bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salivary bacterial signatures in depression-obesity comorbidity are associated with neurotransmitters and neuroactive dipeptides
Authors: Aleti Gajender , Kohn Jordan N. , Troyer Emily A. , Weldon Kelly , Huang Shi , Tripathi Anupriya , Dorrestein Pieter C. , Swafford Austin D. , Knight Rob , Hong Suzi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Depression and obesity are highly prevalent, often co-occurring conditions marked by inflammation. Microbiome perturbations are implicated in obesity-inflammation-depression interrelationships, but how the microbiome mechanistically contributes to pathology remains unclear. Metabolomic investigations into microbial neuroactive metabolites may offer mechanistic insights into host-microbe interactions. Using 16S sequencing and untargeted mass spectrometry of saliva, and blood monocyte inflammation regulation assays, we identified key microbes, metabolites and host inflammation in association with depressive symptomatology, obesity, and depressive symptomatology-obesity comorbidity.

Results
Gram-negative bacteria with inflammation potential were enriched relative to Gram-positive bacteria in comorbid obesity-depression, supporting the inflammation-oral microbiome link in obesity-depression interrelationships. Oral microbiome was more highly predictive of depressive symptomatology-obesity co-occurrences than of obesity or depressive symptomatology independently, suggesting specific microbial signatures associated with obesity-depression co-occurrences. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed significant changes in levels of signaling molecules of microbiota, microbial or dietary derived signaling peptides and aromatic amino acids among depressive symptomatology, obesity and comorbid obesity-depression. Furthermore, integration of the microbiome and metabolomics data revealed that key oral microbes, many previously shown to have neuroactive potential, co-occurred with potential neuropeptides and biosynthetic precursors of the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine and serotonin.

Conclusions
Together, our findings offer novel insights into oral microbial-brain connection and potential neuroactive metabolites involved.
Left atrial reservoir strain as a predictor of cardiac outcome in patients with heart failure: the HaFaC cohort study
Authors: Bouwmeester Sjoerd , van der Stam Jonna A. , van Loon Saskia L. M. , van Riel Natal A. W. , Boer Arjen-Kars , Dekker Lukas R. , Scharnhorst Volkher , Houthuizen Patrick 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The left atrium (LA) is a key player in the pathophysiology of systolic and diastolic heart failure (HF). Speckle tracking derived LA reservoir strain (LASr) can be used as a prognostic surrogate for elevated left ventricular filling pressure similar to NT-proBNP. The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between LASr and NT-proBNP and its prognostic value with regards to the composite endpoint of HF hospitalization and all-cause mortality within 1 year.

Methods
Outpatients, sent to the echocardiography core lab because of HF, were enrolled into this study. Patients underwent a transthoracic echocardiographic examination, commercially available software was used to measure LASr. Blood samples were collected directly after the echocardiographic examination to determine NT-proBNP.

Results
We included 174 HF patients, 43% with reduced, 36% with mildly reduced, and 21% with preserved ejection fraction. The study population showed a strong inverse correlation between LASr and log-transformed NT-proBNP (r = − 0.75, p < 0.01). Compared to NT-proBNP, LASr predicts the endpoint with a comparable specificity (83% vs. 84%), however with a lower sensitivity (70% vs. 61%).

Conclusion
LASr is inversely correlated with NT-proBNP and a good echocardiographic predictor for the composite endpoint of hospitalization and all-cause mortality in patients with HF.
Trial registration:https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7268
Comparing the prehospital NEWS with in-hospital ESI in predicting 30-day severe outcomes in emergency patients
Authors: Saberian Peyman , Abdollahi Atefeh , Hasani-Sharamin Parisa , Modaber Maryam , Karimialavijeh Ehsan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
In Iran, the emergency departments (EDs) have largely adopted the emergency severity index (ESI) to prioritize the emergency patients, however emergency medical services (EMS) mainly triage the patients based on the paramedics’ gestalt. The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is a recommended prehospital triage in the UK. We aimed to compare prehospital NEWS and ED ESI for predicting severe outcomes in emergency patients.

Methods
An observational study was conducted in a university-affiliated ED between January and April 2021. Adult patients who arrived in the ED by EMS were included. EMS providers calculated the patients' NEWS upon arriving on the scene using an Android NEWS application. In the ED, triage nurses utilized the ESI algorithm to prioritize patients with higher clinical risk. Then, Research nurses recorded patients' 30-day severe outcomes (death or ICU admission). Finally, The prognostic properties of ESI and NEWS were evaluated.

Results
One thousand forty-eight cases were included in the final analysis, of which 29 (2.7%) patients experienced severe outcomes. The difference between the prehospital NEWS and ED ESI in predicting severe outcomes was not statistically significant (AUC = 0.825, 95% CI: 0.74–0.91 and 0.897, 95% CI, 0.83–0.95, for prehospital NEWS and ESI, respectively).

Conclusion
Our findings indicated that prehospital NEWS compares favorably with ED ESI in predicting 30-day severe outcomes in emergency patients.
Activities-specific performance frequency can accurately detect fallers in elderly populations: an alternative method for quantifying activity restrictions
Authors: Chen Lin Y. , Wang Jing X. , Chen Ying Y. , Yang Ya J. , Yao Jia J. , Shen Xia 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The high prevalence of falling among older adults constitutes a major public and clinical health concern. Many elderly persons may develop activities-specific restriction due to the risk of falling. This highlights the need for relevant evaluative tools.

Methods
This cross-sectional study used activities-specific performance frequency indicators to quantify activity restrictions in elderly participants, with all measures based on items from the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Specifically, we tested for correlations between activities-specific performance frequency and balance confidence, functional balance/mobility, and fall history. There were 88 elderly participants, including 28 with stroke, 30 with Parkinson’s disease, and 30 with no neurological diseases. In addition to their activities-specific performance frequency measures, we collected a series of demographic and health-related characteristics from each participant. We analyzed between-group differences in activities-specific performance frequency and other demographic and health-related characteristics via the one-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test. Next, we used the Spearman’s rank correlation test and binary logistic regression to investigate the correlations between activities-specific performance frequency and demographic/other health-related characteristics.

Results
There were significant group differences in performance frequency for all ABC activity items except for walking around the house, average ABC scores, and functional balance/mobility among normal older adults, participants with strokes and those with Parkinson's disease. Activities-specific performance frequency showed stronger correlations with activities-relevant functional mobility (r=0.250-0.713 for 15 items with significant correlations, 13 activity items with r≧0.4) than with balance confidence (r=0.279-0.668 for 13 items with significant correlations, 10 activity items with r≧0.4). The performance frequency of walking in crowds/bumped was the most sensitive measure for predicting fallers (odd ratio=3.310, p<0.05).

Conclusions
This study proposed and validated the usage of activities-specific performance frequency as an alternative method for quantifying activity restrictions among older adults.
Rv3737 is required for Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth in vitro and in vivo and correlates with bacterial load and disease severity in human tuberculosis
Authors: Li Qing , Peng Zhangli , Fu Xuefeng , Wang Hong , Zhao Zhaoliang , Pang Yu , Chen Ling 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Rv3737 is the sole homologue of multifunctional transporter ThrE in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether this transporter participates in vitro and in vivo survival of Mtb.

Methods
To characterize the role of Rv3737, we constructed and characterized a Mtb H37RvΔRv3737. This strain was evaluated for altered growth rate and macrophage survival using a cell model of infection. In addition, the comparative analysis was conducted to determine the association between Rv3737 mRNA expression and disease severity in active pulmonary TB patients.

Results
The H37RvΔRv3737 strain exhibited significantly slow growth rate compared to H37Rv-WT strain in standard culture medium. Additionally, the survival rate of H37Rv-WT strain in macrophages was 2 folds higher than that of H37RvΔRv3737 at 72 h. A significantly higher level of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression was observed in macrophages infected with H37RvΔRv3737 as compared to H37Rv-WT. Of note, Rv3737 expression was significantly increased in clinical Mtb isolates than H37Rv-WT. The relative expression level of Rv3737 was positively correlated with lung cavity number of TB patients. Similarly, the higher Rv3737 mRNA level resulted in lower C(t) value by Xpert MTB/RIF assay, demonstrating that a positive correlation between Rv3737 expression and bacterial load in TB patients.

Conclusions
Our data takes the lead in demonstrate that the threonine transporter Rv3737 is required for in vitro growth and survival of bacteria inside macrophages. In addition, the expression level of Rv3737 may be associated with bacterial load and disease severity in pulmonary tuberculosis patients.
On the accuracy of short-term COVID-19 fatality forecasts
Authors: Antulov-Fantulin Nino , Böttcher Lucas 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Forecasting new cases, hospitalizations, and disease-induced deaths is an important part of infectious disease surveillance and helps guide health officials in implementing effective countermeasures. For disease surveillance in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) combine more than 65 individual forecasts of these numbers in an ensemble forecast at national and state levels. A similar initiative has been launched by the European CDC (ECDC) in the second half of 2021.

Methods
We collected data on CDC and ECDC ensemble forecasts of COVID-19 fatalities, and we compare them with easily interpretable “Euler” forecasts serving as a model-free benchmark that is only based on the local rate of change of the incidence curve. The term “Euler method” is motivated by the eponymous numerical integration scheme that calculates the value of a function at a future time step based on the current rate of change.

Results
Our results show that simple and easily interpretable “Euler” forecasts can compete favorably with both CDC and ECDC ensemble forecasts on short-term forecasting horizons of 1 week. However, ensemble forecasts better perform on longer forecasting horizons.

Conclusions
Using the current rate of change in incidences as estimates of future incidence changes is useful for epidemic forecasting on short time horizons. An advantage of the proposed method over other forecasting approaches is that it can be implemented with a very limited amount of work and without relying on additional data (e.g., data on human mobility and contact patterns) and high-performance computing systems.
Human rhinoviruses prevailed among children in the setting of wearing face masks in Shanghai, 2020
Authors: Jia Ran , Lu Lijuan , Li Shu , Liu Pengcheng , Xu Menghua , Cao Lingfeng , Su Liyun , Xu Jin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the predominant etiological agent of the common cold in children and adults. A recent study showed that the inhibitory effect of face masks on viral shedding of HRV was less prominent than that on other respiratory viruses. Considering that most Chinese people have worn face masks in public area since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, we aimed to find out whether HRV prevailed among children in 2020 and demonstrate the details of the epidemiological features of HRV under such a special circumstance.

Methods
We summarized the incidences of various respiratory virus infections in patients who visited the Children’s Hospital of Fudan University during 2018–2020, and genotyped HRV positive nasopharyngeal specimens collected from 316 inpatients and 72 outpatients that visited the hospital in 2020.

Results
There was a major prevalence of HRV among children in the latter half of 2020, with a clear seasonality that HRV-As prevailed in summer while HRV-Cs in autumn. HRV-As were more prone to cause severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), while HRV-Cs were closely associated with childhood wheezing. The predominant genotypes were A11, A28, A47, A82, A101, C40 and C43. Notably, A21, A82 and A101 took up larger proportions in severe cases than in non-severe cases.

Conclusions
Our findings described a major prevalence of HRVs among children in 2020, which highlight the unique transmitting pattern of HRV and help to narrow the targets for antiviral strategies.
Local tuning of radiomics-based model for predicting pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Tang Bin , Lenkowicz Jacopo , Peng Qian , Boldrini Luca , Hou Qing , Dinapoli Nicola , Valentini Vincenzo , Diao Peng , Yin Gang , Orlandini Lucia Clara 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to further enhance a validated radiomics-based model for predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) after chemo‑radiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) for use in clinical practice.

Methods
A generalized linear model (GLM) to predict pCR in LARC patients previously trained in Europe and validated with an external inter-continental cohort (59 patients), was first examined with further 88 intercontinental patient datasets to assess its reproducibility; then new radiomics and clinical features, and validation methods were investigated to build a new model for enhancing the pCR prediction for patients admitted to our department. The patients were divided into training group (75%) and validation group (25%) according to their demographic. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression was used to reduce the dimensionality of the extracted features of the training group and select the optimal ones; the performance of the reference GLM and enhanced models was compared through the area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics.

Results
The value of AUC of the reference model was 0.831 (95% CI, 0.701–0.961), and 0.828 (95% CI, 0.700–0.956) in the original and new validation cohorts, respectively, showing a reproducibility in the applicability of the GLM model. Eight features were found to be significant with LASSO and used to establish an enhanced model. The AUC of the enhanced model of 0.926 (95% CI, 0.859–0.993) for training, and 0.926 (95% CI, 0.767–1.00) for the validation group shows better performance than the reference model.

Conclusions
The GLM model shows good reproducibility in predicting pCR in LARC; the enhanced model has the potential to improve prediction accuracy and may be a candidate in clinical practice.
Bilateral paralysis of peroneal nerve after COVID-19 disease: a case report
Authors: Morawiec Natalia , Chyra Daria , Boroń Adrianna , Adamczyk Bożena , Jaroszewicz Jerzy , Sobala-Szczygieł Barbara , Adamczyk-Sowa Monika 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV 2 has rapidly developed into pandemic. This infectious disease affecting mainly respiratory system may cause multiple systemic disorders. With increasing number of new infected patients there are more and more cases with neurological complications secondary to COVID-19.

Case presentation
Here we present a case of 67-years old Polish male with previously no comorbidities, who has developed bilateral paralysis of peroneal nerve after SARS-CoV 2 infection. Prior to the hospitalization he presented cough and fever and weakness. RT-PCR was reported positive for COVID-19 infection. Then he developed pneumonia and respiratory failure with bilateral lung consolidations on radiological examination. Laboratory findings revealed elevated levels of D-dimer, CRP, AspAT, GGTP, PCT and serum glucose. After discharge from hospital he was diagnosed with thrombophlebitis and prediabetes on follow-up visits. Due to problems with walking, numbness of toes and involuntary muscle spasms in hands, the patient went to the Neurological Outpatient Clinic. After neurological examination bilateral paralysis of peroneal nerve was revealed.

Conclusions
In this report we want to highlight one of the unexpected presentations of SARS-CoV 2 infection and emphasize the importance of neurological examination in COVID-19 patients.
“Once you get one maternal death, it's like the whole world is dropping on you”: experiences of managing maternal mortality amongst obstetric care providers in Ghana
Authors: Stabnick Anna , Yeboah Michael , Arthur-Komeh Johnny , Ankobea Frank , Moyer Cheryl A. , Lawrence Emma R. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Maternal mortality has a significant global impact, especially in low-resource settings. Little prior research has been conducted on the potential effects of poor maternal outcomes on the personal and professional well-being of healthcare providers. This study explores the in-depth experiences and perspectives of obstetric providers in Ghana who work in a setting with frequent maternal mortalities.

Methods
This is a qualitative study of semi-structured interviews conducted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Participants were obstetric healthcare providers, defined as midwives, house officers currently rotating on the obstetrics/gynecology service, and obstetrician/gynecologists at any training or practice level (residents, fellows, and specialists). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and uploaded into NVivo for qualitative analysis. Using the Attride-Stirling qualitative model, an incremental and iterative process was used to code interviews with keyword phrases and develop a framework of organizing and global themes.

Results
Interviews were conducted with 27 participants—15 midwives and 12 physicians (three obstetrician/gynecologist residents, six obstetrician/gynecologist specialists, and three house officers), with sample size determined by data saturation. Obstetric providers’ experiences in a setting with frequent maternal mortalities were dependent on their level of preparedness to manage maternal mortalities and the workplace environment. Providers’ level of preparedness was dependent on both the training they had received on the medical management of obstetric emergencies, as well as a lack of training on the mental health aspects of coping with maternal mortality. The impact of the workplace environment was dependent on systems failures and limited resources, blame from colleagues and supervisors, and a lack of support in the workplace. In turn, obstetric providers’ experiences managing frequent maternal mortalities impacted their clinical care performance and mental health.

Conclusions
Maternal deaths have profound personal and professional impacts on the healthcare providers who manage them. A large need exists for additional institutional training and support for obstetric providers who manage maternal mortality, especially in low-resource settings like Ghana.
Massive ascites due to lupus peritonitis in a patient with pre-eclampsia and systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report
Authors: Sugai Shunya , Suda Kazuaki , Tamegai Kana , Haino Kazufumi , Nakatsue Takeshi , Narita Ichiei , Enomoto Takayuki , Nishijima Koji 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are associated with pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia can have systemic manifestations, such as ascites. Lupus peritonitis, a rare condition in patients with SLE, can also cause ascites.

Case presentation
A 31-year-old woman, primigravida, with SLE had a blood pressure of 170/110 mmHg and proteinuria at 29 weeks of gestation. She was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. Her blood pressure was stabilized by an antihypertensive drug. At 30 weeks of gestation, a cesarean section was performed for maternal safety because of decreased urine output and massive ascites. Postoperatively, re-accumulation of ascites was observed. On the fourth postoperative day, ascites (approximately 3 L) was discharged from the cesarean section wound. A decrease in serum complement concentrations was observed, and she was diagnosed as having lupus peritonitis. The steroid dose was increased and she recovered well thereafter.

Conclusions
Ascites occurs in pre-eclampsia and SLE, but determining which of these conditions causes ascites can be difficult. However, careful observation is necessary because of the differences in treatment of these two conditions.
Adverse effects of cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy for malignant ascites: a single-institute experience
Authors: Tsubokura Misato , Adegawa Yuko , Kojima Minoru , Tanosaki Ryuji , Ohtake Ryuzaburo , Kase Yuki , Iwashita Nao , Kasane Moemi , Nakabayashi Saori , Takeuchi Sayaka , Kato Ken , Boku Narikazu , Kanemitsu Yukihide , Okusaka Takuji , Fujimoto Hiroyuki , Yonemori Kan , Ishiki Hiroto , Kawamura Kimihiko , Satomi Eriko , Matsushita Hiromichi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is a strategy for improving various intractable symptoms due to refractory ascites, including hypoalbuminemia. CART has recently been applied in the treatment of cancer patients. This study was performed to assess the safety of CART in a single cancer institute.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 233 CART procedures that were performed for 132 cancer patients in our institute.

Results
The median weight of ascites before and after concentration was 4,720 g and 490 g (median concentration rate, 10.0-fold), The median amounts of total protein and albumin were 64.0 g and 32.6 g (median recovery rates, 44.9% and 49.0%), respectively. Thirty-three adverse events (AEs) were observed in 22 (9.4%) of 233 procedures; 30 of these events occurred after reinfusion. The most common reinfusion-related AEs were fever (13 events) and chills (10 events). Univariate analyses revealed no significant relationships between the frequency of AEs and age, sex, appearance of ascites, weight of harvested and concentrated ascites, the ascites processing rate (filtration and concentration), weight of saline used for membrane cleaning, amount of calculated total protein for infusion, or prophylaxis against AEs; the reinfusion rate of ≥ 125 mL/h or ≥ 10.9 g/h of total protein affected the frequency of AEs, regardless of the prophylactic use of steroids.

Conclusions
The observed AEs were mainly mild reactions after reinfusion, which were related to a reinfusion rate of volume ≥ 125 mL/h, a simple indicator in practice, or total protein ≥ 10.9 g/h. Although our study was retrospective in nature and undertaken in a single institute, this information may be helpful for the management of cancer patients with refractory malignant ascites using CART.