bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nosocomial Severe Bacterial Infection After Cardiac Surgery for Complex Congenital Heart Disease in Heterotaxy Syndrome
Authors: Shao Pei-Lan , Chen Meng-Yu , Wu Mei-Hwan , Wang Jou-Kou , Huang Li-Min , Chiu Shuenn-Nan 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Patients with heterotaxy syndrome (HS), commonly associated with hyposplenism and complex congenital heart disease (CCHD), require multiple-stage single ventricle type operation for long-term survival. Although a higher risk of community-acquired sepsis and mortality rate was reported in CCHD with HS compared with those without HS, whether the risk of postoperative severe bacterial infection (SBI) is higher in patients with HS remains unknown.

Method:
All patients with CCHD (with and without HS) born between 2001 and 2013 who received cardiac surgery between 2001 and 2018 were enrolled. We analyzed the epidemiology and risk of postoperative SBI in this CCHD cohort.

Result:
In total, 101 patients of CCHD with HS and 164 patients without HS were enrolled. The mean postoperative nosocomial SBI rate was 0.73/100 patient-days in patients with HS and 0.56/100 patient-days in patients without HS (P = 0.13). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the most critical risk factor for postoperative SBI was postoperative intubation >14 days. Preoperative risk factors, including a nonstandard surgical procedure and multiple surgeries, but not HS, were associated with an increased risk of postoperative nosocomial SBI. The pathogens of infection were also similar between these 2 groups.

Conclusion:
Although commonly associated with hyposplenism, patients with HS have similar postoperative SBI risk and pathogens as those with CCHD alone.
HTCC as a highly effective polymeric inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV
Authors: Milewska Aleksandra , Chi Ying , Szczepanski Artur , Barreto-Duran Emilia , Liu Kevin , Liu Dan , Guo Xiling , Ge Yiyue , Li Jingxin , Cui Lunbiao , Ochman Marek , Urlik Maciej , Rodziewicz-Motowidlo Sylwia , Zhu Fengcai , Szczubialka Krzysztof , Nowakowska Maria , Pyrc Krzysztof 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe beginning of 2020 brought us information about the novel coronavirus emerging in China. Rapid research resulted in the characterization of the pathogen, which appeared to be a member of the SARS-like cluster, commonly seen in bats. Despite the global and local efforts, the virus escaped the healthcare measures and rapidly spread in China and later globally, officially causing a pandemic and global crisis in March 2020. At present, different scenarios are being written to contain the virus, but the development of novel anticoronavirals for all highly pathogenic coronaviruses remains the major challenge. Here, we describe the antiviral activity of previously developed by us HTCC compound (N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride), which may be used as potential inhibitor of currently circulating highly pathogenic coronaviruses – SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV.
Bioinformatics of Potential Biomarkers in Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure
Authors: Gao Mingxia , Kang Yue , Li Bin , Fan Shuang , Zhang Xuehong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study applied the public genetic databases high-throughput gene expression omnibus (GEO) database to compare the difference of gene screening between the repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients and women with normal endometrium. This study aims to provide additional information for the diagnosis and treatment in RIF patients through the gene set enrichment analysis and the construction of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) network.MethodThe human endometrial microarray data of RIF and normal control group were obtained from the GEO database provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The analysis and the review of differential gene screening, gene ontology (GO) pathway analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and PPIs network construction were carried out.Result273 genes with differential expression, 87 up-regulated and 186 down-regulated genes, were obtained through differential gene analysis. 50 genes with the most significant differential expression fold change were screened for subsequent analysis. KEGG results indicated that the top three related pathways were cancer pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and homologous recombination pathway when the relevant pathways were sequenced according to the correlation size. GO analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were involved in protein phosphorylation, complement activation, and other biological processes. PPIs analysis demonstrated that targeted genes show high correlation to the endometrial receptivity, including PAEP, CXCL14, HOXB3, CD55, and VEGFA, all were down-regulated in RIF endometrial tissues compared to the control group, and these genes also influenced and regulated each other.ConclusionThrough public databases and bioinformatics, several factors in endometrial receptivity that affect RIF directly and indirectly were found. In particular, the immune and angiogenesis factors stood out the most. The different genes which regulate the immune response and angiogenesis response may become new targeted treatment for RIF.
Potent neutralizing antibodies in the sera of convalescent COVID-19 patients are directed against conserved linear epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Authors: Poh Chek Meng , Carissimo Guillaume , Wang Bei , Amrun Siti Naqiah , Lee Cheryl Yi-Pin , Chee Rhonda Sin-Ling , Yeo Nicholas Kim-Wah , Lee Wen-Hsin , Leo Yee-Sin , Chen Mark I-Cheng , Tan Seow-Yen , Ann Chai Louis Yi , Kalimuddin Shirin , Thien Siew-Yee , Young Barnaby Edward , Lye David C. , Wang Cheng-I , Renia Laurent , Ng Lisa F.P. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic demands rapid identification of immunogenic targets for the design of efficient vaccines and serological detection tools. In this report, using pools of overlapping linear peptides and functional assays, we present two immunodominant regions on the spike glycoprotein that were highly recognized by neutralizing antibodies in the sera of COVID-19 convalescent patients. One is highly specific to SARS-CoV-2, and the other is a potential pan-coronavirus target.
Atlas of ACE2 gene expression in mammals reveals novel insights in transmisson of SARS-Cov-2
Authors: Sun Kun , Gu Liuqi , Ma Li , Duan Yunfeng 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundCOVID-19 has become a worldwide pandemic. It is caused by a novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 with elusive origin. SARS-CoV-2 infects mammalian cells by binding to ACE2, a transmembrane protein. Therefore, the conservation of ACE2 and its expression pattern across mammalian species, which are yet to be comprehensively investigated, may provide valuable insights into tracing potential hosts of SARS-CoV-2.MethodsWe analyzed gene conservation of ACE2 across mammals and collected more than 140 transcriptome datasets from human and common mammalian species, including presumed hosts of SARS-CoV-2 and other animals in close contact with humans. In order to enable comparisons across species and tissues, we used a unified pipeline to quantify and normalize ACE2 expression levels.ResultsWe first found high conservation of ACE2 genes among common mammals at both DNA and peptide levels, suggesting that a broad range of mammalian species can potentially be the hosts of SARS-CoV-2. Next, we showed that high level of ACE2 expression in certain human tissues is consistent with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, we observed that ACE2 expressed in a species-specific manner in the mammals examined. Notably, high expression in skin and eyes in cat and dog suggested that these animals may play roles in transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to humans.ConclusionsThrough building the first atlas of ACE2 expression in pets and livestock, we identified species and tissues susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, yielding novel insights into the viral transmission.
Increases in canopy mortality and their impact on the demographic structure of Europe’s forests
Authors: Senf Cornelius , Sebald Julius , Seidl Rupert 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPulses of tree mortality have been reported for many ecosystems across the globe recently. Yet, large-scale trends in tree mortality remain poorly quantified. Manually analyzing more than 680,000 satellite image chips at 19,896 plot locations, we here show that forest canopy mortality in Europe has continuously increased since 1985 (+1.5 ± 0.28 % yr-1), with the highest canopy mortality rate of the past 34 years observed in 2018 (1.14 ± 0.16 %). Using simulations, we demonstrate that a continued increase in canopy mortality will strongly alter forest demography, with the median forest age falling below 30 years in more than 50% of Europe’s countries by 2050. These demographic changes can have substantial cascading effects on forest regeneration, biodiversity, and carbon storage. The current trend of increasing canopy mortality is thus challenging the future of Europe’s forests, and should be a key priority of forest policy and management.
Different responses to cell crowding determine the clonal fitness of p53 and Notch inhibiting mutations in squamous epithelia
Authors: Kostiou Vasiliki , Hall Michael WJ , Jones Philip H , Hall Benjamin A 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe growth and competition of cells in epithelial tissues plays an important role in both tissue homeostasis and the robustness of normal tissues to pre-cancer mutation. Whilst wild-type cells compete neutrally for dominance in the un-mutated tissue, naturally occurring mutations in individual cells may lend them a fitness advantage that can allow tissue colonisation. In mouse oesophageal epithelia, the growth of p53 mutants and a dominant negative mutant of the Notch downstream target Maml1 (DN_Maml1) have been shown to have different colonisation properties despite strong quantitative similarities in the growth of individual clones. Here we show that in order to recapitulate these behaviours whilst maintaining tissue turnover models need to take account of the response of cells to increased areal density in the tissue colonised by mutant cells. We demonstrate that p53 mutant clone growth approximates a logistic curve, but that without including limitations on mutation induced expansion the overall proliferation rate of the tissue drops due to space restrictions. In contrast, the ability of DN_Maml1 mutations to displace the wild-type population reflects a feedback that effects both mutant and wild-type cells equally. We go on to show how these distinct feedbacks are consistent with the distribution of mutations observed in human datasets.
Plumage convergence resulting from social mimicry in birds? A tetrachromatic view
Authors: Meneses-Giorgi María Alejandra , Cadena Carlos Daniel 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTSocial mimicry may lead to convergent evolution when interactions with conspecific and heterospecific individuals drive evolution towards similar phenotypes in different species. Several hypotheses accounting for convergence in communication signals based on mechanisms of social mimicry exist, but evaluations of how similar species are given the visual system of receptors of such signals have been ostensibly missing from tests of such hypotheses. We used plumage reflectance measurements and models of avian color discrimination to evaluate the efficacy of visual deception and therefore the plausibility of mimicry hypotheses accounting for plumage convergence among six species of passerine birds in the flycatcher family (Tyrannidae) with strikingly similar plumage. We rejected interspecific social mimicry hypotheses as an explanation for the similarity between one putative model species and putative mimics because deception seems unlikely given the visual system of passerines. However, plumage similarity was consistent with a role for selective pressures exerted by predators because dorsal coloration of putative model and mimic species was indistinguishable by visually oriented raptors. Experiments and behavioral observations are necessary to better characterize social interactions and to test predictions of alternative mimicry hypotheses proposed to account for convergence.
Learning excitatory-inhibitory neuronal assemblies in recurrent networks
Authors: Mackwood Owen , Naumann Laura B. , Sprekeler Henning 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn sensory circuits with poor feature topography, stimulus-specific feedback inhibition necessitates carefully tuned synaptic circuitry. Recent experimental data from mouse primary visual cortex (V1) show that synapses between pyramidal neurons and parvalbumin-expressing (PV) inhibitory interneurons tend to be stronger for neurons that respond to similar stimulus features. The mechanism that underlies the formation of such excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) assemblies is unresolved. Here, we show that activity-dependent synaptic plasticity on input and output synapses of PV interneurons generates a circuit structure that is consistent with mouse V1. Using a computational model, we show that both forms of plasticity must act synergistically to form the observed E/I assemblies. Once established, these assemblies produce a stimulus-specific competition between pyramidal neurons. Our model suggests that activity-dependent plasticity can enable inhibitory circuits to actively shape cortical computations.
Sex-segregated range use by black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar
Authors: Baden Andrea L. , Gerber Brian D. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTRanging behavior is one important strategy by which nonhuman primates obtain access to resources critical to their biological maintenance and reproductive success. As most primates live in permanent social groups, their members must balance the benefits of group living with the costs of intragroup competition for resources. However, some taxa live in more spatiotemporally flexible social groups, whose members modify patterns of association and range use as a method to mitigate these costs. Here, we describe the range use of black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) at Mangevo, an undisturbed primary rainforest site in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar and characterize sex-differences in annual home range area, overlap, and daily distances traveled. Moreover, we characterized seasonal variability in range use and ask whether ranging behaviors can be explained by either climatic or reproductive seasonality. We found that females used significantly larger home ranges than males, though sexes shared equal and moderate levels of home range overlap. Overall, range use did not vary across seasons; though within sexes, male range use varied significantly with climatic variation. Moreover, daily path length was best predicted by day length, female reproductive state, and sex. While the patterns of range use and spatial association presented here share some similarities with ‘bisexually bonded’ community models described for chimpanzees, we argue that ruffed lemurs represent yet another community model wherein ‘neighborhoods’ of overlapping males and females affiliate with each other moreso than with other, more distantly located community members, and to the exclusion of members from adjacent communities.
Abundance and localization of human UBE3A protein isoforms
Authors: Sirois Carissa L. , Bloom Judy E. , Fink James J. , Gorka Dea , Keller Steffen , Germain Noelle D. , Levine Eric S. , Chamberlain Stormy J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLoss ofUBE3A expression,a gene regulated by genomic imprinting, causes Angelman Syndrome (AS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. TheUBE3Agene encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase with three known protein isoforms in humans. Studies in mouse suggest that the human isoforms may have differences in localization and neuronal function. A recent case study reported mild AS phenotypes in individuals lacking one specific isoform. Here we have used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate isogenic human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) that lack the individual protein isoforms. We demonstrate that isoform 1 accounts for the majority of UBE3A protein in hESCs and neurons. We also show that UBE3A predominantly localizes to the cytoplasm in both wild type and isoform-null cells. Finally, we show that neurons lacking isoform 1 display a less severe electrophysiological AS phenotype.
Understanding COVID-19 spreading through simulation modeling and scenarios comparison: preliminary results
Authors: Bordehore Cesar , Herrador Zaida , Fonfría Eva S. , Navarro Miriam 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTSince late 2019 the world is facing the rapid spreading of a novel viral disease (SARS-CoV-2) provoked by the coronavirus 2 infection (COVID-19), declared pandemic last 12 March 2020. As of 27 March 2020, there were more than 500,000 confirmed cases and 23,335 deaths worldwide. In those places with a rapid growth in numbers of sick people in need of hospitalization and intensive care, this demand has over-saturate the medical facilities and, in turn, rise the mortality rate.In the absence of a vaccine, classical epidemiological measures such as testing, quarantine and physical distancing are ways to reduce the growing speed of new infections. Thus, these measures should be a priority for all governments in order to minimize the morbidity and mortality associated to this disease.System dynamics is widely used in many fields of the biological sciences to study and explain changing systems. The system dynamics approach can help us understand the rapid spread of an infectious disease such as COVID-19 and also generate scenarios to test the effect of different control measures.The aim of this study is to provide an open model (using STELLA® from Iseesystems) that can be customized to any area/region and by any user, allowing them to evaluate the different behavior of the COVID-19 dynamics under different scenarios. Thus, our intention is not to generate a model to accurately predict the evolution of the disease nor to supplant others more robust -official and non-official-from governments and renowned institutions. We believe that scenarios comparison can be an effective tool to convince the society of the need of a colossal and unprecedented effort to reduce new infections and ultimately, fatalities.
Patterns of the COVID19 pandemic spread around the world: exponential vs power laws
Authors: Komarova Natalia L. , Schang Luis M. , Wodarz Dominik 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe have analyzed the COVID19 epidemic data of more than 174 countries (excluding China) in the period between January 22 and March 28, 2020. We found that some countries (such as the US, the UK, and Canada) follow an exponential epidemic growth, while others (like Italy and several other European countries) show a power law like growth. Regardless of the best fitting law, many countries can be shown to follow a common trajectory that is similar to Italy (the epicenter at the time of analysis), but with varying degrees of delay. We found that countries with “younger” epidemics, i.e. countries where the epidemic started more recently, tend to exhibit more exponential like behavior, while countries that were closer behind Italy tend to follow a power law growth. We hypothesize that there is a universal growth pattern of this infection that starts off as exponential and subsequently becomes more power law like. Although it cannot be excluded that this growth pattern is a consequence of social distancing measures, an alternative explanation is that it is an intrinsic epidemic growth law, dictated by a spatially distributed community structure, where the growth in individual highly mixed communities is exponential but the longer term, local geographical spread (in the absence of global mixing) results in a power-law. This is supported by computer simulations of a metapopulation model that gives rise to predictions about the growth dynamics that are consistent with correlations found in the epidemiological data. Therefore, seeing a deviation from straight exponential growth may be a natural progression of the epidemic in each country. On the practical side, this indicates that (i) even in the absence of strict social distancing interventions, exponential growth is not an accurate predictor of longer term infection spread, and (ii) a deviation from exponential spread and a reduction of estimated doubling times do not necessarily indicate successful interventions, which are instead indicated by a transition to a reduced power or by a deviation from power law behavior.
Risk factors for severe corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients : a systematic review and meta analysis
Authors: Xu Lizhen , Mao Yaqian , Chen Gang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractImportanceWith the increasing number of infections for COVID-19, the global health resources are deficient. At present, we don’t have specific medicines or vaccines against novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) and our assessment of risk factors for patients with severe pneumonia was limited. In order to maximize the use of limited medical resources, we should distinguish between mild and severe patients as early as possible.ObjectiveTo systematically review the evidence of risk factors for severe corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.Evidence ReviewWe conducted a comprehensive search for primary literature in both Chinese and English electronic bibliographic data bases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Weipu, Chinese Biomedicine Literature Database (CBM-SinoMed), MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register, and Web of science. The American agency for health research and quality (AHRQ) tool were used for assessing risk of bias. Mata-analysis was undertaken using STATA version 15.0.Results20 articles (N=4062 participants) were eligible for this systematic review and meta-analysis. First in this review and meta-analysis, we found that elderly male patients with a high body mass index, high breathing rate and a combination of underlying diseases (such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) were more likely to develop into critically ill patients. second, compared with ordinary patients, severe patients had more significant symptom such as fever and dyspnea. Besides, the laboratory test results of severe patients had more abnormal than non-severe patients, such as the elevated levels of white-cell counts, liver enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, c-reactive protein and procalcitonin, etc, while the decreased levels of lymphocytes and albumin, etc.InterpretationThis is the first systematic review investigating the risk factors for severe corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The findings are presented and discussed by different clinical characteristics. Therefore, our review may provide guidance for clinical decision-making and optimizes resource allocation.Key PointsQuestionWhat are the risk factors for severe patients with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?FindingsFirst in this review and meta-analysis, we found that elderly male patients with a high body mass index, high breathing rate and a combination of underlying diseases were more likely to develop into critically ill patients. second, compared with ordinary patients, severe patients had more significant symptom such as fever and dyspnea. Last, we also found that the laboratory test results of severe patients had more abnormal than non-severe patients.MeaningThis review summaried the risk factors of severe COVID-19 patients and aim to provide a basis for early identification of severe patients by clinicians.