bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 on Oncology Healthcare Providers
Authors: Marshall Victoria K. , Mason Tina M. , Chavez Melody , Martinez-Tyson Dinorah , Bugajski Andrew 
Published: January 2022

Background
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has plagued countries worldwide. This pandemic has greatly affected healthcare delivery and those providing care to vulnerable, immunocompromised patients undergoing cancer treatment, who are at a higher risk for poorer outcomes related to COVID-19.

Objective
The aim of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on oncology healthcare professionals (OHCPs).

Methods
An exploratory study design was employed using semistructured interviews. A thematic analysis was completed using Atlas.ti software.

Results
Of 30 OHCP participants, most were female (90%), registered nurses (70%), and bachelor's prepared (66%). The following themes emerged: (1) pandemic-related restrictions and stress on personal lives impacted the ability of OHCPs to rejuvenate and reenergize for work; (2) fear of exposure and transmission and concern for high-risk status for contracting COVID-19; (3) limited resources and inconsistent communication about organizational policies caused additional stress, affecting OHCP trust and confidence in the system; (4) concern for the mental health of fellow OCHPs; (5) adaptation and resilience were required amidst shifting workloads, workflow, and new restrictions; and (6) importance of self-care to reduce personal/professional stressors.

Conclusions
Oncology healthcare professionals continue to face challenges of COVID-19 on their personal and professional lives yet have shown resilience during these unprecedented times.

Implications for Practice
Oncology healthcare professionals need to advocate for appropriate personal protective equipment and reliable mental health support services through employers. They should be engaged in COVID-19 task forces to ensure their challenges are heard and needs are addressed to provide quality oncology care.
Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery: 14 Cases of Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parapharyngeal Space
Authors: Salzano Giovanni , Togo Giulia , Maglitto Fabio , Borriello Gerardo , Perri Francesco , Audino Giovanni , Vaira Luigi Angelo , Maglione Maria Grazia , Petrocelli Marzia , Califano Luigi , Ionna Franco 
Published: January 2022

Purpose:
The aim of this study has been to describe our experience with pleomorphic adenomas of the parapharyngeal space (PPS) treated with trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS). Tumors arising from the PPS comprise less than 0.5% of all head and neck tumors. Salivary gland tumors account for 40% to 50% of PPS lesions with pleomorphic adenomas representing the most common salivary tumors (80%–90%). Parapharyngeal space tumors cause nonspecific symptoms and may be difficult to diagnose.

Methods:
In our study a preoperative diagnosis was conducted by fine needle aspiration biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging and the results were used to plan the correct surgical approach.

Results:
In all cases we were able to employ TORS, a minimally invasive procedure that allows us to operate in narrow and anatomically complex spaces that we can only reach thanks to the use of well-articulated hand pieces.

Conclusions:
This report indicates that TORS is a safe surgical procedure for the excision of benign tumors of the PPS in selected cases.
Differentiation of Critical Illness Myopathy and Critical Illness Neuropathy Using Nerve Ultrasonography
Authors: Gruber Leonhard , Loizides Alexander , Gruber Hannes , Skalla Elisabeth , Haushammer Silke , Horlings Corinne , Beer Ronny , Helbok Raimund , Löscher Wolfgang N. 
Published: January 2022

Purpose:
Intensive care unit–acquired weakness occurs frequently in intensive care unit patients, including critical illness myopathy (CIM) and critical illness polyneuropathy (CIPN). The authors present a prospective study to assess the ultrasound pattern sum score to differentiate between confirmed CIM, sensory neuropathy, and CIPN cases.

Methods:
Cross-sectional areas of 12 predefined nerve segments in 16 patients were sonographically examined. Single-nerve cross-sectional areas and ultrasound pattern sum score values were compared; results are given as P-values and receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC).

Results:
In neuropathy, significant single-nerve cross-sectional area enlargement was observed in the median (P = 0.04), ulnar (P = 0.04), and fibular nerves (P = 0.0003). The ultrasound pattern sum score could reliably differentiate between pure CIM and neuropathy (P = 0.0002, AUC 0.92), CIM and sensory neuropathy (P = 0.001, AUC 0.88), and CIM and CIPN (P = 0.007, AUC 0.92), but not between sensory neuropathy and CIPN (P = 0.599, AUC 0.48).

Conclusions:
Nerve ultrasonography reliably identifies neuropathy in intensive care unit–acquired weakness, yet cannot differentiate between sensory neuropathy and CIPN. A standardized ultrasound algorithm can serve as a fast bedside test for the presence of neuropathy in intensive care unit–acquired weakness.
“It affects every aspect of your life”: A qualitative study of the impact of delaying surgery during COVID-19
Authors: Sauro KM , Smith C , Kersen J , Schalm E , Jaworska N , Roach P , Beesoon S , Brindle ME 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare systems, leading many jurisdictions to reduce surgical services to create capacity (beds and staff) to care for the surge of patients with COVID-19. These decisions were made in haste, and little is known about the impact on patients whose surgery was delayed. This study explores the impact of delaying non-urgent surgeries on patients, from their perspective.MethodsUsing an interpretative description approach, we conducted interviews with adult patients and their caregivers who had their surgery delayed or cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Canada. Trained interviewers conducted semi-structured interviews. Interviews were iteratively analyzed by two independent reviewers using an inductive approach to thematic content analysis to understand key elements of the patient experience.ResultsWe conducted 16 interviews with participants ranging from 27 to 75 years of age with a variety of surgical procedures delayed. We identified four interconnected themes: individual-level impacts (physical health, mental health, family and friends, work, quality of life), system-level factors (healthcare resources, communication, perceived accountability/responsibility), unique issues related to COVID-19, and uncertainty.InterpretationThe patient-reported impact of having a surgery delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic was diffuse and consequential. While the decision to delay non-urgent surgeries was made to manage the strain on healthcare systems, our study illustrates the consequences of these decisions. We advocate for the development and adoption of strategies to mitigate the burden of distress that waiting for surgery during and after COVID-19 has on patients and their family/caregivers.
Humoral immune response of patients infected by earlier lineages of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizes wild types of the most prevalent variants in Brazil
Authors: Pauvolid-Corrêa Alex , Caetano Braulia Costa , Machado Ana Beatriz , Araújo Ferreira Mia , Valente Natalia , Neves Thayssa Keren , Geraldo Kim , Motta Fernando , Gonçalves Veloso dos Santos Valdiléa , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Mendonça Siqueira Marilda , Resende Paola Cristina 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn the present study, serum samples of 20 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from Brazil who were infected by the earlier SARS-CoV-2 lineages B.1.1.28 and B.1.1.33, and by the variant of concern (VOC) Gamma (P.1) were tested by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90) with wild isolates of a panel of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including B.1, Zeta, N.10, and the VOCs Gamma, Alpha, and Delta that emerged in different timeframes of the pandemic. The main objectives of the present study were to evaluate if serum of COVID-19 patients infected by earlier lineages of SARS-CoV-2 were capable to neutralize recently emerged VOCs, and if PRNT90 is a reliable serologic method to distinguish infections caused by different SARS-CoV-2 lineages. Overall, sera collected from the day of admittance to the hospital to 21 days after diagnostic of patients infected by the two earlier lineages B.1.1.28 and B.1.1.33 presented neutralizing capacity for all challenged VOCs, including Gamma and Delta, that were the most prevalent VOCs in Brazil. Among all variants tested, Delta and N.10 presented the lowest mean of neutralizing antibody titers, and B.1.1.7, presented the highest titers. Four patients infected with Gamma, that emerged in December 2020, presented neutralizing antibodies for B.1, B.1.1.33 and B.1.1.28, its ancestor lineage. All of them had neutralizing antibodies under the level of detection for the VOC Delta. Interestingly, patients infected by B.1.1.28 presented very similar mean of neutralizing antibody titers for both B.1.1.33 and B.1.1.28. Findings presented here indicate that most patients infected in early stages of COVID-19 pandemic presented neutralizing antibodies up to 21 days after diagnostic capable to neutralize wild types of all recently emerged VOCs in Brazil, and that the PRNT90 it is not a reliable serologic method to distinguish natural infections caused by different SARS-CoV-2 lineages.
Cardiovascular, respiratory and functional effects of tele-supervised home-based exercise training in individuals recovering from COVID-19 hospitalization: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: do Amaral Vanessa Teixeira , Viana Ariane Aparecida , Heubel Alessandro Domingues , Linares Stephanie Nogueira , Martinelli Bruno , Camprigher Witzler Pedro Henrique , Orikassa de Oliveira Gustavo Yudi , de Souza Zanini Gabriel , Silva Audrey Borghi , Mendes Renata Gonçalves , Ciolac Emmanuel Gomes 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTOur aim was to test the hypothesis that tele-supervised home-based exercise training (exercise) is an effective strategy for improving cardiovascular, respiratory, and functional capacity parameters in individuals that were hospitalized due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thirty-two individuals (52 ± 10 years; 17F) randomly assigned to exercise (N = 12) and control groups (N = 20), had their anthropometric (weight, body mass index), hemodynamic (brachial and central blood pressure), vascular (arterial stiffness), ventilatory (pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength), and functional parameters (handgrip strength, five-time sit to stand [FTSTS], timed up and go test [TUG] and six-minute walking test [6MWT]) assessed at baseline (30 to 45 days of hospital discharged) and after 12 weeks of follow-up. Both groups similarly increased (P < 0.001) forced vital capacity (absolute and % of predicted), forced expiratory volume in the first second (absolute and % of predicted), and handgrip strength during follow-up. However, only exercise group reduced carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (−2.0 ± 0.6 m/s, P = 0.048), and increased (P < 0.05) resting oxygen saturation (1.9 ± 0.6 %), mean inspiratory pressure (24.7 ± 7.1 cmH2O), mean expiratory pressure (20.3 ± 5.8 cmH2O) and % of predicted mean expiratory pressure (14 ± 22 %) during follow-up. No significant changes were found in any other variable during follow-up. Present findings suggest that tele-supervised home-based exercise training can a potential adjunct therapeutic to rehabilitate individuals that were hospitalized due to COVID-19.
The inactivated NDV-HXP-S COVID-19 vaccine induces a significantly higher ratio of neutralizing to non-neutralizing antibodies in humans as compared to mRNA vaccines
Authors: Carreño Juan Manuel , Raskin Ariel , Singh Gagandeep , Tcheou Johnstone , Kawabata Hisaaki , Gleason Charles , Srivastava Komal , Vigdorovich Vladimir , Dambrauskas Nicholas , Gupta Sneh Lata , Gonzalez Irene , Martinez Jose Luis , Slamanig Stefan , Sather D. Noah , Raghunandan Rama , Wirachwong Ponthip , Muangnoicharoen Sant , Pitisuttithum Punnee , Wrammert Jens , Suthar Mehul S. , Sun Weina , Palese Peter , García-Sastre Adolfo , Simon Viviana , Krammer Florian 
Published: January 2022

AbstractNDV-HXP-S is a recombinant Newcastle disease virus based-vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which expresses an optimized (HexaPro) spike protein on its surface. The vaccine can be produced in embryonated chicken eggs using the same process as that employed for the production of influenza virus vaccines. Here we performed a secondary analysis of the antibody responses after vaccination with inactivated NDV-HXP-S in a Phase I clinical study in Thailand.The SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing and spike binding activity of NDV-HXP-S post-vaccination serum samples was compared to that of matched samples from mRNA BNT162b2 (Pfizer) vaccinees. Neutralizing activity of sera from NDV-HXP-S vaccinees was comparable to that of individuals vaccinated with BNT162b2. Interstingly, the spike binding activity of the NDV-HXP-S vaccinee samples was lower than that of sera obtained from individuals vaccinated with the mRNA vaccine. This let us to calculate ratios between binding and neutralizing antibody titers. Samples from NDV-HXP-S vaccinees had binding to neutralizing activity ratios similar to those of convalescent sera suggesting a very high proportion of neutralizing antibodies and low non-neutralizing antibody titers. Further analysis showed that, in contrast to mRNA vaccination, which induces strong antibody titers to the receptor binding domain (RBD), the N-terminal domain, and the S2 domain, NDV-HXP-S vaccination induces a very RBD focused response with little reactivity to S2. This explains the high proportion of neutralizing antibodies since most neutralizing epitopes are located in the RBD. In conclusion, vaccination with inactivated NDV-HXP-S induces a high proportion of neutralizing antibodies and absolute neutralizing antibody titers comparable to those after mRNA vaccination.
Genetic risk factors have a substantial impact on healthy life years
Authors: Jukarainen Sakari , Kiiskinen Tuomo , Havulinna Aki S. , Karjalainen Juha , Cordioli Mattia , Rämö Joel T. , Mars Nina ,   FinnGen, Samocha Kaitlin E. , Ollila Hanna M. , Pirinen Matti , Ganna Andrea 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe impact of genetic variation on overall disease burden has not been comprehensively evaluated. Here we introduce an approach to estimate the effect of different types of genetic risk factors on disease burden quantified through disability-adjusted life years (DALYs, “lost healthy life years”). We use genetic information from 735,748 individuals with registry-based follow-up of up to 48 years. At the individual level, rare variants had higher effects on DALYs than common variants, while common variants were more relevant for population-level disease burden. Among common variants, rs3798220 (LPA) had the strongest effect, with 1.18 DALYs attributable to carrying 1 vs 0 copies of the minor allele. Belonging to top 10% vs bottom 90% of a polygenic score for multisite chronic pain had an effect of 3.63 DALYs. Carrying a deleterious rare variant in LDLR, MYBPC3, or BRCA1/2 had an effect of around 4.1-13.1 DALYs. The population-level disease burden attributable to some common variants is comparable to the burden from modifiable risk factors such as high sodium intake and low physical activity. Genetic risk factors can explain a sizeable number of healthy life years lost both at the individual and population level, highlighting the importance of incorporating genetic information into public health efforts.Results of the study can be explored at: https://dsge-lab.shinyapps.io/daly_genetics/
PD-L1 blockade restores CAR T cell activity through IFNγ-regulation of CD163+ macrophages
Authors: Yamaguchi Yukiko , Gibson Jackson , Ou Kevin , Ng Rachel H. , Leggett Neena , Jonsson Vanessa D. , Zarif Jelani C. , Lee Peter P. , Wang Xiuli , Martinez Catalina , Dorff Tanya B. , Forman Stephen J. , Priceman Saul J. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that inhibits T cell infiltration, survival, and anti-tumor activity has posed a major challenge for developing effective immunotherapies for solid tumors. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cell therapy has shown unprecedented clinical response in treating patients with hematological malignancies, and intense investigation is underway to achieve similar responses with solid tumors. Immunologically cold tumors, including prostate cancers, are often infiltrated with abundant tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and infiltration of CD163+ M2 macrophages correlates with tumor progression and poor responses to immunotherapy. However, the impact of TAMs on CAR T cell activity alone and in combination with TME immunomodulators is unclear.MethodsTo model this in vitro, we utilized a novel co-culture system with tumor cells, CAR T cells, and polarized M1 or M2 macrophages from CD14+ PBMCs collected from healthy human donors. Tumor cell killing, T cell activation and proliferation, and macrophage phenotypes were evaluated by flow cytometry, cytokine production, RNA sequencing, and functional blockade of signaling pathways using antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. We also evaluated the TME in humanized mice following CAR T cell therapy for validation of our in vitro findings.ResultsWe observed inhibition of CAR T cell activity with the presence of M2 macrophages, but not M1 macrophages, coinciding with a robust induction of PD-L1 in M2 macrophages. We observed similar PD-L1 expression in TAMs following CAR T cell therapy in the TME of humanized mice. PD-L1, but not PD-1, blockade in combination with CAR T cell therapy altered phenotypes to more M1-like subsets and led to loss of CD163+ M2 macrophages via IFNγ signaling, resulting in improved anti-tumor activity of CAR T cells.ConclusionThis study reveals an alternative mechanism by which the combination of CAR T cells and immune checkpoint blockade modulates the immune landscape of solid tumors to enhance therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells.
Automated Human Habenula Segmentation from T1-weighted Magnetic Resonance Images using V-Net
Authors: Kim Joo-won , Xu Junqian 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe Habenula (Hb), a small bilateral midbrain structure, plays an important role in aversion and reward processing. Despite increasing interest in imaging human Hb structure and function, it is challenging to define the Hb in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to its small size and low anatomical contrast to the surrounding thalamus. In this study, we developed a deep learning-based human Hb segmentation model. This model was trained and tested using about a thousand subjects’ 3T T1-weighted images with Hb labels from our previous myelin content-based Hb segmentation. The predicted Hb segmentation showed high similarity and small surface distance to the label; the average (across test subjects) dice similarity coefficient, mean distance, and Hausdorff distance were 0.79, 0.22 mm, and 1.63 mm, respectively. We also demonstrated out-of-sample robustness using other 7T and 3T MRI datasets. The proposed Hb segmentation method is automated, objective, fast, robust, and reliable, relieving the requirement of T2-weighted images in the established myelin content-based Hb segmentation to suite a broader range of MRI studies.
A high-throughput approach to identify reproductive toxicants among environmental chemicals using an in vivo evaluation of gametogenesis in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kumar Ravinder , Oke Ashwini , Rockmill Beth , de Cruz Matthew , Verduzco Rafael , Madeira Xavier W. , Abrahamsson Dimitri P. , Robinson Joshua F. , Allard Patrick , Woodruff Tracey J. , Fung Jennifer C. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundEnvironmental chemical exposures are likely making important contributions to current levels of infertility and its increasing incidence. Yet the US produces high volumes of industrial chemicals for which there is limited data on their potential human reproduction toxicity. Current assays typically used in policy and regulatory settings involve costly and timeconsuming whole-animal rodent tests which limit the rapidity with which one can assess the thousands of chemicals yet to be tested.ObjectiveOur aim was to develop a fast and reliable strategy to evaluate a large number of chemicals for reproductive toxicity by developing a high-throughput toxicity assessment using the yeast S. cerevisiae.MethodsYeast are chronically exposed to each environmental chemical at two doses, 30 μM and 100 μM, in a 96-well plate-based format throughout gametogenesis. Non-gametes are removed and chemicals are washed away before gamete viability is measured using absorbance at 600 nm to produce growth curves. The difference in time at half-maximal saturation with and without exposure is used to determine the extent of reproductive toxicity.ResultsWe validated our assay using bisphenol A (BPA), a well-established mammalian reproductive toxicant. We find that BPA in yeast has similar detrimental effects in meiosis as shown in worms and mammals. Competition assays with BPA analogs reveal that two of out of 19 BPA analogs examined (bisphenol E and 17β-estradiol) show synergistic effects with BPA at doses tested and none show antagonistic effects. Out of 179 additional environmental chemicals, we designated 57 chemicals as reproductively toxic. Finally, by comparing chemicals in our cohort that have been evaluated for reproductive toxicity in mammalian studies, we find a statistically significant association between toxic chemicals in yeast and mammals.ConclusionWe show that a high-throughput assay using yeast may be a useful approach for rapidly and reliably identifying chemicals that pose a reproductive risk.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health service utilisation following self-harm: a systematic review
Authors: Steeg Sarah , John Ann , Gunnell David , Kapur Nav , Dekel Dana , Schmidt Lena , Knipe Duleeka , Arensman Ella , Hawton Keith , Higgins Julian PT , Eyles Emily , Macleod-Hall Catherine , McGuiness Luke A , Webb Roger T 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundEvidence on the impacts of the pandemic on healthcare presentations for self-harm has accumulated rapidly. However, existing reviews do not include studies published beyond 2020.AimsTo systematically review evidence on health services utilisation for self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA comprehensive search of multiple databases (WHO COVID-19 database; Medline; medRxiv; Scopus; PsyRxiv; SocArXiv; bioRxiv; COVID-19 Open Research Dataset, PubMed) was conducted. Studies reporting presentation frequencies for self-harm published from 1st Jan. 2020 to 7th Sept. 2021 were included. Study quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool.ResultsFifty-one studies were included. 59% (30/51) were rated as ‘low’ quality, 29% (15/51) as ‘moderate’ and 12% (6/51) as ‘high-moderate’. Most evidence (84%, 43/51 studies) was from high-income countries. 47% (24/51) of studies reported reductions in presentation frequency, including all 6 rated as high-moderate quality, which reported reductions of 17- 56%. Settings treating higher lethality self-harm were overrepresented among studies reporting increased demand. Two of the 3 higher quality studies including study observation months from 2021 reported reductions in service utilisation. Evidence from 2021 suggested increased use of health services following self-harm among adolescents, particularly girls.ConclusionsSustained reductions in service utilisation were seen into the first half of 2021. However, evidence from low- and middle-income countries is lacking. The increased use of health services among adolescents, particularly girls, into 2021 is of concern. Our findings may reflect changes in thresholds for help seeking, use of alternative sources of support and variable effects of the pandemic across different groups.