bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kynurenines Increase MRS Metabolites in Basal Ganglia and Decrease Resting State Connectivity in Frontostriatal Reward Circuitry in Depression
Authors: Chen Xiangchuan , Beltran Diana J. , Tsygankova Valeriya D , Woolwine Bobbi J. , Patel Trusharth , Baer Wendy , Felger Jennifer C. , Miller Andrew H. , Haroon Ebrahim 
Published: May 2021

AbstractInflammation is associated with depressive symptoms including anhedonia in patients with major depression. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which peripheral inflammatory signals are communicated to the brain to influence central nervous system (CNS) function has yet to be fully elucidated. Based on laboratory animal studies, molecules of the kynurenine pathway (KP), which is activated by inflammation, can readily enter the brain, and generate metabolites that can alter neuronal and glial function, leading to behavioral changes. We therefore examined the relationship between KP metabolites in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain chemistry and neural network function using multi-modal neuroimaging in 49 unmedicated, depressed subjects. CNS measures included 1) biochemical markers of glial dysfunction including glutamate (Glu) and myo-inositol (mI) in the left basal ganglia (LBG) using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS); 2) local activity coherence (regional homogeneity, ReHo) and functional connectivity using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging; and 3) anhedonia from the Inventory for Depressive Symptoms-Self Reported. Plasma quinolinic acid (QA) was associated with increases and kynurenic acid (KYNA) and KYNA/QA with decreases in LBG Glu. Plasma kynurenine/tryptophan and CSF 3-hydroxy kynurenine (3HK) were associated with increases in LBG mI. Plasma and CSF KP were associated with decreases in ReHo in LBG and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), and impaired functional connectivity between these two brain regions. DMPFC-BG connectivity mediated the effect of plasma and CSF KP metabolites on anhedonia. These findings highlight the contribution of KP metabolites to glial and neuronal dysfunction and ultimately behavior in depression.
Biomarker-guided neuromodulation aids memory in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Kahana Michael J. , Wanda Paul A. , Ezzyat Youssef , Solomon Ethan A. , Adamovich-Zeitlin Richard , Lega Bradley , Jobst Barbara C. , Gross Robert E. , Ding Kan , Diaz-Arrastia Ramon R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of cognitive disability in adults, often characterized by marked deficits in episodic memory and executive function. Prior studies have found that direct electrical stimulation of the temporal cortex yielded improved memory in epilepsy patients, but it is not clear if these results generalize to patients with a specific history of TBI. Here we asked whether applying closed-loop, direct electrical stimulation to lateral temporal cortex could reliably improve memory in a TBI cohort. Among a larger group of patients undergoing neurosurgical evaluation for refractory epilepsy, we recruited a subset patients with a history of moderate-to-severe TBI. By analyzing neural data from indwelling electrodes as patients studied and recalled lists of words, we trained personalized machine-learning classifiers to predict momentary fluctuations in mnemonic function in each patient. We subsequently used these classifiers to trigger high-frequency stimulation of the lateral temporal cortex (LTC) at moments when memory was predicted to fail. This strategy yielded a 19% boost in recall performance on stimulated as compared with non-stimulated lists (P = 0.012). These results provide a proof-of-concept for using closed-loop stimulation of the brain in treatment of TBI-related memory impairment.
The roadmap for implementing value based healthcare in European university hospitals - consensus report and recommendations
Authors: Cossio-Gil Yolima , Stamm Tanja , Omara Maisa , Watson Carolina , Casey Joseph , Chakhunashvili Alex , Crémieux François , Gutiérrez-San Miguel María , Kahlem Pascal , Keuchkerian Samuel , Kirchberger Valerie , Luce-Garnier Virginie , Michiels Dominik , Moro Matteo , Philipp-Jaschek Barbara , Sancini Simona , Hazelzet Jan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractValue based healthcare (VBHC) aims at improving patient outcomes while optimizing the use of hospitals’ resources among medical personnel, administrations and support services through an evidence-based, collaborative approach.In this paper, we present a blueprint for the implementation of VBHC in hospitals, based on our experience as members of the European University Hospital Alliance (EUHA). The EUHA is a consortium of nine large hospitals in Europe and aims at increasing quality and efficiency of care to ultimately drive better outcomes for patients. The blueprint describes how to prepare hospitals for VBHC implementation, analyses gaps, barriers and facilitators and explores the most effective ways to turn patient pathways to a process that results in high value care. Using a patient centric approach, we identified four core minimum components that must be established as cornerstones and seven organisational enablers to waive the barriers to implementation and ensure sustainability. The blueprint guides through pathway implementation and establishment of key performance indicators in six phases, which hospitals can tailor to their current status on their way to implement VBHC.
Impact of the household environment risk for maintenance of natural foci ofLeishmania infantumtransmission to human and animal hosts in endemic areas for visceral leishmaniasis in Sao Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Matsumoto Patricia Sayuri Silvestre , Hiramoto Roberto Mitsuyoshi , Richini Pereira Virgínia Bodelão , Camprigher Valéria Medina , Taniguchi Helena Hilomi , de Raeffray Barbosa José Eduardo , de Barros Cortez Luiz Ricardo Paes , da Silva Fonseca Elivelton , Guimarães Raul Borges , Tolezano José Eduardo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWhen it comes to visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil, one of the main targets of public health policies of surveillance is the control of domestic canine reservoirs ofLeishmania infantum. This paper aims to evaluate the effect of the household environment risk in the maintenance of natural foci and in the transmission to human and animal hosts in an endemic city for VL, Bauru, in Brazil. We collected 6,578 blood samples of dogs living in 3,916 households from Nov.2019 to Mar.2020 and applied geospatial models to predict the disease risk based on the canine population. We used Kernel density estimation, cluster analysis, geostatistics and Generalized Additive Models (GAM). To validate our models, we used cross-validation and created a ROC graph. We found an overall canine VL (CVL) prevalence of 5.6%. Odds ratios (OR) for CVL increased progressively according to the number of canines for >2 dogs (OR 2.70); households that already had CVL in the past increased the chances for CVL currently (OR 2.73); and the cases of CVL increase the chances for human VL cases (OR 1.16). Our models were statistically significant and demonstrated an association between the canine and human disease, mainly in VL foci that remain endemic. Although the Kernel ratio map had the best performance (AUC=82), all the models showed high risk in the city’s northwest area. Canine population dynamics must be considered in public policies and geospatial methods may help target priority areas and planning VL surveillance in low and middle-income countries.HighlightsTwo or more dogs in a household increase the chances for canine visceral leishmaniasis.Canine visceral leishmaniasis or households with positive dogs increase the chances for human visceral leishmaniasis.Households that already had an infected dog increase the chances for canine visceral leishmaniasis, and it can work as silent endemic areas.More than 40 dogs in an area of influence of household (100m buffer) increase the chances for canine and human visceral leishmaniasis.Canine population dynamics must be considered in public policies regarding visceral leishmaniasis control in low and middle-income countries.Spatial analysis tools can bring new insights into decision-making and public policies regarding visceral leishmaniasis.
Assessing the Impact of Human Mobility to Predict Regional Excess Death in Ecuador
Authors: Cuéllar Leticia , Torres Irene , Romero-Severson Ethan , Mahesh Riya , Ortega Nathaniel , Pungitore Sara , Ke Ruian , Hengartner Nicolas 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 outbreaks have had high mortality in low- and medium-income countries such as Ecuador. Human mobility is an important factor influencing the spread of diseases possibly leading to a high burden of disease at the country level. Drastic control measures, such as complete lockdown are effective epidemic controls, yet in practice, one hopes that a partial shutdown would suffice. It is an open problem to determine how much mobility can be allowed while controlling an outbreak. In this paper, we use statistical models to relate human mobility to the excess death in Ecuador while controlling for demographic factors. The mobility index provided by GRANDATA, based on mobile phone users, represents the change of number of out-of-home events with respect to a benchmark date (March 2nd, the first date the data is available). The study confirms the global trend that more men are dying than expected compared to women, and that people under 30 show less deaths than expected. Specifically, individuals in the age groups younger than 20, we found have their death rate reduced during the pandemic between 22% and 27% of the expected deaths in the absence of COVID-19. The weekly median mobility time series shows a sharp decrease in human mobility immediately after a national lockdown was declared on March 17, 2020 and a progressive increase towards the pre-lockdown level within two months. Relating median mobility to excess death shows a lag in its effect: first, a decrease in mobility in the previous two to three weeks decreases the excess death and more novel, we found that an increase of mobility variability four weeks prior, increases the number of excess deaths.
A prospective, split-Face, comparative study of combined Q-switch Nd:YAG laser and microdermabrasion versus Q-switch Nd:YAG laser alone in treatment of melasma
Authors: Hatami Parvaneh , Asl Hamed Nicknam , Aryanian Zeinab 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundMelasma is a common disorder of hyperpigmentation with a great effect on quality of life. In an uncontrolled study, a novel combination treatment approach, using a low-fluence Q-switched (QS) Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) Laser in conjunction with microdermabrasion was shown to be effective in clearance of melasma(1).ObjectiveThe purpose of the current prospective, controlled study was to determine if microdermabrasion, when combined with Nd:YAG laser, produced significant improvement of melasma compared to Nd:YAG laser alone.MethodsTwenty patients with bilaterally distributed facial melasma were subjected to QS-Nd:YAG laser therapy with microdermabrasion on one side and laser therapy alone on the other side of their faces every four weeks for three sessions. Photographs were obtained before treatment, one month and three months postoperatively.ResultsAlthough both sides improved from baseline to the 24th week, there was no statistically significant difference between both sides in regards to MASI (Melasma Area and Severity Index) as well as PGA (Patient Global melasma improvement Assessment) scores.ConclusionCombination therapy with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and microdermabrasion seems to be as effective as Q-switched Nd:YAG laser alone and doesn’t have any advantage or disadvantage in comparison with conventional laser therapy.
Evaluation of a Rapid Implementation of Telemedicine for Delivery of Obstetric Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Reid Chinyere N. , Marshall Jennifer , Fryer Kimberly 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this evaluation was to assess the rapid implementation of obstetric telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Consolidated Framework in Implementation Research (CFIR) evaluation framework.Study DesignFollowing one month of telemedicine implementation, obstetric providers at the University of South Florida clinic completed qualitative surveys and in-depth interviews about the implementation of obstetric telemedicine in the clinic guided by the CFIR evaluation framework.ResultsOverall, providers considered obstetric telemedicine comparable to traditional in-person clinic visits and acknowledged that they were adequately prepared for the telemedicine implementation. Advantages included the simplicity of implementation, reduced exposure to COVID-19 infection, and convenience factors. Although obstetric telemedicine mostly met patient needs, a lack of access to at-home monitoring devices, physical examinations, reliable internet service, and privacy concerns posed as barriers.ConclusionThe implementation of the obstetric telemedicine care model was deemed a favorable, safe alternative option for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rare variants in the outcome of social skills group training for autism
Authors: Li Danyang , Olsson Nora Choque , Becker Martin , Arora Abishek , Jiao Hong , Norgren Nina , Jonsson Ulf , Bölte Sven , Tammimies Kristiina 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundExome sequencing has been proposed as the first-tier genetic testing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, we performed exome sequencing in autistic individuals with average to high intellectual abilities (N = 207) to identify a molecular diagnosis of ASD and genetic modulators of intervention outcomes following social skills group training (SSGT) or standard care.MethodsWithin a randomized controlled trial of SSGT, we performed exome sequencing to prioritize variants of clinical significance (VCSs), variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) and generated a pilot scheme to calculate genetic scores representing the genetic load of rare and common variants in the synaptic transmission pathway (GSSyTrand GSSyTc). The association with the primary outcomes (parent-reported autistic traits, Social Responsiveness Scale) was computed using a mixed linear model. Behavioral and genetic features were combined in a machine learning (ML) model to predict the individual response within the cohort.ResultsIn total, 4.4% (n = 9) and 11.3% (n = 23) of the cohort carried VCSs and VUSs, respectively. Compared to non-carriers, individuals with VCS or VUS together tended to have limited improvements of the interventions (β = 9.22; CI (−0.25, 18.70); P = 0.057) and improved significantly less from standard care (β = 9.35; CI (0.70, 18.00); P = 0.036), but not from SSGT (β = -2.50; CI (−13.34, 8.35); P = 0.65). In addition, both GSSyTrand GSSyTcwere associated with differential outcomes in standard care and SSGT groups. Our ML model showed the importance of rare variants for outcome prediction.ConclusionsAutistic individuals with likely pathogenic rare variants identified by exome sequencing might benefit less from the standard care. SSGT could therefore be of heightened importance for this subgroup. Further studies are needed to understand genetic predisposition to intervention outcomes.Trial registrationSocial Skills Group Training (“KONTAKT”) for Children and Adolescent With High-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (KONTAKT-RCT),NCT01854346. Submitted 20 April 2013 - Retrospectively registered,https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT01854346?view=record
Global research on syndemics: A meta-knowledge analysis (2001-2020)
Authors: Hossain Md Mahbub , Saha Nobonita , Rodela Tahmina Tasnim , Tasnim Samia , Nuzhath Tasmiah , Roy Tamal Joyti , Burdine James N. , Ahmed Helal Uddin , McKyer E. Lisako J. , Basu Banga Kamal , Ma Ping 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSyndemics or synergies of cooccurring epidemics are widely studies across health and social sciences in recent years. We conducted a meta-knowledge analysis of articles published between 2001 to 2020 in this growing field of academic scholarship. We found a total of 830 articles authored by 3025 authors, mostly from high-income countries. Publications on syndemics are gradually increasing since 2003, with rapid development in 2013. Each article was cited more than 15 times on average, whereas most (n = 604) articles were original studies. Syndemics research focused on several areas, including HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, mental health, gender minority stressors, racism, violence, chronic physical and mental disorders, food insecurity, social determinants of health, and COVID-19. Moreover, biopsychosocial interactions between multiple health problems were studied across medical, anthropological, public health, and other disciplines of science. The limited yet rapidly evolving literature on syndemics informs transdisciplinary interests to understand complex coexisting health challenges in the context of systematic exclusion and structural violence in vulnerable populations. The findings also suggest applications of syndemic theory to evaluate clinical and public health problems, examine the socioecological dynamics of factors influencing health and wellbeing, and use the insights to alleviate health inequities in the intersections of synergistic epidemics and persistent contextual challenges for population health.
Rapid And high throughput RT-qPCR assay for identification and differentiation between SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351
Authors: Erster Oran , Mendelson Ella , Levy Virginia , Kabat Areej , Mannasse Batya , Asraf Hadar , Azar Roberto , Ali Yaniv , Shirazi Rachel , Bucris Efrat , Bar-Ilan Dana , Mor Orna , Mandelboim Michal , Sofer Danit , Fleishon Shai , Zukerman Neta S 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTEmerging SARS-CoV-2 (SC-2) variants with increased infectivity and vaccine resistance are of major concern. Rapid identification of such variants is important for the public health activities and provide valuable data for epidemiological and policy decision making. We developed a multiplex quantitative RT-qPCR (qPCR) assay that can specifically identify and differentiate between the emerging B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 SC-2 variants. In a single assay, we combined four reactions: one that detects SC-2 RNA independently of the strain, one that detects the D3L mutation, which is specific to variant B.1.1.7, and one that detects the 242-244 deletion, which is specific to variant B.1.351. The fourth reaction identifies human RNAseP gene, serving as an endogenous control for RNA extraction integrity. We show that the strain-specific reactions target mutations that are strongly associated with the target variants, and not with other major known variants. The assay’s specificity was tested against a panel of respiratory pathogens (n=16), showing high specificity towards SC-2 RNA. The assay’s sensitivity was assessed using both In-vitro transcribed RNA and clinical samples, and was determined to be between 20 and 40 viral RNA copies per reaction. The assay performance was corroborated with Sanger and whole genome sequencing, showing complete agreement with the sequencing results. The new assay is currently implemented in the routine diagnostic work at the Central Virology Laboratory, and may be used in other laboratories to facilitate the diagnosis of these major worldwide circulating SC-2 variants.
Proteome, bioinformatic and functional analyses reveal a distinct and conserved metabolic pathway for bile salt degradation in the Sphingomonadaceae
Authors: Feller Franziska M. , Wöhlbrand Lars , Holert Johannes , Schnaars Vanessa , Elsner Lea , Mohn William W. , Rabus Ralf , Philipp Bodo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBile salts are amphiphilic steroids with a C5 carboxylic side chain with digestive functions in vertebrates. Upon excretion, they are degraded by environmental bacteria. Degradation of the bile-salt steroid skeleton resembles the well-studied pathway for other steroids like testosterone, while specific differences occur during side-chain degradation and the initiating transformations of the steroid skeleton. Of the latter, two variants via either Δ1,4- or Δ4,6-3-ketostructures of the steroid skeleton exist for 7-hydroxy bile salts. While the Δ1,4- variant is well-known from many model organisms, the Δ4,6-variant involving a 7-hydroxysteroid dehydratase as key enzyme has not been systematically studied. Here, combined proteomic, bioinformatic and functional analyses of the Δ4,6-variant in Sphingobium sp. strain Chol11 were performed. They revealed a degradation of the steroid rings similar to the Δ1,4-variant except for the elimination of the 7-OH as key difference. In contrast, differential production of the respective proteins revealed a putative gene cluster for side-chain degradation encoding a CoA-ligase, an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, a Rieske monooxygenase, and an amidase, but lacking most canonical genes known from other steroid-degrading bacteria. Bioinformatic analyses predicted the Δ4,6-variant to be widespread among the Sphingomonadaceae, which was verified for three type strains which also have the predicted side-chain degradation cluster. A second amidase in the side-chain degradation gene cluster of strain Chol11 was shown to cleave conjugated bile salts while having low similarity to known bile-salt hydrolases. This study signifies members of the Sphingomonadaceae remarkably well-adapted to the utilization of bile salts via a partially distinct metabolic pathway.ImportanceThis study highlights the biochemical diversity of bacterial degradation of steroid compounds, in particular bile salts. Furthermore, it substantiates and advances knowledge of a variant pathway for degradation of steroids by sphingomonads, a group of environmental bacteria that are well-known for their broad metabolic capabilities. Biodegradation of bile salts is a critical process due to the high input of these compounds from manure into agricultural soils and wastewater treatment plants. In addition, these results may also be relevant for the biotechnological production of bile salts or other steroid compounds with pharmaceutical functions.