bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyethylene glycol combined with linaclotide is an effective and well-tolerated bowel preparation regimen for colonoscopy: an endoscopist-blinded, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Menghan , Zou Wenlu , Xu Changqin , Jia Ruzhen , Liu Keke , Xu Qianqian , Xu Hongwei 
Published: May 2021

Background and Aim
Bowel preparation is an important determinant of the quality of colonoscopy. The traditional split-dose regimen of 4 L polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions for bowel preparation is effective but poorly tolerated. The aim of this was to study the efficacy and tolerability of using linaclotide as an adjunctive agent with low-volume PEG for bowel preparation.

Methods
This was an endoscopist-blinded, randomized, controlled trial of 432 patients randomly assigned to three groups: 2 L PEG, 4 L PEG and 2 L PEG + 290 µg linaclotide (2 L PEG + L group). The primary outcome measure was efficacy of bowel preparation according to the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), with secondary outcomes of patients’ tolerance, defecating frequency, complications, sleeping quality, cecal intubation rate, preparation-to-colonoscopy interval, withdrawal time, cecal intubation time, and adenoma and polyp detection rates.

Results
The percentage of adequate bowel preparation in the 2 L PEG + L group was higher than that of the 2 L PEG group (87.9% vs. 77.0%; P = 0.017), but not the 4 L PEG group (87.9% vs. 91.4%; P = 0.339). In terms of the mean (SD) BBPS score for the total and segmental colons, the bowel cleansing efficacy of 2 L PEG + L was superior to that of 2 L PEG and similar to that of 4 L PEG. Patient’s tolerance (including complications, willingness to repeat and sleeping quality) were compatible between the 2 L and 2 L + L group, and the 4 L group was the worst among these three groups.

Conclusion
Two liters of PEG combined with 290 µg linaclotide was an effective and well-tolerated bowel preparation regimen.
Peer Review
Authors: Tornwall Joni , McGaughy Melinda , Schubert Carolyn 
Published: May 2021

Background:
Students who value peer feedback processes are more likely to provide supportive feedback to peers.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that motivate and demotivate students to provide supportive feedback to peers.

Method:
A secondary analysis of qualitative data collected from 148 graduate nursing students in 7 master's-level courses was conducted to identify the themes related to motivating and demotivating factors in peer review and how they related to students' sense of value for providing supportive peer feedback.

Results:
Common themes included perceived potential for supportive peer feedback to improve self, peer, and team performance, and quality of patient care. Themes related to demotivation included lack of time and fear of negative impact on peers.

Conclusion:
Faculty should emphasize to students the positive impact of supportive peer feedback on nursing care. Assignments can be structured to promote a fair exchange of supportive feedback between peers.
Prevalence and outcomes of pregnancies in women with HIV over a 20-year period
Authors: Kowalska Justyna D. , Pelchen-Matthews Annegret , Ryom Lene , Losso Marcelo H. , Trofimova Tatiana , Mitsura Viktar M. , Khromova Irina , Paduta Dzmitry , Stephan Christoph , Domingo Pere , Bakowska Elzbieta , Monforte Antonella d’Arminio , Oestergaard Lars , Jablonowska Elzbieta , Kuznetsova Anastasiia , Moreno Santiago , Vasylyev Marta , Pradier Christian , Battegay Manuel , Vandekerckhove Linos , Castagna Antonella , Raben Dorthe , Mocroft Amanda 
Published: May 2021

Objective:
To evaluate time trends in pregnancies and pregnancy outcomes among women with HIV in Europe.

Design:
European multicentre prospective cohort study.

Methods:
EuroSIDA has collected annual cross-sectional audits of pregnancies between 1996 and 2015. Pregnancy data were extracted and described. Odds of pregnancy were modelled, adjusting for potential confounders using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations.

Results:
Of 5535 women aged 16 to <50 years, 4217 (76.2%) had pregnancy information available, and 912 (21.6%) reported 1315 pregnancies. The proportions with at least one pregnancy were 28.1% (321/1143) in East, 24.5% (146/596) in North, 19.8% (140/706) in West/Central, 19.3% (110/569) in Central East and 16.2% (195/1203) in South Europe. Overall 319 pregnancies (24.3%) occurred in 1996–2002, 576 (43.8%) in 2003–2009 and 420 (31.9%) in 2010–2015. After adjustment, the odds of pregnancy were lower in 1996–2002, in South, Central East and East compared to West/Central Europe, in older women, those with low CD4+ cell count or with prior AIDS, and higher in those with a previous pregnancy or who were hepatitis C virus positive.
Outcomes were reported for 999 pregnancies in 1996–2014, with 690 live births (69.1%), seven stillbirths (0.7%), 103 spontaneous (10.3%) and 199 medical abortions (19.9%).

Conclusions:
Around 20% of women in EuroSIDA reported a pregnancy, with most pregnancies after 2002, when more effective antiretroviral therapy became available. Substantial differences were seen between European regions. Further surveillance of pregnancies and outcomes among women living with HIV is warranted to ensure equal access to care.
Incidental Detection of Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma With 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT in a Patient With Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Liu Huipan , Yang Xiao , Liu Lin , Lei Lei , Chen Yue 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A 68-year-old man with newly diagnosed esophageal cancer was included in a clinical trial of 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT study in tumors (ChiCTR2100044131). Increased tracer uptake was noted in esophageal cancer. In addition, sinonasal inverted papilloma also revealed increased FAPI activity.
Low-field thoracic magnetic stimulation increases peripheral oxygen saturation levels in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients: a single-blind, sham-controlled, crossover study
Authors: Dominguez-Nicolas Saul M , Manjarrez Elias 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) may cause low oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory failure in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. Hence the increase of SpO2 levels could be crucial for the quality of life and recovery of these patients. Here we introduce an electromagnetic device termed low-field thoracic magnetic stimulation (LF-ThMS) system. This device was designed to non-invasively deliver a pulsed magnetic field from 100 to 118 Hz and 10.5 to 13.1 mT (i.e., 105 to 131 Gauss) to the dorsal thorax. We show that these frequencies and magnetic flux densities are safe for the patients. We also present a proof-of-concept that a single session of LF-ThMS applied for 30 minutes to the dorsal thorax of 17 COVID-19 patients significantly increases their SpO2 levels. We designed a single-blind, sham-controlled, crossover study on 5 COVID-19 patients who underwent two sessions of the study (real and sham LF-ThMS) and 12 COVID-19 patients who underwent only the real LF-ThMS. We found a statistically significant correlation between magnetic flux density, frequency, or temperature associated with the real LF-ThMS and SpO2 levels in all COVID-19 patients. However, the five patients of the sham-controlled study did not exhibit a significant change in their SpO2 levels during sham stimulation. All the patients did not present adverse events after the LF-ThMS intervention.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.govIdentifierNCT04895267
Ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Roman Yuani M. , Burela Paula Alejandra , Pasupuleti Vinay , Piscoya Alejandro , Vidal Jose E. , Hernandez Adrian V. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe systematically assessed benefits and harms of the use of ivermectin (IVM) in COVID-19 patients.MethodsPublished and preprint randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing IVM effects on COVID-19 adult patients were searched until March 15, 2021 in five engines. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, length of stay (LOS), and adverse events (AE). Secondary outcomes included viral clearance and severe AEs. We evaluated risk of bias (RoB) using the Cochrane RoB 2·0 tool. Inverse variance random effect meta-analyses were performed with quality of evidence (QoE) evaluated using GRADE methodology. Subgroup analyses by severity of disease and RoB, and sensitivity analyses by time of follow-up were conducted.ResultsTen RCTs (n=1173) were included. Controls were standard of care [SOC] in five RCTs and placebo in five RCTs. RCTs sample size ranged from 24 to 398 patients, mean age from 26 to 56 years-old, and severity of COVID-19 disease was mild in 8 RCTs, moderate in one RCT, and mild and moderate in one RCT. IVM did not reduce all-cause mortality vs. controls (RR 0.37, 95%CI 0.12 to 1.13, very low QoE). IVM did not reduce LOS vs. controls (MD 0.72 days, 95%CI -0.86 to 2.29, very low QoE). AEs, severe AE and viral clearance were similar between IVM and controls (low QoE for these three outcomes). Subgroups by severity of COVID-19 or RoB were mostly consistent with main analyses; all-cause mortality in three RCTs at high RoB was reduced with IVM. Sensitivity analyses excluding RCTs with follow up <21 days showed no difference in all-cause mortality.ConclusionsIn comparison to SOC or placebo, IVM did not reduce all-cause mortality, length of stay or viral clearance in RCTs in COVID-19 patients with mostly mild disease. IVM did not have effect on AEs or SAEs. IVM is not a viable option to treat COVID-19 patients.
Infection control, occupational and public health measures including mRNA-based vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infections to protect healthcare workers from variants of concern: a 14-month observational study using surveillance data
Authors: Yassi Annalee , Grant Jennifer M. , Lockhart Karen , Barker Stephen , Sprague Stacy , Okpani Arnold I. , Wong Titus , Daly Patricia , Henderson William , Lubin Stan , Sing Chad Kim 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe evaluated measures to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) in Vancouver, Canada, where variants of concern (VOC) went from <1% in February 2021 to >92% in mid-May. Canada has amongst the longest periods between vaccine doses worldwide, despite Vancouver having the highest P.1 variant rate outside Brazil.MethodsWith surveillance data since the pandemic began, we tracked laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, positivity rates, and vaccine uptake in all 25,558 HCWs in Vancouver Coastal Health, by occupation and subsector, and compared to the general population. We employed Cox regression modelling adjusted for age and calendar-time to calculate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV-2 in fully vaccinated (≥ 7 days post-second dose), partially vaccinated (14 days post vaccine) and unvaccinated HCWs; we also compared with unvaccinated community members of the same age-range.FindingsOnly 3.3% of our HCWs became infected, mirroring community rates, with peak positivity of 9.1%, compared to 11.8% in the community. As vaccine coverage increased, SARS-CoV-2 infections declined significantly in HCWs, despite a surge with predominantly VOC; unvaccinated HCWs had an infection rate of 1.3/10,000 person-days compared to 0.89 for HCWs post first dose, and 0.30 for fully vaccinated HCWs. VE compared to unvaccinated HCWs was 37.2% (95% CI: 16.6-52.7%) 14 days post-first dose, 79.2% (CI: 64.6-87.8%) 7 days post-second dose; one dose provided significant protection against infection until at least day 42. Compared with community infection rates, VE after one dose was 54.7% (CI: 44.8-62.9%); and 84.8% (CI: 75.2-90.7%) when fully vaccinated.InterpretationPredominantly droplet-contact precautions, with N95s required for aerosol generating medical procedures and available as needed according to point-of-care risk assessment, has been a highly effective approach to preventing occupational infection in HCWs, with one dose of mRNA vaccination further reducing infection risk despite VOC and transmissibility concerns. Delaying second doses to allow more widespread vaccination against severe disease, with strict public health, occupational health and infection control measures, has been effective in protecting the healthcare workforce.
Atlas of functional connectivity relationships across rare and common genetic variants, traits, and psychiatric conditions
Authors: Moreau Clara A. , Kumar Kuldeep , Harvey Annabelle , Huguet Guillaume , Urchs Sebastian , Douard Elise A. , Schultz Laura M. , Sharmarke Hanad , Jizi Khadije , Martin Charles-Olivier , Younis Nadine , Tamer Petra , Rolland Thomas , Martineau Jean-Louis , Orban Pierre , Shin David , Silva Ana Isabel , Hall Jeremy , van den Bree Marianne B.M. , Owen Michael J. , Linden David E. J. , Labbe Aurelie , Maillard Anne M. , Nowakowski Tomasz J. , Lippé Sarah , Bearden Carrie E. , Almasy Laura , Glahn David C. , Thompson Paul M. , Bourgeron Thomas , Bellec Pierre , Jacquemont Sebastien 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPolygenicity and pleiotropy are key properties of the genomic architecture of psychiatric disorders. An optimistic interpretation of polygenicity is that genomic variants converge on a limited set of mechanisms at some level from genes to behavior. Alternatively, convergence may be minimal or absent.We took advantage of brain connectivity, measured by resting-state functional MRI (rs- fMRI), as well as rare and common genomic variants to understand the effects of polygenicity and pleiotropy on large-scale brain networks, a distal step from genes to behavior. We processed ten rs-fMRI datasets including 32,988 individuals, to examine connectome-wide effects of 16 copy number variants (CNVs), 10 polygenic scores, 6 cognitive and brain morphometry traits, and 4 idiopathic psychiatric conditions.Although effect sizes of CNVs on connectivity were correlated to cognition and number of genes, increasing polygenicity was associated with decreasing effect sizes on connectivity. Accordingly, the effect sizes of polygenic scores on connectivity were 6-fold lower compared to CNVs. Despite this heterogeneity of connectivity profiles, multivariate analysis identified convergence of genetic risks and psychiatric disorders on the thalamus and the somatomotor network. Based on spatial correlations with transcriptomic data, we hypothesize that excitatory thalamic neurons may be primary contributors to brain alteration profiles shared across genetic risks and conditions. Finally, pleiotropy measured by genetic and transcriptomic correlations between 38 pairs of conditions/traits showed significant concordance with connectomic correlations, suggesting a substantial causal genetic component for shared connectivity.Such findings open avenues to delineate general mechanisms - amenable to intervention - across conditions and genetic risks.One sentence summaryEffects of rare and common genomic variants on brain functional connectivity shed light on the impact of polygenicity and pleiotropy in psychiatry.
Homeostasis Equation: An Approach to Theoretical Medicine
Authors: Jang Ryoungwoo , Ji Sunghwan 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTHomeostasis is kind of force that makes living organism to live. In this study, we suggest an integral equation that models homeostasis in living organism. We also showed that various situations can be modeled by homeostasis, and give mathematical interpretation of mechanism of living organism. With our proposed integral equation, one can handle homeostasis quantitatively, and this approach is expected to unveil various hidden properties of living organism.
A random forest model for forecasting regional COVID-19 cases utilizing reproduction number estimates and demographic data
Authors: Galasso Joseph , Cao Duy M. , Hochberg Robert 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, predicting case spikes at the local level is important for a precise, targeted public health response and is generally done with compartmental models. The performance of compartmental models is highly dependent on the accuracy of their assumptions about disease dynamics within a population; thus, such models are susceptible to human error, unexpected events, or unknown characteristics of a novel infectious agent like COVID-19. We present a relatively non-parametric random forest model that forecasts the number of COVID-19 cases at the U.S. county level. Its most prioritized training features are derived from easily accessible, standard epidemiological data (i.e., regional test positivity rate) and the effective reproduction number (Rt) from compartmental models. A novel input training feature is case projections generated by aligning estimated effective reproduction number (pre-computed by COVIDActNow.org) with real time testing data until maximally correlated, helping our model fit better to the epidemic’s trajectory as ascertained by traditional models. Poor reliability of Rt is partially mitigated with dynamic population mobility and prevalence and mortality of non-COVID-19 diseases to gauge population disease susceptibility. The model was used to generate forecasts for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks into the future for each reference week within 11/01/2020 - 01/10/2021 for 3068 counties. Over this time period, it maintained a mean absolute error (MAE) of less than 300 weekly cases/100,000 and consistently outperformed or performed comparably with gold-standard compartmental models. Furthermore, it holds great potential in ensemble modeling due to its potential for a more expansive training feature set while maintaining good performance and limited resource utilization.
ABO blood group is involved in the quality of the specific immune response
Authors: Gil-Manso Sergio , Blanco Iria Miguens , Motyka Bruce , Halpin Anne , Lopez-Esteban Rocio , Perez-Fernandez Veronica A. , Carbonell Diego , López-Fernández Luis Andrés , West Lori , Correa-Rocha Rafael , Pion Marjorie 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSince December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread throughout the world. To eradicate it, it is crucial to acquire a strong and long-lasting anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity, by either natural infection or vaccination. We collected blood samples 12–305 days after positive polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) from 35 recovered individuals infected by SARS-CoV-2. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with SARS-CoV-2-derived peptide pools, such as the Spike (S), Nucleocapsid (N), and Membrane (M) proteins, and we quantified anti-S immunoglobulins in plasma. After 10 months post-infection, we observed a sustained SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T-cell response directed against M-protein, but responses against S- or N-proteins were lost over time. Besides, we demonstrated that A-group individuals presented significantly higher frequencies of specific CD4+ T-cell responses against Pep-M than O-group individuals. The A-group subjects also needed longer to clear the virus and they lost cellular immune responses over time, compared to the O-group individuals, who showed a persistent specific immune response against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the S-specific immune response was lost over time, and individual factors determine the sustainability of the body’s defences, which must be considered in the future design of vaccines to achieve continuous anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity.SummaryThis work describes that cellular responses against SARS-CoV-2 M-protein can be detected after 10 months but were lost against S- and N-proteins. Moreover, the individual factors; ABO-group and age influence the sustainability of the specific humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
Dimerization of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein affects sensitivity of ELISA based diagnostics of COVID-19
Authors: Khan Wajihul Hasan , Khan Nida , Mishra Avinash , Gupta Surbhi , Bansode Vikrant , Mehta Deepa , Bhambure Rahul , Rathore Anurag S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDiagnostics has played a significant role in effective management of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Nucleocapsid protein (N protein) is the primary antigen of the virus for development of sensitive diagnostic assays. Thus far, limited knowledge exists about the antigenic properties of the N protein. In this paper, we demonstrate the significant impact of dimerization of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein on sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based diagnostics of COVID-19. The expressed purified protein from E.coli consists of two forms, dimeric and monomeric forms, which have been further characterized by biophysical and immunological means. Indirect ELISA indicated elevated susceptibility of the dimeric form of the nucleocapsid protein for identification of protein-specific monoclonal antibody as compared to the monomeric form of the protein. These findings have also been confirmed with the modelled structure of monomeric and dimeric nucleocapsid protein via HHPred software and its solvent accessible surface area, which indicates higher stability and antigenicity of the dimeric type as compared to the monomeric form. It is evident that use of the dimeric form will increase the sensitivity of the current nucleocapsid dependent ELISA for rapid COVID-19 diagnostic. Further, the results indicate that monitoring and maintaining of the monomerdimer composition is critical for accurate and robust diagnostics.Graphical abstract
Epigenomic signature of the progeroid Cockayne syndrome exposes distinct and common features with physiological ageing
Authors: Crochemore Clément , Chica Claudia , Garagnani Paolo , Lattanzi Giovanna , Horvath Steve , Sarasin Alain , Franceschi Claudio , Bacalini Maria Giulia , Ricchetti Miria 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCockayne syndrome (CS) and UV-sensitivity syndrome (UVSS) are rare genetic disorders caused by mutation of the DNA repair and chromatin remodelling proteins CSA or CSB, but only CS patients display a progeroid and neurodegenerative phenotype. As epigenetic modifications constitute a well-established hallmark of ageing, we characterized genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) of fibroblasts from CS versus UVSS patients and healthy donors. The analysis of differentially methylated positions and regions revealed a CS-specific epigenetic signature, enriched in developmental transcription factors, transmembrane transporters, and cell adhesion factors. The CS-specific signature compared to DNAm changes in other progeroid diseases and regular ageing, identifyied commonalities and differences in epigenetic remodelling. CS shares DNAm changes with normal ageing more than other progeroid diseases do, and according to the methylation clock CS samples show up to 13-fold accelerated ageing. Thus, CS is characterized by a specific epigenomic signature that partially overlaps with and exacerbates DNAm changes occurring in physiological aging. Our results unveil new genes and pathways that are potentially relevant for the progeroid/degenerative CS phenotype.