bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibody affinity maturation and plasma IgA associate with clinical outcome in hospitalized COVID-19 patients
Authors: Tang Juanjie , Ravichandran Supriya , Lee Youri , Grubbs Gabrielle , Coyle Elizabeth M. , Klenow Laura , Genser Hollie , Golding Hana , Khurana Surender 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHospitalized COVID-19 patients often present with a large spectrum of clinical symptoms. There is a critical need to better understand the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 that lead to either resolution or exacerbation of the clinical disease. Here, we examine longitudinal plasma samples from hospitalized COVID-19 patients with differential clinical outcome. We perform immune-repertoire analysis including cytokine, hACE2-receptor inhibition, neutralization titers, antibody epitope repertoire, antibody kinetics, antibody isotype and antibody affinity maturation against the SARS-CoV-2 prefusion spike protein. Fatal cases demonstrate high plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, and MCP-1, and sustained high percentage of IgA-binding antibodies to prefusion spike compared with non-ICU survivors. Disease resolution in non-ICU and ICU patients associates with antibody binding to the receptor binding motif and fusion peptide, and antibody affinity maturation to SARS-CoV-2 prefusion spike protein. Here, we provide insight into the immune parameters associated with clinical disease severity and disease-resolution outcome in hospitalized patients that could inform development of vaccine/therapeutics against COVID-19.
The influence of spaceflight and simulated microgravity on bacterial motility and chemotaxis
Authors: Acres Jacqueline M. , Youngapelian Myka Jaap , Nadeau Jay 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAs interest in space exploration rises, there is a growing need to quantify the impact of microgravity on the growth, survival, and adaptation of microorganisms, including those responsible for astronaut illness. Motility is a key microbial behavior that plays important roles in nutrient assimilation, tissue localization and invasion, pathogenicity, biofilm formation, and ultimately survival. Very few studies have specifically looked at the effects of microgravity on the phenotypes of microbial motility. However, genomic and transcriptomic studies give a broad general picture of overall gene expression that can be used to predict motility phenotypes based upon selected genes, such as those responsible for flagellar synthesis and function and/or taxis. In this review, we focus on specific strains of Gram-negative bacteria that have been the most studied in this context. We begin with a discussion of Earth-based microgravity simulation systems and how they may affect the genes and phenotypes of interest. We then summarize results from both Earth- and space-based systems showing effects of microgravity on motility-related genes and phenotypes.
Global 1-km present and future hourly anthropogenic heat flux
Authors: Varquez Alvin Christopher Galang , Kiyomoto Shota , Khanh Do Ngoc , Kanda Manabu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNumerical weather prediction models are progressively used to downscale future climate in cities at increasing spatial resolutions. Boundary conditions representing rapidly growing urban areas are imperative to more plausible future predictions. In this work, 1-km global anthropogenic heat emission (AHE) datasets of the present and future are constructed. To improve present AHE maps, 30 arc-second VIIRS satellite imagery outputs such as nighttime lights and night-fires were incorporated along with the LandScanTM population dataset. A futuristic scenario of AHE was also developed while considering pathways of radiative forcing (i.e. representative concentration pathways), pathways of social conditions (i.e. shared socio-economic pathways), a 1-km future urbanization probability map, and a model to estimate changes in population distribution. The new dataset highlights two distinct features; (1) a more spatially-heterogeneous representation of AHE is captured compared with other recent datasets, and (2) consideration of future urban sprawls and climate change in futuristic AHE maps. Significant increases in projected AHE for multiple cities under a worst-case scenario strengthen the need for further assessment of futuristic AHE.
Network analysis of the immune state of mice
Authors: Fonseca dos Reis Elohim , Viney Mark , Masuda Naoki 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe mammalian immune system protects individuals from infection and disease. It is a complex system of interacting cells and molecules, which has been studied extensively to investigate its detailed function, principally using laboratory mice. Despite the complexity of the immune system, it is often analysed using a restricted set of immunological parameters. Here we have sought to generate a system-wide view of the murine immune response, which we have done by undertaking a network analysis of 120 immune measures. To date, there has only been limited network analyses of the immune system. Our network analysis identified a relatively low number of communities of immune measure nodes. Some of these communities recapitulate the well-known T helper 1 vs. T helper 2 cytokine polarisation (where ordination analyses failed to do so), which validates the utility of our approach. Other communities we detected show apparently novel juxtapositions of immune nodes. We suggest that the structure of these other communities might represent functional immunological units, which may require further empirical investigation. These results show the utility of network analysis in understanding the functioning of the mammalian immune system.
RNA-seq analysis reveals different drought tolerance mechanisms in two broadly adapted wheat cultivars ‘TAM 111’ and ‘TAM 112’
Authors: Chu Chenggen , Wang Shichen , Paetzold Li , Wang Zhen , Hui Kele , Rudd Jackie C. , Xue Qingwu , Ibrahim Amir M. H. , Metz Richard , Johnson Charles D. , Rush Charles M. , Liu Shuyu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWheat cultivars ‘TAM 111’ and ‘TAM 112’ have been dominantly grown in the Southern U.S. Great Plains for many years due to their high yield and drought tolerance. To identify the molecular basis and genetic control of drought tolerance in these two landmark cultivars, RNA-seq analysis was conducted to compare gene expression difference in flag leaves under fully irrigated (wet) and water deficient (dry) conditions. A total of 2254 genes showed significantly altered expression patterns under dry and wet conditions in the two cultivars. TAM 111 had 593 and 1532 dry–wet differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and TAM 112 had 777 and 1670 at heading and grain-filling stages, respectively. The two cultivars have 1214 (53.9%) dry–wet DEGs in common, which agreed with their excellent adaption to drought, but 438 and 602 dry–wet DEGs were respectively shown only in TAM 111 and TAM 112 suggested that each has a specific mechanism to cope with drought. Annotations of all 2254 genes showed 1855 have functions related to biosynthesis, stress responses, defense responses, transcription factors and cellular components related to ion or protein transportation and signal transduction. Comparing hierarchical structure of biological processes, molecule functions and cellular components revealed the significant regulation differences between TAM 111 and TAM 112, particularly for genes of phosphorylation and adenyl ribonucleotide binding, and proteins located in nucleus and plasma membrane. TAM 112 showed more active than TAM 111 in response to drought and carried more specific genes with most of them were up-regulated in responses to stresses of water deprivation, heat and oxidative, ABA-induced signal pathway and transcription regulation. In addition, 258 genes encoding predicted uncharacterized proteins and 141 unannotated genes with no similar sequences identified in the databases may represent novel genes related to drought response in TAM 111 or TAM 112. This research thus revealed different drought-tolerance mechanisms in TAM 111 and TAM 112 and identified useful drought tolerance genes for wheat adaption. Data of gene sequence and expression regulation from this study also provided useful information of annotating novel genes associated with drought tolerance in the wheat genome.
BOOSTing patient mobility and function on a general medical unit by enhancing interprofessional care
Authors: Johnson A. M. , Kuperstein J. , Graham R. Hogg , Talari P. , Kelly A. , Dupont-Versteegden E. E. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLow mobility during hospitalization remains prevalent despite associated negative consequences. The goal of this quality improvement (QI) project was to increase patient mobility and function by adding a physical therapist (PT) to an existing interprofessional care team. A mobility technician assisted treatment group patients with mobility during hospitalization based on physical therapist recommendations. Change in functional status and highest level of mobility achieved by treatment group patients was measured from admission to discharge. Observed hospital length of stay (LOS), LOS index, and 30-day all cause hospital readmission comparisons between treatment group and a comparison group on the same unit, and between cross-sectional comparison groups one year prior were used for Difference in Difference analysis. Bivariate comparisons between the treatment and a cross-sectional comparison group from one year prior showed a statistically significant change in LOS Index. No other bivariate comparisons were statistically significant. Difference in Difference methods showed no statistically significant change in observed LOS, LOS Index, or 30-day readmission. Patients in the treatment group had statistically significant improvements in functional status and highest level of mobility achieved. Physical function and mobility improved for patients who participated in mobility sessions. Mobility technicians may contribute to improved care quality and patient safety in the hospital.
The incidence and clinical analysis of non-melanoma skin cancer
Authors: Ciążyńska Magdalena , Kamińska-Winciorek Grażyna , Lange Dariusz , Lewandowski Bogumił , Reich Adam , Sławińska Martyna , Pabianek Marta , Szczepaniak Katarzyna , Hankiewicz Adam , Ułańska Małgorzata , Morawiec Jan , Błasińska-Morawiec Maria , Morawiec Zbigniew , Piekarski Janusz , Nejc Dariusz , Brodowski Robert , Zaryczańska Anna , Sobjanek Michał , Nowicki Roman J. , Owczarek Witold , Słowińska Monika , Wróbel Katarzyna , Bieniek Andrzej , Woźniacka Anna , Skibińska Małgorzata , Narbutt Joanna , Niemczyk Wojciech , Ciążyński Karol , Lesiak Aleksandra 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNon-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancies diagnosed in Caucasian populations. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent skin cancer, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Unfortunately, most European cancer registries do not record individual types of NMSC. To evaluate the incidence of primary BCCs and SCCs regarding age, sex, tumour site and tumour subtype to determine trends in epidemiology of both cancers. Retrospective analysis of BCCs and SCCs diagnosed and treated across seven sites in Poland from 1999 to 2019. We recorded 13,913 NMSCs occurring in 10,083 patients. BCC represented 85.2% of all cases. SCC patients were older than BCC patients (77.1 ± 11.3 years vs. 70.1 ± 12.3 years, p < 0.01). The nodular subtype was the most common subtype of BCC, followed by the superficial and infiltrative subtypes. The superficial BCC subtype was more common on photoprotected areas (p < 0.01), whereas the nodular BCC subtype occurred on the face (p < 0.01). The high-risk SCC subtypes were more common on face compared to low-risk SCC subtypes (p < 0.01). BCC and SCC are common malignancies developing at various ages and anatomical sites. These data underline the need for better registration policies regarding NMSC in order to improve prevention and treatment strategies for these tumours.
Graphene oxide assisted light-up aptamer selection against Thioflavin T for label-free detection of microRNA
Authors: Islam Md Mamunul , Ghielmetti Victoria Michele , Allen Peter B. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe selected an aptamer against a fluorogenic dye called Thioflavin T (ThT). Aptamers are single-stranded DNA that can bind a specific target. We selected the ThT aptamer using graphene oxide assisted SELEX and a low-cost Open qPCR instrument. We optimized, minimized, and characterized the best aptamer candidate against ThT. The aptamer, ThT dye, and the enzymatic strand displacement amplification (SDA) were used in a label-free approach to detect the micro RNA miR-215 in saliva and serum. The aptamer confers higher specificity than intercalating dyes but without expensive covalently modified DNA probes. This isothermal, low-cost, simple method can detect both DNA and RNA. The target, miR-215, was detected with a limit of detection of 2.6 nM.
The effects of the general anesthetic sevoflurane on neurotransmission: an experimental and computational study
Authors: Mapelli Jonathan , Gandolfi Daniela , Giuliani Enrico , Casali Stefano , Congi Luigi , Barbieri Alberto , D’Angelo Egidio , Bigiani Albertino 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe brain functions can be reversibly modulated by the action of general anesthetics. Despite a wide number of pharmacological studies, an extensive analysis of the cellular determinants of anesthesia at the microcircuits level is still missing. Here, by combining patch-clamp recordings and mathematical modeling, we examined the impact of sevoflurane, a general anesthetic widely employed in the clinical practice, on neuronal communication. The cerebellar microcircuit was used as a benchmark to analyze the action mechanisms of sevoflurane while a biologically realistic mathematical model was employed to explore at fine grain the molecular targets of anesthetic analyzing its impact on neuronal activity. The sevoflurane altered neurotransmission by strongly increasing GABAergic inhibition while decreasing glutamatergic NMDA activity. These changes caused a notable reduction of spike discharge in cerebellar granule cells (GrCs) following repetitive activation by excitatory mossy fibers (mfs). Unexpectedly, sevoflurane altered GrCs intrinsic excitability promoting action potential generation. Computational modelling revealed that this effect was triggered by an acceleration of persistent sodium current kinetics and by an increase in voltage dependent potassium current conductance. The overall effect was a reduced variability of GrCs responses elicited by mfs supporting the idea that sevoflurane shapes neuronal communication without silencing neural circuits.
Brain network analysis reveals that amyloidopathy affects comorbid cognitive dysfunction in older adults with depression
Authors: Lee Suji , Kim Daegyeom , Youn HyunChul , Hyung Won Seok William , Suh Sangil , Kaiser Marcus , Han Cheol E. , Jeong Hyun-Ghang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLate-life depression (LLD) may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). While amyloidopathy accelerates AD progression, its role in such patients has not yet been elucidated. We hypothesized that cerebral amyloidopathy distinctly affects the alteration of brain network topology and may be associated with distinct cognitive symptoms. We recruited 26 and 27 depressed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients with (LLD-MCI-A(+)) and without amyloid accumulation (LLD-MCI-A(−)), respectively, and 21 normal controls. We extracted structural brain networks using their diffusion-weighted images. We aimed to compare the distinct network deterioration in LLD-MCI with and without amyloid accumulation and the relationship with their distinct cognitive decline. Thus, we performed a group comparison of the network topological measures and investigated any correlations with neurocognitive testing scores. Topological features of brain networks were different according to the presence of amyloid accumulation. Disrupted network connectivity was highly associated with impaired recall and recognition in LLD-MCI-A(+) patients. Inattention and dysexecutive function were more influenced by the altered networks involved in fronto-limbic circuitry dysfunction in LLD-MCI-A(−) patients. Our results show that alterations in brain network topology may reflect different cognitive dysfunction depending on amyloid accumulation in depressed older adults with MCI.
First prospective data on breast cancer patients from the multicentre italian bone metastasis database
Authors: Bongiovanni Alberto , Foca Flavia , Fantini Manuela , Forcignanò Maria Rosachiara , Artioli Fabrizio , Berardi Rossana , Campadelli Enrico , Procopio Giuseppe , Silvestris Francesco , Riva Nada , Gurrieri Lorena , Debonis Silvia Angela , Di Menna Giandomenico , Fausti Valentina , Recine Federica , Vespignani Roberto , Ibrahim Toni 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBone metastases (BM) are still the main cause of morbidity in cancer patients because of skeletal-related events (SREs) that reduce quality of life. They have also led to increased social and healthcare costs. At present, data available on BM are insufficient. This was a multicentre prospective observational study of patients with BM from breast cancer (BC) with at least 6 months’ follow-up. Information on patients at the first diagnosis of BM, including demographics and characteristics of the primary tumor and BM. Data were periodically updated by participating centres and reviewed by the coordinator centre. From October 2014 to July 2019, 618 patients with BM from solid tumors were enrolled and 220 were eligible for the present study. Median age was 62 years (range 26–86). Median follow-up was 34 months (range 6–149). At the time of enrolment, 109 (50%) had only BM (BOM) and 109 (50%) had concomitant visceral lesions and BM (BVM). Median time-to-first BM was 47 months (range 0–312) in BOM and 78.6 months in BVM patients. Disease-free interval differed on the basis of BC molecular subtype and stage. Ninety-eight BM patients had at least on SRE. Zoledronate was used in 69.1% of cases and denosumab in 28.3%. First-line treatment was hormone-based (50.7%), chemotherapy-based (38.7%) or chemotherapy- + hormone therapy-based (9.7%). Median progression-free and overall survival were 15.1 months (95% CI 12.6–18.4) and 66.8 months (95% CI 52.1–79.2), respectively. Our prospective study could substantially help to better understand the natural history of BM from BC.
The occurrence of aflatoxins and human health risk estimations in randomly obtained maize from some markets in Ghana
Authors: Kortei Nii Korley , Annan Theophilus , Akonor Papa Toah , Richard Seidu A. , Annan Helen Ama , Kyei-Baffour Vincent , Akuamoa Felicia , Akpaloo Princess Golda , Esua-Amoafo Paul 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMaize and its products are most often prone to fungal contamination especially during cultivation and storage by toxigenic fungi. Aflatoxicosis still persist in Ghana despite the numerous education on several ways of its prevention at the farm as well as its adverse health implications which are food safety concerns. A random assessment and human risk analysis was conducted on 90 maize (72 white and 18 colored) samples from markets across all the regions of Ghana. Total aflatoxins (AFtotal) and the constitutive aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) were analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Out of a total of ninety (90) samples investigated, 72 (80%) tested positive for AFB1 and the contamination levels ranged from 0.78 ± 0.04 to 339.3 ± 8.6 µg kg−1. Similarly, AFG2 was detected in only 14 (15.5%) samples, and their values ranged between 1.09 ± 0.03 and 5.51 ± 0.26 µg kg−1 while AF total ranged between 0.78 ± 0.04 and 445.01 ± 8.9 µg kg−1 constituting approximately 72 (80%). Limits of AFB1 and total aflatoxins (AFtotal) for the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) (5 and 10 µg kg−1) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (2 and 4 µg kg−1), were used as checks. A total of 33 (41.25%) samples were above the limits for both. Risk assessments recorded for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (H.Q), Hazard Index (H.I), Margin of Exposure (MOE), av. Potency, and population risks ranged 0.087–0.38 μg kg−1 bw day−1, 1.5–6.9, 0.0087–0.38, 3.64–12.09, 0–0.0396 ng Aflatoxins kg−1 bw day−1 and, 3.5 × 10–1–0.015 respectively for total aflatoxins. While ranges for aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) recorded were 0.068–0.3 μg Kg bw−1 day−1, 2.43–10.64, 0.0068–0.030, 4.73–20.51, 0–0.0396 ng Aflatoxins kg−1 bw day−1 and, 2.69 × 10–3–0.012 for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (H.Q), Hazard Index (H.I), Margin of Exposure (MOE), Av. potency, and population risks respectively. It was deduced that although there was some observed contamination of maize across the different ecological zones, the consumption of maize (white and colored) posed no adverse health effects on the population of Ghana since computed H.I was less than 1 (< 1).
Serine 477 plays a crucial role in the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with the human receptor ACE2
Authors: Singh Amit , Steinkellner Georg , Köchl Katharina , Gruber Karl , Gruber Christian C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSince the worldwide outbreak of the infectious disease COVID-19, several studies have been published to understand the structural mechanism of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. During the infection process, the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein plays a crucial role in the receptor recognition and cell membrane fusion process by interacting with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. However, new variants of these spike proteins emerge as the virus passes through the disease reservoir. This poses a major challenge for designing a potent antigen for an effective immune response against the spike protein. Through a normal mode analysis (NMA) we identified the highly flexible region in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, starting from residue 475 up to residue 485. Structurally, the position S477 shows the highest flexibility among them. At the same time, S477 is hitherto the most frequently exchanged amino acid residue in the RBDs of SARS-CoV-2 mutants. Therefore, using MD simulations, we have investigated the role of S477 and its two frequent mutations (S477G and S477N) at the RBD during the binding to hACE2. We found that the amino acid exchanges S477G and S477N strengthen the binding of the SARS-COV-2 spike with the hACE2 receptor.