bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of standardized reporting and novel imaging markers in chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Tirkes Temel , Dasyam Anil K. , Shah Zarine K. , Fogel Evan L. 
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review
This article reviews recent efforts about standardized imaging features and reporting of chronic pancreatitis and recently published or ongoing imaging studies, which aim to establish novel imaging biomarkers for detection of parenchymal changes seen in chronic pancreatitis.

Recent findings
New novel MRI techniques are being developed to increase the diagnostic yield of chronic pancreatitis specifically in the early stage. T1 relaxation time, T1 signal intensity ratio and extracellular volume fraction offer potential advantages over conventional cross-sectional imaging, including simplicity of analysis and more objective interpretation of observations allowing population-based comparisons. In addition, standardized definitions and reporting guidelines for chronic pancreatitis based on available evidence and expert consensus have been proposed. These new imaging biomarkers and reporting guidelines are being validated for prognostic/therapeutic assessment of adult patients participating in longitudinal studies of The Consortium for the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer.

Summary
New imaging biomarkers derived from novel MRI sequences promise a new chapter for diagnosis and severity assessment of chronic pancreatitis; a cross-sectional imaging-based diagnostic criteria for chronic pancreatitis combining ductal and parenchymal findings. Standardized imaging findings and reporting guidelines of chronic pancreatitis would enhance longitudinal assessment of disease severity in clinical trials and improve communication between radiologists and pancreatologists in clinical practice.
Rifampicin mono-resistant tuberculosis is not the same as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a descriptive study from Khayelitsha, South Africa
Authors: Salaam-Dreyer Zubeida , Streicher Elizabeth M. , Sirgel Frederick A. , Menardo Fabrizio , Borrell Sonia , Reinhard Miriam , Doetsch Anna , Cudahy Patrick G.T. , Mohr-Holland Erika , Daniels Johnny , Dippenaar Anzaan , Nicol Mark P. , Gagneux Sebastien , Warren Robin M. , Cox Helen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRifampicin mono-resistant TB (RMR-TB) constitutes 38% of all rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) in South Africa and is increasing. We aimed to compare RMR-TB with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) within a high TB, RR-TB and HIV burden setting. Patient-level clinical data and stored RR-TB isolates from 2008-2017 with available whole genome sequencing (WGS) data were used to describe risk factors associated with RMR-TB and to compare rifampicin-resistance (RR) conferring mutations between RMR-TB and MDR-TB. A subset of isolates with particular RR-conferring mutations were subjected to semi-quantitative rifampicin phenotypic drug susceptibility testing. Among 2,041 routinely diagnosed RR-TB patients, 463 (22.7%) had RMR-TB. HIV-positive individuals (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.9) and diagnosis between 2013-2017 versus 2008-2012 (aOR 1.3, 1.1-1.7) were associated with RMR-TB. Among 1,119 (54.8%) patients with available WGS data showing RR-TB, significant differences in the distribution of rpoB RR-conferring mutations between RMR-TB and MDR-TB isolates were observed. Mutations associated with high-level RR were more commonly found among MDR-TB isolates (811/889, 90.2% versus 162/230, 70.4% among RMR-TB, p<0.01). In particular, the rpoB L430P mutation, conferring low-level RR, was identified in 32/230 (13.9%) RMR-TB versus 10/889 (1.1%) in MDR-TB (p<0.01). Among 10 isolates with an rpoB L430P mutation, 7 were phenotypically susceptible using the critical concentration of 0.5 µg/ml (range 0.125-1 µg/ml). The majority (215/230, 93.5%) of RMR-TB isolates showed susceptibility to all other TB drugs, highlighting the potential benefits of WGS for simplified treatment. These data suggest that the evolution of RMR-TB differs from MDR-TB with a potential contribution from HIV infection.
Widespread Contamination of SARS-CoV-2 on Highly Touched Surfaces in Brazil During the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: da Silva Severino Jefferson Ribeiro , do Nascimento Jéssica Catarine Frutuoso , dos Santos Reis Wendell Palôma Maria , da Silva Caroline Targino Alves , da Silva Poliana Gomes , Germano Mendes Renata Pessôa , Mendonça Allyson Andrade , Rodrigues Santos Bárbara Nazly , de Magalhães Jurandy Júnior Ferraz , Kohl Alain , Pena Lindomar 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTAlthough SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination has been investigated in temperate climates, few studies have been conducted in the tropics. Here, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on high-touch surfaces in a large city in Brazil. A total of 400 surface samples were collected in February 2021 in the City of Recife, Northeastern Brazil. A total of 97 samples (24.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR using the CDC-USA protocol. All the collection sites, except one (18/19, 94.7%) had at least one environmental surface sample contaminated. SARS-CoV-2 positivity was higher in public transport terminals (47/97, 48.4%), followed by health care units (26/97, 26.8%), public parks (14/97, 14.4%), public markets (4/97, 4.1%), and beach areas (4/97, 4.1%). Toilets, ATMs, handrails, playground, and outdoor gym were identified as fomites with the highest rates of viral contamination. Regarding the type of material, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found more commonly on metal (45/97, 46.3%), followed by plastic (18/97, 18.5%), wood (12/97, 12.3%), rock (10/97, 10.3%), concrete (8/97, 8.2%), and glass (2/97, 2.0%). Taken together, our data indicated extensive SARS-CoV-2 contamination in public surfaces and identified critical control points that need to be targeted to break SARS-CoV-2 transmission chains.SynopsisWe investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on high-touch surfaces in a large city in Brazil and identified critical points to establish effective control measures aimed at breaking transmission.Abstract Figure
Recovery from Covid-19 critical illness: a secondary analysis of the ISARIC4C CCP-UK cohort study and the RECOVER trial
Authors: Pauley Ellen , Drake Thomas M , Griffith David M , Lone Nazir I , Harrison Ewen M , Baillie J Kenneth , Scott Janet T , Walsh Timothy S , Semple Malcolm G , Docherty Annemarie B 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to compare the prevalence and severity of fatigue in survivors of Covid-19 versus non-Covid-19 critical illness, and to explore potential associations between baseline characteristics and worse recovery.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of two prospectively collected datasets. The population included was 92 patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with Covid-19, and 240 patients who received IMV with non-Covid-19 illness before the pandemic. Follow-up data was collected post-hospital discharge using self-reported questionnaires. The main outcome measures were self-reported fatigue severity and the prevalence of severe fatigue (severity >7/10) 3 and 12-months post-hospital discharge.ResultsCovid-19 IMV-patients were significantly younger with less prior comorbidity, and more males, than pre-pandemic IMV-patients. At 3-months, the prevalence (38.9% [7/18] vs. 27.1% [51/188]) and severity (median 5.5/10 vs. 5.0/10) of fatigue was similar between the Covid-19 and pre-pandemic populations respectively. At 6-months, the prevalence (10.3% [3/29] vs. 32.5% [54/166]) and severity (median 2.0/10 vs. 5.7/10) of fatigue was less in the Covid-19 cohort. In the Covid-19 population, women under 50 experienced more severe fatigue, breathlessness, and worse overall health state compared to other Covid-19 IMV-patients. There were no significant sex differences in long-term outcomes in the pre-pandemic population. In the total sample of IMV-patients included (i.e. all Covid-19 and pre-pandemic patients), having Covid-19 was significantly associated with less severe fatigue (severity <7/10) after adjusting for age, sex, and prior comorbidity (adjusted OR 0.35 (95%CI 0.15-0.76, p=0.01).ConclusionFatigue may be less severe after Covid-19 than after other critical illness.
Tocilizumab in COVID-19 – A Bayesian reanalysis of RECOVERY
Authors: Albuquerque Arthur M. , Tramujas Lucas , Sewanan Lorenzo R. , Brophy James M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundRandomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) demonstrated that tocilizumab reduces mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. However, substantial uncertainty remains whether tocilizumab’s effect is similar across clinically relevant subgroups. Whether this uncertainty can be resolved with Bayesian methods is unknown.Design, Setting, Participants, and InterventionsRECOVERY was a controlled, open-label, platform UK trial that randomized (1:1) 4116 adults with oxygen saturation <92% on room air or receiving oxygen therapy with C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L to either usual care or tocilizumab plus usual care.Main outcome measuresMortality and hospital discharge within 28 days.MethodsUsing Bayesian methods, we combined RECOVERY with evidence-based priors in-corporating previous COVID-19 tocilizumab RCTs. The probability of tocilizumab’s benefit for respiratory support and corticosteroid subgroups and sensitivity analyses were performed with different prior distributions and baseline risks.ResultsFor all-cause mortality, the posterior probabilities of decreased deaths with tocilizumab were >99% and 19% in patients using and not using corticosteroids, respectively. In patients on simple oxygen only, non-invasive ventilation and invasive mechanical ventilation, the probabilities of decreased mortality were 96%, >99% and 77%, respectively. The probabilities for a clinically significant mortality reduction, as assessed by an absolute risk difference > 3% (number needed to treat ≤ 33), were 77%, 96%, 56%, respectively. Sensitivity analyses highlighted the uncertainty and lack of conclusive evidence for tocilizumab’s effect in patients on invasive mechanical ventilation and those without concurrent corticosteroids. Posterior probabilities of benefit for hospital discharge outcome were high and consistent across most subgroups.ConclusionsIn this Bayesian reanalysis, COVID-19 hospitalized patients exposed to corticosteroids or on non-invasive ventilation have a high probability of a clinically meaningful mortality benefit from tocilizumab. Tocilizumab also likely improves discharge from hospital in most subgroups. Future research should further address if patients on invasive mechanical ventilation can also benefit from tocilizumab.
App-based COVID-19 syndromic surveillance and prediction of hospital admissions: The COVID Symptom Study Sweden
Authors: Kennedy Beatrice , Fitipaldi Hugo , Hammar Ulf , Maziarz Marlena , Tsereteli Neli , Oskolkov Nikolay , Varotsis Georgios , Franks Camilla A , Nguyen Diem , Spiliopoulos Lampros , Adami Hans-Olov , Björk Jonas , Engblom Stefan , Fall Katja , Grimby-Ekman Anna , Litton Jan-Eric , Martinell Mats , Oudin Anna , Sjöström Torbjörn , Timpka Toomas , Sudre Carole H , Graham Mark S , du Cadet Julien Lavigne , Chan Andrew T. , Davies Richard , Ganesh Sajaysurya , May Anna , Ourselin Sébastien , Pujol Joan Capdevila , Selvachandran Somesh , Wolf Jonathan , Spector Tim D , Steves Claire J , Gomez Maria F , Franks Paul W , Fall Tove 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTThe app-based COVID Symptom Study was launched in Sweden in April 2020 to contribute to real-time COVID-19 surveillance. We enrolled 143,531 study participants (≥18 years) who contributed 10.6 million daily symptom reports between April 29, 2020 and February 10, 2021. Data from 19,161 self-reported PCR tests were used to create a symptom-based model to estimate the individual probability of symptomatic COVID-19, with an AUC of 0.78 (95% CI 0.74–0.83) in an external dataset. These individual probabilities were used to estimate daily regional COVID-19 prevalence, which were in turn used together with current hospital data to predict next week COVID-19 hospital admissions. We found that this hospital prediction model demonstrated a lower median absolute percentage error (MdAPE: 25.9%) across the five most populated regions in Sweden during the first pandemic wave than a model based on case notifications (MdAPE: 30.3%). During the second wave, the error rates were similar. When applying the same model to an English dataset, not including local COVID-19 test data, we observed MdAPEs of 22.3% and 19.0%, respectively, highlighting the transferability of the prediction model.
“It’s hard to keep a distance when you’re with someone you really care about” — a qualitative study of adolescents’ pandemic-related health literacy and how Covid-19 affects their lives
Authors: Riiser Kirsti , Richardsen Kåre Rønn , Haraldstad Kristin , Helseth Sølvi , Torbjørnsen Astrid 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to explore how adolescents accessed, understood, appraised, and applied information on pandemic preventive measures, how their lives were impacted by long-lasting regulations and how they described their quality of life.MethodsA qualitative design with focus group interviews was used to elaborate on the quantitative survey results obtained and analyzed in a previous survey study from the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. Five focus groups with seventeen adolescents were conducted digitally during the second pandemic phase in November and December 2020. The interview data were analyzed with directed content analysis.ResultsThe adolescents reported using traditional media and official websites as sources for Covid-19 information. They engaged in preventive behavior, and washing hands and keeping a distance from strangers had become a habit. However, not being physically close to friends felt strange and unpleasant. The measure most frequently discussed was limiting social contact, which was a constant struggle. No one disputed the authorities’ guidelines and rules, but the social restrictions caused boredom and despair, particularly due to interrupted schooling and missed opportunities to engage in life events, and freely socialize with friends.ConclusionThe adolescents gave an overall impression of being health literate, which corresponds well with the results from our previous survey study. Their descriptions of how they translated protective measures into their everyday lives demonstrate that they took responsibility and accepted personal costs for the collective good. However, life with social restrictions decreased their quality of life.
Use of the Internet and digital devices among people with severe mental ill health during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
Authors: Spanakis Panagiotis , Heron Paul , Walker Lauren , Crosland Susanne , Wadman Ruth , Newbronner Elizabeth , Johnston Gordon , Gilbody Simon , Peckham Emily 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundRestrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to everyday reliance on digitalisation of life, including access to health care services. People with severe mental ill health (SMI – e.g., bipolar or psychosis spectrum disorders) are at greater risk for digital exclusion and it is unknown to what extent they are able to adapt to online service delivery. This cross-sectional survey study explored use of the Internet and digital devices during the pandemic restrictions and its association with physical and mental health changes.Methods367 adults with an SMI diagnosis completed a survey (online or offline) and provided information on access to Internet connection and devices, internet skills, online activities, and barriers to using the Internet. They also self-reported changes in mental and physical health.ResultsDuring the pandemic restrictions 61.6% were limited or non-users of the Internet. The majority had access to the Internet and digital devices but around half reported knowledge deficits. Most common activities were accessing information and entertainment (88.9%), staying in touch with friends and families (84.8%), and purchasing goods (other than food) (84.3%). Most common barriers were finding the Internet ‘not interesting’ (28.3%) or ‘too difficult’ (27.9%), as well as ‘security concerns’ (22.1% to 24.3%). Using the Internet ‘a lot’ (vs ‘just a bit or not at all’) during the pandemic was associated with younger age (Adj ORs = 4.76 – 6.39, Ps < .001), having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (compared to psychosis; Adj OR = 3.88, P < .001), or reporting a decline in mental health (compared to no decline; Adj OR = 1.92, P = .01).ConclusionMost people with SMI were limited or non-users of the Internet during the pandemic, which seems to be mainly attributable to lack of interest and skills, rather than lack of devices or connectivity. Older adults with psychosis should be the focus of interventions to support digital engagement in people with SMI.
EXAMINING THE DOUBLE BURDEN OF MALNUTRITION FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: A SCOPING REVIEW PROTOCOL
Authors: Were Jason Mulimba , Stranges Saverio , Sharma Ishor , Vargas-González Juan-Camilo , Campbell M. Karen 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe majority of the populations in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) are encountering the double burden of malnutrition (DBM): the coexistence of both undernutrition and overnutrition sequalae. With DBM being a new phenomenon in research, little is known about its etiology, operational definitions and risk factors influencing its manifestation. The proposed scoping review is aimed at mapping literature with regards to the DBM phenomenon among preschool children and women of reproductive age in LMICs who are among the most high-risk groups to encounter DBM.MethodsA comprehensive literature search will be conducted in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, LILACS and ProQuest Dissertations & Thesis Global. Additionally, searches in other government and institutional sources (World Health Organization website and university repositories) and forward and backward citation tracking of seminal articles will also be done. Two reviewers will independently conduct title and abstract screening and full text screening. Similarly, data extraction and coding will independently be done by two reviewers. Information extracted from included literature will be analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis approach and reported as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.Ethics and DisseminationEthical approval is not required for this study because the review is based on literature from publicly available sources. The dissemination of our findings will be done through presentations in relevant conferences and publication in a peer-reviewed journal.Strengths and limitationsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first scoping review that focuses on exploring the etiology of the double burden of malnutrition among preschool children and women of reproductive age in Low-and Middle-Income Countries.This review will encompass comprehensive literature search and will utilize a renowned thematic analysis framework to synthesis the findings of the study.The findings of this review will be important in not only mapping the current literature with regards to the double burden of malnutrition phenomenon for risk populations but also guiding secondary data analysis for our subsequent studies.The anticipated dearth of causation literature and longitudinal studies in this area of research may limit our findings, specifically in understanding the etiology of double burden of malnutrition.
Lipid droplets protect human β cells from lipotoxic-induced stress and cell identity changes
Authors: Tong Xin , Stein Roland 
Published: June 2021

AbstractFree fatty acids (FFAs) are often stored in lipid droplet (LD) depots for eventual metabolic and/or synthetic use in many cell types, such a muscle, liver, and fat. In pancreatic islets, overt LD accumulation was detected in humans but not mice. LD buildup in islets was principally observed after roughly 11 years of age, increasing throughout adulthood under physiologic conditions, and also enriched in type 2 diabetes. To obtain insight into the role of LDs in human islet β cell function, the levels of a key LD structural protein, perilipin2 (PLIN2), were manipulated by lentiviral-mediated knock-down (KD) or over-expression (OE) in EndoCβH2-Cre cells, a human cell line with adult islet β-like properties. Glucose stimulated insulin secretion was blunted in PLIN2KD cells and improved in PLIN2OE cells. An unbiased transcriptomic analysis revealed that limiting LD formation induced effectors of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that compromised the expression of critical β cell function and identity genes. These changes were aggravated by exogenous treatment with FFAs toxic to islet β cells, and essentially reversed by PLIN2OE or using the ER stress inhibitor, tauroursodeoxycholic acid. These results strongly suggest that LDs are essential for adult human islet β cell activity by preserving FFA homeostasis.
A Parsimonious Description of Global Functional Brain Organization in Three Spatiotemporal Patterns
Authors: Bolt Taylor , Nomi Jason S. , Bzdok Danilo , Salas Jorge A. , Chang Catie , Yeo B.T. Thomas , Uddin Lucina Q. , Keilholz Shella D. 
Published: June 2021

SummaryResting-state functional MRI has yielded seemingly disparate insights into large-scale organization of the human brain. The brain’s large-scale organization can be divided into two broad categories - zero-lag representations of functional connectivity structure and time-lag representations of traveling wave or propagation structure. Here we sought to unify observed phenomena across these two categories in the form of three low-frequency spatiotemporal patterns composed of a mixture of standing and traveling wave dynamics. We showed that a range of empirical phenomena, including functional connectivity gradients, the task-positive/task-negative anti-correlation pattern, the global signal, time-lag propagation patterns, the quasiperiodic pattern, and the functional connectome network structure are manifestations of these three spatiotemporal patterns. These patterns account for much of the global spatial structure that underlies functional connectivity analyses, and unifies phenomena in resting-state functional MRI previously thought distinct.