bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis: a N3C Study
Authors: Ge Jin , Pletcher Mark J. , Lai Jennifer C. ,   for the N3C Consortium
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackground and AimsIn patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) with or without cirrhosis, existing data on the risk of adverse outcomes with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been mixed or have limited generalizability. We used the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) Data Enclave, a harmonized electronic health record (EHR) dataset of 5.9 million nationally-representative, diverse, and gender-balanced patients, to describe outcomes in patients with CLD and cirrhosis with SARS-CoV-2.MethodsWe identified all chronic liver diseases patients with and without cirrhosis who had SARS-CoV-2 testing documented in the N3C Data Enclave as of data release date 5/15/2021. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. Survival analysis methods were used to estimate cumulative incidences of death, hospitalization, and mechanical ventilation, and to calculate the associations of SARS-CoV-2 infection, presence of cirrhosis, and demographic and clinical factors to 30-day mortality.ResultsWe isolated 217,143 patients with CLD: 129,097 (59%) without cirrhosis and SARS-CoV-2 negative, 25,844 (12%) without cirrhosis and SARS-CoV-2 positive, 54,065 (25%) with cirrhosis and SARS-CoV-2 negative, and 8,137 (4%) with cirrhosis and SARS-CoV-2 positive. Among CLD patients without cirrhosis, 30-day all-cause mortality rates were 0.4% in SARS-CoV-2 negative patients and 1.8% in positive patients. Among CLD patients with cirrhosis, 30-day all-cause mortality rates were 4.0% in SARS-CoV-2 negative patients and 9.7% in positive patients.Compared to those who tested SARS-CoV-2 negative, SARS-CoV-2 positivity was associated with more than two-fold (aHR 2.43, 95% CI 2.23-2.64) hazard of death at 30 days among patients with cirrhosis. Compared to patients without cirrhosis, the presence of cirrhosis was associated with a three-fold (aHR 3.39, 95% CI 2.96-3.89) hazard of death at 30 days among patients who tested SARS-CoV-2 positive. Age (aHR 1.03 per year, 95% CI 1.03-1.04) was associated with death at 30 days among patients with cirrhosis who were SARS-CoV-2 positive.ConclusionsIn this study of nearly 220,000 CLD patients, we found SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with cirrhosis was associated with 2.43-times mortality hazard, and the presence of cirrhosis among CLD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were associated with 3.39-times mortality hazard. Compared to previous studies, our use of a nationally-representative, diverse, and gender-balanced dataset enables wide generalizability of these findings.
Individual-based modeling of COVID-19 transmission in college communities
Authors: Huang Qimin , Ndeffo-Mbah Martial , Mondal Anirban , Lee Sara , Gurarie David 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created major public health and socio-economic challenges across the United States. Among them are challenges to the educational system where college administrators are struggling with the questions of how to reopen in-person activities while prioritizing student safety. To help address this challenge, we developed a flexible computational framework to model the spread and control of COVID-19 on a residential college campus. The modeling framework accounts for heterogeneity in social interactions, activities, disease progression, and control interventions. The relative contribution of classroom, dorm, and social activities to disease transmission was explored. We observed that the dorm has the highest contribution to disease transmission followed by classroom and social activities. Without vaccination, frequent (weekly) random testing coupled with risk reduction measures (e.g. facial mask,) in classroom, dorm, and social activities is the most effective control strategy to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on college campuses. Moreover, since random screening testing allows for the successful and early detection of both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals, it successfully reduces the transmission rate such that the maximum quarantine capacity is far lower than expected to further reduce the economic burden caused from quarantine. With vaccination, herd immunity is estimated to be achievable by 50% to 80% immunity coverage. In the absence of herd immunity, simulations indicate that it is optimal to keep some level of transmission risk reduction measures in classroom, dorm, and social activities, while testing at a lower frequency. Though our quantitative results are likely provisional on our model assumptions, extensive sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of their qualitative nature.HighlightsIndividual-based model for college communities with structured students’ interactions.We evaluated COVID-19 control measures needed for in-person college reopening.Without vaccination, high testing frequency is paramount for outbreak control.With high vaccination coverage, some NPIs are still needed for outbreak control.General access website tool was developed for the public to explore simulations.Graphic Abstract
NEW CORONAVIRUS IN PREGNANT WOMEN. Maternal and perinatal outcomes
Authors: Sánchez Jaime , Espinosa Jorge , Caballero Luis Carlos , Campana B Sara , Quintero Arelys , Luo Carlos , Ng C Jorge , de Gracia Rafael , Vigil-De Gracia Paulino 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo report the maternal and neonatal results of patients infected with COVID-19 in Panama.MethodsThe study is based on the analysis of pregnant women with COVID-19, in 5 hospitals in the Republic of Panama. The inclusion criteria were: Patients with or without symptoms, positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 in the period from March 23 to 6 months after, whose births were attended in one of those 5 hospitals and who signed the consent. Data was obtained at the time of diagnosis of the infection and at the time of termination of pregnancy for the mother and newborn.Results253 patients met the inclusion criteria. Most were diagnosed in the third trimester (89.3%). 10.3% of the patients presented in a severe form of COVID-19. The most frequent complication was pre-eclampsia and if we add gestational hypertension they represent 21.2%; most of the patients terminated the pregnancy by caesarean section (58%). 26.9% (95% CI 21.3-32.9%) of the births were premature, and perinatal mortality was 5.4% (95% CI 3.0-9.0%). There was a need for mechanical ventilation in 5.9% (95% CI 3.6-9.6%) of the cohort and there were four maternal deaths (1.6% - 95% CI 0.6-4.0%).ConclusionsThis study of pregnant women infected with COVID-19 and diagnosed with RT-PCR shows serious maternal complications such as high admission to the ICU, need for mechanical ventilation and one death in every 64 infected. Frequent obstetric complications such as hypertension, premature rupture of membranes, high rate of prematurity and perinatal lethality were also seen.
Caregiver Perspectives of Pre-Transplant Evaluation in Children
Authors: Salmon Eloise C. , Barr Laura G. , Hill Douglas L. , Shea Judy A. , Amaral Sandra 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPre-transplant evaluation is mandated by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, but there is wide institutional variation in implementation, and the family experience of the process is incompletely understood. Current literature largely focuses on adult transplant recipients. This qualitative study begins to fill the knowledge gap about family experience of the pre-transplant evaluation for children through interviews with caregivers at a large pediatric transplant center. Prominent themes heard from caregivers include (1) the pre-transplant evaluation is overwhelming and emotional, (2) prior experiences and background knowledge frame the evaluation experience, and (3) frustration with communication among teams is common. These findings are relevant to efforts by transplant centers to optimize information delivery, minimize concrete barriers, and address healthcare systems issues.
The Relative Importance of Mindfulness Facets and Their Interactions: Relations to Psychological Symptoms in Chronic Pain
Authors: Azizi Zahra , Jandaghi Gholamreza , Firoozi Manijeh , Zia-Tohidi Ali , Ebnerasouli Shahrokh 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study had three objectives: first, to investigate the relative importance of the five mindfulness facets to negative affect (NA) among patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain; second, to test the hypothesis that observing is associated with lower NA only if occurs in an accepting manner; and third, to investigate the relation between mindfulness and obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS).MethodsOne hundred and nineteen patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain filled the Five-Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS), and the Obsessive– compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R). A latent variable was constructed to represent NA. Multiple regression analysis was conducted, and several indices of relative importance were calculated.ResultsExcept for Observing, all mindfulness facets had significant bivariate and unique relation with NA. Acting with Awareness was the most important predictor, followed by Nonjudging and Describing. The contribution of Nonreactivity was small. Regarding the second objective, the Observing × Nonjudging and Observing × Nonreactivity interactions were not significant. Finally, the five facets of mindfulness explained about one-half of the variance in obsession and one-fifth of the variance in compulsion. After excluding the shared variance between obsession and compulsion, mindfulness was only related to obsession.ConclusionsExcept for Observing, all mindfulness facets seem to have unique contributions to psychological symptoms; among them, Acting with Awareness seems most important. Current evidence is inconsistent in supporting the moderating role of acceptance in the influence of observing. Finally, in the context of OCS, it seems that mindfulness is more related to obsession than compulsion.
Sociodemographic factors associated with Public knowledge of dementia in a Cuban population
Authors: Fernández-Fleites Zoylen , Broche-Pérez Yunier , Eccleston Claire , Jiménez-Puig Elizabeth , Castillo Evelyn Fernández 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo explore knowledge and beliefs among a cross-section of the Cuban adult population with regard to dementia risk factors and to determine the demographic variables related with it.Study designA cross-sectional survey was carried out on 1004 Cubans.MethodsThe survey measured the importance placed on dementia, risk reduction knowledge and the actions to prevent it. Logistic regression was undertaken to identify variables associated with knowledge.ResultsMost respondents (47.5%) believe that dementia risk reduction should start before age of 40. Cognitive stimulation and physical activities were selected with major frequency. Being older than 48 years, having previous contact with dementia and university education increases the probability of having healthy lifestyles.ConclusionsThe exploration of demographic variables allows the prediction of likelihood to know about or have positive beliefs in relation to dementia. They should be contemplated into strategies for dementia prevention in Cuban population.
The effect of pre-anaesthetic assessment clinic: a systematic review of randomised and non-randomised prospective controlled studies
Authors: Kristoffersen Eirunn Wallevik , Opsal Anne , Tveit Tor , Berg Rigmor C , Fossum Mariann 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe aim of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness of pre-anaesthetic assessment clinics (PACs) implemented to improve quality and patient safety in perioperative care.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesThe electronic databases CINAHL Plus with Full Text (EBSCOhost), Medline, and Embase (OvidSP) were systematically searched from 1st April, 1996 to 4th February, 2021.Eligibility criteriaThe main inclusion criterion was that the study, using empirical quantitative methods, addressed the effectiveness of PACs.Data extraction and synthesisTitles, abstracts, and full texts were screened in duplicate by two authors. Risk of bias assessment, using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for quasi-experimental studies, and data extraction were performed by one author and checked by the other author. Results were synthesised narratively owing to the heterogeneity of the included studies.ResultsSeven prospective controlled studies were conducted. Most studies had a high risk of bias. Three studies reported a significant reduction in the length of the hospital stay, and two studies reported a significant reduction in cancellation of surgery for medical reasons when patients were seen in the PAC. In addition, the included studies presented mixed results regarding anxiety in patients.ConclusionThis systematic review demonstrated a reduction in the length of hospital stay and cancellation of surgery when the patients had been assessed in the PAC. There is a need for high-quality prospective studies to gain a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of PACs.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019137724ARTICLE SUMMARYStrengths and Limitations of this studyOnly prospective studies were included in this systematic review.The systematic review was conducted in accordance with international guidelines.Only seven studies were identified, highlighting the need for further research on pre-anaesthetic assessment clinics.Overall, the quality of the included studies was low, and the current practice possesses limited evidence base.
Ambient air pollution and COVID-19 in National Capital Territory of Delhi, India: a time-series evidence
Authors: Singh Abhishek 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the short-term health effects of ambient air pollutants PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO on COVID-19 daily new cases and COVID-19 daily new deaths.Study designA time-series design used in this study. Data were obtained from 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020 in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, India.MethodsThe generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to explore the associations of six air pollutants with COVID-19 daily new cases and COVID-19 daily new deaths. We also conducted sensitivity analysis using the population mobility variable in terms of lockdowns.ResultsThe GAMs revealed statistically significant associations of ambient air pollutants with COVID-19 daily new cases and COVID-19 daily new deaths. Besides, in sensitivity analysis after controlling for the population mobility, these associations became more prominent.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that governments need to give greater considerations to regions with higher concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO, since these areas may experience a more serious COVID-19 pandemic or, in general, any respiratory disease.
How does literacy affect speech processing? Not by enhancing cortical responses to speech, but by promoting connectivity of acoustic-phonetic and graphomotor cortices
Authors: Hervais-Adelman Alexis , Kumar Uttam , Mishra Ramesh K. , Tripathi Viveka N. , Guleria Anupam , Singh Jay P. , Huettig Falk 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPrevious research suggest that literacy, specifically learning alphabetic letter-to-phoneme mappings, modifies online speech processing, and enhances brain responses to speech in auditory areas associated with phonological processing (Dehaene et al., 2010). However, alphabets are not the only orthographic systems in use in the world, and hundreds of millions of individuals speak languages that are not written using alphabets. In order to make claims that literacy per se has broad and general consequences for brain responses to speech, one must seek confirmatory evidence from non-alphabetic literacy. To this end, we conducted a longitudinal fMRI study in India probing the effect of literacy in Devanagari, an abubgida, on functional connectivity and cerebral responses to speech in 91 variously literate Hindi-speaking individuals. Twenty-two completely illiterate participants underwent six months of reading and writing training. Devanagari literacy increases functional connectivity between acoustic-phonetic and graphomotor brain areas, but we find no evidence that literacy changes the way speech is processed, either in cross-sectional or longitudinal analyses. These findings shows that a radical reconfiguration of the neurofunctional substrates of online speech processing is not a universal result of learning to read, and raise the possibility that writing, not only reading, may be instrumental in moulding literate speech perception.Significance StatementIt has come to be accepted that a consequence of being able to read is enhanced auditory processing of speech, reflected by increased cortical responses in areas associated with phonological processing. Here we find no relationship between literacy and the magnitude of brain response to speech stimuli in individuals who speak Hindi, which is written using a non-alphabetic script, Devanagari - an abugida. We propose that the exact nature of the script under examination must be considered before making sweeping claims about the consequences of literacy for the brain. Further, we find evidence that literacy enhances functional connectivity between auditory processing areas and graphomotor areas, suggesting a mechanism whereby learning to write, not only to read, might influence speech perception.
Mangrove forests mitigate coral bleaching under thermal stress from climate change
Authors: Johnson Jack V. , Dick Jaimie T.A. , Pincheira-Donoso Daniel 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAnthropogenic marine heatwaves are progressively degrading coral reef ecosystems worldwide via the process of coral bleaching (the expulsion of photosynthetic endosymbionts which reveals the coral skeleton). Corals from mangrove lagoons are hypothesised to increase resistance and resilience to coral bleaching, highlighting these areas as potential natural refuges for corals. Our study, the first conducted at a global-scale, reveals that coral reefs associated with mangrove forests are less likely to bleach under thermal stress, and thus, under scenarios of climate warming. The onset of severe bleaching occurred after 3.6 Degree Heating Weeks (DHW) in mangrove-associated reefs, compared to 2.23 DHW for non-mangrove associated reefs. These findings highlight the critical role of mangrove forests for coral reef persistence under climate change. Accordingly, conservation actions targeting the protection of mangroves are expected to contribute to the resilience and resistance of reef corals from bleaching as marine heatwaves continue to become more common.
Depth of sedation with dexmedetomidine modulates cortical excitability non-linearly
Authors: Cardone Paolo , Bodart Olivier , Kirsch Murielle , Sanfilippo Julien , Virgillito Alessandra , Martial Charlotte , Simon Jessica , Wannez Sarah , Sanders Robert D. , Laureys Steven , Massimini Marcello , Bonhomme Vincent , Gosseries Olivia 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundCortical excitability changes across conscious states, being higher in unconsciousness compared to normal wakefulness. Anaesthesia offers controlled manipulation to investigate conscious processes and underlying brain dynamics. Among commonly used anaesthetic agents, dexmedetomidine (DEX) effects are not completely known. In this study, we investigated cortical excitability as a function of DEX sedation depth.MethodsTranscranial magnetic stimulation coupled with electroencephalography was recorded in 20 healthy subjects undergoing DEX sedation in four conditions (baseline, light sedation, deep sedation, recovery). Frontal and parietal cortices were stimulated using a neuronavigation system. Cortical excitability was inferred by slope, amplitude, positive and negative peak latencies of the first component (0-30 ms) of the TMS-evoked potential. Four Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) were used to test the effect of condition and brain region over cortical excitability.ResultsDexmedetomidine modulated amplitude (P<0.001), slope (P=0.0001) and positive peak (P=0.042), while the targeted brain region affected amplitude (P<0.001), slope (P<0.001), and negative peak (P=0.001). The interaction between dexmedetomidine and region had an effect over amplitude (P=0.004), and slope (P=0.009) such that cortical excitability was higher during all conditions where DEX was present as compared to the baseline.ConclusionsCortical excitability changes non-linearly as a function of the depth of DEX sedation, with a paradoxical non dose-dependent increase. The effect is region-specific, being present in the frontal but not in the parietal region. Future research should extend the current results with other anaesthetics to better understand the link between cortical excitability and depth of sedation.
Characterizing the middle-age neurophysiology using EEG/MEG
Authors: Gula Justyna , Moiseeva Victoria , Ruiz Maria Herrojo , Cappelletti Marinella 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTMiddle adulthood – the period of life between 40 and 60 years of age – is accompanied by important physical and emotional changes, as well as cognitive and neuronal ones. Nevertheless, middle age is often overlooked in neuroscience under the assumption that this is a time of relative stability, although cognitive decline, as well as changes in brain structure and function are well-established by the age of 60.Here we characterized the middle-aged brain in the context of healthy younger and older adults by assessing resting-state electrophysiological and neuromagnetic activity in two different samples (N = 179, 631). Alpha and beta oscillations – two key ageing signatures – were analyzed in terms of spectral power and burst events. While posterior alpha power and burst rate features changed linearly with age, similarly to behavioral measures, sensorimotor beta power and burst rate properties varied non-linearly, with inflection points during middle age. The findings suggest that ageing is characterized by distinct spatial and temporal brain dynamics, some critically arising in middle age.
Microstructural development from 9-14 years: evidence from the ABCD Study
Authors: Palmer Clare E , Pecheva Diliana , Iversen John R , Hagler Donald J , Sugrue Leo , Nedelec Pierre , Fan Chun Chieh , Thompson Wesley K , Jernigan Terry L , Dale Anders M 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTDuring late childhood behavioral changes, such as increased risk-taking and emotional reactivity, have been associated with the maturation of cortico-cortico and cortico-subcortical circuits. Understanding microstructural changes in both white matter and subcortical regions may aid our understanding of how individual differences in these behaviors emerge. Restriction spectrum imaging (RSI) is a framework for modelling diffusion-weighted imaging that decomposes the diffusion signal from a voxel into hindered, restricted, and free compartments. This yields greater specificity than conventional methods of characterizing diffusion. Using RSI, we quantified voxelwise restricted diffusion across the brain and measured age associations in a large sample (n=8,086) from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study aged 9-14 years. Older participants showed a higher restricted signal fraction across the brain, with the largest associations in subcortical regions, particularly the basal ganglia and ventral diencephalon. Importantly, age associations varied with respect to the cytoarchitecture within white matter fiber tracts and subcortical structures, for example age associations differed across thalamic nuclei. This suggests that age-related changes may map onto specific cell populations or circuits and highlights the utility of voxelwise compared to ROI-wise analyses. Future analyses will aim to understand the relevance of this microstructural developmental for behavioral outcomes.