bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of coagulation parameters with clinical outcomes in Coronavirus-19 affected minorities in United States: Observational cohort
Authors: Gil Morayma Reyes , Gonzalez-Lugo Jesus D. , Rahman Shafia , Barouqa Mohammad , Szymanski James , Ikemura Kenji , Lo Yungtai , Billett Henny H
Published: May 2020

Importance

COVID-19 has caused a worldwide illness and New York has become the epicenter of COVID-19 in the United States. Currently Bronx has the highest prevalence per capita in New York.

Objective

To investigate the coagulopathic presentation of COVID and its natural course and to investigate whether hematologic and coagulation parameters can be used to assess illness severity and death.

Design

Retrospective case study of positive COVID inpatients between 3/20/2020-3/31/2020.

Setting

Montefiore Health System main hospital, Moses, a large tertiary care center in the Bronx.

Participants

Adult inpatients with positive COVID tests hospitalized at MHS.

Exposure (for observational studies)

Datasets of participants were queried for physiological, demographic (age, sex, socioeconomic status and self-reported race and/or ethnicity) and laboratory data.

Main Outcome and Measures

Relationship and predictive value of measured parameters to mortality and illness severity.

Results

Of the 217 in this case review, 70 died during hospitalization while 147 were discharged home. Only the admission PT and first D-Dimer could very significantly differentiate those who were discharged alive and those who died. Logistic regression analysis shows increased odds ratio for mortality by first D-Dimer within 48 hrs. of admission. The optimal cut-point for the initial D-Dimer to predict mortality was found to be 1.65 μg/mL

Conclusions

We describe here a comprehensive assessment of hematologic and coagulation parameters in COVID and examine the relationship of these to mortality. We demonstrate that both initial and maximum D-Dimer values are biomarkers that can be used for survival assessments.
Model of a Testing-and-Quarantine Strategy to Slow-Down the COVID-19 Outbreak in Guadeloupe
Authors: Allali Meriem , Portecop Patrick , Carlès Michel , Gibert Dominique
Published: May 2020

Using a stochastic epidemic model explicitly considering the entire population of Guadeloupe (1), we explore the domain of solutions presenting an efficient slowing down of the COVID-19 epidemic spread during the post-containment period. The considered model parameters are the basic reproduction number R0 to simulate the effects of social distancing, the time delay δTq elapsed between the detection of a symptomatic person and her/his placement in quarantine to suppress her/his contagiousness, and the number Na of asymptomatic people tested positively and isolated. We show that acceptable solutions are obtained for a wide range of parameter values. Thanks to a good control of the initial epidemic spread resulting from an early containment and efficient communication by the sanitary and administrative authorities, the present situation corresponds to a pre-epidemic state. The most safe solutions are a combinations of social distancing, numerous testing to perform a systematic isolation of symptomatic patients and guided detection of asymptomatic people in the entourage of localised symptomatic patients.
Impact of policy interventions and social distancing on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the United States
Authors: Dreher Nickolas , Spiera Zachary , McAuley Fiona M. , Kuohn Lindsey , Durbin John R. , Marayati Naoum Fares , Ali Muhammad , Li Adam Y. , Hannah Theodore C. , Gometz Alex , Kostman JT , Choudhri Tanvir F.
Published: May 2020

Background

Policymakers have employed various non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as stay-at-home orders and school closures to limit the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, these measures are not without cost, and careful analysis is critical to quantify their impact on disease spread and guide future initiatives. This study aims to measure the impact of NPIs on the effective reproductive number (Rt) and other COVID-19 outcomes in U.S. states.

Methods

In order to standardize the stage of disease spread in each state, this study analyzes the weeks immediately after each state reached 500 cases. The primary outcomes were average Rtin the week following 500 cases and doubling time from 500 to 1000 cases. Linear and logistic regressions were performed in R to assess the impact of various NPIs while controlling for population density, GDP, and certain health metrics. This analysis was repeated for deaths with doubling time from 50 to 100 deaths and included several healthcare infrastructure control variables.

Results

States that had a stay-at-home order in place at the time of their 500th case are associated with lower average Rtthe following week compared to states without a stay-at-home order (p < 0.001) and are significantly less likely to have an Rt>1 (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.37, p = 0.004). These states also experienced a significantly longer doubling time from 500 to 1000 cases (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.72, p = 0.004). States in the highest quartile of average time spent at home were also slower to reach 1000 cases than those in the lowest quartile (HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53, p = 0.002).

Discussion

Few studies have analyzed the effect of statewide stay-at-home orders, school closures, and other social distancing measures in the U.S., which has faced the largest COVID-19 case burden. States with stay-at-home orders have a 93% decrease in the odds of having a positive Rtat a standardized point in disease burden. States that plan to scale back such measures should carefully monitor transmission metrics.
Impact of ethnicity on outcome of severe COVID-19 infection. Data from an ethnically diverse UK tertiary centre
Authors: Teo James TH , Bean Daniel M , Bendayan Rebecca , Dobson Richard JB , Shah Ajay M
Published: May 2020

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, anecdotal reports suggest that BAME background patients may be disproportionately affected compared to White but few objective data are available. We took advantage of near real-time hospital data access and analysis pipelines to look at the impact of ethnicity in 437 consecutive patients admitted during March to King’s College Hospital NHS Trust in London.

Our key findings are firstly that BAME patients are significantly younger and have different co-morbidity profiles than White individuals. Secondly, there is no significant effect of ethnicity itself on severe outcomes (death or ITU admission) within 14-days of symptom onset, with adjustment for age/sex/comorbidities.
A strategy for finding people infected with SARS-CoV-2: optimizing pooled testing at low prevalence
Authors: Mutesa Leon , Ndishimye Pacifique , Butera Yvan , Souopgui Jacob , Uwineza Annette , Rutayisire Robert , Musoni Emile , Rujeni Nadine , Nyatanyi Thierry , Ntagwabira Edouard , Semakula Muhammed , Musanabaganwa Clarisse , Nyamwasa Daniel , Ndashimye Maurice , Ujeneza Eva , Mwikarago Ivan Emile , Muvunyi Claude Mambo , Mazarati Jean Baptiste , Nsanzimana Sabin , Turok Neil , Ndifon Wilfred
Published: May 2020

Suppressing SARS-CoV-2 will likely require the rapid identification and isolation of infected individuals, on an ongoing basis. RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) tests are accurate but costly, making regular testing of every individual expensive. The costs are a challenge for all countries and particularly for developing countries. Cost reductions can be achieved by pooling (or combining) subsamples and testing them in groups. We propose an algorithm for pooling subsamples based on the geometry of a hypercube that, at low prevalence, uniquely identifies infected individuals in a small number of tests. We discuss the optimal group size and explain why, given the highly infectious nature of the disease, largely parallel searches are preferred. We report proof of concept experiments in which a positive subsample was detected even when diluted a hundred-fold with negative subsamples. Using these methods, the costs of mass testing could be reduced by a large factor. If infected individuals are quickly and effectively quarantined, the prevalence will fall and so will the cost of regular, mass testing. Such a strategy provides a possible pathway to the longterm elimination of SARS-CoV-2. Field trials of our approach are now under way in Rwanda.
Incorporating and Addressing Testing Bias Within Estimates of Epidemic Dynamics for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Suhail Yasir , Afzal Junaid , Kshitiz
Published: May 2020

The disease burden of SARS-CoV-2 as measured by tests from various countries present varying estimates of infection and fatality rates. Models based on these acquired data may suffer from systematic errors and large estimation variances due to the biases associated with testing and lags between the infection and death counts. Here, we present an augmented compartment model to predict epidemic dynamics while explicitly modeling for the sampling bias involved in testing. Our simulations show that sampling biases in favor of patients with higher disease manifestation could significantly affect direct estimates of infection and fatality rates calculated from the numbers of confirmed cases and deaths, and serological testing can partially mitigate these biased estimates. We further recommend a strategy to obtain unbiased estimates, calculating the dependence of expected confidence on a randomized sample size, showing that relatively small sample sizes can provide statistically significant estimates for SARS-CoV-2 related death rates.
Management and Outcomes of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction During Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic in a Center with 24/7 Primary Angioplasty Capability: Should We Change Our Practice During Outbreak?
Authors: Salarifar Mojtaba , Ghavami Mojgan , Poorhosseini Hamidreza , Masoudkabir Farzad , Jenab Yaser , Amirzadegan Alireza , Alidoosti Mohammad , Aghajani Hassan , Bozorgi Ali , Hosseini Kaveh , Lotfi-Tokaldany Masoumeh , Mortazavi Seyedeh Hamideh , Aein Afsaneh , Ahmadian Tahere , Sadeghian Saeed
Published: May 2020

Background

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. In order to minimize cardiac tissue injury, primary per-cutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) as treatment of choice should be performed as soon as possible. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as an ongoing major global concern affects the other parts of health care system. Applying preventive strategies during this outbreak is necessary. However, critical times in STEMI management and outcomes may be influenced by infection control protocols implementation. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in time intervals related to STEMI care and 15-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during this outbreak compared with the same period in last year and to determine whether the STEMI protocol should be changed to thrombolytic therapy during COVID-19 outbreak or not.

Methods

The patients with STEMI who underwent PPCI in Tehran Heart Center were included. Chest Computed tomography (CT) imaging and real time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) were only performed for COVID-19 suspected patients. Seventy-seven patients from 29th February to 29th March 2020 were compared with 62 patients from 1st to 30th March 2019.

Results

COVID-19 infection was confirmed by rRT-PCR in 5 cases. CT imaging in 4 out of 5 patients was in favor of COVID-19. The median of door-to-device time was reduced 13 minutes during this outbreak (p: 0.007). In-hospital mortality before and during outbreak was 3.22% and 5.19%, respectively (p: 0.57). Confirmed infection with COVID-19 was only reported in one of expired cases. The difference in 15-day MACE between two time periods was not statistically significant.

Discussion/Conclusion

Given that 15-day outcome in acute STEMI patients is not affected by COVID-19 outbreak, we did not find it reasonable to change our protocol. However, further studies are needed to determine a standard protocol for emergency management.
30-day mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the first wave of the Italian epidemic: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Giacomelli Andrea , Ridolfo Anna Lisa , Milazzo Laura , Oreni Letizia , Bernacchia Dario , Siano Matteo , Bonazzetti Cecilia , Covizzi Alice , Schiuma Marco , Passerini Matteo , Piscaglia Marco , Coen Massimo , Gubertini Guido , Rizzardini Giuliano , Cogliati Chiara , Brambilla Anna Maria , Colombo Riccardo , Castelli Antonio , Rech Roberto , Riva Agostino , Torre Alessandro , Meroni Luca , Rusconi Stefano , Antinori Spinello , Galli Massimo
Published: May 2020

Background

Italy was the first European country hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and has the highest number of recorded COVID-19 deaths in Europe.

Methods

This prospective cohort study of the correlates of the risk of death in COVID-19 patients was conducted at the Infectious Diseases and Intensive Care units of Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy. The clinical characteristics of all the COVID-19 patients hospitalised in the early days of the epidemic (21 February -19 March 2020) were recorded upon admission, and the time-dependent probability of death was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method (censored as of 20 April 2020). Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the factors independently associated with the risk of death.

Results

Forty-eight (20.6%) of the 233 patients followed up for a median of 40 days (interquartile range 33-47) died during the follow-up. Most were males (69.1%) and their median age was 61 years (IQR 50-72). The time-dependent probability of death was 19.7% (95% CI 14.6-24.9%) 30 days after hospital admission. Age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.08, 95% CI 1.48-2.92 per ten years more) and obesity (aHR 3.04, 95% CI 1.42-6.49) were independently associated with an increased risk of death, which was also associated with critical disease (aHR 8.26, 95% CI 1.41-48.29), C-reactive protein levels (aHR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02-1.35 per 50 mg/L more) and creatinine kinase levels above 185 U/L (aHR 2.58, 95% CI 1.37-4.87) upon admission.

Conclusions

Case-fatality rate of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the early days of the Italian epidemic was about 20%. Our study adds evidence to the notion that older age, obesity and more advanced illness are factors associated to an increased risk of death among patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
A new approach to recognize term and preterm infants with impaired kidney function (IKF) during the first week of life
Authors: Perazzo Sofia , Revenis Mary , Massaro An , Short Billie L. , Ray Patricio E.
Published: May 2020

Background

Current definitions of neonatal acute kidney injury (nAKI) are not sensitive enough to identify all newborns with impaired kidney function (IKF) during the first week of life. Previous studies in term newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy showed that the rate of serum creatinine (SCr) decline during the first week of life could be used to assess their renal status.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 329 critically ill newborns ≥ 27 weeks of gestational age (GA), to determine whether the rate of SCr decline combined with SCr thresholds provides a sensitive approach to identify newborns with IKF during the first week of life.

Results

Excluding neonates with nAKI, identified based on standard definitions, a SCr decline < 31 % by the 7th day of life, combined with a SCr threshold ≥ 0.7 mg/dl, recognized newborns of 40-31 weeks of GA with IKF. A SCr decline < 21% combined with a SCr threshold ≥ 0.8 mg/dl identified newborns of 30-27 weeks of GA with IKF. These neonates (~ 17%) showed a more prolonged hospital stay and required more days of mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drugs, and diuretics, when compared to critically ill controls. Changes in urine output did not distinguish newborns with IKF.

Conclusion

The rate of SCr decline combined with SCr thresholds identifies newborns with IKF during the first week of life. This distinctive group of newborns that is missed by standard definitions of nAKI, warrants close monitoring in the NICU to prevent acute and chronic renal complications.
Anxiety levels among Iranian health care workers during the COVID-19 surge: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kaveh Mahbod , Davari-tanha Fateme , Varaei Shokoh , Shirali Elham , Shokouhi Nasim , Nazemi Pershang , Ghajarzadeh Mahsa , Feizabad Elham , Ashraf Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2020

The recent surge in COVID-19 cases has exposed health care workers (HCWs) to a wide range of psychological stressors and predisposed them to anxiety-related disorders. Here, we investigated the anxiety level in this population. This multi-center, cross-sectional study was performed on 1038 HCWs in 14 hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) was used to measure the level of anxiety in this population. In all, 1038 hospital staffs with a mean age of 36.30±8.23 years old participated in this study. Most participants were 31 to 40 years old (43.2), female (87.6%), and nurses (49.5%). The BAI scores for the participants were in a positive skew distribution, with a score range of 0-63, a median of 12 and a mean value of 15.30±11.43. Of the 1038 hospital staff, 411 (39.6%) had moderate to severe anxiety. The anxiety level was significantly higher in health care workers ≤40 years old, women, and nurses. Gender, age, and working positions had the most relation with anxiety, respectively. It seems that HCWs experienced a high level of anxiety in the COVID-19 outbreak. One of the important measures in each epidemic is doing supportive care to maintain the mental well-being of HCWs, especially in higher risk groups, including younger HCWs, women, and nurses.
Geospatial precision simulations of community confined human interactions during SARS-CoV-2 transmission reveals bimodal intervention outcomes
Authors: Goldenbogen B , Adler SO , Bodeit O , Wodke JAH , Korman A , Bonn L , Escalera-Fanjul X , Haffner JEL , Karnetzki M , Krantz M , Maintz I , Mallis L , Moran Torres RU , Prawitz H , Segelitz PS , Seeger M , Linding R , Klipp E
Published: May 2020

Infectious disease outbreaks challenge societies by creating dynamic stochastic infection networks between human individuals in geospatial and demographical contexts. Minimizing human and socioeconomic costs of SARS-CoV-2 and future global pandemics requires data-driven and context-specific integrative modeling of detection-tracing, healthcare, and non-pharmaceutical interventions for decision-processes and reopening strategies. Traditional population-based epidemiological models cannot simulate temporal infection dynamics for individual human behavior in specific geolocations. We present an integrated geolocalized and demographically referenced spatio-temporal stochastic network- and agent-based model of COVID-19 dynamics for human encounters in real-world communities. Simulating intervention scenarios, we quantify effects of protection and identify the importance of early introduction of test-trace measures. Critically, we observe bimodality in SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics so that the outcome of reopening can flip between good and poor outcomes stochastically. Furthermore, intervention effectiveness depends on strict execution and temporal control i.e. leaks can prevent successful outcomes. Schools are in many scenarios hubs for transmission, reopening scenarios are impacted by infection chain stochasticity and subsequent outbreaks do not always occur. This generalizable geospatial and individualized methodology is unique in precision and specificity compared to prior COVID-19 models [6, 16, 17, 19] and is applicable to scientifically guided decision processes for communities worldwide.
Thalamus is a common locus of reading, arithmetic, and IQ: Analysis of local intrinsic functional properties
Authors: Koyama Maki S. , Molfese Peter J. , Milham Michael P. , Mencl W. Einar , Pugh Kenneth R.
Published: May 2020

Neuroimaging studies of basic achievement skills, reading and arithmetic, often control for the effect of IQ to identify unique neural correlates of each skill. This may underestimate possible effects of common factors between achievement and IQ measures on neuroimaging results. Here, we simultaneously examined achievement (reading and arithmetic) and IQ measures in young adults, aiming to identify MRI correlates of their common factors. Resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) data were analyzed using two metrics assessing local intrinsic functional properties; regional homogeneity (ReHo) and fractional amplitude low frequency fluctuation (fALFF), measuring local intrinsic functional connectivity and intrinsic functional activity, respectively. ReHo highlighted the thalamus/pulvinar (a subcortical region implied for selective attention) as a common locus for both achievement skills and IQ. More specifically, the higher the ReHo values, the lower the achievement and IQ scores. For fALFF, the left superior parietal lobule, part of the dorsal attention network, was positively associated with reading and IQ. Collectively, our results highlight attention-related regions, particularly the thalamus/pulvinar as a key region related to individual differences in performance on all the three measures. ReHo in the thalamus/pulvinar may serve as a tool to examine brain mechanisms underlying a comorbidity of reading and arithmetic difficulties, which could co-occur with weakness in general intellectual abilities.

Highlights

Achievement (reading; arithmetic) and IQ measures are simultaneously examined; not controlling for IQ.

ReHo and fALFF are used to examine local intrinsic functional connectivity and activity, respectively.

Higher ReHo in thalamus/pulvinar is associated with lower performance on all the three measures.

Higher fALFF in the left superior parietal lobule is associated with higher word reading and IQ.
Modulation of neural activity in frontopolar cortex drives reward-based motor learning
Authors: Ruiz M Herrojo , Maudrich T , Kalloch B , Sammler D , Kenville R , Villringer A , Sehm B , Nikulin V
Published: May 2020

Decision-making is increasingly being recognised to play a role in learning motor skills. Understanding the neural processes regulating motor decision-making is therefore essential to identify mechanisms that contribute to motor skill learning. In decision-making tasks, the frontopolar cortex (FPC) is involved in tracking the reward of different alternative choices, as well as their reliability. Whether this FPC function extends to reward landscapes associated with a continuous movement dimension remains unknown. Here we used anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right FPC to investigate its role in reward-based motor learning. Nineteen healthy human participants completed a motor sequence learning task using trial-wise reward feedback to discover a hidden performance goal along a continuous dimension: timing. As a control condition, we modulated contralateral motor cortex (left M1) activity with tDCS, which has been shown to benefit motor skill learning but less consistently reward-based motor learning. Each active tDCS condition was contrasted to sham stimulation. Right FPC-tDCS led to faster learning primarily through a regulation of exploration, without concurrent modulation of motor noise. A Bayesian computational model revealed that following rFPC-tDCS, participants had a higher expectation of reward, consistent with their faster learning. These higher reward estimates were inferred to be less volatile, and thus participants under rFPC-tDCS deemed the mapping between movement and reward to be more stable. Relative to sham, lM1-tDCS did not significantly modulate main behavioral outcomes. The results indicate that brain regions previously linked to decision-making, such as the FPC, are relevant for motor skill learning.
Impact of chromatin context on Cas9-induced DNA double-strand break repair pathway balance
Authors: Schep Ruben , Brinkman Eva K. , Leemans Christ , Vergara Xabier , Morris Ben , van Schaik Tom , Manzo Stefano G. , Peric-Hupkes Daniel , van den Berg Jeroen , Beijersbergen Roderick L. , Medema René H. , van Steensel Bas
Published: May 2020

DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair is mediated by multiple pathways, including classical non-homologous end-joining pathway (NHEJ) and several homology-driven repair pathways. This is particularly important for Cas9-mediated genome editing, where the outcome critically depends on the pathway that repairs the break. It is thought that the local chromatin context affects the pathway choice, but the underlying principles are poorly understood. Using a newly developed multiplexed reporter assay in combination with Cas9 cutting, we systematically measured the relative activities of three DSB repair pathways as function of chromatin context in >1,000 genomic locations. This revealed that NHEJ is broadly biased towards euchromatin, while microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ) is more efficient in specific heterochromatin contexts. In H3K27me3-marked heterochromatin, inhibition of the H3K27 methyltransferase EZH2 shifts the balance towards NHEJ. Single-strand templated repair (SSTR), often used for precise CRISPR editing, competes with MMEJ, and this competition is weakly associated with chromatin context. These results provide insight into the impact of chromatin on DSB repair pathway balance, and guidance for the design of Cas9-mediated genome editing experiments.
A novel platform to accelerate antimicrobial susceptibility testing inNeisseria gonorrhoeaeusing RNA signatures
Authors: Hashemi Marjan M. , Ram-Mohan Nikhil , Yang Xi , Andini Nadya , Gessner Nicholas R. , Carroll Karen C. , Wang Tza-Huei , Yang Samuel
Published: May 2020

The rise of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens can be attributed to the lack of a rapid pathogen identification (ID) or antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), resulting in delayed therapeutic decisions at the point of care. Gonorrhea is usually empirically treated with no AST results available before treatment, thus contributing to the rapid rise in drug resistance. Herein we present a rapid AST platform using RNA signatures forNeisseria gonorrhoeae(NG). RNA-seq followed by bioinformatic tools were applied to explore potential markers in the transcriptome profile of NG upon minutes of azithromycin exposure. Validation of candidate markers using PCR showed that two markers (arsR(NGO1562) andrpsO) can deliver accurate AST results across 14 tested isolates. Further validation of our cutoff in comparison to MIC across 64 more isolates confirmed the reliability of our platform. Our RNA markers combined with emerging molecular point-of-care systems has the potential to greatly accelerate both ID and AST to inform treatment.
Identification of Candidate COVID-19 Therapeutics using hPSC-derived Lung Organoids
Authors: Han Yuling , Yang Liuliu , Duan Xiaohua , Duan Fuyu , Nilsson-Payant Benjamin E. , Yaron Tomer M. , Wang Pengfei , Tang Xuming , Zhang Tuo , Zhao Zeping , Bram Yaron , Redmond David , Houghton Sean , Nguyen Duc , Xu Dong , Wang Xing , Uhl Skyler , Huang Yaoxing , Johnson Jared L. , Xiang Jenny , Wang Hui , Pan Fong Cheng , Cantley Lewis C. , tenOever Benjamin R. , Ho David D. , Evans Todd , Schwartz Robert E. , Chen Huanhuan Joyce , Chen Shuibing
Published: May 2020

Summary Paragraph

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused already over 3.5 million COVID-19 cases and 250,000 deaths globally. There is an urgent need to create novel models to study SARS-CoV-2 using human disease-relevant cells to understand key features of virus biology and facilitate drug screening. As primary SARS-CoV-2 infection is respiratory-based, we developed a lung organoid model using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that could be adapted for drug screens. The lung organoids, particularly aveolar type II cells, express ACE2 and are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Transcriptomic analysis following SARS-CoV-2 infection revealed a robust induction of chemokines and cytokines with little type I/III interferon signaling, similar to that observed amongst human COVID-19 pulmonary infections. We performed a high throughput screen using hPSC-derived lung organoids and identified FDA-approved drug candidates, including imatinib and mycophenolic acid, as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry. Pre- or post-treatment with these drugs at physiologically relevant levels decreased SARS-CoV-2 infection of hPSC-derived lung organoids. Together, these data demonstrate that hPSC-derived lung cells infected by SARS-CoV-2 can model human COVID-19 disease and provide a valuable resource to screen for FDA-approved drugs that might be repurposed and should be considered for COVID-19 clinical trials.
Structural basis for heme-dependent NCoR binding to the transcriptional repressor REV-ERBβ
Authors: Mosure Sarah A. , Shang Jinsai , Munoz-Tello Paola , Kojetin Douglas J.
Published: May 2020

Heme is the endogenous ligand for the constitutively repressive REV-ERB nuclear receptors, REV-ERBα (NR1D1) and REV-ERBβ (NR1D2), but how heme regulates REV-ERB activity remains unclear. While cellular studies indicate heme is required for the REV-ERBs to bind the corepressor NCoR and repress transcription, fluorescence-based biochemical assays and crystal structures suggest that heme displaces NCoR. Here, we show that heme artifactually influences detection of NCoR interaction in fluorescence-based assays. However, using fluorescence-independent methods, isothermal titration calorimetry and NMR spectroscopy, we demonstrate that heme directly increases REV-ERBβ ligand-binding domain (LBD) binding affinity for NCoR. We further report two crystal structures of REV-ERBβ LBD cobound to heme and NCoR peptides, which reveal the structural basis for heme-dependent NCoR binding to REV-ERBβ. By resolving previous contradictory biochemical, structural, and cellular studies, our findings should facilitate renewed progress toward understanding heme-dependent REV-ERB activity.
Vision does not impact walking performance in Argentine ants
Authors: Clifton G.T. , Holway D. , Gravish N.
Published: May 2020

Many walking insects use vision for long-distance navigation, but the influence of vision in detecting close-range obstacles and directing the limbs to maintain stability remains largely untested. We compared Argentine ant workers in light versus darkness while traversing flat and uneven terrain. In darkness, ants reduced flat-ground walking speeds by only 5%. Similarly, neither the approach speed nor the time to cross a step obstacle was affected by lighting. To determine if tactile sensing might compensate for vision loss, we tracked antennal motion and observed shifts in spatiotemporal activity due to terrain structure but not illumination. Together, these findings suggest that vision does not impact walking performance in Argentine ant workers. Our results help contextualize eye variation across ants, including subterranean, nocturnal, and eyeless species that walk in complete darkness. More broadly, our findings highlight the importance of integrating vision, proprioception, and tactile sensing for robust locomotion in unstructured environments.
Oxidants are dispensable for HIF1α stability in hypoxia
Authors: Kumar Amit , Vaish Manisha , Karuppagounder Saravanan S. , Gazaryan Irina , Cave John W. , Starkov Anatoly A. , Anderson Elizabeth T. , Zhang Sheng , Pinto John T. , Rountree Austin , Wang Wang , Sweet Ian R. , Ratan Rajiv R.
Published: May 2020

Hypoxic adaptation mediated by HIF transcription factors has been shown to require mitochondria. Current models suggest that mitochondria regulate oxygen sensor (HIF prolyl hydroxylase) activity and HIF1α stability during hypoxia by either increasing mitochondrial peroxide as a second messenger or by serving as oxygen consumers that enhance the kinetics of cytoplasmic oxygen reduction. Here, we address the role of mitochondrial peroxide specifically in regulating HIF1α stability. We use state-of-the-art tools to evaluate the role of peroxide and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in regulating HIF1α stability. We show that antioxidant enzymes are not homeostatically induced nor are peroxide levels increased in hypoxia. Forced expression of diverse antioxidant enzymes, all of which diminish peroxide, had disparate effects on HIF1α protein stability. Reduction of lipid peroxides by glutathione peroxidase-4 or superoxide by mitochondrial SOD failed to influence HIF1α protein stability. These data showed that mitochondrial, cytosolic and lipid ROS are dispensable for HIF1α stability and should affirm therapeutic efforts to activate the HIF pathway in disease states by HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibition.
Bacteremia and Blood Culture Utilization During COVID-19 Surge in New York City
Authors: Sepulveda Jorge , Westblade Lars F. , Whittier Susan , Satlin Michael J. , Greendyke William G. , Aaron Justin G. , Zucker Jason , Dietz Donald , Sobieszczyk Magdalena , Choi Justin J. , Liu Dakai , Espinal Kelvin , Russell Sarah , Camp Dennis , Connelly Charles , Green Daniel A.
Published: May 2020

A surge of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting to New York City hospitals in March 2020 led to a sharp increase in the utilization of blood cultures, which overwhelmed the capacity of automated blood culture instruments. We sought to evaluate the utilization and diagnostic yield of blood cultures during the COVID-19 pandemic to determine prevalence and common etiologies of bacteremia, and to inform a diagnostic approach to relieve blood culture overutilization. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of 88,201 blood cultures from 28,011 patients at a multicenter network of hospitals within New York City to evaluate order volume, positivity rate, time to positivity, and etiologies of positive cultures in COVID-19. Ordering volume increased by 34.8% in the second half of March 2020 compared to the first half of the month. The rate of bacteremia was significantly lower among COVID-19 patients (3.8%) than COVID-19 negative patients (8.0%) and those not tested (7.1%), p < 0.001. COVID-19 patients had a high proportion of organisms reflective of commensal skin microbiota, reducing the bacteremia rate to 1.6% when excluded. More than 98% of all positive cultures were detected within 4 days of incubation. Bloodstream infections are very rare for COVID-19 patients, which supports the judicious use of blood cultures in the absence of compelling evidence for bacterial coinfection. Clear communication with ordering providers is necessary to prevent overutilization of blood cultures during COVID-19 surges, and laboratories should consider shortening the incubation period from 5 days to 4 days to free additional capacity.
Preparation and comparative study of eco-friendly anticorrosion inhibitors based on aliphatic and aromatic compounds for electron beam curable steel coatings
Authors: Mousaa I.M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In this paper, two promising corrosion inhibitors based on natural and eco-friendly materials such as peanut fatty acids (PFA) were prepared and challenged with a common efficient commercial inhibitor. Two amino derivatives based on aliphatic and aromatic compounds such as 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and 2-amino-2-phenyl-1-propanol (APP), respectively, were used and reacted with PFA under controlled conditions to produce the corrosion inhibitors. The prepared inhibitors, namely, PFA-AMP (inhІ) and PFA-APP (inhІІ), were confirmed and characterized by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, acid value determination and viscosity measurements.

Design/methodology/approach

First, different coating formulations free from any inhibitors were prepared and irradiated under different doses of electron beam source to select the best dose. Several concentrations of synthesized anticorrosion materials were then added to coating formulations to estimate them as anticorrosion materials for mild steel panels. Then, all formulations were coated and polymerized at a dose of 10 kGy. The corrosion tests, weight loss and water uptake were studied for all films after immersion in 3.5% sodium chloride. Moreover, the chemical and physico-mechanical properties were determined for all films.

Findings

The results exhibited that the different concentrations of two inhibitors did not show any significant change on the different properties of all films, and the best concentration, which gives the better protection for steel panels, was to be 1.0 g for two inhibitors.

Originality/value

It was found that the protection efficiency of the inhІ is better and higher than that of the inhІІ and also of the commercial inhibitor with the following order: inhІ > commercial inhibitor > inhІІ.
Forgotten effects in trade relations: a view from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Authors: Rojas-Mora Julio , Chávez-Bustamante Felipe , Mondaca-Marino Cristian
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate Chinese indirect trade relations in the global trade network to observe if the objectives identified by Cai (2017) in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are being fulfilled, especially with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the UNCTAD (2016) for the period 2011–2015, a normalized exports network is built. It is analyzed with the Forgotten Effects Theory and the PageRank algorithm. A Monte Carlo experiment with 10,000 replicates is performed to account for its volatility.

Findings

The paper identifies one instance in which China's peripheral countries are importing raw materials and commodities -–oil products – to produce low technological value-added products, which, in turn, are exported to China. LAC countries do not have significant indirect trade relations with China when the former is the origin country, while the latter is the destination in a trade relationship. The trade network has a clear core-periphery structure, with China belonging to its core, although being only the fourth most central node in the network.

Originality/value

This paper contributes with both a new methodology for the analysis of indirect trade relations and the results found for China under the BRI and its trade relationship with LAC economies.
How attractive are municipal bonds for the passive competitiveness: the case of immunization of municipal bonds
Authors: Vukovic Darko B. , Maiti Moinak , Kochetkov Dmitry , Bystryakov Alexander
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper study regional attractiveness through passive portfolio investment based on duration, immunization and convexity (in case of higher interest rate volatility) of municipal bonds by using data from Standard and Poor’s. The massive variety of financial incentives to promote regional investment attractiveness is dependent on governmental strategy. Municipal bonds are the one of the most efficient ways of direct investments in the region, however, it is still a question of a good balance between a certain rate of return and an adequate risk. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the investment opportunities in municipal revenue bonds.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed a model of investing using municipal bonds with the case of their immunization and analyze attractiveness of such investment. The theoretical model assumes a situation where the local government finances its capital projects through municipal revenue bonds. Such situations influence strongly on regional or local competitiveness provided by local government policy.

Findings

An analysis of the municipal bond market indicates that both municipal general and revenue bonds had stable and good level of yields to maturity in the past ten years. Their standard deviations were very low and in the past two years almost approached the level of standard deviations of treasury bonds. With the duration of 4–6 years on 5-year investment in municipal revenue bonds and their immunization, it is possible to provide good returns for investor.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study concerns theoretical situation where local government will use non-market-based policy to reduce the interest rates and that will influence on rise of municipal bond liquidity premium (price distortion). This situation will make municipality bonds less attractive for investing, especially because of lower liquidity on secondary market. Also, this model is applicable in regions that have developed financial markets.

Practical implications

This research suggests governments a sustainable framework to use municipal bonds as a strategy for capital targeting in regions.

Social implications

This research is related to professional investors’ strategy with projects that have the highest investment potential; this is good way for an adequate allocation of resources (regional competitiveness).

Originality/value

This paper analyzes very rare subject involving local government strategy of finance and portfolio investment in municipal bonds. There is a huge gap in the literature on this issue. Also, this study provides the model that can be used as a case for higher local competitiveness.
Listening differently: youth self-actualization through critical Hip Hop literacies
Authors: Kelly Lauren Leigh
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to refocus the field of Hip Hop based education on youth identities and epistemologies rather than on the tangible artifacts of Hip Hop culture. It argues that centering classroom pedagogy and curriculum on youth self-actualization best supports the critical literacy development of students grappling with social and structural inequities within an ever-evolving youth and media culture.

Design/methodology/approach

Building upon previous literature on critical literacy, Hip Hop pedagogy and adolescent identity formation, this paper shares data from a semester-long teacher–researcher case study of a high school Hip Hop literature and culture class to explore how young people develop critical literacies and self-actualizing practices through a critical study of youth culture.

Findings

For youth engaged in Hip Hop culture, co-constructing spaces to discuss their consumption of popular media and culture in class allows them to openly grapple with questions of identity, provide support for each other in dealing with these questions and reflect more critically upon their self-constructed, performed and perceived identities.

Originality/value

This form of English education challenges traditional notions of teaching and learning as it positions students as co-creators of curriculum and as part of the curriculum itself. Building on research that frames Hip Hop pedagogy as a culturally relevant tool for engaging urban youth, this paper argues that educators should approach critical Hip Hop literacy development as a means by which young people across diverse educational and social backgrounds come to know themselves and others as part of the process of self-actualization and critical resistance.
Toward a spatial approach for convergence
Authors: Amaghouss Jabrane , Ibourk Aoamar
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In recent years, there is growing recognition of the importance of geography and space in the analysis of economic convergence by focusing on the dynamics of monetary indicators. The analysis of spatial convergence based on socio-economic indicators are rare. These variables present a complement to understand the spatial dynamics of territorial units. The purpose of this paper is, first, to analyzes and describes trends in multidimensional poverty in Morocco and second it explores the convergence hypothesis.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are driven from HCP (2017). It concerns 75 provinces over the period 2004 and 2014. In addition to the availability of data, this period corresponds to significant changes in public policy. The nature of the observations necessitates the use of the spatial analysis techniques.

Findings

The results show that poverty is a geographical phenomenon with low speed of convergence. The paper propose some solutions to help policymakers implement an effective targeting policy aimed at reducing spatial inequalities in terms of multidimensional poverty in Morocco.

Originality/value

The analysis of spatial convergence based on socio-economic indicators are rare. This paper will focus on the convergence of the poverty index for a developing country.
Improved region growing segmentation for breast cancer detection: progression of optimized fuzzy classifier
Authors: Patil Rajeshwari S. , Biradar Nagashettappa
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women, which badly have an effect on women's physical and psychological health and even danger to life. Nowadays, mammography is considered as a fundamental criterion for medical practitioners to recognize breast cancer. Though, due to the intricate formation of mammogram images, it is reasonably hard for practitioners to spot breast cancer features.

Design/methodology/approach

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women, which badly have an effect on women's physical and psychological health and even danger to life. Nowadays, mammography is considered as a fundamental criterion for medical practitioners to recognize breast cancer. Though, due to the intricate formation of mammogram images, it is reasonably hard for practitioners to spot breast cancer features.

Findings

The performance analysis was done for both segmentation and classification. From the analysis, the accuracy of the proposed IAP-CSA-based fuzzy was 41.9% improved than the fuzzy classifier, 2.80% improved than PSO, WOA, and CSA, and 2.32% improved than GWO-based fuzzy classifiers. Additionally, the accuracy of the developed IAP-CSA-fuzzy was 9.54% better than NN, 35.8% better than SVM, and 41.9% better than the existing fuzzy classifier. Hence, it is concluded that the implemented breast cancer detection model was efficient in determining the normal, benign and malignant images.

Originality/value

This paper adopts the latest Improved Awareness Probability-based Crow Search Algorithm (IAP-CSA)-based Region growing and fuzzy classifier for enhancing the breast cancer detection of mammogram images, and this is the first work that utilizes this method.
Social media–based customer service and firm reputation
Authors: Guo Yujuan , Fan Di , Zhang Xiao
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the effects of using social media for customer service on firms' reputation building. In addition, this study explores the role of absorptive capacity, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9,000 implementation and periodic training for management and employees in the relationship between social media–based customer service and firm reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study sampled 115 US-listed firms and collected secondary data from five databases as follows: Factiva, Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies (WMAC), Standard & Poor's COMPUSTAT, American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and Thomson Reuters’ Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). This study developed a panel dataset of these 115 firms from 2007 to 2016 and conducted dynamic panel data analyses to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

This study finds that a higher number of social media channels used for customer service is associated with a higher reputation score for a firm. In addition, the positive relationship is reinforced when a firm has a high absorptive capacity level, an ISO 9000 quality management system and offers periodic training for management and employees.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relationship between social media–based customer service and firm reputation. This study also explores the boundary factors in terms of firm absorptive capacity, ISO 9000 quality management systems and training for management and employees.