bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Candidemia in hospitalized cirrhotic patients with bloodstream infection: A retrospective analysis and brief summary of published studies
Authors: Chang Yu-Chen , Chen Jin-Shuen , Yin Chun-Hao , Shin-Jung Lee Susan , Chen Wen-Chi 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Candidemia is a life-threatening condition; however, the predictive markers for candidemia and mortality are inadequate in cirrhotic patients. This study was conducted to propose candidate predictors for the occurrence of candidemia and 30-day mortality in hospitalized cirrhotic patients with bloodstream infection (BSI) and review the related literature.

Methods:
Cirrhotic patients with BSI between January 2011 and March 2020 were screened from the databank of a medical center and eligible patients were enrolled. Patients were separated into candidemia and bacteremia groups according to the results of blood cultures. Baseline characteristics, clinical presentation, and biochemistry data were collected at this time, as were microbiological data, medical management, use of antimicrobial agents, and outcome of the patients. The parameters and 30-day mortality were compared between candidemia and bacteremia groups. A combination of the MeSH terms and text terms related to candidemia and cirrhosis was searched in the electronic databases.

Results:
Four hundred and sixty cirrhotic patients with BSI were enrolled. Thirty-five patients with candidemia (7.6%) were identified. Nosocomial infection, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, antibiotics exposure ≥14 days, white cell count >10 K/mm3, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score >24 were associated with candidemia. The 30-day mortality was 65.7% in the candidemia group and 37.9% in the bacteremia group (p = 0.001). Nosocomial infection, ICU admission, hepatoma, hepatic encephalopathy, international normalized ratio ≥1.2, platelet ≤150 K/mm3, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2, and MELD score >24 were associated with 30-day mortality. Six studies were identified. The results were consistent with our findings regarding low incidence of candidemia, and relevant risk factors are listed.

Conclusion:
Candidemia had low incidence but high mortality in hospitalized cirrhotic patients with BSI. New predictors were proposed for the occurrence of candidemia and 30-day mortality in these patients.
COVID-19: The Effects on the Course, Outcomes, and Discharge Destination From Acute Rehabilitation
Authors: Amato-Curran Shelly , Green Kimberly , Rader Terrie , Shimek Adrianne 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This study aimed to (1) describe the rehabilitation hospital course after diagnosis with COVID-19 and the impact on functional outcomes and discharge destination and (2) compare outcomes for patients with and without COVID-19-related debility.

Design
A descriptive cohort study was performed.

Methods
Retrospective data were collected for 63 patients aged >18 years with COVID-19- or non-COVID19-related debility between January 2015 and September 2020.

Results
Patients admitted with COVID-19-related debility had a mean length of stay of 20.35 days. 15.4% were transferred back to acute service, 92.3% required respiratory interventions, and 88.5% were discharged to the same residence.
Patients with COVID-19-related debility were significantly older, required more respiratory interventions, and had a longer length of stay than the non-COVID-19 group. No significant differences were found in functional outcomes.

Conclusions
Functional outcomes improved, allowing most patients to return to their same residence.

Clinical Relevance
Patients with COVID-19-related debility responded to rehabilitation as well as the non-COVID-19 group.
Rate of Fat Graft Volume Loss After Parotidectomy
Authors: Sagalow Emily S. , Christopher Vanessa , Banoub Raphael G. , Gill Kurren S. , Xu Vivian , Jain Nikhita , Malkani Kabir , Elmer Nicholas , Zhan Tingting , Stanek Joel J. , Hwang Michelle , Krein Howard D. , Heffelfinger Ryan N. 
Published: March 2022

Background:Reconstruction after parotidectomy can include fat grafting, which allows for symmetry, but grafts have demonstrated volume loss over time.Objectives:To provide quantitative evidence for the rate of volume loss of fat grafts.Methods:Patients who received parotidectomy with fat graft reconstruction at a single institution from August 2016 to October 2020 were identified. Relationships between clinical factors and the logarithmic rate of fat graft volume loss were analyzed.Results:Twelve patients received parotidectomy, fat graft reconstruction, and underwent a postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Rate of fat graft volume loss was a mean of 1.8% per month (standard deviation [SD]: 2.1% per month). Total parotid fat graft volume loss was a mean of 57.4% (SD: 67.5%). The mean follow-up time was 35.5 months (range: 9–89.8 months). Correlations between body mass index (BMI), history of smoking, and history of alcohol consumption and logarithmic rates of fat graft volume loss were increased but not significantly.Conclusions:Fat grafts have the potential of 60% volume loss at approximately 1 year. If there is clinical suspicion that patients will require adjuvant radiation or have clinical factors such as a smoking or alcohol-use history, volume requirements may be even greater to maintain adequate parotid volume for aesthetic purposes.
Endoscopic Ultrasound–guided Drainage of Patients With Infected Walled-off Necrosis: Which Stent to Choose?
Authors: Muktesh Gaurav , Samanta Jayanta , Dhar Jahnvi , Agarwala Roshan , Bellam Balaji L. , James Deepak , Gupta Pankaj , Chauhan Rajeev , Yadav Thakur D. , Gupta Vikas , Sinha Saroj K. , Kochhar Rakesh 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage is the preferred treatment of pancreatic fluid collections (PFC). However, the choice of the stent for EUS-guided drainage in critically ill PFC cases with infected walled-off necrosis (WON) and/or organ failure (OF) remains unknown.

Materials and Methods:
Between January 2018 and December 2019, consecutive patients with symptomatic PFC subjected to EUS-guided drainage using biflanged metal stents (BFMS) or double-pigtail plastic stents (DPPS) were compared for technical success, clinical success, duration of the procedure, need for intensive care unit stay, duration of intensive care unit stay, ventilator need, resolution of OF, the duration for resolution of OF, complications, need for salvage percutaneous drainage or surgery and mortality. A subgroup of patients having infected WON with/without OF were analyzed separately.

Results:
Among 120 patients (84.6% males) with PFC (108 WON, 22 pseudocyst) who underwent EUS-guided drainage, there was no difference in outcome parameters in BFMS and DPPS groups. Among patients with WON, clinical success was significantly higher (96.2% vs. 81.8%, P=0.04), with significantly shorter hospital stay (6 vs. 10 d) and procedure duration (17.18±4.6 vs. 43.6±9.7 min, P<0.0001) in the BFMS group. Among patients with infected WON with/without OF, the clinical success was significantly higher (100% vs. 73.9%, P=0.02), and the duration of the procedure was significantly lower (16.28±4.4 vs. 44.39±10.7, P<0.0001) in BFMS compared with DPPS group.

Conclusion:
EUS-guided drainage of WON using BFMS scores over DPPS. In patients having infected WON with/without OF, BFMS may be preferred over DPPS.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Versus Percutaneous Cholecystostomy: Suitability of APACHE-II Score, ASA Grade, and Tokyo Guidelines 18 Grade as Predictors of Outcome in Patients With Acute Cholecystitis
Authors: Latif Javed , Kushairi Anisa , Thurley Peter , Bhatti Imran , Awan Altaf 
Published: March 2022

Introduction:
Intervention options in acute cholecystitis (AC) include drainage (percutaneous/endoscopic) or surgery. Several scoring systems have been used to risk stratify acute surgical patients, but few have been validated. This study investigated the suitability of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score, American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) grade, and Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) grade as predictors of outcome and assess laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) as treatment options in patients with AC.

Materials and Methods:
Retrospective data was collected from patients that underwent acute inpatient cholecystectomy (index admission), urgent interval cholecystectomy (2 to 4 wk) and PC between 2016 and 2018. Data included baseline demographics, co-morbidities, ASA grade, APACHE-II score, TG18 grade, morbidity, and mortality. A P-value of <0.05 was statistically significant. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated to compare accuracy of APACHE-II, ASA and TG18 in predicting morbidity.

Results:
A total of 344 consecutive patients (266 cholecystectomies and 84 PC) were included in the study. Significant difference in co-morbidities [median Charlson Co-Morbidity Index (CCI) 1 surgery and 4 cholecystostomy (PC) (P<0.05)], median APACHE-II score (3 surgery and 9 PC), median TG18 grade (1 surgery and 2 PC) and mortality rate [0% surgery and 7% cholecystostomy (PC)]. TG18 grade alone predicted postoperative/postprocedure morbidity (receiver operating characteristic; AUC=0.884; 95% confidence interval: 0.845-0.923; odds ratio: 4.38, 96% confidence interval, P<0.05).

Discussion:
Utilization of the TG18 grade have shown to be more accurate in risk stratifying and predicting outcomes in patients with AC and therefore may appropriately guide biliary intervention.
PC can be utilized in a select group of septic and co-morbid patients (myocardial infarction <6 weeks, chest infection and acute cerebrovascular accident) unable to withstand surgical intervention or in those with complex biliary disease (Mirizzi Syndrome). In a proportion, PC drains sepsis to improve critical state of the patient enough to consider an interval cholecystectomy with satisfactory outcomes.
Calcium homeostasis disruption initiates rapid growth after micro-fragmentation in the scleractinian coral Porites lobata
Authors: Lock Colin , Bentlage Bastian , Raymundo Laurie J 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCoral reefs are ecosystems under increasing threat from global climate change. Coral restoration is a tool for preserving biological and ecological function of coral reefs by mitigating coral loss and maintaining the structural integrity and complexity of reefs. To generate the necessary stock for coral restoration, larger coral colonies are usually fragmented to generate smaller specimens for outplanting, taking advantage of the high regenerative ability of corals. In this study, we utilized RNA-seq technology to understand the physiological responses of Porites lobata colonies to physical fragmentation and outplanting, which have thus far not been characterized. Our results demonstrate that P. lobata fragments undergoing physical injury recover through two distinct phases: rapid wound regeneration of the cut margins, followed by a slower growth phase that cements the colony to the substrate. Our study found rapid physiological responses to acute physical injury and outplanting in the coral host that involved significantly increased energy production, calcium homeostasis disruption, and Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress leading to increased antioxidant expression and rates of protein turnover. Our results suggest that phosphoinositide-mediated acute calcium homeostasis disruption stimulates wound recovery processes in response to physical injury. Symbiont gene expression revealed extremely low gene differences in response to fragmentation, growth, and outplanting. These results provide insight into the physiological mechanisms that allow for rapid wound healing and stabilization in response to physical injury in corals.
Temperature Stressed Caenorhabditis elegans Males Prioritize Feeding over Mating Resulting in Sterility
Authors: Sepulveda Nicholas B. , Petrella Lisa N. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHeat stress negatively impacts fertility in sexually reproducing organisms at sublethal temperatures. These temperature stress effects are typically more pronounced in males. In some species, sperm production, quality, and motility are the primary cause of male infertility under temperature stress. However, this is not the case in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans where changes in mating behavior are the primary cause of fertility loss. We report that temperature stressed C. elegans males experience a dramatic upset in the balance of their food drive and their mating drive such that they prioritize feeding over mating. This change in priorities is due partially to increased expression of the chemoreceptor odr-10 in the AWA sensory neurons. Increased odr-10 expression in the presence of ample food demonstrates that males are unable to experience satiety, thus they never leave a food source and engage in mate searching behavior. These results demonstrate that moderate temperature stress may have profound and previously underappreciated effects on reproductive behaviors. As climate change associated temperature variability becomes more commonplace, it will be imperative to understand how temperature stress affects conserved behavioral elements critical to reproduction.
Health indicators as a measure of individual health status: public perspectives
Authors: Sokoya Temiloluwa , Zhou Yuchun , Diaz Sebastian , Law Timothy , Himawan Lina , Lekey Francisca , Shi Lu , Gimbel Ronald W. , Jing Xia 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveWe examined the perspectives of the general public on 29 health indicators to provide evidence for further prioritizing the indicators, which were obtained from the literature review. Health status is different from disease status, which can refer to different stages of cancer.DesignThis study uses a cross-sectional design.SettingAn online survey was administered through Ohio University, ResearchMatch, and Clemson University.ParticipantsParticipants included the general public who are 18 years or older. A total of 1153 valid responses were included in the analysis.Primary outcomes measuresParticipants rated the importance of the 29 health indicators. The data were aggregated, cleaned, and analyzed in three ways: (1) to determine the agreement among the three samples on the importance of each indicator (IV = the three samples, DV = individual survey responses); (2) to examine the mean differences between the retained indicators with agreement across the three samples (IV = the identified indicators, DV = individual survey responses); and (3) to rank the groups of indicators after grouping the indicators with no mean differences (IV = the groups of indicators, DV = individual survey responses).ResultsThe descriptive statistics indicate that the top-five rated indicators are drug or substance abuse, smoking or tobacco use, alcohol abuse, major depression, diet and nutrition. The importance of 13 of the 29 health indicators was agreed upon among the three samples. The 13 indicators were categorized into seven groups. Groups 1-3 were rated as significantly higher than Groups 4-7.ConclusionsThis study provides a baseline for prioritizing further the 29 health indicators, which can be used by electronic health records or personal health record system developers. Currently, self-rated health status is used predominantly. Our study provides a foundation to track and measure preventive services more accurately and to develop an individual health status index.Strengths and limitations of this studyThe work establishes the foundation to measure individual health status more comprehensively and objectivelyThe work reflects perspectives from three communities with a relatively large sample sizeThe work provides the foundation to prioritize the 29 health indicators furtherWith real-world longitudinal data, the public perspective data on individual health status measurement would be verified and validated further
Investigation of Genetic Variants and Causal Biomarkers Associated with Brain Aging
Authors: Kim Jangho , Lee Junhyeong , Lee Seunggeun 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDelta age is a biomarker of brain aging that captures differences between the chronological age and the predicted biological brain age. Using multimodal data of brain MRI, genomics, and blood-based biomarkers and metabolomics in UK Biobank, this study investigates an explainable and causal basis of high delta age. A visual saliency map of brain regions showed that lower volumes in the fornix and the lower part of the thalamus are key predictors of high delta age. Genome-wide association analysis of the delta age using the SNP array data identified associated variants in gene regions such as KLF3-AS1 and STX1. Mendelian randomization (MR) for all metabolomic biomarkers and blood-related phenotypes showed that immune-related phenotypes have a causal impact on increasing delta age. Our analysis revealed regions in the brain that are susceptible to the aging process and provided evidence of the causal and genetic connections between immune responses and brain aging.
Efficacy of LD BioAspergillus ICT Lateral flow assay for serodiagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Ray Animesh , Chowdhury Mohit , Sachdev Janya , Sethi Prayas , Meena Ved Prakash , Singh Gagandeep , Xess Immaculata , Vyas Surabhi , Khan MA , Sinha Sanjeev , Denning David W. , Wig Naveet , Kabra SK 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe diagnosis of CPA relies on the detection of IgGAspergillusantibody which is not freely available, especially in resource-poor settings. Point-of-care tests like LDBioAspergillusICT lateral flow assay, evaluated in only a few studies, have shown promising results for diagnosis of CPA. However no study has compared the diagnostic performances of LDBio LFA in setting of tuberculosis endemic countries and have compared it with that of IgGAspergillus.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performances of LDBio LFA in CPA and compare it with existing diagnostic algorithm utilising ImmunoCAP IgG Aspergillus.MethodsSerial patients presenting with respiratory symptoms (cough, hemoptysis, fever etc) for > 4 weeks were screened for eligibility. Relevant investigations including direct microscopy and culture of respiratory secretions, IgGAspergillus, chest imaging etc were done according to existing algorithm. Serum of all patients were tested by LDBio LFA and IgGAspergillus(ImmunoCAP Asp IgG) and their diagnostic performances were compared.ResultsA total of 174 patients were included in the study with ∼66.7% patients having past history of tuberculosis. A diagnosis of CPA was made in 74 (42.5%) of patients. The estimated sensitivity and specificity of LDBio LFA was 67.6% (95% CI: 55.7%-78%) and 81% (95% CI: 71.9%-81%) respectively which increased to 73.3% (95% CI: 60.3%-83.9%) and 83.9% (95% CI: 71.7%-92.4%) respectively in patients with past history of tuberculosis. The sensitivity and specificity of IgGAspergilluswas 82.4% (95% CI: 71.8%-90.3%) and 82% (95% CI: 73.1-89%); 86.7% (95% CI: 75.4%-94.1%) and 80.4% (95% CI: 67.6%-89.8%) in the whole group and those with past history of tuberculosis respectively.ConclusionsLDBio LFA is a point-of-care test with reasonable sensitivity and specificity. However, further tests may have to be done to rule-in or rule-out the diagnosis of CPA in the appropriate setting.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening indicators in a Spanish population-based program: a cohort study
Authors: Bosch Guillermo , Posso Margarita , Louro Javier , Roman Marta , Porta Miquel , Castells Xavier , Macià Francesc 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundTo assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on performance indicators in the population-based breast cancer screening program of Parc de Salut Mar (PSMAR), Barcelona, Spain.MethodsWe conducted a before-and-after, quasi-experimental study to evaluate participation, recall, false-positives, cancer detection rate, and cancer characteristics in our screening population from March 2020 to March 2021 compared with the four previous rounds (2012-2019). Using independent logistic regression models, we estimated the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of each of the performance indicators for the COVID-19 period, controlling by type of screening (prevalent or incident), socioeconomic index, family history of breast cancer, and menopausal status. We analyzed 144,779 observations from 47,571 women.ResultsDuring the COVID-19 period, the odds of participation were 11% lower in first-time invitees (aOR=0.89[95%CI=0.84-0.96]) and in those who had previously participated regularly and irregularly (aOR=0.65 [95%CI=0.61-0.69] and aOR=0.93 [95%CI=0.85-1.03], respectively). Participation showed a modest increase in women not attending any of the previous rounds (aOR=1.07 [95%CI=0.99-1.17]). The recall rate slightly decreased in both prevalent and incident screening (aOR=0.89 [95%CI=0.78-1.01] and aOR=0.89 [95%CI=0.79-1.00], respectively). No significant differences were observed in false-positives (prevalent - aOR=1.07 [95%CI=0.92-1.24] and incident screening -aOR=0.94 [95%CI=0.82-1.08]), cancer detection rate (aOR=0.91 [95%CI=0.69-1.18]), or cancer stages.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected screening attendance, especially in previous participants and newcomers. We found no marked differences in recall, false-positives, or cancer detection, indicating the program’s resilience. There is a need for further evaluations of interval cancers and potential diagnostic delays.
Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pregnancy in Ontario: A Matched Cohort Analysis
Authors: Murison Kiera R. , Grima Alicia A. , Simmons Alison E. , Tuite Ashleigh R. , Fisman David N. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundPregnancy represents a physiological state associated with increased vulnerability to severe outcomes from infectious diseases, both for the pregnant person and developing infant. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may have important health consequences for pregnant individuals, who may also be more reluctant than non-pregnant people to accept vaccination. We sought to estimate the degree to which increased severity of SARS-CoV-2 outcomes can be attributed to pregnancy.MethodsOur study made use of a population-based SARS-CoV-2 case file from Ontario, Canada. Due to both varying propensity to receive vaccination, and changes in dominant circulating viral strains over time, a time-matched cohort study was performed to evaluate the relative risk of severe illness in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 compared to other SARS-CoV-2 infected women of childbearing age (10 to 49 years old). Risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 outcomes (hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) admission) was evaluated in pregnant women and time-matched non-pregnant controls using multivariable conditional logistic regression.ResultsCompared to the rest of the population, non-pregnant women of childbearing age had an elevated risk of infection (standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) 1.28), while risk of infection was reduced among pregnant women (SMR 0.43). After adjustment for age, comorbidity, healthcare worker status, vaccination, and infecting viral variant, pregnant women had a markedly elevated risk of hospitalization (adjusted OR 4.96, 95% CI 3.86 to 6.37) and ICU admission (adjusted OR 6.58, 95% CI 3.29 to 13.18). The relative increase in hospitalization risk associated with pregnancy was greater in women without comorbidities than in those with comorbidities (P for heterogeneity 0.004).InterpretationA time-matched cohort study suggests that while pregnant women may be at a decreased risk of infection relative to the rest of the population, their risk of severe illness is markedly elevated if infection occurs. Given the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in pregnancy, risk-benefit calculus strongly favours SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in pregnant women.