bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological characterization of symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and positivity in subsequent RT-PCR tests in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Al-Rifai Rami H. , Acuna Juan , Al Hossany Farida Ismail , Aden Bashir , Al Memari Shamma Abdullah , Al Mazrouei Shereena Khamis , Ahmed Luai A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 RT-PCR confirmed cases could be symptomatic or asymptomatic. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the identified COVID-19 RT-PCR confirmed cases are yet to be characterized. In this study, wecharacterized the first cohort of COVID-19 RT-PCR confirmed cases reported in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE, according to symptomatic state, and identified factors associated with the symptomatic state. Also, the strength of association between the symptomatic state and testing positive in three subsequent RT-PCR testing rounds was examined and quantified.MethodWe analyzed data collected from the first cohort of the RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 cases reported to the health authorities in the Abu Dhabi Emirate – UAE between February 28 and April 08, 2020. Self-reported sociodemographic, working status, travel history, and chronic comorbidities of 1,249 COVID-19 cases were analyzed according to symptomatic state (symptomatic and asymptomatic). After the first RT-PCR confirmatory test, the results of three subsequent testing rounds were also analyzed.ResultsA total of 791 confirmed cases with a mean age of 35.6 years±12.7 (range: 1-81 years) and information on symptomatic state were analyzed. Nearly, 56.0% were asymptomatic cases. The most frequent two symptoms were fever (58.0%) and cough (41.0%). The mean age of symptomatic (36.3 year ±12.6SD) was significantly higher than that of asymptomatic cases (34.5 year ±12.7SD). Compared to non-working populations, working in public places (aOR, 1.76, 95% CI: 1.11–2.80), healthcare settings (aOR, 2.09, 95% CI: 1.01–4.31), or in aviation and tourism sector (aOR, 2.24, 95% CI: 1.14–4.40), were independently associated with symptomatic state. Reporting at least one chronic comorbidity was also associated with symptomatic cases (aOR, 1.76, 5% CI: 1.03-3.01). Compared to asymptomatic, symptomatic COVID-19 cases had consistent odds of two or more of testing positive to COVID-19 in three subsequent testing rounds.ConclusionsA substantial proportion of the diagnosed COVID-19 cases in the Abu Dhabi Emirate was asymptomatic. Quarantine of asymptomatic cases along with prevention measures and raising awareness of populations working in high-risk settings is warranted. Further follow up research is needed to understand viral clearance and clinical outcomes according to the symptomatic state of the COVID-19 cases.
Combinations of PCR and isothermal amplification techniques are suitable for fast and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA
Authors: Varlamov Dmitriy A. , Blagodatskikh Konstantin A. , Smirnova Evgenia V. , Kramarov Vladimir M. , Ignatov Konstantin B. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe newly identified coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has affected over 25 million people worldwide as of 31 August 2020. To aid in the development of diagnostic kits for rapid and sensitive detection of the virus, we evaluated a combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isothermal nucleic acid amplification techniques. Here, we compared conventional PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) methods with hybrid techniques such as polymerase chain displacement reaction (PCDR) and a newly developed PCR-LAMP method. We found that the hybrid methods demonstrated higher sensitivity and assay reaction rates than those of the classic LAMP and PCR techniques and can be used to for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The proposed methods based on the modern hybrid amplification techniques markedly improve virus detection and, therefore, can be extremely useful in the development of new diagnostic kits.
Body mass index and heart failure risk: a cohort study in 1.5 million individuals and Mendelian randomisation analysis
Authors: Lumbers R. Thomas , Katsoulis Michail , Henry Albert , Mordi Ify , Lang Chim , Hemingway Harry , Langenberg Claudia , Holmes Michael V. , Sattar Naveed 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTAimsElevated body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for heart failure (HF), however, the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of common HF risk factors as potential mediators.Methods and ResultsElectronic health record data from primary care, hospital admissions and death registrations in England were used to perform an observational analysis. Data for 1.5 million individuals aged 18 years or older, with BMI measurements and free from heart failure at baseline, were included between 1998 and 2016. Cox models were used to estimate the association between BMI and HF with and without adjustment for atrial fibrillation (AF), diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary heart disease (CHD), and hypertension (HTN). Univariable and multivariable two-sample Mendelian randomisation was performed to estimate causal effects.Among non-underweight individuals, BMI was positively associated with HF with a 1-SD (∼ 4.8kg/m2) higher BMI associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30, 1.32). Genetically predicted BMI yielded a causal odds ratio (OR) of 1.64 per 4.8 kg/m2BMI (95% CI 1.58, 1.70) which attenuated by 41% (to OR of 1.38 (95% CI 1.31 - 1.45), when simultaneously accounting for AF, DM, CHD and SBP.ConclusionAbout 40% of the excess risk of HF due to adiposity is driven by SBP, AF, DM and CHD. These findings highlight the importance of the prevention and treatment of excess adiposity and downstream HF risk factors to prevent HF, even in people in whom the above risk factors are well managed.One-sentence summaryThis study of the role of excess adiposity as a risk factor for HF, including an observational analysis of measured BMI 1.5 million individuals and multivariable MR analysis of genetically elevated BMI, provides evidence that adiposity is causally associated with HF, with approximately 40% of the effect being mediated by conventional risk pathways.Graphical abstract
Coarse Raman and optical diffraction tomographic imaging enable label-free phenotyping of isogenic breast cancer cells of varying metastatic potential
Authors: Paidi Santosh Kumar , Shah Vaani , Raj Piyush , Glunde Kristine , Pandey Rishikesh , Barman Ishan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIdentification of the metastatic potential represents one of the most important tasks for molecular imaging of cancer. While molecular imaging of metastases has witnessed substantial progress as an area of clinical inquiry, determining precisely what differentiates the metastatic phenotype has proven to be more elusive underscoring the need to marry emerging imaging techniques with tumor biology. In this study, we utilize both the morphological and molecular information provided by 3D optical diffraction tomography and Raman spectroscopy, respectively, to propose a label-free route for optical phenotyping of cancer cells at single-cell resolution. By using an isogenic panel of cell lines derived from MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells that vary in their metastatic potential, we show that 3D refractive index tomograms can capture subtle morphological differences among the parental, circulating tumor cells, and lung metastatic cells. By leveraging the molecular specificity of Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrate that coarse Raman microscopy is capable of rapidly mapping a sufficient number of cells for training a random forest classifier that can accurately predict the metastatic potential of cells at a single-cell level. We also leverage multivariate curve resolution – alternating least squares decomposition of the spectral dataset to demarcate spectra from cytoplasm and nucleus, and test the feasibility of identifying metastatic phenotypes using the spectra only from the cytoplasmic and nuclear regions. Overall, our study provides a rationale for employing coarse Raman mapping to substantially reduce measurement time thereby enabling the acquisition of reasonably large training datasets that hold the key for label-free single-cell analysis and, consequently, for differentiation of indolent from aggressive phenotypes.
Stretching of the retinal pigment epithelium contributes to zebrafish optic cup morphogenesis
Authors: Moreno-Mármol Tania , Ledesma-Terrón Mario , Tabanera Noemí , Martin-Bermejo María Jesús , Cardozo Marcos J , Cavodeassi Florencia , Bovolenta Paola 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe vertebrate eye primordium consists of a pseudostratified neuroepithelium, the optic vesicle (OV), in which cells acquire neural retina or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) fates. As these fates arise, the OV assumes a cup-shape, influenced by mechanical forces generated within the neural retina. Whether the RPE passively adapts to retinal changes or actively contributes to OV morphogenesis remains unexplored. Here, we generated a zebrafish Tg(E1-bhlhe40:GFP) line to track RPE morphogenesis and interrogate its participation in OV folding. We show that, in virtual absence of proliferation, RPE cells stretch into a squamous configuration, thereby matching the curvature of the underlying retina. Forced proliferation and localized interference with the RPE cytoskeleton disrupt its stretching and OV folding. Thus, extreme RPE flattening and accelerated differentiation are efficient solutions adopted by fast-developing species to enable timely optic cup formation. This mechanism differs in amniotes, in which proliferation largely drives RPE expansion with a much-reduced need of cell flattening.
Effects of a 50-Hz electric field on sleep quality and life span mediated by ultraviolet (UV)-A/blue light photoreceptor CRYPTOCHROME inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Kawasaki Haruhisa , Okano Hideyuki , Nedachi Takaki , Nakagawa-Yagi Yuzo , Hara Akikuni , Ishida Norio 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAlthough electric fields (EF) exert beneficial effects on animal wound healing and differentiation, the molecular mechanisms of these effects have remained unclear for years. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects inDrosophila melanogasteras a genetic animal model. The sleep quality of wild-type (WT) flies was improved by exposure to a 50-Hz (35 kv/m) constant electric field during the daytime, but not during the night. This effect was undetectable inCryptochromemutant (Cryb) flies. Exposure to a 50-Hz electric field under low nutrient conditions elongated the lifespan of male and female WT flies by ~18%, but not of three diferrentCrymutants andCryRNAi strains. Metabolome analysis indicated that the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was 5-fold higher in intact WT thanCrygene mutant strains exposed to an electric field.A putative magnetoreceptor protein and UV-A/blue light photoreceptor, CRYPTOCHROME (CRY) is involved in electric field receptors in animals. The present findings constitute hitherto unknown genetic evidence of a CRY-based system that is electric-field sensitive in animals.
NANOS2 suppresses the cell cycle by repressing mTORC1 activators in embryonic male germ cells
Authors: Shimada Ryuki , Koike Hiroko , Hirano Takamasa , Saga Yumiko 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDuring murine germ cell development, male germ cells enter the mitotically arrested G0 stage, which is an initial step of sexually dimorphic differentiation. The male specific RNA-binding protein NANOS2 has a key role in suppressing the cell cycle in germ cells. However, the detailed mechanism of how NANOS2 regulates the cell cycle remains unclear. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we extracted the cell cycle state of each germ cell in wild-type andNanos2-KO testes, and revealed thatNanos2expression starts in mitotic cells and induces mitotic arrest. We also found that NANOS2 and p38 MAPK work in parallel to regulate the cell cycle, suggesting that several different cascades are involved in the induction of cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, we identifiedRheb, a regulator of mTORC1, andPtmaas possible targets of NANOS2. We propose that the repression of the cell cycle is a primary function of NANOS2 and that it is mediated via the suppression of mTORC1 activity by repressingRhebin a post-transcriptional manner.
ATPIF1 inactivation promotes antitumor immunity through metabolic reprogramming of CD8+T cells
Authors: Zhong Genshen , Wang Ying , Zhang Jiaojiao , Wang Yichun , Li Yuan , Guan Yaya , Shen Shuang , Zhang Xiaoying , Cao Xinyu , Wu Minna , Zhang Zhongxin , Shi Ming , Lou Yunwei , Liang Yinming , Wang Hui , Ye Jianping 
Published: September 2020

AbstractInduction of CD8+T cell activity is a promising strategy in the cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we identified ATP synthase inhibitory factor 1 (ATPIF1) as a potential target in the induction of CD8+T cell immunity against tumor. Inactivation of ATPIF1 gene in mice promoted the antitumor activity of CD8+T cells leading to suppression of tumor growth of B16 melanoma and Lewis lung cancer. The phenotype was abolished by deletion of CD8+T cells in the ATPIF1-KO mice. The tumor infiltrating CD8+T cells exhibited strong activities in the proliferation, effector and memory as revealed by the single cell RNA sequencing results of CD45+tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) isolated from the tumors. The CD8+T cells expressed more antitumor makers in the tumor microenvironment and in coculture with the tumor cells. The cells had a higher level of glycolysis after the T cell receptor-mediated activation as revealed by the targeted metabolomics assay. The cells exhibited an extra activity of oxidative phosphorylation before the activation as indicated by the oxygen consumption rate. The cells gained capacities in the proliferation, apoptosis resistance and mitophagy in the glucose-limiting environment. These data suggest that inhibition of ATPIF1 activity by gene inactivation rewired the energy metabolism of CD8+T cells to enhance their immune activities to the tumors. ATPIF1 is a potential molecular target in the induction of antitumor immunity through metabolic reprogramming of CD8+T cells for the cancer immunotherapy.
Persistence of the T12 Vibrio cholerae O1 lineage in West Africa: Insights from a Regional Sequencing Workshop
Authors: Ekeng Eme , Tchatchouang Serges , Akenji Blaise , Issaka Bassira Boubacar , Akintayo Ifeoluwa , Chukwu Christopher , Dan Dano Ibrahim , Melingui Sylvie , Sani Ousmane , Popoola Michael Oladotun , Nzouankeu Ariane , Boum Yap , Luquero Francisco J , Ahumibe Anthony , Naidoo Dhamari , Azman Andrew S , Lessler Justin , Wohl Shirlee 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe sequenced 46 Vibrio cholerae isolates from Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria, 37 of which were from 2018–2019. These sequences belong to the T12 lineage observed in the region since 2009, suggesting continuous transmission. Data were generated during a workshop in Nigeria, providing a model for future regionally coordinated surveillance efforts.
On the Analysis of Mortality Risk Factors for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: a Data-driven Study Using the Major Brazilian Database
Authors: de Souza Fernanda Sumika Hojo , Hojo-Souza Natália Satchiko , de Oliveira Batista Ben Dêivide , da Silva Cristiano Maciel , Guidoni Daniel Ludovico 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundBrazil became the epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic in a brief period of a few months after the first officially registered case. The knowledge of the epidemiological/clinical profile and the risk factors of Brazilian COVID-19 patients can assist in the decision making of physicians in the implementation of early and most appropriate measures for poor prognosis patients. However, these reports are missing. Here we present a comprehensive study that addresses this demand.MethodsThis data-driven study was based on the Brazilian Ministry of Health Database (SIVEP-Gripe, 2020) regarding notified cases of hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the period from February 26 to August 10, 2020. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, comorbidities and other additional information of patients were analyzed.ResultsThe hospitalization rate was higher for male gender (56.56%) and for older age patients of both sexes. Overall, the mortality rate was quite high (41.28%) among hospitalized patients, especially those over 60 years of age. Most prevalent symptoms were cough, dyspnoea, fever, low oxygen saturation and respiratory distress. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, neurological disease, and pneumopathy were the most prevalent comorbidities. A high prevalence of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with heart disease (65.7%) and diabetes (53.55%) and with a high mortality rate of around 50% was observed. The ICU admission rate was 39.37% and of these 62.4% died. 24.4% of patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), with high mortality among them (82.98%). The main mortality risk predictors were older age and IMV requirement. In addition, socioeconomic conditions have been shown to significantly influence the disease outcome, regardless of age and comorbidities.ConclusionOur study provides a comprehensive overview of the hospitalized Brazilian COVID-19 patients profile and the mortality risk factors. The analysis also evidenced that the disease outcome is influenced by multiple factors, as unequally affects different segments of population.
What have we learned about positive changes experienced during COVID-19 lockdown? Evidence of the social patterning of change
Authors: Williams Lynn , Rollins Lesley , Young David , Fleming Leanne , Grealy Madeleine , Janssen Xanne , Kirk Alison , MacDonald Bradley , Flowers Paul 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundMultiple studies have highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19 and its particular effects on vulnerable sub-populations. Complementing this work, here, we report on the social patterning of self-reported positive changes experienced during COVID-19 national lockdown in Scotland.MethodsThe CATALYST study collected data from 3342 adults in Scotland during weeks 9-12 of a national lockdown. Participants completed an online questionnaire providing data on key sociodemographic and health variables, and completed a measure of positive change. The positive change measure spanned diverse domains (e.g., more quality time with family, developing new hobbies, more physical activity, and better quality of sleep). We used univariate analysis and stepwise regression to examine the contribution of a range of sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, educational attainment, and employment status) in explaining positive change.ResultsThere were clear sociodemographic differences across positive change scores. Those reporting higher levels of positive change were female, from younger age groups, married or living with their partner, employed, and in better health.ConclusionOverall our results highlight the social patterning of positive changes during lockdown in Scotland. These findings begin to illuminate the complexity of the unanticipated effects of national lockdown and will be used to support future intervention development work sharing lessons learned from lockdown to increase positive health change amongst those who may benefit.
Cognitive impairment is differentially associated with depression and anxiety at six-months post-stroke
Authors: Williams Owen A , Demeyere Nele 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigated the associations between general cognitive impairment and domain specific cognitive impairment with post-stroke depression and anxiety at six-months post-stroke.MethodsParticipants were a subset of 437 stroke patients from the OCS-CARE study who were followed up at a 6 months post-stroke assessment. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale sub-scales. General cognitive impairment was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and stroke-specific cognitive domain impairments was assessed using the Oxford Cognitive Screen. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the associations between cognition and depression/anxiety symptoms, controlling for acute stroke severity and ADL impairment, age, sex, education, and co-occurring post-stroke depression/anxiety.ResultsSix-month post-stroke depression was associated with six-month impairment on the MoCA (beta [b] =0.96, standard error [SE] =0.31, p=0.006), and all individual domains assessed by the OCS including spatial attention (b=0.67, SE=0.33, p =0.041), executive function (b=1.37, SE=0.47, p=0.004), language processing (b=0.87, SE=0.38, p=0.028), memory (b=0.76, SE=0.37, p=0.040), number processing (b=1.13, SE=0.40, p=0.005), and praxis (b=1.16, SE =0.49, p=0.028). Post-stroke anxiety was associated with impairment on the MoCA (b=1.47, SE=0.42, p=0.001), and spatial attention (b=1.25, SE=0.45, p=0.006), but these associations did not remain significant after controlling for co-occurring post-stroke depression.ConclusionThe different profiles of associations between cognitive impairment and post-stroke depression and anxiety suggest that cognitive impairment is highly related to depressive symptomatology, but associations observed between cognitive impairment and anxiety may actually be the result of co-morbid post stroke depression.
Psychopathology in mothers of children with pathogenic Copy Number Variants
Authors: Niarchou Maria , Cunningham Adam C. , Chawner Samuel J.R.A. , Moulding Hayley , Sopp Matthew ,   IMAGINE-ID, Hall Jeremy , Owen Michael J. , van den Bree Marianne 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCaring for children with pathogenic neurodevelopmental Copy Number Variants (CNVs) (i.e., deletions and duplications of genetic material) can place a considerable burden on parents, and their quality of life. Our study is the first to examine the frequency of psychiatric diagnoses in mothers of children with CNVs compared to the frequency of psychiatric problems in age-matched mothers from a large community study. 268 mothers of children with CNVs had higher frequency of depression compared to the 2,680 age-matched mothers (p<0.001). Mothers of children with CNVs reported higher frequency of anorexia, bulimia, alcohol abuse and drug addiction compared to the age-matched mothers from the community sample. The frequency of depression arising after the birth of the index child was similar between the two groups (48% in mothers of children with CNVs vs. 44% in mothers of the community sample, p=0.43), but mothers of children with CNVs had higher frequency of anxiety (55%) compared to mothers from the community sample (30%, p=0.03). Our study highlights the need for health-care providers to devise treatment plans that not only focus on meeting the child’s needs, but also assessing and if needed, addressing the mental health needs of the parent.