bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Liver Fat Associates with Higher Risk of Developing Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection - Initial UK Biobank Observations
Authors: Roca-Fernández A , Dennis A , Nicolls R , McGonigle J , Kelly M , Banerjee R 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundA high proportion of COVID-19 patients develop acute liver dysfunction. Early research has suggested that pre-existing fatty liver disease may be a significant risk factor for hospitalisation. Liver fat, in particular, is a modifiable parameter and can be a target for public health policy and individual patient plans. In this study we aimed to assess pre-existing liver disease as a risk factor for developing symptomatic COVID-19.MethodsFrom 502,506 participants from the UK Biobank, 42,146 underwent MRI (aged 45–82), and had measures of liver fat, liver fibroinflammatory disease and liver iron. Patients were censored on May 28th to determine how many had tested for COVID-19 with symptomatic disease. UK testing was restricted to those with symptoms in hospital. COVID-19 symptoms included fever, dry cough, sore throat, diarrhoea and fatigue. Univariate analysis was performed on liver phenotypic biomarkers to determine if these variables increased risk of symptomatic COVID-19, and compared to previously described risk factors associated with severe COVID-19, including to age, ethnicity, gender and obesity,FindingsIncreased liver fat was associated with a higher risk for symptomatic confirmed COVID-19 in this population in univariate analysis(OR:1.85, p = 0.03). In obese participants, only those with concomitant fatty liver(≥10%) were at increased risk(OR:2.96, p = 0.02), with those having normal liver fat (< 5%) showing no increased risk(OR:0.36, p = 0.09).ConclusionsUK Biobank data demonstrated an association between pre-existing liver disease and obesity with severe COVID-19, with higher proportions of liver fat in obese individuals a likely risk factor for symptomatic disease and severity.Public policy measures to protect patients with liver disease who may have almost double the risk of the general population should be considered, especially as dietary and pharmacological strategies to reduce body weight and liver fat already exist.FundingUniversity of Oxford, Innovate UK, UK Biobank. Authors are employees of Perspectum Ltd.
Adverse effects of COVID-19 related lockdown on pain, physical activity and psychological wellbeing in people with chronic pain
Authors: Fallon Nicholas , Brown Christopher , Twiddy Hannah , Brian Eleanor , Frank Bernhard , Nurmikko Turo , Stancak Andrej 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCountries across the world imposed lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been proposed that lockdown conditions disproportionately impact those living with chronic pain, requiring adaptation to treatment and care strategies. We investigated how lockdown restrictions in the United Kingdom impacted individuals with chronic pain (N = 431) relative to a healthy control group (N = 88) using an online survey. In accordance with the fear-avoidance model, we hypothesised increases in perceived pain and psychological distress that would be mediated by pain catastrophizing. Survey questions answered during the lockdown period, probing patients’ self-perceived changes retrospectively, revealed that people with chronic pain perceived increases in their pain severity compared to before lockdown. They were also more adversely affected by lockdown compared to pain-free individuals, demonstrating greater increases in anxiety and depressed mood, increased loneliness and reduced levels of physical exercise. Pain catastrophizing was found to be an important factor in predicting the extent of self-perceived increases in pain, and accounted for the relationship between decreased mood and pain. Perceived decreases in levels of physical exercise also independently predicted perceptions of increased pain. Interestingly, actual changes in pain symptoms (measured at two time points at pre- and post-lockdown in a subgroup, N = 85) did not change significantly on average, but those reporting increases also demonstrated greater baseline levels of pain catastrophizing. Overall, the findings suggest that remote pain management provision to target reduction of catastrophizing and increases to physical activity could be beneficial for chronic pain patients in overcoming the adverse effects of lockdown.
Characterization of mitochondrial health from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to cerebral organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Duong Angela , Evstratova Alesya , Sivitilli Adam , Hernandez J. Javier , Gosio Jessica , Wahedi Azizia , Sondheimer Neal , Wrana Jeff L. , Beaulieu Jean-Martin , Attisano Liliana , Andreazza Ana C. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTMitochondrial health plays a crucial role in human brain development and diseases. However, the evaluation of mitochondrial health in the brain is not incorporated into clinical practice due to ethical and logistical concerns. As a result, the development of targeted mitochondrial therapeutics remains a significant challenge due to the lack of appropriate patient-derived brain tissues. To address these unmet needs, we developed cerebral organoids (COs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and monitored mitochondrial health from the primary, reprogrammed and differentiated stages. Our results show preserved mitochondrial genetics, function and treatment responses across PBMCs to iPSCs to COs, and measurable neuronal activity in the COs. We expect our approach will serve as a model for more widespread evaluation of mitochondrial health relevant to a wide range of human diseases using readily accessible patient peripheral (PBMCs) and stem-cell derived brain tissue samples.
A mesocosm experiment in ecological physiology: adaptive modulation of energy budget in a hibernating marsupial under chronic caloric restriction
Authors: Nespolo Roberto F. , Fontúrbel Francisco E. , Mejias Carlos , Contreras Rodrigo , Gutierrez Paulina , Ruiz José , Oda Esteban , Sabat Pablo , Hambly Catherine , Speakman John R. , Bozinovic Francisco 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDuring the last sixty years, mammalian hibernation (i.e., seasonal torpor) has been interpreted as a physiological adaptation for energy economy. However -and crucially for validating this idea – direct field comparisons of energy expenditure in hibernating and active free-ranging animals are scarce. Using replicated mesocosms and a combination of energy budgeting approaches (i.e., doubly labelled water, rates of CO2production and food intake), we experimentally manipulated energy availability and quantified net energy costs of hibernation in a marsupial. We hypothesized that, when facing chronic caloric restriction (CCR), a hibernator should maximize torpor use for compensating the energetic deficit, compared toad libitumfed individuals (=controls). However, intensifying torpor duration at low temperatures could increase other burdens (e.g., cost of rewarming, freezing risk). In order to explore this trade-off, we followed the complete hibernation cycle of the relict marsupialDromiciops gliroides, and estimated its total energy requirements, and compared this with a control condition. Our results revealed: (1) that energy restricted animals, instead of promoting heat conservation strategies during hibernation (e.g., social clustering and thermoregulation), maximized torpor use and saved just enough energy to cover the deficit, and (2) that hibernation represents a net energy saving of 51% compared with animals that remained active. This work provides compelling evidence of a fine-tuning use of hibernation in response to food availability and presents the first direct estimation of energy savings by hibernation encompassing the total hibernation cycle.
18F-FDG-PET Hyperactivity in Alzheimer’s Disease Cerebellum and Primary Olfactory Cortex
Authors: Meadowcroft Mark D. , Purnell Carson J. , Wang Jian-Li , Karunanayaka Prasanna , Yang Qing X. ,   The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: June 2020

AbstractCerebellar involvement in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has not been studied to the extent that cortical neuropathological changes have. Historical and recent histopathological literature demonstrate cerebellar AD pathology while functional investigation has demonstrated disrupted intrinsic cortical – cerebellar connectivity in AD. Additionally, olfactory deficits occur early in AD, prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. The neurological basis for the involvement of the cerebellum and olfactory system in the disease course remain unclear.18F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) were analyzed to characterize metabolism in the cerebellum and olfactory region of AD, mild-cognitive impaired (MCI), and age-matched cognitively normal (CN) controls. In contrast to known parietal and temporal lobe FDGhypo-metabolismwithin the default mode network in AD, a significant FDGhyper-metabolismwas found in the cerebellum and olfactory cortical regions (including the piriform cortex, olfactory tubercle, anterior olfactory nucleus, and nucleus accumbens shell). The increase in cerebellum glucose utilization was shown also in late- verses early-MCI patients. The cerebellar and olfactory regions both contain inhibitory distal and inter-neuronal connections that are vulnerable to disruption in AD. The hyper-metabolism in the cerebellum and olfactory structures may reflect disruption of local and system-wide inhibitory networks due to AD neurodegeneration, suggesting a hypothetical mechanism for susceptibility of the olfactory system to early AD pathology.
A scaling approach to estimate the COVID-19 infection fatality ratio from incomplete data
Authors: Seoane Beatriz 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 has disrupted the life of billions of people around the world since the first outbreak was officially declared in China at the beginning of 2020. Yet, important questions such as how deadly it is or its degree of spread within different countries remain unanswered. In this work, we exploit the ‘universal’ growth of the mortality rate with age observed in different countries since the beginning of their respective outbreaks, combined with the results of the antibody prevalence tests in the population of Spain, to unveil both unknowns. We validate these results with an analogous antibody rate survey in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. We also argue that the official number of deaths over 70 years old is importantly underestimated in most of the countries, and we use the comparison between the official records with the number of deaths mentioning COVID-19 in the death certificates to quantify by how much. Using this information, we estimate the fatality infection ratio (IFR) for the different age segments and the fraction of the population infected in different countries assuming a uniform exposure to the virus in all age segments. We also give estimations for the non-uniform IFR using the sero-epidemiological results of Spain, showing a very similar growth of the fatality ratio with age. Only for Spain, we estimate the probability (if infected) of being identified as a case, being hospitalized or admitted in the intensive care units as function of age. In general, we observe a nearly exponential growth of the fatality ratio with age, which anticipates large differences in total IFR in countries with different demographic distributions, with numbers that range from 1.82% in Italy, to 0.62% in China or even 0.14% in middle Africa.
Effect of temperature on life-history traits and mating calls of a field cricket,Acanthogryllus asiaticus
Authors: Singh Richa , Prathibha P , Jain Manjari 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEctotherms are sensitive to the changes in ambient temperature with respect to their physiology and development. To compensate for the effects of variation in temperature, ectotherms exhibit physiological plasticity which can be for short or long term. An extensive body of literature exists towards understanding these effects and the solutions ectotherms have evolved. However, to what extent rearing temperature during early life stages impacts the behaviour expressed in adulthood is less clearly understood. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effect of developmental temperature on life-history traits and mating call features in a tropical field cricket,Acanthogryllus asiaticus. We raisedA. asiaticusat two different developmental conditions: 25°C and 30°C. We found developmental time and adult lifespan of individuals reared at 30°C to be shorter than those at 25°C. Increased developmental temperature influenced various body size parameters differentially. Males raised at 30°C were found to be larger and heavier than those raised at 25°C, makingA. asiaticusan exception to the temperature-size rule. We found a significant effect of the change in immediate ambient temperature on different call features of both field-caught and lab-bred individuals. In addition, developmental temperature also affected mating call features as individuals raised at higher temperature produced faster calls with a higher peak frequency compared to those raised at lower temperature. However, the interaction of both developmental and immediate temperature on mating calls showed differential effects. Our study highlights the importance of understanding how environmental temperature shapes life-history and sexual communication in crickets.
A sensory cell diversifies its output by varying Ca2+influx-release coupling among presynaptic active zones for wide range intensity coding
Authors: Özçete Özge Demet , Moser Tobias 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe cochlea encodes sound intensities ranging over six orders of magnitude which is collectively achieved by functionally diverse spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). However, the mechanisms enabling the SGNs to cover specific fractions of the audible intensity range remain elusive. Here we tested the hypothesis that intensity information, fully contained in the receptor potential of the presynaptic inner hair cell (IHC), is fractionated via heterogeneous synapses. We studied the transfer function of individual active zones (AZs) using dual-color Rhod-FF and iGluSnFR imaging of Ca2+and glutamate release. AZs differed in the voltage dependence of release: AZs residing at the IHCs’ pillar (abneural) side activate at more hyperpolarized potentials and typically showed tight control of release by few Ca2+-channels. We conclude that heterogeneity of voltage dependence and release-site coupling of Ca2+-channels among the AZs varies synaptic transfer within individual IHCs and, thereby, likely contributes to the functional diversity of SGNs.
A Flexible Statistical Framework for Estimating Excess Mortality
Authors: Acosta Rolando J. , Irizarry Rafael A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractQuantifying the impact of natural disasters or epidemics is critical for guiding policy decisions and interventions. When the effects of an event are long-lasting and difficult to detect in the short term, the accumulated effects can be devastating. Mortality is one of the most reliably measured health outcomes, partly due to its unambiguous definition. As a result, excess mortality estimates are an increasingly effective approach for quantifying the effect of an event. However, the fact that indirect effects are often characterized by small, but enduring, increases in mortality rates present a statistical challenge. This is compounded by sources of variability introduced by demographic changes, secular trends, seasonal and day of the week effects, and natural variation. Here we present a model that accounts for these sources of variability and characterizes concerning increases in mortality rates with smooth functions of time that provide statistical power. The model permits discontinuities in the smooth functions to model sudden increases due to direct effects. We implement a flexible estimation approach that permits both surveillance of concerning increases in mortality rates and careful characterization of the effect of a past event. We demonstrate our tools’ utility by estimating excess mortality after hurricanes in the United States and Puerto Rico. We use Hurricane Maria as a case study to show appealing properties that are unique to our method compared to current approaches. Finally, we show the flexibility of our approach by detecting and quantifying the 2014 Chikungunya outbreak in Puerto Rico and the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. We make our tools available through the excessmort R package available from https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/excessmort/.
Knowledge and Awareness-based Survey of COVID-19 within the Eye Care Profession in Nepal: Misinformation is Hiding the Truth
Authors: Das Sandip Sanyam , Kumar Sanjay Sah , Chaudhary Pankaj , Hoffman Jeremy J 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundNepal is currently under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic with misinformation circulating on social media. This study aimed to analyse the knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 amongst eye care professionals in Nepal.MethodologyWe invited 600 participants from 12 ophthalmic centres across Nepal to complete a qualitative, anonymous online survey.ResultsOf the 600 eye care professionals invited, 310 (51%) participated in the survey. The symptoms of COVID-19 were known to 94%, whilst only 49% were aware of disease transmission. 98% of participants recognised the World Health Organization’s (WHO) awareness message, yet 41% of participants felt that consumption of hot drinks helps to destroy the virus. 41% disagreed that PPE should be mandatory for eye care practitioners.ConclusionThere is still considerable scope to improve the knowledge of COVID-19 amongst ophthalmic professionals in Nepal. Opinion is also split on measures to prevent transmission, with misinformation potentially fuelling confusion.
Dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in the earliest-affected areas in Italy: Mass screening for SARS-CoV-2 serological positivity (SARS-2-SCREEN)
Authors: Pagani Gabriele , Bernacchia Dario , Conti Federico , Giacomelli Andrea , Rondanin Rossana , Scolari Vittore , Boracchi Patrizia , Gandolfi Cecilia Eugenia , Castaldi Silvana , Biganzoli Elia , Galli Massimo 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundSeveral municipalities in the Lombardy Region have been affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection since the earliest stages of the epidemic. To date, 89442 confirmed cases have been diagnosed in Lombardy, and mortality in several municipalities has already surpassed that of the past decade. Currently, the true extent of the SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unknown as several affected subjects may have been asymptomatic or have presented mild disease, thus not resulting in the identified COVID-19 cases.MethodsThis cross-sectional study aims to define the spread of infection within the population by determining the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies directed against SARS-CoV-2 by rapid immunochromatographic testing and subsequent confirmation by serology on venous blood by liquid phase immunochemical testing, also allowing to compare the two methods. Testing will be performed on adults and minors residing, domiciled or working in several municipalities of the Lombardy Region, involved in the initial stages of the epidemic. The study will include rapid finger-prick testing and venous sampling for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and nasopharyngeal swabbing (NPS). Concurrent notification of test results will occur via the regional healthcare information system (SISS).DiscussionThis study was developed with the desire to understand the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the epidemiological transmission characteristics of this virus. Understanding the spread and severity of the disease could help in the implementation of effective infection surveillance containment and countermeasures facilitating the identification of cases that have been exposed to the virus and the traceability of contacts.This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Milan (35/2020).
Clinical evaluation of self-collected saliva by RT-qPCR, direct RT-qPCR, RT-LAMP, and a rapid antigen test to diagnose COVID-19
Authors: Ikeda Mayu , Imai Kazuo , Tabata Sakiko , Miyoshi Kazuyasu , Murahara Nami , Mizuno Tsukasa , Horiuchi Midori , Kato Kento , Imoto Yoshitaka , Iwata Maki , Mimura Satoshi , Ito Toshimitsu , Tamura Kaku , Kato Yasuyuki 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical performance of six molecular diagnostic tests and a rapid antigen test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were clinically evaluated for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in self-collected saliva.MethodsSaliva samples from 103 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 (15 asymptomatic and 88 symptomatic) were collected on the day of hospital admission. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva was detected using a quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) laboratory-developed tes (LDT), a cobas SARS-CoV-2 high-throughput system, three direct RT-qPCR kits, and reverse-transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). Viral antigen was detected by a rapid antigen immunochromatographic assay.ResultsOf the 103 samples, viral RNA was detected in 50.5–81.6% of the specimens by molecular diagnostic tests and an antigen was detected in 11.7% of the specimens by the rapid antigen test. Viral RNA was detected at a significantly higher percentage (65.6–93.4%) in specimens collected within 9 d of symptom onset compared to that of specimens collected after at least 10 d of symptom onset (22.2–66.7%) and that of asymptomatic patients (40.0–66.7%). Viral RNA was more frequently detected in saliva from males than females.ConclusionsSelf-collected saliva is an alternative specimen diagnosing COVID-19. LDT RT-qPCR, cobas SARS-CoV-2 high-throughput system, direct RT-qPCR except for one commercial kit, and RT-LAMP showed sufficient sensitivity in clinical use to be selectively used according to clinical settings and facilities. The rapid antigen test alone is not recommended for initial COVID-19 diagnosis because of its low sensitivity.Key pointsSix molecular diagnostic tests showed equivalent and sufficient sensitivity in clinical use in diagnosing COVID-19 in self-collected saliva samples. However, a rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test alone is not recommended for use without further study.
Bacteriological Quality of Beef and Hygiene Practices of Food Handlers in Butcheries in Kasama District, Zambia
Authors: Hanyinza Sara , Ndashe Kunda , Mfune Ruth , Chirwa Emmanuel , Mwanza Grace , Phiri Bruno , Mumba Bernadette , Mubanga Maron , Hang’ombe Bernard 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe most common health risk associated with consumption of beef is microbial contamination, therefore the study was aimed to assess the level of bacterial contamination of beef and evaluate the hygienic practices in butcheries in Kasama district. Beef samples were collected from participating butcheries and a structured questionnaire was also administered to the food handlers.Microbiological quality of the beef samples was determined by Aerobic Plate Count (APC), Faecal Coliform Count (FCC) and bacterial isolation such as Salmonella spp and Staphylococcus aureus. The APC results revealed 40.7% of the butcheries sold meat in good bacterial condition (<4 Log10 cfu/g) while 40.7% and 18.5% were critical (4-5 Log10 cfu/g) and non-acceptable conditions (>5 Log10 cfu/g), respectively. The FCC revealed that 74.1% of the butcheries sold meat in good bacterial conditions (<2 Log10 cfu/g), while 14.8% and 11.1% were critical (2-3 Log10 cfu/g) and non-acceptable conditions (>3 Log10 cfu/g), respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 37% of the butcheries, none of the outlets recorded Salmonella spp.Overall, the microbial quality of most (74.1%) of the market ready beef in Kasama district was acceptable for human consumption. Therefore, regular bacteriological monitoring and maintaining hygiene in the sales outlets and distribution chain is mandatory.