bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sewage as a Possible Transmission Vehicle During a Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in a Densely Populated Community: Guangzhou, China, April 2020
Authors: Yuan Jun , Chen Zongqiu , Gong Chenghua , Liu Hui , Li Baisheng , Li Kuibiao , Chen Xi , Xu Conghui , Jing Qinlong , Liu Guocong , Qin Pengzhe , Liu Yufei , Zhong Yi , Huang Lijuan , Zhu Bao-Ping , Yang Zhicong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Sewage transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has never been demonstrated. During a COVID-19 outbreak in Guangzhou, China in April 2020, we investigated the mode of transmission.

Methods
We collected clinical and environmental samples from quarantined residents and their environment for RT-PCR testing and genome sequencing. A case was a resident with a positive RT-PCR test regardless of symptoms. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all residents of cases’ buildings to identify risk factors.

Results
We found 8 cases (onset: 5–21 April). During incubation period, cases 1 and 2 frequented market T where a COVID-19 outbreak was ongoing; cases 3–8 never visited market T, lived in separate buildings and never interacted with cases 1 and 2. Working as a janitor or wastepicker (RR = 13; 95% CIexact, 2.3–180), not changing to clean shoes (RR = 7.4; 95% CIexact, 1.8–34) and handling dirty shoes by hand (RR = 6.3; 95% CIexact, 1.4–30) after returning home were significant risk factors. RT-PCR detected SARS-CoV-2 in 19% of 63 samples from sewage puddles or pipes, and 24% of 50 environmental samples from cases’ apartments. Viruses from the squat toilet and shoe-bottom dirt inside the apartment of cases 1 and 2 were homologous with those from cases 3–8 and the sewage. Sewage from the apartment of cases 1 and 2 leaked out of a cracked pipe onto streets. Rainfall after the onset of cases 1 and 2 flooded the streets.

Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2 might spread by sewage, highlighting the importance of sewage management during outbreaks.
Differential Effects of AIDS and Chronic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection on Gray Matter Volume
Authors: O’Connor Erin E , Zeffiro Thomas A , Lopez Oscar L , Becker James T 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Age, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, illicit drug use, and central nervous system (CNS) opportunistic infections can affect brain structure, with the striatum being particularly sensitive to HIV effects. Nevertheless, the impact of non-CNS AIDS-defining illness (ADI) on brain structure has been less investigated. We examined ADI and HIV effects on brain volume.

Methods
In a cross-sectional study, including 95 virally suppressed seropositive and 84 demographically matched, seronegative participants, we examined serostatus and ADI effects. Cortical and subcortical gray matter volume (GMV) regions of interest were estimated with computational neuroanatomy techniques applied to high-resolution, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data. Linear regression was used to model HIV serostatus and ADI effects on global and regional GMV, adjusting for age, sex, CD4 nadir, drug use, and total intracranial volume.

Results
While HIV serostatus was associated with lower striatal volume (B = −.59 [95% confidence interval {CI}, −1.08 to −.10]), co-occurring ADI was independently associated with lower striatal volume (B = −.73 [95% CI, −1.36 to −.09]). ADI was also associated with lower global (B = −19.35 [95% CI, −32.42 to −6.29]) and regional GMV.

Conclusions
While HIV infection is associated with a localized effect on striatal structure, having a prior ADI is a strong predictor of smaller global and regional GMV. The lack of interaction between HIV serostatus or ADI with age suggests that chronic HIV infection and ADI have independent effects on brain structure, without associated accelerated lower volume with age. ADI history should be incorporated into statistical adjustments in HIV neuroimaging analysis. These findings also lend support to current HIV treatment guidelines urging prompt antiretroviral therapy initiation after HIV diagnosis.
The Household Secondary Attack Rate of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): A Rapid Review
Authors: Fung Hannah F , Martinez Leonardo , Alarid-Escudero Fernando , Salomon Joshua A , Studdert David M , Andrews Jason R , Goldhaber-Fiebert Jeremy D ,   Stanford-CIDE Coronavirus Simulation Model (SC-COSMO) Modeling Group, Chin Elizabeth T , Claypool Anneke L , Fernandez Mariana , Gracia Valeria , Luviano Andrea , Rosales Regina Isabel Medina , Reitsma Marissa , Ryckman Theresa 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough much of the public health effort to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has focused on disease control strategies in public settings, transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within households remains an important problem. The nature and determinants of household transmission are poorly understood.MethodsTo address this gap, we gathered and analyzed data from 22 published and prepublished studies from 10 countries (20 291 household contacts) that were available through 2 September 2020. Our goal was to combine estimates of the SARS-CoV-2 household secondary attack rate (SAR) and to explore variation in estimates of the household SAR.ResultsThe overall pooled random-effects estimate of the household SAR was 17.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.7–21.2%). In study-level, random-effects meta-regressions stratified by testing frequency (1 test, 2 tests, &gt;2 tests), SAR estimates were 9.2% (95% CI, 6.7–12.3%), 17.5% (95% CI, 13.9–21.8%), and 21.3% (95% CI, 13.8–31.3%), respectively. Household SARs tended to be higher among older adult contacts and among contacts of symptomatic cases.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that SARs reported using a single follow-up test may be underestimated, and that testing household contacts of COVID-19 cases on multiple occasions may increase the yield for identifying secondary cases.
Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Kamstrup Pia R 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
High lipoprotein(a) concentrations present in 10%–20% of the population have long been linked to increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease. It is unclear whether high concentrations represent an unmet medical need. Lipoprotein(a) is currently not a target for treatment to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Content
The present review summarizes evidence of causality for high lipoprotein(a) concentrations gained from large genetic epidemiologic studies and discusses measurements of lipoprotein(a) and future treatment options for high values found in an estimated &gt;1 billion individuals worldwide.

Summary
Evidence from mechanistic, observational, and genetic studies support a causal role of lipoprotein(a) in the development of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease, as well as aortic valve stenosis, and likely also ischemic stroke. Effect sizes are most pronounced for myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic valve stenosis where high lipoprotein(a) concentrations predict 2- to 3-fold increases in risk. Lipoprotein(a) measurements should be performed using well-validated assays with traceability to a recognized calibrator to ensure common cut-offs for high concentrations and risk assessment. Randomized cardiovascular outcome trials are needed to provide final evidence of causality and to assess the potential clinical benefit of novel, potent lipoprotein(a) lowering therapies.
Privacy-Aware Image Authentication from Cryptographic Primitives
Authors: Chen Haixia , Huang Xinyi , Wu Wei , Mu Yi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Image authentication is the process of verifying image origin, integrity and authenticity. In many situations, image authentication should allow reasonable image editing, which does not introduce any wrong information against the original one. While it has been studied both extensively and intensively with considerable efforts, there is no satisfactory method supporting region extraction. This paper presents a solution to address the issue of privacy protection in authenticated images. Our scheme allows anyone to extract sub-image blocks from an original image (authenticated by the image producer) and generate a proof tag to prove the credibility of the extracted image blocks. The process of proof tag generation does not require any interaction with the image producer. In addition, the image producer is able to define must-be-preserved image blocks (e.g. producer logo) during the extraction. We define the security property for the authenticated sub-images and give a generic design with two core primitives: an ordinary digital signature scheme and a cryptographic accumulator. The security of our design can be reduced to the underlying cryptographic primitives and its practical performance is demonstrated by a bunch of evaluations. We believe the proposed design, together with other image authentication methods, will further facilitate image relevant services and applications.
An Anti-migration Self-expandable and Removable Metal Stent for Crohn’s Disease Strictures: A Nationwide Study From GETAID and SFED
Authors: Attar Alain , Branche Julien , Coron Emmanuel , Privat Jocelyn , Caillo Ludovic , Chevaux Jean-Baptiste , Vuitton Lucine , Amiot Aurélien , Belkhodja Hichem , Dray Xavier , Ponchon Thierry , Bouhnik Yoram , Baumann Cédric , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background and Aims
In Crohn’s disease, strictures are frequent and may require surgical resection or endoscopic balloon dilation. An anti-migration, removable and shaped self-expandable metal stent is available. We evaluated its effectiveness and safety in a real-life setting.

Methods
All centres were asked to collect retrospectively or prospectively all data on patients who had a stent for a stricture. The anti-migration stent [Hanarostent HRC-20-080-230—MITech, Seoul, South Korea] was maintained 7 days before its extraction during a second colonoscopy. Short- and long-term efficacy and safety outcomes were evaluated.

Results
A total of 46 patients were enrolled. Strictures were anastomotic in 73.9% of cases. The median length of the stricture evaluated by cross-sectional imaging and during colonoscopy was 3.1 ± 1.7 and 2.7 ± 1.4 cm, respectively. Immediate success [no obstructive symptom at Day 30] was reported in 93.5% of cases (95% confidence interval [CI] = [86.3; 99.9]). Sixteen patients needed a new balloon dilation [n = 8] or surgery [n = 8]. The overall success rate [obstruction-free without any intervention] was 58.7% [n = 27] after a median follow-up of 26 months [8–41 months]. No perforation occurred and three migrations were observed [6.5%]. Perianal disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.1 [0.02; 0.58]) and discontinuation of an immunosuppressant (0.12 [0.02; 0.86]), were associated with a lower probability of success, whereas performing imaging (HR = 5.3 [1.2; 23.5]) before stent placement was associated with success.

Conclusions
The anti-migration stent is safe and effective in about half of patients, with no perforation reported in this study, and has an extremely low migration rate.
Study design, result posting, and publication of late-stage cardiovascular trials
Authors: Kapelios Chris J , Naci Huseyin , Vardas Panos E , Mossialos Elias 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Aims
Pre-registration of study protocols in accessible databases is required for publication of study results in high-impact medical journals. Nonetheless, data on characteristics of clinical trials registered in these databases and their outcome, in terms of result reporting and publication are limited.

Methods and results
We searched for interventional, late-phase cardiovascular disease (CVD) studies in adults registered in Clinicaltrials.gov. first posted after 1 January 2013 and completed up to 31 December 2018. Data on study design, result reporting, and publication were collected, and potential associations with a pre-defined set of explanatory factors were examined. In total, 250 CVD trials were included in the analysis. Of these, 193 (77.2%) were randomized studies, 99 (39.6%) open label designs, and 126 (50.4%) had industry as main sponsor. One hundred and seventy-nine trials (71.6%) evaluated the effect of drugs and 27 (10.8%) evaluated devices. The most common primary outcomes were non-clinical endpoints (76.0%), with only 17% of studies evaluating clinical endpoints. Industry-funded trials focused on patent-protected drugs and devices more often than non-industry-funded trials (72.0% vs. 30.6%, P &lt; 0.001 and 55.0% vs. 26.3%, P = 0.033, respectively). Sixty-three studies (25.2%) had results posted on clinicaltrials.gov, and 116 (46.4%) had results published in the scientific literature. In multivariate analysis, industry sponsorship was statistically significantly associated with results posting [odds ratio (OR): 3.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–7.30, P = 0.002] and publication (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.23–0.75, P = 0.004).

Conclusion
Among late-stage cardiovascular trials only one-fourth had results posted on clinicaltrials.gov and &lt;50% had results published. Industry sponsors were more likely to invest in research on patent-protected drugs and devices than were non-industry sponsors. Industry-sponsored studies were more likely to have their results posted, but less likely to have their results published in the scientific literature.
Walking Back Human Rights in Europe?
Authors: Helfer Laurence R , Voeten Erik 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Judges and scholars have long debated whether the European Court of Human Rights (the ECtHR or the Court) can only expand, never diminish, human rights protections in Europe. Recent studies have found that political backlashes and national-level restrictions have influenced ECtHR case law. However, analysing whether the ECtHR is shifting in a regressive direction faces an empirical challenge: How can we observe whether the Court is limiting rights over time if it has never expressly overturned a prior judgment in a way that favours the government? We gain traction on this question by analysing all separate and minority opinions of the ECtHR Grand Chamber between 1998 and 2018. We focus on opinions asserting that the Grand Chamber has tacitly overturned prior rulings or settled doctrine in a way that favours the respondent state, which we label as ‘walking back dissents’. We find that walking back dissents have become significantly more common in the last decade, revealing that some members of the ECtHR themselves believe that the Grand Chamber is increasingly overturning prior judgments in a regressive direction.
Clonal haematopoiesis in chronic ischaemic heart failure: prognostic role of clone size for DNMT3A- and TET2-driver gene mutations
Authors: Assmus Birgit , Cremer Sebastian , Kirschbaum Klara , Culmann David , Kiefer Katharina , Dorsheimer Lena , Rasper Tina , Abou-El-Ardat Khalil , Herrmann Eva , Berkowitsch Alexander , Hoffmann Jedrzej , Seeger Florian , Mas-Peiro Silvia , Rieger Michael A , Dimmeler Stefanie , Zeiher Andreas M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Aims
Somatic mutations of the epigenetic regulators DNMT3A and TET2 causing clonal expansion of haematopoietic cells (clonal haematopoiesis; CH) were shown to be associated with poor prognosis in chronic ischaemic heart failure (CHF). The aim of our analysis was to define a threshold of variant allele frequency (VAF) for the prognostic significance of CH in CHF.

Methods and results
We analysed bone marrow and peripheral blood-derived cells from 419 patients with CHF by error-corrected amplicon sequencing. Cut-off VAFs were optimized by maximizing sensitivity plus specificity from a time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis from censored data. 56.2% of patients were carriers of a DNMT3A- (N = 173) or a TET2- (N = 113) mutation with a VAF &gt;0.5%, with 59 patients harbouring mutations in both genes. Survival ROC analyses revealed an optimized cut-off value of 0.73% for TET2- and 1.15% for DNMT3A-CH-driver mutations. Five-year-mortality was 18% in patients without any detected DNMT3A- or TET2 mutation (VAF &lt; 0.5%), 29% with only one DNMT3A- or TET2-CH-driver mutations above the respective cut-off level and 42% in patients harbouring both DNMT3A- and TET2-CH-driver mutations above the respective cut-off levels. In carriers of a DNMT3A mutation with VAF ≥ 1.15%, 5-year mortality was 31%, compared with 18% mortality in those with VAF &lt; 1.15% (P = 0.048). Likewise, in patients with TET2 mutations, 5-year mortality was 32% with VAF ≥ 0.73%, compared with 19% mortality with VAF &lt; 0.73% (P = 0.029).

Conclusion
The present study defines novel threshold levels for clone size caused by acquired somatic mutations in the CH-driver genes DNMT3A and TET2 that are associated with worse outcome in patients with CHF.
DNA cytosine methyltransferase enhances viability during prolonged stationary phase in Escherichia coli
Authors: Militello Kevin T , Finnerty-Haggerty Lara , Kambhampati Ooha , Huss Rebecca , Knapp Rachel 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTIn Escherichia coli, DNA cytosine methyltransferase (Dcm) methylates the second cytosine in the sequence 5′CCWGG3′ generating 5-methylcytosine. Dcm is not associated with a cognate restriction enzyme, suggesting Dcm impacts facets of bacterial physiology outside of restriction-modification systems. Other than gene expression changes, there are few phenotypes that have been identified in strains with natural or engineered Dcm loss, and thus Dcm function has remained an enigma. Herein, we demonstrate that Dcm does not impact bacterial growth under optimal and selected stress conditions. However, Dcm does impact viability in long-term stationary phase competition experiments. Dcm+ cells outcompete cells lacking dcm under different conditions. Dcm knockout cells have more RpoS-dependent HPII catalase activity than wild-type cells. Thus, the impact of Dcm on stationary phase may involve changes in RpoS activity. Overall, our data reveal a new role for Dcm during long-term stationary phase.
Schizosaccharomyces pombe Ppr10 is required for mitochondrial translation
Authors: Liu Zecheng , Li Yan , Xie Wanqiu , Huang Ying 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT
The mitochondrial genome encodes key components of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system, whose expression is essential for mitochondrial functions. We have previously shown that deletion of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe ppr10 encoding a pentatricopeptide repeat protein severely reduces the mature levels of intron-containing mitochondrial transcripts cox1 and cob1, and severely impairs mitochondrial translation. In this study, we examined the possibility that the reduced levels of Cox1 and Cob1 proteins in cells were due to lowered levels of cox1 and cob1 mRNAs. We found that deletion of ppr10 did not affect the levels of mature cox1 and cob1 mRNAs in a mitochondrial intronless background. However, synthesis of Cox1 and Cob1 proteins were still severely affected by deletion of ppr10 in a mitochondrial intronless background. Consistent with this, we found that deletion of mitochondrial introns could not rescue the respiratory growth defect of Δppr10 cells. Our results reveal that Ppr10 is not required for the stability of cox1 and cob1 mRNAs, and provide further support for the idea that Ppr10 plays a critical role in mitochondrial translation.
The Interconnections Between Somatic and Ovarian Aging in Murine Models
Authors: Schneider Augusto , Saccon Tatiana D , Garcia Driele N , Zanini Bianka M , Isola José V V , Hense Jéssica D , Alvarado-Rincón Joao A , Cavalcante Marcelo B , Mason Jeffrey B , Stout Michael B , Bartke Andrzej , Masternak Michal M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The mammalian female is born with a limited ovarian reserve of primordial follicles. These primordial follicles are slowly activated throughout the reproductive lifecycle, thereby determining lifecycle length. Once primordial follicles are exhausted, women undergo menopause, which is associated with several metabolic perturbations and a higher mortality risk. Long before exhaustion of the reserve, females experience severe declines in fertility and health. As such, significant efforts have been made to unravel the mechanisms that promote ovarian aging and insufficiency. In this review, we explain how long-living murine models can provide insights in the regulation of ovarian aging. There is now overwhelming evidence that most life-span–extending strategies, and long-living mutant models simultaneously delay ovarian aging. Therefore, it appears that the same mechanisms that regulate somatic aging may also be modulating ovarian aging and germ cell exhaustion. We explore several potential contributing mechanisms including insulin resistance, inflammation, and DNA damage—all of which are hallmarks of cellular aging throughout the body including the ovary. These findings are in alignment with the disposable soma theory of aging, which dictates a trade-off between growth, reproduction, and DNA repair. Therefore, delaying ovarian aging will not only increase the fertility window of middle age females, but may also actively prevent menopausal-related decline in systemic health parameters, compressing the period of morbidity in mid-to-late life in females.
The Association Between Dietary Pattern Adherence, Cognitive Stimulating Lifestyle, and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults From the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging
Authors: Parrott Matthew D , Carmichael Pierre-Hugues , Laurin Danielle , Greenwood Carol E , Anderson Nicole D , Ferland Guylaine , Gaudreau Pierrette , Belleville Sylvie , Morais José A , Kergoat Marie-Jeanne , Fiocco Alexandra J 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Objectives
This study examined the effect of dietary patterns and engagement in cognitive stimulating lifestyle (CSL) behaviors on the trajectory of global cognition, executive function (EF), and verbal episodic memory (VEM).

Methods
Western and prudent dietary patterns were empirically derived using food frequency questionnaire responses from 350 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 73.7 years) participating in the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging. CSL was represented by a binary composite indicator based on education, occupational complexity, and social engagement. Global cognition, EF, and VEM were assessed prospectively.

Results
Primary effect models revealed an association between higher Western dietary pattern score and a greater rate of decline in global cognition and EF. Higher Western dietary pattern adherence was also associated with poorer baseline VEM. Primary effect models also revealed that CSL was independently associated with baseline global cognition and EF. Effect modification models suggested an interactive effect between Western dietary pattern and CLS on global cognition only. No associations were found for prudent dietary pattern score.

Discussion
Contributing to existing research supporting the negative impact of consuming an unhealthy diet on cognitive function, the current study suggests increased vulnerability among older adults who do not engage in a CSL. These findings can inform the development of lifestyle intervention programs that target brain health in later adulthood.