bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preferential Mobilization of Colonic Hepatic Flexure Facilitates Pancreaticoduodenectomy Procedures
Authors: Liang Hongyin , Cheng Long , Yan Hongtao , Cui Jianfeng 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Several studies recommend that colonic hepatic flexure (CHF) should be mobilized preliminarily in minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, there are little data to support that preferential mobilization of the CHF can positively affect the perioperative events of PD. We aimed to assess the effect of preferential mobilization of the CHF in PD.

Methods:
A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent PD was performed between 2016 and 2019. Clinical characteristics, operative data, and postoperative surgical complications were recorded.

Results:
The study included 668 patients; 486 patients underwent open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) and 182 patients underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). Patients were divided into CHF-M (OPD, n=129; LPD, n=95) and conventional (OPD, n=357; LPD, n=87) groups according to preferential CHF mobilization. There were no differences between the groups regarding most demographics. Within patients who underwent OPD, decreased estimated blood loss (EBL) (251.2±146.4 vs. 307.3±173.5 mL, P<0.05) was observed in CHF-M group. Within patients who underwent LPD, operative time (328.7±66.3 vs. 406.5±85.5 min, P<0.001), EBL (166.8±96.4 vs. 271.8±130.7 mL, P<0.001), the incidence of clinically relevant pancreaticfistula (7.4% vs. 23.0%, P<0.05), and length of stay (12.3±5.1 vs. 16.0±7.4 d, P<0.05) were decreased in CHF-M group. Moreover, patients with high body mass index who underwent LPD showed more significant differences in operative time (336.0±67.7 vs. 431.9±79.1, P<0.001) and EBL (179.6±97.8 vs. 278.2±135.6, P<0.001) between groups.

Conclusion:
We first demonstrated that preferential mobilization of the CHF can facilitate PD. The patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery and the patients with high body mass index may benefit more from this technique.
The Feasibility and Potential Advantages of Laparoscopic Management of Incarcerated Obturator Hernia Over the Open Approach
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Yuan Jianmao , Gu Zhigang , Tu Zhengbin , Huang Weixian , Shen Genhai 
Published: December 2021

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and potential advantages of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of incarcerated obturator hernia (IOH).

Materials and Methods:
Clinical data of 23 patients with IOH who underwent emergency surgery at our hospital from June 2015 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics and surgery outcomes were compared between the laparoscopic group, open group, and the previously published data.

Results:
Twelve patients with IOH were treated by laparoscopic management, while 11 patients with IOH underwent open surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative general data between the 2 groups, while the laparoscopic group had less intraoperative blood loss, shorter postoperative hospital stay, and lower postoperative complications compared with open group. Furthermore, when compared with the open group reported in previous literature, which showed similar conclusions.

Conclusion:
Laparoscopic surgery for IOH showed more favorable advantages including less intraoperative blood loss, shorter postoperative hospital stay, and lower postoperative complications compared with an open approach, which is a safe and feasible minimally invasive strategy and has certain advantages.
Deoxycholic acid liganded HBs contributes to HBV maturation
Authors: Gao Yuxue , Ning Qiqi , Yang Pengxiang , Zhang Yulin , Guan Yuanyue , Liu Ning , Ben Haijing , Wang Yang , Liu Mengcheng , Yang Tongwang , Cai Yuying , Hu Zhongjie , Jiang Mengxi , Chen Dexi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the underlying mechanism of HBV maturation and subviral particle production is critical to control HBV infection and develop new antiviral strategies. Here, we demonstrate that deoxycholic acid (DCA) plays a central role in HBV production. HBV infection increased DCA levels, whereas elimination of DCA-producing microbiome decreased HBV viral load. DCA can bind to HBs antigen via LXXLL motif at TM1 and TM2 region to regulate HBs-HBc interaction and the production of mature HBV. Plasma DCA levels from patients undergoing antiviral therapy were significantly higher in those with positive HBV viral load. These results suggest that intestinal DCA-producing microbiome can affect the efficiency of antiviral therapy and provide a potential novel strategy for HBV antiviral therapy.One Sentence SummaryWe demonstrate that DCA-promoted HBs-HBc interaction and contributes to HBV maturation.
Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test for bronchoalveolar lavage
Authors: Phan Tung , Mays Ashley , McCullough Melissa , Wells Alan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAccurate and rapid laboratory tests are essential for the prompt diagnosis of COVID-19, which is important to patients and infection control. The Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test is a real-time RT-PCR intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in upper respiratory specimens. In this study, we assessed the analytical and clinical performance characteristics of this rapid test for SARS-CoV-2 in 60 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens. BAL is a specimen type that is not authorized under EUA for the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test. The limit of detection of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test was 500 copies/ml. The overall agreement of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test was 100%. The Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test is sensitive and specific to aid in diagnosis of COVID-19 using bronchoalveolar lavage.
Disentangling Socioeconomic Status and Race in Infant Outcomes: A Neural Network Analysis
Authors: Sarullo Kathryn , Barch Deanna M. , Smyser Christopher D. , Rogers Cynthia , Warner Barbara B. , Miller J. Philip , England Sarah K. , Luby Joan , Swamidass S. Joshua 
Published: December 2021

AbstractRace is commonly used as a proxy for multiple features including socioeconomic status. It is critical to dissociate these factors, identify mechanisms that impact infant outcomes, such as birthweight, and direct appropriate interventions and shape public policy. Demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical variables were used to model infant birthweight. Non-linear neural networks better model infant birthweight than linear models (R2 = 0.172 vs. R2 = 0.145, p-value=0.005). In contrast to linear models, non-linear models ranked income, neighborhood disadvantage, and experiences of discrimination higher in importance while modeling birthweight than race. Consistent with extant social science literature, findings suggest race is a linear proxy for non-linear factors. The ability to disentangle and identify the source of effects for socioeconomic status and other social factors that often correlate with race is critical for the ability to appropriately target interventions and public policies designed to improve infant outcomes as well as point out the disparities in these outcomes.
Soluble immune checkpoints are dysregulated in COVID-19 and heavy alcohol users with HIV infection
Authors: Li Wei , Syed Fahim , Yu Richard , Yang Jing , Xia Ying , Relich Ryan F. , Zhang Shanxiang , Khalili Mandana , Huang Laurence , Kacena Melissa A. , Zheng Xiaoqun , Yu Qigui 
Published: December 2021

AbstractImmune checkpoints (ICPs) consist of paired receptor-ligand molecules that exert inhibitory or stimulatory effects on immune defense, surveillance, regulation, and self-tolerance. ICPs exist in both membrane and soluble formsin vivoandin vitro. Imbalances between inhibitory and stimulatory membrane-bound ICPs (mICPs) in malignant cells and immune cells in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) have been well documented. Blockades of inhibitory mICPs have emerged as an immense breakthrough in cancer therapeutics. However, the origin, structure, production regulation, and biological significance of soluble ICPs (sICPs) in health and disease largely remains elusive. Soluble ICPs can be generated through either alternative mRNA splicing and secretion or protease-mediated shedding from mICPs. Since sICPs are found in the bloodstream, they likely form a circulating immune regulatory system. In fact, there is increasing evidence that sICPs exhibit biological functions including (1) regulation of antibacterial immunity, (2) interaction with their mICP compartments to positively or negatively regulate immune responses, and (3) competition with their mICP compartments for binding to the ICP blocking antibodies, thereby reducing the efficacy of ICP blockade therapies. Here, we summarize current data of sICPs in cancer and infectious diseases. We particularly focus on sICPs in COVID-19 and HIV infection as they are the two ongoing global pandemics and have created the world’s most serious public health challenges. A “storm” of sICPs occurs in the peripheral circulation of COVID-19 patients and is associated with the severity of COVID-19. Similarly, sICPs are highly dysregulated in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and some sICPs remain dysregulated in PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART), indicating these sICPs may serve as biomarkers of incomplete immune reconstitution in PLHIV on ART. We reveal that HIV infection in the setting of alcohol abuse exacerbates sICP dysregulation as PLHIV with heavy alcohol consumption have significantly elevated plasma levels of many sICPs. Thus, both stimulatory and inhibitory sICPs are present in the bloodstream of healthy people and their balance can be disrupted under pathophysiological conditions such as cancer, COVID-19, HIV infection, and alcohol abuse. There is an urgent need to study the role of sICPs in immune regulation in health and disease.
Characteristics and outcomes of cases of children and adolescents with pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome in a tertiary care center in Mexico City
Authors: Guevara Ricardo Gil , de Lourdes Marroquín Yáñez María , Jiménez-Juárez Rodolfo Norberto , Lopez Víctor Olivar , Chávez Lopez Adrián , Monge Juan José Luis Sienra , del Carmen Jamaica Balderas Lourdes Maria , Herrera Silvia Alexandra Martínez , Domínguez-Barrera Clemen , Orellana Julio Erdmenger , González Horacio Márquez , Klünder-Klünder Miguel , Zermeño Jaime Nieto , Guillen Mónica Villa , García Nadia González , Castilla-Peon Maria F 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundpediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) is a complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children that resembles Kawasaki syndrome and places them at high risk of cardiorespiratory instability and/or cardiac damage. This study aims to describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of patients with PIMS in Mexico City.MethodsThis was an observational study of children hospitalized for PIMS based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case definition criteria, in a single tertiary care pediatric center in Mexico City between May 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Demographic characteristics, epidemiological data, medical history, laboratory tests, cardiology evaluations, treatment, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.ResultsSeventy-five cases fulfilled the case definition criteria for PIMS (median age: 10.9 years, Interquartile range [IQR]: 5.6–15.6). Fifteen (20%) patients had a severe underlying disease, 48 (64%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, 33 (44%) required invasive mechanical ventilation and 39 (52%) received vasopressor support. The patients were clustered through latent class analysis based on identified symptoms: Cluster 1 had rash or gastrointestinal symptoms (n = 60) and cluster 2 were those with predominantly respiratory manifestations (n = 15). Two patients (2.7%) died, and both had severe underlying conditions. Five patients (6.7%), all from cluster 1, developed coronary aneurysms.ConclusionThere were a high proportion of patients with severe respiratory involvement and positive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 and very few cases of coronary aneurysms in our study which suggests that a high proportion of the children had severe acute COVID-19. The clinical manifestations and outcomes are comparable to previously reported international studies.
Prediction of ADHD diagnosis using brief, low-cost, clinical measures: a competitive model evaluation
Authors: Mooney Michael A. , Neighbor Christopher , Karalunas Sarah , Dieckmann Nathan F. , Nikolas Molly , Nousen Elizabeth , Tipsord Jessica , Song Xubo , Nigg Joel T. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTProper diagnosis of ADHD is costly, requiring in-depth evaluation via interview, multi-informant and observational assessment, and scrutiny of possible other conditions. The increasing availability of data may allow the development of machine-learning algorithms capable of accurate diagnostic predictions using low-cost measures. We report on the performance of multiple classification methods used to predict a clinician-consensus ADHD diagnosis. Classification methods ranged from fairly simple (e.g., logistic regression) to more complex (e.g., random forest), and also included a multi-stage Bayesian approach. All methods were evaluated in two large (N>1000), independent cohorts. The multi-stage Bayesian classifier provides an intuitive approach that is consistent with clinical workflows, and is able to predict ADHD diagnosis with high accuracy (>86%)—though not significantly better than other commonly used classifiers, including logistic regression. Results suggest that data from parent and teacher surveys is sufficient for high-confidence classifications in the vast majority of cases using relatively straightforward methods.
Monoclonal antibody treatment drives rapid culture conversion in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Boucau Julie , Chew Kara W. , Choudhary Manish , Deo Rinki , Regan James , Flynn James P. , Crain Charles R. , Hughes Michael D. , Ritz Justin , Moser Carlee , Dragavon Joan A. , Javan Arzhang C. , Nirula Ajay , Klekotka Paul , Greninger Alexander L. , Coombs Robert W. , Fischer William A , Daar Eric S. , Wohl David A. , Eron Joseph J. , Currier Judith S. , Smith Davey M , Li Jonathan Z. , Barczak Amy K. ,   for the ACTIV-2/A5401 Study Team
Published: December 2021

AbstractMonoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are the treatment of choice for high-risk ambulatory persons with mild to moderate COVID-19. We studied viral culture dynamics post-treatment in a subset of participants receiving the mAb bamlanivimab in the ACTIV-2 trial. Viral load by qPCR and viral culture were performed from anterior nasal swabs collected on study days 0 (day of treatment), 1, 2, 3, and 7. Treatment with mAb resulted in rapid clearance of culturable virus in participants without treatment-emergent resistance. One day after treatment, 0 of 28 (0%) participants receiving mAb and 16 of 39 (41%) receiving placebo still had culturable virus (p <0.0001); nasal viral loads were only modestly lower in the mAb-treated group at days 2 and 3. Recrudescence of culturable virus was detected in three participants with emerging mAb resistance and viral load rebound. The rapid reduction in shedding of viable SARS-CoV-2 after mAb treatment highlights the potential role of mAbs in preventing disease transmission.
STATISTICAL AND MULTIVARIATE TECHNIQUES TO TRACE THE SOURCES OF GROUND WATER CONTAMINANTS AND AFFECTING FACTORS OF GROUNDWATER POLLUTION IN AN OIL AND GAS PRODUCING WETLAND IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Raimi Olalekan Morufu , Ezekwe Clinton Ifeanyichukwu , Bowale Abiodun 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundGroundwater is an important source of drinking water for the indigenous communities of Ebocha-Obrikom. Access to safe drinking water, in particular, is critical to one’s health and, by extension, one’s income and well-being. Underground wells are the primary supply of drinking water in the Niger Delta, and the groundwater is not always treated before consumption. As a result, water continues to be vital environmental component that affects both humans and other life forms.ObjectivesThe aims of the research is to trace the sources and affecting factors of groundwater pollution via statistical and multivariate statistical techniques.MethodThe investigation made use of standard analytical procedures. All sampling, conservation, transportation and analysis followed standard procedures described in APHA (2012). To prevent degradation of the organic substances, all obtained samples were transferred to the laboratory, while keeping in an icebox.ResultsThe study reveals that the greater the number of principal components extracted the greater variation in geochemical composition of the ground waters. It indicated that 34 parameters were distributed into six (6) and nine (9) principal components (PCs) extracted for groundwater samples for both rainy and dry seasons, potentially suggesting the input of different pollutants from different sources. Gas flaring, mineral dissolution/precipitation and anthropogenic input are the main sources of th physicochemical indices and trace elements in the groundwater. Groundwater chemistry is predominantly regulated by natural processes such as dissolution of carbonates, silicates, and evaporates and soil leaching, followed by human activities. Climatic factors and land use types are also important in affecting groundwater chemistry.ConclusionGreater efforts should be made to safeguard groundwater, which is hampered by geogenic and anthropogenic activities, in order to achieve sustainable groundwater development. As a result, communities are recommended to maintain a groundwater management policy to ensure long-term sustainability. The study is useful for understanding groundwater trace sources in Rivers State’s Ebocha- Obrikom districts. Such understanding would enable informed mitigation or eradication of the possibl detrimental health consequences of this groundwater, whether through its use as drinking water or indirectly through consumption of groundwater-irrigated crops. As a result, determining its primary probable source of pollution (MPSP) is critical since it provides a clearer and more immediate interpretation. Furthermore, the research findings can be used as a reference for groundwater pollution prevention and water resource protection in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Real-time Estimation of Global CFR Ascribed to COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Applying Machine Learning Technique
Authors: Pattnaik Monalisha , Pattnaik Aryan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 is declared as a public health emergency of global concern by World Health Organisation (WHO) affecting a total of 201 countries across the globe during the period December 2019 to January 2021. As of January 25, 2021, it has caused a pandemic outbreak with more than 99 million confirmed cases and more than 2 million deaths worldwide. The crisp of this paper is to estimate the global risk in terms of CFR of the COVID-19 pandemic for seventy deeply affected countries. An optimal regression tree algorithm under machine learning technique is applied which identified four significant features like diabetes prevalence, total number of deaths in thousands, total number of confirmed cases in thousands, and hospital beds per 1000 out of fifteen input features. This real-time estimation will provide deep insights into the early detection of CFR for the countries under study.CFRas suggested by (Boldog et al., 2020, Chakraborty et al. 2019, Russell et al., 2020)Diabetes Prevalenceproportion of a population who have diabetes in a given period of time.Stringency Indexit provides a computable parameter to evaluate the effectiveness of the nationwide lock down in a particular country.GDP Per Capitait is a metric that breaks down a country’s economic output per person and is calculated by Population Densityit is a measurement of population per unit area. It refers to the number of people living in an area per square kilometre.HDIit is a statistic composite index of life expectancy, education (literacy rate, gross enrolment ratio at different levels and net attendance ratio) and per capita income indicators which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development.
Peptide-based epitope design on non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Swathika R S , Vimal S , Bhagyashree E , Elumalai Elakkiya , Gupta Krishna Kant 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused the severe pandemic, COVID19 and since then its been critical to produce a potent vaccine to prevent the quick transmission and also to avoid alarming deaths. Among all type of vaccines peptide based epitope design tend to outshine with respect to low cost production and more efficacy. Therefore, we started with obtaining the necessary protein sequences from NCBI database of SARS-CoV-2 virus and filtered with respect to antigenicity, virulency, pathogenicity and non-homologous nature with human proteome using different available online tools and servers. The promising proteins was checked for containing common B and T-cell epitopes. The structure for these proteins were modeled from I-TASSER server followed by its refinement and validation. The predicted common epitopes were mapped on modeled structures of proteins by using Pepitope server. The surface exposed epitopes were docked with the most common allele DRB1*0101 using the GalaxyPepDock server. The epitopes, ELEGIQYGRS from Leader protein (NSP1), YGPFVDRQTA from 3c-like proteinase (nsp5), DLKWARFPKS from NSP9 and YQDVNCTEVP from Surface glycoprotein (spike protein) are the epitopes which has more hydrogen bonds. Hence these four epitopes could be considered as a more promising epitopes and these epitopes can be used for future studies.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Delhi, India - September-October 2021 – a population based seroepidemiological study
Authors: Sharma Pragya , Basu Saurav , Mishra Suruchi , Gupta Ekta , Aggarwal Reshu , Kale Pratibha , Mundeja Nutan , Charan B S , Singh Gautam Kumar , Singh Mongjam Meghachandra 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundWe conducted a repeat serosurvey in Delhi, India to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the general population and compare the antibody prevalence in the vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from September 24 to October 14 2021 in 280 wards of Delhi among 27811 participants selected through a multistage sampling technique with housing settlement based stratification. The SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies were screened with the VITROS® (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, USA) assay (90% sensitivity, 100% specificity).ResultsA total of 24895 (89.5%) samples were seropositive. The crude seroprevalence was 87.99% (95% CI 89.1, 89.8), weighted for age and sex was 88% (95% CI 87.6, 88.4), and after adjustment of assay performance was estimated as 97.5% (95% CI 97.0, 98.0). The weighted seroprevalence in the 11 districts ranged from 84.9% (South-West district) to 90.8% (East district) Females in all the age-groups (<18, 18-49 and ≥50) had significantly higher odds of seropositivity (p<0.001). On adjusted analysis, the odds of seroconversion in the participants vaccinated with at-least one dose of either Covid-19 vaccine (Covishield/Covaxin) was more than four times compared to the unvaccinated (aRR 4.2 (3.8, 4.6)). The seroprevalence was also comparable among the complete and partially vaccinated subgroups for both vaccines (Table 4). Most (86.8%) seropositive individuals had a SARS-CoV-2 signal/cut-off ≥4.0 except in childrenConclusionsWe observed IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in most of the general population of Delhi with likely higher antibody titres in the vaccinated compared to the unvaccinated groups.