bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The health effects in the US of quarantine policies based on predicted individual risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes
Authors: Lovick Sam , Dite Gillian S. , Allman Richard 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundSocial distancing, testing and public health measures are the principal protections against COVID-19 in the US. Social distancing based on an accurate assessment of the individual risk of severe outcomes could reduce harm even as infection rates accelerate.MethodsAn SEIR dynamic transmission model of COVID-19 was created to simulate the disease in the US after October 2020. The model comprised 8 age groups with US-specific contact rates and low- and high-risk sub-groups defined in terms of the risk of a severe outcome determined by relevant comorbidities and a genetic test. Monte Carlo analysis was used to compare quarantine measures applied to at risk persons identified with and without the genetic test.ResultsUnder the piecemeal social distancing measures currently in place, absent a vaccine the US can expect 114 million symptomatic infections, 4.8 million hospitalisations and 262,000 COVID-19 related deaths. Social distancing based solely on comorbidities with 80% compliance reduces symptomatic infections by between 1.2 and 2.2 million, hospitalisations by between 1.2 and 1.3 million, and deaths by between 71,800 and 80,900. Refining the definition of at risk using a test of single-nucleotide polymorphisms further reduces symptomatic infections by 1.0 to 1.2 million, hospitalisations by 0.4 million and deaths by between 20,500 and 24,100.ConclusionsModels are now available that can accurately predict the likelihood of severe COVID-19 outcomes based on age, sex, comorbidities and polygenetic testing. Quarantine based on risk of severe outcomes could substantially reduce pandemic harm, even when infection rates outside of quarantine are high.
A realistic way to investigate the design, and mechanical properties of flow diverter stents
Authors: Velvaluri P. , Pravdivtseva M. S. , Hensler J. , Wodarg F. , Jansen O. , Quandt E. , Hövener J. B. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeBraided flow diverters (FD) are highly sophisticated, delicate, and intricate mechanical devices used to treat intracranial aneurysms and thus saving lives. Testing such devices in vitro, however, remains an unsolved challenge. Here, we evaluate methods that access flow, design, and mechanical properties in vitro.MethodsFlow properties, cell porosity, and cell area were evaluated by placing FDs in patient-derived, 3D printed models of human vasculature. 4D flow MRI was used to measure fluid dynamics. Laser microscopy was used to measure porosity and cell area with the top of aneurysm sac cut off for the model. New testing methods were developed to investigate the bending, circumferential, and longitudinal radial force continuously over varying diameters.ResultsThe placement and flow properties of the FD in the vasculature models were successfully measured by MRI, although artifacts occurred. The setup to measure porosity and cell area inside of the model proved successful. The newly discussed methods allowed us to measure the indicated forces, to our knowledge for the first time, continuously.ConclusionModern and specifically tailored techniques, some of which were presented here for the first time, allow detailed insights into the flow and mechanical properties of braided flow diverter stents.
ACE gene variants rise the risk of severe COVID-19 in patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia or diabetes. A pilot study
Authors: Íñiguez María , Pérez-Matute Patricia , Villoslada-Blanco Pablo , Recio-Fernandez Emma , Ezquerro-Pérez Diana , Alba Jorge , Ferreira-Laso M. Lourdes , Oteo José A. 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTCoronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection continues to scale and threaten human health and public safety. It is essential to identify those risk factors that lead to a poor prognosis of the disease. A predisposing host genetic background could be one of these factors that explain the interindividual variability to COVID-19 severity. Thus, we have studied whether the rs4341 and rs4343 polymorphisms of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, key regulator of the renin-aldosterone-angiotensin system (RAAS), could explain the different outcomes of 128 COVID-19 patients with diverse degree of severity (33 asymptomatic or mildly asymptomatic, 66 hospitalized in the general ward, and 29 admitted to the ICU). We found that G allele of rs4341 and rs4343 was associated with severe COVID-19 in hypertensive patients, independently of gender (p<0.05). G-carrier genotypes of both polymorphisms were also associated with higher mortality (p< 0.05) and higher severity of COVID-19 in dyslipidemic (p<0.05) and type 2 diabetic patients (p< 0.01).In conclusion, our preliminary study suggests that the G-containing genotypes of rs4341 and rs4343 confer an additional risk of adverse COVID-19 prognosis. Thus, rs4341 and rs4343 polymorphisms of ACE could be predictive markers of severity of COVID-19 in those patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia or diabetes. The knowledge of these genetic data could contribute to precision management of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients when admitted to hospital.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance, Prevention and Control: A Global Survey
Authors: Tomczyk Sara , Taylor Angelina , Brown Allison , Kraker Marlieke de , Eckmanns Tim , El-Saed Aiman , Alshamrani Majid , Hendriksen Rene , Jacob Megan , Löfmark Sonja , Perovic Olga , Shetty Nandini , Sievert Dawn , Smith Rachel , Stelling John , Thakur Siddhartha , Tornimbene Barbara , Vietor Ann Christin , Eremin Sergey 
Published: March 2021

SynopsisObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on health systems. The WHO Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Collaborating Centres Network conducted a survey to assess the effects of COVID-19 on AMR surveillance, prevention and control.MethodsFrom October-December 2020, WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) national focal points completed a questionnaire including Likert-scales and open-ended questions. Data were descriptively analysed, income/regional differences were assessed, and free-text questions were thematically analysed.ResultsSeventy-three countries across income levels participated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 67% reported limited ability to work with AMR partnerships; decreases in funding were frequently reported by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs; p<0.01). Reduced availability of nursing, medical and public health staff for AMR was reported by 71%, 69% and 64%, respectively, whereas 67% reported stable cleaning staff availability. The majority (58%) reported reduced reagents/consumables, particularly LMICs (p<0.01). Decreased numbers of cultures, elective procedures, chronically ill admissions and outpatients and increased intensive care unit admissions reported could bias AMR data. Reported overall infection prevention and control (IPC) improvement could decrease AMR rates, whereas increases in selected inappropriate IPC practices and antibiotic prescribing could increase rates. Most did not yet have complete data on changing AMR rates due to COVID-19.ConclusionsThis was the first survey to explore the global impact of COVID-19 on AMR among GLASS countries. Responses revealed universal patterns but also captured country variability. Although focus is understandably on COVID-19, gains in detecting and controlling AMR, a global health priority, cannot afford to be lost.
Gender Differences in Caries and Periodontal Status in UK Children
Authors: Papadaki Sofia , Douglas Gail V A , HaniBani Alaa , Kang Jing 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundGender inequalities in dental caries and periodontal diseases have been observed among adults. However, literature is scarce for children and evidence on gender inequalities regarding caries and/or periodontal diseases is vague. Our aim is to examine potential gender differences in UK children regarding caries experience and periodontal status using data from the UK’s 2013 Children’s Dental Health Survey (CDHS).MethodsCDHS included children aged 5, 8, 12 and 15 years. Their dental caries experience and periodontal status were reported using the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT or dmft for permanent or primary dentition at both D1 and D3 thresholds) and the basic periodontal examination (BPE) score, respectively. Zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) models were used to fit DMFT/dmft and a multinomial logistic regression (MLR) model was used for BPE scores after adjustment for possible confounding factors, to assess the gender inequality on DMFT/dmft and BPE in the UK children.ResultsThe analyses included 9,866 children. No gender inequalities in caries experience were observed in the 5 and 8-year-old children regardless of the threshold at which dental caries were examined. However, for the 12- and 15-year-old adolescents, females had higher D3MFT scores compared to males (IRR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.10-1.49 and IRR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.00-1.35, respectively). Additionally, the 15-year-old females had lower probability to be caries free (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45-0.82), regardless of the threshold at which dental caries were examined. With regards to the periodontal status, no statistically significant gender inequalities (p>0.05) were observed.ConclusionsIn the UK, female adolescents had experienced more carious lesions compared to males of the same age group, when dental caries were examined into dentine (D3MFT). However, 15-year-old males matched females in their caries experience, when the early enamel lesions were included in caries diagnosis (D1MFT). With regard to the periodontal status, no gender dissimilarity was confirmed among British adolescents. The increased risk of adolescent females to dental caries may signify additional needs for prevention and improved oral care.
Sudden rise in COVID-19 case fatality among young and middle-aged adults in the south of Brazil after identification of the novel B.1.1.28.1 (P.1) SARS-CoV-2 strain: analysis of data from the state of Parana
Authors: de Oliveira Maria Helena Santos , Lippi Giuseppe , Henry Brandon Michael 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTBrazil is currently suffering a deadly surge of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, which has been attributed to the spread of a new strain known as P.1 (B.1.1.28.1). In this investigation, we analyzed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health data from Parana, the largest state in southern half of Brazil, between September 1, 2020 and March 17, 2021, to evaluate recent trends in case fatality rates in different age groups. A total of 553,518 cases of SARS-CoV-2, 8,853 currently registered as fatal, were finally included in our analysis. All age groups showed either decline or stabilization of the case fatality rates (CFRs) between September 2020 and January 2021. In February 2021, an increase in CFR for almost all age groups could be instead observed. All groups above 20 years of age showed statistically significant increases in CFR when diagnosed in February 2021 as opposed to January 2021. Patients aged 20-29 years experienced a tripling of their CFR, from 0.04% to 0.13%, while those aged 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 experienced approximate CFR doubling. Individuals between 20 and 29 years of age whose diagnosis was made in February 2021 had an over 3-fold higher risk of death compared to those diagnosed in January 2021 (Risk Ratio (RR): 3.15 [95%CI: 1.52-6.53], p<0.01), while those aged 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 years experienced 93% (1.93 [95%CI:1.31-2.85], p<0.01), 110% (RR: 2.10 [95%CI:1.62-2.72], p<0.01), and 80% (RR: 1.80 [95%CI:1.50-2.16], p<0.01) increases in risk of death, respectively. Notably, the observed CFR increase coincided with the second consecutive month of declining number of diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 cases. Taken together, these preliminary findings suggest significant increases in CFR in young and middle-aged adults after identification of a novel SARS-CoV-2 strain circulating in Brazil, and this should raise public health alarms, including the need for more aggressive local and regional public health interventions and faster vaccination.
Electrophysiological and Transcriptomic Features Reveal a Circular Taxonomy of Cortical Neurons
Authors: Rodríguez-Collado Alejandro , Rueda Cristina 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTThe complete understanding of the mammalian brain requires exact knowledge of the function of each of the neurons composing its parts. To achieve this goal, an exhaustive, precise, reproducible, and robust neuronal taxonomy should be defined. In this paper, a new circular taxonomy based on transcriptomic features and novel electrophysiological features is proposed. The approach is validated by analysing more than 1850 electrophysiological signals of different mouse visual cortex neurons proceeding from the Allen Cell Types Database.The study is conducted on two different levels: neurons and their cell-type aggregation into Cre Lines. At the neuronal level, electrophysiological features have been extracted with a promising model that has already proved its worth in neuronal dynamics. At the Cre Line level, electrophysiological and transcriptomic features are joined on cell types with available genetic information. A taxonomy with a circular order is revealed by a simple transformation of the first two principal components that allow the characterization of the different Cre Lines. Moreover, the proposed methodology locates other Cre Lines in the taxonomy that do not have transcriptomic features available. Finally, the taxonomy is validated by Machine Learning methods which are able to discriminate the different neuron types with the proposed electrophysiological features.
Mugs and Plants: Object Semantic Knowledge Alters Perceptual Processing with Behavioral Ramifications
Authors: Dubbelde Dick , Shomstein Sarah 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNeural processing of objects with action associations recruits dorsal visual regions more than objects without such associations. We hypothesized that because the dorsal and ventral visual pathways have differing proportions of magno- and parvo-cellular input, there should be behavioral differences in perceptual tasks between manipulable and non-manipulable objects. This hypothesis was tested in adults across five experiments (Ns = 26, 26, 30, 25, 25) using a gap detection task, suited to the spatial resolution of parvocellular processing, and an object flicker discrimination task, suited to the temporal resolution of magnocellular processing. Directly predicted from the cellular composition of each pathway, a strong non-manipulable object advantage was observed in gap detection, and a small manipulable object advantage in flicker discrimination. Additionally, these effects are modulated by reducing object recognition through inversion and by suppressing magnocellular processing using red light. These results establish perceptual differences between objects dependent on semantic knowledge.Statement of RelevanceWhen we perceive an object, our knowledge of that object is brought to mind. Previous work has shown specifically that knowledge of object manipulability biases neural processing to areas of the brain in the parietal lobe which are relevant to motor processing. In this study we show that this neural bias, caused by knowledge of the object, has an effect on object perception. Using behavioral paradigms designed to take advantage of the specific response properties of neurons in the parietal and temporal object processing areas, we found that manipulable objects are perceived with higher temporal resolution while non-manipulable objects are perceived with higher spatial resolution. Our results demonstrate a specific neural mechanism by which prior knowledge affects current perception.
Re-opening schools in a context of low COVID-19 contagion: Consequences for teachers, students and their parents*
Authors: Godøy Anna , Grøtting Maja Weemes , Hart Rannveig Kaldager 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTo balance children’s right to schooling with contagion management, knowing how school re-openings affect the spread of COVID-19 is crucial. This paper considers effects on testing and positive tests for COVID-19 of re-opening Norwegian schools after a six-week closure to reduce contagion. We estimate the effect of school reopening for teachers, parents and students using an event study/difference-in-differences design with comparison groups with minimal exposure to in-person schooling. We find no evidence that incidence increased following re-opening for either students, parents, or teachers pooled across grade levels. We find some suggestive evidence that infection rates among upper secondary school teachers increased; however, the effects are small and transitory. At low levels of contagion, schools can safely be re-opened when other social distancing policies remain in place.
Thrifty energy phenotype predicts weight regain - results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Spranger Leonard , Bredow Josephine , Zeitz Ulrike , Grittner Ulrike , Boschmann Michael , Dickmann Sophia , Stobäus Nicole , Jumpertz-von Schwartzenberg Reiner , Spranger Joachim , Mai Knut 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground & AimsWeight loss is associated with an improvement of insulin sensitivity. Both, a negative energy balance and changes of body composition are integrative components of weight loss interventions. However, the individual impact of these two components on insulin sensitivity and energy metabolism is unclear.MethodsWe performed a randomized controlled trial including 80 overweight or obese post-menopausal women. Participants randomly assigned to the intervention group underwent an 800 kcal/d liquid diet for 2 months followed by four weeks in which the formula diet was substituted by a calorie reduced healthy diet to facilitate further weight loss. This weight loss phase was followed by a 4-week weight maintenance phase, where weight stability was achieved by individualized daily caloric intake without negative energy balance. Volunteers of the control group were instructed to keep their weight stable during the entire period of 4 months. Metabolic phenotyping was performed in both groups at baseline (M0), after weight loss (M3) and after the maintenance period (M4). Additional phenotyping was performed during follow-up at 12 (M12) and 24 months (M24). Primary outcomes were changes of lean body mass (LBM) and changes of insulin sensitivity (ISIClamp) between baseline and M3 and M4. Estimates of energy metabolism were secondary endpoints.ResultsNo significant changes of body weight or LBM were found in the control group between any time points. A significant reduction of body weight, fat mass (FM) and LBM was found in the intervention group between M0 and M3, while no further change was seen between M3 and M4. Only subjects of the intervention group were characterized by an improvement of the second primary outcome ISIClamp at M3, which was preserved until M4. Notably, a lower resting energy expenditure per LBM (REELBM) at M3 as well as the individual difference of REELBM between M3 and M4 significantly predicted a stronger regain of fat mass during follow-up.ConclusionsIn summary, our data demonstrate that modulation of LBM and insulin sensitivity during weight loss is predominantly driven by changes in body weight and body composition, rather than an individual effect of negative energy balance. However, the variance in energy expenditure during negative and steady energy balance indicates a thrifty phenotype, which is highly susceptible to future regain of fat mass.
DrugComb update: a more comprehensive drug sensitivity data repository and analysis portal
Authors: Zheng Shuyu , Aldahdooh Jehad , Shadbahr Tolou , Wang Yinyin , Aldahdooh Dalal , Bao Jie , Wang Wenyu , Tang Jing 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTCombinatorial therapies that target multiple pathways have shown great promises for treating complex diseases. DrugComb (https://drugcomb.org/) is a web-based portal for the deposition and analysis of drug combination screening datasets. Since its first release, DrugComb has received continuous updates on the coverage of data resources, as well as on the functionality of the web server to improve the analysis, visualization and interpretation of drug combination screens. Here we report significant updates of DrugComb, including: 1) manual curation and harmonization of more comprehensive drug combination and monotherapy screening data, not only for cancers but also for other diseases such as malaria and COVID-19; 2) enhanced algorithms for assessing the sensitivity and synergy of drug combinations; 3) network modelling tools to visualize the mechanisms of action of drugs or drug combinations for a given cancer sample; and 4) state-of-the-art machine learning models to predict drug combination sensitivity and synergy. These improvements have been provided with more user-friendly graphical interface and faster database infrastructure, which make DrugComb the most comprehensive web-based resources for the study of drug sensitivities for multiple diseases.
Effective spatio-temporal regimes for wound treatment by way of macrophage polarization: A mathematical model
Authors: Xue Jiahao , Zlobina Ksenia , Gomez Marcella 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWound healing consists of a sequence of biological processes often grouped into different stages. Interventions applied to accelerate normal wound healing must take into consideration timing with respect to wound healing stages in order to maximize treatment effectiveness. Macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 represents a transition from the inflammatory to proliferation stage of wound healing. Accelerating this transition may be an effective way to accelerate wound healing; however, it must be induced at the appropriate time. We search for an optimal spatio-temporal regime to apply wound healing treatment in a mathematical model of wound healing. In this work we show that to maximize effectiveness, treatment must not be applied too early or too late. We also show that effective spatial distribution of treatment depends on the heterogenity of the wound surface. In conclusion, this research provides a possible optimal regime of therapy that focuses on macrophage activity and a hypothesis of treatment outcome to be tested experimentally in future. Finding best regimes for treatment application is a first step towards development of intelligent algorithms of wound treatment that minimize healing time.
Identification of a new, Rab14-dependent, endo-lysosomal pathway
Authors: Trofimenko Evgeniya , Homma Yuta , Fukuda Mitsunori , Widmann Christian 
Published: March 2021

SummaryCells can endocytose material from the surrounding environment. Endocytosis and endosome dynamics are controlled by proteins of the small GTPase Rab family. Several endocytosis pathways have been described (e.g. clathrin-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, CLIC/GEEC pathway). Besides possible recycling routes to the plasma membrane and various organelles, these pathways all appear to funnel the endocytosed material to Rab5-positive early endosomes that then mature into Rab7-positive late endosomes/lysosomes. By studying the uptake of a series of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) used in research and clinic, we have discovered a second endocytic pathway that moves material to late endosomes/lysosomes and that is fully independent of Rab5 and Rab7 but requires the Rab14 protein. This newly identified pathway differs from the conventional Rab5-dependent endocytosis at the stage of vesicle formation already and is not affected by a series of compounds that inhibit the Rab5-dependent pathway. The Rab14-dependent pathway is also used by physiological cationic molecules such as polyamines and homeodomains found in homeoproteins. Rab14 is expressed by the last eukaryotic common ancestor. The Rab14-dependent pathway may therefore correspond to a primordial endosomal pathway taken by cationic cargos.