bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory interneurons with differential plasticities at their connections tune excitatory–inhibitory balance in the spinal nociceptive system
Authors: Cathenaut Lou , Leonardon Benjamin , Kuster Robin , Inquimbert Perrine , Schlichter Rémy , Hugel Sylvain 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Networks of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord process nociceptive information from the periphery. In these networks, the excitation–inhibition balance is critical to shape this nociceptive information and to gate it to the brain where it is interpreted as pain. Our aim was to define whether short-term plasticity of inhibitory connections could tune this inhibition–excitation balance by differentially controlling excitatory and inhibitory microcircuits. To this end, we used spinal cord slices from adult mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under the GAD65 promoter and recorded from both eGFP+ (putative inhibitory) and eGFP− (putative excitatory) neurons of lamina II while stimulating single presynaptic GABAergic interneurons at various frequencies. Our results indicate that GABAergic neurons of lamina II simultaneously contact eGFP− and eGFP+ neurons, but these connections display very different frequency-dependent short-term plasticities. Connections onto eGFP− interneurons displayed limited frequency-dependent changes and strong time-dependent summation of inhibitory synaptic currents that was however subjected to a tonic activity-dependent inhibition involving A1 adenosine receptors. By contrast, GABAergic connections onto eGFP+ interneurons expressed pronounced frequency-dependent depression, thus favoring disinhibition at these synapses by a mechanism involving the activation of GABAB autoreceptors at low frequency. Interestingly, the balance favors inhibition at frequencies associated with intense pain, whereas it favors excitation at frequencies associated with low pain. Therefore, these target-specific and frequency-specific plasticities allow to tune the balance between inhibition and disinhibition while processing frequency-coded information from primary afferents. These short-term plasticities and their modulation by A1 and GABAB receptors might represent an interesting target in pain-alleviating strategies.
Evaluation of Prognosis of Coma Patients With Acute Brain Injury by Electroencephalogram Bispectral Index Monitoring
Authors: Shi Dan , Shen Chen , Wu Jiayu , Xu Feng , Feng Zhizhong , Xiang Dingchao , Li Jianjun , Chen Junhui 
Published: September 2021

Background:
The high mortality rate of comatose patients with traumatic brain injury is a prominent public health issue that negatively impacts patients and their families. Objective, reliable tools are needed to guide treatment decisions and prioritize resources.

Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the bispectral index (BIS) in comatose patients with severe brain injury.

Methods:
This was a retrospective cohort study of 84 patients with severe brain injury and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 8 and less treated from January 2015 to June 2017. Sedatives were withheld at least 24 hr before BIS scoring. The BIS value, GCS scores, and Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) were monitored hourly for 48 hr. Based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score, the patients were divided into poor (GOS score: 1–2) and good prognosis groups (GOS score: 3–5). The correlation between BIS and prognosis was analyzed by logistic regression, and the receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted.

Results:
The mean (SD) of the BIS value: 54.63 (11.76), p = .000; and GCS score: 5.76 (1.87), p = .000, were higher in the good prognosis group than in the poor prognosis group. Lower BIS values and GCS scores were correlated with poorer prognosis. Based on the area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic curves, the optimal diagnostic cutoff value of the BIS was 43.6, and the associated sensitivity and specificity were 85.4% and 74.4%, respectively.

Conclusion:
Taken together, our study indicates that BIS had good predictive value on prognosis. These findings suggested that BIS could be used to evaluate the severity and prognosis of severe brain injury.
Community outreach for immigrant adults with diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Hain Debra 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT
There is a critical need to discover health-promoting strategies to address a growing Hispanic immigrant adult population with diabetes who are at risk or have chronic kidney disease. Fellows are uniquely positioned to lead research efforts focused on community outreach to recruit this population to a kidney health clinic. Innovative models of care are important to provide care to a population who may not seek medical attention. The author collaborated with a registered renal dietician to develop a kidney health clinic. Funding from the American Nephrology Nurses Association enabled a feasibility study to recruit patients and test the effects of a model of care on patient related and health care system outcomes.
Aortic aneurysm in Nigeria
Authors: Adekanmi Ademola Joseph , Baiyewu Lateef Ayodele , Ngene Samuel Osobuchi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background:
Aortic aneurysm was previously reported to be uncommon in the black African. However, with lifestyle modifications and continuous improvement and availability of diagnostic facilities and structures in Sub-Saharan African countries, a surge in the incidence of aortic aneurysms is expected. This current study is aimed at exploring the cases of aortic aneurysms and the outcome of their management in Nigeria, the most populous country in Black Africa.

Methods:
A systematic literature search of all articles on Aortic aneurysm in as well as from Nigeria will be conducted using several electronic databases including PubMed, African Journal Online, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Scopus. The search will span the period from the database inception to June 2021. Only studies retrievable in the English language will be included. The primary outcome will be the mortality rate, while secondary outcomes will include the size of the aneurysm, type of aneurysm, diagnostic imaging findings, and management. The identified studies will be screened and de-duplicated by two independent researchers using Rayyan Qatar Computing Research Institute software, while the third author will be a tiebreaker. Statistical analysis will be performed using STATA version 16. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system will be used to evaluate the quality of evidence.

Results:
The epidemiological dynamics, clinico-radiological pattern and profile, management strategies and outcomes of all documented cases of Aortic aneurysm in Nigeria, will be systemically evaluated.

Conclusion:
This study will provide indigenous data that will be beneficial to the practice of all cardiovascular specialists- cardiologists, surgeons, radiologist and interventionists; evaluating and managing patients with Aortic aneurysms within Nigeria and other settings with a similar genealogical profile within Africa and other parts of the world.

Ethics and Dissemination:
Ethical approval not required as study is a review, analysis and synthesis of already published data

PROSPERO registration number:
CRD42021258646
Treatment Options for COVID-19–Related Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Authors: Goudarzi Sogand , Esmaeeli Shooka , Valencia Juan D. , Lu Maegan E. , Hales Riley R. , Fehnel Corey R. , Conley Christopher M. , Quraishi Sadeq A. , Nozari Ala 
Published: September 2021

Background:
Central nervous system complications are reported in an increasing number of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19–related Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is of particular importance given its association with higher mortality rates and prolonged respiratory failure.

Review Summary:
We conducted a systematic review of published cases for COVID-19–related GBS, and provide a summary of clinical management strategies for these cases. Sixty-three studies, including 86 patients, were included. Seventy-six cases with reported outcome data were eligible for the outcome analysis. Ninety-nine percent of patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 before diagnosis of GBS (median: 14 d prior, interquartile range: 7 to 20). Intravenous immunotherapy (intravenous immunoglobulin: 0.4 g/kg/d for 5 d) was the most frequently used treatment approach. The review indicated that the outcome was not favorable in 26% of cases (persistent neurological deficits). A mortality rate of 3.5% was observed in patients with COVID-19–related GBS.

Conclusions:
Although evidence to support specific treatments is lacking, clinicians should consider the benefits of immunotherapy and plasma exchange in addition to the standard antimicrobial and supportive therapies for patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for acute sensory and motor polyradiculoneuritis. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment alone is not shown to result in improved outcomes or mortality. More extensive studies aimed at exploring the neurological manifestations and complications of COVID-19 and distinctive treatment options for COVID-19–related GBS are warranted.
Variants of Avellis Syndrome Due to Medulla Oblongata Infarction
Authors: Kumral Emre , Çetin Fatma E. 
Published: September 2021

Introduction:
Avellis syndrome is classically defined as a neurological disorder characterized by paralysis of the soft palate and vocal cords on one side, and a loss of sensation of pain and temperature sense on the other side. Between 2010 and 2020, 5400 patients with ischemic stroke were admitted to the Stroke Unit and prospectively entered in our Stroke Registry.

Case Report:
A total of 216 patients with magnetic resonance imaging–proven ischemic lesions restricted to the medulla oblongata were identified. Among them, 5 patients had Avellis syndrome with a small medullary infarction. There was paralysis of the soft palate and vocal cords in all patients, but besides of loss of pain sensation and temperature sense, there were also partial disturbances in position and vibration senses in 3 patients. Different types of neuro-ophthalmologic findings were observed in 4 patients. In 5 patients, the cause of medulla oblongata infarct was microscopic polyangiitis vasculitis, neuro-Behçet disease, vertebral artery dissection, small vessel disease, and neurobrucellosis small vessel vasculitis.

Conclusions:
Avellis syndrome may present with additional neurological findings besides its classic definition. Apart from atherosclerotic disease, rare causes should be investigated in detail in small ischemic medullary lesions.
The lost microbes of COVID-19: Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium depletion and decreased microbiome diversity associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection severity
Authors: Hazan Sabine , Stollman Neil , Bozkurt Huseyin , Dave Sonya , Papoutsis Andreas J. , Daniels Jordan , Barrows Brad D. , Quigley Eamonn MM , Borody Thomas J. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe study objective was to compare gut microbiome diversity and composition in SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive patients whose symptoms ranged from asymptomatic to severe, versus PCR-negative exposed controls.DesignUsing a cross-sectional design, we performed shotgun next-generation sequencing (NGS) on stool samples to evaluate gut microbiome composition and diversity in both patients with SARS-CoV-2 PCR- confirmed infections, that had presented to Ventura Clinical Trials for care from March 2020 through October 2021, and SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative exposed controls. Patients were classified as being asymptomatic or having mild, moderate, or severe symptoms based on NIH criteria. Exposed controls were individuals with prolonged or repeated close contact with patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection or their samples, e.g. household members of patients or frontline healthcare workers. Microbiome diversity and composition were compared between patients and exposed controls at all taxonomic levels.ResultsCompared with controls (n=20), severely symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (n=28) had significantly less bacterial diversity (Shannon Index, P=0.0499; Simpson Index, P=0.0581), and positive patients overall had lower relative abundances of Bifidobacterium (P<0.0001), Faecalibacterium (P=0.0077), and Roseburium (P=0.0327), while having increased Bacteroides (P=0.0075). Interestingly, there was an inverse association between disease severity and abundance of the same bacteria.ConclusionWe hypothesize that low bacterial diversity and depletion of Bifidobacterium genera either before or after infection led to reduced pro-immune function, thereby allowing SARS-CoV-2 infection to become symptomatic. This particular dysbiosis pattern may be a susceptibility marker for symptomatic severity from SARS-CoV-2 infection and may be amenable to pre-, intra-, or post infection intervention.Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID, Microbiome, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, Bacteriodes, Shannon Index, Simpson Index, Severity, MicrobiotaRegistrationclinicaltrials.govNCT04031469 (PCR -) and 04359836 (PCR+)
Significant Sparse Polygenic Risk Scores across 813 traits in UK Biobank
Authors: Tanigawa Yosuke , Qian Junyang , Venkataraman Guhan , Justesen Johanne Marie , Li Ruilin , Tibshirani Robert , Hastie Trevor , Rivas Manuel A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe present a systematic assessment of polygenic risk score (PRS) prediction across more than 1,500 traits using genetic and phenotype data in the UK Biobank. We report 813 sparse PRS models with significant (p < 2.5 × 10−5) incremental predictive performance when compared against the covariate-only model that considers age, sex, types of genotyping arrays, and the principal component loadings of genotypes. We report a significant correlation between the number of genetic variants selected in the sparse PRS model and the incremental predictive performance (Spearman’s ρ = 0.61, p = 2.2 × 10−59 for quantitative traits, ρ = 0.21, p = 9.6 × 10−4 for binary traits). The sparse PRS model trained on European individuals showed limited transferability when evaluated on non-European individuals in the UK Biobank. We provide the PRS model weights on the Global Biobank Engine (https://biobankengine.stanford.edu/prs).Author summaryPolygenic risk scores (PRSs), an approach to estimate genetic predisposition on disease liability by aggregating the effects across multiple genetic variants, has attracted increasing research interest. While there have been improvements in the predictive performance of PRS for some traits, the applicability of PRS models across a wide range of human traits has not been clear. Here, applying penalized regression using Batch Screening Iterative Lasso (BASIL) algorithm to more than 269,000 individuals of white British ancestry in UK Biobank, we systematically characterize PRS models across more than 1,500 traits. We report 813 traits with PRS models of statistically significant predictive performance. While the statistical significance does not necessarily directly translate into clinical relevance, we investigate the properties of the 813 significant PRS models and report a significant correlation between predictive performance and estimated SNP-based heritability. We find that the number of genetic variants selected in our sparse PRS model is significantly correlated with the incremental predictive performance in both quantitative and binary traits. Our transferability assessment of PRS models in UK Biobank revealed that the sparse PRS models trained on individuals of European ancestry had a lower predictive performance for individuals of African and Asian ancestry groups.
Detection of SARS CoV-2 contamination in the Operating Room and Birthing Room Setting: Risks to attending health care workers
Authors: Lee Patricia E. , Kozak Robert , Alavi Nasrin , Mbareche Hamza , Kung Rose C. , Murphy Kellie E. , Perruzza Darian , Jarvi Stephanie , Salvant Elsa , Ladhani Noor Niyar N. , Yee Albert J.M. , Gagnon Louise-Helene , Jenkinson Richard , Liu Grace Y. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe exposure risks to front-line health care workers who are in close proximity for prolonged periods of time, caring for COVID-19 patients undergoing surgery or obstetrical delivery is unclear. Understanding of sample types that may harbour virus is important for evaluating risk.ObjectivesTo determine if SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA from patients with COVID-19 undergoing surgery or obstetrical care is present in: 1) the peritoneal cavity of males and females 2) the female reproductive tract, 3) the environment of the surgery or delivery suite (surgical instruments, equipment used, air or floors) and 4) inside the masks of the attending health care workers.MethodsThe presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in patient, environmental and air samples was identified by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Air samples were collected using both active and passive sampling techniques.ResultsIn this multi-centre observational case series, 32 patients with COVID-19 underwent urgent surgery or obstetrical delivery and 332 patient and environmental samples were collected and analyzed to determine if SARS-CoV-2 RNA was present. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in: 4/24(16.7%) patient samples, 5/60(8.3%) floor, 1/54(1.9%) air, 10/23(43.5%) surgical instruments/equipment, 0/24 cautery filters and 0/143 inner surface of mask samples.ConclusionsWhile there is evidence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the surgical and obstetrical operative environment (6% of samples taken), the finding of no detectable virus inside the masks worn by the medical teams would suggest a low risk of infection for our health care workers using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Supervised Phenotype Discovery from Multimodal Brain Imaging
Authors: Gong Weikang , Bai Song , Zheng Ying-Qiu , Smith Stephen M. , Beckmann Christian F. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractData-driven discovery of image-derived phenotypes (IDPs) from large-scale multimodal brain imaging data has enormous potential for neuroscientific and clinical research by linking IDPs to subjects’ demographic, behavioural, clinical and cognitive measures (i.e., non-imaging derived phenotypes or nIDPs). However, current approaches are primarily based on unsupervised approaches, without the use of information in nIDPs. In this paper, we proposed a semi-supervised, multimodal, and multi-task fusion approach, termed SuperBigFLICA, for IDP discovery, which simultaneously integrates information from multiple imaging modalities as well as multiple nIDPs. SuperBigFLICA is computationally efficient and largely avoids the need for parameter tuning. Using the UK Biobank brain imaging dataset with around 40,000 subjects and 47 modalities, along with more than 17,000 nIDPs, we showed that SuperBigFLICA enhances the prediction power of nIDPs, benchmarked against IDPs derived by conventional expert-knowledge and unsupervised-learning approaches (with average nIDP prediction accuracy improvements of up to 46%). It also enables the learning of generic imaging features that can predict new nIDPs. Further empirical analysis of the SuperBigFLICA algorithm demonstrates its robustness in different prediction tasks and the ability to derive biologically meaningful IDPs in predicting health outcomes and cognitive nIDPs, such as fluid intelligence and hypertension.
Global Mapping of Mouse CSF Flow via HEAP-METRIC Phase-contrast MRI
Authors: Li Juchen , Pei Mengchao , Bo Binshi , Zhao Xinxin , Cang Jing , Fang Fang , Liang Zhifeng 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRoles of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in brain waste clearance and homeostasis has been increasingly recognized, thus measuring its flow dynamics could provide important information about its function and perturbance. While phase-contrast MRI can be used for non-invasive flow mapping, so far its mapping of low velocity flow (such as mouse brain CSF) is not possible. Here we developed a novel generalized Hadamard encoding based multi-band acceleration scheme dubbed HEAP-METRIC (Hadamard Encoding APproach of Multi-band Excitation for short TRImaging aCcelerating), and with significantly increased SNR per time, HEAP-METRIC phase-contrast MRI achieved fast and accurate mapping of slow (~102 micron/s) flow. Utilizing this novel method, we revealed a heterogeneous global pattern of CSF flow in the awake mouse brain with a averaged flow of ~200 micron/s, and further found isoflurane anesthesia reduced CSF flow that was accompanied by reduction of glymphatic function. Therefore, we developed the novel HEAP-METRIC phase-contrast MRI for mapping low velocity flow, and demonstrated its capability for global mapping of mouse CSF flow and its potential alterations related to various physiological or pathological conditions.
Design and Computational Analysis of a Chimeric Avian Influenza Antigen: A Yeast-displayed, Universal and Cross-protective Vaccine Candidate
Authors: Mohammadi Elyas , Pirkhezranian Zana , Dashty Samira , Saedi Naghmeh , Sekhavati Mohammad Hadi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundA cross-protective avian influenza vaccine candidate can be designed by using a preserved antigen against mutation in various subtypes of influenza. M2e peptide sequence has remained remarkably unchanged in influenza type A isolated since 1918.MethodsA consensus sequence of M2e peptide was obtained from 31 sequences of H5N8, H5N1, H9N2 and H7N9 subtypes of avian influenza virus isolated from 7 avian species in 5 Asian countries. A partial sequence of flagellin was considered as an adjuvant. Subsequently, two chimeric antigens were designed to be virtually cloned and expressed using PYD1 vector andEBY100yeast strain. The stability and conformational features of these two antigens were assessed through molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The detectability of vaccine candidates by a specific monoclonal antibody (MAb148) were estimated through docking studies.ResultsIn spite of significant compactness and stability of the first candidate in comparison with the second design, it was less detectable by MAb148. Contrary to the first chimeric antigen, Van der Waals, electrostatic and binding energies of the interaction of the second antigen with MAb148 were significantly closer to the positive control. It is shown that epitopes of the second chimeric antigen could be correctly located in the specific pocket of CDR region of MAb148.ConclusionThe second chimeric antigen could be considered as a yeast-displayed avian influenza vaccine candidate due to the capability of provoking humoral immunity and innate immune system by M2e and flagellin respectively.