bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and source analysis of COVID-19 misinformation of 138 countries
Authors: Al-Zaman Md. Sayeed 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study analyzed 9,657 pieces of misinformation that originated in 138 countries and fact-checked by 94 organizations. Collected from Poynter Institute’s official website and following a quantitative content analysis method along with descriptive statistical analysis, this research produces some novel insights regarding COVID-19 misinformation. The findings show that India (15.94%), the US (9.74%), Brazil (8.57%), and Spain (8.03%) are the four most misinformation-affected countries. Based on the results, it is presumed that the prevalence of COVID-19 misinformation can have a positive association with the COVID-19 situation. Social media (84.94%) produces the highest amount of misinformation, and the internet (90.5%) as a whole is responsible for most of the COVID-19 misinformation. Moreover, Facebook alone produces 66.87% misinformation among all social media platforms. Of all countries, India (18.07%) produced the highest amount of social media misinformation, perhaps thanks to the country’s higher internet penetration rate, increasing social media consumption, and users’ lack of internet literacy. On the other hand, countries like Turkey, the US, Brazil, and the Philippines where either political control over media is intense or political conservatism is apparent, experienced a higher amount of misinformation from mainstream media, political figures, and celebrities. Although the prevalence of misinformation was the highest in March 2020, given the present trends, it may likely to increase slightly in 2021.
Insights into genetic factors contributing to variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity
Authors: D’Antonio Matteo ,   The COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative, Arthur Timothy D. , Nguyen Jennifer P. , Matsui Hiroko , D’Antonio-Chronowska Agnieszka , Frazer Kelly A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractVariability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we applied colocalization to compare summary statistics for 16 GWASs from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative to investigate similarities and differences in their genetic signals. We identified 9 loci associated with susceptibility (one with two independent GWAS signals; one with an ethnicity-specific signal), 14 associated with severity (one with two independent GWAS signals; two with ethnicity-specific signals) and one harboring two discrepant GWAS signals (one for susceptibility; one for severity). Utilizing colocalization we also identified 45 GTEx tissues that had eQTL(s) for 18 genes strongly associated with GWAS signals in eleven loci (1-4 genes per locus). Some of these genes showed tissue-specific altered expression and others showed altered expression in up to 41 different tissue types. Our study provides insights into the complex molecular mechanisms underlying inherited predispositions to COVID-19-disease phenotypes.
Association of HLA class I homozygosity with unfavorable clinical outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor as first-line therapy
Authors: Lee Dongyup , Park Jonghanne , Choi Horyun , Gim Gahyun , Cho Sukjoo , Kim Leeseul , Oh Youjin , Kang Cyra Y , Kim Yeseul , Tan Dean , de Viveiros Pedro Antonio Hermida , Chae Young Kwang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundHomozygosity at HLA-I locus has been reported to be an unfavorable predictive biomarker of second-line or beyond immunotherapy in patients with different types of cancer. The linkage between HLA-I zygosity and survival in NSCLC patients treated with first-line immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy has not been reported.MethodsNext generation sequencing with HLA genotyping was performed for patients with advanced NSCLC treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors with or without chemotherapy as first-line (N = 29). Progression free survival was compared between HLA-I homozygous (defined as homozygosity in at least one locus A, B, or C) and heterozygous patients. Kaplan-Meier curves were built, and log-rank test was used.ResultsAmong 29 enrollees, 25 patients (86.2%) were HLA-I heterozygous and four patients (13.8%) were HLA-I homozygous. Treatment response was not available in five patients with HLA-I heterozygosity. Among 20 patients with HLA-I heterozygosity, five patients (20.0%) had partial response, 10 patients (50.0%) had stable disease, two patients (8.0%) had non-complete response/non-progressive disease, and three patients (12.0%) had progressive disease. Among four patients with HLA-I heterozygosity, one patient (25.0%) had partial response, one patient (25.0%) had stable disease, and two patients (50.0%) had progressive disease. The median progression free survival was not reached in heterozygous group and was 2.97 months in homozygous group (log-rank p = 0.68).ConclusionsWe observed a trend toward an inverse association between HLA-I homozygosity and survival outcomes in patients with NSCLC treated with first-line therapy containing immunotherapy. Further prospective studies to validate such a relationship are warranted.
Red Blood Cell-Conditioned Media from Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients Contain Increased MCP1 and Induce TNF-α Release
Authors: Papadopoulos Charalampos , Mimidis Konstantinos , Papazoglou Dimitris , Kolios George , Tentes Ioannis , Anagnostopoulos Konstantinos 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDNon-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) constitutes a global pandemic. An intricate network among cytokines and lipids possesses a central role in NAFLD pathogenesis. Red blood cells comprise an important source of both cytokines and signaling lipids and have an important role in the molecular crosstalk during immunometabolic deregulation. However, their role in NAFLD has not been investigated in deep.METHODSConditioned media from erythrocytes derived from 10 NAFLD patients (4 men, 6 women, aged 57.875±15,16) and 10 healthy controls (4 men, 6 women, aged 39.3±15.55) were produced and used for the analysis of 9 cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, CCL2, CCL5, IL-8, IL-1β, IL-12p40, IL-17, MIP-1β), 2 signaling lipids (Sphingosine 1-phosphate and Lysophosphatidic Acid), and cholesterol. Their effect on the cytokine profile released by RAW 264.7 macrophages was also studied.RESULTSErythrocytes from patients with NAFLD augmented the levels of MCP1 in the growth medium in comparison to the erythrocytes derived from healthy controls (37±40 pg/ml vs 6.51±5.63). No statistically significant differences were found between patients and healthy controls with regard to S1P, LPA, cholesterol and 8 other cytokines. TNF-a release by RAW 264.7 cells was increased after incubation with patient-derived erythrocyte conditioned medium compared to medium without RAW 264.7 cells from either healthy of NAFLD subjects.CONCLUSIONSErythrocytes could contribute to the liver infiltration by monocytes and to the activation of macrophages, partially due to release of CCL2, in the context of NAFLD.
Polygenic and environmental determinants of tics in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort
Authors: Abdulkadir Mohamed , Tischfield Jay A. , Heiman Gary A. , Hoekstra Pieter J. , Dietrich Andrea 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDTourette syndrome (TS) is caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Yet, little is known about the interplay of these factors in the occurrence of tics in the general population.METHODSUsing logistic regression, we investigated whether polygenic risk score (PRS) of TS and pregnancy-related environmental factors together enhance the explained variance of tic occurrence (as opposed to separate analysis) in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We included a cumulative adverse pregnancy risk score, maternal anxiety and depression, and maternal smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy. We investigated possible independent (i.e. additive) genetic and environmental effects, gene-environment correlations (rGE), gene-environment interactions (G x E), and mediation effects in explaining tic presence.RESULTSModels that contained the PRS and the cumulative adverse pregnancy risk score, maternal anxiety, or maternal depression (but not maternal smoking and alcohol use) explained significantly more variance of tic presence compared to models including only the PRS, pointing to additive effects. Furthermore, we found that maternal anxiety, depression, and smoking were mediated by the cumulative adverse pregnancy risk score, and were thus all indirectly associated with tics through pregnancy complications. We did not find rGE or G x E.CONCLUSIONSWe found evidence for both direct and indirect associations of environmental risk factors in relation to tics in the general population. Combining PRS and environmental risk factors improve our understanding of tics compared to considering these factors in isolation, suggesting both additive and mediation effects.
Cohort-based surveillance of SARS-CoV2 transmission mirrors infection rates at the population level: a one-year longitudinal study
Authors: Klein Christine , Borsche Max , Balck Alexander , Föh Bandik , Rahmöller Johann , Peters Elke , Knickmann Jan , Lane Miranda , Vollstedt Eva-Juliane , Elsner Susanne A. , Käding Nadja , Hauswaldt Susanne , Lange Tanja , Hundt Jennifer E. , Lehrian Selina , Giese Julia , Mischnik Alexander , Niemann Stefan , Maurer Florian , Homolka Susanne , Paulowski Laura , Kramer Jan , Twesten Christoph , Sina Christian , Gillessen-Kaesbach Gabriele , Busch Hauke , Ehlers Marc , Taube Stefan , Rupp Jan , Katalinic Alexander 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundMore than one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, important data gaps remain on longitudinal prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at the population level and in defined risk groups, efficacy of specific lockdown measures, and on (cost-)effective surveillance.MethodsThe ELISA (LübeckLongitudinalInvestigation ofSARS-CoV-2 Infection) study invited adult inhabitants (n=∼300,000) from the Lübeck area (Northern Germany) and enrolled 3051 participants (∼1%); 1929 population-matched and 1645 with high-exposure based on profession. The one-year study period (03/2020-02/2021) spanned massive influx of tourism in the summer, rise of infection rates in the fall/winter 2020/2021, and two lockdowns. Participants were screened seven times for SARS-CoV-2 infection using PCR and antibody testing and monitored with an app-based questionnaire (n=∼91,000).ResultsCohort (56% female; mean age: 45.6 years) retention was 75%-98%; 89 persons (3.5%) were antibody- and/or PCR-positive. Seropositivity was almost 2-fold higher in men and increased risk detected in several high-exposure groups (highest for nurses, followed by police, army, firemen, and students). In May 2020, 92% of the infections were missed by PCR testing; by February 2021, only 29% remained undiagnosed. “Contact to COVID-19-affected” was the most relevant risk factor. Other factors, such as frequent use of public transportation, shopping, close contacts at work, and extensive tourism in the summer did not impact infection rates.ConclusionsWe i) provide a model for effective, regional surveillance; ii) identify infection risk factors informing public health measures; iii) demonstrate that easing of lockdown measures appears safe at times of low prevalence in the presence of continuous monitoring.
Magnetofluidic platform for rapid multiplexed screening of SARS-CoV-2 variants and respiratory pathogens
Authors: Trick Alexander Y. , Chen Fan-En , Chen Liben , Lee Pei-Wei , Hasnain Alexander C. , Mostafa Heba H. , Carroll Karen C. , Wang Tza-Huei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe rise of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants brings new challenges and concerns with vaccine efficacy, diagnostic sensitivity, and public health responses in the fight to end the pandemic. Widespread detection of variant strains will be critical to inform policy decisions to mitigate further spread, and post-pandemic multiplexed screening of respiratory viruses will be necessary to properly manage patients presenting with similar respiratory symptoms. In this work, we have developed a portable, magnetofluidic cartridge platform for automated PCR testing in <30 min. Cartridges were designed for multiplexed detection of SARS-CoV-2 with either distinctive variant mutations or with Influenza A and B. The platform demonstrated a limit of detection down to 2 copies/µL SARS-CoV-2 RNA with successful identification of B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants. The multiplexed SARS-CoV-2/Flu assay was validated using archived clinical nasopharyngeal swab eluates (n = 116) with an overall sensitivity/specificity of 98.1%/95.2%, 85.7%/100%, 100%/98.2%, respectively, for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, and Influenza B. Further testing with saliva (n = 14) demonstrated successful detection of all SARS-CoV-2 positive samples with no false-positives.
Who should get vaccinated first? An effective network information-driven priority vaccination strategy
Authors: Liu Dong , Tse Chi Kong , Chan Rosa H. M. , Zhan Choujun 
Published: May 2021

AbstractApproval of emergency use of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in many countries has brought hope to ending the COVID-19 pandemic sooner. Considering the limited vaccine supply in the early stage of COVID-19 vaccination programs in most countries, a highly relevant question to ask is:who should get vaccinated first?In this article we propose a network information-driven vaccination strategy where a small number of people in a network (population) are categorized, according to a few key network properties, into priority groups. Using a network-based SEIR model for simulating the pandemic progression, the network information-driven vaccination strategy is compared with a random vaccination strategy. Results for both large-scale synthesized networks and real social networks have demonstrated that the network information-driven vaccination strategy can significantly reduce the cumulative number of infected individuals and lead to a more rapid containment of the pandemic. The results provide insight for policymakers in designing an effective early-stage vaccination plan.
CryoEM and AI reveal a structure of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp2, a multifunctional protein involved in key host processes
Authors: Gupta Meghna , Azumaya Caleigh M. , Moritz Michelle , Pourmal Sergei , Diallo Amy , Merz Gregory E. , Jang Gwendolyn , Bouhaddou Mehdi , Fossati Andrea , Brilot Axel F. , Diwanji Devan , Hernandez Evelyn , Herrera Nadia , Kratochvil Huong T. , Lam Victor L. , Li Fei , Li Yang , Nguyen Henry C. , Nowotny Carlos , Owens Tristan W. , Peters Jessica K. , Rizo Alexandrea N. , Schulze-Gahmen Ursula , Smith Amber M. , Young Iris D. , Yu Zanlin , Asarnow Daniel , Billesbølle Christian , Campbell Melody G. , Chen Jen , Chen Kuei-Ho , Chio Un Seng , Dickinson Miles Sasha , Doan Loan , Jin Mingliang , Kim Kate , Li Junrui , Li Yen-Li , Linossi Edmond , Liu Yanxin , Lo Megan , Lopez Jocelyne , Lopez Kyle E. , Mancino Adamo , Moss Frank R. , Paul Michael D. , Pawar Komal Ishwar , Pelin Adrian , Pospiech Thomas H. , Puchades Cristina , Remesh Soumya Govinda , Safari Maliheh , Schaefer Kaitlin , Sun Ming , Tabios Mariano C , Thwin Aye C. , Titus Erron W. , Trenker Raphael , Tse Eric , Tsui Tsz Kin Martin , Wang Feng , Zhang Kaihua , Zhang Yang , Zhao Jianhua , Zhou Fengbo , Zhou Yuan , Zuliani-Alvarez Lorena ,   QCRG Structural Biology Consortium, Agard David A , Cheng Yifan , Fraser James S , Jura Natalia , Kortemme Tanja , Manglik Aashish , Southworth Daniel R. , Stroud Robert M , Swaney Danielle L , Krogan Nevan J , Frost Adam , Rosenberg Oren S , Verba Kliment A 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 protein Nsp2 has been implicated in a wide range of viral processes, but its exact functions, and the structural basis of those functions, remain unknown. Here, we report an atomic model for full-length Nsp2 obtained by combining cryo-electron microscopy with deep learning-based structure prediction from AlphaFold2. The resulting structure reveals a highly-conserved zinc ion-binding site, suggesting a role for Nsp2 in RNA binding. Mapping emerging mutations from variants of SARS-CoV-2 on the resulting structure shows potential host-Nsp2 interaction regions. Using structural analysis together with affinity tagged purification mass spectrometry experiments, we identify Nsp2 mutants that are unable to interact with the actin-nucleation-promoting WASH protein complex or with GIGYF2, an inhibitor of translation initiation and modulator of ribosome-associated quality control. Our work suggests a potential role of Nsp2 in linking viral transcription within the viral replication-transcription complexes (RTC) to the translation initiation of the viral message. Collectively, the structure reported here, combined with mutant interaction mapping, provides a foundation for functional studies of this evolutionary conserved coronavirus protein and may assist future drug design.
Analysis of the role of N-linked glycosylation in cell-surface expression, function and binding properties of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2
Authors: Rowland Raymond , Brandariz-Nuñez Alberto 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHuman angiotensin I-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) is a type-I transmembrane glycoprotein that serves as the major cell entry receptor for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. The viral spike (S) protein is required for attachment to ACE2 and subsequent virus-host cell membrane fusion. Previous work has demonstrated the presence of N-linked glycans in ACE2. N-glycosylation is implicated in many biological activities, including protein folding, protein activity, and cell surface expression of biomolecules. However, the contribution of N-glycosylation to ACE2 function is poorly understood. Here, we examined the role of N-glycosylation in the activity and localization of two species with different susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, porcine ACE2 (pACE2) and hACE2. The elimination of N-glycosylation by tunicamycin (TM) treatment or mutagenesis, showed that N-glycosylation is critical for the proper cell surface expression of ACE2 but not for its carboxiprotease activity. Furthermore, nonglycosylable ACE2 localized predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and not at the cell surface. Our data also revealed that binding of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 S protein to porcine or human ACE2 was not affected by deglycosylation of ACE2 or S proteins, suggesting that N-glycosylation plays no role in the interaction between SARS coronaviruses and the ACE2 receptor. Impairment of hACE2 N-glycosylation decreased cell to cell fusion mediated by SARS-CoV S protein but not SARS-CoV-2 S protein. Finally, we found that hACE2 N-glycosylation is required for an efficient viral entry of SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped viruses, which could be the result of low cell surface expression of the deglycosylated ACE2 receptor.ImportanceElucidating the role of glycosylation in the virus-receptor interaction is important for the development of approaches that disrupt infection. In this study, we show that deglycosylation of both ACE2 and S had a minimal effect on the Spike-ACE2 interaction. In addition, we found that removal of N-glycans of ACE2 impaired its ability to support an efficient transduction of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped viruses. Our data suggest that the role of deglycosylation of ACE2 on reducing infection is likely due to a reduced expression of the viral receptor on the cell surface. These findings offer insight into the glycan structure and function of ACE2, and potentially suggest that future antiviral therapies against coronaviruses and other coronavirus-related illnesses involving inhibition of ACE2 recruitment to the cell membrane could be developed.
The Effects of Stress Across the Lifespan on the Brain, Cognition and Mental Health: A UK Biobank study
Authors: McManus Elizabeth , Haroon Hamied , Duncan Niall W. , Elliott Rebecca , Muhlert Nils 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRepeated overstimulation of the stress response system, caused by exposure to prolonged highly stressful experiences, is thought to affect brain structure, cognitive ability, and mental health. We tested the effects of highly stressful experiences during childhood and adulthood using data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale national health and biomedical study with over 500,000 participants. To do this, we defined four groups with high and low levels of childhood and adulthood stress. We then used T1- and diffusion-weighted MRI data to assess the macrostructure in grey matter and microstructure in white matter of limbic brain regions, commonly associated with the stress response. We also compared executive function and working memory between these groups. Our findings suggest that in females, higher levels of both childhood and adulthood stress were associated with reduced connectivity within the posterior thalamic radiation. High stress in both childhood and adulthood was associated with decreases in both executive function and working memory. Finally, stress across the lifespan was positively associated with the number of diagnosed mental health problems, with a stronger effect in females than in males. Together our findings demonstrate links between stress across the lifespan, brain structure and mental health outcomes that may differ between males and females. Our findings also suggest that exposure to highly stressful life events has a negative impact on cognitive abilities in later life regardless of sex.
COVID-19 in patients hospitalized and healthcare workers: what have changed after the first wave in a university hospital
Authors: Moreira Luiz Vinicius Leão , Barbosa Gabriela Rodrigues , de Souza Luna Luciano Kleber , Justo Alberto Fernando Oliveira , Chaves Ana Paula Cunha , Conte Danielle Dias , Carvalho Joseane Mayara Almeida , Perosa Ana Helena , Faico Filho Klinger Soares , Camargo Clarice Neves , Bellei Nancy 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the COVID-19 frequency rates in hospitalized patients (HP) and healthcare workers (HCW), viral load inference, and the impact of vaccination and variants of concern (VOC) during the first pandemic wave.MethodsWe evaluated the COVID-19 diagnostics at Hospital São Paulo, Brazil, from March 2020 to April 2021, in 10,202 samples (6,502 HP and 3,700 HCW) tested by RT-qPCR, inferring viral load by cycle threshold (Ct) values, and frequency rates.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 was detected in 31.27% of individuals (32.23% HP and 29.80% HCW). The mean age of HP positives was 57.26 ± 18.29 years (median = 59), with a mean Ct value of 25.55 ± 6.07. Neither age nor Ct values in both groups have significantly differed during the first and second waves or even since the predominance of VOC P.1 on March 2021.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 epidemic curves of HP and HCW accompanied the variations reported in São Paulo city, as well as the variation of hospitalization and occupancy of ICU beds. The VOC P.1 has no impact on the viral load, since its predominance in March 2021. The vaccination of HCW may have contributed to a decrease in the positivity rates, although more studies will provide a better understanding of the impact of immunization on the COVID-19 pandemic.