bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The human coronaviruses (HCoVs) and the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Santacroce Luigi , Charitos Ioannis A. , Carretta Domenico M. , De Nitto Emanuele , Lovero Roberto 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn humans, coronaviruses can cause infections of the respiratory system, with damage of varying severity depending on the virus examined: ranging from mild-to-moderate upper respiratory tract diseases, such as the common cold, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death. Human coronaviruses known to date, common throughout the world, are seven. The most common—and least harmful—ones were discovered in the 1960s and cause a common cold. Others, more dangerous, identified in the early 2000s and cause more severe respiratory tract infections. Among these the SARS-CoV, isolated in 2003 and responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (the so-called SARS), which appeared in China in November 2002, the coronavirus 2012 (2012-nCoV) cause of the Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS) from coronavirus, which exploded in June 2012 in Saudi Arabia, and actually SARS-CoV-2. On December 31, 2019, a new coronavirus strain was reported in Wuhan, China, identified as a new coronavirus beta strain ß-CoV from group 2B, with a genetic similarity of approximately 70% to SARS-CoV, the virus responsible of SARS. In the first half of February, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), in charge of the designation and naming of the viruses (i.e., species, genus, family, etc.), thus definitively named the new coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2. This article highlights the main knowledge we have about the biomolecular and pathophysiologic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2.
Early predictors for late hospitalizations up to 14 years after first episode psychosis
Authors: Strålin Pontus , Skott Maria , Cullberg Johan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose
New hospitalizations after first episode psychosis (FEP) may be viewed as an indicator of instability in a psychotic disorder. In the current study we wanted to analyse long term risk for psychosis hospitalizations after FEP. We also wanted to analyse predictors for late hospitalizations, with focus on early antipsychotic medication.

Methods
First episode psychosis cases were recruited to the Swedish Parachute project in 1996–1997. The program offered highly available and continuous psychosocial support and a cautious use of antipsychotic medication for 5 years from inclusion. Longitudinal data from population registers on psychiatric hospitalizations up to 14 years after inclusion were analysed. One hundred and sixty-one cases were included of the original 175 in the project. Associations with possible early predictive factors from the original project data were analysed with COX regression.

Results
A majority of the cases (67%) had hospitalizations in the first year after inclusion in the study. The cohort then diverged into a group (46%) with new hospitalizations for psychosis after the first year, most of them multiple times, and another group (54%) without new hospitalizations for psychosis, many without any late antipsychotic medication. Forty-two percentage of the cases had antipsychotic medication by month 12, and it was significantly associated with later psychosis hospitalizations (HR = 2.5, p value < 0.001).

Conclusions
The study demonstrates that a large part of FEP cases have a good outcome as measured by absence of new hospitalizations for psychosis, and that many cases may terminate antipsychotic medication within a year of FEP onset without later relapses needing hospitalizations.
Human neuronal signaling and communication assays to assess functional neurotoxicity
Authors: Loser Dominik , Schaefer Jasmin , Danker Timm , Möller Clemens , Brüll Markus , Suciu Ilinca , Ückert Anna-Katharina , Klima Stefanie , Leist Marcel , Kraushaar Udo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPrediction of drug toxicity on the human nervous system still relies mainly on animal experiments. Here, we developed an alternative system allowing assessment of complex signaling in both individual human neurons and on the network level. The LUHMES cultures used for our approach can be cultured in 384-well plates with high reproducibility. We established here high-throughput quantification of free intracellular Ca2+concentrations [Ca2+]ias broadly applicable surrogate of neuronal activity and verified the main processes by patch clamp recordings. Initially, we characterized the expression pattern of many neuronal signaling components and selected the purinergic receptors to demonstrate the applicability of the [Ca2+]isignals for quantitative characterization of agonist and antagonist responses on classical ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors. This included receptor sub-typing and the characterization of the anti-parasitic drug suramin as modulator of the cellular response to ATP. To exemplify potential studies on ion channels, we characterized voltage-gated sodium channels and their inhibition by tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin and lidocaine, as well as their opening by the plant alkaloid veratridine and the food-relevant marine biotoxin ciguatoxin. Even broader applicability of [Ca2+]iquantification as an end point was demonstrated by measurements of dopamine transporter activity based on the membrane potential-changing activity of this neurotransmitter carrier. The substrates dopamine or amphetamine triggered [Ca2+]ioscillations that were synchronized over the entire culture dish. We identified compounds that modified these oscillations by interfering with various ion channels. Thus, this new test system allows multiple types of neuronal signaling, within and between cells, to be assessed, quantified and characterized for their potential disturbance.
Random Spanning Forests and Hyperbolic Symmetry
Authors: Bauerschmidt Roland , Crawford Nicholas , Helmuth Tyler , Swan Andrew 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe study (unrooted) random forests on a graph where the probability of a forest is multiplicatively weighted by a parameter $$\beta >0$$

β
>
0

per edge. This is called the arboreal gas model, and the special case when $$\beta =1$$

β
=
1

is the uniform forest model. The arboreal gas can equivalently be defined to be Bernoulli bond percolation with parameter $$p=\beta /(1+\beta )$$

p
=
β
/
(
1
+
β
)

conditioned to be acyclic, or as the limit $$q\rightarrow 0$$

q
→
0

with $$p=\beta q$$

p
=
β
q

of the random cluster model. It is known that on the complete graph $$K_{N}$$

K
N

with $$\beta =\alpha /N$$

β
=
α
/
N

there is a phase transition similar to that of the Erdős–Rényi random graph: a giant tree percolates for $$\alpha > 1$$

α
>
1

and all trees have bounded size for $$\alpha <1$$

α
<
1

. In contrast to this, by exploiting an exact relationship between the arboreal gas and a supersymmetric sigma model with hyperbolic target space, we show that the forest constraint is significant in two dimensions: trees do not percolate on $${\mathbb {Z}}^2$$

Z

2

for any finite $$\beta >0$$

β
>
0

. This result is a consequence of a Mermin–Wagner theorem associated to the hyperbolic symmetry of the sigma model. Our proof makes use of two main ingredients: techniques previously developed for hyperbolic sigma models related to linearly reinforced random walks and a version of the principle of dimensional reduction.
A Review of Parathyroid Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism from the United Kingdom Registry of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgery (UKRETS)
Authors: Ishii H. , Stechman M. J. , Watkinson J. C. , Aspinall S. , Kim D. S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe United Kingdom Registry of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons is a national database holding details on > 28,000 parathyroidectomies.MethodsAn extract (2004–2017) of the database was analysed to investigate the reported efficacy, safety and use of intra‐operative surgical adjuncts in targeted parathyroidectomy (tPTx) and bilateral neck exploration (BNE) for adult, first‐time primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).Results50.9% of 21,738 cases underwent tPTx. Excellent short‐term (median follow‐up 35 days) post‐operative normocalcaemia rates were reported overall (tPTx 96.6%, BNE 94.5%, p < 0.05) and in image‐positive cases (tPTx 96.7%, BNE 96%, p < 0.05). Intra‐operative PTH improved overall normocalcaemia rates (tPTx 97.8% vs 96.3%, BNE 95% vs 94.4%: both p < 0.05). Intra‐operative nerve monitoring reduced vocal cord (VC) dysfunction in image‐positive tPTx, but not in BNE (97.8% vs 93.2%, p < 0.05). Complications were higher following BNE (7.4% vs 3.8%, p < 0.05), especially hypocalcaemia (5.3% vs 2%, p < 0.05). There was no difference in rates of subjective dysphonia following tPTx or BNE (2.4% vs 2.3%, p > 0.05), nor any difference in VC dysfunction when formally examined (4.9% vs 4.1%, p > 0.05).ConclusionsIn image‐positive, first time, adult PHPT cases, tPTx is as safe and effective as BNE, with both achieving excellent short‐term results with minimal complications.
Oral high-dose sucrosomial iron vs intravenous iron in sideropenic anemia patients intolerant/refractory to iron sulfate: a multicentric randomized study
Authors: Giordano Giulio , Napolitano Mariasanta , Di Battista Valeria , Lucchesi Alessandro 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIron deficiency anemia is among the most frequent causes of disability. Intravenous iron is the quickest way to correct iron deficiency, bypassing the bottleneck of iron intestinal absorption, the only true mechanism of iron balance regulation in human body. Intravenous iron administration is suggested in patients who are refractory/intolerant to oral iron sulfate. However, the intravenous way of iron administration requires several precautions; as the in-hospital administration requires a resuscitation service, as imposed in Europe by the European Medicine Agency, it is very expensive and negatively affects patient’s perceived quality of life. A new oral iron formulation, Sucrosomial iron, bypassing the normal way of absorption, seems to be cost-effective in correcting iron deficiency anemia at doses higher than those usually effective with other oral iron formulations. In this multicentric randomized study, we analyze the cost-effectiveness of intravenous sodium ferrigluconate vs oral Sucrosomial iron in patients with iron deficiency anemia refractory/intolerant to oral iron sulfate without other interfering factors on iron absorption.
Visual discrimination and resolution in freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygon motoro)
Authors: Daniel Martha M. M. , Alvermann Laura , Böök Imke , Schluessel Vera 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPotamotrygon motoro has been shown to use vision to orient in a laboratory setting and has been successfully trained in cognitive behavioral studies using visual stimuli. This study explores P. motoro’s visual discrimination abilities in the context of two-alternative forced-choice experiments, with a focus on shape and contrast, stimulus orientation, and visual resolution. Results support that stingrays are able to discriminate stimulus-presence and -absence, overall stimulus contrasts, two forms, horizontal from vertical stimulus orientations, and different colors that also vary in brightness. Stingrays tested in visual resolution experiments demonstrated a range of visual acuities from < 0.13 to 0.23 cpd under the given experimental conditions. Additionally, this report includes the first evidence for memory retention in this species.
A multistate first-order Markov model for modeling time distribution of extreme rainfall events
Authors: Rohith A. N. , Gitau Margaret W. , Chaubey I. , Sudheer K. P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe time distribution of extreme rainfall events is a significant property that governs the design of urban stormwater management structures. Accuracy in characterizing this behavior can significantly influence the design of hydraulic structures. Current methods used for this purpose either tend to be generic and hence sacrifice on accuracy or need a lot of model parameters and input data. In this study, a computationally efficient multistate first-order Markov model is proposed for use in characterizing the inherently stochastic nature of the dimensionless time distribution of extreme rainfall. The model was applied to bivariate extremes at 10 stations in India and 205 stations in the United States (US). A comprehensive performance evaluation was carried out with one-hundred stochastically generated extremes for each historically observed extreme rainfall event. The comparisons included: 1-h (15-min); 2-h (30-min); and, 3-h (45-min) peak rainfall intensities for India and (US) stations, respectively; number of first, second, third, and fourth-quartile storms; the dependence of peak rainfall intensity on total depth and duration; and, return levels and return periods of peak discharge when these extremes were applied on a hypothetical urban catchment. Results show that the model efficiently characterizes the time distribution of extremes with: Nash–Sutcliffe-Efficiency > 0.85 for peak rainfall intensity and peak discharge; < 20% error in reproducing different quartile storms; and, < 0.15 error in correlation analysis at all study locations. Hence the model can be used to effectively reproduce the time distribution of extreme rainfall events, thus increasing the confidence of design of urban stormwater management structures.
Cognitive task performance under (combined) conditions of a metabolic and sensory stressor
Authors: Bottenheft Charelle , Brouwer Anne-Marie , Stuldreher Ivo , Groen Eric , van Erp Jan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEffects of stressors on cognitive task performance have primarily been studied in isolation, and little is known about the combined effects of two or more stressors. This study examined how a metabolic stressor (skipping breakfast) and a sensory stressor (noise) affect cognitive task performance in isolation and combined. In addition to performance, we collected physiological and subjective data to get insight in the underlying mechanisms. Twenty participants came to the lab twice, once after skipping breakfast, and once after a standardized breakfast. They performed runs of the 2-back task and the International Shopping List Task, which were alternately presented with and without noise. During the 2-back task, electrocardiography (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and electroencephalography (EEG) were recorded. Subjective ratings on effort and stress were also collected. No interaction effects between the two stressors on cognitive performance were found. Skipping breakfast did not cause hypoglycemia, but resulted in subjective discomfort and a lower state of arousal (as indicated by lower heart rate and EDA). These may underly the trend for more missed responses on the 2-back task after breakfast skipping. Noise appeared to generate arousal and increased attention (reflected in higher EDA and P300) in accordance with higher experienced load and stress. This is consistent with less missed 2-back responses in noise conditions. The results indicate that individuals spent extra effort to maintain task performance in the presence of noise. We propose to use a model that, besides additional effort, takes the effect of stressors on performance into account.
Views of Catholic Priests Regarding Causes, Treatments and Psychosocial Consequences of Schizophrenia and Depression: A Comparative Study in Italy
Authors: Magliano Lorenza , Citarelli Giulia , Affuso Gaetana 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study explored views of Catholic priests about schizophrenia and depression in Italy. Participants completed a questionnaire on their views about either schizophrenia (N = 282) or depression (N = 277). The depression group was surer than the schizophrenia group that: the disorder was due to psychosocial causes; curable; non-requiring long-term pharmacotherapy; the persons with depression could participate in religious activities. The older priests were more convinced than the younger priests that: the prayer and long-term pharmacotherapy are useful; the persons with mental disorders had affective difficulties, are recognizable and kept at distance. Priests should receive education on stigma in mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia.
How the love of muscle can break a heart: Impact of anabolic androgenic steroids on skeletal muscle hypertrophy, metabolic and cardiovascular health
Authors: McCullough Deaglan , Webb Richard , Enright Kevin J. , Lane Katie E. , McVeigh Jim , Stewart Claire E. , Davies Ian G. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIt is estimated 6.4% of males and 1.6% of females globally use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), mostly for appearance and performance enhancing reasons. In combination with resistance exercise, AAS use increases muscle protein synthesis resulting in skeletal muscle hypertrophy and increased performance. Primarily through binding to the androgen receptor, AAS exert their hypertrophic effects via genomic, non-genomic and anti-catabolic mechanisms. However, chronic AAS use also has a detrimental effect on metabolism ultimately increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Much research has focused on AAS effects on blood lipids and lipoproteins, with abnormal concentrations of these associated with insulin resistance, hypertension and increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT). This clustering of interconnected abnormalities is often referred as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, the aim of this review is to explore the impact of AAS use on mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and markers of MetS. AAS use markedly decreases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and increases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Chronic AAS use also appears to cause higher fasting insulin levels and impaired glucose tolerance and possibly higher levels of VAT; however, research is currently lacking on the effects of AAS use on glucose metabolism. While cessation of AAS use can restore normal lipid levels, it may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as depression and hypogonadism that can increase CVD risk. Research is currently lacking on effective treatments for withdrawal symptoms and further long-term research is warranted on the effects of AAS use on metabolic health in males and females.
Experimental and Modelling Study of Gravity Drainage in a Three-Block System
Authors: Erfani Hamidreza , Karimi Malekabadi Abtin , Ghazanfari Mohammad Hossein , Rostami Behzad 
Published: December 2020

AbstractGravity drainage is known as the controlling mechanism of oil recovery in naturally fractured reservoirs. The efficiency of this mechanism is controlled by block-to-block interactions through capillary continuity and/or reinfiltration processes. In this study, at first, several free-fall gravity drainage experiments were conducted on a well-designed three-block apparatus and the role of tilt angle, spacers’ permeability, wettability and effective contact area (representing a different status of the block-to-block interactions between matrix blocks) on the recovery efficiency were investigated. Then, an experimental-based numerical model of free-fall gravity drainage process was developed, validated and used for monitoring the saturation profiles along with the matrix blocks. Results showed that gas wetting condition of horizontal fracture weakens the capillary continuity and in consequence decreases the recovery factor in comparison with the original liquid wetting condition. Moreover, higher spacers’ permeability increases oil recovery at early times, while it decreases the ultimate recovery factor. Tilt angle from the vertical axis decreases recovery factor, due to greater connectivity of matrix blocks to vertical fracture and consequent channelling. Decreasing horizontal fracture aperture decreases recovery at early times but increases the ultimate recovery due to a greater extent of capillary continuity between the adjacent blocks. Well match observed between the numerical model results and the experimental data of oil recovery makes the COMSOL multiphysics model attractive for application in multi-blocks fractured systems considering block-to-block interactions. The findings of this research improve our understanding of the role of different fracture properties on the block-to-block interactions and how they change the ultimate recovery of a multi-block system.
Effects of nasal high flow on nocturnal hypercapnia, sleep, and sympathovagal balance in patients with neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Meyer Anna Christina , Spiesshoefer Jens , Siebers Nina Christina , Heidbreder Anna , Thiedemann Christian , Schneider Hartmut , Braun Andrew T. , Randerath Winfried , Young Peter , Dreher Michael , Boentert Matthias 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose
In neuromuscular disorders (NMD), inspiratory muscle weakness may cause sleep-related hypoventilation requiring non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Alternatively, nasal high flow therapy (NHF) may ameliorate mild nocturnal hypercapnia (NH) through washout of anatomical dead space and generation of positive airway pressure. Ventilatory support by NIV or NHF might have favourable short-term effects on sympathovagal balance (SVB). This study comparatively investigated the effects of NHF and NIV on sleep-related breathing and SVB in NMD patients with evolving NH.

Methods
Transcutaneous CO2 (ptcCO2), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), sleep outcomes and SVB (spectral analysis of heart rate, diastolic blood pressure variability) along with haemodynamic measures (cardiac index, total peripheral resistance index) were evaluated overnight in 17 patients. Polysomnographies (PSG) were randomly split into equal parts with no treatment, NIV and NHF at different flow rates (20 l/min vs. 50 l/min). In-depth analysis of SVB and haemodynamics was performed on 10-min segments of stable N2 sleep taken from each intervention.

Results
Compared with no treatment, NHF20 and NHF50 did not significantly change ptcCO2, SpO2 or the apnea hypopnea index (AHI). NHF50 was poorly tolerated. In contrast, NIV significantly improved both gas exchange and AHI without adversely affecting sleep. During daytime, NHF20 and NHF50 had neutral effects on ventilation and oxygenation whereas NIV improved ptcCO2 and SpO2. Effects of NIV and NHF on SVB and haemodynamics were neutral during both night and daytime.

Conclusions
NHF does not correct sleep-disordered breathing in NMD patients with NH. Both NHF and NIV exert no immediate effects on SVB.
Impaired benthic macrofauna function 4 years after sediment capping with activated carbon in the Grenland fjords, Norway
Authors: Raymond Caroline , Samuelsson Göran S , Agrenius Stefan , Schaanning Morten T , Gunnarsson Jonas S 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe sediments in the Grenland fjords in southern Norway are heavily contaminated by large emissions of dioxins and mercury from historic industrial activities. As a possible in situ remediation option, thin-layer sediment surface capping with powdered activated carbon (AC) mixed with clay was applied at two large test sites (10,000 and 40,000 m2) at 30-m and 95-m depths, respectively, in 2009. This paper describes the long-term biological effects of the AC treatment on marine benthic communities up to 4 years after treatment. Our results show that the capping with AC strongly reduced the benthic species diversity, abundance, and biomass by up to 90%. Vital functions in the benthic ecosystem such as particle reworking and bioirrigation of the sediment were also reduced, analyzed by using novel bioturbation and bioirrigation indices (BPc, BIPc, and IPc). Much of the initial effects observed after 1 and 14 months were still present after 49 months, indicating that the effects are long-lasting. These long-lasting negative ecological effects should be carefully considered before decisions are made on sediment remediation with powdered AC, especially in large areas, since important ecosystem functions can be impaired.