bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the burnout among medical residents before and during the pandemic
Authors: Küçükali Hüseyin , Türkoğlu Sezanur Nazlı , Hasanli Shams , Dayanir Çok Fatma Nur , Culpan Hazal Cansu , Hayran Osman 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aims to compare the level of burnout syndrome in medical residents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify potential risk factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on medical residents from three different university hospitals in Turkey in March 2021, one year after the pandemic hit Turkey. Burnout is measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory which assesses three dimensions of it: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Collected data were combined and compared with data from a previous study held in the same hospitals in December 2019, three months before the pandemic.Results412 medical residents from three universities participated. The mean age was 27.8±2.4 and half of them were female. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, no significant differences in emotional exhaustion (pre:19.0±7.6 post:18.8±7.8), depersonalization (pre:7.3±4.3 post:7.2±4.4), and personal accomplishment (pre:20.8±5.1 post:21.1±5) scores were observed one year after the pandemic. Adjusting for confounders, multiple linear regression models indicated that those who are female, are in a surgical speciality, have vulnerable cohabitants, and have more night shifts face higher emotional exhaustion. Depersonalisation is higher among those who spent more years in residency, have more night shifts, or have COVID-19 outpatient duty. Females and those who have vulnerable cohabitants have lower levels of Personal Achievement.ConclusionThis study does not support the hypothesis that pandemic increases the burnout levels. Yet it identifies a couple of pandemic-related factors that are associated with burnout and confirms the association of several previously known factors.
Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab for Prevention of COVID-19 during the Omicron Surge: Retrospective Analysis of National VA Electronic Data
Authors: Young-Xu Yinong , Epstein Lauren , Marconi Vincent C , Davey Victoria , Zwain Gabrielle , Smith Jeremy , Korves Caroline , Cunningham Fran , Bonomo Robert , Ginde Adit A 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundLittle is known regarding the effectiveness of tixagevimab/cilgavimab in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population, particularly after the emergence of the Omicron variant.ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of tixagevimab/cilgavimab for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease among immunocompromised patients.DesignRetrospective cohort study with propensity matching and difference-in-difference analyses.SettingU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.ParticipantsVeterans age ≥18 years as of January 1, 2022, receiving VA healthcare. We compared a cohort of 1,848 patients treated with at least one dose of intramuscular tixagevimab/cilgavimab to matched controls selected from 251,756 patients who were on immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk for COVID-19. Patients were followed through April 30, 2022, or until death, whichever occurred earlier.Main OutcomesComposite of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. We used cox proportional hazards modelling to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI for the association between receipt of tixagevimab/cilgavimab and outcomes.ResultsMost (69%) tixagevimab/cilgavimab recipients were ≥65 years old, 92% were identified as immunocompromised in electronic data, and 73% had ≥3 mRNA vaccine doses or two doses of Ad26.COV2. Compared to propensity-matched controls, tixagevimab/cilgavimab-treated patients had a lower incidence of the composite COVID-19 outcome (17/1733 [1.0%] vs 206/6354 [3.2%]; HR 0.31; 95%CI, 0.18-0.53), and individually SARS-CoV-2 infection (HR 0.34; 95%CI, 0.13-0.87), COVID-19 hospitalization (HR 0.13; 95%CI, 0.02-0.99), and all-cause mortality (HR 0.36; 95%CI, 0.18-0.73).LimitationsConfounding by indication and immortal time bias.ConclusionsUsing national real-world data from predominantly vaccinated, immunocompromised Veterans, administration of tixagevimab/cilgavimab was associated with lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, and all-cause mortality during the Omicron surge.
The impact of antenatal balanced plate nutrition education for pregnant women on birth weight: a cluster randomised controlled trial in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Morseda , Raynes-Greenow Camille , Kelly Patrick J. , Alam Ashraful , Afsana Kaosar , Billah Sk Masum , Dibley Michael J. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractLow birth weight (LBW) is a global public health problem with the highest prevalence in South Asia. It is strongly associated with maternal undernutrition. In South Asia, intra-household food distribution is inequitable, with lower dietary adequacy in women. Evidence that nutrition education improves diet during pregnancy and reduces LBW is weak. We assessed the impact of nutrition education for pregnant women on birth weight in rural Bangladesh. We conducted a parallel, two-arm, cluster-randomised controlled trial, with 36 clusters allocated equally to intervention (n=445) or standard care (n=448). From their first trimester until delivery, intervention participants received education about eating balanced meals to meet daily dietary requirements with diverse food groups. The primary outcome of mean birth weight was 127.5 g higher in the intervention compared to control women, and the intervention reduced the risk of LBW by 57%. Post hoc analyses showed a significantly higher birth weight and a greater reduction in LBW amongst adolescent mothers. The mean number of food groups consumed was significantly higher in the intervention from the third month of pregnancy than in the control. A community-based balanced plate nutrition education intervention effectively increased mean birth weight and reduced LBW, and improved dietary diversity in rural Bangladeshi women.
Pooled Estimate of Risky Sexual Behavior among college and university students in sub-Saharan Africa: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lungu A. , Chella C. , Zambwe M. , Chipimo P.J. 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo determine the pooled estimate of risky sexual behaviour among university students in sub Saharan Africa.MethodsA meta analytic study conducted to identify predictors of risky sexual behavior among university students. Databases from PubMed, African Journals Online, Science Direct, Google Scholar were used to identify appropriate studies. The combined effect estimates for each outcome were computed in Meta XL using random effects.ResultsThe estimated pooled prevalence of sexual activity among university students was 51.0% (95% CI: 43.0% - 59.0%). Pooled prevalence for multiple sexual partners was 36.0% (95% CI: 30.0% - 42.0%), inconsistent condom use, 53.0% (95% CI: 46% - 61.0%) and for at least one risky sexual behavior, 65.0% (48.0% - 81.0%). Males were 3.36 times [OR: 3.05; 95% CI: 2.59 - 4.37] more likely to have multiple sexual partners than females. This review also indicated that males were 2.99 times [OR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.40 - 6.40] more likely to engage in at least one risky sexual behavior than females.ConclusionInconsistent condom use and multiple sexual partners were the most rampant risky sexual behaviors in Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sustained risk communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health and youth friendly programs are highly recommended.
Huntingtin gene CAG repeat size in patients with Lynch syndrome
Authors: Skarping Karin Dalene , Petersén Åsa , Gebre-Medhin Samuel 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPatients with Lynch syndrome (LS) are prone to cancer due to heterozygous germline pathogenic variants in genes encoding DNA mismatch repair proteins MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. LS cancer cells exhibit deficient DNA mismatch repair and microsatellite instability due somatic inactivation of the second copy of the affected gene. To study microsatellite characteristics in non-neoplastic cells in LS we determined CAG repeat size in the huntingtin gene (HTT) microsatellite in lymphocyte DNA from LS patients with germline pathogenic variants in MLH1 (n = 11), MSH2 (n = 9), MSH6 (n = 7) and non-LS controls (n=19). Mean repeat size in LS was 19,55 CAG (MLH1), 19,39 CAG (MSH2), 18.07 CAG (MSH6), respectively compared to 18,42 CAG in controls. Standard deviation for CAG repeat size in LS was 4,183 CAG (MLH1), 5,089 CAG (MSH2), 3,075 CAG (MSH6), respectively, compared to 3,342 CAG in controls. Peak CAG repeat size in LS was 32 CAG (MLH1), 32 CAG (MSH2), 24 CAG (MSH6), respectively compared to 27 CAG in controls. Collectively, our data indicate that HTT CAG repeat size tends to be larger and more variable in individuals with LS caused by pathogenic variants in MLH1 and MSH2.
In Vivo and Phantom Repeatability of Diffusion-Weighted MRI Sequences on 1.5T MRI-Linear Accelerator (MR-Linac) and MR Simulator Devices for Head and Neck Cancers: Results from a Prospective R-IDEAL Stage 2a Evaluation of Tumor and Normal Tissue Apparent Diffusion Coefficients as Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers
Authors: McDonald Brigid A. , Salzillo Travis , Mulder Samuel , Ahmed Sara , Dresner Alex , Preston Kathryn , He Renjie , Christodouleas John , Mohamed Abdallah S. R. , Philippens Marielle , van Houdt Petra , Thorwarth Daniela , Wang Jihong , Dave Amita Shukla , Boss Michael , Fuller Clifton D. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIntroductionDiffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on MRI-linear accelerator (MR-linac) systems can potentially be used for monitoring treatment response and adaptive radiotherapy in head and neck cancers (HNC) but requires extensive validation. We perform technical validation to compare six total DWI sequences on an MR-linac and MR simulator (MR sim) in patients, volunteers, and phantoms.MethodsTen human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients and ten volunteers underwent DWI on a 1.5T MR-linac with three DWI sequences: echo planar imaging (EPI), split acquisition of fast spin echo signals (SPLICE), and turbo spin echo (TSE). Volunteers were also imaged on a 1.5T MR sim with three sequences: EPI, BLADE, and RESOLVE. Participants underwent two scan sessions per device and two repeats of each sequence per session. Repeatability and reproducibility within-subject coefficient of variation (wCV) of mean ADC were calculated for tumors and lymph nodes (patients) and parotid glands (volunteers). Differences in measured ADC values between sequences were quantified using Bland-Altman analysis. ADC bias, repeatability/reproducibility metrics, and SNR were quantified using a phantom.ResultsIn vivo repeatability/reproducibility wCV of mean ADC for parotids were 5.41%/6.72%, 3.83%/8.80%, 5.66%/10.03%, 3.44%/5.70%, 5.04%/5.66%, 4.23%/7.36% for EPIMR-linac, SPLICE, TSE, EPIMR sim, BLADE, RESOLVE. Repeatability/reproducibility wCV for EPIMR-linac, SPLICE, TSE were 9.64%/10.28%, 7.84%/8.96%, 7.60%/11.68% for tumors and 7.80%/9.95%, 7.23%/8.48%, 10.82%/10.44% for nodes. Bland-Altman analysis revealed significant differences between all sequence pairs except BLADE-EPIMR-linac and RESOLVE-SPLICE. All sequences except TSE had phantom ADC biases within ±0.1×10−3 mm2/s for most vials. MR-linac sequences had inconsistent ADC values between different vials with the same known ADC value, indicating spatial inhomogeneities. SNR of b=0 images was 87.3, 180.5, 161.3, 171.0, 171.9, 130.2 for EPIMR-linac, SPLICE, TSE, EPIMR sim, BLADE, RESOLVE.ConclusionMR-linac DWI sequences demonstrate near-comparable performance to MR sim sequences and warrant further clinical validation for treatment response assessment in HNC.
Membrane-Localized Mutations Predict the Efficacy of Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Briquez Priscilla S. , Hauert Sylvie , Goldberger Zoe , Kurtanich Trevin , Alpar Aaron T. , Repond Grégoire , Wang Yue , Gomes Suzana , Siddarth Prabha , Swartz Melody A. , Hubbell Jeffrey A. 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTDue to their genetic instability, tumor cells bear mutations that can effectively be recognized by the immune system. In the clinic, immune checkpoint immunotherapy (ICI) can re-activate immune reactions against mutated proteins, known as neoantigens, leading to remarkable remission in cancer patients. Nevertheless, only a minority of patients are responsive to ICI, and approaches for prediction of responsiveness remain elusive yet are needed to improve the success of cancer treatments. While the tumor mutational burden (TMB) correlates positively with responsiveness and survival of patients undergoing ICI therapy, the influence of the subcellular localizations of the mutated proteins within the tumor cell has not been elucidated. Here, we hypothesized that the immune reactions are modulated by the localization of the mutated proteins and, therefore, that some subcellular localizations could favor responsiveness to ICI. We show in both a mouse melanoma model and human clinical datasets of 1722 ICI-treated patients that high membrane-localized tumor mutational burden (mTMB), particularly at the plasma membrane, correlate with responsiveness to ICI therapy and improved overall survival across multiple cancer types. We further highlight that mutations in the genes encoding for the membrane proteins NOTCH3, RNF43, NTRK3 and NOTCH1, among others, may serve as potent biomarkers to predict extended survival upon ICI in certain cancer types. We anticipate that our results will improve the predictability of cancer patient response to ICI and therefore may have important implications to establish future clinical guidelines to direct the choice of treatment toward ICI.
Weakly supervised learning for poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma classification in gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection whole slide images
Authors: Tsuneki Masayuki , Kanavati Fahdi 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTThe endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the preferred technique for treating early gastric cancers including poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma without ulcerative findings. The histopathological classification of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma including signet ring cell carcinoma is of pivotal importance for determining further optimum cancer treatment(s) and clinical outcomes. Because conventional diagnosis by pathologists using microscopes is time-consuming and limited in terms of human resources, it is very important to develop computer-aided techniques that can rapidly and accurately inspect large numbers of histopathological specimen whole-slide images (WSIs). Computational pathology applications which can assist pathologists in detecting and classifying gastric poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma from ESD WSIs would be of great benefit for routine histopathological diagnostic workflow. In this study, we trained the deep learning model to classify poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in ESD WSIs by transfer and weakly supervised learning approaches. We evaluated the model on ESD, endoscopic biopsy, and surgical specimen WSI test sets, achieving and ROC-AUC up to 0.975 in gastric ESD test sets for poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The deep learning model developed in this study demonstrates the high promising potential of deployment in a routine practical gastric ESD histopathological diagnostic workflow as a computer-aided diagnosis system.
Hypoglycemic Events in Diabetic Patients under Non-insulin Regimens During Ramadan: A Frequentist Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kacimi Salah Eddine O. , Sukaina Mahnoor , Elgenidy Anas , Farahat Ramadan Abdelmoez , Cheema Huzaifa A. , Benmelouka Amira Y. , Awad Dina M. , Belaouni Hadj Ahmed , Abdelli Moustafa K.E , Tidjane Anisse , Mesli Nabil Smain , Shah Jaffer , Setti Mounir Ould , Afifi Ahmed M. , Ghozy Sherief ,   the Ramadan Diabetes Research Group (RDRG) Collaborators
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundDiabetic Muslims who choose to fast during Ramadan encounter major risks such as hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and dehydration. Recently, newer antidiabetic agents have been found to be less likely to cause hypoglycemic emergencies. This meta-analysis aimed to present collective and conclusive results from major randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the risk of hypoglycemia among patients taking oral antidiabetics during Ramadan.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for RCTs. We performed a frequentist network meta-analysis using the “netmeta” package of R software version 4.1.1 to investigate the risk of developing hypoglycemia after taking oral antidiabetic drugs during Ramadan.ResultsNine RCTs with a total of 3464 patients were included in the final analysis. In the comparison of all antidiabetic drug classes with sulfonylureas, SGLT-2 inhibitors were associated with the lowest hypoglycemic risk (RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04-0.78; P-score, 0.909), followed by GLP-1 agonists (RR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.17-0.56; P-score, 0.799), and DDP-4 inhibitors (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.43-0.75; P-score, 0.483). When comparing individual drugs, dapagliflozin was associated with the lowest hypoglycemic risk (RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04-0.78; P-score, 0.874), followed by lixisenatide (RR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.09-0.71; P-score, 0.813), liraglutide (RR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.17-0.69; P-score, 0.715), and sitagliptin (RR. 0.51; 95% CI, 0.37-0.71; P-score, 0.515).ConclusionSGLT-2 inhibitors are associated with the least documented hypoglycemic events and adverse outcomes compared with other oral hypoglycemic drugs. These findings could have considerable public health and clinical implications when extrapolated to the global Muslim population with a similar clinical background.Abstract Figure
Female reproductive dormancy in Drosophila melanogaster is regulated by DH31-producing neurons projecting into the corpus allatum
Authors: Kurogi Yoshitomo , Imura Eisuke , Mizuno Yosuke , Hoshino Ryo , Nouzova Marcela , Matsuyama Shigeru , Mizoguchi Akira , Kondo Shu , Tanimoto Hiromu , Noriega Fernando G. , Niwa Ryusuke 
Published: May 2022

AbstractFemale reproductive dormancy in insects is a process that drastically suppresses oogenesis to conserve energy under adverse environments. In many insects, including the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, reproductive dormancy is induced under low-temperature and short-day conditions by the downregulation of juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis by the corpus allatum (CA). Previous studies have suggested that brain neurons that project directly to the CA are important for the regulation of reproductive dormancy. However, the role of CA-projecting neurons in JH-mediated reproductive dormancy has not yet been confirmed by molecular genetic studies. In this study, we report that, in adult D. melanogaster, the neuropeptide diuretic hormone 31 (DH31) is produced by brain neurons that project into the CA. DH31-producing-CA-projecting neurons are connected downstream with a subset of circadian clock neurons, such as s-LNvs, which are known to be involved in reproductive dormancy regulation. The CA expresses the gene encoding the DH31 receptor, which is required for DH31-triggered elevation of intracellular cAMP in the CA. Knocking down Dh31 in these CA-projecting neurons or DH31 receptor in the CA leads to a failure in the decrease of the JH titer, normally observed under dormancy-inducing conditions, leading to abnormal yolk accumulation in the ovaries. Our findings provide the first molecular genetic evidence demonstrating that CA-projecting peptidergic neurons play an essential role in regulating reproductive dormancy by suppressing JH biosynthesis.Significance StatementDormancy is an adaptive physiological response to environmental changes that are unsuitable for survival. Adult females of many insect species undergo reproductive dormancy in which oogenesis is drastically arrested; it is induced by a decrease in juvenile hormone (JH) titers. However, we are yet to fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the control of JH biosynthesis under dormancy-inducing conditions. In this study using the fruit fly, we demonstrated that brain neurons projecting directly to the JH-producing organ, corpus allatum, play an essential role in regulating reproductive dormancy via the neuropeptide DH31. As the morphologically-similar neurons have previously been suggested to be involved in reproductive dormancy regulation, this study provides a fundamental molecular and neuronal basis for reproductive dormancy in insects.
Rescue of the first Alphanucleorhabdovirus entirely from cloned complementary DNA: an efficient vector for systemic expression of foreign genes in maize and insect vectors
Authors: Kanakala Surapathrudu , Xavier Cesar Augusto Diniz , Martin Kathleen M. , Tran Hong Hanh , Redinbaugh Margaret G. , Whitfield Anna E. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRecent reverse genetics technologies have enabled genetic manipulation of plant negative-strand RNA virus (NSR) genomes. Here, we report construction of an infectious clone for the maize-infectingAlphanucleorhabdovirus maydis, the first efficient NSR vector for maize. The full-length infectious clone was established using agrobacterium-mediated delivery of full-length maize mosaic virus (MMV) antigenomic RNA and the viral core proteins (nucleoprotein N, phosphoprotein P, and RNA-directed RNA polymerase L) required for viral transcription and replication intoNicotiana benthamiana. Insertion of intron 2ST-LS1into the viral L gene increased stability of the infectious clone inEscherichia coliandAgrobacterium tumefaciens. To monitor virus infectionin vivo, a GFP gene was inserted in between the N and P gene junctions to generate recombinant MMV-GFP. cDNA clones of MMV-WT and MMV-GFP replicated in single cells of agroinfiltratedN. benthamiana. Uniform systemic infection and high GFP expression were observed in maize inoculated with extracts of the infiltratedN. benthamianaleaves. Insect vectors supported virus infection when inoculated via feeding on infected maize or microinjection. Both MMV-WT and MMV-GFP were efficiently transmitted to maize by planthopper vectors. The GFP reporter gene was stable in the virus genome and expression remained high over three cycles of transmission in plants and insects. The MMV infectious clone will be a versatile tool for expression of proteins of interest in maize and cross-kingdom studies of virus replication in plant and insect hosts.
IDPConformerGenerator: A Flexible Software Suite for Sampling Conformational Space of Disordered Protein States
Authors: Teixeira João M.C. , Liu Zi Hao , Namini Ashley , Li Jie , Vernon Robert M. , Krzeminski Mickaël , Shamandy Alaa A. , Zhang Oufan , Haghighatlari Mojtaba , Yu Lei , Head-Gordon Teresa , Forman-Kay Julie D. 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTThe power of structural information for informing biological mechanism is clear for stable folded macromolecules, but similar structure-function insight is more difficult to obtain for highly dynamic systems such as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) which must be described as structural ensembles. Here we present IDPConformerGenerator, a flexible, modular open source software platform for generating large and diverse ensembles of disordered protein states that builds conformers that obey geometric, steric and other physical restraints on the input sequence. IDPConformerGenerator samples backbone phi (φ), psi (ψ), and omega (ω) torsion angles of relevant sequence fragments from loops and secondary structure elements extracted from folded protein structures in the RCSB Protein Data Bank, and builds side chains from robust Monte Carlo algorithms using expanded rotamer libraries. IDPConformerGenerator has many user-defined options enabling variable fractional sampling of secondary structures, supports Bayesian models for assessing agreement of IDP ensembles for consistency with experimental data, and introduces a machine learning approach to transform between internal to Cartesian coordinates with reduced error. IDPConformerGenerator will facilitate the characterization of disordered proteins to ultimately provide structural insights into these states that have key biological functions.