bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign: Research Priorities for Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Critical Illness
Authors: Coopersmith Craig M. , Antonelli Massimo , Bauer Seth R. , Deutschman Clifford S. , Evans Laura E. , Ferrer Ricard , Hellman Judith , Jog Sameer , Kesecioglu Jozef , Kissoon Niranjan , Martin-Loeches Ignacio , Nunnally Mark E. , Prescott Hallie C. , Rhodes Andrew , Talmor Daniel , Tissieres Pierre , De Backer Daniel 
Published: February 2021

OBJECTIVES:
To identify research priorities in the management, pathophysiology, and host response of coronavirus disease 2019 in critically ill patients.

DESIGN:
The Surviving Sepsis Research Committee, a multiprofessional group of 17 international experts representing the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Society of Critical Care Medicine, was virtually convened during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The committee iteratively developed the recommendations and subsequent document.

METHODS:
Each committee member submitted a list of what they believed were the most important priorities for coronavirus disease 2019 research. The entire committee voted on 58 submitted questions to determine top priorities for coronavirus disease 2019 research.

RESULTS:
The Surviving Sepsis Research Committee provides 13 priorities for coronavirus disease 2019. Of these, the top six priorities were identified and include the following questions: 1) Should the approach to ventilator management differ from the standard approach in patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure?, 2) Can the host response be modulated for therapeutic benefit?, 3) What specific cells are directly targeted by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and how do these cells respond?, 4) Can early data be used to predict outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 and, by extension, to guide therapies?, 5) What is the role of prone positioning and noninvasive ventilation in nonventilated patients with coronavirus disease?, and 6) Which interventions are best to use for viral load modulation and when should they be given?

CONCLUSIONS:
Although knowledge of both biology and treatment has increased exponentially in the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, significant knowledge gaps remain. The research priorities identified represent a roadmap for investigation in coronavirus disease 2019.
Development of a medical device compatible with MRI/CT to measure ankle joint laxity: the Porto Ankle Testing Device
Authors: Andrade Renato , Pereira Rogério , Leal Ana , Pereira Bruno , Vilas Boas João Paulo , van Dijk C. Niek , Espregueira-Mendes João 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Ankle sprains are common and often develop into chronic ankle instability. Ankle laxity is usually assessed by manual testing followed by magnetic resonance imaging to confirm the diagnosis. Manual testing however provides a subjective measure and is limited to the assessor sensibility. Current available technologies incorporate arthrometers to objectively measuring ankle laxity, but are not capable to assess the structural integrity of the capsuloligamentous structures. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel medical device to assist in the diagnosis of ankle ligament injuries—the Porto Ankle Testing Device. With this device, it is possible to combine and correlate the assessment of the capsuloligamentous’ structural integrity with the joint functional competence (ie, joint multiplanar laxity). The main purpose of this work is to present the fundamental aspects and step-by-step development of the Porto Ankle Testing Device. We discuss the design specifications and technical requirements with the purpose to design and develop this medical device, described the features of the different components and explained the mechanical systems that are incorporated emulate manual testing and to measure the multiplanar ankle laxity. The preliminary findings are presented with the purpose to display the assessment protocol, the method of laxity measurement and the obtained results. We propose a unique and reliable medical device to safety and effectively assess ankle ligament injuries and contribute to enhance diagnosis, refine treatment indications and allow objective measurement of ligament laxity before and/or after stabilization surgery.
Revisiting the clinical usefulness of C-reactive protein in the set of cancer cachexia
Authors: Tavares Patrícia , Gonçalves Daniel Moreira , Santos Lúcio Lara , Ferreira Rita 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a highly complex multifactorial disorder that is often misdiagnosed, leading to suboptimal health outcomes. Indeed, cachexia is a concern in cancer, typifying lower response to treatment and risk of death. Thus, efforts have been made to better understand the molecular basis of this syndrome, envisioning to improve its diagnosis and management.
C-reactive protein (CRP) has been reported to be consistently increased in the circulation of patients with body wasting associated to chronic diseases. However, the role of CRP in the pathogenesis of cachexia remains elusive. Several hypotheses have been advanced but most of experimental findings support an indirect effect on the activation of muscle proteolysis, mostly through its interplay with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Herein, we overview the contribution of CRP to body wasting and its putative biomarker value for the diagnosis and follow-up of the therapeutic management of cachexia.
A systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) among Nigerians
Authors: Orababa Oluwatosin Qawiyy , Soriwei Jeffry Difiye , Akinsuyi Samuel Oluwamayowa , Essiet Utibeima Udo , Solesi Olusola Michael 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
Enterococci are opportunistic pathogens and are one of the most important bacteria in hospital-acquired infections. Their resistance to antibiotics such as vancomycin has led to life-threatening and difficult-to-treat nosocomial infections. The true prevalence in clinical settings in Nigeria is not well known due to the lack of a comprehensive antibiotic surveillance system. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in clinical infections in Nigeria.

Methods:
Databases (PubMed, African Journal Online, and Google scholar) were searched following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statements for articles reporting VRE prevalence, and were published before August 5, 2020. Data from the studies were extracted and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA 3.0), respectively. The pooled prevalence of VRE was estimated with the random-effects model and the 95% confidence interval (CI). The heterogeneity level was assessed using Cochran Q and I
2 tests.

Results:
A total of 35 articles were scanned for eligibility, among which 7 were included in the study after fulfilling the eligibility criteria. The studies analyzed a total of 832 enterococci isolates and 90 VRE strains. The prevalence of Enterococcus faecium and E faecalis in this study are 361 (59.3%) and 248 (40.7%), respectively, among which 41 (63.1%) of the E faecium and 24 (36.9%) of the E faecalis were vancomycin resistant. The pooled prevalence of VRE was estimated at (95% CI; 10.0–53.9%; I
2 = 93.50%; P < .001). The highest prevalence of VRE was reported from western Nigeria, 14.6% (95% CI; I
2 = 97.27; P < .001).

Conclusion:
The prevalence of VRE in Nigeria according to the reports from this study is relatively high. The report of this study should help policymakers to put in place measures that will help curb the spread of VRE and associated resistant genes to other important clinical pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus.
Long lasting complete response with immunotherapy in a metastatic bladder carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Magalhães Denise S.T. , Magalhães Helena M. , Mesquita Alexandra S.A. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
At diagnosis, approximately 25% of urothelial carcinoma are invasive and only 15% of stage IV are alive at 5-years. We report a case of a 69-year-old woman with oligometastatic bladder cancer, treated with Atezolizumab in first-line, achieving a complete response after 4 cycles. Presently, the patient has an overall survival and progression free survival of 26 months with an improvement in her quality of life. Therefore, immunotherapy seems to be a promising treatment in advanced urothelial carcinoma. The previously performed radiotherapy, in association with a good performance status and oligometastatic disease, might have contributed to this admirable outcome.
Embryonic Stem Cell-like Population in Hypertrophic Port-wine Stain
Authors: Williams Jazmean , Brasch Helen Dian , Bockett Nicholas , Patel Josie , Paterson Erin , Davis Paul Frank , Tan Swee Thong 
Published: February 2021

Objective:
To identify and characterize an embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like population within hypertrophic port-wine stain (HPWS).

Methods:
HPWS tissue samples from 15 patients underwent immunohistochemical staining for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) markers OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, KLF4, and c-MYC. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on 2 of these tissue samples to investigate colocalization of these markers. In situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were performed on 6 of the HPWS samples to investigate transcript expression of these iPSC markers. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were performed on 3 HPWS-derived primary cell lines, to determine protein and transcript expression of these markers, respectively.

Results:
Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated expression of OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC but not NANOG on the endothelium and media of lesional vessels and on cells within the stroma in all 15 HPWS tissue samples. Immunofluorescence staining showed the presence of an OCT4+/SOX2+/NANOG-/KLF4+/c-MYC+ ESC-like subpopulation within the endothelium and media of the lesional vessels, and cells within the stroma of HPWS. In situ hybridization detected OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC transcripts in all 6 HPWS tissue samples. RT-qPCR demonstrated transcripts of all 5 iPSC markers in the HPWS tissue samples and in the HPWS-derived primary cell lines, which expressed OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC but not NANOG proteins by Western blotting.

Conclusion:
This study demonstrated an OCT4+/SOX2+/NANOG-/KLF4+/c-MYC+ ESC-like population within the endothelium and media of the lesional vessels and the cells within the stroma of HPWS.
Psychological distress among patients with lymphoma: the association with personality and coping strategies
Authors: Arts Lindy P.J. , Oerlemans Simone , Schoormans Dounya , Sanders Arnate L.T.M. , Stevens Wendy B.C. , Posthuma Eduardus F.M. , Tick Lidwine W. , van de Poll-Franse Lonneke V. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
Up to one-quarter of patients with lymphoma experience persisting levels of psychological distress. This study aims to examine the extent to which personality traits and coping strategies, separately and together, are associated with psychological distress among patients with lymphoma, controlling for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Methods:
A population-based sample of patients with lymphoma, selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR), was invited to complete a questionnaire about psychological distress, personality, and coping strategies (Mental Adjustment to Cancer). Sociodemographic and clinical data were retrieved from the NCR. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to assess the unique variance in psychological distress explained by personality traits and coping strategies separately and together.

Results:
A total of 456 patients completed the questionnaire (51%), the average age was 65 years, 64% were male, and 17% reported psychological distress. Of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidity (β = .14, P < .001) and age (β = −.10, P = .03) were independently associated with psychological distress. In addition, of personality traits, only neuroticism was related to psychological distress (neuroticism, β = .43, P < .001). Furthermore, the coping styles anxious preoccupation (β = .12, P = .01) and helplessness/hopelessness (β = .30, P < .001) were associated with more psychological distress, whereas avoidance was associated to less psychological distress (β = −.09, P = .01).

Conclusions:
In conclusion, besides comorbidity and age, personality traits—in particular neuroticism—and the coping strategies helplessness/hopelessness, anxious preoccupation, and avoidance were significantly independently associated with psychological distress. Unlike personality, coping strategies are considered to be changeable and could be targeted by interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Disease burden of bloodstream infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria: a population-level study—Japan, 2015-2018
Authors: Tsuzuki Shinya , Matsunaga Nobuaki , Yahara Koji , Shibayama Keigo , Sugai Motoyuki , Ohmagari Norio 
Published: February 2021

SummaryBackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health problem. However, quantitative evaluation of its disease burden is challenging. This study aimed to estimate the disease burden of bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by major antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in Japan between 2015 and 2018 in terms of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs).MethodsWe estimated the DALYs of BSIs caused by the six major antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in Japan by utilising comprehensive national surveillance data of all routine bacteriological test results from more than 1,400 hospitals between 2015 and 2018. We modified the methodology of a previous study by Cassini and colleagues to enable comparison of our results with those in other countries.ResultsWe estimated that 135.8 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 128.6-142.9) DALYs per 100,000 population was attributable to BSIs caused by the six antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in 2018. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (FQREC), and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli (3GREC) accounted for 88.6% of the total. The burden did not decrease during the study period and was highest in people aged 65 years or older.ConclusionOur results revealed for the first time the disease burden of BSIs caused by six major antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in Japan. The estimated disease burden associated with AMR in Japan is substantial and has not begun to decrease. Notably, the burden from FQREC and 3GREC has increased steadily and that from MRSA is larger than EU/EEA area, whereas that from other bacteria was comparatively small. Our results are expected to provide useful information for healthcare policymakers for prioritising interventions for AMR.FundingMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare research grant (20HA2003); Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development Research Program on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (JP19fk0108061)
SARS CoV-2 escape variants exhibit differential infectivity and neutralization sensitivity to convalescent or post-vaccination sera
Authors: Kuzmina Alona , Khalaila Yara , Voloshin Olga , Keren-Naus Ayelet , Bohehm Liora , Raviv Yael , Shemer-Avni Yonat , Rosenberg Elli , Taube Ran 
Published: February 2021

SUMMARYTowards eradicating COVID19, developing vaccines that induce high levels of neutralizing antibodies is a main goal. As counter measurements, viral escape mutants rapidly emerge and potentially compromise vaccine efficiency. Herein we monitored ability of convalescent or Pfizer-BTN162b2 post-vaccination sera to neutralize wide-type SARS-CoV2 or its UK-B.1.1.7 and SA-B.1.351 variants. Relative to convalescent sera, post-vaccination sera exhibited higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against wild-type or mutated viruses. However, while SARS-CoV2 wild-type and UK-N501Y were similarly neutralized by tested sera, the SA-N501Y/K417N/E484K variant moderately escaped neutralization. Significant contribution to infectivity and sensitivity to neutralization was attributed to each of the variants and their single or combined mutations, highlighting alternative mechanisms by which prevalent variants with either N501Y or E484K/K417N mutations spread. Our study validates the clinical significance of currently administered vaccines, but emphasizes that their efficacy may be compromised by circulated variants, urging the development of new ones with broader neutralization functions.
SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance identifies naturally occurring truncations of ORF7a that limit immune suppression
Authors: Nemudryi Artem , Nemudraia Anna , Wiegand Tanner , Nichols Joseph , Snyder Deann T , Hedges Jodi F , Cicha Calvin , Lee Helen , Vanderwood Karl K , Bimczok Diane , Jutila Mark , Wiedenheft Blake 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOver 200,000 whole genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 have been determined for viruses isolated from around the world. These sequences have been critical for understanding the spread and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Using global phylogenomics, we show that mutations frequently occur in the C-terminal end of ORF7a. We have isolated one of these mutant viruses from a patient sample and used viral chal-lenge experiments to demonstrate that Δ115 mutation results in a growth defect. ORF7a has been implicated in immune modulation, and we show that the C-terminal truncation results in distinct changes in interferon stimulated gene expression. Collectively, this work indicates that ORF7a mutations occur frequently and that these changes affect viral mechanisms responsible for suppressing the immune response.HighlightsORF7a mutations are found in SARS-CoV-2 genomes isolated from around the globe.ORF7a mutation results in a replication defect.An ORF7a mutation limits viral suppression of the interferon response.
COVID-19 in New York state: Effects of demographics and air quality on infection and fatality
Authors: Mondal Sumona , Chaipitakporn Chaya , Kumar Vijay , Wangler Bridget , Gurajala Supraja , Dhaniyala Suresh , Sur Shantanu 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a global impact that has been unevenly distributed amongst and, even within countries. Multiple demographic and environmental factors have been associated with the risk of COVID-19 spread and fatality, including age, gender, ethnicity, poverty, and air quality among others. However, specific contributions of these factors are yet to be understood. Here, we attempted to explain the variability in infection, death, and fatality rates by understanding the contributions of a few selected factors. We compared the incidence of COVID-19 in New York State (NYS) counties during the first wave of infection and analyzed how different demographic and environmental variables associate with the variation observed across the counties. We observed that the two important COVID-19 metrics of infection rates and death rates to be well correlated, and both metrics being highest in counties located near New York City, considered one of the epicenters of the infection in the US. In contrast, disease fatality was found to be highest in a different set of counties despite registering a low infection rate. To investigate this apparent discrepancy, we divided the counties into three clusters based on COVID-19 infection, death rate, or fatality, and compared the differences in the demographic and environmental variables such as ethnicity, age, population density, poverty, temperature, and air quality in each of these clusters. Furthermore, a regression model built on this data reveals PM2.5 and distance from the epicenter are significant risk factors for high infection rate, while disease fatality has a strong association with age and PM2.5. Our results demonstrate, for the NYS, distinct contributions of old age, PM2.5, ethnicity these factors to the overall COVID-19 burden and highlight the detrimental impact of poor air quality. These results could help design and direct location-specific control and mitigation strategies.
Evidence of long-lasting humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 even in elderly COVID-19 convalescents showing a mild to moderate disease progression
Authors: Fischer Bastian , Lindenkamp Christopher , Lichtenberg Christoph , Birschmann Ingvild , Knabbe Cornelius , Hendig Doris 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAfter the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in China in late 2019, a pandemic evolved that has claimed millions of lives so far. While about 80 % of infections cause mild or moderate COVID-19 disease, some individuals show a severe progression or even die. Most countries are far from achieving herd-immunity, however, the first approved vaccines offer hope for containment of the virus. Although much is known about the virus, there is a lack of information on the immunity of convalescent individuals.We here evaluate the humoral and cellular immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in 41 COVID-19 convalescents. As previous studies mostly included younger individuals, one advantage of our study is the comparatively high mean age of the convalescents included in the cohort considered (54 ± 8.4 years). While anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were still detectable in 95 % of convalescents up to 8 months post infection, an antibody-decay over time was generally observed in most donors. Using a multiplex assay, our data additionally reveal that most convalescents exhibit a broad humoral immunity against different viral epitopes. We demonstrate by flow cytometry that convalescent donors show a significantly elevated number of natural killer cells when compared to healthy controls, while no differences were found concerning other leucocyte subpopulations. We detected a specific long-lasting cellular immune response in convalescents by stimulating immune cells with SARS-CoV-2-specific peptides, covering domains of the viral spike, membrane and nucleocapsid protein, and measuring interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release thereafter. We modified a commercially available ELISA assay for IFN-γ determination in whole-blood specimens of COVID-19 convalescents. One advantage of this assay is that it does not require special equipment and can, thus, be performed in any standard laboratory. In conclusion, our study adds knowledge regarding the persistence of immunity of convalescents suffering from mild to moderate COVID-19. Moreover, our study provides a set of simple methods to characterize and confirm experienced COVID-19.