bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PREDICTIVE IMMUNOLOGICAL, VIROLOGICAL, AND ROUTINE LABORATORY MARKERS FOR CRITICAL COVID-19 ON ADMISSION
Authors:   Immunocovid study, García-Gasalla Mercedes , Ferrer Juana M , Fraile-Ribot Pablo A , Ferre-Beltrán Adrián , Rodríguez Adrián , Martínez-Pomar Natalia , Ramon-Clar Luisa , Iglesias Amanda , Losada-López Inés , Fanjul Francisco , Pou Joan Albert , Llompart-Alabern Isabel , Toledo Nuria , Pons Jaime , Oliver Antonio , Riera Melchor , Murillas Javier 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionEarly identification of COVID-19 patients at risk of critical illness is challenging for clinicians. Immunological, virological, and routine laboratory markers to be used in addition to clinical data are needed.Aim and methodsBlood tests to measure neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), levels of ferritin, CRP, D-dimer, complement components (C3, C4), lymphocyte subsets, and cytokines, and SARS-Cov2 RT-PCR tests were performed in COVID-19 confirmed cases within 48 hours of admission. Cycle threshold (Ct) values were determined by RT-PCR from oral or nasopharyngeal swabs on the day of admission. Severity of symptoms was categorized as mild (grade 1), severe (grade 2), and critical (grade 3).Results120 patients were included. COVID-19 was mild in 49, severe in 32, and critical in 39. Ferritin >370 ng/mL (OR 16.4, 95% CI 5.3-50.8), D-dimer >440 ng/mL (OR 5.45, 95% CI 2.36-12.61), CRP >7.65 mg/dL (OR 11.54, 95% CI 4.3-30.8), NLR >3.77 (OR 13.4, 95% CI 4.3-41.1), IL-6 >142.5 pg/mL (OR 8.76, 95% CI 3.56-21.54), IL-10 >10.8 pg/mL (OR 16.45, 95% CI 5.32-50.81), sIL-2rα (sCD25) >804.5 pg/mL (OR 14.06, 95% CI 4.56-43.28), IL-1Ra >88.4 pg/mL (OR 4.54, 95% CI 2.03-10.17), and IL-18 >144 pg/mL (OR 17.85, 95% CI 6.54-48.78) were associated with critical COVID-19 in the univariate age-adjusted analysis. In the multivariate age-adjusted analysis, this association was confirmed only for ferritin, CRP,NLR, IL-10, sIL-2rα, and IL-18. T, B, and NK cells were significantly decreased in critical patients. SARS-CoV-2 was undetected in blood except in 3 patients with indeterminate results. Ct values determined by RT-PCR from oral/nasopharyngeal swabs on admission were not related to symptom severity.Conclusionlevels of ferritin, D-dimer, CRP, NLR, and cytokines and cytokine receptors IL-6, IL1-Ra, sCD25, IL-18, and IL-10, taken together with clinical data, can contribute to the early identification of critical COVID-19 patients.
Conceptualizing centers of excellence: A global evidence
Authors: Manyazewal Tsegahun , Woldeamanuel Yimtubezinash , Oppenheim Claire , Hailu Asrat , Giday Mirutse , Medhin Girmay , Belete Anteneh , Yimer Getnet , Collins Asha , Makonnen Eyasu , Fekadu Abebaw 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveGlobally, interest in excellence has grown exponentially, with public and private institutions shifting their attention from meet targets to achieving excellence. Centers of Excellence (CoEs) are standing at the forefront of healthcare, research, and innovations responding to the world’s most complex problems. However, their potential is hindered by conceptual ambiguity. We conducted a global synthesis of the evidence to conceptualize CoEs.DesignScoping review, following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and methodological enhancement by Levacet alto analyze the evidence and the PRISMA-ScR to guide the retrieval and inclusion of the evidence.Data sourcesPubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and the Google engine from their inception to 01 January 2021.EligibilityPapers that describe CoE as the main theme, which could be defining, theorizing, implementing, or evaluating a CoE.ResultsThe search resulted in 52,161 potential publications, with 78 articles met the eligibility criteria. The 78 articles were from 33 countries, of which 35 were from the United States of America, 3 each from Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, and India, and 2 each from Ethiopia, Canada, Russia, Colombia, Sweden, Greece, and Peru. The rest 17 were from various countries. The articles involved six thematic areas - healthcare, education, research, industry, information technology, and general concepts on CoE. The analysis documented success stories of using the brand “Center of Excellence” - an influential brand to stimulate technical skills, innovation, and technology. We identified 12 essential foundations of CoE - specialized expertise; infrastructure; innovation; high-impact research; quality service; accreditation or standards; leadership; organizational structure; strategy; collaboration and partnership; sustainable funding or financial mechanisms; and entrepreneurship.ConclusionsCoEs have significant scientific, political, economic, and social impacts. A comprehensive framework is needed to guide and inspire an institution as a CoE and to help government and funding institutions shape and oversee CoEs.Strengths and limitations of this study-To the best of our knowledge, this is the first scoping review to conceptualize centers of excellence based on global evidence.-The study followed Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and methodological enhancement by Levac et al to and the PRISMA-ScR methodological frameworks.-Five databases were systematically searched to identify scientific and gray literature-The study was limited by language restrictions.
SARS-CoV-2 show no infectivity at later stages in a prolonged COVID-19 patient despite positivity in RNA testing
Authors: Wan Xiu-Feng , Tang Cynthia Y. , Ritter Detlef , Wang Yang , Li Tao , Segovia Karen , Kosikova Martina , Johnson Marc , Kwon Hyung Joon , Xie Hang , Hammer Richard D. , McElroy Jane A. , Hamid Aws , Collins Natalie D , Hang Jun , Camp Simone 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInpatient COVID-19 cases present enormous costs to patients and health systems. Many hospitalized patients may still test COVID-19 positive, even after resolution of symptoms. Thus, a pressing concern for clinicians is the safety of discharging these asymptomatic patients if they have any remaining infectivity. This case report explores the viral viability in a patient with persistent COVID-19 over the course of a two-month hospitalization. Positive nasopharyngeal swab samples, analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCR), were collected and isolated in the laboratory, and infectious doses were analyzed throughout the hospitalization period. The patient experienced waning symptoms by hospital day 40 and had no viable virus growth in the laboratory by hospital day 41, suggesting no risk of infectivity, despite positive RT-PCR results, which prolonged his hospital stay. Notably, this case showed infectivity for at least 24 days from disease onset, which is longer than the discontinuation of transmission-based precautions recommendation by CDC. Thus, our findings suggest that the timeline for discontinuing transmission-based precautions may need to be extended for patients with prolonged illness. Additional large-scale studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions on the appropriate clinical management for these patients.
Dental care of patients with dementia: A survey on practice equipment, training, and dental treatment
Authors: Schaper Sophie , Meyer-Rötz Sinja , Bartels Claudia , Wiltfang Jens , Rödig Tina , Schott Björn H. , Belz Michael 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFor patients with dementia, dental care can pose a considerable challenge due to cognitive impairment, behavioral, and psychological symptoms, and (often subsequently) limited autonomous oral care. In this study, we aimed to assess the proficiency of dentists in general practice in the outpatient dental care of these patients. A total of 119 dentists from private practices in Lower Saxony, Germany, participated in this study. Concerning treatment of patients with dementia, they provided details about (1) practice equipment/consultation, (2) training/ expertise, and (3) special circumstances of dental treatment.Participating dentists predominantly reported to use medical aids (e.g., positioning cushions) to improve the treatment situation for patients with dementia. Over two thirds (68.6%) offered consultations in nursing homes, and at the patients’ homes (47.0%). The training rate was remarkably low in the field of gerodontology for dentists and their practice staff (< 10%), however, 54.5% expressed interest in such training. The majority of dentists reportedly adapted their treatment strategy to the needs of patients with dementia (e.g., communication, inclusion of caregivers, time management). Furthermore, most participants adapted dental treatment adequately (e.g., strict indication for tooth extraction, simple design of dental prostheses).In summary, even though training in the field of gerodontology must be considered insufficient, most dentists in this study showed an adequate adaptation of their treatment strategy as well as consideration of dental characteristics in patients with dementia, along with interest in trainings. We conclude that dementia-specific training should be expanded in the field of dentistry, preferably already at university level.
Diagnostic accuracy of rapid antigen tests in pre-/asymptomatic close contacts of individuals with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Schuit E , Veldhuijzen IK , Venekamp RP , van den Bijllaardt W , Pas SD , Lodder EB , Molenkamp R , GeurtsvanKessel CH , Velzing J. , Huisman RC , Brouwer L , Boelsums T , Sips GJ , Benschop KSM , Hooft L , van de Wijgert JHHM , van den Hof S , Moons KGM 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundPre-/asymptomatic close contacts of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals were tested at day 5 after contact by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Diagnostic accuracy of antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT) in pre-/asymptomatic close contacts was up till now unknown.MethodsWe performed a prospective cross-sectional diagnostic test accuracy study. Close contacts (e.g. selected via the test-and-trace program or contact tracing app) aged ≥16 years and asymptomatic when requesting a test, were included consecutively and tested at day 5 at four Dutch public health service test sites. We evaluated two Ag-RDTs (BD Veritor™ System Ag-RDT (BD), and Roche/SD Biosensor Ag-RDT (SD-B)) with RT-PCR as the reference standard. Virus culture was performed in RT-PCR positive individuals to determine the viral load cut-off above which 95% was culture positive, as a proxy of infectiousness.ResultsOf 2,678 BD-tested individuals, 233 (8.7%) were RT-PCR positive and BD detected 149 (sensitivity 63.9%; 95% confidence interval 57.4%-70.1%). Out of 1,596 SD-B-tested individuals, 132 (8.3%) were RT-PCR positive and SD-B detected 83 (sensitivity 62.9%; 54.0%-71.1%). When applying an infectiousness viral load cut-off ≥ 5.2 log10 gene copies/mL, the sensitivity was 90.1% (84.2%-94.4%) for BD, 86.8% (78.1% to 93.0%) for SD-B overall, and 88.1% (80.5%-93.5%) for BD, 85.1% (74.3%-92.6%) for SD-B for those still asymptomatic at the actual time of sampling. Specificity was >99% for both Ag-RDTs in all analyses.ConclusionsThe sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2 of both Ag-RDTs in pre-/asymptomatic close contacts is over 60%, increasing to over 85% after applying an infectiousness viral load cut-off.Trial registration numberNot applicable. A study protocol is available upon request.
First wastewater surveillance-based city zonation for effective COVID-19 pandemic preparedness powered by early warning: A study of Ahmedabad, India
Authors: Kumar Manish , Joshi Madhvi , Shah Anil V. , Srivastava Vaibhav , Dave Shyamnarayan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFollowing the proven concept, capabilities, and limitations of detecting the RNA of Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater, it is pertinent to understand the utility of wastewater surveillance data on various scale. In the present work, we put forward the first wastewater surveillance-based city zonation for effective COVID-19 pandemic preparedness. A three-month data of Surveillance of Wastewater for Early Epidemic Prediction (SWEEP) was generated for the world heritage city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. In this expedition, one hundred sixteen wastewater samples were analyzed to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA, from September 3rd to November 26th, 2020. A total of 111 samples were detected with at least two out of three SARS-CoV-2 genes (N, ORF 1ab, and S). Monthly variation depicted a significant decline in all three gene copies in October compared to September 2020, followed by a sharp increment in November 2020. Correspondingly, the descending order of average genome concentration was: November (∼10729 copies/ L) > September (∼3047 copies/ L) > October (∼454 copies/ L). Monthly variation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the wastewater samples may be ascribed to a decline of 19.3% in the total number of active cases in October 2020 and a rise of 1.82% in November 2020. Also, the monthly recovery rate of patients was 16.61, 19.31, and 15.58% in September, October, and November 2020, respectively. The percentage change in the genome concentration was observed in the lead of 1-2 weeks with respect to the provisional figures of confirmed cases. SWEEP data-based city zonation was matched with the heat map of the overall COVID-19 infected population in Ahmedabad city, and month-wise effective RNA concentration variations are shown on the map. The results expound on the potential of WBE surveillance of COVID-19 as a city zonation tool that can be meaningfully interpreted, predicted, and propagated for community preparedness through advance identification of COVID-19 hotspots within a given city.Graphical AbstractHighlights▪Wastewater surveillance-based city zonation is effective for COVID-19 pandemic preparedness.▪Three months variation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the wastewaters of Ahmedabad, India is presented.▪Wastewater monitoring offers a lead of ∼2 weeks to realize and manage the pandemic situation.▪Mapping powered by early warning can strengthen the preparedness of community.▪WBE based COVID-19 surveillance is a high end technique for identifying hotspots on city scale.
Detecting impaired language processing in MCI patients using around-the-ear cEEgrid electrodes
Authors: Segaert K. , Poulisse C. , Markiewicz R. , Wheeldon L. , Marchment D. , Adler Z. , Howett D. , Chan D. , Mazaheri A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the term used to identify those individuals with subjective and objective cognitive decline but with preserved activities of daily living and an absence of dementia. While MCI can impact functioning in different cognitive domains, most notably episodic memory, relatively little is known about the comprehension of language in MCI. In this study we used around-the-ear electrodes (cEEGrids) to identify impairments during language comprehension in MCI patients. In a group of 23 MCI patients and 23 age-matched controls, language comprehension was tested in a two-word phrase paradigm. We examined the oscillatory changes following word onset as a function of lexico-semantic single-word retrieval (e.g. swrfeq versus swift) and multi-word binding processes (e.g. horse preceded by swift versus preceded by swrfeq). Electrophysiological signatures (as measured by the cEEGrids) were significantly different between MCI patients and controls. In controls, lexical retrieval was associated with a rebound in the alpha/beta range and binding was associated with a post-word alpha/beta suppression. In contrast, both the single-word retrieval and multi-word binding signatures were absent in the MCI group. The signatures observed using cEEGrids in controls were comparable to those signatures obtained with a full-cap EEG set-up. Importantly, our findings suggest that MCI patients have impaired electrophysiological signatures for comprehending single-words and multi-word phrases. Moreover, cEEGrids set-ups provide a non-invasive and sensitive clinical tool for detecting early impairments in language comprehension in MCI.
Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome due to Intervertebral Disc Herniation
Authors: Islam Asraful , Hossain Mohammad D. , Siddik Abu Bakar , Rahman Tyfur , Alam Ashraful , Shourav Md.Manjurul Islam , Afrida Nahian , Rahman Sajedur , Rahman Masum 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveAnterior spinal artery syndrome (ASAS) has been rarely reported as a complication of intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). Precipitation factors, presentation, evaluation, treatment strategy, and degrees of recovery have not yet been well documented.MethodsSystematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines to review and summarize for the qualitative synthesis of the data from reported cases of anterior spinal artery syndrome due to intervertebral disc herniation from 1980 to February 2021.ResultsA total of 12 cases were reviewed, the median age was 48.5 years. Motor weakness with or without pain was the most frequent presenting symptom accompanying bowel or bladder incontinence (25%) or diminished pain and temperature sensation with spared dorsal column sensation. 40% of conservatively treated patients had complete recovery without any residual deficit. Whereas all patients who managed surgically regained fully functional status with shorter recovery intervals.ConclusionAbrupt onset of motor weakness is a potential warning symptom of spinal cord infarction, rarely attributed to ASA compression by a herniated disc. Moreover, an accompanying diminished pain and temperature sensation with spared dorsal column sensation is further intimation. Reestablishment of blood flow may bear a favorable outcome.
A convergence based assessment of relative differences in age-stratified susceptibility and infectiousness for SARS-CoV-2 variants of B.1.1.7 lineage
Authors: Rasmussen Sarah D 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe propose (a) a method for aggregating and processing age-stratified subregional time series data for positive tests of infection given partial sampling for variant-of-concern biomarkers, and (b) a simple model-based theoretical framework for interpreting these processed data, to assess whether observed heterogeneity in age-specific relative differences can be explained by environmental effects alone.We then apply this strategy to public-domain subregional time series data with S-gene target failure (SGTF) sampling as a proxy for B.1.1.7 lineage, from weeks 45 to 50 of 2020 from England. For the time period in question, we observe convergence toward a 1.27 (95% CI 1.17-1.38) times higher ratio of SGTF to non-SGTF infection for 0-9-year-olds than for the total population, and a 1.16 (95% CI 1.09-1.23) times higher ratio for 10-19-year-olds. These are roughly comparable to previous findings, but this time we find high-significance evidence for adequate compatibility with our proposed modelling framework criteria to conclude that these relative elevations for 0-19-year-olds are very unlikely to be explained by environmental effects alone. We also find possible indications that 0-19-year-olds might experience a higher relative increase in infectiousness than susceptibility for B.1.1.7.
Testing the inferred transcription rates of a dynamic, gene network model in absolute units
Authors: Urquiza-García Uriel , Millar Andrew J. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryThe circadian clock coordinates plant physiology and development. Mathematical clock models have provided a rigorous framework to understand how the observed rhythms emerge from disparate, molecular processes. However, models of the plant clock have largely been built and tested against RNA timeseries data in arbitrary, relative units. This limits model transferability, refinement from biochemical data and applications in synthetic biology. Here, we incorporate absolute mass units into a detailed, gene circuit model of the clock inArabidopsis thaliana. We re-interpret the established P2011 model, highlighting a transcriptional activator that overlaps the function of REVEILLE 8/LHY-CCA1-LIKE 5, and refactor dynamic equations for the Evening Complex. The U2020 model incorporates the repressive regulation ofPRRgenes, a key feature of the most detailed clock model F2014, without greatly increasing model complexity. We tested the experimental error distributions of qRT-PCR data calibrated for units of RNA transcripts/cell and of circadian period estimates, in order to link the models to data more appropriately. U2019 and U2020 models were constrained using these data types, recreating previously-described circadian behaviours with RNA metabolic processes in absolute units. To test their inferred rates, we estimated a distribution of observed, transcriptome-wide transcription rates (Plant Empirical Transcription Rates, PETR) in units of transcripts/cell/hour. The PETR distribution and the equivalent degradation rates indicated that the models’ predicted rates are biologically plausible, with individual exceptions. In addition to updated, explanatory models of the plant clock, this validation process represents an advance in biochemical realism for models of plant gene regulation.
Sex-specific transcript diversity is regulated by a maternal transcription factor in earlyDrosophilaembryos
Authors: Ray Mukulika , Conard Ashley Mae , Urban Jennifer , Aguilera Joseph , Huang Annie , Mahableshwarkar Pranav , Vaidyanathan Smriti , Larschan Erica 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCo-transcriptional splicing coordinates the processes of transcription and splicing and is driven by transcription factors (TFs) and diverse RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Yet the mechanisms by which specific TFs and RBPs function together in context-specific ways to drive precise co-transcriptional splicing at each of thousands of genomic loci remains unknown. Therefore, we have used sex-specific splicing inDrosophilaas a model to understand how the function of TFs and RBPs is coordinated to transcribe and process specific RNA transcripts at the correct genomic locations. We show widespread sex-specific transcript diversity occurs much earlier than previously thought and present a new pipeline called time2splice to quantify splicing changes over time. We define several mechanisms by which the essential and functionally-conserved CLAMP TF functions with specific RBPs to precisely regulate co-transcriptional splicing: 1) CLAMP links the DNA of gene bodies of sex-specifically spliced genes directly to the RNA of target genes and physically interacts with snRNA and protein components of the splicing machinery; 2) In males, CLAMP regulates the distribution of the highly conserved RBPMaleless (MLE) (RNA Helicase A) to prevent aberrant sex-specific splicing; 3) In females, CLAMP modulates alternative splicing by directly binding to target DNA and RNA and indirectly through regulating the splicing ofsex lethal, the master regulator of sex determination. Overall, we provide new insight into how TFs function specifically with RBPs to drive alternative splicing.