bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae Nasopharyngeal Carriage and Antimicrobial Susceptibility among Children Under the Age of 5 Years in the Southwestern Colombia
Authors: Gámez Gustavo , Rojas Juan Pablo , Cardona Santiago , Castillo Noreña Juan David , Palacio María Alejandra , Mejía Luis Fernando , Torres José Luis , Contreras Jaime , Muñoz Laura Mery , Criales Javier , Vélez Luis Felipe , Forero Angélica María , Zúñiga Yulieth Alexandra , Cuastumal María Eugenia , Acevedo Leidy Johanna , Molina Álvaro de Jesús , Bolivar Johan Alexis , Gómez-Mejia Alejandro , Morales Jessica Lorena , Hammerschmidt Sven 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective This work aimed to evaluate the factors associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae nasopharyngeal colonization and antimicrobial susceptibility among pediatric outpatients in southwestern Colombia, 2019.
Methods A cross-sectional study was performed using survey-based interviews and the collection of nasopharyngeal-swab specimens for microbiological characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Logistic regression analyses were performed for factors associated with nasopharyngeal carriage.
Results A total of 452 children under the age of 5 years were examined in which 41.8% carried S. pneumoniae. Higher pneumococcal carriage frequencies were observed among participants aged <2 years and in individuals belonging to indigenous communities, which were lacking established pneumococcal-conjugated vaccine-10 immunization schemes. Additionally, children attending childcare institutions were also highly colonized by pneumococci. S. pneumoniae showed 57.7% nonsusceptibility to benzyl-penicillin (meningitis-cut); 45.5% intermediate-sensitivity to benzyl-penicillin (oral-cut) and 21.7% to cefotaxime; and resistance to erythromycin (40.7%), tetracycline (36.0%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (24.9%), clindamycin (24.3%), and ceftriaxone (27.0%).
Conclusion The 41.8% of participants carrying S. pneumoniae show a scenario with the presence of multidrug and extensively drug-resistant strains, which constitutes important reservoirs of bacterial transmission by children aged <5 years in Colombia, leading to an onset of pneumococcal diseases. Hence, there is an urgent need to expand conjugate pneumococcal immunization in the community and ensure compliance with established immunization schedules.
Case of Steroid-Sensitive Neuronopathy as a Differential Diagnosis to Dissociative Paralysis in Conversion Disorder
Authors: Brehme Hannes , Buchmann Johannes 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNeuromuscular diseases are sometimes challenging in diagnosis, often associated with progressive symptoms. In rare cases, there are treatable reasons. We report about a 11-year-old female adolescent who developed subacute progressive paralysis over nearly half a year ago. She was presented to our department as a case of psychosomatic disease. After reevaluating her diagnosis with electrophysiology, cerebrospinal fluid, magnetic resonance imaging, and even biopsy and genetic testing, we treated her with intravenous methylprednisolone. Her symptoms were retreated during 3 months, and no further signs during a 18-month follow-up appeared. No psychotherapy was necessary.
Stroke as Presenting Feature of COVID-19 in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Swartwood Shanna , Nelson Gary R. , Espinoza Audie C. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNeurologic manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus responsible for novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection, have been frequently reported in the adult population but remain relatively rare in pediatric patients, specifically in regard to cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs). We present the case of a previously healthy 16-year-old adolescent boy with no preceding infectious symptoms who developed acute onset of left-sided weakness and slurred speech subsequently diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). After performing a thorough diagnostic work-up, no clear etiology for AIS was identified. He was found to be COVID-19 positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction upon admission. Accumulating evidence supports a link between COVID-19 and a systemic prothrombotic state suggesting pediatric patients who present with AIS and no other risk factors should be screened for this novel virus and potentially for extracranial sources of thrombi. As the rates of positive COVID-19 infection increase in the pediatric population, pediatricians and other pediatric subspecialists should be aware of the potential neurological and cerebrovascular complications of this novel virus to avoid delays in evaluation and intervention.
Burkitt Lymphoma Presenting as a Paraneoplastic Demyelinating Disorder in a Child
Authors: Sadanand Arhanti , Jain Juhi , Elkins Kathryn , Bergsagel Daniel John 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn adults, lymphomas have been associated with paraneoplastic syndromes that cause cranial nerve palsies, polyneuropathies, and paraplegias. These have been less frequently reported in children. We described a pediatric patient who initially presented with palsy of her left third cranial nerve and bilateral ptosis. Initial diagnosis was concerning for myasthenia gravis, but after additional diagnostic evaluation, she was found to have acute motor axonal neuropathy. Cerebrospinal fluid studies were consistent with a diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma. In this article, we discussed the importance of considering primary oncologic diagnoses in acute neurologic disorders with unusual presentations.
Longitudinal trajectories of physical functioning among Chinese older adults: the role of depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning and subjective memory
Authors: Yang Rumei , Xu Dongjuan , Wang Haocen , Xu Jiayun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveMaintaining physical functioning (i.e. mobility, activities of daily living [ADLs], instrumental activities of daily living [IADLs]) in older adults is essential for independent living. However, little is known about how longitudinal trajectories of physical functioning differ by varying levels of depressive symptoms, subjective memory impairment and cognitive functioning. We aimed to examine whether, and to what degree, the rate of change in physical functioning over time was associated with depressive symptoms, subjective memory and cognitive functioning.DesignA correlational longitudinal design.MethodsThe sample included 5,519 older adults (mean age = 68.13 years) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (three waves: 2011–15) who self-reported their depressive symptoms, subjective memory impairment and physical functioning. Cognitive functioning was assessed through interview-based tests.ResultsThere were significant increases in mobility impairment (β = 0.27, P &lt; 0.001), ADLs impairment (β = 0.05, P &lt; 0.001) and IADLs impairment (β = 0.03, P = 0.006) over time. Compared with the mean score at baseline in 2011, the mobility, ADLs and IADLs impairment increased by 13.32, 10.57 and 4.34% for every 2 years, respectively. Those with high depressive symptoms had accelerated rates of mobility (β = 0.212, P &lt; 0.001), ADLs (β = 0.104, P &lt; 0.001) and IADLs impairment (β = 0.076, P = 0.002). Those with poorer cognitive functioning had more rapid rates of mobility impairment. In contrast, those with differing levels of subjective memory impairment did not experience different physical functioning trajectories.ConclusionsHigh depressive symptoms and poor cognitive functioning may be precursors to rapid declines in physical functioning. Proactive screening for these precursors may attenuate physical decline among Chinese older adults.
Recurrent Chromosomal Abnormalities in Tissues Involved by Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Authors: Horna Pedro , Pearce Kathryn E , Ketterling Rhett P , Shi Min , Peterson Jess F 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Prognostically relevant chromosomal abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) are routinely identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on peripheral blood or bone marrow specimens. We studied the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities on extramedullary tissues involved by CLL/SLL and evaluated their association with prominent proliferation centers (PPCs).

Methods
FISH for recurrent abnormalities in CLL/SLL was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy sections. PPCs were identified on H&E-stained sections. Available FISH results on peripheral blood or bone marrow specimens were also reviewed.

Results
Recurrent FISH abnormalities were detected in 69% of 320 CLL/SLL biopsy specimens studied, including +12 (35%), 13q– (24%), 11q– (15%), 17p– (6%), 6q– (2%), and IGH/BCL2 (0.9%). Forty-three patients had abnormal blood or bone marrow FISH analyses, of whom 7 (16%) had discordant +12 and/or 13q–, and 3 (7%) had discordant 17p– or 11q–. Morphology was positive (17%), negative (78%), or equivocal (6%) for PPCs on 247 evaluable biopsy specimens, a finding not significantly associated with FISH results (P = .7).

Conclusions
Trisomy 12 is overrepresented in tumoral CLL/SLL involvement, compared with the known predominance of 13q– in blood. Discrepancies between leukemic and tissue FISH findings are occasionally encountered. FISH results do not correlate with the presence of PPCs.
High-resolution transcription factor binding sites prediction improved performance and interpretability by deep learning method
Authors: Zhang Yongqing , Wang Zixuan , Zeng Yuanqi , Zhou Jiliu , Zou Quan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTranscription factors (TFs) are essential proteins in regulating the spatiotemporal expression of genes. It is crucial to infer the potential transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) with high resolution to promote biology and realize precision medicine. Recently, deep learning-based models have shown exemplary performance in the prediction of TFBSs at the base-pair level. However, the previous models fail to integrate nucleotide position information and semantic information without noisy responses. Thus, there is still room for improvement. Moreover, both the inner mechanism and prediction results of these models are challenging to interpret. To this end, the Deep Attentive Encoder-Decoder Neural Network (D-AEDNet) is developed to identify the location of TFs–DNA binding sites in DNA sequences. In particular, our model adopts Skip Architecture to leverage the nucleotide position information in the encoder and removes noisy responses in the information fusion process by Attention Gate. Simultaneously, the Transcription Factor Motif Discovery based on Sliding Window (TF-MoDSW), an approach to discover TFs–DNA binding motifs by utilizing the output of neural networks, is proposed to understand the biological meaning of the predicted result. On ChIP-exo datasets, experimental results show that D-AEDNet has better performance than competing methods. Besides, we authenticate that Attention Gate can improve the interpretability of our model by ways of visualization analysis. Furthermore, we confirm that ability of D-AEDNet to learn TFs–DNA binding motifs outperform the state-of-the-art methods and availability of TF-MoDSW to discover biological sequence motifs in TFs–DNA interaction by conducting experiment on ChIP-seq datasets.
ADEIP: an integrated platform of age-dependent expression and immune profiles across human tissues
Authors: Liu Xuan , Chen Wenbo , Fang Yu , Yang Siqi , Chang Liuping , Chen Xingyu , Ye Haidong , Tang Xinyu , Zhong Shan , Zhang Wen , Dong Zhiqiang , Han Leng , He Chunjiang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractGene expression and immune status in human tissues are changed with aging. There is a need to develop a comprehensive platform to explore the dynamics of age-related gene expression and immune profiles across tissues in genome-wide studies. Here, we collected RNA-Seq datasets from GTEx project, containing 16 704 samples from 30 major tissues in six age groups ranging from 20 to 79 years old. Dynamic gene expression along with aging were depicted and gene set enrichment analysis was performed among those age groups. Genes from 34 known immune function categories and immune cell compositions were investigated and compared among different age groups. Finally, we integrated all the results and developed a platform named ADEIP (http://gb.whu.edu.cn/ADEIP or http://geneyun.net/ADEIP), integrating the age-dependent gene expression and immune profiles across tissues. To demonstrate the usage of ADEIP, we applied two datasets: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and human mesenchymal stem cells-assoicated genes. We also included the expression and immune dynamics of these genes in the platform. Collectively, ADEIP is a powerful platform for studying age-related immune regulation in organogenesis and other infectious or genetic diseases.
The potential of serum neurofilament as biomarker for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bittner Stefan , Oh Jiwon , Havrdová Eva Kubala , Tintoré Mar , Zipp Frauke 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMultiple sclerosis is a highly heterogeneous disease, and the detection of neuroaxonal damage as well as its quantification is a critical step for patients. Blood-based serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is currently under close investigation as an easily accessible biomarker of prognosis and treatment response in patients with multiple sclerosis. There is abundant evidence that sNfL levels reflect ongoing inflammatory-driven neuroaxonal damage (e.g. relapses or MRI disease activity) and that sNfL levels predict disease activity over the next few years. In contrast, the association of sNfL with long-term clinical outcomes or its ability to reflect slow, diffuse neurodegenerative damage in multiple sclerosis is less clear. However, early results from real-world cohorts and clinical trials using sNfL as a marker of treatment response in multiple sclerosis are encouraging. Importantly, clinical algorithms should now be developed that incorporate the routine use of sNfL to guide individualized clinical decision-making in people with multiple sclerosis, together with additional fluid biomarkers and clinical and MRI measures. Here, we propose specific clinical scenarios where implementing sNfL measures may be of utility, including, among others: initial diagnosis, first treatment choice, surveillance of subclinical disease activity and guidance of therapy selection.
Tandem running by foraging Pachycondyla striata workers in field conditions vary in response to food type, food distance, and environmental conditions
Authors: Silva Janiele Pereira , Valadares Lohan , Vieira Maria Eduarda Lima , Teseo Serafino , Châline Nicolas 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Ants show collective and individual behavioral flexibility in their response to immediate context, choosing for example between different foraging strategies. In Pachycondyla striata, workers can forage solitarily or recruit and guide nestmates to larger food sources through tandem running. Although considered more ancestral and less efficient than pheromone trail-laying, this strategy is common especially in species with small colony size. What is not known is how the decision to recruit or follow varies according to the immediate context. That is, how fine adjustments in information transfer affect immediate foraging decisions at the colony level. Here, we studied individually marked workers and evaluated their foraging decisions when food items varied in nature (protein versus carbohydrate), size, and distance from the nest at different temperatures and humidity levels. Our results show that tandem run leaders and potential followers adjust their behavior according to a combination of external factors. While 84.2% of trips were solitary, most ants (81%) performed at least 1 tandem run. However, tandem runs were more frequent for nearby resources and at higher relative humidity. Interestingly, when food items were located far away, tandem runs were more successful when heading to protein sources (75%) compared with carbohydrate sources (42%). Our results suggest that the social information transfer between leaders and followers conveys more information than previously thought, and also relies on their experience and motivation.
Case report of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy—a clinical picture printed on lenticular paper
Authors: Mathias Isadora Sande , Oliveira Lima Filho Jorge Otávio , Culver Daniel A , Rodriguez E Rene , Tan Carmela D , Ribeiro Neto Manuel L , Jellis Christine L 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundCardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is an inflammatory granulomatous process of the myocardium that can be asymptomatic or have several different clinical phenotypes. One of its rarely described presentations consists of hypertrophy of the septal myocardium, similar to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis that haemodynamically mimics hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) has been rarely described in the literature.Case summaryA 64-year-old Caucasian female previously diagnosed with non-critical aortic stenosis presented with pre-syncope, and echocardiography showed significant obstruction based on left ventricular outflow tract gradients, confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), concerning for a phenocopy of HCM. Septal myectomy was performed and pathology specimen revealed non-caseating granulomata consistent with cardiac sarcoidosis. She was started on oral corticosteroids and initial cardiac fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) done after 1 month of treatment was negative. Repeat FDG-PET 15 months later, in the setting of haemodynamic decompensation, demonstrated diffuse FDG uptake in the myocardium without extra-cardiac involvement.DiscussionOur case brings together two entities: isolated cardiac sarcoidosis and its presentation mimicking HOCM, which has been very rarely described in the literature. And it also shows the scenario of surgical pathology diagnosis of sarcoidosis that was not suspected by initial CMR or FDG-PET, despite adequate preparation, only appearing on repeat FDG-PET done 15 months later. Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis should remain a differential diagnosis for any non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy without a clear cause, despite imaging evidence of HCM.
Simultaneous acute myocardial infarction, bilateral pulmonary embolism, and acute ischaemic cerebral stroke, a delayed complication in a patient with COVID-19 infection: case report
Authors: Chakir Mariame , El Jamili Mohammed , Boudhar Zainab , El Hattaoui Mustapha 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background
The simultaneous occurrence of acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and acute cerebral stroke is a rare concomitant finding that requires thorough aetiological investigation. Multiple reports note delayed COVID-19 arterial and venous thromboembolic complications. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such a simultaneous finding after COVID-19.

Case summary
A 60-year-old male patient, with a history of Type II diabetes and no risk factors for thromboembolism, experienced simultaneous acute myocardial infarction, bilateral pulmonary embolism, and acute ischaemic stroke. The occurrence of these multi-systemic thromboembolic events made us rule out differential diagnoses of thrombophilia, systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, vasculitis, cancer, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale. On laboratory analysis, the patient was positive for IgG SARS-COV2 antibodies, but negative for IgM antibodies and had two negative nasal polymerase chain reaction swab tests. After thorough aetiological investigation, the most probable diagnosis was thought to be delayed complications of COVID-19 infection.

Discussion
Multiple mechanisms, such as endothelial dysfunction, complement activation, and virus-induced antiphospholipid syndrome, may explain the hypercoagulable state related to COVID-19. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of concomitant multi-systemic thrombosis development, recognized as a delayed complication of COVID-19 infection. This highlights a need among cardiologists for an increased awareness of such late-onset complications. It also emphasizes the importance of identifying the optimal duration and dose of prophylactic anticoagulation as well as the characteristics of the population that would benefit from it after COVID-19.
Case report of a coronary artery-right ventricular fistula following repeat endomyocardial biopsies in a heart transplant patient
Authors: Siebert Vincent R , John Alan , Manshad Ahmad , Darki Amir 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background
Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) remains the gold standard for cellular rejection surveillance in heart transplant recipients. Coronary artery fistula formation is a rare late and potentially catastrophic complication of repeated endomyocardial biopsies, without contemporary evidence on incidence or management.

Case summary
A 47-year-old male was found to have a fistula between his right ventricle and his left anterior descending artery on an angiogram that was performed as a part of regular screening of coronary allograft vasculopathy. Given the low shunt fraction, asymptomatic nature, and lack of guidelines on definitive management, the patient is undergoing conservative management with regular surveillance.

Discussion
Coronary artery fistulas were once thought to be rare complications of repeated EMB, but the true prevalence is likely to be higher than previously believed. Ideal treatment and monitoring is unknown given the relative rarity of the condition.
Left ventricular mural thrombi with multisystem thrombosis in patients with COVID-19 and myocardial injury: a case series
Authors: Garg Aakash , Hakeem Hisham , Chennu Gouthami , Saeed Qaisra , Vucic Esad , Kats Yuliya , Waxman Sergio 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background
Cardiovascular and thromboembolic complications have been reported in patients with Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-related severe respiratory distress syndrome. Although myocarditis associated with COVID-19 pneumonia has been described, evidence of left ventricular (LV) mural thrombi with other multisystem events has not been reported.

Case summary
We report two cases with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and myocardial injury with large LV thrombi and other multisystem thrombotic events. The first patient represents an unusual case of large LV apical thrombus without concordant regional wall motion abnormality and mildly reduced LV function. A subsequent inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was likely related to either an embolic event or in situ coronary thrombosis. We could not ascertain whether the acute right ventricular dysfunction was due to in situ pulmonary thrombosis or inferior STEMI. The catastrophic cerebrovascular accident was likely an embolic phenomenon. Similarly, the second patient demonstrated multiple large pedunculated thrombi occupying one-third of the LV cavity with moderately reduced LV function. A segmental pulmonary embolism was diagnosed on computed tomography chest, confirming multiple territories of in situ thrombosis.

Discussion
COVID-19-related inflammatory cytokine release has been linked to activation of coagulation pathways. Marked elevation of ferritin and C-reactive protein levels in both patients were consistent with evidence of a hyperinflammatory state with ‘cytokine storm’. Furthermore, the finding of elevated D-dimer levels lends support to the altered coagulation cascade that plausibly explains the multisystem thrombosis observed in our patients. The direct viral endothelial involvement and subsequent endothelial dysfunction may play an important role in the development of thrombosis in different vascular beds, as seen in our patients.