bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum essential trace elements and toxic metals in Chinese diabetic retinopathy patients
Authors: Zhu Xinmiao , Hua Rui 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Trace elements are essential for the proper functioning of proteins, enzymes, and transcriptional factors. However, toxic metals will compete with essential trace elements, and damage enzymatic activities and various physiological functions. We aimed to investigate the status of serum essential trace elements and toxic metals in Chinese diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients, and to analyze their associations.
This retrospective study included 33 normal subjects (normal group), 44 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients with DR (DR group), and 58 T2D patients without DR (diabetes mellitus [DM] group). Serum levels of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and cesium (Cs), were measured for all participants using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
The serum concentrations of Mn (0.0226 μg/L) and Zn (98.162 μg/L) were significantly lower in DR group, compared with both the DM group and normal group (P < 0.05). In contrast, the serum levels of Cs (0.0354 μg/L) and Cd (0.0149 μg/L) were significantly higher in DR group, compared with the normal group (Cs: z = 3.136, P = .002; Cd: z = 3.766, P < .0001). Similarly, the serum Cs level in the DM group was 0.0323 μg/L, which was significantly higher than that in the normal group (0.0167 μg/L, z = 2.692, P = .007). Moreover, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve values of Mn (0.753 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.635–0.872, P = .002]), and Cd (0.797 [95% CI 0.643–0.952, P = .003]) were significantly greater than those of Zn and Cs, for DR identification.
Our results suggest that deficient essential trace elements and accumulated toxic metals were highly associated with the presence of DR.
Deconditioning in people living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from the Promoting Activity, Independence and Stability in Early Dementia (PrAISED) process evaluation
Authors: Lorito Claudio Di , Masud Tahir , Gladman John , Godfrey Maureen , Dunlop Marianne , Harwood Rowan H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundRestrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased risk of deconditioning in the general population. No empirical evidence of this effect however has been empirically gathered in people living with dementia.ObjectiveThis study aims to identify the causes and effects of COVID-19-related deconditioning in people living with dementia.DesignLongitudinal phenomenological qualitative study.SubjectsParticipants living with dementia, their carers and therapists involved in the Promoting Activity, Independence and Stability in Early Dementia (PrAISED) process evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsQualitative interviews with participants were conducted remotely at two time points. The data were analysed through deductive thematic analysis.ResultsTwenty-four participants living with dementia, 19 carers and 15 therapists took part in the study. A self-reinforcing pattern was common, whereby lockdown made the person apathetic, demotivated, socially-disengaged, and frailer. This reduced activity levels, which in turn reinforced the effects of deconditioning over time. Without external supporters, most participants lacked the motivation / cognitive abilities to keep active. Provided the proper infrastructure and support, some participants could use tele-rehabilitation to combat deconditioning.ConclusionThe added risks and effects of deconditioning on people with dementia require considerable efforts from policy makers and clinicians to ensure that they initiate and maintain physical activity in prolonged periods of social distancing. Delivering rehabilitation in the same way as before the pandemic might not be feasible or sustainable and innovative approaches must be found. Digital support for this population has shown promising results, but still remains a challenge.
HOW IS THE IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH OF SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC COMPARED TO THE FIRST WAVE? CASE STUDY OF ITALY
Authors: Coccia Mario 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe main goal of this study is to compare the effects on public health of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to first wave in society. The paper here focuses on a case study of Italy, one of the first European countries to experience a rapid increase in confirmed cases and deaths. Methodology considers daily data from February to November 2020 of the ratio of confirmed cases/total swabs, fatality rate (deaths / confirmed cases) and ratio of individuals in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) / Confirmed cases. Results reveal that the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy had a strong but declining impact on public health with the approaching of summer season and with the effects of containment measures, whereas second wave of the COVID-19 has a growing trend of confirmed cases with admission to ICUs and total deaths having a, to date, lower impact on public health compared to first wave. Although effects of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health, policymakers have had an unrealistic optimist behavior that a new wave of COVID-19 could not hit their countries and, especially, a low organizational capacity to plan effective policy responses to cope with recurring COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This study can support vital information to design effective policy responses of crisis management to constrain current and future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and similar epidemics in society.
Effectiveness of Second Wave COVID-19 Response Strategies in Australia
Authors: Milne George , Xie Simon , Poklepovich Dana , O’Halloran Dan , Yap Matthew , Whyatt David 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is a significant challenge in responding to second waves of COVID-19 cases, with governments being hesitant in introducing hard lockdown measures given the resulting economic impact. In addition, rising case numbers reflect an increase in coronavirus transmission some time previously, so timing of response measures is highly important. Australia experienced a second wave from June 2020 onwards, confined to greater Melbourne, with initial social distancing measures failing to reduce rapidly increasing case numbers. We conducted a detailed analysis of this outbreak, together with an evaluation of the effectiveness of alternative response strategies, to provide guidance to countries experiencing second waves of SARS-Cov-2 transmission.MethodAn individual-based transmission model was used to 1) describe a second-wave COVID-19 epidemic in Australia; 2) evaluate the impact of lockdown strategies used; and 3) evaluate effectiveness of alternative mitigation strategies. The model was calibrated using daily diagnosed case data prior to lockdown. Specific social distancing interventions were modelled by adjusting person-to-person contacts in mixing locations.ResultsModelling earlier activation of lockdown measures are predicted to reduce total case numbers by more than 50%. Epidemic peaks and duration of the second wave were also shown to reduce. Our results suggest that activating lockdown measures when second-wave case numbers first indicated exponential growth, would have been highly effective in reducing COVID-19 cases. The model was shown to realistically predict the epidemic growth rate under the social distancing measures applied, validating the methods applied.ConclusionsThe timing of social distancing activation is shown to be critical to their effectiveness. Data showing exponential rise in cases, doubling every 7-10 days, can be used to trigger early lockdown measures. Such measures are shown to be necessary to reduce daily and total case numbers, and the consequential health burden, so preventing health care facilities being overwhelmed. Early control of second wave resurgence potentially permits strict lockdown measures to be eased earlier.All authors have seen and approved the manuscript. Research funding from Department of Health, Western Australia and Department of Health, Queensland is acknowledged. The authors confirm that these organisations had no influence on the submitted work, nor are there any competing interests.
Pupillometry as a reliable metric of auditory detection and discrimination across diverse stimulus paradigms in animal models
Authors: Montes-Lourido Pilar , Kar Manaswini , Kumbam Isha , Sadagopan Srivatsun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractEstimates of detection and discrimination thresholds are often used to explore broad perceptual similarities between human subjects and animal models. Pupillometry shows great promise as a non-invasive, easily-deployable method of comparing human and animal thresholds. Using pupillometry, previous studies in animal models have obtained threshold estimates to simple stimuli such as pure tones, but have not explored whether similar pupil responses can be evoked by complex stimuli, what other stimulus contingencies might affect stimulus-evoked pupil responses, and if pupil responses can be modulated by experience or short-term training. In this study, we used an auditory oddball paradigm to estimate detection and discrimination thresholds across a wide range of stimuli in guinea pigs. We demonstrate that pupillometry yields reliable detection and discrimination thresholds across a range of simple (tones) and complex (conspecific vocalizations) stimuli; that pupil responses can be robustly evoked using different stimulus contingencies (low-level acoustic changes, or higher level categorical changes); and that pupil responses are modulated by short-term training. These results lay the foundation for using pupillometry as a high-throughput method of estimating thresholds in large experimental cohorts, and unveil the full potential of using pupillometry to explore broad similarities between humans and animal models.
Perivascular Space Semi-Automatic Segmentation (PVSSAS): A Tool for Segmenting, Viewing and Editing Perivascular Spaces
Authors: Smith Derek A , Verma Gaurav , Ranti Daniel , Markowitz Matthew , Balchandani Priti , Morris Laurel 
Published: November 2020

SummaryObjectiveIn this study, we validate and describe a user-friendly tool for PVS tracing that uses a Frangi-based detection algorithm; which will be made freely available to aid in future clinical and research applications. All PVS detected by the semi-automated method had a match with the manual dataset and 94% of the manual PVS had a match within the semi-automated dataset.MethodsWe deployed a Frangi-based filter using a pre-existing Matlab toolbox. The PVSSAS tool pre-processes the images and is optimized for maximum effectiveness in this application. A user-friendly GUI was developed to aid the speed and ease in marking large numbers of PVS across the entire brain at once.ResultsUsing a tolerance of 0.7 cm, 83% of all PVSs detected by the semi-automated method had a match with the manual dataset and 94% of the manual PVS had a match within the semi-automated dataset. As shown in figure 3, there was generally excellent agreement between the manual and semi-automated markings in any given slice.SignificanceThe primary benefit of PVSSAS will be time saved marking PVS. Clinical MRI use is likely to become more widespread in the diagnosis, treatment, and study of MS and other degenerative neurological conditions in the coming years. Tools like the one presented here will be invaluable in ensuring that the tracing and quantitative analysis of these PVS does not act as a bottle neck to treatment and further research.
JAK1 palmitoylation by ZDHHC3/7 is Essential for Neuropoietic Cytokine Signaling and DRG Neuron Survival
Authors: Hernandez Luiselys M. , Montersino Audrey , Niu Jingwen , Guo Shuchi , Thomas Gareth M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractJanus Kinase-1 (JAK1) plays key roles in pro-survival signaling during neurodevelopment and in responses to neuronal injury. JAK1 was identified as a potential palmitoyl-protein in high-throughput studies, but the importance of palmitoylation for JAK1’s roles in neurons has not been addressed. Here, we report that JAK1 is endogenously palmitoylated in cultured Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) neurons and, using an shRNA knockdown/rescue approach, reveal that JAK1 palmitoylation is important for neuropoietic cytokine-dependent signaling and neuronal survival. We further identify the related palmitoyl acyltransferases (PATs) ZDHHC3 and ZDHHC7 as dominant regulators of JAK1 palmitoylation in transfected non-neuronal cells and endogenously in neurons. At the molecular level, palmitoylation is critical for JAK1’s kinase activity in transfected cells and evenin vitro,likely because palmitoylation facilitates transphosphorylation of key sites in the JAK1 activation loop. These findings provide new insights into palmitoylation-dependent control of neuronal development and survival.
Combined epidemiological and genomic analysis of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission identifies community social distancing as the dominant intervention reducing outbreaks
Authors: Snell Luke B , Fisher Chloe L , Taj Usman , Merrick Blair , Alcolea-Medina Adela , Charalampous Themoula , Signell Adrian W , Wilson Harry D , Betancor Gilberto , Kia Ik Mark Tan , Cunningham Emma , Cliff Penelope R , Pickering Suzanne , Galao Rui Pedro , Batra Rahul , Neil Stuart J D , Malim Michael H , Doores Katie J , Douthwaite Sam T , Nebbia Gaia , Edgeworth Jonathan D , Awan Ali R ,   The COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTMany healthcare facilities report SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks but transmission analysis is complicated by the high prevalence of infection and limited viral genetic diversity. The contribution of different vectors to nosocomial infection or the effectiveness of interventions is therefore currently unclear. Detailed epidemiological and viral nanopore sequence data were analysed from 574 consecutive patients with a PCR positive SARS-CoV-2 test between March 13th and March 31st, when the pandemic first impacted on a large, multisite healthcare institution in London. During this time the first major preventative interventions were introduced, including progressive community social distancing (CSD) policies leading to mandatory national lockdown, exclusion of hospital visitors, and introduction of universal surgical facemask-use by healthcare-workers (HCW). Incidence of nosocomial cases, community SARS-CoV-2 cases and infection in a cohort of 228 HCWs followed the same dynamic course, decreasing shortly after introduction of CSD measures and prior to the main hospital-based interventions. We investigated clusters involving nosocomial cases based on overlapping ward-stays during the 14-day incubation period and SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence similarity. Our method placed 63 (79%) of 80 sequenced probable and definite nosocomial cases into 14 clusters containing a median of 4 patients (min 2, max 19) No genetic support was found for the majority of epidemiological clusters (31/44, 70%) and genomics revealed multiple contemporaneous outbreaks within single epidemiological clusters. We included a measure of hospital enrichment compared to community cases to increase confidence in our clusters, which were 1-14 fold enriched. Applying genomics, we could provide a robust estimate of the incubation period for nosocomial transmission, with a median lower bound and upper bound of 6 and 9 days respectively. Six (43%) clusters spanned multiple wards, with evidence of cryptic transmission, and community-onset cases could not be identified in more than half the clusters, particularly on the elective hospital site, implicating HCW as vectors of transmission. Taken together these findings suggest that CSD had the dominant impact on reducing nosocomial transmission by reducing HCW infection.
Unified neural pathways that gate affective pain and multisensory innate threat signals to the amygdala
Authors: Kang Sukjae Joshua , Liu Shijia , Ye Mao , Kim Dong-Il , Kim Jong-Hyun , Oh Tae Gyu , Peng Jiahang , Evans Ronald M. , Lee Kuo-Fen , Goulding Martyn , Han Sung 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPerception of aversive sensory stimuli such as pain and innate threat cues is essential for animal survival. The amygdala is critical for aversive sensory perception, and it has been suggested that multiple parallel pathways independently relay aversive cues from each sensory modality to the amygdala. However, a convergent pathway that relays multisensory aversive cues to the amygdala has not been identified. Here, we report that neurons expressing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the parvocellular subparafasicular thalamic nucleus (SPFp) are necessary and sufficient for affective-motivational pain perception by forming a spino-thalamo-amygdaloid pain pathway. In addition, we find that this thalamic CGRP pain pathway, together with well-known parabrachio-amygdaloid CGRP pain pathway, is critical for the perception of multisensory innate threat cues. The discovery of unified pathways that collectively gate aversive sensory stimuli from all sensory modalities may provide critical circuit-based insights for developing therapeutic interventions for affective pain- and innate fear-related disorders.
Maturation and persistence of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 memory B cell response
Authors: Sokal Aurélien , Chappert Pascal , Roeser Anais , Barba-Spaeth Giovanna , Fourati Slim , Azzaoui Imane , Vandenberghe Alexis , Fernandez Ignacio , Bouvier-Alias Magali , Crickx Etienne , Ferchiou Asma Beldi , Hue Sophie , Languille Laetitia , Baloul Samia , Noizat-Pirenne France , Luka Marine , Megret Jérôme , Ménager Mickaël , Pawlotsky Jean-Michel , Fillatreau Simon , Rey Felix A , Weill Jean-Claude , Reynaud Claude-Agnès , Mahévas Matthieu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMemory B cells play a fundamental role in host defenses against viruses, but to date, their role have been relatively unsettled in the context of SARS-CoV-2. We report here a longitudinal single-cell and repertoire profiling of the B cell response up to 6 months in mild and severe COVID-19 patients. Distinct SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific activated B cell clones fueled an early antibody-secreting cell burst as well as a durable synchronous germinal center response. While highly mutated memory B cells, including preexisting cross-reactive seasonal Betacoronavirus-specific clones, were recruited early in the response, neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific clones accumulated with time and largely contributed to the late remarkably stable memory B-cell pool. Highlighting germinal center maturation, these cells displayed clear accumulation of somatic mutations in their variable region genes over time. Overall, these findings demonstrate that an antigen-driven activation persisted and matured up to 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection and may provide long-term protection.
ATP hydrolysis coordinates the activities of two motors in a dimeric chromatin remodeling enzyme
Authors: Johnson Stephanie L. , Narlikar Geeta 
Published: November 2020

AbstractATP-dependent chromatin remodelers are essential enzymes that restructure eukaryotic genomes to enable all DNA-based processes. The diversity and complexity of these processes are matched by the complexity of the enzymes that carry them out, making remodelers a challenging class of molecular motors to study by conventional methods. Here we use a single molecule biophysical assay to overcome some of these challenges, enabling a detailed mechanistic dissection of a paradigmatic remodeler reaction, that of sliding a nucleosome towards the longer DNA linker. We focus on how two motors of a dimeric remodeler coordinate to accomplish such directional sliding. We find that ATP hydrolysis by both motors promotes coordination, suggesting a role for ATP in resolving the competition for directional commitment. Furthermore, we show an artificially constitutive dimer is no more or less coordinated, but is more processive, suggesting a cell could modulate a remodeler’s oligomeric state to modulate local chromatin dynamics.
Examining the phenomenon of rounding in analysts' EPS forecasts: evidence from Singapore
Authors: Goh Clarence 
Published: November 2020

PurposePrior studies have documented the phenomenon of rounding of analysts' earnings per share (EPS) forecasts in the USA. From the outset, it is unclear if analysts following Singapore firms also similarly engage in the rounding of their EPS forecasts. This study aims to investigate the extent to which analysts engage in rounding of EPS forecasts of firms listed on the Singapore Exchange.Design/methodology/approachThe author conducted his analysis on a sample of analyst EPS forecasts of companies listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, downloaded from the International Brokers Estimate System (I/B/E/S). This sample consists of 24,219 annual EPS forecasts announced from June 2011 to September 2019. These forecasts were made for 285 unique firms by 48 unique analysts.FindingsThe author finds that there is substantial rounding of EPS forecasts, with 9.59% of EPS forecasts examined ending in five- or ten-cent intervals. In supplementary analysis, the author further finds that the level of rounding was comparable across two periods under examination, from 2011 to 2015 and from 2016 to 2019. The author also finds that there was substantial rounding even for forecasts of relatively large magnitudes (i.e. US$1.00 and above).Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine the rounding of analysts' EPS forecasts of Singapore firms. It extends the literature on analyst EPS forecasts and highlights how the phenomenon of rounding of analyst EPS forecasts of US firms extends to Singapore.
The role and related variables of workplace learning in quantitative research
Authors: Park Yoonhee , Woo Heajung , Oh Mi-Rae , Park Sunyoung 
Published: November 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to review the definition, perspective, measurement and context of workplace learning and explored workplace learning to identify its role in quantitative research.Design/methodology/approachThrough an integrative review of the literature, the following four roles that workplace learning has played in these studies were identified: workplace learning as an antecedent, a mediator, a moderator and an outcome.FindingsThis paper synthesized results for workplace learning in 45 studies. A total of 88 variables related to workplace learning were identified after four overlapped variables (autonomy, social support, work engagement and workload) in multiples areas were excluded from a total of 92 variables (56 antecedents, 8 mediators, 7 moderators and 21 outcomes).Research limitations/implicationsBecause this study identified four roles of workplace learning (as antecedent, mediator, moderator and outcome), this study did not focus on the process of learning in the workplace. Additional study is needed to investigate how workplace learning can lead to outcomes and how this process can link workplace learning and its consequences.Originality/valueThis paper synthesized the antecedents, mediators, moderators and outcomes for workplace learning by integrating the findings in this study. This provided a comprehensive framework that could be used by researchers to continue the empirical research on this topic to develop the dynamics between individual, group, job and organizational variables on the one hand and workplace learning on the other.