bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activities and Participation in the First 6 Months After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Renaud M. Irene , van de Port Ingrid G. L. , Catsman-Berrevoets Coriene E. , Jellema Korné , Lambregts Suzanne A. M. , van Heugten Caroline M.
Published: June 2020

Objective:

To investigate the natural course of activities and participation of children up to 6 months after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Methods:

A prospective longitudinal cohort study with complete data sets of 231 children diagnosed with mTBI and their caregivers.

Main Measures:

Activities and participation assessed with the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP) and the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) measured at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-mTBI. Because of a ceiling effect, the primary outcome measure (CASP) was divided into deviant (not maximum score) or full functioning.

Results:

Friedman's, Cochran's Q, and McNemar's tests (CASP) and repeated-measures analyses of variance (CAPE) showed significant increases in activities and participation between 2 weeks and 3 and 6 months after mTBI. Based on the parents' perspective, 67% of the children returned to full functioning at 6 months postinjury, with only 38% of the children describing themselves as functioning at their premorbid level.

Discussion:

Findings indicate that most children return to maximum level of activities and participation over time after mTBI. In a substantial number of children, however, the level of activities and participation at 6 months postinjury is evaluated as lower than that of peers. The importance of investigating predictors for child and caregiver perspectives is emphasized.
Intraocular Lens Power Calculation Without Corneal Parameters: A New Option
Authors: Rosa Nicola , Zeppa Lucio , De Bernardo Maddalena , Coppola Alessia , Zeppa Lucia , Borrelli Maria
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

To compare different methods in calculating the corneal radius (R) to be used in case of intraocular lens power calculations when it is immeasurable.

Methods:

The right eyes of 1,960 patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. The first group of right eyes (group A) was divided in three groups according to the axial length (AL) (≤21.99 mm, between 22 and 24.99 mm, and ≥25 mm). In these groups, the correlation between the AL and the corneal radius (R) provided three different regression formulas. The second group of right eyes (group B) was used to test the following methods of estimating the R: the regression formulas determined from group A, formula from Logan et al., formula from Stenström, the mean R calculated from group A, and the fellow eye group B. A Student paired T test was used for the statistical evaluation.

Results:

In case of AL≤21.99, the best results have been obtained with the fellow eye R, followed by either the regression formula or the mean R from group A (mean=0.00±0.09 mm, P=0.94, mean=0.05±0.21 mm, P=0.05, mean=0.05±0.22 mm, P=0.08, respectively). In case of AL between 22 and 24.99 mm, the best results have been obtained with the fellow eye R, followed by either the regression formula or the mean R from group A (mean=−0.01±0.09 mm, P=0.38, mean=0.01±0.21 mm, P=0.12, mean=0.01±0.24 mm, P=0.18, respectively). In case of AL≥25 mm, the best results have been obtained with the fellow eye R, followed by either the regression formula or the mean R from group A (mean=−0.003±0.08 mm, P=0.94 mean=−0.004±0.25 mm, P=0.85, mean=−0.004±0.25 mm, P=0.85, respectively).

Conclusions:

The new calculated regression formulas seem to represent a reliable method to calculate the R when it is undetectable, as in case of corneal dystrophies.
Outcomes of resident-performed laser-assisted vs traditional phacoemulsification
Authors: Hansen Brock , Blomquist Preston H. , Ririe Peter , Pouly Severin , Nguyen Chan , Petroll W. Matthew , McCulley James P.
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To compare the effectiveness of femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery (CPS) by resident surgeons.

Setting:

Parkland Memorial Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Design:

Prospective randomized study.

Methods:

All surgeries to be performed by postgraduate year 3 and year 4 residents from October 2015 through June 2017 were eligible for inclusion. Patients were required to complete postoperative day 1, week 1, month 1, and month 3 visits. Specular microscopy was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Surgeries were filmed, and each step was timed and compared. Surgeon and patient surveys were filled out postoperatively.

Results:

Of the 135 eyes of 96 subjects enrolled in the study, 64 eyes received FLACS and 71 eyes received CPS. There was no significant difference in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), either preoperatively or at the postoperative day 1, week 1, month 1, or month 3 visits (P = .469, .539, .701, .777, and .777, respectively). Cumulated dissipated energy and irrigation fluid usage were not different between FLACS and CPS (P = .521 and .368, respectively), nor was there a difference in the reduction of endothelial cell counts postoperatively (P = .881). Wound creation (P = .014), cortical cleanup (P = .009), and IOL implantation (P = .031) were faster in the CPS group. Survey results indicated that the overall patient experience was similar for FLACS and CPS.

Conclusions:

This first prospective randomized trial evaluating resident-performed FLACS shows that, in resident hands, FLACS provides similar results to CPS regarding visual acuity, endothelial cell loss, operative time, patient satisfaction, and surgical complication rate.
Comparison of semicircular and bent tips regarding regional differences in oscillation amplitude under various torsional power settings
Authors: Noguchi Santaro , Baba Koichi , Maeda Naoyuki , Oie Yoshinori , Nakakura Shunsuke , Tabuchi Hitoshi , Nishida Kohji
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To analyze the difference between the behavior of semicircular (balanced) and bent (mini) tips at 20 incremental torsional power settings.

Setting:

Tsukazaki Hospital, Himeji, Japan.

Design:

Experimental study.

Methods:

Using an ultra-high-speed video camera HPV-X2, the 2 tips during torsional oscillation were recorded, comparing tip behavior at power settings from 5% to 100% by tracking points 1 to 5 (tip end and at 1325, 2650, 3975, and 5035 μm from the tip end).

Results:

Both tips increased their amplitude widths, drawing an S-curve at all points as the torsional power setting was increased, reaching their upper limits from 70% to 90% torsional power. At all 20 power settings, both tips showed significantly different amplitudes (all P < .01), and the difference of the amplitude increased as the power setting increased. Although, at points 1 and 3, the balanced tip amplitude was nearly 1.5 times larger than the mini tip amplitude, the amplitude difference was 10 μm or less at points 2 and 4. At point 5, the mini tip amplitude was at least 3 times more than the balanced tip amplitude.

Conclusions:

The amplitude does not increase proportionally and varies markedly with the tip shape on reaching the upper limit, suggesting that a higher power setting might not contribute greatly to nuclear fragmentation. The balanced tip might cause greater damage to surrounding tissues if it is inserted at approximately 3 mm from the wound site. To obtain maximum shaft stability using the balanced tip, it is important to insert at least 5 mm.
Efficacy and safety of a single-use dual blade goniotomy: 18-month results
Authors: Wakil Susan M. , Birnbaum Faith , Vu Daniel M. , McBurney-Lin Shan , ElMallah Mohammed K. , Tseng Henry
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To compare the 18-month efficacy and safety of Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy (KDB) in combination with cataract surgery (combined group) or as a standalone procedure (standalone group).

Setting:

Single surgeon practice.

Design:

Retrospective review study.

Methods:

A total of 116 eyes of 100 patients underwent KDB by a single well-experienced surgeon from May 2016 to 2018. A total of 93 eyes and 23 eyes were in the combined and standalone groups, respectively. Main outcome measures were reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication and adverse events. Data were collected and analyzed using Welch t tests in R.

Results:

A total of 116 eyes of 100 patients were included in the analysis. Moderate or severe glaucoma was observed in 71% of eyes in the combined group compared with 83% in the standalone group. At baseline, mean IOP was 16.5 ± 5.0 mm Hg (n = 93) and 24.3 ± 9.1 mm Hg (n = 23) in the combined and standalone groups, respectively (P < .05). The IOP decreased in both groups at 12 months (14.1 ± 3.9 vs 16.9 ± 7.6, P = .24) and 18 months (14.4 ± 3.7 vs 16.7 ± 7.6, P = .5). There was a statistically significant difference in the number of drops between the combined and standalone groups at baseline (2.4 ± 1.2 vs 2.9 ± 1.0, P < .05) persisting at 12 months (1.3 ± 1.2 vs 2.6 ± 1.2, P < .05) and at 18 months (1.3 ± 1.2 vs 3.3 ± 1.2, P < .05). Complications included transient hyphemas (20 eyes [17%]) and IOP spike (20 eyes [17%]). Seven eyes required additional glaucoma surgery, 5 of which were in the standalone group.

Conclusions:

KDB was an effective and safe procedure for different glaucoma disease severities, whether combined with cataract surgery or as a standalone surgery. It is an alternative to consider prior to pursuing more invasive glaucoma surgeries.
Acupuncture of different treatment frequencies in knee osteoarthritis: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lin Lu-Lu , Tu Jian-Feng , Wang Li-Qiong , Yang Jing-Wen , Shi Guang-Xia , Li Jin-Ling , Zhang Na , Shao Jia-Kai , Zou Xuan , Liu Cun-Zhi
Published: June 2020

This 16-week randomised controlled trial (8-week treatment followed by 8-week follow-up) evaluated the symptomatic improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis on 3 sessions per week of acupuncture (TSWA) compared to 1 session per week of acupuncture (OSWA). Sixty participants were randomised to either the TSWA or the OSWA group in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was response rate, defined as the percentage of participants achieving ≥2 points decrease on the numerical rating scale (NRS) and ≥6 points decrease in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function score at week 8 compared with baseline. Additional outcomes included response rates at weeks 4 and 16, NRS, WOMAC, Patient Global Assessment, 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and treatment credibility and expectancy. No significant difference was seen in response rate between TSWA and OSWA groups at week 8 (64.7% vs 50.0%; difference, 14.7 percentage points [95% CI, −10.1 to 39.4 percentage points], P = 0.435). At weeks 4 and 16, the TSWA group had higher response rates than the OSWA group (week-4: difference, 44.7 percentage points [95% CI, 23.2-66.1 percentage points], P = 0.001; week-16: difference, 46.0 percentage points [95% CI, 24.4-67.6 percentage points], P < 0.001). Participants in the TSWA group experienced significantly greater improvements in NRS, WOMAC function, and Patient Global Assessment than those in the OSWA group. There were no significant between-group differences in WOMAC stiffness and SF-12. In summary, TSWA immediately improved knee pain and dysfunction compared with OSWA. In addition, the benefit of TSWA persists throughout follow-up.
Effects of hypnosis, cognitive therapy, hypnotic cognitive therapy, and pain education in adults with chronic pain: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Jensen Mark P. , Mendoza Maria Elena , Ehde Dawn M. , Patterson David R. , Molton Ivan R. , Dillworth Tiara M. , Gertz Kevin J. , Chan Joy , Hakimian Shahin , Battalio Samuel L. , Ciol Marcia A.
Published: June 2020

Chronic pain is a significant health problem worldwide with limited pharmacological treatment options. This study evaluated the relative efficacy of 4 treatment sessions each of 4 nonpharmacological treatments: (1) hypnotic cognitive therapy (using hypnosis to alter the meaning of pain); (2) standard cognitive therapy; (3) hypnosis focused on pain reduction, and (4) pain education. One hundred seventy-three individuals with chronic pain were randomly assigned to receive 4 sessions of 1 of the 4 treatments. Primary (pain intensity) and secondary outcome measures were administered by assessors unaware of treatment allocation at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Treatment effects were evaluated using analysis of variance, a generalized estimating equation approach, or a Fisher exact test, depending on the outcome domain examined. All 4 treatments were associated with medium to large effect size improvements in pain intensity that maintained up to 12 months posttreatment. Pretreatment to posttreatment improvements were observed across the 4 treatment conditions on the secondary outcomes of pain interference and depressive symptoms, with some return towards pretreatment levels at 12-month follow-up. No significant between-group differences emerged in omnibus analyses, and few statistically significant between-group differences emerged in the planned pairwise analyses, although the 2 significant effects that did emerge favored hypnotic cognitive therapy. Future research is needed to determine whether the significant differences that emerged are reliable.
The influence of aging and duration of nerve injury on the antiallodynic efficacy of analgesics in laboratory mice
Authors: Muralidharan Arjun , Sotocinal Susana G. , Austin Jean-Sebastien , Mogil Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Increasing attention is being paid to the effects of organismic factors like age on pain sensitivity. However, very little data exist on this topic using modern algesiometric assays and measures in laboratory rodents.

Objectives:

We investigated the effect of age and duration of nerve injury on baseline mechanical thresholds, neuropathic allodynia, and the antiallodynic and analgesic efficacy of 4 systemically administered analgesics: amitriptyline, diclofenac, morphine, and pregabalin.

Methods:

Mice of both sexes and 3 conditions were compared: Young-Young, in which baseline testing (von Frey thresholds), the injury producing neuropathic pain (spared nerve injury [SNI]) and subsequent drug testing occurred while mice were young (8–10 weeks); Young-Old, in which mice received the nerve injury while young but were tested for drug efficacy over 10 months later; and Old-Old, in which both the nerve injury and drug testing occurred at approximately 1 year of age.

Results:

Old-Old mice were found to display higher baseline mechanical sensitivity than other groups. No group differences were seen in SNI-induced allodynia in males; female Young-Old mice were found to display greatly reduced allodynia. With respect to drug efficacy, no differences among conditions were observed for amitriptyline, diclofenac, or morphine. For pregabalin, however, Young-Old mice displayed significantly reduced antiallodynia, and the drug was completely ineffective in Old-Old mice.

Conclusion:

Novel findings include the apparent remission of SNI-induced allodynia in female mice 10 months after injury and reduced pregabalin antiallodynic effects produced by both the passage of time after nerve injury and aging.
RAD51 Expression as a Biomarker to Predict Efficacy of Preoperative Therapy and Survival for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Saeki Hiroshi , Jogo Tomoko , Kawazoe Tetsuro , Kamori Tomohiro , Nakaji Yu , Zaitsu Yoko , Fujiwara Minako , Baba Yoshifumi , Nakamura Tetsu , Iwata Naoki , Egashira Akinori , Nakanoko Tomonori , Morita Masaru , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Kimura Yasue , Shibata Tomotaka , Nakashima Yuichiro , Emi Yasunori , Makiyama Akitaka , Oki Eiji , Tokunaga Shoji , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Mori Masaki ,   Kyushu Study Group of Clinical Cancer (KSCC)
Published: June 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study is to identify biomarkers that predict efficacy of preoperative therapy and survival for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Background:

It is essential to improve the accuracy of preoperative molecular diagnostics to identify specific patients who will benefit from the treatment; thus, this issue should be resolved with a large-cohort, retrospective observational study.

Methods:

A total of 656 patients with ESCC who received surgery after preoperative CDDP + 5-FU therapy, docetaxel + CDDP + 5-FU therapy or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were enrolled. Immunohistochemical analysis of TP53, CDKN1A, RAD51, MutT-homolog 1, and programmed death-ligand 1 was performed with biopsy samples obtained before preoperative therapy, and expression was measured by immunohistochemistry.

Results:

In all therapy groups, overall survival was statistically separated by pathological effect (grade 3 > grade 2 > grade 0, 1, P < 0.0001). There was no correlation between TP53, CDKN1A, MutT-homolog 1, programmed death-ligand 1 expression, and pathological effect, whereas the proportion of positive RAD51 expression (≥50%) in cases with grade 3 was lower than that with grade 0, 1, and 2 (P = 0.022). In the CRT group, the survival of patients with RAD51-positive tumor was significantly worse than RAD51-negative expressors (P = 0.0119). Subgroup analysis of overall survival with respect to positive RAD51 expression indicated preoperative chemotherapy (CDDP + 5-FU or docetaxel + CDDP + 5-FU) was superior to CRT.

Conclusions:

In ESCC, positive RAD51 expression was identified as a useful biomarker to predict resistance to preoperative therapy and poor prognosis in patients who received preoperative CRT. Administration of preoperative chemotherapy may be warranted for patients with positive RAD51 expression.
Expanded Demographic Norms for Version 3 of the Alzheimer Disease Centers’ Neuropsychological Test Battery in the Uniform Data Set
Authors: Sachs Bonnie C. , Steenland Kyle , Zhao Liping , Hughes Timothy M. , Weintraub Sandra , Dodge Hiroko H. , Barnes Lisa L. , Craft Suzanne , Parker Monica L. , Goldstein Felicia C.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Norms for the Uniform Data Set Version 3 Neuropsychological Battery are available for cognitively normal individuals based on age, education, and sex; however, these norms do not include race. We provide expanded norms for African Americans and whites.

Methods:

Data from 32 Alzheimer’s Disease Centers (ADCs) and ADC affiliated cohorts with global Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) Dementia Staging Instrument scores of 0 were included. Descriptive statistics for each test were calculated by age, sex, race, and education. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to estimate the effect of each demographic variable; squared semipartial correlation coefficients measured the relative importance of variables.

Results:

There were 8313 participants (16% African American) with complete demographic information, ranging from 6600 to 7885 depending on the test. Lower scores were found for older and less educated groups, and African Americans versus whites. Education was the strongest predictor for most tests, followed in order by age, race, and sex. Quadratic terms were significant for age and education, indicating some nonlinearity, but did not substantially increase R
2.

Conclusions:

Although race-based norms represent incomplete proxies for other sociocultural variables, the appropriate application of these norms is important given the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and to reduce misclassification bias in cognitive disorders of aging such as Alzheimer disease.
Brachial Flow-mediated Dilation and Risk of Dementia
Authors: Garg Parveen K. , Tan Annabel X. , Odden Michelle C. , Gardin Julius M. , Lopez Oscar L. , Newman Anne B. , Rawlings Andreea M. , Mukamal Kenneth J.
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a physiologic measure of endothelial function. We determined the prospective association of brachial FMD with incident dementia among older adults.

Methods:

We included 2777 Cardiovascular Health Study participants who underwent brachial FMD measurement. Incident dementia was ascertained by medication use, International Classification of Diseases-9 codes, requirement for a proxy, and death certificates and calibrated to gold-standard assessments performed in a subset of the cohort.

Results:

Mean participant age at time of brachial FMD measurement was 77.9 years. We identified 1650 incident dementia cases (median follow-up=10.5 y). After adjusting for age, race, sex, education, clinic site, and baseline arterial diameter, risk of dementia for participants in the highest quartile of percent brachial FMD did not differ from those in lowest quartile (hazard ratio=0.89, 95% confidence interval: 0.77, 1.03).

Conclusions:

Brachial FMD, measured late in life, is not associated with an increased risk of incident dementia.
ChpC controls twitching motility-mediated expansion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in response to serum albumin, mucin and oligopeptides
Authors: Nolan Laura M. , McCaughey Laura C. , Merjane Jessica , Turnbull Lynne , Whitchurch Cynthia B.
Published: June 2020

Twitching motility-mediated biofilm expansion occurs via coordinated, multi-cellular collective behaviour to allow bacteria to actively expand across surfaces. Type-IV pili (T4P) are cell-associated virulence factors which mediate twitching motility via rounds of extension, surface attachment and retraction. The Chp chemosensory system is thought to respond to environmental signals to regulate the biogenesis, assembly and twitching motility function of T4P. In other well characterised chemosensory systems, methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) feed environmental signals through a CheW adapter protein to the histidine kinase CheA to modulate motility. The

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Chp system has an MCP PilJ and two CheW adapter proteins, PilI and ChpC, that likely interact with the histidine kinase ChpA to feed environmental signals into the system. In the current study we show that ChpC is involved in the response to host-derived signals serum albumin, mucin and oligopeptides. We demonstrate that these signals stimulate an increase in twitching motility, as well as in levels of 3′−5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and surface-assembled T4P. Interestingly, our data shows that changes in cAMP and surface piliation levels are independent of ChpC but that the twitching motility response to these environmental signals requires ChpC. Furthermore, we show that protease activity is required for the twitching motility response of

P. aeruginosa

to environmental signals. Based upon our data we propose a model whereby ChpC feeds these environmental signals into the Chp system, potentially via PilJ or another MCP, to control twitching motility. PilJ and PilI then modulate T4P surface levels to allow the cell to continue to undergo twitching motility. Our study is the first to link environmental signals to the Chp chemosensory system and refines our understanding of how this system controls twitching motility-mediated biofilm expansion in

P. aeruginosa

.
Functional characterization of multiple PAS domain-containing diguanylate cyclases in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Ishikawa Ko , Chubachi Chihiro , Tochigi Saeko , Hoshi Naomi , Kojima Seiji , Hyodo Mamoru , Hayakawa Yoshihiro , Furuta Tadaomi , Kera Kota , Uozumi Nobuyuki
Published: June 2020

Bis-(3′–5′)-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a second messenger known to control a variety of bacterial processes. The model cyanobacterium,

Synechocystis

sp. PCC 6803, has a score of genes encoding putative enzymes for c-di-GMP synthesis and degradation. However, most of them have not been functionally characterized. Here, we chose four genes in

Synechocystis

(dgcA–dgcD), which encode proteins with a GGDEF, diguanylate cyclase (DGC) catalytic domain and multiple Per-ARNT-Sim (PAS) conserved regulatory motifs, for detailed analysis. Puriﬁed DgcA, DgcB and DgcC were able to catalyze synthesis of c-di-GMP from two GTPs in vitro. DgcA had the highest activity, compared with DgcB and DgcC. DgcD did not show detectable activity. DgcA activity was specific for GTP and stimulated by the divalent cations, magnesium or manganese. Full activity of DgcA required the presence of the multiple PAS domains, probably because of their role in protein dimerization or stability.

Synechocystis

mutants carrying single deletions of dgcA–dgcD were not affected in their growth rate or biofilm production during salt stress, suggesting that there was functional redundancy in vivo. In contrast, overexpression of dgcA resulted in increased biofilm formation in the absence of salt stress. In this study, we characterize the enzymatic and physiological function of DgcA–DgcD, and propose that the PAS domains in DgcA function in maintaining the enzyme in its active form.
Assessing the ecological niche and invasion potential of the Asian giant hornet
Authors: Zhu Gengping , Illan Javier Gutierrez , Looney Chris , Crowder David W.
Published: June 2020

The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is the world’s largest hornet. It is native to East Asia, but was recently detected in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington State, USA.Vespa mandariniaare an invasion concern due to their potential to negatively affect honey bees and act as a human nuisance pest. Here, we assessed effects of bioclimatic variables onV. mandariniaand used ensemble forecasts to predict habitat suitability for this pest globally. We also simulated potential dispersal ofV. mandariniain western North America. We show thatV. mandariniaare most likely to invade areas with warm to cool annual mean temperature but high precipitation, and could be particularly problematic in regions with these conditions and high levels of human activity. We identified regions with suitable habitat on all six continents except Antarctica. The realized niche of introduced populations in the USA and Canada was small compared to native populations, implying high potential for invasive spread into new regions. Dispersal simulations showed that without containment,V. mandariniacould rapidly spread into southern Washington and Oregon, USA and northward through British Columbia, Canada. Given its potential negative impacts, and the capacity for spread within northwestern North America and worldwide, strong mitigation efforts are needed to prevent further spread ofV. mandarinia.
Disinfection of N95 Respirators with Ozone
Authors: Manning Edward P , Stephens Matthew D , Patel Sannel , Dufresne Sylvie , Silver Bruce , Gerbarg Patricia , Gerbarg Zach , Dela Cruz Charles , Sharma Lokesh
Published: June 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 crisis is creating a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), most critically, N95 respirators for healthcare personnel. Our group was interested in the feasibility of ozone disinfection of N95 respirators as an alternative for healthcare professionals and organizations that might not have access to other disinfection devices. We tested the effectiveness of ozone on killing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) on three different N95 respirators: 3M 1860, 3M 1870, and 3M 8000. We used an ozone chamber that consisted of: an airtight chamber, an ozone generator, an ozone destruct unit, and an ozone UV analyzer. The chamber was capable of concentrating ozone up to 500 parts per million (ppm) from ambient air, creating an airtight seal, and precisely measuring ozone levels within the chamber. Exposure to ozone at 400 ppm with 80% humidity for two hours effectively killed bacteria on N95 respirators, types 1860, 1870, and 8000. There were no significant changes in filtration efficiency of the 1860 and 1870 type respirators for up to ten cycles of ozone exposure at similar conditions. There was no change in fit observed in the 1870 type respirator after ozone exposure. There was no significant change in the strap integrity of the 1870 type respirator after ozone exposure. Tests for filtration efficiency were not performed on the 8000 type respirator. Tests for fit or strap integrity were not performed on the 8000 or 1860 type respirators. This study demonstrates that an ozone application achieves a high level of disinfection against PsA, a vegetative bacteria that the CDC identifies as more difficult to kill than medium sized viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19). Furthermore, conditions shown to kill these bacteria did not damage or degrade respirator filtration. This is the first report of successful disinfection of N95 PPE with ozone of which the authors are aware. It is also the first report, to the authors' knowledge, to identify necessary conditions for ozone to kill organisms on N95 masks without degrading the function of N95 filters.
Psychosocial factors and hospitalisations for COVID-19: Prospective cohort study of the general population
Authors: Batty George David , Deary Ian , Luciano Michelle , Altschul Drew , Kivimaki Mika , Gale Catharine
Published: June 2020

Objective: To examine the association of a range of psychosocial factors with hospitalisation for COVID-19.
Design: Prospective cohort study.
Setting: England.
Participants: UK Biobank comprises around half a million people who were aged 40 to 69 years at study induction between 2006 and 2010 when information on psychosocial factors and covariates were captured.
Main outcome measure: Hospitalisation for COVID-19 in England between 16th March and 26th April 2020 as provided by Public Health England.
Results: There were 908 hospitalisations for COVID-19 in an analytical sample of 431,051 people. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, an elevated risk of COVID-19 was related to disadvantaged levels of education (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval: 2.05; 1.70, 2.47), income (2.00; 1.63, 2,47), area deprivation (2.20; 1.86, 2.59), occupation (1.39; 1.14, 1.69), psychological distress (1.58; 1.32, 1.89), mental health (1.50; 1.25, 1.79), neuroticism (1.19; 1.00, 1.42), and performance on two tests of cognitive function: verbal and numerical reasoning (2.66; 2.06, 3.34) and reaction speed (1.27; 1.08, 1.51). These associations were graded (p-value for trend <=0.038) such that effects were apparent across the full psychosocial continua. After mutual adjustment for these characteristics plus ethnicity, comorbidity, and lifestyle factors, only the relationship between lower cognitive function as measured using the reasoning test and a doubling in the risk of the infection remained (1.98; 1.38, 2.85).
Conclusion: A range of psychosocial factors revealed associations with hospitalisations for COVID-19 of which the relation with cognitive function was most robust to statistical adjustment.
Genome-wide Analysis of Copy Number Variation in Latin American Parkinson's Disease Patients
Authors: Sarihan Elif Irem , Perez-Palma Eduardo , Niestroj Lisa-Marie , Loesch Douglas , Inca-Martinez Miguel , Horimoto Andrea R. V. R. , Cornejo-Olivas Mario , Torres Luis , Mazzetti Pilar , Cosentino Carlos , Sarapura-Castro Elison , Rivera-Valdivia Andrea , Dieguez Elena , Raggio Victor , Lescano Andres , Tumas Vitor , Borges Vanderci , Ferraz Henrique B. , Rieder Carlos R. , Schumacher-Schuh Artur , Santos-Lobato Bruno L. , Velez-Pardo Carlos , Jimenez-Del-Rio Marlene , Lopera Francisco , Moreno Sonia , Chana-Cuevas Pedro , Fernandez William , Arboleda Gonzalo , Arboleda Humberto , Arboleda-Bustos Carlos E. , Yearout Dora , Zabetian Cyrus P. , Thornton Timothy A. , O'Connor Timothy D. , Lal Dennis , F. Mata Ignacio
Published: June 2020

Background: Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and affects people from all ethnic backgrounds, yet little is known about the genetics of Parkinson's disease in non-European populations. In addition, the overall identification of copy number variants at a genome-wide level has been understudied in Parkinson's disease patients.
Objectives: To understand the genome-wide burden of copy number variants in Latinos and its association with Parkinson's disease.
Methods: We used genome-wide genotyping data from 747 Parkinson's disease patients and 632 ancestry matched controls from the Latin American Research Consortium on the Genetics of Parkinson's disease.
Results: Genome-wide copy number burden analysis showed no difference between patients vs. controls, whereas patients were significantly enriched for copy number variants overlapping known Parkinson's disease genes compared to controls (Odds Ratio: 3.97 [1.69 - 10.5], P = 0.018). PARK2 showed the strongest copy number burden, with 20 copy number variant carriers. These patients presented an earlier age of disease onset compared to patients with other copy number variants (median age at onset: 31 years vs. 57 years, P = 7.46 x 10-7).
Conclusions: We found that Parkinson's disease patients are significantly enriched with copy number variants affecting known Parkinson's disease genes. We also identified that out of 250 patients with early-onset disease, 5.6% carried a copy number variant on PARK2 in our cohort. Our study is the first to analyze genome-wide copy number variants association in Latino Parkinson's disease patients and provides insights about this complex disease in this understudied population.
Risk factors of coronary microvascular obstruction
Authors: Li Yong , Lyu Shuzheng
Published: June 2020

Background

Coronary microvascular obstruction /no-reflow(CMVO/NR) is a predictor of long-term mortality in survivors of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Objective

To identify risk factors of CMVO/NR.

Methods

Totally 2384 STEMI patients treated with PPCI were divided into two groups according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI) flow grade:CMVO/NR group(246cases, TIMI 0-2 grade) and control group(2138 cases, TIMI 3 grade). We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors of CMVO/NR.

Results

A frequency of CMVO/NR was 10.3%(246/2384). Logistic regression analysis showed that the differences between the two groups in age(unadjusted odds ratios [OR] 1.032; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.045; adjusted OR 1.032; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.046; P <0.001), periprocedural bradycardia (unadjusted OR 2.357; 95% CI, 1.752 to 3.171; adjusted OR1.818; 95% CI, 1.338 to 2.471; P <0.001),using thrombus aspirationdevices during operation (unadjusted OR 2.489; 95% CI, 1.815 to 3.414; adjusted OR1.835; 95% CI, 1.291 to 2.606; P =0.001), neutrophil percentage (unadjusted OR 1.028; 95% CI, 1.014 to 1.042; adjusted OR1.022; 95% CI, 1.008 to 1.036; P =0.002), and completely block of culprit vessel (unadjusted OR 2.626; 95% CI, 1.85 to 3.728; adjusted-OR 1.656;95% CI, 1.119 to 2.45; P =0.012) were statistically significant (P <0. 05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.6896.

Conclusions

Age, periprocedural bradycardia, using thrombus aspirationdevices during operation, neutrophil percentage, and completely block of culprit vessel may be independent risk factors for predicting CMVO/NR.

We registered this study with WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (registration number: ChiCTR1900023213; registered date: 16 May 2019).http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=39057&htm=4.
Segmentation and Analysis of Anterior Lamina Cribrosa Surface using Non Local MRF and Metropolis Hasting Algorithm
Authors: Mano Abhisha
Published: June 2020

The segmentation of anterior Lamina Cribrosa surface from the OCT image is an essential task for analysis of glaucomatous damage. A Bayesian method is used to segment LC surface whereas prior knowledge about shape and position of LC layer is obtained by the non local Markov Random field and K-means segmentation. The Metropolis-Hastings (MH) algorithm provides autocorrelation graph and distribution of samples from a probability distribution. By using this technique acceptance probability is calculated. Finally, the LC layer is analysed whether it is normal or abnormal. This technique provides an accuracy of 96.7%
Synonymous sites in SARS-CoV-2 genes display trends affecting translational efficiency
Authors: Huang Qingsheng , Gao Huan , Zheng Lingling , Chen Xiujuan , Huang Shuai , Liang Huiying
Published: June 2020

A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a pandemic of COVID-19. The evolutionary trend of the virus genome may have implications for infection control policy but remains obscure. We introduce an estimation of fold change of translational efficiency based on synonymous variant sites to characterize the adaptation of the virus to hosts. The increased translational efficiency of the M and N genes suggests that the population of SARS-CoV-2 benefits from mutations toward favored codons, while the ORF1ab gene has slightly decreased the translational efficiency. In the coding region of the ORF1ab gene upstream of the −1 frameshift site, the decreasing of the translational efficiency has been weakening parallel to the growth of the epidemic, indicating inhibition of synthesis of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and promotion of replication of the genome. Such an evolutionary trend suggests that multiple infections increased virulence in the absence of social distancing.
Sofosbuvir protects human brain organoids against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mesci Pinar , Macia Angela , Saleh Aurian , Martin-Sancho Laura , Yin Xin , Snethlage Cedric , Avansini Simoni , Chanda Sumit K. , Muotri Alysson
Published: June 2020

COVID-19 was rapidly declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, only three months after the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China. Early clinical care mainly focused on respiratory illnesses. However, a variety of neurological manifestations in both adults and newborns are also emerging. To determine whether SARS-CoV-2 could target the human brain, we infected iPSC-derived human brain organoids. Our findings show that SARS-CoV-2 was able to infect and kill neural cells, including cortical neurons. This phenotype was accompanied by impaired synaptogenesis. Finally, Sofosbuvir, an FDA-approved antiviral drug, was able to rescue these alterations. Given that there are currently no vaccine or antiviral treatments available, urgent therapies are needed. Our findings put Sofosbuvir forward as a potential treatment to alleviate COVID-19-related neurological symptoms.

One Sentence Summary

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes neuronal death and impaired synaptogenesis, both rescued by Sofosbuvir treatment.
SARS-CoV-2 infection: the environmental endurance of the virus can be influenced by the increase of temperature
Authors: Magurano Fabio , Baggieri Melissa , Marchi Antonella , Rezza Giovanni , Nicoletti Loredana ,   Covid-19 Study Group
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 disease, a respiratory disease transmitted by a new betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2. As for other viral respiratory agents, SARS-CoV-2 spreads by person to person through respiratory droplets and direct contact and potentially by indirect contact through fomites. The goal of the current study is to evaluate whether the increase of temperature can influence the environmental endurance of SARS-CoV-2.We tested SARS-CoV-2 environmental stability in parallel at room temperature (RT, 20-25 Celsius degrees) and at average maximum temperature of June (JT) estimated at 28 Celsius degrees in Italy. The virus inoculated on plastic surface was harvested at predefined time-points and tested to evaluate viral titres on Vero cells by TCID50. Our results confirm that fomite transmission of the emerging SARS-CoV2 is possible, since the virus remains viable on surfaces up to 84 hours at both RT and JT. Moreover, a remarkable difference between the two temperatures exists, suggesting that virus vitality can be influenced by the environmental temperature. Our results support the hypothesis that in the hot season the increase of temperature could influence the environmental endurance of SARS-CoV2 and reduce Covid-19 transmission probability.
The Bourque Distances for Mutation Trees of Cancers
Authors: Jahn Katharina , Beerenwinkel Niko , Zhang Louxin
Published: June 2020

Mutation trees are rooted trees of arbitrary node degree in which each node is labeled with a mutation set. These trees, also referred to as clonal trees, are used in computational oncology to represent the mutational history of tumours. Classical tree metrics such as the popular Robinson–Foulds distance are of limited use for the comparison of mutation trees. One reason is that mutation trees inferred with different methods or for different patients usually contain different sets of mutation labels. Here, we generalize the Robinson–Foulds distance into a set of distance metrics called Bourque distances for comparing mutation trees. A connection between the Robinson–Foulds distance and the nearest neighbor interchange distance is also presented.
A Mathematical Model to Simulate Intracranial Pressure and Unified Interpretation of Several Disease Entities
Authors: Wang Jingsheng , Lu Peng
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Many clinical phenomena related to cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) and intracranial pressure (ICP) are often contrary to common sense and difficult to explain by classical theory. Such as slit ventricle syndrome, normal intracranial pressure hydrocephalus / low pressure hydrocephalus, paradoxical herniation, and so on. Many authors have different theories about them but can’t have an unified explanation.

OBJECTIVE

We try to simulate the above CSF disorders and ICP conduction with a mathematical method, and make theoretical interpretations to them.

METHODS

We introduced a mathematical model based on several well-accepted hypothesesto simulate human CSF physiology and propose that ICP curve should be an U-shaped curve (especially, we introduce the hypothesis that CSF also play a role of decompression). Maple software was used to draw charts according to our formula. We use the theory and intuitive charts to explain those illnesses one by one.

RESULTS

The formula: ICP =μ·MAP− δ · Vα·μ·MAP+ θ · Vβ·μ · MAP+C, and corresponding diagrams was conducted.

CONCLUSION

This mathematical model is a supplement to the classical Monro-Kellie’s theory, the curve and coordinate system can be used to analyze different pathophysiological states and give a reasonable unified explanation to them.
Aspiration-assisted Freeform Bioprinting of Tissue Spheroids in a Yield-stress Gel
Authors: Ayan Bugra , Zhang Zhifeng , Celik Nazmiye , Zhou Kui , Wu Yang , Costanzo Francesco , Ozbolat Ibrahim T
Published: June 2020

Bioprinting of cellular aggregates, such as tissue spheroids or organoids, in complex three-dimensional (3D) arrangements has been a major obstacle for scaffold-free fabrication of tissues and organs. In this research, we unveiled a new approach to the bioprinting of tissue spheroids in a yield stress granular gel, which exhibited unprecedented capabilities in freeform positioning of spheroids in 3D. Due to its Herschel-Bulkley and self-healing properties as well as its biological inertness, the granular gel supported both the positioning and self-assembly of tissue spheroids. We studied the underlying physical mechanism of the approach to elucidate the interactions between the aspirated spheroids and the gel’s yield-stress during the transfer of spheroids from cell media to the gel. We demonstrate the application of the proposed approach in the realization of various freeform shapes and self-assembly of human mesenchymal stem cell spheroids for the construction of cartilage and bone tissues.
GxEsum: a novel approach to estimate the phenotypic variance explained by genome-wide GxE interaction based on GWAS summary statistics for biobank-scale data
Authors: Shin Jisu , Lee S Hong
Published: June 2020

Genetic variation in response to the environment is fundamental in the biology of complex traits and diseases, i.e. genotype-by-environment interaction (GxE). However, existing methods are computationally demanding and infeasible to handle biobank-scale data. Here we introduce GxEsum, a method for estimating the phenotypic variance explained by genome-wide GxE based on GWAS summary statistics. Through comprehensive simulations and analysis of UK Biobank with 288,837 individuals, we show that GxEsum can handle a large-scale biobank dataset with controlled type I error rates and unbiased GxE estimates, and its computational efficiency can be hundreds of times higher than existing GxE methods.
Curiosity, latent learning, and cognitive maps
Authors: Wang Maya Zhe , Hayden Benjamin Y.
Published: June 2020

Curiosity refers to a desire for information that is not driven by immediate strategic or instrumental concerns. Latent earning refers to a form of learning that is not directly driven by standard reinforcement learning processes. We propose that curiosity serves the purpose of motivating latent learning. Thus, while latent learning is often treated as an incidental or passive process, in practice it most often reflects a strong evolved pressure to consume large amounts of information. That large volume of information in turn allows curious decision makers to generate sophisticated representations of the structure of their environment, known as cognitive maps. Cognitive maps facilitate adaptive and flexible behavior while maintaining its adaptivity and flexibility via map updates based on new information. Here we describe data supporting the idea that orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) play complementary roles in curiosity-driven learning. Specifically, we propose that (1) OFC tracks the innate value of information and incorporates new information into a detailed cognitive map; and (2) dACC tracks the environmental demands and information availability to then use the cognitive map for guiding behavior.
Foraging analysis of Endangered Greater Adsjutant StorkLeptotilus dubiosGemlin in certain habitat of Assam, India
Authors: Barman Purnima Devi , Sharma D. K.
Published: June 2020

The endangered Greater Adjutant StokLeptotilus dubiusGemlin confined only in some pockets in Assam and Bihar in India and in certain areas of Laos and Cambodia has poorly understood in its foraging activities in its natural habitats. Attempt has been made to address the forage pattern in its natural habitat wetlands in the Kamup district and in a city garbage dump in Guwahati in Assam, India. The various forage methods like walking, visual tactile etc and their relation with the body metrices like beak length, tibia tarsus length and its mass were assessed in terms of foraging habits. Forage actvities were evaluated during the breeding (May to September) and non breeding (October to April) time of the study period of 2012-2017 at different water level of the wetland(s). The foraging range of this stork assessed at an confinement of aerial distance of 15 km from the nesting sites appears as resident non migratory birds by habits. Types of diet composition obtained from the regurgitated food at the ground of the nesting sites were mostly the fish group channa and cyprinids. Profitability index was determined at the captive stork showed in favour of these two groups within the size group of 5 to 15 cm. Larger food item showed lesser profitability index. PCA analysis showed negative foraging correlation with the Prey size greater than 8cm and 15 cm, while the captivity study was conducted Thus the present findings on the foraging assessment of Greater Adjutant might be the baseline information for conservation action plan.