bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subconcussive head impact exposure differences between drill intensities in U.S. high school football
Authors: Kercher Kyle , Steinfeldt Jesse A. , Macy Jonathan T. , Ejima Keisuke , Kawata Keisuke 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTPurposeUSA Football established five levels of contact (LOC) to guide the intensity of high school football practices. However, it remains unclear whether head impact exposure differs by LOC. The purpose of this study was to examine head impact frequency and magnitude by LOC in the overall sample and three position groups.MethodsThis longitudinal observational study included 24 high school football players during all practices and games in the 2019 season. Players wore a sensor-installed mouthguard that monitored head impact frequency, peak linear acceleration (PLA), and rotational head acceleration (PRA). Practice/game drills were filmed and categorized into 5 LOCs (air, bags, control, thud, live), and head impact data were assigned into 5 LOCs. Player position was categorized into linemen, hybrid, and skill.ResultsA total of 6016 head impacts were recorded during 5 LOCs throughout the season. In the overall sample, total number of impacts, sum of PLA, and PRA per player increased in an incremental manner (air<bags<control<thud<live), with the most head impacts inlive(113.7±17.8 hits/player) and the least head impacts inair(7.7±1.9 hits/player). The linemen and hybrid groups had consistently higher impact exposure than the skill group. Average head impact magnitudes by position group were higher duringlivedrills (PLA (41.0-45.9g) and PRA (3.3-4.6 krad/s2) per head impact), whereas other LOCs had lower magnitudes (PLA (18.2-23.2g) and PRA (1.6-2.3krad/s2) per impact).ConclusionOur data suggest that LOC may influence cumulative head impact exposure in high school football, with players incurring frequent head impacts duringlive, thud, andcontrol. The data indicate the importance of considering LOCs to refine practice guidelines and policies to minimize head impact burden in high school football athletes.
A Mini Review on Current Clinical and Research Findings for Children Suffering from COVID-19
Authors: Li Xiao , Qian Kun , Xie Ling-ling , Li Xiu-juan , Cheng Min , Jiang Li , Schuller Björn W. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundAs the novel coronavirus triggering COVID-19 has broken out in Wuhan, China and spread rapidly worldwide, it threatens the lives of thousands of people and poses a global threat on the economies of the entire world. However, infection with COVID-19 is currently rare in children.ObjectiveTo discuss the latest findings and research focus on the basis of characteristics of children confirmed with COVID-19, and provide an insight into the future treatment and research direction.MethodsWe searched the terms “COVID-19 OR coronavirus OR SARS-CoV-2” AND “Pediatric OR children” on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, NIH, CDC, and CNKI. The authors also reviewed the guidelines published on Chinese CDC and Chinese NHC.ResultsWe included 25 published literature references related to the epidemiology, clinical manifestation, accessary examination, treatment, and prognosis of pediatric patients with COVID-19.ConclusionThe numbers of children with COVID-19 pneumonia infection are small, and most of them come from family aggregation. Symptoms are mainly mild or even asymptomatic, which allow children to be a risk factor for transmission. Thus, strict epidemiological history screening is needed for early diagnosis and segregation. This holds especially for infants, who are more susceptible to infection than other age groups in pediatric age, but have most likely subtle and unspecific symptoms. They need to be paid more attention to. CT examination is a necessity for screening the suspected cases, because most of the pediatric patients are mild cases, and plain chest X-ray do not usually show the lesions or the detailed features. Therefore, early chest CT examination combined with pathogenic detection is a recommended clinical diagnosis scheme in children. The risk factors which may suggest severe or critical progress for children are: Fast respiratory rate and/or; lethargy and drowsiness mental state and/or; lactate progressively increasing and/or; imaging showed bilateral or multi lobed infiltration, pleural effusion or rapidly expending of lesions in a short period of time and/or; less than 3 months old or those who underly diseases. For those critical pediatric patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, polypnea may be the most common symptom. For treatment, the elevated PCT seen in children in contrast to adults suggests that the underlying coinfection/secondary infection may be more common in pediatric patients and appropriate antibacterial treatment should be considered. Once cytokine storm is found in these patients, anti-autoimmune or blood-purifying therapy should be given in time. Furthermore, effective isolation measures and appropriate psychological comfort need to be provided timely.
Epigenetic dysregulation ofACE2and interferon-regulated genes might suggest increased COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in lupus patients
Authors: Sawalha Amr H. , Zhao Ming , Coit Patrick , Lu Qianjin 
Published: April 2020

SummaryInfection caused by SARS-CoV-2 can result in severe respiratory complications and death. Patients with a compromised immune system are expected to be more susceptible to a severe disease course. In this report we suggest that patients with systemic lupus erythematous might be especially prone to severe COVID-19 independent of their immunosuppressed state from lupus treatment. Specially, we provide evidence in lupus to suggest hypomethylation and overexpression ofACE2, which is located on the X chromosome and encodes a functional receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Oxidative stress induced by viral infections exacerbates the DNA methylation defect in lupus, possibly resulting in furtherACE2hypomethylation and enhanced viremia. In addition, demethylation of interferon-regulated genes, NFκB, and key cytokine genes in lupus patients might exacerbate the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and increase the likelihood of cytokine storm. These arguments suggest that inherent epigenetic dysregulation in lupus might facilitate viral entry, viremia, and an excessive immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Further, maintaining disease remission in lupus patients is critical to prevent a vicious cycle of demethylation and increased oxidative stress, which will exacerbate susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection during the current pandemic. Epigenetic control of theACE2gene might be a target for prevention and therapy in COVID-19.
Detection of 2019 novel coronavirus in semen and testicular biopsy specimen of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Song Ci , Wang Yan , Li Weiqin , Hu Bicheng , Chen Guohua , Xia Ping , Wang Wei , Li Chaojun , Hu Zhibin , Yang Xiaoyu , Yao Bing , Liu Yun 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundAs of March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared as a pandemic. Expending our understanding of the transmission routes of the viral infection is crucial in controlling the outbreak. It is unclear whether the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) can directly infect the testes or male genital tract and be sexually transmitted from males.MethodsFrom January 31 to March 14, 2020, 12 patients in recovery and one patient died of COVID-19 were included in this descriptive study. The clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, chest CT scans and outcome data were recorded. To examine whether there is sexual transmission from male, we employed realtime polymerase chain reaction testing (RT-PCR) to detect 2019-nCov in semen or testicular biopsy specimen.FindingsThe age range of the 12 patients in recovery was 22-38 years. None of the patients developed severe COVID-19 pneumonia. As of March 14, 2020, ten patients discharged from the hospital while the rest 2 had developed into recovery stage. All of the 12 patients in recovery tested negative for 2019-nCoV RNA in semen samples. Another patient aged 67 died in March 10, 2020, whose tissue sample via testicular biopsy was also tested negative for viral RNA.ConclusionNo positive RT-PCR result was found in the semen or testicular biopsy specimen. The results from this study show no evidence of sexual transmission of 2019-nCov from males.
Nucleosome assembly and disassembly pathways
Authors: Hatakeyama A. , Retureau R. , Pasi M. , Hartmann B. , Nogues C. , Buckle M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNucleosome assembly and disassembly play a central role in the regulation of gene expression. Here we use PhAST (Photochemical Analysis of Structural Transitions) to monitor at the base pair level, structural alterations induced all along DNA upon histone binding or release. By offering the first consistent, detailed comparison of nucleosome assembly and disassemblyin vitro, we are able to reveal similarities and differences between the two processes. We identify multiple intermediate states characterised by specific PhAST signatures; revealing a complexity that goes beyond the known sequential events involving (H3-H4)2tetramer and H2A-H2B heterodimers. Such signatures localise and quantify the extent of the asymmetry of DNA/histone interactions with respect to the nucleosome dyad. This asymmetry is therefore defined by the localisation and amplitude of the signals. The localisation of the signal is consistent between assembly and disassembly and dictated by the DNA sequence. However, the amplitude component of this asymmetry not only evolves during the assembly and disassembly but does so differently between the two processes.Understanding the regulation of gene expression requires a complete knowledge of nucleosome dynamics. Our unexpected observation of differences between assembly and disassembly opens up new avenues to define the role of the DNA sequence in these processes. Overall, we provide new insights into how the intrinsic properties of DNA are integrated into a holistic mechanism that controls chromatin structure.Statement of SignificanceThis manuscript addresses the question of nucleosome dissociation compares with association. We used PhAST which is a non-intrusive photochemical technique to follow nucleosome dynamics at base pair resolution. We observed structural asymmetry during nucleosome turnover. We also showed for the first time that the process of nucleosome dissociation is not a reversal of association. This asymmetry favours intermediate states involved in chromatin organisation suggesting novel models for the role of nucleosome turnover in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression.
Gene deletion studies reveal a critical role for prostamide/prostaglandin F2αsynthase in prostamide F2αformation
Authors: Bertrand Jacques A , Woodward David F , Sherwood Joseph M , Spenlehauer Alice , Silvestri Cristoforo , Piscitelli Fabiana , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Yamazaki Maya , Sakimura Kenji , Watanabe Kikuko , Overby Darryl R 
Published: April 2020

AbstractProstamide/prostaglandin F synthase (PM/PGFS) is an enzyme with very narrow substrate specificity and is dedicated to the biosynthesis of prostamide and prostaglandin F2α.The importance of this enzyme, relative to the aldoketoreductase (AKR) series, in providing functional tissue prostamide F2αlevels was determined by creating a line of PM/PGFS gene deleted mice. Deletion of the gene encoding PM/PGFS (fam213b) was accomplished by a two exon disruption. Prostamide F2αlevels in WT and PM/PGFS KO mice were determined by LC/MS/MS. Intraocular pressure was measured by tonometry and outflow facility was measured by theiPerfusionmethod in enucleated mouse eyes. Deletion of fam213b had no observed effect on behavior, appetite, or fertility. Intraocular pressure was significantly elevated by approximately 4 mmHg in PM/PGFS KO mice compared to littermate WT mice. No effect on pressure dependent outflow facility occurred, which is consistent with the typically reported prostanoid effect of increasing outflow through the unconventional pathway. The elevation of intraocular pressure caused by deletion of the gene encoding the PM/PGFS enzyme likely results from a diversion of the endoperoxide precursor pathway to provide increased levels of those prostanoids that raise intraocular pressure, namely prostaglandin D2(PGD2), thromboxane A2(TxA2). It follows that PM/PGFS may serve an important regulatory role in the eye by providing PGF2αand prostamide F2αto constrain the influence of those prostanoids that raise intraocular pressure.
Hypoxia-related radiomics predict immunotherapy response: A multi-cohort study of NSCLC
Authors: Tunali Ilke , Tan Yan , Gray Jhanelle E. , Katsoulakis Evangelia , Eschrich Steven A. , Saller James , Boyle Theresa , Qi Jin , Guvenis Albert , Gillies Robert J. , Schabath Matthew B. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCheckpoint blockade immunotherapy provides improved long-term survival in a subset of advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, highly predictive biomarkers of immunotherapy response are unmet clinical need. In this study, we utilized pre-treatment clinical factors and quantitative image-based biomarkers (radiomics) to identify a parsimonious model that predicts survival outcomes among NSCLC patients treated with immunotherapy. The NSCLC patients treated with single or double agent immunotherapy were included in three different cohorts: Training (N = 180), test (N = 90) and validation (N = 62) cohorts. The models were created based on overall survival (OS) and were additionally assessed for progression-free survival (PFS). Including most predictive radiomic features and clinical covariates, Classification and Regression Tree analysis was applied to stratify patients into survival risk-groups in the training cohort. The risk groups were later generated in the test and validation cohorts. Four independent NSCLC cohorts (total N = 446) were utilized for further validation of the radiomic signature. The biological underpinnings of the most informative radiomics were assessed using gene expression data from a radiogenomics dataset and validated by immunohistochemistry data (IHC). A parsimonious clinical-radiomics model was found to be significantly associated with OS and PFS after stratifying patients into groups of low-, moderate-, high-, and very-high risk of death and progression. This trained model was further tested and validated in two independent cohorts. When the extreme phenotypes were compared, the very-high risk group was found to be associated with extremely poor OS in both the test (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.14 – 13.36; 1-year OS = 11.1%) and validation (HR = 13.81, 95% CI: 2.58 – 73.93; 1-year OS = %47.6) cohorts when compared to the low risk group (HRs = 1.00; 1-year OS = 85.0% & 80.2%). Similar findings were observed for PFS. The final radiomic feature (GLCM inverse difference) was associated with OS in four independent NSCLC cohorts and was found to be positively associated with the hypoxia-related carbonic anhydrase, CAIX, by gene expression profiling and immunohistochemistry. We validated a novel clinical-radiomics model that is associated with OS and PFS among NSCLC patients treated with immunotherapy and identified a highly vulnerable subset of patients that are unlikely to respond to immunotherapy. The most informative radiomic feature was associated with CAIX, a marker of tumor hypoxia, tumor acidosis, and treatment resistance.
Pod indehiscence in common bean is associated to the fine regulation ofPvMYB26and a non-functional abscission layer
Authors: Di Vittori Valerio , Bitocchi Elena , Rodriguez Monica , Alseekh Saleh , Bellucci Elisa , Nanni Laura , Gioia Tania , Marzario Stefania , Logozzo Giuseppina , Rossato Marzia , De Quattro Concetta , Murgia Maria L. , José Ferreira Juan , Campa Ana , Xu Chunming , Fiorani Fabio , Sampathkumar Arun , Fröhlich Anja , Attene Giovanna , Delledonne Massimo , Usadel Björn , Fernie Alisdair R. , Rau Domenico , Papa Roberto 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTIn legumes, pod shattering occurs when mature pods dehisce along the sutures, and detachment of the valves promotes seed dispersal. InPhaseolus vulgaris, the major locusqPD5.1-Pvfor pod indehiscence was identified recently. We developed a BC4/F4 introgression line population and narrowed the major locus down to a 22.5-kb region. Here, gene expression and a parallel histological analysis of dehiscent and indehiscent pods identified anAtMYB26orthologue as the best candidate for loss of pod shattering, on a genomic region ~11 kb downstream of the highest associated peak. Based on mapping and expression data, we propose early and fine up-regulation ofPvMYB26in dehiscent pods. Detailed histological analysis establishes that pod indehiscence is associated to the lack of a functional abscission layer in the ventral sheath, and that the key anatomical modifications associated with pod shattering in common bean occur early during pod development. We finally propose that loss of pod shattering in legumes resulted from histological convergent evolution and that this is the result of selection at orthologous loci.One-sentence summaryA non-functional abscission layer determines the loss of pod shattering; mapping data, and parallel gene expression and histological analysis supportPvMYB26as the candidate gene for pod indehiscence.
Computed Tomography Findings and Short-term follow-up with Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia
Authors: Qi Shi , Guo Hui , Shao Hua , Lan Siqin , He Yuanlin , Tiheiran Maijudan , Li Hongjun 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the characteristics of computed tomography (CT) features and changes in CT monitoring in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP).MethodsIn this retrospective, two-center study, we reviewed the medical records of 57 patients with NCP in CT from January 21 to February 12, 2020. Cases were confirmed by the results of nucleic acid test positive, and were analyzed for demographic, clinical, and CT features.ResultsOf the 57 patients, 31cases were male, and 45.6% were female. The average age was 46.5 ± 15.8 years. Patients had fever (84.2%), cough (49.1%), weak (31.6%), muscle ache (17.5%), shortness of breath (12.3%). The distribution of abnormality was a subpleural lesions in 51 cases, with 96.5% ground-glass opacity (GGO) and 68.4% consolidation. Another observation reveals 45.6% fibrosis, 33.3% lymph node enlargement, 21.1% pleural thickening, 17.5% small nodule, 7.0% white lung, 5.3% emphysema, and 3.5% bronchiectasis. Importantly, the group of men had more septal thickening and air trapping than the female group (p<0.05); Compared with the younger, the elderly had higher of subpleural lesion, interlobular septal thickening and pleural thickening (p<0.05). In the first monitoring, there were 37.3% improvement, 60.8% progress. In the second monitoring, there were 55% improvement, 35% progress. The improvement rate during the third follow-up visit was 100%.ConclusionsCT features and CT dynamic observation play a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment with NCP. It is conducive to early diagnosis, deepen the knowledge of NCP and accumulate experience.Key pointsBilateral and subpleural regions on CT are common in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP), which were more extensive GGOs than consolidation.At CT, NCP shows GGOs without or with consolidation, which most of the patients appear interlobular interstitium thickening, vascular bundle thickening, air bronchogram, and fibrosis. In patients with fever in close contact with eruption areas of 2019-nCoV, familiarity with the CT findings may help with early diagnosis, early isolation, and management.
Live-cell 3D single-molecule tracking reveals how NuRD modulates enhancer dynamics
Authors: Basu S , Shukron O , Hall D , Parutto P , Ponjavic A , Shah D , Boucher W , Lando D , Zhang W , Reynolds N , Sober LH , Jartseva A , Ragheb R , Ma X , Cramard J , Floyd R , Brown G , Balmer J , Drury TA , Carr AR , Needham L-M , Aubert A , Communie G , Gor K , Steindel M , Morey L , Blanco E , Bartke T , Di Croce L , Berger I , Schaffitzel C , Lee SF , Stevens TJ , Klenerman D , Hendrich BD , Holcman D , Laue ED 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEnhancer-promoter dynamics are crucial for the spatiotemporal control of gene expression, but it remains unclear whether these dynamics are controlled by chromatin regulators, such as the nucleosome remodelling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex. The NuRD complex binds to all active enhancers to modulate transcription and here we use Hi-C experiments to show that it blurs TAD boundaries and increases the proximity of intermediate-range (~1 Mb) genomic sequences and enhancer-promoter interactions. To understand whether NuRD alters the dynamics of 3D genome structure, we developed an approach to segment and extract key biophysical parameters from 3D single-molecule trajectories of the NuRD complex determined using live-cell imaging. Unexpectedly, this revealed that the intact NuRD complex decompacts chromatin structure and makes NuRD-bound enhancers move faster, increasing the overall volume of the nucleus that these key regulatory regions explore. Interestingly, we also uncovered a rare fast-diffusing state of NuRD bound enhancers that exhibits directed motion. The NuRD complex reduces the amount of time that enhancers remain in this fast-diffusing state, which we propose might otherwise re-organise enhancer-promoter proximity. Thus, we uncover an intimate connection between a chromatin remodeller and the spatial dynamics of the local regions of the genome to which it binds.
DENSITIES, PLANT SIZES, AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF SIX WILD POPULATIONS OFLOPHOPHORA WILLIAMSII(CACTACEAE) IN TEXAS, U.S.A
Authors: Ermakova Anna , Whiting Carolyn V. , Trout Keeper , Clubbe Colin , Terry Martin K. , Fowler Norma 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTLophophora williamsii(Cactaceae) is thought to be threatened by habitat loss and overharvesting. However, basic demographic and habitat information to evaluate its conservation status has been lacking. We surveyed six wild populations of this species, three in South Texas and three in West Texas, to begin to address this gap. We found high levels of heterogeneity in plant presence and density at multiple spatial scales. While plant densities were not consistently different between South and West Texas, plants were significantly larger in West Texas. The two regions differ strongly in precipitation, temperature, elevation, and topography, all of which are correlated at the regional scale. Therefore, it was not possible to identify which of these variables, or other factors such as competition and human harvesting, may be responsible for the regional differences in plant size. However, our results provide initial information for determining the conservation status of this species.RESUMENLophophora williamsii (Cactaceae)se considera amenazada por la pérdida de hábitat y cosecha excesiva. Sin embargo, se carece de información demográfica y ambiental básica para evaluar su estado de conservación. Para abordar este déficit, examinamos seis poblaciones salvajes de esta especie (tres en el sur y tres en el oeste de Texas respectivamente). Encontramos altos niveles de heterogeneidad en la presencia y densidad de plantas en múltiples escalas espaciales. Las densidades no son consistentemente diferentes entre el sur y el oeste, pero las plantas son significativamente más grandes en el oeste. Las dos regiones difieren notablemente en precipitación, temperatura, elevación y topografía. Todas estas variables están correlacionadas a escala regional, por lo que no es posible identificar cuál de ellas (u otros factores como la competencia y la cosecha humana) causan las diferencias regionales observadas en el tamaño de la planta. Nuestros resultados proporcionan información fundamental para determinar el estado de conservación de esta especie.