bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy comparison of three rapid antigen tests for SARS‐CoV‐2 and how viral load impact their performance
Authors: Blairon Laurent , Cupaiolo Roberto , Thomas Isabelle , Piteüs Sébastien , Wilmet Alain , Beukinga Ingrid , Tré‐Hardy Marie 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMore and more rapid antigen tests for the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) appear in the market with varying performance. The sensitivity of these tests heavily depends on the viral load, extrapolated by the threshold cycle (Ct). It is therefore essential to verify their performance before their inclusion in routine. The Coronavirus Ag Rapid Test Cassette Bio‐Rad, the GSD NovaGen SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) Antigen Rapid Test, and the Aegle Coronavirus Ag Rapid Test Cassette were evaluated on 199 samples: 150 fresh samples from the routine and positive in quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), nine fresh samples negative in RT‐qPCR, and 40 frozen samples, taken before the discovery of SARS‐CoV‐2 but positive for other respiratory viruses. Positive RT‐qPCR samples were categorized according to their Ct: Ct < 20 (18.7%), ≥ 20–< 25 (27.3%), ≥ 25–< 30 (18.7%), ≥ 30–35 (17.3%), and > 35 (18.0%). Sensitivities (95% confidence interval) for Ct below 25 were 95.7% (92.4–98.9), 97.1% (94.4–99.8), and 97.1% (94.4–99.8) for GSD NovaGen, Bio‐Rad, and Aegle, respectively but drastically dropped when Ct exceeded 27. Among samples with previously diagnosed viruses, seven false‐positive results were found with GSD NovaGen only (specificity 85.7%). Equivalent, high sensitivities were observed with the highest viral load samples. The GSD NovaGen assay showed less specificity. Although the three kits tested in this study are inadequate for routine testing in a high throughput laboratory, they can help to quickly identify the most infectious patients and screen their close contacts in an environment where molecular tests are not readily available.
Biphasic anaphylaxis after exposure to the first dose of Pfizer‐BioNTech COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine
Authors: Abi Zeid Daou Christophe , Natout Mohammad A. , El Hadi Nadine 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn the setting of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) global pandemic and increased disease burden, vaccination has become one of the major solutions. With the increase in vaccination numbers worldwide, it is important to stay vigilant to the potential side effects and life‐threatening complications of such vaccines. We report the case of a 30‐year‐old male with a biphasic allergic reaction post messenger (mRNA) Pfizer‐BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccination. Several reports of allergic reactions have been cited in the literature after the administration of the mRNA Pfizer‐BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccine. It is important to keep a high index of suspicion in severe anaphylactic cases as some patients may have a recurrence of symptoms after discharge. It is crucial to acknowledge the potential risk of anaphylaxis in select individuals and have the appropriate measures in place to deal with adverse events. In case of severe symptoms, the administration of epinephrine is advised to prevent the development of a delayed biphasic anaphylactic reaction.
COVID‐19 pneumonia in kidney transplant recipients: A promising treatment algorithm in the absence of a disease‐specific drug
Authors: Karatas Murat , Tatar Erhan , Simsek Cenk , Yıldırım Ali Murat , Ari Alpay , Zengel Baha , Uslu Adam 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThere is no consensus on the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and modification of immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). In this study, we examined the clinical outcome of our KTRs with COVID‐19 disease, who were treated with a broad‐spectrum anti‐inflammatory protocol. This protocol is essentially composed of intravenous immunoglobulin +/‐ tocilizumab in KTRs with severe COVID‐19 pneumonia. Among 809 KTRs, 64 patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 disease between April 2020 and February 2021, were evaluated. Twenty‐nine patients with pneumonia confirmed by chest computed tomography (CCT) were hospitalized. The treatment protocol included high‐dose intravenous methylprednisolone, favipiravir, enoxaparin, and empirical antibiotics. Patients with pneumonic involvement of more than 25% on CCT with or without respiratory failure were given a total of 2 g/kg intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy. Nonresponders received tocilizumab, an interleukin‐6 receptor antibody. Of the 29 patients with pneumonia, 6 were treated in other hospitals. These six patients did not receive IVIg and 5 of them deceased. In our center, IVIg treatment was applied to 15 of 23 patients. Seven of them required tocilizumab. Respiratory parameters improved significantly in all but one patient after IVIg ± tocilizumab treatment. The mortality rate was 6.6% in patients who received IVIg therapy and 35.7% in those who did not (p = 0.08). The mortality rate was higher in patients who received treatment in external centers (2.2% vs. 26.3%; p = 0.0073). The treatment of KTRs with severe COVID‐19 pneumonia in organ transplant centers with significant experience yields better results. The administration of broad‐spectrum anti‐inflammatory treatment in this patient group was safe and provided excellent outcomes.
Evaluation of the performance of SARS‐­CoV­‐2 antibody assays for a longitudinal population­based study of COVID‐­19 spread in St. Petersburg, Russia
Authors: Barchuk Anton , Shirokov Daniil , Sergeeva Mariia , Tursun­zade Rustam , Dudkina Olga , Tychkova Varvara , Barabanova Lubov , Skougarevskiy Dmitriy , Danilenko Daria 
Published: June 2021

AbstractGeographical variation in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS­‐CoV­‐2) spread requires seroprevalence studies based on local tests, but robust validation is needed. We summarize an evaluation of antibody tests used in a serological study of SARS‐­CoV­‐2 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. We validated three different antibody assays: chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) Abbott Architect SARS‐­CoV­‐2 immunoglobulin G (IgG), enzyme­ linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) CoronaPass total antibodies test, and ELISA SARS­‐CoV‐­2‐­IgG‐­EIA‐­BEST. Clinical sensitivity was estimated with the SARS­‐CoV­‐2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as the gold standard using manufacturer recommended cutoff. Specificity was estimated using pre­pandemic sera samples. The median time between positive PCR test results and antibody tests was 21 weeks. Measures of concordance were calculated against the microneutralization test (MNA).Sensitivity was equal to 91.1% (95% confidence intervbal [CI]: 78.8–97.5), 90% (95% CI: 76.4–96.4), and 63.1% (95% CI [50.2–74.7]) for ELISA Coronapass, ELISA Vector­Best, and CMIA Abbott, respectively. Specificity was equal to 100% for all the tests. Comparison of receiver operating characteristics has shown lower AUC for CMIA Abbott. The cut­off SC/O ratio of 0.28 for CMIA Abbott resulted in a sensitivity of 80% at the same level of specificity. Less than 33% of the participants with positive antibody test results had neutralizing antibodies in titers 1:80 and above. Antibody assays results and MNA correlated moderately. This study encourages the use of local antibody tests and sets the reference for seroprevalence correction. Available tests' sensitivity allows detecting antibodies within the majority of PCR­ positive individuals. The Abbott assay sensitivity can be improved by incorporating a new cut­off. Manufacturers' test characteristics may introduce bias into the study results.
Spring snow depth changes and feedback to surface air temperature across the Tibetan plateau from 1961 to 2013
Authors: Chen Xiaona , Yang Yaping 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSpring snow depth (SSD) in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays an essential role in snow water estimation, vegetation growth, and climate projections for Southwest China and the surrounding Asian countries. Previous studies have reported a decline in SSD that is associated with increasing surface air temperature (Ts) across the TP over the past decades. However, only a few studies have explored the potential feedback of SSD to Ts, which has hindered the elucidation of the vulnerability of snow cover in the TP against the backdrop of rapid climate change. Based on data from 69 meteorological stations in the central and eastern parts of the TP, this study analyses changes in SSD and its feedback to Ts from 1961 to 2013. Overall, a slightly negative trend in SSD was observed from 1961 to 2013, during which two contrasting trends were detected using a piecewise regression approach: an initial increase from 1961 to 1981 (0.12 cm decades−1, p < .01) followed by a decrease from 1982 to 2013 (−0.36 cm decades−1, p < .01). Sensitivity analysis revealed that the SSD decline was systematically correlated with a positive Ts anomaly, with sensitivities of −0.050 cm °C−1 (p < .01) and −0.069 cm °C−1 (p < .01) for 1961–2013 and 1982–2013, respectively. However, following the accelerated SSD decline during 1982–2013, its potential feedback to Ts was attenuated, with averaged feedback values from −1.328°C cm−1 during 1961–2013 to −0.936°C cm−1 during 1982–2013 in latitudes below 3,500 m, distributed in the Qaidam and Yellow River basins, and the upper reaches of the Yangtze River basin. The decrease in feedback from SSD to Ts may lead to changes in the mechanism controlling Ts dynamics across the TP, which should be considered in climate change projections in future studies.
Variability of the precipitation over the Tianshan Mountains, Central Asia. Part I: Linear and nonlinear trends of the annual and seasonal precipitation
Authors: Guan Xuefeng , Yao Junqiang , Schneider Christoph 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Tianshan Mountains, with their status as ‘water tower’, receive quantities of precipitation that are among the highest in Central Asia. There are considerable knowledge gaps regarding the understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of precipitation over this water‐scarce region. Based on the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) data set, this study evaluated the precipitation variations over Tianshan Mountains on different time scales by using Mann‐Kendall (M‐K) test approaches and the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method. The results show that (a) most parts of Tianshan experienced increasing annual precipitation during 1950–2016 while Western Tianshan, which is the wettest region, faced a downtrend of precipitation during the same 67 years; (b) the annual precipitation in the Tianshan Mountains has exhibited high‐frequency variations with 3‐ and 6‐year quasi‐periods and low‐frequency variations with 12‐, 27‐year quasi‐periods. On the decadal scale, Tianshan had two dry periods (1950–1962 and 1973–1984) and two wet periods (1962–1972 and 1985–2016) and has experienced a tendency of continuous humidification since 2004; (c) the precipitation over the Tianshan Mountains shows a strong seasonality. In total, 63.6% of all precipitation falls in spring and summer. Distinctive differences are found in seasonal precipitation variations among the sub‐Tianshan regions. Obvious upward trends of precipitation over Eastern Tianshan were found in all seasons, with Eastern Tianshan entering a humid period as early as 1986. Northern and Central Tianshan experienced a decreasing trend in summer and spring. However, in the other seasons, those two sub‐Tianshan regions have been in humid periods since the 1990s. The precipitation over Western Tianshan showed an upward trend in summer and autumn. The obvious downward trends in spring and winter have led to dry periods in these two seasons from 1997–2014 to 2008–2016, respectively.
Coupling analysis of penetrated wire connecting two electronic devices using a time domain hybrid method
Authors: Ye Zhihong , Lu Changchang , Zhang Yu 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAn efficient time domain hybrid method is proposed, which integrate transmission line (TL) equations, finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method, Norton and Substitution theorems together, to predict the EM fields coupling with the penetrated wire connecting two electronic devices. Within this method, the geometry of penetrated wire is divided into external and internal TLs according to the shielded enclosures of two devices firstly. Then the equivalent circuit model of penetrated wire is established by the Norton and Substitution theorems, which can represent the discontinuity of impedance between external and internal TLs and the transmitting of interference signals between terminal loads of the wire. Finally, the TL equations combined with FDTD method is utilized to compute the transient responses on external and internal TLs respectively. Numerical simulations of penetrated wire connecting two shielded enclosures in different environment are employed to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the presented method.
Using convolutional neural networks to discriminate between cysts and masses in Monte Carlo‐simulated dual‐energy mammography
Authors: Makeev Andrey , Toner Brian , Qian Marian , Badal Andreu , Glick Stephen J. 
Published: June 2021

PurposeA substantial percentage of recalls (up to 20%) in screening mammography is attributed to extended round lesions. Benign fluid‐filled breast cysts often appear similar to solid tumors in conventional mammograms. Spectral imaging (dual‐energy or photon‐counting mammography) has been shown to discriminate between cysts and solid masses with clinically acceptable accuracy. This work explores the feasibility of using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for this task.MethodsA series of Monte Carlo experiments was conducted with digital breast phantoms and embedded synthetic lesions to produce realistic dual‐energy images of both lesion types. We considered such factors as nonuniform anthropomorphic background, size of the mass, breast compression thickness, and variability in lesion x‐ray attenuation. These data then were used to train a deep neural network (ResNet‐18) to learn the differences in x‐ray attenuation of cysts and masses.ResultsOur simulation results showed that the CNN‐based classifier could reliably discriminate between cystic and solid mass round lesions in dual‐energy images with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC) of 0.98 or greater.ConclusionsThe proposed approach showed promising performance and ease of implementation, and could be applied to novel photon‐counting detector‐based spectral mammography systems.
Lower urinary tract disorders in multiple sclerosis patients: prevalence, clinical features, and response to treatments
Authors: Seddone Silvia , Marturano Monia , Bientinesi Riccardo , Lucchini Matteo , Bassi Pierfrancesco , Mirabella Massimiliano , Nociti Viviana 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimsLower urinary tract symptoms are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and have a great impact on quality of life. We evaluated prevalence and characteristics of urological symptoms in a cohort of patients with MS.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional study conducted on consecutive patients with MS attending our Center in 2018. We evaluated prevalence, clinical features, and response to symptomatic treatments of lower urinary tract disorders; we investigated the relationship between them and clinical and demographic features. Data of urodynamic studies were also collected.ResultsIn our cohort of 806 patients, the overall prevalence of urological symptoms was 52.9% and urgency was the most frequent symptom (59.4%). Symptomatic patients had a higher disability, a longer disease duration, a later age at onset, and a greater mean age at the time of evaluation. Urinary disorders were more frequent in patients with progressive disease and in women. About 41.8% of patients were under treatment for the urological disorder and 81.5% of them reported an improvement of symptoms.ConclusionUrinary disorders in patients with MS have a high prevalence. An early and correct characterization of types of symptoms and an early and targeted therapeutic strategy are essential to improve the patient's quality of life and avoid future complications.
On Shannon entropy computations in selected plasticity problems
Authors: Kamiński Marcin M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis paper considers the problem of determining probabilistic entropy fluctuations, which are important for understanding uncertainty propagation in mechanical systems in the elasto‐plastic regime. Probabilistic entropy is conceptualized based on an initial definition by Shannon, which demands discrete representation of the uncertainty source. Numerical analysis is performed using the Response Function Method with polynomial bases. Coefficients are found and order optimization is completed using polynomial interpolations or the Least Squares Method. Approximations are based on the Finite Element Method. Local polynomial bases enable nonlinear increment analysis, and allow for a given degree of freedom in the FEM model to be described as a function of a random input parameter. Academic FEM software and the ABAQUS system were used for numerical experiments. Polynomial approximations, probabilistic moment computations, and statistical entropy estimations were programmed in the symbolic algebra package MAPLE. Transformation of the input probability density into the output function was performed using the Monte‐Carlo simulation algorithm for statistically optimized polynomial bases of extreme displacement functions. Two computational examples are given to demonstrate probabilistic entropy fluctuations for a small statically indeterminate aluminum truss structure and also for practical engineering case study of the steel round bar under uniform tensile stress. In these examples, some material and geometrical uncertainties distributed according to Gaussian, triangular, uniform as well as lognormal distributions were analyzed. The presented approach could be used for constitutive models of solids, computational fluid dynamics, and in other discrete numerical methods.
Women's engagement with diabetes prevention activities and the influence of contact by the Australian national gestational diabetes register
Authors: O'Reilly Sharleen L , Versace Vincent L , Skinner Timothy C , Dunbar James A ,   the MAGDA Study Group
Published: June 2021

AbstractGestational diabetes increases a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In 2011, Australia started the first National Gestational Diabetes Register (NGDR). The register aims to improve risk awareness, promote diabetes prevention, and encourage regular diabetes screening. This study aimed to identify postnatal diabetes prevention activity and the association of NGDR awareness with that activity in a nationally representative sample of Australian women after a pregnancy with gestational diabetes.An anonymous, cross‐sectional, online survey of women previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes and aged 18 years or over was run from June to November 2014.Of 8860 women invited from a stratified NGDR sample, 966 participated (response rate 13%). Postnatal screening rate was 73%. Only 47% of respondents reported receiving NGDR information postnatally. Log‐binomial regression demonstrated an association with women reporting receiving NGDR information and being at intermediate risk of developing type 2 diabetes (relative ratio [RR] 1.307, 95% CI 1.030, 1.660) and at higher disadvantage (RR 1.501, 95% CI 1.080, 2.080). Postnatal screening rates, total diabetes risk perception and lifestyle risk factors were not significantly different between those recalling or not recalling receiving NGDR information.The reach and impact of NGDR information alone are limited. Women's engagement with the NGDR was not associated with better lifestyle, greater postnatal screening or higher risk perception. System‐level integration is needed for improved NGDR functioning and further improvements should yield enhanced diabetes prevention efforts when primary care ties are strengthened. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons.
Black Lives Matter: tackling racial and ethnic inequalities in diabetes health care
Authors: Seewoodhary Jason 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHalf a century after Martin Luther King Jr declared ‘of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane’, race and ethnicity remains a barrier to accessing fair, just and equitable diabetes‐related care. This review will critically consider the evidence basis underlying this and discusses interventions used to eliminate such disparities. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons.
Hydrogen bonding mediated self‐assembled structures from block copolymer mixtures to mesoporous materials
Authors: Kuo Shiao‐Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe self‐assembled structures formed through hydrogen bonding interaction of block copolymers in polymeric materials are interesting materials because of their potential applications in biomedicine, nanopatterning and photonics, taking advantage of their responsive and tunable properties. In this review, we discuss the self‐assembled nanostructures that can be obtained from hydrogen‐bonded diblock copolymer/homopolymer (A‐b‐B/C) and diblock copolymer (A‐b‐B/C‐b‐D) mixtures in the bulk and how these block copolymer mixtures can then be used to synthesize mesoporous silica, phenolic and carbon materials. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Impact of chemically defined culture media formulations on extracellular vesicle production by amniotic epithelial cells
Authors: Zhu Dandan , Fang Haoyun , Kusuma Gina D. , Schwab Renate , Barabadi Mehri , Chan Siow Teng , McDonald Hannah , Leong Cheng Mee , Wallace Euan M. , Greening David W. , Lim Rebecca 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe therapeutic properties of cell derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) make them promising cell‐free alternative to regenerative medicine. However, clinical translation of this technology relies on the ability to manufacture EVs in a scalable, reproducible, and cGMP‐compliant manner. To generate EVs in sufficient quantity, a critical step is the selection and development of culture media, where differences in formulation may influence the EV manufacturing process. In this study, we used human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) as a model system to explore the effect of different formulations of chemically defined, commercially sourced media on EV production. Here, we determined that cell viability and proliferation rate are not reliable quality indicators for EV manufacturing. The levels of tetraspanins and epitope makers of EVs were significantly impacted by culture media formulations. Mass spectrometry‐based proteomic profiling revealed proteome composition of hAEC‐EVs and the influence of media formulations on composition of EV proteome. This study has revealed critical aspects including cell viability and proliferation rate, EV yield, and tetraspanins, surface epitopes and proteome composition of EVs influenced by media formulations, and further insight into standardised EV production culture media that should be considered in clinical‐grade scalable EV manufacture for generation of therapeutic EVs.