bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics of critically ill patients with COVID-19
Authors: Bisso Indalecio Carboni , Huespe Iván , Lockhart Carolina , Massó Agustín , González Anaya Julieta , Hornos Micaela , Famiglietti Romina , Di Grazia Marcelo , Coria Pablo , Román Eduardo San , Heras Marcos Las 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveDescribe the clinical and respiratory characteristics of critical patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).DesignObservational and retrospective study over 6 months.SettingIntensive care unit (ICU) of a high complexity hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina.PatientsPatients older than 18 years with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 were included in the study.Variables of interestDemographic characteristics such as sex and age, comorbidities, laboratory results, imaging results, ventilatory mechanics data, complications, and mortality were recorded.ResultsA total of 168 critically ill patients with COVID-19 were included. 66% were men with a median age of 65 years (58-75. 79.7% had at least one comorbidity. The most frequent comorbidity was arterial hypertension, affecting 52.4% of the patients. 67.9 % required invasive mechanical ventilation (MV), and no patient was treated with non-invasive ventilation. Most of the patients in MV (73.7%) required neuromuscular blockade due to severe hypoxemia. 36% of patients were ventilated in the prone position. The length of stay in the ICU was 13 days (6-24) and the mortality in the ICU was 25%.ConclusionsIn this study of critical patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 in a high-complexity hospital, the majority were comorbid elderly men, a large percentage required invasive mechanical ventilation, and ICU mortality was 25%.
COVID-19 Test Strategy to Guide Quarantine Interval in University Student
Authors: Kolesar Jill M. , Gayheart Tyler , Poston Lance , Monday Eric , Forster Derek , Belcher Elizabeth , Jaiswal Rani , Turner J. Kirsten , Arnett Donna K. , Durbin Eric B. , Monroe Joseph , Romanelli Frank , Arnold Susanne M. , Jennings C. Darrell , Weiss Heidi , DiPaola Robert 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDFollowing COVID-19 exposure, the CDC recommends a 10-14 day quarantine for asymptomatic individuals and more recently a 7 day quarantine with a negative PCR test. We performed a university-based prospective student cohort study to determine if early PCR negativity predicts day 14 negativity.METHODSWe enrolled 101 asymptomatic, quarantining, students, performed nasopharyngeal swabs for viral testing on days 3 or 4, 5, 7, 10 and 14 and determined the proportion of concordant negative results for each day versus day 14 with a two-sided 95% exact binomial confidence interval.RESULTSOverall, 14 of 90 (16%, 95% CI: 9% - 25%) tested positive while in quarantine, with 7 initial positive tests on day 3 or 4, 5 on day 5, 2 on day 7, and none on day 10 or 14. Rates of concordant negative test results are: day 5 vs. day 14 = 45/50 (90%, 95% CI: 78% - 97%); day 7 vs. day 14 = 47/52 (90%, 95% CI: 79% - 97%); day 10 vs. day 14 = 48/53 (91%, 95% CI:79% - 97%), with no evidence of different negative rates between earlier days and day 14 by McNemar’s test, p > 0.05.CONCLUSIONSThe 16% positive rate supports the ongoing need to quarantine close contacts of COVID-19 cases, but this prospective study provides the first direct evidence that exposed asymptomatic students ages 18-44 years in a university setting are at low risk if released from quarantine at 7 days if they test negative PCR test prior to release.
Cell-fate decision of mesenchymal stem cells toward osteocyte differentiation is committed by cell condensed condition in spheroid culture
Authors: Kim Jeonghyun , Adachi Taiji 
Published: December 2020

AbstractOsteocytes are mechanosensory commander cells to regulate bone remodeling throughout the lifespan. While the osteocyte is known as a terminally differentiated cell derived from mesenchymal stem cell, the detailed mechanisms of cell-fate decision toward osteocyte differentiation still remain unclear. In this study, we fabricated three-dimensional (3D) self-organized spheroids using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Under the osteogenesis induction medium, the spheroid culture model exerted the osteocyte-likeness within 2 days compared to a conventional 2D monolayer model. By using an inhibitor of actin polymerization, we showed an involvement of actin balancing in the osteocyte differentiation in the spheroid. Notably, we represented that the cell condensed condition acquired in the 3D spheroid culture model determined a differentiation fate of MSCs to osteocytes via actin balancing. Taken together, we suggest that our self-organized spheroid model can be utilized as a newin vitromodel to represent the osteocyte differentiation process and further to recapitulate anin vitroossification process.
The hybrid nature of task-evoked activity: Inside-out neural dynamics in intracranial EEG and Deep Learning
Authors: Wolff Annemarie , Chen Liang , Tumati Shankar , Golesorkhi Mehrshad , Gomez-Pilar Javier , Hu Jie , Jiang Shize , Mao Ying , Longtin Andre , Northoff Georg 
Published: December 2020

A.AbstractThe standard approach in neuroscience research infers from the external stimulus (outside) to the brain (inside) through stimulus-evoked activity. Recently challenged by Buzsáki, he advocates the reverse; an inside-out approach inferring from the brain’s activity to the neural effects of the stimulus. If so, stimulus-evoked activity should be a hybrid of internal and external components. Providing direct evidence for this hybrid nature, we measured human intracranial stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) to investigate how prestimulus variability, i.e., standard deviation, shapes poststimulus activity through trial-to-trial variability. We first observed greater poststimulus variability quenching in trials exhibiting high prestimulus variability. Next, we found that the relative effect of the stimulus was higher in the later (300-600ms) than the earlier (0-300ms) poststimulus period. These results were extended by our Deep Learning LSTM network models at the single trial level. The accuracy to classify single trials (prestimulus low/high) increased greatly when the models were trained and tested with real trials compared to trials that exclude the effects of the prestimulus-related ongoing dynamics (corrected trials). Lastly, we replicated our findings showing that trials with high prestimulus variability in theta and alpha bands exhibits faster reaction times. Together, our results support the inside-out approach by demonstrating that stimulus-related activity is a hybrid of two factors: 1) the effects of the external stimulus itself, and 2) the effects of the ongoing dynamics spilling over from the prestimulus period, with the second, i.e., the inside, dwarfing the influence of the first, i.e., the outside.B.Significance StatementOur findings signify a significant conceptual advance in the relationship between pre- and poststimulus dynamics in humans. These findings are important as they show that we miss an essential component - the impact of the ongoing dynamics - when restricting our analyses to the effects of the external stimulus alone. Consequently, these findings may be crucial to fully understand higher cognitive functions and their impairments, as can be seen in psychiatric illnesses. In addition, our Deep Learning LSTM models show a second conceptual advance: high classification accuracy of a single trial to its prestimulus state. Finally, our replicated results in an independent dataset and task showed that this relationship between pre- and poststimulus dynamics exists across tasks and is behaviorally relevant.
In-House Forecasting of Crop Latitude Adaptation through a Daylength-sensing-based Environment Adaptation Simulator (DEAS)
Authors: Qiu Leilei , Wu Qinqin , Wang Xiaoying , Zhuang Gui , Han Jiupan , Wang Hao , Shang Zhiyun , Tian Wei , Chen Zhuo , Lin Zechuan , He Hang , Hu Jie , Lv Qiming , Ren Juansheng , Xu Jun , Li Chen , Wang Xiangfeng , Li Yang , Li Shaohua , Huang Rongyu , Chen Xu , Zhang Cheng , Lu Ming , Liang Chengzhi , Qin Peng , Huang Xi , Li Shigui , Ouyang Xinhao 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTGlobal climate change necessitates the accelerated breeding of new crop varieties that can sustain yields in new environments. As a proxy for environmental adaptation, the selection of crops that can adapt to different latitudes is an appealing strategy. However, such selection currently involves a lengthy procedure that severely restricts the rapid breeding of varieties. Here, we aimed to combine molecular technologies with an in-house streamlined screening method to facilitate rapid selection for latitude adaptation. We established the Daylength-sensing-based Environment Adaptation Simulator (DEAS) to measure crop latitude adaptation via the transcriptional dynamics of florigen genes at different latitudes. We used different statistical approaches to demonstrate that DEAS predicts the florigen expression profiles in rice with high accuracy. Furthermore, we demonstrated the potential for application of DEAS in different crops. Incorporating DEAS into the breeding programs of conventional and underutilized crops could help meet the future needs for crop adaptation and promote sustainable agriculture.
Detecting de novo mitochondrial mutations in angiosperms with highly divergent evolutionary rates
Authors: Broz Amanda K. , Waneka Gus , Wu Zhiqiang , Gyorfy Matheus Fernandes , Sloan Daniel B. 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTAlthough plant mitochondrial genomes typically show low rates of sequence evolution, levels of divergence in certain angiosperm lineages suggest anomalously high mitochondrial mutation rates. However, de novo mutations have never been directly analyzed in such lineages. Recent advances in high-fidelity DNA sequencing technologies have enabled detection of mitochondrial mutations when still present at low heteroplasmic frequencies. To date, these approaches have only been performed on a single plant species (Arabidopsis thaliana). Here, we apply a high-fidelity technique (Duplex Sequencing) to multiple angiosperms from the genus Silene, which exhibits extreme heterogeneity in rates of mitochondrial sequence evolution among close relatives. Consistent with phylogenetic evidence, we found that S. latifolia maintains low mitochondrial variant frequencies that are comparable to previous measurements in Arabidopsis. Silene noctiflora also exhibited low variant frequencies despite high levels of historical sequence divergence, which supports other lines of evidence that this species has reverted to lower mitochondrial mutation rates after a past episode of acceleration. In contrast, S. conica showed much higher variant frequencies in mitochondrial (but not in plastid) DNA, consistent with an ongoing bout of elevated mitochondrial mutation rates. Moreover, we found an altered mutational spectrum in S. conica heavily biased towards AT➔GC transitions. We also observed an unusually low number of mitochondrial genome copies per cell in S. conica, potentially pointing to reduced opportunities for homologous recombination to accurately repair mismatches in this species. Overall, these results suggest that historical fluctuations in mutation rates are driving extreme variation in rates of plant mitochondrial sequence evolution.
An uncanonical transcription factor-DREB2B regulates seed vigor negatively through ABA pathway
Authors: Ali Faiza , Wei Zhenzhen , Li Yonghui , Gan Lei , Yang Zuoren , Li Fuguang , Wang Zhi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSeed vigor is an important trait for ecology, agronomy, and economy and varies with different plant species and environmental conditions. Dehydration-Responsive Element-Binding Protein 2B (DREB2B), a subgroup of the DREB transcription factor family, is well-known in drought resistance. However, the role ofDREB2Bin the regulation of seed vigor has not been identified. Here, we found thatDREB2Bis a negative regulator of seed vigor by ABA-mediated pathway in Arabidopsis with loss of function mutant and over-expressed transgenic lines. Furthermore,DREB2Bshowed epistatic and parallel toABI3simultaneously in seed vigor regulation by genetic and molecular approaches.DREB2Bhomolog gene (GhDREB2B-A09) was also identified in cotton. The expression analysis indicated that transcripts ofDREB2Bwere higher in mature dry seed, and the transgenic plants showed the conservative roles ofDREB2Bin Arabidopsis and cotton. In addition, we identified that DREB2B interacted with RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH1 (RCD1) to involve seed vigor regulation together inArabidopsisand cotton with BiFC experiment and mutant phenotypic analysis. Collectively it is concluded that DREB2B interacting with RCD1 or SRO1 function at upstream of and synergistic withABI3to regulate seed vigor negatively inArabidopsisand cotton, which provides novel knowledge in the seed development study.HighlightsDREB2B transcription is seed specific and a negative regulator of seed vigor by ABA-mediated pathway, which interacts with RCD1s, and functions synergistically with ABI3 to affecet seed germination and vigor in Arabidopsis and cotton.
Short of Breath for the Long Haul: Diaphragm Muscle Dysfunction in Survivors of Severe COVID-19 as Determined by Neuromuscular Ultrasound
Authors: Farr Ellen , Wolfe Alexis R. , Deshmukh Swati , Rydberg Leslie , Soriano Rachna , Walter James M. , Boon Andrea J. , Wolfe Lisa F. , Franz Colin K. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMany survivors from severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) suffer from persistent dyspnea and fatigue long after resolution of the active infection. In a cohort of 25 consecutive COVID-19 survivors admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital (76% male), 80% of them had at least one sonographic abnormality of diaphragm muscle structure or function.Specifically, when compared to established normative data, 76% had reduced diaphragm thickening ratio (impaired contractility), and 20% patients had reduced diaphragm muscle thickness (atrophy). These findings support neuromuscular respiratory dysfunction as a highly prevalent underlying cause for prolonged functional impairments after hospitalization for COVID-19.
Will the COVID-19 pandemic lead to a tsunami of suicides? A Swedish nationwide analysis of historical and 2020 data
Authors: Rück Christian , Mataix-Cols David , Malki Kinda , Adler Mats , Flygare Oskar , Runeson Bo , Sidorchuk Anna 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundVarious surveys have documented a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population’s mental health. There is widespread concern about a surge of suicides, but evidence supporting a link between global pandemics and suicide is very limited. Using historical data from the three major influenza pandemics of the 20thcentury, and recently released data from the first half of 2020, we aimed to investigate whether an association exists between influenza deaths and suicide deaths.MethodsAnnual data on influenza death rates and suicide rates were extracted from the Statistical Yearbook of Sweden from 1910-1978, covering the three 20thcentury pandemics, and from Statistics Sweden for the period from January to June of each year during 2000-2020. COVID-19 death data were available for the first half of 2020. We implemented non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) models to explore if there is a short-term and/or long-term effect of increases and decreases in influenza death rates on suicide rates during 1910-1978. Analyses were done separately for men and women. Descriptive analyses were used for the available 2020 data.FindingsBetween 1910-1978, there was no evidence of either short-term or long-term significant associations between influenza death rates and changes in suicides. The same pattern emerged in separate analyses for men and women. Suicide rates in January-June 2020 revealed a slight decrease compared to the corresponding rates in January-June 2019 (relative decrease by −1.2% among men and −12.8% among women).InterpretationWe found no evidence of short or long-term association between influenza death rates and suicide death rates across three 20thcentury pandemics or during the first six months of 2020 (when the first wave of COVID-19 occurred). Concerns about a substantial increase of suicides may be exaggerated. The media should be cautious when reporting news about suicides during the current pandemic.
Impaired peripheral mononuclear cell metabolism in patients at risk of developing sepsis: A cohort study
Authors: Herwanto Velma , Wang Ya , Shojaei Maryam , Khan Alamgir , Lai Kevin , Shetty Amith , Huang Stephen , Chew Tracy , Teoh Sally , Nalos Marek , Chakraborty Mandira , McLean Anthony S. , Tang Benjamin MP. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPurposeDysregulated immune response is a key driver of disease progression in sepsis and known to be associated with impaired cellular metabolism. This association has been studied mostly in the late stage sepsis patients. Here, we investigate whether such impairment in cellular metabolism is present in uncomplicated infection patients who do not develop sepsis.MethodsForty sepsis (fulfilled Sepsis-3 criteria) and 27 uncomplicated infection patients were recruited from the emergency department along with 20 healthy volunteers. Whole blood was collected for measurement of gene expression, cytokine levels and cellular metabolic functions (including mitochondrial respiration, oxidative stress and apoptosis).ResultsOur analysis revealed the impairment of mitochondrial respiration in uncomplicated infection and sepsis patients (p value <0.05), with greater degree of impairment noted in the established sepsis. The impairment was significantly correlated with increased mitochondrial oxidative stress level; the latter was increased in uncomplicated infection and more so in established sepsis patients. Further analysis revealed that the oxidative stress level correlated significantly with cytokine level (tumor necrosis factor-α) and gene expression levels (CYCS, TP53, SLC24A24 and TSPO).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that impaired immune cell metabolism is present in infection patients without presenting sepsis, thereby opening potential window for early diagnosis and intervention (e.g. antioxidant therapy) in such patients.
Comprehensive analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics in New Zealand
Authors: Whitcombe Alana L. , McGregor Reuben , Craigie Alyson , James Alex , Charlewood Richard , Lorenz Natalie , Dickson James M.J. , Sheen Campbell R. , Koch Barbara , Fox-Lewis Shivani , McAuliffe Gary , Roberts Sally A. , Morpeth Susan C. , Taylor Susan , Webb Rachel H. , Jack Susan , Upton Arlo , Ussher James , Moreland Nicole J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesCirculating antibodies are important markers of previous infection and immunity. Questions remain with respect to the durability and functionality of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. This study explored antibody responses in recovered COVID-19 patients in a setting where the probability of re-exposure is effectively nil, owing to New Zealand’s successful elimination strategy.MethodsA triplex bead-based assay that detects antibody isotype (IgG, IgM and IgA) and subclass (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) responses against Nucleocapsid (N) protein, Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) and Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 was developed. After establishing baseline levels with pre-pandemic control sera (n=113), samples from PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients with mild-moderate disease (n=189) collected up to eight months post-infection were examined. The relationship between antigen-specific antibodies and neutralising antibodies (NAbs) was explored with a surrogate neutralisation assay that quantifies inhibition of the RBD/hACE-2 interaction.ResultsWhile most individuals had broad isotype and subclass responses to each antigen shortly after infection, only RBD and S protein IgG, as well as NAbs, were stable over the study period, with 99%, 96% and 90% of samples, respectively, having responses over baseline 4-8 months post-infection. Anti-RBD antibodies were strongly correlated with NAbs at all time points (Pearson’s r ≥ 0.87) and feasibility of using finger prick sampling to accurately measure anti-RBD IgG was demonstrated.ConclusionAntibodies to SARS-CoV-2 persist for up to eight months following mild to moderate infection. This robust response can be attributed to the initial exposure without immune boosting given the lack of community transmission in our setting.
Low case numbers enable long-term stable pandemic control without lockdowns
Authors: Contreras Sebastian , Dehning Jonas , Mohr Sebastian B. , Bauer Simon , Spitzner F. Paul , Priesemann Viola 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe traditional long-term solutions for epidemic control involve eradication or population immunity. Here, we analytically derive the existence of a third viable solution: a stable equilibrium at low case numbers, where test-trace-and-isolate policies partially compensate for local spreading events, and only moderate restrictions remain necessary. In this equilibrium, daily cases stabilize around ten new infections per million people or less. However, stability is endangered if restrictions are relaxed or case numbers grow too high. The latter destabilization marks a tipping point beyond which the spread self-accelerates. We show that a lockdown can reestablish control and that recurring lockdowns are not necessary given sustained, moderate contact reduction. We illustrate how this strategy profits from vaccination and helps mitigate variants of concern. This strategy reduces cumulative cases (and fatalities) 4x more than strategies that only avoid hospital collapse. In the long term, immunization, large-scale testing, and international coordination will further facilitate control.
Mechanically assisted walking training during inpatient rehabilitation after stroke: perceptions of physiotherapists
Authors: Brauer Sandra G , Waters Lauren , Kuys Suzanne S , Ada Louise 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTBackground and PurposeDespite evidence supporting the use of mechanically assisted walking training in stroke rehabilitation, it is not extensively used. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of physiotherapists regarding their use of mechanically assisted walking training, specifically treadmill training, during inpatient rehabilitation after stroke. Better understanding of physiotherapists’ perceptions can inform the development of translation strategies.MethodsA qualitative study using focus groups comprising 14 physiotherapists (including students) working in stroke inpatient rehabilitation at two sites was conducted. Transcripts were analysed using an inductive approach to thematic analysis.ResultsPhysiotherapists perceived two main themes related to using mechanically assisted walking training during inpatient rehabilitation: therapeutic consequences (eg, patients able to walk earlier, further, longer; less fatiguing for therapist, ability to manipulate walking parameters) and practical considerations (eg, safety, efficiency, staff skill, access to equipment, weight and level of disability of patient, fear of treadmill).DiscussionTherapists’ perceptions of using mechanically assisted walking training during inpatient rehabilitation after stroke were mixed. There is a need to educate physiotherapy staff about the evidence of therapeutic value as well as how to perform mechanically assisted walking training.