bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between statin and COVID-19 adverse outcomes: National COVID-19 cohort in South Korea
Authors: Chow Ronald , Lee Jihui , Noh Hyerim , Lee Jongseong , Shin Hyun Joon , Choi Young-Geun 
Published: August 2021

SummaryBackgroundThere currently exists limited and conflicting clinical data on the use of statins amongst COVID-19 patients. Given the both paucity and lack of consensus among data on statin’s efficacy and safety amongst COVID-19 patients, the current guideline is to continue statin in COVID-19 patients, who have previously been treated with statins. The aim of this paper was to compare hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who did and did not receive statins, in terms of COVID-19 outcomes.MethodsWe conducted population-based retrospective study using South Korea’s nationwide healthcare database as of May 15 2020. We identified 4,349 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and aged 40 years or older. The cohort entry was defined as the date of hospitalization. Statin users were individuals with inpatient and outpatient prescription records of statins in the 240 days before cohort entry, and non-users were those without such records during this period. Our primary outcome was a composite endpoint of all-cause death, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation use and cardiovascular outcomes (myocardial infarction (MI), transient cerebral ischemic attacks (TIA) or stroke). We conducted inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)-adjusted logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), to compare outcomes between statin users and non-users.Findings1,115 patients were statin users (mean age = 65.9 years; 60% female), and 3,234 were non-users (mean age = 58.3 years; 64% female). Statin use was not associated with increased risk of the primary outcome (IPTW OR 0.82; 95% CI: 0.60-1.11). Subgroup analysis showed a protective role of statins, for individuals with hypertension (IPTW OR 0.40; 95% CI: 0.23-0.69, p for interaction: 0.0087).InterpretationGiven that statins are not detrimental and that it may be beneficial amongst hypertensive patients and relatively cheap, we would encourage further investigation into statin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.FundingYGC’s work was partially supported by 2020R1G1A1A01006229 awarded by the National Research Foundation of Korea.Research in contextEvidence before this studyThere is limited and conflicting data reporting on statin use among COVID-19 patients, and its association with COVID-19 outcomesAdded value of this studyWe report no difference in COVID-19 outcomes between patients who used and did not use statins prior to COVID-19 diagnosis, except in hypertensive patients in which statins was shown to have a protective effect.Implications of all the available evidenceAs statins are not detrimental and relatively cheap, we encourage further investigation into statin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Safety and feasibility of research lumbar puncture in Huntington’s disease: the HDClarity cohort and bioresource
Authors: Rodrigues Filipe B , Owen Gail , Sathe Swati , Pak Elena , Kaur Dipinder , Ehrhardt Anka G , Lifer Sherry , Townhill Jenny , Schubert Katarzyna , Leavitt Blair R , Guttman Mark , Bang Jee , Lewerenz Jan , Levey Jamie ,   for the HDClarity Investigators, Sampaio Cristina , Wild Edward J 
Published: August 2021

STRUCTURED ABSTRACTBackgroundBiomarkers are needed to monitor disease progression, target engagement and efficacy in Huntington’s disease (HD). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an ideal medium to research such biomarkers due to its proximity to the brain.ObjectivesTo investigate the safety and feasibility of research lumbar punctures (LP) in HD.MethodsHDClarity (NCT02855476) is an ongoing international biofluid collection initiative built on the Enroll-HD platform, where clinical assessments are recorded. It aims to recruit 1,200 participants. Biosamples are collected following an overnight fast: blood via venipuncture and CSF via LP. Participants are healthy controls and HD gene expansion carriers across the disease spectrum. We report on monitored data from February 2016 to September 2019.ResultsOf 448 participants screened, 398 underwent at least 1 sampling visit, of which 98.24% were successful (i.e. CSF was collected), amounting to 10,610mL of CSF and 8,200mL of plasma. In the total 572 sampling visits, adverse events were reported in 24.13%, and headaches of any kind and post-LP headaches in 14.86% and 12.24%, respectively. Frequencies were less in manifest HD; gender, age, body mass index and disease burden score were not associated with the occurrence of the events in gene expansion carriers. Headaches and back pain were the most frequent adverse events.ConclusionsHDClarity is the largest CSF collection initiative to support scientific research into HD and is now established as a leading resource for HD research. Our data confirm that research LP in HD are feasible and acceptable to the community, and have a manageable safety profile.
KNOWLEDGE AND RISK PERCEPTION OF NIGERIANS TOWARDS THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)
Authors: Udomah Bolaji Felicia , Ashaolu Uriel Oludare , Olomofe Charles Oluwatemitope , Dada Olufunke Folasade , Soyemi Victor Kehinde , Aremu-Kasumu Yetunde Bolatito , Ochieze Chikezie John , Adeyemi Ayodele Olusola , Owolabi Adeyinka Olabisi , Igbokwe Martin Chukwudum , Ajumuka Emmanuel Eziashi , Ologunde Kehinde Williams , Popoola Gbenga Omotade , Ariyo Olumuyiwa Elijah , Fayemi Olaniyi Bamidele 
Published: August 2021

ABSTARCTBackgroundThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is far from over, although appreciable progress has been made to limit the devastating effects of the pandemic across the globe. Adequate knowledge and risk perception is a critical assessment that is required to ensure proper preventive measures. This study assessed these among Nigerians.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional assessment of 776 consenting Nigerian adults that were distributed across the 6 geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory. Online pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire were used to obtain the socio-demographic data and assessed the knowledge and risk perception of the participants to COVID-19. The knowledge of COVID-19 was assessed based on the number of accurate responses given in comparison to average scores. Chi-square analysis was computed to analysis the association between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of COVID-19 and risk perception. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21, the level of significance was set at value p<0.05 at 95% confidence interval.ResultsMajority of the participants were male 451 (58.1%), there was a good knowledge of COVID-19 among 90.3% of respondents with 57% having positive risk perception. There was a statistically significant relationship between good knowledge and positive risk perception of COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Annual income (p =0.012) and the perception that “vaccines are good” significantly predict positive risk perception of COVID-19 among the respondents.ConclusionA good knowledge of COVID-19 and vaccination against the virus were the two most important factors that determined risk perception among the population. This may be because of the widespread advocacy, and it portends a good omen at combating COVID-19 menace.
Increased Autotaxin levels in severe COVID-19, correlating with IL-6 levels, endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, and impaired functions of dendritic cells
Authors: Nikitopoulou Ioanna , Fanidis Dionysios , Ntatsoulis Konstantinos , Moulos Panagiotis , Mpekoulis George , Evangelidou Maria , Vassiliou Alice G. , Dimakopoulou Vasiliki , Jahaj Edison , Tsipilis Stamatios , Orfanos Stylianos E. , Dimopoulou Ioanna , Angelakis Emmanouil , Akinosoglou Karolina , Vassilaki Niki , Tzouvelekis Argyris , Kotanidou Anastasia , Aidinis Vassilis 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAutotaxin (ATX; ENPP2) is a secreted lysophospholipase D catalysing the extracellular production of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a pleiotropic signalling phospholipid. Genetic and pharmacologic studies have previously established a pathologic role for ATX and LPA signalling in pulmonary injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Here, increased ENPP2 mRNA levels were detected in immune cells from nasopharyngeal swab samples of COVID-19 patients, and increased ATX serum levels were found in severe COVID-19 patients. ATX serum levels correlated with the corresponding increased serum levels of IL-6 and endothelial damage biomarkers, suggesting an interplay of the ATX/LPA axis with hyperinflammation and the associated vascular dysfunction in COVID-19. Accordingly, dexamethasone (Dex) treatment of mechanically ventilated patients reduced ATX levels, as shown in two independent cohorts, indicating that the therapeutic benefits of Dex include the suppression of ATX. Moreover, large scale analysis of multiple single cell RNAseq datasets revealed the expression landscape of ENPP2 in COVID-19 and further suggested a role for ATX in the homeostasis of dendritic cells, that exhibit both numerical and functional deficits in COVID-19. Therefore, ATX has likely a multifunctional role in COVID-19 pathogenesis, worth of suggesting that its pharmacological targeting might represent an additional therapeutic option.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among the Healthcare Professionals regarding the myths on COVID-19 vaccination - Demystified
Authors: Kumar S Lokesh , Naik Zameera , Panwar Arun , M Sridhar , Keluskar Vaishali , K Ram Surath Kumar 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundCOVID-19 vaccine is the mighty weapon opted by all the countries across the globe in an attempt to eradicate the fatal COVID-19 pandemic. The myths on the COVID-19 vaccine are spreading widely, causing a hindrance to this noble preventive measure. The prevalence of such myths among the healthcare professionals may be toxic and deadly.Aim & ObjectivesTo assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the healthcare professionals regarding the myths on COVID-19 vaccination and to demystify them.Materials and MethodsAn 18-item questionnaire evaluating knowledge, attitude, and practice based on the existing myths on COVID-19 vaccination was circulated through Google Forms® among the 412 healthcare professionals of six disciplines belonging to a private University. The responses obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS® 20 software package.ResultsA total of 385 health professionals participated in this study. The majority of them had medium knowledge (165) and positive attitude (273) with the mean knowledge and attitude scores of 3.82 ± 1.55 out of 6 and 4.3 ± 1.58 out of 7 respectively. Even though 312 participants got vaccinated, 72 of them failed to receive it. The knowledge scores showed a high statistically significant difference among the participants of different designations (p=0.001), but not with gender, field, and staff with different years of experience (p>0.05). The attitude scores were statistically different among participants of fields and designation (p<0.05) but not among genders (p=0.31) and staff with different years of experience (p=0.87). Knowledge and attitude scores showed a positive linear correlation and a high statistically significant difference (p<0.001).ConclusionThis study recommends more enhanced education programs on COVID-19 vaccination for the health professionals and demands an improved knowledge, attitude, and practice among them to achieve the goal of 100% vaccination so as to completely eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among U.S. Child Care Providers
Authors: Patel Kavin M. , Malik Amyn A. , Lee Aiden , Klotz Madeline , Humphries John Eric , Murray Thomas , Wilkinson David , Shafiq Mehr , Yildirim Inci , Elharake Jad A. , Diaz Rachel , Reyes Chin , Omer Saad B. , Gilliam Walter S. 
Published: August 2021

STRUCUTRED ABSTRACTObjectivesEnsuring a high COVID-19 vaccine uptake among U.S. child care providers is crucial to mitigating the public health implications of child-to-staff and staff-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV-2; however, the vaccination rate among this group is unknown.MethodsTo characterize the vaccine uptake among U.S. child care providers, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of the child care workforce. Providers were identified through various national databases and state registries. A link to the survey was sent via email between May 26 and June 23, 2021. Out of 44,771 potential respondents, 21,663 responded (48.4%).ResultsOverall COVID-19 vaccine uptake among U.S. child care providers (78.1%, 95% CI [77.3% to 78.9%]) was higher than that of the U.S. adult population (65%). Vaccination rates varied from 53.5% to 89.4% between states. Vaccine uptake differed significantly (p < .01) based on respondent age (70.0% for ages 25-34, 91.5% for ages 75-84), race (70.0% for Black or African Americans, 92.5% for Asian-Americans), annual household income (70.7% for <$35,000, 85.0% for>$75,000), and childcare setting (72.9% for home-based, 79.7% for center-based).ConclusionsCOVID-19 vaccine uptake among U.S. child care providers was higher than that of the general U.S. adult population. Those who were younger, lower income, Black or African American, resided in states either in the Mountain West or the South, and/or worked in home-based childcare programs reported the lowest rates of vaccination; state public health leaders and lawmakers should prioritize these subgroups for placement on the policy agenda to realize the largest gains in vaccine uptake among providers.Tables of Contents SummaryThis article describes the results of a national survey of childcare providers to determine the overall COVID-19 vaccine uptake and the gaps in vaccine coverage.What’s Known on This SubjectEnsuring a high COVID-19 vaccine uptake among U.S. child care providers is crucial to mitigating the public health implications of child-to-staff and staff-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV-2; however, the vaccination rate among this group is unknown.What This Study AddsWhile the vaccine uptake among U.S. child care providers was higher than that of U.S. adults, certain subgroups continue to warrant focused attention for outreach and/or placement on the policy agenda.
Subcellular and regional localization of mRNA translation in midbrain dopamine neurons
Authors: Hobson Benjamin D. , Kong Linghao , Angelo Maria Florencia , Lieberman Ori J. , Mosharov Eugene V. , Herzog Etienne , Sulzer David , Sims Peter A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractLocal translation within excitatory and inhibitory neurons is involved in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. Despite the extensive dendritic and axonal arborizations of central monoaminergic neurons, the subcellular localization of protein synthesis is not well-characterized in these populations. Here, we investigated mRNA localization and translation in midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons, cells with enormous axonal and dendritic projections, both of which exhibit stimulation-evoked dopamine (DA) release. Using highly-sensitive ribosome-bound RNA-sequencing and imaging approaches in mDA axons, we found no evidence for axonal mRNA localization or translation. In contrast, mDA neuronal dendritic projections into the substantia nigra reticulata (SNr) contain ribosomes and mRNAs encoding the major components of DA synthesis, release, and reuptake machinery. Surprisingly, we also observed dendritic localization of mRNAs encoding synaptic vesicle-related proteins, including those involved in vesicular exocytic fusion. Our results are consistent with a role for local translation in the regulation of DA release from dendrites, but not from axons. Our translatome data further defined a molecular signature of the sparse mDA neurons resident in the SNr, including enrichment of Atp2a3/SERCA3, an ER calcium pump previously undescribed in mDA neurons.
Ontology-aware deep learning for antibiotic resistance gene prediction: novel function discovery and comprehensive profiling from metagenomic data
Authors: Zha Yuguo , Chen Cheng , Jiao Qihong , Zeng Xiaomei , Cui Xuefeng , Ning Kang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAntibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have emerged in pathogens and arousing a worldwide concern, which is estimated to cause millions of deaths each year globally. Accurately identifying and classifying ARGs is a formidable challenge in studying the generation and spread of antibiotic resistance. Current methods could identify close homologous ARGs, have limited utility for discovery of novel ARGs, thus rendering the profiling of ARGs incomprehensive. Here, an ontology-aware neural network (ONN) approach, ONN4ARG, is proposed for comprehensive ARG discovery. Systematic evaluation shows ONN4ARG is advanced than previous methods such as DeepARG in efficiency, accuracy, and comprehensiveness. Experiments using 200 million candidate microbial genes collected from 815 microbial community samples from diverse environments or hosts have resulted in 120,726 candidate ARGs, out of which more than 20% are not yet present in public databases. These comprehensive set of ARGs have clarified the environment-specific and host-specific patterns. The wet-experimental functional validation, together with structural investigation of docking sites, have also validated a novel streptomycin resistance gene from oral microbiome samples, confirming ONN4ARG’s ability for novel ARGs identification. In summary, ONN4ARG is superior to existing methods in efficiency, accuracy, and comprehensiveness. It enables comprehensive ARG discovery, which is helpful towards a grand view of ARGs worldwide. ONN4ARG is available athttps://github.com/HUST-NingKang-Lab/ONN4ARG, and online web service is available athttp://onn4arg.xfcui.com/.
Ecological specialisation, rather than the island effect, explains morphological diversification in an ancient radiation of geckos
Authors: Tejero-Cicuéndez Héctor , Simó-Riudalbas Marc , Menéndez Iris , Carranza Salvador 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTIsland colonists are often assumed to experience higher levels of phenotypic diversification than continental taxa. However, empirical evidence has uncovered exceptions to this “island effect”. Here, we tested this pattern using the geckos of the genusPristurusfrom continental Arabia and Africa and the Socotra Archipelago. Using a recently published phylogeny and an extensive morphological dataset, we explore the differences in phenotypic evolution between Socotran and continental taxa. Moreover, we reconstructed ancestral habitat occupancy to examine if ecological specialisation is correlated with morphological change, comparing phenotypic disparity and trait evolution between habitats. We found a heterogeneous outcome of island colonisation. Namely, only one of the three colonisation events resulted in a body size increase. However, in general, Socotran species do not present higher levels or rates of morphological diversification than continental groups. Instead, habitat specialisation explains better the body size and shape evolution inPristurus. Particularly, the colonisation of ground habitats appears as the main driver of morphological change, producing the highest disparity and evolutionary rates. Additionally, arboreal species show very similar body size and head proportions. These results reveal a determinant role of ecological mechanisms in morphological evolution and corroborate the complexity of ecomorphological dynamics in continent-island systems.
Exploring the miRNA-mediated response to combined stresses in melon plants
Authors: Villalba-Bermell Pascual , Marquez-Molins Joan , Marques María-Carmen , Hernandez-Azurdia Andrea G. , Corell-Sierra Julia , Picó Belén , Monforte Antonio J. , Elena Santiago F. , Gomez Gustavo G. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractClimate change has been associated with a higher incidence of combined adverse environmental conditions that can promote a significant decrease in crop productivity. However, knowledge on how a combination of stresses might affect plant development is still scarce. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as potential targets for improving crop-productivity. Here, we have combined deep-sequencing, computational characterization of responsive miRNAs and validation of their regulatory role in a comprehensive analysis of melon’s response to several combinations of four stresses (cold, salinity, short day, and infection with a fungus). Twenty-two miRNA families responding to double and/or triple stresses were identified. The regulatory role of the differentially expressed miRNAs was validated by quantitative measurements of the expression of the corresponding target genes. A high proportion (ca. 60%) of these families (mainly highly conserved miRNAs targeting transcription factors) showed a non-additive response to multiple stresses in comparison with that observed under each one of the stresses individually. Among those miRNAs showing non-additive response to stress-combinations, most interactions were negative suggesting the existence of functional convergence in the miRNA-mediated response to combined stresses. Taken together, our results provide compelling evidences that the response to combined stresses cannot be easily predicted from the study individual stresses.
Visuo-vestibular gaze control – conserved subcortical processing
Authors: Wibble Tobias , Pansell Tony , Grillner Sten , Pérez-Fernández Juan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGaze stabilization compensates for movements of the head or external environment to minimize image blurring, which is critical for visually-guided behaviors. Multisensory information is used to stabilize the visual scene on the retina via the vestibulo-ocular (VOR) and optokinetic (OKR) reflexes. While the organization of neuronal circuits underlying VOR is well described across vertebrates, less is known about the contribution and evolutionary origin of the OKR circuits. Moreover, the integration of these two sensory modalities is still poorly understood. Here, we developed a novel experimental model, the isolated lamprey eye-brain-labyrinth preparation, to analyze the neuronal pathways underlying visuo-vestibular integration which allowed electrophysiological recordings while applying vestibular stimulation using a moving platform, coordinated with visual stimulation via two screens. We show that lampreys exhibit robust visuo-vestibular integration, with optokinetic information processed in the pretectum and integrated with vestibular inputs at several subcortical levels. The enhanced eye movement response to multimodal stimulation favored the vestibular response at increased velocities. The optokinetic signals can be downregulated from tectum. Additionally, saccades are present in the form of nystagmus. The lamprey represents the oldest living group of vertebrates, thus all basic components of the visuo-vestibular control of gaze were present already at the dawn of vertebrate evolution.
Xenotransplantation of porcine progenitor cells in an epileptic California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)
Authors: Simeone Claire A. , Andrews John P. , Johnson Shawn P. , Casalia Mariana , Kochanski Ryan , Chang Edward F. , Cameron Dianne , Dennison Sophie , Inglis Ben , Scott Gregory , Kruse-Elliott Kris , Okonski F. Fabian , Calvo Eric , Goulet Kelly , Robles Dawn , Griffin-Stence Ashley , Kuiper Erin , Krasovec Laura , Field Cara L. , Hoard Vanessa F. , Baraban Scott C. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundDomoic acid (DA) is a naturally occurring neurotoxin harmful to marine animals and humans. California sea lions exposed to DA in prey during algal blooms along the Pacific coast exhibit significant neurological symptoms, including epilepsy with hippocampal atrophy.ObservationsHere we describe a xenotransplantation procedure to deliver interneuron progenitor cells into the damaged hippocampus of an epileptic sea lion with suspected DA toxicosis. The sea lion has had no evidence of seizures following the procedure, and clinical measures of well-being including weight and feeding habits have stabilized.LessonsThese preliminary results suggest xenotransplantation has improved the quality-of-life (QOL) for this animal and holds tremendous therapeutic promise.