bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The active lung microbiota landscape of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Han Yang , Jia Zhilong , Shi Jinlong , Wang Weidong , He Kunlun
Published: August 2020

With the outbreak of COVID-19 causing by SARS-CoV-2, the interaction between the host and SARS-CoV-2 was widely studied. However, it is unclear whether and how SARS-CoV-2 infection affects lung microflora, which contributes to COVID-19 complications. Here, we analyzed the metatranscriptomic data of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 19 COVID-19 patients and 23 healthy controls from 6 independent projects and detailed the active microbiota landscape in both healthy individuals and COVID-19 patients. The infection of SARS-CoV-2 could deeply change the lung microbiota, evidenced by the α-diversity, β-diversity and species composition analysis based on bacterial microbiota and virome. Pathogens (such as Klebsiella oxytoca causing pneumonia as well), immunomodulatory probiotics (such as Lactic Acid Bacteria and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a butyrate producer) and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were enriched in the COVID-19 group, suggesting a severe microbiota dysbiosis. The significant correlation between Rothia mucilaginosa, TMV and SARS-CoV-2 revealed drastic inflammatory battles between the host, SARS-CoV-2 and other microbes in the lungs. Notably, TMV only existed in the COVID-19 group, while Human respirovirus 3 only existed in the healthy group. Our study provides insight into the active microbiota in the lungs of COVID-19 patients and will contribute to the understanding of the infection mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and the treatment of the disease and complications.
Capturing noroviruses circulating in the population: sewage surveillance in Guangdong, China (2013-2018)
Authors: Lu J. , Fang L. , Peng J.J. , Zeng L.L. , Lin H.F. , Xiong Q.L. , Yi L.N. , Song T. , He J.F. , Sun L. M. , Ke C.W. , Li H. , Zheng H.Y.
Published: August 2020

Noroviruses (NoVs) are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks. The specific geographical distribution and expanding diversity of NoVs has posed a challenge to NoV surveillance and interventions. Here, we describe the long-term dynamic correlation between NoV distribution in sewage and in the local population by using high-throughput sequencing and operational taxonomic unit (OTU) analysis. The NoV viral loads in sewage were closely associated with the number of NoV outbreaks in the population. Compared with the viral distributions in outbreaks, the dominance of the newly emerged variants, such as GII.P17-GII.17 and GII.P16-GII.2, could be detected two months ahead in sewage. In addition, the dynamics of pre-epidemic variants, which were rarely detected from clinics, could be captured through sewage surveillance, thus improving our understanding of the viral origin and evolution. Our data highlight that the high-throughput environmental screening should become a critical part of the response to infectious diseases.
Longitudinal analysis of virus load, serum antibody levels and virus neutralizing activity in vitro in cases with less severe COVID-19
Authors: Flehmig Bertram , Schindler Michael , Ruetalo Natalia , Businger Ramona , Bayer Manfred , Haage Angelika , Kirchner Thomas , Klingel Karin , Normann Andrea , Pridzun Lutz , Tougianidou Despina , Ranke Michael B.
Published: August 2020

Background

Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhibit a highly variable clinical course, varying from barely discernible signs of disease, to moderate flu-like symptoms and, occasionally, with life-threatening pneumonia and/or cytokine storm. The relationship between the nasopharyngeal virus load, IgA and IgG antibodies to both the S1-RBD-protein and the N-protein as well the neutralizing activity (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 in the blood of moderately afflicted COVID-19 patients has not been investigated longitudinally so far.

Methods

Several new serological methods to examine these parameters were developed and validated for the longitudinal investigation in three patients of a family which underwent a mild course of COVID-19.

Findings

We observed that the virus load had almost completely disappeared after about four weeks, whereas serum antibodies showed a contrasting course. IgA levels to S1-RBD-protein and, to a lesser extent, to the N-protein, peaked about three weeks after clinical disease onset but declined soon thereafter. IgG levels rose continuously, reaching a plateau approximately six weeks after disease onset. NAbs in serum reached a peak about four weeks after disease onset but dropped to a lower level about six weeks later.

Interpretation

Our data establishes associations of virus neutralization and a serological immune response foremost against Sars-CoV-2 S1-RDB-protein in a longitudinal manner.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19 Positive Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients; a multisource Electronic Healthcare Records Study from England
Authors: Rashid Muhammad , Wu Jianhua , Timmis Adam , Curzen Nick , Clarke Sarah , Zaman Azfar , Nolan James , Shoaib Ahmad , Mohamed Mohamed O , de Belder Mark A , Deanfield John , Gale Chris P , Mamas Mamas A.
Published: August 2020

Background

Patients with underlying cardiovascular disease and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. However, there is limited information on management and outcomes of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and concomitant COVID19 infection.

Objectives

This multisource national analysis of live data from England was designed to characterise the presenting profile and outcomes of patients hospitalized with ACS and COVID-19 infection.

Methods

Multisource data from all acute NHS hospital in England was linked to study the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 ACS compared to non COVID-19 ACS patients. Hierarchical multilevel models were constructed to study the association between COVID19 ACS and in-hospital and 30-day mortality.

Results

Between 1st March 2020 and 31st May 2020, 517 (4.0%) were admitted with COVID-19 ACS from a total of 12,958 ACS patients. COVID-19 ACS patients were generally older, BAME ethnicity, more comorbid and had unfavourable presenting characteristics compared to non-COVID-19 ACS patients. They were less likely to receive invasive coronary strategy in the form of coronary angiography (67.7% vs 81.0%), PCI (30.2% vs 53.9%), dual antiplatelet medication 76.3% vs 88.0%), and other important secondary medication. Patients with COVID-19 ACS had higher in-hospital (aOR 3.27 95%CI 2.41-4.42) and 30-day mortality (aOR 6.53 95%CI 5.1-8.36) compared to non COVID-19 ACS group.

Conclusion

COVID-19 infection is prevalent but less frequent in the patients hospitalized with ACS in England. Presence of COVID-19 infection in patients with ACS is associated with significant mortality hazard.
Clinical Validity of the diagnostic criteria for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: a real-world experience
Authors: Fouad Yasser , Saad Zienab M , Moeness Hend M , Abdel-Raheem Ehab M , Abdelghani Yasser , Osman Nasr M , Abdelhameed Wafaa , Mostafa Alaa M , Attia Dina
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

To eliminate the anti-definition of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), positive clinical criteria for metabolic associated fatty liver disease are recently proposed. In this study, we examine the validation and utilization of these criteria.

METHODS

Two cohorts of 316 consecutive patients were recruited, including 242 patients previously diagnosed to have NAFLD and 74 patients with concomitant NAFLD and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) The validity of the proposed criteria for MAFLD, namely presence of hepatic steatosis with one of three criteria, overweight/obesity, diabetes or evidence of metabolic dysregulation was assessed. Fibrosis was assessed using, fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). The impact of MAFLD on the clinical outcomes in CHC patients was also investigated.

Results

The clinical criteria captured 240 patients (99.2%). 215 (88.8%) met either overweight or diabetes and 25 (10.3%) met the presence of 2 criteria of metabolic dysfunction. In patients, with dual etiologies, in the multivariable analysis adjusting for age, sex, BMI, ALT, AST and diabetes, the presence of MAFLD were significantly associated with increase high FIB-4 score of fibrosis (Odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 3.77 [1.49–9.48], P < 0.005) when compared to those with MAFLD only.

CONCLUSION

The proposed criteria for diagnosis of MAFLD is well validated and easily applicable to the entire spectrum of disease including non-obese subjects. Patients with lean MAFLD have favorable metabolic and fibrosis characteristics compared to their obese counterpart, while patients with concomitant MAFLD and CHC had severe metabolic and fibrosis characteristics compared to patients with MAFLD alone.
Preventing within household transmission of COVID-19: Is the provision of accommodation feasible and acceptable?
Authors: Denford Sarah , Morton Kate , Horwood Jeremy , Garang Rachel de , Yardley Lucy
Published: August 2020

Background

Within-household transmission of COVID-19 is responsible for a significant number of infections. The risk of within-household infection is greatly increased among those from Black Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and low income communities. Efforts to protect these communities are urgently needed. The aim of this study is to explore the acceptability of the availability of accommodation to support isolation among at risk populations.

Methods

Our study used a mixed methods design structured in two phases. In phase 1, we conducted a survey study of a sample of volunteers from our existing database of 300 individuals who had provided consent to be contacted about ongoing research projects into infection control. In phase 2, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 participants from BAME communities and low income communities recruited through social media.

Results

Participants from the survey and interview phase of the study viewed the provision of accommodation as important and necessary. Factors influencing likely uptake of accommodation included perceived 1) vulnerability of household 2) exposure to the virus and 3) options for isolation at home. Barriers to accepting the offer of accommodation included 1) being able to isolate at home 2) wanting to be with family 3) caring responsibilities 4) concerns about mental wellbeing 5) upheaval of moving when ill and 6) concerns about infection control. Participants raised a series of issues that should be addressed before accommodation is offered. These included questions regarding who should use temporary accommodation and at what stage to effectively reduce transmission in the home, and how infection control in temporary accommodation would be managed.

Conclusion

This research provides evidence that the provision of accommodation to prevent within household transmission of the virus is viewed as acceptable, feasible and necessary by many people who are concerned about infection transmission in the home. We explore ways in which accommodation might be offered. In particular, vulnerable members of the household could be protected if accommodation is offered to individuals who are informed through test trace and isolate that they have been in contact with the virus.
Problematic usage of the internet and eating disorders: a multifaceted, systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ioannidis Konstantinos , Taylor Charlotte , Holt Leah , Brown Kate , Lochner Christine , Fineberg Naomi A , Corazza Ornella , R Chamberlain Samuel , Roman-Urrestarazu Andres , Czabanowska Katarzyna
Published: August 2020

Eating disorders are widespread illnesses with significant impact. There is growing concern about how those at risk of eating disorders overuse online resources to their detriment. We conducted a pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) and eating disorders. The meta-analysis comprised n = 32,295 participants, in which PUI was correlated with significant eating disorder psychopathology Pearson r = 0.22 (s.e. = 0.04, p< 0.001), body dissatisfaction r = 0.16 (s.e. = 0.02, p< 0.001), drive-for-thinness r = 0.16 (s.e. = 0.04, p< 0.001) and dietary restraint r = 0.18 (s.e. = 0.03). Effects were not moderated by gender, PUI facet or study quality. Results are in support of PUI impacting significantly on vulnerable populations towards the development or maintenance of eating disorder psychopathology; males may be equally vulnerable to these potential effects. Prospective and experimental studies in the field suggest that small but significant effects exist and may have accumulative influence over time and across all age groups. Those findings are important to expand our understanding of PUI as a multifaceted concept and its impact on multiple levels of ascertainment of eating disorder psychopathology.
Left hemisphere lateralization of epileptic focus can be more frequent in temporal lobe epilepsy surgical patients with no consensus associated with depression lateralization
Authors: Radaelli Graciane , Majolo Fernanda , Leal-Conceição Eduardo , de Souza Santos Francisco , Escobar Vinícius , Zanirati Gabriele Goulart , Portuguez Mirna Wetters , Scorza Fulvio Alexandre , Costa Jaderson Costa da
Published: August 2020

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is considered to be the most common form of epilepsy, and it has been seen that most patients are refractory to antiepileptic drugs. A strong association of this ailment has been established with psychiatric comorbidities, primarily mood and anxiety disorders. The side of epileptogenic may contribute to depressive and anxiety symptoms; thus, in this study, we performed a systematic review to evaluate the prevalence of depression in TLE in surgical patients. The literature search was performed using PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and PsycNET to gather data from inception until January 2019. The search strategy was related to temporal lobe epilepsy, depressive disorder and anxiety. After reading full texts, 14 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were screened. The main method utilized for psychiatric diagnosis was DSM/SCID. However, most studies failed to perform the neuropsychological evaluation. For those with lateralization of epileptic focus mostly occurred in the left hemisphere. For individual depressive diagnosis, nine studies were evaluated and five for anxiety. Therefore, from the data analyzed in both situations, no diagnosis was representative in preoperative and postoperative cases. In order to estimate the efficacy of surgery in the psychiatry episodes and its relation to seizure control, the risk of depression and anxiety symptoms in epileptic patients need to be determined before surgical procedures. Rigorous pre- and postoperative evaluation is essential for psychiatry conditions in patients with refractory epilepsy candidates for surgery.
Symptoms of depression can be more frequent in non-surgical patients with left lateralization of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A systematic review
Authors: Radaelli Graciane , Majolo Fernanda , Leal-Conceição Eduardo , Santos Francisco S. , Escobar Vinicius S. , Baroni Gislaine , Zanirati Gabriele G. , Portuguez Mirna W. , Scorza Fulvio A. , da Costa Jaderson C.
Published: August 2020

Considering that the side of epileptogenic focus is a factor that could contribute to depressive and anxiety symptoms, we propose a systematic review searching for the prevalence of depression in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in non-surgical patients. We performed a literature search in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and PsycNET for data from inception until January 2019. The terms “epilepsy, temporal lobe OR “epilepsy” AND “temporal” AND “lobe” OR “temporal lobe epilepsy” OR “temporal” AND “lobe” AND “epilepsy” AND “depressive disorder” OR “depressive” AND “disorder” OR “depressive disorder” OR “depression” OR “depression” OR “anxiety” OR “anxiety” were used in the search strategy. After screening titles and abstracts, only 32 articles met the inclusion criteria. DSM/SCID is the main method utilized to psychiatric diagnosis. The majority of the studies did not perform neuropsychological evaluation. From 24 studies, most clinic cases of lateralization of epileptic focus depression symptoms showed lateralization in the left hemisphere. Nine studies were evaluated for individual depressive diagnosis, therefore, the analyzed data does not present statistical significance between right and left hemispheres. This study shows mood disorders are prevalent in epileptic patients undergoing clinical treatment. However, to date there is no correlation between lateralization of epilepsy and the prevalence of mood disorders or cognitive impairment. Well-conducted studies are needed to establish the correlation between the epilepsy lateralization and mood disorders.
SARS-Cov-2 proliferation: an analytical aggregate-level model
Authors: Pitschel Thomas
Published: August 2020

An intuitive mathematical model describing the virus proliferation is presented and its parameters estimated from time series of observed reported CoViD-19 cases in Germany. The model replicates the main essential characteristics of the proliferation in a stylized form, and thus can support the systematic reasoning about interventional measures (or their lifting) that were discussed during summer and which currently become relevant again in some countries. The model differs in form from elementary SIR models, but is contained in the general Kermack-McKendrick (1927) model. It is maintained that (compared to elementary SIR models) the model is more faithfully representing real proliferation at the instantaneous level, leading to overall more plausible association of model parameters to physical transmission and recovery parameters. The main policy-oriented results are that (1) mitigation measures imposed in March 2020 in Germany were absolutely necessary to avoid health care resource exhaustion, (2) fast response is key to containment in case of renewed outbreaks. Two model generalizations aiming to better represent the true infectiousness profile and aiming to incorporate recurring susceptibility are stated and numerical results for the latter are presented.
Lockdown, relaxation, and ACME period in COVID-19: A study of disease dynamics in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Authors: Tocto-Erazo Mayra R. , Espíndola-Zepeda Jorge A. , Montoya-Laos José A. , Acuña-Zegarra Manuel A. , Olmos-Liceaga Daniel , Reyes-Castro Pablo A. , Figueroa-Preciado Gudelia
Published: August 2020

Lockdown and social distancing measures have been implemented for many countries to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent overwhelming of health services. However, success on this strategy depends not only on the timing of its implementation, but also on the relaxation measures adopted within each community. We developed a mathematical model to evaluate the impacts of the lockdown implemented in Hermosillo, Mexico. We compared this intervention with some hypothetical ones, varying the starting date and also the population proportion that is released, breaking the confinement. A Monte Carlo study was performed by considering three scenarios to define our baseline dynamics. Results showed that a hypothetical delay of two weeks, on the lockdown measures, would result in an early ACME around May 9 for hospitalization prevalence and an increase on cumulative deaths, 42 times higher by May 31, when compared to baseline. On the other hand, results concerning relaxation dynamics showed that the ACME levels depend on the proportion of people who gets back to daily activities as well as the individual behavior with respect to prevention measures. Analysis regarding different relaxing mitigation measures were provided to the Sonoran Health Ministry, as requested. It is important to stress that, according to information provided by health authorities, the ACME occurring time was closed to the one given by our model. Hence, we considered that our model resulted useful for the decision-making assessment, and that an extension of it can be used for the study of a potential second wave.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus in Kuwait
Authors: Alshukry Abdullah , Abbas Mohammad Bu , Ali Yaseen , Alahmad Barrak , Al-Shammari Abdullah A. , Alhamar Ghadeer , Abu-Farha Mohammad , AbuBaker Jehad , Devarajan Sriraman , Dashti Ali A. , Al-Mulla Fahd , Ali Hamad
Published: August 2020

Background

COVID-19 has a highly variable clinical presentation, ranging from asymptomatic to severe respiratory symptoms and death. Diabetes seems to be one of the main comorbidities contributing to a worse COVID-19 outcome.

Objective

In here we analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of diabetic COVID-19 patients Kuwait.

Methods

In this single-center, retrospective study of 417 consecutive COVID-19 patients, we analyze and compare disease severity, outcome, associated complications, and clinical laboratory findings between diabetic and non-diabetic COVID-19 patients.

Results

COVID-19 patients with diabetes had more ICU admission than non-diabetic COVID-19 patients (20.1% vs. 16.8%, p<0.001). Diabetic COVID-19 patients also recorded higher mortality in comparison to non-diabetic COVID-19 patients (16.7% vs. 12.1%, p<0.001). Diabetic COVID-19 patients had significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities, such as hypertension. Laboratory investigations also highlighted notably higher levels of C-reactive protein in diabetic COVID019 patients and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. They also showed a higher incidence of complications. logistic regression analysis showed that every 1 mmol/L increase in fasting blood glucose in COVID-19 patients is associated with 1.52 (95% CI: 1.34 – 1.72, p<0.001) times the odds of dying from COVID-19.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a major contributor to worsening outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Understanding the pathophysiology underlining these findings could provide insight into better management and improved outcome of such cases.

Highlights of the Study

A significantly higher proportion of COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus required admission to the ICU.

Higher fasting blood glucose was associated with higher risk of COVID-19 associated mortality.

COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus had significantly higher incidence of complications including sepsis, ARDS, cardiac failure and renal failure.
Effects of an urban sanitation intervention on childhood enteric infection and diarrhea in Maputo, Mozambique: a controlled before-and-after trial
Authors: Knee Jackie , Sumner Trent , Adriano Zaida , Anderson Claire , Bush Farran , Capone Drew , Casmo Veronica , Holcomb David , Kolsky Pete , Macdougall Amy , Molotkova Evgeniya , Braga Judite Monteiro , Russo Celina , Schmidt Wolf Peter , Stewart Jill , Zambrana Winnie , Zuin Valentina , Nalá Rassul , Cumming Oliver , Brown Joe
Published: August 2020

We conducted a controlled before-and-after trial to evaluate the impact of an onsite urban sanitation intervention on the prevalence of enteric infection, soil transmitted helminth re-infection, and diarrhea among children in Maputo, Mozambique. A non-governmental organization replaced existing poor-quality latrines with pour-flush toilets with septic tanks serving household clusters. We enrolled children aged 1-48 months at baseline and measured outcomes before and 12 and 24 months after the intervention, with concurrent measurement among children in a comparable control arm. Despite nearly exclusive use, we found no evidence that intervention affected the prevalence of any measured outcome after 12 or 24 months of exposure. Among children born into study sites after intervention, we observed a reduced prevalence of Trichuris and Shigella infection relative to the same age group at baseline (<2 years old). Protection from birth may be important to reduce exposure to and infection with enteric pathogens in this setting.
Feasibility of satellite image and GIS sampling for population representative surveys: A case study from rural Guatemala
Authors: Miller Ann C. , Rohloff Peter , Blake Alexandre , Dhaenens Eloin , Shaw Leah , Tuiz Eva , Grandesso Francesco , Montano Carlos Mendoza , Thomson Dana R
Published: August 2020

Background

Population-representative household survey methods require up-to-date sampling frames and sample designs that minimize time and cost of fieldwork especially in low- and middle-income countries. Traditional methods such as multi-stage cluster sampling, random-walk, or spatial sampling can be cumbersome, costly or inaccurate, leading to well-known biases. However, a new tool, Epicentre’s Geo-Sampler program, allows simple random sampling of structures, which can eliminate some of these biases. We describe the study design process, experiences and lessons learned using Geo-Sampler for selection of a population representative sample for a kidney disease survey in two sites in Guatemala.

Results

We successfully used Epicentre’s Geo-sampler tool to sample 650 structures in two semi-urban Guatemalan communities. Overall, 82% of sampled structures were residential and could be approached for recruitment. Sample selection could be conducted by one person after 30 minutes of training. The process from sample selection to creating field maps took approximately 40 hours.

Conclusion

In combination with our design protocols, the Epicentre Geo-Sampler tool provided a feasible, rapid and lower-cost alternative to select a representative population sample for a prevalence survey in our semi-urban Guatemalan setting. The tool may work less well in settings with heavy arboreal cover or densely populated urban settings with multiple living units per structure. Similarly, while the method is an efficient step forward for including non-traditional living arrangements (people residing permanently or temporarily in businesses, religious institutions or other structures), it does not account for some of the most marginalized and vulnerable people in a population—the unhoused, street dwellers or people living in vehicles.
Cohort profile: COVID-19 in a cohort of pregnant women and their descendants, the MOACC-19 study
Authors: Llorca Javier , Lechosa-Muñiz Carolina , Gortázar Pilar , Fernández-Ortiz María , Jubete Yolanda , Cabero María J. ,   the MOACC-19 group, Alonso-Molero Jéssica , Arozamena Bárbara , Conde-Gil Laura , del Río Elsa Cornejo , Cuesta-González Rocío , Dierssen-Sotos Trinidad , de Zulueta Pelayo Frank , Gómez-Acebo Inés , Llano-Ruiz Coral , Lasarte-Oria Lorena , López-Gómez Sonia , Mateo-Sota Sonia , Orallo Victoria , Pardo Rosa , Pérez González Daniel , de Adana Herrero María Sáez
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The Mother and Child Covid-19 study is a cohort recruiting pregnant women and their children in Cantabria, North of Spain, during COVID-19 pandemic in order to ascertain Consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women and their descendants. This article reports the cohort profile and preliminary results as recruitment is still open.

Participants

Three sub-cohorts can be identified at recruitment. Sub-cohort 1 includes women giving birth between 23rd March and 25th May 2020; they have been retrospectively recruited and could have been exposed to COVID-19 only in their third trimester of pregnancy. Sub-cohort 2 includes women giving birth from 26th May 2020 on; they are being prospectively recruited and could have been exposed to COVID-19 in both their second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Sub-cohort 3 includes women in their 12th week of pregnancy prospectively recruited from 26th May 2020 on; they could have been exposed to COVID-19 anytime in their pregnancy. All women are being tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection using both RT-PCR for RNA detection and ELISA for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. All neonates are being tested for antibodies using immunochemoluminiscency tests; if the mother is tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, a naso-pharyngeal swab is also obtained from the child for RT-PCR analysis.

Findings to date

As of 22nd October, 1167 women have been recruited (266, 354 and 547 for sub-cohorts 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Fourteen women tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 RNA by the day of delivery. All fourteen children born from these women tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Future plans

Children from women included in sub-cohort 3 are expected to be recruited by the end of 2020. Children will be followed-up for one year in order to ascertain the effect that COVID-19 on their development.

ARTICLE SUMMARY

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

This cohort would ascertain the effect of COVID-19 in both mother and children whatever the trimester of the infection.

It would also compare health care provided to pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic with that provided in the same hospital before the emergence of COVID-19.

The cohort is recruited in Spain, one of the developed countries earlier and more affected by COVID-19.

Limitations

The study could be underpowered according to the prevalence reported in a Spanish national study.

Information regarding exposure to people infected by SARS-CoV-2 or risk activities is self-reported.
Automatic analysis system of COVID-19 radiographic lung images (XrayCoviDetector)
Authors: Schlotterbeck Nicolas , Montoya Carlos E. , Bitar Patricia , Fuentes Jorge A. , Dinamarca Victor , Rojas Gonzalo M. , Galvez Marcelo
Published: August 2020

COVID-19 is a pandemic infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, having reached more than 210 countries and territories. It produces symptoms such as fever, dry cough, dyspnea, fatigue, pneumonia, and radiological manifestations.

The most common reported RX and CT findings include lung consolidation and ground-glass opacities.

In this paper, we describe a machine learning-based system (XrayCoviDetector; until the image has a size www.covidetector.net), that detects automatically, the probability that a thorax radiological image includes COVID-19 lung patterns.

XrayCoviDetector has an accuracy of 0.93, a sensitivity of 0.96, and a specificity of 0.90.
COVID-19 Risk Perception Among U.S. Adults: Changes from February to May 2020
Authors: Malik Amyn A. , McFadden SarahAnn M. , Elharake Jad A. , Genevieve Aguolu Obianuju , Shafiq Mehr , Omer Saad B.
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to detrimentally impact the United States. Using a survey, we collected demographic and COVID-19 risk perception, behavior, knowledge, and attitude data from 672 adults across the U.S. in May 2020. These variables were compared with the results from a survey in February 2020. Participants who were older (55+ years; M = 6.3, SD = 2.0), identified as Native American/Alaska Native (M = 6.8, SD = 1.0) or Asian (M = 6.0, SD = 2.0), and those who had contracted (M = 6.8, SD = 2.0) or knew someone who had contracted COVID-19 (M = 6.2, SD = 1.7) reported higher perceived risk. Health behaviors, such as physical distancing, have shown to impact infectious disease trajectories. As the U.S. reopens its economy, public health officials and politicians must formulate culturally appropriate and evidence-based messaging and policies, based on the public’s COVID-19 risk perceptions, to encourage preventive behaviors.
Impact of Duration of Cessation of Mass BCG Vaccination Programs on COVID-19 Mortality
Authors: Raham Tareef Fadhil
Published: August 2020

Back ground

BCG have heterogeneous immunity to certain pathogens other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis effect. At early times during COVID-19 pandemic heterogeneous immunity towards (SARS-CoV-2), was hypothesized and statistical correlation between of BCG vaccination practices and COVID-19 mortality variances among countries was statistically proved. These studies were criticized because of low evidence of such studies and possible confounding factors. For that reason, this study was designed to look for impact of duration of cessation of BCG programs on COVID-19 mortality looking for the hypotheses by different design and looking forward to support previous studies.

Methods

Total number of studied group is 14 countries which had stopped BCG vaccination programs.

Through applying stem-leaf plot for exploring data screening behavior concerning COVID-19Mortality for obsolescence duration of cessation of mass BCG vaccination programs, as well as (nonlinear regression of compound model) for predicted shape behavior for that group.

Results

Slope value shows highly significant effectiveness of obsolescence of cessation of mass BCG vaccination programs on COVID-19 mortality at P-value<0.000. Obsolescence of duration of cessation of mass BCG vaccination programs has strong negative association with COVID-19 mortality in countries which stopped BCG vaccination programs.

Conclusiaon

The longer the cessation duration of BCG programs, the higher the COVID-19mortality is, and vice versa.
A simple framework for Mendelian randomisation of latent continuous exposures with discrete measurements
Authors: Tudball Matthew J. , Bowden Jack , Hughes Rachael A. , Ly Amanda , Munafò Marcus R. , Tilling Kate , Zhao Qingyuan , Davey Smith George
Published: August 2020

A key assumption in Mendelian randomisation is that the relationship between the genetic instruments and the outcome is fully mediated by the exposure measurement, known as the exclusion restriction assumption. However, in epidemiological studies, the exposure measurement is often a discrete marker for some latent continuous trait. For example, latent liability to schizophrenia can be thought of as underlying the binary diagnosis measure. Genetically-driven variation in the outcome can exist within categories of the exposure measurement, thus violating this assumption. We propose a framework to clarify this violation, deriving a simple expression for the resulting bias and showing that it may inflate or deflate effect estimates but will not reverse their sign. We then characterise a set of assumptions and a straight-forward method for estimating the effect of standard deviation increases in the latent exposure. Our method relies on a sensitivity parameter which can be interpreted as the genetic variance of the latent exposure. We show that this method can be applied in both the one-sample and two-sample settings. We conclude by demonstrating our method in an applied example and re-analysing two papers which are likely to suffer from this type of bias, allowing meaningful interpretation of their effect sizes.
Estimation of case-fatality rate in COVID-19 patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the New York State
Authors: Ge Yang , Sun Shengzhi , Shen Ye
Published: August 2020

We estimated the case-fatality rate (CFR) and ratios (RR) in adult COVID-19 cases with hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the New York State. We found that the elderly population had a higher CFR, but the elevated CFR ratios associated with comorbidities are more pronounced for the younger population.
Non-invasive lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis based on multi-analyte liquid biopsy
Authors: Chen Kezhong , Sun Jianlong , Zhao Heng , Jiang Ruijingfang , Zheng Jianchao , Li Zhilong , Peng Jiaxi , Shen Haifeng , Zhang Kai , Zhao Jin , Zhu Shida , Wang Yuying , Yang Fan , Wang Jun
Published: August 2020

Chest LDCT provides an effective approach for lung cancer screening, yet has been found to generate a large number of false positives during practice due to excessive diagnosis of pulmonary lesions of indeterminate clinical significance. In this study, we performed comprehensive genetic and epigenetic profiling of cfDNA from lung cancer patients and individuals bearing benign lung lesions, using ultra-deep targeted sequencing and targeted bisulfite sequencing. We found that cfDNA mutation profile alone has relatively limited power in distinguishing malignant from benign plasma, while cfDNA methylation profiling showed a better performance for classification of the two groups and combination of genetic and epigenetic features of cfDNA along with serum protein marker further improved the classification accuracy. We also identified novel methylation-based prognostic markers and showed that an integrated model that combined cfDNA mutational status and methylation-based prognostic markers improved prediction for lung cancer survival. Our results highlight the potential of the multi-analyte assay for non-invasive lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
CLEP: A Hybrid Data- and Knowledge-Driven Framework for Generating Patient Representations
Authors: Bharadhwaj Vinay Srinivas , Ali Mehdi , Birkenbihl Colin , Mubeen Sarah , Lehmann Jens , Hofmann-Apitius Martin , Tapley Hoyt Charles , Domingo-Fernández Daniel
Published: August 2020

As machine learning and artificial intelligence become more useful in the interpretation of biomedical data, their utility depends on the data used to train them. Due to the complexity and high dimensionality of biomedical data, there is a need for approaches that combine prior knowledge around known biological interactions with patient data. Here, we present CLEP, a novel approach that generates new patient representations by leveraging both prior knowledge and patient-level data. First, given a patient-level dataset and a knowledge graph containing relations across features that can be mapped to the dataset, CLEP incorporates patients into the knowledge graph as new nodes connected to their most characteristic features. Next, CLEP employs knowledge graph embedding models to generate new patient representations that can ultimately be used for a variety of downstream tasks, ranging from clustering to classification. We demonstrate how using new patient representations generated by CLEP significantly improves performance in classifying between patients and healthy controls for a variety of machine learning models, as compared to the use of the original transcriptomics data. Furthermore, we also show how incorporating patients into a knowledge graph can foster the interpretation and identification of biological features characteristic of a specific disease or patient subgroup. Finally, we released CLEP as an open source Python package together with examples and documentation.
A generic decision-making ability predicts psychopathology in adolescents and young adults and is reflected in distinct brain connectivity patterns
Authors: Moutoussis Michael , Garzón Benjamín , Neufeld Sharon , Bach Dominik R. , Rigoli Francesco ,   NSPN Consortium, Guitart-Masip Marc , Dolan Raymond J.
Published: August 2020

Decision-making underpins many important facets of our lives. Here, we assessed if a general ability factor underpins decision-making abilities. Using factor analysis of 32 decision-making measures in 830 adolescents and young adults, we identified a common factor we refer to as ‘decision acuity’ that was distinct from IQ and reflected advantageous decision-making abilities. Decision acuity decreased with low general social functioning and aberrant thinking. Crucially, decision acuity and IQ had dissociable neural signatures in terms of resting-state functional connectivity involving specific neural networks. Finally, decision acuity was reliable and its relationship with functional connectivity was stable when measured in the same individuals 18 months later. We conclude that our behavioural and brain data demonstrate a new cognitive construct encapsulating ability to perform decision-making across distinct domains, and that the expression of this construct may be important for understanding psychopathology.
Investigating real-life emotions in romantic couples: a mobile EEG study
Authors: Packheiser Julian , Berretz Gesa , Rook Noemi , Bahr Celine , Schockenhoff Lynn , Güntürkün Onur , Ocklenburg Sebastian
Published: August 2020

The neural basis of emotional processing has been largely investigated in constrained spatial environments such as stationary EEGs or fMRI scanners using highly artificial stimuli like standardized pictures depicting emotional scenes. Typically, such standardized experiments have low ecological validity and it remains unclear whether their results reflect neuronal processing in real-life affective situations at all. Critically, emotional situations do not only encompass the perception of emotions, but also behavioral components associated with them. In this study, we aimed to investigate real-life emotions by recording couples in their homes using mobile EEG technology during embracing, kissing and emotional speech. We focused on asymmetries in affective processing as emotions have been demonstrated to be strongly lateralized in the brain. We found higher alpha and beta power asymmetry during kissing and embracing on frontal electrodes during emotional kisses and speech compared to a neutral control condition indicative of stronger left-hemispheric activation. In contrast, we found lower alpha power asymmetry at parieto-occipital electrode sites in the emotional compared to the neutral condition indicative of stronger right-hemispheric activation. Our findings are in line with models of emotional lateralization that postulate a valence-specific processing over frontal cortices and right-hemispheric dominance in emotional processing in parieto-occipital regions. Overall, we could thus support theories of emotional asymmetries which suggest that affective processing is not uniformly lateralized across the brain using a highly ecologically valid paradigm.
Interaction between neuronal encoding and population dynamics during categorization task switching in parietal cortex
Authors: Mohan Krithika , Zhu Oliver , Freedman David
Published: August 2020

Primates excel at categorization, a cognitive process for assigning stimuli into behaviorally relevant groups. Categories are encoded in multiple brain areas and tasks, yet it remains unclear how neural encoding and dynamics support cognitive tasks with different demands. We recorded from parietal cortex during flexible switching between categorization tasks with distinct cognitive and motor demands, and also studied recurrent neural networks (RNNs) trained on the same tasks. In the one-interval categorization task (OIC), monkeys rapidly reported their decisions with a saccade. In the delayed match-to-category (DMC) task, monkeys decided whether sequentially presented stimuli were categorical matches. Neuronal category encoding generalized across tasks, but categorical encoding was more binary-like in the DMC task and more graded in the OIC task. Furthermore, analysis of the trained RNNs supports the hypothesis that binary-like encoding in the DMC task arises through compression of graded feature encoding by population attractor dynamics underlying short-term working memory.
Offline Memory Reactivation Promotes the Consolidation Of Spatially Unbiased Long-Term Cognitive Maps
Authors: Grosmark Andres D. , Sparks Fraser T. , Davis Matt J. , Losonczy Attila
Published: August 2020

Spatial memories which can last a lifetime are thought to be encoded during ‘online’ periods of exploration and subsequently consolidated into stable cognitive maps through their ‘offline’ reactivation1–5. However, the mechanisms and computational principles by which offline reactivation stabilize long-lasting spatial representations remain poorly understood. Here we employed simultaneous fast calcium imaging and electrophysiology to track hippocampal place cells over weeks of online spatial reward learning behavior and offline resting. We describe that recruitment to persistent network-level offline reactivation of spatial experiences predicts cells’ future multi-day representational stability. Moreover, while representations of reward-adjacent locations are generally more stable across days, reactivation-related stabilization is, conversely, most prominent for reward-distal locations. Thus, while occurring on millisecond time-scales, offline reactivation counter-balances the observed multi-day representational reward-adjacency bias, promoting the stabilization of cognitive maps which comprehensively reflect entire underlying spatial contexts. These findings suggest that post-learning offline-related memory consolidation plays complimentary and computationally distinct role in learning as compared to online encoding.
Mantis shrimp rank the shape of an object over its color during recognition
Authors: Patel Rickesh N. , Khil Veniamin , Abdurahmonova Laylo , Driscoll Holland , Patel Sarina , Pettyjohn-Robin Olivia , Shah Ahmad , Goldwasser Tamar , Sparklin Benjamin , Cronin Thomas W.
Published: August 2020

Mantis shrimp are predatory crustaceans that commonly occupy burrows in shallow, tropical waters worldwide. Most of these animals inhabit structurally complex, benthic environments with an abundance of visual features that are regularly observed, including conspecifics, predators, prey, and landmarks for use in navigation. While these animals are capable of learning and discriminating color and polarization, it is unknown what specific attributes of a visual object are important for its recognition. Here we show that mantis shrimp of the speciesNeogonodactylus oerstediican learn the shape of a trained target. Furthermore, when the shape and color of a target which they had been trained to identify were placed in conflict,N. oerstediisignificantly chose the target of the trained shape over the target of the trained color. Thus, we conclude that the shape of a target is more important than its color for its recognition byN. oerstedii. Our findings suggest that the shapes of learned structures, such as landmarks or other animals, are important forN. oerstediiduring object recognition.
Predicting Sex from Resting-State fMRI Across Multiple Independent Acquired Datasets
Authors: Al Zoubi Obada , Misaki Masaya , Tsuchiyagaito Aki , Zotev Vadim , White Evan ,   Tulsa 1000 Investigators, Paulus Martin , Bodurka Jerzy
Published: August 2020

Sex is an important biological variable often used in analyzing and describing the functional organization of the brain during cognitive and behavioral tasks. Several prior studies have shown that blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) functional connectivity (FC) can be used to differentiate sex among individuals. Herein, we demonstrate that sex can be further classified with high accuracy using the intrinsic BOLD signal fluctuations from resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI). We adopted the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), and the fraction of ALFF (fALFF) features from the automated anatomical atlas (AAL) and Power’s functional atlas as an input to different machine learning (ML) methods. Using datasets from five independently acquired subject cohorts and with eight fMRI scanning sessions, we comprehensively assessed unbiased performance using nested-cross validation for within-sample and across sample accuracies. The results demonstrated high prediction accuracies for the Human Connectome Project (HCP) dataset (area under cure (AUC) > 0.89). The yielded accuracies suggest that sex difference is embodied and well-pronounced in the low-frequency BOLD signal fluctuation. The performance degrades with the heterogeneity of the cohort and suggests that other factors,.e.g. psychiatric disorders and demographics influences the BOLD signal and may interact with the classification of sex. In addition, the results revealed high learning generalizability with the HCP scan, but not across different datasets. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) across HCP scans showed moderate-to-good reliability based on atlas selection (ICC = 0.65 [0.63-0.67] and ICC= 0.78 [0.76-0.80].). We also assessed the effect of scan duration on the predictability of sex and showed that sex differences could be detected even with a short rs-fMRI scan (e.g., 2 minutes). Moreover, we provided statistical maps of the brain regions differentially recruited by or predicting sex using Shapely values and determined an overlap with previous reports of brain response due to sex differences. Altogether, our analysis suggests that sex differences are well-pronounced in rs-fMRI and should be considered seriously in any study design, analysis, or interpretation.