bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the Implementation of Activity-Friendly Zoning and Land Use Policies Through the Use of Google Street View Measures: A Pilot Study
Authors: Slater Sandy J. , Leider Julien , Chriqui Jamie F.
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Pedestrian-oriented zoning and land use policies are being used by local jurisdictions as tools to implement population-level built environmental changes to create more walkable communities. There is a paucity of evidence examining whether these policies lead to actual changes in the built environment. We used Google Street View (GSV), an established, less expensive, alternative built environment data collection method, to conduct an exploratory pilot study of 19 jurisdictions to examine associations between variations in the presence of these adopted zoning policies and their corresponding specific street-level built environment features.

Methods:

Samples of 10 large and 9 small jurisdictions (18 municipalities and 1 county) were purposively selected on the basis of the presence of activity-friendly zoning policy provisions (sidewalks, crosswalks, bike-pedestrian connectivity, street connectivity, trails/paths, bike lanes, bike parking, and other items). Corresponding activity-friendly street-level built environment measures were constructed using GSV. Street segments in these jurisdictions were sampled using ArcGIS and stratified by type (residential and arterial) and income (high, medium, and low).

Results:

A total of 4363 street segments were audited across the 19 sampled jurisdictions. Results show significant differences in the presence of activity-friendly street features when the corresponding zoning policy element was addressed in New Urbanist zones/districts in the site's zoning code (eg, crosswalks, 24.48% vs 16.18%; and bike lanes, 12.60% vs 7.14%). Street segments in the middle- and high-income block groups were less likely to have activity-friendly features than low-income segments, except bike lanes.

Conclusions:

Results show that having activity-friendly policy provisions embedded in a jurisdiction's (municipality/county) zoning codes was associated with a greater presence of the corresponding built environmental street feature on the ground. Results suggest that the methods tested in this article may be a useful policy tool for local governments to identify high need areas that should be prioritized for built environment improvements.
Local Health Departments' Engagement in Activities to Address Opioid Use and Abuse: The Influence of Surveillance Systems' Use
Authors: Nguyen Tran Ha , Shah Gulzar H. , Khurshid Anjum , Olivas Maria I.
Published: June 2020

Aims:

To examine the extent to which local health departments (LHDs) conduct activities to address opioid use and abuse. To test the hypothesis that (i) LHDs' access to data from an electronic syndromic surveillance system is associated with conducting activities to address opioid use and abuse, and (ii) among those LHDs with access to syndromic surveillance data, the use of syndromic and other surveillance data on opioid-related events is associated with LHDs' report of conducting activities to address opioid use and abuse.

Methods:

Logistic regression was used to analyze data from the 2018 Forces of Change Survey of a statistically representative sample of 966 LHDs, of which 591 participated in the survey.

Results:

The LHDs' access to a syndromic surveillance system was significantly associated with their report of conducting activities to address opioid use and abuse. Compared with LHDs that had no surveillance systems, odds of participating in activities to address the opioid use or abuse were higher for LHDs that managed their own surveillance systems (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 3.022, P = .03) and those who had but did not manage their own surveillance systems (AOR = 1.920, P < .01). The LHDs' use of syndromic surveillance systems (AOR = 2.98, P = .01) or other surveillance systems (AOR = 2.21, P = .03) was also associated with higher odds to participate in activities to address the opioid use or abuse (vs no such use).

Conclusion:

The LHDs are strategically well positioned to play their role in addressing this multifaceted epidemic. Access to data or information from electronic syndromic surveillance systems that use hospital emergency department data might significantly improve LHDs' engagement in conducting activities to address opioid use and abuse within their communities while building their capacity to face the next epidemic.
Community Health Worker Initiatives: An Approach to Design and Measurement
Authors: Jayapaul-Philip Bina , Shantharam Sharada S. , Moeti Refilwe , Kumar Gayathri S. , Barbero Colleen , Rohan Elizabeth A. , Mensa-Wilmot Yvonne , Soler Robin
Published: June 2020

Context:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports the engagement of community health workers (CHWs) to help vulnerable populations achieve optimum health through a variety of initiatives implemented in several organizational units.

Program:

This article provides a unified and comprehensive logic model for these initiatives that also serves as a common framework for monitoring and evaluation.

Implementation:

We developed a logic model to fully describe the levels of effort needed to effectively and sustainably engage CHWs. We mapped monitoring and evaluation metrics currently used by federally funded organizations to the logic model to assess the extent to which measurement and evaluation are aligned to programmatic efforts.

Evaluation:

We found that the largest proportion of monitoring and evaluation metrics (61%) currently used maps to the “CHW intervention level” of the logic model, a smaller proportion (37%) maps to the “health system and community organizational level,” and a minimal proportion (3%) to the “statewide infrastructure level.”

Discussion:

Organizations engaging CHWs can use the logic model to guide the design as well as performance measurement and evaluation of their CHW initiatives.
Mental Health Care Providers Dealing With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): What Is the Definition of a Case, How Is That Changing, and What Kinds of Tests Are Available?
Authors: PRESKORN SHELDON H.
Published: June 2020

The goal of this column is to inform mental health care professionals about the evolving way the diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is being made, with emphasis on tests to assist in making the diagnosis and to determine the presence of antibodies to the virus. This column also provides some general information about the disease, its relative risks, and efforts to develop effective treatments. Links to credible websites that are being continuously updated are also provided for readers who want more information and to stay current with ongoing developments.
Clover-Style Fasciocutaneous Perforator Flap for Reconstruction of Massive Sacral Pressure Sores
Authors: Cheng Jian , Zhang Qi , Feng Shiming , Wu Xiaodong , Huo Weiling , Ma Yong , Cai Jianping , Liu Mingming
Published: June 2020

Background

As a common complication of the long-term bedridden patients, pressure sore is a great challenge for surgeons. The purpose of this study was to explore the surgical method of using a clover-style fasciocutaneous perforator flap raised on the buttocks for the treatment of massive sacral pressure sores and report the clinical outcomes.

Methods

The study included 15 patients from January 2015 to June 2017 with an average age of 52.87 years (range, 32–73 years). The size of the sacral pressure sores ranged from 10 cm × 13 cm to 18 cm × 20 cm. The defects were reconstructed using a fasciocutaneous perforator flap raised on the buttocks after debridement and vacuum sealing drainage treatment for 1 to 2 weeks. All the donor areas were sutured directly.

Results

All flaps survived completely; 13 patients achieved healing by primary intention, and the other 2 patients achieved healing by secondary intention. At the mean follow-up period of 20.8 months (range, 12–46 months), the appearance of the flap, including its texture and color, in all patients was satisfactory. No patients had deep infection, necrosis, or shrinkage of the flap during the follow-up period. One patient had a recurrent bedsore during the 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions

The clover-style fasciocutaneous perforator flap is ideal for the reconstruction of massive sacral pressure sores because it is a relatively simple procedure and results in good appearance and function, few complications, and a low recurrence rate.
Molecular Patterns in Acute Pancreatitis Reflect Generalizable Endotypes of the Host Response to Systemic Injury in Humans
Authors: Neyton Lucile P. A. , Zheng Xiaozhong , Skouras Christos , Doeschl-Wilson Andrea , Gutmann Michael U. , Uings Iain , Rao Francesco V. , Nicolas Armel , Marshall Craig , Wilson Lisa-Marie , Baillie J. Kenneth , Mole Damian J.
Published: June 2020

Objective:

Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is sudden onset pancreas inflammation that causes systemic injury with a wide and markedly heterogeneous range of clinical consequences. Here, we hypothesized that this observed clinical diversity corresponds to diversity in molecular subtypes that can be identified in clinical and multiomics data.

Summary Background Data:

Observational cohort study. n = 57 for the discovery cohort (clinical, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data) and n = 312 for the validation cohort (clinical and metabolomics data).

Methods:

We integrated coincident transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data at serial time points between admission to hospital and up to 48 hours after recruitment from a cohort of patients presenting with acute pancreatitis. We systematically evaluated 4 different metrics for patient similarity using unbiased mathematical, biological, and clinical measures of internal and external validity.

We next compared the AP molecular endotypes with previous descriptions of endotypes in a critically ill population with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Results:

Our results identify 4 distinct and stable AP molecular endotypes. We validated our findings in a second independent cohort of patients with AP.

We observed that 2 endotypes in AP recapitulate disease endotypes previously reported in ARDS.

Conclusions:

Our results show that molecular endotypes exist in AP and reflect biological patterns that are also present in ARDS, suggesting that generalizable patterns exist in diverse presentations of critical illness.
Application and Value of Endoscopic Ultrasonography Guided Biliary Interventional Therapy in Patients With Biliary Obstruction and Surgically Altered Anatomy
Authors: Huang Ping , Zhang Hao , Zhang Xiao-Feng , Lv Wen , Fan Zhen
Published: June 2020

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) in patients with biliary obstruction and surgically altered anatomy.

Patients and Methods:

This was a retrospective study. We collected data from 60 patients with biliary obstruction and surgically altered anatomies who undergone EUS-BD (group A, 33 cases) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) (group B, 27 cases) after unsuccessful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography from January 2016 to January 2018. The operation success rate, the clinical success rate, complications, hospital stay were observed.

Results:

In group A, 31 cases of 33 patients were successfully operated and placed stents or drainage tube by endoscopic ultrasound puncture [endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) guided rendezvous 8, EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy 14, EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy 11], 28 had a significant decrease in jaundice. The complications rate was 9.1% (biliary bleeding 2; acute cholangitis 1). There was statistically significant difference in the complications [9.09% (3/33) vs. 33.33% (9/27), χ2=5.45, P<0.05] and length of hospital stay (14.45±5.78 vs. 18.52±8.64 d, t=10.03, P<0.01) between group A and group B. There was not statistical significance in the technical and clinical success rate between 2 groups [93.94% (31/33) vs. 92.60% (25/27), 84.85% (28/33) vs. 85.19% (23/27), χ2
1=0.10, χ2
2=0.11, P>0.05].

Conclusion:

EUS-BD may be the first choice for patients with biliary obstruction and surgically altered anatomy after a failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in centers with expertise in EUS-BD procedures.
Donor Hepatectomy and Implantation Time Are Associated With Early Complications After Liver Transplantation: A Single-center Retrospective Study
Authors: Gilbo Nicholas , Fieuws Steffen , Meurisse Nicolas , Nevens Frederik , van der Merwe Schalk , Laleman Wim , Verslype Chris , Cassiman David , van Malenstein Hannah , Roskams Tania , Sainz-Barriga Mauricio , Pirenne Jacques , Jochmans Ina , Monbaliu Diethard
Published: June 2020

Background.

Donor hepatectomy and liver implantation time reduce long-term graft and patient survival after liver transplantation. It is not known whether these surgical times influence early outcomes after liver transplantation.

Methods.

This single-center study evaluated the effect of donor hepatectomy and implantation time on the risk of nonanastomotic biliary strictures (NAS) occurring within 1 year and of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) after deceased-donor solitary liver transplantation, adjusting for other donors, recipient, and surgical factors.

Results.

Of 917 transplants performed between January 2000 and December 2016, 106 (11.56%) developed NAS and 247 (27%) developed EAD. Donor hepatectomy time (median 35 min, IQR: 26–46) was an independent risk factor of NAS [adjusted hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.04-1.35; P = 0.01]. Implantation time (median 80 min, IQR: 69–95) was independently associated with EAD [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.15; 95% CI,1.07-1.23; P < 0.0001). The risk of EAD was increased by anastomosis time of both portal vein (adjusted OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.12-14.42; P = 0.0001) and hepatic artery (adjusted OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.22; P = 0.005). The magnitude of these effects was similar in donation after circulatory death liver grafts.

Conclusions.

Donor hepatectomy and implantation time negatively affect short-term outcomes.
EEG Synchronization—Parameters in Patients With Subcortical Arteriosclerotic Encephalopathy and Gait Disorder
Authors: Yazdani Babak , Yücel Gökhan , Landwehr Ralf
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

Subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (SAE) is characterized by extensive white matter lesions in the MRI. Clinical symptoms are cognitive impairment, ranging from mild deficits to vascular dementia, impaired executive functioning, and gait disorders. In the EEG of SAE patients with vascular dementia, the lower frequencies are increased. However, it is unclear whether EEG changes also exist in SAE patients with gait disorders but without vascular dementia.

Methods:

The authors analyzed the EEGs of 50 nondemented patients with SAE and gait disorders and 50 healthy controls applying pointwise transinformation as a measure of synchronization.

Results:

Hundred seconds of waking EEG that appeared unaltered in visual analysis were sufficient to prove changes in synchronization. The authors found a decrease in the mean level of synchronization, combined with an elongation of synchronization time in all examined brain areas. These effects correlated slightly with the extent of subcortical lesions.

Conclusions:

Changes in EEG synchronization in patients with SAE and gait disorders seem to occur independently of cognitive function. The causal relationship of the changes in EEG synchronization and gait disorders remains to be clarified. The results of this study might point to a decrease in coupling efficiency in these patients, with the increase in synchronization duration as a possible compensatory mechanism. Because a time-efficient signal transmission particularly during gait execution is crucial, reduced efficiency might contribute to an impairment of postural stabilization. The study results might indicate a neuronal network for planning and execution of motor activity and particularly gait, extending from the frontal over the central to the parietal cortex.
Completeness of intervention reporting in neurology randomized controlled trials: a retrospective, cross-sectional study
Authors: Roberts William , Beavers Craig , Jellison Samuel , Vassar Matt
Published: June 2020

Aim:

Incomplete reporting of interventions in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) may hinder the replicability of studies and thus lead to adverse clinical outcomes for patients. Currently, little is known about the completeness of intervention reporting in neurology clinical trials. This study's primary objective was to determine the completeness of intervention reporting in neurology RCTs, as measured by the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist. The secondary objectives of this study were to compare the completeness of intervention reporting before and after TIDieR publication and to evaluate factors associated with intervention reporting.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional, pilot-tested, double-blind investigation of 141 neurology RCTs to determine the completeness of intervention reporting in neurology.

Results:

Overall, the average number of TIDieR checklist items that reached completion per study was 7.4 out of 12 (61.7%). We found no increase in intervention reporting following the publication of TIDieR (P = 0.35). Our generalized estimating equation analysis found that poorer TIDieR adherence was associated with trials lacking a trial registration (P = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Our findings showed that on average, authors reported only 61.7% of items on the TIDieR checklist. These findings have significant implications, because incomplete reporting may hinder the replicability of studies and thus negatively affect clinical outcomes for patients.
An overview of blockchain science and engineering
Authors: Karame Ghassan , Huth Michael , Vishik Claire
Published: June 2020

This is the preface to a special issue in the journal Royal Society Open Science, themed around blockchain technology. Since this is still an emergent and interdisciplinary field, we first provide a gentle introduction into that larger topic. Then, we discuss why this technology has been criticized for not being energy-efficient. Next, we provide an analysis of recent developments in blockchain research that may help with making blockchain technology truly sustainable. Finally, we highlight some of the contributions made by papers in this special issue.
A modern method of multiple working hypotheses to improve inference in ecology
Authors: Yanco Scott W. , McDevitt Andrew , Trueman Clive N. , Hartley Laurel , Wunder Michael B.
Published: June 2020

Science provides a method to learn about the relationships between observed patterns and the processes that generate them. However, inference can be confounded when an observed pattern cannot be clearly and wholly attributed to a hypothesized process. Over-reliance on traditional single-hypothesis methods (i.e. null hypothesis significance testing) has resulted in replication crises in several disciplines, and ecology exhibits features common to these fields (e.g. low-power study designs, questionable research practices, etc.). Considering multiple working hypotheses in combination with pre-data collection modelling can be an effective means to mitigate many of these problems. We present a framework for explicitly modelling systems in which relevant processes are commonly omitted, overlooked or not considered and provide a formal workflow for a pre-data collection analysis of multiple candidate hypotheses. We advocate for and suggest ways that pre-data collection modelling can be combined with consideration of multiple working hypotheses to improve the efficiency and accuracy of research in ecology.
Extensive layer clouds in the global electric circuit: their effects on vertical charge distribution and storage
Authors: Harrison R. Giles , Nicoll Keri A. , Mareev Evgeny , Slyunyaev Nikolay , Rycroft Michael J.
Published: June 2020

A fair-weather electric field has been observed near the Earth's surface for over two centuries. The field is sustained by charge generation in distant disturbed weather regions, through current flow in the global electric circuit. Conventionally, the fair-weather part of the global circuit has disregarded clouds, but extensive layer clouds, important to climate, are widespread globally. Such clouds are not electrically inert, becoming charged at their upper and lower horizontal boundaries from vertical current flow, in a new electrical regime—neither fair nor disturbed weather; hence it is described here as
semi-fair weather
. Calculations and measurements show the upper cloud boundary charge is usually positive, the cloud interior positive and the lower cloud boundary negative, with the upper charge density larger, but of the same magnitude (∼nC m
−2
) as cloud base. Globally, the total positive charge stored by layer clouds is approximately 10
5 
C, which, combined with the positive charge in the atmospheric column above the cloud up to the ionosphere, balances the total negative surface charge of the fair-weather regions. Extensive layer clouds are, therefore, an intrinsic aspect of the global circuit, and the resulting natural charging of their cloud droplets is a fundamental atmospheric feature.
Global determinants of prey naiveté to exotic predators
Authors: Anton Andrea , Geraldi Nathan R. , Ricciardi Anthony , Dick Jaimie T. A.
Published: June 2020

Prey naiveté—the failure of prey to recognize novel predators as threats—is thought to exacerbate the impact that exotic predators exert on prey populations. Prey naiveté varies under the influence of eco-evolutionary mediating factors, such as biogeographic isolation and prey adaptation, although an overall quantification of their influence is lacking. We conducted a global meta-analysis to test the effects of several hypothesized mediating factors on the expression of prey naiveté. Prey were overall naive towards exotic predators in marine and freshwater systems but not in terrestrial systems. Prey naiveté was most pronounced towards exotic predators that did not have native congeneric relatives in the recipient community. Time since introduction was relevant, as prey naiveté declined with the number of generations since introduction; on average, around 200 generations may be required to erode naiveté sufficiently for prey to display antipredator behaviour towards exotic predators. Given that exotic predators are a major cause of extinction, the global predictors and trends of prey naiveté presented here can inform efforts to meet conservation targets.
Upper tidal flats are disproportionately important for the conservation of migratory shorebirds
Authors: Mu Tong , Wilcove David S.
Published: June 2020

Migratory animals play vital ecological roles in ecosystems worldwide, yet many species are threatened by human activities. Understanding the detailed patterns of habitat use throughout the migration cycle is critical to developing effective conservation strategies for these species. Migratory shorebirds undertake some of the longest known migrations, but they are also declining precipitously worldwide. To better understand the dynamics of shorebird declines along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, we quantified the spatiotemporal foraging distribution of 17 migratory shorebirds at two critical stopover sites. We found that shorebirds exhibit substantial interspecific and site-specific differences in their foraging distributions. Notwithstanding these differences, however, the upper tidal flats appear to be especially important to most shorebirds by providing more than 70% of the birds' cumulative foraging time, twofold greater than their proportional area. Because the upper tidal flats are also more prone to coastal development, our findings may help to explain why shorebird populations along the flyway have declined much faster than the overall rate of tidal flat loss. Our work highlights the importance of protecting upper tidal flats to conserve migratory shorebirds and demonstrates the value of a detailed ecological understanding of habitat usage by migratory animals for conservation planning.
Adaptive strategies of high-flying migratory hoverflies in response to wind currents
Authors: Gao Boya , Wotton Karl R. , Hawkes Will L. S. , Menz Myles H. M. , Reynolds Don R. , Zhai Bao-Ping , Hu Gao , Chapman Jason W.
Published: June 2020

Large migrating insects, flying at high altitude, often exhibit complex behaviour. They frequently elect to fly on winds with directions quite different from the prevailing direction, and they show a degree of common orientation, both of which facilitate transport in seasonally beneficial directions. Much less is known about the migration behaviour of smaller (10–70 mg) insects. To address this issue, we used radar to examine the high-altitude flight of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae), a group of day-active, medium-sized insects commonly migrating over the UK. We found that autumn migrants, which must move south, did indeed show migration timings and orientation responses that would take them in this direction, despite the unfavourability of the prevailing winds. Evidently, these hoverfly migrants must have a compass (probably a time-compensated solar mechanism), and a means of sensing the wind direction (which may be determined with sufficient accuracy at ground level, before take-off). By contrast, hoverflies arriving in the UK in spring showed weaker orientation tendencies, and did not correct for wind drift away from their seasonally adaptive direction (northwards). However, the spring migrants necessarily come from the south (on warm southerly winds), so we surmise that complex orientation behaviour may not be so crucial for the spring movements.
Multiple drainage reversal episodes and glacial refugia in a Patagonian fish revealed by sequenced microsatellites
Authors: Ruzzante Daniel E. , Simons Annie P. , McCracken Gregory R. , Habit Evelyn , Walde Sandra J.
Published: June 2020

The rise of the southern Andes and the Quaternary glacial cycles influenced the landscape of Patagonia, affecting the phylogeographic and biogeographic patterns of its flora and fauna. Here, we examine the phylogeography of the freshwater fish,Percichthys trucha,using 53 sequenced microsatellite DNA markers.Fish (n=835) were collected from 16 river systems (46 locations) spanning the species range on both sides of the Andes. Eleven watersheds drain to the Pacific, five of which are trans-Andean (headwaters east of Andes). The remaining five drainages empty into the Atlantic. Three analytical approaches (neighbour-joining tree, hierarchical AMOVAs, Structure) revealed evidence of historic drainage reversals: fish from four of the five trans-Andean systems (Puelo, Futalaufquen/Yelcho, Baker, Pascua) exhibited greater genetic similarity with Atlantic draining systems than with Pacific systems with headwaters west of Andes. Present-day drainage (Pacific versus Atlantic) explained only 5% of total genetic variance, while ancestral drainage explained nearly 27% of total variance. Thus, the phylogeographic structure ofP. truchais consistent with episodes of drainage reversal in multiple systems and suggests a major role for deglaciation in the genetic and indeed the geographical distribution ofP. truchain Patagonia. The study emphasizes the significant role of historical processes in the current pattern of genetic diversity and differentiation in a fish from a southern temperate region.
Recent warming reduces the reproductive advantage of large size and contributes to evolutionary downsizing in nature
Authors: Fryxell David C. , Hoover Alexander N. , Alvarez Daniel A. , Arnesen Finn J. , Benavente Javiera N. , Moffett Emma R. , Kinnison Michael T. , Simon Kevin S. , Palkovacs Eric P.
Published: June 2020

Body size is a key functional trait that is predicted to decline under warming. Warming is known to cause size declines via phenotypic plasticity, but evolutionary responses of body size to warming are poorly understood. To test for warming-induced evolutionary responses of body size and growth rates, we used populations of mosquitofish (
Gambusia affinis
) recently established (less than 100 years) from a common source across a strong thermal gradient (19–33°C) created by geothermal springs. Each spring is remarkably stable in temperature and is virtually closed to gene flow from other thermal environments. Field surveys show that with increasing site temperature, body size distributions become smaller and the reproductive advantage of larger body size decreases. After common rearing to reveal recently evolved trait differences, warmer-source populations expressed slowed juvenile growth rates and increased reproductive effort at small sizes. These results are consistent with an adaptive basis of the plastic temperature–size rule, and they suggest that temperature itself can drive the evolution of countergradient variation in growth rates. The rapid evolution of reduced juvenile growth rates and greater reproduction at a small size should contribute to substantial body downsizing in populations, with implications for population dynamics and for ecosystems in a warming world.
Isolation and characterization of a rare group A rotavirus G13P[18] strain from a diarrhoeic foal in Japan
Authors: Nemoto Manabu , Niwa Hidekazu , Kida Hiroshi , Higuchi Tohru , Orita Yasuhiro , Sato Shinsuke , Bannai Hiroshi , Tsujimura Koji , Ohta Minoru
Published: June 2020

A rare genotype G13P[18] group A rotavirus (RVA/Horse-tc/JPN/MK9/2019/G13P[18]) was isolated from a diarrhoeic foal for the first time in 28 years. The genotype constellation of the virus was assigned to G13-P[18]-I6-R9-C9-M6-A6-N9-T12-E14-H11 and was the same as that of the first isolated strain, RVA/Horse-tc/GBR/L338/1991/G13P[18]. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the virus is related to RVA/Horse-tc/GBR/L338/1991/G13P[18] and is distant from typical equine rotaviruses of the G3P[12] and G14P[12] genotypes.
Serological surveys in Reunion Island of the first hospitalized patients revealed that long-lived immunoglobulin G antibodies specific against SARS-CoV2 virus are rapidly vanishing in severe cases
Authors: Anthony Dobi , Etienne Frumence , Mahary Lalarizo Rakoto , Grégorie Lebeau , Damien Vagner , Anne-Laure Sandenon Seteyen , Claude Giry , Axelle Septembre-Malaterre , Marie-Christine Jaffar-Bandjee , Loïc Raffray , Philippe Gasque
Published: June 2020

Both cellular and humoral immunities are critically important to control COVID19 infection but little is known about the kinetics of those responses and, in particular, in patients who will go on to develop a severe form of the disease over several weeks. We herein report the first set of data of our prospective cohort study of 90 hospitalized cases. Serological surveys were thoroughly performed over 2 month period by assessing IgG and IgM responses by immunofluorescence, immunoblot, Western blot and conventional ELISA using clinical RUN isolates of SARS-CoV-2 immobilized on 96 well plates. While the IgM and, unexpectedly, the IgG responses were readily detected early during the course of the disease (5-7 days post-first symptoms), our results (n=3-5 and over the full dilution set of the plasma 1/200 to 1/12800) demonstrated a significant decrease (over 2.5-fold) of IgG levels in severe (ICU) hospitalized patients (exemplified in patient 1) by WB and ELISA. In contrast, mild non-ICU patients had a steady and yet robust rise in their specific IgG levels against the virus. Interestingly, both responses (IgM and IgG) were initially against the nucleocapsid (50kDa band on the WB) and spreading to other major viral protein S and domains (S1 and S2. In conclusion, serological testing may be helpful for the diagnosis of patients with negative RT-PCR results and for the identification of asymptomatic cases. Moreover, medical care and protections should be maintained particularly for recovered patients (severe cases) who may remain at risk of relapsing or reinfection. Experiments to ascertain T cell responses but although their kinetics overtime are now highly warranted. All in all, these studies will help to delineate the best routes for vaccination.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with a cell-free PCR assay
Authors: Danh Kenneth , Karp Donna Grace , Robinson Peter V , Seftel David , Stone Mars , Simmons Graham , Bagri Anil , Schreibman Martin , Buser Andreas , Holbro Andreas , Battegay Manuel , Corash Laurence M , Hanson Carl , Tsai Cheng-ting
Published: June 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to more than 4 million confirmed infections worldwide and over 300,000 deaths. While Remdesivir has recently received FDA emergency use authorization for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection, convalescent plasma (CP) with high titers of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) from recovered donors remains a promising and widely accessible method to mitigate severe disease symptoms. Here, we describe the development and validation of a cell-free neutralization PCR assay using SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 and human ACE2 receptor-DNA conjugates. By comparing with samples collected prior to the outbreak, we confirmed that NAbs were specifically detected in COVID-19 cases. Using our unique assay, the NAb signals are detectable as early as 10 days after onset of symptoms and continue to rise, plateauing after 18 days. Notably, we showed that the use of licensed pathogen reduction technology to inactivate potentially contaminating infectious pathogens in CP did not alter NAb signals, paving a path to safely administer effective CP therapies. The described neutralization PCR assay can serve as a qualification tool to easily identify suitable CP donors of a potentially lifesaving therapy. In addition, this assay tool is readily deployable in standard laboratories with biosafety level 2 capability, and can yield results within 2-3 hr. This advancement can facilitate research on factors driving diverse COVID-19 disease manifestations, and to evaluate the impact of various CP processing protocols on CP therapeutic efficacy.
The Risk of Lifting COVID-19 Confinement in Mexico
Authors: Ricardo Cristy Leonor Azanza , Hernandez-Vargas Esteban A.
Published: June 2020

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has paralysed our societies, leading to self isolation and quarantine for several days. As the 10th most populated country in the world, Mexico is on a major threat by COVID-19 due to the limitations of intensive care capacities, and a total of about 1.5 hospital beds for every 1000 citizens. In this paper, we projected different scenarios to evaluate sharp or gradual quarantine lifting strategies, however, even in the hypothetical scenario that Mexico would continue with full confinement, hospitals would be reaching the maximum capacity of hospital bed occupancy. Mexican government is planning to relax the strict social distancing regulations on 1 June 2020, however, epidemic rebound risks are latent.

Our results suggest that lifting social confinement needs to be gradually sparse while maintaining a decentralized region strategy among the Mexican states. To substantially lower the number of infections, predictions highlight that the elderly should remain in social confinement (approximately 11.3% of the population); the confined working class (roughly 27% of the population) must gradually return in at least four parts in consecutive months; and to the last the return of students to schools (about 21.7%). As the epidemic progresses, de-confinement strategies need to be continuously re-adjusting with the new pandemic data. Assuming the most optimistic scenario by our predictions, the smallest number of new COVID-19 cases, Mexico would require at least a 3 fold increase in hospital capacities dedicated for COVID-19. Furthermore, to observe the real dimension of the epidemic, Mexico would need to increase to at least 18 samples per 1000 people, currently is only 0.6 per 1000.

All mathematical models, including ours, are only a possibility of many of the future, however, the different scenarios that were developed here highlight that a gradual decentralized region de-confinement with a significant increase in healthcare capacities is paramount to avoid a high death toll in Mexico.
Uncertainty Quantification in Epidemiological Models for COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Taghizadeh Leila , Karimi Ahmad , Heitzinger Clemens
Published: June 2020

The main goal of this paper is to develop the forward and inverse modeling of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic using novel computational methodologies in order to accurately estimate and predict the pandemic. This leads to governmental decisions support in implementing effective protective measures and prevention of new outbreaks. To this end, we use the logistic equation and the SIR system of ordinary differential equations to model the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the inverse modeling, we propose Bayesian inversion techniques, which are robust and reliable approaches, in order to estimate the unknown parameters of the epidemiological models. We use an adaptive Markov-chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) algorithm for the estimation of a posteriori probability distribution and confidence intervals for the unknown model parameters as well as for the reproduction number. Furthermore, we present a fatality analysis for COVID-19 in Austria, which is also of importance for governmental protective decision making. We perform our analyses on the publicly available data for Austria to estimate the main epidemiological model parameters and to study the effectiveness of the protective measures by the Austrian government. The estimated parameters and the analysis of fatalities provide useful information for decision makers and makes it possible to perform more realistic forecasts of future outbreaks.
Classification of schizophrenia spectrum disorder using machine learning and functional connectivity: reconsidering the clinical application
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Fei , Jiang Xiaowei , Chen Ji , Duan Jia , Han Shaoqiang , Yan Hao , Tang Yanqing , Xu Ke
Published: June 2020

An accurate identification of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) at early stage could potentially allow for treating SSD with appropriate intervention to potentially prevent future deterioration. Despite mounting studies found neuroimaging combined with machine learning can identify chronic medicated SSD, whether or not the classification model identified the trait biomarker of SSD that can be used to identify early stage SSD is largely unknown. The present study aimed to investigate whether or not the classification model trained using chronic medicated SSD identified the trait biomarker of SSD that whether or not the model can be generalized to early stage SSD, by using functional connectivity (FC) combined with support vector machine (SVM) using a large sample from 4 independent sites (n = 1077). We found that the classification model trained using chronic medicated SSD from three sites(dataset 2, 3 and 4) classified SSD from HCs in another site (dataset 1) with 69% accuracy (P = 2.86e-13). Subgroup analysis indicated that this model can identify chronic medicated SSD in dataset 1 with 71% sensitivity (P = 4.63e-05), but cannot be generalized to first episode unmedicated SSD (sensitivity = 48%, P = 0.68) and first episode medicated SSD (sensitivity = 59%, P = 0.10). Univariable analysis showed that medication usage had significant effect on FC, but disease duration had no significant effect on FC. These findings suggest that the classification model trained using chronic medicated SSD may mainly identified the pattern of chronic medication usage state, rather than the trait biomarker of SSD. Therefore, we should reconsider the current machine learning studies in chronic medicated SSD more cautiously in term of the clinical application.
Exhaled breath is a significant source of SARS-CoV-2 emission
Authors: Ma Jianxin , Qi Xiao , Chen Haoxuan , Li Xinyue , Zhang Zheng , Wang Haibin , Sun Lingli , Zhang Lu , Guo Jiazhen , Morawska Lidia , Grinshpun Sergey A. , Biswas Pratim , Flagan Richard C. , Yao Maosheng
Published: June 2020

Despite notable efforts in airborne SARS-CoV-2 detection, no clear evidence has emerged to show how SARS-CoV-2 is emitted into the environments. Here, 35 COVID-19 subjects were recruited; exhaled breath condensate (EBC), air samples and surface swabs were collected and analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). EBC samples had the highest positive rate (16.7%, n = 30), followed by surface swabs(5.4%, n = 242), and air samples (3.8%, n = 26). COVID-19 patients were shown to exhale SARSCoV-2 into the air at an estimated rate of 103-105 RNA copies/min; while toilet and floor surfaces represented two important SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs. Our results imply that airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 plays a major role in COVID-19 spread, especially during the early stages of the disease.

One Sentence Summary

COVID-19 patient exhales millions of SARS-CoV-2 particles per hour
The mechanism of analgesia in NaV1.7 null mutants
Authors: MacDonald Donald Iain , Sikandar Shafaq , Weiss Jan , Pyrski Martina , Luiz Ana P. , Millet Queensta , Emery Edward C. , Mancini Flavia , Iannetti Gian D. , Alles Sascha R.A. , Zhao Jing , Cox James J , Brownstone Robert M. , Zufall Frank , Wood John N.
Published: June 2020

Deletion ofSCN9Aencoding the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 in humans leads to profound pain insensitivity and anosmia. Conditional deletion of NaV1.7 in sensory neurons of mice also abolishes pain suggesting the locus of analgesia is the nociceptor. Here we demonstrate that NaV1.7 knockout mice have essentially normal nociceptor activity usingin vivocalcium imaging and extracellular recording. However, glutamate and substance P release from nociceptor central terminals in the spinal cord is greatly reduced by an opioid-dependent mechanism. Analgesia is also substantially reversed by central but not peripheral application of opioid antagonists. In contrast, the lack of neurotransmitter release from olfactory sensory neurons is opioid-independent. Male and female humans with NaV1.7 null mutations show naloxone reversible analgesia. Thus opioid-dependent inhibition of neurotransmitter release is the principal mechanism of NaV1.7 null analgesia in mice and humans.
A cohort study to evaluate the effect of combination Vitamin D, Magnesium and Vitamin B12 (DMB) on progression to severe outcome in older COVID-19 patients
Authors: Tan Chuen Wen , Ho Liam Pock , Kalimuddin Shirin , Cherng Benjamin Pei Zhi , Teh Yii Ean , Thien Siew Yee , Wong Hei Man , Tern Paul Jie Wen , Chandran Manju , Chay Jason Wai Mun , Nagarajan Chandramouli , Sultana Rehena , Low Jenny Guek Hong , Ng Heng Joo
Published: June 2020

Objective

To determine the clinical outcomes of older COVID-19 patients who received DMB compared to those who did not. We hypothesized that fewer patients administered DMB would require oxygen therapy and/or intensive care support than those who did not.

Methodology

Cohort observational study of all consecutive hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged 50 and above in a tertiary academic hospital who received DMB compared to a recent cohort who did not. Patients were administered oral vitamin D3 1000 IU OD, magnesium 150mg OD and vitamin B12 500mcg OD (DMB) upon admission if they did not require oxygen therapy. Primary outcome was deterioration post-DMB administration leading to any form of oxygen therapy and/or intensive care support.

Results

Between 15 January and 15 April 2020, 43 consecutive COVID-19 patients aged ≥50 were identified. 17 patients received DMB and 26 patients did not. Baseline demographic characteristics between the two groups was significantly different in age. In univariate analysis, age and hypertension showed significant influence on outcome while DMB retained protective significance after adjusting for age or hypertension separately in multivariate analysis. Fewer DMB patients than controls required initiation of oxygen therapy during their hospitalization (17.6% vs 61.5%, P=0.006). DMB exposure was associated with odds ratios of 0.13 (95% CI: 0.03 – 0.59) and 0.20 (95% CI: 0.04 – 0.93) for oxygen therapy and/or intensive care support on univariate and multivariate analyses respectively.

Conclusions

DMB combination in older COVID-19 patients was associated with a significant reduction in proportion of patients with clinical deterioration requiring oxygen support and/or intensive care support. This study supports further larger randomized control trials to ascertain the full benefit of DMB in ameliorating COVID-19 severity.
System Dynamics Modeling of Within-Host Viral Kinetics of Coronavirus (SARS CoV-2)
Authors: Burgos Javier
Published: June 2020

Mathematical models are being used extensively in the study of SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics, becoming an essential tool for decision making concerning disease control. It is now required to understand the mechanisms involved in the interaction between the virus and the immune response effector cells, both innate and adaptive, in order to support lines of research related to the use of drugs, production of protective antibodies and of course, vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. The present study, using a system dynamic approach, hypothesizes over the conditions that characterize the fraction of the population which get infected by SARS-CoV-2 as the asymptomatic patients, the mild symptomatic, acute symptomatic, and also super-spreaders, in terms of innate immune response, the initial virus load, the virus burden with shedding events, and the cytokine levels.
Assessment of the appraisal of records: Case of the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Venda
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the appraisal of records at the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Venda. Furthermore, the study intends to recommend appraisal of records to recognize African culture, reviewing records management policy to include an element on the appraisal of records, raise awareness on the appraisal of records, capacity building and develop electronic records management strategy to appraise records.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the qualitative research technique. The research approach is a multiple case study comparing the previously advantaged and disadvantaged universities in South Africa.

Findings

The study found that archives and records management legislation, archives and records management policy, re-appraisal of records, capacity building are essential for the appraisal of university records. Lack of appropriate appraisal theory and strategy by the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Venda leads to a loss of institutional memory.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Venda. These two institutions are a sample of the state of archiving in South Africa.

Originality/value

There is very little, if any, research on the appraisal of South African universities' records. The outcome of this research will benefit universities that are seeking to develop and implement appraisal strategies.