bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arterial stiffness throughout pregnancy: Arteriograph device-specific reference ranges based on a low-risk population
Authors: Anness Abigail R. , Nath Mintu , Melhuish Kess , Osman Mohammed W. , Webb David , Robinson Thompson , Khalil Asma , Mousa Hatem A. 
Published: February 2022

Objective:
The maternal cardiovascular system undergoes significant adaptation during pregnancy. We aimed to examine the changes in arterial stiffness parameters during normal pregnancy and establish reference ranges for the general population.

Methods:
We performed a prospective cross-sectional observational study at the University Hospitals of Leicester. We included low-risk healthy pregnant women with singleton and viable pregnancies with no evidence of foetal abnormality or aneuploidy. Smokers, women with pre-existing or gestational hypertensive disorders and diabetes, booking BMI at least 30, on medication that could affect cardiac function and/or those who delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation, and/or a neonate with birthweight less than 10th centile were excluded. Brachial (BrAIx) and aortic augmentation indices (AoAIx), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were assessed using the Arteriograph. Data were analysed using a linear mixed model.

Results:
We analysed a total of 571 readings from 259 women across different gestational ages and present the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th centiles for BrAIx, AoAIx and PWV from 12+0 to 42+0 weeks’ gestation. All haemodynamic variables were significantly associated with maternal heart rate. BrAIx, AoAIx and PWV demonstrated significant change with gestation, with all reaching their lowest value in the second trimester.

Conclusion:
The current study presents reference ranges for BrAIx, AoAIx and PWV in low-risk singleton pregnancies. Further work is required to establish if women in whom measures of arterial stiffness lie above the 90th centile could be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and to identify the optimum time for screening.
Temperature Screening of Healthcare Personnel Is Ineffective in Controlling COVID-19
Authors: Maung Zaw , Kristensen Marissa , Hoffman Bridget , Jacobson Mark A. 
Published: February 2022

Objective:Our aim was to describe the effectiveness of employee temperature screening at a public hospital in San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:An estimated 6000 health care personnel (HCP) underwent daily screening before entry to campus. Logs of failed employee entrance temperature screenings from March 2020 through March 2021 were reviewed.Results:From March 2020 through March 2021, only one employee, who reported no symptom that could bar their entry to work, had an elevated temperature on screening. On re-check with an oral thermometer, that individual's temperature was normal.Conclusions:While the rationale to continue temperature screening may be rooted in beliefs it will increase employee reporting of symptoms or exposures, our results indicates that such screening of HCP at large US hospitals has no utility in detecting COVID-19 or controlling its transmission.
Healthcare Avoidance in Aircraft Pilots Due to Concern for Aeromedical Certificate Loss
Authors: Hoffman William R. , Aden James , Barbera R. Daniel , Mayes Ryan , Willis Adam , Patel Parth , Tvaryanas Anthony 
Published: February 2022

Objective:
To study healthcare avoidance behavior in pilots related to fear of aeromedical certificate loss.

Methods:
Voluntary participation in an anonymous survey distributed to U.S. pilots.

Results:
A total of 3765 pilots were included in the analysis. There were 56.1% of pilots (n = 2111) who reported a history of healthcare avoidance behavior due fear for losing their aeromedical certificate. There were 45.7% who sought informal medical care (n = 1721) and 26.8% who misrepresented/withheld information on a written healthcare questionnaire for fear of aeromedical certificate loss (n = 994).

Conclusions:
Aircraft pilots may participate in healthcare avoidance behavior related to fear of losing their aeromedical certificate. Further work is necessary to address pilot healthcare avoidance.
The indirect impact of heart rate variability on cold pressor pain tolerance and intensity through psychological distress in individuals with chronic pain: the Tromsø Study
Authors: Paccione Charles E. , Bruehl Stephen , My Diep Lien , Rosseland Leiv A. , Stubhaug Audun , Jacobsen Henrik B. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Introduction:
Chronic pain (CP) patients often display lower heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS), which are associated with increased evoked pain intensity and decreased pain tolerance.

Objective:
The purpose of this study was to test whether the association between low levels of HRV and BRS and increased evoked pain responsiveness in individuals with CP is mediated by psychological distress and whether this mediation is sex dependent.

Methods:
The sample consisted of 877 participants in Wave 6 of the Tromsø population study who reported clinically meaningful CP. Resting HRV and BRS parameters were derived from continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure recordings. Psychological distress was assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10. After cardiovascular assessment, participants completed a 106-second cold pressor task (3°C bath), which assessed cold pressor pain intensity (CPI) and cold pressor pain tolerance (CPT).

Results:
In the full CP sample, mediation analyses showed significant indirect effects, without direct effects, of HRV and BRS on both CPT and CPI via psychological distress. When stratified by sex, significant indirect effects via psychological distress were only found in males for the impact of rMSSD on CPT, the impact of SDNN on CPT, and the impact of BRS on CPT via psychological distress. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that there were no significant sex differences in the indirect effects of HRV and BRS on both CPT and CPI via psychological distress.

Conclusions:
The hypoalgesic impact of cardiovascular regulatory systems on evoked pain responses is conveyed via the indirect effects of psychological distress.
Outcomes after Bone-Ligament-Bone Intercarpal Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Ross Phillip R. , Gundlach Benjamin , Yue Molin , Chung Kevin C. 
Published: February 2022

Background:
Numerous surgical reconstructive techniques have been described for chronic scapholunate and lunotriquetral interosseous ligament instability.

Methods:
The authors retrospectively reviewed 16 consecutive patients who underwent bone-ligament-bone reconstruction for scapholunate or lunotriquetral intraosseous ligament predynamic and dynamic instability at a single tertiary care institution from 2013 to 2019. Clinical and radiographic outcomes, and complications, were recorded.

Results:
Eleven patients had bone-ligament-bone reconstruction for scapholunate ligament injuries and five for lunotriquetral instability. Fourteen patients (87.5 percent) underwent diagnostic arthroscopy before bone-ligament-bone reconstruction, with nine of 14 having grade 3 and four of 14 having grade 4 injury. Capitohamate bone-ligament-bone grafts were used in nine patients (56 percent) and the graft was taken from Lister tubercle in seven (44 percent). The average age at surgery was 37 years. The average follow-up was 60.6 weeks. There were no significant differences between preoperative and postoperative radiographic parameters. Median postoperative wrist flexion was 45 degrees, and mean postoperative wrist extension was 53 degrees, which were significantly less than contralateral flexion (85 degrees; p < 0.0001) and extension (78 degrees; p < 0.0001). Thirty-eight percent of patients complained of persistent pain at final follow-up, and two patients (13 percent) underwent salvage procedures, both at approximately 6.5 months after the index reconstruction.

Conclusion:
Short-term outcomes of bone-ligament-bone reconstruction for early-stage scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament injuries reveal many patients with residual postoperative wrist pain and disability, and almost uniform limitations in flexion-extension motion.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
Therapeutic, IV.
A Call for Evidence-Based Conservative Management of Nail Unit Malignancies
Authors: Stiff Katherine M. , Jellinek Nathaniel , Knackstedt Thomas J. 
Published: February 2022

Summary:
Nail unit squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma are the most common malignancies of the nail apparatus. Compared to their cutaneous counterparts, they are diagnosed later and perceived as more aggressive. This may result in overzealous management, including radiographic imaging with poor sensitivity and specificity, interventional nodal staging by sentinel lymph node biopsy, amputation over digit-sparing tumor resections, and elaborate reconstructions after tumor extirpation. In this review article, the authors evaluate the evidence behind several misconceptions in nail malignancy management and provide evidence-based guidance for more conservative care.
Prkra Mutation Alters circRNA Expression During Embryonic External Ear Development
Authors: Liu Wei , Jin Shengyang , Lin Lin , Yang Qinghua , Jiang Haiyue 
Published: February 2022

Abstract:
The changes in circRNA expression profile in the mouse external ear tissue during embryonic development to E15.5 and E17.5 can provide clues for the study of the regulation of external ear embryonic development. To understand the changes in gene regulation and expression of circRNA involved in mouse external ear embryonic development, a Prkra Little ear mouse model was used, and the changes in circRNA expression profiles were detected using next-generation sequencing. The changes in the expression of circRNA in the experimental group compared with those in the control group were identified using the find_circ and CiRi2 software, and the differentially expressed circRNAs were annotated via Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. The results show that the development of mouse external ear embryos is regulated by circRNA expression.
Children with neurodevelopmental disorders: how do they sleep?
Authors: Belli Arianna , Breda Maria , Di Maggio Chiara , Esposito Dario , Marcucci Lavinia , Bruni Oliviero 
Published: February 2022

Purpose of review
In this review we summarized the available evidence on sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in particular: intellectual disability (including some genetic conditions such as Prader–Willi Syndrome, Smith-Magenis Syndrome), Autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Developmental Coordination Disorder, language disorders, and specific learning disorders.

Recent findings
Children with NDDs frequently suffer from sleep disturbances, with a higher prevalence than that of the general pediatric population.

Summary
These problems tend to be chronic and may cause additional cognitive and behavioral difficulties, often affecting the whole family's well-being. Sleep behaviors are also related to other important developmental skills, such as attention and listening. Investigating sleep disorders in children with NDDs is therefore crucial in clinical practice. For a systematic approach in clinical practice, we propose the use of a short and easy to remember sleep screening tool.
Role of COVID-19 vaccinal status in admitted children during OMICRON variant circulation in Rio de Janeiro, city- Preliminary report
Authors: Araujo da Silva AR , de Carvalho BRR , Esteves MM , Teixeira CH , Souza CV 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate COVID-19 vaccination status in admitted children during the OMICRON variant circulation.DesignObservational retrospective study. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 were compared in two different periods: 2020-2021 when full COVID-19 vaccine were not completed for adolescents between 12 and 18 years and 2022, when Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine full scheme were completed for children older 12 yearsSettingTwo paediatric hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, cityPatientsChildren aged <18 years with confirmed COVID-19.InterventionNoneMain outcomeVaccination status for COVID-19 at the admission.ResultsThree-hundred patients were admitted with confirmed COVID-19, being 240 in 2020-2021, and 60 in 2022. The distribution of patients according to the age-groups were: 0-2 years (33.3% in 2020-2021 and 53.4% in 2022), 2-5 years (21.7% in 2020-2021 and 10% in 2022), 5-11 years (29.2% in 2020-2021 and 28.3% in 2022) and 12-18 years (15.8% in 2020-2021 and 8.3% in 2022) (p= 0.015). The median of lenght of stay was 6 days in 2020-2021 and 5 days in 2022 (p=0.036). We verified 6 deaths and in the first period of analysis and 1 death in the second one (p=0.777). Of 60 children admitted in 2022, fifty-eigth (96.7%) not received the full scheme of COVID-19 vaccine availableConclusionsWe verified in a “real world condition” ability of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in avoid hospitalization in children older than 12 years
Favipiravir, lopinavir-ritonavir or combination therapy (FLARE): a randomised, double blind, 2x2 factorial placebo-controlled trial of early antiviral therapy in COVID-19
Authors: Lowe David M , Brown Li-An K , Chowdhury Kashfia , Davey Stephanie , Yee Philip , Ikeji Felicia , Ndoutoumou Amalia , Shah Divya , Lennon Alexander , Rai Abhulya , Agyeman Akosua A , Checkley Anna , Longley Nicola , Dehbi Hakim-Moulay , Freemantle Nick , Breuer Judith , Standing Joseph F ,   FLARE Investigators
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundEarly antiviral treatment is effective for COVID-19 but currently available agents are expensive. Favipiravir is routinely used in many countries, but efficacy is unproven. Antiviral combinations have not been systematically studied. We aimed to evaluate the effect of favipiravir, lopinavir-ritonavir or the combination of both agents on SARS-CoV-2 viral load trajectory when administered early.MethodsWe conducted a Phase 2, proof of principle, randomised, placebo-controlled, 2×2 factorial, double-blind trial of outpatients with early COVID-19 (within 7 days of symptom onset) at two sites in the United Kingdom. Participants were randomised using a centralised online process to receive: favipiravir (1800mg twice daily on Day 1 followed by 400mg four times daily on Days 2-7) plus lopinavir-ritonavir (400mg/100mg twice daily on Day 1, followed by 200mg/50mg four times daily on Days 2-7); favipiravir plus lopinavir-ritonavir placebo; lopinavir-ritonavir plus favipiravir placebo; or both placebos. The primary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 viral load at Day 5, accounting for baseline viral load. ClinicalTrials·gov: NCT04499677.FindingsBetween 6 October 2020 and 4 November 2021, we recruited 240 participants. For the favipiravir+lopinavir-ritonavir, favipiravir+placebo, lopinavir-ritonavir+placebo and placebo-only arms, we recruited 61, 59, 60 and 60 participants and analysed 55, 56, 55 and 58 participants respectively who provided viral load measures at Day 1 and Day 5. In the primary analysis, the mean viral load in the favipiravir+placebo arm had decreased by 0.57 log10 (95% CI -1.21 to 0.07, p=0.08) and in the lopinavir-ritonavir+placebo arm by 0.18 log10 (95% CI -0.82 to 0.46, p=0.58) more than in the placebo arm at Day 5. There was no significant interaction between favipiravir and lopinavir-ritonavir (interaction coefficient term: 0.59 log10, 95% CI -0.32 to 1.50, p=0.20). More participants had undetectable virus at Day 5 in the favipiravir+placebo arm compared to placebo only (46.3% vs 26.9%, odds ratio (OR): 2.47, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.65; p=0.03). Adverse events were observed more frequently with lopinavir-ritonavir, mainly gastrointestinal disturbance. Favipiravir drug levels were lower in the combination arm than the favipiravir monotherapy arm.InterpretationAt the current doses, no treatment significantly reduced viral load in the primary analysis. Favipiravir requires further evaluation with consideration of dose escalation. Lopinavir-ritonavir administration was associated with lower plasma favipiravir concentrations.FundingLifeArc, UK.
Co-infection with SARS-COV-2 Omicron and Delta Variants Revealed by Genomic Surveillance
Authors: Rockett Rebecca J , Draper Jenny , Gall Mailie , Sim Eby M , Arnott Alicia , Agius Jessica E , Johnson-Mackinnon Jessica , Martinez Elena , Drew Alexander P , Lee Clement , Ngo Christine , Ramsperger Marc , Ginn Andrew N , Wang Qinning , Fennell Michael , Ko Danny , Huston Linda , Kairaitis Lukas , Holmes Edward C , O’Sullivan Matthew N , Chen Sharon C-A , Kok Jen , Dwyer Dominic E , Sintchenko Vitali 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTWe identified the co-infection of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variants in two epidemiologically unrelated patients with chronic kidney disease requiring haemodialysis. Both SARS-CoV-2 variants were co-circulating locally at the time of detection. Amplicon- and probe-based sequencing using short- and long-read technologies identified and quantified Omicron and Delta subpopulations in respiratory samples from the two patients. These findings highlight the importance of genomic surveillance in vulnerable populations.
Genome Enrichment of Rare, Unknown Species from Complicated Microbiome by Nanopore Selective Sequencing
Authors: Sun Yuhong , Li Xiang , Yang Qing , Zhao Bixi , Wu Ziqi , Xia Yu 
Published: February 2022

AbstractRare species are vital members of a microbial community, but retrieving their genomes is difficult due to their low abundance. The ReadUntil (RU) approach allows nanopore devices to sequence specific DNA molecules selectively in real-time, which provides an opportunity for enriching rare species. However, there is still a gap in RU-based enriching of rare and unknown species in environmental samples whose community composition is unclear, and many species lack corresponding reference in public databases. Here we present metaRUpore to overcome this challenge. We applied metaRUpore to a thermophilic anaerobic digester (TAD) community, it successfully redirected the sequencing throughput from high-abundance populations to rare species while facilitating the recovery of 41 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) at low sequencing effort. The simplicity and robustness of the approach make it accessible for labs with moderate computational resources and hold the potential to become the standard practice in future metagenomic sequencing of complicated microbiomes.
KIBRA Regulates AMPA Receptor Expression, Synaptic Plasticity, and Memory in an Age-Dependent Manner
Authors: Mendoza Matthew L. , Quigley Lilyana , Dunham Thomas , Volk Lenora J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe biological mechanisms supporting age-dependent changes in learning and memory remain elusive. While a growing body of human literature implicates KIBRA in memory and neurodevelopmental disorders, KIBRA’s molecular function and contribution to maturation of synaptic function and cognition remain poorly understood. Despite being expressed throughout early postnatal development, germline deletion of KIBRA impairs synaptic plasticity selectively in adult rodents. However, it is unclear whether KIBRA facilitates proper brain maturation necessary for adult plasticity or whether it plays a distinct role in plasticity in the adult brain. Here, using an inducible KIBRA knockout mouse, we demonstrate that acutely deleting KIBRA in adult forebrain neurons impairs both spatial memory and long-term potentiation (LTP). The deficits in LTP correlate with an adult-selective decrease in extrasynaptic AMPA receptors under basal conditions. We also identify a novel role for KIBRA in LTP-induced AMPAR upregulation. In contrast, acute deletion of KIBRA in juvenile forebrain neurons did not affect LTP and had minimal effects on basal AMPAR expression. These data suggest that KIBRA serves a unique role in adult hippocampal function through regulation of basal and activity-dependent AMPAR proteostasis that supports synaptic plasticity.Significance StatementSynaptic plasticity supported by trafficking of postsynaptic AMPA receptors is a conserved mechanism underlying learning and memory. The nature and efficacy of learning and memory undergo substantial changes during childhood and adolescent development, but the mechanisms underlying this cognitive maturation remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the human memory- and neurodevelopmental disorder-associated gene KIBRA facilitates memory and hippocampal synaptic plasticity selectively in the adult hippocampus. Furthermore, we show that selective loss of KIBRA from adult but not juvenile neurons reduces expression of extrasynaptic AMPA receptors and prevents LTP-induced increases in AMPAR expression. Overall, our results suggest that KIBRA participates in cellular and molecular processes that become uniquely necessary for memory and synaptic plasticity in early adulthood.
Clinical and immunological features of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals requiring hospitalization
Authors: Lamacchia Giulia , Mazzoni Alessio , Spinicci Michele , Vanni Anna , Salvati Lorenzo , Peruzzi Benedetta , Bencini Sara , Capone Manuela , Carnasciali Alberto , Farahvachi Parham , Rocca Arianna , Kiros Seble Tekle , Graziani Lucia , Zammarchi Lorenzo , Mencarini Jessica , Colao Maria Grazia , Caporale Roberto , Liotta Francesco , Cosmi Lorenzo , Rossolini Gian Maria , Bartoloni Alessandro , Maggi Laura , Annunziato Francesco 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundWaning immunity and the surge of SARS-CoV-2 variants are responsible for breakthrough infections, i.e. infections in fully vaccinated individuals. Although the majority of vaccinated infected subjects reports mild or no symptoms, some others require hospitalization. The clinical and immunological features of vaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients are currently unknown.Methods29 unvaccinated and 36 vaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients were prospectively enrolled and clinical and laboratory data. Immunophenotyping of leukocytes’ subsets, T and B cell SARS-CoV-2 specific responses were evaluated via flow cytometry. Anti-IFN-α autoantibodies were measured via ELISA.ResultsDespite vaccinated patients were older and with more comorbidities, unvaccinated subjects showed higher levels of pro-inflammatory markers, more severe disease and increased mortality rate. Accordingly, they presented significant alterations in the circulating leukocyte composition, typical of severe COVID-19. Vaccinated patients displayed higher levels of anti-Spike IgGs and Spike-specific B cells. Of all participants, survivors showed higher levels of anti-Spike IgGs and S-specific CD4+ T cells than non-survivors. At hospital admission, 6 out of 65 patients (9.2%) displayed high serum concentrations of autoantibodies targeting IFN-α. Remarkably, 3 were unvaccinated and eventually died, while the other 3 were vaccinated and survived.ConclusionDespite more severe pre-existing clinical conditions, vaccinated patients have good outcome. A rapid activation of anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity is fundamental for the resolution of the infection. Therefore, prior immunization through vaccination provides a significant contribute to prevention of disease worsening and can even overcome the presence of high-risk factors (i.e. older age, comorbidities, anti-IFN-α autoantibodies positivity).