bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 antibody detection and assay performance using red cell agglutination
Authors: Srivastava Kshitij , West Kamille A , De Giorgi Valeria , Holbrook Michael R , Bovin Nicolai V. , Henry Stephen M , Flegel Willy A 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRed cells can be labelled with peptides from the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and used for serologic screening of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We evaluated 140 convalescent COVID-19 patients and 275 healthy controls using this C19-kodecyte assay. The analytical performance of the new assay was compared with a virus neutralizing assay and 2 commercial chemiluminescent antibody tests (Total assay and IgG assay, Ortho). The C19-kodecyte assay detected SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with a sensitivity of 92.8% and specificity of 96.3%, well within the minimum performance range required by FDA for EUA authorization of serologic tests. The Cohen’s kappa coefficient was 0.90 indicating an almost perfect agreement with the Total assay. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.20 with the neutralizing assay (0.49 with IgG, and 0.41 with Total assays). The limited correlation in assay reaction strengths suggested that the assays may detect different antibody specificities. Our easily scalable C19-kodecyte assay may vastly improve test capacity in blood typing laboratories using their routine setups for column agglutination technique.
Personal space Increases during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Response to Real and Virtual Humans
Authors: Holt Daphne J. , Zapetis Sarah , Babadi Baktash , Tootell Roger B. H. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTypically, people maintain a certain distance from others (“personal space”) during daily life, in a largely automatic, unconscious manner. However during the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing recommendations led to deliberate expansions of personal space outside of intimate social circles. In the laboratory, personal space preferences are quite stable over repeated measurements. Here, we collected such measurements both before and during the pandemic in the same individuals, using both conventional and virtual reality-based techniques. We found that the size of personal space, and discomfort ratings in response to personal space intrusions, increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, in response to both real humans and virtual “others”. Moreover, this increase in personal space requirements correlated with the perceived, not the actual, risk of being infected with COVID-19 – even in a virtual reality environment in which there was no possibility of infection. Thus, quantification of personal space may reveal some of the psychological effects of the pandemic, and subsequent progress towards recovery.
Impact of baseline SARS-CoV-2 antibody status on syndromic surveillance and the risk of subsequent Covid-19 – a prospective multicentre cohort study
Authors: Kohler Philipp , Güsewell Sabine , Seneghini Marco , Egger Thomas , Leal Onicio , Brucher Angela , Lemmenmeier Eva , Möller J. Carsten , Rieder Philip , Ruetti Markus , Stocker Reto , Vuichard-Gysin Danielle , Wiggli Benedikt , Besold Ulrike , Kuster Stefan P. , McGeer Allison , Risch Lorenz , Friedl Andrée , Vernazza Pietro , Kahlert Christian R. 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTObjectivesIn a prospective healthcare worker (HCW) cohort, we assessed the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to baseline serostatus.MethodsBaseline serologies were performed among HCW from 23 Swiss healthcare institutions between June and September 2020, before the second COVID-19 wave. Participants answered weekly electronic questionnaires covering information about nasopharyngeal swabs (PCR/rapid antigen tests) and symptoms compatible with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Screening of symptomatic staff by nasopharyngeal swabs was routinely performed in participating facilities. We compared numbers of positive nasopharyngeal tests and occurrence of COVID-19 symptoms between HCW with and without anti-nucleocapsid antibodies.ResultsA total of 4’818 HCW participated, whereof 144 (3%) were seropositive at baseline. We analysed 107’820 questionnaires with a median follow-up of 7.9 months. Median number of answered questionnaires was similar (24 vs. 23 per person, P=0.83) between those with and without positive baseline serology. Among 2’713 HCW with ≥1 SARS-CoV-2 test during follow-up, 3/67 (4.5%) seropositive individuals reported a positive result (one of whom asymptomatic), compared to 547/2646 (20.7%) seronegative participants, 12 of whom asymptomatic (risk ratio [RR] 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07 to 0.66). Seropositive HCWs less frequently reported impaired olfaction/taste (6/144, 4.2% vs. 588/4674, 12.6%, RR 0.33, 95%-CI: 0.15-0.73), chills (19/144, 13.2% vs. 1040/4674, 22.3%, RR 0.59, 95%-CI: 0.39-0.90), and limb/muscle pain (28/144, 19.4% vs. 1335/4674, 28.6%, RR 0.68 95%-CI: 0.49-0.95). Impaired olfaction/taste and limb/muscle pain also discriminated best between positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 results.ConclusionsHaving SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies provides almost 80% protection against SARS-CoV-2 re-infection for a period of at least eight months.
Prevalence of uncoupling protein one genetic polymorphisms and their relationship with cardiovascular and metabolic health
Authors: Dinas Petros C. , Nintou Eleni , Vliora Maria , Sakellariou Paraskevi , Pravednikova Anna E. , Witkowicz Agata , Kachaev Zaur M. , Kerchev Victor V. , Larina Svetlana N. , Cotton James , Kowalska Anna , Gkiata Paraskevi , Bargiota Alexandra , Khachatryan Zaruhi A. , Hovhannisyan Anahit A. , Antonosyan Mariya A. , Margaryan Sona , Partyka Anna , Bogdanski Pawel , Szulinska Monika , Kregielska-Narozna Matylda , Czepczyński Rafał , Ruchała Marek , Tomkiewicz Anna , Yepiskoposyan Levon , Karabon Lidia , Shidlovskii Yulii , Metsios George S. , Flouris Andreas D. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe contribution ofUCP1single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to susceptibility for cardiometabolic pathologies (CMP) and their involvement in specific risk factors for these conditions varies across populations. We tested whetherUCP1SNPs A-3826G, A-1766G, Ala64Thr and A-112C are associated with the most common CMP (cardiovascular disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and type-2 diabetes) and CMP risk factors. This case-control study included blood sample collection from 2,283 Caucasians (1,139 healthy; 1,144 CMP) across Armenia, Greece, Poland, Russia and United Kingdom for genotyping of the above-mentioned SNPs. We extended the results via a systematic review and meta-analysis, covering PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. In Armenia the GA genotype and A allele of Ala64Thr were associated with ∼2-fold higher risk for CMP compared to the GG genotype or G allele, respectively (p<0.05). In Greece, A allele of Ala64Thr SNP decreased the risk of CMP by 39%. Healthy individuals with A-3826G GG genotype and carriers of mutant allele of A-112C and Ala64Thr had higher body mass index compared to those carrying other genotypes. In healthy Polish, higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was observed in heterozygotes A-3826G compared to AA homozygotes. Heterozygosity of the A-112C and Ala64Thr SNPs was related to lower WHR in CMP individuals compared to wild type homozygotes (p<0.05). Meta-analysis in case-control studies showed no statistically significant odds ratios in different alleles across the four studied SNPs (p>0.05). Thus, we conclude that the studied SNPs could be associated with the most common CMP and their risk factors in some populations.
EFFECTIVENESS OF ACAMPROSATE FOR TINNITUS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL TRIALS
Authors: Person Osmar Clayton , Angélico Júnior Fernando Veiga , Santos Rodrigo Lima de Godoy , de Rezende William Marasini , Giusti Maria Fernanda , Puga Maria Eduarda dos Santos 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe effectiveness of tinnitus treatment represents a huge gap in the medical science. Acamprosate is a glutamatergic antagonist drug and GABA-agonist that could be used to control tinnitus due to its action on peripheral and central neurotransmission.PurposeTo assess the effectiveness of acamprosate in the treatment of tinnitus.Material and MethodsThis is a systematic review and we searched for randomized clinical trials linking acamprosate to tinnitus in six databases: Cochrane - Central Register of Controlled Trials - CENTRAL (2021), PUBMED (1966-2021), EMBASE (1974-2021), IBECS (1982-2021), QINSIGHT (2021) and SCOPUS (2021). Two researchers independently extracted the data and assessed the quality of the studies.ResultsTwo trials involving 121 patients were included. The methodological quality of these studies was low. Both studies evaluated as primary outcome the efficacy of acamprosate in improving tinnitus. The meta-analysis by random model resulted in no significant difference between the groups treated with acamprosate and placebo (RR = 3,69, 95% CI 0,87-15,62; p=0,08), considering tinnitus improvement. Conclusions: There is no evidence that acamprosate is effective for tinnitus treatment. We recommend new trials using rigorous methodology. Randomization and blinding should be of the highest quality, given the subjective nature of tinnitus and the strong likelihood of a placebo response. The CONSORT statement should be used in the design and reporting of future studies.
Kinematic analysis of upper body movements in adolescent with mild idiopathic scoliosis: a preliminary study
Authors: Struber Lucas , Courvoisier Aurélien , Griffet Jacques , Daniel Olivier , Moreau-Gaudry Alexandre , Cinquin Philippe , Nougier Vincent 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAnalysis of kinematic and postural data of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients seems relevant for a better understanding of biomechanical aspects involved in AIS and its etiopathogenesis. The present project aimed at investigating kinematic differences and asymmetries in early AIS in a static task and in uniplanar trunk movements (rotations, lateral bending and forward bending). Trunk kinematics and posture were assessed using a 3D motion analysis system and a force plate. Fifteen healthy girls, fifteen AIS girls with left lumbar main curve and seventeen AIS girls with right thoracic main curve were compared. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate presumed differences between the three groups. This study showed kinematic and postural differences between mild AIS patients and controls such as static imbalance, a reduced range of motion in the frontal plane and a different kinematic strategy in lateral bending. These differences mainly occurred in the same direction whatever the type of scoliosis, and suggested that AIS patients behave similarly from a dynamic point of view.
NEWS-2 Score Assessment of Inpatient Referral during the COVID 19 Epidemic
Authors: Faure Valérie , Souris Marc , Wilmet Arnaud , Baudino Franck , Brizo Albert , Malhaire Christophe , Peccaud François-Xavier , Gonzalez Jean-Paul 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimTo manage patients with suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19) when they arrive at the hospital emergency department (ED), a clinical severity score is required to quickly identify patients requiring immediate hospital admission and close monitoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate, within the context of the pandemic, the performance of National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS-2) to anticipate the admission of patients with suspected COVID-19 to a specialised emergency care unit.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted on patients presenting at the COVID-19 entrance of the ED of the Vert-Galant private hospital (Paris, France) during the first national pandemic peak from March 20 to April 20, 2020. All patients completed a questionnaire and clinical data and vital signs were recorded. Statistical analysis and modelling were used to estimate the ability of different scores (NEWS-2, qSOFA, CRB-65) to predict hospital emergency admission and/or early COVID-19 diagnosis.ResultsNEWS-2, with a cut off value of 5, predicted hospital admission with 82% sensitivity, 98% specificity and an area under the curve (AUC) of 96%. NEWS-2 was superior to qSOFA and CRB-65 scores for predicting hospital admission of COVID-19 patients. Multilinear or logistic regression analysis of clinical data did not improve this result.ConclusionNEWS-2 is an excellent score to predict hospital admission of COVID-19 patients.
Does time matter in phylogeny? A perspective from the fossil record
Authors: Guenser Pauline , Warnock Rachel C.M. , Pett Walker , Donoghue Philip C.J. , Jarochowska Emilia 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTThe role of time (i.e. taxa ages) in phylogeny has been a source of intense debate within palaeontology for decades and has not yet been resolved fully. The fossilised birth-death range process is a model that explicitly accounts for information about species through time. It presents a fresh opportunity to examine the role of stratigraphic data in phylogenetic inference of fossil taxa. Here, we apply this model in a Bayesian framework to an exemplar dataset of well-dated conodonts from the Late Devonian. We compare the results to those obtained using traditional unconstrained tree inference. We show that the combined analysis of morphology and stratigraphic data under the FBD range process reduces overall phylogenetic uncertainty, compared to unconstrained tree inference. We find that previous phylogenetic hypotheses based on parsimony and stratophenetics are closer to trees generated under the FBD range process. However, the results also highlight that irrespective of the inclusion of age data, a large amount of topological uncertainty will remain. Bayesian inference provides the most intuitive way to represent the uncertainty inherent in fossil datasets and new flexible models increase opportunities to refine hypotheses in palaeobiology.
Glioblastoma cell fate is differentially regulated by the microenvironments of the tumour bulk and infiltrative margin
Authors: Garcia-Diaz Claudia , Mereu Elisabetta , Clements Melanie P. , Pöysti Anni , Galvez-Cancino Felipe , Castillo Simon P. , Courtot Lilas , Ruiz Sara , Roncaroli Federico , Yuan Yinyin , Quezada Sergio A. , Heyn Holger , Parrinello Simona 
Published: June 2021

SummaryGlioblastoma recurrence originates from invasive cells at the tumour margin that escape surgical debulking, but their biology remains poorly understood. Here we generated three somatic mouse models recapitulating the main glioblastoma driver mutations to characterise margin cells. We find that, regardless of genetics, tumours converge on a common set of neural- like cellular states. However, bulk and margin display distinct neurogenic patterns and immune microenvironments. The margin is immune-cold and preferentially follows developmental-like trajectories to produce astrocyte-like cells. In contrast, injury-like programmes dominate in the bulk, are associated with immune infiltration and generate lowly-proliferative injured neural progenitor-like (iNPCs) cells.In vivolabel-retention approaches further demonstrate that iNPCs account for a significant proportion of dormant glioblastoma cells and are induced by interferon signalling within T-cell niches. These findings indicate that tumour region is a major determinant of glioblastoma cell fate and therapeutic vulnerabilities identified in bulk may not extend to the margin residuum.
Transcranial stimulation of alpha oscillations upregulates the default mode network
Authors: Clancy Kevin J. , Andrzejewski Jeremy A. , Rosenberg Jens T. , Ding Mingzhou , Li Wen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe default mode network (DMN) is the most prominent intrinsic connectivity network, serving as a key architecture of the brain’s functional organization. Conversely, dysregulated DMN is characteristic of major neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the field still lacks mechanistic insights into the regulation of the DMN and effective interventions for DMN dysregulation. The current study approached this problem by manipulating neural synchrony, particularly, alpha (8-12 Hz) oscillations, a dominant intrinsic oscillatory activity that has been increasingly associated with the DMN in both function and physiology. Using high-definition (HD) alpha-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (α-tACS) to stimulate the cortical source of alpha oscillations, in combination with simultaneous EEG-fMRI, we demonstrated that α-tACS (vs. sham control) not only augmented EEG alpha oscillations but also strengthened fMRI and (source-level) alpha connectivity within the core of the DMN. Importantly, increase in alpha oscillations mediated the DMN connectivity enhancement. These findings thus identify a mechanistic link between alpha oscillations and DMN functioning. That transcranial alpha modulation can upregulate the DMN further highlights an effective non-invasive intervention to normalize DMN functioning in various disorders.Significance StatementIn the brain’s functional organization, the default mode network (DMN) represents a key architecture, whose dysregulation is involved in a host of major neuropsychiatric disorders. However, insights into the regulation of the DMN remain scarce. Through neural synchrony, the alpha-frequency oscillation represents another key underpinning of the brain’s organization and is thought to share an inherent interdependence with the DMN. Here, we demonstrated that transcranial alternating current stimulation of alpha oscillations (α-tACS) not only augmented alpha activity but also strengthened connectivity of the DMN, with the former serving as a mediator of the latter. These findings reveal that alpha oscillations can support DMN functioning. In addition, they identify an effective non-invasive approach to regulate the DMN via α-tACS.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmune immunoglobulin provides potent and robust neutralization capacity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis induction through N and S proteins
Authors: Díez José María , Romero Carolina , Cruz María , Vandeberg Peter , Merritt W. Keither , Pradenas Edwards , Trinité Benjamin , Blanco Julià , Clotet Bonaventura , Willis Todd , Gajardo Rodrigo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlthough progressive COVID-19 vaccinations provide a significant reduction of infection rate in the short-to mid-term, effective COVID-19 treatments will continue to be an urgent need.MethodsWe have functionally characterized the anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmune immunoglobulin (hIG) prepared from human COVID-19 convalescent plasma. SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralization was evaluated by four different methodologies (plaque reduction, virus induced cytotoxicity, TCID50 reduction and immunofluorimetry-based methodology) performed at four different laboratories and using four geographically different SARS-CoV-2 isolates (one each from USA and Italy; two from Spain). Two of the isolates contained the D614G mutation. Neutralization capacity against the original Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 straom and variants (D614G mutant, B.1.1.7, P.1 and B.1.351 variants) was evaluated using a pseudovirus platform expressing the corresponding spike (S) protein. The capacity to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) was also evaluated.ResultsAll the SARS-CoV-2 isolates tested were effectively neutralized by hIG solutions. This was confirmed by all four methodologies showing potent neutralization capacity. Wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and variants were effectively neutralized as demonstrated using the pseudovirus platform. The hIG solutions had the capacity to induce ADCC and ADCP against SARS-CoV-2 N and S proteins but not the E protein. Under our experimental conditions, very low concentrations (25-100 µg IgG/mL) were required to induce both effects. Besides the S protein, we observed a clear and potent effect triggered by antibodies in the hIG solutions against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein.ConclusionsThese results show that, beyond neutralization, other IgG Fc-dependent pathways may play a role in the protection from and/or resolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection when using hIG COVID-19 products. This could be especially relevant for the treatment of more neutralization resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
Mutations in SIX1 associated with Branchio-oto-renal Syndrome (BOR) differentially affect otic expression of putative target genes
Authors: Mehdizadeh Tanya , Majumdar Himani Datta , Ahsan Sarah , Tavares Andre , Moody Sally A. 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTSingle nucleotide mutations inSIX1are causative in some individuals diagnosed with branchio-otic/branchio-oto-renal (BOR) syndrome. To test whether these mutations have differential effects on otic gene expression, we engineered four BOR mutations inXenopus six1and targeted mutant protein expression to the neural crest and cranial placode precursor cells in wild-type embryos. Changes in the otic expression of putative Six1 targets and/or co-factors were monitored by qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. We found that each mutant had a different combination of effects. The V17E mutant reducedeya2, tspan13, zbtb16andpa2g4otic vesicle expression at a frequency indistinguishable from wild-type Six1, but reducedprdm1more andspry1less compared to wild-type Six1. For most of these genes, the R110W, W122R and Y129C mutants were significantly less repressive compared to wild-type Six1. Their individual effects varied according to the level at which they were expressed. The R110W, W122R and Y129C mutants also often expandedprdm1otic expression. Since previous studies showed that all four mutants are transcriptionally deficient and differ in their ability to interact with co-factors such as Eya1, we propose that altered co-factor interactions at the mutated sites differentially interfere with their ability to drive otic gene expression.
Daily transient coating of the intestine leads to weight loss and improved glucose tolerance
Authors: Lo Tammy , Lee Yuhan , Tseng Chung-Yi , Hu Yangshuo , Mantzoros Christos S. , Karp Jeffrey M. , Tavakkoli Ali 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe worsening obesity epidemic has driven a parallel increase in incidence of type-2 diabetes (T2D) found in 13% of the adult US population. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) is the golden standard surgical treatment for obesity-related T2D. However, over 70% of T2D patient do not meet the NIH criteria for surgery, and many that do, are reluctant to consider such an invasive intervention. Mechanisms behind the antidiabetic effect of RYGB are not clearly understood, but isolation of proximal bowel from nutrient exposure plays a critical role. In this study, we tested the impact of daily administration of an oral gut coating agent, LuCI (Luminal Coating of the Intestine), in controlling weight and insulin resistance. LuCI is not systemically absorbed and provides a transient coating of the proximal intestines and excludes the coated bowel from nutrient contact, thus mimicking the effects of RYGB. We demonstrate that LuCI results in weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity in a rat DIO model. LuCI also appears to replicate hormonal changes seen after RYGB, by increasing post-prandial GLP-1 and GIP levels. LuCI has the potential to replicate the metabolic benefit of surgery and be a novel therapeutic strategy for obesity associated T2D.