bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The SARS-CoV-2 receptor and other key components of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System related to COVID-19 are expressed in enterocytes in larval zebrafish
Authors: Postlethwait John H. , Massaquoi Michelle S. , Farnsworth Dylan R. , Yan Yi-Lin , Guillemin Karen , Miller Adam C. 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTPeople with underlying conditions, including hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, are especially susceptible to negative outcomes after infection with coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Hypertension and respiratory inflammation are exacerbated by the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), which normally protects from rapidly dropping blood pressure via Angiotensin II (Ang II) produced by the enzyme Ace. The Ace paralog Ace2 degrades Ang II, counteracting its chronic effects, and serves as the SARS-CoV-2 receptor. Ace, the coronavirus, and COVID-19 comorbidities all regulate Ace2, but we do not yet understand how. To exploit zebrafish (Danio rerio) to help understand the relationship of the RAAS to COVID-19, we must identify zebrafish orthologs and co-orthologs of human RAAS genes and understand their expression patterns. To achieve these goals, we conducted genomic and phylogenetic analyses and investigated single cell transcriptomes. Results showed that most human RAAS genes have one or more zebrafish orthologs or co-orthologs. Results identified a specific type of enterocyte as the specific site of expression of zebrafish orthologs of key RAAS components, including Ace, Ace2, Slc6a19 (SARS-CoV-2 co-receptor), and the Angiotensin-related peptide cleaving enzymes Anpep (receptor for the common cold coronavirus HCoV-229E), and Dpp4 (receptor for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus, MERS-CoV). Results identified specific vascular cell subtypes expressing Ang II receptors, apelin, and apelin receptor genes. These results identify genes and cell types to exploit zebrafish as a disease model for understanding mechanisms of COVID-19.
COVID-19 and the HIV care continuum in Uganda: minimising collateral damage
Authors: Kagimu Enock , Martyn Emily M. , Gakuru Jane , Kasibante John , Rutakingirwa Morris  K , Kwizera Richard , Ssebambulidde Kenneth , Williams Darlisha , Ellis Jayne , Cresswell Fiona  V , Meya David B. 
Published: March 2021

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread across the world within months of its first description in Wuhan, China in December 2019, resulting in an unprecedented global health emergency. Whilst Europe and North America are the current epicentres of infection, the global health community are preparing for the potential effects of this new disease on the African continent. Modelling studies predict that factors such as youthful and rural population may be protective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region, however, with 220 million infections and 4.6 million hospitalisations predicted in the first year of the pandemic alone, fragile health systems could still be placed under significant strain. Furthermore, subsequent disruptions to the provision of services for people living with HIV, or at risk of acquiring HIV, are predicted to lead to an extra 500,000 adult HIV deaths and a 2-fold increase in mother to child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020-2021. Ignoring these predictions may have severe consequences and we risk “stepping back in time” in AIDS-related deaths to numbers seen over a decade ago. Reflecting on our current experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, we explore the potential impact of public health measures implemented to mitigate spread of COVID-19 on the HIV care continuum, and suggest areas of focus for HIV services, policy makers and governments to urgently address in order to minimise the collateral damage.
Biochemical and clinical characterization of metabolic phenotypes: a cross-sectional study from Maracaibo city, Venezuela
Authors: Bermudez Valmore , Rojas Joselyn , Salazar Juan , Martinez Maria Sofia , Olivar Luis Carlos , Calvo Maria Jose , Mindiola Andres , Añez Roberto , Wilches-Duran Sandra , Cerda Marcos , Graterol Modesto , Graterol Rosemily , Hernandez Juan Diego , Garicano Carlos , Velasco Manuel 
Published: March 2021

Background: In 1980, Reuben Andresen observed that in certain individuals, obesity did not increase mortality, introducing an atypical phenotype called “healthy obese”. Other studies reported that 10-15 % of lean individuals presented insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. The objective of this study was to evaluate biochemical and clinical characteristics of metabolic phenotypes in Maracaibo city. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional sub-analysis of The Maracaibo City Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence Study, with a randomized multistage sampling was performed including 1226 non diabetic individuals from both sexes. For phenotype definition, the subjects were first classified according to their BMI into Normal-Weight, Overweight and Obese; then divided in metabolically healthy and unhealthy using a two-step analysis cluster being predictive variables: HOMA2-IR, HOMA2-βcell, triglycerides. To evaluate the relationship with coronary risk, a multiple logistic regression model was performed. Results: In the studied population, 43.9% (n=538) were healthy normal weight, 5.2% (n=64) unhealthy normal weight, 17.4% (n=217) healthy obese and 33.5% (n=411) unhealthy obese subjects. Atypical phenotypes, Metabolically Unhealthy Normal-Weight (MUNW) was more frequent in males (56.3%), whereas Metabolically Unhealthy Obese (MUO) was more frequent in females (51.3%). This phenotypes had a higher coronary event risk, especially for obese individuals (MHO: OR=1.85 CI95%: 1.11-3.09; p=0.02 and MUO: OR=2.09 CI95%: 1.34-3.28; p<0.01). Conclusion: Individuals with atypical metabolic phenotypes are common in Maracaibo city. Related factors may include insulin resistance, basal glucose, and triglycerides levels. Lastly, obese subjects show a higher coronary event risk even those with normal metabolic status.
Effect of teaching leadership styles on the prevention of adolescence pregnancy: a case study conducted at Universidad César Vallejo, Peru
Authors: Delgado Bardales José Manuel , Rubio Luna Victoria Edward Freddy , Vega Orfelina Valera , Contreras Julián Rosa Mabel , Palomino Alvarado Gabriela del Pilar , Sánchez Dávila Keller , Rodríguez Espejo Yoni Meni , Lowy Daniel A. 
Published: March 2021

Background: In this study we aimed to determine the effect of university teaching and leadership styles at Universidad César Vallejo on the prevention of adolescence pregnancy. Methods: We performed a non-experimental, quantitative, cross-sectional study, with a correlational descriptive design using a survey. Participants were students in classes enrolled in the starting two semesters at Universidad César Vallejo, Peru. The questionnaire comprised three sections: (I) General demographic data, (II) Teacher leadership styles, and (III) Pregnancy prevention teachings. Results: According to the students (n=793), teaching leadership styles are of three types: Laissez faire, transactional, and transformational. Types of pregnancy prevention from the students’ standpoint are the following: "high" level of "primary prevention" (44.4%), "medium" level of "tertiary prevention" (36.6%), and "high" level of "secondary prevention" (36.2%). Chi-Square test revealed that the three styles of leadership significantly affect the prevention of pregnancy: transformational (X2 = 136.390), transactional (X2 = 95.539), and Laissez Faire (X2 = 80.557) (p <0.05). Overall, there is a significant impact of university teaching leadership on pregnancy prevention among higher education students (X2 = 110,634, p = 0.0000), with a significance level of 5%. Conclusions: It can be concluded that for college students, teaching leadership style significantly affects the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.
SARS-CoV-2 and the role of fomite transmission: a systematic review
Authors: Onakpoya Igho J. , Heneghan Carl J. , Spencer Elizabeth A. , Brassey Jon , Plüddemann Annette , Evans David H. , Conly John M. , Jefferson Tom 
Published: March 2021

Background:SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in fomites which suggests the virus could be transmitted via inanimate objects. However, there is uncertainty about the mechanistic pathway for such transmissions. Our objective was to identify, appraise and summarise the evidence from primary studies and systematic reviews assessing the role of fomites in transmission. Methods:This review is part of an Open Evidence Review on Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2. We conduct ongoing searches using WHO Covid-19 Database, LitCovid, medRxiv, and Google Scholar; assess study quality based on five criteria and report important findings on an ongoing basis.Results:We found64 studies: 63 primary studies and one systematic review (n=35). The settings for primary studies were predominantly in hospitals (69.8%) including general wards, ICU and SARS-CoV-2 isolation wards. There were variations in the study designs including timing of sample collection, hygiene procedures, ventilation settings and cycle threshold. The overall quality of reporting was low to moderate. The frequency of positive SARS-CoV-2 tests across 51 studies (using RT-PCR) ranged from 0.5% to 75%. Cycle threshold values ranged from 20.8 to 44.1. Viral concentrations were reported in 17 studies; however, discrepancies in the methods for estimation prevented comparison. Eleven studies (17.5%) attempted viral culture, but none found a cytopathic effect. Results of the systematic review showed that healthcare settings were most frequently tested (25/35, 71.4%), but laboratories reported the highest frequency of contaminated surfaces (20.5%, 17/83). Conclusions:The majority of studies report identification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on inanimate surfaces; however, there is a lack of evidence demonstrating the recovery of viable virus. Lack of positive viral cultures and variation in cycle thresholds create uncertainty about fomites as a mode of transmission. Heterogeneity in study designs and methodology prevents comparisons of findings across studies. Standardized guidelines for conducting and reporting research on fomite transmission is warranted.
SARS-CoV-2 and the role of orofecal transmission: a systematic review
Authors: Heneghan Carl J. , Spencer Elizabeth A. , Brassey Jon , Plüddemann Annette , Onakpoya Igho J. , Evans David H. , Conly John M. , Jefferson Tom 
Published: March 2021

Background: Mode of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is of key public health importance. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in the feces of some COVID-19 patients, suggesting the possibility that the virus could, in addition to droplet and fomite transmission, be transmitted via the orofecal route. Methods: This review is part of an Open Evidence Review on Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19. We conduct ongoing searches using WHO COVID-19 Database, LitCovid, medRxiv, and Google Scholar; assess study quality based on five criteria and report important findings on an ongoing basis. Where necessary, authors are contacted for further details on the content of their articles. Results: We include searches up until 20 December 2020. We included 110 relevant studies: 76 primary observational studies or reports, and 35 reviews (one cohort study also included a review) examining the potential role of orofecal transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Of the observational studies, 37 were done in China. A total of 48 studies (n=9,081 patients) reported single cases, case series or cohort data on individuals with COVID-19 diagnosis or their contacts and 46 (96%) detected binary RT-PCR with 535 out of 1358 samples positive for SARs-CoV-2 (average 39.4%). The results suggest a long duration of fecal shedding, often recorded after respiratory samples tested negative, and symptoms of gastrointestinal disease were reported in several studies. Twenty-nine studies reported finding SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater, river water or toilet areas. Six studies attempted viral culture from COVID-19 patients’ fecal samples: culture was successful in 3 of 6 studies, and one study demonstrated invasion of the virus into the intestinal epithelial cells. Conclusions: Varied observational and mechanistic evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2 can infect and be shed from the gastrointestinal tract, including some data demonstrating viral culture in fecal samples. Future studies should test this hypothesis rigorously to allow the development of appropriate public health measures.
Stage 2 Registered Report: Anomalous perception in a Ganzfeld condition - A meta-analysis of more than 40 years investigation
Authors: Tressoldi Patrizio E. , Storm Lance 
Published: March 2021

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of studies published between January 1974 and December 2020 inclusive. The overall effect size estimated both with a frequentist and a Bayesian random-effect model, were in close agreement yielding an effect size of .088 (.04-.13). This result passed four publication bias tests and seems not contaminated by questionable research practices. Trend analysis carried out with a cumulative meta-analysis and a meta-regression model with Year of publication as covariate, did not indicate sign of decline of this effect size. The moderators analyses show that selected participants outcomes were almost three-times those obtained by non-selected participants and that tasks that simulate telepathic communication show a two-fold effect size with respect to tasks requiring the participants to guess a target. The Stage 1 Registered Report can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.24868.3
The abTEM code: transmission electron microscopy from first principles
Authors: Madsen Jacob , Susi Toma 
Published: March 2021

Simulation of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images or diffraction patterns is often required to interpret experimental data. Since nuclear cores dominate electron scattering, the scattering potential is typically described using the independent atom model, which completely neglects valence bonding and its effect on the transmitting electrons. As instrumentation has advanced, new measurements have revealed subtle details of the scattering potential that were previously not accessible to experiment. We have created an open-source simulation code designed to meet these demands by integrating the ability to calculate the potential via density functional theory (DFT) with a flexible modular software design. abTEM can simulate most standard imaging modes and incorporates the latest algorithmic developments. The development of new techniques requires a program that is accessible to domain experts without extensive programming experience. abTEM is written purely in Python and designed for easy modification and extension. The effective use of modern open-source libraries makes the performance of abTEM highly competitive with existing optimized codes on both CPUs and GPUs and allows us to leverage an extensive ecosystem of libraries, such as the Atomic Simulation Environment and the DFT code GPAW. abTEM is designed to work in an interactive Python notebook, creating a seamless and reproducible workflow from defining an atomic structure, calculating molecular dynamics (MD) and electrostatic potentials, to the analysis of results, all in a single, easy-to-read document. This article provides ongoing documentation of abTEM development. In this first version, we show use cases for hexagonal boron nitride, where valence bonding can be detected, a 4D-STEM simulation of molybdenum disulfide including ptychographic phase reconstruction, a comparison of MD and frozen phonon modeling for convergent-beam electron diffraction of a 2.6-million-atom silicon system, and a performance comparison of our fast implementation of the PRISM algorithm for a decahedral 20000-atom gold nanoparticle.
Label-free super-resolution imaging below 90-nm using photon-reassignment
Authors: Aguilar Alberto , Boyreau Adeline , Bon Pierre 
Published: March 2021

Background: Achieving resolutions below 100 nm is key for many fields, including biology and nanomaterial characterization. Although nearfield and electron microscopy are the gold standards for studying the nanoscale, optical microscopy has seen its resolution drastically improve in the last decades. So-called super-resolution microscopy is generally based on fluorescence photophysics and requires modification of the sample at least by adding fluorescent tags, an inevitably invasive step. Therefore, it remains very challenging and rewarding to achieve optical resolutions beyond the diffraction limit in label-free samples. Methods: Here, we present a breakthrough to unlock label-free 3D super-resolution imaging of any object including living biological samples. It is based on optical photon-reassignment in confocal reflectance imaging mode. Results: We demonstrate that we surpass the resolution of all fluorescence-based confocal systems by a factor ~1.5. We have obtained images with a 3D (x,y,z) optical resolution of (86x86x248) nm3 using a visible wavelength (445 nm) and a regular microscope objective (NA=1.3). The results are presented on nanoparticles as well as on (living) biological samples. Conclusions: This cost-effective approach double the resolution of reflectance confocal microscope with minimal modifications. It is therefore compatible with any microscope and sample, works in real-time, and does not require any signal processing.
Simple and robust method for determination of laser fluence thresholds for material modifications: an extension of Liu’s approach to imperfect beams
Authors: Garcia-Lechuga Mario , Grojo David 
Published: March 2021

The so-called D-squared or Liu’s method is an extensively applied approach to determine the irradiation fluence thresholds for laser-induced damage or modification of materials. However, one of the assumptions behind the method is the use of an ideal Gaussian profile that can lead in practice to significant errors depending on beam imperfections. In this work, we rigorously calculate the bias corrections required when applying the same method to Airy-disk like profiles. Those profiles are readily produced from any beam by insertion of an aperture in the optical path. Thus, the correction method gives a robust solution for exact threshold determination without any added technical complications as for instance advanced control or metrology of the beam. Illustrated by two case-studies, the approach holds potential to solve the strong discrepancies existing between the laser-induced damage thresholds reported in the literature. It provides also an appropriate tool for new studies with the most extreme laser radiations.
Radical freedom: Periyar and women
Authors: Manoharan Karthick Ram 
Published: March 2021

This paper looks at South Indian social reformer and anti-caste radical Periyar E.V. Ramasamy's approach to the women's question. Periyar was not just an advocate of social and economic equality between the sexes but espoused a radical concept of sexual freedom for women, which is central to his concept of liberty as such. While the anti-colonialists of his period defended native traditions and customs, Periyar welcomed modernity and saw it laden with possibilities for the emancipation of women. Likewise, where other social reformers addressed the women's question within the ambit of the nation and/or the family, Periyar saw both nation and family as institutions that limited the liberties of women. This paper compares his thoughts with The Dialectic of Sex, the key work of the radical feminist Shulamith Firestone, and highlights the similarities in their approach to women's liberation and sexual freedom, especially their critique of child-rearing and child-bearing. It explores Periyar's booklet Women Enslaved in detail and engages with lesser known, new primary material of Periyar on the women's question, concluding with a discussion of his perspective of the West.
Ineffective humoral anti-tick IgY-response in birds: reaction against pathogen constituents?
Authors: Heylen Dieter , Bisaglia Beatrice , Fracasso Gerardo , Prinsen Els , Müller Wendt , Matthysen Erik 
Published: March 2021

Background:Variation in parasite burdens among hosts is typically related to differences in adaptive immunity. Comprehension of underlying mechanisms is hence necessary to gain better insights into endemic transmission cycles. Here we investigate whether wild songbirds that have never been exposed to ticks develop adaptive humoral immunity against endemicIxodes ricinusticks.Methods: Blue tits were exposed three times in succession to wildIxodes ricinusticks. For each infestation, serum samples were obtained. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed, using tick salivary antigens, in order to quantify the bird’s IgY response against ticks. In addition, at every sampling occasion the birds’ body weight (corrected for body size) and haematocrit level was determined.Results:Individual IgY levels against the ticks’ salivary proteins increased over three consecutive tick infestations, and large among-individual variation was observed. The responses were specifically directed againstI. ricinus; cross-reactivity against the congeneric tree-hole tickIxodes arboricolawas negligibly low. IgY responses did not impinge on tick feeding success (engorgement weight and attachment success). Yet, those birds with the highest immune responses were more capable to reduce the acute harm (blood depletions) by compensating erythrocyte loss. Furthermore, at the end of the experiment, these birds had gained more body weight than birds with lower IgY levels.Conclusions:Latter observations can be considered as an effect of host quality and/or tolerance mechanisms. Birds anticipate the (future) costs of the activation of the immune system by ticks and/or ongoing tick-borne pathogen infections. Furthermore, although unsuccessful against tick feeding, the IgY responses may indirectly protect birds against tick-borne disease by acting against salivary protein secretions on which pathogens rely for transmission.