bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using Virtual Augmented Reality to Remotely Proctor Overseas Surgical Outreach: Building Long-Term International Capacity and Sustainability
Authors: Vyas Raj M. , Sayadi Lohrasb Ross , Bendit David , Hamdan Usama S. 
Published: October 2020

Background:
Cleft lip affects one in 700 children globally, and the prevalence far surpasses capacity to deliver cleft care in underresourced and endemic regions. A hands-on educational presence is needed to promote overseas surgical autonomy, build overseas capacity, and ensure a sustained clinical and educational infrastructure. The goal of this study was to build and assess an augmented reality educational platform that allows a remote yet virtual interactive presence to transfer cleft surgery knowledge/skills to overseas colleagues.

Methods:
A prospective study assessing a 13-month overseas augmented reality–based cleft surgery curriculum was conducted. Three semiannual site visits engaged two Peruvian surgeons in evidence-based didactics, on-site cleft surgery, and familiarization with the augmented reality platform. During 10 remote augmented reality visits, a surgeon stationed in United States guided the same Peruvian surgeons through cleft surgery. Quarterly assessments of the Peruvian surgeons were performed using visual analogue scale questionnaires.

Results:
Visual analogue scale scores by both the remote and overseas surgeons demonstrated significant, progressive improvement in all facets of cleft lip repair throughout the curriculum. Site visits preferentially built capacity for cleft diagnosis and preoperative counseling (p < 0.001), principles of repair (p < 0.001), repair technique (p < 0.02) and intraoperative decision-making (p < 0.001). Remote sessions preferentially developed understanding of cleft operative design/anthropometry (p < 0.04), cleft anatomy (p < 0.01), and operative efficiency (p < 0.001). At 30-month follow-up, no children with cleft lip required transfer to tertiary care centers.

Conclusion:
A curriculum that combines on-site training and augmented reality–based hands-on remote teaching can build sustained capacity of comprehensive cleft care in underresourced areas.
Flammeovirga agarivorans sp. nov., an agar-digesting marine bacterium isolated from surface seawater
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Guo Feng , Tian Peng , Yu Shuangen , Xue Chun-Xu , Wang Wei , Xiao Jiaguang , Niu Wentao 
Published: October 2020

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, gliding, reddish-orange-coloured, rod-shaped strain, designated SR4T, was isolated from surface seawater sampled at Luhuitou fringing reef (South China Sea). Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene, phylogenomic analysis of single-copy gene families and whole genome data affiliated it to the genus

Flammeovirga

. It was most closely related to

Flammeovirga yaeyamensis

NBRC 100898T (97.99 % 16S rRNA gene similarity). The genome average nucleotide identity and DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain SR4T and its reference strains were less than 74.2 and 16.3 %, respectively. Growth occurred at 20–35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 1–6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–4 %). The dominant fatty acids were C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C20 : 4
ω6,9,12,15c. The polar lipid profile of strain SR4T comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, two glycolipids, two aminophospholipids and three unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The DNA G+C content of strain SR4T was 34.20 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, strain SR4T is proposed as representing a novel species of the genus

Flammeovirga

, for which the name Flammeovirga agarivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SR4T (=KCTC 82075T=MCCC 1A17137T).
Aurantiacibacter rhizosphaerae sp. nov., isolated from a rhizosphere mudflat of a halophyte and proposal to reclassify Erythrobacter suaedae Lee et al. 2019. and Erythrobacter flavus Yoon et al. 2003 as Aurantiacibacter suaedae comb. nov. and Qipengyuania flava comb. nov., respectively
Authors: Lee Soon Dong , Kim In Seop 
Published: October 2020

A marine alphaproteobacterium, designated as strain GH3-10T, was isolated from the rhizosphere mud of a halophyte (Suaeda japonica) collected at the seashore of Gangwha Island, Republic of Korea. The isolate was found to be Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-motile, short rods and produced orange-coloured colonies. The 16S rRNA gene- and whole genome-based phylogenetic analyses exhibited that strain GH3-10T belonged to the genus

Aurantiacibacter

and was most closely related to

Aurantiacibacter atlanticus

s21-N3T (98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and

Aurantiacibacter marinus

KCTC 23554T (98.4 %). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid and an unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1
ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
ω7c and/or C16 : 1
ω6c) and C18 : 1
ω7c 10-methyl. The DNA G+C content was 61.3 mol% (by genome). Average nucleotide identity and DNA–DNA relatedness values between the isolate and its phylogenetically closest relatives, together with phenotypic distinctness warranted the taxonomic description of a new species. On the basis of data obtained by a polyphasic approach, strain GH3-10T (=KCTC 62379T=JCM 32444T) represents a novel species of the genus

Aurantiacibacter

, for which the name Aurantiacibacter rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. According to phylogenetic coherence based on 16S rRNA genes and core genomes, it is also proposed that

Erythrobacter suaedae

Lee et al. 2019. and

Erythrobacter flavus

Yoon et al. 2003 be transferred to Aurantiacibacter suaedae comb. nov. and Qipengyuania flava comb. nov., respectively.
Mining transcriptomics and clinical data reveals ACE2 expression modulators and identifies cardiomyopathy as a risk factor for mortality in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Kaur Navchetan , Oskotsky Boris , Butte Atul J. , Hu Zicheng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAngiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the cell-entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. It plays critical roles in both the transmission and the pathogenesis of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Comprehensive profiling of ACE2 expression patterns will help researchers to reveal risk factors of severe COVID-19 illness. While the expression of ACE2 in healthy human tissues has been well characterized, it is not known which diseases and drugs might modulate the ACE2 expression. In this study, we developed GENEVA (GENe Expression Variance Analysis), a semi-automated framework for exploring massive amounts of RNA-seq datasets. We applied GENEVA to 28,6650 publicly available RNA-seq samples to identify any previously studied experimental conditions that could directly or indirectly modulate ACE2 expression. We identified multiple drugs, genetic perturbations, and diseases that modulate the expression of ACE2, including cardiomyopathy, HNF1A overexpression, and drug treatments with RAD140 and Itraconazole. Our unbiased meta-analysis of seven datasets confirms ACE2 up-regulation in all cardiomyopathy categories. Using electronic health records data from 3936 COVID19 patients, we demonstrate that patients with pre-existing cardiomyopathy have an increased mortality risk than age-matched patients with other cardiovascular conditions. GENEVA is applicable to any genes of interest and is freely accessible at http://genevatool.org.
Mathematical Analysis of COVID-19 Transmission Dynamics with a Case Study of Nigeria and its Computer Simulation
Authors: Agbata B. C. , Emmanuel Ogala , Bashir Tenuche , William Obeng-Denteh 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this article, we formulated a mathematical model for the spread of the COVID-19 disease and we introduced quarantined and isolated compartments. The next generation matrix method was adopted to compute the basic reproduction number (R0) in order to assess the transmission dynamics of the COVID-19 deadly disease. Stability analysis of the disease free equilibrium is investigated based on the basic reproduction number and the result shows that it is locally and asymptotically stable for R0 less than 1. Numerical calculation of the basic reproduction number revealed that R0 < 1 which means that the disease can be eradicated from Nigeria. The study shows that isolation, quarantine and other government policies like social distancing and lockdown are the best approaches to control the pernicious nature of COVID-19 pandemic.
Seroprevalence and risk factor investigation for the exposure ofToxoplasma gondiiamong veterinary personnel in Punjab, India
Authors: Thakur R. , Sharma R. , Aulakh R.S. , Gill J.P.S. , Singh B.B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractToxoplasma gondii, a globally important food borne zoonotic parasite, infects most of the warm blooded animals as well as people. One third of worlds population has been exposed toT. gondiiat least once in their lifetime. Veterinarians and para vets are considered at risk ofT. gondiiexposure. As far as we are aware, occupational exposure ofT. gondiihas not been systematically explored from north India. We determined the seroprevalence ofT. gondiiin veterinary personnel and investigated associated risk factors in Punjab, India. Two hundred and five blood samples collected from veterinary personnel were tested for the presence ofToxoplasmaIgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. The apparent and true seroprevalence ofT. gondiiwith 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. Information about participant demographics, and possible routes of exposure was collected using a self completed questionnaire at the time of blood collection. A veterinary person was consideredToxoplasmaseropositive using a combination of tests in parallel, i.e. if it was positive in either IgG or IgM ELISA. A mixed effects logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the association of demography, occupational and non-occupational factors withToxoplasmaseropositive status. The apparent and estimated true seroprevalence ofT. gondiiantibodies usingToxoplasmaIgG ELISA was found to be 8.78% (95% CI 5.63% - 13.45%) and 7.36% (95% CI 4.04% - 12.29%), respectively. The apparent and estimated true seroprevalence usingToxoplasmaIgM ELISA was found to be 0.49% (95% CI inestimable - 2.71%) and 0.51% (95% CI inestimable - 2.83%), respectively. After adjusting for other variables in the final model, consuming mutton and owning a cat were associated with large odds of beingToxoplasmaseropositive. We report that occupational risk factors are not associated withToxoplasmaseropositivity in veterinary personnel in Punjab, India. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in veterinary personnel is comparatively low and occupational exposure in veterinary personnel does not enhance risk of getting infected withT. gondiiin Punjab, India.
Trends in suicide rates during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in a major German city
Authors: Radeloff Daniel , Papsdorf Rainer , Uhlig Kirsten , Vasilache Andreas , Putnam Karen , von Klitzing Kai 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundIt remains unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on suicide rates. Social distancing, economic insecurity and increasing prevalence rates of mental disorders may cause an increase in risk factors for suicide.MethodsData on suicide events in a major city in Germany, and the corresponding life years were provided by the local authorities. For the year 2020, periods without restrictions on freedom of movement and social contact were compared with periods of moderate and severe COVID-19 restrictions. To avoid distortions due to seasonal fluctuations in suicide risk, data from 2020 were compared to data from 2010 to 2019.OutcomesA total of 333 suicides were registered and 2,791,131 life years (LY) were spent between 2010 and 2020. Of these, 42 suicides and 300,834 LY accounted for the year 2020.In 2020, suicide rates (SR, suicides per 100,000 LY) were lower in periods with moderate (SR = 8.5, χ2 = 4.374, p = 0.037) or severe COVID-19 restrictions (SR = 7.0, χ2 = 3.999, p = 0.046) compared with periods without restrictions (SR = 18.0). A comparison with preceding years showed that differences cannot be attributed to seasonal variations. No age- or gender differences were found.InterpretationSR decreased during the COVID-19 restrictions; we expect SR to rise in the medium term. Careful monitoring of SR in the further course of the COVID-19 crisis is therefore urgently needed. The findings have regional reference and should not be over-generalized.FundingThis study was conducted without external funding.
An Empirical Inference of the Severity of Resurgence of COVID-19 in Europe
Authors: Baruah Hemanta K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn Europe the Corona Virus spread had started to retard months ago, but after some time it has started to accelerate again. In this article, we are going to analyze the current COVID-19 spread patterns in Italy, the UK, Germany, Russia, Spain and France. We have found that the current spread has perhaps been underestimated as just the second wave. As per our analysis, as on 7 October the resurgence is much more vigorous than the first wave of spread of the disease. It is going to be most serious in Russia, followed by Italy, Germany and the UK, while in Spain and France the patterns are yet to take inferable shapes.
Modelling the Anatomical Distribution of Neurological Events in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Parsons Nicholas , Outsikas Athanasia , Parish Annie , Clohesy Rebecca , Thakkar Nilam , D’Aprano Fiore , Toomey Fidel , Advani Shailesh , Poudel Govinda 
Published: October 2020

SummaryBackgroundNeuropathology caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported across several studies. The characterisation of the spatial distribution of these pathology remains critical to assess long and short-term neurologicalsequelaeof COVID-19. To this end, Mathematical models can be used to characterise the location and aetiologies underlying COVID-19-related neuropathology.MethodWe performed a systematic review of the literature to quantify the locations of small neurological events identified with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among COVID-19 patients. Neurological events were localised into the Desikan-Killiany grey and white matter atlases. A mathematical network diffusion model was then used to test whether the spatial distribution of neurological events could be explained via a linear spread through the structural connectome of the brain.FindingsWe identified 35 articles consisting of 123 patients that assessed the spatial distribution of small neurological events among COVID-19 patients. Of these, 91 patients had grey matter changes, 95 patients had white matter changes and 72 patients had confirmed cerebral microbleeds. White matter events were observed within 14 of 42 white matter bundles from the IIT atlas. The highest proportions (26%) of events were observed within the bilateral corticospinal tracts. The splenium and middle of the corpus callosum were affected in 14% and 9% of the cases respectively. Grey matter events were spatially distributed in the 41 brain regions within the Desikan-Killiany atlas. The highest proportions (∼10%) of the events were observed in areas including the bilateral superior temporal, precentral, and lateral occipital cortices. Sub-cortical events were most frequently identified in the Pallidum. The application of a mathematical network diffusion model suggested that the spatial pattern of the small neurological events in COVID-19 can be modelled with a linear diffusion of spread from epicentres in the bilateral cerebellum and basal ganglia (Pearson’sr=0.41,p<0.001, corrected).InterpretationTo our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically characterise the spatial distribution of small neurological events in COVID-19 patients and test whether the spatial distribution of these events can be explained by a linear diffusion spread model. The location of neurological events is consistent with commonly identified neurological symptoms including alterations in conscious state among COVID-19 patients that require brain imaging. Given the prevalence and severity of these manifestations, clinicians should carefully monitor neurological symptoms within COVID-19 patients and their potential long-termsequelae.
COVID-19 adaptive humoral immunity models: weakly neutralizing versus antibody-disease enhancement scenarios
Authors: Danchin Antoine , Pagani-Azizi Oriane , Turinici Gabriel , Yahiaoui Ghozlane 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe interplay between the virus, infected cells and the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 is still under debate. Extending the basic model of viral dynamics we propose here a formal approach to describe the neutralizing versus weakly (or non-)neutralizing scenarios and compare with the possible effects of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). The theoretical model is consistent with data available from the literature; we show that weakly neutralizing antibodies or ADE can both give rise to either final virus clearance or disease progression, but the immuno-dynamic is different in each case. Given that a significant part of the world population is already naturally immunized or vaccinated, we also discuss the implications on secondary infections infections following vaccination or in presence of immune system dysfunctions.
The wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric complications in Covid-19 patients within a multidisciplinary hospital context
Authors: Delorme Cécile , Houot Marion , Rosso Charlotte , Carvalho Stéphanie , Nedelec Thomas , Maatoug Redwan , Pitron Victor , Gassama Salimata , Sambin Sara , Bombois Stéphanie , Herlin Bastien , Ouvrard Gaëlle , Bruneteau Gaëlle , Hesters Adèle , Gales Ana Zenovia , Millet Bruno , Lamari Foudil , Lehericy Stéphane , Navarro Vincent , Rohaut Benjamin , Demeret Sophie , Maisonobe Thierry , Yger Marion , Degos Bertrand , Mariani Louise-Laure , Bouche Christophe , Dzierzynski Nathalie , Oquendo Bruno , Ketz Flora , Nguyen An-Hung , Kas Aurélie , Delattre Jean-Yves , Corvol Jean-Christophe 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the spectrum of neurological and psychiatric complications in patients with Covid-19 seen in a multidisciplinary center over six months.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, observational study on all patients showing neurological or psychiatric symptoms in the context of Covid-19 seen in the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry of the APHP-Sorbonne University. We collected demographic data, medical and treatment history, comorbidities, symptoms, date of onset, and severity of Covid-19 infection, neurological and psychiatric symptoms, neurological and psychiatric examination data and, when available, results from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, brain magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging, 18-fluorodesoxyglucose-position emission computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT)), electroencephalography (EEG) and electroneuromyography (ENMG).Results245 patients were included in the analysis. One-hundred fourteen patients (47%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 10 (4%) died. The most frequently reported neuropsychiatric symptoms were motor deficit (41%), cognitive disturbance (35%), impaired consciousness (26%), psychiatric disturbance (24%), headache (20%) and behavioral disturbance (18%). The most frequent syndromes diagnosed were encephalopathy (43%), critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (26%), isolated psychiatric disturbance (18%), and cerebrovascular disorders (16%). No patients showed evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in their CSF. Encephalopathy was associated with greater age and higher risk of death. Critical illness neuromyopathy was associated with an extended stay in the ICU.ConclusionsThe majority of the neuropsychiatric complications recorded could be imputed to critical illness, intensive care and systemic inflammation, which contrasts with the paucity of more direct SARS-CoV-2-related complications or post-infection disorders.
Superspreading Events Without Superspreaders: Using High Attack Rate Events to Estimate Nº for Airborne Transmission of COVID-19
Authors: Prentiss Mara , Chu Arthur , Berggren Karl K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe study transmission of COVID-19 using five well-documented case studies – a Washington state church choir, a Korean call center, a Korean exercise class, and two different Chinese bus trips. In all cases the likely index patients were pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic, which is when infective patients are most likely to interact with large groups of people. An estimate of N0, the characteristic number of COVID-19 virions needed to induce infection in each case, is found using a simple physical model of airborne transmission. We find that the N0 values are similar for five COVID-19 superspreading cases (∼300-2,000 viral copies) and of the same order as influenza A. Consistent with the recent results of Goyal et al, these results suggest that viral loads relevant to infection from presymptomatic or mildly symptomatic individuals may fall into a narrow range, and that exceptionally high viral loads are not required to induce a superspreading event [1,2]. Rather, the accumulation of infective aerosols exhaled by a typical pre-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic patient in a confined, crowded space (amplified by poor ventilation, particularly activity like exercise or singing, or lack of masks) for exposure times as short as one hour are sufficient. We calculate that talking and breathing release ∼460N0 and ∼10N0 (quanta)/hour, respectively, providing a basis to estimate the risks of everyday activities. Finally, we provide a calculation which motivates the observation that fomites appear to account for a small percentage of total COVID-19 infection events.
Through-scalp deep-brain stimulation in tether-free, naturally-behaving mice with widefield NIR-II illumination
Authors: Wu Xiang , Jiang Yuyan , Rommelfanger Nicholas J. , Yin Rongkang , Liu Junlang , Cai Sa , Ren Wei , Shin Andrew , Ong Kyrstyn S. , Pu Kanyi , Hong Guosong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNeural modulation techniques with electricity, light and other forms of energy have enabled the deconstruction of neural circuitry. One major challenge of existing neural modulation techniques is the invasive brain implants and the permanent skull attachment of an optical fiber for modulating neural activity in the deep brain. Here we report an implant-free and tether-free optical neuromodulation technique in deep-brain regions through the intact scalp with brain-penetrant second near-infrared (NIR-II) illumination. Macromolecular infrared nanotransducers for deep-brain stimulation (MINDS) demonstrate exceptional photothermal conversion efficiency of 71% at 1064 nm, the wavelength that minimizes light attenuation by the brain in the entire 400-1700 nm spectrum. Upon widefield 1064-nm illumination >50 cm above the mouse head at a low incident power density of 10 mW/mm2, deep-brain neurons are activated by MINDS-sensitized TRPV1 channels with minimal thermal damage. Our approach could open opportunities for simultaneous neuromodulation of multiple socially interacting animals by remotely irradiating NIR-II light to stimulate each subject individually.