bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LOUPE: observing Earth from the Moon to prepare for detecting life on Earth-like exoplanets
Authors: Klindžić D. , Stam D. M. , Snik F. , Keller C. U. , Hoeijmakers H. J. , van Dam D. M. , Willebrands M. , Karalidi T. , Pallichadath V. , van Dijk C. N. , Esposito M. 
Published: November 2020

LOUPE, the Lunar Observatory for Unresolved Polarimetry of the Earth, is a small, robust spectro-polarimeter for observing the Earth as an exoplanet. Detecting Earth-like planets in stellar habitable zones is one of the key challenges of modern exoplanetary science. Characterizing such planets and searching for traces of life requires the direct detection of their signals. LOUPE provides unique spectral flux and polarization data of sunlight reflected by Earth, the only planet known to harbour life. These data will be used to test numerical codes to predict signals of Earth-like exoplanets, to test algorithms that retrieve planet properties, and to fine-tune the design and observational strategies of future space observatories. From the Moon, LOUPE will continuously see the entire Earth, enabling it to monitor the signal changes due to the planet’s daily rotation, weather patterns and seasons, across all phase angles. Here, we present both the science case and the technology behind LOUPE’s instrumental and mission design.
This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Astronomy from the Moon: the next decades (part 1)’.
Poor in-utero growth, and reduced beta cell compensation and high fasting glucose from childhood, are harbingers of glucose intolerance in young Indians
Authors: Yajnik Chittaranjan S , Bandopadhyay Souvik , Bhalerao Aboli , Bhat Dattatray S , Phatak Sanat B , Wagh Rucha H , Yajnik Pallavi C , Pandit Anand , Bhave Sheila , Coyaji Kurus , Kumaran Kalyanaraman , Osmond Clive , Fall Caroline HD 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveIndia is a double world capital for early life undernutrition and type 2 diabetes. We aimed to characterise lifecourse growth and metabolic trajectories in those developing glucose intolerance as young adults, in the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study (PMNS).Research design and MethodsPMNS is a community-based intergenerational birth cohort established in 1993, with serial information on parents and children through pregnancy, childhood and adolescence. We compared normal glucose tolerant and glucose intolerant participants for serial growth, estimates of insulin sensitivity and secretion (HOMA and dynamic indices) and beta cell compensation accounting for prevailing insulin sensitivity (disposition index).ResultsAt 18 years (N=619) 37% men and 20% women were glucose intolerant (184 prediabetes, 1 diabetes) despite 48% being underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2). Glucose intolerant participants had higher fasting glucose from childhood. Mothers of glucose intolerant participants had higher glycemia in pregnancy. Glucose intolerant participants were shorter at birth. Insulin sensitivity decreased with age in all participants, and the glucose intolerant had consistently lower compensatory insulin secretion from childhood. Participants in the highest quintile of fasting glucose at 6 and 12 years had a 2.5- and 4.0-fold higher risk respectively of 18-year glucose intolerance; this finding was replicated in two other cohorts.ConclusionInadequate compensatory insulin secretory response to increasing insulin insensitivity from early life is the major pathophysiology underlying glucose intolerance in thin rural Indians. Smaller birth size, maternal pregnancy hyperglycemia, and higher glycemia in childhood herald future glucose intolerance, mandating a strategy for diabetes prevention from early life, preferably intergenerationally.
Outbreaks of publications about emerging infectious diseases: the case of SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus
Authors: Ipekci Aziz Mert , Buitrago-Garcia Diana , Meili Kaspar Walter , Krauer Fabienne , Prajapati Nirmala , Thapa Shabnam , Wildisen Lea , Chaveron Lucia Araujo , Baumann Lukas , Shah Sanam , Whiteley Tessa , Solís-García Gonzalo , Tsotra Foteini , Zhelyazkov Ivan , Imeri Hira , Low Nicola , Counotte Michel Jacques 
Published: November 2020

SummaryBackgroundOutbreaks of infectious diseases generate outbreaks of scientific evidence. In 2016 epidemics of Zika virus emerged, largely in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2020, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We compared patterns of scientific publications for the two infections over time.MethodsWe used living systematic review methods to search for and annotate publications according to study design. For Zika virus, a review team performed the tasks for publications in 2016. For SARS-CoV-2, a crowd of 25 volunteer scientists performed the tasks for publications up to May 24, 2020. We used descriptive statistics to categorise and compare study designs over time.FindingsWe found 2,286 publications about Zika virus in 2016 and 21,990 about SARS-CoV-2 up to 24 May 2020, of which we analysed a random sample of 5294. For both infections, there were more epidemiological than laboratory science studies. Amongst epidemiological studies for both infections, case reports, case series and cross-sectional studies emerged first, cohort and case-control studies were published later. Trials were the last to emerge. Mathematical modelling studies were more common in SARS-CoV-2 research. The number of preprints was much higher for SARS-CoV-2 than for Zika virus.InterpretationSimilarities in the overall pattern of publications might be generalizable, whereas differences are compatible with differences in the characteristics of a disease. Understanding how evidence accumulates during disease outbreaks helps us understand which types of public health questions we can answer and when.FundingMJC and HI are funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF grant number 176233). NL acknowledges funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme - project EpiPose (grant agreement number 101003688). DBG is funded by the Swiss government excellence scholarship (2019.0774) and the Swiss School of Public Health Global P3HS.
Coagulation factors and COVID-19 severity: Mendelian randomization analyses and supporting evidence
Authors: Zhou Yao , Liu Zipeng , Yang Hongxi , Wang Jianhua , Liu Tong , Chen Kexin , Wang Yaogang , Sham Pak Chung , Yu Ying , Li Mulin Jun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe evolving pandemic of COVID-19 is arousing alarm to public health. According to epidemiological and observational studies, coagulopathy was frequently seen in severe COVID-19 patients, yet the causality from specific coagulation factors to COVID-19 severity and the underlying mechanism remain elusive.MethodsFirst, we leveraged Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to assess causal relationship between 12 coagulation factors and severe COVID-19 illness based on two genome-wide association study (GWAS) results of COVID-19 severity. Second, we curated clinical evidence supporting causal associations between COVID-19 severity and particular coagulation factors which showed significant results in MR analyses. Third, we validated our results in an independent cohort from UK Biobank (UKBB) using polygenic risk score (PRS) analysis and logistic regression model. For all MR analyses, GWAS summary-level data were used to ascertain genetic effects on exposures against disease risk.ResultsWe revealed that genetic predisposition to the antigen levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and the activity levels of its cleaving protease ADAMTS13 were causally associated with COVID-19 severity, wherein elevated VWF antigen level (P = 0.005, odds ratio (OR) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-1.68 in the Severe COVID-19 GWAS Group cohort; P = 0.039, OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.46 in the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative cohort) and lowered ADAMTS13 activity (P = 0.025, OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50-0.96 in the Severe COVID-19 GWAS Group cohort) lead to increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness. No significant causal association of tPA, PAI-1, D-dimer, FVII, PT, FVIII, FXI, aPTT, FX or ETP with COVID-19 severity was observed. In addition, as an independent factor, VWF PRS explains a 31% higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness in the UKBB cohort (P = 0.047, OR per SD increase = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.00-1.71). In combination with age, sex, BMI and several pre-existing disease statues, our model can predict severity risks with an AUC of 0.70.ConclusionTogether with the supporting evidence of recent retrospective cohort studies and independent validation based on UKBB data, our results suggest that the associations between coagulation factors VWF/ADAMTS13 and COVID-19 severity are essentially causal, which illuminates one of possible mechanisms underlying COVID-19 severity. This study also highlights the importance of dynamically monitoring the plasma levels of VWF/ADAMTS13 after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and facilitates the development of treatment strategy for controlling COVID-19 severity and associated thrombotic complication.
Blood pressure variability and night-time dipping assessed by 24-hour ambulatory monitoring: cross-sectional association with cardiac structure in adolescents
Authors: Goudswaard Lucy , Harrison Sean , Van De Klee Daniel , Chaturvedi Nishi , Lawlor Debbie , Smith George Davey , Hughes Alun , Howe Laura D 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGreater blood pressure (BP) variability and reduced night-time BP dipping are associated with cardiovascular disease risk independently of mean BP in adults. This study examines whether these associations are apparent in a general population of adolescents. A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken in 587 UK adolescents (mean age 17.7 years; 43.1% male). BP was measured in a research clinic and using 24-hour ambulatory monitoring. We examined associations (for both systolic and diastolic BP) of: 1) clinic and 24-hour mean BP; 2) measures of 24-hour BP variability: standard deviation weighted for day/night (SDdn), variability independent of the mean (VIM) and average real variability (ARV); and 3) night-time dipping with cardiac structures. Cardiac structures were assessed by echocardiography: 1) left ventricular mass indexed to height2.7 (LVMi2.7); 2) relative wall thickness (RWT); 3) left atrial diameter indexed to height (LADi) and 4) left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDD). Higher systolic BP was associated with greater LVMi2.7. Systolic and diastolic BP were associated with greater RWT. Associations were inconsistent for LADi and LVIDD. There was evidence for associations between both greater SDdn and ARV and higher RWT (per 1 SD higher diastolic ARV, mean difference in RWT was 0.13 SDs, 95% CI 0.045 to 0.21); these associations with RWT remained after adjustment for mean BP. There was no consistent evidence of associations between night-time dipping and cardiac structure. In this general adolescent population study, associations between BP variability and cardiac structure were apparent. Measurement of BP variability might benefit cardiovascular risk assessment in adolescents.
ThinkCancer! The multi-method development of a complex behaviour change intervention to improve the early diagnosis of cancer in primary care
Authors: Surgey Alun , Disbeschl Stefanie , Lewis Ruth , Hiscock Julia , Nafees Sadia , Law Rebecca J , Roberts Jessica L , Hendry Annie , Hoare Zoe , Goulden Nia , Stanciu Marian A , Carson-Stevens Andrew , Smits Stephanie , Brain Kate , Edwards Rhiannon T , Williams Nefyn , Neal Richard D , Wilkinson Clare 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundRelatively poor UK cancer outcomes are blamed upon late diagnosis. Despite most cancer patients presenting to their GP with symptoms, diagnostic delay remains a common theme, with many clinical and non-clinical factors responsible. Early diagnosis is key to improving outcomes and survival. This paper reports the multi-method process to design a complex intervention to improve the timely diagnosis of symptomatic cancer.MethodsA review of reviews, survey, discrete choice experiment, qualitative interviews and focus groups, all informed a realist evidence synthesis. This in turn informed the design of a complex intervention, guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel framework using a multi-step process.ResultsKey themes from the realist evidence synthesis included effective safety netting at practitioner and practice system level, increased vigilance and lowering referral thresholds. Qualitative findings explored the tensions, barriers and facilitators affecting suspected cancer referral. The Think Cancer! intervention is an educational and quality improvement workshop directed at the whole primary care team. Bespoke cancer safety netting plans and appointment of cancer champions are key components.ConclusionsThink Cancer! is a novel primary care early cancer diagnosis intervention, requiring evaluation through a cluster randomised control trial.
The Impact of Late-Career Job Loss and Genotype on Body Mass Index
Authors: Schmitz Lauren L. , Goodwin Julia , Miao Jiacheng , Lu Qiongshi , Conley Dalton 
Published: November 2020

AbstractUnemployment shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic have reignited concerns over the long-term effects of job loss on population health. Past research has highlighted the corrosive effects of unemployment on health and health behaviors. This study examines whether the effects of job loss on changes in body mass index (BMI) are moderated by genetic predisposition using data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS). To improve detection of gene-by-environment (G x E) interplay, we interacted layoffs from business closures—a plausibly exogenous environmental exposure—with whole-genome polygenic scores (PGSs) that capture genetic contributions to both the population mean (mPGS) and variance (vPGS) of BMI. Results show evidence of genetic moderation using a vPGS (as opposed to an mPGS) and indicate genome-wide summary measures of phenotypic plasticity may further our understanding of how environmental stimuli modify the distribution of complex traits in a population.
Pay-as-you-go LPG supports sustainable clean cooking in Kenyan informal urban settlement, including during a period of COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Shupler Matthew , O’Keefe Mark , Puzzolo Elisa , Nix Emily , de Cuevas Rachel Anderson , Mwitari James , Gohole Arthur , Sang Edna , Čukić Iva , Menya Diana , Pope Daniel 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTApproximately 2.8 billion people rely on polluting cooking fuels (e.g. wood, kerosene), exposing them to health-damaging household air pollution. A key access barrier to clean cooking fuels (e.g. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)) is affordability. By enabling households to pay in small increments, pay-as-you-go (PAYG) LPG could help promote clean cooking, and support continued LPG use through periods of economic downturn. We investigate the ability of PAYG LPG to sustain access to clean cooking from January 2018-June 2020, including during COVID-19 lockdown (March-June 2020) in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. We utilize novel PAYG LPG smart meter data to document cooking/spending patterns from 426 PAYG LPG customers and semi-structured interviews among a subset of seven households. Objective cooking pattern comparisons are made to those cooking with full 6kg cylinder LPG and polluting fuel users from 23 households in peri-urban Eldoret in western Kenya, using stove monitoring data. Customers’ average PAYG LPG consumption was 0.97 kg/capita/month (11.6 kg/capita/year) prior to COVID-19 lockdown. Despite adverse economic impacts of the lockdown, 95% of households continued using PAYG LPG, and consumption increased to 1.22 kg/capita/month (March-June 2020). Daily cooking events using PAYG LPG increased by 60% (1.07 events/day (pre-lockdown) to 1.72 events/day (lockdown)). In contrast, among seven households purchasing full 6kg cylinder LPG in Eldoret, average days/month using LPG declined by 75% (17 to four days) during COVID-19 lockdown. Median PAYG LPG payment frequency doubled (from every 8 days to every 4 days) during lockdown, while average payment amount was nearly halved (336 Kenyan Shillings (KSh)/US$3.08 to 179 KSh/US$1.64).Interviewed customers reported numerous benefits of PAYG LPG beyond fuel affordability, including safety, time savings, cylinder delivery and user-friendliness. PAYG LPG helped sustain clean cooking during COVID-19 lockdown, possibly averting increases in polluting cooking fuel use and associated household air pollution exposures.Graphical AbstractHighlightsFirst study to report long-term cooking/spending patterns using PAYG LPG smart meter data95% of 301 active PAYG LPG customers in February 2020 continued to use the fuel during COVID-19 lockdownDaily cooking events using PAYG LPG increased by 60% during COVID-19 lockdownMedian payment frequency increased 50%, while single payment amount decreased 50% during lockdownThree-quarters of PAYG LPG households in this study were first time LPG users
Loss of consciousness reduces the stability of brain hubs and the heterogeneity of brain dynamics
Authors: López-González Ane , Panda Rajanikant , Ponce-Alvarez Adrián , Zamora-López Gorka , Escrichs Anira , Martial Charlotte , Thibaut Aurore , Gosseries Olivia , Kringelbach Morten L. , Annen Jitka , Laureys Steven , Deco Gustavo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLow-level states of consciousness are characterised by disruptions of brain dynamics that sustain arousal and awareness. Yet, how structural, dynamical, local and network brain properties interplay in the different levels of consciousness is unknown. Here, we studied the fMRI brain dynamics from patients that suffered brain injuries leading to a disorder of consciousness and from subjects undergoing propofol-induced anaesthesia. We showed that pathological and pharmacological low-level states of consciousness displayed less recurrent, less diverse, less connected, and more segregated synchronization patterns than conscious states. We interpreted these effects using whole-brain models built on healthy and injured connectomes. We showed that altered dynamics arise from a global reduction of network interactions, together with more homogeneous and more structurally constrained local dynamics. These effects were accentuated using injured connectomes. Notably, these changes lead the hub regions to lose their stability during low-level states of consciousness, thus attenuating the core-periphery structure of brain dynamics.
Inclusion of processed cell metadata improves single cell sequencing analysis reproducibility and accessibility
Authors: Puntambekar Sidhant , Hesselberth Jay R. , Riemondy Kent A. , Fu Rui 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSingle cell RNA sequencing provides an unprecedented view of cellular diversity of biological systems. Thousands of scRNA-seq datasets have been generated, providing a wealth of biological data on the diversity of cell types across different organisms, developmental stages, and disease states. But while a tremendous number of publications and datasets have been generated using this technology, we found that a minority (< 25%) of studies provide sufficient information to enable direct reuse of their data for further studies. This problem is common across journals, data repositories, and publication dates. The lack of appropriate information not only hinders exploration and knowledge transfer of reported data, but also makes reproducing the original study prohibitively difficult and/or time-consuming. Correcting this problem is not easy but we encourage investigators, reviewers, journals, and data repositories to take steps to improve their standards and ensure proper documentation of these valuable datasets.
ACTN3genotype influences skeletal muscle mass regulation and response to dexamethasone
Authors: Seto J.T. , Roeszler K.N. , Meehan L.R. , Wood H.D. , Tiong C. , Bek L. , Lee S.F. , Shah M. , Quinlan K.G.R. , Gregorevic P. , Houweling P.J. , North K.N. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHomozygosity for the commonACTN3null polymorphism (ACTN3577X) results in α-actinin-3 deficiency in ~20% of humans worldwide and is linked to reduced sprint and power performance in both elite athletes and the general population. α-Actinin-3 deficiency is also associated with reduced muscle mass and strength, increased risk of sarcopenia in the elderly, and altered response to muscle wasting induced by denervation and immobilisation.ACTN3genotype is also a disease modifier for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), with α-actinin-3 deficiency associated with slower disease progression. Here we show that α-actinin-3 plays a key role in the regulation of protein synthesis and breakdown signalling in skeletal muscle, and its influence on muscle mass begins during early postnatal muscle development.Actn3genotype also influences the skeletal muscle response to the glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Following acute dexamethasone exposure, transcriptomic analyses by RT-qPCR and RNA-sequencing show reduced atrophy signalling (Mstn, Tmem100, mRas, Fbxo32, Trim63) and anti-inflammatory response in α-actinin-3 deficient mice compared to wild-type. α-Actinin-3 deficiency also protects against muscle wasting following prolonged daily treatment with dexamethasone in female, but not male mice. In combination, these data suggest that ACTN3 R577X is a pharmacogenetic variant influencing the anti-inflammatory and muscle wasting response to glucocorticoid therapy.
Changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) and central macular thickness (CMT) following uncomplicated small-incision cataract surgery (SICS)
Authors: Parajuli Sanket , Shrestha Ruchi , chapagain Senny , Singh Prerana , Shrestha Ramesh 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectives1) To study the changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) which is an indirect indicator of corneal endothelial dysfunction after uncomplicated small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and 2) To study changes in macular thickness following uncomplicated SICS.MethodsThis was a prospective study conducted in Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga eye hospital, Banepa, Nepal. Those who fulfill inclusion criteria were included in the study. Small incision cataract surgery was performed on 68 eyes of 62 patients Change in central corneal thickness and central macular thickness from baseline was observed post-surgery on 1st day, 1 week and 6 weeks.Results33 females and 35 males were included in the study. Mean age was 58.26 years. This difference of visual acuity between pre and post-operative state was statistically significant. The 1st post-operative day (POD) and 1 week POD values when compared with preoperative CCT values were statistically significant. But the 6 weeks POD when compared to preoperative CCT values were not statistically significant. The 1st POD, 1 week POD and 6 weeks POD CMT values when compared with preoperative CMT values were statistically significant.ConclusionThis study revealed that there was a significant rise in CCT after SICS which gradually tended to normalize at 6 weeks. Similarly there was a gradual rise in CMT after SICS persisting even at 6 weeks. However these changes were subtle and there was a marked improvement of visual acuity after SICS.SynopsisThere was statistically significant increase in central corneal thickness and central macular thickness following uncomplicated small incision cataract surgery, the former of which tends to normalize at 6 weeks post-surgery.