bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causal effects of physical activity or sedentary behaviors on kidney function: an integrated population-scale observational analysis and Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Park Sehoon , Lee Soojin , Kim Yaerim , Lee Yeonhee , Kang Min Woo , Kim Kwangsoo , Kim Yong Chul , Han Seung Seok , Lee Hajeong , Lee Jung Pyo , Wook Joo Kwon , Lim Chun Soo , Kim Yon Su , Kim Dong Ki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
An investigation into the causality of the effects of physical activity and specific sedentary activities on kidney function in the general population is warranted.

Methods
In this observational cohort study, first, the clinical associations of the prevalence of stages 3–5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with physical activity, determined by self-report or objective wrist-band accelerometer results, and sedentary activities (watching television, using a computer and driving) were investigated in 329 758 UK Biobank participants. To assess causality, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to investigate the associations of a genetic predisposition to physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle with the risk of kidney function impairment in an independent CKDGen genome-wide association study (N = 567 460). The findings were replicated with the 321 024 UK White British Biobank participants in the allele-score-based one-sample MR.

Results
A higher degree of self-reported or accelerometer-determined moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with a higher eGFR, while a longer time spent watching television was significantly associated with a lower eGFR and a higher prevalence of CKD. The two-sample MR demonstrated that the genetic predisposition to a higher degree of physical activity was associated with a lower risk of CKD and a higher eGFR, while the genetically predicted television watching duration was associated with a higher risk of CKD and a lower eGFR. The other sedentary behaviors yielded inconsistent results. The findings were similarly replicated in the one-sample MR.

Conclusion
Physical activity and television watching causally affect kidney function in the general population.
Primary caregivers’ experience with the informed consent process in the paediatric emergency department: An interview-based qualitative study
Authors: Wazir Adonis , Sandokji Ibrahim , Greaves Morten , Sawaya Rasha D 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objective
This study aims to understand primary caregivers’ (PCG) experience with the informed consent (IC) process.

Methods
We conducted in-depth interviews with PCGs of paediatric patients who underwent a procedure requiring IC in the paediatric emergency department (PED) of a tertiary care paediatric centre in the USA, between January and March 2013 and between September 2013 and January 2014. We triangulated the qualitative findings from the PCG interviews with Likert-scale responses from the PCGs and with results from surveyed physicians.

Results
We included 14 PCG–physician dyads. Our results show that PCGs understand the importance of the IC process. They appreciated the calm demeanor of providers, and the clarity of their wording. PCGs felt that IC can add to the stress, and that it could be made simpler and timelier. PCGs also had varying extents of retention of the information provided.

Conclusion
This exploratory study suggests an overall positive IC experience of the PCGs while highlighting areas for improvement including a more thorough discussion of alternatives, a better assessment of knowledge transmission and retention by the PCG, and recognition of the PCG’s discomfort during decision making in a stressful environment.
A dopamine-based biosynthetic pathway produces decarboxylated betalains in Chenopodium quinoa
Authors: Henarejos-Escudero Paula , Contreras-Llano Luis Eduardo , Lozada-Ramírez José Daniel , Gómez-Pando Luz Rayda , García-Carmona Francisco , Gandía-Herrero Fernando 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Betalains are the nitrogenous pigments that replace anthocyanins in the plant order Caryophyllales. Here, we describe unconventional decarboxylated betalains in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) grains. Decarboxylated betalains are derived from a previously unconsidered activity of the 4,5-DOPA-extradiol-dioxygenase enzyme (DODA), which has been identified as the key enzymatic step in the established biosynthetic pathway of betalains. Here, dopamine is fully characterized as an alternative substrate of the DODA enzyme able to yield an intermediate and structural unit of plant pigments: 6-decarboxy-betalamic acid, which is proposed and described. To characterize this activity, quinoa grains of different colors were analyzed in depth by chromatography, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and reactions were performed in enzymatic assays and bioreactors. The enzymatic-chemical scheme proposed leads to an uncharacterized family of 6-decarboxylated betalains produced by a hitherto unknown enzymatic activity. All intermediate compounds as well as the final products of the dopamine-based biosynthetic pathway of pigments have been unambiguously determined and the reactions have been characterized from the enzymatic and functional perspectives. Results evidence a palette of molecules in quinoa grains of physiological relevance and which explain minor betalains described in plants of the Caryophyllales order. An entire family of betalains is anticipated.
Malaria elimination in India requires additional surveillance mechanisms
Authors: Rahi Manju , Das Payal , Sharma Amit 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Malaria surveillance is weak in high malaria burden countries. Surveillance is considered as one of the core interventions for malaria elimination. Impressive reductions in malaria-associated morbidity and mortality have been achieved across the globe, but sustained efforts need to be bolstered up to achieve malaria elimination in endemic countries like India. Poor surveillance data become a hindrance in assessing the progress achieved towards malaria elimination and in channelizing focused interventions to the hotspots. A major obstacle in strengthening India’s reporting systems is that the surveillance data are captured in a fragmented manner by multiple players, in silos, and is distributed across geographic regions. In addition, the data are not reported in near real-time. Furthermore, multiplicity of malaria data resources limits interoperability between them. Here, we deliberate on the acute need of updating India’s surveillance systems from the use of aggregated data to near real-time case-based surveillance. This will help in identifying the drivers of malaria transmission in any locale and therefore will facilitate formulation of appropriate interventional responses rapidly.
Evaluating blockchain technology and related policies in China and the USA
Authors: Jiang Nan , Liu Xing , Xu Ming 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Blockchain has been regarded as an emerging global technological phenomenon. This study uses the patent analysis method to compare the development of blockchain technology in China and the USA. An overview of blockchain policies in China and the USA is presented. Our analyses suggest that policies related to the blockchain stimulate the number of blockchain patent applications and create regional innovation in China. The innovation capability of Chinese enterprises has been more affected by these policies than that of the USA, which is reflected in the fact that Chinese enterprises have become key players in China and actively carry out patent layout in the USA. Although the developmental trend of blockchain technology in China and the USA is almost identical, the USA attaches more importance to safety technology, whereas China pays more attention to the application technology based on the differences in policies.
Effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth under warm farrowing room temperatures on piglet rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth
Authors: Vande Pol Katherine D , Tolosa Andres F , Shull Caleb M , Brown Catherine B , Alencar Stephan A S , Lents Clay A , Ellis Michael 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPiglets experience a decline in body temperature immediately after birth, and both drying and warming piglets at birth reduce this. However, these interventions may be less effective at higher farrowing room temperatures. This study was carried out at a commercial facility to compare the effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on postnatal rectal temperature (RT) under relatively warm farrowing room temperatures (26.6 ± 2.09 °C). Forty-five sows/litters were used in a completely randomized design to compare three Intervention Treatments (applied at birth): Control (no treatment); Warming (piglets placed in a plastic box under a heat lamp for 30 min); and Drying+Warming (piglets dried with desiccant and warmed as above). Temperatures in the warming boxes over the study period averaged 37.7 ± 2.75 °C. At birth, piglets were weighed; RT temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1,440 min after birth. Blood samples were collected at 24 h after birth from a subsample of one piglet from each birth weight quartile within each litter to measure plasma immunocrit concentration. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with litter as the experimental unit, and piglet as a subsample of litter. The model for analysis of piglet rectal temperature included fixed effects of Intervention Treatment, measurement time (repeated measure), the interaction, and the random effect of sow. Compared with the Control, piglet RT were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Warming treatment between 10 and 60 min, and higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment between 10 and 120 min after birth. Rectal temperatures were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming than the Warming treatment between 20 and 120 min. Responses to drying and/or warming were greater for low-birth-weight piglets (&lt;1.0 kg) than heavier littermates, but were generally less than observed in previous experiments with similar treatments carried out under cooler temperatures. Piglet immunocrit values were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment compared to the other Intervention Treatments, which were similar (P &gt; 0.05). Immunocrit values tended (P = 0.10) to be lower for light (&lt;1.0 kg) compared with heavier birth weight piglets. In conclusion, drying and warming piglets at birth was more effective for reducing piglet RT decline after birth than warming alone, though the effect was less than observed in previous studies carried out under cooler farrowing room temperatures.
The threshold between life and death in Cistus albidus L. seedlings: mechanisms underlying drought tolerance and resilience
Authors: Pérez-Llorca Marina , Caselles Vicent , Müller Maren , Munné-Bosch Sergi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Drought can lead to important shifts in population dynamics if it occurs during seedling establishment. With the aim of elucidating the underlying mechanisms of drought tolerance and resilience, here we monitored the survival of seedlings of the Mediterranean shrub Cistus albidus L. throughout a year growing in the natural Park of the Montserrat Mountains (Spain) and, additionally, we studied the response to severe drought and subsequent recovery after rewatering of seedlings grown in growth chambers. To find possible mechanisms explaining how seedlings respond to drought, growth and survival together with physiological-related parameters such as chlorophyll contents, vitamin E and stress-related phytohormones were measured. We found that survival decreased by 30% at the end of summer and that the main proxy of seedling survival was total chlorophyll. This proxy was further confirmed in the growth chambers, where we found that seedlings that recovered from drought had higher levels of total chlorophyll compared with the seedlings that did not recover. Furthermore, modulation of vitamin E and jasmonates contents appeared to be crucial in the drought response of C. albidus seedlings. We propose a prediction model of survival that includes total chlorophyll height, leaf mass area and maximum photosystem II efficiency with chlorophyll contents being a good long-term predictor of C. albidus seedling survival under severe stress, which, in turn, could help to better foresee population fluctuations in the field.
Free-floating bike-sharing green relocation problem considering greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: Chen Dawei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper introduces the problem of green bike relocation considering greenhouse gas emissions in free-floating bike-sharing systems (FFBSSs) and establishes a mathematical model of the problem. This model minimizes the total imbalance degree of bikes in the FFBSS and the greenhouse gas emissions generated by relocation in the FFBSS. Before the relocation phase, the FFBSS is divided into multiple relocation areas using a two-layer clustering method to reduce the scale of the relocation problem. In the relocation phase, the relocation route problem is converted into a pickup and delivery vehicle-routing problem. Then, an adaptive variable neighbourhood tabu search algorithm with a three-dimensional tabu list is proposed, which can simultaneously solve the relocation problem and the routing problem. A computational study based on the actual FFBSS used in Shanghai shows that this method can effectively solve the green relocation problem of FFBSSs.
A Novel Sulfone Derivative ControlsLasiodiplodia theobromaein Tea Leaf Spot by Reducing the Ergosterol Content
Authors: Bao Xingtao , Yang Rui , Jiang Shilong , Zhao Jinping , Wang Delu , Li Dongxue , Wu Xian , Song Baoan , Chen Zhuo 
Published: April 2021

Diseases caused by fungi can affect the quality and yield of the leaves of tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze]. At present, the availability of highly effective and safe fungicides for controlling tea plants remains limited. The objectives of this study were to identify novel compounds with antifungal activities and to determine their molecular mechanisms. A series of sulfone compounds containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole were evaluated in China for their antifungal activities against several pathogens causing foliar diseases and high production losses. Transcriptomics and bioinformatics were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes of Lasiodiplodia theobromae treated with a representative compound, jiahuangxianjunzuo (JHXJZ). Moreover, the effects of JHXJZ on ergosterol content, membrane permeability, cell structure, and seven key genes involved in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway were investigated. JHXJZ had a strong antifungal activity against L. theobromae in vitro, with an effective concentration giving 50% inhibition of 3.54 ± 0.55 μg/ml, and its curative efficacies on detached tea leaves reached 41.78% at 100 μg/ml. JHXJZ upregulated 899 genes (P < 0.05) and downregulated 1,185 genes (P < 0.05) in L. theobromae. These genes were found to be associated with carbohydrate metabolic processes, which are closely related to steroid biosynthesis in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. Because JHXJZ regulates the key genes of sterol biosynthesis, it decreased the ergosterol content, increased cell-membrane permeability, changed the cellular structure, enhanced the roughness of the surface of the hyphae, and resulted in degradation of the hyphal nuclei and necrosis of the hyphal cytoplasm. Our study demonstrates that JHXJZ is a fungicide with a novel mechanism of action that differs from that of triazole fungicides. JHXJZ has potential for applications in controlling tea plant diseases.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
High SARS-CoV-2 attack rates following exposure during five singing events in the Netherlands, September-October 2020
Authors: Shah Anita A. , Dusseldorp Florien , Veldhuijzen Irene K. , te Wierik Margreet J.M. , Bartels Alvin , Schijven Jack , Vermeulen Lucie C. , Knol Mirjam J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundPrevious reports suggest SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk increases during singing events. From September-October 2020, several clusters of COVID-19 cases among singing events were reported across the Netherlands. Our aim was to investigate whether singing increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk during these events.MethodsData from 5 events were retrospectively collected from spokespersons and singing group members via questionnaires. Information was consolidated with the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Specimens were requested for sequencing for point source and cluster assessment. We described outbreaks in terms of person, place and time and depicted potential SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes. A previously published model (AirCoV2) was used to estimate mean illness risk of 1 person through airborne transmission under various scenarios.ResultsEvents included 9-21 persons (mean: 16), aged 20-89 years (median: 62). Response rates ranged 58-100%. Attack rates were 53-74%. Limited sequencing data was obtained from 2 events. Events lasted 60-150 minutes (singing: 20-120). Rooms ranged 320-3000m3. SARS-CoV-2 transmission likely occurred during all events; with a possible index case identified in 4 events. AirCoV2 showed 86% (54-100%) mean illness risk for 120 minutes of singing, smaller room (300m3), 1 air exchange/hour (ACH), and supershedder presence.ConclusionsDroplet transmission and indirect contact probably caused some cases, but unlikely explain the high attack rates. AirCoV2 indicated that airborne transmission due to singing is possible in case of supershedder presence. Airflow expelling respiratory droplets >1.5m possibly influenced transmission. It is possible that singing itself increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk through airborne transmission.SummaryThis outbreak investigation among five singing events with high SARS-CoV-2 attack rates (53-74%) suggested that airflow expelling respiratory droplets >1.5m possibly influenced transmission and it is possible that singing itself increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk through airborne transmission.
Spatiotemporal Correlations of Mesoscale Neocortical Activities in Patients with Focal Epilepsy
Authors: Lee Somin , Deshpande Sarita S. , Merricks Edward M. , van Putten Michel J.A.M. , Schevon Catherine A. , van Drongelen Wim 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBrain function is reflected in both the action potentials of individual neurons and interactions through e.g. synaptic currents reflected in widespread, slow fluctuations of the local field potential (LFP). We analyzed microelectrode array data to determine state-dependent correlations between action potential and LFP during seizure events as well as interictally in patients with focal epilepsy. We also examined activity in two different cortical network territories: the seizure core and surrounding penumbra (Schevon et al., 2012).The cross-correlation of spiking activity in the core showed an association of the ictal action potentials with the global oscillatory aspect of the seizure activity and indicated local failure of inhibitory restraint surrounding the ictal spike. These patterns were not observed in the penumbra.Our analyses from clinical recordings and a model of a single ictal spike in the core revealed that both the temporal and spatial components of the network’s cross-correlation can be approximated by a sine cardinal (sinc) function. The biological interpretation of these findings is that important functional differences across the neocortical network exist, with a critical role of the millimeter-range excitatory connections within the grey matter. Therefore, localized intervention that prevents escape of hyperactivity from the seizure core may be considered as a therapeutic strategy.Significance StatementAnalysis and modeling of spatiotemporal cross-correlation between multi-unit spike activity and the local field potential of human seizure activity demonstrates a difference of network functionality between the seizure core and its surrounding penumbral network. In this study, we show that millimeter-range excitatory connections, known to exist within the gray matter of neocortex, play a critical role in propagating the effects of ictal hyperexcitation. These findings contribute to our understanding of ictal mechanisms and hold promise for further development of strategies to detect the ictal core territory and prevent seizure propagation.
COVIDOUTCOME – Estimating COVID Severity Based on Mutation Signatures in the SARS-CoV-2 Genome
Authors: Nagy Ádám , Ligeti Balázs , Szebeni János , Pongor Sándor , Győrffy Balázs 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionNumerous studies demonstrate frequent mutations in the genome of SARS-CoV-2. Our goal was to statistically link mutations to severe disease outcome.MethodsWe used an automated machine learning approach where 1,594 viral genomes with available clinical follow-up data were used as the training set (797 “severe” and 797 “mild”). The best algorithm, based on random forest classification combined with the LASSO feature selection algorithm was employed to the training set to link mutation signatures and outcome. The performance of the final model was estimated by repeated, stratified, 10-fold cross validation (CV), then adjusted for multiple testing with Bootstrap Bias Corrected CV.ResultsWe identified 26 protein and UTR mutations significantly linked to severe outcome. The best classification algorithm uses a mutation signature of 22 mutations as well as the patient’s age as the input and shows high classification efficiency with an AUC of 0.94 (CI: [0.912, 0.962]) and a prediction accuracy of 87% (CI: [0.830, 0.903]). Finally, we established an online platform (https://covidoutcome.com/) which is capable to use a viral sequence and the patient’s age as the input and provides a percentage estimation of disease severity.DiscussionWe demonstrate a statistical association between mutation signatures of SARS-CoV-2 and severe outcome of COVID-19. The established analysis platform enables a real-time analysis of new viral genomes.KEY MESSAGESA statistical link between SARS-Cov-2 mutation status and severe COVID outcome was established using automated machine learning techniques based on random forest and logistic regression combined with feature selection algorithms.A mutation signature based on 3,779 protein coding and 36 UTR mutations capable to identify severe outcome cases was established.The trained model showed high classification performance (AUC=0.94 (CI: [0.912, 0.962]), accuracy=0.87 (CI: [0.830, 0.903])).A registration-free web-server for automated classification of new samples was set up and is accessible athttp://www.covidoutcome.com.The established pipeline provides a quick assessment of future patients warranting a prospective clinical validation.