bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IL-2 Signaling Couples the MAPK and mTORC1 Axes to Promote T Cell Proliferation and Differentiation in Teleosts
Authors: Mu Pengfei , Huo Jieying , Li Xiaofeng , Li Wanru , Li Xiaomeng , Ao Jingqun , Chen Xinhua 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
IL-2 is a pleiotropic cytokine that is critical for T cell immunity. Although the IL-2–mediated regulation of T cell immunity in mammals is relatively well understood, it remains largely unknown whether and how IL-2 regulates T cell immunity in lower vertebrates. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the role played by IL-2 in the regulation of T cell response, as well as the associated underlying mechanisms in a teleost fish, large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). We found that large yellow croaker (L. crocea) IL-2 (LcIL-2) significantly promoted T cell proliferation both in vivo and in vitro; significantly induced the differentiation of Th1, Th2, regulatory T, and cytotoxic T cells while inhibiting Th17 differentiation; and participated in the elimination of invading pathogenic bacteria. Mechanistically, the binding of LcIL-2 to its heterotrimer receptor complex (LcIL-15Rα/LcIL-2Rβ/Lcγc) triggered the conserved JAK–STAT5 pathway, which in turn regulated the expression of genes involved in T cell expansion, differentiation, and biological function. The MAPK and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) axes, which are involved in TCR-mediated signaling, were also required for LcIL-2–mediated T cell response. Collectively, our results demonstrated that fish IL-2 plays a comprehensive regulatory role in T cell response and highlighted the complex and delicate network regulating T cell–driven immune response. We propose that T cell immunity is regulated by the interplay between TCR signaling and cytokine signaling, and that this basic strategy evolved before the emergence of the tetrapod lineage. Our findings provide valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying T cell response in teleosts.
SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response Is Associated with Age and Body Mass Index in Convalescent Outpatients
Authors: Zhai Bo , Clarke Karen , Bauer David L , Moehling Geffel Krissy K , Kupul Saran , Schratz Lucas J , Nowalk M Patricia , McElroy Anita K , McLachlan James B , Zimmerman Richard K , Alcorn John F 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
COVID-19 has had an unprecedented global impact on human health. Understanding the Ab memory responses to infection is one tool needed to effectively control the pandemic. Among 173 outpatients who had virologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, we evaluated serum Ab concentrations, microneutralization activity, and enumerated SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells in convalescent human blood specimens. Serum Ab concentrations were variable, allowing for stratification of the cohort into high and low responders. Neither participant sex, the timing of blood sampling following the onset of illness, nor the number of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein–specific B cells correlated with serum Ab concentration. Serum Ab concentration was positively associated with microneutralization activity and participant age, with participants under the age of 30 showing the lowest Ab level. These data suggest that young adult outpatients did not generate as robust Ab memory, compared with older adults. Body mass index was also positively correlated with serum Ab levels. Multivariate analyses showed that participant age and body mass index were independently associated with Ab levels. These findings have direct implications for public health policy and current vaccine efforts. Knowledge gained regarding Ab memory following infection will inform the need for vaccination in those previously infected and allow for a better approximation of population-wide protective immunity.
Assessment of the Asymmetry of the Lower Jaw, Face, and Palate in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Golshah Amin , Hajiazizi Roghaye , Azizi Bahram , Nikkerdar Nafiseh 
Published: March 2022

Background:
This study aimed to assess the asymmetry of the lower jaw, face, and palate in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) using photography, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and digitized three-dimensional casts.

Methods:
This case–control study was conducted on photographic, CBCT, and digital cast records of 14 UCLP patients and 24 healthy controls between 10 and 16 years. Totally, 65 variables were measured on photographs, CBCT scans, and on digitized casts. Measurements were compared between the two groups and within each group between the two sides. For easier measurement, in patients who had right side CLP, the cleft was transferred to the left side and in subjects without cleft, mild chin deviation was transferred to the left side.

Results:
The anteroposterior dimensions of the two condyles in the UCLP group were greater than those in the control group, while the mediolateral dimensions of the left condyle and ramus height, mandibular body length, and total length of the mandible in the control group were greater than those in the UCLP group. Right ocular, nasal, and angular variables were greater in the UCLP group. Other variables except for the palatal width from the right canine to midline were greater in the control group.

Conclusion:
Our findings highlighted the presence of asymmetry in the nasal and palatal areas in patients with UCLP while these patients had no significant difference with healthy controls in the relationship of condyles with the temporomandibular fossa.
Rate of Compliance with Infection Control Practices while Taking Dental Radiographs in a Dental Health Care Center, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Doppalapudi Radhika , Vundavalli Sudhakar , Salloum Mahmoud Gamal , Alazmi Ghanam 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Infection control guidelines are aimed at preventing cross-contamination in clinical settings. Radiographs are indispensible part of oral diagnosis and assessing prognosis. Strict adherence to infection control protocol while taking dental radiographs are mandatory.

Aims and Objectives:
To assess the rate of compliance with infection control practices while taking dental radiographs in the dental clinic center of a teaching institution in Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods:
An observational study was undertaken for the infection control practices in the dental radiology wing of a university teaching center in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from dental faculty, dental assistants, and dental students working in dental clinics. Both pretested questionnaire and by direct observation of infection control practices was used for data collection. Chi-Square test for categorical variables and Independent samples t-test for compare mean self-reported infection control practice scores were used. Binary logistics regression was used to identify the factors influencing participant's compliance with infection control practices. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
129 participants were included in this study, among those 26 were faculty, 19 were dental auxiliaries and 84 were dental students. On direct observation, the overall compliance rate was 79.5%; Dental auxiliaries have the highest compliance rate (94.5%) followed by dental faculty (88.5%) and students (68.6%). Binomial logistic regression predicted that females had 2.94 times more compliance than male counterparts, which is statistically significant.

Conclusion:
Students and faculty need continuing dental education programs for reinforcement on infection control practices.
Novel artificial intelligence algorithm for automatic detection of COVID-19 abnormalities in computed tomography images
Authors: Bharadwaj KSS , Pawar Vivek , Punia Vivek , Apparao MLV , Mahajan Abhishek 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Chest computed tomography (CT) is a readily available diagnostic test that can aid in the detection and assessment of the severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Given the wide community spread of the disease, it can be difficult for radiologists to differentiate between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pneumonia, especially in the oncological setting.

Objective:
This study was aimed at developing an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that could automatically detect COVID-19-related abnormalities from chest CT images and could serve as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19. In addition, we assessed the performance and accuracy of the algorithm in differentiating COVID-19 from non-COVID-19 lung parenchyma pathologies.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 1581 chest CT images of individuals affected with COVID-19, individuals affected with non-COVID-19 pathologies, and healthy individuals were included in this study. All the digital images of COVID-19-positive cases were obtained from web databases available in the public domain. About 60% of the data were used for training and validation of the algorithm, and the remaining 40% were used as a test set. A single-stage deep learning architecture based on the RetinaNet framework was used as the AI model for image classification. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated using various publicly available datasets comprising patients with COVID-19, patients with pneumonia, other lung diseases (underlying malignancies), and healthy individuals without any abnormalities. The specificity, sensitivity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were measured to estimate the effectiveness of our method.

Results:
The semantic and non-semantic features of the algorithm were analyzed. For the COVID-19 classification network, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC were 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85–0.97), 0.995 (95% CI: 0.984–1.0), 0.972 (95% CI: 0.952–0.988), and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.945–0.986), respectively. For the non-COVID classification network, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.931 (95% CI: 0.88–0.975), 0.94 (95% CI: 0.90–0.974), and 0.935 (95% CI: 0.90, 0.965), respectively.

Conclusion:
The AI algorithm developed in our study can detect COVID-19 abnormalities from CT images with high sensitivity and specificity. Our AI algorithm can be used for the early detection and timely management of patients with COVID-19.
Clinical profile and outcomes of COVID-19 infection during the first wave in children with hematological illnesses and cancer
Authors: Bhayana Swati , Kalra Manas , Sachdeva Pallavi , Sachdeva Anupam 
Published: March 2022

Background:Patients with cancer are at a higher risk of getting infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 owing to their immunocompromised state. Providing care to these patients amidst the first wave of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was extremely challenging.Objectives:This study was aimed at evaluating the clinical profile and disease-related outcomes of pediatric patients with hematological illnesses and cancer.Materials and Methods:This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center in North India during the first wave of the pandemic from March 2020 to December 2020. Children aged up to 18 years, who were treated for a hematological illness or malignancy or underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and tested positive for COVID-19 regardless of symptoms were included in the study. Baseline demographic data related to the age, diagnosis, treatment status, and chemotherapy protocol used were collected. Outcomes including the cure rates, comorbidities, and sequelae were recorded.Results:A total of 650 tests for COVID-19 were performed for 181 children; 22 patients were found to be COVID-19 positive. The most common diagnosis was acute leukemia (63.6%). None of the patients developed COVID-19 pneumonia. The majority of patients had asymptomatic infection and were managed at home. Among those with a symptomatic infection, the most common symptoms were fever and cough. A total of 3 (13.6%) patients needed oxygen therapy, one developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome of children leading to cardiogenic shock. Three patients required intensive care or respiratory support; all the patients had favorable clinical outcomes. The median time from the onset of COVID-19 to a negative result on the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test was 21.3 days. Cancer treatment was modified in 15 patients (68.2%).Conclusions:Our results suggest that children with hemato-oncological illnesses rarely experience severe COVID-19 disease. The impact of the first wave of COVID-19 primarily manifested as disruptions in the logistic planning and administration of essential treatment to these children rather than COVID-19 sequelae.
Role of Wound, Ischemia, and Foot Infection Scores in Predicting Major Limb Loss Despite Appropriate Revascularization
Authors: Lazarus Emmanuel , Premkumar Prabhu , Selvaraj Dheepak , Samuel Vimalin , Kota Albert Abhinay 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) scores correlate well with amputation risk in patients with peripheral vascular disease. A certain subset will eventually require a major amputation despite revascularization. These patients may be offered the option of an upfront primary amputation and early rehabilitation. We sought to assess the WIfI staging and the novel WIfI composite scoring in identifying this subgroup.

Patients and Methods:
Patients with lower limb peripheral vascular disease with chronic lower limb extremity wounds who underwent revascularization procedures with the intent of limb salvage were included. Retrospective data of prospectively maintained preoperative WIfI scores, details of vascular intervention and occurrence of major amputation over 1 year from April 2018 to March 2019 was collected. Follow-up data were obtained for 1 year postoperatively.

Results:
Hundred thirty-seven patients were included. One hundred and one underwent an endovascular procedure, 17 underwent an aortobifemoral bypass, 16 underwent an open bypass procedure, and 3 were hybrid procedures. About 16.5% (23 patients) required a major amputation despite revascularization within 6 months of intervention. The mean total component score (out of 9) in these patients who required amputation was significantly higher (7.73 vs. 5.15, P < 0.05). Higher infection score preoperatively (2.17 vs. 0.88, P < 0.05) and higher wound score (2.7 vs. 1.63, P < 0.05) were significant. Mean ischemia scores were not significantly different between the two groups (2.87 vs. 2.65). The most common cause of amputation was infection (20 out of 23 events), and most of the amputations occurred in the first 1 month following. Three patients died within the 1-year follow-up period.

Conclusion:
Patients with higher total WIfI scores >7, higher wound, and infection components at presentation may have poor outcomes following revascularization.
Retrograde Tibiopedal Access for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
Authors: Abdelmonem Mostafa , Shahat Mohammed , Elashry Mohamed G , Ali Haitham 
Published: March 2022

Objective:
The objective of the current study was to report single-center data concerning the efficacy, safety, and midterm outcomes of retrograde tibiopedal access, after failed antegrade attempts, for management of infrainguinal chronic total occlusions (CTOs) in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Methods:
This prospective, observational study was conducted between July 2016 and June 2019 and included 178 patients with infrainguinal CTO in whom a percutaneous tibiopedal access was attempted as a consequence of failed recanalization using an antegrade approach due to ostial lesions or failed re-entry.

Results:
The study reported access, crossing, and treatment success of 93.8%, 89.9%, and 88.8% of all tibiopedal access attempts, respectively. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates were 43.8% ± 3.9%, 64.2% ± 3.8%, and 71.7% ± 3.5% at 24 months, respectively. Kaplan–Meier analysis yielded an overall amputation-free survival of 71.1% ± 3.5% at 24 months.

Conclusion:
Retrograde tibiopedal access is an effective and safe approach as associated with high access, crossing, treatment success, and low complication rates. This approach is considered as a bailout technique during endovascular procedures in recanalization of infrainguinal CTOs, after failed antegrade attempts, in patients with CLTI.
Utility of Ankle Brachial Index in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Arterial Disease in a Resource Limited Setting
Authors: Bhat Mudasir Hamid , Parry Arshed Hussain , Maqsood Shadab , Ganie Farooq Ahmad 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) constitutes a significant healthcare problem with immense health and economic implications. Owing to ill-equipped healthcare systems in poor countries the diagnosis of PAD demands the availability of a reasonably reliable and inexpensive diagnostic test. Ankle brachial index (ABI) is a simple, inexpensive office-based test for the diagnosis of PAD. The study was aimed to evaluate the reliability of ABI for the diagnosis of PAD using Doppler ultrasound (DUS) as the gold standard.

Methods:
The ABI of patients suspected of having lower limb PAD was measured followed by DUS examination. The sensitivity and specificity of ABI for the diagnosis of PAD was calculated by comparing it with DUS which was used as the reference or standard diagnostic test.

Results:
The ABI of a total of 200 limbs from 100 patients was recorded followed by DUS examination. One hundred and thirty-two limbs (66%) had PAD on DUS which was graded as mild, moderate, and severe in 45.5%, 27.2% and 30.3% respectively. Out of 132 patients who had PAD on Doppler, 96/132 (72.8%) were correctly labelled as PAD on ABI, whereas 36/132 (27.2%) received an erroneous diagnosis of normal on ABI. Conversely, only 6/60 (10%) patients who were labelled as PAD on ABI had a normal arterial system on DUS. The ABI yielded a low overall sensitivity of 72.7% and a high specificity of 90%. The sensitivity was relatively low for mild PAD (52.7%), however, for moderate and severe PAD, ABI demonstrated a high sensitivity of 88.9% and 100% respectively. Overall agreement between ABI and DUS for the diagnosis of PAD was good (k = 0.67).

Conclusion:
ABI demonstrated a good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of PAD especially in patients with moderate-severe PAD. Combined with the advantages of ready availability, low cost, and technical feasibility the use of ABI should be maximized in routine clinical practice to clinch the diagnosis of PAD in suspected individuals.
Traumatic Axillary Artery Repair
Authors: Munjal Ridhika , Kisku Navnita , Pramanik Subrata , Gupta Anubhav 
Published: March 2022

Introduction:
Only 15%–20% of the arterial injuries of the upper limbs are due traumatic axillary artery injury. Out of all ninety four percent are due to penetrating wounds, while the remaining 6% are caused by blunt traumas. Four cases with traumatic axillary artery injury are reported here.

Materials and Methods:
Four patients diagnosed with traumatic axillary artery injury underwent vascular repair presented between October 2019 and September 2020 are included in this study.

Results:
Fifty percent of patients presented with blunt trauma, whereas 50% with penetrating injury. Only one patient had associated bone injury. Hundred per cent of the patients had absent peripheral pulsation, while 50% of patients presented with warm upper extremity and normal capillary refill time. Seventy-five percent of patients involved had trauma to 1st part of axillary artery, whereas one patient suffered trauma to 2nd part. Two incisions, i.e. supraclavicular and infraclavicular incisions were taken to take proximal control of subclavian artery in two patients with trauma to 1st part of axillary artery. Only one patient underwent vascular repair with reverse saphenous vein graft, rest all patients underwent end-to-end axillary artery repair. Twenty-five percent of patients had associated brachial plexus injury and bone injury, respectively, which were taken care off along arterial repair. Hundred percent of the patients had good vascular outcome postoperatively.

Conclusion:
Patients presenting with trauma to periclavicular region must be thoroughly examined for associated axillary artery injury and if diagnosed with same must undergo prompt surgical exploration and arterial repair. For good proximal control, it is advisable to go for both supraclavicular and infraclavicular incisions in case of injury to 1st part of axillary artery.
Investigation of Routine Blood Parameters for Predicting Embolic Risk in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Etli Mustafa 
Published: March 2022

Introduction:
Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NV-AF) is an important risk factor for cardiac thromboembolic disorders. However, there is not an exact biomarker for evaluating risk in these patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the routine blood test and inflammatory markers in NV-AF patients with or without embolic complications.

Materials and Methods:
Routine complete blood count (CBC) and a clinical biochemistry analysis of 214 NV-AF patients (151 with embolic complication and 63 without embolic complication) were recorded retrospectively. Obtained results compared between NV-AF with embolic group and NV-AF without an embolic group.

Results:
The most of the CBC and biochemical markers were found as similar (P > 0.05) between groups except white blood cell count, lymphocyte ratio (Lym%), neutrophil ratio (Neu%), eosinophil ratio (Eus%), neutrophil count (Neu), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, low-density lipid, sodium (Na), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, plasma iron levels, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
The inflammatory markers, especially NLR, seem to be useful for embolic risk stratification in NVAF patients.
Modeling of COVID-19 new cases and deaths in top 10 affected countries
Authors: Thatkar Pandurang V. , Pawar Dattatray D. , Tonde Jeevan P. 
Published: March 2022

Introduction:
This study aimed to develop a model utilizing the data from the top 10 countries (as of August 22, 2020) with the maximum number of infected cases. These countries are the United States of America, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Spain. The model is developed using the newly infected cases, new deaths, cumulative infected cases, and cumulative deaths due to COVID-19 starting from the day on which the first infected cases of COVID-19 in each of these countries is diagnosed to the date August 19, 2020.

Materials and Methods:
This study includes data such as the newly infected cases, new deaths, cumulative infected cases, and cumulative deaths due to COVID-19 starting from the day on which the first infected case of COVID-19 in each of these countries is diagnosed to the date August 19, 2020, in the top 10 most affected countries. The data were obtained from World Health Organization (WHO) website. To fit the data into a regression model, IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 was used. The linear, logarithmic, quadratic, and cubic curves were fitted to the newly infected COVID-19 cases and daily deaths due to COVID-19. In choosing the best-fitted model, the coefficient of determination (R-square) was used.

Results:
Cubic regression model is the best fit model for new infected COVID-19 cases as well as COVID-19 deaths. It has the highest R-square value as compared to the linear, logarithmic and quadratic.

Conclusion:
To control the spread of infection, there is a need for aggressive control strategies from the administrative departments of all countries.