bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of influenza and COVID-19–associated hospitalizations among children < 18 years old in the United States — FluSurv-NET (October–April 2017–2021) and COVID-NET (October 2020–September 2021)
Authors: Delahoy Miranda J. , Ujamaa Dawud , Taylor Christopher A. , Cummings Charisse , Anglin Onika , Holstein Rachel , Milucky Jennifer , O’Halloran Alissa , Patel Kadam , Pham Huong , Whitaker Michael , Reingold Arthur , Chai Shua J. , Alden Nisha B. , Kawasaki Breanna , Meek James , Yousey-Hindes Kimberly , Anderson Evan J. , Openo Kyle P. , Weigel Andy , Teno Kenzie , Reeg Libby , Leegwater Lauren , Lynfield Ruth , McMahon Melissa , Ropp Susan , Rudin Dominic , Muse Alison , Spina Nancy , Bennett Nancy M. , Popham Kevin , Billing Laurie M. , Shiltz Eli , Sutton Melissa , Thomas Ann , Schaffner William , Talbot H. Keipp , Crossland Melanie T. , McCaffrey Keegan , Hall Aron J. , Burns Erin , McMorrow Meredith , Reed Carrie , Havers Fiona P. , Garg Shikha 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundInfluenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 are significant causes of respiratory illness in children.MethodsInfluenza and COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among children <18 years old were analyzed from FluSurv-NET and COVID-NET, two population-based surveillance systems with similar catchment areas and methodology. The annual COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate per 100 000 during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (October 1, 2020–September 30, 2021) was compared to influenza-associated hospitalization rates during the 2017–18 through 2019–20 influenza seasons. In-hospital outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death, were compared.ResultsAmong children <18 years old, the COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate (48.2) was higher than influenza-associated hospitalization rates: 2017–18 (33.5), 2018–19 (33.8), and 2019–20 (41.7). The COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate was higher among adolescents 12–17 years old (COVID-19: 59.9; influenza range: 12.2-14.1), but similar or lower among children 5–11 (COVID-19: 25.0; influenza range: 24.3-31.7) and 0–4 (COVID-19: 66.8; influenza range: 70.9-91.5) years old. Among children <18 years old, a higher proportion with COVID-19 required ICU admission compared with influenza (26.4% vs 21.6%; p<0.01). Pediatric deaths were uncommon during both COVID-19- and influenza-associated hospitalizations (0.7% vs 0.5%; p=0.28).ConclusionsIn the setting of extensive mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate during 2020–2021 was higher among adolescents and similar or lower among children <12 years old compared with influenza during the three seasons before the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 adds substantially to the existing burden of pediatric hospitalizations and severe outcomes caused by influenza and other respiratory viruses.SummaryAnnual hospitalization rates and proportions of hospitalized children experiencing severe outcomes were as high or higher for COVID-19 during October 2020–September 2021 compared with influenza during the three seasons before the COVID-19 pandemic, based on U.S. population-based surveillance data.
Pharmaceutical Payments to Japanese Board-Certified Infectious Disease Specialists: A Four-year Retrospective Analysis of Payments from 92 Pharmaceutical Companies between 2016 and 2019
Authors: Murayama Anju , Kamamoto Sae , Yamada Kohki , Bhandari Divya , Shoji Iori , Mamada Hanano , Kawashima Moe , Yamashita Erika , Saito Hiroaki , Kusumi Eiji , Sawano Toyoaki , Sapkota Binaya , Tanimoto Tetsuya , Ozaki Akihiko 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveConflict of interest with pharmaceutical companies is one of the most contentious issues in infectious diseases. However, there is a lack of whole picture of detailed payments in Japan.Study Design and SettingThis retrospective study assessed financial relationships between pharmaceutical companies and all infectious disease specialists board-certified by the Japanese Association for Infectious Disease, using publicly disclosed payment data from 92 pharmaceutical companies. Descriptive analyses were conducted for the payments. Payment trends were examined by the generalized estimating equations.ResultsOf 1614 board-certified infection disease specialists, 1,055 (65.4%) received a total of $17,784,070 payments, corresponding to 21,680 cases between 2016 and 2019. The mean±SD and median (interquartile range: IQR) were $16,857±$45,010 and $3,183 ($938□$11,250) in payments. All board executive members of Japanese Association of Infectious Disease received higher payments averaging $163,792. There were no significant changes in payments per specialist (annual change rate: -1.4% [95% CI: -4.7□2.3%], p=0.48) and prevalence of specialists with payments (annual change rate: -1.4% [95% CI: -3.1%□0.2%], p=0.093) over the four years.ConclusionThere were substantial financial relationships between pharmaceutical companies and board-certified infectious disease specialists in Japan. Such personal payments must be restricted to a certain level to avoid potential conflict of interest.
Symptoms of depression and anxiety among Vietnamese immigrants in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional web-based study
Authors: Yamashita Tadashi , Quy Pham Nguyen , Nogami Emi , Seto-Suh Erina , Yamada Chika , Iwamoto Saori , Shimazawa Kyoko , Kato Kenji 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundMental health among immigrants in Japan may be related to aspects of COVID-19 infection as well as pandemic-related lifestyle changes, investigating mental health status among Vietnamese residents remains an important public health concern. The mental health status of Vietnamese immigrants in Japan during the COVID-19 epidemic remains unclear. We aimed to examine the mental health status and related factors among Vietnamese immigrants in Japan during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using data from an online cross-sectional survey administered from September 21 to October 21, 2021.MethodsPatient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores were considered the main outcome measures. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors related to symptoms of depression and anxiety, and the chosen variables were entered simultaneously in the survey.ResultsAmong 621 participants (age: 26.0±4.8 years; male: 347 [55.9%]) who completed the questionnaire, 73.7% reported a decrease in income when compared with the period before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 60.4% reported being recently affected by poor socioeconomic status. Moderate to severe symptoms of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 points) and mild-to-severe symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7 score ≥5 points) were observed in 203 (32.7%) and 285 (45.9%) individuals, respectively. Factors related to depressive symptoms were age (odds ratio [OR]=0.94, p=0.043), pre-existing health conditions (OR=2.46, p<0.001), and subjective socioeconomic status (OR=2.47, p<0.001). Factors related to anxiety symptoms were being single (OR=1.72, p=0.044), pre-existing health conditions (OR=2.52, p<0.001), subjective socioeconomic status (OR=2.72, p<0.001), and a partner with whom to discuss one’s health (OR=1.66, p=0.013).ConclusionsThe current findings demonstrate that, when compared with non-Vietnamese Japanese people, people with Vietnamese backgrounds experienced a decrease in income, worsening working conditions, and poor mental health status during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the potential contribution of low socioeconomic status and social isolation to poor mental health status.
Risks for death after admission to pediatric intensive care (PICU) - a comparison with the general population
Authors: Hamrin Tova Hannegård , Eksborg Staffan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjective/AimThe aim of the study was to investigate the mortality rate in children after admission to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), compared to the matched general Swedish population.DesignSingle-center, retrospective cohort study.SettingRegistry study of hospital registers, a national population register and Statistics Sweden.PatientsChildren admitted to a tertiary PICU in Sweden in 2008-2016.InterventionsNoneMain ResultsIn total, 6,487 admissions (4,682 patients) were included in the study. During the study period 444 patients died. Median follow-up time for the entire PICU cohort was 7.2 years (IQR 5.0-9.9 years). Patients were divided into four different age groups (0–28 d, > 28 d -1 yr, > 1–4 yr, and > 4 yr) and four different risk stratification groups [Predicted Death Rate (PDR) intervals: 0–10%, > 10–25%, > 25–50%, and > 50%] at admission. Readmission was seen in 929 (19.8%) patients. The Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were calculated using the matched Swedish population as a reference group. The SMR for the entire study group was 49.8 (95% CI: 44.8-55.4). For patients with repeated PICU admissions SMR was 108.0 (95% CI: 91.9-126.9), and after four years 33.9 (95% CI: 23.9-48.0). Patients with a single admission had a SMR of 35.2 (95% CI: 30.5-40.6), and after four years 11.0 (95% CI: 7.0-17.6). The highest SMRs were seen in readmitted children with oncology/hematology (SMR=358) and neurologic (SMR=192) diagnosis. Children aged >1-4 years showed the highest SMR (325). In PDR group 0-10% children with repeated PICU admissions (n=798), had a SMR of 100.ConclusionSMRs were greatly elevated up to four years after PICU admission, declining from over 100 to 33 for patients with repeated PICU admissions, and from 35 to 11 for patients with a single PICU admission, compared to the matched Swedish population.
Longitudinal associations between perceived stress and anhedonia during psychotherapy
Authors: Phillips Rachel , Walsh Erin , Jensen Todd , Nagy Gabriela , Kinard Jessica , Cernasov Paul , Smoski Moria , Dichter Gabriel 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundChronic stress alters reward sensitivity and contributes to the emergence of anhedonia. In clinical samples, the perception of stress is a strong predictor of anhedonia. While there is substantial evidence demonstrating psychotherapy reduces perceived stress, little is known regarding the effects of treatment-related decreases in perceived stress on anhedonia.MethodsThe current study investigated reciprocal relations between perceived stress and anhedonia using a cross-lagged panel model approach in a 15-week clinical trial examining the effects of Behavioral Activation Treatment for Anhedonia (BATA), a novel psychotherapy to treat anhedonia, compared to a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) comparison intervention (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers NCT02874534 and NCT04036136).ResultsTreatment completers (n=72) experienced significant reductions in anhedonia (M=-8.94, SD=5.66) on the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (t(71)=13.39, p<.0001), and significant reductions in perceived stress (M=-3.71, SD=3.88) on the Perceived Stress Scale (t(71)=8.11, p<.0001) following treatment. Across all treatment-seeking participants (n=87), a longitudinal autoregressive cross-lagged model revealed significant paths showing that higher levels of perceived stress at treatment Week 1 predicted reductions in anhedonia at treatment Week 4.ConclusionsLongitudinal models illustrated that individuals with relatively high perceived stress at the start of treatment were likely to report relatively lower anhedonia a few weeks into treatment. At mid-treatment, individuals with low perceived stress were more likely to report lower anhedonia towards the end of treatment. Early treatment components are thought to reduce perceived stress, allowing for mid-to-late treatment components to exert their direct effects on anhedonia. The findings presented here demonstrate the importance of including stress-reducing components in cognitive-behavioral-based anhedonia treatments.
A novel Vps34 complex constrains loop extrusion-mediated P-H2A spreading
Authors: Chen Hui , Feng Tingting , Liu Simu , Zhu Wei-Guo 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTThe establishment of appropriate phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) foci is required for the precise initiation of DNA damage response (DDR) signaling, which contributes to the efficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB)1. Therefore, it is important to understand exactly how γH2AX foci are established in response to DSB. Recently, an attractive mechanism has been proposed to explain this process2. DSB-anchored cohesin-mediated loop extrusion promotes H2AX-containing chromatin to pass through DSB-recruited ATM, by which H2AX is phosphorylated to form γH2AX foci on each side of the DSB. The loop extrusion-promoted enlargement of γH2AX-modified chromatin is halted upon cohesin encountering boundary factors such as CTCF. This cohesin-dependent mechanism was shown to be conserved among eukaryotic cells, because deletion of the cohesin regulator Pds5 in budding yeast also results in extended spreading of phosphorylated H2A at Ser129 (P-H2A)2. However, yeast lacks CTCF or CTCF-like boundary factors that restrict cohesion-mediated loop extrusion. Here, we report a novel vacuolar sorting protein 34 (Vps34) complex, which might function as a boundary factor that constrains cohesin-dependent loop extrusion-mediated P-H2A spreading.
Recombinant annexin A6 promotes membrane repair in a stem cell derived-cardiomyocyte model of dystrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Fullenkamp Dominic E. , Willis Alexander B. , Curtin Jodi L. , Amaral Ansel P. , Harris Sloane I. , Burridge Paul W. , Demonbreun Alexis R. , McNally Elizabeth M. 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTHeart failure is a major source of mortality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD arises from mutations that ablate expression of the protein dystrophin, which render the plasma membrane unusually fragile and prone to disruption. In DMD patients, repeated mechanical stress leads to membrane damage and cardiomyocyte loss. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) offer the opportunity to study specific mutations in the context of a human cell, but these models can be improved by adding physiologic stressors. We modeled the primary defect underlying DMD by applying equibiaxial mechanical strain to DMD iPSC-CMs. DMD iPSC-CMs demonstrated an increased susceptibility to equibiaxial strain after 2 hours at 10% strain relative to healthy control cells, measured as increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. After 24 hours, both DMD and healthy control iPSC-CMs showed evidence of injury with release of LDH and cardiac troponin T. We exposed iPSC-CMs to recombinant annexin A6, a protein resealing agent, and found reduced LDH and troponin release in DMD and control iPSC-CMs that had been subjected to 24 hour strain at 10%. We used aptamer protein profiling of media collected from DMD and control iPSC-CMs and compared these results to serum protein profiling from DMD patients. We found a strong correlation between the proteins in DMD patient serum and media from DMD iPSC-CMs subjected to mechanical stress. By developing an injury assay that specifically targets an underlying mechanism of injury seen in DMD-related cardiomyopathy, we demonstrated the potential therapeutic efficacy of the protein membrane resealer, recombinant annexin A6, for the treatment of DMD-related cardiomyopathy and general cardiac injury.
Fear of the new? Geckos hesitate to attack novel prey, feed near objects and enter a novel space
Authors: Szabo Birgit , Ringler Eva 
Published: March 2022

AbstractNeophobia, the fear of novelty, is an ecologically important response which enables animals to avoid potentially harmful situations. Low levels of neophobia have been linked to elevated dispersal/ migration, invasiveness and living in human modified landscapes albeit only in birds and mammals. In this study, we assessed neophobia in captive Tokay geckos (Gekko gecko). We expected to find low neophobia in our geckos because they are invasive and adopt well to anthropogenic environments. This species is, however, also both predator and prey in the wild which might select for higher neophobia. We tested neophobia in three contexts: attacking novel prey, foraging near novel objects and entering a novel space. We aimed to quantify (1) neophobia in these contexts, (2) individual consistency across trials using different novel stimuli, and (3) correlation of individual responses across the three contexts. We found that geckos hesitate to attack novel prey and prey close to objects (familiar and novel). Geckos hesitated the most when entering novel space and repeatability of behaviour across contexts was low (R = 0.12) indicating that neophobia might not be a single trait. The strength of a neophobic response can indicate how anxious or curious an individual is. This test has great potential to help answer questions about how captivity, enrichment, rearing environment and cognition affect fear responses in different contexts in lizards. By studying reptiles, we can better understand the universality of what is known about the causes leading to difference in neophobia across individuals and species.
Altered excitatory and inhibitory neuronal subpopulation parameters are distinctly associated with tau and amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ranasinghe Kamalini G , Verma Parul , Cai Chang , Xie Xihe , Kudo Kiwamu , Gao Xiao , Lerner Hannah , Mizuiri Danielle , Strom Amelia , Iaccarino Leonardo , La Joie Renaud , Miller Bruce L , Gorno-Tempini Maria Luisa , Rankin Katherine P , Jagust William J , Vossel Keith , Rabinovici Gil D , Raj Ashish , Nagarajan Srikantan S 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundNeuronal and circuit level abnormalities of excitation and inhibition are shown to be associated with tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ) in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These relationships remain poorly understood in patients with AD.MethodsUsing empirical spectra from magnetoencephalography (MEG) and computational modeling (neural mass model; NMM) we examined excitatory and inhibitory parameters of neuronal subpopulations and investigated their specific associations to regional tau and Aβ, measured by positron emission tomography (PET), in patients with AD.ResultsPatients with AD showed abnormal excitatory and inhibitory time-constants and neural gains compared to age-matched controls. Increased excitatory time-constants distinctly correlated with higher tau depositions while increased inhibitory time-constants distinctly correlated with higher Aβ depositions.ConclusionsOur results provide critical insights about potential mechanistic links between abnormal neural oscillations and cellular correlates of impaired excitatory and inhibitory synaptic functions associated with tau and Aβ in patients with AD.FundingThis study was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants: K08AG058749 (KGR), F32AG050434-01A1 (KGR), K23 AG038357 (KAV), P50 AG023501, P01 AG19724 (BLM), P50-AG023501 (BLM & GDR), R01 AG045611 (GDR); AG034570, AG062542 (WJ); NS100440 (SSN), DC176960 (SSN), DC017091 (SSN), AG062196 (SSN); a grant from John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation (KAV); grants from Larry L. Hillblom Foundation: 2015-A-034-FEL and (KGR); 2019-A-013-SUP (KGR); a grant from the Alzheimer’s Association: (PCTRB-13-288476) (KAV), and made possible by Part the CloudTM, (ETAC-09-133596); a grant from Tau Consortium (GDR & WJJ), and a gift from the S. D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation.
Vocalization categorization behavior explained by a feature-based auditory categorization model
Authors: Kar Manaswini , Pernia Marianny , Williams Kayla , Parida Satyabrata , Schneider Nathan A. , McAndrew Madelyn , Kumbam Isha , Sadagopan Srivatsun 
Published: March 2022

AbstractVocal animals produce multiple categories of calls with high between- and within-subject variability, over which listeners must generalize to accomplish call categorization. The behavioral strategies and neural mechanisms that support this ability to generalize are largely unexplored. We previously proposed a theoretical model that accomplished call categorization by detecting features of intermediate complexity that best contrasted each call category from all other categories. We further demonstrated that some neural responses in the primary auditory cortex were consistent with such a model. Here, we asked whether a feature-based model could predict call categorization behavior. We trained both the model and guinea pigs on call categorization tasks using natural calls. We then tested categorization by the model and guinea pigs using temporally and spectrally altered calls. Both the model and guinea pigs were surprisingly resilient to temporal manipulations, but sensitive to moderate frequency shifts. Critically, model performance quantitatively matched guinea pig behavior to a remarkable degree. By adopting different model training strategies and examining features that contributed to solving specific tasks, we could gain insight into possible strategies used by animals to categorize calls. Our results validate a model that uses the detection of intermediate-complexity contrastive features to accomplish call categorization.
Methionine uptake via SLC43A2 transporter is essential for regulatory T lymphocyte survival
Authors: Naaz Afsana , Saini Neetu , Padma Shree , Gahlot Pinki , Walvekar Adhish , Dutta Anupam , Davathamizhan Umamaheshwari , Sarin Apurva , Laxman Sunil 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIt is increasingly clear that cell death, survival or growth decisions of T lymphocyte subsets depend on interplay between cytokine-dependent and metabolic processes. What the metabolic requirements of T regulatory cells (Tregs) for their survival are, and how these requirements are satisfied remain to be fully understood. In this study, we identified a necessary requirement of methionine uptake and utilization for Tregs survival upon interleukin 2 (IL-2) deprivation. Activated Tregs have high methionine uptake and consumption to S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) and S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH). This methionine uptake is essential for Tregs survival, and is regulated by Notch1 activity. Notch1 controls the expression of the solute carrier protein SLC43A2 transporter during IL-2 deprivation. SLC43A2 is necessary for sufficient methionine uptake, and determines Tregs viability upon IL-2 withdrawal. Collectively, we identify a specifically regulated mechanism of methionine import in Tregs that is necessary for the survival of these cells. This highlights the need for methionine availability and metabolism in contextually regulating cell death in an immunosuppressive population of T lymphocytes.