bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Covid-19 Lockdown Affects Hearing Disability and Handicap in Diverse Ways: A Rapid Online Survey Study
Authors: Naylor Graham , Burke Louise A. , Holman Jack A. 
Published: August 2020

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to explore the perceived effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) social distancing restrictions and safety measures on people with hearing loss.

Design:
Participants were 129 adults (48.1% female, mean age 64.4 years) with an audiometric hearing loss, living in Glasgow, Scotland. A rapidly deployed 24-item online questionnaire asked about the effects of certain aspects of lockdown, including face masks, social distancing, and video calling, on participants' behavior, emotions, hearing performance, practical issues, and tinnitus. Data were analyzed descriptively across the entire sample, and with Chi-squared tests for differences between subgroups self-reporting relatively good and relatively poor unaided hearing, respectively. Additional free-text responses provided further perspectives.

Results:
Behavior: Video calls are used more frequently than prelockdown. The better-hearing group use their hearing aids less. Emotions: There is increased anxiety (especially among the worse hearing group) concerning verbal communication situations and access to audiology services, and greater rumination about one’s own hearing loss. Enjoyment of group video calls is mixed. The worse hearing group shows substantial relief at not being obliged to attend challenging social gatherings. Across both groups, a majority would like to see all key workers equipped with transparent face masks. Hearing performance: A large majority finds it hard to converse with people in face masks due to muffled sound and lack of speechreading cues, but conversing at a safe distance is not universally problematic. In the worse hearing group, performance in video calls is generally inferior to face-to-face, but similar to telephone calls. Those who use live subtitling in video calls appreciate their value. TV and radio updates about Covid-19 are easy to follow for most respondents. There is only weak evidence of face mask fixtures interfering with hearing aids on the ear, and of tinnitus having worsened during lockdown.

Conclusions:
With due regard for the limitations of this rapid study, we find that there are many negative—and a few positive—effects of Covid-19 restrictions and safety measures on people with hearing loss. From a societal perspective, the widespread adoption of clear face masks may alleviate some of the difficulties and anxieties this population experience. From an individual perspective, one may consider using live subtitles on video calls. Manufacturers of hearing devices should consider developing processing modes and accessories specifically designed for video calls. Finally, repair and maintenance services should be resumed as soon as it is safe to do so.
Skeletal Muscle Composition Predicts Outcome in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Loosen Sven H. , Schulze-Hagen Maximilian , Püngel Tobias , Bündgens Lukas , Wirtz Theresa , Kather Jakob N. , Vucur Mihael , Paffenholz Pia , Demir Münevver , Bruners Philipp , Kuhl Christiane , Trautwein Christian , Tacke Frank , Luedde Tom , Koch Alexander , Roderburg Christoph 
Published: August 2020

Objectives:
Parameters of patients’ body composition have been suggested as prognostic markers in several clinical conditions including cancer and liver transplantation, but only limited data on its value in critical illness exist to date. In this study, we aimed at evaluating a potential prognostic value of the skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle myosteatosis of critically ill patients at admission to the ICU.

Design:
Exploratory observational cohort study.

Setting:
An urban, academic medical institution.

Patients:
One-hundred fifty-five patients treated for critical illness on a medical ICU.

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
We used routine CT scans to assess the patients’ individual body composition. The skeletal muscle index as a surrogate for sarcopenia was defined as the total skeletal muscle area at the level of the third lumbar vertebra on axial CT scan, normalized for the patient’s height. Myosteatosis was evaluated by assessing the mean skeletal muscle attenuation measured in Hounsfield unit at the same sectional plane. The skeletal muscle index and mean skeletal muscle attenuation at admission to the ICU were significantly higher in patients with long-term survival (180-day or 1-year mortality), while both parameters were comparable between short-term survivors and nonsurvivors (ICU mortality or 30-d mortality). Patients with a skeletal muscle index or mean skeletal muscle attenuation below our established ideal cutoff values (74.95 mm2/cm and 29 Hounsfield unit) showed a significantly reduced overall survival. These findings were confirmed in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Furthermore, myosteatosis significantly correlated with the time of mechanical ventilation, the duration of hospital stay, and the presence of sepsis.

Conclusions:
Our data suggest that sarcopenia and myosteatosis represent important prognostic factors in critically ill patients that can be easily obtained from routine CT scans. Both parameters at admission to the ICU yield important information on the patients’ long-term outcome and might be used for early clinical decision-making in these patients.
Genetic and morphological estimates of androgen exposure predict social deficits in multiple neurodevelopmental disorder cohorts
Authors: McKenna Brooke G. , Huang Yongchao , Vervier Kévin , Hofamman Dabney , Cafferata Mary , Al-Momani Seima , Lowenthal Florencia , Zhang Angela , Koh Jin-Young , Thenuwara Savantha , Brueggeman Leo , Bahl Ethan , Koomar Tanner , Pottschmidt Natalie , Kalmus Taylor , Casten Lucas , Thomas Taylor R. , Michaelson Jacob J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display a strong male bias. Androgen exposure is profoundly increased in typical male development, but it also varies within the sexes, and previous work has sought to connect morphological proxies of androgen exposure, including digit ratio and facial morphology, to neurodevelopmental outcomes. The results of these studies have been mixed and the relationships between androgen exposure and behavior remain unclear.MethodsHere, we measured both digit ratio masculinity (DRM) and facial landmark masculinity (FLM) in the same neurodevelopmental cohort (N=763) and compared these proxies of androgen exposure to clinical and parent-reported features as well as polygenic risk scores.ResultsWe found that FLM was significantly associated with NDD diagnosis (ASD, ADHD, ID; allp< 0.05), while DRM was not. When testing for association with parent-reported problems, we found that both FLM and DRM were positively associated with concerns about social behavior (ρ= 0.19,p= 0.004;ρ= 0.2,p= 0.004, respectively). Furthermore, we found evidence via polygenic risk scores (PRS) that DRM indexes masculinity via testosterone levels (t= 4.0,p= 8.8 × 10−5), while FLM indexes masculinity through a negative relationship with sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels (t= −3.3,p= 0.001). Finally, using the SPARK cohort (N=9,419) we replicated the observed relationship between polygenic estimates of testosterone, SHBG, and social functioning (t= −2.3,p= 0.02, andt= 4.2,p= 3.2 × 10−5for testosterone and SHBG, respectively). Remarkably, when considered over the extremes of each variable, these quantitative sex effects on social functioning were comparable to the effect of binary sex itself (binary male: −0.22 ± 0.05; testosterone: −0.35 ± 0.15 from 0.1%-ile to 99.9%-ile; SHBG: 0.64 ± 0.15 from 0.1%-ile to 99.9%-ile).ConclusionsThese findings and their replication in the large SPARK cohort lend support to the hypothesis that increasing net androgen exposure diminishes capacity for social functioning in both males and females.
Comparative Evaluation of Three Serologic Assays for the Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies
Authors: Hogan Keenan O. , Klippel Dave , Plapp Fred V. , Liesman Rachael M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackground and aimsSerologic assays for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies are being developed and approved rapidly with limited external validation. Accurate diagnostics are an essential component to pandemic management and public health.Materials and methodsResidual serum samples (N=113) from patients who were evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 infection status by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were retrospectively tested in parallel across three automated SARS-CoV-2 serologic assays: Liaison SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG, Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 total antibody, and Access SARS-CoV-2 IgG.ResultsTesting of 51 PCR-positive and 62 PCR-negative patients demonstrated qualitative inter-test agreement of 96% overall, 100% in PCR-negative patients, 88% in early positive samples (0-13 days post positive PCR), and 100% in convalescent samples (14+ days post positive PCR).Calculated kappa values for paired inter-test agreement ranged 0.93-0.96. Compared to PCR, overall percent positive agreement ranged from 82-86% (100% for convalescent samples) and percent negative agreement was 100% for each assay.ConclusionThis study demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy and inter-test agreement for three automated SARS-CoV-2 serologic assays. External validation of serologic assays is critical to ensure diagnostic accuracy and appropriate utilization of critical resources.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-Specific IgG Antibodies Among Adults Living in Connecticut: Post-Infection Prevalence (PIP) Study
Authors: Mahajan Shiwani , Srinivasan Rajesh , Redlich Carrie A. , Huston Sara K. , Anastasio Kelly M. , Cashman Lisa , Massey Dorothy S. , Dugan Andrew , Witters Dan , Marlar Jenny , Li Shu-Xia , Lin Zhenqiu , Hodge Domonique , Chattopadhyay Manas , Adams Mark D. , Lee Charles , Rao Lokinendi V. , Stewart Chris , Kuppusamy Karthik , Ko Albert I. , Krumholz Harlan M. 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundA seroprevalence study can estimate the percentage of people with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population, however, most existing reports have used a convenience sample, which may bias their estimates.MethodsWe sought a representative sample of Connecticut residents, aged ≥18 years and residing in non-congregate settings, who completed a survey between June 4 and June 23, 2020 and underwent serology testing for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies between June 10 and July 29, 2020. We also oversampled non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic subpopulations. We estimated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies and the prevalence of symptomatic illness and self-reported adherence to risk mitigation behaviors among this population.ResultsOf the 567 respondents (mean age 50 [±17] years; 53% women; 75% non-Hispanic White individuals) included at the state-level, 23 respondents tested positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, resulting in weighted seroprevalence of 4.0 (90% confidence interval [CI] 2.0–6.0). The weighted seroprevalence for the oversampled non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations was 6.4% (90% CI 0.9–11.9) and 19.9% (90% CI 13.2–26.6), respectively. The majority of respondents at the state-level reported following risk mitigation behaviors: 73% avoided public places, 75% avoided gatherings of families or friends, and 97% wore a facemask, at least part of the time.ConclusionsThese estimates indicate that the vast majority of people in Connecticut lack antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and there is variation by race/ethnicity. There is a need for continued adherence to risk mitigation behaviors among Connecticut residents to prevent resurgence of COVID-19 in this region.
Prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV infection among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Argentina
Authors: Pereson Matías J. , Martínez Alfredo P. , Isaac Katia , Laham Gustavo , Ridruejo Ezequiel , Garcia Gabriel H. , Flichman Diego M. , Di Lello Federico A. 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTBackground and AimBlood-borne infections are a major cause of damage in individuals on hemodialysis (HD). In particular, knowledge about the viral status of hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in HD patients is gold data to face medical challenges. Related information is scarce in Argentina. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infections in HD patients from Buenos Aires, Argentina.MethodsSeven hundred and forty-eight HD patients were included in a retrospective cross-sectional study. Laboratories assays were performed to determine virological status. HCV genotyping was carried out by phylogenetic analysis of NS5B partial gene.ResultsInfection with one of the viruses was detected in 31.1% of patients [HBV in 82 (11.0%), HCV in 179 (23.9%), and HIV in 6 (0.8%)]. Thirty-two (4.3%) patients had two virus markers [27 (3.6%) with HCV/HBV, 4 (0.5%) with HCV/HIV and 1 (0.13%) with HBV/HIV]. Finally, one single patient (0.13%) presented all three markers. Time on dialysis was correlated with HCV infection but no with HBV. Distribution of HCV subtypes was inverted respect to the observed in general population [HCV-1a (73.2%) and HCV-1b (26.8%) in HD vs. HCV-1a (26.5%) and HCV-1b (73.5%) in general population, p<0.001].ConclusionsThese infections, mainly HCV, continue to occur at a very high rate in HD patients. Results emphasize the need to consider a priority the HCV infected patients in dialysis treatment and to vaccine against HBV in order to decrease its morbidity and mortality.
COVID-19: Beliefs in misinformation in the Australian community
Authors: Pickles K , Cvejic E , Nickel B , Copp T , Bonner C , Leask J , Ayre J , Batcup C , Cornell S , Dakin T , Dodd RH , Isautier JMJ , McCaffery KJ 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate prevalence of beliefs in COVID-19 misinformation and examine whether demographic, psychosocial and cognitive factors are associated with these beliefs, and how they change over time.Study designProspective national longitudinal community online survey.SettingAustralian general public.ParticipantsAdults aged over 18 years (n=4362 baseline/Wave 1; n=1882 Wave 2; n=1369 Wave 3).Main outcome measureCOVID-19 misinformation beliefs.ResultsStronger agreement with misinformation beliefs was significantly associated with younger age, male gender, lower education, and primarily speaking a language other than English at home (all p<0.01). After controlling for these variables, misinformation beliefs were significantly associated (p<0.001) with lower digital health literacy, lower perceived threat of COVID-19, lower confidence in government, and lower trust in scientific institutions. The belief that the threat of COVID-19 is “greatly exaggerated” increased between Wave 1-2 (p=0.002), while belief that herd immunity benefits were being covered up decreased (p<0.001). Greatest support from a list of Australian Government identified myths was for those regarding ‘hot temperatures killing the virus’ (22%) and ‘Ibuprofen exacerbates COVID-19’ (13%). Lower institutional trust and greater rejection of official government accounts were associated with greater support for COVID-19 myths after controlling for sociodemographic variables.ConclusionThese findings highlight important gaps in communication effectiveness. Stronger endorsement of misinformation was associated with male gender, younger age, lower education and language other than English spoken at home. Misinformation can undermine public health efforts. Public health authorities must urgently target groups identified in this study when countering misinformation and seek ways to enhance public trust of experts, governments, and institutions.
Rapid, reliable, and cheap point-of-care bulk testing for SARS-CoV-2 by combining hybridization capture with improved colorimetric LAMP (Cap-iLAMP)
Authors: Bokelmann Lukas , Nickel Olaf , Maricic Tomislav , Pääbo Svante , Meyer Matthias , Borte Stephan , Riesenberg Stephan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEfforts to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have spurred the need for reliable, rapid, and cost-effective diagnostic methods which can easily be applied to large numbers of people. However, current standard protocols for the detection of viral nucleic acids while sensitive, require a high level of automation, sophisticated laboratory equipment and trained personnel to achieve throughputs that allow whole communities to be tested on a regular basis. Here we present Cap-iLAMP (capture and improved loop-mediated isothermal amplification). This method combines a hybridization capture-based RNA extraction of non-invasive gargle lavage samples to concentrate samples and remove inhibitors with an improved colorimetric RT-LAMP assay and smartphone-based color scoring. Cap-iLAMP is compatible with point-of-care testing and enables the detection of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples in less than one hour. In contrast to direct addition of the sample to improved LAMP (iLAMP), Cap-iLAMP does not result in false positives and single infected samples can be detected in a pool among 25 uninfected samples, thus reducing the technical cost per test to ~1 Euro per individual.
Low Quantity single strand CAGE (LQ-ssCAGE) maps regulatory enhancers and promoters
Authors: Takahashi Hazuki , Nishiyori-Sueki Hiromi , Ramilowski Jordan A. , Itoh Masayoshi , Carninci Piero 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) is a powerful method to identify the Transcription Start Sites (TSSs) of capped RNAs while simultaneously measuring transcripts expression level. CAGE allows mapping at single nucleotide resolution at all active promoters and enhancers. Large CAGE datasets have been produced over the years from individual laboratories and consortia, including the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) and Functional Annotation Of the Mammalian Genome (FANTOM). These datasets constitute open resource for TSS annotations and gene expression analysis. Here we provide an experimental protocol for the most recent CAGE method called Low Quantity (LQ) single strand (ss) CAGE “LQ-ssCAGE”, which enables cost-effective profiling of low quantity RNA samples. LQ-ssCAGE is especially useful for samples derived from cells cultured in small volumes, cellular compartments such as nuclear RNAs or for samples from developmental stages. We demonstrate the reproducibility and effectiveness of the method by constructing 240 LQ-ssCAGE libraries from 50 ng of THP-1 cell extracted RNAs and discover lowly expressed novel enhancer and promoter-derived lncRNAs.
FeS-cluster coordination of vertebrate thioredoxin regulates suppression of hypoxia-induced factor 2α through iron regulatory protein 1
Authors: Berndt Carsten , Hanschmann Eva-Maria , Jordt Laura Magdalena , Gellert Manuela , Thewes Leonie , Ortegón Salas Clara , Poschmann Gereon , Müller Christina Sophia , Bodnar Yana , Schipper Susanne , Handorf Oliver , Nowack Ricardo , Moulis Jean-Marc , Schulzke Carola , Schünemann Volker , Lillig Christopher Horst 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIron-regulatory protein 1 (IRP1), a central regulator of iron metabolism in vertebrates, also affects cellular response to hypoxia. IRP1 binds to the iron-responsive element (IRE) in the mRNA encoding hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 2α, thereby blocking the translation of the HIF2α-mRNA, and allowing the transcriptional regulation of, e.g., erythropoiesis. Here, we characterize the oxidoreductase thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) as a new regulator of hypoxia signaling. Human and murine Trx1 complex iron-sulfur clusters using one of the active site cysteinyl residues and a vertebrate-specific additional cysteinyl residue outside the active site. FeS-Trx1 is inactive, activated apo-Trx1 reduces cysteinyl residues in the binding pocket of IRP1/apo-Aconitase 1, which allows IRP1 to bind IREs in regulated mRNAs. Therefore, translation of the HIF2α mRNA requires either sufficient iron supply or the lack of reducing power of the Trx system under iron-limiting conditions. FeS-Trx1 thus links both redox and iron homeostasis to hypoxia responses.
Combined deletion of free fatty-acid receptors 1 and 4 minimally impacts glucose homeostasis in mice
Authors: Croze Marine L. , Guillaume Arthur , Ethier Mélanie , Fergusson Grace , Tremblay Caroline , Campbell Scott A. , Maachi Hasna , Ghislain Julien , Poitout Vincent 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTThe free fatty-acid receptors FFAR1 (GPR40) and FFAR4 (GPR120) are implicated in the regulation of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, respectively. Although GPR120 and GPR40 share similar ligands, few studies have addressed possible interactions between these two receptors in the control of glucose homeostasis. Here we generated mice deficient ingpr120(Gpr120KO) orgpr40(Gpr40KO), alone or in combination (Gpr120/40KO), and metabolically phenotyped male and female mice fed a normal chow or high-fat diet. We assessed insulin secretion in isolated mouse islets exposed to selective GPR120 and GPR40 agonists singly or in combination. Following normal chow feeding, body weight and energy intake were unaffected by deletion of either receptor, although fat mass increased in Gpr120KO females. Fasting blood glucose levels were mildly increased in Gpr120/40KO mice, and in a sex-dependent manner in Gpr120KO and Gpr40KO animals. Oral glucose tolerance was slightly reduced in male Gpr120/40KO mice and in Gpr120KO females, whereas insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity were unaffected. In hyperglycemic clamps, the glucose infusion rate was lower in male Gpr120/40KO mice but insulin and c-peptide levels were unaffected. No changes in glucose tolerance were observed in either single or double KO animals under high-fat feeding. In isolated islets from wild-type mice, the combination of selective GPR120 and GPR40 agonists additively increased insulin secretion. We conclude that while simultaneous activation of GPR120 and GPR40 enhances insulin secretion ex vivo, combined deletion of these two receptors only minimally affects glucose homeostasis in vivo in mice.
High-contrast multifocus microscopy with a single camera and z-splitter prism
Authors: Xiao Sheng , Gritton Howard , Tseng Hua-an , Zemel Dana , Han Xue , Mertz Jerome 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTWe present a multifocus imaging strategy based on the use of a simple z-splitter prism that can be assembled from off-the-shelf components. Our technique enables a widefield image stack to be distributed onto a single camera and recorded simultaneously. We exploit the volumetric nature of our image acquisition by further introducing a novel extended-volume 3D deconvolution strategy to suppress far-out-of-focus fluorescence background to significantly improve the contrast of our recorded images, conferring to our system a capacity for quasi optical sectioning. By swapping in different z-splitter configurations, we can prioritize high speed or large 3D field-of-view imaging depending on the application of interest. Moreover, our system can be readily applied to a variety of imaging modalities in addition to fluorescence, such as phase-contrast and darkfield imaging. Because of its simplicity, versatility, and performance, we believe our system will be a useful tool for general biological or biomedical imaging applications.