (≤120 mmHg) and DBP (≤70 mmHg) trajectories, hypertensive trajectories were associated with increased mortality and incident CVD in both men and women during follow-up at univariable level. These associations were nevertheless not maintained upon extensive confounder adjustment including antihypertensive therapies.

Conclusion
We report sex disparities in CVD prevention which may relate to worse cardiometabolic profiles and less pronounced longitudinal SBP decreases in women. Effective anti-hypertensivetherapy may offset the adverse outcomes associated with prolonged exposure to high blood pressure.
Are Geckos Special in Sex Determination? Independently Evolved Differentiated ZZ/ZW Sex Chromosomes in Carphodactylid Geckos
Authors: Augstenová Barbora , Pensabene Eleonora , Veselý Milan , Kratochvíl Lukáš , Rovatsos Michail 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAmniotes possess astonishing variability in sex determination ranging from environmental sex determination (ESD) to genotypic sex determination (GSD) with highly differentiated sex chromosomes. Geckos are one of the few amniote groups with substantial variability in sex determination. What makes them special in this respect? We hypothesized that the extraordinary variability of sex determination in geckos can be explained by two alternatives: 1) unusual lability of sex determination, predicting that the current GSD systems were recently formed and are prone to turnovers; and 2) independent transitions from the ancestral ESD to later stable GSD, which assumes that geckos possessed ancestrally ESD, but once sex chromosomes emerged, they remain stable in the long term. Here, based on genomic data, we document that the differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes evolved within carphodactylid geckos independently from other gekkotan lineages and remained stable in the genera Nephrurus, Underwoodisaurus, and Saltuarius for at least 15 Myr and potentially up to 45 Myr. These results together with evidence for the stability of sex chromosomes in other gekkotan lineages support more our second hypothesis suggesting that geckos do not dramatically differ from the evolutionary transitions in sex determination observed in the majority of the amniote lineages.
Skin Tone and Perceived Discrimination: Health and Aging Beyond the Binary in NSHAP 2015
Authors: Monk Ellis P , Kaufman Jerry , Montoya Yadira 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objectives
This paper introduces new measures of skin tone (self-reported) and perceived discrimination that are included in the third round of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). We explain the rationale for these new measures, emphasizing, in particular, how they help researchers to conceptualize and measure the significance of race/ethnicity for health and aging beyond binary ethnoracial categories.

Method
We describe new measures of skin tone and perceived discrimination for use in NSHAP 2015. We provide descriptive statistics on the distribution of skin tone (self-reported) by race/ethnicity. As a proof of concept, we use logistic and ordinary least squares regression analyses to examine the relationship between skin tone, perceived discrimination, and perceived stress among ethnoracial minorities.

Results
We find that there is significant variation in skin tone among non-White respondents in NSHAP 2015 (e.g., non-Hispanic Black and Latinx). We also find that skin tone (self-reported) is a significant predictor of the frequency of perceived discrimination and perceived stress among African American, but not Latinx respondents in NSHAP.

Discussion
The inclusion of new skin tone and discrimination measures in NSHAP 2015 provides a unique and novel opportunity for researchers to more deeply understand how race/ethnicity is connected to health and aging among ethnoracial minorities. Furthermore, it will enable analyses of how stress and perceived discrimination also affect patterns of health and aging among Whites against the backdrop of steadily increasing socioeconomic inequalities and shifting ethnoracial demographics in the United States.
A modified specific barrier model based on new time functions and approach for cracks location on the fault plane: application to the 2008 Iwate–Miyagi earthquake
Authors: Rezaei Mohammad Hadi , Khaji Naser , Di Maio Rosa , Emolo Antonio 
Published: May 2021

SUMMARYSpecific barrier method (SBM) is a method used for ground motion generation from a finite fault surface. It is based on a regular distribution of rupturing circular subevents located on the fault plane and random arrival times of the waves generated by those cracks. This approach does not consider the whole rupture kinematics, that is the rupture propagation from the hypocentre to the subevents, and leaves parts of the fault unbroken (barriers). In this paper, we propose a modified version of the SBM for generation of synthetic ground motions from a fault surface. In this version, we modify the probability density function (PDF) for the arrival time of the waves coming from different parts of the fault in order to better account for the fault kinematics and the distance between fault point and receiver. In this way, we can simulate the middle part of the acceleration spectrum (i.e. between 0.1 and 7 Hz) with more accuracy. Moreover, a new arrangement for locating cracks throughout the fault plane is proposed to add flexibility to the model and enable it to make the part of the spectrum with frequency larger than 7 Hz more like what happens in nature. In such an arrangement, called geometry packing in this paper, the size of circles varies within a chosen specific allowable range, while the circles cover all over the fault plane without any overlaps. To validate the proposed modified SBM technique, the synthetic Fourier spectra are compared with recordings of the 2008 Mw6.9 Iwate–Miyagi (Japan) earthquake. Finally, we present some parametric studies to show how different features of the proposed PDFs affect the results from the SBM approach.
Cognitive deficits in episodic ataxia type 2 mouse models
Authors: Bohne Pauline , Mourabit Damian Boden-El , Josten Mareike , Mark Melanie D 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by motor incoordination, paroxysmal dystonia, vertigo, nystagmus and more recently cognitive deficits. To date over 100 mutations in the CACNA1A gene have been identified in EA2 patients leading to a loss of P/Q-type channel activity, dysfunction of cerebellar Purkinje cells and motor incoordination. To determine if the cerebellum is contributing to these cognitive deficits, we examined two different EA2 mouse models for cognition impairments where CACNA1A was removed specifically from cerebellar Purkinje or granule cells postnatally. Both mutant mouse models showed anxiolytic behavior to lighted, open areas in the open field and light/dark place preference tests but enhanced anxiousness in the novel suppressed feeding test. However, EA2 mice continued to show augmented latencies in the light/dark preference test and when the arena was divided into two dark zones in the dark/dark preference test. Moreover, increased latencies were also displayed in the novel object recognition test, indicating that EA2 mice are indecisive and anxious to explore new territories and objects and may have memory recognition deficits. Exposure to a foreign mouse led to deficiencies in attention and sniffing as well as in social and genital sniffing. These data suggest that postnatal removal of the P/Q type calcium channel from the cerebellum regulates neuronal activity involved in anxiety, memory, decision making and social interactions. Our EA2 mice will provide a model to identify the mechanisms and therapeutic agents underlying cognitive and psychiatric disorders seen in EA2 patients.
Agreement between pharmaceutical claims data and patient-reported medication use after stroke
Authors: Dalli Lachlan L , Andrew Nadine E , Cadilhac Dominique A , Kim Joosup , Sanfilippo Frank M , Kilkenny Monique F 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objectives
To assess the agreement between pharmaceutical claims data and patient-reported medication use after stroke.

Methods
Claims data from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme were used to estimate medication use for a subset of participants registered in the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry in 2016. Estimates on medication use were validated against patient-reported responses (considered the reference standard).

Key findings
For antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medications, the sensitivity of claims data was excellent (85–87%) and the specificity was good (73–78%). Whereas for antithrombotic medications, sensitivity was modest (61%), but specificity was excellent (85%).

Conclusions
Pharmaceutical claims data can be used to infer medication use after stroke with mostly good to excellent sensitivity and specificity compared with the patient report.
Diagnostic Performance of Contrast-enhanced Mammography: Comparison With MRI and Mammography
Authors: Yüzkan Sabahattin , Cengiz Duygu , Hekimsoy İlhan , Sezgin Okçu Özlem , Oktay Ayşenur 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) with MRI and mammography (MG) based on histopathological results.MethodsIn this IRB-approved study, written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Images from 40 patients (62 lesions) with suspicious findings on US between March 2018 and August 2018 were evaluated. Sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of CEM, MRI, and MG were evaluated and compared within a 95% confidence interval. Maximum dimensions of lesions were measured and correlations of results were evaluated with Spearman’s Rho test.ResultsIn the histopathological analysis, 66% (41/62) of lesions were malignant and 34% (21/62) of lesions were benign. Contrast-enhanced mammography, MRI, and MG had sensitivities of 100% (41/41), 100% (41/41), and 80% (33/41), respectively. The sensitivity of CEM and MRI was significantly better than that of MG (P = 0.03). The NPVs of CEM (100%, 7/7) and MRI (100%, 14/14) were statistically higher than the NPV of MG (60%, 12/20) (P = 0.03). The false-positive rates for CEM, MRI, and MG were 33% (7/21), 66% (14/21), and 42% (9/21), respectively. Contrast-enhanced mammography had a significantly lower false-positive rate than MRI (P &lt; 0.001). Mammography had the highest false-negative rate, missing 19% (8/41) of malignant lesions.ConclusionContrast-enhanced mammography has similar performance characteristics to MRI and improved performance characteristics relative to MG. In particular, CEM and MRI have similar sensitivity and NPVs and both are superior in each of these metrics to MG.
Torture by Non-state Actors
Authors: Le Moli Ginevra 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In legal discourse, ‘torture’ is a term used to describe the deliberate infliction of severe physical or mental pain and suffering upon a person. One controversial aspect of the legal definition of torture has been the status of the perpetrator, whose acts are relevant for the purposes of the torture definition under international law. This ambiguity came to the forefront in the judgment of the United Kingdom (UK) Supreme Court in R v. Reeves Taylor, where the Court ruled that the category of persons ‘acting in an official capacity’ (under section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, which implements the United Nations Convention against Torture) included members of armed groups, if those groups exercise governmental authority over a civilian population in a territory under their control. This article relies on R v. Reeves Taylor as a gateway for a wider analysis of four fundamental inquiries into the definition and operation of the crime of torture: (i) the rationales underlying the international criminal repression of torture; (ii) the rules (including the UN Convention as well as other rules) which give expression to different rationales; (iii) the spectrum of actors whose acts can constitute torture under different rationales and rules; and (iv) the wider implications of expanding the spectrum of possible perpetrators.