bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Indo-Pacific warm pool Hadley circulation on the seasonal forecast performance for summer precipitation over the western North Pacific
Authors: Guo Yi-Peng , Feng Xiangbo , Klingaman Nicholas P , Tan Zhe-Min
Published: July 2020

The western North Pacific summer climate affects the densely populated East Asian countries, while seasonal forecasting over these regions remains challenging for dynamical models. This study evaluates the effect of the spring Indo-Pacific warm pool (IPWP) Hadley circulation on the forecast performance for summer western North Pacific (WNP) precipitation in the Met Office Global Seasonal Forecast System (GloSea5). GloSea5 skillfully predicts IPWP Hadley circulation, but has moderate forecast skill for summer WNP precipitation. Compared to observations, the significant relationship between the spring IPWP Hadley circulation and the summer WNP precipitation is overestimated in most hindcast members and in the ensemble mean. Furthermore, we confirmed that the forecast ensemble members with a stronger such regional circulation–precipitation relationship have better forecast performance for the summer WNP precipitation, suggesting the importance of such a relationship for the seasonal forecast of WNP precipitation. These results also imply the need to further investigate other important factors for the WNP precipitation, the effects of which may be suppressed by the overestimated regional circulation–precipitation relationship in GloSea5.
Observation of intravalley phonon scattering of 2s excitons in MoSe2 and WSe2 monolayers
Authors: McDonnell Liam P , Viner Jacob J S , Rivera Pasqual , Xu Xiaodong , Smith David C
Published: July 2020

We present a high-resolution resonance Raman study of hBN encapsulated MoSe2 and WSe2 monolayers at 4 K using excitation energies from 1.6 eV to 2.25 eV. We report resonances with the WSe2 A2s and MoSe2 A2s and B2s excited Rydberg states despite their low oscillator strength. When resonant with the 2s states we identify new Raman peaks which are associated with intravalley scattering between different Rydberg states via optical phonons. By calibrating the Raman scattering efficiency and separately constraining the electric dipole matrix elements, we reveal that the scattering rates for k = 0 optical phonons are comparable for both 1s and 2s states despite differences in the envelope functions. We also observe multiple new dispersive Raman peaks including a peak at the WSe2 A2s resonance that demonstrates non-linear dispersion and peak-splitting behavior that suggests the dispersion relations for dark excitonic states at energies near the 2s state are extremely complex.
Scratching lithography for wafer-scale MoS2 monolayers
Authors: Wei Zheng , Liao Mengzhou , Guo Yutuo , Tang Jian , Cai Yongqing , Chen Hanyang , Wang Qinqin , Jia Qi , Lu Ying , Zhao Yanchong , Liu Jieying , Chu Yanbang , Yu Hua , Li Na , Yuan Jiahao , Huang Biying , Shen Cheng , Yang Rong , Shi Dongxia , Zhang Guangyu
Published: July 2020

Monolayer MoS2 is an emerging two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor with promise on novel electronics and optoelectronics. Standard micro-fabrication techniques such as lithography and etching are usually involved to pattern such materials for devices but usually face great challenges on yielding clean structures without edge, surface and interface contaminations induced during the fabrication process. Here a direct writing patterning approach for wafer-scale MoS2 monolayers is reported. By controllable scratching by a tip, wafer-scale monolayer MoS2 films on various substrates are patterned in an ultra-clean manner. MoS2 field effect transistors fabricated from this scratching lithography show excellent performances, evidenced from a room-temperature on–off ratio exceeding 1010 and a high field-effect mobility of 50.7 cm2 V−1 s−1, due to the cleanness of as-fabricated devices. Such scratching approach can be also applied to other 2D materials, thus providing an alternate patterning strategy to 2D-materials based devices.
Effects of aquatic conditioning on cartilage and bone metabolism in young horses
Authors: Silvers Brittany L , Leatherwood Jessica L , Arnold Carolyn E , Nielsen Brian D , Huseman Chelsie J , Dominguez Brandon J , Glass Kati G , Martinez Rafael E , Much Mattea L , Bradbery Amanda N
Published: July 2020

While beneficial in rehabilitation, aquatic exercise effects on cartilage and bone metabolism in young, healthy horses has not been well described. Therefore, 30 Quarter Horse yearlings (343 ± 28 kg; 496 ± 12 d of age) were stratified by age, body weight (BW), and sex and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments for 140-d to evaluate effects of aquatic, dry, or no exercise on bone and cartilage metabolism in young horses transitioning to an advanced workload. Treatments included nonexercise control (CON; n = 10), dry treadmill (DRY; n = 10), or aquatic treadmill exercise (H2O; n = 10; water: 60% wither height, WH). Horses were housed individually (3.6 × 3.6 m) from 0600 to 1800 hours, allowed turnout (74 × 70 m) from 1800 to 0600 hours, and fed to meet or exceed requirements. During phase I (days 0 to 112), DRY and H2O walked on treadmills 30 min/d, 5 d/wk. Phase II (days 113 to 140) transitioned to an advanced workload 5 d/wk. Every 14-d, WH, hip height (HH), and BW were recorded. Left third metacarpal radiographs on days 0, 112, and 140 were analyzed for radiographic bone aluminum equivalence (RBAE). Every 28-d, serum samples were analyzed for osteocalcin and C-telopeptide crosslaps of type I collagen (CTX-1), and synovial fluid samples were analyzed for prostaglandin E2, collagenase cleavage neopeptide (C2C), collagenase of type I and type II collagen, and carboxypeptide of type II collagen using ELISAs. All data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS, including random effect of horse within treatment, and repeated effect of day. Baseline treatment differences were accounted for using a covariate. There were treatment × day interactions (P < 0.01) where OC and CTX-1 remained consistent in both exercise groups while inconsistently increasing in CON. There were no treatment differences (P > 0.30) in RBAE, BW, or HH, but all increased over time (P < 0.01). There were no treatment × day interactions of synovial inflammation or markers of cartilage metabolism; however, there was an effect of day for each marker (P<0.03). Changes in biomarkers of cartilage turnover in horses exercised at the walk, whether dry or aquatic, could not be distinguished from horses with access to turnout alone. This study indicates that early forced exercise supports consistent bone metabolism necessary for uniform growth and bone development, and that there are no negative effects of buoyancy on cartilage metabolism in yearlings transitioned from aquatic exercise to a 28-d advanced workload.
Nontraumatic chylothorax secondary to lymphoma and filariasis
Authors: Barillas Sabrina , Rodas Alejandra , Ardebol Javier , Martí Juan Luis
Published: July 2020

Chylothorax is characterized by extravasation of chyle into the pleural space resulting from thoracic duct damage. The effusion is most commonly unilateral, with the right and left side being affected in 50% and 33.3% of the patients, respectively. Only 16.66% of cases present a bilateral effusion. The underlying etiology can be classified as spontaneous or traumatic. The diagnosis is made through pleural fluid analysis and imaging studies. The following article presents two cases of left spontaneous chylothorax: a 26-year-old male presenting with a chylous pleural effusion due to a non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a 47-year-old patient from a tropical area with a chylous pleural effusion attributed to filariasis. Filariasis as a cause of chylothorax is uncommon and there is not much literature on the topic. Alongside the case presentations, information on chylothorax etiology, mechanism, diagnosis and treatment options is provided.
Tracheal leiomyoma mimicking asthma for over 20 years
Authors: Harrison Oliver J , Jackson Mark , Shaw Emily , Alzetani Aiman
Published: July 2020

Benign tracheal tumours have an incidence of 1 in 1,000,000, of which leiomyomas represent only 1%. We report a case of tracheal leiomyoma masquerading as asthma for over 20 years. A 48-year-old man presented aged 26 years with asthma symptoms unresponsive to treatments and an obstructive spirometry pattern. Symptoms were not particularly troubling but suddenly exacerbated 22 years later. Flow-volume studies were consistent with upper airway obstruction. Computed tomography chest revealed a 2.3 cm mass arising from the posterior aspect of the trachea 2 cm above the carina. Bronchoscopic resection was performed using a Nd:YAG laser. Histology confirmed leiomyoma. Follow-up after 6 weeks revealed complete resolution of symptoms with normal spirometry. Tracheal masses should be considered in any patient with atypical asthma. A flow-volume loop may provide a clue to diagnosis and bronchoscopic laser resection is a minimally invasive treatment option.
Yttrium-90 selective internal radiotherapy as bridge to curative hepatectomy for recurrent malignant solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas: case report and review of literature
Authors: Dyas Adam R , Johnson David Thor , Rubin Erin , Schulick Richard D , Kumar Sharma Piyush
Published: July 2020

Recurrent malignant solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas (SPNP) are rare tumors with unpredictable clinical and histopathological features. There is a lack of consensus regarding utilization of adjuvant modalities in conjunction with or in lieu of curative metastatectomy. We present a remarkable case where Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy (Y-90 SIRT) was successfully utilized to elucidate underlying tumor biology and aid resection of a large multifocal recurrent metastatic SPNP in the right hemi-liver of a 59-year-old female. Thus, in cases where curative metastatectomy remains the treatment goal in management of recurrent and/or metastatic SPNPs, Y-90 SIRT is a safe and effective adjunct treatment to facilitate curative resection.
Microsurgical Findings of Pial Arterial Feeders in Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae: A Case Series
Authors: Okamoto Michinari , Sugiyama Taku , Nakayama Naoki , Ushikoshi Satoshi , Kazumata Ken , Osanai Toshiya , Tokairin Kikutaro , Shimoda Yusuke , Houkin Kiyohiro
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Pial arterial feeders in an intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) are risk factors for both ischemic and hemorrhagic complications during endovascular embolization. Microsurgery in dAVF with pial arterial feeders has rarely been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To assess our original experience with microsurgery for dAVF with pial arterial feeders by investigating surgical findings and outcomes.

METHODS

In 40 patients with intracranial dAVF who underwent microsurgery, we found 8 patients who had pial arterial feeders. A retrospective review was conducted.

RESULTS

The locations of the dAVFs were as follows: tentorium, 2 patients; Galenic system, 1; straight sinus, 1; torcula, 1; transverse sinus, 1; ethmoid, 1; and convexity, 1. Preoperative angiography revealed that the pial arterial feeders originated from the middle cerebral artery in 2 patients, the anterior cerebral artery in 1, the posterior cerebral artery in 2, and the posterior medial choroidal artery in 1. Of note, in 2 patients (6.7%), feeders from the superior cerebellar artery were determined to be angiographically occult during preoperative examination and were detected through careful intraoperative observation and arachnoid dissection. In 5 cases, the additional obliteration of the pial arterial feeders and/or more distal cortical venous drainers after the simple disconnection of proximal cortical drainers was necessary to cure the dAVF. Finally, all shunts were cured with only 1 minor complication.

CONCLUSION

Although microsurgical results were acceptable, the surgeon should be aware of the presence of pial arterial feeders even after the simple disconnection of cortical venous drainage. Angiographically occult feeders may also exist.
The Effects of Postoperative Neurological Deficits on Survival in Patients With Single Brain Metastasis
Authors: Medikonda Ravi , Jackson Christopher M , Feghali James , Lim Michael
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for brain metastasis is poor, and surgical resection is part of the standard of care for these patients as it has been shown to improve median overall survival. Development of neurological deficits after surgical resection has been associated with worsened outcomes in patients with glioblastoma. The effect of postoperative neurological deficits on survival in patients with single brain metastasis has not been studied to date.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between postoperative neurological deficits and median overall survival.

METHODS

A single-institution retrospective cohort study was performed on all patients with single brain metastasis undergoing surgical resection by a single neurosurgeon.

RESULTS

A total of 121 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Among them 61% of patients presented with a preoperative deficit, and 26% of patients had a new postoperative deficit. However, most postoperative deficits resolved and only 3.3% of patients developed a new permanent postoperative deficit. Median overall survival in patients with a new postoperative deficit was 2.4 mo, whereas mOS in patients without a postoperative deficit was 12.6 mo (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that a new neurological deficit is associated with worsened outcomes after surgical resection of a single brain metastasis. This finding has potential implications for patient selection and counseling as the patients most likely to benefit from surgical resection are the patients who are most likely to have resolution of a preoperative deficit.
Surgical Management of Multifocal Trigeminal Schwannomas
Authors: Abou-Al-Shaar Hussam , Cohen Michael A , Bi Wenya Linda , Gozal Yair M , Alzhrani Gmaan , Karsy Michael , Al-Mefty Ossama , Couldwell William T
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Isolated trigeminal schwannomas occur in 0.07% to 0.3% of intracranial tumors and account for 0.8% to 8% of intracranial schwannomas and 1/3 of Meckel cave tumors. The presence of multisegmental schwannoma is rare, resulting in a limited understanding of its optimal management.

OBJECTIVE

To describe potential surgical options to manage this rare entity.

METHODS

A 2-institution retrospective review of all patients with pathologically confirmed trigeminal schwannoma managed with resection from January 2009 through January 2019 was conducted. A manual chart review was performed to verify patients’ inclusion and collect data about age, sex, tumor size, tumor site, treatment modality, surgical approach, complications, and follow-up duration and status.

RESULTS

A total of 4 patients (age range 12-50 yr) who underwent a variety of cranial and orbitocranial approaches for tumor resection were identified. Patients achieved good outcomes with improvement of visual outcomes. One case of infection and 1 case of partial tumor recurrence requiring reresection were identified.

CONCLUSION

Multisegmental trigeminal schwannoma is a rare and unique entity, often associated with trigeminal schwannomatosis. Interdisciplinary management has been shown to be the most effective method for improving patient outcomes with these complex and poorly understood diseases.
The TianQin project: Current progress on science and technology
Authors: Mei Jianwei , Bai Yan-Zheng , Bao Jiahui , Barausse Enrico , Cai Lin , Canuto Enrico , Cao Bin , Chen Wei-Ming , Chen Yu , Ding Yan-Wei , Duan Hui-Zong , Fan Huimin , Feng Wen-Fan , Fu Honglin , Gao Qing , Gao TianQuan , Gong Yungui , Gou Xingyu , Gu Chao-Zheng , Gu De-Feng , He Zi-Qi , Hendry Martin , Hong Wei , Hu Xin-Chun , Hu Yi-Ming , Hu Yuexin , Huang Shun-Jia , Huang Xiang-Qing , Jiang Qinghua , Jiang Yuan-Ze , Jiang Yun , Jiang Zhen , Jin Hong-Ming , Korol Valeriya , Li Hong-Yin , Li Ming , Li Ming , Li Pengcheng , Li Rongwang , Li Yuqiang , Li Zhu , Li Zhulian , Li Zhu-Xi , Liang Yu-Rong , Liang Zheng-Cheng , Liao Fang-Jie , Liu Qi , Liu Shuai , Liu Yan-Chong , Liu Li , Liu Pei-Bo , Liu Xuhui , Liu Yuan , Lu Xiong-Fei , Lu Yang , Lu Ze-Huang , Luo Yan , Luo Zhi-Cai , Milyukov Vadim , Ming Min , Pi Xiaoyu , Qin Chenggang , Qu Shao-Bo , Sesana Alberto , Shao Chenggang , Shi Changfu , Su Wei , Tan Ding-Yin , Tan Yujie , Tan Zhuangbin , Tu Liang-Cheng , Wang Bin , Wang Cheng-Rui , Wang Fengbin , Wang Guan-Fang , Wang Haitian , Wang Jian , Wang Lijiao , Wang Panpan , Wang Xudong , Wang Yan , Wang Yi-Fan , Wei Ran , Wu Shu-Chao , Xiao Chun-Yu , Xu Xiao-Shi , Xue Chao , Yang Fang-Chao , Yang Liang , Yang Ming-Lin , Yang Shan-Qing , Ye Bobing , Yeh Hsien-Chi , Yu Shenghua , Zhai Dongsheng , Zhang Caishi , Zhang Haitao , Zhang Jian-dong , Zhang Jie , Zhang Lihua , Zhang Xin , Zhang Xuefeng , Zhou Hao , Zhou Ming-Yue , Zhou Ze-Bing , Zhu Dong-Dong , Zi Tie-Guang , Luo Jun
Published: July 2020

TianQin is a planned space-based gravitational wave (GW) observatory consisting of three Earth-orbiting satellites with an orbital radius of about $10^5 \, {\rm km}$. The satellites will form an equilateral triangle constellation the plane of which is nearly perpendicular to the ecliptic plane. TianQin aims to detect GWs between $10^{-4} \, {\rm Hz}$ and $1 \, {\rm Hz}$ that can be generated by a wide variety of important astrophysical and cosmological sources, including the inspiral of Galactic ultra-compact binaries, the inspiral of stellar-mass black hole binaries, extreme mass ratio inspirals, the merger of massive black hole binaries, and possibly the energetic processes in the very early universe and exotic sources such as cosmic strings. In order to start science operations around 2035, a roadmap called the 0123 plan is being used to bring the key technologies of TianQin to maturity, supported by the construction of a series of research facilities on the ground. Two major projects of the 0123 plan are being carried out. In this process, the team has created a new-generation $17 \, {\rm cm}$ single-body hollow corner-cube retro-reflector which was launched with the QueQiao satellite on 21 May 2018; a new laser-ranging station equipped with a $1.2 \, {\rm m}$ telescope has been constructed and the station has successfully ranged to all five retro-reflectors on the Moon; and the TianQin-1 experimental satellite was launched on 20 December 2019—the first-round result shows that the satellite has exceeded all of its mission requirements.
Cognitive Imprecision and Small-Stakes Risk Aversion
Authors: Khaw Mel Win , Li Ziang , Woodford Michael
Published: July 2020

Observed choices between risky lotteries are difficult to reconcile with expected utility maximization, both because subjects appear to be too risk averse with regard to small gambles for this to be explained by diminishing marginal utility of wealth, as stressed by Rabin (2000), and because subjects’ responses involve a random element. We propose a unified explanation for both anomalies, similar to the explanation given for related phenomena in the case of perceptual judgments: they result from judgments based on imprecise (and noisy) mental representations of the decision situation. In this model, risk aversion results from a sort of perceptual bias—but one that represents an optimal decision rule, given the limitations of the mental representation of the situation. We propose a quantitative model of the noisy mental representation of simple lotteries, based on other evidence regarding numerical cognition, and test its ability to explain the choice frequencies that we observe in a laboratory experiment.
In-hospital and 30-day mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention in England before and after the COVID-19 era
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed O. , Kinnaird Tim , Curzen Nick , Ludman Peter , Wu Jianhua , Rashid Muhammad , Shoaib Ahmad , de Belder Mark , Deanfield John , Gale Chris P , Mamas Mamas A.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To examine short-term primary causes of death after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a national cohort before and during COVID-19.

Background

Public reporting of PCI outcomes is a performance metric and a requirement in many healthcare systems. There are inconsistent data on the causes of death after PCI, and what proportion of these are attributable to cardiac causes.

Methods

All patients undergoing PCI in England between 1st January 2017 and 10th May 2020 were retrospectively analysed (n=273,141), according to their outcome from the date of PCI; no death and in-hospital, post-discharge, and 30-day death.

Results

The overall rates of in-hospital and 30-day death were 1.9% and 2.8%, respectively. The rate of 30-day death declined between 2017 (2.9%) and February 2020 (2.5%), mainly due to lower in-hospital death (2.1% vs. 1.5%), before rising again from 1st March 2020 (3.2%) due to higher rates of post-discharge mortality. Only 59.6% of 30-day deaths were due to cardiac causes, the most common being acute coronary syndrome, cardiogenic shock and heart failure, and this persisted throughout the study period. 10.4% of 30-day deaths after 1st March 2020 were due to confirmed COVID-19.

Conclusions

In this nationwide study, we show that 40% of 30-day deaths are due to non-cardiac causes. Non-cardiac deaths have increased even more from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with one in ten deaths from March 2020 being COVID-19 related. These findings raise a question of whether public reporting of PCI outcomes should be cause-specific.
Patient characteristics and predictors of mortality in 470 adults admitted to a district general hospital in England with Covid-19
Authors: Thompson Joseph V , Meghani Nevan , Powell Bethan M , Newell Ian , Craven Roanna , Skilton Gemma , Bagg Lydia J , Yaqoob Irha , Dixon Michael J , Evans Eleanor J , Kambele Belina , Rehman Asif , Man Kwong Georges Ng
Published: July 2020

Background

Understanding risk factors for death in Covid-19 is key to providing good quality clinical care. Due to a paucity of robust evidence, we sought to assess the presenting characteristics of patients with Covid-19 and investigate factors associated with death.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of adults admitted with Covid-19 to Royal Oldham Hospital, UK. Logistic regression modelling was utilised to explore factors predicting death.

Results

470 patients were admitted, of whom 169 (36%) died. The median age was 71 years (IQR 57–82), and 255 (54.3%) were men. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (n=218, 46.4%), diabetes (n=143, 30.4%) and chronic neurological disease (n=123, 26.1%). The most frequent complications were acute kidney injury (n=157, 33.4%) and myocardial injury (n=21, 4.5%). Forty-three (9.1%) patients required intubation and ventilation, and 39 (8.3%) received non-invasive ventilation Independent risk factors for death were increasing age (OR per 10 year increase above 40 years 1.87, 95% CI 1.57-2.27), hypertension (OR 1.72, 1.10-2.70), cancer (OR 2.20, 1.27-3.81), platelets <150×103/µL (OR 1.93, 1.13-3.30), C-reactive protein ≥100 µg/mL (OR 1.68, 1.05-2.68), >50% chest radiograph infiltrates, (OR 2.09, 1.16-3.77) and acute kidney injury (OR 2.60, 1.64-4.13). There was no independent association between death and gender, ethnicity, deprivation level, fever, SpO2/FiO2 (oxygen saturation index), lymphopenia or other comorbidities.

Conclusions

We characterised the ‘first wave’ of patients with Covid-19 in one of England’s highest incidence areas, determining which factors predict death. These findings will inform clinical and shared decision making, including the use of respiratory support and therapeutic agents.

Increasing age, hypertension, cancer, platelets <150×103/µL, CRP≥100 µg/mL, >50% chest radiograph infiltrates, and acute kidney injury predict in-hospital death from Covid-19, whilst gender, ethnicity, deprivation level, fever, SpO2/FiO2 (oxygen saturation index), lymphopenia and other comorbidities do not.
High-resolution 3-D imaging for precise staging in malignant melanoma
Authors: Merz Simon F. , Jansen Philipp , Ulankiewicz Ricarda , Bornemann Lea , Schimming Tobias , Griewank Klaus , Cibir Zülal , Kraus Andreas , Stoffels Ingo , Aspelmeier Timo , Brandau Sven , Schadendorf Dirk , Hadaschik Eva , Ebel Gernot , Gunzer Matthias , Klode Joachim
Published: July 2020

High-resolution imaging of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) from melanoma patients is a crucial approach to specify staging and determine individuals requiring adjuvant treatment. Current histologic SLN analysis has the substantial drawback that only a small portion of the node is sampled while most of the tissue is discarded which might explain the high false-negative rate of SLN diagnosis. Therefore, we developed an algorithm-enhanced light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) approach to three-dimensionally reconstruct the entire SLN with the power to identify single tumor cells. We comprehensively quantified total tumor volume while simultaneously visualizing cellular and anatomical hallmarks of the associated SLN architecture. In a first-in-human prospective study (21 SLN from 11 melanoma patients), LSFM not only identified all metastases seen histologically, but additionally detected metastases not recognized by routine histology. Thus, our 3-D digital pathology approach can increase sensitivity and accuracy of SLN-metastasis detection and potentially alleviate the need for conventional histopathological assessment in the future.
Why (and how) COVID-19 could move us closer to the “health information for all” goal
Authors: Capocasa Marco , Anagnostou Paolo , Bisol Giovanni Destro
Published: July 2020

In this manuscript, we present an analysis of open access (OA) rates of papers concerning COVID-19 and other important human diseases, whose results helped develop an evidence-based scalable strategy aimed at increasing the full and timely access to medical literature. We show that COVID-19 papers are much more openly available (OA rate of 89.5%) than those concerning the four most recent viral outbreaks (Avian influenza, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Swine influenza; OA rates (from 26.2% to 51.3%) and the ten non COVID-19 disease categories responsible for the highest number of deaths worldwide (OA rates from 44.0% for “Maternal and neonatal disorders” to 58.9% for “Respiratory infections and tuberculosis”). This evidence confronts us with an inevitable question: how can we bridge the gap between OA rates for COVID-19 and other high-impact human diseases? Based on empirical data and projections, we show that it is possible to increase substantially immediate OA to publicly-funded research and complement more demanding initiatives for access to medical literature in developing countries working on the sharing of post-prints at individual, group and multi stakeholder partnership level. However, to make our plan effective in bringing us closer to the “health information for all” goal a more widespread culture of cooperation is fundamental. We argue that the lesson taught by COVID-19 is a unique opportunity to raise awareness among researchers and stakeholders about the importance of open science for human health and to demonstrate that a real change is now possible.
Shared Component Analysis
Authors: de Cheveigné Alain
Published: July 2020

This paper proposes Shared Component Analysis (SCA) as an alternative to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for the purpose of dimensionality reduction of neuroimaging data. The trend towards larger numbers of recording sensors, pixels or voxels leads to richer data, with finer spatial resolution, but it also inflates the cost of storage and computation and the risk of overfitting. PCA can be used to select a subset of orthogonal components that explain a large fraction of variance in the data. This implicitly equates variance with relevance, and for neuroimaging data such as electroencephalography (EEG) or magnetoencephalography (MEG) that assumption may be inappropriate if (latent) sources of interest are weak relative to competing sources. SCA instead assumes that components that contribute to observable signals on multiple sensors are of likely interest, as may be the case for deep sources within the brain as a result of current spread. In SCA, steps of normalization and PCA are applied iteratively, linearly transforming the data such that components more widely shared across channels appear first in the component series. The paper explains the motivation, defines the algorithm, evaluates the outcome, and sketches a wider strategy for dimensionality reduction of which this algorithm is an example. SCA is intended as a plug-in replacement for PCA for the purpose of dimensionality reduction.
Aspirin prescribing in cardiovascular disease in middle-aged and older adults in Ireland: findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing
Authors: Moriarty Frank , Barry Alan , Kenny Rose Anne , Fahey Tom
Published: July 2020

Background

Aspirin use for cardiovascular indications is widespread despite evidence not supporting use in patients without cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study characterises aspirin prescribing among people aged ≥50 years in Ireland for primary and secondary prevention, and factors associated with prescription.

Methods

This cross-sectional study includes participants from wave 3 (2014-2015) of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. We identified participants reporting use of prescribed aspirin, other antiplatelets/anticoagulants, and doctor-diagnosed CVD (MI, angina, stroke, TIA) and other cardiovascular conditions. We examined factors associated with aspirin use for primary and secondary prevention in multivariate regression. For a subset, we also examined 10-year cardiovascular risk (using the Framingham general risk score) as a predictor of aspirin use.

Results

Among 6,618 participants, the mean age was 66.9 years (SD 9.4) and 55.6% (3,679) were female. Prescribed aspirin was reported by 1,432 participants (21.6%), and 77.6% of aspirin users had no previous CVD. Among participants with previous CVD, 17% were not prescribed aspirin/another antithrombotic. This equates to 201,000 older adults nationally using aspirin for primary prevention, and 16,000 with previous CVD not prescribed an antithrombotic. Among those without CVD, older age, male sex, free health care, and more GP visits were associated with aspirin prescribing. Cardiovascular risk was significantly associated with aspirin use (adjusted relative risk 1.15, 95%CI 1.08-1.23, per 1% increase in cardiovascular risk).

Conclusion

Almost four-fifths of people aged ≥50 years on aspirin have no previous CVD, equivalent to 201,000 adults nationally, however prescribing appears rational in targeting higher cardiovascular risk patients.
An effective COVID-19 response in South America: the Uruguayan Conundrum
Authors: Moreno Pilar , Moratorio Gonzalo , Iraola Gregorio , Fajardo Álvaro , Aldunate Fabián , Pereira-Gómez Marianoel , Perbolianachis Paula , Costábile Alicia , López-Tort Fernando , Simón Diego , Salazar Cecilia , Ferrés Ignacio , Díaz-Viraqué Florencia , Abin Andrés , Bresque Mariana , Fabregat Matías , Maidana Matías , Rivera Bernardina , Cruces María E. , Rodríguez-Duarte Jorge , Scavone Paola , Alegretti Miguel , Nabón Adriana , Gagliano Gustavo , Rosa Raquel , Henderson Eduardo , Bidegain Estela , Zarantonelli Leticia , Piattoni Vanesa , Greif Gonzalo , Francia María E. , Robello Carlos , Durán Rosario , Brito Gustavo , Bonnecarrere Victoria , Sierra Miguel , Colina Rodney , Marin Mónica , Cristina Juan , Ehrlich Ricardo , Paganini Fernando , Cohen Henry , Radi Rafael , Barbeito Luis , Badano José L. , Pritsch Otto , Fernández Cecilia , Arim Rodrigo , Batthyány Carlos ,   Interinstitutional COVID-19 Working Group.
Published: July 2020

Background

South America has become the new epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 1.1M reported cases and >50,000 deaths (June 2020). Conversely, Uruguay stands out as an outlier managing this health crisis with remarkable success.

Methods

We developed a molecular diagnostic test to detect SARS-CoV-2. This methodology was transferred to research institutes, public hospitals and academic laboratories all around the country, creating a “COVID-19 diagnostic lab network”. Uruguay also implemented active epidemiological surveillance following the “Test, Trace and Isolate” (TETRIS) strategy coupled to real-time genomic epidemiology.

Results

Three months after the first cases were detected, the number of positive individuals reached 826 (23 deaths, 112 active cases and 691 recovered). The Uruguayan strategy was based in a close synergy established between the national health authorities and the scientific community. In turn, academia rapidly responded to develop national RT-qPCR tests. Consequently, Uruguay was able to perform ∼1,000 molecular tests per day in a matter of weeks. The “COVID-19 diagnostic lab network” performed more than 54% of the molecular tests in the country. This, together with real- time genomics, were instrumental to implement the TETRIS strategy, helping to contain domestic transmission of the main outbreaks registered so far.

Conclusions

Uruguay has successfully navigated the first trimester of the COVID-19 health crisis in South America. A rapid response by the scientific community to increase testing capacity, together with national health authorities seeking out the support from the academia were fundamental to successfully contain, until now, the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
Trends in Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Use Among those at Risk for COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortality in the United States
Authors: Perez Alexandra , Speth Robert , Saavedra Juan
Published: July 2020

Importance

Assessment of the use of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in the United States provides insight into prescribing practices, and may inform guidelines, policy measures and research during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

To evaluate trends in ARB use among adults in the United States who have preexisting conditions and sociodemographic risk factors that put them at a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related complications and mortality.

Design, setting and participants

This study uses the nationally representative cross-sectional data from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants included 39,749 non-institutionalized U.S. civilian adults who were 20 years and older and those with the most common preexisting conditions and risk factors reported among patients with COVID-19.

Main outcomes and measures

Use of ARBs in the prior 30 days from survey interview.

Results

ARB use ranged from 7.4% [95% CI, 6.5%-8.4%] to 26.2% [95% CI, 19.4%-34.4%] among those with one or two metabolic, renal, respiratory, and/or cardiovascular diseases. Among individuals with the three most common preexisting conditions in patients with COVID-19 including hypertension, diabetes and obesity, ARB use was higher among the elderly, females, non-Hispanic whites, and those with health insurance coverage.

Conclusions and relevance

In this nationally representative survey, ARB use was found to be widespread, but unevenly distributed among individuals with conditions and sociodemographic risk factors that place them at a higher risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.

Key Points

Question

What is the prevalence of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use among individuals at higher risk of COVID-19-related complications?

Findings

In a cross-sectional study with data from 39,749 adult participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, ARB use ranged between 7.4% and 26.2% among those with one or two respiratory, metabolic, renal and/or cardiovascular diseases. Significant disparities in ARB use were found in participants with preexisting conditions and sociodemographic factors that place them at a higher risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.

Meaning

ARB use is widespread and disproportionate in the United States among people at higher risk of COVID-19 complications.
Eyes wide open: regulation of arousal by temporal expectations
Authors: Shalev Nir , Nobre Anna C.
Published: July 2020

To perform a task continuously over an extended period of time, it is necessary to maintain an adequate level of arousal. In cognitive research, traditional studies have used repetitive, monotonous tasks to learn about the dynamics of arousal in tasks that require sustained vigilance, such as driving or monitoring a factory line. To date, studies have rarely considered whether observers use task-embedded regularities in such continuous contexts to anticipate events and regulate arousal accordingly. In the current study, we explored whether arousal is an adaptive process that reacts to temporal stimulus predictability. Across two experiments, we used pupillometry as a proxy measure of arousal in human observers performing continuous tasks. Within the tasks, we manipulated the temporal predictability of relevant events by presenting stimuli either in a fixed rhythm or at varied intervals. Temporal predictability led to the lowering of tonic levels of arousal. Trial-wise temporal structures led to short-scale changes in pupil size related to temporal anticipation. Accordingly, we suggest that arousal is sensitive to varying levels of temporal predictability and dynamically adapts to task demands to bring about performance benefits as well as energetic efficiencies overall.

Statement of Relevance

People often have to sustain focus and high levels of performance on extended and non-stimulating tasks (e.g., driving, sowing, monitoring data acquisition). A critical factor to the success (or failure) in sustained performance is arousal – the ‘energetic state’ of the cognitive system. Here we used pupil dilation as a proxy to study levels of arousal during sustained performance on monotonous tasks. We reveal that arousal is dynamically regulated to support performance according to an important fundamental property of any task: its temporal structure. When the timing of task-relevant events is predictable, arousal levels fluctuate accordingly, saving energy overall while also optimally guiding performance. Our study and findings add ecological validity to the study of temporal expectations, by moving investigations beyond typical trial-by-trial designs. They also carry significant implications for clinical studies relying on sustained performance tasks.
Evolution of regulatory signatures in primate cortical neurons at cell type resolution
Authors: Kozlenkov Alexey , Vermunt Marit W. , Apontes Pasha , Li Junhao , Hao Ke , Sherwood Chet C. , Hof Patrick R. , Ely John J. , Wegner Michael , Mukamel Eran A. , Creyghton Menno P. , Koonin Eugene V. , Dracheva Stella
Published: July 2020

The human cerebral cortex contains many cell types that likely underwent independent functional changes during evolution. However, cell type-specific regulatory landscapes in the cortex remain largely unexplored. Here we report epigenomic and transcriptomic analyses of the two main cortical neuronal subtypes, glutamatergic projection neurons and GABAergic interneurons, in human, chimpanzee and rhesus macaque. Using genome-wide profiling of the H3K27ac histone modification, we identify neuron-subtype-specific regulatory elements that previously went undetected in bulk brain tissue samples. Human-specific regulatory changes are uncovered in multiple genes, including those associated with language, autism spectrum disorder and drug addiction. We observe preferential evolutionary divergence in neuron-subtype-specific regulatory elements and show that a substantial fraction of pan-neuronal regulatory elements undergo subtype-specific evolutionary changes. This study sheds light on the interplay between regulatory evolution and cell-type-dependent gene expression programs, and provides a resource for further exploration of human brain evolution and function.

SIGNIFICANCE

The cerebral cortex of the human brain is a highly complex, heterogeneous tissue that contains many cell types which are exquisitely regulated at the level of gene expression by non-coding regulatory elements, presumably, in a cell-type-dependent manner. However, assessing the regulatory elements in individual cell types is technically challenging, and therefore, most of the previous studies on gene regulation were performed with bulk brain tissue. Here we analyze two major types of neurons isolated from the cerebral cortex of humans, chimpanzees and rhesus macaques, and report complex patterns of cell-type-specific evolution of the regulatory elements in numerous genes. Many genes with evolving regulation are implicated in language abilities as well as psychiatric disorders.
Sensorimotor functional connectivity: a neurophysiological factor related to BCI performance
Authors: Vidaurre Carmen , Haufe Stefan , Jorajuría Tania , Müller Klaus-Robert , Nikulin Vadim V.
Published: July 2020

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are systems that allow users to control devices using brain activity alone. However, the ability of participants to command BCIs varies from subject to subject. For BCIs based on the modulation of sensorimotor rhythms as measured by means of electroen-cephalography (EEG), about 20% of potential users do not obtain enough accuracy to gain reliable control of the system. This lack of efficiency of BCI systems to decode user’s intentions requires the identification of neuro-physiological factors determining ‘good’ and ‘poor’ BCI performers. Given that the neuronal oscillations, used in BCI, demonstrate rich a repertoire of spatial interactions, we hypothesized that neuronal activity in sensorimotor areas would define some aspects of BCI performance. Analyses for this study were performed on a large dataset of 80 inexperienced participants. They took part in calibration and an online feedback session in the same day. Undirected functional connectivity was computed over sensorimotor areas by means of the imaginary part of coherency. The results show that post-as well as pre-stimulus connectivity in the calibration recordings is significantly correlated to online feedback performance inμand feedback frequency bands. Importantly, the significance of the correlation between connectivity and BCI feedback accuracy was not due to the signal-to-noise ratio of the oscillations in the corresponding post and pre-stimulus intervals. Thus, this study shows that BCI performance is not only dependent on the amplitude of sensorimotor oscillations as shown previously, but that it also relates to sensorimotor connectivity measured during the preceding training session. The presence of such connectivity between motor and somatosensory systems is likely to facilitate motor imagery, which in turn is associated with the generation of a more pronounced modulation of sen-sorimotor oscillations (manifested in ERD/ERS) required for the adequate BCI performance. We also discuss strategies for the up-regulation of such connectivity in order to enhance BCI performance.
RápidoPGS: A rapid polygenic score calculator for summary GWAS data without a test dataset
Authors: Reales Guillermo , Vigorito Elena , Kelemen Martin , Wallace Chris
Published: July 2020

Motivation

Polygenic scores (PGS) aim to genetically predict complex traits at an individual level. PGS are typically trained on genome-wide association summary statistics and require an independent test dataset to tune parameters. More recent methods allow parameters to be tuned on the training data, removing the need for independent test data, but approaches are computationally intensive. Based on fine-mapping principles, we present RápidoPGS, a flexible and fast method to compute PGS requiring summary-level GWAS datasets only, with little computational requirements and no test data required for parameter tuning.

Results

We show that RápidoPGS performs slightly less well than two out of three other widely-used PGS methods (LDpred2, PRScs, and SBayesR) for case-control datasets, with median r2difference: −0.0092, −0.0042, and 0.0064, respectively, but up to 17,000-fold faster with reduced computational requirements. RápidoPGS is implemented in R and can work with user-supplied summary statistics or download them from the GWAS catalog.

Availability and implementation

Our method is available with a GPL license as an R package fromGitHub.
Structural and Genetic Determinants of Convergence in theDrosophilatRNA Structure-Function Map
Authors: Phillips Julie Baker , Ardell David H.
Published: July 2020

The evolution of tRNA multigene families remains poorly understood, exhibiting unusual phenomena such as functional conversions of tRNA genes through anticodon shift substitutions. We improved FlyBase tRNA gene annotations from twelveDrosophilaspecies, incorporating previously identified ortholog sets to compare substitution rates across tRNA bodies at single-site and base-pair resolution. All rapidly evolving sites fell within the same metal ion-binding pocket, that lies at the interface of the two major stacked helical domains. We applied our tRNA Structure-Function Mapper (tSFM) method independently to eachDrosophilaspecies and one outgroup speciesMusca domesticaand found that, although predicted tRNA structure-function maps are generally highly conserved in flies, one tRNA Class-Informative Feature (CIF) within the rapidly-evolving ion-binding pocket — Cytosine 17 (C17), ancestrally informative for lysylation identity — independently gained asparaginylation identity and substituted in parallel across tRNAAsnparalogs at least once, possibly multiple times, during evolution of the genus. InD. melanogaster, most tRNALysand tRNAAsngenes are co-arrayed in one large heterologous gene cluster, suggesting that heterologous gene conversion as well as structural similarities of tRNA-binding interfaces in the closely related asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (AsnRS) and lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) proteins may have played a role in these changes. A previously identified Asn-to-Lys anticodon shift substitution inD. ananassaemay have arisen to compensate for the convergent and parallel gains of C17 in tRNAAsnparalogs in that lineage. Our results underscore the functional and evolutionary relevance of our tRNA structure-function map predictions and illuminate multiple genomic and structural factors contributing to rapid, parallel and compensatory evolution of tRNA multigene families.
Distribution of Epsilon-Polylysine Synthetases in Coryneform Bacteria Isolated from Cheese and Human Skin
Authors: Jiang Xinglin , Radko Yulia , Gren Tetiana , Palazzotto Emilia , Jørgensen Tue Sparholt , Cheng Tao , Xian Mo , Weber Tilmann , Lee Sang Yup
Published: July 2020

Epsilon-polylysine (ε-PL) is an antimicrobial commercially produced byStreptomycesfermentation and widely used in Asian countries for food preservation. Here we discovered a gene from cheese bacteriumCorynebacterium variabilethat showed high similarity to the ε-PL synthetase fromStreptomycesin terms of enzymatic domain architecture and gene context. By cloning it intoStreptomyces coelicolorwith aStreptomyces albulusε-PL synthetase promoter, we confirmed that its product is indeed ε-PL. A comprehensive sequence analysis suggests that ε-PL synthetases are widely spread among coryneform bacteria isolated from cheese and human skin; 14 out of 15Brevibacteriumisolates and 10 out of 12Corynebacteriumisolates contain Pls gene. This discovery raises the possibility that ε-PL as a bioactive secondary metabolite might be produced and play a role in the cheese and skin ecosystems.

IMPORTANCE

Every year, microbial contamination causes billions of tons of food wasted and millions of cases of foodborne illness. ε-PL is an excellent food preservative as it is potent, wide spectrum and is heat stable and biodegradable. It has not been accepted by all countries (e.g those in the EU) partially because it was not a natural composition of food but rather originated from the soil bacteriaStreptomyces, a famous producer of various antibiotic drugs and toxins. The unexpected finding of ε-PL synthetases in cheese and skin bacteria suggests that ε-PL may naturally exist in cheese and on our skin.