bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced immunogenicity of a synthetic DNA vaccine expressing consensus SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein using needle-free immunization
Authors: Alamri Sawsan S , Alluhaybi Khalid A , Alhabbab Rowa Y , Algaissi Abdullah , Almahboub Sarah , Alfaleh Mohamed A , Abujamel Turki S , Abdulaal Wesam , ElAssouli M-Zaki , Alharbi Rahaf , Hassanain Mazen , Hashem Anwar M 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe ongoing global pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) calls for an urgent development of effective and safe prophylactic and therapeutic measures. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) glycoprotein is a major immunogenic and protective protein, and plays a crucial role in viral pathogenesis. In this study, we successfully constructed a synthetic codon-optimized DNA-based vaccine as a countermeasure against SARS-CoV-2; denoted as VIU-1005. The design was based on the synthesis of codon-optimized coding sequence for optimal mammalian expression of a consensus full-length S glycoprotein. The successful construction of the vaccine was confirmed by restriction digestion and sequencing, and the protein expression of the S protein was confirmed by western blot and immunofluorescence staining in mammalian cells. The immunogenicity of the vaccine was tested in two mouse models (BALB/c and C57BL/6J). Th1-skewed systemic S-specific IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) were significantly induced in both models four weeks post three injections with 100 μg of the VIU-1005 vaccine via intramuscular needle injection but not intradermal or subcutaneous routes. Importantly, such immunization induced long-lasting IgG response in mice that lasted for at least 6 months. Interestingly, using a needle-free system, we showed an enhanced immunogenicity of VIU-1005 in which lower doses such as 25-50 μg or less number of doses were able to elicit significantly high levels of Th1-biased systemic S-specific IgG antibodies and nAbs via intramuscular immunization compared to needle immunization. Compared to the intradermal needle injection which failed to induce any significant immune response, intradermal needle-free immunization elicited robust Th1-biased humoral response similar to that observed with intramuscular immunization. Furthermore, immunization with VIU-1005 induced potent S-specific cellular response as demonstrated by the significantly high levels of IFN-γ, TNF and IL-2 cytokines production in memory CD8+and CD4+T cells in BALB/c mice. Together, our results demonstrate that the synthetic VIU-1005 candidate DNA vaccine is highly immunogenic and capable of inducing long-lasting and Th1-skewed immune response in mice. Furthermore, we show that the use of needle-free system could enhance the immunogenicity and minimize doses needed to induce protective immunity in mice, supporting further preclinical and clinical testing of this candidate vaccine.
Predictors for readmission due to cellulitis among Japanese patients
Authors: Norimatsu Yuta , Ohno Yuki 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCellulitis is an infection of the soft tissues of the skin. Some patients are hospitalized multiple times; lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral circulatory disturbance, and deep vein thrombosis are said to be risk factors for multiple admissions. Conversely, in Japan, elderly women and undernourished elderly have been reported to be at risk of multiple hospitalizations, suggesting a different patient background from that reported overseas. We investigated the characteristics of readmission cases for patients hospitalized for cellulitis in Japan. We retrospectively examined cases of cellulitis and erysipelas admitted between April 1, 2005 and March 31, 2018. Patients with cellulitis or erysipelas at multiple sites and those with osteomyelitis, pressure ulcer infection, and necrotizing fasciitis were excluded. In terms of recurrence, only hospitalizations for recurrence at the same site were considered. Patients with multiple hospitalizations had significantly lower blood albumin levels than those hospitalized only once. Furthermore, the rates of lymphedema, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher in patients hospitalized multiple times. Other laboratory and clinical factors were not statistically significant. Therefore, hypoalbuminemia with or without liver dysfunction, lymphedema, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were suggested as risk factors for cellulitis recurrence. However, chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral circulatory disturbance, and deep vein thrombosis did not seem to be risk factors in Japanese cases. Japanese cases had a low body mass index (approximately 25 kg/m2), suggesting that the patient background may be different from that in existing reports. This suggests that the risk factors in Japanese cases may be different from those reported in other countries.
Lost voices part 2: Modifying psychological therapies for two young men with complex learning disabilities following alleged sexual and physical abuse: A case study in trauma recovery
Authors: Digman Carmel 
Published: February 2021

Accessible summary

Two young men who have learning disabilities became mentally ill. They said that they had been hurt by their carers. They said that the carers hit them and made them have sex with them.

They had post‐traumatic stress disorder, which made them scream, cry, hurt themselves and have frightening nightmares.

They were helped by a Mental Health of Learning Disabilities Team. They talked to a psychologist which helped them to understand what happened to them.

Talking to the psychologist helped them to get better. They could do the things that they enjoyed again. The therapy took 2 years.

This paper writes about new and better ways to help people who have learning disabilities recover when someone has hurt them or frightened them.

AbstractBackgroundThis is the second of two papers describing a case study of two young men with complex learning disabilities. They presented with severe trauma‐related mental distress following alleged sexual, emotional and physical abuse. This paper concerns the psychological intervention and support provided for them and their families over a period of 2 years. There is a lack of research, guidance and evaluated therapeutic models for the assessment and treatment of people with complex learning and communication needs following abuse.MethodsIn this case, therapeutic interventions were modified from systemic and narrative therapies and interpersonal psychotherapy. Creative techniques included acting, drawing and walks to develop a therapeutic relationship, to experience affect in a contained and safe way and to support the development of coherent narratives.ResultsRecovery moved through stages of remembering and recounting, understanding and assimilating and improved mental well‐being and coping strategies.ConclusionsModified models of therapy proved effective and further research recommended. The personal strengths and family support of the men were critical in progressing recovery.
Ruxolitinib as adjunctive therapy for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: A case series
Authors: Hansen Sarah , Alduaij Waleed , Biggs Catherine M. , Belga Sara , Luecke Kai , Merkeley Hayley , Chen Luke Y. C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a cytokine storm syndrome associated with mortality rates of up to 88%. Standard therapy with high‐dose glucocorticoids and etoposide used in adults is extrapolated from pediatric trials, with significant toxicity in older patients and those with poor performance status. The JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib has recently gained attention as a treatment option for HLH due to its broad cytokine‐modulating abilities and safety profile. Herein we report our center's experience using ruxolitinib in the treatment of adult‐onset secondary HLH.Case seriesWe report four patients with profound secondary HLH provoked by diverse triggers, including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis on background systemic lupus erythematosus, disseminated tuberculosis, and T‐cell lymphoma treated with ruxolitinib as monotherapy or combination therapy in upfront and salvage settings.ResultsAll four patients had rapid, sustained improvement in clinical status, inflammatory markers, and hematological cell counts followed by durable remission. Three patients developed manageable infectious complications postruxolitinib.ConclusionsThis series demonstrates the effective use of JAK inhibition with ruxolitinib to control pathological immune activation in critically ill patients with secondary HLH and otherwise limited therapeutic options. JAK inhibition is also an area of urgent investigation for the treatment of cytokine storm associated with COVID‐19.
Noninvasive markers of arterial stiffness and renal outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Guo Xinru , Li Yisha , Yang Ying , Wang Wenling , Liang Shuang , Zheng Ying , Chen Xiangmei , Cai Guangyan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOur study aimed to explore the intercorrelations of brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), ankle‐brachial index (ABI), ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI), 24‐hour mean pulse pressure (24‐h PP), and augmentation index (AIx, AIx@75, the AIx standardized to a heart rate of 75) and compare the effectiveness of these markers for predicting renal outcomes. A total of 117 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who received noninvasive arterial stiffness examinations were enrolled. We used correlation analysis and linear regression to explore the correlations between these five arterial stiffness markers and the Cox proportional hazards model and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve to assess the associations of markers with kidney disease outcomes. The median (interquartile range) of age and eGFR were 61 (49‐65) years and 50.5 (35.5‐84.1) ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. In Pearson correlation analysis, baPWV was significantly associated with 24‐h PP (r = .531, p < .001), AIx@75 (r = .306, p < .001). Additionally, 24‐h PP was associated with AASI (r = .507, p < .001) and AIx@75 (r = .217, p = .019). During follow‐up for a median of 25 months, 26.5% (n = 31) of patients had a composite outcome; of these, 10 initiated dialysis, 17 had 40% eGFR loss, and 4 died. Increased AASI, 24‐h PP, and baPWV were associated with poor renal outcomes in a univariate Cox analysis. After adjusting for age, sex, MAP, eGFR, and 24 hours proteinuria, 1‐SD increase in AASI and 24‐h PP was associated with renal outcomes. The ROC analysis yielded the largest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.727 (95% CI: 0.624 to 0.831; p < .001) for 24 ‐h PP. When the Youden's index was at its maximum, the 24‐h PP value was 52 mmHg. In conclusion, 24‐h PP, baPWV, and AIx@75 were linked well to one another. Arterial stiffness is a target for delaying the decline in kidney function. The use of 24‐h PP as an arterial stiffness marker should be valued in CKD clinical practice.
Genetic mapping reveals a major QTL associated with tolerance to the aphid, Uroleucon compositae (Theobald) in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
Authors: Jegadeeswaran Mokkaraj , Kadirvel Palchamy , Srinivas Potukuchi Satya , Senthilvel Senapathy , Selvaraj Velu Mani , Mobeen Shaik , Rushwanth Reddy Yarabapani , Usha Kiran Betha , Mukta Nidamarty 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHost plant resistance is an effective means of managing aphid pests in safflower but its genetic basis is not known. In this study, F1 and F6‐recombinant inbred lines (RILs) produced from the CO‐1 × EC‐523368‐2 cross were phenotyped for tolerance to the aphid, Uroleucon compositae based on days‐to‐wilt (DW) after infestation. The F1 plants showed the dominance effect and RILs exhibited quantitative variation. The RIL population was genotyped with 242 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, which included a set of 150 new SSRs designed through next‐generation sequencing and bioinformatics approaches. Two quantitative trait loci (QTLs), QUc‐Ct3.1 and QUc‐Ct5.1, putatively associated with DW after aphid infestation were detected. QUc‐Ct3.1 was a major QTL located on linkage group (LG) 3 with the closest marker SafM‐290 (LOD = 18.3), which explained 31.5% of the phenotypic variation. QUc‐Ct5.1 was a minor QTL located on LG‐5 with the closest marker CtDES‐237 (LOD = 7.0), which explained 9.1% of the phenotypic variation. This is the first report and a significant lead towards discovering genes for tolerance to aphids in safflower.
Is donation after circulatory determination of death feasible for pediatric patients in italy?
Authors: Giugni Cristina , Cecchi Costanza , Santucci Claudia , Scuncia Glenda 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo determine the potential effect of a donation after cardiac death active program on the number of organ donors in a Italian Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). We conducted a retrospective study of all deaths in PICU of an academic Children Hospital between 2012 and 2020, tracing the organ donation activity. Patients were categorized as brain deaths, deaths despite maximal resuscitation, and deaths after withdrawal or limitation of life support. Patient demographics, premortem physiology, end‐of‐life circumstances, and functional warm ischemia time were recorded. Eligible donors after cardiac death were identified by the absence of medical contraindication and functional warm ischemia time <60 minutes. Of 124 deaths that occurred during the study period, 34 met criteria for brain death, 23 were potential donors, and 13 became actual donors. Of the remaining 90 patients that met criteria for cardiac death, 66 died despite maximal resuscitation, 24 died after withdrawal or limitation of care and between them 13 were identified as theoretically eligible DCD donors. Of these, 5 patients had a functional warm ischemia time of <1 hour and were potential candidates for DCD of 10 kidneys and 2 lungs. Even if few children could have been eligible for DCD in the study period, an active program could have been able to increase the number of potential organ donors by 20% in the last eight years at our institution. DCD deserves to be explored in Italy as a new option for children.
Barriers and facilitators for dental care among patients with severe or long‐term mental illness
Authors: Bjørkvik Jofrid , Henriquez Quintero Diana Patricia , Vika Margrethe E. , Nielsen Geir Høstmark , Virtanen Jorma I. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundPersons who struggle with severe or long‐term mental illness (SMI) have a higher prevalence of oral health problems than the general population. Obtaining and continuing dental treatment is challenging for this patient group for many reasons, and many drop out of active treatment. Our study aimed to explore perceived barriers to obtaining optimal dental health care for patients with SMI. Further, we sought to identify possible ways to facilitate for providing true access to dental services for this population.MethodsThe study utilised a flexible qualitative design with data collected during ordinary clinical practice in a public dental clinic in Norway. We conducted semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews with 51 persons with SMI twice: an initial interview before dental treatment and a final one after dental treatment. We applied the thematic analysis method.ResultsThematic analysis revealed two key themes in the participants’ experiences of access to dental health services: practical conditions and relationship with the dentist. Patients reported barriers and facilitators for access to care as factors associated with patients (patient factors), with the dentist (dentist factors) and with healthcare services (system factors).ConclusionsOur study indicates that persons with SMI appreciate oral health and want to obtain needed oral care and dental treatment, but they encounter barriers on several fronts. The participants offered suggestions for how to facilitate attendance and adherence. Our findings suggest that dental healthcare services require reorganisation to meet the needs of patients with SMI.
Comparing the frequency and variation of additive word problems in United States first‐grade textbooks in the 1980s and the Common Core era
Authors: Schoen Robert C. , Champagne Zachary , Whitacre Ian , McCrackin Shelby 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDecades of research conducted worldwide has resulted in a taxonomy for word problems involving additive situations. Research published in the 1980s found that U.S. curricula only exposed first‐grade students to a small subset of the easiest types of word problems. Widely adopted curriculum standards in the United States call for first‐grade students to be exposed to the full set of 11 types of problems in the taxonomy, but research shows that substantive changes to the content of instructional materials can be elusive. We asked whether the U.S. curricula continue to expose students to the same small subset of problems. We coded four widely used first‐grade textbooks from the Common Core era. Comparing our findings with those from the 1980s, we found many more word problems, a wider variety of word problems, and a consistent pattern in relative emphasis of various problems in the current textbooks. These results clearly show that U.S. students’ exposure to word problems through curriculum materials has changed. This finding lays the groundwork for further research to determine whether such changes in exposure to different types of word problems have resulted in changes to relative problem difficulty.
Verminous myelopathy secondary to aberrant Dirofilaria immitis migrans was detected in the cervical subarachnoid space of four dogs using MRI and CT
Authors: Beasley Michaela J. , Hiebert Elizabeth C. , Alcott Cody , Jeffery Nicholas , LaFoon‐Jones Brooklynn , Gambino Jennifer M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAberrant Dirofilaria immitis migrans is a rare cause of neurologic signs in dogs, however, published studies describing the computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of this problem are currently lacking. The objective of this retrospective case series study was to describe the clinical and imaging findings for four adult dogs with verminous myelopathy due to aberrant Dirofilaria immitis migrans within the cervical subarachnoid space. All dogs were toy breeds, were heartworm antigen positive, had neurologic signs (ranging from cervical hyperesthesia to tetraparesis), and similar MRI findings. In two patients additionally imaged with CT, findings were variable. On MRI, each dog had a single large, dorsal‐ to laterally located, intradural‐extramedullary, fusiform mass with characteristic stippled, mixed T2‐weighted and T1‐weighted signal intensity, hypo‐to‐iso T1‐weighted signal intensity, and spinal cord compression. Nematodes were identified as serpentine or circular subarachnoid structures with low T2‐weighted and T1‐weighted signal in the sagittal and transverse image planes, respectively. CT (n = 2 dogs) demonstrated focal regions of mildly enhancing intradural‐extramedullary spinal cord compression in 1 dog. Dorsal laminectomy and durotomy were performed in two dogs at C3‐C4. A C4‐5 hemilaminectomy with durotomy and dural biopsy was performed in one dog. Extraction of live, immature adult, female D. immitis worms was performed in three dogs. Operated dogs had complete post‐surgical resolution of clinical signs. One dog was euthanized without surgery; necropsy revealed an adult heartworm in the spinal subarachnoid space at C2. Findings indicated that cervical spinal subarachnoid D. immitis aberrant migration should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with this combination of clinical and CT/MRI imaging findings, and that the prognosis may be good with early detection and surgical removal.
MRS SOFIA: a multicenter retrospective study for use of Sofia for revascularization of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Brinjikji Waleed , Raz Eytan , De Leacy Reade , Meila Dan , Mokin Maxim , Samaniego Edgar A , Shapiro Maksim , Bageac Devin , Varon Alberto , Ren Zeguang , Rinaldo Lorenzo , Cloft Harry J 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundOver the past several years there has been increased interest in the use of the Sofia aspiration system (MicroVention, Tustin, California) as a primary aspiration catheter.ObjectiveTo perform a multicenter retrospective study examining the efficacy of the Sofia aspiration catheter as a standalone aspiration treatment for large vessel occlusion.MethodsConsecutive cases in which the Sofia catheter was used for aspiration thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion were included. Exclusion criteria were the following: (1) Sofia not used for first pass, and (2) a stent retriever used as an adjunct on the first pass. The primary outcome of the study was first pass recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2c/3). Secondary outcomes included first pass TICI 2b/3, crossover to other thrombectomy devices, number of passes, time from puncture to recanalization, and complications.Results323 patients were included. First pass TICI 2c/3 was achieved in 49.8% of cases (161/323). First pass TICI 2b/3 was achieved in 69.7% (225/323) of cases. 74.8% had TICI 2b/3 with the Sofia alone. Crossover to other thrombectomy devices occurred in 29.1% of cases (94/323). The median number of passes was 1 (IQR=1–3). Median time from puncture to recanalization was 26 min (IQR=17–45). Procedure related complications occurred in 3.1% (10/323) of cases.ConclusionOur study highlights the potential advantage of the Sofia aspiration catheter for primary aspiration thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. High rates of first pass recanalization with low crossover rates to other thrombectomy devices were achieved. Median procedure time was low, as were procedural complications.
Forward Higgs production within high energy factorization in the heavy quark limit at next-to-leading order accuracy
Authors: Hentschinski M. , Kutak K. , van Hameren A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe use Lipatov’s high energy effective action to determine the next-to-leading order corrections to Higgs production in the forward region within high energy factorization making use of the infinite top mass limit. Our result is based on an explicit calculation of real corrections combined with virtual corrections determined earlier by Nefedov. As a new element we provide a proper definition of the desired next-to-leading order coefficient within the high energy effective action framework, extending a previously proposed prescription. We further propose a subtraction mechanism to achieve for this coefficient a stable cancellation of real and virtual infra-red singularities in the presence of external off-shell legs. Apart from its relevance for direct phenomenological studies, such as high energy resummation of Higgs $$+$$
+
jet configurations, our result will be further of use for the study of transverse momentum dependent factorization in the high energy limit.