bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and Pregnancy Outcomes in a U.S. Population
Authors: Son Moeun , Gallagher Kieran , Lo Justin Y. , Lindgren Eric , Burris Heather H. , Dysart Kevin , Greenspan Jay , Culhane Jennifer F. , Handley Sara C. 
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVE:
To examine whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic altered risk of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes and whether there were differences by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection status among pregnant women.

METHODS:
In this retrospective cohort study using Epic's Cosmos research platform, women who delivered during the pandemic (March–December 2020) were compared with those who delivered prepandemic (matched months 2017–2019). Within the pandemic epoch, those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those with negative test results or no SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Comparisons were performed using standardized differences, with a value greater than 0.1 indicating meaningful differences between groups.

RESULTS:
Among 838,489 women (225,225 who delivered during the pandemic), baseline characteristics were similar between epochs. There were no significant differences in adverse pregnancy outcomes between epochs (standardized difference<0.10). In the pandemic epoch, 108,067 (48.0%) women had SARS-CoV-2 testing available; of those, 7,432 (6.9%) had positive test results. Compared with women classified as negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection, those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were less likely to be non-Hispanic White or Asian or to reside in the Midwest and more likely to be Hispanic, have public insurance, be obese, and reside in the South or in high social vulnerability ZIP codes. There were no significant differences in the frequency of preterm birth (8.5% vs 7.6%, standardized difference=0.032), stillbirth (0.4% vs 0.4%, standardized difference=−0.002), small for gestational age (6.4% vs 6.5%, standardized difference=−0.002), large for gestational age (7.7% vs 7.7%, standardized difference=−0.001), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (16.3% vs 15.8%, standardized difference=0.014), placental abruption (0.5% vs 0.4%, standardized difference=0.007), cesarean birth (31.2% vs 29.4%, standardized difference=0.039), or postpartum hemorrhage (3.4% vs 3.1%, standardized difference=0.019) between those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and those classified as testing negative.

CONCLUSION:
In a geographically diverse U.S. cohort, the frequency of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes did not differ between those delivering before compared with during the pandemic, nor between those classified as positive compared with negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
Intrarenal pelvic bradykinin-induced sympathoexcitatory reno-renal reflex is attenuated in rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia
Authors: AlMarabeh Sara , Lucking Eric F. , O’Halloran Ken D. , Abdulla Mohammed H. 
Published: August 2021

Objective:
In this study, we hypothesized that excitatory reno-renal reflex control of sympathetic outflow is enhanced in rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) with established hypertension.

Methods:
Under anaesthesia, renal sensory nerve endings in the renal pelvic wall were chemically activated using bradykinin (150, 400 and 700 μmol/l) and capsaicin (1.3 μmol/l), and cardiovascular parameters and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were measured.

Results:
CIH-exposed rats were hypertensive with elevated basal heart rate and increased basal urine flow compared with sham. The intrarenal pelvic infusion of bradykinin was associated with contralateral increase in the RSNA and heart rate, without concomitant changes in blood pressure. This was associated with a drop in the glomerular filtration rate, which was significant during a 5 min period after termination of the infusion but without significant changes in urine flow and absolute sodium excretion. In response to intrarenal pelvic infusion of 700 μmol/l bradykinin, the increases in RSNA and heart rate were blunted in CIH-exposed rats compared with sham rats. Conversely, the intrarenal pelvic infusion of capsaicin evoked an equivalent sympathoexcitatory effect in CIH-exposed and sham rats. The blockade of bradykinin type 1 receptors (BK1R) suppressed the bradykinin-induced increase in RSNA by ∼33%, with a greater suppression obtained when bradykinin type 2 receptors (BK2R) and BK1R were contemporaneously blocked (∼66%).

Conclusion:
Our findings reveal that the bradykinin-dependent excitatory reno-renal reflex does not contribute to CIH-induced sympathetic hyperactivity and hypertension. Rather, there is evidence that the excitatory reno-renal reflex is suppressed in CIH-exposed rats, which might relate to a downregulation of BK2R.
Dynamics of keratoconus progression after a previous successful accelerated crosslinking treatment during and after pregnancy
Authors: Sarac Ozge , Yesilirmak Nilufer , Caglayan Mehtap , Yaman Derya , Ozdas Demet , Toklu Yasin , Cagil Nurullah 
Published: August 2021

Purpose:
To evaluate the effectiveness of previously applied successful accelerated corneal crosslinking (CXL) treatment in keratoconus stabilization during and after pregnancy.

Setting:
Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.

Design:
Prospective clinical study.

Methods:
Patients with stable keratoconus (after having an accelerated CXL procedure) who became pregnant were included. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest astigmatism (MA), keratometry (K)1, K2, Kmax, central corneal thickness (CCT), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), and anterior (AE) and posterior elevation (PE) were recorded at baseline (before CXL), before pregnancy (the last visit after CXL), during pregnancy (third trimester), and after pregnancy (the last visit after pregnancy).

Results:
24 eyes of 19 patients were included. The mean time between CXL and conception was 12.4 ± 5.1 months. The mean postpartum follow-up period was 27.6 ± 13.3 months. The mean UDVA, CDVA, MA, and PE values did not show any statistically significant differences during and after pregnancy compared with the post-CXL values (P > .05). The mean Kmax flattened significantly after the CXL procedure (P = .011); however, it increased during pregnancy (P = .037, after CXL vs pregnancy) and then decreased back to the prepregnancy level after pregnancy (P = .035, pregnancy vs after pregnancy). The mean K1, K2, AE, CCT, and TCT remained stable during pregnancy and significantly decreased after pregnancy (P < .05).

Conclusions:
Keratoconus seems to progress during pregnancy in corneas that have previously received successful accelerated CXL treatment. However, this progress was mostly temporary, and generally, regression occurred after delivery.
Neural mechanisms of pain relief through paying attention to painful stimuli
Authors: Kim Dongho , Woo Choong-Wan , Kim Seong-Gi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
A commonly held belief suggests that turning one's attention away from pain reduces it, whereas paying attention to pain increases it. However, some attention-based therapeutic strategies for pain, such as mindfulness-based interventions, suggest that paying attention to painful stimuli can reduce pain, resulting in seemingly contradictory conclusions regarding attention and pain. Here, we investigated the analgesic effects of attention modulation and provide behavioral and neural evidence that paying attention to pain can reduce pain when attention is directed toward the specific features of painful stimuli. The analgesic effects of paying attention to painful stimuli were mediated by the primary somatosensory cortex and goal-directed attention regions in the prefrontal and parietal cortex. These findings suggest that suppressing early somatosensory processing through top–down modulation is the key mechanism of the analgesic effects of paying attention to painful stimuli, providing evidence that pain itself can be used as a component of pain management.
Contact Lens– and Patient-related Factors Associated with Contact Lens Discomfort among Contact Lens Wearers in an African Cohort
Authors: Ilechie Alex Azuka , Danquah Douglas , Ntodie Michael , Andoh Ebenezer , Addo Naa Adjeley , Odoi Daniel , Otabil Felix , Assiamah Frank 
Published: August 2021

SIGNIFICANCE
No information is available on contact lens discomfort in any African population. Such information may be helpful in developing the scope and priorities for intervention.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to examine contact lens– and patient-related factors associated with contact lens discomfort among wearers in Ghana.

METHODS
In this multicenter cross-sectional study, contact lens wearers 18 years and older were recruited. The Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire-8 and a standardized scripted interview were administered to 72 contact lens wearers at five clinical sites, and 40 participants' lens storage cases were collected and cultured. A variety of patient- and contact lens–related factors were examined. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling were used to assess risk factors associated with contact lens discomfort.

RESULTS
Seventy-two contact lens wearers aged 18 to 45 years completed the study. The mean age was 27.5 ± 6.4 years, 65.3% of them were females, 86.1% wore soft contact lens, and 13.9% wore rigid gas-permeable lens. Contact lens discomfort was reported by 66.7% of the subjects. Most frequent lens storage cases isolates were Bacillus species (40%) and fungi (31.1%). Significant association was found between disinfecting with tap water (5.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22 to 29.27; P = .03), heavy visual display terminal use (3.39; 95% CI, 1.01 to 11.34; P = .05), high water content (1.16; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.33; P = .03), and contact lens discomfort. Demographic factors, wear modality, and care solutions were not significant (all P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS
In considering the use of contact lenses for refractive correction in this population, strategies for preventing contact lens discomfort that should be targeted include use of low-water-content lenses, disinfecting with multipurpose solutions, and reducing the time spent daily on visual display terminal use.
Incivility, Work Withdrawal, and Organizational Commitment Among US Surgeons
Authors: Santosa Katherine B. , Kayward Laura , Matusko Niki , Jagsi Reshma , Audu Christopher O. , Kwakye Gifty , Waljee Jennifer F. , Sandhu Gurjit 
Published: August 2021

Objective:
To evaluate the prevalence of incivility among trainees and faculty in cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, plastic surgery, and vascular surgery in the U.S, and to determine the association of incivility on job and work withdrawal and organizational commitment.

Background:
Workplace incivility has not been described in surgery and can negatively impact the well-being of individuals, teams, and organizations at-large.

Methods:
Using a cross-sectional, web-based survey study of trainees and faculty across 16 academic institutions in the U.S., we evaluated the prevalence of incivility and its association with work withdrawal and organizational commitment.

Results:
There were 486 (18.3%) partial responses, and 367 (13.8%) complete responses from surgeons [including 183 (56.1%) faculty and 143 (43.9%) residents or fellows]. Of all respondents, 92.2% reported experiencing at least 1 form of incivility over the past year. Females reported significantly more incivility than males (2.4 ± 0.91 versus 2.05 ± 0.91, P < 0.001). Asian Americans reported more incivility than individuals of other races and ethnicities (2.43 ± 0.93, P = 0.003). After controlling for sex, position, race, and specialty, incivility was strongly associated with work withdrawal (β = 0.504, 95% CI: 0.341–0.666). There was a significant interaction between incivility and organizational commitment, such that highly committed individuals had an even greater impact of incivility on the outcome of job and work withdrawal (β = 0.178, 95% CI: 0.153–0.203).

Conclusions:
Incivility is widespread in academic surgery and is strongly associated with work withdrawal. Leaders must invest in strategies to eliminate incivility to ensure the well-being of all individuals, teams, and organizations at-large.
Stochastic Consolidation of Lifelong Memory
Authors: Shaham Nimrod , Chandra Jay , Kreiman Gabriel , Sompolinsky Haim 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHumans have the remarkable ability to continually store new memories, while maintaining old memories for a lifetime. How the brain avoids catastrophic forgetting of memories due to interference between encoded memories is an open problem in computational neuroscience. Here we present a model for continual learning in a recurrent neural network combining Hebbian learning, synaptic decay and a novel memory consolidation mechanism. Memories undergo stochastic rehearsals with rates proportional to the memory’s basin of attraction, causing self-amplified consolidation, giving rise to memory lifetimes that extend much longer than synaptic decay time, and capacity proportional to a power of the number of neurons. Perturbations to the circuit model cause temporally-graded retrograde and anterograde deficits, mimicking observed memory impairments following neurological trauma.
The Histone H1-like protein AlgP facilitates even spacing of polyphosphate granules in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Chawla Ravi , Klupt Steven , Patsalo Vadim , Williamson James R , Racki Lisa R 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTSynthesis of polyphosphate (polyP) is an ancient and universal stress and starvation response in bacteria. In many bacteria, polyP chains come together to form granular superstructures within cells. Some species appear to regulate polyP granule subcellular organization. Despite the critical role of polyP in starvation fitness, the composition of these structures, mechanism(s) underpinning their organization, and functional significance of such organization are poorly understood. We previously determined that granules become transiently evenly spaced on the cell’s long axis during nitrogen starvation in the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we developed a granule-enrichment protocol to screen for polyP granule-localizing proteins. We identified AlgP as a protein that associates with polyP granules. We further discovered that AlgP is required for the even spacing of polyP granules. AlgP is a DNA-binding protein with a 154 amino acid C-terminal domain enriched in ‘KPAA’ repeats and variants of this repeat, with an overall sequence composition similar to the C-terminal tail of eukaryotic histone H1. Granule size, number, and spacing are significantly perturbed in the absence of AlgP, or when AlgP is truncated to remove the C-terminus. The ΔalgP and algPΔCTD mutants having fewer, larger granules. We speculate that AlgP may contribute to spacing by tethering polyP granules to the chromosome, thereby inhibiting fusion with neighboring granules. Our discovery that AlgP facilitates granule spacing allows us for the first time to directly uncouple granule biogenesis from even spacing, and will inform future efforts to explore the functional significance of granule organization on fitness during starvation.IMPORTANCEThe mechanisms underpinning polyP’s pleiotropic effects on bacterial starvation physiology remain elusive. This simple polyanion’s lack of protein binding specificity has impeded validation of bona fide polyP-binding proteins. However, polyP forms granule superstructures with spatial specificity. Our granule enrichment protocol identified a polyP granule-associated protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, AlgP. AlgP was originally reported as regulator of alginate, an extracellular polysaccharide important in biofilm formation, including in cystic fibrosis (CF) chronic infections. AlgP’s putative role in alginate biosynthesis has recently been called into question. We establish a distinct, previously unknown function for AlgP in modulating the subcellular organization of polyP, another polymer important for pathogenesis. In CF clinical isolates, the C-terminal repeat domain of AlgP is a hotspot for genetic rearrangements. Our finding that the C-terminus of AlgP is required for granule organization lays the groundwork for exploring the functional significance of these mutations in the evolutionary trajectory of chronic infections.
Data sharing in the age of predictive psychiatry: An adolescent perspective
Authors: Pavarini Gabriela , Yosifova Aleksandra , Wang Keying , Wilcox Benjamin , Tomat Nastja , Lorimer Jessica , Kariyawasam Lasara , George Leya , Alí Sonia , Singh Ilina 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundAdvances in genetics and digital phenotyping in psychiatry have given rise to testing services targeting young people, which claim to predict psychiatric outcomes before difficulties emerge. These services raise several ethical challenges surrounding data sharing and information privacy.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate young people’s interest in predictive testing for mental health challenges, and their attitudes towards sharing biological, psychosocial and digital data for such purpose.MethodsEighty UK adolescents aged 16-18 participated in the study. Participants took part in a digital role-play where they played the role of clients of a fictional predictive psychiatry company and chose what sources of personal data they wished to provide for a risk assessment. After the role-play, participants reflected upon their choices during a peer-led interview.FindingsParticipants saw multiple benefits in predictive testing services, but were highly selective with regards to type the data they were willing to share. Largely due to privacy concerns, digital data sources such as social media or Google search history were less likely to be shared than psychosocial and biological data, including school grades and one’s DNA. Participants were particularly reluctant to share digital data with schools (but less so with health systems).ConclusionsEmerging predictive psychiatric services are valued by young people; however, these services must consider privacy vs. utility trade-offs from the perspective of different stakeholders, including adolescents.Clinical implicationsRespecting adolescents’ need for transparency, privacy and choice in the age of digital phenotyping is critical to the responsible implementation of predictive psychiatric services.
Durability of antibody responses elicited by a single dose of Ad26.COV2.S and substantial increase following late boosting
Authors: Sadoff Jerald , Le Gars Mathieu , Cardenas Vicky , Shukarev Georgi , Vaissiere Nathalie , Heerwegh Dirk , Truyers Carla , de Groot Anne Marit , Scheper Gert , Hendriks Jenny , Ruiz-Guiñazú Javier , Struyf Frank , Van Hoof Johan , Douoguih Macaya , Schuitemaker Hanneke 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe evaluated the durability of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels elicited by the single dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S, and the impact on antibody responses of boosting with Ad26.COV2.S after 6 months in clinical trial participants.MethodsSpike-binding antibody and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody levels elicited by a single-dose Ad26.COV2.S (5×1010 viral particles [vp]) primary regimen and booster doses (5×1010 vp and 1.25×1010 vp) were assessed by ELISA and wild-type VNA in sera from participants in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial (Cohort 1a, 18–55 years old, N=25; Cohort 2a, 18–55 years old boosted at 6 months, N=17; Cohort 3, ≥65 years old, N=22) and a Phase 2 clinical trial (18–55 and ≥65-year old participants boosted at 6 months, total N=73). Neutralizing antibody levels were determined approximately 8 months after the primary vaccination in participants aged 18–55 years and approximately 9 months in participants aged ≥65 years. Binding antibody levels were evaluated 6 months after primary vaccination and 7- and 28-days after booster doses in both age groups.ResultsA single dose of Ad26.COV2.S elicited neutralizing antibodies that remained largely stable for approximately 8–9 months and binding antibodies that remained stable for at least 6 months irrespective of age group. A 5×1010 vp booster dose at 6 months post prime vaccination in 18–55-year-old adults elicited a steep and robust 9-fold increase at Day 7 post boost compared to Day 29 levels following the initial immunization. A lower booster dose of 1.25×1010 vp at 6 months in adults 18–55 and ≥65 years of age also elicited a rapid and high increase of 6–7.7 fold at Day 28 post boost compared to Day 29 levels following the initial immunization, with similar magnitude of post-boost responses in both age groups.ConclusionsA single dose of Ad26.COV2.S, which demonstrated protection in a Phase 3 efficacy trial, elicited durable neutralizing and binding antibodies for at least 8 and 6 months, respectively, in adults >18 years of age at levels similar to Day 29 responses. A 5×1010 vp or 1.25×1010 vp booster dose at 6 months elicited rapid and robust increases in spike binding antibody levels. The anamnestic responses after booster immunization imply robust immune memory elicited by single-dose Ad26.COV2.S.
Reduced production of the major allergen Bla g 1 and Bla g 2 in Blattella germanica after antibiotic treatment
Authors: Lee Seogwon , Kim Ju Yeong , Yi Myung-hee , Lee In-Yong , Yong Dongeun , Yong Tai-Soon 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTPurposeAllergens present in the feces or frass of cockroaches can cause allergic sensitization in humans. The use of fecal and frass extracts for immunotherapy has been previously investigated but has not yet been fully standardized. Here, we treated cockroaches with ampicillin to produce extracts with reduced amounts of total bacteria.MethodsWe performed targeted high-throughput sequencing of 16S rDNA to compare the microbiomes of ampicillin-treated and untreated (control) cockroaches. RNA-seq was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ampicillin-treated cockroaches.ResultsAnalysis of the microbiome revealed that alpha diversity was lower in the ampicillin-treated group than in the control group. Beta diversity analysis indicated that ampicillin treatment altered bacterial composition in the microbiome of cockroaches. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that almost all bacteria were removed from ampicillin-treated cockroaches. RNA-seq analysis revealed 1,236 DEGs in ampicillin-treated cockroaches (compared to untreated cockroaches). Unlike bacterial composition, the DEGs varied between the two groups. Among major allergens, the expression of Bla g 2 decreased significantly in ampicillin-treated cockroaches (compared to untreated group).ConclusionsIn this study, the reduced level of allergens observed in cockroaches may be related to lower amounts of total bacteria caused by treatment with antibiotics. It is possible to make a protein extract with few bacteria for use in immunotherapy.