bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Tale of a Two Waves Epidemic: Characteristics and Mortality Risk Factors for COVID-19 ICU Patients in the French West Indies
Authors: Pommier jean-david , Martino frederic , Bleakley Kevin , Flurin Laure , Roy Fabien Van , Carles michel , Valette marc , camous laurent 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Introduction Guadeloupe, a French West Indies island, has been fiercely affected by two large waves of COVID.Therapeutic approach was different between the two waves in the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to compare the two different periods in terms of characteristics and outcomes and to evaluate risk factors associated with 60-day mortality in our overall cohort. Methods All consecutive patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and requiring oxygen support admitted in our ICU unit of University Hospital of Guadeloupe were prospectively included. Patients were treated during the first wave with a combination of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin and during the second wave with dexamethasone and reinforced anticoagulation. Results In our cohort, 187 patients were included, 31 during the first one and 156 during the second. Patients were mostly male (69%) with a median age of 64years old. Patients tend to be younger during the second wave and body mass index was higher (respectively 31 vs 27kg/m2, p=0.01). Overall mortality at Day 60 was high (45%) and not different between the two waves. Among patients under mechanical ventilation risk factors associated with death in a multivariate analysis were a high number of comorbidities, a high level of SOFA score and the delay of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) onset after admission in ICU (OR=1.6 (95% CI 1.2 – 2.4). Conclusion Although therapeutics approach evolve, COVID-19 severe pneumonia is still associated with a high mortality rate in ICU.
A Correlation Analysis Between Postoperative Dysphagia and Change of C2-C7 Angle after Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery
Authors: Yu Jie , Tao Xiaohui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background. Dysphagia after cervical spinal surgery is one of highly prevalent comorbidities in clinical practice. Studies suggest that excessive O-C2 angle change at occipital-cervical fusion causes the oropharyngeal volume reduction leading to severe dysphagia and even respiratory distress after operation. However, rare study has accessed the impact of C2-C7 angle change on the occurrence of dysphagia after anterior cervical spinal surgery. Methods. From June 2007 to May 2010, A total of 198 patients was treated with anterior cervical decompression and plate fixation and 12 months follow-up was completed in 172 patients. Within the same session, a total of 154 patients underwent anterior cervical disc replacement and at least 1-year follow-up was completed in 98 patients. All 270 patients who participated in this study completed a questionnaire (Bazaz dysphagia questionnaire) after telephone follow-up including the onset and time of appearance of dysphagia, symptom relief, treatment plan and so on. To determine whether excessive cervical lordosis change (change of C2-C7 angle) and other risk factors were associated with the dysphagia symptom, all patients were divided into the dysphagia group and the control group, followed over 12 months.Results. The results showed that 12.8% presented with postoperative dysphagia in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) group and 5.1% in cervical disc replacement (CDR) group. According to the regression equation, the excessive change of C2-C7 angle can significantly increase the incidence rate of postoperative dysphagia. The incidence rate of postoperative dysphagia in patients whose C2-C7 angle change more than 5 degree was significantly greater than patients less than 5 degree. Sex, age, BMI, operation time, blood loss, surgery approach (anterior/posterior), revision ratio, the number of surgical segments, the highest surgical segment, and C3 segment included or not cannot affect the occurrence of dysphagia. Conclusions. Dysphagia after cervical spinal surgery is one of highly prevalent comorbidities. Cervical lordosis change is an important influencing factor on the occurrence of dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery.
A Systematic Review on Adolescents’ Premarital Sexual Behaviour In Malaysia
Authors: Minhat Halimatus Sakdiah , Ismail Raja Nurul Najwa Raja , Jafri Faridah , Zulkefli Nor Afiah Mohd , Ahmad Norliza 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Premarital sexual behaviours among adolescents and the associated negative consequences of teenage pregnancy is an increasing public health concerns in Malaysia. Despite the extensive research related to sexual and reproductive health of adolescents, the problems remain reflecting the possible poor understanding of the underlying causes contribute to the problem. This systematic review is aimed at critically evaluating the available evidence on the contributing factors related to premarital sexual behaviours among adolescents in Malaysia. Methods: Five databases; Scopus, MEDLINE/ PubMed, CINAHL, Science Direct and Google Scholar were utilized to systematically searched related articles up to July 2018. Searching involved local quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies with premarital sexual behaviours among adolescents in Malaysia being the primary outcome. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study risks of bias.Results: We identified 1762 articles, of which only nine articles were included, which was dominated by six cross sectional studies. A total of 41 939 adolescents aged between 12 to 19 years old were included in this review. The prevalence of premarital sexual behaviours among adolescents was ranging between 2.9% to 8.3%, reported by history of ever had sex. Religiosity, attitude towards sexual urge (pornography and masturbation), high-risk behaviours (bullying, smoking and substance intake – alcohol and drugs) and parents-peers influence were main contributing factors identified to associate with premarital sexual behaviours.Conclusion: Negative attitude towards sexual urge and involvement in high risk behaviours put adolescents at higher risk of premarital sexual behaviour, while religious beliefs and reciprocal relationship between parents and peers influence may act as protective factors. However, more qualitative, and mixed methods studies needed to get in-depth understanding on the relationship between these factors and premarital sexual behaviours.
Bioinformatics Analysis the Characteristics and Correlation of m6A Methylation in Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: Zhao Ping , Huang Xinwei , Wu Anhao , Yang Xin , Fu Yang , Quan Yuhang , Li Zhen , Tang Qi , Zhang Ji , Wang Maohua 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: RNA m6A methylation regulator has been shown to play an important regulatory role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the role and characteristics of RNA m6A methylation in breast cancer are not yet clear. Objective: To analyze the effect of the expression pattern of M6A methylation factor on the progression of breast cancer by bioinformatics.Results: This study uses bioinformatics to analyze three data sets of TCGA-BRCA, GSE96058 and GSE25066. According to the expression level of m6A-related genes, breast cancer samples are divided into 4 subtypes: quiescent, m6A-methylation, protein-binding, and mixed. The results of R-survival analysis showed that the survival of breast cancer samples of the four subtypes was significantly different. The analysis of breast cancer gene expression features showed that there are significant differences in the number of exon skip among the four subtypes. For tumor driver genes, the degree of TP53 mutation and copy number loss are the most in the protein-binding subtype. Among DNA damage repair genes, the copy number of RAD54B in the protein binding subtype is significantly increased, while other DNA damage repair-related genes have fewer mutations and copy number deletions are common. The effect of m6A methylation on the proportion of infiltrated immune cells indicates that Macrophages M0 and Mast cells resting are significantly different in the four m6A subgroups, and are related to patient prognosis. The number of sensitive samples of chemotherapeutics (taxane anthracyclines) is the lowest in the quiescent subtype. In addition, the highest tumor stemness index in breast cancer samples is the protein-bound type, and the lowest is the m6A methylated type. Conclusion: The results of our analysis suggest that the reduced expression level of m6A methylation writer gene and the high expression of m6A reader protein in the four methylation subtypes of breast cancer are key to the progression of breast cancer.
Prion-like proteins reveal crosstalk between Stress and Memory pathways in Plants
Authors: Garai Sampurna , . Citu , Singla-Pareek Snehlata , Sopory Sudhir Kumar , Kaur Charanpreet , Yadav Gitanjali 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Prions can be considered as molecular memory devices, generating reproducible memory of a conformational change. Prion-like proteins (PrLPs) have been widely demonstrated to be present in plants, but their role in plant stress and memory remains unexplored. Results: In this work, we report the widespread presence of PrLPs in plants through a comprehensive analysis of 39 genomes representing major taxonomic groups. We find diverse functional roles associated with these proteins in various species, and we term the entire PrLP complement of a genome, as it’s Prionome . Investigation of rice transcriptomic datasets further delineated the role of PrLPs in stress and developmental responses, leading us to explore whether and to what extent PrLPs may build stress memory. We found the rice prionome to be significantly enriched for Transposons/Retrotransposons (Ts/RTRs), and superimposed it with the corresponding interactome and diurnal transcriptome. Regulatory inferences derived from clustering and overlaying of these datasets revealed a complex network and crosstalk between PrLPs, transcription factors and genes known to be involved in stress priming. Conclusion: This work connects transient and trans-generational memory mechanisms in plants with prion-like proteins, suggesting that plant memory may rely upon protein-based signals in addition to chromatin-based epigenetic signals. We derive transcriptional regulatory inferences from the rice diurnal gene expression data to identify specific prion-like genes that may be memory hubs in rice. Taken together, our work provides important insights into the anticipated role of prions in stress and memory, paving the way for more focussed studies for validating role of identified PrLPs in memory acclimation.
Complete response induced by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in a patient with NUT carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Muramatsu Joji , Takada Kohichi , Sugita Shintaro , Tsuchiya Takaaki , Yamamoto Keisuke , Murase Kazuyuki , Ameda Saki , Arihara Yohei , Miyanishi Koji , Sakata Koh-Ichi , Kato Junji 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundNUT carcinoma (NC) is a rare and extremely aggressive carcinoma that occurs in young individuals. Although NC has a dismal prognosis, recommended therapies have not been established.Case presentationAn 18-year-old man presented with sudden vision loss in his left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a rapidly growing tumor, which had directly invaded the left optic nerve and epidural space, originating from the left posterior ethmoid sinus. A pathological examination of the tumor revealed a dense proliferation of polygonal-to-round tumor cells with enlarged round nuclei and conspicuous nucleoli, and positive staining for NUT protein in the nuclei of tumor cells. The patient was diagnosed with locally advanced NC. We initiated concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), consisting of chemotherapy with vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (VDC), alternating with ifosphamide and etoposide (IE) according to a regimen for Ewing sarcoma, plus radiation therapy (70 Gy/35 Fr). The patient completed CCRT and achieved a complete response.ConclusionsCCRT, comprising a VDC–IE regimen, can be a useful treatment option for adolescent and young adult patients with NC, even when the cancer is at a locally advanced unresectable stage.
BRAF, C-KIT, and NRAS mutations correlated with different clinicopathological features: an analysis of 691 melanoma patients from a single center
Authors: Ren Min , Zhang Jing , Kong Yunyi , Chen Yong , Bai Qianming , Qi Peng , Zhang Ling , Wang Qian , Zhou Xiaoyan , Zhu Xiaoli 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Aims
To analyze the prevalence and relevance of pathogenetic mutations in BRAF, C-KIT, and NRAS in Chinese melanoma patients to provide some potential reference for the targeted treatment in China.
Methods
We described the frequency and distribution of BRAF, NRAS, and C-KIT mutation in 691 melanoma patients, and analyze the statistical significance of different gene mutation with clinicopathological features.
Results
BRAF mutation was found in 166 patients (24.0%), and V600E was the prominent genetic alteration (87.3%). Statistical analysis showed that younger patients had a higher BRAF mutation rate than the older. Furthermore, the frequency of BRAF mutation in patients with extremity location, ALM type, thinner thickness and no ulceration was more likely to be lower. The rate of NRAS mutation was 12.6% (38/302), mainly involved codon 61 in exon 3 and codon 12 in exon 2. C-KIT mutation was detected in 65 patients (9.4%), and the most common sites of mutations was L576 in exon 11 (44.6%). Patients with NRAS or C-KIT mutation had higher Clark level and more likely to be located in extremity than those without mutation. The concordance of BRAF, NRAS, and C-KIT mutations between paired primary and metastatic lesions was 89.6% (60/67), and visceral metastases showed a highest similar distribution of gene mutations versus primary melanomas compared with lymph nodes and cutaneous metastases.
Conclusions
In this large cohort on Chinese population, the frequency of BRAF and NRAS mutation was relatively lower than that in Caucasian, but the clinicopathological features of BRAF, C-KIT and NRAS mutation were similar. Paired primary and metastatic lesions showed high concordance of gene mutations.
Microbacterium helvum sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from cow dung
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhang Lida , Huang Fuyan , Zhao junwei , Wang Han , Jiao Yanjie , Qian Lulu , Wang Xiangjing , Xiang Wensheng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped strain, NEAU-LLCT, was isolated from cow dung in Shangzhi city, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China and identified by a polyphasic taxonomic study. Colonies was light yellow, round, with entire margin. Strain NEAU-LLCT was grown at 15–45℃ and pH 6.0–10.0. NaCl concentration ranged from 0 to 5% (W/V). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of NEAU-LLCT showed the high similarities with Microbacterium kyungheense JCM 18735T (98.5%), Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum JCM 1358T (98.3%) and Microbacterium jejuense JCM 18734T (98.2%). The whole-cell sugars were glucose, rhamnose, and ribose. The menaquinones contained MK-12 and MK-13. Ornithine, glutamic acid, lysine, and a small amount of alanine and glycine were the amino acids in the hydrolyzed products of the cell wall. The major fatty acids were iso-C16:0, iso-C18:0, anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid. The genome of NEAU-LLCT was 4,369,375 bp and G + C content is 70.28 mol%. A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization result and some phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain NEAU-LLCT could be distinguished from its closely related strains. Therefore, the strain NEAU-LLCT was considered to represent a novel specie and was named Microbacterium helvum sp. (Type strain NEAU-LLCT =CCTCC AA 2018026T = JCM 32661T).
Predicting County-Level COVID-19 Cases using Spatiotemporal Machine Learning: Modeling Human Interactions using Social Media and Cell-Phone Data
Authors: Vahedi Behzad , Karimzadeh Morteza , Zoraghein Hamidreza 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Measurements of human interaction through proxies such as social connectedness or movement patterns have proved useful for predictive modeling of COVID-19. In this study, we first compare the power of Facebook’s social connectedness with cell phone-derived human mobility for predicting county-level new cases of COVID-19. Our experiments show that social connectedness is a better proxy for measuring human interactions leading to new infections. Next, we develop a SpatioTemporal autoregressive eXtreme Gradient Boosting (STXGB) model to predict county-level new cases of COVID-19 in the coterminous US. We evaluate the model on five weekly forecast dates between October 24 and November 28, 2020 over one- to four-week prediction horizons. Comparing our predictions with a baseline Ensemble of 32-models currently used by the CDC indicates an average 58% improvement in prediction RMSEs over two- to four-week prediction horizons, pointing to the strong predictive power of our model.
Exercise training complementary to specialised early intervention in patients with first-episode psychosis: a feasibility randomised trial
Authors: Midtgaard Julie , Schnor Helle , Bjerre Eik Dybboe , Jespersen Tobias , Jelsøe Nina , Frølund Nanna , Seier Søren , Rønbøg Jacob Willum , Nordsborg Nikolai Baastrup , Ebdrup Bjørn 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTo examine feasibility of trial processes and group-based, structured exercise training in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP).MethodsTwenty-five patients with FEP took part in a two-arm randomised feasibility trial. Patients were individually randomised (1:1) via a computer-generated randomisation sequence and allocated to either an exercise intervention group (INT) or a control group (CON). Patients allocated to INT completed a physical exercise training programme at moderate-to-vigorous intensity, one hour three times weekly for 8 weeks. CON patients were encouraged to continue their usual level of activity and were offered the training programme after 8 weeks. Primary outcomes included screening rate, recruitment rate, retention rate, adherence, adverse events, and heart rate response during training. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular health (VO2max, resting heart rate, blood pressure), body composition (muscle mass, fat percentage), muscle strength (sit-to-stand, grip strength, jump height), and balance.ResultsRecruitment lasted 6 weeks and 86 out of 324 patients (27%) were screened, 71 of whom (83%) were deemed eligible. Twenty-five (35%) accepted inclusion (mean age 25.5; mean body mass index 25.1) and were subsequently randomised (INT = 13; CON = 12). Retention of patients was 76% and 52% at the 8-week and 16-week follow-up, respectively. Attendance was 43% (min. 9%, max. 96%). No significant changes were observed between groups in secondary physiological outcome measures.ConclusionsFeasibility was challenged by limited recruitment and retention rates, suggesting that modifications are required if a large-scale randomised controlled trial is to be conducted. Recommendations for modifications are presented and discussed.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov, NCT03409393 ('Retrospectively registered')
Effective Adsorption of a-series Chemical Warfare Agents on Graphdiyne Nanoflake; A DFT&nbsp;Study
Authors: Sajid Hasnain , Khan Sidra , Ayub Khurshid , Mahmood Tariq 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are highly poisonous and their presence may cause diverse effect not only on living organisms but on environment as well. Therefore, their detection and removal in a short time span is very important. In this regard, here the utility of graphdiyne (GDY) nanoflake is studied theoretically as an electrochemical sensor material for the hazardous CWAs including A-230, A-232, A-234. Herein, we explain the phenomenon of adsorption of A-series CWAs on GDY nanoflake within the density functional theory (DFT) framework. The characterization of adsorption is based on optimized geometries, BSSE corrected energies, SAPT, RDG, FMO, CHELPG charge transfer, QTAIM and UV-Vis analyses. The calculated counterpoise adsorption energies for reported complexes range from -13.70 to -17.19 kcal mol-1. These adsorption energies show that analytes are physiosorbed onto GDY which usually takes place through noncovalent interactions. The noncovalent adsorption of CWAs on GDY is also attributed by the SAPT0, RDG and QTAIM analyses. These properties also reveal that dispersion factors dominate in the complexes among many noncovalent components (exchange, induction, electrostatic, steric repulsion). In order the estimate the sensitivity of GDY, the %sensitivity and average energy gap variations are quantitatively measured by energies of HOMO and LUMO orbitals. In term of adsorption affinity of GDY, UV-Vis analysis, CHELPG charge transfer and DOS analysis depict an appreciable response towards these toxic CWAs.
Virucidal and Antiviral Activity of Extract of Punica Granatum Cultivated in Brazil
Authors: Salles Tiago Souza , Meneses Marcelo Damião Ferreira , Caldas Lucio Ayres , Sá-Guimaraes Thayane Encarnação , Oliveira Danielle M. de , Ventura José A. , Azevedo Renata Campos , Kuster Ricardo M. , Soares Márcia Regina , Ferreira Davis Fernandes 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The arthropod-borne Mayaro virus (MAYV) causes ‘Mayaro fever’, a disease of medical significance, primarily affecting individuals in permanent contact with forested areas in tropical South America. Recently, MAYV has attracted attention due to its likely urbanization. Currently, there are no licensed drugs against most mosquito-transmitted viruses. Punica granatum (pomegranate) fruits cultivated in Brazil were submitted to a phytochemical investigation for the identification and isolation of antiviral compounds. In the present study we studied the antiviral activity of pomegranate extracts in Vero cells infected with Mayaro virus. Methods: The Ethanol extract and Punicalagin of Pomegranate were extracted solely of the shell and purified by chromatographic fractionation and chemically identified using spectroscopic techniques. Cytotoxicity of purified compounds was measured by the dye-uptake assay while their antiviral activity was evaluated by a virus yield inhibition assay.Results: Pomegranate ethanol extract (CC50 = 588.9, IC50 = 12.3) and a fraction containing punicalagin as major compound (CC50 = 441.5, IC50 = 28.2) were shown to have antiviral activity (SI 49 and 16, respectively) against Mayaro virus, an alphavirus. Immunofluorescence analysis showed the virucidal effect of Pomegranate extract and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed damage in viral particles treated with this extract. Conclusions: The P. granatum extract is a promising source of antiviral compounds against the alphavirus MAYV and are excellent candidates for future studies with other enveloped RNA viruses.