bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the effects of the first and second/third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic on an Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Unit in a German ‘hotspot’ area: a single-center experience
Authors: Wichmann Dörte , Schempf Ulrike , Göpel Siri , Stüker Dietmar , Fusco Stefano , Königsrainer Alfred , Malek Nisar P. , Werner Christoph R. 
Published: March 2022

Background: Since December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a pandemic threat to global health. We are now in the fourth wave of this pandemic. As the pandemic developed, the requirements and therapeutic endoscopic procedures for SARS-CoV-2-positive patients underwent changes. Methods: Analysis of implications for an endoscopy unit during the first and second/third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on COVID-19-related process changing. Addressed are number of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and endoscopic examinations performed in patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the various waves, adherence to scheduled examinations, rotation of staff to COVID-dedicated structures and, finally, impact of vaccination on infection rate among endoscopic staff. Results: During the first wave, 10 SARS-CoV-2-positive in-house patients underwent a total of 22 gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic procedures. During the second and third waves, 59 GI endoscopies were performed in 38 patients. While in the first wave, GI bleeding was the main indication for endoscopy (82%), in the second and third waves the main indication for endoscopy was endoscopic insertion of deep feeding tubes (78%; p < 0.001). During the first wave, 5 (17%) of 29 Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Unit (IEU) staff members were moved to designated COVID wards, which was not necessary during the following waves. Lack of protective clothing was critical during the first wave, but not in the later waves. Screening tests for patients and staff were widely available after the first wave, and IEU staff was vaccinated during the second wave. Conclusion: Strategies to ensure safe endoscopies with respect to preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from patients to staff were effective. Organizational adjustments allowed the routine program to continue unaffected. Indications for GI endoscopies changed over time: during the first wave, GI endoscopies were performed for life-threatening indications, whereas later supportive procedures were the main indication.
Effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on serum urate levels in patients with and without diabetes: a systematic review and meta-regression of 43 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yip Alicia Swee Yan , Leong Shariel , Teo Yao Hao , Teo Yao Neng , Syn Nicholas L. X. , See Ray Meng , Wee Caitlin Fern , Chong Elliot Yeung , Lee Chi-Hang , Chan Mark Y. , Yeo Tiong-Cheng , Wong Raymond C. C. , Chai Ping , Sia Ching-Hui 
Published: March 2022

Objectives: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been found to reduce serum urate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. To evaluate if this effect applies to both patients with and without diabetes, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of SGLT2 inhibitors on serum urate levels in this population. Methods: Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and SCOPUS) were searched on 25 September 2021 for articles published from 1 January 2000 up to 25 September 2021, for studies that examined the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on serum urate in study subjects. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed, with subgroup analyses on the type of SGLT2 inhibitor agent administered, presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, presence of chronic kidney disease and drug dose. Results: A total of 43 randomized controlled trials, with a combined cohort of 31,921 patients, were included. Both patients with [−31.48 μmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI): −37.35 to −25.60] and without diabetes (−91.38 μmol/L; 95% CI: −126.53 to −56.24) on SGLT2 inhibitors had significantly lower urate levels when compared with placebo. This treatment effect was similarly observed across different types of SGLT2 inhibitors. However, in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with chronic kidney disease, the reduction in serum urate with SGLT2 inhibitors became insignificant (95% CI: −22.17 to 5.94, p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors are beneficial in reducing serum urate in patients with and without diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors could therefore contribute to the general treatment of hyperuricaemia.
Associations between age-related hearing loss, cognitive decline, and depression in Chinese centenarians and oldest-old adults
Authors: Feng Long , Wu Di , Lin Jieqiong , Li Yulong , Zhao Yali , Zhang Pei , Yao Yao , Fu Shihui 
Published: March 2022

Objective: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) are leading causes of disability in older adults. ARHL may increase ARCD risk and cause depression development. This study aimed to explore the associations of ARHL with ARCD and depression in Chinese centenarians and oldest-old adults. Methods: A household survey was conducted on 859 centenarians and oldest-old adults residing in 16 cities and counties in China. Basic information was collected using interview questionnaires, physical examinations, and blood tests conducted by systematically trained local doctors and nurses. Results: In total, 501 (58.3%), 649 (75.6%), and 211 (24.6%) participants had ARHL, ARCD, and depression, respectively. The prevalence of ARCD and depression was significantly higher in participants with ARHL than in those without ARHL (all p < 0.05). Participants with ARHL had significantly lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores indicative of more cognitive decline, and significantly higher 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) scores suggesting greater levels of depression, than those without ARHL (all p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses (Stepwise) indicated that ARHL was significantly and positively associated with ARCD [odds ratio (OR): 1.594, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.132, 2.245] and depression (OR: 1.623, 95% CI: 1.139, 2.314; all p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analyses (Stepwise) indicated that ARHL was significantly and inversely associated with MMSE scores ( B: −2.520, 95% CI: −3.356, −1.684) and significantly and positively associated with GDS-15 scores ( B: 0.713, 95% CI: 0.328, 1.098; all p < 0.05). Conclusion: ARHL is independently associated with ARCD and depression in Chinese centenarians and oldest-old adults.
Deep sequencing in CD34+ cells from peripheral blood enables sensitive detection of measurable residual disease in AML
Authors: Stasik Sebastian , Burkhard-Meier Clara , Kramer Michael , Middeke Jan M. , Oelschlaegel Uta , Sockel Katja , Ehninger Gerhard , Serve Hubert , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Baldus Claudia D. , Röllig Christoph , Bornhäuser Martin , Platzbecker Uwe , Thiede Christian 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Monitoring of measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is predictive of disease recurrence and may identify patients who benefit from treatment intensification. Current MRD techniques rely on multicolor flow cytometry or molecular methods, but are limited in applicability or sensitivity. We evaluated the feasibility of a novel approach for MRD detection in peripheral blood (PB), which combines immunomagnetic preenrichment and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for isolation of CD34+ cells with error-reduced targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). For clinical validation, we retrospectively analyzed 429 PB and 55 bone marrow (BM) samples of 40 patients with AML or high-risk MDS, with/without molecular relapse based on CD34+ donor chimerism (DC), in complete remission after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Enrichment of CD34+ cells for NGS increased the detection of mutant alleles in PB ∼1000-fold (median variant allele frequency, 1.27% vs 0.0046% in unsorted PB; P &lt; .0001). Although a strong correlation was observed for the parallel analysis of CD34+ PB cells with NGS and DC (r = 0.8601), the combination of FACS and NGS improved sensitivity for MRD detection in dilution experiments ∼10-fold to levels of 10−6. In both assays, MRD detection was superior using PB vs BM for CD34+ enrichment. Importantly, NGS on CD34+ PB cells enabled prediction of molecular relapse with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91%), and significantly earlier (median, 48 days; range, 0-281; P = .0011) than by CD34+ DC or NGS of unsorted PB, providing additional time for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, panel sequencing in CD34+ cells allowed for the early assessment of clonal trajectories in hematological complete remission.
On Bayesian modeling of censored data in JAGS
Authors: Qi Xinyue , Zhou Shouhao , Plummer Martyn 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundJust Another Gibbs Sampling (JAGS) is a convenient tool to draw posterior samples using Markov Chain Monte Carlo for Bayesian modeling. However, the built-in function for censored data misspecifies the default computation of deviance function, which limits likelihood-based Bayesian model comparison.ResultsTo establish an automatic approach to specifying the correct deviance function in JAGS, we propose a simple and generic alternative modeling strategy for the analysis of censored outcomes. The two illustrative examples demonstrate that the alternative strategy not only properly draws posterior samples in JAGS, but also automatically delivers the correct deviance for model assessment. In the survival data application, our proposed method provides the correct value of mean deviance based on the exact likelihood function. In the drug safety data application, the deviance information criterion and penalized expected deviance for seven Bayesian models of censored data are simultaneously computed by our proposed approach and compared to examine the model performance.ConclusionsWe propose an effective strategy to model censored data in the Bayesian modeling framework in JAGS with the correct deviance specification, which can simplify the calculation of popular Kullback–Leibler based measures for model selection. The proposed approach applies to a broad spectrum of censored data types, such as survival data, and facilitates different censored Bayesian model structures.
Analysis of the complete genome sequences of Clostridium perfringens strains harbouring the binary enterotoxin BEC gene and comparative genomics of pCP13-like family plasmids
Authors: Ueda Kengo , Kawahara Kazuki , Kimoto Narumi , Yamaguchi Yusuke , Yamada Kazuhiro , Oki Hiroya , Yoshida Takuya , Matsuda Shigeaki , Matsumoto Yuki , Motooka Daisuke , Kawatsu Kentaro , Iida Tetsuya , Nakamura Shota , Ohkubo Tadayasu , Yonogi Shinya 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
BEC-producing Clostridium perfringens is a causative agent of foodborne gastroenteritis. It was first reported in 2014, and since then, several isolates have been identified in Japan and the United Kingdom. The novel binary ADP-ribosylating toxin BEC, which consists of two components (BECa and BECb), is encoded on a plasmid that is similar to pCP13 and harbours a conjugation locus, called Pcp, encoding homologous proteins of the type 4 secretion system. Despite the high in vitro conjugation frequency of pCP13, its dissemination and that of related plasmids, including bec-harbouring plasmids, in the natural environment have not been characterised. This lack of knowledge has limited our understanding of the genomic epidemiology of bec-harbouring C. perfringens strains.

Results
In this study, we determined the complete genome sequences of five bec-harbouring C. perfringens strains isolated from 2009 to 2019. Each isolate contains a ~ 3.36 Mbp chromosome and 1–3 plasmids of either the pCW3-like family, pCP13-like family, or an unknown family, and the bec-encoding region in all five isolates was located on a ~ 54 kbp pCP13-like plasmid. Phylogenetic and SNP analyses of these complete genome sequences and the 211 assembled C. perfringens genomes in GenBank showed that although these bec-harbouring strains were split into two phylogenetic clades, the sequences of the bec-encoding plasmids were nearly identical (>99.81%), with a significantly smaller SNP accumulation rate than that of their chromosomes. Given that the Pcp locus is conserved in these pCP13-like plasmids, we propose a mechanism in which the plasmids were disseminated by horizontal gene transfer. Data mining showed that strains carrying pCP13-like family plasmids were unexpectedly common (58/216 strains) and widely disseminated among the various C. perfringens clades. Although these plasmids possess a conserved Pcp locus, their ‘accessory regions’ can accommodate a wide variety of genes, including virulence-associated genes, such as becA/becB and cbp2. These results suggest that this family of plasmids can integrate various foreign genes and is transmissible among C. perfringens strains.

Conclusion
This study demonstrates the potential significance of pCP13-like plasmids, including bec-encoding plasmids, for the characterisation and monitoring of the dissemination of pathogenic C. perfringens strains.
Favorable QTLs from Oryza longistaminata improve rice drought resistance
Authors: Huang Shaoying , Liu Manman , Chen Gaili , Si Fengfeng , Fan Fengfeng , Guo Yu , Yuan Lei , Yang Fang , Li Shaoqing 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Drought is the major abiotic stress to rice grain production under unpredictable changing climatic environments. Wild rice of O. longistaminata show diverse responses and strong tolerance to stress environments. In order to identify whether the O. longistaminata can improve the rice drought resistance or not, a BIL population of 143 BC2F20 lines derived from the cross between the cultivar rice 9311 and O. longistaminata were assessed under stress of 20% PEG6000.

Results
In total, 28 QTLs related to drought resistance based on eight agronomic traits of seedlings were identified. Of which, thirteen QTLs including two QTLs for leaf drying, one QTL for leaf rolling, one QTL for leaf number, five QTLs for dry weight of root, two QTLs for dry weight of shoot, one QTL for maximum root length and two QTLs for maximum shoot length were derived from O. longistaminata. What’s more, qDWR8.1 for dry weight of root was repeatedly detected and fine-mapped to an interval about 36.2 Kb. The unique allele of MH08g0242800 annotated as ATP-dependent Clp protease proteolytic subunit from O. longistaminata was suggested as the candidate gene for drought resistance. Further, six representative BIL lines were stably characterized showing significantly stronger drought resistance than 9311 based on principle component analysis, they each contained 2 ~ 5 QTLs including qDWR8.1 from O. longistaminata.

Conclusions
Together, our results indicate that the QTLs from O. longistaminata can effectively enhance the drought tolerance of rice, showing great potential value in breeding of elite rice varieties, which will lay a novel insight into the genetic network for drought tolerance of rice.
The impact of nucleic acid testing to detect human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus yields from a single blood center in China with 10-years review
Authors: Wu Danxiao , Feng Fangjun , Wang Xiaojuan , Wang Dairong , Hu Yiqin , Yu Yang , Huang Jihong , Wang Min , Dong Jie , Wu Yaling , Zhu Hong , Zhu Faming 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Since 2010, the Blood Center of Zhejiang province, China, has conducted a pilot nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) screening of blood donors for Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study aims to assess the results of NAT testing over 10 years to establish the effects and factors influencing NAT yields of HBV, HCV, and HIV.

Methods
Blood donations from seven different blood services were screened for HBV DNA, HCV RNA, and HIV RNA using 6 mini pools (6MP) or individual donation (ID)-NAT method between August 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019, at the NAT centralized screening center. We compared 3 transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assays and 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Further, HBV, HCV, and HIV NAT yields were calculated and donor characteristics and prevalence of HBV NAT yields analyzed. Donors with HCV and HIV NAT yield were also followed up.

Results
1916.31 per million donations were NAT screening positive overall. The NAT yields for HBV, HCV, HIV and non-discriminating reactive were 1062.90 per million, 0.97 per million, 1.45 per million, and 850.99 per million, respectively, which varied in the seven blood services and different years. HBV NAT yields were higher than those of HCV and HIV and varied across demographic groups. Risk factors included being male, old age, low education level, and first-time donors. We found no differences in NAT yields of HBV, HCV, and HIV between the 3 TMA and 2 PCR assays; nonetheless, statistically, significant differences were noted between the five assays.

Conclusion
In summary, NAT screening in blood donations reduces the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections and shortens the window period for serological marker screening. Therefore, a sensitive NAT screening method, ID-NAT workflow, and recruitment of regular low-risk donors are critical for blood safety.
Characteristics of Lyme optic neuritis: a case report of Lyme associated bilateral optic neuritis and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Lu Yezhong , Zand Ramin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractOptic Neuritis is rare in Lyme borreliosis. The current knowledge of optic nerve involvement in Lyme borreliosis relies solely on case reports. The aim of this systematic review was to characterize and investigate the associated factors of optic neuritis in Lyme borreliosis. We further presented a very rare case of isolated bilateral optic neuritis in a Lyme seropositive patient.
How do maternal emotion and sleep conditions affect infant sleep: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Xuemei , Zhai Ronghui , Mo Jiafeng , Sun Jingzhou , Chen Peishan , Huang Yuejun 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Recent studies suggest that the incidence of infant sleep disorder is related to maternal emotional and sleep conditions, but how they influence each other is not fully understood.

Methods
A total of 513 pairs of parents and infants were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Maternal emotional and sleep conditions were assessed using a self-rating depression scale, self-rating anxiety scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at the third trimester and within 3 months after delivery. Infant sleep was assessed by the Brief Screening Questionnaire for Infant Sleep Problems within 3 months after birth. Expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), melatonin receptors (MR), exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) receptors, and dopamine receptor (DR) in the placenta was detected by immunohistochemistry. Methylation of the promoter regions for the GR (NR3C1 and NR3C2), MR (MTNR1A and MTNR1B), EPAC (RASGRF1 and RASGRF2), and DR (DRD1 and DRD2) genes was assessed by next generation sequencing-based bisulfite sequencing PCR.

Results
The incidence of sleep disorders in infants 0–3 months of age in this cohort was 40.5%. Risk factors for infant sleep disorder were low education level of the father, depression of father, maternal postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum sleep disorder, and maternal sleep disorder extend from the third trimester to postpartum. There was no difference in expression of placental DR, GR, MR, and EPAC between mothers whose infants were with and without sleep disorders. Methylation of MTNR1B was higher and expression of MR was lower in the placenta of mothers with sleep disorder in the third trimester than in mothers without sleep disorder. Level of NR3C2 methylation was lower and GR expression was higher in the placenta of mothers with sleep disorder extend from the third trimester to postpartum than in mothers without sleep disorder.

Conclusion
Maternal sleep disorders in the third trimester could lead to decreased MR expression by up-regulating MTNR1B methylation, and then resulting in elevated cortisol and increased GR expression by down-regulating NR3C2 methylation, which could increase the incidence of maternal postpartum sleep disorders, finally, the maternal postpartum sleep disorder could result in the high incidence of infant sleep disorder.
A cross-sectional study of factors associated with regular dog walking and intention to walk the dog
Authors: Westgarth Carri , Christley Robert M. , Christian Hayley E. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Dog walking is important for public health and dog welfare, yet some owners do not walk with their dogs regularly. This study examined factors associated with participation in regular dog walking and intention to dog walk, in order to inform physical activity interventions.

Methods
191 dog-owning adults from a UK community were surveyed about their participation in dog walking, intention to dog walk, attitudes and behavioural beliefs regarding dog walking, and dog and owner demographics. Principal components analysis identified owner profiles regarding attitudes and behavioural beliefs about dog walking. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with being a regular dog walker (achieving 150mins per week of dog walking) and having a high intention to dog walk (at least 30 mins per day for at least 5 days per week over the next month).

Results
Participants walked with their dogs for a median 7 times/week and 230 total minutes/week; regular dog walkers 9 times/week (400 minutes/week), compared to twice/week for irregular dog walkers (45 minutes/week). Being a regular dog walker was positively associated with having a high level of intention to walk the dog in the next month (OR=12.1 95%CI=3.5-42.4, P<0.001), being married or living with a partner (OR=33.5, 95%CI=2.5-458.8, P=0.01), and higher scores on a dog walking habit index (OR=2.1, 95%CI=1.3-3.5, P<0.01). However, higher support from friends for walking was negatively associated with being a regular dog walker (OR=0.3, 95%CI=0.1-0.7, P<0.01). High intention to dog walk was associated with female owners (OR=4.7, 95%CI=1.2-18.5, P=0.03), dogs that lay on the sofa (OR=6.9, 95%CI=1.5-31.8, P=0.01), high levels of self-efficacy to walk the dog over the next month (OR=5.8, 95%CI=1.5-21.9, P=0.01), owner type with an attitude of high responsibility and enjoyment from walking (OR=2.1, 95%CI=1.2-3.8, P=0.02), and higher scores on a dog walking habit index (OR=1.9, 95%CI=1.0-3.7, P=0.05). Reporting someone else walks the dog was negatively associated with high intention (OR=0.1, 95%CI=0.0-0.7, P=0.02).

Conclusions
Interventions to promote dog walking may benefit from increasing intention to dog walk in male owners, forming schedules and routines that involve multiple household members in dog walking, and establishing habits around dog walking. Interventions may also need to address how to overcome barriers and perceived challenges in regards to self-efficacy of dog walking, that may prevent intention from being translated into action.