bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The maternal profile associated with the underlying root cause of neonatal mortality using machine learning and administrative health data
Authors: Beluzo Carlos Eduardo , Carvalho Tiago , Alves Luciana Correia 
Published: August 2022

AbstractInfant mortality is a reflection of an analysis of biological, socioeconomic, and assistance factors. An analytical analysis of this problem implies the processing of large sets of data from different areas. Data Science approaches have become increasingly widespread to deal with problems that require large datasets to perform deep analysis. Machine learning methods have become popular due to their efficiency and efficacy in discovering knowledge by identifying patterns in feature interactions of large datasets. This work proposes the use of a machine learning approach to evaluate the association between sociodemographic factors and preventable root causes of neonatal mortality. For this, demographic and epidemiological data from Brazilian public health birth and mortality (SINASC and SIM, respectively) information systems were used. Using an unsupervised approach, for instance, the K-Modes clustering algorithm, clusters were created, so we are able to evaluate the socio-demographic profile of each one of the clusters. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the differences between the profiles of each cluster. The profile consists of features such as maternal age, maternal years of schooling, race, number of consultations, type of delivery, public or private hospital, and date of first prenatal consultation. The analysis was performed using data from the period between 2012 and 2018, for the city of São Paulo, one of the richest regions of the country. The data quality for this region is considered to be very high, so there is no need to apply data correction methods. Besides that, the method adapted does not require data assumptions, and it’s suitable for categorical data, which is our case. Considering that this is a data-driven approach, preliminary results indicate that only a few assumptions can be made on profile using these features, although some associations between demographic variables and neonatal mortality by preventable root causes can be identified. We hope to encourage reflection on the newborn in the socioeconomic environment and contribute to public health policies.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Italian population-based cancer screening activities and test coverage: results from national cross-sectional repeated surveys
Authors: Rossi Paolo Giorgi , Carrozzi Giuliano , Falini Patrizia , Sampaolo Letizia , Gorini Giuseppe , Zorzi Manuel , Armaroli Paola , Senore Carlo , de Bianchi Priscilla Sassoli , Masocco Maria , Zappa Marco , Battisti Francesca , Mantellini Paola 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn Italy, population-based screening programs for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers are mandatory, and Regions are in charge of their delivery. From March to May 2020, a severe lockdown was imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic by the Italian Ministry of Health, with the suspension of screening programs. This paper describes the impact of the pandemic on Italian screening activities and test coverage in 2020.MethodsThe regional number of subjects invited and of screening tests performed in 2020 were compared with those in 2019. Invitation and examination coverage were also calculated. PASSI surveillance system, through telephone interviews, investigated the population screening test coverage, before and during the pandemic, accordingly to educational attainment, perceived economic difficulties and citizenship.ResultsA reduction of subjects invited and tests performed, with differences among periods and geographic macro areas, was observed in 2020 vs. 2019. The reduction in examination coverage was larger than that in invitation coverage for all screening campaigns. From the second half of 2020, the trend for test coverage showed a decrease in all the macro areas for all the screening campaigns. Compared with the pre-pandemic period, there was a greater difference according to level of education in the odds of having had a test last year vs. never having been screened or not being up to date with screening tests. In addition, foreigners had less access to screening than Italians did.ConclusionsThe lockdown and the ongoing Covid-19 emergency caused an important delay in screening activities. This increased the pre-existing individual and geographical inequalities in access. The opportunistic screening did not mitigate the pandemic impact.FundingThis study was partially supported by Italian Ministry of Health – Ricerca Corrente Annual Program 2023.
Early estimates of the incidence trend and the reproductive number of the monkeypox epidemic in Brazil
Authors: Schrarstzhaupt Isaac N. , Fontes-Dutra Mellanie , Diaz-Quijano Fredi Alexander 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTObjectivesWe aimed to calculate the weekly growth of the incidence and the effective reproductive number (Rt) of the 2022 Monkeypox epidemic during its introduction in Brazil.MethodsWe described the case distribution in the country and calculated the incidence trend and the Rt in the four geographical states with the highest case reports. By using two regression approaches, count model and the Prais-Winsten, we calculated the relative incidence increase. Moreover, we estimated the Rt for the period between the 24th and the 50th days after the first official report, using a serial interval reported in another population and two alternative values (±3 days).ResultsUp to August 22, 3.896 Monkeypox cases were confirmed in Brazil. The weekly incidence increases were between 37.5% (95% CI: 20.7% -56,6%) and 82.1% (95% CI: 59.5% -107.8%), and all estimates of Rt were statistically higher than 1 in the four states analyzed.ConclusionThe Monkeypox outbreak in Brazil is a significant public health emergency that requires coordinated public health strategies such as testing, contact tracing, and vaccination.
Perfusion imaging heterogeneity during NO inhalation distinguishes pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) from healthy subjects and has potential as an imaging biomarker
Authors: Winkler Tilo , Kohli Puja , Kelly Vanessa J , Kehl Ekaterina G. , Witkin Alison S. , Rodriguez-Lopez Josanna , Hibbert Kathryn A. , Kone Mamary , Systrom David M. , Waxman Aaron B. , Venegas Jose G. , Channick Richard , Harris R. Scott 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundWithout aggressive treatment, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has a 5-year mortality of approximately 40%. A patient’s response to vasodilators at diagnosis impacts the therapeutic options and prognosis. We hypothesized that analyzing perfusion images acquired before and during vasodilation could identify characteristic differences between PAH and control subjects.MethodsWe studied 5 controls and 4 subjects with PAH using HRCT and13NN PET imaging of pulmonary perfusion and ventilation. The total spatial heterogeneity of perfusion (CV2Qtotal) and its components in the vertical (CV2Qvgrad) and cranio-caudal (CV2Qzgrad) directions, and the residual heterogeneity (CV2Qr), were assessed at baseline and while breathing oxygen and nitric oxide (O2+iNO). The length scale spectrum of CV2Qrwas determined from 10 to 110 mm, and the response of regional perfusion to O2+iNO was calculated as the mean of absolute differences. Vertical gradients in perfusion (Qvgrad) were derived from perfusion images, and ventilation-perfusion distributions from images of13NN washout kinetics.ResultsO2+iNO significantly enhanced perfusion distribution differences between PAH and controls, allowing differentiation between PAH subjects from controls. During O2+iNO, CV2Qvgradwas significantly higher in controls than in PAH (0.08 (0.055-0.10) vs. 6.7 × 10−3(2×10−4-0.02), p<0.001) with a considerable gap between groups. Qvgradand CV2Qtotalshowed smaller differences: –7.3 vs. -2.5, p = 0.002, and 0.12 vs. 0.06, p = 0.01. CV2Qvgradhad the largest effect size among the primary parameters during O2+iNO. CV2Qr, and its length scale spectrum were similar in PAH and controls. Ventilation-perfusion distributions showed a trend towards a difference between PAH and controls at baseline, but it was not statistically significant.ConclusionsPerfusion imaging during O2+iNO showed a significant difference in the heterogeneity associated with the vertical gradient in perfusion, distinguishing in this small cohort study PAH subjects from controls.Trial registrationNot applicable
Lower risks of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors for new-onset non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A population-based study
Authors: Chou Oscar Hou In , Ning Jing , Chiu Chan Raymond Ngai , Chung Cheuk To , Huang Helen , Ng Kenrick , Dee Edward Christopher , Lee Sharen , Kaewdech Apichat , Liu Tong , Jing Fengshi , Yung Cheung Bernard Man , Tse Gary , Zhou Jiandong 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe association between sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2I) versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4I) and the risks of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are currently unknown.MethodsThis was a retrospective population-based cohort study including type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients treated with either SGLT2I or DPP4I between 1stJanuary 2015 and 31stDecember 2019 in Hong Kong. Patients with concurrent DPP4I and SGLT2I usage were excluded. The primary outcomes were NAFLD and HCC. The secondary outcomes included cancer-related mortality and all-cause mortality. Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) was performed using the nearest neighbour search. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression was applied to identify significant predictors. Competing risks models and multiple approaches using the propensity score were performed.ResultsThis cohort included 62699 patients with T2DM, amongst which 22154 patients were on SGLT2I and 40545 patients were on DPP4I. After matching (44308 patients), 1090 patients developed new-onset NAFLD (Incidence: 4.6; 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 4.3-4.9) and 187 patients developed HCC (Incidence: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.7-0.9). Overall, SGLT2I was associated with lower risks of NAFLD (Hazard ratio [HR]: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.34-0.46), and HCC (HR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29-0.72) compared to DPP4I after adjustments. SGLT2I was also associated with lower risks of cancer-related mortality (HR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.23-0.37) and all-cause mortality (HR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.25-0.31). However, amongst patients with hepatitis B virus infection, SGLT2I was associated with higher risks of HCC (HR: 3.28; 95% CI: 1.21-8.90). The results were consistent in competing risk models and different matching approaches.ConclusionSGLT2I was associated with lower risks of NAFLD, and HCC compared to DPP4I after propensity scores matching and adjustments.Lay summaryThe association between two antidiabetic medications, SGLT2I and DPP4I, and the risks of fatty liver disease and liver cancer have not been explored. In our study, SGLT2I was associated with a lower risk of fatty liver disease and liver cancer compared to DPP4I amongst patients with type 2 diabetes. However, DPP4I was associated with lower risks of liver cancer compared to SGLT2I among patients with hepatitis B virus infectionCentral illustration
Public health benefits of shifting from inpatient to outpatient TB care in Eastern Europe: optimising TB investments in Belarus, the Republic of Moldova, and Romania
Authors: Kelly Sherrie L , Abou Jaoude Gerard Joseph , Palmer Tom , Skordis Jolene , Haghparast-Bidgoli Hassan , Goscé Lara , Jarvis Sarah J , Kedziora David J , Abeysuriya Romesh , Benedikt Clemens , Fraser-Hurt Nicole , Shubber Zara , Cheikh Nejma , Bivol Stela , Roberts Anna , Wilson David P , Martin-Hughes Rowan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundHigh rates of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR TB) continue to threaten public health, especially in Eastern Europe. Costs for treating DR TB are substantially higher than treating drug-susceptible TB, and higher yet if DR TB services are delivered in hospital. Therefore, countries are encouraged to transition from inpatient to ambulatory-focused TB care, which has been shown to have non-inferior health outcomes.MethodsAllocative efficiency analyses were conducted for three countries in Eastern Europe, Belarus, the Republic of Moldova, and Romania to minimise a combination of active TB cases, prevalence of active TB, and TB-related deaths by 2035. These mathematical optimisations were carried out using Optima TB, a dynamical compartmental model of TB transmission. The focus of this study was to project the health and financial gains that could be realised if TB service delivery shifted from hospital to ambulatory-based care.FindingsThese analyses show that transitioning from inpatient to ambulatory TB care could reduce treatment costs by 5%−31% or almost 35 million US dollars across these three countries without affecting the quality of care. Improved TB outcomes could be achieved without additional spending by reinvesting these potential savings in cost-effective prevention and diagnosis interventions.ConclusionsNational governments should examine barriers delaying the adoption of outpatient DR TB care and consider the lost opportunities caused by delays in switching to more efficient and effective treatment modes.
E-cigarette aerosol exposure of pulmonary surfactant impairs its surface tension reducing function
Authors: Graham Emma , McCaig Lynda , Lau Gloria Shui-Kei , Tejura Akash , Cao Anne , Zuo Yi Y. , Veldhuizen Ruud 
Published: August 2022

AbstractE-cigarette (EC) and vaping use continue to remain popular amongst teenage and young adult populations, despite several reports of vaping associated lung injury. This popularity is due in part to the vast variety of appealing flavours and nicotine concentrations easily accessible on the market. One of the first compounds that EC aerosols comes into contact within the lungs during a deep inhalation is pulmonary surfactant. This lipid protein mixture lines the alveoli, reducing surface tension and preventing alveolar collapse. Impairment of surfactant’s critical surface tension reducing activity can contribute to lung dysfunction. Currently, information on how EC aerosols impacts pulmonary surfactant remains limited. We hypothesized that exposure to EC aerosol impairs the surface tension reducing ability of surfactant. Bovine Lipid Extract Surfactant (BLES) was used as a model surfactant in a direct exposure syringe system. BLES (2ml) was placed in a syringe (30ml) attached to an EC. The generated aerosol was drawn into the syringe and then expelled, repeated 30 times. Biophysical analysis after exposure was completed using a constrained drop surfactometer (CDS). Minimum surface tensions increased after exposure to the EC aerosol. Variation in device used, addition of nicotine, or temperature of the aerosol had no additional effect. Two e-liquid flavours, menthol and red wedding, had further detrimental effects, resulting in higher surface tension than the vehicle exposed BLES. Alteration of surfactant properties through interaction with the produced aerosol was observed with a basic e-liquid vehicle, however additional compounds produced by added flavourings appeared to be able to increase inhibition. In conclusion, EC aerosols alter surfactant function through increases in minimum surface tension. This impairment may contribute to lung dysfunction and susceptibility to further injury.
Structural determinants of REMORIN nanodomain formation in anionic membranes
Authors: Legrand Anthony , Cava Daniel G. , Jolivet Marie-Dominique , Decossas Marion , Lambert Olivier , Bayle Vincent , Jaillais Yvon , Loquet Antoine , Germain Véronique , Boudsocq Marie , Habenstein Birgit , Vélez Marisela , Mongrand Sébastien 
Published: August 2022

AbstractRemorins are a family of multigenic phosphoproteins of the plasma membrane, involved in biotic and abiotic plant interaction mechanisms, partnering in molecular signaling cascades. Signaling activity of remorins depends on their phosphorylation states and subsequent clustering into nano-sized membrane domains. The presence of a coiled-coil domain and a C-terminal domain is crucial to anchor remorins to negatively charged membrane domains, however the exact role of the N-terminal intrinsically disordered domain (IDD) on protein clustering and lipid interactions is largely unknown. Here we combine chemical biology and imaging approaches to study the partitioning of group 1 remorin into anionic model membranes mimicking the inner leaflet of the plant plasma membrane. Using reconstituted membranes containing a mix of saturated and unsaturated PhosphatidylCholine (PC), PhosphatidylInositol Phosphates (PIPs), and sterol, we investigate the clustering of remorins to the membrane and monitor the formation of nano-sized membrane domains. REM1.3 promoted membrane nanodomain organization on the exposed external leaflet of both spherical lipid vesicles and flat supported lipid bilayers. Our results reveal that REM1.3 drives a mechanism allowing lipid reorganization, leading to the formation of remorin-enriched nanodomains. Phosphorylation of the N-terminal IDD by the calcium protein kinase CPK3 influences this clustering and can lead to the formation of smaller and more disperse domains. Our work reveals the phosphate-dependent involvement of the N-terminal IDD in the remorin-membrane interaction process by driving structural rearrangements at lipid-water interfaces.Summary headingUsing reconstituted membranes, we demonstrated the clustering of the plant protein remorins StREM1.3 to the lipid bilayer external leaflet and monitor the formation of nanodomains of the protein.
Optimization and validation of a Protein Phosphatase inhibition assay for accessible microcystin detection
Authors: Alba Posse JE , Gonzalez C , Carriquiriborde P , Nadra A , Gasulla J 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe presence of cyanobacterial toxins in freshwater constitutes an increasing public health concern, especially affecting developing countries where the high cost of available methods makes monitoring programs difficult. The phosphatase inhibition assay (PPIAs) is a sensitive method with low instrument requirements that allows the quantification of the most frequent cyanotoxins, microcystins (MC). In this work, we implemented a PPIAs, starting from Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1) expression up to the validation with samples of algal blooms from Argentina. To do this, we optimized the expression and lyophilization of PP1, and the assay conditions. Also, we included robustness and possible interfering analysis. We evaluated the most widely used cyanobacterial lysis methods and determined that heating for 15 minutes at 95°C is simple and adequate for this assay. Then, we performed MC spikes recovery assays on water samples from three dams from Argentina, resulting in a recovery ranging from 77 to 115%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.4 μg/L and the linear range is 0.4 μg/L - 5 μg/L. Finally, we evaluated 64 environmental samples where MC was measured by ELISA test containing from 0 μg/L to 625 μg/L. The PPIA showed excellent correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.967), no false negative and no false positives above the 1 μg/L WHO guideline (0.11 false positive rate). In conclusion, we optimized and validated a PPIAs to be an effective and accessible alternative to available commercial tests.
Kokiri: Random-Forest-Based Comparison and Characterization of Cohorts
Authors: Eckelt Klaus , Adelberger Patrick , Bauer Markus J. , Zichner Thomas , Streit Marc 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe propose an interactive visual analytics approach to characterizing and comparing patient subgroups (i.e., cohorts). Despite having the same disease and similar demographic characteristics, patients respond differently to therapy. One reason for this is the vast number of variables in the genome that influence a patient’s outcome. Nevertheless, most existing tools do not offer effective means of identifying the attributes that differ most, or look at them in isolation and thus ignore combinatorial effects. To fill this gap, we present Kokiri, a visual analytics approach that aims to separate cohorts based on user-selected data, ranks attributes by their importance in distinguishing between cohorts, and visualizes cohort overlaps and separability. With our approach, users can additionally characterize the homogeneity and outliers of a cohort. To demonstrate the applicability of our approach, we integrated Kokiri into the Coral cohort analysis tool to compare and characterize lung cancer patient cohorts.
Genetic variations in G-Quadruplex forming sequences affect the transcription of human disease-related genes
Authors: Lorenzatti Agustín , Piga Ernesto J. , Gismondi Mauro , Binolfi Andrés , Margarit Ezequiel , Calcaterra Nora B. , Armas Pablo 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTGuanine-rich DNA strands can fold into non-canonical four-stranded secondary structures named G-quadruplexes (G4s). G4s folded in proximal promoter regions (PPR) are associated either with positive or negative transcriptional regulation. Given that single nucleotide variants (SNVs) affecting G4 folding (G4-Vars) may alter gene transcription, and that SNVs are associated with the human diseases’ onset, we undertook a comprehensive study of the G4-Vars genome-wide (G4-variome) to find disease-associated G4-Vars located into PPRs. We developed a bioinformatics strategy to find disease-related SNVs located into PPRs simultaneously overlapping with putative G4-forming sequences (PQSs). We studied five G4-Vars disturbing in vitro the folding and stability of the G4s located into PPRs, which had been formerly associated with sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (GRIN2B), a severe familiar coagulopathy (F7), atopic dermatitis (CSF2), myocardial infarction (SIRT1), and deafness (LHFPL5). Results obtained in cellulo for GRIN2B and F7 suggest that the G4 disruption due to the identified G4-Vars affect the transcription and are responsible for the mentioned diseases. Collectively, data suggest that G4-Vars may account for the different susceptibilities to human genetic diseases’ onset, and could be novel targets for diagnosis and drug design in precision medicine.