bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated plasma phosphorylated tau 181 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis relates to lower motor neuron dysfunction
Authors: Cousins Katheryn A.Q. , Shaw Leslie M. , Shellikeri Sanjana , Dratch Laynie , Rosario Luis , Elman Lauren B. , Quinn Colin , Amado Defne A. , Wolk David A. , Tropea Thomas F. , Chen-Plotkin Alice , Irwin David J. , Grossman Murray , Lee Edward B. , Trojanowski John Q. , McMillan Corey T. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectivePlasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau181) is reliably elevated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but less explored is its specificity relative to other neurodegenerative conditions. Here we find novel evidence that plasma p-tau181 is elevated in amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative condition typically lacking tau pathology. We performed a detailed clinical evaluation to unravel the potential source of this unexpected observation.MethodsPatients were clinically or pathologically diagnosed with ALS (n=130) or AD (n=82), or were healthy non-impaired controls (n=33). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed and area under the curve (AUC) was used to discriminate AD from ALS. Within ALS, Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon tests compared analytes by presence/absence of upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) signs. Spearman correlations tested associations between plasma p-tau181 and postmortem neuron loss.ResultsA Wilcoxon test showed plasma p-tau181 was higher in ALS than controls (W=3297, p=0.0000020), and ROC analyses showed plasma p-tau181 poorly discriminated AD and ALS (AUC=0.60). In ALS, elevated plasma p-tau181 was associated with LMN signs in cervical (W=827, p=0.0072), thoracic (W=469, p=0.00025), and lumbosacral regions (W=851, p=0.0000029). In support of LMN findings, plasma p-tau181 was associated with neuron loss in the spinal cord (rho=0.46, p=0.017), but not in the motor cortex (p=0.41). CSF p-tau181 and plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) were included as reference analytes, and demonstrate specificity of findings.InterpretationWe found strong evidence that plasma p-tau181 is elevated in ALS and may be a novel marker specific to LMN dysfunction.
COVID-19 and Curcumin: Using VOSviewer software to explore scientific landscapes – A bibliometric analysis
Authors: El Wahab Mostafa H. Abd 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundCurcumin is derived from Turmeric which is a spice with an old history in the oriental world. For this reason, it was a subject for continuous research over years and some studies reported preliminary positive results in arthritis and metabolic syndrome. When COVID-19 declared as a global pandemic, debates exploded again regarding its effects in mitigating deleterious effects of the viral infection. However, being a traditional remedy flooded readers with thousands of publications, some of these was scientifically rigid and others were fraudulent. We aim to use VOSviewer software to visualize scientific landscape in this topic, to highlight the trends and identify main supporting bodies.MethodsWe searched Web of Science (WOS) core collection database for publications between December 2019 and April 2022. Data collected include: year of publication, keywords, type of the document, author names, affiliations, abstracts and number of citations. VOSviewer 1.6.18 was used to analyze co-citation, co-occurrence, and publication trends. Analysis considered one weight attribute which is “total link strength attributes”.ResultsA total of 205 publications (N=205) were included in the analysis. Most studies were original research articles (50.7%). Mean citation count of the top 10 cited articles was 37.9 (range 22 and 111). Country of corresponding author of these 10 studies was India in 5 (50%), Iran in 3 (30%). Organizational analysis revealed 5 Iranian universities as being the main research bodies with total link strengths (TLS) of 100. Co-occurrence of keywords identified “viral inhibition, oxidative stress, molecular docking, NF-kB pathway” as the most frequent mentioned keywords. Trend analysis showed negative trend with less publications covering this topic, chronologically.ConclusionCurcumin resided within the oriental tradition for years, it is no surprise that main supporting bodies were oriental. VOSviewer provides an easy, user-friendly options to handle bibliographic data.
Patient and Provider Perceptions of a Community-Based Accompaniment Intervention for Adolescents Transitioning to Adult HIV Care in Urban Peru: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Galea Jerome T. , Wong Milagros , Ninesling Brennan , Ramos Alicia , Senador Liz , Sanchez Hugo , Kolevic Lenka , Matos Eduardo , Sanchez Eduardo , Errea Renato A. , Lindeborg Andrew , Benites Carlos , Lecca Leonid , Shin Sonya , Franke Molly F. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroductionAdolescents living with HIV (ALWH) experience higher mortality rates compared to other age groups, exacerbated by suboptimal transition from pediatric to adult HIV care in which decreased adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and unsuppressed viremia are frequent. Care transition—a process lasting months or years—ideally prepares ALWH for adult care and can be improved by interventions that are youth-friendly and address psychosocial issues affecting ART adherence; however, such interventions are infrequently operationalized. Community-based accompaniment (CBA), in which laypeople provide individualized support and health system navigation, can improve health outcomes among adults with HIV. Here, we describe patient and provider perceptions of a novel HIV CBA intervention called “PASEO” for ALWH in Lima, Peru.MethodsPASEO consisted of six core elements designed to support ALWH before, during, and after transition to adult HIV care. Community-based health workers provided tailored accompaniment for ALWH aged 15-21 years over 9 months, after which adolescent participants were invited to provide feedback in a focus group or in-depth interview. HIV care personnel were also interviewed to understand their perspectives on PASEO. A semi-structured interview guide probing known acceptability constructs was used. Qualitative data were analyzed using a Framework Analysis approach and emergent themes were summarized with illustrative quotes.ResultsWe conducted 5 focus groups and 11 in-depth interviews among N=26 ALWH and 9 key-informant interviews with HIV care personnel. ALWH participants included those with both vertically- and behaviorally acquired HIV. ALWH praised PASEO, attributing increased ART adherence to the project. Improved mental health, independence, self-acceptance, and knowledge on how to manage their HIV were frequently cited. HIV professionals similarly voiced strong support of PASEO. Both ALWH and HIV professionals expressed hope that PASEO would be scaled. HIV professionals voiced concerns regarding financing PASEO in the future.ConclusionA multicomponent CBA intervention to increase ART adherence among ALWH in Peru was highly acceptable by ALWH and HIV program personnel. Future research should determine the efficacy and economic impact of the intervention.
The effect of antidepressants on severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nakhaee Hosein , Bayati Reza , Rahmanian Mohammad , Jolfayi Amir Ghaffari , Zangiabadian Moein , Rakhshanderou Sakineh 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroductionClinical depression and the subsequent low immunity is a comorbidity that can act as a risk factor for severity of COVID-19 cases. Antidepressants such as SSRI and SNRI are associated with immune-modulatory effects, which dismiss inflammatory response and reduce lung tissue damage. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of antidepressant drugs on prognosis and severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.MethodsA systematic search was carried out in PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus up to January 16, 2022. The following keywords were used: “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “2019-nCoV”, “SSRI”, “SNRI”, “TCA”, “MAOI”, and “Antidepressant”. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% CI was assessed using a fixed or random-effect model. We considered P < 0.05 as statistically significant for publication bias. Data were analyzed by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software, Version 2.0 (Biostat, Englewood, NJ).ResultsTwelve studies were included in our systematic review. Three of them were experimental with 1751, and nine of them were observational with 290,950 participants. Seven out of twelve articles revealed the effect of antidepressants on reducing severity of COVID-19. SSRI medications, including Fluvoxamine, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, and Paroxetine and also among the SNRI drugs Venlafaxine are also reasonably associated with reduced risk of intubation or death. There were four studies showing no significant effect and one study showing the negative effect of antidepressants on prognosis of covid-19. The meta-analysis on clinical trials showed that fluvoxamine could significantly decrease the severity outcomes of COVID-19 (RR: 0.745; 95% CI: 0.580-0.956)ConclusionsMost of the evidence supports that the use of antidepressant medications, mainly Fluvoxamine may decrease the severity and improve the outcome in hospitalizes patients with sars-cov-2. Some studies showed contradictory findings regarding the effects of antidepressants on severity of COVID-19. Further experimental studies should be conducted to clarify the effects of antidepressants on severity of COVID-19.
An umbrella review of the evidence linking oral health and systemic health: from the prevalence to clinical and circulating markers
Authors: Botelho João , Mascarenhas Paulo , Viana João , Proença Luís , Orlandi Marco , Leira Yago , Chambrone Leandro , Mendes José João , Machado Vanessa 
Published: April 2022

AbstractOral conditions are highly prevalent worldwide. Recent studies have been supporting a potential bidirectional association of oral disorders with systemic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Robust evidence supports the greater prevalence of oral conditions in people suffering from NCDs limiting the ability of oral self-care. As for the relationship with other NCDs, the lines of evidence have increased exponentially but not always with the proper coherence. This umbrella review of meta-analyses appraises the strength and validity of the evidence for the association between oral health and systemic health. An extensive search included systematic reviews that have provided meta-analytic estimates on the association of an oral condition with a NCD. The overall strength of evidence was found to be unfavorable and with methodological inconsistencies. Twenty-two NCDs, four types of cancer and circulating levels of CRP were strongly associated with oral diseases. Among the significant NCDs are diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, depression, neurodegenerative conditions, rheumatic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, gastric helicobacter pylori, stroke, obesity, diabetes mellitus or asthma. Most evidence is unlikely to change which indicates a relatively robust consistency of the available body of evidence.
A meta-epidemiological assessment of transparency indicators of infectious disease models
Authors: Zavalis Emmanuel A. , Ioannidis John P.A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMathematical models have become very influential, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data and code sharing are indispensable for reproducing them, protocol registration may be useful sometimes, and declarations of conflicts of interest (COIs) and of funding are quintessential for transparency. Here, we evaluated these features in publications of infectious disease-related models and assessed whether there were differences before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and for COVID-19 models versus models for other diseases. We analysed all PubMed Central open access publications of infectious disease models published in 2019 and 2021 using previously validated text mining algorithms of transparency indicators. We evaluated 1338 articles: 216 from 2019 and 1122 from 2021 (of which 818 were on COVID-19); almost a six-fold increase in publications within the field. 511 (39.2%) were compartmental models, 337 (25.2%) were time series, 279 (20.9%) were spatiotemporal, 186 (13.9%) were agent-based and 25 (1.9%) contained multiple model types. 288 (21.5%) articles shared code, 332 (24.8%) shared data, 6 (0.4%) were registered, and 1197 (89.5%) and 1109 (82.9%) contained COI and funding statements, respectively. There was no major changes in transparency indicators between 2019 and 2021. COVID-19 articles were less likely to have funding statements and more likely to share code. Manual assessment of 10% of the articles that were identified by the text mining algorithms as fulfilling transparency indicators showed that 24/29 (82.8%) actually shared code, 29/33 (87.9%) actually shared data; and all had COI and funding statements, but 95.8% disclosed no conflict and 11.7% reported no funding. On manual assessment, 5/6 articles identified as registered had indeed been registered. Transparency in infectious disease modelling is relatively low, especially for data and code sharing. This is concerning, considering the nature of this research and the heightened influence it has acquired.
Profile of Brazilian inpatients with COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infection and risk factors for unfavorable outcome
Authors: de Jesus Matheus A. S , Hojo-Souza Natália S. , de Moraes Thiago R. , Guidoni Daniel L. , de Souza Fernanda S. H 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveTo characterize the epidemiological and clinical profile of individuals more likely to become infected by SARS-CoV-2 after the fully vaccination schedule in order to profile priority groups to receive a booster dose in situations of vaccine doses shortage as well as for maintenance of personal protective care.MethodsData from hospitalized COVID-19 patients who had been fully vaccinated and had a SARS-CoV-2 infection positive diagnosis were collected from the SIVEP-Gripe database (Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System) from January 18, 2021 to September 15, 2021. Demographic data, clinical symptoms/signs and preexisting medical conditions (comorbidities) were analyzed. The primary outcome was in-hospital death.ResultsThe majority of hospitalized patients with vaccine breakthrough infection were elderly ≥ 60 years old, male, with critical or severe COVID-19. The fatality rate was extremely high (50.27%) and more pronounced in elderly groups. The most prevalent symptoms were cough, dyspnoea, respiratory distress, and low blood oxygen saturation. The most frequent comorbidities were heart disease and diabetes. High fatality rates were observed among patients admitted to the intensive care units (72.88%) and those who required invasive mechanical ventilation (87.82%). The main risk factors for an unfavorable outcome were older age, respiratory compromise, inactivated virus vaccine immunization, and preexisting medical conditions.ConclusionsWe characterize the profile of hospitalized Brazilian patients with COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infection and the risk factors for an unfavorable outcome. These data have made it possible to identify priority groups to receive a booster dose, in addition to not neglecting personal protection.
Longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and self-directed passive aggression: A random intercept cross-lagged panel analysis
Authors: Schanz Christian G. , Equit Monika , Schäfer Sarah K. , Michael Tanja 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundSelf-directed passive aggression (SD-PAB) is defined as any behaviour harming one-self by inactivity and omission of own needs. Depressive disorders are a severe mental disorder that results from the interaction between stress exposure, coping strategies, and vulnerability. Previous cross-sectional studies found SD-PAB to be associated with depressive symptoms and to represent a mediator of the relationship between cognitive risk factors and depressive symptoms. Therefore, SD-PAB may be a potential target of prevention or treatment in the context of depressive disorders. However, prospective studies on the relationship between depressive symptoms and SD-PAB are lacking. The current study aimed at closing this gap by examining the associations of subjective stress, SD-PAB, and depressive symptoms cross-sectionally and over time.MethodIn two assessment cohorts students participated three times [M1: start of the semester (n = 352); M2: start of the exam period (n = 293); M3 = end of the exam period (n = 276)] in an online survey (depressive symptoms; self-perceived stress; SD-PAB). Cross-sectional data was analysed using regression models. Longitudinal data was analysed using Random Intercept Cross-lagged Panel Models.ResultsAcross all time points, SD-PAB demonstrated a unique cross-sectional association with depressive symptoms when controlled for self-perceived stress (β = .27 – .33; all p’s < .001). Furthermore, at M2 [β = .14, t(289) = 3.71, p < .001] and M3 [β = .15, t(272) = 3.51, p < .001] the relationship between depressive symptoms and self-perceived stress was stronger for individuals reporting higher levels of SD-PAB. Depressive symptoms at M1 are a marginal significant predictor of SD-PAB at M2 (β = .31; p = .067) and depressive symptoms at M2 are a marginal significant predictor for SD-PAB at M3 (β = .17; p = .074). However, there was no evidence for SD-PAB predicting the course of depressive symptoms.ConclusionSD-PAB may represent a symptom of depressive disorders and a moderator of unsuccessful stress coping but does not predict the course of depressive symptoms over time.
Malaria and typhoid fever coinfection among patients presenting with febrile illnesses in Ga West Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Rufai Tanko , Aninagyei Enoch , Akuffo Kwadwo Owusu , Ayin Christian Teye-Muno , Nortey Priscillia , Quansah Reginald , Cudjoe Francis Samuel , Tei-Maya Ernest , Duah Junior Isaiah Osei , Danso-Appiah Anthony 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundMalaria and typhoid fever coinfection presents major public health problems especially in the tropics and sub-tropics where malaria and typhoid fever are co-endemic. Clinicians often treat both infections concurrently without laboratory confirmation. However, concurrent treatment has public health implications as irrational use of antibiotics or anti-malarials may lead to the emergence of drug resistance, unnecessary cost and exposure of patients to unnecessary side effects. This study determined the proportion of febrile conditions attributable to either malaria and/or typhoid fever and the susceptibility patterns of Salmonella spp. isolates to commonly used antimicrobial agents in Ghana.MethodsOne hundred and fifty-seven (157) febrile patients attending the Ga West Municipal Hospital, Ghana, from February to May 2017 were sampled. Blood samples were collected for cultivation of pathogenic bacteria and the susceptibility of the Salmonella isolates to antimicrobial agents was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method with antibiotic discs on Müller Hinton agar plates. For each sample, conventional Widal tests for the detection of Salmonella spp were done as well as blood film preparation for detection of Plasmodium spp. Data on the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants were collected using an android technology software kobo-collect by interview. Data were analyzed using Stata version 13 statistical Software. Logistic regression models were run to determine odds ratio (OR) and the direction of association between dependent and independent variables, setting p-value at <0.05 for statistical significance.ResultsOf the total number of patients aged 2–37 years (median age = 6 years, IQR 3–11), 82 (52.2%) were females. The proportion of febrile patients with falciparum malaria were 57/157 (36.3%), while Salmonella typhi O and H antigens were detected in 23/157 (14.6%) of the samples. The detection rate of Salmonella spp in febrile patients was 10/157 (6.4%). Malaria and typhoid fever coinfection using Widal test and blood culture was 9 (5.7%) and 3 (1.9%), respectively. The isolates were highly susceptible to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin but resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole, gentamicin, cefuroxime, chloramphenicol, and meropenem.ConclusionPlasmodium falciparum and Salmonella spp coinfections were only up to 1.9%, while malaria and typhoid fever, individually, were responsible for 36.3% and 6.4%, respectively. Treatment of febrile conditions must be based on laboratory findings in order not to expose patients to unnecessary side effects of antibiotics and reduce the emergence and spread of drug resistance against antibiotics.
Significance and clinical suggestions for the Somatosensory Evoked Potentials increased in amplitude revealed by a large sample of neurological patients
Authors: Sebastiano Davide Rossi , Cazzato Daniele , Visani Elisa , Bella Eleonora Dalla , Brambilla Laura , Devigili Grazia , Caroppo Paola , Maggi Lorenzo , Nanetti Lorenzo , Salsano Ettore , Canafoglia Laura , Canavero Isabella , Anghileri Elena , Bonfoco Deborah , Lanteri Paola 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between N20-P25 peak-to-peak amplitude (N20p-P25p) of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs) and the occurrence of abnormalities of the peripheral and/or central sensory pathways and of myoclonus/epilepsy, in 308 patients with increased SEPs amplitude from upper limbs stimulationMethodsWe compared cortical response (N20p-P25p) in different groups of patients identified by demographic, clinical and neurophysiological factors and performed a cluster analysis for classifying the natural occurrence of subgroups of patients.ResultsNo significant differences of N20p-P25p were found among different age-dependent groups, and in patients with or without PNS/CNS abnormalities of sensory pathways, while myoclonic/epileptic patients showed higher N20p-P25p than other groups. Cluster analysis identified four clusters including patients with myoclonus/epilepsy, patients with central sensory abnormalities, patients with peripheral sensory abnormalities, patients with neither myoclonus nor sensory abnormalities.ConclusionsIncreased N20p-P25p correlated to different pathophysiological conditions: strong cortical hyperexcitability in patients with cortical myoclonus and/or epilepsy and enlarged N20p-P25p, while milder increase of N20p-P25p could be underpinned by plastic cortical changes following abnormalities of sensory pathways, or degenerative process involving the cortex. SEPs increased in amplitude cannot be considered a specific correlated for myoclonus/epilepsy, but it in several neurological disorders may represent a sign of adaptive, plastic and/or degenerative cortical changes.
Regulation of Store-Operated Ca2+Entry by IP3Receptors Independent of Their Ability to Release Ca2+
Authors: Chakraborty Pragnya , Deb Bipan Kumar , Arige Vikas , Musthafa Thasneem , Malik Sundeep , Yule David I , Taylor Colin W. , Hasan Gaiti 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTLoss of endoplasmic reticular (ER) Ca2+activates store-operated Ca2+entry (SOCE) by causing the ER localized Ca2+sensor STIM to unfurl domains that activate Orai channels in the plasma membrane at membrane contact sites (MCS). Here we demonstrate a novel mechanism by which the inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), an ER-localized IP3-gated Ca2+channel, regulates neuronal SOCE. In human neurons, SOCE evoked by pharmacological depletion of ER-Ca2+is attenuated by loss of IP3Rs, and restored by expression of IP3Rs even when they cannot release Ca2+, but only if the IP3Rs can bind IP3. Imaging studies demonstrate that IP3Rs enhance association of STIM1 with Orai1 in neuronal cells with empty stores; this requires an IP3-binding site, but not a pore. Convergent regulation by IP3Rs, may tune neuronal SOCE to respond selectively to receptors that generate IP3.